Now we’re grilling! 500 dollars buys you a lot of grill. Unlike the grills in the lower price range, these ones not only look sturdy and durable but also feel this way. They’re also more reliable and will last much longer.
But choosing the best grill under $500 is a very frustrating and tedious task. You need to be very careful. If you’re not, you’re going to end up throwing money down the drain. And half a grand is a lot of money.
Instead of going from store to store, spending hours if not days of your precious time looking at grills or going through hundreds of catalog pages, take a look at this best grills guide and list.
Here, I’ve gathered the best of the best grills in their category. Get the best:
- Gas grill
- Pellet grill
- Natural Gas grill
- Charcoal grill
- Infrared grill
- Propane grill
- Gas/Charcoal Combo grill
- Smoker grill
- Kamado grill
Pick the grill that suits you the most, take a look at their features, and read the in-depth review.
Top 7 Best Grills for Under 500 Dollars
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Top | Oklahoma Joe's Charcoal/LP Gas/Smoker Combo | Check Price |
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Top | Weber Spirit E-310 Liquid Propane Gas Grill | Check Price |
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Top | Dyna-Glo Premier Natural Gas Grill | Check Price |
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Top | Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 325 Liquid Propane Gas Grill | Check Price |
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Top | Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker Charcoal Grill and Smoker | Check Price |
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Top | Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker | Check Price |
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Top | Char-Broil Performance 650 Liquid Propane Gas Grill | Check Price |
What’s the Best Grill for Under 500?
- Best Gas: Weber Spirit E-310
- Best Pellet: Z Grills ZPG-7002B
- Best Natural Gas: Dyna-Glo DGP397CNN-D
- Best Charcoal: Char-Griller 06620 Kamado
- Best Infrared: Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 325
- Best Smoker: Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal/LP Gas/Smoker Combo
- Best Propane: Char-Broil Performance 650
Reviews
Do you want a grill that everyone will adore? Here you have them with details that are worth your money and consideration.
Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal/LP Gas/Smoker Combo
- 1,060 total square inch cooking surface
- 750 square inch primary cooking surface in main chamber over porcelain-coated cast iron grates. Number of grates: 6
- 310 square inch cooking surface in firebox chamber
- 3x 12,000 BTU Burners, (36,000 BTUs total) in gas grilling chamber
- 12,000 BTU side burner accommodates charcoal chimney starter
- Professional temperature gauge for accurate monitoring in both cooking chambers
- Firebox door with air damper for added convenience and easy clean-up
Can’t decide between a charcoal and a gas grill? Then why don’t have both with this Charcoal/LP Gas/Smoker Combo by Oklahoma Joe’s.
Charcoal, Gas Grill, and Smoker All in One
The best way to decide on a grill is to test it first-hand. Instead of checking the pros and cons of gas vs charcoal grills and pondering for ages which one is better for you, try both for the price of one.
On busy weekdays fire up the gas burner in have some delicious burgers in no time at all. Every seasoned griller knows nothing beats the convenience of a gas grill. When you have more time to spare, light the charcoal grill and the smoker and serve yourself the best BBQ slow-cooked ribs imaginable.
The side burner is a fantastic edition. Make sauces or soups while cooking the main course.
A Grilling Behemoth
This one is the biggest grill on this list. The total cooking area is enormous: a whopping 1,060 square inches: the primary cooking area – the gas and charcoal grates – is 750 square inches and the firebox chamber has 310 square inches.
The cooking surfaces of the gas and charcoal grates and the firebox chamber are similar and measure about 18.5 x 19.3 inches. On each, you can make:
- Two 8 lbs pork shoulders or briskets
- 12 burgers
- Four 4.5 lb whole chickens and ten 1 and 1/4 lb sirloin strip steaks
- 18 sausages or hot dogs
If you fire both grills and the smoker at the same time, you’ll be able to feed the whole block.
The Cooking Potential
The grates are porcelain-coated cast iron: even heat distribution, easy cleanup, and nonstick surface guaranteed.
The gas grilling chamber has 3 independently controlled burners that give out 12,000 BTU each, or 36,000 BTU total.
The side burner (that doubles as a side table with the lid closed) has another 12,000 BTU burner.
The firebox has a side damper that makes airflow easy to control. To achieve the best smokey-flavor, don’t forget to use the other damper on the top of the charcoal grilling chamber.
Other Features
Both the charcoal and the gas chambers have a lid thermometer.
Underneath the cooking chamber is a convenient storage shelf.
Never again burn your hand when opening the lid during a cookout with these Cool Touch steel handles.
The convenient access door on the firebox makes stoking the fire easily without having to open the cooking chamber lid.
Honest Feedback
This grill massive. It weighs 220 lbs when assembled! You’ll get a hernia if you’re not careful when moving it around.
Given the complex and versatile design and also considering the price, they could have made this grill a bit more durable. It’s made from the cheaper stainless steel that is prone to rust despite being called “stainless”. So shell out a couple of bucks more for a grill cover.
The Best Charcoal Gas Smoker Grill Combo You’ll Get for $500 or Less
You can’t beat this grills versatility: smoker, charcoal grill, gas grill, and stove all in one unit. Instead of having 4 separate cooking units that take up a huge amount of space and a chunk from your wallet, you have all of them combined in one versatile unit.
Weber Spirit E-310
- Your purchase includes One Weber Spirit E-310 Liquid Propane Gas Grill in Black color, 46510001 model + 6 tools hooks and User Manual
- Grill dimensions: Lid Open - 63H x 52W x 32D. Lid Closed - 45.5H x 52W x 24D. Grilling area dimensions: 529 square inches
- Propane gas grill works with Standard 20 lb LP tank (sold separately).
- Other specifications: BTU-Per-Hour Input – 32,000. Stainless Steel Burners – 3. Side tables – 2 (Stationary) Swivel Casters – 2
- Built to last with heavy duty, porcelain-enameled lid and cook box that will not rust or peal over time
The Weber Spirit E-310 is a liquid propane gas grill that comes in a matte black finish with stainless steel accents.
The Power
There are 3 burners, each outputting 10,666 BTU, totaling 32,000 BTU. It’s ignited by the electronic Crossover ignition system.
Ample Cooking Space
The main cooking surface is a cast iron grate with a porcelain-enameled coating that’s 424 square inches large. There is a removable 105 square inches warming grate, large enough for 5 normal slices of bread. Combined you have a total of 529 square inches of cooking space.
Other Features That Makes This Weber a Weber
This grill has flavorizer bars underneath the cooking grate that help direct grease drippings away from the burners, preventing flare-ups and adding a nice smokey flavor to your food.
This is a full unit with a cart and a wheel for each leg.
There are 2 stationary side tables with clips for hooking and hanging your barbecue utensils.
The cart is fully enclosed into a single cabinet so you can store your propane tank and a few other things.
This cart has a special measuring unit that will tell you how full your propane tank is.
The hood of the grill is porcelain-enameled to keep its finish despite its heavy heat environment so that the exterior will never rust or fade.
There is a thermometer embedded into the hood.
Review of the Weber Spirit E-310
This grill only takes 30 minutes to an hour to assemble and the instructions are clear and easy. Once fully assembled, this grill does well with igniting properly the first time when you press the ignition button. The flavorizer bars help reduce flare-ups and keep your grill evenly heated.
See how this grill performs:
Dyna-Glo Premier Natural Gas Grill
- This product is a Natural Gas unit and you must have Natural Gas plumbed out to your patio or deck to be able to use this grill; If you do not have Natural Gas plumbed, please look at our selection of Propane barbecues
- Requires natural gas plumbed out to patio or deck
- 550 total square inches of cooking space accommodates up to nineteen 4 ½” burgers
- Includes 396 square inches of primary cooking space
- Equiheat technology powers even heat distribution with three stainless Steel tube burners, delivering 36, 000 total BTU
- Cast iron cooking grates provide the ideal surface for retaining and transferring heat directly to food
Every owner of a natural gas line should consider this Dyna-Glo DGP397CNN-D Premier 3 Burner Natural Gas Grill. It combines the amazing convenience a propane grill has to offer with the added bonus of a seemingly limitless supply of fuel.
Its Cooking Power
It has 3 independently controlled stainless steel burners, capable of producing 36,000 BTU of heat in total and evenly spreading it across the grates.
Generous Cooking Area
The primary cooking space consists of cast iron high gloss enamel cooking grates large enough for you to make about 19 hamburgers at once on its 396 square inches. The secondary cooking space: the warming rack, is 154 square inches large. Add both together, and you get a generous total cooking area of 550 square inches.
Other Amazing Features
You can fold the side shelves with minimal effort. This is great if your patio or deck is small and space is at a premium.
The built-in lid thermometer is accurate and easy to read.
Tool hooks and a towel holder provide convenient storage for your grilling accessories.
Just like the Weber above, this one also has 4 wheels for increased mobility. 2 of them are lockable.
What Put Me Off
The fact that this grill costs almost half a grand, I’d expect better rust protection. But this one is prone to rust just like the cheaper grill models. So if you want to get the most of this grill, a cover is a must.
The assembly instructions are a bit iffy. Don’t rely on them too much, though. Either search Youtube or some forums on instructions on how to set it up or, if you’re daring enough, wing it.
Is This Grill Worth the Money?
It’s not perfect, but it gets the job done. The Dyna-Glo is not as well-known as Weber or Char-Broil, but it’s still a decent brand worth mine and your consideration. Despite its few flaws, it cooks like a charm.
Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 325 Liquid Propane Gas Grill
- 325 square inches of primary cooking over porcelain-coated cast iron grates
- 120 square inch porcelain-coated swing-a-way rack for warming
- Two top-ported 443 stainless steel tube burners for lasting performance and better temperature control
- Surefire Electronic ignition system offers a reliable spark at every burner
- Folding side shelves for added workspace and easy storage
- Easily converts from liquid propane(lp) to natural gas(ng) with natural gas conversion kit (sold separately)
- Main Burner BTU is 18000
Now we’re talking heat. The Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 325 is one of the most convenient grills on the market – even more convenient than regular gas grills.
Taste the Meat Not the Heat
Infrared grills are known for their fuel and heat efficiency, faster heat up, higher temperatures, and short cooking times. This one is no exception. You’ll be able to preheat the grill in up to 10 seconds and make burgers and steaks in a matter of minutes.
Interested in infrared grills? See how they work, what is TRU-infrared grilling technology, what are their pros and cons, and what are the best models currently available in the $500 price range.
The Cooking Specs
The Burners
Don’t let the main burners fool you. Yes, there’s only 2 of them and they output only 18,000 BTUs but the reality is different. Bigger isn’t always better and this grill is a perfect example.
Being an infrared grill, it doesn’t require as much as your standard gas grill to get pretty hot.
Both burners are ignited by the Surefire electronic ignition system that offers more reliability than the classic Piezo.
The Cooking Area
The porcelain-coated cast-iron grates that are the main cooking area are 325 square inches large and the swing-a-way warming rack is 120 square inches.
Granted, you won’t be able to feed a large group of people at once but it’s big enough for a romantic dinner for two or a lazy Sunday afternoon BBQ party with the kids.
The Fuel Choice Is up to You
By default, it runs on liquid propane but if you have a natural gas line at home and want to save money on fuel, you can easily convert this grilling beauty with a natural gas conversion kit (sold separately).
Ample Prep Space
The 2 large side shelves offer more than enough workspace for food preparation, spices, sauces, etc. They can be folded down for easier storage.
If you convert the grill to natural gas, you’ll have even more space under the grill where you’d place the propane tank.
Other Great Features
- Lid-mounted temperature gauge
- The grill sits on 4 casters (two of which lock)
Before You Buy
This model doesn’t include a side burner. If you want one, you need to select the option with the side burner. Why I’m telling you this? Because many customers didn’t know this and thought their model had one. Boy, there were really disappointed when the grill arrived at their doorstep.
Take a bit more time to clean up the grill than you’re used to. Because of the compact design, it’s really hard to clean every nook and cranny.
The quality control is pretty bad, so expect missing parts and a few dents upon arrival. Expect anything and everything before putting it together.
The Best Infrared Grill Under $500
If you want to try out an infrared grill, then this one is definitely worth your consideration. It cooks faster and more evenly than charcoal and gas grills, and flare-ups are history. If you’re looking for the ultimate convenience, then this is it.
Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker Charcoal Grill and Smoker
- 314 square inches of primary cooking space, warming rack 133 square inches for a total of 447 square inches
- Assembled Dimensions: 45 L x 31 W x 47 H | Weight: 97.0 lb
- Insulated design means more heat uses less charcoal and less airflow means insulated heat for juicy meat
- Cooking surface is cast iron, Body is constructed of 22 gauge steel, Exterior finish is powder coated steel, Interior finish is porcelain coated steel
- Cart is constructed of tubular steel w/rubber wheels, locking caster on front, Indexed damper is numbered so you can note the position of the damper
- Features Locking Lid, 2 folding black metal shelves, Easy dump ash pan, Double wall insulation, Heat gauge
A purist’s best friend: The Char-Griller 06620 Akorn Kamado Kooker. This Kamado charcoal grill is the perfect choice for every griller who likes to grill and/or smoke without any fancy bells or whistles.
This Is No Regular Charcoal Grill
A kamado is to a charcoal grill what an infrared one is to a gas grill – a better, newer, and upgraded version.
The egg-shape is not just for the looks. It’s designed in a way that maximizes the flow of air, smoke, and heat. Also, it’s made from durable thick insulated steel or ceramic material that retains heat very well. Ceramic doesn’t rust, so you can leave your grill in the open without any worries.
The only real downside of these types of grills is the weight – they’re heavy. This particular model is 97 lbs.
The Cooking Specs
The cooking area consists of a primary cooking surface and the warming rack.
The primary cooking surface is the 314 square inches large cast-iron cooking grates. The warming rack has 133 square inches and if you don’t like it or it’s in your way, then you simply remove it. In total, this Kamado Kooker has 447 square inches of cooking space.
Control the Heat in Full
Charcoal grills have a notoriety when it comes to heat control. Because it’s a kamado grill, this one hasn’t got this issue. It has an adjustable damper at the bottom and one on the top. Once you get to know them, you can cook at any temperature setting: go as low as 200 ° F or as high as 700 ° F.
It Has Low Mileage
Because of triple-wall insulation, porcelain-coated steel interior finish, air circulation system, and egg-shape design, it retains heat much better than any other standard charcoal grill.
Less heat gets wasted, meaning you’ll save on charcoal.
Other Features Worth Mentioning
It’s made from 22 gauge steel and the exterior finish is powder-coated steel, meaning this grill will last you a very long time.
The easy dump ash pan makes for quick and easy clean up.
The side shelves are foldable and include hooks for utensils.
Beware of These Caveats
Kamado grills aren’t simple to operate as your standard charcoal grill. They require a large learning curve and if you aren’t an experimental kind of person, then don’t buy it as you’ll need quite some time to get the hang of it.
The dome thermometer isn’t accurate and can be off by 50 degrees. Getting a grill and/or meat probe is advisable.
Like some of the grills on this list, this one also has poor quality control at the assembly line. Parts can be defective or missing, and the grill itself could have some scratches and even dents. Inspect every square inch of this grill in full before assembling it.
Final Say
I love to try new stuff and experiment. When I first got this grill, I spent a lot of time tinkering with the heat controls and when I got used to it, I’ve made some of the best smoke-flavored BBQs. If you’re like me, then you’ll fall in love with this grill.
Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
- ★ULTIMATE 8-IN-1--Barbecue wood fire pellet grill: grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, barbeque.
- ★PELLET GRILL TECHNOLOGY--★ FLAVOR--There just isn’t an easier way to get the flavor of wood smoked food than with a pellet grill. Try it and you’ll taste the difference from a GAS or CARBON grill; ★ ACCURACY--Most stay within 10 degrees of the set temperature, no matter if its 10 degrees or 110 degrees outside; ★EFFICIENCY--You can cook for about 20 hours per 20 lbs. of pellets. When you do the math, you will find that pellet cooking typically costs less than a comparably sized GAS or CARBON gr
- ★EASIER THAN YOU THOUGHT--One button starts up and temperature control eliminates starter fluid. No need to run to the local station to trade in your propane.★EASY TO USE--Electronic AUTO-Start Ignition, Digital Auto Temperature Control, LED temperature readout. Super easy cooking even for beginners. ★EASY TO CLEAN--Special Designed Waste Oil Collector to assist you with safe and easy cleanup. ★EASY TO MOVE--Upgraded cart with locking caster wheels.
- ★2020 UPGRADE--Known Issues Fixed and More Precise Temperature Control and Pellet Feed Control System. The new upgrade digital control board auto ignites the grill and allows you to set the cooking temperature from 180°f to 450°f.
- ★HUGE GRILLING AREA--grilling area Dimensions 19. 2 x 26 inches, smoking/warming rack Dimensions 6. 9 x 27. 5 inches, total rack surface area 700 square inches. 20 pounds hopper capacity.
- ★STAINLESS STEEL BUILT--High resistance to corrosion means a longer lasting grill, with a sleek and polished finish.
The Z Grills ZPG-7002B is a wood pellet grill and smoker combo available in either charcoal black or steel silver.
Smokin’
This grill is more of a smoker than a grill as its max cooking temperature is 450°F. Don’t get me wrong, that’s hot but other grills on this list can get hotter.
The main use of this grill is to smoke really slow as you can cook for about 20 hours per 20 lbs of pellets.
More Convenient Than a Charcoal Grill
If you don’t like to handle the messy charcoal but would still like that smokey flavor in your food, then a pellet grill is your answer.
To fire this grill, your only job is to unload the pellets into the hopper and press the start button.
You can control the temperature manually or let the integrated controller do the job for you.
Instead of a traditional analog hood thermometer, this one features a digital one. This is the only grill on this list with such a feature.
Pellets produce much less ash than charcoal, so you’ll have less fuss when disposing of them and cleaning the grill.
The Cooking Potential of This Grill
The main cooking area is 504 square inches large (9.2 x 26 inches) and the top rack is 190 square inches (6.9 x 27.5 inches). Combine the two and you get the total cooking area of 694 square inches. The hopper is big enough to hold 20 lbs of pellets.
It’s big enough to cook:
- 29 burgers
- 6 racks of ribs
- 5 whole chickens
Other Great Features Include
- Auger-fed hardwood pellet delivery system
- Easy-drain grease system for fast cleanup
- Porcelain-coated wire cooking grid
- All-terrain wheels & heavy-duty handle
- Bottom storage shelf
- Rain cover included
Overview
Insiders Scoop of the ZPG-7002B
Take your time when assembling the grill. It’s got lots of bits and pieces.
Searing is out of the option on this grill. Not only because of its max temperature but also because there’s no direct flame.
The temperature gauge is sometimes off by up to 60 degrees which is quite annoying if you’re cooking low and slow.
Removing unused pellets takes a lot of effort.
The Best Pellet Grill Under $500
This pellet grill has the convenience of a gas grill and gives the food that well-known smokey flavor that a charcoal grill does. I recommend this grill & smoker combo to everyone who loves barbecues and smoking more than grilling.
Char-Broil Performance 650 Liquid Propane Gas Grill
- 6-Burner, 60,000-btu cabinet gas grill with 10,000-btu lidded side burner
- 650 square inches of primary cooking on porcelain-coated cast iron grates plus 280 square inches of secondary cooking on porcelain-coated swing-away rack
- Stainless steel lid, handle, control panel fascia and cabinet provide style and durability.
- Large metal side shelves offer added prep and work space. Electronic ignition for fast and reliable startups.
- Removable grease pan for quick and simple cleaning. Cabinet has two doors for easy access to storage area.
The Char-Broil Performance 650 is the last grill in this category of the best grills under 500 dollars. This is a liquid propane gas grill.
A Grilling Gargantuan
Cook for a large group of people with this grill due to its 6 burners plus a side burner for 7 total burners, wow! Each burner outputs 10,000 BTUs of heat.
The grill itself is stainless steel with a porcelain coating for durability and ease of cleaning, and measures 35 inches longways and 18.5 inches across for a total of 650 square inches of cooking space.
It also has a 280 square inches big warming rack that can be swung out of the way and is large enough for 6 – 8 pieces of bread or hamburger buns.
The grilling area is massive, big enough for 8 – 10 racks of ribs or full salmon halves and at least 8 massive 32 oz porterhouse steaks.
The grill unit is free-standing on 4 caster wheels for ease of moving around. It has 2 side workstation tables, one of which has a flap to hide the side burner, on the left side. The workstations do not fold down.
The bottom of the grill is fully encased, with stainless steel double cabinet doors. The inside of the cabinet doors has a rack so that you can place hooks to hang your utensils.
Review of the Char-Broil Performance 650
The grill suffers from poor quality control, resulting in missing and/or damaged pieces. Some parts are made from thin sheets of metal, so expect dents upon arrival. Take a look at every piece and immediately contact customer service if you find something damaged.
Final Verdict
Assembly isn’t bad at all and it will take you an hour to two to get this bad boy ready for some grilling fun. Once put together, it’s truly massive, enough to feed a very large family of 6 – 10 people, to host backyard parties, or to grill for organization functions where a lot of people are present. It heats up hot and fast and maintains its heat pretty well.
The Cadillacs of Grills
$500 is a lot for a grill, for anything, really, so you need to carefully consider which grill you’re going to buy. For this kind of money, you not only need to get a decent grill, but also a reliable and durable one.
In this grill buying guide, I’ve gathered 7 best of the best grills you can get for 500 dollars. You only need to choose the type of fuel it’s going to cook as I have done the needed research and testing for you.
Gas, Charcoal, Pellet,… What’s your favorite type of grill and why?
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