Grill shopping is full of BTU numbers that mean little on their own, so we cut the noise. We scored seven popular grills on a five-part rubric weighted toward how evenly and hot they actually cook. Our top pick is the Weber Genesis E-325s, with an SR Score of 90, because it sears hard, holds even heat across the grates, and is built to last a decade. If you want the same Weber cooking at a lower price, the Weber Spirit E-325s (87) is the runner-up.
The ranking
| Rank | Model | Best for | Burners / price | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weber Genesis E-325s | All-around gas grilling | 3 / ~$1,099 | 90 |
| 2 | Weber Spirit E-325s | Value gas grill | 3 / ~$649 | 87 |
| 3 | Traeger Ironwood | Wood-fired flavor | Pellet / ~$1,500 | 85 |
| 4 | Weber Genesis E-435 | Big families, side burner | 4 / ~$1,399 | 84 |
| 5 | Char-Broil Performance Series | Budget gas | 4 / ~$400 | 79 |
| 6 | Monument Grills Mesa 415 | Value four-burner | 4 / ~$450 | 77 |
| 7 | Traeger Pro 575 | Entry pellet | Pellet / ~$800 | 76 |
Methodology
The Home Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria that sum to 100:
- Heat & cooking performance (30) — searing temperature, heat evenness across the grates, preheat speed, two-zone control.
- Value for money (25) — cooking area and results per dollar at typical retail.
- Build & durability (20) — grate material, lid and cart construction, rust resistance, track record.
- Features (15) — sear zone, side burner, fuel gauge, connectivity, storage.
- Reputation & reviews (10) — aggregate owner ratings and lab testing.
Performance leads because a grill that scorches one side and leaves the other raw is a frustration no feature fixes. Re-weight toward Value and the Char-Broil and Monument climb; toward Features the Traegers rise on app control.
Weber Genesis E-325s
A three-burner gas grill cranking roughly 39,000 BTUs across the main burners plus a dedicated sear zone around 13,000 BTUs. It earns #1 on even heat and a build that routinely outlasts cheaper rivals. Stainless grates, a fuel gauge, and an open cart with storage. Street price near $1,099.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Heat & cooking performance | 28/30 |
| Value for money | 21/25 |
| Build & durability | 19/20 |
| Features | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: more plastic on the side tables than the old cast-aluminum Genesis, and you pay the Weber premium.
Weber Spirit E-325s
The value Weber. Same renowned even heat in a more compact, more plastic-bodied package for around $649. Three burners and a sear-friendly layout suit beginners and small patios without giving up the cooking quality that defines the brand.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Heat & cooking performance | 26/30 |
| Value for money | 23/25 |
| Build & durability | 16/20 |
| Features | 11/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: more plastic components than the Genesis, so it feels and lasts a step below the flagship.
Traeger Ironwood
The wood-fired pick. A pellet grill that delivers authentic smoke flavor with set-and-forget temperature control and WiFIRE app monitoring. Around $1,500. Best for anyone who values low-and-slow barbecue over fast searing.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Heat & cooking performance | 25/30 |
| Value for money | 20/25 |
| Build & durability | 17/20 |
| Features | 15/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: slower to heat and weaker at high-heat searing than a gas grill; needs power and pellets.
Weber Genesis E-435
The four-burner Genesis for big families and entertainers. Adds a side burner and more grate space over the E-325s for around $1,399. Same even-heat pedigree with extra capacity.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Heat & cooking performance | 27/30 |
| Value for money | 19/25 |
| Build & durability | 19/20 |
| Features | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: a large footprint and a higher price than most backyards need.
Char-Broil Performance Series
The budget gas pick. Four burners and a side burner for around $400. Results trail the Weber on evenness and longevity, but the price-per-burner is hard to beat for occasional grilling.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Heat & cooking performance | 22/30 |
| Value for money | 23/25 |
| Build & durability | 14/20 |
| Features | 11/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: thinner steel that rusts faster and less even heat than the premium picks.
Monument Grills Mesa 415
A value four-burner with a clear lid window and built-in thermometer for around $450. A strong spec sheet for the money, though long-term durability is unproven against Weber.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Heat & cooking performance | 22/30 |
| Value for money | 22/25 |
| Build & durability | 14/20 |
| Features | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: a younger brand with a shorter track record and patchier parts support.
Traeger Pro 575
The entry pellet grill. App-connected temperature control and Traeger smoke flavor for around $800. A good first pellet grill, but less insulated and powerful than the Ironwood.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Heat & cooking performance | 23/30 |
| Value for money | 20/25 |
| Build & durability | 15/20 |
| Features | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: struggles to hold temperature in cold weather and sears poorly versus gas.
Verification
- Weber Genesis E-325s — burner count, BTUs, sear zone, and pricing verified on weber.com and Consumer Reports gas grill testing.
- Weber Spirit E-325s — build differences and pricing verified on weber.com and Smoked BBQ Source comparison.
- Traeger Ironwood — pellet performance and WiFIRE app verified on traeger.com.
- Weber Genesis E-435 — four-burner spec and side burner verified on weber.com.
- Char-Broil Performance Series — burner count and pricing verified on charbroil.com and retailer listings.
- Monument Grills Mesa 415 — features and pricing verified on monumentgrills.com and retailer listings.
- Traeger Pro 575 — app control and pricing verified on traeger.com.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the best grill in 2026?
- For most backyards, the Weber Genesis E-325s is the best all-around gas grill: strong searing power, even heat, and a build that lasts. The Weber Spirit E-325s is the value pick, and the Traeger Ironwood is the choice if you want true wood-fired smoke flavor.
- Gas or pellet grill?
- Gas grills heat fast, sear hot, and are easier to clean, which is why they top this list for everyday cooking. Pellet grills like the Traeger trade speed for authentic smoke flavor and set-and-forget temperature control, better for low-and-slow barbecue.
- How many burners do I need?
- Two burners suit a couple or small patio; three burners handle a family and give you a two-zone fire; four or more suit frequent entertaining. More burners mean more even heat but a bigger footprint and price.
- Is a Weber worth the premium?
- Weber grills cost more than big-box brands but earn it on even heat, parts availability, and longevity. A Genesis routinely lasts 10-plus years, which lowers cost per season versus cheaper grills that rust out in three or four.
- What is a sear zone?
- A sear zone is a high-BTU burner section built for searing steaks at very high heat. The Genesis E-325s includes one delivering about 13,000 BTUs, useful for a hard crust on red meat.