🔥BackyardBBQ
Grill Buying Guide

Which grill is actually right for you? — 30 models compared honestly

Kettle, offset, pellet, gas, or kamado? Tell us your budget, yard size, and what you grill most. We'll show you which grill fits your real life — and which ones are mostly marketing.

What this is

Grill reviews online are usually either Weber fanboy posts or generic Top-10 lists. We compare 30 models across 5 categories with honest weaknesses and concrete recommendations for your situation.

How it works

Set the filters — what you cook, how many people, yard size, available fuel — and the table sorts the 30 grills by match score. Click any grill for honest details.

What this isn't

We don't recommend one "Best Grill" for everyone, because that doesn't exist. A Texas pitmaster needs something different from a 4-person family on a small patio. The match score depends on your filters.

30

models from US market

5

grill categories

$79–$3199

from patio to pit

6

filter axes

Quick picks — what will you grill most?

23 Grills · sorted by score (desc)

ModelTypePriceMatch↓
Big Green EggLarge
Kamado$119987
WeberSmokeFire EX6
Pellet Smoker$129983
Vision GrillsClassic B Kamado
Kamado$64983
Oklahoma Joe'sLonghorn Reverse Flow
Offset Smoker$79982
recteqRT-700 Bull
Pellet Smoker$119982
Kamado JoeJoe Jr 13.5-inch
Kamado$59982
TraegerIronwood 885
Pellet Smoker$149981
WeberSummit Charcoal E-6
Kettle$159980
Pit BossPro Series 1100
Pellet Smoker$79980
PK GrillsOriginal PK Grill & Smoker
Kettle$39979
TraegerPro 575
Pellet Smoker$79979
WeberGenesis E-335
Gas Grill$119978
NapoleonPrestige 500
Gas Grill$149978
Oklahoma Joe'sHighland Offset Smoker
Offset Smoker$54977
Broil KingRegal S590 Pro
Gas Grill$109977
Char-GrillerAkorn Kamado Kooker
Kamado$34977
WeberMaster-Touch 22-inch
Kettle$22976
NapoleonPro22K-LEG Charcoal
Kettle$34975
WeberOriginal Kettle 22-inch
Kettle$16974
Char-GrillerGrand Champ XD Offset
Offset Smoker$59974
WeberSpirit II E-310
Gas Grill$59972
Char-BroilPerformance 475
Gas Grill$39969
WeberJumbo Joe 18-inch
Kettle$7965

Three things most grill reviews leave out

You'll change fuel more often than grills

A good kettle lasts 15 years. A pellet smoker with electronics averages 8–10. An offset smoker (no power, no sensors) often hits 20+. If you already know you want the newest app-controlled grill every few years, buy disposable. If not: invest in steel, not Wi-Fi.

Yard footprint is systematically underestimated

A 50-inch offset needs 3 feet of clearance to walls and plants — that's 30 square feet of patio gone. A 4-burner gas grill with side shelf eats 25 sq ft. Ignore this at purchase and you'll end up with a $1,500 grill in the garage.

The sear-vs-smoke choice is often the wrong question

You only need one of them done really well. Burgers-and-steak cooks 90% of the time? You want sear. Brisket-and-pulled-pork cooks? You want smoke. The "all-rounder" myth costs $800 extra. A cheap kettle plus a cheap pellet smoker often beats a $2,000 hybrid.

Pricing and availability

Prices are US street prices as of Q2/2026 and may change — especially in the pre-season run-up (February to May). Cooking areas are manufacturer specs; actual usable space varies by 5–10%.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links go to Amazon. We may earn a small commission if you buy there — at no extra cost to you. This has no effect on the ranking or match score.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which grill type is best for beginners?
For mixed grilling (burgers, steaks, occasional pulled pork), a 22-inch kettle like the Weber Original or Master-Touch is the most practical start — affordable, easy to learn, and covers 80% of home cooks. If you mainly want quick weeknight grilling, a 3-burner gas grill (Spirit II E-310) is the lower-friction option. For pure smoking (brisket, pulled pork), a pellet smoker like the Traeger Pro 575 gives the best comfort-to-result ratio.
Is an offset smoker worth it for hobby cooks?
Only if you genuinely want real wood smoke flavor and are willing to invest 2–3 sessions in tuning. Offsets need gasket upgrades and constant attention. For 90% of hobby cooks a pellet smoker or kamado delivers better results with less learning curve. If you love the archaic experience and have a big yard, the Oklahoma Joe's Highland will make you happy.
Pellet smoker or kamado for an all-around cooker?
Pellet (e.g. Traeger Pro 575): set-and-forget smoke, WiFi app, weak at high-heat sear. Kamado (e.g. Kamado Joe Classic III): extreme heat for sear and 24-hour smoke, but takes 5–10 sessions to master. If you work full-time and mainly want to smoke, pick pellet. If you also want 750 °F pizza and 16-hour brisket from the same cooker, kamado is the honest answer.
How much yard space do I need for each grill type?
Apartment patio (under 50 sq ft): small kettle (Weber Jumbo Joe) or compact gas (Weber Q 1200). Medium yard (50–200 sq ft): any standard kettle, gas grill up to 4 burners, or kamado. Large yard (200+ sq ft): offset smoker or big pellet smoker only really fits here. For offsets, plan 3–6 feet of clearance to walls and plants.
Gas, charcoal, pellets, or wood — which is cheapest to run?
At moderate use (4–6 cooks per month): natural gas grill with house line runs about $10–15/month. Propane tank (gas): $25–35/month. Charcoal (kettle, kamado): $18–22/month. Pellets (pellet smoker): $30–35/month. Wood splits (offset smoker): $40–55/month. Lifetime cost matters too: a Weber kettle lasts 15+ years, a kamado often 20+, a pellet smoker with electronics averages 8–10.
What's the minimum cooking surface I need for my family?
Rule of thumb: roughly 60 square inches per person for direct grilling, plus 30% reserve for sides and warming. For 4 people that's minimum 300 sq in (classic 22-inch kettle or 3-burner gas). For 8 people aim for 550–650 sq in (4-burner gas, larger pellet smoker, or XL kamado). For 12+ regularly: offset smoker or XL pellet.

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