These are the gas, pellet and charcoal grills we trust for a mean burger all summer long

The weather is warming up, and that means it’s time to welcome some outdoor fun. Say goodbye to huddling around an outdoor heater, and hello to outdoor firepits and, of course, the best grills to smoke, char and impress all your guests with.

Since grilling is no joke, The Post decided to tap into great chefs and our team’s first-person reviews to get the lowdown on everyone’s favorite grills and griddles. Plus, their best tips or hacks to make your at-home barbecue smokin’ hot and better than ever before.

When you’re on the hunt for a grill, there are a few key things to think about. First off, you want to make sure it cooks your burgers and steaks evenly – nobody likes a half-charred, half-raw dinner.  Also, check out the materials and construction to ensure it’s sturdy and great at holding onto heat.

And size matters! You don’t want a monster grill taking over your patio, but you also don’t want one so small you can’t keep up with demand at your BBQ bashes. So, consider how much grilling space you’ll need for those epic backyard cookouts.

We also looked into some bestselling options rated number one by reviewers like you to find options from Weber to Traeger that fit every budget. No matter your need, we’re ready to serve you some hot-ticket grills to pair with your kitchen gadgets, outdoor pizza oven, and mouthwatering meat subscriptions.

See below for the best charcoal, gas wood-burning grills, portable, and more to turn your backyard patio sets into your own five-star restaurant, as recommended by chefs and reviewers.

Click below to shop a specific category:

• Best charcoal grills
• Best gas grills
• Best pellet grills
• Best indoor grills

Skip to our FAQ below.

Best charcoal grills

Best Charcoal Grill: Weber Original Charcoal Grill

For a classic outdoor grill that comes with a charcoal taste and an expert recommendation, look no further.

“I am a big fan of Weber products and [have owned] a Weber charcoal grill for more than five years,” said Kardea Brown, a contemporary Southern cook of Gullah Geechee descent and host of both Food Network’s “Delicious Miss Brown” and “The Great Soul Food Cook Off.”

“Weber stands out amongst their competitors because they have a proven track record for making quality grills,” Brown said.

If you love the sound of a sizzling grill and low prices, head over to Weber where this grill awaits.

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Best BBQ Grill: Primo Grills All-in-One Oval XL 400 Ceramic Kamado Grill

Melissa Cookston, a seven-time World BBQ Champion and member of the BBQ Hall of Fame, is head-over-heels for the only American-made ceramic Kamado grill, and so are we.

“Round Kamado grills are built for consistent heat, and they are amazing,” said Cookston. “The Primo will put in heat deflectors and cook an amazing pork butt or brisket over eight hours. Or, put in a firebox divider and reverse-sear steaks or grill burgers with a finishing zone.”

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Best gas grills

Best Gas Grill: Weber Spirit S-315 Gas Grill

A gas grill is another option if you don’t want to dirty your hands with black charcoal. Head to the Home Depot for this Weber model, which has three high-quality burners and can cook up to 15 medium-sized burgers at a time. Make sure to invite celebrity chef Amanda Freitag to your barbecue, as this is her favorite for outdoor cooking.

“The grill I have cooked on the most (being a city girl) is my mom’s Weber propane grill in her backyard,” said Amanda Freitag, a chef and judge on the Food Network show “Chopped.”

“The best part about the Weber grill is that I can create different levels of heat just like I could on the stove. I make a hot spot for searing and getting grill marks, have a medium-low heat for finishing and then move to the upper shelf for holding. You can cook just about anything on that grill.”

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Best Portable Gas Grill: Weber Q 2800N+ GAS GRILL (LIQUID PROPANE)

New York Post Review: “The grill has two burners that allow you to adjust the heat from 250 to 700 Fahrenheit for all your roasting or baking needs. It can sear with all the grill marks one dreams about, resulting in a picture-perfect, mouth-watering burger. With five great selections of colors to choose from, this product offers a variety of options to suit any style.

The portable size does not mean the performance suffers; in fact, it was so impressive that I’d recommend this to home dwellers who want to keep their patio space pristine without a grill centerstage. It’s easy to tuck away out of sight, out of mind. The high-dome lid makes it easy to accommodate small birds and other large foods that require ample space to cook properly. There was also plenty of room to spread 12 burgers across the grill.” — Emma Sutton-Williams, commerce reporter

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Best Natural Gas: SUMMIT SMART FS38X S GAS GRILL (NATURAL GAS)

This grill does everything for you except shop. It cooks everything to perfection with restaurant-grade quality. With a high-definition touch screen that ignites burners instantly and SmartControl technology, this is all you need for one-stop grilling for a pizza oven, rotisserie, wok, and more.

Speaking of SmartControl, the high-definition touchscreen and smartphone app integration allow you to ignite, control and monitor the grill remotely,

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Best pellet grills

Best Portable Pellet Grill: Ninja OG701 7-in-1 Outdoor Electric Grill & Smoker

Nothing tastes better than using a woodfire grill. However, if you’re trying to protect the environment or have restrictions on where to cook, this electric grill offers a solution. It allows you to have both experiences with the use of woodfire pellets that smoke your meat and veggies.

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Best Traeger Grill: Traeger Timberline

Melissa Cookston highlights the convenience of pellet grills, which allow you to adopt a “set it and forget it” mindset. This is precisely why we adore this Traeger model.

“The Traeger has a fully insulated cooking chamber for heat retention, an enclosed grease catcher, a downdraft exhaust system that helps keep the temperature consistent throughout the cooking chamber and the best app in the business to allow you to monitor your cook from anywhere,” continued Cookston.  “I cook a ton of things on my Traeger, especially when I need to multitask.”

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Best Smoker: Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36-Inch Pellet Grill 

You can actually control your grill just through wifi — yes, you read that right. Just connect your smartphone or device to the accompanying app and you can do everything from control the smoke and heat to watch the cooking progress, so you get perfectly smoked food every time.

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Best indoor electric grills

Best Budget Grill: George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill

I’m thrilled with my 15-serving George Foreman electric grill. It’s been a hit on my patio, with friends even getting their own after seeing mine in action!

This grill is spacious enough for my family and can handle up to 15 hamburgers, perfect for any patio gathering. Its quick heating feature (thank you, electricity) means you can start grilling right away, and the top valve allows for easy heat regulation. Plus, the nonstick coating makes cleanup a breeze – either on the grill itself or with a quick wash in the sink if needed. And the fact that it’s often approved by landlords due to its lack of gas or charcoal requirements is just the cherry on top.

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Best Flat-Top Grill: Presto Cool Touch Electric Griddle

Who says you have to be outside to enjoy that fresh, grilled taste? This indoor model is slim and compact and features cool-touch siding, making moving it from place to place a total breeze. Grease automatically drains into a separate dish, keeping your dishes pristine.

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Best Portable Grill: Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill

Even apartment dwellers can enjoy a nicely grilled burger or lightly charred veggies. This mini version of the classic, bulky grill comes with a temp-controlling knob and cover to keep flavors locked in. The stainless steel material also means it’s durable and easy to clean.

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What are the different types of grills?

Shopping for grills can become overwhelming, as there are so many options to choose from. Luckily, our TV personality, executive producer, author and host of the History Channel series, “Adam Eats the 80s,” Adam Richman, broke them down for us.

Electric: “[These have] an electronic igniter to get the party started,” said Richman. “They all have pretty remarkable thermostats that allow you to do everything from smoking, to conventional grilling, to searing.”

Gas: A gas grill is “pretty much an outdoor version of the burners you have on your stove,” according to Richman. “Turn on the gas, click the igniter and off you go. [They’re] really good grills for beginners or people who just want to get the show on the road.”

Charcoal: Richamn explains a charcoal grill is “pretty much as it sounds.” Simply light a chimney of charcoal, spread it out over the coal bed and cook “with a very distinct flavor over direct or indirect heat.”

Pellet: “This grill uses wood pellets made from the sawdust of the classic woods you usually hear used for smoking foods,” shared Richman. You may relate this grill to the flavor of apple, cherry and hickory.

What should I look for in a grill?

When it comes to finding your perfect grill, it all depends on what you desire.

“If you want that iconic backyard BBQ flavor, I’d suggest purchasing a charcoal grill,” explained Brown. “If you want more of an even cook and to control your temperature quickly, I’d suggest purchasing a gas grill.”

On the other hand, Cookston always looks for quality, build and lifetime warranties first. Cookston also explains that a good grill will be “air tight,” allowing you to specifically control the amount of air that reaches the fire box. 

Lastly, Richman suggests opting for a grill that fits your space and style.

“It’s better to invest in a better quality, smaller grill then to get something gigantic for a flex,” said Richman. “Make sure it fits your space but also gives you ample room to work around it.”

What makes a ‘good’ grill?

When it’s all said and done, a “good” grill is one that fits your needs — and all of our experts agree.

So don’t get caught up in what others have or what others are saying. Opt for a choice that meets both your grilling and space needs.

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