Our top choice for the best overall flat top grill is the Blackstone Iron Forged 36-inch Griddle. This four-burner model features a carbon-rolled steel griddle plate, allowing it to heat quickly and reach temperatures up to 650 F, resist warping and wind, and disperse heat evenly. The 36-inch model’s griddle plate provides 768 square inches of cooking space—enough space to cook 30 burgers, or 60 hot dogs—and an electronic ignition.

The Blackstone also includes built-in accessory and tool systems, so users can customize their setup with tool holders, baskets, inset totes, and other items. It also offers two sets of side tables for plenty of workspace, and the left table extends to offer even more space. The one issue you might experience is that the lid can be awkward to lift and keep up, especially in the wind.

Last year, we recommended the Blackstone 1825, which shares many of the same features. However, that doesn’t offer as much grill space, prep space, or a lid, so we felt the 2310 was a better option this year.

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If you’ve got a tighter budget to work with and want to stay around $200, and still get an excellent flat top grill, check out the Nexgrill Daytona. This griddle relies on a hot-rolled steel griddle surface. It’s durable enough at the price point and provides lots of cooking space (532 square inches)— roomy enough to cook 21 burgers, around 40 hot dogs, or around 15 5-inch pancakes. It has two burners for temperature control, though it won’t retain heat as well as carbon steel and does require seasoning.

While offering plenty of cooking area, the Daytona 2-Burner Flat Top is still compact enough to fit on small patios and decks. It comes with a steel lid to protect the cooking surface when it’s not in use, and the rear-mounted grease cup is accessible for managing drippings.

The main downside with this budget-minded model is its limited prep space, which can be a huge help with an outdoor grill, especially if you’re chopping onions, staging plates of different meats, or need a place for a cold drink. On the other hand, the compact and simple design, and the affordable price make this a great option.

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If you want to go all-out or step up your grill game, the Traeger Flatrock is the premier option. This 33-inch flat top has a large cooking space (594 square inches)—enough to cook around 23 burgers, 45 hot dogs, and about 17 pancakes—and three U-shaped burners that distribute heat evenly across the cooking surface from edge to edge. Heating up to 600 F, this grill uses a recessed design that blocks wind and helps maintain heat, and an electronic ignition for easy lighting. Also, if you need prep space, the Flatrock has it—two large side shelves provide plenty of space to chop vegetables, store seasonings, and stage meats for a long cooking session.

One of the Traeger’s best features is its grease collection system, which is different than any of the other models. It enables you to direct debris and grease to the front of the grill where it’s collected in a high-volume removable grease keg. It also includes a built-in LED display that shows the volume of propane in the tank. But keep in mind that it’s almost 74 inches from end to end, so it’s a better fit for folks with a large, roomy patio or deck.

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If you’re shopping for a flat top that you can fold down and store away without sacrificing capacity, give the Royal Gourmet GB Series 4-Burner Gas Griddle some serious thought. This 36-inch griddle features four burners (though the maximum temperature isn’t listed) and a 748-square-inch cooking surface—our second largest cooking surface in the roundup, yet has folding legs that make it easy to take on the road or for cooking on a picnic table (though it does weigh around 130 pounds).

The Royal Gourmet griddle comes with a smart cover design that unlatches to become a shelf on either side of the flat top. It also has an electronic ignition and a grease management system in the rear of the grill for quick, easy clean-up. The trade-off comes with this flat top’s material—it's made from ceramic-coated steel, which might not be as durable as material like the carbon steel that the Traeger and Blackstone models offer (the ceramic can degrade over time). Ceramic steel also doesn’t retain or distribute heat as well as carbon steel, so it may affect searing, but it is generally easy to clean.

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If you’ve got a small yard or just want to add a flat top to your existing outdoor cooking options, the Blackstone One The Go 22-Inch Griddle is a solid option. While compact, it offers 361 square inches of cooking surface—room to prepare 14 burgers, 28 hot dogs, or 10 pancakes. It features a two-burner design, and a carbon rolled steel griddle for quick heating, a maximum temperature of over 650 F, and solid heat retention, meaning that despite its compact design, it’s just as capable and easy to use as larger models.

This Blackstone has folding legs and a locking lid so it can be moved around the yard, placed in your car, or stored away. It does weigh 78 pounds, so a spare set of hands would help when it’s time to move this grill. The single side shelf offers prep space and doubles as a handle for wheeling your grill about. One thing to note is that this griddle is designed for small 1-pound propane bottles, so you’ll need an adapter hose ($10) if you’d like to convert it to your standard propane bottle at home.

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Those on the hunt for a mid-sized flat top that delivers premium performance will find the 28-inch Weber Slate to be a nice fit. This griddle features a durable carbon steel cooktop that has been case hardened, meaning it’s durable, scratch-resistant, and doesn’t need to be seasoned. It also includes a low-profile design and wind guards to protect the flame and temperature from the wind.

This model has three burners to heat evenly across the cooking surface, and it heats up to temperatures over 500 F. There is also a set of specially designed hinges that make the lid easy to use and keep safely in place.

The Slate offers 504 square inches of cooking surface, so enough room for about 20 burgers, 39 hot dogs, or 14 pancakes. At roughly 63 inches wide, it's still compact enough to fit most patios, decks, and yards. Note that the side tables don’t fold down for easy storage. But there are a ton of accessories available for the side tables, like bins, tools, warming racks, a garbage kit, and more (though they’re all sold separately) that improve the convenience and workflow.

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