Grills & Smokers: Buying Guides & Comparisons
Pellet grills, kamado cookers, flat-top griddles and gas grills compared in plain English, so you can pick the one you'll actually use.
Grills are the biggest category in backyard cooking — and the easiest place to overspend. A $1,500 smoker is wasted on someone who grills burgers twice a month, and a $200 grill is frustrating for someone who wants to smoke a brisket every weekend.
Start with what you want to cook. Low-and-slow barbecue points to pellet grills and kamados. Weeknight burgers, chicken and vegetables point to gas. Smash burgers, breakfast and stir-fry for a crowd point to a flat-top griddle. Our guides sort the options by use case, with honest trade-offs for each pick.
Best grills & smokers — top picks
Grills & Smokers
Best Electric Smokers
The best electric smokers for beginners to serious cooks: Masterbuilt, Bradley and Cookshack compared on size, controls, wood and warranty.
Top picks · 5 min read
Grills & Smokers
Best Portable Grills
The best portable grills for camping and tailgating: Weber, Pit Boss, Traeger, Lodge and Blackstone compared on weight, size, power and fuel.
Top picks · 5 min read
Grills & Smokers
Best Kamado & Charcoal Grills
From the classic Weber Kettle to ceramic kamados and digital charcoal grills — the best charcoal cookers for flavor, sear and low-and-slow barbecue.
Top picks · 4 min read
Grills & Smokers
Best Flat-Top Griddles
Smash burgers, breakfast for a crowd, fajitas and fried rice — the best outdoor griddles and how to choose the right size.
Top picks · 4 min read
Grills & Smokers
Best Gas Grills
How to choose a gas grill that lasts — plus our picks from Weber, Napoleon, Monument and Char-Broil at every budget.
Top picks · 4 min read
Grills & Smokers
Best Gifts for Backyard Cooks
Gift ideas for people who love to grill, make pizza and hang out around a fire — from stocking stuffers to the one big present.
Top picks · 4 min read
Grills & Smokers
Best Pellet Grills
Pellet grills make smoking meat nearly foolproof. Here are the best options at every budget — and what to look for before you buy.
Top picks · 4 min read
Grills & Smokers
Best Wireless Meat Thermometers
The best wireless meat thermometers for grilling and smoking: MEATER, Typhur, Combustion and ThermoWorks compared on range, probes and battery.
Top picks · 5 min read
Comparisons & how-to guides
Grills & Smokers
Blackstone vs. Camp Chef
Blackstone vs. Camp Chef flat-top griddles compared: size, grill-box option, upkeep and accessories, plus a low-maintenance Weber alternative.
Comparison · 4 min read
Grills & Smokers
Kamado Joe vs. Big Green Egg
Kamado Joe Classic Joe III vs. Big Green Egg (Large): features, support, weight, accessories and who each ceramic kamado suits best.
Comparison · 4 min read
Grills & Smokers
Searwood vs. Ironwood
Weber Searwood vs. Traeger Ironwood compared: searing, app and Wi-Fi features, price tier, ease of use and the value alternatives worth a look.
Comparison · 4 min read
Free grills & smokers tools
Browse every grills & smokers product we've researched
Filter by price tier and jump to the guide that covers each one.
Grills & Smokers: quick answers
Pellet grill, gas grill or charcoal — which is best?
Gas is the most convenient for everyday cooking. Pellet grills are the easiest way to get real wood-smoke flavor with set-it-and-forget-it temperature control. Charcoal and kamado cookers give the best sear and flavor for hands-on cooks, but take more attention.
How much should I spend on a grill?
Most households are well served in the $400–$1,000 range. Below about $300 you'll see thinner metal and shorter lifespans; above $1,500 you're paying for build quality, features and brand more than better-tasting food.
Are flat-top griddles worth it?
If you cook breakfast, smash burgers, fajitas or fried rice, a griddle is genuinely useful and fun. If you mainly want grill marks and a smoky flavor, a traditional grill is a better fit.