The 10 Best Outdoor Grills for Aspiring and Expert Grill Masters Alike

Chef Senich's top pick

This charbroil grill is high quality but still very easy to use. Chef Senich explains, “The open flame helps render the rich marbling in steak and create a slightly smoky flavor, and this grill includes three powerful burners to help do so. Its porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates provide great heat retention, and it has 669 square inches of cooking space to handle all of your grilling needs. Plus, it carries a ten-year warranty.”

Chef Senich's runner-up

If you’re looking for something more affordable, this Nexgrill model is a great choice. “It features four stainless steel burners with 12,000 BTUs each,” says chef Senich, adding that the massive stainless steel grates give you a whopping 462 square inches of cooking space. That means you can make the whole fam’s burgers in one shot. “Plus, it provides a five-year burner warranty.”

Best for small gatherings

If you typically only grill for you and your roommates or your small family, there's no need to wheel a behemoth into your backyard. Instead, opt for this durable Broil King grill that boasts a 295-square-inch cooking space, three stainless steel burners, porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grids and electronic ignition. The drop-down side shelves make it easy to keep tools and ingredients within reach while you grill. Despite its size, the main burner provides 24,000 BTUs, so you're guaranteed a killer sear on everything from chops to chicken.

Best for serving crowds

"If you're flipping burgers, chicken and hot dogs, or just looking for a backyard workhorse, then this is your grill," assures our senior podcast producer (and avid griller) Matt Bogart. It has 618 square inches of cooking space, so you can tackle multiple dishes at once without breaking a sweat. The porcelain-coated stainless steel burners, flame tamers and quality grates keep heat high and evenly distributed as you cook. We're also big fans of the handy front condiment tray (mustard! ketchup! steak sauce!), side shelves and prep area, so you can see every batch of cheeseburgers through from start to finish without ever leaving your post. Did we mention it includes a five-year warranty?

Chef Senich's top pick

“This grill is one of the best values for its size,” says chef Senich. “With 604 square inches of cooking space, it has a port to insert an electric charcoal starter and multiple vents to help you adjust your cooking temperature from slow-and-low cooking to high-heat searing. It’s very well built and carries a five-year warranty. I personally own this grill and love it!”

Chef Senich's runner-up

Another favorite of his? This reasonably priced, classic charcoal grill. “This is a quality charcoal grill with a large enough cooking surface (363 square inches) to set up an indirect cooking area,” explains chef Senich. “It also has a unique one-touch cleaning system for easy clean-up and comes with a ten-year warranty.” If you need more convincing, some of our staff members swear by this pick. Bogart is also a fan of this pick, and refers to it as "the Swiss army knife" of outdoor cooking, since it can grill, smoke, barbecue and bake.

Best kamado grill

Best known for their oval, or egg-like, shape, kamado grills are traditional Japanese-style ceramic grills. "When it comes to smoking and searing meats, it doesn't get any better," Bogart says. That's because ceramic is a great insulator, so your grill can reach super high temps and will stay hot for hours at a time without needing to adjust the vents. While kamado-style grills tend to be a bit on the pricey side, the Big Green Egg comes with a lifetime warranty that many other manufacturers don't offer. So, in Bogart's words, "pay once and cry once"—you'll be glad you did.

Best for beginners

If you're on the hunt for your first outdoor grill, there's no need to empty your savings account just to hone your skills. We like this pick from Char-Broil because it's compact, easy to transport and affordable. Grill, smoke, roast or bake your favorite summer dishes on porcelain-coated cooking grates. The grill also comes equipped with an oversized damper, which not only controls the cooking temperature and helps you save on charcoal, but it also prevents flare ups from happening while you cook.

Best pellet grill

Fueling your grill with wood may sound old-school and rustic, but this Traeger appliance is beyond high tech. WiFire technology allows you to monitor and operate your grill from anywhere using an app, so you can step away and enjoy the party without stressing over the food. It's great at maintaining exact temperatures for extended periods of time and is equipped with porcelain-coated grill grates and all-terrain wheels. We also love the included meat probe, which allows you to monitor the temperature of your food without lifting the lid and letting out all the heat.

Best for grilling on a budget

Instead of buying an expensive outdoor grill for the summer and an additional indoor grill for the off-season, settle for this gem that can do both. Just connect the removable stand to the bottom when you want to head to the yard, or pop the grill on your kitchen counter when weather gets in the way. The non-stick aluminum, 240-square-inch cooking surface is enough space to prepare 15 servings of food at once.