Club Benefits
There is a lot to look forward to in summer 2026. And as we approach peak hosting season, you may be eyeing up your old grill and wondering if it's fit to serve another year of outdoor cooking. If you're considering a switch-up, this is the year to buy. In the six years I've spent reviewing all the best grills, they've undergone a huge transformation. Far from the rusty old kettle your parents once used, the best grills of today come with Bluetooth temperature probes, smart pellet smokers with auto-adjusting airflow, and even AI-enabled capabilities to generate the perfect recipes.
Whether you're looking to monitor a 14-hour brisket from your smartphone while sitting on the beach, or you just want a reliable machine that fires up instantly for weekday burgers, we’ve tested the best of the best to help you find your perfect match.
You don't have to spend a fortune to get incredible results—though if you want to go full "outdoor smart kitchen," the options are spectacular. For most people, I recommend the Weber Spirit E-425 gas grill. It hits the perfect balance between price and handy features to satisfy most users. But if you have a higher budget, or you've got a penchant for charcoal, you should buy the Kamado Joe Konnected, which looks fantastic and offers insane heat retention and durability.
Best gas grill
Weber is the long-standing king of outdoor cooking, and its newly updated Spirit EP-425 grill is the latest in a tradition of game-changing gas cooking. In our tests, we found that it cooked evenly with minimal flare-ups at both high and low heats.
Weber has added its SearZone tech (formerly only available on the more premium Genesis line) to the new Spirit grills, and it's an excellent way to guarantee a good sear on your steaks and burgers. Our smoked turkey came out moist and full of flavor, and our juicy pork chop achieved perfect criss-cross grill marks in minutes.
One of our favorite things about the Spirit EP-425 is its impressive 10-year warranty, a testament to the quality of its design. Reviewer Kate also found that the assembly was straightforward and well thought-out. This is a mid-priced option, but it's an investment that will continue to pay off as you enjoy it summer after summer. Since we first tested it last year, it's had no issues in performance.
In addition to its EP lineup, Weber recently announced its new EX-425 grill and we're currently putting it to the test ahead of our next update to this guide. The main difference is that the EX-425 features built-in Wi-Fi and remote monitoring, but it's also
See our full Weber Spirit EP-425 review
Best charcoal grill
I've tried dozens of grills in my career and the Kamado Joe Konnected is simply the best if you're looking for charcoal. Its smart display is full of detailed feedback for grilling obsessives but it's also so simple to use that first timers can master it first time.
For the uninitiated, kamado grills have ceramic chambers that can generate and maintain a lot of heat, which can be hard to master for a beginner. However, this ingenious smart grill can control its own temperature. You can even start a fire completely hands-free — just fill it with charcoal and press start, and this will get to exactly the desired temperature. It's even easier to use with the app, and it's a rare large appliance app that actually works.
This grill made delicious peri peri chicken, salmon so soft you could barely stick a fork in it, and perfectly charred wings. Ramping up the temperature, it made astonishingly good steaks and hamburgers. If you're intimidated by smoking, this machine makes it easy to make fall-apart Memphis pork ribs, as well as a lemon garlic chicken and buffalo wings.
The only drawbacks are the high price and relatively small cooking area. The food is delicious, and it's easily big enough for a family of four, but you might need to plan around the grill space for a cookout.
Read our full Kamado Joe Konnected grill review
Best smoker
Grilling enthusiast (and seasoned Tom's Guide reviewer) Dan Cavallari was thrilled to test this new release for us. And thankfully, the Traeger Woodridge Pro more than lived up to his expectations. For those who love authentic smoking, Traeger is a brand that needs no introduction. But if you're wondering if it deserves its glowing reputation, Dan found that it offered a luxurious and high-quality finish that justifies the $1,000 price tag.
As for how it performed, our review found that the Traeger Woodridge Pro is more than capable of grilling at heats up to 500°F. It won't compare to the flame-grilled charm of a charcoal grill, or the top heat of a powerful gas grill, but it definitely did the job of achieving a smokey char on the skin of some chicken thighs and managed to get that classic griddle-marked pattern on burgers and hot dogs.
It's in the smoking performance that this grill shines, though. Dan proclaimed that it is "ideal for set-it-and-forget-it smoking". He made some incredibly flavorful ribs and juicy, fall-apart brisket with next-to-no supervision. And its app is user-friendly too. No convoluted setup process or troublesome pairing issues. Instead, it serves to make grilling and smoking accessible, offering guided videos on seasoning and setting up your grill and recipes that can be used to get started.
If you're not one for smoking, this won't be the grill for you. But if you're interested in straddling the worlds of low-maintenance meat smoking and high-heat grilling, you should look no further.
Read our full Traeger Woodridge Pro review
Best under $500
Buying the best grill can be expensive, so when freelance reviewer (and full-time grilling enthusiast) Dan Cavallari tested the Masterbuilt AutoIgnite Series 545 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker, he was happy to overlook some of its quirks on account of its very reasonable price point. This is a pretty smart grill for under $500. It has a temperature probe included, ideal for tracking your meat remotely when smoking, but also helpful for checking that chicken or steaks are well-cooked when searing.
In testing, Dan was able to make a 5-pound beef brisket in five hours. His main complaint is that to top up your hopper, you need to open the hood of the grill and let out some heat. When it came to grilling, despite the offset fire, his tri-tip steak was still well-seared. It just took a bit more work to ramp the temperatures up.
The biggest issue with this grill is that its temperature doesn't quite go low enough for a super low and slow roast. The temperature ranges from 250 to 650°F, so it gets hotter than the Traeger Woodridge Pro, but can't hit the same 150°F low point. If you're someone who's new to smoking and wants a gadget that can do both and won't cost the earth, this is a really solid option.
Read our full Masterbuilt AutoIgnite Series 545 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker review
Best griddle
The Weber Slate is the first flat-top griddle from the brand best known for its iconic charcoal and gas grills, and while it's more expensive than the likes of Blackstone, it has something few brands can offer: a pre-seasoned surface that's rust-resistant. Our Managing Editor Kate has been testing this griddle for two years and has yet to face any issues with rusting, removing one of the worst bits of owning a griddle: de-rusting for the summer.
During testing, Kate loved the expandable storage table available with the Slate 36. It has a huge cooking surface, although the brand recently released a smaller size for those who don't have so much space in their yard. Kate found that the grill heated evenly, for the most part, but as with all griddles, it will run hotter directly above the burners.
When cooking everything from smash burgers to fried eggs, Kate found that the Slate was incredibly forgiving thanks to its non-stick pre-seasoned surface. If you're hoping to upgrade your griddle or simply want a user-friendly option, look no further.
Read our full Weber Slate 36 review
Most versatile
Ninja's FlexFlame is its most expensive launch, ever. It's an ambitious one, too. Combining smart controls with a conventional propane design, Ninja created this grill to act as a propane grill, smoker, griddle, and more, with the use of add-on accessories.
Managing Editor Kate Kozuch has tested plenty of grills, and was worried that the FlexFlame would "fall into the 'jack of all trades but master of none' category", but after testing for a few weeks, the Ninja stood out to her for its versatility and ease of use.
First of all, assembly was one of the easiest processes she's experienced from a grill. She was grilling within the hour, which is a sign of easy assembly but also the FlexFlame's speedy pre-heating.
The grill held true to its claim that it can reach 600 degrees Fahrenheit in just seven minutes, and she was particularly impressed by how convincingly it delivered a smokey flavor using the in-built pellet container. Everything from burgers to ribs tasted fantastic, and once she got used to the low-level whirring noise of the convection smoking, Kate had no mishaps when cooking.
Ninja does offer a lot of settings with this grill, but if you want to use them all, the added cost can add up quickly. And no matter which mode you're using, you'll need to plug your grill into a power socket to get the most out of its smart features, which could be a limiting factor for those with a large yard, or no access to outdoor power outlets.
Read our full Ninja FlexFlame review
Best for flame grilling
It's hard to beat flame grilling. The Breeo Live-Fire combines the brand's iconic fire pit designs with a new and totally expansive grilling combo kit. Our expert tester Dan tried out the pricey but versatile Firemaster Bundle which includes a Live-Fire Grill, Skillet Rest, Outpost 25 Grill, Flat Top 24 searing plate, Kettle Hook 24, 1.5 Gallon Kettle, X-Series 24 Lid, and the Outrig Tri-Hook. However, if you don't want extras like a kettle or an outrig, you can opt for a less expensive bundle that still offers flat-top and direct flame grilling, as well as heaps of storage for your fuel.
Dan cooked up a feast when he tested this grill. He flame-grilled two cowboy steaks to perfection, as well as some marinated shrimp, vegetables, sweet potatoes, and even cooked beets in the kettle attachment (which he warns you'll have to season to prevent sticking, as it's cast iron.)
Although Dan found that you need to invest quite a lot of time setting up your cooking station, especially compared to the likes of gas grills, he found it was very easy to use the Breeo once it was up and running. The grilling grate was easily raised and lowered to adjust proximity to flames, although he was less keen on the disc, which he found to be unsteady during testing.
Read our full Breeo Live-Fire Grill review
Best smart grill
AI is everywhere at the moment, and it's often a gimmicky buzzword designed to sell a few extra units. Thankfully, that isn't the case with Brisk It's Zelos grill.
You tell this grill's AI chatbot what you want to cook and it will give you a recipe, but it's not just a chatbot – it will then take the recipe to cook whatever you've got.
Our tester Dan asked it for a recipe for smoked chicken thighs, which it gave him, and at the touch of a button it cooked some smoked chicken thighs almost to perfection – Dan found they needed a couple of minutes more than the AI said, but the resulting dish was delicious.
There are only three real drawbacks to this machine. It has a relatively small grilling area that's fine for a family of four but will struggle for more. The build quality is fine but can't touch something like the Kamado Joe Konnected. More significant is that this grill struggles at higher temperatures. The steaks Dan made with this are blown out of the water by what you can achieve on the Weber Spirit EP-425.
See our full Brisk It Origin 580 A.I. Powered and WiFi Grill review
Also tested
Tom's Guide testers have tried dozens of grills over the years, and while not all of them can make our list of the very best, they still have features that make them worth recommending.
Some excel at one task, like smoking, but are weaker at others, so we felt we couldn't include them in the main guide. Some are old but gold grills recently upstaged by newer models, and now available for a much lower price.
How we test the best grills
Millie is the Managing Editor of Buying Guides at Tom's Guide. She's been reviewing home tech for over five years, testing everything from coffee makers to the latest vacuum cleaners.
With particular expertise in cookware and kitchen appliances, you'll struggle to find an air fryer Millie hasn't tested. She's traveled the world reporting on the latest home innovations and product launches, learning how to use pizza ovens from Pizzaiolos in Naples, and touring the De'Longhi factory in Venice. Millie is also an SCA-Certified barista.
We heart grills, and we've been testing the latest and greatest in ourdoor cooking innovations for years and years. As Tom's Guide's former Homes Editor (and now its Managing Editor for Buying Guides), I've tried everything from budget kettle grills to premium smokers from bucket-list brands. This guide is made up of my years of testing, as well as results from other members of the team such as Mike Prospero and Kate Kozuch, who also love to get hands-on with everything from smoker grills to smart electric hybrid grills.
At Tom's Guide, we're always looking at the latest grill releases, as well as continually testing the tried and true classics that feature in this guide. When testing a grill we adapt our criteria to the type of product we're using.
For example, a charcoal grill will have different functionality to a pellet grill or even a griddle. Across the board though, we look for consistent and even heating, ease of use and cleaning, how manageable it is to assemble, and how well it performs in the all-important cooking tests.
How to choose the best grill
Before you decide which grill is right for you, there are several factors you need to consider. First, you need to decide which fuel-type is best for you. You should also think about which style of grill you want. Once you've made up your mind, you can narrow down your options based on the best features and overall design. Here are some guidelines to help get you started.
Propane Gas
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A popular option because it's easy to light, quick to heat and simple to clean. Whether you're cooking on a high temperature or need a slow burner, propane gas will produce good results. If we're being picky, some say it doesn't produce as much of a barbequed flavor as charcoal grills, but it's the best for convenience. Generally, it's good to use for grilling all year around.
Most gas grills will be hooked up to a tank of liquid propane gas. If you already use a tank to fuel your kitchen range, then that can also be connected to your grill, meaning you would never run out of gas! Some models can also be connected to the natural gas line in your home.
Don’t be wowed by BTUs. While they tell you how much gas the grill uses, and in theory should tell you how powerful it is, more BTUs doesn’t necessarily mean higher heat or better cooking.
Charcoal
These grills require effort to light, control, and clean up. But hands down, they give the smokiest flavor. Charcoal grills may use standard briquettes or the more expensive hardwood lump charcoal, but both types have their advantages.
Charcoal grilling is also more time consuming than using gas, since charcoal requires 15 to 20 minutes of burning time before reaching cooking temperatures, and has more involved cleanup when you're done.
Pellet
Using hardwood pellets, this type of grill produces distinctive deep smoky flavor. You fill the hopper with pellets and the grill’s electronics do the rest, maintaining a very even temperature. They’re particularly good for slow cooking foods like a pork roast, brisket, or side of salmon. However, pellet grills don’t sear as well as other types of grills so if your idea of a great meal is a crusty steak, this isn’t the type for you.
Types of grills
Grill styles
There are several styles of grill, which vary based on fuel type and design.
Kettle grills take up the least space and lets you build a deep bed of briquets to hold in heat. That makes it good for longer cooking items like chicken or ribs as well as for searing steaks and burgers.
Barrel grills are, you guessed it, like a barrel lying on its side. They use a large quantity of briquets and can cook a lot of food at once; but they tend to burn out sooner so they’re better for hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks than brisket or turkey breast.
Kamado grills look a bit like traditional kettle models, but are made of heavy ceramic instead of lightweight sheet metal. The kamado design was popularized by the Big Green Egg brand, but similar ceramic designs are now offered by several companies.
While they’re not cheap, they hold in heat and give you lots of control for cooking all kinds of food, making them very popular with serious cooks who like to grill. The ceramic construction retains heat well, making them well suited to non-traditional grilling for dishes like pizza and deserts, but they’re heavy, use a lot of briquets, and don’t have a very big cooking surface.
