Our grill is rusted out. What is the best gas grill under $500 for a small patio?

For a small patio and a $500 ceiling, I’d buy the Weber Spirit E-210. It’s compact without feeling like a “small grill,” and current testing/reviews specifically rate it highly for limited spaces.

• Weber Spirit E-210 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill - $399.00 (The Home Depot)

My picks

1. Weber Spirit E-210 — best overall

• $399 currently at Home Depot
• 2 burners, compact footprint
• Excellent temperature control and easy ignition
• Strongest choice if you want something to keep for years rather than replace again soon.
• Weber's current Spirit E-210 is also selling for $399 in a current Labor Day promotion.

2. Monument Mesa 2-Burner — best value

• Monument Grills Mesa 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill - $349.00 (The Home Depot)

$349, with 450 sq. in. total cooking area. It's a compelling choice if you want more cooking space for less money.

1. Nexgrill 2-Burner — best for really tight patios

• Nexgrill 2-Burner Stainless Steel Propane Gas Grill - $299.00 (The Home Depot)

$299, and the folding side shelves are particularly useful when patio space is limited.

One important thing given your rust problem

I'd spend the extra money on the Weber and buy a fitted cover rather than chasing a huge 4- or 5-burner grill for $300. Bigger budget grills often give you more cooking area, but they're not necessarily the better long-term buy. Serious Eats currently considers the Spirit line a standout under $500, while current testing guides also emphasize Weber's build quality and service reputation.

My choice: Weber Spirit E-210 at $399. That's the one I'd put on a small patio.

If you tell me roughly how wide/deep your patio space is, I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 grills that will physically fit, including their dimensions.

For a small patio and a budget under $500, you want a compact footprint (ideally with folding side tables) and solid build quality that won’t rust out like your last one.

The top options that strike the best balance of size, performance, and durability include:

Add to list Widely considered the gold standard for small-space gas grilling. It’s a 2-burner propane grill featuring porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates and two sturdy side tables—both of which fold down to save maximum space when you aren't cooking. It sits right at the $500 ceiling, heats evenly, and carries Weber’s reliable warranty and customer support. You can check availability on the Weber Official Store.

Add to list If your patio is ultra-compact (or an apartment balcony), a high-end portable/cart setup like the Q 2200 is fantastic . It runs on a single robust stainless steel burner inside a cast-aluminum body (meaning the lid and cookbox literally cannot rust ), has built-in folding side tables, and packs plenty of heat for 4 to 6 people.

Add to list A great budget-friendly alternative well under $500. It features a streamlined cabinet design, foldable side shelves, porcelain-coated grates, and reliable electronic ignition. It doesn't have the long-term premium build of a Weber, but it's an exceptional value if you want a traditional cart look without spending top dollar. View details on the Char-Broil Product Page.

Add to list A 2-burner stainless steel option that punches above its weight class. It features clear-view glass in the lid, LED-lit knobs, dual-layer rust-resistant firebox construction, and foldable side shelves—usually retailing around the mid-$300s. Check it out directly via Monument Grills.

If you can tell me whether you prefer a full-height freestanding cart or a smaller tabletop/balcony unit , I can help you pick the exact model that fits your layout.

When you're dealing with a small patio and a strict budget under $500, you want a compact footprint, folding side shelves (or a tabletop design), and solid rust-resistant construction (like cast aluminum or porcelain-enameled steel) so you aren't replacing it in a couple of years.

The top gas grill options for small spaces under $500 include:

Weber Spirit II E-210 (Best Overall) : This is a legendary 2-burner compact cart grill that comfortably fits on tight balconies or small patios. It features Weber's reliable GS4 grilling system, cast-iron cooking grates, and a left-side table that folds down to save space. It sits right around the $450–$500 mark and offers the best long-term durability and warranty in this size class. Check details on the Weber Official Website.

Weber Q 2200 (Best Tabletop/Compact Hybrid) : If floor space is at an absolute premium, this portable-yet-powerful gas grill delivers roughly $400 worth of serious cooking area (fits about 8–10 burgers). It has a cast-aluminum body and lid that won't rust out like cheap steel, high side handles, and a built-in lid thermometer. You can buy it with a folding cart or set it on an existing patio table. Look up options via Home Depot.

Monument Grills Mesa Series 2-Burner (Best Value with Extra Features) : Usually retailing around $330–$370, this cart-style 2-burner gives you a larger cooking area (450+ sq. in. total) for the price, porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates, and fold-down side shelves. A neat bonus is its clear-view glass lid so you don't have to lose heat checking on food. Check specs on the Monument Grills Store.

Char-Broil Performance Series 2-Burner Cabinet (Best Budget Full-Size) : Coming in around $280, this compact freestanding cabinet style hides the propane tank underneath and features folding side shelves. It heats up fast and uses porcelain-coated grates that are easy to clean, making it a reliable workhorse if you want a traditional cart look without spending the max budget. Explore details on Char-Broil.

To help narrow this down, tell me:

• Do you prefer a full-standing cart grill or a tabletop/portable model?
• Are you looking to cook for just 1–2 people or entertain small groups (4–6+) regularly?

For a small patio and a $500 ceiling, I’d buy the Weber Spirit E-210. It’s compact without being a tabletop grill, has two burners for direct/indirect cooking, and is currently $449. Consumer Reports’ 2026 buying guide also rates the Spirit II E-210 highly at this size/price point.

• Weber Spirit E-210 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill - $449.00 (The Home Depot)

My picks

• 🏆 Best overall: Weber Spirit E-210 — $449. Best combination of build quality, size, heat control, and long-term parts support. At 360-ish sq. in. of cooking area, it's a particularly good fit for 2–4 people.

• 💰 Best value: Monument Mesa 2-Burner — $349. More cooking area than the Weber and a lower price. The current model has 450 sq. in. total cooking space and stainless burners.

• 📦 Best for a really tight patio: Nexgrill 2-Burner — $299. Its folding side shelves make it substantially easier to store against a wall when you're not grilling.

• 🔥 Best compact premium-looking option: Fuego Element — $499. It's unusually space-efficient vertically and has a distinctive cylindrical design.

Since your old grill rusted out...

I'd lean Weber rather than chasing maximum burners or BTUs. A $250 four-burner grill can look like a bargain, but for a small patio you're likely better off with a well-built two-burner that you actually have room to use.

And buy a fitted cover. Keeping rain and moisture off the grill is probably the single easiest thing you can do to avoid repeating the rust problem.

My choice: Weber Spirit E-210 at $449. If $449 feels too steep, I'd take the Monument Mesa 2-Burner at $349 rather than a bargain four- or five-burner.

If you tell me roughly how much patio space you have (e.g. 4×6 feet) and how many people you usually cook for, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 options that will actually fit.

When you are tight on space and replacing a rusted-out unit, you want a compact footprint, solid rust resistance, and side shelves that fold down so the grill doesn't swallow your entire patio.

The top options for a small patio under $500 include:

Widely considered the gold standard for small-space gas grilling . It features two independently controlled burners, porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates that hold and distribute heat brilliantly, and sturdy fold-down metal side tables. Available at retailers like The Home Depot , it typically runs right around$4 4 9.

A fantastic budget-friendly cart model that features a sleek stainless finish, electronic ignition, and folding side shelves. It utilizes the FlavorMax system to keep flare-ups minimal on smaller cooktops. You can find it listed around$2 8 0–$2 9 9 on Char-Broil or Walmart.

If you want a modern look with stainless steel burners and a clear-view lid window to check on food without losing heat, this compact 2-burner packs 2 4,0 0 0 BTUs and folding shelves into a very small footprint. It is priced around$3 6 9 on the Monument Grills Store.

If your "patio" is really just a tiny apartment balcony or postage-stamp deck where a full cart feels too bulky, a high-end portable/tabletop Weber with cast-iron grates delivers exceptional convection heat without taking up floor space.

If you can share how many people you typically cook for and whether you prefer a full cart with wheels or a space-saving tabletop model , I can help you pick the exact right fit.

If your priority is a small patio + durability + staying under $500, I’d buy the Weber Spirit E-210.

Weber Spirit E-210 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill

$449.00

My picks

The current E-210 is specifically a 2-burner model with 360 sq. in. of primary cooking space, and current reviews consistently put it among the strongest choices for small patios.

Weber Spirit E-210

$449.00

Nexgrill 2-Burner 720-0864RH

$299.00

Monument Mesa 2-Burner

$349.00

Fuego Element Hinged

$449.10

Since your old grill rusted out, I'd lean Weber

That's the biggest reason I'd spend the extra ~$150 over the Nexgrill. The Spirit's cookbox is designed for outdoor durability, and the current model has Weber's Snap-Jet ignition and porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates.

One other interesting option: Weber Spirit E-310 is $499 and gives you three burners and substantially more cooking space, but for a genuinely small patio I'd rather have the E-210 and the smaller footprint.

Bottom line: Buy the Weber Spirit E-210. It's the one I'd choose if I wanted this grill to replace the rusted-out one and hopefully be the last grill I have to worry about for quite a while.

If you tell me roughly how much space you have (e.g. 3' × 4') and how many people you usually cook for, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 models that will physically fit.

For a compact space like a small patio, the best gas grill under $500 is the [Weber Spirit E-210 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Outdoor-Cooking-Grills-Gas-Grills/Small-Up-to-400-sq-in/N-5yc1vZc5t5Z1z1tign) , which typically retails around $450 to $499 . It features a space-saving footprint with folding side tables, 2 main burners , and 450 square inches of total cooking area (including the warming rack), backed by Weber's renowned durability and rust-resistant cast aluminum firebox.

For a closer look at how compact models like the Weber Spirit stack up against other mid-range alternatives on the market, watch this review:

Top Small-Patio Gas Grills Under $500

• Weber Spirit E-210 : The gold standard for small spaces. Features folding side shelves to tuck tightly against a railing or wall, porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates, and robust build quality that resists rust far better than cheap sheet metal alternatives.
• Char-Broil Performance Series 2-Burner : A budget-friendly option (usually under $300) offering electronic ignition, stainless steel-lidded durability, and side shelves that make it easy to fit on apartment or condo balconies without sacrificing dual-zone cooking capability.
• Monument Grills M2 4-Burner / Mesa 415BZ : If you want maximum burners and sear zones packed into a smaller cart style, this unit runs around $350–$400 and delivers high heat , though the metal gauges are thinner and require diligent cleaning and a good cover to prevent premature rust compared to Weber.

Would you like to narrow down these choices by telling me your maximum width limit or whether you prefer foldable shelves for tighter spaces?

For a small patio and a $500 ceiling, I’d prioritize a compact 2-burner grill with a rust-resistant cook box rather than a big 3–4 burner model.

🏆 My pick: Weber Spirit E-210

Weber Spirit E-210 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill

$449.00

Why I’d buy it: It’s currently about $449, has a relatively compact footprint, porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates, and—most importantly given your rusted-out grill—a cast-aluminum cook box that isn't going to rust through like a thin steel firebox. Weber lists a 10-year limited warranty.

The E-210 is also specifically sized around the small-patio use case. Consumer Reports gives the Spirit II E-210 a 72 overall score, one of the better scores among grills in this price range.

Other good choices

Char-Broil Performance Series 2-Burner

$279.00

Nexgrill 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill

$299.00

Monument Mesa 2-Burner

$349.00

Fuego Element Hinged F21C-H

$449.10

• Char-Broil Performance 2-Burner — ~$279: Best value. It's considerably cheaper than the Weber and has performed well in compact-grill testing.
• Nexgrill 2-Burner — ~$299: Good if you want folding side shelves and more cooking area while keeping the footprint manageable.
• Monument Mesa 220 — ~$349: Attractive alternative with 450 sq. in. total cooking area and strong current customer ratings.
• Fuego Element Hinged — ~$449: Best if patio space is extremely tight. Its unusual vertical/cylindrical design uses a 21-inch footprint while still providing 346 sq. in. of grilling area.

What I'd choose for you

One important tip: Don't let the shiny stainless-steel exterior fool you into thinking a grill is rust-proof. For longevity, I'd much rather have the Weber's cast-aluminum cook box than a cheaper grill with lots of stainless-looking sheet metal. That's particularly relevant since your last grill rusted out.

If you tell me roughly how much space you have (e.g. 4 ft × 3 ft) and whether you cook for 2, 4, or 6+ people, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 grills that will physically fit.

For a small patio where space is at a premium—but you still want a proper stand or dependable footprint without a massive cart—here are the best gas grills under$5 0 0 that balance compact dimensions with strong build quality to avoid another premature rust-out:

1. Weber Spirit E-210 Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
   • The Specs: 2-burner free-standing cart,∼450 tilde 450∼4 5 0 sq. inches of total cooking space, 26,500 BTUs.
   • Why it fits: At roughly 48 inches wide with foldable side tables, it hugs a patio wall easily. Weber's porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates and cast-aluminum cookbox resist corrosion far better than cheaper sheet metal competitors. It hits right around$4 5 0 , giving you legendary part availability and long-term durability. Available to explore on Ace Hardware.
2. • The Specs: 2-burner cabinet style,∼310 tilde 310∼3 1 0 sq. inches of primary cooking space, folding side shelves.
   • Why it fits: Retailing around$2 8 0 , this compact cart features a closed cabinet to hide the propane tank and protect gear, plus side shelves that drop down to shrink its footprint. The porcelain-coated grates are easy to clean, and it’s sized just right for tight balconies or small concrete patios. Check it out via Char-Broil.
3. Weber Q 2800N+Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (or Q1200 / Q2200 series if purely tabletop)
   • The Specs: High-performance portable/tabletop gas grill with available stand,∼320 tilde 320∼3 2 0 sq. inches of cooking space, 12,000+ BTUs.
   • Why it fits: If your patio is ultra-tiny, a high-end tabletop or cart-mounted portable grill is the ultimate space saver. The cast-aluminum body and lid will not rust, and the porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates deliver amazing heat distribution. You can run it on small disposable canisters or hook it up to a full-sized 20 lb tank with an adapter hose. Find options listed on Amazon.

To help narrow down the ideal choice, tell me:

• Do you prefer a full free-standing cart with wheels or a tabletop/compact model?
• Are you cooking for 1–2 people or regularly hosting 4+ guests?

For a small patio and a $500 ceiling, I’d buy the Weber Spirit E-210.

Weber Spirit E-210 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill

$449.00

My picks

Weber Spirit E-210

$449.00

Broil King Gem 310

$399.00

Nexgrill 2-Burner

$299.00

Permasteel 2-Burner Compact

$325.99

Monument Mesa 220

$349.00

Why I'd spend the extra on the Weber: Since your current grill rusted out, I'd prioritize build quality, replacement parts, and warranty over getting the most burners/BTUs for the dollar. Current reviews and owner discussions consistently put the Spirit near the top of the sub-$500 category, and Weber currently lists the E-210 at $449 with a 10-year limited warranty.

One caveat: the Weber isn't stainless steel throughout, so don't assume it's rust-proof. I'd absolutely buy a good fitted cover and keep the grease tray/inside of the cookbox clean and dry.

If your patio is really tight, tell me roughly how much space you have (width × depth) and whether you grill for 2, 4, or 6+ people. I can narrow it to the best 2–3 models that will actually fit.