There is nothing like having friends and family over, snacking on starters that just got out of the grill while the smell of smoked meat and charred vegetables fill the air. To make a barbecue day a reality you have a lot to decide – but first and foremost the best barbecue.
Grills are available in different shapes and sizes and are powered by different fuels, from gas and charcoal to electric and pellet. Some grills are better equipped to make burgers and hot dogs quickly, while others are able to cook with a mouth -watering smoked taste. Over the past few years, brands have taken it further and introduced smart features and AI developed recipes and processes.
To help you find the grill that suits you best, I have tried and tested a whole series of models that whittling list down to my top eight. The best barbecue on the test was the fast IT Zelos-450 grill, which is a reasonable price, has impressive connection and uses AI to make the cooking process so easy. If you want to use even less, I would thoroughly recommend Char-Griller’s 22-inch boiler carbon grill and smoker. But I have found something for those with small apartments, large houses and everything in between, so keep reading for the full review.
How I tested
I collected and spicy most of the grills on this list before I even threw food on the grates. As part of my test, I used the grills to cook a variety of meats and vegetables to get a good sense of how each model works with a variety of food.
In particular, I kept an eye on some key factors:
- Build: When it comes to constructing the grills, I considered how easy they were to build, analyzing the instructions (whether they were simple to follow) and whether additional people were required to help.
- Size: I considered the size of the grills, including the cooking area. I made sure to test a wide range of options to find one for each room.
- Ease of use: I kept notes on how easy it was to create each grill, get it started, use it and clean it when cooking was done. Some barbecue was equipped with smart technology, so I downloaded apps, connected the grill over WiFi or Bluetooth and played with the various settings to see if technology created a lighter barbecue experience.
- Taste results: While a barbecue that is easy to use and looks nice, the priority list is up, nothing is as important as how good food tastes. I was very aware of how fast the food that was cooked, whether it gave each mouthful a smoky taste and whether the heat was evenly distributed.
- Price point: Not every barbecue costs the same and not everyone has the same budget – so we made sure we tested a wide range of grills (some combined with smokers, pellet settings, griddles and table space).
Why can you trust indybest american reviews
Alex Temblador is a consumer journalist who specializes in examining and reviewing cooking appliances. She has reviewed the best cookware, best air fryers and more, so she has gained a reputation for finding the gadgets that actually appear. Her experience is why you can trust her verdict on the best barbecue. Alex has not only spent years performing extensive studies, but she has also used these appliances in the same way you would.
The best barbecues for 2025 are:
- Best overall -thitic it zelos-450 grill: $ 399.99, chest
- Best budget purchase -Char-grills 22-inch boiler carbon grill and smoker: $ 149.99, chargriller.com
- Best Kamado-style grill – Big Green Egg Large: $ 1,199.99, Biggreenegg.com
- Best charcoal grill – Masterbuilt Gravity Series 600 Digital Charcoal Grill: $ 799.99, Masterbuilt.com
- Best Pellet Grill -Recteq X-Fire Pro 825: $ 1,549.99, Acehardware.com
- Best gas grill -Weber Spirit E-325 Gas Grill: $ 549, Weber.com
- Best barbecue -Blackstone 28-in XL Omnivore Griddle with hood: $ 449, Blackstoneproducts.com
- Best portable grill – Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL Outdoor Grill and Smoker: $ 499.99, ninjakitchen.com