Best Grills of 2022

As easy to use as a kitchen stove, gas grills provide efficiency and versatility. They are perfect for grilling, searing meat, and slow cooking alike.

• Grill type: Gas grills use either propane or natural gas; the former is ideal if you value mobility, but a natural gas grill is cheaper to run if you can hook it to a gas pipe.
• BTU: Similar to a gas stove or space heater, the efficiency of the gas grill is determined by its BTU output. The higher the BTU, the higher the temperature it can reach; thus, the faster you can cook.
• Side burners: The cheaper gas grills only have a main cooking area heated by one to three burners. However, if you want to cook for larger crowds or test your chef skills, a grill with a side burner allows you to also cook sides or sauces while grilling the meat.
• Grilling accessories: Many gas grills also come with a set of accessories like rotisserie accessories, accessory hooks, fold-down shelves and cabinet storage.
• Bluetooth & Wi-Fi: Some of the best gas grills connect with apps via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, so you can control them from a distance.

Smaller than gas grills yet more affordable, charcoal grills are perfect if you want to taste that perfect smoky flavor. Temperature is harder to control, but if you’re an expert, charcoal grills enhance cooking versatility.

• Kettle vs. cart style: Charcoal grills come in kettle and cart style. Kettle style grills are the traditional, round ones that have been around for ages. They are compact and easy to use, perfect for smaller yards. Cart style grills look like the gas or electric ones; they are a bit larger but offer more features and storage.
• Overall size and cooking space: Most charcoal grills are compact and suited for smaller crowds, usually up to 4-6 people. If you want to cook for larger hordes, make sure the grill has a cooking surface of at least 450 square inches.
• Racks and shelfs: A rack or shelf under the grill allows you to keep the charcoal bag at hand yet out of your way.
• Air vents: Air vents help you control and adjust the temperature while cooking without opening the lid.

Easier to control than a charcoal grill, a pellet grill is fuel-efficient, relatively cheap to run, and infuses the food with that delicious smoky flavor. These grills need electricity to run, so they aren’t exactly portable.

• Powder-coated vs. stainless steel: Perhaps the most complex type of grills, pellet grills are often made of steel. On the lower end, you can find powder-coated steel grills that can rust over time. The best pellet grills are made of marine-grade stainless steel.
• Hopper size: The hopper stores the pellets and feeds them to the fire pot with the help of an electric auger. If you want to set the pellet smoker and forget it, get one with a hopper capacity of at least 20 pounds, which corresponds to around 20 hours of runtime per charge.
• Grilling options: Although named pellet grills, these machines are primarily used for slow cooking and smoking, and not all of them are suitable for BBQs. If you want to use it for grilling, too, make sure the pellet smoker you want has grilling features.
• Meat probes: Controlling the temperature of the meat when slow cooking is essential, and a pellet grill with built-in probes brings more value for money.

Similar to a pellet grill in that they cook food low and slow, but using gas, coals, or wood chips, a smoker grill is a more suitable option if you want to move the appliance around your yard.

• Gas vs. charcoal vs. electric smoker grills: Like standard grills, smoker grills can run on charcoal, gas, or electricity. Electric and gas smokers are the easiest to use, but if you care more about the taste, you can’t go wrong with a charcoal model.
• Cooking capacity: Do you want to cook just for yourself or prepare large batches for a numerous family? A smoker grill with a capacity under 1,000 square inches is ideal for up to four people. For larger families, get a larger smoker grill.
• Cleaning ease: Make sure the smoker grill you like comes with a removable drip pan, wood chips pan, and racks for easier cleaning.
• Accessories: The best smoker grills have an array of accessories, including grates, sausage racks, and hooks for hanging hams and briskets.

Inspired by the ancient Japanese ovens, kamado grills are perhaps the most versatile. Ceramic construction ensures perfect heat distribution, and you can control the temperature for faster or slower cooking, based on your needs.

• Ceramic vs. steel vs. aluminum: The best kamado grills are made of ceramic, but some manufacturers make them from steel or aluminum. Metal models have poorer heat retention and are less durable but more affordable.
• Build quality: The whole point of a kamado grill is heat retention, so you should make sure the one you want comes with thick ceramic walls. It might be heavy and expensive, but it’s worth every dime.
• Folding shelves: Most ceramic grills are minimalist, but some come with attached workspace, such as folding shelves or side tables.
• Overall durability: Kamado grills are intended to stay out all year round, so you should buy a weather-resistant model that won’t crack or rust when exposed to extreme temperatures and elements.

Boasting a flat cooking surface rather than grates, a flat top grill is perfect for cooking breakfasts and making sandwiches in your backyard, or for your street food business.

• Pre-seasoned cooking surface: Seasoning is a crucial process for all new grills, but a pre-seasoned cooking surface saves you time and lets you enjoy delicious food from the start.
• Mobility: Do you need a flat top grill for domestic or commercial use? Do you want to move it from one place to another? If yes, get one with manageable weight, wheels, and push or pull handle.
• Even heat distribution: If you want to prevent hot spots and enjoy even heat distribution, check if the grill comes with enough burners to cover the entire cooking surface.
• BTU: Similar to gas grills, the performance of a flat top grill is determined by the BTU output of its burners.

Electric grills are ideal for beginners and those who want good food with minimal effort. Their greatest strength is the seamless temperature control, while their heat distribution is often optimal. They can’t compete with charcoal or even gas grills in terms of flavor but are economical and easy to use.

• Voltage requirements: Perhaps the main thing to check before buying is what type of electric circuit they require. Smaller grills are running on 110-120V plug in a wall outlet. Higher voltages usually require a connection to the main circuit.
• Timer: It makes it even easier to cook foods, such as whole chickens, pork belly, ham, and other foods that require slower cooking.
• Non-stick grates: The best electric grills come with non-stick grates that improve cooking quality and speed up cleaning.
• Heat distribution: While most electric grills have good heat distribution, some of the more affordable models don’t have sufficient heating elements and can cause hot spots.

Portable grills are primarily designed for camping, tailgating, and RVs. You can pick from a bountiful range of gas or charcoal grill models.

• Size and design: Portable grills vary in size from tabletop to full-size models. For 2-3 people, a tabletop grill will suffice. For larger parties, get a folding or collapsible full-size one.
• Assembly ease: Most full-size portable grills break down into multiple parts for easier transport and storage. To prevent frustrations, get a grill, you can set up with ease.
• User-friendliness: Charcoal grills may be straightforward to use, but if you opt for a gas model, make sure you can hook the gas tank or canister easily.
• Lid: The lid plays an important role in controlling heat, but not all portable grills come with lids. Check before buying.

Indoor grills can easily satisfy the meat-hungry crowds during winter and are true life-savers for those who don’t have an outdoor space.

• Temperature indicator: Makes indoor grilling less complicated by letting you know when the surface is ready to cook on.
• Power: An underpowered indoor grill will not only heat up slowly, but it will also be slow to recover heat each time you open the lid to check your food.
• Removable cooking surface: It makes it easier to clean the appliance after cooking. Ideally, the cooking surface should also be slightly inclined, and the grease should drip into a drip pan.
• Max temperature: If you want your indoor grill to match the performance of an outdoor one, get one that can reach around 600°F.

Infrared grills burn hotter and sear meat faster than all other grills. They aren’t ideal for slow cooking, but if you’re the burger and steak type of guy (or gal), an infrared grill could be your best bet.

• Ceramic burner: The best infrared grills come with ceramic burners that can output around 600-1,000°F. These systems are prone to flare-ups but ideal for fast cooking.
• Versatility: Some infrared grills have both infrared and normal burners, offering different temperature zones for more versatile cooking.
• Ignition system: Considering that most infrared grills use propane or natural gas as fuel, get a model with an automatic, matchless ignition system.
• Flavorizer bars: Give that fresh-off-the-grill taste to your food, even if the grill doesn’t use coals or wood chips.

Ideal for small patios, balconies, and even RVs, tabletop grills come as an alternative for limited spaces and lower budgets.

• Fuel type: You can choose from gas, electric, or charcoal tabletop grills. Each has its pros and cons, and ultimately, the choice is yours.
• Weight: A heavy tabletop grill isn’t your best bet, especially if the table you have isn’t particularly solid. Typically, your grill shouldn’t exceed 40 pounds.
• Carrying handles: Even if you don’t plan to take your tabletop grill on trips, carrying handles make it easier to move.
• Stand or legs: Your tabletop grill can become hot when in use, and it could potentially damage your table or counter. To prevent it, get a grill that comes with a stand or legs so that its bottom doesn’t come in direct contact with the table.