The sun’s shining, humidity levels are on the upswing, and bugs are zipping through the air. It’s time to grill, y’all. But what’s a backyard (or front yard — no judgment) barbecue without the right grill at its center? These four gas grills are among the best CNET’s tried and tested this year.
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Char-Broil Performance XL
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/char-broil-performance-xl/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)
The good: The Char-Broil Performance XL performed well with indirect heat is an affordable five-burner model that includes a side burner.
The bad: This model doesn’t have a tool rack, and the knobs feel less than sturdy.
The cost: $299.00
The bottom line: This grill is well-priced, roomy and has a convenient side burner. It’s a great starter grill for anyone new to grilling.
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Weber Spirit II E-310
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/weber-spirit-ii-e-310-gas-grill/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)
The good: The Weber Spirit II E-310 grill looks great in red. It has a propane tank scale so you can see roughly how much gas is left at a glance — and six hooks for easy tool organization.
The bad: It’s expensive, considering it only has three main burners and no side burner.
The cost: $473.00 to $499.00
The bottom line: Weber’s Spirit II E-310 is a solid grill, but it costs a lot for what you get.
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Char-Broil Commercial Double Header Gas Grill
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/char-broil-double-header-gas-grill/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)
The good: The Char-Broil Double Header Gas Grill cooks food low and slow, which results in juicy burgers and minimal flare-ups. The four burners, two separate fireboxes and an additional side burner give you flexibility when you cook for a crowd.
The bad: Our dishes rarely had a good char, which is half the joy of eating grilled meats. And foods that cooked over longer periods of time were borderline dry.
The cost: $594.15
The bottom line: Consider this grill if you’re new to gas grills. If you don’t want to spend as much money, consider another Char-Broil model — the $299 Performance XL.
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Broil King Baron S520
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/broil-king-baron-s520/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.0 stars out of 5 (Good)
The good: The Broil King Baron S520 offers a hefty amount of grilling power and a spacious grill box that can fit plenty of food. Metal plates beneath the grates help distribute heat evenly and vaporize drippings.
The bad: Even on medium and low settings, the S520 runs hot, so you’ll need to be careful not to accidentally burn your food. It lacks extras such as temperature probes and side burners.
The cost: $649.00
The bottom line: The Broil King Baron S520 is a good fit for veteran grillers who don’t need frills and like cooking at high heat. Look elsewhere for a more balanced grilling experience.
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The following CNET staff contributed to this story: Associate Editor Andrew Gebhart, Associate Editor Molly Price, Associate Editor Ashlee Clark Thompson, Senior Associate Editor Megan Wollerton and Senior Editor Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com.
