While gas grills can be quite pricey depending on the size and features, it is still possible to get a good gas grill for under $200.
However, when you start shopping for the best gas grill under $200, you will be stunned by the wide variety of options in the market within this price range.
And just because you are shopping for a more affordable gas grill, it does not mean you should compromise on the quality and performance.
In this piece, we provide review of top 10 gas grills under $200 and some buying tips to help you find that cheap but top quality gas grill for your backyard barbecues.
What To Check Before Buying Gas Grill Under $200?
Picking between the many models can be an overwhelming and tedious task, but considering the following points when shopping can make things a lot easy.
1. Cooking Surface
You are probably not going to get 1,000 square inches of cooking surface from an under $200 gas grill. But, this should not be taken to mean that the cooking surface is not an important factor to consider when shopping for grills in this category.
Because the cooking surface that you get determines the quantity of food you can cook and the number of people you can serve, it is important to make sure that whatever you choose suits your needs.
Cooking surfaces will vary between brands, but most of these grills will have anywhere between 150 and 700 square inches of cooking space. Hence, you need to pick what suits your budget and number of people you will be cooking for.
2. BTU
The higher the BTU the better the gas grill will be as this means that it will produce more heat, and this does not change even when shopping for a cheaper gas grill model.
Most top-rated gas grills under $200 will have at least 5,000 BTU. And given the size of cooking space that most will have, you can be confident of getting at least 100 BTUs per square inch which is more than enough heat for cooking any type of food.
An important point to keep in mind is that the higher the cooking space the grill has the higher the BTU you will need to ensure efficient cooking.
3. Number of Burners
The number of burners the grill has will determine the amount of heat that you get, and so the more the burners the better.
Also, having more burners will allow you to have different heat zones if they are independently controllable. And this means you can cook different food types at a go.
Although the cheapest and smallest under $200 gas grills will only have one burner, it is always a better idea to go for something with at least two burners as you will not only get more heat but can have at least two different heat zones.
4. Material
Buying a gas grill for under $200 does not mean that you can settle for something that is not long-lasting as you will not want to have to buy a new one a few months down the line.
Hence, like with all other gas grills, the material matters a lot. When it comes to the material, you will need to consider everything from the firebox and lid to the frame and grates.
For things like the firebox, lid, and frame, the material needs to withstand the elements and be tough enough to accommodate regular use and abuse. Some of the best materials here are steel, cast aluminum, and stainless steel.
When it comes to the grates, the material needs to not only be durable and rustproof but also able to provide great heat retention and distribution. Porcelain-enameled cast iron is a good example of a great grate material.
5. Fuel Source
You will also need to decide whether to go for an under $200 gas grill that uses propane or natural gas.
While both fuel types will cook efficiently, they will be ideal for different situations. If you want a fuel source that will provide high heat output and make your grill more portable, go for propane.
However, if you will only be using your gas grill from your backyard and are looking for a more affordable and reliable fuel source, natural gas will work well for you.
9 Best Gas Grills Under $200 of 2021 Reviewed
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Weber Q1200 Series (Best Overall) |
|
 | 2. Coleman 2000017439 (Fold & Go Grill) |
|
 | 3. Cuisinart CGG-180TB (Ultimate Tabletop Grilling Solution) |
|
 | 4. Weber 50060001 Q1000 (Versatile for Use on the Go) |
|
 | 5. Char-Griller E3001 (Powerful with Large Cooking Surface) |
|
 | 6. Char-Broil 240 (Small but Reliable On-the-go Grill) |
|
 | 7. Cuisinart CGG-7400 (Great Quality from Reliable Brand) |
|
 | 8. Master Cook Classic Liquid Propane Gas Grill (Easy to Use, Powerful & Convenient) |
|
 | 9. Smoke Hollow LS2016-2 (Sleek Looking Grill on Wheels) |
|
1. Weber Q1200 Series – Best Overall
Photo: Weber
- Cooking Surface: 189 square inches
- BTU: 8,500
- Number of Burners: 1
- Material: Cast Aluminum
Weber Q1200 is a sleek looking propane gas grill that works as well as it looks. It is a durable cast iron gas grill that is designed to be lightweight and portable to ensure you can use it from almost anywhere.
The 8,500 BTU gas grill has a highly durable stainless steel burner and a cooking surface of 189 square inches for cooking for one or a few people.
Firing it up is made quick and easy by the electronic ignition and with the infinite control valve, you can easily adjust the temperature to suit any food.
There is also an efficient grease management system to make cleanups easy and some large fold-out side tables for ample food preparation space.
The smaller cooking surface and the difficulties in attaching small gas cans should not be dealbreakers as they do not affect the performance of this gas grill.
Pros:
- Durable but lightweight construction
- Reliable electronic ignition
- Quick and easy temperature control
- Large fold-out side tables
- Comes fully assembled
Cons:
- Smaller cooking surface
- Attaching small gas cans is difficult
2. Coleman 2000017439 – The Fold & Go Gas Grill
Photo: Coleman
- Cooking Surface: 285 square inches
- BTU: 20,000
- Number of Burners: 2
- Material: Steel
The collapsible design is one of the key elements that make the Coleman Roadtrip stand out as it ensures that you can easily collapse the grill for convenient transportation. And this makes it great for camping, tailgating, and many other outdoor activities.
However, there are still many other things that make this one of the best affordable propane gas grills out there. They include things like the interchangeable cooktops that make it more versatile by allowing you to also use griddles and stove grates.
This gas grill provides a cooking surface of 285 square inches and its two burners will generate 20,000 BTU which will be enough to heat the surface efficiently.
Also, there is an instant electronic ignition for fast and reliable starts, spacious sliding side tables for ample food prep space and a removable drip tray for grease management.
The heating is a little uneven, and so you might get a few hot spots, but this should be a non-issue if you keep your eyes on the food as it is cooking.
Pros:
- Collapsible and highly portable
- Durable and easy to clean grates
- Instant matchless ignition
- Interchangeable cooktops for cooking versatility
- Spacious sliding side tables
Cons:
- Heating is a little uneven
- Flames burn out easily in windy days
3. Cuisinart CGG-180TB – Ultimate Tabletop Grilling Solution
Photo: Cuisinart
- Cooking Surface: 145 square inches
- BTU: 5,500
- Number of Burners: 1
- Material: Steel
Space can sometimes make it hard to grill, but this should never be the case with the CGG-180TB by Cuisinart as it is designed for use in small spaces.
Besides being the most affordable in our gas grill under $200 review, it is also designed to cook fast and almost as efficiently as the larger models.
The compact and highly portable grill is also more energy efficient because the compact size keeps most of the heat near the cooking surface. And you can set it up in a few seconds and keep it sturdy in different surfaces as it has some aluminum stabilizing legs.
With the briefcase-style handle and integrated lid lock, this gas grill is also designed to be easy and convenient to carry along when traveling.
The 5,500 BTU and 145 square inches of cooking space are both the smallest in our list, but for this compact grill, they should still be more than enough.
Pros:
- Compact and highly portable
- Sturdy and stable construction
- Fast and easy setup
- Quick and easy lighting
Cons:
- Smaller cooking surface
- Low BTU burner
4. Weber 50060001 Q1000 – Versatile Grill for Use on the Go
Photo: Weber
- Cooking Surface: 189 square inches
- BTU: 8,500
- Number of Burners: 1
- Material: Cast Aluminum
Weber’s Q1000 is a sleek-looking, high-performing and portable gas grill that will be perfect for cooking for a small group whether you are tailgating, camping or barbecuing in your backyard.
The durable cast aluminum construction ensures that you get to use it for many years, and it has a more reliable push-button ignition to make it easy to fire up.
With the porcelain-enameled cast iron grates, you will also get excellent heat retention and distribution to ensure that all your foods will always cook evenly.
An infinite control burner valve makes temperature adjustment easy and more precise, and the larger handles and knobs make it more convenient to operate.
For those that also like griddling, this top-rated gas grill under $200 will work well for you as it has a convenient split grate design to accommodate both a grill and griddle.
Flare-ups and the settings taking longer to get used to are the few shortcomings of this gas grill, but both are typical of similar grill types, and so they should not be dealbreakers.
Pros:
- Convenient split grate design
- Durable cast aluminum construction
- Reliable push-button ignition
- Easy to adjust and wide temperature range
- Large grip knobs and handles
Cons:
- Flares up easily
- Settings take long to get used to
5. Char-Griller E3001 – Best with a Large Cooking Surface
Photo: Char-Griller
- Cooking Surface: 630 square inches
- BTU: 52,800
- Number of Burners: 4
- Material: Steel
With a total of 630 square inches of cooking surface and an amazing 52,800 BTU, the Char-Griller 3001 is as good as it can get when shopping for a gas grill on a tight budget.
Apart from the large cooking surface and high BTU, this gas grill features a durable heavy steel construction that will ensure that you get many years of great service.
The electronic ignition provides quick and easy startups, and there are also some handy side shelves that are designed to give grillers more than enough food preparation space.
Like any other gas grill that uses porcelain-enameled cast iron grates, you can be confident of getting great heat retention and distribution.
The awkward design of the cabinet can make it a little hard to access the tank when adjusting the valves, but you should not have any difficulties once you get used to this grill.
Pros:
- Larger cooking surface
- High total BTU output
- Heavy steel construction
- Quick and easy startups
- Ample workspace
Cons:
- Awkward propane tank access
- Relatively pricier
6. Char-Broil 240 – Reliable On-the-go Grill
Photo: Char-Broil
- Cooking Surface: 240 square inches
- BTU: 9,500
- Number of Burners: 1
- Material: Porcelain
It is always great to have a small and portable gas grill that you can use from almost anywhere, and if you are shopping for one of a tight budget, the Char-Broil 240 is your best pick.
The 9,500 BTU single burner model is the cheapest gas grill in our list, but besides being affordable it is a well-built grill with some amazing features that make it highly reliable.
These features include a more accurate lid-mounted temperature gauge that makes it easy to monitor the temperature inside, and the highly reliable piezo ignition system.
Other things that make this one of the best low-cost gas grills include the sturdy legs that will keep this grill stable on any surface and a convenient carry handle that will make transportation easy.
Some grillers still find this gas grill a little bulky but for the majority, it will be lightweight enough and easy to carry with you anywhere.
Pros:
- Accurate lid-mounted temperature gauge
- Sturdy and stable design
- Reliable ignition system
- Highly affordable
Cons:
- Still a little bulky
- No low setting
7. Cuisinart CGG-7400 – Great Quality & Reliable Brand
Photo: Cuisinart
- Cooking Surface: 610 square inches
- BTU: 44,000
- Number of Burners: 4
- Material: Stainless Steel
With a cooking surface of 610 square inches which is the second larger in our gas grill under $200 review and 44,000 BTU, the CGG-7400 by Cuisinart will be ideal for cooking for a larger group.
This high-performing grill also features a durable stainless steel construction to ensure it can withstand the outdoor environment for long. And it has a heavy-duty cart and sturdy wheels for extra storage space and mobility respectively.
There is a highly convenient warming rack, and the four burners are designed to give grillers more control over the temperature. Monitoring the temperature should also be easy as there is a built-in lid-mounted temperature gauge.
You can have this grill fired up and ready to cook in just a few minutes and without putting in a lot of effort as it has a simple twist ignition.
More detailed, clear and easy to follow assembly directions would have been better, but putting this grill together should still be a quick and easy process.
Pros:
- Larger cooking space and higher BTU
- Heavy-duty cast iron grates
- Convenient warming rack
- Allows for more control over temperature
- Simple matchless ignition
Cons:
- Needs better assembly directions
8. Master Cook Classic Liquid Propane – Easy to Use
Photo: Master Cook
- Cooking Surface: 473 square inches
- BTU: 30,000
- Number of Burners: 3
- Material: Steel
You can almost never go wrong with a gas grill that uses the piezoelectric ignition system when it comes to firing up your grill as it is fast and highly reliable. This ignition system is one of the features of this Master Cook grill that many users will love.
Apart from the reliable ignition, other things that make this one of the best gas grills under $200 include the spacious and durable metal side shelves and porcelain-enameled grates that will provide superior heat retention.
The grill has a built-in thermometer that is center mounted and an easy-to-read gauge which will make monitoring the grill easy.
There are also some sturdy fixed legs and some smooth rolling wheels that will ensure you can move your grill around easily.
Some grillers might find the metal used to make this grill relatively thinner, but it still highly durable, and despite being a little flimsy, the side shelves are very useful.
Pros:
- Fast and easy burner startups
- Spacious and durable metal side shelves
- Superior heat retention
- Accurate center mounted thermometer
- Heavy duty wheels for easy mobility
Cons:
- Relatively thinner metal
- Collapsible side shelves are a little flimsy
9. Smoke Hollow LS2016-2 – Sleek Looking on Wheels
Photo: Smoke Hollow
- Cooking Surface: 285 square inches
- BTU: 15,000
- Number of Burners: 2
- Material: Steel
Whether you are on the market for the smallest gas grill under $200 or something that looks sleek and stylish, Smoke Hollow’s model LS2016-2 fits the bill.
The two-burner gas grill has a 285 square inches cooking surface and a total of 15,000 BTU to heat it up. Also, there are some spacious side shelves that will provide much-needed storage and food prep space.
This gas grill is both sturdy and portable as it comes with two fixed legs and a couple of durable wheels for easy mobility.
You can easily put the grill together in just a few hours as it not only comes with all the parts that you need but also some detailed and easy to follow instructions.
Foldable side shelves would have been nice to save some space, but even with the fixed ones on this grill, it is still quite compact and easy to store without taking up a lot of space.
Pros:
- Durable and long-lasting cooking surface
- Spacious side shelves
- Durable wheels for easy mobility
- Easy to assemble
- Sleek and stylish look
Cons:
- Side shelves are not foldable
- Does not get very hot
Conclusion
With the best low-cost gas grill, you can still cook the same great tasting dishes as you would with more expensive grills.
With our top 10 reviews above for recommendations, finding the best gas grill under $200 should be an even easier task.
From these reviews, the Weber Q1200 Series is our best overall and hence top recommendation while the Char-Griller E3001 is perfect for larger groups or families.
In this post:
- What To Check Before Buying Gas Grill Under $200?
- 9 Best Gas Grills Under $200 of 2021 Reviewed
- 1. Weber Q1200 Series – Best Overall
- 2. Coleman 2000017439 – The Fold & Go Gas Grill
- 3. Cuisinart CGG-180TB – Ultimate Tabletop Grilling Solution
- 4. Weber 50060001 Q1000 – Versatile Grill for Use on the Go
- 5. Char-Griller E3001 – Best with a Large Cooking Surface
- 6. Char-Broil 240 – Reliable On-the-go Grill
- 7. Cuisinart CGG-7400 – Great Quality & Reliable Brand
- 8. Master Cook Classic Liquid Propane – Easy to Use
- 9. Smoke Hollow LS2016-2 – Sleek Looking on Wheels
- Conclusion