Cheap Vs. Expensive Grills: What You Really Get For The Extra Money

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Grills span a huge price range. You can grab a portable propane griddle for under $100, step up to a multi-burner gas grill in the $150-$250 zone, or spend four figures on a premium backyard centerpiece.

This guide breaks down the practical differences between cheap and expensive grills, then showcases examples from recent deals so you can compare features and accessories at various price points.

What Cheap Grills Typically Prioritize

Budget grills and griddles tend to focus on simple heat and quick setup. You’ll often see fewer premium add-ons, lighter construction and basic controls. That can be totally fine for casual burgers, weekend tailgates and other occasional use cases.

The tradeoff is premium features like specialty burners, integrated accessories and more advanced cooking flexibility are less common on lower-priced units. Additionally, the lighter construction means budget grills are more prone to suffering from environmental wear and tear. Especially if you don’t plan to cover your grill with a tarp when not in use, it will likely rust out much more quickly than a premium model.

What Expensive Grills Add

Generally speaking, there are several factors that can drive up the price of a grill. Larger gas grills with more burners typically cost more. Other times, higher-end grills add versatility and built-in capability. That can mean dedicated systems for even heat across the cookbox, integrated side burners for sauces or starting a charcoal chimney or rotisserie compatibility.

Other times, premium lines include expandable cooking setups so you can switch between grilling, smoking-style flavor boosts, rotisserie cooking and more involved outdoor meals without needing separate equipment.

In many cases, what you’re really paying for is a stronger build that will stand up to the test of time. Even if a budget 2-burner grill works about as well as a premium one on the day you buy it, the more expensive one will likely hold up to years of use better.

Who Should Buy Which

Cheap grills make sense for occasional grilling or anyone who wants a straightforward propane setup without a major investment. Expensive grills fit best for people who grill frequently, entertain often or want a single system that can handle all sorts of outdoor cooks, from smoking to rotisserie.

Budget Grill Examples

Here are a few recent deals that caught the attention of our community. Be aware that some of these deals are “Your Milage May Vary” (YMMV), which means they won’t be generally available online. To cash in on them, you’ll likely need to venture out to a brick-and-mortar store.

SKOK 2-Burner Portable Propane Flat Top Griddle w/ Side Shelves: $90.99

This Walmart deal lists the SKOK 2-burner portable propane griddle for $90.99, down from $209.99 which is 56% off. This grill features two burners rated at 10,000 BTUs each. Comments in the related Deal Thread call out a portable flat top design for camping, patio or tailgating plus side shelves for prep space.

Nexgrill Deluxe 6-Burner Propane Gas Grill in Stainless Steel: $195

This YMMV clearance deal is for select Home Depot locations marking down a Nexgrill 6-burner stainless steel model to $195 from $611 which is 68% off. Deal Score is +20 with 10,446 views. In the comments, the original poster notes seeing clearance pricing across multiple stores in their area and says it is tied to last year’s models being marked down.

Royal Gourmet 2-Burner Propane Gas Flat Top Grill And Griddle: $152.99

Tractor Supply Company has this Royal Gourmet 2-burner flat top grill and griddle for $152.99 when you choose store pickup, starting from $169.99 and applying a 10% discount. Originally, this grill was listed at $250, which makes this 38% off. Of course, you’ll need to be close enough to a Tractor Supply Company to pick this deal up, making it YMMV as well.

Expensive Grill Examples

As mentioned above, grills can be expensive for a variety of reasons, but we feel Weber strikes a fine balance between price and build quality. All their grills cost more than comparable off-brand models, but you can count on them lasting for a decade or more with proper care. Here are a couple choice models to consider that demonstrate what you get for the extra money:

Weber Genesis S-315 Gas Grill: $999

Weber lists the Genesis S-315 at $999 and describes it as a 3-burner stainless-steel grill with the PureBlu burner system designed to distribute even heat. This is a great example of build quality taking precedence. Specs-wise, it’s not too different from what you’d get with a more budget model, with just 3 burners and features like flavorizor bars that are pretty common. However, this grill is built to last in a way that a less expensive one is not.

Weber Summit FS38 E Gas Grill (Liquid Propane) $3,899

The Summit FS38 E is listed at $3,899 and is positioned as a top-of-the-line option with features aimed at more advanced outdoor cooking. This one includes a top-down infrared broiler, an integrated rotisserie, a stainless-steel smoker box and WEBER CRAFTED cooking grates with a frame kit to support add-on grillware.

Deals are limited-time and pricing can change quickly based on inventory and location. For more grill deals as they pop up, consider setting a Deal Alert so you can get notifications on discounts that match what you’re shopping for.