Best Grills Under $500 in 2026: Charcoal, Gas and Pellet Options Compared
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Last reviewed: November 2026. Specs and prices checked on each maker's site on November 2, 2026. We have not tested these grills: everything below is what each maker states.
Under $500 you can buy a grill of any fuel type, and the fuel decides more than the brand. On the makers' own sites on November 2, 2026, $500 or less bought a 22-inch Weber charcoal kettle ($229), a four-burner Char-Broil gas grill ($299), a three-burner Weber Spirit gas grill ($499, out of stock at Weber that day) or a Z Grills pellet grill ($399 with a cover). Pick the fuel first, then compare the models below.
Four grills under $500 side by side
| Grill | Fuel | Cooking area (maker) | Heat (maker) | Warranty (maker) | Price on maker's site, Nov 2, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weber 22" Original Kettle Premium | Charcoal | 363 sq in | Charcoal; you set the heat with the fire and vents | 10-year limited | $229 |
| Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner with FlavorMax (cart, black) | Propane | 435 sq in primary, 565 sq in total | 4 burners, 30,000 BTU | 1 year; burners 5 years, lid and firebox 2 years | $299 |
| Weber Spirit E-310 | Propane | 360 sq in primary, 450 sq in total | 3 burners, 24,000 BTU per hour | 10-year limited | $499 (out of stock on weber.com) |
| Z Grills 450B | Wood pellets | 459 sq in | 160–450°F, set on a PID controller | Not stated on the product page | $399 with a grill cover (listed as down from $629) |
Prices change often, and sales come and go. Check the current price before you buy.
The cheapest grill here and the only charcoal one. Weber lists a 22-inch diameter and 363 sq in of cooking area, a hinged cooking grate so you can add fuel while cooking, and its One-Touch cleaning system for the ash. Weber says that, like all its kettles, it is "built to last with a porcelain-enameled bowl and lid that retains heat and resist rust, peeling, and scratching," and backs it with a 10-year limited warranty. There is no dial: you control the heat with how much charcoal you light, where you put it, and the vents.
→ Weber Original Kettle Premium on Amazon
Gas: Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner, $299
The lowest-priced gas grill here, and the largest cooking area of the four: 435 sq in on the main grate and 565 sq in counting the 130 sq in warming rack. Char-Broil lists four burners totaling 30,000 BTU. Read the warranty by part: Char-Broil lists 1 year overall, 5 years on the burners, 2 years on the lid and firebox, and 1 year on the grates and other parts. Char-Broil sells this grill in several colors and versions, some with a side burner, at different prices.
→ Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner on Amazon
Gas: Weber Spirit E-310, $499
The Spirit E-310 lists three stainless steel burners at 24,000 BTU per hour, 360 sq in of primary cooking area and 450 sq in in total, and a 10-year limited warranty, the longest of the gas grills here. Weber's own claim is "precise, consistent heat cooks food evenly across the grill." At $499 it sits at the very top of this budget, and on November 2, 2026, weber.com listed it as out of stock.
→ Weber Spirit E-310 on Amazon
Pellet: Z Grills 450B, $399
The pellet option under $500. Z Grills lists 459 sq in of cooking area (331 sq in on the lower rack and 128 sq in on the upper), an 18 lb hopper, a range of 160–450°F and a "PID 3.1 Digital Controller for consistent, precise temperatures." Two meat probes are included. Z Grills sold it bundled with a grill cover for $399, listed as down from $629. Like any pellet grill, it needs an outlet. For bigger budgets, our pellet grill comparison covers models from $699.99 to $1,799.99.
Which one fits
- Charcoal flavor and the lowest price: the Weber kettle.
- Gas on the lowest budget, most cooking area: the Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner.
- Gas with the longest stated warranty: the Weber Spirit E-310, if you can find it in stock.
- Wood smoke at a set temperature: the Z Grills 450B.
What to check on any grill under $500
- The real price. Several of these prices were sales or bundles; the same grill can cost more next month.
- Primary versus total cooking area. Total area includes warming racks. Compare the main grate when you cook steaks or burgers.
- Warranty by part. A long warranty on the burners or the bowl can come with a short one on the grates and other parts.
- Running cost. Charcoal, propane and pellets are all ongoing costs. Price the fuel you will use most.
FAQ
Can you get a pellet grill for under $500?
Yes. On November 2, 2026, Z Grills listed the 450B at $399 with a cover. Traeger's cheapest Pro Series grill, the Pro 22, listed at $549.99 the same day.
Is a gas or charcoal grill better under $500?
Neither in general. Gas lights and adjusts with a knob. Charcoal is cheaper to buy here ($229 for the kettle) and takes more hands-on control.
Related: Five pellet grills compared · Dual fuel gas and charcoal combo grills
Sources
Weber: 22" Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill and Spirit E-310 Gas Grill. Char-Broil: Performance Series 4-Burner Gas Grill with FlavorMax (Cart, Black). Z Grills: 450B Pellet Grill. Traeger: Pro Series.
Sources last checked November 2, 2026.
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