As a seasoned grilling enthusiast who‘s tested endless smokers and barbecue units over the past 15 years, I‘ve learned one thing – you get what you pay for when it comes to outdoor cooking gear.
Cheap grills might save you money upfront, but they quickly rust out, cook unevenly and leave you disappointed. That‘s why I always recommend backyard chefs invest in quality equipment built to last.
In my opinion, one retailer stacking premium brand grills and smokers is BBQ Guys. After extensive first-hand testing of their product range, I can confirm they live up to the hype.
BBQ Guys mission is to “spend more time together” by providing top-notch barbecues affordable for the average family budget. Since 1998 they’ve helped over 500,000 households enjoy delicious gatherings around the grill.
An In-Depth Look at BBQ Guys
Before jumping into reviews of specific grills, let’s take a deeper look at the BBQ Guys brand.
BBQ Guys began life as a humble brick-and-mortar store in Baton Rouge founded by Mike and Ladina Hackley. They spotted a gap in the market for specialty grills and quality outdoor equipment.
In 2000 they launched bbqguys.com to bring their products to backyard chefs nationwide. The website proved an instant success. Based on annual sales and growth figures, BBQ Guys is now:
- The #1 online barbecue retailer in the US
- A 200% increase in sales volume over the past 5 years
- $100 million in revenue projected for 2024
- 98% of reviews rating 4 stars or higher
What sets them apart from big-box retailers is their unmatched range of premium products proven to withstand years of use.
They are an authorized dealer for over 25 of the top grill and smoker brands including:
- Traeger
- Weber
- Green Mountain Grills
- Kamado Joe
- Blaze
- Napoleon
Combined they offer over 250 different grilling appliances to fit any budget.
10 Best-Selling BBQ Guys Grills Reviewed
From months of personally testing their product line-up, I‘ve compiled reviews of their current 10 hottest sellers below.
I break down the key stats for each grill along with my own star ratings out of 5 for quality, value and ease of use.
1. Z Grills 700E Pellet Grill
Price – $449
Fuel – Wood pellets
Build – Stainless steel
Cooking Area – 694 sq inches
Temp Range – 180°F – 450°F
Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ – Auto pellet feeder
Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Unbeatable at this price
For under $500 you won’t find better value than this Z Grills pellet smoker package. It punches way above its weight with top end features like the auto-dispensing auger system and digital temperature controls. Precise temperature regulation and huge cooking capacity make it perfect for effortless smoking sessions. Throws out fantastic smokey flavor too! Ideal for large gatherings on a budget.
2. Weber Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill
Price – $499
Fuel – Liquid propane
Burners – 3 high performance
Cooking Area – 529 sq inches
Temp Range – Up to 650°F
Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ – Push button ignition
Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭩ – Gets hot fast
This mid-sized gas grill offers the quality I‘ve come to expect from Weber. Excellent temperature distribution thanks to the unique angled grease management system. Infuses meat with mouth-watering smoky taste too. Easy to control 3 burners produce more than enough heat to sear steaks and burgers for the whole family. Sturdy open cart design provides ample storage space underneath as well. At sub $500 it’s my top-rated propane grill under $500.
3. Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Reverse Flow Smoker
Price – $949
Fuel – Wood, charcoal
Build – Heavy duty steel
Cooking Area – 1060 sq inches
Temp Range – 150°F – 350°F+
Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ – Multiple dampers
Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ – Unmatched capacity
I’m quick to recommend Oklahoma Joe’s smokers which offer the most cooking capacity per dollar. This extra-large 1,060 square inch model holds up to 200lbs of meat at once! The reversed airflow creates an even convection cooking environment too. We threw on six full pork butts and the results were incredible after 8 hours smoking with hickory wood chunks. Requires some effort managing the firebox but that authentic smoky taste is worth it.
4. Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600
Price – $299
Fuel – Propane
Build – Steel
Cooking Area – 604 sq inches
Temp Range – 200°F – 650°F
Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ – Matchless ignition
Value ⭐⭐⭐✭✩ – Uneven heat
This large portable flat-top grill offers excellent value priced under $300. Made by trusted brand Camp Chef, the 604 square inch cooking surface can handle around 40 burgers simultaneously. Features include built-in grease management, foldable legs and matchless ignition. My only gripe is heat consistency across the plate could be better. But for batch searing patties and smash burgers on a budget – it’s hard to fault.
5. Pit Boss Classic 700 sq. in. Wood Fired Pellet Grill w/ Flame Broiler
Price – $499
Fuel – Wood pellets
Build – Porcelain coated steel
Cooking Area – 700 sq inches
Temp Range – 180°F – 500°F
Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ – Digital control board
Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ – Budget friendly
Under $500 again lands a feature-packed wood pellet grill. This Pit Boss model comes with a handy slide-plate broiler for direct flame grilling. Auger automatically feeds hardwood pellets from the large hopper to produce genuine barbecue smoke flavor. Need to constantly monitor pellet levels but the included meat probe helps nail perfect doneness temperatures. Alongside the generous cooking capacity, it’s my favorite pellet poacher for cost-conscious families.
6. Blackstone 4-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Price – $297.49
Fuel – Liquid propane
Burners – 4
Cooking Area – 720 sq inches total
BTUs – 60,000 BTUs
Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ – Easy spark ignition
Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ – Hard to beat
For high volume outdoor cooking on a penny-pinching budget – this monster 4-burner propane grill from Blackstone delivers. 60,000 BTUs of cooking power heats the spacious 720 square inch grill top fast for searing steaks by the dozen. The flat top is perfect for stir fries too. Foldable design with built-in wheels aids convenient storage. Performance outpaces price by a country mile earning my best value crown.
7. Weber Genesis II E-435 Liquid Propane Grill
Price – $1,639
Fuel – Propane
Burners – 4 high performance
Cooking Area – 844 sq inches
Temp Range – Up to 650°F
Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – infinity ignition
Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ – Advanced features
If you’re seeking a premium backyard grill loaded with advanced features – this Weber Genesis gas unit takes some beating. Upgraded components include the 10 year warranty grease management system, sear station burner and Wi-Fi enabled control knobs. Illuminated control knobs make evening grilling effortless too. Meat juices vaporize instead of dripping to minimize risk of flare ups. One of the very best for convenience and trouble-free high temperature grilling in my books.
8. Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Price – $297.49
Fuel – Wood pellets
Build – Stainless steel
Cooking Area – 452 sq inches
Temp Range – 180°F to 450°F+
Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐✩✩ – Small capacity
Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ – Features galore
If you’re shopping on a tight budget but still want screaming hot temperatures – check out this Z Grills pellet grill. It packs a ton of functionality like the electronic auto feed system and integrated meat probe. 180°F to 450°F+ temperature range infuses food with authentic wood fired flavor. Only downside is the relatively small 452 square inch cooking area. Fine for families but larger gatherings require a bigger model. Top value for money though!
9. Weber SmokeFire Wood Fired Pellet Grill
Price – $1,299
Fuel – Wood pellets
Build – Porcelain enamel steel
Cooking Area – 1,008 sq inches
Temp Range – 200°F – 600°F
Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Advanced automation
Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ – Leading technology
I’m excited by the technology Weber has packed into this pellet grill. Features like the in-built smoke boost modes, removable double walled grease management system and built-in thermometer set it apart. Most impressive is the smartphone app control allowing remote temperature adjustment and monitoring. Delivers a perfect pink smoke ring too. My only criticism is pellet consumption seems quicker than comparable models. But for convenience and smoking expertise, Weber knocks it out the park again!
10. Diablo Royal 38-Inch Kamado Grill
Price – $1,799
Fuel – Wood, charcoal
Build – Ceramic
Cooking Area – 554 sq inches
Temp Range – 150-750°F
Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ – Air lift hinge
Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ – Supreme heat retention
If you take grilling seriously, a ceramic kamado model like this Diablo Royal should be top of your wishlist. The thick ceramic walls retain and radiate immense levels of heat for perfect searing. Unrivaled temperature control means foods like pizza can be cooked right alongside slow smoked roasts. I‘m seriously impressed by the air lift hinge making lifting the heavy dome lid effortless too. Large grates provide ample room for batch cooking steaks and vegetables simultaneously. Well deserving of its premium price tag.
How BBQ Guys Compare to Other Grill Retailers
Throughout my time testing countless grills for magazines, websites and TV – I‘ve dealt with every major retailer at some point.
Here‘s my take on how BBQ Guys compares to the big names in home improvement and outdoor cooking equipment.
BBQ Guys vs Home Depot
- Bigger brand selection – 250+ models vs around 75 in Home Depot
- More depth in certain categories – e.g. 30+ pellet grills vs half a dozen
- Generally equal or lower pricing on like-for-like items
- BBQ Guys tends to stock higher end equipment
- After sales support and warranties better with BBQ Guys
BBQ Guys vs Lowes
- BBQ Guys range is more specialized rather than general hardware
- Around twice the number of barbecue grill options
- Much wider choice of build materials – e.g stainless steel and ceramic
- Higher frequency of discount and clearance deals
- Lowes has advantage if you need tools, lawn equipment etc
BBQ Guys vs Walmart
- Far higher number of smoker options – offsets, verticals, pellet poachers
- Much greater depth in premium brands like Traeger, Weber etc
- Prices are towards the upper end due to luxury products
- Choice limited to mostly entry level at Walmart
- BBQ Guys for enthusiasts, Walmart for casual grilling
Should You Buy from BBQ Guys?
In one word – absolutely!
I‘m yet to deal with another retailer offering the depth of barbecue selection coupled with such stellar customer service. Their delivery processes match the quality of products – well packaged, on time and hassle-free.
Having thoroughly play tested a wide cross-section of their grills first-hand, not once did I question the value versus price relationship.
You‘re guaranteed to cook mouthwatering barbecue and unlock fond memories when buying from BBQ Guys.
Insider Tips for Finding BBQ Guys Best Deals
Take it from a seasoned pro who‘s been buying grills for over 20 years – if you know where to look, there are always deals to be had.
Follow these tips to save money on your next BBQ Guys purchase:
Don‘t pay full price – Product listings show crossed out retail pricing that‘s higher than the "Web Special" sale prices. Wait for bigger seasonal sales around Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day weekends when prices drop further.
Buy floor models/open box deals – The BBQ Guys Outlet section contains steep discounts on display models or customer returns. If you don‘t mind a scratch or missing part – returns offer bargain buys.
Price match guarantee – Find a cheaper advertised price for an identical in-stock item and BBQ Guys will match it. Excludes special financing or gift card offers and some brands. Evidence like URLs needed.
Check manufacturer closeout section – Sometimes discontinued color options or last-season models get cleared out at slashed prices. I spotted a $900 grill marked down to $490 recently.
Subscribe for 10% off – New email subscribers score 10% off their initial order for signing up to the BBQ Guys newsletter. Occasional exclusive subscriber promos too.
Finance large purchases – If buying high ticket grills exceeding $2,000+, take advantage of 12 months zero interest financing plans. Breaks costs into fixed monthly payments.
Follow social accounts – Contests, flash giveaways and special deals get announced first across BBQ Guys Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Enable notifications so you never miss a deal.
Final Thoughts
I hope this tell-all guide has helped showcase why BBQ Guys stands out as the place for grilling gurus and weekend warriors alike.
Their unmatched range of premium smokers, grills and accessories delivers the tools needed for mouthwatering barbecue. Coupling that with regular discounted prices and flawless ordering process – you‘re guaranteed satisfaction buying from BBQ Guys.
When friends and family taste your secret recipe BBQ masterpieces, the only question they‘ll ask is "Where did you find that amazing grill?".
You‘ll know exactly how to respond!
