Best and Worst Gas Grills
A rusty firebox, uneven flames, and a cracked hose are signs that you’ll be needing a new gas grill sometime soon. Your timing couldn’t be better, as retailers mark down prices on grills Labor Day weekend. But not every sale is a bargain. Here’s a look at some of the best gas grills Consumer Reports tested, and some of the worst.
5 Best Midsized Grills
These grills can fit 18 to 28 burgers and made our recommended list, including CR Best Buys, which combine impressive performance and good value. The grills appear in descending order based on overall score.
Weber Spirit SP-320 46700401, $600
Char-Broil TRU-Infrared 463435115 (Walmart), $260, CR Best Buy
Char-Broil Advantage 463240015 (Lowe’s), $300, CR Best Buy
Kenmore Elite 33577, $950
Brinkmann 810-6420-S (Home Depot), $170, CR Best Buy
5 Worst Midsized Grills
Unimpressive high and low-heat evenness helped put these gas grills near or at the bottom of our midsized gas grill Ratings, earning overall scores ranging from 21 to 39 (out of 100) Here they are in descending order based on overall score.
Delta Heat DHBQ32G-C, $2,100
Summerset Sizzler Series CART-SIZ32, $2,000
Member’s Mark 720-0778C (Sam’s Club), $400
NXR Stainless 7 Burner 780-0832C (Costco), $1,100
Fervor Icon 350S, $1,300
5 Best Small Grills
Room for 18 burgers or less, these small grills were very good overall. All made the recommended list, except for the $200 Brinkmann—but it came close.
Weber Spirit E-220 46310001, $450
Broilmate 165154, $200, CR Best Buy
Napoleon Terrace SE325PK, $600
Brinkmann Patio 810-6230-S (Home Depot), $130
Brinkmann 810-3800-SB (Home Depot), $200
5 Worst Small Grills
With scores ranging from 25 to 43 (out of 100), these small grills were unimpressive at high heat evenness, and most had trouble on low-heat too. They appear in descending order based on overall score.
Cook Number Grill JAG24C, $900
Solaire AGBQ-27GIR, $1,800
Cadac Stratos 98700-23-01 (Home Depot), $350
Better Homes and Gardens BH14-101-099-04 (Walmart), $360
Captain Cook CC-3B, $500
Want a Large Grill?
We test those too. See our gas grill Ratings and the buying guide for shopping tips. Check the Facebook pages of retailers and manufacturers for the latest on sales and special coupons. And be sure to look online for mail-in rebates. Napoleon grills are expensive, so it’s good to know that they’re offering a $150 rebate for the Napoleon Prestige Pro 665RSIB. It’s our top-rated large grill and $2,600.
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