X

Article updated on May 1, 2023 at 1:32 PM PDT

Best Grill and BBQ Tools Under $25

Step away from the infomercial and score these essential grill tools, all for $25 or less.

Our Experts

Written by 
David Watsky
David Klein
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement
David Watsky Senior Editor / Home and Kitchen
David lives in Brooklyn where he's spent more than a decade covering all things edible, including meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen tools and cooking tips. He earned a BA in English from Northeastern, and has toiled in nearly every aspect of the food business, including as a line cook in Rhode Island where he once made a steak sandwich for Lamar Odom. Right now, he's likely somewhere stress-testing a blender or the best way to cook bacon. Anything with sesame is his all-time favorite food this week.
Expertise Kitchen tools, appliances, food science, subscriptions and meal kits.
David Klein Editorial Assistant / Chowhound
David is a food and culture writer based in Los Angeles by way of New York City. His work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Chowhound, CBS Local, Mashable and Gawker.
Why You Can Trust CNET
16171819202122232425+
Years of Experience
14151617181920212223
Hands-on Product Reviewers
6,0007,0008,0009,00010,00011,00012,00013,00014,00015,000
Sq. Feet of Lab Space

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

Our Picks

$22 at Amazon
bbq croc tool handling burger
BBQ Croc 3-in-1 grill tool
View details
View details
$28 at Amazon
grill lamps clamped onto grill
Bright Eyes clamp-on grill light
View details
View details
$10 at Amazon
fish spatula
Fish spatula
View details
View details
$18 at Amazon
collapsible grilling tray
Collapsable container and cutting board
View details
View details
$9 at Amazon
thermopro themometer
ThermoPro meat thermometer
View details
View details
$13 at Sur La Table
sur-la-table-grill-sheets-grill-mat
Flexible grill sheets (set of 2)
View details
$17 at Amazon
cuisinart magnetic beer holder holding a red cup
Cuisinart magnetic beverage holder
View details
View details
$25 at Amazon
grill-basket-home-depot
Outset chrome flex grill basket
View details
View details
$12 at Amazon
silicone-sop-mop-bbq-brush
Outset silicone sop mop
View details
View details
$15 at The Home Depot
weber grill brush
Weber three-sided grill brush
View details
$13 at Williams Sonoma
williams-sonoma-grill-claws-meat-shredder
GrillClaws shredder
View details
$11 at Sur La Table
sur-la-table-cedar-planks
Cedar grilling planks (set of 2)
View details
$15 at Amazon
man grilling in apron
Professional grade chef apron
View details
View details
$13 at Amazon
grill glove on hand
Grilling gloves
View details
View details

Grilling season is a gadget lover's time to shine. The grill you choose -- whether full-sized or portable, charcoal or gas -- is likely the most important purchase you'll make in your ascent to grillmaster, but there are some essential accessories to aid you during your next backyard barbecue. Not all grill tools are created equal. To find the best, budget-friendly barbecue gear for 2023, we got our hands on dozens of them and these are the best grill tools and accessories under $25.

Read moreBest Portable Grill for 2023

$22 at Amazon

BBQ Croc 3-in-1 grill tool

If you're only using your tongs for tonging, they could definitely be working harder. These innovative tongs have a spatula and scraper built right in to save you some space on the rack. 

$28 at Amazon

Bright Eyes clamp-on grill light

If your grill isn't in a well-lit place, consider a simple clamp-on grill light such as this $25 number and sizzle late into the night. 

$10 at Amazon

Fish spatula

If you've ever tried to flip a filet of fish on the grill you know a normal spatula isn't really cut out for the job, and tongs don't typically fare much better. What you'll want is a thin fish spatula such as this one with a razor-sharp front edge that sneaks under the flaky flesh without tearing it up. 

$18 at Amazon

Collapsable container and cutting board

A bit of smart design allows for multiple uses with this grilling companion. The deep container will hold your meats and marinade without spilling. Later, when things are cooked, collapse it down into a cutting board to slice and serve. Just make sure to rinse it or flip it to prevent cross-contamination.

$9 at Amazon

ThermoPro meat thermometer

With a good thermometer, there's no need to stress or guess about meat doneness. There are expensive, wireless models out there but this $14 ThermoPro gets the job done just as well.

$13 at Sur La Table

Flexible grill sheets (set of 2)

If an item is too small or delicate to cook directly on the grates, don't let that deter you from using your grill. Simply lay down these sheets made of flexible PTFE and you can cook eggs, chopped vegetables or that pricey fillet of fish without worrying about any food falling through the cracks. Don't be afraid to crank up the heat -- they can withstand temperatures of up to 600 degrees. As an added bonus, the sheets are dishwasher safe so cleanup is a cinch.

$17 at Amazon

Cuisinart magnetic beverage holder

Don't ask me why, but most grills don't come with a drink holder. This Cuisinart magnetic beverage caddy is here to help.

$25 at Amazon

Outset chrome flex grill basket

Don't flip out if you're tasked with manning a busy grill. This heavy-gauged chrome steel basket will ensure an even cook on multiple items with a single turn. Its extra-large size can handle anything from thinly sliced summer squash to a thick porterhouse steak.

$12 at Amazon

Outset silicone sop mop

You won't find a better baster than this heat-resistant mop. The key is the multinubbed silicone bristles that are able to retain more sauce than your average BBQ brush. Clean-up doesn't get any easier -- just unscrew the head and let the dishwasher do the work. 

$15 at The Home Depot

Weber three-sided grill brush

The dreaded scraping of the grates brings about as much joy as receiving a lump of coal for Christmas. If you want a quick and easy way to remove all the gunk that's gotten up in your grill, behold Weber's three-sided wire brush featuring shorter sides to clean edges and dislodge debris from those grates.

$13 at Williams Sonoma

GrillClaws shredder

Engage in some TMNT villain cosplay while shredding some delicious barbecued meat. The ergonomically shaped handles on these sharp claws (a set of two is included) will help transform your Boston butt and breasts into pulled pork and chicken quickly and easily -- not to mention using them is a whole lot of fun.

$11 at Sur La Table

Cedar grilling planks (set of 2)

Elevate grilled salmon, pork and vegetables by cooking them atop cedar planks, which ensure a gentle cook and add a distinct but subtle smoky flavor. The spread makes for a fun, rustic table setting, so no need to transfer to a serving plate. The planks are reusable and even when they begin to deteriorate they can be repurposed as smoking chips.

$15 at Amazon

Professional grade chef apron

Look sharp and remain stain-free with this durable and size-adjustable apron. Equipped with two loops for towel and tongs and four pockets (including one that zips so your phone doesn't fall out when you bend over), you can keep your cooking tools (and anything else you need) close at hand.

$13 at Amazon

Grilling gloves

These fireproof gloves might not be a total essential for every grillmaster but they are nice to have around, especially if you tend to get a little loose when tending to the grill.