The 10 Best Flat-Top Grills of 2024 for Cooking in Your Backyard or On The Go

Best Overall

Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle with Hood

It has a large surface area and four independent burners that allow you to cook multiple proteins and vegetables at once.

It has a large surface area and four independent burners that allow you to cook multiple proteins and vegetables at once.

The Btus per square inch are on the lower side, but this will be plenty of heat for most people.

The Btus per square inch are on the lower side, but this will be plenty of heat for most people.

Blackstone is one of Rose’s go-to flat-top grill brands, nailing the trifecta of price, size, variety, and solid craftsmanship. There are more than a dozen options to choose from, but the 36-inch Griddle (with a hood!) earns the best overall flat-top grill pick for several reasons.

It has ample surface area, which works well for larger families and gatherings. But the 769 square inches of cooking space also gives you the freedom to cook different proteins and vegetables at once, so it can be beneficial even if you’re serving a smaller crowd.

There are four burners—all of which are independently controlled—which also allows you to precisely adjust the temperature in different areas of the grill to accommodate what you’re cooking.

This is a gas grill, which Rose says offers a hotter, more consistent cooking surface than other fuel sources. And the griddle surface is made from carbon steel, which is essentially a combo of stainless steel and cast iron that heats up quickly and is easy to clean.

This flat-top grill is available with and without a hood, but we think the hood is worth the upgrade. It helps control temperature and blocks grease splatter. Plus, it helps protect the grill when you’re not using it.

Blackstone added various convenience factors, too. There’s a magnetic utensil strip, a pivoting paper towel holder, and folding shelves on each side to keep all your cooking necessities in one place and make prep work easier. It’s also built on wheels so you can roll it around if needed, and Blackstone includes a one-year warranty for extra peace of mind.

Grill Vs. Griddle

Technically speaking, a flat-top grill is actually a griddle. With a grill, you cook over grates, exposing your food to open flames and imbuing them with smoky flavors. A griddle, on the other hand, is a totally flat slab of a surface between your food and the heat source. Typically constructed from stone, steel, or cast iron, griddles are great for holding messes and more evenly cooking food, especially across different temperature zones between burners.

Best Budget

Royal Gourmet 36-Inch Flat Top Propane Gas Grill Griddle

It has a similar surface area with a four-burner system as more expensive grills, but it costs about half the price.

It has a similar surface area with a four-burner system as more expensive grills, but it costs about half the price.

It can take longer to come to temperature than higher-powered grills.

It can take longer to come to temperature than higher-powered grills.

This flat-top grill from Royal Gourmet has a lot of similarities to our best overall pick but costs about half the price. You’ll get a 784-square-inch cooking surface and four independently controlled gas burners, but you will have to sacrifice some power.

Each burner offers 13,000 Btus, which gives this grill a total of 52,000 Btus of power. This is still a decent power rating, especially for the price; it will just take a bit longer to preheat and come up to temperature. It can also take longer to cook, but if you want to go lower and slower, this will get the job done.

It has a ceramic cooking surface, which Rose says channels heat to the food rather than just heating the grill’s surface. This makes it easy to clean—you can heat it up for 15 minutes and then wipe it down, or pour hot water on its surface to loosen stuck-on debris using a metal brush or spatula.

Because this is a budget pick, it doesn’t come with a lot of convenience features, like magnetic utensil strips or paper towel holders, but it does offer the basics. There are two foldable side tables, a bottom storage shelf for larger accessories, and a hanging bar where you can store grilling tools.

Product Details: Total Cooking Area: 784 square inches | Watts/Btus: 52,000 Btus | Number of Burners: Four | Material: Ceramic | Dimensions: 61 x 23.6 x 37.6 inches | Weight: 114.2 pounds | Care: Clean with a paper towel or wet cloth; use soapy water and table salt or a mild cream cleaner for tough residue

Best Splurge

Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 900

It has an easy-to-care-for stainless steel cooking surface, plus a whopping 877 square inches of cooking space.

It has an easy-to-care-for stainless steel cooking surface, plus a whopping 877 square inches of cooking space.

It doesn’t have a hood, so you’ll have to get a cover to keep it safe from the elements.

It doesn’t have a hood, so you’ll have to get a cover to keep it safe from the elements.

The gas-powered Camp Chef 900 is a top-of-the-line flat-top grill that packs some serious heat. Not only is it extra-large—it has an 877-square-inch cooking surface—but it also kicks out 72,000 total Btus of power.

Six independently controlled burners can be set to low, medium, or high heat to adjust a specific area of the cooking surface. This makes this grill ideal for multi-food feasts and large gatherings.

It has a non-stick stainless steel surface that comes pre-seasoned (the company uses 100% plant oils for this job) so you can use it right out of the box, unlike others that require you to season them yourself.

This is a definite perk when you’re investing in a grill of this caliber. Chef David also calls out stainless steel grills as one of the easiest to care for and says it heats up relatively quickly.

There are two storage shelves on the bottom of the grill that give you room to store accessories, and two side tables. There’s also a utensil bar so you can hang your grilling tools when you’re not using them.

If you don’t need quite as much cooking space, there’s also a four-burner option that comes with a hood for more controlled cooking.

Best Stovetop

Steelmade Flat Top Original

It’s a low-maintenance option that can turn any gas range into a flat-top grill.

It’s a low-maintenance option that can turn any gas range into a flat-top grill.

The pre-seasoned version costs an extra $25.

The pre-seasoned version costs an extra $25.

If you don’t have room for an outdoor flat-top grill, or just want to bring the grilling inside during the off-season, a stovetop version is an excellent option. This one from Steelmade is designed for a 30-inch gas range and sits right on top of the burners.

It doesn’t have its own fuel source. Instead, you can control the heat via the knobs on your range. It’s large enough to cover up to five burners, which essentially gives it five separate heating zones. However, it won’t be as precise as an independently controlled grill.

The surface is made from a heavy-duty steel that’s hand-oiled to create a non-stick surface that can handle temperatures of up to 600°F. There’s a removable, dishwasher-safe grease tray that you can position under the grill for easier cleaning.

You can opt for a pre-seasoned or unseasoned version, depending on whether or not you want to do this initial preparation yourself. The pre-seasoned version is $25 more. You can also add a storage sleeve for safekeeping for an additional $30.

Regardless of which version you choose, you’ll be covered by a lifetime warranty, so if you discover any warps or manufacturer defects, you can get it replaced at no cost to you.

Best Electric

Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzler Electric Griddle

It’s easy to use and can heat up to 425°F.

It’s easy to use and can heat up to 425°F.

There are no independent heat zones.

There are no independent heat zones.

The Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzler Electric Griddle is another indoor flat-top grill option that relies on its own heat source, unlike the stovetop versions that you place over a gas range. This electric griddle isn’t the fanciest grill out there, but it’s a good balance of features and price—and it’s really easy to use.

It has an electric power source, so you just have to plug it in and turn it on. There are variable heat settings that range from Keep Warm to 425°F, so you can precisely control the temperature of the cooking surface. There are no independent zones, however, so you’ll have to cook everything at the same temperature.

The surface itself is ceramic and covered with a titanium-based nonstick coating, so it heats up quickly and evenly and is easy to clean. It also comes with a cover to help with temperature control and heat retention. Plus, the cover makes it easier to melt cheese if you’re cooking burgers indoors.

At 19 x 12.5 inches, the cooking surface area is smaller than your typical flat-top grill, but that’s to be expected for an indoor version. It may not be large enough to serve a crowd, but it’s suitable for solo or family dinners.

Best Gas

Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grill

The U-Burner system provides even cooking while the fuel gauge ensures you never run out of gas.

The U-Burner system provides even cooking while the fuel gauge ensures you never run out of gas.

This is another splurge option.

This is another splurge option.

Traeger is known for its wood pellet grills, but the company recently launched the Flatrock Flat Top Grill—an impressive gas-powered option with the same quality as the rest of the brand’s highly rated lineup. Lots of grills rely on gas as a fuel source, but this one earned the spot of the best gas flat-top grill because of its U-burner system.

Most gas grills have straight burners that can create hot and cold spots on the cooking surface. This model has U-shaped burners that cover more surface area and heat the grill more evenly, so you don’t have to worry about over- or undercooked food.

There are three burners total, and each one can be controlled independently to create three separate heat zones that give you freedom to cook multiple things at once. The 594-square-inch surface is carbon steel, which is quick to heat and easy to clean.

Traeger doesn’t give an official Btu rating, but it says this grill can heat to up to 600°F, which is hotter than many others that cap out around 500°F. And unlike others, the Flatrock Flat-Top Grill also has an integrated fuel sensor, so you can see how much gas is left in the tank and prepare yourself accordingly.

Other notable features include two side prep tables, an extra-large grease tray, a hood, and an accessory rail that lets you customize the grill how you want. Traeger offers various accessories, like a storage bin, cup holder, and roll rack, that you can purchase separately.

This is another splurge option. At $900, it’s on the higher end of Rose’s recommended price range, but it’s still a good value for the extra features you get. It’s also backed by a five-year warranty, so you can feel good about your investment.

Best for Open Flames

Made In Carbon Steel Griddle

The griddle detaches from the stand so you can use it on a gas range or a standard grill, too.

The griddle detaches from the stand so you can use it on a gas range or a standard grill, too.

It has a smaller surface area than others so may not be the best option for large groups.

It has a smaller surface area than others so may not be the best option for large groups.

When you go camping, you can bring a portable grill or you can pack up this Made In Carbon Steel Griddle, which goes right over the campfire. This set includes a griddle itself, plus an adjustable stand, which prevents it from sitting directly on the fire, and a lid. You can also add a press for an additional cost if you want to get a better sear.

The carbon steel not only heats up quickly and evenly, it can also withstand temperatures of up to 1,200°F. You can’t control the temperature directly since you have to rely on the campfire, but you don’t have to worry about really high temperatures damaging the griddle. It’s also naturally non-stick.

The griddle detaches from the stand, so you can also use it on top of a gas range or your standard grill when you’re at home. To give you some more flexibility, there are three styles: solid, perforated, and half perforated.

It is on the smaller side—the cooking surface measures 17.5 x 8.5 inches, which is slightly bigger than a quarter-sheet pan but not as big as a half-sheet. You’re not going to be feeding large crowds at once with this grill, but this helps with its portability for camping. The carbon steel also weighs less than cast iron (a popular option for camping trips), so it’s easier to take with you.

Best Small

PIT BOSS Ultimate PB2BGD2 Gas Griddle

It’s a two-in-one option that can function as a freestanding grill or a tabletop version.

It’s a two-in-one option that can function as a freestanding grill or a tabletop version.

This compact grill is less powerful than some of the others.

This compact grill is less powerful than some of the others.

If you’re cooking for one or two, you don’t need a massive grill that takes up a lot of space. Instead, the best choice for you is one that’s compact enough to stow away, yet powerful enough to cook your food well. The Pit Boss 2-Burner Ultimate Lift-Off Griddle checks both those boxes and more.

This grill offers 421 square inches of cooking area in a compact design that allows you to maximize function without giving up a lot of space. It has 26,000 Btus that are split up between two independently controlled burners.

This grill is a little on the less powerful side—it offers about 60 Btus per square inch compared to some of the other options that fall in the 80 to 100 range—but this should be plenty for a grill of this size.

The grill itself is stainless steel, but the cooking surface is a non-stick armored ceramic that cooks up quickly and retains heat well. It’s also easy to clean and is scratch- and rust-resistant.

Another thing that sets this grill apart is its “Lift-Off” design. You can pick it up right off the stand to convert it to a tabletop option if you want to make it more portable. In its tabletop form, it still uses gas as a fuel source.

Best Round

Cuisinart 360-Degree Griddle Cooking Center

It has a compact design that still offers ample cooking area.

It has a compact design that still offers ample cooking area.

The round design can create hot and cold spots.

The round design can create hot and cold spots.

The round, compact design of the Cuisinart 360-Degree Griddle Cooking Center makes it a top pick for smaller spaces. Its griddle has a 22-inch diameter, providing 380 square inches of cooking surface. However, the round design can create some hot and cold spots, so it may take some getting used to before you’re able to perfect your grilling.

It delivers a total of 30,000 Btus of power, which is impressive for its compact size. And there are two independent gas burners, so you can create two heat zones when cooking different types of food. Grease is routed into a 360-degree pan that funnels into a grease cup for easy cleaning.

Cuisinart packed a decent amount of features into this budget-friendly grill, too. The vented cover gives you more versatility—you can steam, roast, bake, and/or smoke—while a foldable side table with removable utensil hooks and a paper towel holder help streamline prep work and cleanup. This grill is also on wheels, so you can roll it out of the way when you’re not using it.

Best for Camping

Blackstone Adventure Ready 14-Inch Propane Camping Griddle

In addition to being a flat-top grill, it also has two burners to make it even more versatile.

In addition to being a flat-top grill, it also has two burners to make it even more versatile.

It’s not quite as powerful as other options on our list.

It’s not quite as powerful as other options on our list.

Aptly named, this brand new “adventure-ready” tabletop griddle by Blackstone will come in handy for whenever you’re on the road.

Great for camping trips and easily storable in the back of your trunk or in an RV (it folds up just like a briefcase), this compact 14x12-inch griddle cooking surface also saddles up neatly next to a side burner to whip up entire meals in a flash, thanks to the combined power of 14,000 Btus that ignite at the press of a button.

There are two independently controlled burners so you can fully maximize the space you do have—boil up soup or hot water on one side and cook meat and vegetables on the other. Leveling feet also ensures that the surface remains flat no matter where you set up.

And like all Blackstone grills, its cooking surface heats up quickly, distributes heat evenly, and cleans even easier. The built-in grease cup contains any messes, keeping maintenance relatively low.

While slightly less powerful than other portable and tabletop options, it only weighs 26 pounds, so carrying and traveling is easier compared to the brand’s other tabletop options, which can weigh in at over 30 pounds.