10 BEST Gas Grills for Under 400 Dollars of 2024

‘Tis the season to be grilling. Whether you’re just starting out grilling or need to replace an old rusty gas grill, getting a new grill is kind of like a new chapter in life. You start with a new grill, waiting for you to fire it up.

For $400 you’ll get a pretty decent gas grill that won’t rust away or have its paint chipped off after the first barbecue session.

But not all grills are made equally. While the above holds true, you still need to be careful when getting yourself the best gas grill for $400 or less.

Some stores are selling grills that you can get somewhere else for half the price, while others sell them either poorly made or hastily constructed so that they can get them from the factory to the store as fast as possible.

I don’t want you to get screwed like I got when I first bought my gas grill. I was saving them $400 for almost half a year! Because of this I’ve made my homework and gathered 10 top-rated gas grills for under 400 bucks. Check them out below.

Best Rated Gas Grills Under $400

What Are the Best Gas Grills to Buy?

• Best 4 burner: Char-Broil 463375919 Performance
• Best 6-burner: Royal Gourmet SG6002
• Best for Outdoor Kitchens: Camp Chef FTG600 Flat Top Grill
• Best for Small Patio: Dyna-Glo DGB390SNP-D Smart Space Living
• Best for Small Decks: Blackstone 1554 Grill Griddle Station
• Best Economical: Weber 44010001 Spirit II E-210
• Best for Outdoors: Fuego F21C-H
• Best Infrared: Char-Broil Signature 463632320 TRU-Infrared
• Best Natural Gas: Dyna-Glo DGP397CNN-D Premier
• Best Portable: Napoleon TQ285XBL1

What Is the Best All Around Grill?

The winning title of the best gas grill for under $400 goes to the Royal Gourmet SG6002 with its massive cooking and prep surface, 6 burner capacity, and outstanding performance.

What Is the Best Weber Gas Grill to Buy?

Out of all the Weber gas grills, you can get for under $400, the Spirit II E-210 outperformed them in terms of features, cooking, portability, and durability.

Which Gas Grills Last the Longest?

If your primary concern is durability, then consider this Dyna-Glo DGB390SNP-D Smart Space Living gas grill. When stored correctly and covered while not in use, it’s able to outlast even a Weber.

What Is the Best Outdoor Gas Grill to Buy?

The Fuego F21C-H comes in first place in the race for the best outdoor gas grill because of its portability, small footprint, and compact size. I recommend this one for anyone having a small backyard, patio, or deck.

Best Gas Grills for Under 400 Dollars Reviews

You’ve seen which gas grill is best based on a category. Now read why they are.

Read them carefully and be on the lookout for the special features that make them stand out.

Weber Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Liquid Propane Grill

The Weber Spirit II E-210 is a handsome liquid propane grill that comes in black or mocha.

The Power

This grill comes with 2 cooking zones controlled by 2 temperature gauges, which are heated by 2 burners. But each burner delivers a whopping 13,250 BTU, keeping up with the competition from other grills.

The Features

It has 2 side tables that fold down and have hooks at the end for your utensils.

The grease pan at the bottom easily slides out for cleaning.

Because this Weber is in their GS4 grilling line, it comes with an Infinity electronic ignition system and flavorizer bars.

The grilling grate is porcelain-enameled for easier cleaning, giving the grilling area 20 inches long by 17 inches wide, which is plenty for a big party, and there is even a warming rack that can be folded out of the way.

Connect It to Your Phone

It’s iGrill 3 compatible meaning that you can download a phone app to see if your grill is heated up enough, or how your meal is doing as it cooks, especially for longer cooking times.

The Low-Down of this Weber Grill

This grill takes about three hours to set up, so set aside a time block and go slow and steady. The instructions are fair, with no major issues, and easy enough to understand.

Mine was missing a screw, and I was able to call up the company to get a new one sent, but in the end, I ended up going to the hardware store to finish up my assembly instead of waiting for it to arrive.

This grill is susceptible to problems with the plastic parts snapping off in the delivery process, as well as other dents and dings from the delivery trucks.

If you do encounter any issues with your grill, just contact Weber’s awesome customer service support line and they’ll send you a new one.

You’ll definitely want to get a grill cover for this grill to save it from rusting.

Like Trading up to a Mercedes

The cooking process on this Spirit II grill is simple and easy and all of my food came out tasting great. My char marks were perfect and my steaks and chicken were done to my exact preferences.

This is a great grill with no major issues.

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Royal Gourmet SG6002 Cabinet 6-Burner Propane Gas Grill

The Royal Gourmet SG6002 Classic isn’t just a regular propane grill but a cooking limousine! If you want big space and lots of burners to cook for a royal wedding banquet, this grill is the man.

Hot Damn!

It’s got 5 burners at 10,000 BTU and a 6th side burner for searing at 12,000 BTU. Let’s not forget the side burner which has 9,000 BTU.

Add this together and you get 71,000 BTU.

That’s pretty hot.

How Much Can You Cook With This Baby at Once?

The grilling area is 598 square inches, enough for:

• 12 giant-sized burgers
• 3 – 6 racks of ribs
• 5 salmon halves
• 15 – 18 chicken quarters, and
• at least 5 porterhouse steaks

It also has a warming rack 199 square inches large, totaling 797 square inches. This gargantuan is more than enough to feed the entire block.

Other Features Worth Mentioning

It has 2 side workstations that can be folded away, with the right workstation hosting the 7th burner.

This burner’s under a flap so you can have that workstation end cook stuff, or you can use it as an extra surface.

What Others Won’t Tell You

This grill has some issues, such as being constructed from very lightweight metal and not feeling sturdy.

The legs and wheels aren’t very durable and can snap off with time.

There are some factory quality control issues like parts not fitting correctly or being bent.

Like all grills, it will rust if left exposed to the elements, so get a grill cover.

Everything as Promised

The grill is easy to put together and the instructions are pretty clear. The 2 workstations are fabulous and having such a large cooking area means you never have to mentally plan out your grilling spaces.

The grill cooks well, heats up reasonably fast, and has no issues with hot or cold spots.

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Char-Broil 463375919 Performance 4-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill

This 4-burner gas grill from Char-Broil is another durable and reliable grill worth your consideration.

Ample Cooking Space

The primary cooking surface is large enough for 20 burgers: 425 square inches. It consists of porcelain-enameled cast iron grates.

Above it is the warming rack that swings away when you open the lid and is perfect for toasting buns and bread. It measures 150 square inches.

In total, this model has a combined cooking surface of 575 square inches.

Durable Burners

With its 4 main stainless steel top-ported burners that output 9,000 BTU each, or 36,000 BTU in total, this backyard giant can make any dish or dishes your heart desires.

On the left side, you’ll find a 5th burner that’s 10,000 BTU strong – ideal for making sauces or side dishes. If you don’t need it, fold down the lid and use it as a side table.

Storage, Storage, and More Storage Space

If the side tables aren’t enough for you, then store some things in the cabinet under the grill.

There’s enough space down there for the tank and all your grilling accessories.

Other Key Features

• Lid-mounted thermometer
• 4 caster wheels (2 of them lock)

Expect a Few Dents

Because of its massive size and thin metal sheet construction, yours might arrive dented, scratched, or even bent at your doorstep.

A Great Grill at a Great Price

With its large size and many burners, you’ll be able to feed the whole group in a single batch. I was impressed by its overall quality and the shiny stainless steel design makes it shine bright like a diamond.

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Char-Broil 463632320 Signature TRU-Infrared 2-Burner Dual Fuel Gas Grill

The Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared is not just a regular gas grill but an engineering marvel with its TRU infrared technology.

What Is TRU Infrared Cooking Technology?

It’s a special type of grilling technology that enhances your cooking experience tenfold by introducing an infrared heating element between the grates and burners.

Cooking on an infrared grill has many benefits over traditional gas grills, including:

• Reduced cooking time
• Lightning-fast preheat
• Even heat distribution
• Fewer flare-ups
• Fuel-efficient
• Reaches very high temperature in a short amount of time
• Doesn’t dry out the food
• You can use regular cookware on it

Generous Cooking Space Despite Its Small Size

Although it doesn’t look much, this compact grill is able to cook up to 16 burgers at once on its 17.6 inch wide x 18.8 inch deep porcelain-coated cast iron grates that measure 325 square inches in size.

It even comes with a 120 square inches (16.3 inch wide x 7.5 inch deep) large warming rack that you can use for either toasting buns or indirect cooking. Its size can hold up to 8 corn ears.

Burner Specs

The 2 burners output 10,000 BTU each, or 20,000 BTU total.

Dual Fuel Capability

By default, it cooks on propane but if you have a natural gas line, you can easily convert this unit with a hassle-free natural gas conversion kit (item sold separately. Item no. 8216842R04).

Integrated Tank Gauge

This is something you don’t see every day.

With this grill, you get a gauge that tells you exactly how much propane you have left in the tank.

No more guesswork, spilling the tank with warm water, or buying one.

Other Features

The assembly is a breeze. About 30 minutes to an hour and off you go grilling!

Instead of a regular faulty piezo starter, it features the SureFire electronic ignition system.

The control knobs have integrated LED lights for an awesome look. You’ll also know which burner you’re using and you won’t be able to forget to turn them off accidentally.

Both side shelves fold down for easier storage.

It sits on 4 wheels, 2 of which lock into place.

On the lid, you’ll find an accurate and easy-to-read thermometer.

What I Didn’t Like About This One

I don’t know if it was bad packaging or reckless transporting but mine came with a few major dents. Thankfully, customer service responded immediately and I got a replacement in a snap.

An Awesome State of the Art Gas Grill

Even on my small deck, it barely takes up space. With its TRU infrared technology, this grill makes steakhouse sear marks without drying out the food. In this case, the saying “Big things come in small packages” is completely true.

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Dyna-Glo DGP397CNN-D Premier 3-Burner Natural Gas Grill

The Dyna-Glo DGP397CNN-D Premier is the only natural gas grill on this list.

No Conversion Needed

While other gas grills on this list run on propane and need to be converted if you want to attach them to the gas line (some models can’t even be converted), this one by default runs on natural gas.

You’ll save both time and money because you don’t need a conversion kit nor you don’t have to change the fittings, regulators, etc.

But there is one downside to this. You can’t switch back to propane as converting a natural gas grill to a propane one is not as easy as vice versa.

550 Total Square Inches of Cooking Space

You can cook up to 19 burgers on its combined surface of 550 square inches.

The primary grilling area, the porcelain-enameled cast iron grates are 396 square inches big, while the other 154 square inches belong to the warming rack.

Built for Heat, Designed for Power

This particular model features 3 stainless steel tube burners, capable of delivering 12,000 BTU each, or 36,000 BTU in total.

Above these burners are the heat tents that provide even heat distribution and fewer flare-ups.

Side Table Specs & Features

Both side tables fold down for compact storage in small spaces.

Bonus: one side table includes a towel rack and the other 3 utensil hooks.

Known Issues

It has the same kind of issues as the TRU-infrared above:

• May arrive dented
• No side burner

with one additional: a screw or two might be missing. In my case, I was missing a bolt.

Great Space Saver for Small Outdoor Areas

Being compatible with natural gas right from the box is a good deal. What makes this one great are its durability, compact size, and amazing performance.

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Napoleon TQ285XBL1 Portable Propane Gas Grill

Campers are going to love this one: Napoleon TQ285XBL1 also known as TravelQ.

Made for Traveling

For a successful grilling on the go, nothing beats the Napoleon. This is the most travel-friendly grill on this list.

With its compact size and small weight, you can easily take it to the beach, campsite, or anywhere else you desire.

Most portable grills need to be carried around. This one is an exception as it has a scissor cart with which you can pull it just like luggage at the airport. This cart has another great bonus: you can grill at a comfortable height.

Grilling Potential

On its 285 square inches large cooking area you can cook up to 17 burgers at once. This area measures about 14.5 x 21.25 inches.

The grates are Napeleons’ very own Iconic Wave heavy-duty porcelainized cast iron cooking grids which are wave-shaped for even heating and leaving artistic sear marks.

There are 2 burners that output 6,000 BTU each, or 12,000 BTU in total.

Dual burners allow 2-zone cooking, increasing its versatility and the number of recipes you can make with it.

Features

The cart is foldable and you can open and close it in seconds.

Unlike many camping grills, this one has side tables (one on each side), hooks, and a towel holder that acts as a storage hook when you’re not using the grill.

The JetFire igniter has many advantages over the basic piezo. One of them being reliability.

Under the grill is an easily accessible aluminum grease pan that can be emptied out just as easily.

The lid is cast aluminum. This makes the grill resistant to rusting and holds and distributes heat more evenly. There’s also a thermometer on the top.

Insider Scoop

After about a year of using it, I’ve noticed the paint has started to fall off. I don’t know whether it’s a poor-quality paint job or because I was using it in all sorts of weather (rain, snow, freezing cold,…) and never covering it.

The grill is not detachable from the cart by normal means.

Awesome All-Around Portable Grill

With side tables, hooks, wheeled cart, durability, versatility, and reliability, this grill can take on even some cheaper backyard models with ease. All of these features make this grill the best portable gas grill for under 400 dollars.

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Dyna-Glo DGB390SNP-D Smart Space Living 3-Burner LP Gas Grill

The Dyna-Glo Smart Space Living is a compact propane grill that’s built to last and can even the smallest decks and patios.

Don’t Let the Size Fool You

It looks small but it packs quite a punch. It’s not small, it’s compact. See why below.

Cooking Potential

This grill includes 3 separately controlled 12,000 BTU burners.

The warming rack can be moved out of the way and is 21.7 inches long by 5.4 inches wide for 117 square inches of space.

The main grilling area is 21.7 inches long by 18 inches deep for 390 square inches of cooking space, which is plenty for cooking for a family of 4 -6 adults.

Additional Features

The 2 workstations fold inwards and have a towel rack.

The lid has a thermometer.

A Critical Look

Like all grills, this one needs a grill cover to save it from the elements and all the rust they will bring on.

The grill has some assembly line issues that can result in dented or dinged parts, but this is purely aesthetics, and if it bothers you, you can simply call up the customer support line for replacement parts.

It’s also prone to not heating evenly, creating hot spots on the grill grate.

A Decent Grill Despite a Few Dents

If your Dyna-Glo DCB390SNP-D arrives in good shape, it can be a great grill for a number of years. It cooks well and the lid is extra tall so you can roast beer can chickens and even smaller turkeys.

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Blackstone 1554 4-burner-Propane Fueled Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station

This Griddle Cooking Station from Blackstone is the perfect choice for everyone who doesn’t like cleaning up after a party. Because it doesn’t have grates, you can clean it in minutes.

Generous Cooking Space

This baby has 720 square inches of cooking area, perfect for events and parties. With this much space, you can feed the whole block in one batch without having to worry about how you’re going to place your food.

Burn Baby Burn

It’s got 4 independently controlled burners, each having 15,000 BTU, with a total of 60,000 BTU. Because the burners are independently controlled, you can set up heat zones and can cook burgers with high heat on one side, and slowly cook ribs on the other. This feature saves up valuable time.

Other Features Worth Mentioning

The assembly is child’s play: 15 – 30 minutes and you’re done. Nothing special. Usually, gas grills take several hours to set up, but not this one.

Its 4 wheels are durable and 2 of them of lock-up. Great if you move the grilling location from one part of the backyard to another.

The 2 side shelves have enough space for the cook to have everything they need on hand.

The only real thing you need to clean is the griddle top. The engineers at Blackstone have taken this into consideration and made it completely removable.

Too Big for Camping

While this griddle is can be used for camping, it’s way too big and heavy in my book. Weighing 120 lbs and being as large as some built-in grills, I’d take this one camping with me if I were pitching a tent in my backyard.

The Dirty Little Secret

Every product has its own defects and/or weak spots and this one has the grease trap. I don’t know what the designers were thinking during development but the legs catch more grease than the pan itself.

If you’re a welder (or know one), you can weld a small steel pipe to direct the flow of grease:

I’m not, so I glued a rubber hose. It’s not pretty, but it gets the job done.

Great Outdoor Kitchen Addition

While not technically a grill, I still put it on this list of the best gas grills you can get for $400 or less because you can still have a great barbecue party for all your friends and family and clean it with little to no effort in record time.

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Camp Chef FTG600 Flat Top Grill

Enhance your cooking experience with Camp Chef’s Flat Top 600. If you want to feed yourself and the whole block fast, then look no further.

Make Pancakes for Breakfast and Burgers for Lunch

This cooking station has both a griddle top and grill grates, making it the most versatile grill on this list. It is one of the best grill and griddle combos you can get for this price range.

Ever made breakfast in the backyard? I did it a couple of times and the experience is amazing. Cool fresh air, birds singing, and the sun shining just enough to make your skin warm.

Before trying out this outdoor grill griddle combo, I had to set up the camping burner which took me some time. Not here though, I just fire this baby up and I am enjoying eggs and toast with fluffy pancakes in no time.

The versatility of having both a grill and a griddle in one unit is kinda self-explanatory, but it’s still worth mentioning: you save a ton of space and most important – money.

Blackstones Baby Brother

Even though it has 4 independently controlled burners like the Blackstone above, they output a little less (12,000 BTU each) heat. The difference looks big, but in reality, it’s not. For lovers of barbecuing*, this is a great feature.

*Grilling and barbecuing are not the same. If you want to know the difference, check out this guide.

Although it has a generous cooking area of 600 square inches, it’s smaller by 120 square inches compared to the Blackstone.

If you enjoy quiet time at the grill with the family and are not a great fan of large BBQ parties, then this grill is still large enough to fill every tummy.

The Low-Down

Like most other grills, it is susceptible to rust if you leave it out uncovered. The griddle top is no exception. Even if you season it regularly, rust spots will occur and there’s nothing you can do about it, unfortunately.

The other issue is the grease collector. Now, I don’t know if Camp Chef has the same designers as Blackstone, but given the fact both their grills have the same issue, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were.

The One Flat Top to Rule Them All

If you can’t decide between a grill or a griddle, then why not have both? This grill griddle combo is perfect for everyone who wants to cook everything they want outside and not just burgers and hot dogs. This one has a few chinks in its armor, but which one doesn’t, right?

Remember, even the grills that cost several thousand dollars have some defects.

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Fuego F21C-H Element Hinged Propane Gas Grill

If you want to stand out in the grilling world and in your backyard, then the Fuego Element Hinged is your answer.

Unique Design

This one doesn’t look like your average gas grill. It reminds me of a trash can from a distance and the wheels look like they have been taken from an office chair. Kinda quirky if you ask me.

But this interesting design isn’t just for the looks, it’s also quite practical. The designers made this grill as compact as possible. That’s why this one is perfect for cooking in the great outdoors, i.e. camping.

Never Again Burn Your Face When Opening the Lid

The engineers at Fuego (or at least one of them) burned their faces when they opened the lid. That’s why they have designed the hinged lid to open at 45° to the right.

Because of so much attention to detail, this grill has gained so much popularity in such a small time.

It’s Compact but Not Small

Don’t let the small size fool you. This baby is big enough to feed a dozen people at once with its 346 square inch cooking area.

What’s the Firepower?

It has 22,000 BTU and 2 grilling zones: direct and indirect. Great for both grill and barbecue enthusiasts.

The burner is so efficient it can reach 500°F in 5 minutes. Because of this, it consumes less propane. Talk about low mileage. See the heat chart below to see how much time other grills need to heat up to this temperature.

Grill, Griddle, and Pizza Oven all-in-one

Make eggs, pancakes, and even pizza with this grill. Both the griddle top and the pizza stone kit are sold separately. For this price, they could have included at least one of these accessories.

Other Features Include

• Lightning-fast assembly
• Electronic ignition system
• Removable grease tray
• Hinged propane storage door

Hidden Issues

Due to low-quality control at the factory, some bits and pieces can be missing in the box, the grill could be badly assembled, or you just might find a crack or two. That’s why I urge you to check the grill completely twice and contact the manufacturer immediately.

Awesome Grill with a Small Footprint

The grill not only looks nice and unique, but it cooks like a charm. It has some problems but the features and the performance make them look insignificant.

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Gas Grill Tips & FAQ

How Hot Should a Gas Grill Get?

Depends on whether you’re grilling directly or indirectly.

• Direct: around 500°F
• Indirect: around 350°F

There are also several heat zones and each of them is suited for one type of food:

• High: 450 – 550°F
• Medium: 350 – 450°F
• Low: 250 – 350°F
• Low and slow: 200 – 250°F

For instance, it’s best to cook burgers in a high heat zone while ribs and brisket are best suited for low and slow cooking.

Can You Leave Propane Attached to Grill?

Of course. Just close the tank valve before putting away the grill, and don’t expose it to direct sunlight for long periods of time.

Is BBQ Propane and Forklift Propane the Same?

One and the same. The tanks are not interchangeable, though, because of different fittings, regulators, etc.

Can You Use PAM on Grill?

PAM is a very convenient way to season your gas grill. Instead of applying oil with a brush which is messy and time-consuming, spray the grates with some PAM.

How Do You Break in a New Gas Grill?

1. Read the manual
2. Check for leaks
3. Season it
4. Fire it up
5. Preheat it for at least 20 – 30 minutes at max heat to remove any packing or oil residue and other unwanted guests

That’s it. Now your gas grill is ready to cook some food.

See this guide for more details on how to use a gas grill for the first time.

Serve Yourself the Best Grilling Experience

Now that you have the search results narrowed down to 10, you are able to choose the gas grill that works best for you.

Take advantage of my best gas grills for under 400 guide and decide which grill will fit in your backyard perfectly.

Do you grill on the deck, patio, or in the backyard?