Updated October 31, 2026 · By CharredPicks editors
Best Gas Grills Under $300: 5 Picks From $180
Our pick for most backyards: the Royal Gourmet GD401C at $259.99. Four burners split between a grill and a flat-top griddle, a cover in the box, and 4.4 stars from about 1,440 ratings, the most of any full-size grill here. Want grill space only? The Royal Gourmet GA4400T gives you four burners and cast iron grates for $219.99. Small patio or cooking for two? The Char-Broil Classic 3-Burner is $180.38.
The grill many other lists name first, the Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner, was $347 at Amazon when this page was updated, so it is not on this page. Prices come from Keepa on the update date; Amazon's checkout price is the one that counts.
Best Gas Grills Under $300: 5 Picks From $180
Why These Five
Under $300 a gas grill is mostly painted or porcelain-coated steel, and the choices that matter are size, grate material, and whether you want extras such as a side burner or a griddle. This guide compares five grills that sell for less than $300, using manufacturer specs, Keepa price history and the ratings on each listing.
Quick Answer
- Most cooking space: Nexgrill 720-1142 (about $299). Five burners, porcelain-coated cast iron grates and a side burner, right at the cap.
- Best overall, grill plus griddle: Royal Gourmet GD401C (about $260). Two separate zones, a grill and a flat top, with a cover included and the most ratings of the full-size picks (1,400+ at 4.4).
- Cheapest four-burner: Royal Gourmet GA4400T (about $220). Cast iron grates and a 512 square inch total area.
- Small patio: Char-Broil Classic 3-Burner (about $180). Compact, with a 360 square inch main grate.
- Portable: Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 (about $180). Cast aluminum, latches shut for the car, 3,400+ ratings at 4.4.
Comparison
| Grill | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nexgrill 720-1142 | Big cookouts | $299 |
| Royal Gourmet GD401C | Grill and griddle in one | $260 |
| Royal Gourmet GA4400T | Lowest-cost four burners | $220 |
| Char-Broil Classic 3-Burner | Small patios | $180 |
| Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 | Camping and tailgates | $180 |
The Picks
1. Nexgrill 720-1142
The Nexgrill 720-1142 has five stainless steel burners rated at 11,000 BTU each, plus a side burner for a pot of beans or sauce. The grates are porcelain-coated cast iron, which holds heat and leaves better sear marks than thin steel wire, and the firebox is porcelain-coated steel. The listing quotes the cooking area as 568 square inches in one place and 618 in another, so plan on the smaller figure.
It is a newer listing with only a few dozen ratings (4.2 from 37), so there is little long-term owner evidence yet, and it sits right at the $300 limit.
- Best for: families who grill for a crowd and want separate heat zones.
- Who should skip it: small patios, and buyers who want a long track record before spending the whole budget.
2. Royal Gourmet GD401C
The Royal Gourmet GD401C splits its four burners between two zones: a 314 square inch grill and a 296 square inch flat top with a 3mm ceramic-coated steel surface. That lets you sear burgers on one side while eggs, onions or smash burgers cook on the griddle. A heavy fabric cover comes in the box, and a removable grease tray and cup handle the drippings.
Each zone is smaller than a full-size grill, so if you mostly cook steaks and chicken, a grill-only model gives more grate for the money.
- Best for: breakfast cooks and anyone who wants griddle food without a second appliance.
- Who should skip it: buyers who never use a flat top and want the most grill area.
3. Royal Gourmet GA4400T
The Royal Gourmet GA4400T is the least expensive four-burner here. Four independently controlled stainless burners total 34,000 BTU, and the 512 square inches of space are 397 square inches of cast iron grates plus a 115 square inch warming rack (Royal Gourmet says up to 19 burgers). The lid is double-layered with a stainless outer shell for better heat retention, and it has two side shelves.
Its listing average is the lowest of the picks (4.1 from about 390 ratings), and 34,000 BTU across four burners (8,500 each) is lower per burner than the Nexgrill's 11,000.
- Best for: buyers who want four zones and cast iron grates for as little as possible.
- Who should skip it: anyone who wants a side burner or the most consistent ratings.
4. Char-Broil Classic 3-Burner
The Char-Broil Classic 3-Burner (463736626) is the compact option: a 360 square inch main grate (Char-Broil says 12 burgers), a 170 square inch warming rack, 30,000 BTU from in-line stainless burners, push-button ignition and two side shelves. The lid and firebox are porcelain-coated steel.
The grates are porcelain-coated steel rather than cast iron, which means less heat stored for searing. It also has few ratings so far (about 60, averaging 4.1).
- Best for: balconies and small patios where a four-burner will not fit.
- Who should skip it: anyone who regularly cooks for more than four or five people.
5. Char-Broil Grill2Go X200
The Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 (25409200) is a portable grill with a cast aluminum firebox and lid, stainless latches and carry handles. Its 200 square inches fit about eight burgers. It uses Char-Broil's Amplifire cooking system, and the warranty covers the burner and lid for 5 years (grate and other parts 1 year). With about 3,400 ratings at 4.4, it has the deepest owner record on this page.
It is a travel grill: the area is small for a family dinner at home, and it runs on a small propane canister unless you buy an adapter hose for a full tank.
- Best for: camping, tailgates and RV trips.
- Who should skip it: anyone buying a single grill for regular backyard use.
How to Choose
- Size to your crowd. About 360 square inches suits two to four people; 450 or more suits a family with guests.
- Grates. Cast iron (bare or porcelain-coated) holds more heat and sears better than coated steel, but bare cast iron needs oil and a dry cover to avoid rust.
- BTU is not everything. A grill with more burners adds up to a bigger total. Compare BTU per burner, not just the headline number.
- Extras cost grate space. A side burner or griddle is useful only if you will use it; otherwise the money is better spent on a larger grill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many BTUs does a gas grill need?
For a full-size grill, roughly 30,000 to 55,000 BTU across the main burners is the usual range under $300. The grills here run from 30,000 (Char-Broil Classic) to 55,000 (Nexgrill, before the side burner).
Are cast iron grates worth it?
For steaks and burgers, yes: cast iron stores heat and gives better sear marks. Porcelain-coated steel is easier to look after but sears less.
Is a grill and griddle combo a good idea?
If you cook breakfast, fajitas or smash burgers outside, a combo like the Royal Gourmet GD401C saves buying a separate griddle. If you only grill, the griddle half is wasted space.
What is the best 2-burner gas grill under $300?
None of the five above is a 2-burner. If two burners are all you need, the Megamaster Deluxe 2 Burner was $279 at Amazon with 4.4 stars from about 350 ratings when this page was updated. For the same money, the Royal Gourmet GA4400T gives you four burners.
Can a portable grill be my only grill?
For one or two people, it can. For a family, the Grill2Go's 200 square inches mean cooking in batches.
How do I make a budget gas grill last?
Keep it covered, empty the grease tray often, oil cast iron grates after cleaning, and check the burners for rust and blocked ports each spring.
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Products Mentioned
4 burners, 314 sq in grill plus 296 sq in griddle, cover included
4 burners, 34,000 BTU, 397 sq in cast iron grates
3 burners, 30,000 BTU, 360 sq in main grate