6 Best Gas Grills of 2026, Tested and Ranked by CNET Experts

What we liked:

The Weber Spirit’s popularity is well-documented, but its reputation alone isn’t enough to convince us. In speed, temperature, and consistency tests, the Weber E-325 performed as well as or better than any grill on the list, reaching well over 700 degrees in under 15 minutes. It also held its temperature within a few degrees during a 30-minute consistency test and regained temperature after the lid was opened and reclosed with impressive speed.

Its three-burner setup and 450 total square inches of cooking space — including the top rack — are enough to handle most backyard grilling sessions with ease. That said, it fits roughly nine average-sized burgers at a time, so expect to cook in batches when you’re feeding a larger crowd.

The Weber Spirit cookbox is made from cast aluminum, engineered to resist rust and corrosion better than the stainless steel used by many of its competitors. The snap ignition system was notably more reliable than its competitors, too, consistently lighting all three burners. Based on our long-term experience with Weber grills, the ignitions hold up over the years.

Who is it for:

The Spirit earns its place as our top pick for most backyard cooks. It delivers consistent, even heat, and the sear zone gets hot enough to put a proper sear or char on steaks, burgers, salmon, and vegetables. Factor in Weber’s reputation for long-term durability, and this grill becomes an exceptional value — offering more for your money than most competitors in the same price range.

Who should avoid it:

The Spirit E-325 keeps things straightforward and is not loaded with extra features, so if you’re after built-in thermometers, side burners or other add-ons, you may want to explore other options on our list.

Its mid-size cooking surface is also worth keeping in mind; if you’re regularly grilling for a large group, stepping up to the bigger 4-burner model will save you the hassle of cooking in multiple batches.

If you don’t need all that power, the Weber E-310, which is essentially the same grill but without the sear zones, can be had for about $50 less.

What we liked:

Traditional grillers may scoff at the idea of a smart model, but after testing Weber’s feature-rich Genesis EX-325W Smart Gas Grill, we certainly see the appeal. The Genesis EX-325W heated faster than any other grill we tested and kept an even heat across all four quadrants. It also has one of the most powerful sear zones of any grill we tested, reaching well over 700 degrees to impart a healthy crust on chicken and burgers.

In true Weber fashion, the build quality and finishes feel premium. The caster wheels rolled smoothly across the deck, and the ignition worked without fail in the dozens of times we triggered it.

Who is it for:

Smart tech enthusiasts, fans of low-and-slow cooking, and easily distracted chefs will appreciate the Weber’s smart features. The app and the connected internal probe worked well to keep tabs on the food as it cooked. This function is especially useful for making foods with long cooking times, such as bone-in chicken, briskets, roasts and racks of ribs. Through the app, you’ll get an estimated completion time and allow users to upload recipes with cooking times.

The digital readout is mostly accurate, too. The only hiccup we’ve had with a Weber Smart Grill was while cooking pork ribs low and slow. According to the grill’s LED screen, heat levels during the cook were set to a 10-degree range around 225 F. Our own thermocouples, though, pegged the grill temperature at about 45 degrees cooler. As a result, our ribs took longer than expected: 6 hours and 30 minutes.

Who should avoid it:

At $1,000, this is the priciest grill on our list, so it’s not for budget buyers or casual grillers. Despite its impressive functionality and built-in features, the Genesis Smart Grill has fewer add-ons than some of the grills we tested. There’s no griddle — although one can be purchased separately — and no side-table burner as with the Char-Broil FlavorMax 4.

Why we liked it:

Considering how expensive everything has become, paying under $300 for a full-size gas grill is a steal. Charbroil’s Performance Series four-burner will run you between $249 and $300 and performed well in our testing, making it a clear pick for the best cheap grill in 2026. The build, while not as sturdy as Weber’s and the premium grills we tested, was solid, and assembly was no more involved than others on the list.

The Charbroil heated slightly more unevenly than some of the competition, but not enough to dramatically impact typical grilling. The cooking chamber reached 600 degrees F in about 15 minutes. That’s significantly cooler than the more powerful grills we tested, which have sear zones that top 700 degrees. Still, 600 degrees F is plenty of firepower to do most of your weekend grilling.

The Performance Series comes in two formats, one with a gas tank cupboard and one with open shelves. We could make a case for both since cupboards can collect grease and debris, and are sometimes difficult to clean. On the plus side, they protect your gas tank from the elements and keep an unsightly metal can out of sight.

Who is it for:

This is a solid grill for about as cheap as you’ll find one. The Performance Series doesn’t have many features, but the burners lit dutifully upon ignition and maintained their flame during several cooking tests. We loved the sleek black look, though it’s available with a stainless-steel hood if you prefer.

Who should avoid it:

Those seeking a premium grill to last a decade or more may want to look elsewhere. In general, Charbroil grills don’t hold up as well over time as Webers and other high-end grills, since the brand uses thinner steel and lighter components that are more prone to rust and corrosion. Webers, for instance, have cast-aluminum cookboxes, while this Charbroil model uses simple painted steel. Because of that, you’ll want to take special care of this model, clean it regularly and keep it protected from the weather with a cover whenever not in use.

One other minor nuisance is that neither side table folds down to fit in a smaller space, although the right-side table can be easily removed by loosening a few screws.

Why we liked:

Ninja’s first foray into full-size grilling, the FlexFlame, is unlike anything else we’ve tested. This large propane-powered grill comes with a built-in smoker box that activates at the push of a button, infusing food with your choice of applewood or hickory flavor.

It also supports a wide range of attachments — most of which are sold separately — that can transform it into a flat-top griddle or a pizza oven. On the performance side, the FlexFlame impressed us with pinpoint temperature control, a searing max heat of 600°F, and remarkably quick heat recovery after opening the lid to flip burgers or check on chicken.

We loved making seared steaks over the grates on one side and using the half-griddle attachment to cook flaky fish and veggies on the other. The FlexFlame offers more versatility than most grills and is easy to operate.

The grill’s exceptional heat control, thanks to a convection fan and carefully calibrated dials, makes it a joy to roast chicken or slow-cook a brisket. The built-in smoker box lets wannabe pitmasters impart authentic barbecue flavor.

Read our full review of the Ninja FlexFlame here.

Who is it for:

This is a big, feature-heavy grill that makes a joy to entertain large groups with. The main grill surface offers 424 square inches of cooking capacity (enough for about 15 burgers) and a stop rack supplements with another 121 square inches. You can cook using multiple modes and methods at once, including flat-top griddling, smoking and a dedicated pizza stone for slinging pies.

Who should avoid it:

The FlexFlame has a bunch of features that contribute to the higher cost. If you don’t think you’ll use the smoker function or griddle attachment, it might not be worth the expense. This grill also requires electricity to run, which can be cumbersome depending on your outdoor configuration.

What we liked:

We’ve been testing portable grills for five years, and a Weber Q series model has held the top spot on our best list each and every year — and for good reason. The compact Q1200 lights without fuss and heats evenly from a single 8,500 BTU burner. Its flip-up side tables make cooking and prep surprisingly comfortable for a grill this size. At 30 pounds, it’s heavier than some portable competitors, but that weight is a feature, not a flaw — it’s the natural result of a cast aluminum body and Weber’s signature porcelain-coated cast-iron grates, both built to go the distance.

Who is it for:

With 189 square inches of cooking space — enough for roughly eight 4-ounce burgers — you could make this your main grill but we’d suggest buying the cart and an adapter so you can hook it up to a larger propane tank since the Coleman camping canisters would run out quickly. We found it plenty easy to lug around via the built-in handles, making it a perfect grill to take camping, in your RV or to a tailgate.

Who should avoid it:

If you’re seeking a truly portable grill to lug on hikes or long meandering camping trips, there are lighter, more portable grills. Our picks can be found on this list of the best portable grills for 2026.

What we liked:

The Denali makes a strong first impression with its generous cooking space — there’s plenty of room to feed a full party without the juggling act. A standout detail is the built-in slots for hanging drumsticks, which keep them elevated and cooking evenly on all sides. Everything we tested came out tender, and the temperature probes took the guesswork out of knowing when each cut was done.

Chicken thighs were perfectly cooked through, and burger patties were evenly browned on all sides. The side burner proved its worth too, letting us simmer a pot of barbecue beans alongside the meat without a single trip back inside — the kind of convenience that makes a real difference when you’re hosting.

Who is it for:

While a giant six-burner grill may not be for everyone, the Monument Denali strikes the perfect balance of modern design, value, and quality build. Like any smart modern grill, the Denali has temperature probes to cook food accurately and connects to your phone via an app. You can set the app to alert you when your food reaches the correct temperature or when a set time limit is reached.

Who should avoid it:

Our only complaint with the Denali 605 is the time it took to build. It comes disassembled for easy shipping, but putting it together was tedious, with a lot of guesswork when the instructions weren’t clear. Once it was built, it worked great, but it was a pain to get it together.

Most gas grills run on propane, though some are designed for natural gas. Beyond fuel type, a number of factors distinguish one grill from another — cooking surface size, grate material, and BTU output all play a role in how a grill performs, and those differences show up in testing.

One pattern our data consistently reveals is how quickly a grill cooks on its own medium or high setting. This isn’t a comparison of identical temperatures across grills — it simply means we turned each knob to whatever that grill labeled “medium heat” and observed the results. It’s a more realistic measure of how the grill will actually behave in everyday use.

It really comes down to how you cook. If you’re regularly grilling for a crowd, you’ll want a larger primary cooking surface, a warming rack, and ideally a side burner to keep things running smoothly. But if most of your meals are for a smaller group, a more compact grill will serve you better — it’ll cost less, heat up faster, and generally be easier to manage. Buying more grill than you need rarely pays off.

Once you’ve picked out the best gas grill for you, you’ll want to look at grill covers and pick up grilling tools like a grill brush, a thermometer to check for food-safe temperatures and liners for the drip tray. There are loads of great cooking tools that can be used on all types of grills, it just comes down to what works best for you and your cooking style.

Generally, at the end of summer is the best time to buy a grill. Starting around Labor Day, you’ll start seeing grills go on sale to make room for fall and winter seasonal items. You can also find good sales during major holidays, especially summer ones like Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Father’s Day.

Ideally, your grill will have 80 to 100 BTUs per square inch of cooking surface. For example: a 400 sq. in. grill would have roughly 36,000 BTUs for effective performance.