Best Gas Grills Compared: 5 Picks for Every Cookout Style

Shopping for a gas grill gets confusing fast. Burner counts, BTU numbers, fuel types and brand names all pull in different directions, and the right choice depends on how you cook. Maybe you want a simple propane grill for weeknight burgers. Maybe you already have a natural gas line, or you’re planning a full outdoor kitchen. This list covers five very different options and breaks down who each one fits, where it falls short, and how it compares with the rest, so you can pick without guessing.

Here is a quick look at all five before we get into the details.

Our Picks: Best gas grills reviews

The Electactic is the one here with a side burner, and that changes how a cookout runs. You can sear on the main grates while sauce simmers or vegetables cook on the side, so nothing waits around getting cold. It uses propane, and its four main burners put out 8000 BTU each, with a 10000 BTU side burner on top of that.

The bigger pitch is the build. The listing says every panel, shelf and structural piece is stainless steel with no painted surfaces, which matters if your last grill chipped and rusted. Three porcelain-enameled grilling grids and a warming rack give you decent room for a family dinner or a small party. A built-in thermometer reads up to 1000°F, so you can check the heat without lifting the lid. Compared with the Weber picks, you get a longer feature list, but not a famous brand name or a stated warranty.

Pros:

• Four 8000 BTU burners plus a 10000 BTU side burner
• Stainless steel construction with a double-wall lid
• Built-in thermometer reads up to 1000°F
• Tool hooks on the side table keep utensils close

Cons:

• No warranty is mentioned in the product details, so long-term support is unclear.

Verdict: Choose the Electactic if you want an all-stainless propane grill with a side burner and a lot of features for everyday family cooking.

This is the pick for anyone who has a natural gas line at home. The grill ships with a natural gas hose and works only with natural gas, so don’t buy it if you plan to use propane tanks. In return you skip tank refills, which is a real convenience if you grill most weekends.

Its main trick is the broil zone. A U-shaped flame layout and a flame tamer with V-shaped holes are meant to reach up to 650°F in about 10 minutes, which suits steaks and wings. Total power is 50,000 BTU across five burners. You also get 630 square inches of cooking area, with 450 on the main grates and 180 on the warming rack, plus enamel-coated cast iron grates, knob lights and a glass window to check food. Lockable swivel casters let you roll it around, which the built-in SPIRE can’t do.

Pros:

• Runs on natural gas, so no propane tank to refill
• Broil zone built for high-heat searing
• 630 square inches of total grilling area
• Lockable swivel casters make it easy to move

Cons:

• Natural gas only, so it can’t be used with a propane tank.

Verdict: Choose the Monument Grills if you already have a natural gas line and want strong searing power with easy mobility.

The Spirit E-425 is the straightforward Weber of the group. Its Boost Burners are described as giving 40% more power in the largest Sear Zone in its class, so it’s aimed at people who care most about a hard, flavorful sear. It runs on propane and comes with a 10-year limited warranty, which stands out against the other grills here.

Day to day, the details are what you’ll notice. Snap-Jet Ignition lets you light each burner with one hand, and the porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates hold heat evenly. A cast-aluminum cook box is meant to resist rust and peeling, and Flavorizer bars catch drippings to reduce flare-ups. Weber Works side rails take snap-on accessories sold separately. If you like the idea of adding a pizza oven or wok later, the grill accepts a frame kit and custom-fit grillware, also sold separately.

Pros:

• Large Sear Zone from the Boost Burners
• 10-year limited warranty
• One-handed Snap-Jet Ignition
• Accepts accessories and grillware sold separately

Cons:

• Black finish with a cast-aluminum cook box, not a full stainless steel build.
• Many useful add-ons are sold separately.

Verdict: Choose the Weber Spirit E-425 if you want a well-known propane grill with a big sear zone and a 10-year limited warranty.

Step up from the Spirit and you get the Genesis S-415, which moves to a stainless steel build and uses four PureBlu burners. Their tapered shape is meant to give a steady flame and even heat across the grates, and the raised flame openings help food bits fall away instead of clogging things up.

What sets it apart from the Spirit is cleanup and cooking space. A pull-out grease tray under the cookbox slides out for quick disposal, and stainless steel grates plus Flavorizer bars handle drippings and flare-ups. The warming rack can toast buns or hold finished food, and the side tables give you somewhere to set platters and seasonings. Like the Spirit, it works with a frame kit and Weber Crafted grillware sold separately. It’s a propane model.

Pros:

• Stainless steel build with PureBlu burners
• Pull-out grease tray makes cleanup simple
• Warming rack and roomy side tables
• Compatible with Weber Crafted grillware

Cons:

• Plan on buying grillware separately if you want pizza or griddle cooking.

Verdict: Choose the Weber Genesis S-415 if you want a stainless Weber with easier cleanup and a roomy cooking surface.

This one is different from the other four because it’s a built-in. It’s a 30-inch unit meant to be set into an outdoor kitchen island, not wheeled around the patio, and it works on dual fuel. If you have no island or cutout, it’s not the right choice.

On paper it’s the most powerful here: five 10,000 BTU burners plus a 13,000 BTU rear burner for rotisserie cooking or warming dishes, for 63,000 BTU in all. You get 750 square inches of cooking space, the most of the group, and 304 stainless steel grates and frame that are described as rust-resistant and easy to clean. That space suits large parties where you cook many dishes at once.

Pros:

• 750 square inches of cooking space
• Dual fuel flexibility
• Strong 63,000 BTU output with a rotisserie-friendly rear burner
• 304 stainless steel grates and frame

Cons:

• Built-in design needs an outdoor kitchen cutout and isn’t portable.
• Needs a gas hookup, so plan the installation before you buy.

Verdict: Choose the SPIRE built-in only if you’re building an outdoor kitchen and want the most cooking space and power on this list.

How to Choose the Best Gas Grill for Your Backyard

Pick the Right Fuel Type

Start with the fuel, because it decides which grills are even possible. Propane grills use portable tanks, so you can put them anywhere, but you have to refill or swap the tank. Natural gas grills connect to a line at your house, which means no refills but less freedom to move. The Monument Grills here is natural gas only, while the SPIRE offers dual fuel. Check what your home supports before you shop.

Freestanding or Built-In

A freestanding grill sits on its own cart and can be placed on a patio or deck. A built-in grill drops into an outdoor kitchen island and needs a proper cutout and gas hookup. The SPIRE is the built-in on this list. If you aren’t building an island, a freestanding model is the practical choice.

Look Past the BTU Number

BTU tells you how much fuel a grill can burn, not how well it cooks. A grill with a strong burner design and a lid that holds heat can do more than one with a bigger number. Look at how the burners are laid out, whether there is a sear or broil zone, and how evenly heat spreads. Still, very low output can make searing slow, so a decent number helps.

Think About Cooking Space

Count how many people you usually feed. A small family can do fine with a modest surface, while hosts who cook for groups want more room and a warming rack. Remember that warming racks count toward total area on some listings, so check what the main grates really offer.

Check Materials and Grates

Stainless steel resists rust well, and cast-aluminum cook boxes shrug off peeling too. Porcelain-enameled or enamel-coated grates hold heat and release food more easily, while stainless grates are tough and quick to heat. Whatever you choose, regular cleaning keeps any grill lasting longer.

Plan for Cleanup and Accessories

A good grease system makes cleanup less annoying. Pull-out trays and removable drip cups keep grease away from the burners and cut flare-ups. Also look at side tables, tool hooks, thermometers and warranty terms. If you like gear, check whether the grill takes add-ons like a pizza stone or griddle, and remember that many of these are sold separately.

Use It Safely Outdoors

Gas grills are for outdoor use only. Never run one indoors or in a garage, because carbon monoxide and fire are real dangers. Set it well away from your house, roof eaves and deck railings, on a level surface. Before the first cookout of the season, brush soapy water on the hose and connections and watch for bubbles, which signal a leak. Always open the lid before you light the burners so gas can’t build up inside, and empty the grease tray regularly to lower the chance of grease fires.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between propane and natural gas grills?

Propane grills run on portable tanks that you refill or swap. Natural gas grills connect to your home’s gas line, so you never run out mid-cookout. Grills are usually built for one or the other, so check the fuel type before buying. Among our picks, the Monument Grills is natural gas only and the SPIRE is dual fuel.

Is a higher BTU number always better?

No. BTU measures fuel input, not cooking quality. Burner design, lid construction and heat spread matter just as much. A grill with a good sear zone can outperform one with a higher number, so look at the whole design.

Which grill here is best for searing?

The Weber Spirit E-425 is built around a large Sear Zone with Boost Burners, and the Monument Grills has a dedicated broil zone that is meant to reach high heat quickly. Both suit steaks and other high-heat foods.

Can I use the SPIRE grill on a patio cart?

It is a built-in unit meant for an outdoor kitchen cutout, so it isn’t a freestanding grill. If you want something you can move, look at the Electactic, Monument Grills or either Weber.

Are Weber accessories included?

Not always. The product details say items such as the frame kit, custom-fit grillware and some snap-on side rail accessories are sold separately. Plan for that if you want pizza, wok or griddle cooking.

Which grill is easiest to clean?

The Weber Genesis S-415 has a pull-out grease tray under the cookbox that slides out for quick disposal. The Electactic also uses a rear-sloping grease tray with a removable drip cup, which makes cleanup simple too.

How do I use a gas grill safely?

Grill outdoors only, away from the house, eaves and deck railings, and never inside a garage. Check hose and tank or line connections with soapy water for bubbles before lighting. Open the lid before you ignite the burners, and keep the grease tray clean to prevent flare-ups.

Final Recommendation

There is no single best gas grill for everyone, but there is a clear best match for each kind of cook. If you want a full-featured propane grill with a side burner, the Electactic is the easy pick. If natural gas is available at home, the Monument Grills gives you strong heat and easy movement. The Weber Spirit E-425 suits buyers who want a trusted name and a long warranty, and the Weber Genesis S-415 is the better step up if cleanup and a stainless build matter to you. Building an outdoor kitchen? The SPIRE is the one made for it. Decide on fuel and grill type first, and the right choice becomes much easier.