The Short Answer
Grills follow the seasons, and the best deals land at the end of one. Labor Day kicks off end-of-season clearance, when stores cut inventory 30 to 50 percent to make room for next year, and it runs right through September and October. Shopping in peak summer? The 4th of July and Memorial Day bring the best selection with solid holiday markdowns, and Black Friday is a quieter third option.
A grill is one of the most seasonal things you can buy, which is exactly why timing it right saves you so much. The same Weber or Traeger can swing well over a hundred dollars depending on whether you shop when everyone wants one or when stores are trying to get rid of them.
Here's the surprise: the hottest grilling months are the worst time to buy. Prices peak in spring when demand does, then fall off a cliff after Labor Day as retailers clear the shelves for next season. Here's how the year really breaks down, the five grills we'd buy today, and the moves that beat even an end-of-season price.
The Grill Deal Calendar
Every sale window, ranked by how much you save
We scored each shopping window on the size of the discount you can realistically expect on a grill. Longer, greener bar means a better time to buy.
The single best window. Retailers run end-of-season clearance and cut grills 30 to 50 percent to clear inventory for next year. Selection thins as it goes, so pounce early.
The best in-season deals, with the widest selection of the year and real 20 to 40 percent holiday markdowns. Buy now if you want a specific model in stock and can't wait for fall.
Solid discounts, but grill selection thins out in the off-season and big models can be hard to ship. A fine backup if you missed the fall clearance.
Strong on pellet grills, griddles and accessories from Traeger, Blackstone and Weber. It overlaps peak season, so it's more about convenience than the deepest cut.
Grill marketing peaks, but the actual discounts are modest. Handy if you're buying a gift, not the cheapest week of the year.
Small markdowns here and there, but nothing close to the seasonal events. Fine in a pinch, not worth planning around.
Demand peaks, brand-new models launch at full price, and everyone is shopping. The most expensive time to buy, with the lone exception of Memorial Day weekend.
Which Grill Should You Buy?
Know the lineup, find your pick
Five grills that cover how most people actually cook outside, from a $170 gas starter to a smoker and a flat-top griddle. Learn the typical price and you'll spot a real discount the moment it lands.
The everyday gas grill the whole industry gets measured against. Three burners, rock-solid build, and even heat that makes weeknight dinners foolproof. If you just want to grill without thinking about it, this is the one.
Your first real smoker, minus the babysitting. Load the wood pellets, set a temperature, and WiFi keeps it steady for hours while you do anything else. Brisket, ribs and pizza all come out great. The gateway Traeger.
The grill your dad had, and for good reason. Real charcoal flavor, dead-simple design, and it lasts decades. It sears, it smokes low-and-slow with a little practice, and it costs a fraction of everything else here.
The flat top that took over backyards. A huge steel surface for smash burgers, breakfast, fried rice and fajitas all at once, with a hood to lock in heat. The most fun you can have cooking outside.
Proof you don't need to spend a fortune to grill well. A simple 30,000 BTU three-burner that fires up fast and cooks plenty of food. It won't last a decade like a Weber, but it's the easiest yes for a first grill.
Grill prices swing hard with the seasons, so the number on the button today may be well below these typical prices, especially in fall. Tap any card to see what it costs right now.
Beat Even the Best Sale
5 ways to pay even less
Timing is half the game. These five moves can beat an end-of-season price on their own, and they stack.
This is the big one. From Labor Day through October, stores mark down floor models and overstock 30 to 50 percent to clear space for holiday goods. The selection thins as it goes, so shop early in the window for the best pick.
Home Depot, Lowe's and Amazon sell display and open-box grills at 20 to 40 percent off, often already assembled and inspected. For a big metal box, a floor model is usually as good as new.
Grill makers refresh their lineups every spring. When the new models land, retailers discount the outgoing version 25 to 40 percent even though the changes are usually minor. Last year's Weber or Traeger is the value play.
Home Depot and Lowe's push season-end bundles (cover, tools, propane) and their own house brands that undercut name brands on price per BTU. Great if you care more about cooking than the badge.
Big grills can cost $50 to $150 to ship or assemble. Buying in-store during a clearance, or picking a model with free assembly, can save more than the sale itself. Always add it to the math.
From March through early June, grill demand peaks, brand-new models arrive at full price, and retailers have zero reason to discount. Buying a grill on the first warm weekend of the year is the single most expensive way to do it. The one exception is Memorial Day weekend, which brings genuine holiday markdowns. Otherwise, if you can cook on your old grill a little longer, hold out for the 4th of July or, better yet, the Labor Day clearance.
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