The Best Grill Brands For The Ultimate Outdoor Entertaining (& Which Ones To Avoid)

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There's nothing quite like kicking back on a sunny summer afternoon, inviting over some friends and family, and firing up the grill. Outdoor cooking is a fantastic way to bring people together, and even simple dishes like burgers and hot dogs can be upgraded into a warm-weather delicacy with a bit of char. Most Americans seem to agree. According to data from the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association, 80% of homeowners owned a grill or smoker in 2023, a massive jump from just 64% in 2019. It's clear that backyard cookouts are as popular as ever, but if you want to embrace this summery tradition and build your own outdoor grill station, you're going to have to invest in the right tools.

Picking a quality grill can make or break your cookout experience. Models that easily break down, are difficult to maintain, or don't deliver a solid performance are more likely to end up collecting dust than being the star of the show. Trustworthy brands, like Weber, Traeger, and Napoleon, on the other hand, will allow you to consistently impress guests for years to come. Who knows — your patio might even end up becoming the ultimate outdoor entertaining destination. Regardless of which style you choose, a grill is a big investment, so it's important to do your research to find one that is high-quality and worth the price. To help get you started on the right foot, we rounded up a few grill brands that impress based on real customer reviews, as well as one that you should avoid if at all possible.

Weber is the world's leading barbecue brand, and this title is well-deserved. This company has been around for over 70 years and was originally made famous thanks to its innovative kettle grill. It's developments didn't stop there, however. Over the years, Weber's stock has expanded to include just about every style of grill you could imagine, from the tiny and portable Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill to the large and in charge Weber Genesis E-435 Natural Gas Grill.

Regardless of the size, shape, or style, Weber grills consistently earn solid reviews. One of their best sellers, the Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill, has earned a very impressive 4.8 stars across over 9,000 reviews on Amazon. At just $139, it's a great starter grill if you're looking to have the occasional barbecue but aren't quite ready to invest in a full setup. Another one of the brand's most popular items, the Weber Spirit E310 Liquid Propane Gas Grill, has garnered 4.6 stars across nearly 2,000 Amazon reviews. This model has much more grill space and is a better fit for more experienced grillers who plan to frequently host.

Choosing a Weber grill over an option from another brand also comes with one more major benefit: a warranty. The exact terms and conditions will depend on your chosen model, but Weber makes it easy to get free replacement parts, even several years after your original purchase date.

Traeger invented the wood pellet grill over three decades ago, so if you know that's the style you're looking for, why not stick with the classic? While this brand has a relatively limited selection compared to others, it carries several different sizes of wood pellet grills that can fit a wide array of budgets. The Traeger Grills Tailgater 20 sits on the smaller end of this spectrum, but don't let the size and portability fool you — it can still deliver a big dose of flavor. It's earned 4.5 stars across over 700 reviews on Amazon, with many buyers noting that it was easy to use, even for a beginner.

If you're looking for a pellet grill that's sure to have enough cooking space for everyone at the party, check out the Traeger Grills Ironwood XL. While it's pricier, this grill has a massive 924 square inch cooking area, a connected app to monitor and control temperature remotely, and a wide temperature range of 165 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It's also earned 4.4 stars across 638 reviews on Amazon.

Amazon ratings of 4.4 and 4.5 stars might be common for one or two products from a brand, but across the board, Traeger has earned ratings above 4 stars. You can rest assured that whichever size or style of grill you pick, you'll end up with a high-quality product that delivers on its promises.

Napoleon carries a wide selection of gas and charcoal grills, but across the board, it offers a slightly more elevated grilling experience than other brands. Most of the brand's grills are made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel and feature shiny chrome accents, so they have a distinctive look that stands out against competitors. This luxury does come at a price, however — grills in Napoleon's Prestige series, its best-selling line, range from $1,299 to $2,879. The Rogue Pro series is slightly more budget-friendly, with models ranging from $1,029 to $1,349, but models in the Prestige Pro series max out at a whopping $5,499.

This higher price point doesn't necessarily mean that Napoleon products aren't a good buy, however. If you're planning to cook outdoors frequently, need a large amount of cooking space, and don't want to have to replace your grill every few years, they might be worth the extra investment. The Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB Propane Gas Grill, for example, has a price tag of $1,699 and has earned a 4.4-star rating across 344 Amazon reviews. Customers say they're impressed with the grill's heat distribution and performance, but there was one factor that stood out the most: durability. Several customers raved about the grill's solid construction and high-quality materials, and one even changed their review to five stars after their grill made it through a windstorm unscathed.

One of the downsides of most traditional grills is their lack of flexibility. Because of the slotted grates on the surface, you're limited in what you can cook. Sure, burger patties, chicken wings, and sausages are all fair game, but what if you're looking for something that will allow you to prepare a full meal on the same appliance? That's where Blackstone comes in. This brand is known for its large, griddle-style grills that give you a similar outdoor cooking experience without the limitations, and across the board, they impress on quality, size, and functionality. The Blackstone 1883 Original 28" Griddle, for example, has earned 4.7 stars across over 1,600 reviews on Amazon, with many customers noting that this grill is easy to use, feels high-quality, and is much simpler to clean than a traditional grill.

While Blackstone is known for its griddles, it's also started to expand into other categories of grill. The brand also carries a pellet grill and griddle combo, outdoor pizza ovens, and even a pellet grill and air fryer combination. With that being said, reviews on these other products are mixed. It's clear that Blackstone's niche is producing high-quality griddles, so if that's what you're after, it's a great brand to consider. If you're looking for a pellet grill or a more traditional grill setup, however, it's a better idea to stick with a brand like Traeger or Weber that specializes in these types of products.

Char-Griller sits on the more affordable end of the spectrum of grill brands, but this lower price point is evident in the brand's quality. While new customers are generally satisfied with the performance of their grill, things quickly start to fall apart after a couple of years. If you know you'll want to upgrade eventually and just want a cost-effective grill to start off with, Char-Griller isn't the worst bet, but spending a bit more to start can save you from having to make a much larger purchase down the line.

The main problem with this brand, according to customers, is the quality of the metal. Some customers who ordered the Char-Griller Smokin Pro Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker received components with dents, while others reported that the paint was bubbling and cracking after a single use. Not every product from this brand is a dud, however. For instance, the smaller Char-Griller Patio Pro Charcoal Grill and Smoker earned 4.5 stars across over 4,500 reviews on Amazon. With that being said, the negative reviews on that product also report similar issues, like warped parts and a lack of durability. If you get lucky and do the proper research, you could end up with a good-quality Char-Griller grill for an affordable price, but this brand isn't nearly as consistent as other options like Weber or Traeger.