This Saturday is officially National BBQ Day. Finally, the calendar finally caught up to what this community does year-round...

Perfect timing as Men's Journal just dropped their 2026 gear guide: 100+ grills, smokers, pizza ovens, and tools tested for the 2026 season. Read it before you spend a dollar on anything this summer.

Here's what they tested and what came out on top…

Pellet Grills

The pellet market is more competitive than ever. Three grills rose to the top:

  • Traeger Westwood: Men's Journal's entry-level pick. WiFi, app control, 18-pound hopper, starting at $699. The floor finally dropped to where more people can get in.

  • Ninja Woodfire: The compact option. Solid wood-fired flavor out of a smaller footprint. Best for people who don't have room for a full-size rig.

  • recteq X-Fire Pro 825: The performance pick. More cooking surface, higher temps, built for people who cook seriously and often.

Portable Grills

Best portable grill of 2026 went to the Thaan. A tabletop charcoal cooker built around Thai-style compressed charcoal that burns hotter and cleaner than standard briquettes. Double-wall insulated firebox, adjustable airflow, removable charcoal riser for serious searing.

Gas Grills

The Ninja FlexFlame took the top gas spot. Good for Ninja, surprising for Weber. It’s a gas grill with a built-in convection fan that circulates heat when the lid is closed.

Grilling Tools

Three standout tool picks: Breeo Leather Fire Gloves for wrist and forearm protection, the Typhur InstaProbe for instant-read temps, and the Benchmade 3 Piece Set for anyone who hasn't upgraded their knife situation yet.

The full guide covers gas, charcoal, pellet, portable, griddle, smoker, pizza ovens, and accessories. It's the single best reference for gear decisions this season.

What do you think, Dead Meat Society? What's the one piece of gear you're adding this summer?