So, you are on a budget but need a quality grill that will last?
Finding the best grill under 200 dollars can be a more difficult task than you might think.
Most of the top quality grills cost anywhere from $300 to $600, but there are a handful of good options that cost less.
In this article, we will take the guess work out of finding the absolute best affordable grill model which fits your needs.
Note: If you are in a hurry, you can read the quick consideration list down below or jump to our Comparison Table.
Top Rated Grills For Your Consideration
#1 - The Charbroil Performance 475 with 4 Burner is our first gas grill featured in this list. It has a large surface, great design, and some powerful grilling options. If you have lots of mouths to feed and you like a stainless steel finish, this may be a good fit.
It also is the only product we reviewed with four burners, so it gives you versatility when cooking. It's sturdy and easy to clean but stands nearly our price point.
#2 - The Weber 51010001 Q1200 Portable is ideal if space is limited and you need to cook for only a few people. This product could be a good fit on your back patio or at your next tailgate party.
It is the most expensive item we reviewed in this list and does not have a great deal of power when compared with other grills, but it can still reach temperatures high enough to cook almost any food.
#3 - The Weber 741001 Kettle Grill is one of the most popular charcoal grills ever sold. It's a good fit for grill masters that like to kick back and smell the smoke.
It is the least expensive product we reviewed in this list and is known for reliability. If you like to keep it simple, check out this model.
#4 - The Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Electric Grill is the only electric option we reviewed in this article and it may be ideal if you live in an apartment or condo.
It is small and eliminates the mess and danger of gas and charcoal grills.
Even though a few users have reported some small stabilization issues in a few cases and the assembly is a handful, this product is priced reasonably and has a decent sized cooking space.
#5 - The Char-Griller 3001 Grillin' Pro comes with three main burners plus an additional side burner. It's powerful and efficient, plus has a large cooking space.
Assembly is a bit rough, but it cooks evenly and has a durable construction.
Quick Comparison Table
Grill Name | Cooking Area (in2) | Fuel Type | Price Range | Our Rating | | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 650 | Gas | $$ | ||||
| 320 | Electric | $$ | ||||
| 438 | Gas | $$ | ||||
| 189 | Gas | $$$ | ||||
| 363 | Charcoal | $ | ||||
Reviews Of The Best Grills Under 200 Dollars
CharBroil Performance 475 w/ 4-Burners - Best Gas Grill Under $200
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The Charbroil Performance 475 is an excellent option to consider if size, appearance, and convenience are your priorities.
It is also our Editor's Choice and one of the best gas grills under $200 and that's for a reason.
With 475 sq. inches of main cooking area and 175 square inches of secondary cooking space, it can hold more food than any of the other grills we reviewed on this list.
This is a gas grill with 46,000 BTUs in total, with 36,000 BTUs coming from the 4 main burners and 10,000 BTUs dedicated to its side burner. So, we can easily consider one of the most powerful of the models we have reviewed.
It has a stainless steel lid and fascia giving it a sharp, modern look. It sits on two wheels so it can be moved but must be tilted before you can roll it.
There are dual side shelves so you can set your grilling tools and meat within reach. In one of the side shelves, it has an additional burner that, as I mentioned before, puts out about 10,000 BTUs for cooking side dishes in a pot or pan.
The power of the Charbroil allows it to heat up quickly and reach a maximum temperature of about 650 degrees F. Having said that, you can fine tune your temperature with the temperature gauge built into the lid.
Having four burners to adjust, allows you to cook meat at four different temperatures all at once. This is ideal if you cook several types of meats at the same time. If all burners are set the same, this product is capable of cooking evenly with no hotspots.
This item is fairly heavy which is reassuring in strong winds. The sturdy construction can be assembled in a reasonable amount of time, typically about an hour.
When you are done cooking, it can be cleaned easily with porcelain coated cast iron grates. You can scrape them off while are mounted or remove them to pop them in the dishwasher.
The only real downsides we have found are the price (close to our $200 budget) and that a little rust may show up if left uncovered for years on drastic temperature/weather changes. It was not a common occurrence, but there were isolated cases of this issue. This grill is towards the upper end of our price range.
Pros
Cons
Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill - Best Portable Grill Under $200
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The Weber 51010001 Q1200 is the only portable grill we reviewed, but do not let that label fool you.
This product is a good value, and if you need a cart to bring the grill up to the standing level, then it is available and sold separately.
In addition, it gives you the convenience of being able to take it with you to the beach or tailgate party.
It has 189 sq. inches of cooking area so it is still fine for a family of four. The single burner produces 8500 BTUs and should have no problem reaching 400°F. It heats quickly, and there are no hotspots to speak of. In addition, the temperature gauge lets you adjust for the perfect sear.
There are dual folding side tables making it take up less space during transport. It's also raised to a height that allows you to set it on a table or tailgate without worrying about damage.
This product comes fully assembled so it is perfect for those that are not mechanically inclined.
Also, there were a few isolated issues with the gas regulator reports from some owners but in those cases, the owners were able to fix the problem themselves.
This grill is sturdy and durable, and it even comes with a reliable push-button ignition. It's hard to find that even in an upright grill.
It is easy to break down, so you can clean it in the sink or dishwasher.
The price is a downside since it is the most expensive we reviewed in this list and has almost hit our $200 budget.
But if you want a portable grill which performs like normal other grills, is good looking, doesn't require any assembly and is considered a cheap grill, then this is the perfect option for you.
Pros
Cons
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The Weber is a backyard classic and is the only charcoal grill we reviewed in this list.
If you like simplicity, have plenty of free time for grilling, and like the taste of smoke then this could be a good fit.
The two things people love about Weber products are that they are very tight for good air control and they last a long time. It is not uncommon for a Weber product to last 10 years or more.
Being a charcoal-fueled grill, the Weber adds about 15 to 20 minutes to your cook time as you let the charcoal ash over. However, the smoky flavor that is added to your meat is a nice trade off.
It has 397 sq. inches of cooking space so you can feed a large group.
The grilling kettle is sturdy and made in the USA, but the legs are flimsy aluminum tubes.
It seems that this model has changed over the years and some modifications have been made to cut costs. Parts are easy to find locally, and it is the least expensive item we considered.
Pros
Cons
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This Char-Broil TRU-Infrared is the only electric grill that we considered in a under $200 budget list.
This grill is a great space saver and if you are living in an apartment or condo that does not allow gas or charcoal grills, then this is your grill.
This model does not heat quite as quickly as a liquid propane grill, which is expected for an electric model, but it still will reach temperatures of 600°F. It does have a few hot spots, but they are actually diagrammed in the instructions so you know where to put your meat.
Safety and convenience make this a solid contender by eliminating the need for using and storing propane or lighter fluid. You also know when the grill is off because of the on/off indicator light on the front. Once you turn it off, it cools down quickly.
Overall, this item has a very attractive design, and it is perfect if your space is limited. There are no tables sticking out on either side and this can be a disadvantage for some people but for most of the people who want to use this grill in a little patio or balcony, then space saving design is a big advantage.
It has 250 sq. inches of cooking space, so you can still cook food and feed several people.
The only drawbacks we found on this grill are the legs and the assembly time.
The legs are a bit wobbly, so you have to be careful not to bump it and also, some owners find it difficult to assemble, so it will take from one to two hours to fully assemble and use it.
This product is priced in the middle of our budget group and with a few drawbacks, I think it has a fair price.
Pros
Cons
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Next product, which can also be considered as the best propane grill under 200 dollars, is the CharGriller 3001. It is a large and in charge with the most power of any grills we reviewed in this list.
It has 438 sq. inches of cooking area and it has three burners which put out 40,800 BTUs. It also has dual side shelves with a side burner putting out 12,000 BTUs.
The barrel shape and two stacks on top allow it to cook evenly & heat quickly with a maximum temperature of 650°F.
Flare-ups can be an issue, but it has a temperature thermometer to help keep an eye on that.
It is also fairly efficient using very little propane to achieve these temperatures. The porcelain coated cast iron grates are removable and easy to clean.
There are two main problems with this grill. Because of the way that this product is designed, it collects grease and debris in the bottom so, you have to clean it regularly. Frequent cleaning would eliminate this issue.
An another problem is that this grill was the most difficult to assemble out of the five we considered in this list. If you are alone, it may take you from 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 and 30 minutes to put it together.
It is priced on the high end of our range and if you are looking for the best cheap grill with a lot of power, several burners and large cooking space, then this may be the one.
Pros
Cons
How to Choose The Best Gas Grill Under 200 Dollars
When you are selecting the best propane gas grill for your needs there are a variety of very different options to consider. Finding quality in that price range drastically limits your selection, so you are forced to compare grills that are nothing alike.
Here are some things to consider and think about before you decide on your next grill:
Answering these questions in advance will help narrow your selection. In fact, it's likely that it would trim your choices down to just one or two models, it will be easier for you to decide.
Pitfalls To Avoid When Choosing the Best Cheap Grill
How you will use your grill greatly affects what type of grill you should purchase. Selecting the wrong model could be annoying, costly, or even dangerous.
Watch out for these errors that other buyers have made in the past:
If you look at your needs and priorities in advance, the right grill can lead to years of enjoyable cookouts and gatherings.
Conclusion
Selecting the best cheap grill under 200 Dollar is difficult. This is mainly because it's kind-of a tight budget for a grill and it really depends on your individual needs. Some people must have electric, some can only afford a charcoal model, and some need something small and portable.
That being said, I had to pick a winner based on my needs, priorities and preferences, and the Charbroil Performance 4 Burner is the winner. I think I can easily call it the best gas grill under 200 dollars. I find it the most attractive of the five, and it has the most cooking area.
This product will not lack power like the Weber Portable, and it will cook my meat fast unlike the Weber Kettle. It has four burners giving me more control than any of the others, and it has additional cooking space on the sides and a side burner unlike the Kettle or the electric grills.
It has a temperature gauge while the Kettle does not, and it is easier to assemble than the Char-Griller or the electric. All in all it's very similar to the gas grill I have on my patio.
We hope you made a decision on Which is the best grill under 200 dollar budget and will take the time to provide feedback on this article and on your selection.
Thank you from FuriousGrill and Happy Grilling!
