Best gas grill under 300: Coleman RoadTrip 285

by Joost Nusselder | Last Updated:  August 19, 2021

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If you’ve got 300 to spend on a gas grill, you’ll probably be overwhelmed by the wide range of options on the market!

But it can be difficult to tell the difference between quality grills, and those that just offer a lot of gadgets without guaranteeing durability.

In my many years behind the grill, I’ve tried and tested a number of different grills, and I’ve figured out exactly what to look for.

Best gas grills under $300 | Don't break your budget with this quality top 4

Even if you can’t see and touch the item in person, there are ways and means to ensure you get a good product. In the article below I’ve reviewed four gas grills under 300 that I think give you a lot of quality and efficiency for the money.

My favorite is the Coleman RoadTrip 285. While it’s made for travel, it also looks great on your small balcony, and it offers three burners plus 285 square inches of grilling space. It’s also relatively high quality for the price, and will last you a good few seasons.

Remember to rather go for durability over gadgets. Make sure your grill is manufactured by a trusted brand, and is built to last. You can always buy gadgets at a later stage.

Best gas grill under $300 Image
Best gas grill under $300: Coleman RoadTrip 285 Best gas grill under $300 overall- Coleman RoadTrip 285

 

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Alternative 1: Char-Broil TRU-Infrared 3-Burner Gas Grill Best large gas grill with side burner under $300- Char-Broil TRU-Infrared 3-Burner Gas Grill

 

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Alternative 2: Weber Q2200 Most durable gas grill under $300- Weber Q2200

 

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Tips for buying a new grill under $300

There are some top tips for getting a good quality grill under $300.

Firstly, I would recommend looking at the smaller-sized grills. You will get a better quality model with more durable parts.

Here’s what to look out for when narrowing down your choices:

Size & mobility

Select a size based on the space you have available in your surroundings, and on how much food you will need to cook.

Also, consider mobility. Do you want to take your grill with you on camping trips or tailgate parties? Choose a grill that has been specifically designed to be easily transported.

Burners

The more burners, the more heat zones you can create. However, this does add to the cost.

Accessories & gadgets

If you’re looking at grills under $300, then I would avoid looking for too many additional accessories & gadgets. Rather pick construction and durability over accessories.

Warranty

Inexpensive gas grills may be more likely to experience manufacturing flaws. Make sure your investment is supported by a fair warranty.

Even with a lower budget, make sure to get a good grill cover to keep your BBQ clean & protected

You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a solid and durable grill, at this kind of price you’ll find a few truly proper options.

But remember, they are slightly smaller and don’t come with many additional gadgets.

Get your grilling tools collection started with these top 3 BBQ accessory kits

Best gas grill under $300: Coleman RoadTrip 285

Best gas grill under $300 overall- Coleman RoadTrip 285

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A portable propane grill that is characterized by versatility – the Coleman RoadTrip 285 is mobile, but also has an integrated fold-away stand that offers the comfort of cooking on a full-sized grill.

With the stand folded up, the grill itself doesn’t occupy much space, making it perfect for road trips, or for small, compact balconies.

The grill offers a fairly large cooking area – 285 square inches in total – over three burners. This gives you the option to create different heat zones, or switch it up and get the grill to a very high heat really quickly.

There’s also a handy grease removal system.

One of the things I love about this grill is that you can replace the grill grates with a separately sold griddle. This ups its versatility considerably and makes it a definite winner for camping trips and tailgate parties.

Best gas grill under $300 overall- Coleman RoadTrip 285 ready to go

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The quality of workmanship is good, and so is the efficiency, but the greatest advantage is mobility. The manufacturers offer an impressive 3-year limited warranty.

Pros

  • Size & mobility: 285 square inches of cooking space
  • Burners: 3 burners
  • Accessories & gadgets: Integrated fold-away stand
  • Warranty: 3-year limited warranty

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Takeaway

When it comes to buying a gas grill for a limited budget, you need to focus primarily on quality over quantity of gadgets and features.

A budget of $300 can get you a fairly high-quality product if you look for the right things. I’m sure this list has helped you narrow down the options for your needs. Happy grilling!

Wondering what a bigger budget will get you? These are the best gas grills under $1000

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Lakeside Smokers is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with BBQ Smoking (& Japanese food!) at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.