18 best grills under $250, $500 & $1,000, according to reviewers
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BBQ season has officially arrived. What does that mean? It's prime time to pick up a new grill.
Whether you're in the market for a gas grill, an electric grill, a charcoal grill or a smoker, there's a lot to consider when deciding on a make and model.
Different BBQ energy types to consider
With thousands of barbecues to choose from, shoppers can narrow their search by selecting their preferred energy type: charcoal, gas or electric.
Charcoal grills: A time-tested cooking method, charcoal grills typically use lumps of charcoal or briquettes for firepower. A charcoal BBQ lends a delicious smoky flavour to your food, which is why they're so popular. While charcoal grills tend to be more affordable than their electric or gas counterparts, they come with their own unique set of quirks. Lighting the briquettes can take more time than firing up a gas grill, and they may not be as precise as other options.
Gas grills: As one of the most popular grilling methods, you've likely tinkered with a gas-powered BBQ in the past. There are two types of gas grills to choose from: propane-powered and natural gas-powered, the latter of which is dependent on your home's natural gas supply line. With a gas grill, users have more control over the heat and its distribution. However, it can be difficult to achieve the same smoky flavour as you would with a charcoal grill, and many condo buildings prohibit the use of gas-powered barbecues.
Electric grills: Electric barbecues are a practical choice for condo-dwellers and urbanites. As they don't require charcoal or gas burners, electric grills are safe for both indoor and outdoor use. While convenient, electric grills take longer to heat up, and your food likely won't take on the same smoky flavour as it would with a gas or charcoal grill.
With so many grills to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide on the one that's right for you. To help narrow down your search, we looked at 18 grills from Amazon, Best Buy Canada, Canadian Tire, The Home Depot and Wayfair to find the BBQs reviewers swear by. To shop the best loved-and-tested barbecues under $250, $500 and $1,000 in 2022, scroll below.
Best BBQs in Canada under $250
Weber Original 22-In Charcoal Kettle BBQ Grill
Average rating: 4.7 stars
A crowd-favourite among Canadian Tire shoppers, this Weber charcoal grill comes with a one-touch cleaning system. Small but mighty, reviewers have dubbed the 22-inch unit a "hella good grill." According to one shopper, you "can't beat a Weber," who adds that "for an affordable old-school charcoal grill, it is simply the best."
Napoleon TravelQ 1165 Portable Propane Gas Grill
Average rating: 4.7 stars
Whether you're working with limited outdoor space, a campground, or heading to the beach, The Home Depot shoppers say this eye-catching portable BBQ is the "perfect small grill." The unit comes with 165 square inches of grilling space and 9,000 BTU. According to one reviewer, the BBQ is "portability at its best" and "it does the job for small grilling."
Dyna-Glo 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill
Average rating: 4.2 stars
This budget-friendly gas grill features three 8,000 BTU stainless steel burners and a total cooking area of 449 square inches. Its porcelain enamel warming rack provides an additional 139 square inches of space and the BBQ's two large side tables lend extra food preparation space. It's "extremely easy to assemble," according to one Home Depot shopper, who adds that it "works amazing."
Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere BBQ Grill
Average rating: 4.6 stars
This small-but-mighty portable Weber grill is made for adventures. The unit's rectangular plated steel cooking grate provides 160 sq. inches of grilling surface area. Measuring 12.2 (length) by 21 (width) x 14.5 (height) inches, the grill is perfect for camping, fishing trips and weekend-long adventures. It's a purchase "you won't regret," according to one Amazon shopper. It's "unbelievably sturdy" and "doesn't rattle, move or wobble," they write.
Martin Portable Propane BBQ Gas Grill
Average rating: 4.4 stars
This "Amazon's Choice" BBQ comes backed by more than 800 reviews and an average rating of 4.4 stars. Its U-shaped burner offers 14,000 BTUs, and its folding support legs make for an easy pack-and-go experience. According to one reviewer, the Martin unit is the "best portable BBQ on Amazon."
NexGrill 29-Inch Barrel Charcoal Smoker & BBQ
Average rating: 4.0 stars
This 29-inch barrel charcoal grill offers the versatility of grilling and smoking in one stylish package. The unit features 741 square inches of total cooking space and multiple charcoal tray positions for optimal temperature control. According to one Home Depot shopper, it delivers "delicious, mouth-watering" meals.
Best BBQs in Canada under $500
Master Chef Grill Turismo 2-Burner BBQ
Average rating: 5.0 stars
This Canadian Tire-exclusive BBQ is truly in a league of its own, with its 420 total sq. inches of cooking area and two stainless steel burners. The unit produces up to 20,000 BTUs and can easily convert from propane to natural gas. One reviewer says it "heats up quick and cooks a perfect burger!"
Weber Master-Touch Charcoal BBQ
Average rating: 4.7 stars
Take your summer grill-outs up a notch with the Weber Master-Touch BBQ. The barbeque is equipped with a large cooking space and includes an additional warming area, so food stays hot until you're ready to chow down. The Weber Master-Touch has earned more than 1,900 reviews and an average rating of 4.7 stars from Best Buy Canada shoppers. It's the "best purchase I have ever made," says one enthusiastic reviewer. "I have smoked multiple beef briskets, ribs [and] pork butts with this little sweetheart and could not be happier with my grill."
American Gourmet Char-Broil 3 Gas Grill
Average rating: 4.6 stars
Become the grill master of your friend group with help from this American Gourmet 3-Burner 30,000 BTU Gas Grill. The grill features 360 square inches of primary cooking space on porcelain-coated grates and 170 square inches of secondary cooking space on the swing-a-way warming rack. "For a basic grill, this thing is awesome," raves one Wayfair shopper. "A tank of propane lasts forever."
Dyna-Glo 5-Burner Propane Gas Grill
Average rating: 4.4 stars
This five-burner propane gas grill can sear, grill and smoke with steakhouse-level quality. The unit features a removable smoker box that fits perfectly between two standard burners, and its 473 square inches of cooking space can accommodate up to 23 burger patties at once. "We grill almost every day," writes one shopper. "It's the bee's knees."
Dyna-Glo Signature Series Heavy-Duty Compact Barrel Charcoal BBQ
Average rating: 4.6 stars
This fan-favourite Dyna-Glo barrel charcoal BBQ features a collapsible steel front workstation which provides even more space to play with. The unit has a total cooking area of 443 square inches and is constructed from heavy-gauge steel. "This smokes well and doesn't really need the smoker attachment to do a good job of smoking," says one reviewer.
Char-Broil Performance TRU-INfrared 34000 BTU Propane BBQ
Average rating: 4.5 stars
The Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared BBQ is powered by 34,000 BTUs and features three stainless-steel burners and porcelain-coated cast-iron grates for the perfect sear. Its large cooking area of 450 square inches has room for up to 37 patties, and its three stainless steel burners give users even more room to play around with.
Best BBQs in Canada under $1,000
Dyna-Glo Extra Large Heavy Duty Charcoal BBQ Grill
Average rating: 4.7 stars
This family-sized grill features a primary cooking area of 576 sq. inches and a secondary cooking area of 240 sq. inches. Despite its reasonable price tag, Canadian Tire shoppers have dubbed it the "best grill ever." According to one reviewer, it has "all the features that you would want in a charcoal grill." It's "heavy-duty," it retains "a lot of heat," and it gets you the "perfect grill marks, every time."
Vision Grills Kamado Professional Ceramic Charcoal BBQ
Average rating: 4.7 stars
This top-rated Vision Grills BBQ replicates wood oven cooking, allowing you to grill, sear and smoke meats and vegetables, bake pizzas and more. With over 650 reviews and an impressive average rating of 4.7 stars, The Home Depot shoppers say you can't go wrong with this eye-catching charcoal BBQ. "Overall, this has been the best grill my partner and I have had," writes one reviewer. The charcoal and wood chips add a "nice smoked flavour to whatever we are cooking."
Weber Spirit 3-Burner Propane Gas BBQ Grill
Average rating: 4.5 stars
A Canadian Tire shopper-favourite, this Weber Spirit 3-Burner Propane BBQ will instantly upgrade your summer dining experience. The BBQ features an electronic crossover ignition system, porcelain-enamelled flavorizer bars and cast iron cooking grates. With over 1,800 five-star reviews singing its praises, users say it's the "best grill" they've ever tried. "There is definitely a difference" when you buy a Weber grill "that is well worth the price difference," writes one reviewer.
Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker 8-in-1 BBQ
Average rating: 4.8 stars
The ultimate grill for any backyard chef, this 8-in-1 unit barbeques, bakes, roasts, braises, smokes, grills, sears and char-broils for endless dining possibilities. It uses 100 per cent natural BBQ wood pellets to infuse your food with deep, rich flavour and comes with a waterproof heavy-duty grill cover. The 8-in-1 grill is the "best upgrade [I've] ever made," writes one Best Buy Canada shopper. "Every brisket, pork shoulder, rack of ribs and even vegetables have turned out amazing."
Napoleon Freestyle 365 Propane Gas BBQ
Average rating: 4.8 stars
This fan-favourite Napoleon BBQ features an easy-to-use ignition system that shoots a flame to each gas burner individually for quick start-ups. The unit comes backed by dozens of five-star reviews and an overall average rating of 4.8 stars. "I love the rack being so heavy-duty," writes one reviewer. "It allowed me to get some nice grill marks on anything I made."
Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal BBQ
Average rating: 4.7 stars
When you want to cook for a crowd, there's no better option than this Weber charcoal BBQ. The unit features a spacious surface for meal prep and has 363 square inches of cooking space, large enough for 22 patties. With over 1,000 five-star reviews behind it, Best Buy Canada shoppers call the Weber a "fantastic grill." The grill is "very versatile," according to one reviewer. "Charcoal is the only way to go."
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