The first NFL games kick off this week, which means it's time to fire up the grill. If you're looking to upgrade your outdoor cooking setup, we've got some incredible Labor Day deals you won't want to miss. Retailers like Walmart and Home Depot are offering some massive discounts on top-rated grills, so you can grab one for hundreds off the usual price right now. Whether you're after a tiny charcoal grill or a massive ceramic smoker, you'll find it for less below.
If you're new to grilling, our grill buying guide is a must-read. It covers all the essentials to help you find a grill that matches your needs and budget.
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Best Labor Day weekend grill deals
This model is our pick for the best grill overall thanks to its sturdy build, quick ignition system and even head dispersion. It has a total of 450 square inches of cooking space, so you should be able to fit about nine average-size burgers at once. According to our experts, it also works well with steaks, veggies and fish.
This standalone ceramic charcoal grill has 450 square inches of cooking space, along with a two-tier divide so you can cook multiple foods at various temperatures. It also has an air lift hinge for the dome and a slide-out ash drawer to make it easy. It's temporarily backordered but if you place your order now, you'll score it at a 27% discount, saving you $600 on its list price. That's not the all-time low but it is the lowest price we've seen for this model in 2025.
Our favorite pellet grill on the market is less than $2,000 right now. Traeger kicked off the category's popularity, and the Ironwood XL brings together the flavor of charcoal with the easy operations of a gas grill. The Ironwood XL uses a downdraft exhaust and excellent lip seal to create an even, smoky interior and wonderfully precise temperature controls, and the 924 square inches of cooking space lets you cook up a feast of flavorful meats.
If you're stuck in apartment living (like me) and can't enjoy any of the grills we've covered so far, never fear! We can still get the grilling experience we long for with portable electric grills like the Ninja Woodfire. Like all Ninja products, this seven-in-one grill may try to do a little too much -- like air frying on top of being a grill -- but the addition of a small pellet smoking hopper allows you to get some of that smoky goodness without a lot of smoke and the nearly daylong cooking time. Just be sure to clean that hopper diligently after each use.
If you have limited space, this compact Char-Broil grill is a great option. It's electric, so you don't need a gas line or propane tank and it has a small 25-inch footprint. However, the grill still offers 240 square inches of cooking space -- enough for about a dozen burgers -- and it uses infrared tech to distribute heat evenly and prevent flare-ups.
More Labor Day weekend grill deals
- Traeger Pro Series 34: $599 (save $131): A budget grill from a top brand that comes with a digital pro controller, meat probe, all-terrain wheels, sawhorse chassis and porcelain-coated grill grates.
- Kamado Joe Classic Joe III 18-inch charcoal grill: $1,900 (save $300). This classic ceramic grill allows for flexible cooking at different temperatures and is now more affordable at 20% off.
- Traeger Timberline: $3,500 (save $300): This quality grill includes fun features like a nighttime cooking light and pellet sensors to tell you when the grill is running low.
- Traeger Timberline XL: $4,000 (save $300): A huge grill with lots of prep space for the gourmet grillmaster.
- Weber Spirit E-215 2-burner liquid propane gas grill: $399 (save $50): A reliable grill for entertaining, big families and grillmasters.
- Dyna-Glo 4-burner propane gas grill: $199 (save $30): This grill can do everything, from cooking a rotisserie chicken to boiling some water.
- Coleman RoadTrip 285 portable propane grill: $295 (save $130). With three adjustable burners and quick-fold legs for portability, this grill is great for when you're traveling.
- Ninja Woodfire Pro 7-in-1 electric grill and smoker with thermometer: $330 (save $70): Super compact and easily portable, whether hosting or taking the barbecue on the go.
- Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL outdoor electric grill and smoker: $449 (save $51): This grill is multifunctional, like many Ninja appliances. Grill, smoke, air fry and more.
- Brisk It Zelos-450 Wood Pellet Smoker Grill: $329 (save $121): A smart wood pellet smoker with excellent heat control and app support for remote monitoring. Sturdy, versatile and at one of its lowest prices ever.
- Traeger Grills Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker: $449 (save $101): A smaller but mighty pellet grill that offers digital temperature control and great smoke flavor -- now discounted by over $100.
- Char-Broil Pro Series with Amplifire: $392 (save $308): A three-burner gas grill praised for its solid build and consistent cooking. Amplifire technology ensures even results, and it’s over 50% off.
- Weber 18-Inch Smokey Mountain Cooker: $419 (save $100): A vertical charcoal smoker that shines for low-and-slow cooking, with precise vents and dampers to keep temps steady.
- Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker: $1,199 (save $201): One of Traeger’s best premium models, with excellent heat control and advanced smoke circulation for consistently great barbecue.
- Oklahoma Joe’s Rambler Tabletop Charcoal Grill: $150 (save $80): A heavy-duty portable charcoal grill with cast-iron grates, perfect for tailgates or park grilling sessions.
- Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill, Copper: $629 (save $150): A deluxe kettle-style grill with gas ignition, built-in thermometer, timer and a side table. Convenient features make this one of Weber’s most premium charcoal options.
- Weber Master-Touch Charcoal Grill: $289 (save $50): An upgrade to the classic kettle design, adding a one-touch cleaning system, lid thermometer and enhanced cooking flexibility at a nice discount.
- Captiva Designs 6-Burner Propane Gas Grill: $670 (save $330): A massive six-burner gas grill with plenty of cooking space, built for hosting big backyard barbecues.
- Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill: $142 (save $17): The iconic backyard grill with a simple but effective design. Reliable, easy to use and perfect for anyone wanting the classic charcoal experience at a low price.
- Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker: $177 (save $73): An affordable, beginner-friendly smoker that makes low-and-slow cooking simple. With plug-and-play convenience and plenty of rack space, it’s a great entry point into smoking.
What to buy after your grill
If you do buy a grill this Labor Day, please do yourself a favor and buy it a weatherproof cover immediately. Even if it doesn't rain often, even if your grill is an adorable ceramic egg in a cute color, rainwater is a grill's natural enemy. And no one wants their shiny new grill's frame or hood rusting at the edges because you can't be bothered to throw on its cover after it cools off.
More than thermometers, grill scrapers or any other essential grilling accessories you have your eyes on, you need to start with a grill cover.
If the manufacturer's cover is too expensive, make sure to check the dimensions and how it's secured -- ties, velcro, buckled straps -- before you grab it. Grill covers that don't fit end up with mildewed puddles or holes, and without a way to tie it down, the wind can just blow it off.
How we choose the best Labor Day deals
At CNET, we have a team of expert shoppers and deal-hunters whose experience spans years of helping buyers understand which major sales and deals are legitimately good and which are more routine. That includes Black Friday, Prime Day, Fourth of July and countless other shopping events.
We've gotten very good at weeding out scams and superficial deals. We look for real discounts, quality reviews and remaining sale time when choosing a deal to show you.
- Real discounts mean exactly that. We look at the price history for all items sold to make sure no manufacturers are inflating prices to make the discount seem more substantial than it is.
- Quality reviews are important for any product, but especially for big-purchase items like grills, furniture, and appliances. If a product breaks the first time you use it, the discount isn't really worthwhile.
- Remaining sale time is a huge part of our vetting process. If a deal seems like it will only be around for a short while or will only be available for the remaining stock, we'll let you know upfront so you don't come back to the deal later only to be disappointed.
When do Labor Day deals start and end?
Labor Day 2025 falls on Monday, Sept. 1, but not all sales begin and end on that date. Many sales started early, and some will stick around for a few days after Labor Day. Many sales are starting to wind down, so we'd recommend getting in your order today if you don't want to miss out.
Not sure if these deals are the right fit for you? You can read up on CNET's expertly curated lists of our favorite charcoal grills, gas grills, portable grills, pellet smokers and kamado grills to find your perfect match.
