4 Best Infrared Grills Under 500 Reviews 2022

Most people would agree with us when we say that infrared grills are the grill of the future.

Why is that you ask? It’s because of their ability to cook food faster than any other grill, use less fuel than usual and create enhanced heat distribution throughout the grill that results in mouth-watering, great-tasting food. Food that comes out of an infrared grill tends to be juicy because of all the natural flavor moisture of the food not being lost during cooking.

One of the best parts about using an infrared grill is that, in most cases, your skill level as a grill master doesn’t matter. Whether you’ve honed your grilling skills for several years, or just starting out, infrared grills are a great way to enhance the overall cooking process which results in great food.

So, if you’re like the many chefs out there that want to improve your grilling technique or maybe you’ve just been considering getting an infrared grill, then we’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of the best infrared grill under 500 you can buy.

See also: Top 3 Best Infrared Grills Under 300 Reviews

4 Best Infrared Grills Under 500 

1. Magma Products, Newport II Infrared Gourmet Series Gas Grill, A10-918-2GS – Best Value

The Newport II Infrared Gourmet Series Gas Grill has a rounded edge design with a redesigned dynamic combustion system and electronic ignition which keeps the grill lit throughout the cooking process even if you grill in heavy winds.

It’s also constructed with 100% 18-9 mirror polished stainless steel with a full double lined lower shell in order to withstand the harshest of environments and last for a long time. Great for mounting on your boat.

With this grill’s swiveling control valve, you can make use of 1-pound disposable propane canisters that allows you to have easy and safe canister replacements. The grill’s temperature works very well that you can easily cook steaks, hot dogs, burgers at the right temperature while keeping that heat level consistent throughout the entire cooking surface of the grill thanks to a more sensitive temperature control system.

However, this grill, despite being an infrared grill, may be prone to flare-ups when there’s a little too much grease on your food and it drips down to the burner. Other than that, this grill offers you a great grilling experience, especially if you plan on mounting this on your boat.

PROS	CONS
+ USA-made infrared grill made from 100% 18-9 mirror polished stainless steel which makes the durable + Robust combustion and ignition system that allows you took in heavy winds + Sensitive temperature controls allow for more control with the heat level across the grill	– Prone to flare-ups despite being an infrared grill

2. Geek Chef Outdoor Propane Gas Grill Infrared Honey Comb BBQ Non-Smoke Burner – Best for Durability

Geek Chef’s outdoor portable infrared grill provides you with a different way of grilling. This grill’s compact size allows it to be portable which means you can take it anywhere you go such as picnics, camping trips, family gatherings and so much more. It also comes with a retractable gas grid frame with 5 heating levels; the grill basket rotates so that your food can cook evenly throughout.

This grill was made to last thanks to it being made from high-quality material grade stainless steel while also offering you with a comfortable grip. The grill basket is flexible meshwork that allows it to clamp down on your food, keeping it secure during the entire cooking process, while also rotating it so that it heats up to the perfect level where it’ll come out as perfectly cooked food.

The double ignition switch together with the ignition knob allows for a reliable and fast burner start-up. It’s convenient for you because just one press of a button and you’ve got yourself an instant fire within minutes. Because of the grill’s Honeycomb Infrared-Ray Burner, it is able remove the need fuel such as coal, which automatically makes it a more environmentally friendly machine.

The only downside of this grill is the grilling basket only allows you to cook minimal amounts of food at a time. Other infrared grills allow you to work on a surface, but this grill needs you to use a basket in order to cook, thus limiting your overall grilling capacity. However, it still provides you with a consistent grilling quality that improves the flavor of your food.

PROS	CONS
+ Compact design allows for better portability + Rotating grill basket design consistently cooks your food thoroughly + Excellent temperature controls that allow you to control heat levels during grilling	– Grilling capacity is much less than other infrared grills due to the usage of a grilling basket

3. NORTHFIRE Inferno Single Propane Infrared Grill – New Season Arrival

If you’re the type of person who loves cooking at incredibly high heat, then we feel like you will enjoy cooking with the kind of grill. The NORTHFIRE Inferno Single Propane Infrared Grill can reach scorching temperatures of 1500°F which is great for quickly cooking steak, chicken, fish, and so much more at faster speeds. Imaging cooking steakhouse quality steak and other gourmet dishes in just a couple of minutes.

When you’re done cooking, you can easily clean the grill thanks to the removable components, you can then throw the grill rack and other components in the dishwasher. With the grill being German crafted you can definitely expect it to last a long time, which makes it perfect for outdoor activities and such.

However, some users may have problems with the build quality of this infrared grill as it feels a little bit flimsy in comparison to other grills on this list. Also, there may be difficulties in igniting the flames despite holding down the button, this can be a result of lackluster design.

Regardless if this is the case, when done correctly, this grill can really offer you great results. With temperatures reaching as high as 1500°F, you can definitely expect quality steaks and other foods in just mere minutes.

PROS	CONS
+ Can reach temperatures as high as 1500°F + Dishwasher-safe components allow for easy cleanup once finished with the grilling session	– Build quality might not be able to compare with other infrared grills – Temperature control and flame ignition troubles can be the result of its design

4. Char-Broil 463632520 Signature TRU Infrared 2-Burner Cabinet Style Gas Grill – New Season Arrival

The Char-Broil Signature TRU Infrared 2-Burner Cabinet Style Gas Grill makes use of TRU-Infrared™ technology that prevents flare-ups and delivers even heat distribution throughout the entire grill while also making sure that food comes out juicer and tastier. The integrated LED lights and sleek design of this infrared grill makes for a unique style that you might appreciate.

Its Surefire electronic ignition system boasts quick and reliable starts at just a single push of a button. It’s also relatively quick and easy to assemble thanks to the intuitive keyhole slots and common hardware used. With the grill being porcelain-coated and the grates being cast-iron, this grill is meant to last for a long time. It’s durable, rust-resistant and easy to clean.

This grill is one of the simpler grills on this list, as such, it lacks some convenient features that other infrared grills have such as proper temperature monitoring and controls. A built-in internal thermometer would have helped in order to monitor the heat levels when cooking.

But overall, this is a decent and convenient grill that does its job and provides you with excellent cooked food when used right.

PROS	CONS
+ Makes use of TRU infrared™ to cook the food evenly without breaking the moisture barrier + Quick and easy to assemble thanks to the intuitive keyhole slots and common hardware used + Surefire electronic ignition system boasts quick and reliable starts at just a single push of a button	– Lacks some convenient features that other infrared grills have such as proper temperature monitoring and controls (ex: internal thermometer)

Infrared Grill under 500: Buyer’s Guide

Infrared grills are a great option for any aspiring grill master or if you simply want better tasting and juicer food. These types of grills are also useful because they are great at preventing or reducing flare-ups, keeping heat levels uniform throughout the grill, and cooking food fast. Because there are so many kinds of infrared grills to choose from, there are some features you should take into consideration such as:

Usability

With there being many types of infrared grills, there are also different levels of complexities between each unit. Some grills simply need to be plugged in to work, while other grills require a lot more from the user in order to function properly. If you’re an expert in grilling, then this shouldn’t be a problem for you since you know what you’re doing, however, if you’re not confident with your skills as a grill master yet, then you should at least be realistic and determine the right infrared grill that will cater to your needs while being well-within your skill level.

Cleaning System

One thing we are all aware about is that meat tends to drip grease while it’s cooking under high heat. All this grease buildup needs to go somewhere and if your infrared grill isn’t prepared, things can get real messy real quickly. Some infrared grills come with drip trays that catch all drippings of fat and grease, which makes the cleanup process so much easier and quicker.

Size

Depending on the usage of your infrared grill and where you plan to take it, the size of your preferred unit may vary. Will you be using your grill at home or do you prefer it to be portable enough for you to take it out during family trips? The intended use of the product will help determine the size of the infrared grill you will choose. When choosing for portability, it is important to choose models that are small, lightweight, and easy to carry around. However, if you think larger grills are better because you like to cook a lot of food, then larger grills are probably your best choice.

Source of Energy

It depends on your specifics whether you need your infrared grill to run on a specific fuel, however most grills either run on electricity, gas, or charcoal. If your grill will stay at home, then electricity might be a great choice, however the same can’t be said if you plan on taking the grill with you during outings or places with no access to sockets.

Conclusion

Taking a look back at this list and after careful consideration, we determined that the Geek Chef’s Outdoor Propane Gas Grill Infrared Honeycomb BBQ Non-Smoke Burner is the clear winner. This is mainly because of its unique way of using infrared technology to grill food with the use of a rotating grilling basket that ensures that your food is cooked all throughout.

It also boasts great temperature controls that allows you to adjust heat levels accordingly depending on the food you wish to cook. Despite that, the choice of what grill you should get is still depending on your overall wants and needs. Use the guidelines we’ve provided and you’ll surely know what infrared grill you want.