Gas grills can be a great choice for your home, and it can also replace your stove. The good thing about gas grills is that they are faster, and you don’t have to spend much time like you do when using a wood-fired grill or charcoal.
Purchasing a gas grill can be a worthwhile investment, but you can get the perfect one for yourself without breaking the bank. We came up with this guide after a careful review and research on some of the best gas grills under $500.
| Model Name | Number of Burners | Cooking Surface | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Gourmet PD1301S Portable Gas Grill (Editor’s Choice) | 3 | 316 sq.in. | $ |  |
| Char-Broil 463377319 Performance Gas Grill | 4 | 425 sq.in. | $$$ | |
| Char-Broil Classic 360 Gas Grill | 3 | 360 sq.in. | $$ | |
| Cuisinart CGG-306 Tabletop Grill | 2 | 275 sq.in. | $$ | |
| Master Cook Gas Grill (Amazon´s Choice) | 3 | 339 sq.in. | $$ | |
| Cuisinart CGG-7400 Propane Gas Grill | 4 | 443 sq.in. | $$$ | |
| Royal Gourmet PD1300 Gas Grill | 3 | 316 sq.in. | $ | |
| Pit Boss PB336GS Table Top Gas Grill | 2 | 289 sq.in. | $ | |
1-Royal Gourmet PD1301S Portable Gas Grill
This is a portable gas grill designed for your convenience. It comes with sturdy feet for better stability, and it’s great for small outdoor cooking events.
It has three burners that are controlled separately, and the integrated piezo igniter allows for fast and even heating with a simple push.
With this gas grill, you do not have to worry about the complexities of assembling before grilling, and you can get grilling in no time.
Unlike some gas grills that create a mess and become difficult to clean after each use, this product is different. It has a removable grease cup that collects oil residue as you cook. The griddle top also makes it easy to detach for washing.
It comes with a porcelain enameled griddle top with 316 square inches of cooking space. The control panel is highly durable, and the Piezo igniter is easy to start, speeding up your cooking.
It also comes with a specially designed grill cover with a very thick PVC coating with waterproofing.
Pros
Portable and easy to use and store
Quick assembly and sturdy feet
Removable grease cup and griddle top
Large grilling capacity
PVC-coating Grill Cover
Cons
Heavy cast-iron griddle top
2-Char-Broil 463377319 Performance 4-Burner Gas Grill – Best Gas Grill with Side Shelves
This gas grill is powered by liquid petroleum gas or propane, and the exclusive stainless steel construction improves its style and durability. It comes with a reliable electric ignition and a 10,000 BTU side burner.
The grease pan is made of porcelain to improve its durability and resistance to rust. It’s also able to accommodate large-sized foods for the whole family. It is easy to clean and prevents your food from sticking.
The lid is made of 10,000 BTU side burner that allows it to fold down and protect the burner when it’s not in use.
The burners are made with stainless steel to ensure durability and delivering strong cooking performance.
With the push of a button, the electronic ignition system works without problems.
It comes with side shelves on both sides for storage purposes during cooking.
It comes with two 7-inch wheels for easy movement and two fixed feet to keep it in place. The removable grease tray and pan make it easy to clean.
Pros
Rust-resistant iron grates
Stainless steel burners
Lided side burner
Electronic ignition system for a fast and reliable start-up
Side shelves for space
Cons
The base of the cart is not enclosed
3-Char-Broil Classic 360 3-Burner Gas Grill – Best Gas Grill with Side Burner
This is a gas grill with 360 square inches of space for all your cooking and grilling. The porcelain-coated rack is designed for warming, and the side burner provides additional space for cooking.
The three in-line burners are made of stainless steel for an improved cooking experience.
The firebox and steel lid is also porcelain-coated to enable them to withstand weather and other elements.
With this gas grill, your cooking and grilling become better as it delivers 30,000 BTU heat and the 360-inch cooking space accommodates large meals for the whole family.
It also comes with an 8000-BTU side burner and porcelain-coated grates that prevent your food from sticking, making cleaning much easier.
The three in-line burners are constructed with stainless steel for durability and good cooking performance. The Piezo ignition system makes it a fast and reliable gas grill. The two side shelves, made of metal, are designed for an increased storage and prep space.
It has two wheels (6 inches each) to make movement easier and two fixed legs to keep it stable. The cooking space can accommodate up to 15 burgers, making it a great choice for a home with a large family.
Pros
Porcelain-coated steel grill lid and firebox
Swing-away warming rack for additional cooking space
Stainless steel in-line burners
Side burner
Piezo ignition system
Wheels and side shelves
Cons
It doesn’t come with a thermometer
4-Cuisinart CGG-306 Tabletop Grill – Best Tabletop Gas Grill
The Cuisinart gas grill is a lightweight and portable tabletop gas grill that is fast and easy to set up. It is the ideal gas grill for a chef. The grill doesn’t require the need to be assembled, and you can get it ready for grilling in as little as ten minutes or less. It doesn’t require any tool or matches to start up.
It has two powerful stainless steel BTU burners with electronic ignition and control knobs for both burners.
Cuisinart gas grill comes with a stainless grate to make it easier for you to cook large cuts of meat.
The product weighs only 22 lbs, and it comes with folding legs, carrying handle locking cover to make it easy to move wherever you want.
It also comes with an adjustable burner knob and thermometer that helps to control the heat during grilling. The drip tray collects the droppings and grease during grilling.
Pros
Portable with many functions of a large grill
Automatic ignition and easy setup
Easy to move around
Excellent for cooking large cuts of meat
Stainless-steel construction
Cons
It comes with only two burners
5-Master Cook Gas Grill – Best Gas Grill with Cart
The Master Cook gas grill has three stainless steel burners, and the piezoelectric ignition system makes it easy to start with the push button.
The stainless steel control panel comes with a chromium plating control knob that makes this gas grill very durable. A stainless steel handle and thermometer, two strong wheel casters, and foldable tables are some of this product’s beautiful features.
This grill is multi-functional, and it complements any outdoor space such as a courtyard, backyard, terrace, or garden.
Its control panel is made of stainless steel, making it more durable than the regular control panels used in other gas grills.
The cart design creates additional space for you to put all your items before you commence cooking.
It has two large wheels for ease of movement and four stands that help it to remain stable as you cook.
The table shelves on both sides of the grill are foldable, making it convenient for storing your cooking tools and plates.
Pros
Built-in thermometer
Four wheels for stability
Storage cart
Piezoelectric ignition system
Cons
Difficult to assemble
6-Cuisinart CGG-7400 Propane Gas Grill – Best Commercial Gas Grill
This product is equipped with four burners with 44,000 BTU of cooking power, a large cooking space, and a warming rack.
It comes with heavy-duty cooking grates that work excellently in retaining heat.
The two side table provides enough space for keeping items during food preparation.
The control panel and steel lid are made of stainless steel, and the drip tray is used in the collection of droppings and grease.
This grill is designed for professional grillers, and it can be used to cook for over six people.
The extra-large cooking area and the cast iron cooking grates help retain heat for longer periods and distribute it evenly compared to a wire grate.
The warming rack is designed to help grillers manage their time by keeping the cooked foods warm as they cook other foods.
It’s also an excellent place for keeping grilled vegetables warm or toasting your hamburger, hotdog buns, or other types of bread to allow them to absorb the smoky flavors of the grill.
Pros
Better control over heat
Solid stainless steel construction
Twist start ignition
Heavy-duty cart with wheels
Two side tables
Cons
Doesn’t come with side burner
7-Royal Gourmet PD1300 Gas Grill – Best Stainless Steel Gas Grill
The Royal Gourmet PD1300 is a portable 3-burner gas grill with each burner supplying 9000 BTU to help you get even heat distribution as soon as possible.
The 316 square inches enameled flat top allows you to cook 15 patties at once.
The control panel is made from a durable stainless steel material with a piezo ignition system.
It comes with a removable oil cup that keeps the grease residue during cooking. It’s easy to clean, and it’s great for family outings, picnics, camping, or the outdoors, including camping and hiking.
The flat-top griddle is made with porcelain enamel to help retain heat and lock in your barbecue’s juices while increasing its tenderness.
Pros
27,000 BTU cooking power
Portable and easy to store
Grease drip cup for long time grilling
Stainless steel control panel for quality and durability
Cons
The griddle doesn’t heat evenly
8-Pit Boss PB336GS Table Top Gas Grill – Best Portable Gas Grill
The Pit Boss portable gas grill is the perfect choice for outdoor and home use. It comes with four non-slip stand for stability and two burners that are controlled separately.
The grill is easy and quick to clean, and the pre-seasoned cast iron griddle is resistant to rust. With the Pit Boss grill, cooking on the go becomes easier. The stow and go design enable you to cook while on the move.
The griddle easily cooks anything, including pancakes, fajitas, scrambled eggs, and much more. The tabletop is non-slip, and the cooking surface provides the best result.
Pros
Cast iron griddle
Stow and go design
Non-slip tabletop
Front grease tray and pre-seasoned surface
Cons
Heavy cast-iron griddle top
Best Gas Grills Under $500 Buying Guide
Getting a new gas grill can be an exciting feeling, especially when it serves all the purpose you want and provides you with the best grilling experience.
When you end up buying the wrong gas grill, it could be a frustrating experience, and you may have to deal with the financial loss. You will learn all you need to know about gas grills before purchasing one with your hard-earned money in this guide.
Fuel Source
Considering the fuel source is very important, especially when you want to keep your gas grill in a sensitive area. So, you can choose to get a gas grill with natural gas or propane as its fuel source. Some grills are also designed to be flexible, and you can easily interchange between natural gas and propane.
Price
Even when you want the best gas grills under $500, you don’t want to go beyond your budget. However, this doesn’t mean that you settle for less by going for cheap products.
Investing in a good grill at a pretty good price could mean that you don’t have to invest in a new one decades later. The more features a grill has, the costlier it will be. So, if you have to spend more money to get your grill, you’ll get value for your money.
Size
Nothing beats the frustration that comes with cooking a large amount of food with a small grill. This can be time-consuming and very tiring. When you have a sizeable grill, you can get your grilling done within a short time and enjoy your meal without stress.
Find out the size of a grill and how many people it can serve before purchasing it.
Heat
The heat distribution across the cooking space is another vital factor to consider. Some burners run from front to back while some run from left to right.
When using gas grills, setting up multiple heat zones makes things easier. The gas grills with burners that run from front to back are best for this, and you can arrange your foods according to the kinds of heat they require – low heat, medium, or high during direct and indirect cooking.
Also, consider the size and heat retention of a grill to assess its performance and lookout for grills with burners that have heat diffusers.
Material / Durability
The material used in making a grill’s gas burner also plays an important role. For instance, aluminum burners will burn out with time, while cast iron burners will rust over time. Go for stainless steel and brass burners.
For the construction, also go for stainless steel. Stainless steel does not rust, but it can discolor with time. Some of the best stainless steel products contain nickel and chromium in the alloy. That will be a great choice even though it may be quite expensive.
Also, watch out for the parts. If the parts are not well joined together and the grill is too light in weight, you may want to reconsider your option.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve seen some of the best gas grills under $500 on the market, what are you waiting for? If you’ve also taken the time to read our buying guide, choosing the right gas grill that will meet your needs should be much easier.
