Product Roundup
Let me be straight with you: most people don’t realize how much a side burner changes outdoor cooking until they actually have one. I’ve been grilling in my backyard for over a decade, and the side burner went from an afterthought to something I genuinely miss when it’s not there.
Think about the last time you grilled steaks and had to run inside to babysit your sauce, boil the corn, or reheat the baked beans. That’s exactly the problem a good side burner solves. You stay outside, you stay in control, and dinner comes together at the same time instead of in three separate batches.
Now — and this is important — not all side burners are created equal. Some are barely powerful enough to simmer a cup of water. Others double as a serious cooking zone you can fry in, run a wok on, or even do a full seafood boil. After testing dozens of gas grills over the years, I’ve gotten pretty good at spotting which side burners earn their keep and which ones are just a marketing checkbox.
In this guide, I’ve put together my top picks across every budget and cooking style, from the best overall performer to the best bang for your buck. Here’s a quick preview of what I’ll be covering:
Use this table to find your match fast — full reviews are below.
| Grill | Best For | Cooking Area | Side Burner | Fuel | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weber Genesis Smart EX-325W | Best Overall | 669 sq in | 15,000 BTU | Propane/NG | $$$ |
| Nexgrill 4-Burner SS | Best Value | 720 sq in | 12,000 BTU | Propane | $ |
| Napoleon Freestyle PRO 365 | Best Compact | 500 sq in | Infrared | Propane/NG | $$ |
| Char-Broil Pro Series Grill & Griddle | Best Griddle Combo | 650 sq in | 12,000 BTU | Propane | $$ |
| Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB | Best Premium | 760 sq in | Infrared | Propane/NG | $$$$ |
If I had one recommendation for most backyard cooks, this would be it. The Weber Genesis Smart EX-325W hits that sweet spot between performance, durability, and smart features that actually work — without crossing into “too complicated” territory.
I’ve had the opportunity to cook on this grill across multiple seasons, and what consistently stands out is the heat consistency. Weber’s 3 PureBlu burners deliver even heat across the entire cooking surface, which means no scrambling to avoid hot or cold zones. The sear zone performs exceptionally well for steaks — you get that restaurant-quality crust without having to fight the grill.
The Wi-Fi connectivity via the Weber Connect app surprised me. I’ll be honest — I was skeptical. But it genuinely helps for longer cooks when you’re not standing right next to the grill. It tracks your cook progress, alerts you when it’s time to flip, and lets you monitor temperature without opening the lid constantly.
This isn’t a forever grill, but for the price, it’s genuinely hard to beat.
The Nexgrill 4-Burner is the kind of grill I’d recommend to someone who’s moving into their first home, cooking for a family of four, and doesn’t want to drop Weber money before they figure out how much they’ll actually use it. The feature set at this price point would have seemed impossible five years ago.
Four main burners cover a generous cooking area — plenty of space for a full family cookout. The stainless steel exterior looks sharp right out of the box, and the dedicated side burner handles sauce and sides without issue. I used it to simmer BBQ sauce for a brisket session and had zero complaints.
If you’ve got a smaller patio, a condo balcony (check local rules on gas grills first), or you just don’t need a massive cook surface, the Napoleon Freestyle PRO 365 is my top pick for the best small gas grill with side burner.
Don’t let the compact footprint fool you. This grill punches way above its size class, and that’s mostly because of one feature: the Infrared Sizzle Zone. If you’ve never cooked a steak on an infrared burner, you’re in for a serious upgrade. Infrared heats grates to temperatures that a standard burner can’t touch — we’re talking 1,800°F+ searing capability. You get that steakhouse crust in minutes, with less flare-up and better browning than traditional burners.
The side burner on the Freestyle PRO is compact but capable. I’ve used it for sauces, corn, and a quick stir-fry while the grill handled the protein. For smaller setups, it genuinely expands what you can accomplish outside.
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This one’s for the cook who wants to do everything outside. Burgers, yes — but also pancakes, smash burgers, fajitas, hibachi-style vegetables, eggs, bacon. If the idea of a full outdoor kitchen excites you, the Char-Broil Pro Series Grill & Griddle is worth a serious look.
The combination of a traditional grill grate zone and a flat griddle surface gives you serious multi-zone cooking capability. I’ve done entire meals on this setup — steak on the grill side, sautéed mushrooms and onions on the griddle, and sauce simmering on the side burner — all simultaneously. That kind of outdoor kitchen experience used to require spending triple the money.
The griddle surface is the real star here. It heats evenly, is easy to season, and turns out smash burgers with that signature crispy crust that you simply can’t get on a traditional grated grill. Saturday morning breakfast with bacon and eggs on the griddle, coffee in hand, is a genuinely good life decision.
When someone asks me what grill I’d buy if money wasn’t the first consideration, the Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB is in serious contention for that answer.
This is a full outdoor kitchen in a single grill. Premium 304 stainless steel construction, an infrared rear burner for rotisserie cooking, an infrared side burner, and 760 square inches of primary cooking space. Napoleon gas grills have developed a passionate following among serious enthusiasts for a reason: the company builds grills that compete with Weber on quality while adding infrared technology that Weber charges significantly more for.
One thing I noticed after cooking on this grill across several weekends — the rear infrared rotisserie burner genuinely changes the rotisserie game. Whole chickens come out with the crispiest skin I’ve ever produced at home. It bastes itself in its own juices while the infrared burner surrounds it with intense, even heat. If you do rotisserie cooking at all, this feature alone is worth the upgrade.
Picking the right grill isn’t just about the brand on the lid. Here’s what actually matters when you’re making this decision.
This is the one spec most people ignore, and it’s actually critical. Side burner output is measured in BTUs, and not all BTUs are equal when it comes to what you’re trying to cook.
For simmering BBQ sauce or keeping baked beans warm, even a modest 8,000–10,000 BTU side burner works fine. But if you want to fry sides in a cast iron pan, run a wok at high heat, or do a proper seafood boil, you need a burner in the 12,000–15,000 BTU range minimum. Infrared side burners like the ones on Napoleon models can hit even higher effective temperatures, making them genuinely versatile cooking zones rather than sauce warmers.
Here’s a lesson I learned the hard way: cheap stainless steel doesn’t always stay stainless. There’s a wide range of quality in grill materials, and the difference between an entry-level grill and a premium one often comes down to steel grade, thickness, and how the whole unit is welded together.
For the firebox and lid, look for heavy-gauge steel or cast aluminum. Both hold heat well and resist warping. For exterior panels, 304 stainless steel is the gold standard — it actually resists rust. Some budget grills use 430 stainless, which is thinner and more prone to surface rust over time, especially in humid climates. For the cooking surface, porcelain-enameled cast iron grates are ideal: they hold heat, are non-stick when seasoned, and last for years.
More BTUs doesn’t always mean better cooking. In fact, excessive BTU ratings from budget brands are often a marketing trick to distract from poor heat distribution. A grill that generates 50,000 BTUs but has terrible heat distribution will produce worse results than a 36,000 BTU grill with well-engineered burner placement.
What you want is a grill that heats evenly across the entire cooking surface with minimal hot spots. The best way to evaluate this is through user reviews from real cooks — look for comments on uneven cooking, flare-up management, and how the grill performs at different heat settings.
Right-sizing your grill is one of the most practical decisions you’ll make. Here’s a rough guide:
Bigger isn’t always better. A massive grill that takes twice as long to preheat, costs more in fuel, and takes up your entire patio isn’t a win. Buy for how you actually cook, not for the one time a year you host 30 people.
This is an important decision that many buyers overlook. The best natural gas grills with side burner options are perfect for homeowners with an existing gas line — you eliminate the need to refill propane tanks, the cost per BTU is lower over time, and you never run out mid-cook. The tradeoff is that natural gas grills require a professional installation to connect to your home’s gas supply, and you lose the ability to move the grill around your yard easily.
Propane is more flexible. You can move the grill anywhere, take it tailgating, and set it up without professional installation. The downside is managing propane levels and paying more per BTU over time. Most of the grills on this list come in both versions — if you’re planning a permanent outdoor kitchen setup, natural gas is the smarter long-term choice. For flexibility and portability, stick with propane.
The grill you actually clean is the one that lasts. Look for grills with well-designed grease management systems — a sloped grease channel that directs drippings into a removable tray makes cleanup dramatically easier than systems that let grease pool and bake onto surfaces. Weber’s systems are excellent in this regard. Napoleon is solid too. Budget grills tend to have simpler (read: messier) grease management.
For stainless steel exteriors, regular wiping with a microfiber cloth and a small amount of stainless steel cleaner keeps the grill looking good and prevents surface oxidation. Don’t use abrasive pads — they scratch the finish and actually make the steel more vulnerable to rust. For more detailed steps, check out our guide on how to clean a gas grill.
Honest answer: it depends entirely on how you cook.
If you’re the type who fires up the grill, throws on some burgers, and calls it done, a side burner might never get used. You’d be paying for something that sits there collecting grease. And that’s a fair call — some buyers genuinely don’t need it.
But if you cook full meals outside — proteins on the grill, a sauce reducing, vegetables sautéing, corn boiling — a side burner stops being a nice-to-have and starts being essential. The number of times I’ve had to sprint inside to grab something off the stovetop mid-grill session dropped to basically zero once I had a capable side burner available.
More than most people realize. Once you start using a capable side burner regularly, it changes how you think about outdoor cooking. Here’s what gets regular rotation on mine:
I’ve made some of these myself, so consider this a friendly warning.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how these brands stack up, so you can make an informed decision even before reading the full reviews. For a deeper dive, check out our Nexgrill vs Weber comparison.
| Category | Weber | Napoleon | Nexgrill | Char-Broil |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build Quality | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Warranty | 25 yr on porcelain / 10 yr burners | 15 yr on most parts | 1–5 yr | 1–5 yr |
| Heat Performance | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Long-Term Reliability | Excellent | Excellent | Average | Average |
| Best Budget Tier | Mid-High | Mid-High | Entry | Entry-Mid |
Weber and Napoleon are the two brands I’d recommend without hesitation for long-term buyers. Weber has an unmatched track record for reliability and an exceptional warranty. Napoleon has been closing the gap rapidly, especially on infrared technology and build quality, while offering competitive pricing in the mid-to-premium range.
Nexgrill and Char-Broil fill a legitimate need for budget-conscious buyers. You get more features for the money, but with shorter lifespans and less consistent performance. Think of them as starter grills — excellent for getting into outdoor cooking without a major investment.
Keep your new investment running for years. Get our seasonal maintenance checklist and expert cleaning tips.
For most backyard cooks, the Weber Genesis Smart EX-325W is the best gas grill with side burner available right now. It delivers outstanding heat consistency, a genuinely useful side burner, smart connectivity, and Weber’s legendary build quality. If budget is a concern, the Nexgrill 4-Burner offers impressive features at a fraction of the price.
For cooks who regularly make full outdoor meals, absolutely. Side burners let you prepare sauces, boil vegetables, and cook sides without interrupting your grill session or running back inside. For occasional grillers who only cook proteins, they’re a less critical feature.
The Napoleon Freestyle PRO 365 is my top pick for the best small gas grill with side burner. Its compact footprint makes it perfect for patios and smaller outdoor spaces, and the infrared Sizzle Zone delivers searing performance that rivals full-size grills.
Yes — with a capable side burner in the 12,000–15,000 BTU range, you can simmer sauces, boil pasta or corn, sauté vegetables in a cast iron pan, and even do wok cooking. A side burner paired with a good grill essentially gives you an outdoor kitchen.
Neither is objectively better — it depends on your situation. Natural gas grills connect to your home’s supply line, offering unlimited fuel and lower long-term costs. Propane grills are more portable and require no professional installation. For permanent outdoor kitchen setups, natural gas grills with side burner models are the smarter choice. For flexibility, go propane.
For sauce simmering and basic cooking tasks, an 8,000–10,000 BTU side burner is sufficient. For frying, high-heat wok cooking, or seafood boils, aim for at least 12,000–15,000 BTUs. Napoleon’s infrared side burners are in a category of their own for high-heat work.
In my experience, yes. Napoleon has established itself as one of the top premium grill brands, with infrared technology, solid warranty coverage, and build quality that rivals Weber at competitive prices. If you’re in the mid-to-premium price range, Napoleon deserves serious consideration.
A side burner is a separate cooking zone — usually on the side of the grill — designed for stovetop-style cooking like pots, pans, and woks. A sear station is a higher-output burner built into the main grill grate area, designed to create a concentrated hot zone for better browning and crust development on proteins. Some grills have both, which is genuinely useful.
After all that, here’s the bottom line — matched to who you actually are:
Whatever you choose, buying a gas grill with a capable side burner is one of those upgrades that genuinely changes how you cook outdoors. Once you’ve done a full meal outside — protein on the grill, sauce on the side burner, sides and all — going back to just grilling proteins feels like a step backward.
The grill I’d recommend to 80% of people reading this. Outstanding performance, smart features that actually work, Weber reliability, and a side burner that earns its place every cook session. Worth every dollar for regular grillers.
The best gas grill with side burner for the money. Not a forever grill, but delivers impressive features at an entry-level price. Perfect for first-time buyers and casual cooks.
The best small gas grill with side burner for patios, decks, and limited outdoor spaces. The infrared searing zone sets it apart from other compact options.
For the serious outdoor cook who wants the best of everything. Infrared rear burner, premium construction, and a cooking experience that rivals an outdoor kitchen build-out.
For the cook who wants to do everything outside. Smash burgers, breakfast, fajitas, hibachi — the griddle surface opens up a whole new dimension of outdoor cooking.
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