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Weber
Most backyards: gas, charcoal or griddle
Heads-up: Accessories cost extra; no side burner on the Spirit
Weber Spirit EX-325 Smart Gas Grill
$599
Liquid propane version at full price on Weber's own site.
Grill
Before you buy. Budget for a digital meat thermometer too; grill testers call it the most important barbecue tool.
Or, if you need something else
Small patios, camping and simple weeknight cooking
Char-Broil Performance FlavorMax 2 Burner. Heads-up: Thin steel; edges run cooler than the middle
Slow-smoked flavor without watching the fire
Traeger Woodridge Pro. Heads-up: Ongoing pellet costs; weaker at high-heat searing
Why these three
Picked from Tom's Guide's grill tests and AmazingRibs's medal ratings, both updated in 2026. Char-Broil's gas grill rests on one hands-on review, by Men's Journal.
- Tom's Guide: Best grills in 2026, as tested by experts (updated July 2026) (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- Tom's Guide: Weber Slate 36 review (August 2024; still in the July 2026 best grills list) (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- Tom's Guide: Traeger Westwood XL review (June 2026) (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- AmazingRibs: Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-inch review (Platinum Medal, updated October 2026) (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- AmazingRibs: Weber Spirit EP-435 review (Platinum Medal, updated August 2026) (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- AmazingRibs: Traeger Woodridge Pro review (Best Value Gold Medal, updated August 2026) (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- AmazingRibs: Charbroil Performance 17-inch Portable Gas Griddle review (Gold Medal, updated August 2026) (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- AmazingRibs: Traeger Ironwood and Ironwood XL review (Best Value Gold Medal, updated July 2026) (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- Men's Journal: Charbroil Performance Series FlavorMax 2-Burner review (May 2026) (opens in new tab) · Hands-on review · checked Oct 2026
- Weber: Spirit EX-325 Smart Gas Grill (liquid propane) (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026
- Weber: 22-inch Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026
- Weber: Slate 36-inch Rust-Resistant Griddle with Flip-Up Side Table (liquid propane) (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026
- Char-Broil: Performance Series FlavorMax 2 Burner Gas Grill (463663125) (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026
- Char-Broil: 17-inch Performance Series Portable Tabletop Gas Griddle (463614124) (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026
- Traeger: Woodridge Pro Wood Pellet Grill (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026
- Traeger: Westwood XL Pellet Grill (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026
- Traeger: Ironwood Pellet Grill (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026