GoKawiilA big outdoor griddle can change what summer feels like. And the best flat-top grills can make dinner feel like an event to be proud of. What's a more satisfying sound than the slap of a spatula onto the chopped onions and rib eye meant for a perfect cheesesteak? The blister of corn tortillas cooked in the grease left by hard-seared carne asada? The smash of a burger at a backyard barbecue? The blessed evenness of pancakes cooked on a well-seasoned griddle plate? All you need is a great griddle to set you up for success.
An outdoor gas griddle is an essential backyard counterpart to the satisfying direct heat of a high-performing charcoal or wood-fired grill—adding all the versatility of your favorite diner to your sunny-day toolkit. I've spent months cooking dozens of smashburgers, bacon strips, tacos, and pancakes to find the best outdoor griddle for each kind of backyard cook. Now, I find myself using the griddle more than a classic grill.
My top-rated Traeger Flatrock ($1,000) offers the most even and reliable heat out of any I tested, and it feels like a Cadillac idling in the yard. Meanwhile, the rust-resistant four-burner 36-inch Weber Slate ($1,049) provides a broad cooking surface, an easier seasoning process, and the best array of features to build out a flat-top grill into a true workstation. For those keeping it to a tighter budget, my best recommendation is just to downsize your Weber. The compact 28-inch Weber Slate is the best value at $798, edging out lower-cost brands whose durability is less assured.
For more outdoor cooking action, check out WIRED's guide to the Best Pizza Ovens, Best Smokeless Firepits, and Best Cast Iron Pans.
Updated May 2026: I added the 28-inch Weber Slate, the Solo Stove Stainless Griddle, and the 22-inch Weber Slate portable griddle. I moved the LoCo 36-inch griddle to honorable mentions. I also added context and updates on griddle performance over time and ensured up-to-date links and prices.
Best Griddle Overall
Photograph: Matthew Korfhage
Photograph: Matthew Korfhage
Courtesy of Traeger Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Traeger Flatrock 33-inch 3-Zone Griddle $1,000 Home Depot $1,000 Ace Hardware $1,000 $899 (10% off) Amazon WIRED/TIRED AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron WIRED The most even heat on any cooktop I've tested
Sturdy construction and wind shielding
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