Affordable Small Grills


Our review process

Buying a grill can take some time. It can be overwhelming if you don't know exactly what you're looking for. Luckily for you, we've already gathered and analyzed information on over 1,300 different grills and also looked at 89 data parameters for each one so that you won't have to. Out of these grills, we then inspected 63 affordable small grills using our advanced AI technology. The following article will show you all the advantages and disadvantages and show you some of the more relevant information you should focus on, such as dimensions and body construction.

If you're looking to not spend too much, these are some facts we recommend you know about affordable small grills. Small grills provide plenty of room to cook for the whole family, offering you the space you need to make breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Typically designed with two burners, they are able to simultaneously sear at high temperatures and slow cook at low temperatures. They are no hassle to move, allowing you to put them anywhere you want in your yard or patio.

Our Top Ranking Grills:
Product NameBrandGrill TypeFuel TypeBurner MaterialCooking Area
Best Overall Score
1
An image of Char-Broil 463673517 Performance 44" Propane Gas Covered Grill
Char-Broil 463673517 Performance 44" Propane Gas Covered Grill
Char-Broil
covered grill
propane gas
stainless steel
300 sq. in.
Runner Up
2
An image of Char-Broil 463874717 Classic Propane Gas Portable Covered Grill
Char-Broil 463874717 Classic Propane Gas Portable Covered Grill
Char-Broil
covered grill
propane gas
stainless steel
405 sq. in.
Best Portable Grill
3
An image of Char-Broil 463773717 Classic Liquid Propane Portable Covered Grill
Char-Broil 463773717 Classic Liquid Propane Portable Covered Grill
Char-Broil
covered grill
liquid propane
stainless steel
360 sq. in.
Best for BBQs
4
An image of Royal Gourmet PD1300 Propane Gas Tabletop Open Grill
Royal Gourmet PD1300 Propane Gas Tabletop Open Grill
Royal Gourmet
open grill
propane gas
316 sq. in.
Energy-Efficient Option
5
An image of Solaire SOL-IR17B Propane Gas Stainless Steel Portable Covered Grill
Solaire SOL-IR17B Propane Gas Stainless Steel Portable Covered Grill
Solaire
covered grill
propane gas
ceramic
155 sq. in.
Our Top Ranking Grills
Customer Rating
Brand
Char-Broil
Grill Type
covered grill
Fuel Type
propane gas
Burner Material
stainless steel
Cooking Area
300 sq. in.
Customer Rating
Brand
Char-Broil
Grill Type
covered grill
Fuel Type
propane gas
Burner Material
stainless steel
Cooking Area
405 sq. in.
Customer Rating
Brand
Char-Broil
Grill Type
covered grill
Fuel Type
liquid propane
Burner Material
stainless steel
Cooking Area
360 sq. in.
Customer Rating
Brand
Royal Gourmet
Grill Type
open grill
Fuel Type
propane gas
Burner Material
Cooking Area
316 sq. in.
Customer Rating
Brand
Solaire
Grill Type
covered grill
Fuel Type
propane gas
Burner Material
ceramic
Cooking Area
155 sq. in.
Best Overall Score
An image of Char-Broil 463673517 Performance 44" Propane Gas Covered Grill

Transform your barbecuing experience with the Char-Broil Performance Propane Gas Covered Grill. This Char-Broil grill has a freestanding design, allowing you the freedom and flexibility to move it out of the way while you are using your deck or patio. It uses propane gas, which provides a strong heat-source, so you can be sure that your meat will be cooked to perfection every time. It has large side shelves, which add ease to the grilling experience. Use the indirect and direct heat needed to create a two-zone cooking area with this freestanding grill's two large stainless steel main burners. It features an electronic ignition, so you can quickly light your grill. This freestanding grill has two locking casters, ensuring your grill stays in one place when in use. Featuring a swing-away warming rack, it is great for preventing prepared food from getting cold until the moment you sit down to eat. This freestanding grill features a temperature gauge, so you can always know the temperature of the grill in order to achieve the desired results every time.

    Pros
    • Features an electronic ignition, letting you easily light your barbecue
    • Equipped with a swing-away warming rack to keep food at the perfect temperature
    • Grease pan collects grease and other drippings released during cooking for easier cleanup
    Cons
    • Stainless steel construction limits heat transfer, affecting your food
    • Porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate is more fragile and likely to rust
    • Features an electronic ignition, losing its functionality quickly if it gets too dirty
Runner Up
An image of Char-Broil 463874717 Classic Propane Gas Portable Covered Grill

Host outstanding summer parties by using the Char-Broil Classic Propane Gas Covered Grill. Featuring a swing-away warming rack, this portable grill is ideal for keeping food hot until you are ready to eat. Using propane gas, it distributes heat evenly across the cooking surface for consistent results every time. It features a portable design, which makes it perfect for a day at the beach. It has a piezo starter, helping you easily fire up your barbecue. Use the indirect and direct heat needed to create a two-zone cooking area with this portable grill's four large stainless steel main burners. This weather-resistant propane grill will be great for both patio summer and winter cookouts. With the two work surfaces, you'll be able to enjoy a speedier grilling process.

    Pros
    • Piezo starter ignites the grill quickly
    • Swing-away warming rack helps keep food hot
    • Features side shelves, allowing you to conveniently organize all your utensils
    Cons
    • Piezo starter loses its functionality quickly if it gets too dirty
    • Propane gas is not ideal for slow roasting or for smoking meat
Best Portable Grill
An image of Char-Broil 463773717 Classic Liquid Propane Portable Covered Grill

The Char-Broil Classic Liquid Propane Covered Grill is an excellent choice for those who enjoy an authentic barbecue experience. This grill has a swing-away warming rack to keep food hot. It has a piezo starter, which allows you to ignite your liquid propane grill with the push of a button. Using liquid propane, it can reach its maximum temperature in 15 minutes or less, so you can get grilling right away. Produce the indirect and direct heat needed to create a two-zone cooking area with this propane grill's three large stainless steel main burners. With the two work surfaces, you can save time by prepping while you cook. It features a portable design, which makes it outstanding for weekend trips. This weather-resistant portable grill is perfect for both patio summer and winter cookouts.

    Pros
    • Piezo starter allows you to light your liquid propane grill effortlessly
    • Swing-away warming rack helps keep food hot without it overcooking
    • Features side shelves, allowing for extra storage room for everything you need in order to avoid unnecessary mess and clutter
    Cons
    • Piezo starter loses its ability to work very quickly if it gets too dirty
    • Liquid propane costs more than a grill that uses charcoal
Best for BBQs
An image of Royal Gourmet PD1300 Propane Gas Tabletop Open Grill

Improve your barbecuing experience with the Royal Gourmet Propane Gas Open Grill. This tabletop grill features a piezo starter, letting you easily fire up your barbecue. Using propane gas, it distributes consistent heat across the cooking area to minimize grill flare-ups. It features a tabletop design, so you can easily grill on any hard surface. This tabletop grill has three burners, allowing you to combine the power of both direct and indirect heating to create a two-zone cooking area.

    Pros
    • Features a piezo starter, helping you quickly light your barbecue
    • Uses propane gas, distributing heat evenly across the grill
    Cons
    • Piezo starter loses its functionality very fast if it gets too dirty
    • Propane gas costs more than a grill that needs charcoal
Energy-Efficient Option
An image of Solaire SOL-IR17B Propane Gas Stainless Steel Portable Covered Grill

If you enjoy barbecuing at large family gatherings, consider investing in the Solaire Propane Gas Covered Grill. This portable grill has infrared burners, which will offer access to higher levels of heat while searing food. It features a portable design, which makes it excellent for weekend trips. It features a push-button rapid-spark electronic ignition, so you can effortlessly start up your grill. This propane gas grill distributes heat evenly across the cooking area to ensure consistent results every time.

    Pros
    • Uses an efficient infrared burner, offering access to high-intensity heat when grilling and searing
    • Features a push-button rapid-spark electronic ignition, helping you easily light your grill
    • Stainless steel construction is incredibly resistant to corrosion and rust
    Cons
    • Infrared burners become difficult to move once you have set it up
    • Stainless steel design tends to fade with extended use
    • Features a stainless steel cooking grate, getting dirty easily and requires intense cleaning
Best Durable Option
An image of Nexgrill Propane Gas Stainless Steel Freestanding Infrared Covered Grill

For easier assembly and mobility, consider the Nexgrill Propane Gas Covered Grill. Use the indirect and direct heat needed for two-zone cooking with this covered grill's two large stainless steel main burners. It has a freestanding design, giving you the freedom and flexibility to move it out of your way while you are using your deck or patio. Fueled by propane gas, it distributes consistent heat across the cooking area to reduce grill flare-ups. This freestanding grill has folding side shelves, so you can keep your spices nearby. With an upper-level warming rack, it is perfect for preventing cooked food from getting cold until you are ready to eat. Made with an infrared burner, it gives you access to higher levels of heat when you grill your food.

    Pros
    • Uses an infrared burner, letting you grill or sear meat at high temperature levels
    • Features an upper-level warming rack to keep food hot
    • Stainless steel construction is incredibly resistant to corrosion and rust
    Cons
    • Infrared burners become difficult to move once you have set it up
    • Stainless steel construction doesn't retain heat as well as cast iron
    • Porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate won't let you sear any food items
Best for Smoking
An image of LANDMANN 525110 23" Charcoal Freestanding Kettle Grill

Host excellent summer parties with the LANDMANN Charcoal Kettle Grill. This kettle grill has a temperature gauge and an adjustable vent on the lid, which provides more control over the heat in your grill, offering a more customized cooking experience. It has large bakelite handles to keep your barbecue tightly sealed. Quickly and conveniently dispose of ashes accumulated during cooking with its removable ash catcher. This kettle grill features two heavy-duty wheels, making it ideal for hosting, camping, or picnics. Fueled by charcoal, it grills the food for a long period of time to ensure the meat remains moist. It has a freestanding design, which enables you to save space when it's not in use. This grill has a porcelain-enameled steel cooking grate, providing a strong exterior that protects surfaces from physical damage or impact.

    Pros
    • Includes a porcelain-enameled steel grill grate, providing a strong exterior that protects surfaces from physical damage or impact
    • Features a storage rack, providing ample storage space for easily accessing all your tools and utensils
    • Charcoal cooks the food slowly
    Cons
    • Uses charcoal, taking more time to get hot
Additional Picks
An image of Master Cook Professional Liquid Propane Freestanding Covered Grill

For greater assembly and mobility, consider getting the Master Cook Professional Liquid Propane Covered Grill. Fueled by liquid propane, this Master Cook grill is an excellent choice for minimizing the emission of greenhouse gases and pollution. It features a freestanding design, giving you the freedom and flexibility to roll it out of your way while you are using your outdoor deck or patio. It has a cast iron cooking grate, supplying a dependable non-stick surface that will last a long time. This Master Cook grill features a piezo starter, enabling you to quickly light your barbecue. It is fitted with side tables to offer extra work space. Create the indirect and direct heat needed for two-zone cooking with this Master Cook grill's two large stainless steel main burners. It has a built-in thermometer, which allows you to constantly monitor the temperature of the grill to ensure a perfect cook each time. Equipped with a porcelain enameled warming rack, it is great for keeping food hot until you are ready to eat. With heavy-duty swivel wheels, it will be ideal for hosting, picnics, or camping.

    Pros
    • Piezo starter makes lighting your liquid propane grill quick and simple
    • Features a porcelain enameled warming rack designed to keep food hot
    • Includes a cast iron cooking grate, offering you a dependable surface that will last a long time
    Cons
    • Cast iron cooking grate requires constant oiling to prevent corrosion
    • Piezo starter loses its ability to work very quickly if it gets too dirty
    • Runs on liquid propane, costing more than a grill that needs charcoal
An image of Master Cook Classic Liquid Propane Freestanding Covered Grill

Prepare delicious meals for your family and friends by using the Master Cook Classic Liquid Propane Covered Grill. Produce the indirect and direct heat needed to create a two-zone cooking area with this freestanding grill's three large stainless steel main burners. Equipped with a swing-away warming rack, it is ideal for keeping food from getting cold. It has heavy-duty wheels, making it great for hosting, picnics, and camping. Made with a freestanding design, this propane grill offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor kitchen.

This Master Cook grill has a piezo starter, enabling you to easily light your barbecue. It features a built-in lid thermometer to keep the perfect temperature for all of your cooking needs. With a weather-resistant construction, it is ideal for both patio barbecues and fall parties. Fueled by liquid propane, it distributes heat across the top of the grill and allows for easy temperature control.

    Pros
    • Piezo starter makes lighting your grill quick and easy
    • Equipped with a swing-away warming rack to keep food from cooling down
    • Features side shelves, giving you extra room to hold plates and accessories
    Cons
    • Piezo starter loses its ability to work quickly if it gets too dirty
    • Liquid propane is not great for slow roasting or for smoking meat
An image of Char-Broil Liquid Propane Freestanding Covered Grill

Host outstanding dinner parties by using the Char-Broil Liquid Propane Covered Grill. An electronic ignition system is featured, helping you easily start up your barbecue. This Char-Broil grill features a temperature gauge, so you can achieve the perfect level of heat while you are grilling. It is equipped with a porcelain chrome wire swing a way warming rack to keep food hot.

Featuring a freestanding design, this propane grill offers greater freedom and flexibility in your outdoor dining area. Using liquid propane, it distributes heat throughout the cooking space and allows for convenient temperature control so that you can enjoy delicious results every time. It has four stainless steel burners, so you can experience an even more diverse range of meals. This grill is built with a porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate, which is strong, heat-resistant, and won't fade or peel.

    Pros
    • Electronic ignition allows you to light your liquid propane grill effortlessly
    • Equipped with a porcelain chrome wire swing a way warming rack to keep food hot
    • Includes a porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate, providing a strong, scratch-resistant, and won't fade or peel
    Cons
    • Features a porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate, causing rust and tarnishing much easier than stainless steel or normal cast iron
    • Electronic ignition loses its ability to work quickly if it gets too dirty
    • Liquid propane is not ideal for slow roasting or for smoking BBQ
Here's Some More Information To Think About When Purchasing Your Next Affordable Small Grill:
Find Out What Kind of Cooking Grates You Need for Your Affordable Small Grill
Grills with Stainless Steel Grates

If you want an affordable small grill with a stainless steel grate design, you can find a great one here. Featuring anti-corrosion materials, stainless steel grates provide long-lasting durability even after repeated use. The grates are heat retentive, minimizing fuel consumption while grilling. They feature a low maintenance build, so it won't be a hassle to make sure that they are kept in good shape over time. Including a non-stick finish, they will stop meat from sticking to the grate after cooking. These grates are easy to clean, so most standard grill brushes should be able to do the job.

Grills with Chrome Plated Grates

If you want an affordable small grill with a chrome plated grate design, you can find a great one here. Chrome-plated grates are easy to clean, which means that most standard grill brushes will do the job. With material necessary for occasional use, the grates suit beginner cooks. They feature a low maintenance design, making it easy to keep them in good condition over time.

Grills with Cast Iron Grates

If you want an affordable small grill with a cast iron grate design, you can find a high-quality one here. Cast iron grates have heat retention technology, reducing fuel consumption while cooking. The grates can circulate temperature evenly, so you can achieve the ideal texture and consistency for your meat. With a non-stick surface, they will prevent food from sticking to the grate after cooking. However, they need careful maintenance since they can rust and corrode easily if they're not oiled before use and can't be cleaned with all kinds of detergent. Also, the grates are quite heavy, making it difficult to adjust or remove them for cleaning.

Choosing the Right Kind of Affordable Small Grill
Stainless Steel Grills

If you want an idea of a great affordable small grill with a stainless steel design, you can get started here. Stainless steel grills have excellent resistance to corrosion for extended use since they remain in great condition over time. With a weather-resistant design, they can tolerate rough climates. Stainless steel grills are bacteria-resistant, ensuring that your food will not be contaminated while you're cooking. They are easy to clean, saving you time dealing with messy spills and leftover residue. However, they aren't great at retaining heat, so they are harder to keep hot as opposed to cast iron grills, which can reach and maintain incredibly high temperatures.

Cast Iron Grills

If you want an idea of a great affordable small grill with a cast iron design, you can get started here. Cast iron grills have flame-resistant material, protecting against the damaging effects heat can cause. Designed to combat the stresses of frequent use, they have superior resistance to corrosion, so they can tolerate the stresses of frequent use. Featuring heat retaining materials, they stay hot for longer. However, cast iron grills require more maintenance than other types of grills, requiring cleaning while the grates are still warm in order to take off the residue. Also, cast iron grates tend to rust easily, but this can be somewhat prevented if you don't leave them outdoors and always dry them right after you wash them.

Cast Aluminum Grills

There is one affordable small grill with a cast aluminum design. Designed to stand up to long-term use without decaying, cast aluminum grills feature exceptional corrosion resistant, so they can stand up to long-term use without decaying. Designed with weather-resistant materials, they can withstand harsh environments. Cast aluminum grills feature excellent heat retention, which makes sure that they remain hot for extended periods of time.

All You Need to Know About Choosing Your Fuel for Affordable Small Grills
Charcoal Grills

Want to learn more about charcoal affordable small grills? Keep reading the following section to learn more about them. Charcoal grills cook food slowly and gradually, so meat stays incredibly tender for the most delicious results. They can reach 700 degrees Fahrenheit, producing a crunchy and caramelized texture on your meat. They can burn off unwanted fats and grease, ensuring a more nutritious alternative. They have searing characteristics, which present with a unique taste and appearance. However, they should be cleaned after each use, meaning if you're looking for the easiest grilling option, charcoal grills may not be for you. In addition, they take more time to heat up, resulting in a lengthier cooking process. An advantage is that they can achieve a smoky, rich flavor, maintaining a juicy flavor for all food. Ready to decide on the right affordable small grill for you? Get started here.

Electric Grills

Interested in electric grills? Here are a few things you should consider about them. Check out this great affordable small grill that we picked for you. Electric grills warm up straight away, requiring little preparation time. They can reach temperatures ranging between 400 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring that your food is consistently cooked over just the right amount of time. Electric grills have a low maintenance design, ensuring a hassle-free cleanup. Easy to operate, they will take your grilling experience to the next level. A potential downside is that they have wide venting, so if you're searching for a grill that gives your food a smoky flavor, these grills aren't the right choice for you.

Wood Pellet Grills

Interested in wood pellet grills? Here are a few things you should consider about them. Check out this great affordable small grill that we picked for you. Pellet grills are able to reach high temperatures, ensuring full seasoned and natural aromas and flavors. They have temperature control knobs, which are great for effortlessly monitoring the flame while searing your favorite dishes. They provide a variety of different tastes and flavors, making them excellent for satisfying every pallet.