If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the BEST infrared gas grill is, then depends on your needs, we recommend:
Portable: Char-Broil Grill2Go X200
Two-burner: Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 325
Three-burner: Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 420
Four-burner: Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 525
As a pitmaster who’s spent more late nights nursing briskets than I’ve spent sleeping like a normal human, I’ve learned one truth: heat is its own kind of language.
Some grills mumble. Some grills scream.
Infrared gas grills?
Well – they sing.
Infrared cooking replaces the open flame dance with radiant heat, blasting your food with an even, moisture-saving intensity. Done well, it gives you steakhouse crusts even on a Tuesday night when you’re wearing flip-flops and holding a cold beer in one hand.
Today we’re diving deep into some of the most talked-about infrared gas grills on the market:
- Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 450 Cart Style & Cabinet Style (3-Burner)
- Char-Broil Grill2Go X200
- Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 325, 420 & 525
- Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Patio Bistro
- Magma Products A10-918-2GS Newport 2
- Solaire SOL-EV17A Everywhere
This review breaks everything down piece by piece – performance, design, heat output, portability, who each grill is actually made for – and sprinkles in a few pitmaster insights to help you decide what belongs in your backyard or on your next tailgate.
Let’s fire it up.
Understanding Infrared Gas Grills (The 60-Second Explainer)
Before we talk about each grill, let’s decode why infrared exists and why grill nerds like me won’t shut up about it.
What Infrared Cooking Actually Does
Infrared burners don’t heat the air around the food – they heat a plate (steel, ceramic, or stainless mesh) that radiates heat directly into your food.
The result?
- Even heat with fewer flare-ups
- Higher maximum temperatures
- Better control at low temps
- Juicier results (because air movement is minimized)
- Faster cooking when you want it
- Restaurant-quality sears without needing to pray to the flame gods
A Quick Personal Anecdote
The first time I used an infrared grill I accidentally turned a ribeye into a crime scene – because I didn’t respect how fast the sear hit. One second it looked raw, the next it looked like it owed somebody money.
Infrared heat is no joke.
Advantages of Infrared Grills
- Short heating time: Without a doubt, one of the best things about using an infrared grill is that it heats up a lot faster than a traditional gas or charcoal grill.
- Stability: Because they rely on radiant heat, these grills can operate perfectly in a variety of climate conditions, including strong winds and even rain. Because there are no flames, you don’t have to worry about them being put out by anything.
- Fast cooking: In addition to heating up faster, infrared grills also reach higher temperatures than traditional grills (between 900 to 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit). As you can probably imagine, that results in faster cooking times.
- Even heating: Unlike most charcoal and traditional gas grills, infrared grills do not have hot and cold spots. As a result, they are capable of producing an even amount of heat. The result? Evenly-cooked meat no matter where you place it in the grill.
- No flare-ups: Having an additional layer, infrared grills prevent flare-ups. This results in hot air moving smoothly and more efficiently than it would do in a traditional grill.
- Energy efficiency: If you, like me, are concerned about your impact on the environment, you will like to learn that infrared grills use a lot less fuel than charcoal or traditional gas grills, resulting in less harmful emissions. This is furthered by the fact that infrared grills cook a lot faster than conventional grills.
- Good searing capabilities: Much like a laser, the heat produced by an infrared grill moves up directly onto the food in a concentrated beam. This allows it to produce a quality sear with ease, locking in moisture. What is more, meat that has been seared with this type of grill tends to show uniform caramelization across its entire surface and a hard, dark, beautiful crust.
- Cleaning ease: Because it produces no ashes and no debris, these grills are a lot easier to clean than charcoal or gas ones. Without a doubt, that makes it more convenient and practical than its more conventional counterparts.
How to Prepare and Maintain an Infrared Grill
Always Preheat It
Like conventional grills, infrared grills need to be pre-heated before they can be used. Pre-heating does not only get the grill ready for efficient cooking but also sterilizes and prepares it.
Additionally, it ensures that your food won’t stick to the grates as it starts cooking, protecting it from damage and reducing the debris that it will produce during the cooking process.
Mind the Temperature
As I previously said, infrared grills can reach very high levels of heat. While this can be great for grilling large cuts of meat, it may not be as advisable for cooking vegetables and other foods.
Apart from damaging said food, using too much heat may break it up, resulting in an excess of juices flowing onto the grill. In addition to being difficult to clean, the accumulation of said juices can damage the grill.
Use a Thermometer
Expanding on the previous point, I should say that, when using an infrared grill, it’s paramount to control the temperature at all times. To do this properly, there is no better way than using a thermometer.
The Best Infrared Gas Grill On the Market – Six Reviews
1. Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 450 Cart Style & Cabinet Style (4-Burner)
This is one of Char-Broil’s bread-and-butter models and hands down one of the most popular mid-size infrared gas grills you’ll see at backyard cookouts.
Build & Design
Available in cart style (open bottom) and cabinet style (closed storage), the TRU-Infrared 450 looks like the grill you picture when someone says “gas grill.”
- 3 burners
- 450 square inches of primary cooking space
- Porcelain-coated grates
- Side shelves for prep
- Optional side burner (depending on model)
The build isn’t luxury-grade stainless steel, but it’s solid enough to last years if you cover it and don’t leave it in a salty coastal climate.
Cabinet vs. Cart Style
If you like hiding clutter – tank, tools, that weird spatula everyone hates – get the cabinet version.
If you want something lighter and cheaper, the cart style works fine.
Performance & Heat Output
Here’s where the grill earns its name.
Char-Broil’s TRU-Infrared plate sits over the burners, creating:
- Consistent temperatures across the entire grate
- Quick searing hotspots when you need them
- 0 flare-ups, even with burgers dripping grease like a bad faucet
This model reaches about 650–700°F, which is more than enough for steak night.
Pitmaster Insight
If you’re coming from a standard gas grill, the evenness feels… magical.
The first time I cooked chicken thighs on this thing I kept waiting for a flare-up that never happened.
Who It’s For
- Suburban grillers
- Family cookouts
- People who want an upgrade without “premium grill” prices
- Anyone craving consistent results with minimal babysitting
Key Pros
- Even heat distribution
- Lower gas usage than open-flame grills
- Good price-to-performance ratio
- Storage-friendly with the cabinet model
Cons
- Assembly is a patience test
- Not as durable as higher-end stainless grills
- Grates need regular cleaning to avoid gunk buildup
2. Char-Broil Grill2Go X200
If grills had spirit animals, the X200 would be a bulldog: compact, sturdy, and ready to chew through just about anything.
Build & Portability
This thing is built like a tank:
- Cast aluminum body
- Latches that feel like they came off a tactical case
- Shock-absorbing construction
- Weighs around 20 pounds
- Runs on 1 lb propane cylinders
Perfect for:
- Tailgates
- Beach trips
- Camping
- Truck beds
- Fishing docks
I’ve dropped this grill (accidentally…) and it shrugged it off like I insulted it.
Cooking Performance
Despite the small footprint, the infrared system hits searing temperatures fast – easily 700°F.
You get:
- A single burner
- 200 square inches of cooking space
- Rapid recovery time when opening the lid
Great for burgers, steaks, chops, and fish.
Not ideal for feeding an entire football team unless you’re doing batches.
Pitmaster Note
If you’ve ever struggled to get a portable grill hot enough to sear anything tougher than a hotdog, this one will feel like a revelation.
Pros
- Ultra portable
- Super durable
- True infrared performance
- Insanely fast heat-up
Cons
- Small cooking area
- No built-in thermometer that you can trust
- Lid height limits bigger cuts
3. Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 325, 420 & 525
Now we’re climbing Char-Broil’s ladder into premium territory.
The Signature Series is basically Char-Broil saying:
“What if we gave our budget models a college education and a nicer wardrobe?”
Build & Design
These come in three sizes:
- 325: 2 burners
- 420: 3 burners
- 525: 4 burners
Compared to the Performance line, the Signature series offers:
- More stainless steel
- Better knobs and controls
- Heavier, more durable grates
- Better ignition system
- Fully enclosed cabinet storage
- A more “professional” look without professional-pricing
They feel solid.
Like, “this won’t wobble if a kid bumps into it” solid.
Heat Performance
Infrared output is similar across the line, but you get:
- More even heat
- Faster heat-up
- More cooking flexibility
The big winner?
The 525.
It’s the first Char-Broil model where you genuinely feel like you can cook anything – steaks, ribs, whole chickens, holiday roasts – without juggling space.
Cooking Experience (Pitmaster Perspective)
The Signature grills hit hotter and recover faster than the cheaper models.
If you like searing thick ribeyes until they sing, this series does it better.
They also do a surprisingly good job holding low temps (300–350°F), so you can:
- Smoke wings
- Roast veggies
- Bake pizza stones
- Run indirect setups
For a gas grill? That’s impressive.
Pros
- Best performance within Char-Broil’s lineup
- Excellent heat control
- Great for both beginners and advanced grillers
- Solid build quality
- Great searing ability
Cons
- Heavier than the mid-tier models
- Price jumps significantly as you size up
- Assembly is still a project
4. Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Patio Bistro
This is the “city boy” of the lineup—in a good way.
Compact Urban-Friendly Design
If you’re:
- Living in a condo
- Grilling on a balcony
- Working with tight backyard space
The Patio Bistro is one of the few infrared gas grills that fits beautifully without looking like a toy.
Compact but stylish, it offers:
- Circular cooking grate
- 240 sq in primary space + warming rack
- Quick electric ignition
- Small footprint with a modern look
Heat Output
It doesn’t get as hot as the bigger Char-Broils, but still reaches a respectable 500–550°F.
Perfect for:
- Burgers
- Kebabs
- Chicken
- Chops
- Small steaks
Not ideal for large roasts or multitasking.
Pros
- Great for tight spaces
- Easiest infrared grill to store
- Even heat
- Stylish and lightweight
Cons
- Lower heat output
- Not spacious enough for big gatherings
- Lid height limits versatility
5. Magma Products A10-918-2GS Newport 2
This is a grill built for people who spend half their life on water.
Build & Purpose
Made primarily for boating, the Newport 2 uses:
- Mirror-polished stainless steel
- Anti-corrosion hardware
- Windproof design
- Compact, rectangular shape
- Mounting options for rails, rods, decks, and fishing boats
You can use it at home, but that’s like buying a Ferrari to drive to the mailbox.
Heat & Cooking Performance
For a marine grill, it gets surprisingly hot.
Infrared performance is smooth, consistent, and reliable even with coastal winds trying to sabotage dinner.
Great for:
- Fish
- Burgers
- Quick steaks
- On-board meals
But you won’t roast a turkey on it. (Trust me, someone has tried.)
Pros
- Best marine infrared grill available
- Wind-resistant
- Extremely durable
- Compact but powerful
Cons
- Expensive compared to land grills
- Cooking area is modest
- Mounts sold separately
6. Solaire SOL-EV17A Everywhere
Now onto the grill that scares most other portable grills out of the parking lot.
What Makes Solaire Special
Solaire doesn’t use the same mild-mannered infrared plates as Char-Broil. They use ceramic infrared burners similar to high-end steakhouse broilers.
Meaning:
- Blazing heat
- Insane sear power
- Rapid heat recovery
- Pure radiant energy
When they named it “Everywhere,” they meant it.
Performance
This grill goes nuclear in minutes.
You get:
- 140 square inches of cooking space
- True restaurant-grade searing
- The ability to cook a ribeye faster than most grills heat up
- Minimal flare-ups but not zero (because flare-ups don’t survive long at 1000°F)
Anecdote
The first time I used the Solaire Everywhere, I told myself,
“Let’s see how hot this gets.”
Thirty seconds later I slammed the lid shut because I could feel my eyebrows negotiating their contract.
Pros
- Best portable sear in the market
- Lightweight
- Stainless build
- High-end burn system
Cons
- Small cooking area
- Overkill for some people
- Takes practice (and bravery)
Infrared vs. Traditional Gas Grills – What You Actually Feel While Cooking
The biggest difference between infrared and traditional gas grills isn’t the science – it’s the experience.
On a traditional gas grill, you’re constantly negotiating with the flame. One minute you’ve got a gentle heat perfect for chicken thighs, and the next you’re dodging flare-ups like you’re in an action movie. Infrared cooking removes that chaos.
The heat is even, predictable, and deeply consistent, which lets you focus on timing and flavor instead of fire management. Once you’ve cooked a few steaks on infrared, the old style feels oddly primitive.
It’s the difference between babysitting a campfire and driving a well-tuned car: both work, but one lets you relax and enjoy the ride.
The Real Learning Curve: How to Avoid Rookie Infrared Mistakes
Infrared grills are powerful tools, and like anything powerful, they demand respect. Most newcomers make the same mistake: treating them like a normal gas grill.
That’s how you end up with the classic “two-second ribeye transformation,” where raw becomes charred before your brain catches up. The trick is learning the rhythm – preheat properly, use the right section of the grate, and flip early, not when you see smoke signals.
Once you get used to the speed, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. Think of infrared cooking like driving a sports car: you don’t floor it out of habit, but once you master the controls, everything feels smoother and more exciting.
Maintenance & Longevity: Why Taking Care of Infrared Grills Pays Off
Infrared grills aren’t high-maintenance divas, but they do appreciate a little routine care. The emitter plates need occasional brushing to keep the radiant heat flowing freely, and the grates benefit from a quick scrape while they’re still warm.
Treat it like sharpening a good knife – small, consistent upkeep makes every cook better. The good news is infrared systems actually reduce long-term wear because flare-ups don’t torch your burners and grates the way traditional flames do.
With regular cleaning and a weatherproof cover, most infrared grills last longer than the average backyard burner. If you want performance that stays sharp for years, treating the grill right is just part of the pitmaster lifestyle.
Final Buying Guide & Recommendations
Let’s break it down cleanly.
If you want the best balance of power, reliability, and versatility, the Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared series is the strongest all-around pick for most backyards.
For portability, choose the Grill2Go X200 if you want durability or the Solaire Everywhere if high-heat searing is your top priority.
Boaters and coastal grillers should stick with the Magma Newport 2, while small-space cooks will get the most from the compact Char-Broil Patio Bistro.
Best for Backyards (Overall Winner)
Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 420 or 525
Fantastic balance of heat, size, quality, and features.
The Signature 420/525 brings together powerful, even infrared heat and a spacious cooking surface – letting you sear steaks at high temps and roast whole chickens without juggling burners.
Its heavy-duty build and premium controls deliver a more stable, consistent grilling experience than budget models, giving you reliability meal after meal.
For backyard grillers who want restaurant-grade results without overspending, this series offers the best balance of performance, size, and value.
Best Budget Backyard Grill
Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 450
Reliable, versatile, and affordable infrared cooking.
The Performance TRU-Infrared 450 delivers even, consistent heat across the entire cooking surface, cutting down flare-ups and giving reliable sears every time.
Its mid-size design hits a sweet spot – big enough for family cookouts, but compact enough for smaller patios or balconies.
For grillers upgrading from a simple gas grill, it offers solid infrared performance and versatility at a reasonable price.
Best Portable Grill for Real Heat
Solaire Everywhere SOL-EV17A
If you care about sear marks, this is the one.
The Solaire Everywhere SOL-EV17A delivers searing-level heat in a lightweight, portable package, making it ideal for tailgates, small patios, or travel.
Its ceramic-infrared burner blasts radiant heat quickly and evenly, giving you steakhouse-grade crusts even with a compact cooking area.
For grillers who want serious heat and true portability without compromising searing performance, it’s one of the best in its class.
Best Value Portable Grill
Char-Broil Grill2Go X200
Durable and legitimately hot. Perfect for tailgates.
The Grill2Go X200 packs real infrared heat into a small, rugged, and portable frame – delivering strong sears and quick cooking without the bulk or expense of a full-size grill.
Its durability and ease of transport make it ideal for tailgates, camping trips, or balcony grilling, offering flexible use at a price far lower than larger infrared models.
For anyone who wants reliable heat and portability without spending much, this grill gives a lot more value per dollar than typical budget options.
Best Grill for Boats and Coastal Use
Magma Newport 2
Nothing else handles wind and saltwater like it.
The Magma Newport 2 is built from polished stainless steel with corrosion-resistant hardware, making it highly resistant to saltwater, spray, and marine weather – perfect for life on the water.
Its compact size and secure mounting options let you fasten it to railings or deck mounts, so it stays stable even in choppy conditions.
For boat owners or coastal dwellers who want real infrared grilling without worrying about rust or instability, it’s one of the most reliable options on the market.
Best Compact Balcony Grill
Char-Broil Patio Bistro
Infrared cooking without hogging space.
The Patio Bistro’s compact design and small footprint make it perfect for balconies, patios, or small urban outdoor areas where space is limited.
Despite its size, it still uses infrared technology to deliver even heat and decent searing for burgers, chops, or kebabs.
For apartment dwellers or anyone who wants reliable grilling without a bulky grill hogging space, the Patio Bistro strikes a smart balance between convenience and performance.
Final Thoughts
Infrared gas grills aren’t just a trend – they’re what happens when physics and flavor grab a beer together.
Whether you want:
- Backyard versatility
- High-heat steakhouse searing
- Compact city grilling
- Portable heat for adventures
- A marine-grade build that laughs at ocean winds
…there’s a grill on this list for your lifestyle.
As a pitmaster, I’ll leave you with this:
Great cooking isn’t about fancy tools – it’s about consistent heat and confident hands.
Infrared grills give you the first part. The second part comes with every cookout.
Fire it up, friend. Your next great meal is one spark away.
