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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
When it comes to the best grills, your options range from basic to high end and everything in between. Are you a grill expert or are you simply looking for something you can pull out for the occasional weekend BBQ in the summer months?
No matter what your skill level is, Walmart is a great place to start your search. We've tested dozens of grills, analyzing every feature and taking notes on how they perform. After cooking steaks, burgers, corn, and everything else you want at your summer party, we rated each grill. Below, we rounded up the best grills at Walmart—including budget-friendly options and charcoal, gas, and kamado models.
Best Overall
Weber Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Liquid Propane Grill
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Amazon
Flavorizer bars create smoky flavor
Powerful heat from two burners
Maintains heat well
Has trouble producing high heats
Weber has been producing grills for generations, so it’s no surprise they’re popular among home cooks. This 2-burner grill has a total of 450 square inches of cooking space, which includes the 90 square inches on the warming rack that is the perfect place for warming burger buns or keeping cooked foods ready for serving. The Weber Spirit II produces 26,500 BTUs of heat per hour, but doesn't take up much space on a deck or patio.
The porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates produce fantastic grill marks, and evenly cooked burgers, steak, and salmon during our testing. We also thoroughly appreciated the accurate built-in thermometer, plus easy-to-regulate burners. It was difficult to get the grill high enough for a great deep sear or caramelization. We did get a good char though when placing food in the middle or back middle of the grill, where the grate tended to be slightly hotter.
The open cart offers storage space within easy reach while the six tool hooks keep forks, spatulas, and cleaning brushes at hand. Two large wheels make this easy to move, whether it’s across the deck or to a new spot in the yard.
Price at time of publish: $449
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Dimensions: 48 x 27 x 44.5 inches | Cooking Area: 450 square inches | Fuel: Propane | Power: 26,500 BTUs/hour | Warranty: 10 years
Best Charcoal
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
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Amazon
Classic, compact design
Tried-and-true cooker makes amazing food
Affordable
Ash catcher makes cleanup a breeze
Charcoal fuel takes more effort than gas or pellets
Small to medium cooking space
Small wheels
Weber is known for charcoal kettle grills, but it’s more than just an iconic shape—it’s built to circulate heat efficiently. This 22-inch grill gives you 363 square inches of cooking space for burgers, steaks, and more. A heat shield at the handle keeps it cooler, so you can remove the lid safely during cooking.
After two rounds of testing, we're still very impressed with this grill. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, it'll be able to handle everything from classic burgers and steak to a long smoke of baby back ribs. Beginners will need to do a bit of experimenting in order to learn damper positioning as that's vital for temperature control. We did notice the temperature dial was reading temperatures higher than our thermometers, so it's wise to pick up a back-up thermometer.
Holes at the base of the bowl let you sweep the cooled ashes into the ash catcher via the One-Touch cleaning system. It worked like a charm for all of our testing.
Price at time of publish: $233
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Dimensions: 27 x 22 x 39.5 inches | Cooking Area: 363 square inches | Fuel: Charcoal | Warranty: 10 years (bowl and lid); 5 years (cleaning system and plastic components); 2 years (everything else)
"I prefer charcoal grills because I look forward to the smoke flavor in my food and can get it to extreme temperatures for a perfect sear." — Paula Stachyra, Grilling Expert and author of "Wing Crush"
Best Large
Monument Grills Stainless 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill
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Amazon
Great performance at high heats
Good price for the size
Extremely easy to assemble despite size
Some uneven temperatures
Slight learning curve
For those who need a grill that can handle a lot of servings, plus different heat zones and ample warming room, this Monument Grills 4-Burner gas grill is worth the space on your patio. Not only does it come at a great price, you'll be as amazed with it as we were during testing. Everything about this grill was phenomenal, starting with a ridiculously easy assembly.
Once it was all put together, we were able to set the temperatures exactly where we wanted them, thanks to multiple heat settings and very responsive burners. The only challenges we faced were at the lower temperatures when temperatures were a little off. When it comes to heating zones, we discovered that the front of grill is great for indirect heating and the back can get a little hotter, which was great for searing. You'll be wanted those perfect grill marks, just be sure to brush the porcelain-coated grates with a bit of oil beforehand!
Price at time of publish: $429
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Dimensions: 54 x 19 x 46 inches | Cooking Area: 723 square inches | Fuel: Propane | Power: 60,000 BTUs/hour | Warranty: 8 years (burners); 1 year (all other parts)
Best Kamado
Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill
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Amazon
Wide temperature range
Precise temperature control
Heavy-duty design
Expensive
Small cooking area
Kamado grills have a unique design, with a heavy ceramic body that retains heat, offering an oven-like environment that’s great for roasting, grilling, smoking, searing, and more. The Kamado Joe Classic II's ability to handle both low-and-slow cooking and high-heat searing continues to to impress us. Its (heavy) assembly will require a buddy or two, but it's worth it.
Kamado Joe grills use lump charcoal, which adds smoky flavor to your food, with this model having 250 square inches of cooking space on two tiers, allowing you to cook certain foods closer to the heat. It can achieve temperatures anywhere from 225 to 750 degrees Fahrenheit with the cast iron top vent providing precise airflow management. Even in below-freezing temperatures with strong winds, it was able to get hot enough to grill pizza and smoke ribs.
When you're done cooking, the kamado grill has a slide-out ash drawer that makes cleaning up quick and easy. In addition to its built-in features, you can buy a medley of accessories from a rotisserie to the SloRoller smoke chamber.
Price at time of publish: $1,299
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The Spruce Eats / Danielle Centoni
Dimensions: 46.5 x 28 x 48 inches | Cooking Area: 250 square inches | Fuel: Charcoal | Warranty: 2 years
"To make the grill easier to clean, you should give it a quick scrub after each use. Use a wire brush to scrub the grill grates after every use, and be sure to remove any loose wire-brush bristles before firing up the grill. If you barbecue frequently, thoroughly clean the grates every two months and twice a grilling season, you should give your grill a thorough cleaning, which will help last longer." — Paula Stachyra, Grilling Expert and author of "Wing Crush"
Best Portable, Charcoal
Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill
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Amazon
High heat
Clever, compact design
Sleek looks
Small capacity
No cooking lid
It may look like an old-school beer cooler or picnic basket (and it’s available in five different colors), but this compact, lightweight box holds a surprisingly effective charcoal grill inside. The whole thing snaps shut with a prep/serving tray that doubles as a cover, while the stout carrying handles let you take its 15 pounds to the beach, tailgate, or even on a short hike pretty easily.
With just 115 square inches of grate space and no cooking lid to hold in the heat, the Everdure CUBE made us a little skeptical about its performance. But after we fired it up, it was able to heat the grates to well over 600 degrees and achieve nice browning and char with burgers, bratwursts, and corn. It’s definitely better suited to a single or couple than a group, however: Two of each item on this grill took up the entire space.
Price at time of publish: $199
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Dimensions: 13.7 x 16.7 x 9.1 inches | Weight: 15.4 pounds | Cooking Area: 115 square inches | Fuel: Charcoal | Warranty:
Best Portable, Gas
Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill
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Amazon
Highly mobile
Large cooking surface
Effective nonstick grates
Expensive for its size
Uneven heating, especially with lid open
Difficult to clean
Many large “portable” grills are a huge pain to drag around, while others are easy to transport but tiny in size, and too weak to get high temperatures. The Weber Traveler is the best of both worlds, with a 13,000-BTU burner for true searing as well as an ingenious design that lets the whole thing wheel around easily and then fold down flat to load into a car trunk. Plus, the 320-square-inch cooking surface is big enough for up to 15 burgers (or 20 sausages).
In our Lab testing, the Traveler’s powerful burner was able to bring the cast-iron grate to a whopping 660 degrees, more than enough to sear a steak or char some veggies. But it also performed well at lower temperatures, maintaining even heat with the lid closed. (Keep the lid closed, however: An open lid lost heat quickly and led to hot and cold spots.) Another excellent feature is the grate’s non-stick porcelain coating, which was able to release fish filets without damaging the delicate flesh. This grill is on the more expensive side for portable models, but the Weber name means it’s heavy-duty and will perform well for years to come. You could definitely set it up in the backyard as a permanent grill, while keeping the ability to fold it up and toss it in the car or truck for your next tailgate.
Price at time of publish: $419
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Dimensions: 42.7 x 43.6 x 37.2 inches | Weight: 49 pounds | Cooking Area: 320 square inches | Fuel: Propane | Power: 13,000 BTU/hour | Warranty:
You can't go wrong with the Weber Spirit II E-210 Propane Grill, which is the perfect size for grilling on any deck and includes ample storage space. Looking for a great little grill for the beach or camping? We simply adore the Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill.
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
How We Tested
We've tested dozens of grills in our Lab in addition to sending many models to the homes of our expert reviewers. At the Lab, testers grill, sear, and smoke meats to get an accurate assessment of a grill's features and performance. Our home reviewers spend weeks putting the grills through their paces to see how they handle everyday cooking and cleaning. Home testers also use the grill during typical weather conditions. In the end, the grills are rated on heat retention, size, features, performance, ease of cleaning, and overall value.
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
What to Look for When Buying a Grill
Type
The first thing you should decide is what type of grill you want. Walmart offers a decent selection of gas and charcoal grills. Of those two, gas is easier to handle. You simply hook up the grill to a propane tank or have a professional run a natural gas line to the exterior of your house. Push a button, and it's time to start grilling. Charcoal, though, adds more flavor to your food than gas. You'll have to get it lit, usually done with a chimney starter, and wait for the ash to cool after. It can require a bit more skill too, especially if you want to do long smokes.
Durability
Check to see what type of metals the grill is made from. Stainless steel, cast aluminum, and cast iron are a few you might see. Know what the body, frame, and legs are made of, as not all grills are made with only one metal. Make sure the grill is sturdy and built well. Most Walmart stores have displays available so you can really look the grills over. Once you purchase one, remember that a big key to the life of your grill is to keep it cleaned and maintained. You are making an investment and want the grill to last.
Features
Decide what you are looking for in a grill, as there are many useful options available. Choose wisely and only get one with features you'll actually use. A side burner comes in handy as you can heat up or cook other foods while the protein is cooking on the grill. Other features you might see include a rotisserie burner, lights, LED controls, and a smoker box. You should also consider the BTUs. "This is the amount of heat produced by the burner," says Paula Stachyra, grilling expert and author of "Wing Crush." "Just because the grill has a high BTU doesn't mean it produces more heat. You have to keep in mind the size of the grill and how well it can hold the heat."
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
FAQs
How long do grills typically last?
If the grill has been properly cleaned and maintained, a gas or charcoal grill can last as long as 15 years. Most grills have a lifespan of 5 to 15 years, depending on many factors, including the grill's construction, protection from the weather, and how it's maintained.
When is the best time of year to buy a grill?
Watch for sales, especially from May through July, as the summertime is when most people grill. You'll see Walmart and other stores putting out displays of grills, typically around early May, so be prepared to start checking them out and deciding on the features you want in a grill.
What grill accessories are good to have on hand?
Grill accessories are an important addition to add to the list when buying a grill: Tongs for turning the meat, or a spatula for flipping hamburgers, a safe grill brush for cleaning the grill after cooking, and a meat thermometer to check for the doneness of the meat. These are just for starters; there are so many other accessories to consider, including from grill gloves, grilling baskets, and more.
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The Spruce Eats / Danielle Centoni
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
The Spruce Eats Editor Siobhan Wallace compiled testing data from our official Lab as well as insights from our home testers' full product reviews to update this roundup. Jason Horn, The Spruce Eats commerce writer, also contributed. He holds a master’s degree in journalism and has spent his entire career reporting on food and drinks.
Donna Currie is a cookbook author as well as a writer and product tester for The Spruce Eats. She stays up to date on all the latest grills and gadgets, and she's personally tested several different kinds of grills.
This article was updated by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce Eats. She's written close to a dozen pieces on all styles of grills and done firsthand testing of smokers and grills featured in her articles.
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