We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
Gas grills for under $300 help complete any outdoor living space at a budget-friendly price. While they may lack the aesthetics and the bells and whistles of higher-end models, these inexpensive grills offer surprisingly similar performance. Grills at this price point range from larger three-burner models to small portable units ideal for tailgating and camping—but how does a budget-minded grilling enthusiast find a truly worthy affordable model?
To find out, we put some of today’s most popular well-priced gas grills through their paces to find out which ones perform best. Read on to learn what to look for and why the models below are among the best gas grills under $300.
- BEST OVERALL: Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Weber Q 1200 Portable Gas Grill
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR SMALL SPACES: Char-Broil 463673519 Performance Series 2-Burner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST INFRARED GRILL: Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable Grill
↓ Jump to Review
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 4 |
| Time spent testing | 10 |
| Tests performed | 5 to 6 |
| Price range | $180 to $300 |
Our Top Picks
The list below features some of the top cheap grills on the market. Our picks for the best grills to buy under $300 feature larger three-burner options as well as small portable models.
Best Overall
Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5;Heat Distribution 5/5; Portability 3/5; Ease of Cleaning 4.5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Cooking surface: 285 square inches
- Burners: 3
- British thermal units (BTUs): 20,000
What We Like
- Light grill with a button thanks to Instastart ignition
- Collapsible legs for easy transport
- Great for camping and tailgating
- Includes 2 side tables
What We Don’t Like
- A little on the heavy side (at 49 pounds) for a portable grill
The Coleman RoadTrip 285 is a rare portable grill that doesn’t force you to make the concessions that normally come with a mobile model. For starters, it comes folded flat, allowing you to roll it behind you as you might a piece of wheeled luggage. As a result, although it weighs 49 pounds, I found it easier to move the RoadTrip from my car trunk to point B when compared to portable grills that were half its weight but must be carried.
The RoadTrip is also easier to cook on. Most portable grills don’t come with a stand, either requiring you to squat while cooking or find a tabletop to place it upon. The RoadTrip features a stand that folds out of the body in seconds, raising it to the same level as a standard full-size gas grill. The RoadTrip is also significantly larger than most portable grills, boasting 285 square inches of primary cooking space. Coleman uses a unique burner style with two outer burners that surround a central burner This setup creates a very hot zone in the center for searing. I recorded temperatures of 600 degrees Fahrenheit plus—higher than many full-size grills. Other notable features include two slide side tables, offering prep space not normally found on a portable grill.
I did have some minor complaints with the RoadTrip. The lid lock doesn’t align well, making it difficult to use, and the three burners can chew through a 1-pound propane cylinder pretty quickly. Nitpicking aside, the RoadTrip is a well-designed gas grill that’s ideal for camping or tailgating. It can even serve as a full-time grill for smaller outdoor living spaces.
Get the Coleman gas grill at Amazon or Coleman.
Best Bang For The Buck
Weber Q 1200 Portable Gas Grill
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5;Heat Distribution 5/5; Portability 5/5; Ease of Cleaning 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Cooking surface: 189 square inches
- Burners: 1
- BTUs: 8,500
What We Like
- Porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates
- Grates retain heat and provide even heat distribution
- Easy electronic push-button ignition
- Includes folding side tables
What We Don’t Like
- Small cooking surfacethat can only fit 6 burger patties
Weber is known for the high-quality construction of its charcoal and gas grills. And while the brand doesn’t produce many budget models, the Q 1200 is an exception and certainly worth consideration as a portable option or for those who simply don’t have the space for a full-size grill.
The high build quality Weber is known for is immediately apparent with the Q 1200. The frame has a nice solid feel, and the large dome lid is made of heavy-gauge cast iron and coated with a thick layer of enamel paint. Inside are thick porcelain-coated cast-iron plates that have a distinctly sturdier feel than those found on other grills at this price level. Simply put, the Weber Q 1200 just feels like it will last a long time.
One expects a Weber to perform well, and this one sure does. I recorded surface temps of 550 degrees Fahrenheit, which was plenty of heat for searing a nice crust on my burger patty and steak. With the lid closed, the dome-shaped lid facilitated good airflow, resulting in juicy and evenly cooked chicken kabobs.
In addition to build quality and performance, there are other admirable features, including fold-out side tables and a lid thermometer, both extras that aren’t typical for a portable grill. The nonstick coating on the grates allowed me to cook chicken without having to spray the grates with oil, while also making post-grilling cleanup easier.
I did have a few minor complaints with the Q 1200. Its 189 square inches of cooking space makes it better suited for smaller efforts. And it only has a single burner, which limits the cooking surface to a single heat zone. Those minor quibbles aside, the Q 1200’s build quality and cooking performance make it one of the best all-around gas grills under $300 on the market.
Get the Weber gas grill at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Weber.
Best For Small Spaces
Char-Broil 463673519 Performance Series 2-Burner
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5;Heat Distribution 4/5; Portability 5/5; Ease of Cleaning 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Cooking surface: 300 square inches
- Burners: 2
- BTUs: 24,000
What We Like
- Compact size takes up less space
- Stainless steel lid
- Large fold-up side tables
- Attractive look
What We Don’t Like
- Limited cooking space
With a streamlined design that gives it a small footprint, the most diminutive member of Char-Broil’s Performance Series is a great option for those with limited outdoor living space.
Side tables folded down, the grill measures just 25 inches wide. Couple that with a set of casters for rolling it in and out of place and this grill is ideal for anyone with a limited deck or patio footprint. And while it uses thinner sheet metal than higher priced grills, it’s thicker than some at this price point. This grill looks good too thanks to a stainless steel lid and control panel, plus a cabinet that hides the propane tank.
The knock on many grills at this price level is that their burners lack the BTUs to properly sear beef. While I’ve found that to be largely true, that’s not the case with this two-burner Char-Broil. With its two 12,000 BTU burners, it took a scant 10 minutes for the lid thermometer to touch 550 degrees Fahrenheit. With the lid open, I recorded surface temperatures of around 550 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing me to achieve dark sear marks on my test New York Strip steaks.
While the 300 square inches of cooking surface isn’t much bigger than some portable grills, I found I was able to cook a large amount of food in a relatively short amount of time thanks to the grill’s ability to retain high temps with the lid open—I had burger patties flying on and off the cooking surface. This grill can easily feed a family of four or even support a larger gathering if the chef doesn’t mind a little more work.
Given its small size and high heat output, this grill is ideal for anyone who wants a gas grill that performs well, looks good, and doesn’t hog space.
Get the Char-Broil Performance gas grill at Amazon.
Best Infrared Grill
Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable Grill
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5;Heat Distribution 3.5/5; Portability 5/5; Ease of Cleaning 2/5; Value 3.5/5
Product Specs
- Cooking surface: 200 square inches
- Burners: 1
- BTUs: 9,500
What We Like
- Reaches high temperature for searings
- Made of durable heavy-gauge aluminum
- Easy to move and set up
- Ample cooking surface
What We Don’t Like
- Produced less flavorful food
- Hard-to-clean grill grate
The Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 is an infrared grill, which means instead of heating the air, which in turn cooks the food, it heats a stainless steel V-shaped grate that cooks food directly. An infrared grill is in theory supposed to reach temperatures well above what conventional grills can achieve. While the Grill2Go cooks well, we found that its heat output was similar to that of conventional gas grills.
Since the Grill2Go comes almost completely assembled, setup was easy. Its box shape, large handles, and manageable weight made it easy to move into position on a tabletop, and it fit easily into the trunk of our vehicle. We also liked the clips that hold the lid securely closed for transport.
The grill uses a standard 16-ounce propane canister, which attaches to the side of the grill and lights with a piezo ignition. After giving the Grill2Go about 20 minutes to heat up, we recorded a surface temperature of 550 degrees Fahrenheit. Though not the extreme heat that’s advertised with infrared technology, 550 degrees Fahrenheit was more than enough to create a sear on our burger patty. The Grill2Go’s clamshell lid was easy to operate and created even heating when closed. Our kabobs turned out evenly cooked while still being juicy. Though the Grill2Go reached a good heat level and cooked well, we found that the food was not as flavorful as that which came off the other gas grills we tested.
The grill was a bit of a pain to clean: Food and char tended to get caught between the V’s on the grill grate and clog up holes. While the Grill2Go comes with a special scraper, it was still a chore to get the grate clean.
Get the Char-Broil Grill2Go gas grill at Lowe’s or Menards.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Gas Grills Under $300
In reviewing the best grill brands for this guide, I assessed each grill based on build quality, aesthetics, heat output, and ease of cooking.
When assessing each grill’s build quality, I examined the thickness of the metal used to create the grill frame and body as well as the durability of the cooking chamber, heat plates, cooking grates, and grill lid.
In terms of performance, I considered the size of the cooking surface, which determines how much food can be cooked at once. I also looked at the number of burners as well as the BTU output of each burner. Using a digital thermometer, I recorded the temperature of the cooking surface to determine how evenly each grill cooked, along with its ability to reach the higher temperatures required to sear meat. To test each grill’s cooking ability, I grilled steaks and hamburger patties along with boneless skinless chicken breasts.
I also considered aesthetics, leaning toward grills with stainless steel construction and designs that conceal the propane tank. Finally, I assessed how easy each grill was to clean after cooking.
What to Consider When Choosing a Gas Grill Under $300
While size is crucial when choosing the right gas grill for a living space, it’s just as vital to make sure the grill produces enough heat for its cooking surface. Ahead, learn why heat flux is such a crucial factor when shopping for a gas grill along with other important factors.
BTU Level
Heat output as it pertains to the size of the grill’s cooking surface is known as heat flux, and it must be great enough to effectively and evenly cook food. To calculate heat flux, divide the total amount of the grill’s BTUs, a measurement of heat output, by its square inches of cooking surface. For example, a grill with 450 square inches of cooking surface heated by four 10,000 BTU burners (40,000 BTUs total) will have a heat flux of 89. As a rule of thumb, a grill should have a heat flux between 80 and 100 to provide enough output to cook food properly.
Number of Burners and Cooking Area
The number of burners a grill has determines its versatility. More burners allow the chef to create different cooking zones, making it easier to grill different types of foods at the same time. For example, a grill with four burners might allow the chef to sear steaks at a high temperature on one part of the grill while roasting vegetables at a medium temperature in another zone. The more cooking area a grill has, the more burners it can support, giving the chef the ability to create more cooking zones.
Grate Material
The vast majority of gas grill grates consist of porcelain-coated iron. Iron retains heat better than other metals, such as stainless steel, allowing the grill to better maintain that crucial constant temperature. But iron is prone to oxidation, so the porcelain coating is added to protect the grate from water and air that would cause rust to form. While porcelain-coated iron is one of the best-performing materials, the coating does eventually wear off, causing the grates to rust and deteriorate, which is why there are some gas grills that opt for rust-resistant stainless steel.
Most gas grills have shields that cover the gas burners, which serve two purposes. The shields prevent drips from hitting the open flame, causing flare-ups, while also creating smoke that instills flavor into the food.
Portability
Given that portable gas grills are less expensive than most of their full-size counterparts, there are many to choose from at the under-$300 price point. Portable gas grills typically weigh between 30 and 40 pounds—manageable enough for one or two people to carry. They are also often compact enough to load into a trunk, with some larger models having wheels that make them easier to transport from vehicle to cooking site. A good portable gas grill should be durably made with steel or iron that can endure the rigors of tailgating, camping, and being packed in a car trunk or the bed of a truck.
Additional Features
Gas grills come with numerous additional features designed to make them easier to use. While grills at the $300 level don’t have as many features as higher-end grills, they still offer some nice extras, including side burners for cooking sauces, warming racks for rolls and cooked food, hooks and storage cabinets for grill tools, side shelves for prepping food, and electronic ignitions that make the grill easier to light.
FAQs
If you’re wondering what the most durable brand of gas grill is or how to maintain your new gas grill, read on for answers to these and other common questions.
While durability varies from grill to grill, Weber has the best reputation for producing the most durable grills on the market. This is due to the excellent construction of such models as its Weber Q 1200 gas grill.
You’ll want to clean a gas grill periodically. Never hose it off, which could cause it to rust. Instead, use a scraper and wire brush to clean residue and char from the grates and the inside of the hood and firebox. Then wipe it down with a damp cloth.
Yes. In fact, you’ll want to turn all of the grill’s burners to high in order to preheat the grill before cooking.
The products listed were $300 or less as of 8/5/2024.
