The Best Gas Grills of 2024 to Become Your Own BBQ Pitmaster

Gas grills get little respect from barbecue purists who insist charcoal grills, pellet grills, and smokers produce the greatest depth of flavor. I’m not saying they're wrong, but there's a time and place for the best gas grills. I’m jealous of anyone who has 12 hours to hang out next to a smoker tinkering with temps. I’m even envious of people who can wait 30 minutes for their charcoals to reach ideal temps. On a weeknight? Before bedtime? Must be nice.

Low and slow is for occasional weekend warriors. The best gas grills are built for the real world. They’re convenient, fast and, unlike many other types of grills, they offer precise heat control. They’re also ideal for cooking at high temps and among the best ways to grill a steak.

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If you also live in the real world where you have to get dinner on the table between soccer practice and homework, or need to cook 12 burgers on the fly because a bunch of friends showed up for the game and stayed for dinner, gas grills are probably for you, too. Char-Broil Commercial Series 4 Burner is our pick for the best gas grill overall, offering a high-quality build, easy-start ignition, high heat levels, modular accessories, and quick cleanup.

Read more of the greatest hits from our 2024 Grilling Awards, including the best griddles, best pizza ovens, and best grill tools—plus pro tips on how to clean a grill, what the best cuts of steak are, and where to find the best mail-order steaks.

Best Gas Grill Overall: Char-Broil Commercial Series 4 Burner

Char-Broil is a trusted brand in the grilling space. Commercial Series 4 Burner is its top-of-the-line model, built to handle heavy everyday use and large parties where you need to feed lots of hungry mouths. This is part of the brand's family of grills that use commercial-grade stainless steel; they boast similar features, but differ in capacity, with two or four burners. When the weather's warm, I grill for my family of four most nights of the week, and I’ve spent the last month putting Char-Broil Commercial Series 4 Burner through the wringer, cooking everything from delicate fish to thick steaks.

The 4 Burner is a large grill, taking up majority of my small grilling deck. It has a side burner on one side, a side table on the other, and a removable griddle you can use to sear steaks, fry eggs, or cook veggies that tend to slip through the grates of a traditional grill. It would be overkill if you only grill occasionally, or have limited space, but after cooking countless meals on this system, I’m impressed with every aspect, from its easy-start ignition to its heat retention to its quick cleanup.

Char-Broil Commercial Series Overall Impressions

Char-Broil produces a number of popular grills, so I wasn’t surprised with how well the Commercial Series performed during the first month of testing. But I was pleasantly surprised with the overall quality of materials used in this particular grill. Due to the abundance of thick stainless steel, this grill is heavy, weighing more than 150 pounds. I’ve put a lot of grills together in my day, and this one's substantial.

As for performance, it lights instantly and heats in a flash. With all burners on high heat, it reaches 700 degrees in just a few minutes. The grill has plenty of room to cook for an entire dinner party at once, retains heat well, and was easy to dial down one side so I had a place to rest burgers.

The Char-Broil Commercial Series offers a “modular cooking system,” coming with a large griddle that can replace a section of the traditional grate and the option to add a charcoal tray if you want to occasionally cook with coals. I don’t want a griddle all the time, but I love the option of swapping half of the grill out for one. Searing steaks is one of the greatest joys in life, and with the high heat of these burners, it’s a simple process.

I’m giving this grill bonus points for its excellent accessory storage. Not only do you get a large griddle, but Char-Broil was smart enough to build in storage for that griddle next to the propane tank. There’s nothing worse than having great grill accessories that have no place to live. There are also four hooks for spatulas, forks, and tongs on the side table.

Assembling Char-Broil Commercial Series 4 Burner ain’t easy, but Rome wasn’t built in a day, as they say. I had the grill delivered, then coerced my son to help me carry the giant box through the house and onto the back deck, where I spent the better part of an afternoon piecing it together. I had to put everything but the firebox together, and there was even some light wiring that needed to be done. I walked away from the four-hour process with a sense of ownership over the grill, as if I designed the thing from scratch.

Final Verdict

Char-Broil Commercial Series 4 Burner is the best backyard grill I’ve owned, thanks to its ease of use and durable materials, all of which contribute to an effortless cooking process on a grill that should last for years to come.

Pros

• High heat

• Quick preheat time

• Durable materials

• Griddle option

• Side burner

Cons

• Heavy

• Takes up a lot of space

Key Features and Tech

Char-Broil uses some cool pieces of tech in Commercial Series 4 Burner. The "Amplifire” stainless-steel plates between the burners and grate help even out the heat. The grill also lets you swap out the fuel source from propane to charcoal with the addition of a charcoal tray. But overall, there isn’t a lot of advanced tech in this grill (no Bluetooth connection here), but that’s not a knock. It works exactly like every other gas grill you’ve ever used, only better.

How I Tested Char-Broil Commercial Series 4 Burner

I’ve used this grill as my daily driver for the last month, cooking steaks, burgers, veggies, and chicken most nights of the week. I’ve tested everything from the amount of time it takes to preheat the grill, to how difficult it is to get chicken residue off the grates. I paid close attention to preheat time, heat retention, and hot spots. I also focused on user-friendly issues like post-dinner clean up and accessory storage. The more I used the Commercial Series, the more I liked it.

Why You Should Buy Char-Broil Commercial Series 4 Burner

For its moderate price tag, this is a top-of-the-line grill, considering its high-quality materials and versatility. It’s large and made for heavy use, so it might not be the best choice if you’re looking for something small to wheel into the backyard every once in a while. There are much cheaper, smaller grills out there built for occasional use and dudes with a side hobby of cooking over an open flame. But if you’re addicted to grilling and love nursing a beer while searing meat or avocados (try it, you’ll love it), then Char-Broil Commercial Series 4 Burner is the ultimate tool for the job.

• Cooking area: 535 square inches

• Burners: Four

• BTUs: 20,000

• Fuel: Propane, charcoal

• Warranty: Three years for lid/firebox and grate/emitter, 10 years for burners

Best Natural Gas Grill: Cuisinart Five Burner

Versatility is the key here. Cuisinart Five Burner comes with a porcelain coated steel griddle—ideal for searing steaks or cooking potatoes or veggies—that stores inside the cart when not in use. And the cooking space is copious, with 502 square inches of primary grill space, as well as a warming rack. A glass window allows you to see what’s cooking without losing heat, and if you have natural gas at your house, the natural gas conversion kit (sold separately) allows you to tap into that fuel source. Maybe the most attractive aspect of this grill? The high-end materials, from the double-wall insulated lid and firebox to the stainless-steel burners that have a ceramic coating.

• Cooking area: 670 square inches

• Burners: 5

• BTUs: 50,000

• Fuel: Propane, natural gas

• Warranty: 3 years on stainless steel parts, 15 years on burners

Best Gas Grill Under $500: Monument Grills Mesa 305

Monument Grills Mesa 305 offers high-quality materials and a lot of features for a sub-$400 price tag. The stainless-steel burners and porcelain-coated cast-iron grate are built to last, while the copious grilling space (570 square inches) and extra side burner allow you to cook a whole feast all at once. I like the glass panel on the lid, which allows you to peek inside without lifting the lid and losing heat, but you’ll have to work to keep that glass clean over time. Need more grilling space? Monument makes the same grill in larger versions, with up to six burners.

• Cooking area: 570 square inches

• Burners: 3, plus side burner

• BTUs: 48,000

• Fuel: Propane

• Warranty: 1 year on grill, 8 years on burners

Best Smart Gas Grill: Weber Genesis SX-335

Genesis SX-335 is built for steaks, with an extra-large sear zone that has its own dedicated burner, creating a high-heat area for lots of red meat. The proprietary PureBlu burner system is designed to deliver even heat across the surface of the grill, eliminating hot spots, while the famous Weber Flavorizer Bars catch and cook drippings, funneling them away from the burners to prevent flareups and minimize clogs. In other words, if you cook a lot of high-fat meat, like burgers, you won’t spend all your time managing grease fires. The intelligent cherry on top is the Weber Connect smart grilling tech, which monitors temperature and can alert you—on a well-designed, easy-to-connect app—when to flip and when to remove your food to ensure it comes out just the way you like. Genesis SX-335 is also compatible with Weber’s Crafted Outdoor Kitchen Collection, which includes standards like a baking stone and griddle, along with bonuses like a rotisserie setup and wok/steamer combo to take your grilling experience to the next level.

• Cooking area: 513 square inches

• Burners: 3

• BTUs: 39,000

• Fuel: Propane, natural gas

• Warranty: 3 years for components, 12 years for the cook box

Best Tabletop Gas Grill: Pit-Boss Stainless

Pit-Boss Stainless is built for travel, but it’s solid enough to be your regular grill if you’re short on space. It’s a straightforward system, with two burners, a single grill (no warming rack), and fold-down legs for table top cooking. The whole grill is stainless steel, from the burners to the body, and each burner has enough output (10,000 BTUs each) for searing steaks.

• Cooking area: 274 square inches

• Burners: 2

• BTUs: 20,000

• Fuel: Propane

• Warranty: 2 years

Best-Looking Gas Grill: Kenmore 4 Burner

Kenmore 4 Burner steals the show with its glossy black finish and contrasting copper details, but this grill is more than just a pretty face. The fully featured grill is loaded with four main burners, as well as a separate side burner with a dedicated 12,000 BTUs for searing steaks, and two tables for added work space. Don’t like the black with rose gold? Kenmore makes this grill in six different finishes to best match your outdoor decor.

• Cooking area: 593 square inches

• Burners: 4

• BTUs: 52,000

• Fuel: Propane

• Warranty: 1 year on parts, 5 years on burners

Best Gas Grill for Small Spaces: Fuego Element

Got a tiny patio? Fuego Element is designed for you. The single burner grill gives you everything you need to cook for a small family, all in a tight package. The propane tank hides inside the pedestal and wheels allow you to tuck it out of the way easily when you’re not cooking. Considering the demure size, Element packs a punch, reaching temps up to 650 degrees. And there’s space to fit up to 14 burgers on the grill. Setup is easy, too, as you can build the entire grill in 30 minutes. You can add a couple of cool accessories, like a griddle top and pizza stone.

• Cooking area: 346 square inches

• Burners: 1

• BTUs: 22,000

• Fuel: Propane

• Warranty: 1 year on parts, 4 years on burner

What to Look for in a Gas Grill

A cheap gas grill will run you a couple hundred bucks, while top-of-the-line models will set you back a couple thousand or more. The basic build is similar throughout: liquid propane feeds a series of burners, a push button ignites the process, and you slap your meat, veggies, or plant-based foodstuffs on the grate hovering above the fire. The design might be the same for gas grills across the board, but how that concept is executed varies greatly (similar to how a Peugeot is technically the same thing as a Porsche). Here are some factors you need to consider when choosing the best gas grill for your needs.

Materials

The best gas grills are built to last, with materials that can handle consistent use, as well as withstand the elements. Budget grills are usually made of cast-aluminum, which is lightweight but probably only lasts a couple years of solid use and exposure to rain and varying temps. Powder-coated steel is the next step up. It’s easy to clean and looks great, as that powder coating can be any color under the rainbow. Most quality grills are made from stainless steel, which has different numbers associated with it, indicating quality: 304 is considered commercial grade, as it resists rust extremely well, while 430 is a lower quality steel that won’t last as long.

The most important parts of the grill are the burner box (the lid and tub that surround the actual grill), grate, and burners. Burners should be made of stainless steel, while the grates can be made from stainless steel or cast iron. Both of those materials can be coated with ceramic or enamel to make them easier to clean.

Pay attention to the warranty each grill carries, which will tell you the quality of the materials. The best grills will carry a 10-year warranty for the burners and fire box, and a three-year warranty for other parts.

Cooking Features

The most basic metric you’re looking for is BTUs (British Thermal Units), which tells you how much heat each burner can produce. It also tells you how much fuel that burner will use over an hour. Most quality grills have burners that produce 10,000 BTUs, but higher isn’t necessarily better. Grills that use higher-end firebox materials will be more efficient, reducing the number of BTUs you need to reach max temps. Bottom line: Look at BTUs, but don’t obsess over them. The materials are more important.

All grills have burners that distribute the flame from the propane, but some will have an element that helps even out that heat, like heat tents, which disperse heat produced by the burner. Lava rocks and ceramic briquettes can do the same. Then there are infrared grills; instead of heating the grates directly, the gas heats an infrared element that disperses intense heat to the grate, providing uniform searing and cutting back on flareups. Some users have difficulty managing the intense heat infrared provides, which can actually make it harder to cook less dense foods, like fish and vegetables.

Other features to look for are a built-in thermometer on the lid, which helps monitor the temperature inside, and some sort of grease trap that funnels drippings into a tray you can remove and clean.

Some grills offer optional or built-in features like removable griddle surfaces, pizza stones, or even rotisserie kits that allow you to roast a whole chicken on the grill. Think about what you like to cook. Personally, a rotisserie kit would be unnecessary, but a griddle on my grill would be super helpful. A side burner is also really helpful, but usually only available on more expensive models.

Cooking Area

Think carefully about the space you have for the grill, and the number of people you’re typically cooking for. Those factors will dictate whether you want a two burner or four burner grill. How many burgers can you fit comfortably onto the cooking area of the grill you’re eyeing? Will that grill even fit on your deck?

Convenience Features

There are a lot of small details that can make a grill super user-friendly. Side tables are handy if you have the space, as they allow you to set plates (and beer) down while tending to food. Hooks on the side of the grill give you a spot to hang utensils. A small warming rack that's suspended over the back of the grill is great if you’re trying to time food that has different cook times. A side burner will allow you to cook items in a pan or pot so you don’t have to move between the grill and kitchen if you’re cooking multiple dishes. There are also grills with built-in LED lighting (a boon when fumbling in the dark trying to flip a smoking chicken thigh) and Wi-Fi connectivity that adds features like temperature tracking and the ability to set alerts and alarms.

Why You Should Trust Me

While I’m not a professionally trained chef, I’ve worked as a cook in a variety of restaurants where I learned the art of cooking on a fire and the nuances of timing a full meal with food that has varying finish times. Grilling in the wild is a passion of mine, but I spend most of my time hovering over the grill on my back deck. I love grilling, so I cook most of my family’s meals on a grill. I’ve also been testing and writing about a variety of grills for the better part of a decade. I’ve written about the best gas grills, open-fire cooking, and best charcoal grills for a variety of magazines.

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