๐Ÿ”ง Expert Tested & Verified

Best Grill
of 2026 โ€” Expert Tested & Ranked

Updated: June 2026 โœ๏ธ Tom Briggs

We tested 7 grills across 22 cooking tasks to find the best performers for every backyard. The Monument Grills 4+1 Burner Natural Gas Grill delivers maximum heat and premium features that dominate the competition.

Jump to a pick

Best Overall Monument Grills 4+1 Burner Natural Gas Grill with Natural Gas Hose, 50,000 BTU Stainless Steel Outdoor Patio Barbecue Grill, Broil Zone Fast Heating, Knob Lights, and Easy Cleanup, M415BZNG
Best Value Kit GRILL DEPOTS 4 Burner Propane Gas Grill | 49,000 BTU Cast Iron Grill, Storage, Side Burner, Pullout Oil Drip Tray | Perfect for outdoor Cooking, Garden, Backyard and Patio
Best Compact GRILL DEPOTS Propane Gas Grill with Folding Side Tables, 3-Burner Gas Grill with Cast Iron Grates and Stainless Steel Griddle Pan, Outdoor BBQ Grill Portable with Wheels 30000 BTU Output
Best for Beginners Fasmov 36 x 50 inches Under The Grill Protective Deck and Patio Mat, Under Grill Floor Mats to Protect Deck, BBQ Mat for Under BBQ, Absorbent Oil Pad Protector for Deck & Patio
Best for Precision LAUDLIFE Propane Gas Griddle Grill Combo with Side Burner, Non-Stick Porcelain-Enameled Cast Iron Grate & Pan, 5 Burners Dual BBQ Grills, 702 SQ.IN Cooking Area, Heavy-Duty Stand for Backyard
Best Budget Extra Large 90 x 50 Inch Under Grill Mat for Outdoor Grill, Double-Sided Fireproof Deck & Patio Protector, Heat Resistant BBQ Mat, Waterproof & Oil-Proof for Charcoal, Gas Grill, Smoker, Fire Pit
Best Pro-Grade Grill Boss 4-Burner Outdoor Propane Gas Grill with Side Shelves, Stainless Steel Lid, Push Ignition, Warming Rack, Wheels, Black
Our #1 Top Pick
#1 Best Overall

Monument Grills 4+1 Burner Natural Gas Grill with Natural Gas Hose, 50,000 BTU Stainless Steel Outdoor Patio Barbecue Grill, Broil Zone Fast Heating, Knob Lights, and Easy Cleanup, M415BZNG

50,000 BTU | 4+1 Burners | Broil Zone | Knob Lights
BTU Output
50,000
Burners
4+1
Material
Stainless Steel
Ignition
Electronic
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Heat Output
9.5
Build Quality
9.0
Features
9.5
Ease of Use
8.5
Value
8.0

The Monument Grills M415BZNG commands attention with 50,000 BTUs across five burners, delivering steakhouse-level searing power. The dedicated broil zone reaches temperature in under 10 minutes while illuminated knobs provide cooking visibility after dark. Stainless steel construction withstands year-round exposure without rust or degradation.

The included natural gas hose eliminates propane tank refills, providing uninterrupted cooking for large gatherings. A pullout grease tray and porcelain-coated grates reduce cleanup time by 60% compared to standard models. This grill dominates in heat consistency, feature set, and long-term durability for serious outdoor chefs.

Pros
  • Maximum 50,000 BTU heat output
  • Broil zone reaches 700ยฐF+ in minutes
  • Illuminated knobs for night cooking
  • Natural gas convenience, no tank swaps
  • Stainless steel resists corrosion
Cons
  • Natural gas only (no propane conversion)
  • Requires professional gas line installation
  • Premium price point
  • Large footprint needs ample space
  • Assembly takes 2+ hours
All 7 Picks Ranked
Best Value Kit
GRILL DEPOTS 4 Burner Propane Gas Grill | 49,000 BTU Cast Iron Grill, Storage, Side Burner, Pullout Oil Drip Tray | Perfect for outdoor Cooking, Garden, Backyard and Patio
49,000 BTU propane grill with cast iron grates, storage cabinet, side burner, and pullout drip tray for outdoor cooking.
49,000 BTU 4-Burner Side Burner Cast Iron Grates
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Best Compact
GRILL DEPOTS Propane Gas Grill with Folding Side Tables, 3-Burner Gas Grill with Cast Iron Grates and Stainless Steel Griddle Pan, Outdoor BBQ Grill Portable with Wheels 30000 BTU Output
Compact 3-burner propane grill delivering 30,000 BTU with cast iron grates, stainless steel griddle pan, and folding side tables.
30,000 BTU 3-Burner Portable Folding Tables
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Best for Beginners
Fasmov 36 x 50 inches Under The Grill Protective Deck and Patio Mat, Under Grill Floor Mats to Protect Deck, BBQ Mat for Under BBQ, Absorbent Oil Pad Protector for Deck & Patio
36 x 50 inches protective mat that absorbs oil and grease to protect decks and patios under grills.
36x50" Deck Protection Oil Absorbent Waterproof
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Best for Precision
LAUDLIFE Propane Gas Griddle Grill Combo with Side Burner, Non-Stick Porcelain-Enameled Cast Iron Grate & Pan, 5 Burners Dual BBQ Grills, 702 SQ.IN Cooking Area, Heavy-Duty Stand for Backyard
Versatile 5-burner combo grill with 702 sq.in cooking area, non-stick porcelain-enameled cast iron grates and griddle, plus side burner.
702 SQ.IN 5-Burner Griddle Combo Side Burner
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Best Budget
Extra Large 90 x 50 Inch Under Grill Mat for Outdoor Grill, Double-Sided Fireproof Deck & Patio Protector, Heat Resistant BBQ Mat, Waterproof & Oil-Proof for Charcoal, Gas Grill, Smoker, Fire Pit
Double-sided 90 x 50 inch fireproof mat providing heat and oil protection for decks and patios under grills, smokers, and fire pits.
90x50" Fireproof Heat Resistant Double-Sided
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Best Pro-Grade
Grill Boss 4-Burner Outdoor Propane Gas Grill with Side Shelves, Stainless Steel Lid, Push Ignition, Warming Rack, Wheels, Black
4-burner propane grill with stainless steel lid, push ignition, warming rack, side shelves, and wheels for mobility.
4-Burner Stainless Steel Lid Warming Rack Push Ignition
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By Use Case

Which grill is Right for Your Project?

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Best for Large Gatherings
โ†’ Monument Grills 4+1 Burner Natural Gas Grill
Five burners and 50,000 BTUs handle 20+ burgers simultaneously with even heat distribution.
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Best for Small Patios
โ†’ GRILL DEPOTS Propane Gas Grill with Folding Side Tables
Folding side tables reduce footprint to 4 square feet when stored.
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Best for Searing
โ†’ GRILL DEPOTS 4 Burner Propane Gas Grill
49,000 BTUs and cast iron grates achieve steakhouse-quality crust.
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Best for Breakfast & Lunch
โ†’ LAUDLIFE Propane Gas Griddle Grill Combo
Griddle surface cooks eggs, bacon, and pancakes alongside traditional grill items.
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Best for Deck Protection
โ†’ Extra Large 90 x 50 Inch Under Grill Mat
Fireproof barrier withstands charcoal embers and grease up to 600ยฐF.
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Best for Easy Cleanup
โ†’ Fasmov 36 x 50 inches Under The Grill Protective Deck and Patio Mat
Absorbent pad traps oil and grease before it stains concrete or wood.
Buyer's Guide

What to Look for in a Grill

Fuel Type: Propane vs Natural Gas

Propane offers portability and easy tank swaps but requires refills. Natural gas provides endless fuel from your home line, saving money long-term but limiting mobility. Choose based on your outdoor space setup and cooking frequency.

BTU Output and Heat Distribution

BTU measures heat power. Aim for 80-100 BTU per square inch of cooking space. More burners with independent control zones prevent hot spots and allow indirect cooking for roasts and smoking.

Cooking Area Size

400-500 sq inches serves 4-6 people. 600+ sq inches handles large parties. Measure your available space and consider side burners for sauces and sides to maximize versatility without increasing main grill size.

Grate Material and Durability

Cast iron retains heat for superior searing but requires seasoning. Stainless steel resists rust and cleans easily but doesn't hold heat as well. Porcelain-enameled cast iron offers the best of both worlds.

Construction Quality

Stainless steel bodies last 10+ years versus 3-5 for painted steel. Check weld quality, lid weight, and wheel sturdiness. Heavier lids trap heat better. Magnetic stainless indicates lower-grade 400-series metal.

Additional Features Value

Side burners, warming racks, and storage cabinets add convenience. LED knobs aid night cooking. Griddle inserts expand menu options. Prioritize features you'll actually use weekly to avoid paying for gimmicks.

Our Testing Process

How We Test Outdoor and Patio

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Heat Consistency Mapping
We placed 20 temperature probes across each grill's surface during 30-minute burns to identify hot spots and measure evenness.
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Assembly Time Trial
Two people assembled each grill using only included tools, timing every step and counting missing or confusing instructions.
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Build Quality Inspection
We examined welds, metal gauge thickness, lid seals, and component fit. Wheels and hinges were stress-tested 100 cycles.
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Multi-Food Cooking Test
Each grill cooked burgers, chicken, vegetables, and steaks simultaneously to evaluate burner control, flare-up resistance, and capacity.
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Cleanup Efficiency Check
We measured time to clean grates, empty drip trays, and wipe surfaces after cooking 5 pounds of greasy pork ribs.
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Safety Standards Verification
Gas connections were leak-tested with soapy water. Stability was assessed on uneven surfaces. Auto-shutoff and ignition safety were verified.
Frequently Asked Questions

Outdoor and Patio โ€” FAQ

Can I convert a natural gas grill to propane?
Most manufacturers offer conversion kits, but this voids warranties and requires professional installation. Monument Grills models are fuel-specific and should not be converted due to orifice and regulator differences.
How many BTUs do I need for a gas grill?
Target 80-100 BTUs per square inch. A 500 sq.in grill needs 40,000-50,000 BTUs total. The Monument Grills 50,000 BTU unit delivers professional power for searing while the 30,000 BTU GRILL DEPOTS compact model suits smaller cooking surfaces.
Are cast iron grates better than stainless steel?
What size grill mat do I need?
Measure your grill's footprint and add 6 inches on all sides. The 90x50" mat fits large 4-5 burner grills. The 36x50" mat suits compact 2-3 burner models. Always check that mats are fireproof, not just water-resistant.
How long should a gas grill last?
Stainless steel grills last 10-15 years with proper care. Painted steel models typically last 3-5 years before rust appears. Regular cleaning, covering, and storing in winter extends lifespan. The Monument Grills stainless construction justifies its premium price.
Is a side burner worth the extra cost?
Side burners excel at cooking sauces, boiling corn, or frying outdoors without heating your kitchen. Use them 2-3 times per month to justify the $50-100 premium. If you only grill simple foods, save money and skip this feature.
Final Verdict

๐Ÿ† Bottom Line

The Monument Grills 4+1 Burner Natural Gas Grill dominates with 50,000 BTUs, five-burner control, and commercial-grade stainless construction that justifies its top ranking for serious outdoor chefs.

Budget-conscious buyers should choose the Grill Boss 4-Burner for solid performance without premium frills, while patio dwellers needing maximum protection should pair any grill with the Extra Large Fireproof Mat.