Most of us enjoy the outdoor lifestyle or having a good grill and preparing their favorite meat.
Much like your car, the gas grill is one of those essential tools that make for a great social situation and can bring many friends together. They are also instrumental and allow you to cook meat to your specifications and have more control.
While a grill is a good thing to have, it is considered a massive purchase. Since you will be using it often, the grill needs to be state of the art, with all the specific accessories you will need. With these features, it is daunting to find the right grill.
Fortunately, we have done the legwork and tracked down the best gas grills under 500.
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Best Gas Grills Under 500 Dollars On The Market Today
As mentioned, a couple of intricate features makes one grill stand out from the rest. This can come down to things like portability and cooking space available.
Before we dive into these features, here are some of the many top grills that you can find on the market today as a budget buyer.
As we have already mentioned in many of our articles, Weber is one of the leading brands in the grill industry.
The tailgating is one of their portable grills that has become renowned for the value it offers. It features one burner and a body that has been entirely made from solid steel with a water-resistant coating.
Since it is a little smaller than most top grills, it only features a 189 square inch surface. A surface like this might only be ideal for a couple of hamburger patties but could still ensure you have enough available space.
The burner has the capacity of producing 8,500 BTU of energy per hour when at the highest setting.
This is not a traditional grill that you will use often. However, it is a life saver for those who like to go camping and only need to cook a couple of meals. The grill is designed to make life easier for those on the road. It also allows you to prepare a couple of meals in your patio.
As for the price, it can be argued that it is only expensive because of the Weber name tag. However, the grill does effectively help you to get a decent char on your steaks, and the smaller grill means easier cleaning when you are done.
I have used it for camping and tailgating and would recommend it as an easy-to-use portable grill.
- Small and portable
- Includes additional storage space on the sides
- 8,500 BTU power output
- Easy to clean once you are done
- It is too small for large gatherings
The undisputed king in the world of the barbecue is Weber, and they have been around for large part of the 20th Century.
The Weber Spirit II Burner Liquid Propane Grill is a durable steel grill with a cast iron cooking surface. It has been coated with porcelain to ensure that nothing will stick to the grill when it is heavily used.
The unit has been designed with three burners that can all operate independently if you only need to cook a small amount of meat.
However, the 450 square inches overall surface will activate all of the burners and make it functional for larger groups. It also comes with specialized wheels that enable the user to move it around freely as they please.
The biggest downside to this grill is the assembly, and many people have had a hard time when it comes to assembling it fully. All the tools have been included for the unit, but you need some necessary assembly skills. The unit is also rather heavy; making it harder to move around once it has been completely set up.
It might not be the most affordable grill on the list but still comes in just under the cut-off mark. Since Weber is one of the leading brands, it is hard to undermine the quality of its products and excellent service.
I have used it various times, and the grill never seems to show any weaknesses. I would have liked to see more of a decent warranty, though.
- Durable cast iron construction
- Features 2 independent burners
- Includes wheels to move it around
- Large 450 square inch cooking surface
- Limited 10-year warranty added
- Assembly is rather daunting
No matter which grill you choose, the performance of that grill is essential to keep in mind. Char-Broil has been widely known for its quality grills. However, the Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet Liquid Propane Gas Grill is designed from durable stainless steel to ensure that you can use it in all conditions.
The unit includes a 300 square inch cooking rack, and this is complemented by the 100 square inch swing away grill that can be used on the sides or above the main compartment.
It makes use of an electric starter that is much more effective than some of the grilling and ensures that you won’t struggle to have a fire going.
Since the unit does include many unique parts that can all be taken apart, the assembly can be daunting. At more than 80-pounds, it can still be hard to move around, but the wheels will aid you when you need to get it out of the weather or move it to a different area.
I think the price is one of the best parts of this grill and it features an extremely affordable price for all of these features. It includes a 2-year warranty on the base of the grill, while most of the other parts are covered for a year.
If you love grilling and you need something that will be used often, this can be the grill for you.
- The combined surface of 400 square inches
- Durable electric starter
- Affordable
- Portable and easy to move around
- The unit is rather heavy
- Assembly is daunting
Is there any grill fanatic that does not know about the one and only Char-Broil? The brand is one of America's favorites and has been on the market since 1948. Without further ado, let's see what this Classic 360 3-burner has to offer!
To begin with, the Char-Broil gas grill delivers over 30,000 BTU's of heat all across its spacious 360 square inches cooking surface. This is an ideal pick for all the family brunches where you know you will be expecting a large crowd.
On the side, you will find another 8.000-BTU burner which is perfect for any of the side dishes such as sauces and alike.
As we already mentioned previously, the entire cooking surface is 26-inches wide and 14-inches deep. Along with that, the gas grill features porcelain-coated grates, which are not that hard to clean and make grilling more enjoyable since the food does not get stuck.
What's so special about this gas grill is that it features an innovative Piezo ignition system that offers a reliable and fast startup each time. A perfect grill is only a button away!
And, if you always feel like you lack extra prep space, the Char-Broil has you covered here as well. There are two metal shelves on the side so you can get more jobs done without sacrificing space.
- Extra prep space
- Easy startup
- Porcelain-coated grates
- Autoignition system
- Additional 8,000 side burner
- Three stainless steel burners
- Weather-resistant firebox
- Vague instruction manual
Coleman might not be known for their grills like they are for their camping equipment, but they have designed a grill for the avid camper.
The Coleman Road Trip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill is one of the smaller grills that has also been mounted to a stand with wheels. It can easily be transported or folded away when not used.
Compared to most of the smaller grills, the 285 square inch surface is rather large. There are three burners that have been added to the design. This means the unit has a power output of 20,000 BTU when all of them are activated. With this much power, you can reach massive temperatures and cook meals much faster.
Finding downsides on this grill is hard. However, the central concept of the grill is to make life easier and give you more portability. At almost 50-pounds, it can be a 2-man job to carry the grill upstairs and to reach your destination eventually. However, the added weight is due to the durable 600D polyester for the coating and handles.
With Coleman being a top brand, they are often considered the same way Weber is in their respective market. This means that the Coleman Road Trip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill is a little more expensive than most people can afford.
- 20,000 BTU power output
- Made with three independent burners
- Collapsible transport stand
- Extremely durable
- It is still heavy
- Pricey
The next one is the Cuisinart CGG-888 Grill Gas Griddle, and this is not the average grill that you will find in every store. The grill has been designed with a traditional look of the charcoal grills but features a flat top instead of the standard grill surfaces with the grids that we commonly find.
The flat top is included to grill your fish to perfection. You don't have to worry about the pieces falling through and into the fire. A prep table has been added to the side of the unit, and this is great for storage. Once you are done using this additional table, it can be folded and give you more room to move around it.
The only downside that many users might find is that it does not give you the same char on your steaks as the traditional gas grill. The unit has been designed to cook many indigenous meals.
Moreover, it can be an excellent way of barbecuing some of the fish you have caught at the local lake or the ocean.
The unit is unique and includes many accessories that could spike the price. However, it is quite affordable. Cuisinart has excellent customer service and will ensure that you are protected with a good warranty as well.
I have used it for many small meals, but it does work best for fish if we compare it to the others.
- Built-in flattop
- Does not burn the food
- Heats up reasonably fast
- Portable and easy to move
- Does not leave the charred taste on steaks
You have read some of the reviews of the Cuisinart gas grills on our review, so it's only fair we add one more popular pick! The CGG-7400 is a classic grill model with innovative features that make it one of the best value grills.
This particular model features large wheels, so if you need something suitable for portability, you have found your best pick.
Of course, this is not our top portable pick since the unit is rather heavy, but the wheels are a huge helper for moving it around the yard!
The Cuisinart grill comes with four 11,000 BTU burners that offer an overall power of 44,000 BTU's! How amazing is that? But, this is not the only feature that is suitable for larger families!
The gas grill has 443 square inches of cooking space with an additional 167 square inches. This is amazing if you want to prepare side dishes along with the grill and lack space in the kitchen to do so.
The Cuisinart gas grill has cast-iron grates, which are easy to clean and great in conducting and retaining heat. We were also impressed with the built quality of the grill as it features a stainless-steel lid and a control panel.
The grill features a grease tray that traps all the grease drippings and catches them for additional convenience.
- Large cooking surface
- Additional prep space
- Cast iron grates
- Wheels for easy mobility
- Easy to clean
- 3-year warranty
- Tricky assembly
A tabletop gas grill might seem a little redundant, but it is still one of the most effective tools in your grilling kit. The Masterbuilt SH19030819 Propane Tabletop Grill is one of the smaller and easier gas grills that you can use on your patio.
The main grilling area is around 205 square inches, but the additional warming rack also covers another 105 square inches. With one U burner, you have a power output of approximately 10,000 BTU. It will give you this power when the knob has been fully turned.
Much like the other smaller grills, it might lack a little bit of grilling space for larger groups. You can use the warming rack to keep meals warm, but if they are left for too long, your juicy steak might eventually dry out. I have to mention that the drip tray included is one of the best additions that will ensure you don’t have a mess to clean up.
Since the unit is small and most of the components are relatively basic, it is not as expensive as some of the others. The total weight without a gas tank is just over 20-pounds, which means it can be moved around and even placed in your car for traveling.
If you love cooking on the go and you need something small, this will be the grill for you.
- Lightweight and portable
- Non-stick surface
- Decent cooking space with a warmer rack
- Easy to ignite and clean when done
- It is not recommended for indoor use
If you need a somewhat portable grill that does not cost a fortune but delivers exquisite results, then the Royal Gourmet gas grill is the right one for you.
This Royal Gourmet grill is so particular that it presents a unique combination of grill and a griddle. The 2-in-1 function is everyone's favorite as it's user-friendly and shortens the time of the grilling.
Another valuable feature is the spacious cooking area of 584 square inches. The gas grill also includes four magnificent burners, while the entire combo delivers a whopping 48,000 BTUs output!
We love that this Royal Gourmet grill features a portable design that is great for camping but will also save you storage space when you are not using it.
To be exact, the gas grill includes a collapsable design with folding legs so it can fit real nice in the back of the trunk without taking too much of the precious space.
With the grill and griddle option, you will get the chance to achieve multiple culinary achievements! You can either use one or both and make the most delicious meals!
It's always nice to have extra space on the side so you can get creative without limitations. This is yet another reason why we value this gas grill so much! With ample side space, you can finally prepare multiple dishes at once.
- Affordable
- Includes ample side space
- Grill and griddle option
- Collapsable design
- Hanging bar design
- Autoignition system
- Not the best quality
- Tricky to assemble
Next up, we have another affordable gas burner; the well-known Kenmore! Judging by the numerous positive customer comments, this is one hell of a grill! Now it's time to review it and see whether it's worth your money.
We have to talk about the space capacity of this little marvel. The Kenmore burner has a cooking space capacity of 512 square inches which fits approximately 33 burgers.
If you are preparing meals for a bigger crowd, you will need this gas grill in your backyard! It even offers a secondary grilling surface of 131 square inches which is phenomenal for multi-tasking!
But, the enormous cooking surface is not the only thing we love about the Kenmore gas grill. Just wait till you find out that this model is highly versatile.
That being said, the gas grill allows you to fold down the side shelves and save up on storage space. As we are on side shelves, they make an excellent additional prepping rack when you are cooking multiple dishes. Plus, the overall size of the gas grill is perfect for smaller backyards and patios.
As for the performance, the gas grill includes three stainless steel burners that carry 10,000 BTUs each! Along with that, the Kenmore grill is easy to startup with the electric ignition system.
Lastly, we need to mention the durable powder-coated construction, which makes a durable unit!
- Three main burners
- Foldable side shelves
- Powder-coated construction
- Additional prepping space
- Smaller dimension
If you want a durable stainless steel construction, the Monument Grill is the perfect pick. Not only is it a good investment but it also has a vast cooking space you will enjoy.
The Monument gas grill includes four burners and one main burner, making a total of 60,000 BTU output that delivers incredible heat and performance.
You are probably interested in the cooking area, and let me tell you that you will be amazed. The gas grill offers a whopping 683 square inches of cooking space and 473 square inches of primary grilling surface with a 210 sq inches warming rack area.
Whoosh! Monument Grill sure can surprise you! But your grilling would not be perfect if the grates are low-quality, would it? That's why this gas grill includes porcelain-coated cast-iron grates that are easy to clean and cook on.
The two side shelves are excellent in delivering additional prep space, but they also feature hooks on which you can store your equipment, such as gloves and spatula.
You can even grill some burgers at night since the knobs are LED controlled for better visibility.
The Monument gas grill also features a convenient removable grease tray that catches the grease from cooking and makes your task of cleaning a whole lot easier.
Lastly, the convenience of the easy startup could not be better! The model has an electronic ignition system that starts the grill with a simple push of a button.
- Four burners plus the main one
- Accessory hooks
- LED controlled knobs
- Easy startup
- Difficult to assemble
Key Features to Consider When Choosing the Best Gas Grills under 500
There is a multitude of different features that all have some level of importance when you are grilling. However, we have narrowed these down to only a few that you need to keep in mind when you select your first grill.
The options mentioned above are the best, but here are the essential features for those looking for a different gas grill.
1. Power Output
The gas grill has a far larger power output than your standard electric grill. Since it has a better power output, the unit can reach much higher temperatures to speed up the cooking process.
However, this will all be determined by the number of burners that have been incorporated. Gas grills are generally measured in BTU or British Thermal Units.
2. Grill Size
We all like a large grill to cook all the food we have with one go. However, you might like to use your grill for outdoor ventures like camping or traveling.
The grill size is one of the fundamental features that you will look at. Many grills can have a side burner to increase the cooking area as well.
3. Durability
Nowadays, most grills have been made with the same materials. A variation of stainless steel with cast iron is used to make the grill more durable. Since you are using it in the long-term, it is crucial to look for something lasting.
However, you also need to follow up on things like the knobs to ensure they won’t wear out.
4. Warranty
The warranty can go hand in hand with the durability and the bigger your warranty, the more confidence you will have in the manufacturer of the product. The standard warranties for a gas grill are around one year.
However, you can find a better warranty or perhaps upgrade the existing one if need be.
FAQs
Are Weber grills really that much better?
Weber grills offer incredible quality and performance for various budget types, making the brand that much attractive. Their grills are stylish, well-built, durable, and backed up with a 10-year warranty which is something every customer values.
One of the main reasons why Weber grills are better than any other is their incredible quality. They are not the type of grill that will fall apart after a few uses. Its parts are easy to get and replace, while maintenance is convenient as well.
How many BTU's do I need for my gas grill?
BTU or British Thermal Unit are units that rate the energy output capacity of the gas or propane grills. When determining the right amount of BTUs in a gas grill can be a tricky subject.
It's not so much BTU's number but how much they cover in the general cooking area. If you want to rely on the industry standard, it would be somewhere between 75 and 100 BTU's per square inch of the cooking surface.
What is the best time of year to buy a gas grill?
Everybody loves a good bargain deal, so the best time to buy a gas grill is at the end of the summer. When September rolls around, the prices start to drop, so you better use your budget wisely.
Try not to buy one from March through July. Although it's the peak of the season and it's tempting to bbq during summer nights, this is when the prices are high!
How much does a good grill cost?
The price of the grill will depend on a few factors.
For starters, bigger grills will retail for around $1,500, while you can get smaller ones under $500. What you should really focus on is the quality. Logically, retailed grills for lower prices are not built to last you for a long time.
A good grill with innovative features would cost around $2,000 at least.
What is the Best Gas Grills Under 500?
Choosing the best gas grill under 500 dollars is not as easy as it might look. The best grill will vary depending on the individual, and it can rely on their needs.
I have used the Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill with significant effect. It has always been a durable option for every situation that I need it for.
- One stainless steel burner produces 8500 BTU-per-hour to heat 189 square-inch total cooking area
- Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates and cast aluminum lid and body
- Fully assembled out of box. Lid closed and tables out (inches):15.5H x 40.9W x 16.5D
- Easy-start electronic ignition and infinite control burner valve settings
- Uses disposable 14.1 or 16.4 oz. LP cylinder (sold separately).Fuel type: Liquid Propane (disposable cylinder sold separately)
Wrap-Up
Since a grill is an essential part of your cooking gear, you need to spend some extra cash to get the best value for your money. We stand by all of the selected units and believe that it will offer you some value for your money.
Let us know if maybe we have missed your favorite gas grills in the comment section below.