Best Infrared Grills (2026 Buying Guide)
BBQ enthusiasts are always looking for a better way to grill. Charcoal and gas grills do the job, but sometimes they don't get hot enough, or the heat disperses too much inside the grill. So what do you reach for when a traditional grill isn't cutting it anymore? An infrared grill is worth a serious look.
The biggest difference between an infrared grill and a traditional one is how the heat gets to your food. Instead of relying purely on hot air from a gas burner or lump charcoal, infrared grills cook using radiant heat straight from the grates, which produces a consistent cooking surface no matter what the surrounding temperature is doing.
Why Grill with Infrared?
Infrared grills can reach very high temperatures quickly, often over 1,000°F, which sears food fast and helps hold in moisture. That same high heat also makes cleanup easier: crank the temperature all the way up, let any stuck-on food particles burn off, then wait for the grill to cool and wipe the grates clean.
Below are our picks for the best infrared grills available today.
What to Look For
Cooking surface size matters more than raw BTU count. A grill with a smaller surface and high BTU output will feel hotter but won't feed a crowd, while a larger cooking area lets you sear and hold multiple cuts at once without cooking in shifts.
Also consider whether you want a fully dedicated infrared grill or a hybrid model that pairs standard grates with a separate infrared burner. Hybrids give you the flexibility of everyday grilling plus a dedicated high-heat zone for searing, while dedicated infrared units are built entirely around that radiant-heat cooking style.
Best Premium Pick: Napoleon Rogue PRO 425 with Infrared Side Burner
Napoleon pairs a full propane grill with a dedicated infrared side burner, so you get the best of both worlds: standard grates for everyday grilling and a true infrared burner for fast, high-heat searing on steaks. The stainless steel build is made to last through years of regular use.
Pros:
- Dedicated infrared side burner for restaurant-style searing
- Durable stainless steel construction
Cons:
- Premium price compared to grills without a dedicated infrared burner
Best Mid-Range: Charbroil Pro Series with Amplifire Infrared Technology
Charbroil's Amplifire technology uses an infrared emitter across all 4 burners rather than just one searing zone, so the whole cooking surface benefits from more even heat and fewer flare-ups. It's a full-size grill built for regular family cookouts.
- Burners: 4, all with Amplifire infrared technology
Pros:
- Even heat distribution across the whole cooking surface
- Fewer flare-ups than traditional gas grates
Cons:
- Takes up more patio space than a compact or portable grill
Best All-in-One: Charbroil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared 3-in-1
This is Charbroil's oil-free take on frying, roasting, and grilling in one unit, using TRU-Infrared heat instead of open flame or hot oil. It's especially popular for cooking a whole turkey without the mess and risk of a traditional deep fryer, and it's built up one of the largest, most trusted review histories in this category.
Pros:
- Handles smoking, roasting, and grilling in a single unit
- No oil needed, unlike traditional turkey fryers
- Strong, well-established track record of reviews
Cons:
- Vertical design isn't suited to flat grilling like burgers or steaks the way a traditional grate is
Best Budget/Portable: BIG HORN OUTDOORS 1500°F Infrared Propane Gas Grill
This compact, portable infrared broiler reaches up to 1,500°F, making it capable of a true steakhouse-style sear in just a couple of minutes per side. It's small enough to bring camping or tailgating, and it's the most affordable way to try infrared grilling without committing to a full-size unit.
Pros:
- Reaches very high searing temperatures fast
- Compact and portable for camping or tailgating
- Most affordable option in this roundup
Cons:
- Small cooking surface isn't meant for large groups
Conclusion
If you want a true dedicated infrared grill without paying for a whole new grill, the Napoleon Rogue's infrared side burner is the smart pick. For everyday family grilling, the Charbroil Amplifire delivers even heat across the whole surface, and the budget-conscious or tailgating crowd will get the most value from the compact Big Horn Outdoors broiler.
