6 Best Grills Under 150 Dollars of 2022: Gas & Charcoal

Grilling may seem expensive but the reality is this: it’s expensive only if you spend money until you drop.

With a little guidance and thinking you can have an unforgettable BBQ without plunging into debt.

A word of caution: there are thousands of cheap grills on the market now you can get for this kind of cash (and even cheaper). But most of them are poorly made and only look good.

You need to be careful out there when picking out the best grill under 150 dollars.

In this regard, I’ve tried and tested many cheap grills and gathered these 6 winners:

What Is the Best Cheap Grill?

• Best Gas: Dyna-Glo DGC310CNP-D
• Best Charcoal: CUSIMAX Charcoal Kettle Grill
• Best for Smoking: Royal Gourmet CC1830S Charcoal Grill
• Best Portable: Megamaster 820-0033M Propane Gas Grill
• Best Griddle: Royal Gourmet PD1300
• Best Electric: George Foreman GFO3320GM

The Best of The Best Grills Under 150 Dollars

Dyna-Glo DGC310CNP-D 3-Burner Open Cart Propane Gas Grill

Already featured as one of the best gas grills under $150, this baby right here is one of the few freestanding gas grills that won’t let you down.

449 Square Inches of Total Cooking Area

Its spacious design is one of the many reasons why I put this one as the winner of this list.

The firebox consists of 2 racks: a primary cooking area and a warming rack.

The primary cooking area is 310 square inches large and the grates are porcelain-coated steel. You can place up to 11 burgers on it.

Above it, there’s a warming rack that’s 139 square inches large. The grates here are also porcelain-coated steel.

24,000 BTUs of Cooking Firepower

It comes with 3 individually controlled burners that output 8,000 BTU each.

Each one also comes with its own heat tent.

Like the grates, both the burners and heat tents are made from stainless steel and enameled in porcelain.

Saves You on Fuel

The firebox and lid are, again, also enameled in porcelain.

This greatly increases heat retention which in turn saves you on both the propane itself and the gasoline you’d burn driving to the nearest store to get the tank refilled/exchanged (not to mention the time it takes you to do this).

Offers Plenty of Prep Space

The 2 side tables should be more than enough to hold the plates, utensils, spices, and other things you need to pull off a successful BBQ.

What I Don’t Like About It

A side burner would be nice.

The side shelves don’t collapse, making this grill less than ideal for cooking in tight places.

I noticed that it’s way cooler around the sides.

What really bothered me is this: a few nuts and bolts were missing but the worst part was that one of the pieces during assembly didn’t initially fit. I had to wait a couple of days for the correct one to arrive.

The Best Bang for Your Buck

While in need of some polishing, this grill actually performs amazingly well. I expected issues with uneven heating and quality control (almost all grills within this price range have them) so I wasn’t surprised by this. The build quality is also great and the side shelves are more than enough for my needs.

CUSIMAX Charcoal Grill

This charcoal grill looks, feels, and performs like a Weber except it doesn’t bear the high price tag.

Generous Cooking Surface

This 22.5-inch grill has a cooking area of 397 square inches which is more than enough to feed a group of 5 – 10 people.

The grates are chrome-plated steel.

Other Features That Remind Me of a Weber

You don’t have to put the lid on the ground or hold it when tending to the food and/or charcoal because you can hang it on the bowl.

The lid handle is heat-resistant.

The lid and the body are enameled.

The wheels are sturdy and durable.

There’s a thermometer built into the lid. This is something you don’t see every day on a budget charcoal grill.

I saved the best for last: it comes with its own ash cleaning system and functions the same as the One-touch cleaning system.

What You Should Be Aware Of

Unlike Weber, this one suffers from quality control issues.

There were a lot of missing pieces (most of them were screws and nuts). The handles were bent a lot and I had to rebend them to actually fit.

The worst part was that the holes for the lid handle weren’t drilled out and had to do this myself.

Everything You Expect From Weber minus the Price Tag

This simple-looking kettle grill comes with so many bells and whistles that you’d think it was on sale. I can easily fit 15 burgers on it and the one-touch cleaning system makes cleaning a fun outdoor activity.

If this particular model isn’t up your alley, then check out these other best charcoal grills under $150.

Megamaster 820-0033M Propane Gas Grill

Don’t like being in one place for too long or do you think that the whole world is your backyard? If you answered yes to either, then this portable gas grill just might be your next best travel buddy.

Ideal for Camping

It measures only 20 x 19 x 16 in / 51 x 48 x 41 cm and weighs 19 lbs / 8.6 kg.

This little wonder is so compact and lightweight, you can easily tuck it under your armpit and carry it anywhere you wish.

Alternatively, you can carry it like a briefcase. The lid latch prevents the grill from opening, so you won’t have to worry about the grill suddenly opening.

The legs are foldable for easier transportation and storage.

Don’t Be Fooled by Its Size

Although it looks small, it’s capable of cooking up to 7 burgers at once on its 199 square inches large cooking area.

It also features 2 burners (a lot of portable grills this size usually just have one), making it ideal for two-zone cooking. Each burner outputs 8,000 BTUs.

Easily Connects to the RV

The grill is low pressure.

This means you can directly connect it to your RV’s propane tank, provided you have the quick connect fitting and hose.

Shiny and Durable

The whole thing (body, lid, grates, burners, heat tents,…) is made from durable and thick 430 stainless steel.

Easy to Clean

Despite not being coated in porcelain, the grates are really easy to clean. Nothing more than a gentle scrub, and they’re good to go.

For an even simpler cleaning, I soak them in vinegar for a couple of hours and rinse them.

Most of the grease and oil drip into the pan below the grill. I say most because a few drops stick around the hole.

The Issues I’ve Encountered

A temperature gauge would be nice.

While the grease pan is convenient and effective at doing its job, it’s quite shallow. You need to empty it after every single use (even if making just 1 burger) and cook on a level surface. Otherwise, the pan overflows and you’ll have a huge mess to clean.

Be careful when opening the lid while cooking. It gets pretty hot. I learned this the hard way.

Like many gas grills, this one has issues with maintaining low heat. Even on the lowest temperature setting, the grill gets quite hot.

Big Things Do Come In Small Packages

For less than $150, it doesn’t get better than this. It may look little and harmless but in reality, it packs quite a punch.

Royal Gourmet CC1830S BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker

Smoking fans are going to love this one: Royal Gourmet CC1830. It is a charcoal grill with an easy to tend smoker side box.

A Cooking Behemoth

The main cooking area is 438 square inches, the warming rack has 179 square inches, and the smoker box has 183 square inches.

In total, the entire grill has 800 square inches.

The Grates

The cooking grates aren’t anything special: your classic run-of-the-mill porcelain enamel steel which distribute even heating and give your food these nice sear marks you know and love.

Control the Heat and Smoke With Ease

The grill has 2 adjustable dampers to control the airflow and an adjustable charcoal pan so you can control the distance between the food and the charcoal and make fine adjustments when needed.

Ample Prep Space

It has 3 shelves: one in front, the other on the side, and the last one underneath the grill. The side shelf also has 3 hooks for hanging utensils, cloths, and other grilling accessories.

All of this gives you more than enough space to cook without jumping up and down.

Just place the food on the grill, open that beer bottle, and enjoy the smell of cooking. Yum.

Other Features Worth Mentioning

• Durable wheels
• Thermometer built-in the lid
• Easy to tend charcoal access door
• Removable ash pan
• Scald-Proof handle

See It in Action

What to Be On the Lookout For

The manufacturer recommends not exceeding 400°F / 204°C to prolong the longevity of the grill. So, if you wanted to sear steaks or cook burgers on really high heat, I’m afraid you won’t without damaging the grill.

Also, it’s very, very prone to rust so getting yourself a grill cover is highly recommended.

Up in Smoke

It’s an amazing grill smoker combo, perfect for low & slow cooking and barbecuing. I recommend this one to any fan of smoking as it’s very hard to get a decent smoker grill combo for this kind of money.

Check out how to upgrade this grill to make it more efficient and turn it into a luxury cooking machine.

Royal Gourmet PD1300 Portable 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill Griddle

Do you love making breakfast in the backyard instead of the kitchen? Then try this Royal Gourmet gas grill griddle PD1300.

Versatile

Any griddle owner will tell you that griddles are more versatile than grills because you can make breakfast, lunch, and dinner in just one unit.

Don’t like burgers for breakfast? Then make eggs and sausages, or pancakes. Is a steak too much for you before going to bed? Then make some low-calorie quesadillas.

The possibilities of having a griddle are endless.

It’s Compact, Not Small

It doesn’t look much but the truth is far from it.

With its 3 independently controlled 9,000 BTU burners and 316 square inch cooking surface, you can make up to 15 pancakes at once.

It’s small weight of 30 lbs / 13.6 kg and compact size of 25.2 x 18 x 9.5 inches / 64 x 45.7 x 24 cm make this one a perfect travel companion.

Simple to Operate

It has a Piezo ignition system, meaning you fire this baby up with a push of a button.

The porcelain enamel flat top is non-stick, heats evenly, and helps to lock in the juices, which means you won’t have any worries cooking.

Easy to Clean

All the access grease drips into the grease collecting tray below which is easily removable.

Making a Quesadilla on the PD1300

Insiders Scoop

Because of low-quality control, your griddle might be bent, warped, or have other deformities on arrival. Some bits and pieces may be missing or defective.

Carefully inspect every component, no matter how small it is, and contact support immediately.

Check for the cover as well. Several grillers didn’t get it, including me.

The Best Portable Griddle You Can Get for $150 or Less

If you want to wake up your friends at the campsite or at home with the smell of eggs and pancakes in the morning, then do it with this griddle. Whether you’re on the road or at home, this portable kitchen will never let you down.

George Foreman GFO3320GM Indoor/Outdoor Gun Metal Electric Grill

Make grilling even more convenient with this George Foreman GFO3320GM Electric Grill.

The Most Convenient Way to Grill

We all know gas grills are more convenient than charcoal grills. But if you want even more convenience, then an electric grill is your answer.

Unlike propane tanks, you can’t really run out of electricity (unless there’s an outage, but that’s another story).

Grilling Area

The circular grilling area is 240 square inches large, big enough to feed 4 – 6 people at once.

Taste the Meat, Not the Fat

The whole grill, including the premium nonstick ceramic coated plate, is designed in such a way that excess fat drains away on the patented George Foreman slope.

The Only Indoor Grill on This List

All charcoal grills can’t be used indoors. The same applies for most gas grills – either the law doesn’t permit this or your landlord.

If you’re also having regular problems with the weather, then this grill is worth your consideration. When grilling indoors, you just remove the stand and place it on your countertop. Easy!

How Well It Performs

The Bad Thing About This Grill

The stand is poorly made and you can feel the grill wobble from time to time.

There are hot and cold spots

The Best Addition to an Apartment

If you’re looking for simplicity and convenience, then this grill might just be for you. Just plug in the cord and off you go grillin’.

A quick Word about Grills and Rusting

Remember that all grills will have rust issues if they’re left exposed to the elements, no matter how much they cost or how durable they are.

Protect your investment with a grill cover and move it away from the elements when you aren’t using it to get the longest life out of your grill.

Here is another tip for preventing rust on your grill:

Is Rust on a Grill Dangerous?

That depends on how rusty is the grill. If it’s very rusty like the one in the video, then yes.

You can still use it, though.

Just scrub away as much rust as you can with a wire brush or an angle grinder (if you have one) and blow any residue and debris with an air compressor.

If there’s a little rust here and there, then don’t worry about it. Even if you ingest a small piece, it won’t actually hurt you. It might give you a little extra iron in your diet unless you’re eating hot dogs with ketchup, mustard, and rust flakes.

Get the Best Cheap Grill Out There

I found that the best picks in this price range are the CUSIMAX for the charcoal-loving purists, the Dyna-Glo DGC310CNP-D for those who prefer the convenience of a gas grill, and the Megamaster 820-0033M for the travel or space-minded folk.

Smokers should try out the Royal Gourmet BBQ Grill and Smoker, while griddle fans and pancake lovers need to consider PD1300 by Royal Gourmet.

Last but not least is the George Foreman GFO3320GM Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill: a perfect choice for anyone who wants to grill indoors.

Gas, charcoal, or electric? What’s your favorite type of grill and why?