In this day and age, most people are becoming wiser on how they spend their hard-earned money and for what. At the same time, manufacturers have been producing high quality and full-featured items while maintaining cost-efficiency to the point that expensive items don’t always mean they’re the best.
Grills are no different and we share the same sentiments. Have you ever come across a grill then wondered how it got its expensive price tag when you’ve found a much more affordable counterpart that has the same features? Us too and we get you; It can be mind-boggling, frankly.
When looking for a grill, it doesn’t really matter which brand you’re getting, right? There are much more important factors than we take into consideration. So why set your budget at $1,000 when you can get a best grill under 200 that has decent features?
Yes, you read that right. There are good grills priced under 200. Today, we’ll go over the grills, at the price range, that standout. Excited? Read on!
5 Best Grills Under 200
1. TACKLIFE TGG03 Tabletop Gas Griddle – Most Compact Grill
The first grill on our list definitely has an attractive design. It gives off a portable yet durable vibe which are both true. To start, it has a visibly thicker surface to ensure that it would not deform even after prolonged use at the highest temperature!
Plus, it has unique hexagonal knobs so you could turn them with utmost precision – even with greasy hands! It has 3 knobs so you can individually control each of the burners. Yes, this grill has 3 burners which is undeniably surprising given its size!
Despite its size, it has a generous cooking space of 355 sq. in. which is enough to feed a crew of 5-8 people. That’s not bad at all! On top of that, each burner contributes 8,500 BTU per hour of power to meet your grilling or warming needs!
While this is a great choice, you will have to consider that this is a griddle. While it gives you the freedom to cook whatever you like, you will definitely miss out on the grill marks we love having on our meat!
Plus, you have to take into consideration that this griddle has 3 individually controlled burners. While that is a good thing, heat technically equalizes across the griddle. So don’t expect to be able to cook different types of food with different heat requirements. You need to find the right balance among them and to keep a close eye so you don’t end up overcooking anything.
| Pros | Cons |
| + Thickened steel cooking plate + Electric Ignition + With oil cup + 3 burner + Individual control temp |
– No distinct tray separation – No thermometer |
2. Realcook Charcoal BBQ Smoker Grill – Most Convenient Grill
This is one of the grills you’d love to have in your backyard. Especially if you like spending good quality time outside with your friends and family. It has a compact design, you’d be surprised it has more than 2 functions.
To start, it has 3 cooking grates that give you a total of 969 sq. in. of working space which is definitely a lot! When you take it apart, you’ll notice that it has a lot of layers. You can bake, roast, smoke and braise all at the same time!
Another thing that makes it great is that unlike other charcoal grills, Realcook Charcoal BBQ Smoker Grill has a built-in thermometer so you will have an idea at what temperature your food is cooking at. It also has 2 air vents so you can have better control over the temperature and adjust them as needed.
To make it more convenient for its users, this smoker grill has 2 access doors so you can look at the situation inside while they’re still cooking. Plus, it’s more convenient to add food and charcoal too without the need to disassemble the whole grill!
You might already be setting your eyes on this grill. Hold on, we haven’t told you its best functions yet. With this grill, you have an instant fire pit as well! How would you like a night of BBQ and S’Mores? It’s surely something to spice up your cookouts once in a while!
This grill has its shortcomings too and one of which is found on its access doors. Yes, it brings in convenience. However, the clearance of the doors are relatively narrow so you might feel a little limited when you’re trying to move food around. Another thing is that we expect smoke to come out from the top of this grill. The thing is, its sides are a little loose and smoke comes out of there too. That’s not a deal breaker, it’s just a little weird to see smoke emitted from all around the grills supposedly enclosed body.
| Pros | Cons |
| + Multi-layered design + Built-in thermometer + 2 Air vents + 2 Access doors + Heat resistant handle |
– Narrow access doors – Smoke leaks to the sides |
3. Cysikop Foldable BBQ Charcoal Grill – Most Durable Grill
Sometimes you’ll just crave for the sight of a classic-looking grill standing in your backyard. More than its nostalgic vibe, it’s also important to get a grill that’s enough to feed the whole family, right?
Well, here’s Cysikop Foldable BBQ Charcoal Grill for you. It has 319 sq. in. of working space which is large enough to comfortably serve a family of 5! It also comes with a warming rack and 2 side tables. This is definitely one of your best options if you don’t like to feel cramped and limited.
What makes this grill unique is the fact that, compared to similar designs, this grill is more convenient and efficient to use. It has an easy-lift system so you can adjust the heat. Even more, it has 2 adjustable dampers so you have full control of the temperature inside the grill!
Plus, it has a temperature gauge so you’re sure to grill your meal with just the right heat. Take note, this is a charcoal grill so that makes those features impressive – not every manufacturer offers those features on a charcoal grill.
Another cool feature is found on its charcoal pan. It has a door so you can easily add and move charcoals as needed without needing to dismount the grate! Lastly, this is a completely foldable grill and it almost folds into a box! Great for those who value storage spaces!
As much as this grill is doing great, we’ve found minor issues that may affect your experience. First is the weight – it weighs about 46 lbs and that can be a lot to carry without the wheels! Next is that it has 2 plastic wheels. Given that, you will have to tilt the grill slightly up to roll it away. With the plastic material, that can be hard to move around.
| Pros | Cons |
| + Foldable design + 2 side tables + Large working area + 2 adjustable dampers + With temperature gauge + Cool-touch handle + Charcoal pan with hole + Easy-Lift System |
– Heavy – Plastic wheels |
4. Techwood Indoor/Outdoor Electric BBQ Grill – Most Versatile Grill
If you live in an area or apartment that doesn’t really allow the use of charcoal or propane, having a grill around is almost impossible. You can have an electric indoor grill but nothing can beat outdoor grilling, right? How about having an indoor/outdoor electric grill that looks like a standard grill? Yes, that is possible!
This next grill on our list is the Techwood Indoor/Outdoor Electric BBQ Grill. At first look, you wouldn’t even think it’s electric until you see it plugged on the wall! If you have a small patio or prefer grilling indoors, you’d love to add this grill to your shortlist.
This grill doesn’t compromise too. It has an adequate cooking surface of 240 sq. in. which is enough to grill 7 burgers in one go! Plus, it has a warming rack so you can keep your meal in temperature while you grill more. Needless to say, this grill is smokeless too – even when you’re outside!
While this is a good option, it does have its drawbacks too. First is that you need constant supply of power for it to work. So when you plan to take it out make sure there’s an available socket or bring an extension if needed. Another thing is that it comes in piece by piece. Meaning to say, it takes a lot of time to put together and store away. Take note, you will have to dismantle it for cleaning too.
| Pros | Cons |
| + With foldable warming rack + Removable temperature indicator and regulator + With lid vent + Indoor/Outdoor usability + Smokeless |
– Need outlet – Assembly is piece by piece |
5. TACKLIFE Portable Charcoal Grill – Most Spacious Grill
When you think about portable grills, one of the main concerns is the limited cooking space. More often than not, it’s not enough to comfortably feed at least 6 people, right?
Good news, TACKLIFE Portable Charcoal Grill defies that conception by offering a surprising 397.6 sq. in. cooking area! Now that is enough for large parties and can serve up to 12 people. Plus, it also comes with a warming rack which means you get a lot more space!
Another amazing feature of this grill is that it has a temperature gauge and a heat control vent. With those in place, you don’t have to keep guessing whether there’s enough heat flowing inside the grill. This helps you make your meals just the way you like them.
To top them all off, this grill has a storage shelf where you can conveniently place your ingredients and tools! No need for extra tables!
However, the only issue we see in this grill is that it only has 2 wheels so you will need to tilt the whole thing. Thing is, it’s a little too short even with the handle. Expect to have an awkward walking position while pulling this grill. While that is fine for the most part, it can be uncomfortable when you have to pull it somewhere further.
| Pros | Cons |
| + Large working area + Portable + With temperature gauge + Has a heat control air vent + One-touch Clean System + With warming rack + With storage shelf |
– Difficult for long distance transport |
Buyer’s Guide
Main Purpose
When getting a grill, you need to be clear where and how you intend to use it. Do you want to be able to cook more than just burgers? Do you plan to take it with you outside?
There are lots of grills you can choose from and each of them is specialized for one thing. If you’re able to identify this at the early stages of your search, it will be a lot easier and faster for you to make a shortlist.
Cooking Area
This is one of the important factors you need to keep in mind. After figuring out your answer to the first consideration, the next you should think about is the number of people you’d often be grilling with.
That being said, you need to make sure the grill you’re getting has an ample space for you to cook for everyone while being able to eat as well.
Construct
When you already have an idea on what size you need. You’re now down to fewer options. The next factor you should consider is the construction of each of the materials. It’s not always obvious but it makes or breaks your experience.
Check for the material of the wheels. Will you be able to roll the grill comfortably? You should also look at the material of the surface. Is it thick or thin? That’s also a choice between durability or speed. You can always go for the right balance as well.
Conclusion
We all know that there are a lot of grills under 200. So it’s more on the question of which grill is the best for you. This article aims to answer that question in the simplest manner.
We’ve laid out the grills under 200 and indicated its best characteristic. However if it were up to us, we’d go for Realcook Charcoal BBQ Smoker Grill in a heartbeat. It doesn’t limit you on the food you can cook. Plus, you can cook different food all at the same time! In case you still want to go out there and find one yourself, please take a look at our Buyer’s Guide section so you know how to look at grills when they’re presented to you in stores. At the end of the day, we all just want the best grill that can make the best tasting burger!
See also:
Contents
- 5 Best Grills Under 200
- 1. TACKLIFE TGG03 Tabletop Gas Griddle – Most Compact Grill
- 2. Realcook Charcoal BBQ Smoker Grill – Most Convenient Grill
- 3. Cysikop Foldable BBQ Charcoal Grill – Most Durable Grill
- 4. Techwood Indoor/Outdoor Electric BBQ Grill – Most Versatile Grill
- 5. TACKLIFE Portable Charcoal Grill – Most Spacious Grill
- Buyer’s Guide
- Conclusion