The Best Gas Grills Under $500

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Gas Grills Under $500 and hope the blog can help you.

Outfit your outdoors with a quality gas grill—while staying well within your budget!

At $1,000 or more, a high-end gas grill is a pricey enhancement to your outdoor living space, but it doesn’t have to be. You can find quality gas grills with durable construction in a wide range of sizes at or below $500, from portable models suitable for a balcony to six-burner monsters that can feed a crowd. Affordable gas grills come in attractive painted or stainless steel finishes, and many models boast additional bells and whistles, such as side burners, integrated meat thermometers, and electronic ignitions. Keep reading to discover which features may be available in a gas grill at this price point, and learn why the picks described here are among the best on the market.

1. BEST OVERALL: Weber Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Propane Grill
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Nexgrill Deluxe 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill
3. BEST MIDSIZE: Kenmore 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill
4. BEST MULTI-FUEL: Char-Griller Flavor Pro 4-Burner Gas Grill
5. BEST PORTABLE: Weber Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill
6. BEST INFRARED: Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 3-Burner Grill
7. ST 2-BURNER: Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef’s Style Portable Gas Grill
8. BEST LARGE: Monument Grills Larger 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill
9. BEST COMPACT: Fuego Element Hinged Propane Gas Grill

How We Chose the Best Gas Grills Under $500

We considered a few important factors when compiling this review of the best gas grills under $500. As an outdoor appliance, a gas grill is subject to some pretty harsh conditions, so build quality is critical. We only chose grills made with cast aluminum or stainless steel, both of which create a sturdy structure that won’t wobble while also resisting rust and corrosion. We also limited our search to gas grills with porcelain-coated grates, which, although not indestructible, offer the best cooking performance for gas grills.

A grill’s heat output as related to the size of the cooking surface is a key performance factor. We only chose grills that produce at least 80 British thermal units (BTUs) per square inch of cooking surface, which is the minimum amount needed to evenly heat food. (For more information on BTUs, read the section Burner Number and BTUs that appears after our product reviews.) Additional important features include side burners, prep areas, and advanced technology such as built-in meat thermometers. Finally, we took aesthetics into account, leaning toward grills that hid their gas tanks and had stainless steel finishes versus those with exposed tanks and enamel paint coatings.

Our Top Picks

The gas grills in this list, which include smaller grills for those with space limitations, large models with numerous burners, and lightweight portable options for camping and tailgating, come from some of the top brands. All the grills feature quality build and ample heat output.

Best Overall

Weber Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Propane Grill

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Weber’s Spirit—the kid brother of the brand’s higher-end Genesis line—benefits from the durable design and advanced technology features of its pricier sibling. While the Spirit II may lack a stainless steel finish and concealed tank, its cooking parts, which include a porcelain-enameled cooking grate and stainless steel heat deflector, make it one of the more durable grills available for under $500.

This model also features “flavorizer” bars under the cooking surface that reduce flare-ups while creating smoke to add flavor. It also boasts iGrill 3 wireless, which enables the chef to monitor temperatures for up to four items via a smart device (with the purchase of a compatible meat thermometer).

Product Specs

• Number of burners: 2
• Cooking space: 450 square inches
• BTUs: 26,500

Pros

• High-quality, powerful, and spacious gas grill from a leading grill brand
• Flavorizer bars reduce flare-ups and enhance flavor, and there’s a wireless temperature-control option
• Includes fuel gauge for gas bottle, folding side tables, and integrated tool hooks

Cons

• Comes at a premium price, and while faults are few, assembly can occasionally be awkward

Get the Weber Spirit II gas grill at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Best Bang for the Buck

Nexgrill Deluxe 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill

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This quality Nexgrill model features two burners that put out a combined 28,000 BTUs, which is plenty of heat for its 385.16 square inches of cooking space (including the warming rack). The Nexgrill also comes with convenient features, including all-weather wheels that let the chef maneuver the grill into place, a removable grease tray for drippings, and hooks that hold three grill tools.

In addition to its bold fire-engine red color, the Nexgrill boasts an aesthetically pleasing streamlined design that becomes even sleeker when the side shelves are folded down. A covered cabinet hides the propane tank from view.

Product Specs

• Number of burners: 2
• Cooking space: 385.16 square inches
• BTUs: 28,000

Pros

• An attractive grill that offers high performance for its size at a budget-friendly price
• Electronic ignition, cast-iron grills, and “flame tamers” help reduce dripping and flare-ups
• Dual energy valves make converting to natural gas quick and easy

Cons

• The primary cooking surface may not be large enough for some

Get the Nexgrill gas grill at Amazon or The Home Depot (red model).

Best Midsize

Kenmore 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill

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This Kenmore grill presents a step up from the smaller models that dominate the under-$500 price range. With three stainless steel burners and a 30,000-BTU output, it’s versatile, allowing the grill master to create three separate cooking zones. Its more than 512 square inches of cooking space can handle a few dozen burgers or a couple of steaks and multiple sides. Two side tables provide prep space.

The Kenmore is also one of the more stylish grills going, thanks to the streamlined look of its pedestal base. The three-burner grill is unusual in that it comes in seven color options, so you can coordinate it to suit the style of your outdoor living space.

Product Specs

• Number of burners: 3
• Cooking space: 512 square inches
• BTUs: 30,000

Pros

• 3 heat zones provide the cook with versatile grilling options
• 4 casters make it easy to move around; folding side tables allow compact storage
• Comes in 7 powder-coated color options to match almost any garden decor

Cons

• Some users found that the electronic ignition and thermometer can be problematic to use, and assembly is time-consuming

Get the Kenmore gas grill at Wayfair or The Home Depot.

Best Multi-Fuel

Char-Griller Flavor Pro 4-Burner Gas Grill

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Its ability to use gas, wood, and/or charcoal from its innovative flavor drawer makes this Char-Griller model an attractive option for those who like the convenience of gas but miss the flavor of charcoal. Its unique design consists of four 10,000-BTU burners set below a drawer that houses charcoal, wood, or pellets at the same time. The gas burners ignite these materials, creating smoke that infuses food with flavor.

In addition to the four burners, heat can be managed through two smokestack dampers that control airflow to the wood and charcoal. A slide-out tray makes it easier to clean up ashes after grilling. The Flavor Pro comes equipped with two large side tables for prep work and hooks for grill tools.

Product Specs

• Number of burners: 4
• Cooking space: 725 square inches
• BTUs: 40,000

Pros

• Combines the ease of gas cooking with the flavor enhancement of wood, charcoal, or pellets
• Unique Flavor Drawer and adjustable smokestack dampers for precise temperature control
• Stainless steel for durability with slide-out ashtray for easy cleanup

Cons

• Some users find temperature control challenging

Get the Char-Griller gas grill at The Home Depot.

Best Portable

Weber Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill

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With a compact size and the ability to fold, Weber’s Q2200 gas grill is ideal for tailgating, camping trips, and other excursions. It boasts 280 square inches of cooking area, which is fairly large for a portable grill. Side tables fold out on either side, adding prep space.

Its single stainless steel burner puts out 12,000 BTUs, which is plenty of heat for the size of the cooking area. An electronic ignition makes the grill easy to start, while a large knob provides flame control. With a rugged cast-aluminum lid and stainless steel burners, the Q2200 is one of the more durable portable gas grills on the market. The grill can run off standard 20-pound propane tanks or smaller 1-pound cylinders.

Product Specs

• Number of burners: 1
• Cooking space: 280 square inches
• BTUs: 12,000

Pros

• Compact when folded for easy portability, yet surprisingly spacious in use
• Rugged construction suitable for camping, RVing, or at home
• Can run off 1-pound propane canisters or a 20-pound tank (adapter hose required)

Cons

• Expensive for a single burner grill, and not light at 43.5 pounds

Get the Weber Q2200 gas grill at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best infrared

Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 3-Burner Grill

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Those who like the perfect sear will want to consider this Char-Broil model. Its three burners create even heat and a sear on steaks and other meats. A 450-square-inch cooking surface provides ample space for food. And while its three burners emit just 24,000 BTUs, significantly less than other three-burner grills, its infrared technology makes up for that, efficiently directing heat toward the cooking surface.

Like other Char-Broil Performance Series grills, this model is one of the more affordable stainless steel options on the market. Other nice features include two large side tables, a 10,000-BTU side burner, and a swing-away warming rack.

Product Specs

• Number of burners: 3 plus side
• Cooking space: 450 square inches
• BTUs: 34,000 (primary plus side)

Pros

• Infrared power reduces flare-ups and provides even temperature across the grill
• Wide cooking range with push button starting and built-in temperature gauge
• Powerful extra side burner with fold-down lid for extra prep space

Cons

• The 3 main burners are not as powerful as similar-size models from competitors

Get the Char-Broil gas grill at Amazon.

Best 2-Burner

Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef’s Style Portable Gas Grill