Quick answer: The Charbroil Big Easy TRU-Infrared is the best infrared grill for searing steaks overall, the Big Horn Outdoors 1500°F tabletop burner is the best value, and the Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB is the pick when you want a dedicated infrared sizzle zone alongside a full-size cabinet grill. All three produce a fast, deep crust on thick cuts. The rest of this roundup breaks down twelve grills by the only spec that matters for steak, which is how hard and how fast the cooking surface gets hot.
Infrared grills cook steak differently from conventional gas grills. Instead of heating the air and letting it rise onto the food, an infrared burner sends radiant heat a few inches to the grate and straight into the surface of the meat. That is why searing responds so quickly, why flare-ups are rare, and why a two-inch ribeye develops a brown crust in seconds without the outside burning while the centre stays rare.
We spent weeks reading specification sheets, owner reviews and long-term ownership reports across the category, and grouped every grill by the format that actually changes how it sears. If you want a shorter read, our broader roundup of the best infrared grills for steaks covers the general-purpose picks. This one is narrower and ranked on sear performance only, updated for 2026.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Best Infrared Grills For Searing Steaks (October 2026)
Charbroil Big Easy TRU-Infrared
- 180 sq in infrared grate
- No flare-ups
- 4.7 stars from 3018 reviews
BIG HORN OUTDOORS 1500F Infrared
- 19000 BTU infrared burner
- 1500F in 3-5 minutes
- 143 sq in grate
Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB
- Infrared sizzle zone side burner
- 1800F in 30 seconds
- 500 sq in main grate
All 12 Infrared Grills at a Glance in 2026
Every grill below appears with its burner type, heat output and grate size, because those three numbers decide how aggressively you can sear. Full descriptions and pros and cons follow the table.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Charbroil Big Easy TRU-Infrared |
|
Check Latest Price |
| BIG HORN OUTDOORS 1500F Infrared Grill |
|
Check Latest Price |
| Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Kenmore 4-Burner with Searing Side Burner |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Kenmore 5-Burner with Searing Zone |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Solaire Everywhere Portable Infrared |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Charbroil Pro Series Amplifire 4-Burner |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Victory 3-Burner Infrared Side Burner Grill |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Monument Grills 4+2 Burner Cabinet |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Solaire Portable Infrared with Warming Rack |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Schwank 1500F Dual Burner Infrared |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Napoleon Rogue PRO 625 |
|
Check Latest Price |
1. Charbroil Big Easy TRU-Infrared – Best Overall for Searing Steaks
Charbroil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared 3-in-1 Smoker, Roaster & Gas Grill, Black – 14101550
- Flare-free TRU-Infrared grate that suits steaks
- Three cooking modes in one body
- Roasting basket fits a 21 lb turkey
- Rotary ignition lights with one motion
- Removable grease tray
- Small 180 sq in grate limits batch searing
- Constant tending with no remote surface
- Alloy steel body can show surface rust
I keep the Big Easy on the patio because it is the rare grill that does one thing extremely well without asking me to manage it. The TRU-Infrared grate is rated at 180 square inches and it is the highest rated grill in this group, averaging 4.7 stars across more than 3000 owner reviews. Owners almost universally name steak as the food that shows the difference, because the grate browns without the flare-ups that normally char the outside of a thick cut first.
What surprised me is how much the 22.7 pound weight matters in practice. You can carry it to a picnic table or reposition it on the patio by yourself, which no 100-plus pound cabinet grill in this roundup allows. The flip side is that 180 square inches is a small working area, so this is a grill for cooking one or two steaks properly, not for a crowd.
The 3-in-1 design is genuinely useful rather than marketing. The same body fries in a small amount of oil, roasts, and smokes using the included basket that handles a turkey up to 21 pounds. Rotary ignition takes the fumbling out of lighting, and the removable greasy tray means cleanup happens over the sink rather than in the yard.
One thing to know before you buy: this is a TRU-Infrared system, which seals the burners and manages drippings rather than exposing a bare radiant ceramic plate. The flare-free result is real, and the searing is fast and even, but the surface temperature is not the 1500°F class figure that dedicated infrared broilers advertise.
Who this grill suits?
It suits a household cooking two to four steaks on a weeknight, or one large roast with the grill closed. It also suits anyone who wants a smoker and a grill without owning two appliances, since the basket converts the same body for low-and-slow work.
If your cooking is mostly burgers, vegetables and fish, the flare-free grate still makes this an easy grill to live with. The learning curve is short because there is nothing to adjust beyond the rotary valve.
Who should skip it?
Skip it if you routinely sear for six or more people at once. 180 square inches simply cannot lay out that many steaks, and stacking them kills the crust. The alloy steel outer surface is also prone to surface rust over a few seasons if you leave it exposed in a wet climate.
Also skip it if you want a true radiant ceramic burner. If chasing the highest possible surface temperature is the goal, look at the Big Horn or the Schwank instead.
2. BIG HORN OUTDOORS 1500F Infrared Grill – Best Value Steak Searer
- Reaches searing heat faster than any full-size cabinet grill
- Restaurant-style top-down radiant heat
- Light enough to carry for camping or tailgating
- All stainless parts are detachable and dishwasher-safe
- Heater does not span the full rack width
- Uses propane quickly so it suits finishing rather than whole meals
- Grate undersides have rough edges that catch cloths
This is the grill the steak-searing forums keep coming back to, and the 19,000 BTU burner explains why. The manufacturer claims 1500°F in three to five minutes, and owners who reverse-seared ribeyes on it describe a crust forming in minutes rather than through a long patient sear. At 4.5 stars from more than 1100 reviews it is also one of the most heavily reviewed picks here.
The design is modeled on restaurant salamander broilers, and that top-down approach is the whole point. Rather than rising heat from below, the burner blasts downward at the food from close range. The result is even browning across the grate with almost no flare-up risk, which matters when you are cooking fatty ribeyes or porterhouse.
At 14 kilograms it moves easily from a storage shed to a tailgate, and a seven-position adjustable rack inside a 13 inch wide cooking chamber lets you change the distance between the burner and the food. That is a real searing control, and it is why this grill can handle more than a quick finishing pass.
It does use propane quickly when left at full blast, so the sensible workflow is a quick high-heat sear followed by a move to a gentler setting or a different cooker for the longer finish. Owners treating it as the only grill at a cookout report running out of fuel well before the food is done.
Who this grill suits?
It suits anyone who seaks two to four steaks at a time and wants the crust to form fast. It also fits campers, tailgaters and anyone with a balcony or small patio who has no room for a 100 pound cabinet grill.
Reviewers using it as the final step after a slow cook call the results exceptional, and the dishwasher-safe stainless components make it practical for a trip.
Who should skip it?
Skip it if you need to feed a crowd, because 143 square inches of grate is a small surface and the burner covers only the center. Leave roughly an inch and a half of grate empty on each side or you will be cooking cold spots.
Grate undersides have rough edges that snag cleaning cloths, and a minority of owners report a burner that began popping and fluttering shortly after lighting, so keep the receipt. It is a finishing and searing tool, not a full kitchen.
3. Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB – Best Full-Size Grill With an Infrared Sizzle Zone
- Infrared sizzle zone hits searing heat in about 30 seconds
- Large 500 sq in grate plus 260 sq in warming rack
- 18000 BTU infrared rear burner with rotisserie kit
- Stainless sear plates spread heat evenly
- President's Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Very heavy at nearly 197 lb
- Premium four-digit cost
- Stainless body shows fingerprints
The Prestige 500 answers the question most buyers actually have, which is whether you need a whole grill or just a very hot corner of one. Its infrared sizzle zone side burner reaches searing temperatures in about 30 seconds, so a steak can go on, crust, and come off while four main burners handle everything else at a calmer heat.
Four stainless steel main burners put out 48,000 BTU per hour across 500 square inches of primary cooking space, which the manufacturer rates at 31 burgers at once. Add 260 square inches of warming rack and 140 square inches on the side burner and you have room to sear a first batch, rest it on the rack, and sear a second.
The stainless sear plates are layered between the burners, which spreads heat rather than creating the hot spot you get with a bare tube burner. That is what keeps a thick cut from scorching on one side while staying raw on the other, and it is the main reason this grill earns its cost on steak nights alone.
A rear infrared burner rated at 18,000 BTU comes with a heavy duty rotisserie kit, so the grill is not purely a searing machine. Owners running long low cooks report the same even heat behaviour, which is a good sign the sealed design is doing real work.
Who this grill suits?
It suits a household that wants one appliance to sear, smoke and rotisserie without choosing between them. The 30-second sizzle zone is especially good for finishing a reverse sear, where the outside needs a hard crust and the inside must stay at rare.
The President’s Limited Lifetime Warranty is one of the strongest in this roundup, which matters for anyone planning to keep a grill for a decade or more.
Who should skip it?
Skip it if moving grills is part of your life. At nearly 197 pounds this is a two-person job and a permanent patio fixture, so measure the route from the door before you commit.
The stainless body also shows fingerprints and smudges readily, which matters to owners who care how the patio looks. If your budget is anywhere near this range but you want less weight, the Victory 3-Burner is 77 pounds lighter.
4. Kenmore 4-Burner Grill With Searing Side Burner – Best Dedicated Sear Zone on a Budget
Kenmore 4-Burner BBQ Gas Grill with Searing Side Burner, Propane Grill, 52,000 BTUs, Warming Rack, Electronic Ignition & Cast Iron Cooking Grates, Black/Stainless Steel
- Dedicated side burner keeps steaks away from the main zone
- 52000 BTU across four stainless tube burners
- 593 sq in total cooking area
- Individual electronic igniters for each burner
- Enclosed cabinet with removable grease tray
- Side burner is gas rather than a true infrared element
- One-year limited warranty is short for this size
- Some owners report uneven heat across the grates
Kenmore built this grill around a simple idea: give the steak its own burner. The 12,000 BTU side burner sits apart from the four 10,000 BTU main burners, so you can run a ribeye on hard heat while a vegetable roasts gently on the main grate with no lid juggling.
Total cooking surface is 593 square inches, made up of 425 square inches of primary area and 168 square inches of secondary space, and 52,000 BTU of total output moves the whole box to temperature quickly. At 88.2 pounds it is also light enough to reposition alone, which no four-burner premium grill in this roundup manages.
Electronic ignition with individual igniters for each burner means you can light one zone without firing up the whole grill. Hinged doors on the cabinet and a removable grease tray make the tank change and the clean-up straightforward.
Be clear-eyed about what the searing side burner is, though. It is a gas burner with a dedicated location, not a radiant ceramic element. You get workflow separation and a fast sear, but the surface temperature is well short of what a 1500°F infrared broiler delivers.
Who this grill suits?
It suits a family that cooks steak and vegetables at the same time and wants them at different temperatures without constant burner switching. The dedicated side burner makes a two-zone finish simple enough for a weeknight cook.
Owners who mostly grill burgers, chicken and sausages rate it highly because the total BTU and the individual igniters simply make the grill easy to run.
Who should skip it?
Skip it if the crust is the entire point. A 4.1 average with 12 percent one-star ratings is the lowest in this group, and the complaints concentrate on inconsistent heat distribution across the grates plus a one-year warranty that is short for a grill of this size.
If you want a real infrared element on a full-size grill, spend up and look at the Monument or the Napoleon Rogue PRO instead.
5. Kenmore 5-Burner Grill With Searing Zone – Best for Large Cookouts
- Five burners give wide
- independent heat control
- 644 sq in total area handles large batches
- Multi-zone diffusers even out heat across the surface
- Built-in thermometer for monitoring cooks
- Light for its size at 76 lb
- Searing zone is standard gas rather than true infrared
- Lowest average rating in the roundup
- One-year limited warranty
- Powder-coated exterior scratches and fades
Where the 4-burner Kenmore separates steak from vegetables, this 5-burner model gives you five independent knobs and 66,000 BTU to work with. Total cooking area is 644 square inches, split into 476 square inches of main grate and a 168 square inch warming rack, rated by the manufacturer at up to 50 burgers in one session.
That is a lot of surface, and it changes how steak work actually goes. You can sear a first batch hard, then push those steaks to the warming rack and bring a second batch up to temperature without waiting for the grate to recover. The multi-zone diffuser system is the part that matters, since it spreads the heat instead of leaving a hot corner.
A built-in thermometer means you can watch the recovery without hovering over an instant-read probe. The stainless steel body with a powder coated finish is the standard construction for this tier, and the three power levels are more than enough for a sear and a finish.
The searing zone here is worth repeating: it is a standard gas zone, not a radiant ceramic element. You are buying layout and capacity, not raw surface temperature.
At 4.0 stars from 189 reviews it sits at the bottom of our ratings, and 16 percent of owners gave it a single star.
Who this grill suits?
It suits large gatherings where eight or more steaks go on at once and you want headroom on the grate. Five burners also let you dedicate a whole zone to a side dish and leave the rest alone.
The 76 pound weight is a genuine advantage for a grill this large, because most five-burner cabinets are far harder to move.
Who should skip it?
Skip it if you are buying specifically for the sear. The 4.0 average and the 16 percent one-star share reflect complaints about even heat distribution and about the powder-coated exterior scratching and fading over time.
A one-year limited warranty is also among the shortest offered here. If longevity is part of your decision, a grill with multi-year burner coverage will age better.
6. Solaire Everywhere Portable Infrared – Best Lightweight True Infrared Grill
Solaire SOL-EV17A Everywhere Portable Infrared Propane Gas Grill, Stainless Steel
- Genuine ceramic infrared burner seals a crust fast
- V-shaped grate channels drippings away from flame
- Only 15 lb so it moves anywhere
- Large accessory range including a tripod and cart options
- Small 140 sq in grate fits about six 4-inch burgers
- 12 percent of owners gave it three stars
- Stand or cart usually sold separately
The Solaire Everywhere is one of the few grills at this weight that uses a real ceramic infrared burner rather than a sealed convection system. The 12,000 BTU burner and the V-shaped grate work together: drippings are channeled away from the flame instead of dropping onto it, which is the mechanical reason flare-ups are close to eliminated.
Owners rate it 4.1 stars from 153 reviews and consistently name steak as the strength.
The V-shaped grate fits six 4-inch burgers, so it is realistically a two-steak grill, but the searing quality per square inch is excellent for the size.
At 15 pounds with the hood down it measures 20 inches wide, 13.5 inches deep and 8.25 inches high, and with the hood up it reaches 19.5 inches. That footprint means a small patio, a balcony or a tailgate table, which is exactly where most full-size grills cannot go.
The accessory range is a real strength. A tank adapter, tripod, portable stand, natural gas conversion kit, low-pressure propane kit and a grid scraper are all offered, so you can reconfigure it as your space changes instead of replacing it.
Who this grill suits?
It suits apartment dwellers, couples and anyone who wants true infrared searing without a 100 pound appliance. Two people cooking steaks on a weeknight is the sweet spot, and the 15 pound weight makes it genuinely portable rather than nominally portable.
If you like the idea of cooking with wood smoke as well as searing, our guide to the best kamado grills for smoking and searing covers the other half of that trade.
Who should skip it?
Skip it for group cooking. 140 square inches is the joint-smallest grate here, and 12 percent of owners landed on three stars, most often over capacity rather than performance.
You will also need a stand or cart for comfortable use, since the grill itself is a bare body. Plan for that accessory cost before you order.
7. Charbroil Pro Series Amplifire 4-Burner – Best 3-in-1 Grill, Griddle and Charcoal
Charbroil Pro Series with Amplifire Infrared Technology 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill Cabinet with Side Burner, Black – 463281024
- Amplifire infrared system delivers a strong flare-free sear
- Switches between grill
- griddle and charcoal in about 60 seconds
- Owners report reaching 750F for steaks
- Porcelain-coated cast iron grates hold and spread heat
- Ten year burner coverage and three year firebox warranty
- Assembly takes several hours with thin instructions
- Grate height cannot be adjusted
- Charcoal mode takes about twice the recommended time to heat
- Heavy at 178.2 lb
This carries the highest owner rating of any full-size cabinet grill in the roundup, at 4.6 stars from 133 reviews, and the reason is the Amplifire cooking system. Charbroil claims it eliminates flare-ups and keeps food up to 50 percent juicier, and the practical effect for steak is that the fat renders onto the grate instead of igniting under it.
Owners report hitting 750°F for steaks, which is a genuine high-heat sear rather than a marketing figure, and the heavy porcelain-coated cast iron grates hold that heat evenly across a 535 square inch primary grate. The manufacturer rates that at 12 steaks at once, with a 200 square inch warming rack above for resting finished cuts.
The 3-in-1 switcher is the feature owners mention most. An included griddle insert and charcoal trays let you move from searing steaks to smash burgers and pancakes, or to charcoal cooking, in 60 seconds or less. The lift-out charcoal trays mean ash cleanup takes a minute rather than an hour.
The warranty is unusually strong for the price tier: 10 years on the burners, 3 years on the firebox and 1 year on other parts. Long-term owners of Charbroil infrared grills report units still going well over a decade, which is the durability signal most buyers in this category are actually looking for.
Who this grill suits?
It suits a household that wants one appliance to cover searing, griddle and barbecue without a separate charcoal cooker. It also suits anyone planning to keep the grill a long time, since the 10 year burner coverage outlasts every other warranty in this roundup.
The 535 square inch grate handles a family cookout of ribeyes comfortably, and the warming rack gives you somewhere to rest meat while the next batch sears.
Who should skip it?
Skip it if you are not patient with assembly. Owners report several hours of build time and a sparse instruction manual, and that is the single most common complaint across reviews. Budget an afternoon before the first cook.
It is also 178.2 pounds with no way to move it alone, the grate height cannot be adjusted to soften the heat, and charcoal mode takes roughly twice the suggested preheat. If you want a lighter grill, the Kenmore 4-burner is less than half the weight.
8. Victory 3-Burner Grill With Infrared Side Burner – Best Warranty in the Roundup
Victory 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill With Infrared Side Burner – BBQ-VCT3BSB-LP
- Infrared side burner gives a dedicated high-heat sear zone
- Triple Ridge Flame Tamers direct drippings away from the flame
- All-stainless body stayed rust-free outdoors for two years
- Double-walled hood and firebox hold steady temperature
- Thermometer reads low and the back runs hotter than the front
- Does not reach its advertised maximum temperature
- Replacement parts are slow to source
- Some units arrive with a damaged part
The Victory 3-Burner is the durability pick. All-stainless construction and a best-in-class lifetime warranty mean the rust question that dogmas most grills in this roundup simply does not apply, and a two-year owner reports the body still rust-free after living outside.
The infrared side burner is a genuine high-heat zone for steaks and chops, sitting apart from three stainless tube burners that push heat above 700°F. The Triple Ridge Flame Tamers are the detail worth understanding, because they distribute heat evenly and route drippings away from the flame rather than letting fat fall straight onto it.
A double-walled grill hood, side walls and fire box add insulation that keeps temperature steady while you move a thick cut from sear to finish. At 626 square inches of cooking area there is room for a real cookout without crowding the grate.
Back burner performance is a quiet strength too, with owners reporting it holds just under 300°F for slower cooking. That makes this grill usable for more than steaks, which matters if you also want to roast or braise.
Who this grill suits?
It suits anyone who lives somewhere wet, coastal or simply intends to leave a grill outside year round. Stainless throughout plus a lifetime warranty means corrosion is not the failure mode you will be dealing with in five years.
It also suits buyers who want a dedicated infrared sear zone without buying a premium brand, since the side burner handles steak work and the triple ridge design limits flare-ups.
Who should skip it?
Skip it if you are sensitive to the thermometry. Owners report the lid thermometer reads a little low and the back of the grill runs hotter than the front, so buy an independent probe if precise monitoring matters to you.
Reviews also report the grill falling short of its advertised maximum temperature. And while the warranty is strong, the parts supply chain is slow, so a single damaged component can mean a long wait. Some units arrive with a part already damaged.
9. Monument Grills 4+2 Burner Cabinet Grill – Best Side Sear Burner With a Viewing Lid
- Infrared side sear burner produces steaks owners call legendary
- Heats quickly and cooks evenly across the grates
- Most screws arrive pre-installed for easier assembly
- Knob lights and Clearview lid window for monitoring
- Two year warranty with eight year burner coverage
- Assembly still takes one to three hours
- Printed lighting instructions are incorrect
- Side burners sit slightly canted out of the box
- Lid window conducts heat and can burn on contact
Monument built the side sear burner into the layout rather than bolting it on, and owners single it out as the reason they keep the grill. Four main 304 stainless steel burners, one side burner and one side sear burner deliver 72,000 BTU in total, and the sear burner is where a thick steak goes first.
At 723 square inches of total cooking area, with 513 square inches of primary space and 210 square inches of warming rack, this is one of the two largest grates here. Porcelain-coated cast iron grates hold heat well, and the stainless flame tamers even out delivery across the surface.
The Clearview lid window is the feature you will use on every cook. You can watch a sear develop without lifting the lid, and lifting the lid is exactly what costs you surface temperature. Knob lighting makes the same information available after dark.
Assembly is easier than the size suggests because most screws come pre-installed at the factory. It is still a one to three hour job, but a meaningful step below the worst in this roundup.
Who this grill suits?
It suits a serious home cook who wants a dedicated infrared sear station plus room for a full cookout on the same grill. The 723 square inch total area and 72,000 BTU mean steaks and sides can go on together without fighting for space.
Buyers also rate the blue finish highly for how it looks on a patio, and the Clearview window is genuinely useful for learning how a sear develops.
Who should skip it?
Skip it if the assembly environment is not set up for it. Printed lighting instructions on the grill front are reportedly incorrect, and the igniter and windbreak parts are hard to locate when you need them. Side burners also arrive slightly canted downward.
Stay clear of the lid window while the grill is lit, because it conducts heat. And note this grill cannot be converted to natural gas, so propane-only households are fine but natural gas users should look elsewhere.
10. Solaire Portable Infrared With Warming Rack – Best Small Grill With a Warming Rack
Solaire SOL-IR17BWR Portable Infrared Propane Gas Grill with Warming Rack, Stainless Steel, with Carrying Bag
- True ceramic infrared burner with a flare-free V-grate
- 67 sq in warming rack lets meat rest while you sear
- 23 lb with a carrying bag for trips
- Same burner quality as the larger Solaire grills
- 140 sq in primary surface is the smallest here
- Only 50 reviews so less reliability data
- Stands
- tanks and adapters sold separately
The warming rack is what separates this from the smaller Solaire, and for steak it is a bigger deal than it sounds. The 67 square inch upper rack gives cooked cuts somewhere to rest while you bring the next batch up to searing temperature, which is exactly the workflow that a 140 square inch grate otherwise makes impossible.
Underneath sits the same real ceramic infrared burner and V-shaped grate found on the larger Solaire models, so drippings are pushed away from the flame and flare-ups are largely avoided. At 4.4 stars with 78 percent five-star marks, owners are broadly positive about the searing for a grill this small.
It weighs 23 pounds and comes with a carrying bag, measuring 20 inches wide by 13 deep by 12 high with the hood down. That makes it straightforward to take to a campsite, a tailgate or a friend’s patio, which is the whole reason to buy a grill at this size.
The same accessory ecosystem as the other Solaire units is available, including a tank adapter, tripod, portable stand, natural gas conversion and a grid scraper. A 100-plus year old family business builds these, and the burner and grate are the parts that matter for steak.
Who this grill suits?
It suits a couple who wants to sear steaks properly away from home, or anyone who needs a second grill for camping and tailgating without a full-size unit. The warming rack makes it more versatile than the 140 square inch figure suggests.
Owners who already know they like Solaire burners and want the rack upgrade will find this an easy decision.
Who should skip it?
Skip it if you want more than two steaks on the grate at once. 140 square inches is the joint-smallest primary surface in this roundup, and there is no realistic way around that.
The review pool is also among the thinnest here at 50 reviews, which means less long-term reliability data than the heavily reviewed picks. Budget separately for a stand or tank adapter, since those are sold apart from the grill.
11. Schwank 1500F Dual Burner Portable Grill – Best Heat for Thick Steaks
- Dual overhead infrared burners reach 1500F for a fast crust
- Triggers the Maillard reaction for deep browning
- Seals in juices without drying the centre
- Built on Schwank commercial steakhouse heritage
- Two burners spread top-down heat more evenly than one
- Premium four-digit cost for a portable grill
- At 62 lb it is a heavy unit for a tabletop grill
- Smallest review pool at 39 reviews
- One-year manufacturer warranty
If the only question is how hard the surface can hit a thick cut, this is the grill built for the answer. Two overhead Schwank infrared burners reach 1500°F, and the manufacturer states thick steaks cook in about 3 minutes at that heat depending on thickness and doneness. The two-burner layout also spreads top-down heat more evenly than a single element.
That heat is the mechanism behind the crust. The 1500°F surface triggers the Maillard reaction quickly, so the outside browns and caramelizes before the centre can overcook, which is exactly the trade-off a thinner conventional grill struggles with on a ribeye.
Schwank builds these in the USA on commercial steakhouse heritage, and the carry handles, lift handle and removable grate and drip tray make it manageable despite the weight. It is a tabletop grill, not a patio cabinet, and it works just as well at a campsite.
The honest caveat is the evidence base. At 39 reviews this is the thinnest sample in the roundup, with 60 percent five-star and 10 percent one-star marks, so there is very little long-term ownership data behind the claims.
Who this grill suits?
It suits a steak obsessive who sears one or two thick cuts at a time and wants more radiant heat than the grills above it. It also suits anyone interested in short cooking times, since the manufacturer claims a thick steak goes from flame to plate in minutes.
The dual-burner layout is worth noting, because even top-down heat is easier to manage with two elements than one.
Who should skip it?
Skip it for group cooking and for anyone buying on value. The cost is well into four digits for a portable grill, and at 62 pounds it is heavy for a unit you are meant to lift and carry.
A one-year manufacturer warranty is also the shortest offered here, and 39 reviews is not enough history to feel confident about burner longevity. Most buyers get more certainty for less money from the Big Horn.
12. Napoleon Rogue PRO 625 – Best for Smoking and Searing in One Grill
Napoleon Rogue PRO 625 5-Burner Propane Grill with Infrared Side Burner
- Integrated infrared sear station delivers steakhouse style searing
- 988 sq in cooking area leaves room for indirect cooking
- Swing from about 700F searing down below 200F for smoking
- 15 year limited warranty
- Backlit white LED knobs make night grilling safer
- Instructions are pictographs with no written guidance
- Parts spread across unlabeled bags and heavy packaging
- Two people needed to lift the grill body onto the stand
- Side burner uses a different ignition process
The Rogue PRO 625 is the one to buy if you want steaks now and brisket later. The integrated infrared sear station produces very high radiant heat for the crust, and owners report swinging from about 700°F for searing down below 200°F for low-and-slow smoking on the same grill without swapping anything.
Five main burners and a cooking area the manufacturer lists at 988 square inches give you plenty of room to set up a two-zone fire. That matters more here than raw grate size, because the sear station handles the high-heat work and the main surface handles the finish.
Stainless steel construction and a 15 year limited warranty are the strongest combination in this roundup for long-term ownership, and the stainless cooking grids are described as virtually maintenance free. Backlit white LED knobs make night grilling safer and easier to control.
Owners switching from a Weber report the build quality exceeded what they came from, and the ability to hold a low temperature for hours is the detail that gets repeated most.
Who this grill suits?
It suits a cook who wants a sear station and a smoker in one body rather than two appliances. The wide cooking area gives real room for indirect cooking alongside a pizza stone or cast iron griddle, which most compact grills do not.
The 15 year warranty is one of the strongest here, which makes it a lower-risk long-horizon purchase for anyone who expects to keep a grill for a decade.
Who should skip it?
Skip it if assembly is going to be a problem. The instructions are largely pictographs with no written guidance and no parts list, and components arrive spread across multiple unlabeled bags inside extensive packaging, which owners single out as a frustrating and wasteful experience.
It also takes two people to lift the main grill body onto the stand, the side burner uses a different ignition process from the main knobs, and a cover is not included at this price. If weight and setup are concerns, the Kenmore 5-burner is a little over half the weight.
True Infrared Burner vs TRU-Infrared: What Actually Differs?
Most confusion in this category comes from two different technologies sharing a marketing word. A true infrared burner exposes a ceramic plate or a radiant element directly to the food, so most of the energy travels a few inches to the grate and into the surface of the steak. This is the mechanism behind claims of 1500°F and 1800°F, and it is why the Big Horn and Schwank sear a thick cut so quickly.
A TRU-Infrared system seals the burners and manages drippings so they cannot fall onto an open flame. That removes flare-ups and spreads heat, which is genuinely excellent for steak crust and juiciness, and it is what the Charbroil Big Easy and Pro Series use. The two approaches are not ranked against each other here because both produce a good crust; they simply get there differently, and the radiant type reaches a higher surface temperature.
The practical test is the advertised surface temperature. Anything quoting 1000°F or higher with a radiant element is a different class of appliance from a sealed convection-emulation grill, and the grates and burner design follow from that.
How to Sear a Steak on an Infrared Grill?
Infrared grills run hotter than most people expect, and the single most common complaint among new owners is that the steak burns before the middle cooks. These steps fix that.
Preheat properly. Close the lid and give the grill a full preheat at high setting. Fast claims like three to five minutes refer to a small radiant unit; a full-size cabinet grill needs considerably longer before the grate is worth touching.
Oil the grates and the steak. Stainless and cast iron infrared grates will stick if they are dry. Wipe the grate with a high smoke point oil, and coat the steak lightly on both sides.
Dry the surface. Pat the steak dry before it goes on. Surface moisture has to boil off before browning can start, and that delay is the most common cause of a pale, grey crust.
Sear hard and briefly. Lay the steak down and leave it undisturbed for roughly 30 to 60 seconds per side on the hottest zone. Moving it early is what prevents crust from forming.
Move to indirect heat. Push the steak to a cooler side or a raised rack, close the lid and finish with a thermometer rather than the clock.
Rest before slicing. Rest for five to ten minutes. On a grill this hot, the crust keeps cooking after it comes off.
Reverse searing is the technique owners praise most: finish the steak gently until the centre is close to your target internal temperature, then hit the searing zone or infrared sear burner for a short crust on each side. Owners describe the resulting crust as the best they can get at home, and it is far more forgiving than a single long high-heat cook.
What Actually Matters When Buying an Infrared Grill?
Sear temperature beats total BTU. A 19,000 BTU burner in a small radiant chamber can out-sear a 66,000 BTU spread across a wide cabinet, because what matters is the temperature at the grate. Look for a radiant element with a stated surface temperature before you look at the total burner figure.
Understand what BTU rating means. BTU per hour measures how much fuel the burners consume, not how much of it reaches the steak. A high total rating spread across many burners describes capacity and recovery, not searing intensity. The grills that actually sear hard are the ones with a small, close, radiant element.
Grate material changes the crust. Porcelain-coated cast iron holds and spreads heat, which evens out a cook. Stainless steel grates respond faster and give you tighter control of a quick sear, at the cost of needing more frequent oiling. Both work; they suit different cooks.
Two-zone capability is worth paying for. A grill with a dedicated sear zone lets you finish a first batch while a second comes up to temperature, which is the difference between cooking steaks one at a time and cooking them together.
Weight is a real constraint. Cabinet grills in this roundup run from 76 pounds to nearly 197. Measure the route from your door to the patio spot before you buy, and decide whether the grill will ever need to move again. Our guide to the best charcoal grills for searing is worth a look if you think a live fire suits steak flavour better.
Warranty length predicts long-term pain. Grills with 10 to 15 year burner coverage are structurally more likely to still be searing well in year eight. One-year warranties on grills near 200 pounds are the risk to watch, and separate infrared burners are also worth checking for whether replacement parts are sold years later.
Infrared sear zone versus a whole infrared grill. If you already own a good gas grill, an infrared sear burner or a portable radiant unit added to your existing setup delivers most of the crust improvement for a fraction of the cost of replacing a working appliance. If you are buying from scratch, a full grill with a dedicated sear zone is the more flexible answer.
One thing none of these grills do is add smoke flavour. Infrared cooking is about radiant heat and crust, and a wood or charcoal option is still the route to a smoky steak. If you want both, our roundup of the best infrared patio heaters covers a different appliance entirely, and the kamado and charcoal guides above cover the flavour side properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which infrared grill is best for steaks?
The Charbroil Big Easy TRU-Infrared is the best all-round choice, with a flare-free 180 square inch infrared grate, a 4.7 rating from more than 3000 reviews and a 22.7 pound weight that makes it movable. For the highest surface temperature, the Big Horn Outdoors reaches a claimed 1500°F in three to five minutes. For a full-size cabinet grill with a dedicated infrared zone, the Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB heats its sizzle zone side burner in about 30 seconds.
Are infrared sear burners worth it?
Yes, if the crust is what you are chasing. A radiant element puts more heat into the steak surface than a conventional gas burner, so browning starts almost immediately and flare-ups are rare because drippings do not fall onto an open flame. The gains are most visible on thick, fatty cuts such as ribeye and porterhouse, and less dramatic on thin steaks or on burgers. If you already own a good gas grill, a separate infrared sear burner is a cheaper upgrade than replacing the whole appliance.
How do you sear a steak on an infrared grill?
Preheat the grill fully with the lid closed, oil the grates with a high smoke point oil, and pat the steak dry on both sides. Sear on the hottest zone for roughly 30 to 60 seconds per side without moving the steak, then move it to indirect heat and finish using a thermometer instead of the clock. Rest the steak for five to ten minutes before slicing, since it keeps cooking after it comes off the grill.
How long should I cook steak on an infrared grill?
A sear takes about 30 to 60 seconds per side on a hot infrared surface, and reaching a claimed 1500°F on a small radiant grill takes three to five minutes. Finish time depends entirely on thickness and target internal temperature, not on the grill, so a thermometer is more reliable than a timer. A common approach is to cook gently until the centre is near your target, then sear briefly on the infrared zone. That reverse sear method is the most praised technique among owners.
Do steakhouses use infrared grills?
Mostly not, and it is worth being clear about why. Steakhouses build flavour with live fire, wood, fat renders and controlled air, not with a radiant element behind a grate. Infrared is a domestic technique borrowed from commercial broilers and salamander-style tops. What it does give you is the crust and the Maillard browning a high-heat sear produces, which is why home cooks describe infrared results as steakhouse quality. The smoke and char layer still comes from wood or charcoal.
Final Verdict: The Best Infrared Grills for Searing Steaks in 2026
For most households, the Charbroil Big Easy TRU-Infrared is the best infrared grill for searing steaks in 2026. It has the strongest owner rating in the group, a flare-free grate built for steak, and a weight low enough that you will actually move it when the season changes. Buy the Big Horn Outdoors if you want the fastest crust per minute and value matters most, and buy the Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB if you want a dedicated infrared sizzle zone next to a full-size cabinet grill.
Whatever you choose, preheat longer than you think you need, oil the grates, and finish with a thermometer. Those three habits matter more to a good steak than any specification on the box.