Best Gas Grills for $300 or Less

These gas grills offer great performance at affordable prices

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detail of front of grill with lid slightly open showing knobs and handle Photo: Jamie Chung

Some gas grills cost a thousand dollars or more. While the most expensive model in CR’s gas grill ratings is priced above $2,500, there are solid options that cost far less and still deliver great performance, according to our tests.

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To recommend the best gas grills, Consumer Reports rigorously tests them in our lab, where we wire the surface of each gas grill with heat-resistant thermocouples and run four temperature tests. We also assess how evenly each model heats.

The highly rated gas grills we feature below includes small and midsized grills from brands like Even Embers, Cuisinart, and Expert Grill. Three out of six of the gas grills featured here are Walmart exclusives. Other than size, these lower-cost models do away with some bells and whistles, though some equip functional niceties (like side burners).

"For $300 or less, you won’t see high-end finishing touches like LED task lighting, pullout drawers, or trays for propane tanks,” says Mark Allwood, the market analyst who oversees grills for Consumer Reports. “But if you’re a first-time buyer, you can get a good grill for a great price, then next time decide if you want to trade up to a model with more features.”

Not sure which grill size you need or which features matter most to you? Start with our comprehensive grill buying guide. And CR members can check out our complete gas grill ratings.

Best Gas Grills for $300 or Less

From the "Consumer 101" TV Show

Sturdy construction, even heating, flare-up reduction—Consumer Reports experts explain to Jack Rico, “Consumer 101” TV show host, what to look for when buying a gas grill.

Paul Hope

As a classically trained chef and an enthusiastic DIYer, I've always valued having the best tool for a job—whether the task at hand is dicing onions for mirepoix or hanging drywall. When I'm not writing about home products, I can be found putting them to the test, often with help from my two young children, in the 1860s townhouse I'm restoring in my free time.

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