Neither is better — they do different jobs. A griddle excels at smash burgers, eggs, pancakes, vegetables and anything small or delicate; a grill is better for smoky flavor, thick steaks and indirect cooking.
Hands-on reviews
Flat Top Grill & Griddle Reviews: Every Model We’ve Tested
Flat top grill and griddle reviews, including Blackstone and Traeger, ranked on even heat, cooking space and grease cleanup. Find the right outdoor griddle for smash burgers, breakfasts and crowds.
- 4
- models tested
- 4.4/5
- average score
- October 25, 2026
- last updated
Full ranking
Every flat top grill we’ve tested, ranked by score
We judged each griddle on how evenly the steel heats edge to edge, how well grease drains and how easy the top is to keep seasoned. A griddle gives up grill marks for a big, even surface that suits smash burgers, breakfasts and stir-fries. The Ninja Sizzle is an indoor model and is marked as such.
Outdoor models (3)
01Best overall4.5Blackstone
Blackstone Original 36" Griddle
Best for families and hosts who cook breakfast and burgers for 6+.
- Four independently controlled 15,000 BTU burners let you hold eggs low while bacon and pancakes cook hotter beside them
- 768 sq in of steel fit a full breakfast for eight on about half the surface in our testing
Skip it if: Small households, steak-and-char cooks, anyone who won't season steel.
768 sq in · Propane · tested 4 weeks
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02Best budget pick4.5Traeger
Traeger Flatrock 3 Zone Griddle
Best for families and hosts who cook big breakfasts, burgers and hibachi and want even, zoned heat.
- TruZone gives 3 independent heat zones, so you can sear, sauté and hold food at once
- Heat spreads evenly across the top, with no big cold edges
Skip it if: Buyers chasing the most griddle for the money, campers, or very small patios.
594 sq in griddle top · Propane
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03Best value4.3Blackstone
Blackstone 2364 Camping Griddle with Side Burner
Best for car campers and tailgaters cooking for 2–4 who want breakfast and coffee at once.
- Side burner runs coffee or beans while breakfast cooks on the plate
- Pancakes and smash burgers browned evenly across the whole plate
Skip it if: Big groups, hike-in camping, or anyone who wants grill marks.
168 sq in · Propane · tested 3 weeks
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Indoor countertop models (1) · same scale, ranked separately
014.3Ninja
Ninja Sizzle Indoor Grill & Griddle (GR101)
Best for apartment and condo cooks who can't grill outdoors.
- Reached 500°F in about 8 minutes from cold and built a real crust on steak in our testing
- Swappable grill and flat griddle plates cover grill-mark burgers one night and pancakes the next
Skip it if: Smoke-sensitive kitchens, big groups, live-fire flavor fans.
14 x 9 in grill plate and 14 x 9 in griddle plate · Electric · tested 2 weeks
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Buying advice
What matters when choosing a flat top grill
A flat top is a big steel cooking plate over gas burners. It’s best for smash burgers, breakfasts, stir-fries and feeding a crowd at once.
- 01
Plate thickness and heat evenness
Thicker rolled-steel plates hold heat when you drop cold food on them and even out burner hot spots. Thin plates can warp and run noticeably hotter over each burner.
- 02
Number of burners = number of zones
Independent burners let you sear on one side and keep food warm on the other. A 22-inch, 2-burner propane griddle suits small patios and camping; a 36-inch, 4-burner griddle covers a family breakfast and a burger night with room to spare.
- 03
Grease management
Rear or side grease troughs with a removable cup are much cleaner than front-drain designs. Check how easy the cup is to reach and empty.
- 04
Seasoning and rust care
Carbon steel needs to be seasoned and kept oiled; a hard cover or lid makes a big difference outdoors. Our seasoning guide walks through the first burn-in.
Budget
What each price tier gets you
Tabletop
Under $200
17–22" portable griddles for camping and small patios.
2 tested · top scorer: Blackstone 2364 Camping Griddle with Side Burner
Full-size
$300–$700
28–36" freestanding griddles with 2–4 burners — the best value for families.
1 tested · top scorer: Blackstone Original 36" Griddle
Premium
$700+
Thicker plates, hoods, stainless frames and griddle/grill combos.
1 tested · top scorer: Traeger Flatrock 3 Zone Griddle
Who should skip a flat top grill
If you want grill marks, smoke flavor or low-and-slow barbecue, a griddle won’t replace a gas grill, pellet grill or charcoal grill.
If you don’t want to season and oil bare steel after every cook, a gas grill with stainless grates is lower maintenance. For small spaces, consider a portable grill.
Go deeper
Flat Top grill guides
The four guides that matter most if you own or are choosing a flat top grill.
Fix & care11 minHow to Season a Blackstone GriddleBuild a slick, rust-resistant seasoning on a Blackstone or any steel flat top in 3–5 thin coats, then fix sticky, flaking or rusty spots.Read the guide 
Fix & care12 minHow to Clean a GrillWhat to clean after every cook, every few cooks and twice a season, with deep-clean steps for gas, charcoal and pellet grills and fixes for flare-ups, rust and weak heat.Read the guide 
Fix & care10 minWhy Is My Food Sticking to the Grill? Causes and FixesFind why food sticks to your grill grates in one table, then fix it: heat, timing, clean grates, oiled food, sauce timing and fish.Read the guide 
Best-of guide22 minBest Portable GrillsFive hand-tested portable grills for tailgates, campsites and RV trips, matched to how far you carry them and how many you feed.Read the guide
Quick answers
Flat Top Grill FAQ
01Is a griddle better than a grill?
02Do I need to season a new griddle?
Yes. Most carbon-steel griddle tops arrive with only a light factory coating. Apply 3–5 thin coats of high smoke point oil and burn each one off before your first cook.
03What is the difference between a flat top grill and a griddle?
Mostly the name. Outdoor "flat top grill" and "griddle" both describe a solid steel cooking plate heated by burners underneath. Commercial flat tops often use thicker plates, but for backyard propane griddles the terms are interchangeable.
04Can you use a flat top griddle in the rain?
You can cook under a covered area, but do not leave a carbon-steel top exposed to rain. Oil it after every cook and cover it to prevent rust.
05How do I stop my griddle from rusting?
After each cook, scrape the plate while warm, wipe on a thin layer of oil and cover it. If rust appears, scrub it off, then re-season with a few thin coats of oil.
06Can I use a flat top grill indoors?
No. Gas griddles are for outdoor use only. For indoor griddling, look at an electric griddle or an indoor electric grill.
07What oil is best for seasoning a griddle?
Use an oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, vegetable, grapeseed or flaxseed oil, in very thin layers. Our griddle seasoning guide shows the full process.
Keep browsing
Other grill types we’ve ranked
Not set on a type yet? Start with our best grills overall, or see every category winner side by side.
