Key takeaways
- Pro: Reaches 1500°F in 3-5 minutes for unmatched sear speed
- Pro: Stainless steel construction resists rust and holds heat well
- Con: Single-purpose design; no indirect cooking zone or warming rack
Infrared grills solve a problem that ordinary propane grills struggle with: they cannot reliably produce the intense, even surface heat needed for a proper crust on a steak or a quick char on vegetables. Conventional open-flame designs lose energy to the surrounding air, forcing you to preheat forever and still ending up with uneven results. Infrared burners concentrate that same propane into a ceramic or stainless emitter that radiates heat directly onto the food, cutting preheat time dramatically and locking in juices on contact.
But not every infrared grill earns that reputation. The category splits hard between dedicated searing stations that hit extreme temperatures in minutes and full-size backyard grills that add an infrared side burner as a novelty feature. The best infrared grills we tested this year made that distinction clear: purpose-built sear machines deliver consistent, restaurant-quality results that budget hybrid grills simply cannot match, while the stronger hybrid options handle large cookouts better than any compact unit could manage.
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Quick Picks
| Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| BIG HORN 16″ Sear Station | Serious steak lovers | $209.99 |
| Veralune 4-Burner | Backyard hosting on a budget | $209.99 |
| Charbroil Pro Series 3-Burner | Small-to-medium households | $525.07 |
| Charbroil Pro Series 4-Burner | Large families and entertaining | $699 |
| Brand-Man 6-Burner | Maximum cooking surface | $499.99 |
| Veralune 4-Burner (Steel Grates) | Tailgating and portable use | $285.99 |
| BIG HORN 9″ Sear Station | Compact searing on a budget | $149.99 |
| 4+1 Stainless Steel Grill | Everyday grilling flexibility | $249.99 |
How We Picked
We evaluated each grill on four criteria that actually determine daily performance in this category. First, infrared burner quality: how hot and how quickly it reaches searing temperature, and whether the heat distribution is even across the cooking surface. Second, build and heat retention: stainless steel and cast iron construction that holds temperature rather than warping or radiating heat outward. Third, versatility and usable space: whether the grill handles more than just steaks, including indirect cooking, vegetables, and larger cuts. Fourth, value relative to category: whether the price matches the real-world performance you get after the first few cookouts, not just the spec sheet.
The 8 Best Infrared Grills in 2026
BIG HORN OUTDOORS 16″ Sear Station
This is the one to buy if your primary goal is a perfectly crusted steak every single time. It reaches 1500°F in three to five minutes, which is genuinely faster than anything else in this roundup that attempts high-heat searing. The 16-inch surface handles thick-cut steaks and chicken breasts with room to spare.
- Pro: Reaches 1500°F in 3-5 minutes for unmatched sear speed
- Pro: Stainless steel construction resists rust and holds heat well
- Con: Single-purpose design; no indirect cooking zone or warming rack
Skip this if you need to grill burgers or vegetables for a crowd. It is a broiler, not a full grill.
Veralune 4-Burner with Infrared Side Burner
A solid entry-level backyard grill that adds infrared capability to the side burner rather than the main cooking surface. The 55,000 BTU output gives you real cooking power across four main burners, and the enameled cast-iron grates retain heat better than porcelain-coated steel at this price point.
- Pro: Four main burners handle full meals while the infrared side burner sears
- Pro: Built-in thermometer and side shelves improve daily usability
- Con: The infrared element is on the side burner only, not the main grates
Skip if you want infrared heat under your steaks while cooking. The main grates here are conventional.
Charbroil Pro Series 3-Burner Amplifire
The Amplifire technology here is the real story. Charbroil redesigned their infrared burner to cover more of the cooking surface with consistent radiant heat, reducing the hot spots and cold zones that plagued earlier infrared models. The included griddle cabinet rounds it out as a genuinely versatile setup.
- Pro: Amplifire burners deliver more even infrared coverage than most competitors
- Pro: Highest-rated hybrid grill in this roundup at 4.6/5
- Con: Premium price for only three burners; space-constrained for large gatherings
Skip if you regularly cook for more than four people and need the extra burner.
Charbroil Pro Series 4-Burner Amplifire
Everything that makes the three-burner version excellent, scaled up. The fourth burner adds meaningful capacity for side dishes and indirect cooking zones, and the griddle cabinet keeps the footprint manageable despite the extra heat source. This is the pick for households that grill multiple times a week.
- Pro: Four Amplifire burners handle large cookouts with even infrared heat
- Pro: Griddle cabinet adds flat-top versatility for breakfast and smash burgers
- Con: At $699, it demands a committed budget and patio space
Skip if three burners already covers your household. The upgrade is capacity, not performance per burner.
Brand-Man 6-Burner with Infrared Side Burner
Six burners and 624 square inches of cooking surface make this the volume king in this group. The infrared side burner hits 12,000 BTU specifically for searing, and the diamond-pattern porcelain-enameled cast iron grates give you both ridges for grill marks and a griddle section for eggs or onions.
- Pro: 624 square inches is the largest cooking area tested here
- Pro: Integrated griddle section adds cooking options most competitors lack
- Con: Lower overall rating (4.1/5) suggests fit-and-finish inconsistencies
Skip if you prefer a compact unit or want the absolute best infrared performance on your main surface.
Veralune 4-Burner with Steel Grates and Travel Locks
Designed with portability in mind without sacrificing the four-burner layout that makes it useful as a stationary grill too. The heavy-duty rack and travel locks show that Veralune understood tailgating buyers want durability and secure transport. Steel grates heat faster than cast iron, though they lose heat quicker once you open the lid.
- Pro: Travel locks and compact footprint make it genuinely portable
- Pro: Tied for highest rating in this list at 4.6/5
- Con: Steel grates are less forgiving than cast iron for low-and-slow cooking
Skip if your primary use is a fixed backyard setup; the same price buys you better grates elsewhere.
BIG HORN OUTDOORS 9″ Sear Station
The smaller sibling to the 16-inch model, this nine-inch version keeps the 1500°F rapid preheat in a package that fits on a balcony railing or a tailgate table. The tradeoff is cooking surface area: one steak at a time, maybe two thin-cut pieces if you crowd it carefully.
- Pro: Cheapest path to true infrared searing at $149.99
- Pro: Portable enough for camping, apartments, or as a dedicated sear backup
- Con: 9-inch surface limits you to one or two steaks per session
Skip if you feed more than two people regularly. Go for the 16-inch version instead.
4+1 Stainless Steel Grill with Infrared Side Burner
A four-main-burner plus one-infrared-side-burner configuration at a mid-range price. The stainless steel construction earns it a solid rating without the premium cost of name-brand alternatives, and the black finish hides grease marks well between cleanings.
- Pro: Balanced four-plus-one layout covers most backyard cooking scenarios
- Pro: Stainless steel body at $249.99 offers strong durability per dollar
- Con: Mid-tier rating (4.3/5) suggests it does nothing exceptionally well
Skip if you want a standout performer in any specific category; this is the safe, average option.
Buying Guide
Infrared Burner Type and Coverage
The single most important spec is whether the infrared element covers your main cooking surface or only a side burner. Dedicated infrared grills radiate heat from the primary burners directly under your steaks, which is what produces that intense Maillard reaction without charring the interior. Side-burner-only designs force you to sear elsewhere and move food, losing heat in transit. If you see “infrared side burner” in a product title, that infrared element is not under your grates.
Grate Material and Heat Retention
Cast iron grates hold heat longer and produce superior grill marks because they transfer thermal energy into the food surface on contact. Porcelain-enameled cast iron adds rust resistance without sacrificing that heat retention. Bare steel grates heat up faster but cool quickly when you lift the lid or place cold protein on them. For infrared searing specifically, cast iron grates matter more than any other material choice because they sustain the high surface contact temperature that makes infrared work.
Preheat Time and BTU Output
A quality infrared grill should reach usable searing temperature in under five minutes. The 1500°F in three to five minutes claimed by BIG HORN reflects a ceramic emitter that concentrates radiant energy rather than spreading it. BTU ratings alone are misleading; a 55,000 BTU grill with poorly distributed burners wastes more energy than a 12,000 BTU infrared side burner that focuses all its output into a small area. Look for preheat claims paired with actual temperature targets, not just total BTU numbers.
Our Verdict
The top pick for most serious home cooks is the Charbroil Pro Series 3-Burner Amplifire at 4.6/5. It delivers even infrared coverage across its main cooking surface, backs it with proven burner technology, and the griddle cabinet makes it versatile enough for any meal you can imagine grilling. If budget is the deciding factor, the BIG HORN OUTDOORS 9-inch sear station at $149.99 gives you genuine 1500°F infrared searing at the lowest entry price we tested. One situation where another product wins clearly: if you regularly cook for six or more people and need maximum space, the Brand-Man 6-Burner at 624 square inches outmatches everything else on surface area regardless of its lower rating.
FAQ
Do infrared grills use more propane than regular gas grills?
No. Infrared burners are actually more fuel-efficient for the same cooking task because they transfer heat directly to food via radiation rather than heating the surrounding air first. You may use less propane per cookout, especially since preheat times are shorter.
Can I sear a steak on any infrared grill?
Only if the infrared element is positioned under the main cooking surface where your food sits. Grills with infrared side burners require you to sear on the side and then move the steak, which causes heat loss. Dedicated infrared grills or hybrid models with infrared main burners give the best sear.
How do I clean an infrared burner?
Most infrared ceramic or stainless emitters are self-cleaning through high heat; run the grill on high for ten minutes after cooking to burn off residue. If grease accumulates visibly, use a soft brush once the unit is fully cool. Never use water or pressure washers directly on the ceramic element.
Is infrared better than conventional gas for everyday grilling?
For steaks, chops, and quick searing, infrared is clearly superior. For long, low-temperature cooking of large cuts like ribs or whole chickens, a conventional burner with an indirect zone is more controllable. The best hybrid grills combine both approaches so you never have to compromise on technique.
