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.

Here are some recent deals on grills you can consider that strike of good mix of budget and premium: