We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Products Patio Furniture & Outdoors The 9 Best Grills of 2024, Tested with 9 Types of Meats and Vegetables Including winners from Traeger, Weber, Cuisinart, and more By Madison Yauger Madison Yauger Madison Yauger is a shopping editor at PEOPLE.com with eight years of digital media and journalism experience. She has a penchant for lifestyle content with a focus on staples like cozy throw blankets, chic dog jackets, Away luggage, and the linen pants celebrities can’t stop wearing. People Editorial Guidelines and Camryn Rabideau Camryn Rabideau Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her 8+ years of experience as a product tester, she's reviewed hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as PEOPLE, The Spruce, Homes & Gardens, and more. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 21, 2024 05:40PM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews What to Know Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Russell Kilgore Whether a novice or a grill master, finding the right grill can be a daunting task, especially when there are so many factors to consider. What are you cooking? For how many people? What style of grill would work best? We completed three grill tests highlighting gas, charcoal, and pellet grills (as well as portable options) to help you find the best grill for your needs in time for summer. We interviewed renowned chefs and grill experts to learn what makes a grill perform effectively and last for a long time. Our team also considered the design features that help the user experience without taking away from the style of the machinery itself. We tested 49 grills in total, using four cooking methods, and nine different types of meat and vegetables — including 500 hamburgers, which, yes, we happily devoured post-test. Read on for PEOPLE’s best grills of 2024, but first, here are a few things to keep in mind if you are new to the grilling world. What to Know About Grills There Are Three Main Types Three primary types of grills will suit every grilling need: gas grills, charcoal grills, and pellet grills. Gas Grills: A gas grill is a home chef’s best friend — “They provide quick heat-up times, precise temperature control, and are suitable for a variety of cooking techniques,” Thermopro ambassador and grill expert Christopher Smith tells PEOPLE.Gas grills are quick and easy to use (push-button starts and heat up immediately), convenient (don't require wood or charcoal fuel), and generally user-friendly. Charcoal Grills: This type of grill is ideal for a seasoned griller who wants smoky flavor and doesn’t mind waiting longer for food to cook.Also a Thermopro ambassador, grill expert Jason Ortynski tells PEOPLE that charcoal grills utilize a more “hands-on type of grilling” but are extremely versatile. “[It] can be an oven, a smoker, a place to sear steaks...[it] gets the best flavor on food but requires the most work to maintain temperature.” He adds that it has a learning curve that is "well worth being learned.” Pellet Grills: Pellet grills tend to use real wood which brings a rich flavor to the food you’re cooking, but these grills don’t reach as high of temperatures so they aren’t as good for searing as charcoal and gas grills can be.Ortynski says pellet grills are “hands down the easiest type of grill that gets amazing flavor.” He says while these don’t produce the same smoky experience as charcoal, “the flavor is still amazing and the ease of use is reason enough to get one.” And if you like to take grilling on the road whether for a campout, tailgate, or to your family’s barbecue across town, a portable grill might also come in handy. These tend to be either collapsible (or legless) and lightweight for easy portability. These are all considerations you should keep in mind with various types of grills. Features Make a Difference Sometimes extra features can be the ultimate selling point of a grill. For instance, if you’re looking for a backyard grill for summer barbecues, you might want one that’s cart-style so there are places to hang tools and a surface area to store plates, burger buns, and more — a one-stop-shop if you will. Wheels can also make a grill more portable, should you need to move it frequently. For home chefs, another feature that can make grilling a more accessible style of cooking is a digital temperature gauge, as well as Wi-Fi connectivity (so if you have guests, you can check the temperatures at your convenience without being stuck at the grill all evening). There are also plenty of additional grilling accessories like grill baskets and gloves available to help you make the most of your grilling experience. Cooking Technique Varies The way you want to cook food will also determine the best type of grill for your needs. For searing steak, especially if you want that caramelized edge, you will need the high heat of a gas grill (though certain charcoal grills work well for this too). You can bake on a grill just like you can with an oven; gas grills, charcoal, and pellet grills can create excellent baked meats and vegetables. For smoking meat to get that rich flavor, you’ll want a charcoal or pellet grill due to the natural smokiness of burning coal and wood. Our Top Picks Best Gas Grill: Monument Grills 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill at Amazon $449 Jump to Review Best Pellet Grill: Yoder Smokers YS640S Pellet Grill at Atbbq.com $2,399 Jump to Review Best Budget Grill: Nexgrill 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill in Black with Stainless Steel Main Lid at Nexgrill.com Jump to Review Best Portable Gas Grill: Weber Q 2800N+ Liquid Propane Grill at Amazon $399 Jump to Review Best Portable Gas Grill (Cheaper): SALE Cuisinart Venture Gas Grill at Amazon $210 $143 Jump to Review Best Portable Charcoal Grill: PK Grills PKGo Grill Grilling System at Walmart $338 Jump to Review Best Portable Pellet Grill: Traeger Tailgater Pellet Grill at Amazon $480 Jump to Review Best Professional Grill: Weber Genesis E-325 Gas Grill at Amazon $849 Jump to Review Best Investment Grill: Traeger Timberline Pellet Grill at Walmart Jump to Review Best Gas Grill Monument Grills 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill PHOTO: Amazon $449 at Amazon $460 at Wayfair View on Monumentgrills.com Star Qualities Durable stainless steel exterior holds up against the elements Offers a simple setup with intuitive features 723-square-inch cooking space to accommodate bigger groups Red Flags Some cold spots toward the front of the grill Some small flare-ups on the grill when placing food We loved the simplicity and effectiveness of this propane gas grill. Despite its extensive features — four burners, push igniter button, and a durable stainless steel finish — it’s easy for anyone to use, whether grilling for the first time or as a master chef. The design has a safety-forward approach with a small lid and a good amount of space between you and the cooking surface. It comes with side tables for added storage and a cart-style design that features large wheels to easily push the grill around if needed. In the grilling portion of our tests, we appreciated how responsive the flames were to the temperature knobs and settings (though noted a few small flare-ups when cooking the onions and burgers). The hotter spots on the back of the grill created beautiful sear marks on the steaks we cooked, while the front spots remained somewhat cooler — a good area for indirect heating or warming more delicate foods. Once you’ve finished your grill session, this machinery is simple to clean when you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. A gas grill can be an excellent choice for those who want regular grilled dinners without too much effort, and the Monument grill serves that aim well. It’s a good size for a small gathering or large crowd with simple but effective features that any-level chef can use to create a yummy meal. Plus, it’s more affordable than most of its direct competition so you can save time (quick-heating) and money with our top gas grill pick. Grill Type: Propane, gas | Dimensions: 19 x 54 x 46 inches | Weight: 108 pounds | Cooking Area: 723 square inches | BTUs: 60,000 People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore Best Pellet Grill Yoder Smokers YS640S Pellet Grill PHOTO: All Things Barbecue $2,399 at Atbbq.com View on Thebbqhq.com Star Qualities Wi-Fi component lets you view temperatures from the convenience of your phone Visible char marks and a rich, smoky flavor with the various foods we cooked Reached maximum temperature in just 10 minutes and held temp throughout grilling 1,070 square inches of grilling space that doubles with the second shelf Red Flags Hot spot can lead to certain foods overcooking May be out of budget for some A pellet grill uses real wood pellets to create a rich, smokiness in the food you’re cooking. Though expensive, this Yoder grill comes with everything you’ll need for a seamless grilling experience — adjustable temperatures, quick heating (in just 10 minutes), a spacious hopper to store the pellets, and advanced technology so you can control the grill temperatures from your phone. Whether cooking for a small group of friends or a larger holiday gathering, this grill is versatile with a large cooking space of 640 square inches that grows to 1,070 square inches when you use the second grilling shelf. During our pellet grills test, we found that this model exceeded our expectations in performance, creating the perfect amount of smoky flavor without producing excessive smoke. The flavors were balanced, and the char marks were visible. The only downsides we could find include its heavy weight which makes mobility impossible (see below for a better portable option!), and the hot spot that leads to overheating certain foods. While the price is high compared to other grills on our list, you’re getting a lot for what you pay, and we think the investment is worth it, especially for serious grillers. Grill Type: Pellet | Dimensions: 61.3 x 55 x 36.1 inches | Weight: 335 pounds | Cooking Area: 640 square inches (1,070 square inches with second shelf) | Temperature Range: 150–600 degrees Fahrenheit | Pellet Hopper Capacity: 20 pounds People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore Best Budget Grill Nexgrill 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill in Black with Stainless Steel Main Lid PHOTO: Nexgrill View on Nexgrill.com View on Home Depot Star Qualities Simple and straightforward to operate Large capacity fits several servings at once Pull-out drawer for easy cleaning Red Flags Tricky to install propane tank Despite its budget-friendly price, this propane grill impressed us with its large cooking area, easy-to-use controls, and handy grease drawer. It has two stainless steel cooking grates, and the main grate is spacious enough to fit two dozen chicken wings at a time — a solid choice if you’re cooking for a crowd. It has four burners that respond quickly to temperature adjustments, and during testing, we didn’t experience any problems with flare-ups or food sticking. One of our favorite features of this grill is its pull-out grease drawer, which is accessible from the back of the grill and makes cleaning quick and easy. Our only real complaint is that it can be tricky to lift a full propane tank into place on the grill’s cart, so you may want to have someone help you with installation. Grill Type: Propane, gas | Dimensions: 46.5 x 49.5 x 24.2 inches | Weight: 76.8 pounds | Cooking Area: 566 square inches | BTUs: 40,000 People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore Best Portable Gas Grill Weber Q 2800N+ Liquid Propane Grill PHOTO: Weber $399 at Amazon $399 at Home Depot View on Pcrichard.com Star Qualities Easy to attach/remove grill from the base Sturdy side tables for prep Easy-to-clean grease drawer Red Flags Food occasionally sticks to grates This portable Weber grill is ideal for grilling at home and when traveling. The Q 2800N+ is a two-burner grill with removable side tables, and it comes with a sturdy rolling base. However, we found that you can easily remove the grill from its cart and use it on the go — it’s just the right size for camping or tailgating. In addition to its versatile design, we loved that this grill is straightforward to use and beginner-friendly. We were able to fit around 20 chicken wings on the cast iron grates, and everything cooked evenly with nice char marks. However, food did occasionally stick, particularly in spots where the grates are raised. After cooking, a pull-out grease drawer makes the grill effortless to clean, and you can also buy additional accessories for this grill, including a griddle insert. Grill Type: Propane, gas | Dimensions: 42.8 x 30 x 19.7 inches | Weight: 83 pounds | Cooking Area: 320 square inches | BTUs: 18,000 People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore Best Portable Gas Grill (Cheaper) Cuisinart Venture Gas Grill PHOTO: Amazon $143 at Amazon $155 at Target View on Walmart Star Qualities Compact design that aids in portability Flames are highly responsive to the knobs on the grill and easily increase and lower in temperature with a simple twist Only took 5 minutes to set up and start using Red Flags Hot spots on the sides of the grill No thermometer built into the grill For those who want a simple grill you can take on the go, this portable gas grill from Cuisinart is the perfect travel companion. During testing, we were thrilled with how user-friendly this grill is — it only took five minutes to set up and start using. There aren’t too many components: only one knob to turn on the ignition and flame control. Plus, the gas hose easily attaches to the propane tank. (Note: there isn’t an adapter for a propane tank larger than one-pound.) While grilling, we appreciated how well this portable gas grill distributes heat. The perimeter of the grill runs somewhat hotter due to the placement of the air vents. The flames respond quickly to the knob directives, increasing or decreasing immediately without any flare-ups. We cooked an assortment of onions and burgers, and each had nice char marks once grilled. Once our grilling session ended, the grates were also easy to clean with a wire brush. Given its compact design, this is a fabulous portable option if you want the power of a gas grill without the standard size. You can even carry it like a picnic basket for added convenience. The bottom of the grill acts as storage and a cutting board when in use, but it’s somewhat tricky to detach. Overall, we believe this model is great for those who might want easy access to grilling without the fuss of a full-size model. Grill Type: Gas | Dimensions: 13 x 16.25 x 10.75 inches | Weight: 20.6 pounds | Cooking Area: 154 square inches | Propane Tank Capacity: 1 pound People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore Best Portable Charcoal Grill PK Grills PKGo Grill Grilling System PHOTO: Amazon $338 at Walmart View on Pkgrills.com $400 at Home Depot Star Qualities Compact size is easy to take on the road for camping or tailgating Arrives mostly assembled with very little setup needed Solid sear marks on the burgers and brats that we grilled Red Flags Somewhat tricky to set the grates back in after adding charcoal For those who like to take grilling into the great outdoors (or at least outside the stadium), this PEOPLE-Tested portable charcoal grill is the perfect camping or tailgating accessory. Upon arrival, this grill comes almost completely assembled and only requires one or two steps on your part. Its cast-iron design makes this portable charcoal grill durable and sturdy for transport. That said, it’s heavy due to the cast iron so it might require more than one set of hands to lift into a car. Everything is compact and stable with this grill, so the parts won’t shift when you move it. We found it easy to add charcoal to this portable grill since the internal storage is quite spacious. It’s somewhat difficult to set the grates back in once you add the coal, but it does stay in place, even if not locked in. The vents and dampers rotate, and the surface area allows for a surprising amount of food given its compact size. We loved the sear marks on the burgers and bratwursts we grilled, as well as a nice golden browning on the corn. There’s a noticeable hot spot in the middle of the grill, but the perimeter is great for warming. While the instructions didn’t include cleaning information, we found that removing the lid and dumping the ashes was an easy way to start. Then we just sprayed it with soapy water and gave it a good wipe with a damp paper towel. This is an ideal portable charcoal grill if you are driving to a location and then setting up next to your vehicle (otherwise it’s kind of heavy to carry long distances). Grill Type: Charcoal | Dimensions: 20.9 x 15.3 x 13.03 inches | Weight: 45.1 pounds | Cooking Area: 408 square inches People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore Best Portable Pellet Grill Traeger Tailgater Pellet Grill PHOTO: Amazon $480 at Amazon View on Walmart $480 at Home Depot Star Qualities 300 square-inch cooking surface; great for a tailgate gathering Reached maximum temperatures quickly and maintained them Spacious pellet hopper, so you don’t have to refuel this grill as often Red Flags Faint grill marks and light smokiness due to maximum temperature not exceeding 450 degrees Fahrenheit If you want the rugged nature of a pellet grill in more travel-friendly packaging, consider this portable pellet grill from Traeger. The legs actually fold up to make it portable to lift into a vehicle for a tailgate or campsite. Given its large cooking area of 300 square inches, there’s plenty of space to whip up some burgers for a fun gathering with your friends or family. During our pellet grill test, this model reached its maximum temperature fairly quickly and maintained it throughout the test. That said, the highest temperature is 450 degrees Fahrenheit, so the grill marks that were visible in other tests were more faint with this pellet grill. Unlike charcoal grills, pellet grills tend to burn through fuel more efficiently, and this grill is no exception. The eight pounds of wood pellets lasted throughout our test without needing a fuel refill. Though known for producing an intense smoky flavor, this grill came up somewhat short in that vein, producing a present but subtle flavor among the foods we cooked. All in all, we believe this is a great version of a pellet grill that will create a subtle smokiness in your food wherever your travels take you. Grill Type: Pellet | Dimensions: 37 x 18 x 36 inches | Weight: 60 pounds | Cooking Area: 300 square inches | Temperature Range: 180–450 degrees Fahrenheit | Pellet Hopper Capacity: 8 pounds People / Will Dickey People / Russell Kilgore Best Professional Grill Weber Genesis E-325 Gas Grill PHOTO: Amazon $849 at Amazon View on Walmart View on Weber.com Star Qualities Heavy-duty design and construction Large enough cooking area for parties Even heat distribution across grates Red Flags Hard to clean inside grill body For avid grillers, this high-end Weber is worth the price. As soon as we put it together, we could tell this three-burner grill was sturdy and durable, yet it still has a sleek design that will look great on your patio. It has heavy-duty cast iron grates and easily cooks more than 25 chicken wings at a time, and we were impressed by the even heat distribution across its cooking surface. The grill’s burners respond quickly to temperature adjustments, and there’s even a special sear zone in the middle for when you want to put a distinct crust on food like steaks. Overall, the grill is well-made and enjoyable to use, and it’s worth the higher price if you’re an experienced griller or use your grill frequently. Grill Type: Propane, gas | Dimensions: 48.1 x 57.7 x 27 inches | Weight: 162 pounds | Cooking Area: 641 square inches | BTUs: 39,000 People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore Best Investment Grill Traeger Timberline Pellet Grill PHOTO: Traeger View on Walmart $3,300 at Home Depot View on Bbqguys.com Star Qualities Earned perfect scores in all of our tests Spacious pellet hopper, so works longer in between refueling Created rich flavors through even cooking and the smoke feature Special features such as Wi-Fi connectivity, induction cooktops, and bluetooth meat probes Red Flags Quite expensive for some budgets Took upwards of 30 minutes to reach the maximum temperature For seasoned pitmasters, this Traeger grill is worth the investment for its weathered design, smart features, and stellar performance in cooking a wealth of different foods. This pellet grill was our MVP (apart from price), earning flawless marks in all of our tests and assessments. It created juicy textures and rich flavors, cooking meat evenly and adding smokiness to pizza. Its consistent performance is worth the investment alone, but this pellet grill has several notable features on its resume. With a large cooking surface of 880 square inches, this is a large grill that will serve a big crowd with ease. The 22-pound hopper ensures longer performance without having to refuel, and the grill even has an induction cooktop for added versatility. It did take around 30 minutes to heat up, but we’ll forgive that con in light of its smart technology like Wi-Fi connectivity and Bluetooth meat probes. Grill Type: Pellet | Dimensions: 27 x 52 x 48 inches | Weight: 208 pounds | Cooking Area: 880 square inches | Pellet Hopper Capacity: 22 pounds People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Russell Kilgore People / Russell Kilgore Behind the Scenes We conducted three tests — for gas grills, portable charcoal grills, and pellet grills — and used insights from each to determine the overall best grills of 2024. In total we compared 49 grills (23 gas, 14 portable charcoal, 21 pellet) with multiple rounds of testing to challenge the original winners. We cooked onions, hamburgers, buns, steaks, filets, corn, zucchini, pork butt, pizza, chicken breasts, and wings to see which grills performed the best when navigating different types of food. We baked, grilled, smoked, and seared to understand if certain styles of grilling affected performance differently. Assembly: We assessed the ease of assembly for every grill, timing ourselves during setup, using the manufacturer's instructions, and thinking about the weight and other elements that could make that process easier or more challenging for various groups of people.Design: We looked at the design — whether they were mobile, the overall size and cooking surface in square inches, and the durability of materials. Did they have smart features like Wi–Fi connectivity or Bluetooth to allow a more versatile user experience?Ease of Cleaning: We also compared the ease of cleaning across all grill tests. We looked at factors like removable parts, the ability to get scum off the grates, and whether you had to use a wire brush or if soapy, warm water was enough to clean the grills.Heat Control: The greatest components tested against all grills were temperature and heat control. We looked at the design of the temperature knobs, how responsive the flames were to temperature changes, the range of temperature, how hot the grates got, the time it took for each grill to heat up, and whether the heat stayed throughout each grilling session. For charcoal and pellet grills, we also looked at how much fuel was used via leftover coals and wood pellets.Performance: To evaluate performance, we utilized multiple rounds of testing on each type of grill to see how well they worked with different foods and styles of grilling. With gas grills (both standard and portable), charcoal grills, pellet grills, and electric grills, we looked at the level of smoke, whether there were char marks on the foods post-grilling, whether the meat cooked all the way through, if there was any caramelization, and of course, we did a taste test. We even did a separate smoke test with pellet grill winners for 10 hours to see how smoky they could get. After each test, we assigned the winners a rating from one through five in each quality assessed. The winners landed spots in our individual category stories, and the best of the best grills landed here, the crème de la crème of 2024. People / Russell Kilgore Frequently Asked Questions Are certain grills better for various types of cooking than others? The short answer is absolutely yes. “Gas grills are versatile and can handle a wide range of cooking styles and foods, including direct heat grilling and roasting,” says Smith.“Charcoal grills are known for intense heat and smoky flavors, making them ideal for searing and slow cooking.” He says that electric grills are convenient and work well with “smaller items like burgers and fish filets” whereas pellet grills are a more versatile option that “excel at smoking, slow cooking, and grilling a variety of foods.”Ortynski has a few favorites himself. “If you want easy and delicious cooks, pellet grills are great. If you want a more hands-on cooking experience (and better flavor), get a charcoal grill,” he says. Why is temperature and heat control so important when grilling? Temperature and heat control are the primary factors that control the success of a grill, and “directly impact cooking results,” says Smith. “Precise temperature control allows you to achieve the desired doneness and avoid overcooking or undercooking,” he adds. “Heat control is also important for creating different heat zones on the grill, enabling you to cook different types of foods simultaneously.”Ortynski adds that the level of heat can also impact what you’re cooking. “Certain meats can become tough and chewy if cooked at high heat,” he says. “Tracking the temperature of your food doesn't mean you aren't a good cook, it means you care about the quality of the food you're going to be eating. I check the temp of all the meat I cook just to make sure it's perfect every time.” When is the best time to buy a grill? “There’s never a wrong time to buy a grill,” says Smith. "You can often find good deals and discounts during off-season periods, such as late fall or winter, when grills are less in demand.” Ortynski agrees that anytime is a good time, but adds that there are also good deals around the holidays unless “you live in the north” because then “you’ll have to wait to use it or risk the cold!” People / Russell Kilgore Why Trust PEOPLE? Madison Yauger is an editor at PEOPLE who’s tested hundreds of lifestyle products across all categories. With a background in news and lifestyle journalism, she has a wide network of expert sources and a penchant for accuracy. For this story, she spoke to ThermoPro Ambassadors and grill experts Christopher Smith and Jason Ortynski, and used lab insights from six tests for gas, charcoal, pellet, and electric grills — cooking an assortment of foods to assess temperature control, efficacy of various grilling styles, and more — to determine the best grills of 2024. Camryn Rabideau is a contributing writer for PEOPLE who recently updated this story with additional gas grills our team tested. Our Expert Panel Christopher Smith is a grill expert and ThermoPro ambassador. Jason Ortynski is a grill expert and ThermoPro ambassador. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.