Best Gas Grills Under $300 in 2023 – Affordable & High-quality

Sometimes for a beginner an expensive gas grill is not necessary because a good quality gas grill does not need to be pricey to perform well.

If you one of them and only have 300 dollars on hand to spend, then this article must be for you.

We wanted to find out the best gas grills under 300 dollars so we did the research to give you the most reliable, affordable gas grills.

We judged their performance, build quality, features, durability, and feedback from hundreds of cooks that have bought and used the grills.

The 5 Recommended Gas Grills Less Than 300 Dollars

Here is the list of gas grills with a price tag less than 300 bucks, which can be considered high quality grills to have:

1. Char-Broil Performance 475 4-Burner Gas Grill – Best Overall

Char-Broil has come up with a well-made grill that gives great value for money. The build quality of the Char-Broil Performance 475 is excellent, making this a high-performance 4-burner grill that will last you many years. It functions and looks way better than you would expect for the modest price tag.

Char-Broil Performance 475 is a 4-burner gas grill with plenty of heat and loads of space, as seen in the 475 square inches of primary cooking area that lets you cook for a large family or group of friends with no problem.

Meanwhile, 36,000 BTUs deliver excellent cooking power, with individual burners allowing for perfect temperature control.

Furthermore, Char-Broil Performance 475 is reliable and easy to use with its built-in temperature gauge and electronic ignition. It has top gas grills for even cooking, and durable steel heat tents prevent juices from going to places where they shouldn’t be.

The quality porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates give great heat retention, durability, and easy cleanup, too. You will never have to worry about rust or corrosion with this affordable gas grill’s cooking grates.

Other parts such as the control panel, stainless steel lid, and the handles are also well made and durable. It has a handy side tray for extra workspace that also doubles as an extra side burner with a good 10,000 BTU’s and an additional 175 square inches of grilling space.

This can be used for sauces, searing steaks, reheating ribs, or other food you might want to cook separately.

2. Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro 40,800-BTU Gas Grill

Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro gas grill is a well-priced, powerful grill that delivers a 40,800 BTU output on a large cooking area. If you are on a tight budget and want a large capacity powerful cooker, this is one of the best gas grills for your money.

Char-Griller started out making charcoal grillers before including propane grills to their range. Their grills are very popular due to their good performance, durability and reasonable prices.

The E3001 Grillin’ Pro propane gas grill is solidly built from powder coated steel for good durability. The matte black finish makes this an attractive looking grill. It is relatively light and has wheels that make it easy to move around.

It has a generous 438 square inches of cooking space, 192 square inches warming rack, as well as a 12,000 BTU side burner.

The barrel shape helps maximize the performance of this three-burner gas grill, while the powerful side burner is versatile enough for searing steaks or cooking a range of other foods or sauces.

The thickness of the metal construction and quality iron grates maintain a good consistent heat.

This Char-Griller gas grill’s electric ignition system is reliable and easy to use. The porcelain-coated cast iron grates are solid, retain heat very well and are a breeze to clean. It has a large removable grease tray and handy metal side shelves that help you maximize space.

In its price range, it is a competent liquid propane grill that works well and will not fall apart after a few years. As grills under 300 dollars go, this is a good option.

3. Weber Q2200 LP Gas Grill – Best Portable Gas Grill for Under 300 Dollars

Weber has a long and proud history, and they are well known for making some of the best gas grills money can buy. They are durable, reliable and a pleasure to use.

This compact model is well-loved and highly recommended by many happy customers. Weber Q2200 LP Gas Grill is an excellent choice for smaller patios or those wanting to take their gas BBQ to the beach, camping trips, tailgating or other adventures.

Despite the compact size it still performs well and gives you a large enough 280-square-inch main grilling area which is perfect for most occasions. The heat control is easily adjustable, and you can enjoy hassle-free grilling.

Durability is one of the main features of this liquid propane gas grill, and this is something Weber is famous for.

The entire structure is designed to prevent rust or corrosion: the hood is solid cast aluminum which is not only sturdy but excellent at retaining heat, the burner is stainless steel, and it has a cast iron grate. The glass-reinforced nylon frame is also extremely tough, light and corrosion resistant.

This model is an upgrade of their earlier Q2200 and Weber have made some improvements. The grill includes an easy-start ignition button and a reliable built-in thermometer. The two side tables come in handy for extra working space.

The materials and the well-positioned removable catch pan makes it easy to keep clean. Another bonus is that it is straightforward to assemble and should take very little time to set up.

Due to the portable design, they should work off a one-pound disposable propane cylinder. For a few dollars extra you can purchase a converter that will allow you to use it off a larger propane tank. That will give you the freedom to change your tank depending on your needs.

If you are looking for a quality liquid propane gas grill that’s also portable, the Weber Q2200 is seriously worth considering. It is one of the best grills if you do not have much space or want to take it away with you in the car.

4. Dyna-Glo 4 Burner Propane Gas Grill

This 4-burner gas grill by Dyna-Glo has the highest BTU in our review of the best gas grills under 300 dollars. It has plenty of power and many other features that make it a great choice. One big advantage of this cart style gas grill is that you will get a lot of bang for your buck.

The porcelain-coated cast iron primary cooking area is a good 461 square inches so you can keep plenty of people happy and well fed with loads of grilling space. You also get a powerful and spacious side burner to give you a few extra cooking options.

It looks good in a two-tone design of stainless steel and black coating which helps keep it looking new even after years of use.

Dyna-Glo 4-burner propane gas grill is well priced and will get the job done. It might not last as long as some of the top models that will cost a bit more, but it will still give you many happy years of grilling pleasure.

A look at reviews from customers indicates that the vast majority of people are satisfied with their purchase and enjoy their Dyna-Glo Grill.

5. Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 450 3-Burner LPG Grill

This Char-Broil Grill stands out from all the other great models in our grill review as one of the best propane gas grills. There are some reasons for this, but there is one outstanding feature that sets it apart.

It uses a Char-Broil patented infrared feature that will cook your food faster, more consistently and retain up to 50% more of the juices. The result is tasty, tender meat and other food cooked to perfection with minimal fuss. It makes cooking food to perfection easier every time and with minimal effort or checking.

Here’s a similarity: the Char-Broil and Dyna-Glo propane grill in the previous item both have porcelain-coated grates. The innovative infrared functionality allows the porcelain coated cooking grate to deliver powerful radiant heat evenly and consistently. It helps to retain the moisture and flavor of the food for tender and delicious results.

The smart technology also reduces flare-ups and prevents hot flames that can quickly burn the outside of the food. Again, this means you can relax and let the Char-Broil cook your food without having to monitor it continually.

You have precise control over the various areas of the grill to cook different foods precisely the way you want to. Another advantage is that the infrared design will protect the burners and the firebox from drippings and mess. This means it is straightforward to clean.

There are many other features you would expect from premium grills. It has a quality side burner, a reliable temperature gauge, and a large side table.

The Char-Broil Brand has stood the test of time has been around since 1948. They have been continuously innovating and improving to produce some of the best propane grills available. This is a sought after and highly rated choice.

Features to Look For in a Gas Grill with Budget Range $300

When choosing a gas grill under $300, you must consider these factors so you don’t end up wasting money. What good is a sub-$300 gas grill if it doesn’t do its job?

Keep reading if you’d love to know how to choose a gas grill wisely while saving money.

Good value for its price

Generally, the more expensive a gas grill is, the more amazing features you’re going to get. At the 300-dollar price point, you shouldn’t expect the gas grill to be on the same level as high-end models, but there is a good balance.

It’s always better to compare cheap gas grills’ features and specifications and pick which ones appeal to you the most. For example, a larger cooking space or a higher BTU matters more to some people than the portability of their grill. While for others, the build quality and design is a big deal.

Burners and cooking area

The number of burners in a gas grill would determine how much food you can cook all at once. The more burners your grill has, the more BBQ you can make. Larger grills cost more, but these let you cook lots of food in a short time, unlike with smaller grills where you have to cook food in batches.

If cooking 15-18 burgers at once sounds good enough, a smaller grill would suffice. Medium-sized gas grills can handle 20-30 burgers, while large grills can cook 30 or more.

Get a larger gas grill if you’re sure to cook lots of food in cookouts frequently. However, if you’re only cooking for a small group of people, 300 square inches is enough.

Side burners, warming rack, and rotisserie

Side burners are smaller and produce less heat than the main burners in a gas grill. These are useful for side dishes, sauces, and vegetable preparation – great for multitasking.

Warming racks are a great thing to have in utilizing the extra heat produced by your main grill. You can place your burger buns on it to keep them warm while you’re waiting for the patties to cook.

Some grills will have a rotisserie burner for chicken. It’s a nice addition if you want to slowly spit-roast meat while preparing your BBQ.

BTU/Heat flux

British Thermal Unit (BTU) isn’t actually a direct measurement of the heat given off, but how much gas is used by the burner.

One gallon of propane has 91,502 BTUs. For reference, a standard 20 lb. propane tank contains 4.7 gallons of propane, which equals 430,000 BTUs. If you divide that by the BTU of a grill, you can find out how many hours you can grill on a propane tank.

Now that we’ve established the actual meaning of a BTU, you need to understand heat flux, or the amount of heat that your grill can produce. Divide the BTU of a grill by its primary cooking surface, and you’ll get an accurate measurement of BTU/square inch. A higher heat flux means that your cooking surface can get hotter.

How hot do you need the grill to be? If you want it as hot as possible, look for a high BTU. But don’t stop there – it’s also important to compare it with the cooking area. If you have a high BTU but also have a large cooking space, you’ll realize the amount of heat isn’t that much impressive.

Cooking grate quality

Stainless steel or cast iron are the ideal materials for cooking grates. Anything other than that would be prone to breaking or wearing out.

Stainless steel cooking grates give you an easier time with cleanup, while cast iron will have an advantage on heat retention.

Enameled cast iron is a combination of the two, and will be easy to clean and will hold heat well.

Portability

Heavy-duty grills are less portable but would have more durability. However, it’s not the end of the world when it comes to portability, since most gas grills have wheels.

If you’re traveling frequently, portability should matter more than a heavy-duty metal construction. Make sure your gas grill could fit in the back of your car and that you can easily lug it around when you need to.

Build quality

Gas grills are made to live outdoors. You’re going to look for something to endure the harshest conditions, and stainless steel or cast aluminum would do the job just fine. These materials are very good at preventing rust.

A cheaply made grill, no matter how many BTUs it has, would not stand the test of time. If you’re doubting, there’s always the warranty to look forward to. If you find yourself jumping the gun on a flimsy unit, there’s nothing better to do than to keep it indoors or well-covered when not in use.

The Final Verdict

The choice you make will very much depend on your requirements. We have not included any grills that are inferior or substandard, and all of these options will give you years of happy grilling.

Some people need more space to cook for large parties while others might prefer a more compact option they can take with them on trips. Some features may appeal to you while others might not be necessary for your cooking style. This guide has pointed out all the benefits as well as the potential downsides to each option. This will allow you to make an educated decision on the best gas grill for you and your needs.

There is no right or wrong choice, and these are all fine gas grills. Give some thought to your requirements and select the one that is right for you.

Arthur Boralia

I spent most of my life fascinated by food, and the outdoors. I can’t think of a more fitting combo that leads to mastering the art of BBQ one day. I ended up decent enough to grill the perfect burger and choose the best equipment after years of improvement. I create this website for outdoor cooking enthusiasts, who are fueled by interest but lacking in help, feel educated when they leave because I see my past clueless self in them.