Our Pick for Best Gas Grill of 2026 Does Everything

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Gas grills are supposed to be simple—turn a knob, light a flame, cook your food. The Ninja FlexFlame Grill and Smoker flips that idea on its head in the best way possible. At first glance, it looks like a standard three-burner propane grill. But fire it up, close the lid, and a built-in convection fan kicks on, circulating superheated air like an outdoor oven. The result is faster preheating, more even cooking, and the kind of consistency that’s hard to pull off on a traditional grill.

Add in a digital temperature control panel, a built-in smoke box, and the ability to grill, roast, smoke, or even cook pizza, and the FlexFlame starts to feel less like a grill—and more like a full outdoor kitchen.

It’s not perfect. You’ll need an outlet, the fan isn’t exactly quiet, and the ignition can be finicky. But after weeks of testing, one thing became clear: this is one of the most versatile gas grills you can put in your backyard right now.

Read more of the greatest hits from our 2026 Grilling Awards, including the best griddles, best pizza ovens, and best grill tools.

What It Is

I’ve had my share of Ninja kitchen appliances over the years, but this was my first experience with one of their gas grills. I was impressed from the get go. The materials are solid, from the burly double-wall insulated lid to the cast-iron grill grates that are coated with porcelain enamel. And the grill is loaded with innovative tech that allows you to dial in precise temperatures and use the grill for several different forms of cooking. 

The FlexFlame offers plenty of cooking space (424 square inches of main grill real estate) but is still small enough to squeeze into my grilling deck. Two side tables give you room to set plates and your beer, while multiple hooks offer space to store tools. It’s just a three-burner grill, but those three burners pack a punch, offering 37,000 BTUs of concentrated heat. And the real secret to the FlexFlame’s success is the built-in fan that distributes even heat throughout the grilling chamber when the lid is closed. Imagine a convection oven, then apply that technology to a grill, and you’ll start to understand the power of the FlexFlame. 

The FlexFlame also has a digital temperature gauge and display that allows you to dial in the temperature while also choosing the specific cooking mode. Put it all together and you have a stand-alone outdoor kitchen that can grill, smoke, roast, griddle (if you get the griddle accessory) and cook pizzas. 

Ninja FlexFlame Overall Impressions 

The Ninja FlexFlame is a pretty grill to gaze upon. I like the various finishes that Ninja offers with this grill, but I was honestly skeptical of all of the tech that has gone into this “backyard cooking system.” A convection fan on a grill? A digital temperature control panel that you have to plug in? I’m no luddite, but I prefer a grill without a lot of bells and whistles. After testing the Ninja FlexFlame, I admit that the bells and whistles are what won me over. 

It’s a beefy grill that takes two people to put together, but a lot of that weight (130 pounds) is due to the quality stainless steel body. I like the enamel-coated grill grates, which can be flipped and used on either side, and the heavy duty lid does a great job of trapping in heat. That’s the sort of stuff you look for with any propane grill. But then the Ninja goes above and beyond with its convection fan that runs automatically when the lid is closed, delivering an even level of heat throughout the interior of the grill enabling it to heat up quickly and grill meat consistently.

I cooked a variety of meals on the grill over the last couple of weeks and I was always impressed with the FlexFlame’s ability to create a sear on the outside of steaks or fish, while keeping the inside tender and juicy. I think I cooked the best batch of chicken wings I’ve ever grilled in my life on this grill, and I attribute that success to the convection system. And because that super-heated air runs throughout the cooking chamber, the top rack of the grill gets elevated from a warming rack to actual cooking space. One drawback to this tech: the fan is a little noisy and is constantly running when the lid is closed. 

The digital temperature panel was also a success in my opinion. I like the ability to set a temperature, then walk away knowing the grill will hit that temp without going beyond it. The system offers the convenience of setting an oven in the package of a grill. The FlexFlame can reach temperatures up to 600 degrees, which is perfect for baking pizzas, and when paired with a pizza stone, delivers a crispy crust without burning the top of the pie. Or, you can lower the temp and slow cook ribs at 250 degrees, even adding a bit of smoke using the built-in wood chip box on the side of the stove. Fill the box with pellets, dial in the setting, and add a layer of smoke to your chicken breasts or pork chops. 

My primary complaint about the Ninja FlexFlame is that you have to plug the grill in to an electric outlet, which means I have to run an extension cord out onto my grilling deck. I don’t love the idea of a grill that needs to be plugged into electricity to work, but I’m also not smart enough to figure out a way to power the digital temperature panel and convection fan without electricity. So consider the plug a necessary evil. 

It also took a while for the ignitor to catch and distribute a flame. Occasionally, I’ll have to hold the ignitor button for several seconds for the grill to ignite. Considering all of the tech that went into this grill, I’d like to see a better ignition system. 

The Ninja FlexFlame is a versatile backyard kitchen that can do a lot of things well. It’s not perfect, but I really like the addition of convection heat to super boost your standard backyard grill. This sort of technology opens up a lot of possibilities. 

Key Features and Tech 

The Ninja FlexFlame is loaded with innovative tech. The convection fan is at the top of the list, and the most useful from a cooking standpoint. That super-heated air that circulates through the grilling chamber allows you to cook crisp pizzas in just a few minutes, create a sear on meat and fish without overcooking the protein, and slow cook barbecue. The digital temperature panel is another really convenient addition that simplifies the cooking process, whatever you’re grilling. 

After assembling the grill in my backyard (it took about three hours to put it together solo), I spent two weeks grilling a variety of meals for my family. As soon as the temperatures rise, I grill most meals outside, so I’m constantly looking for a better grilling experience. The Ninja FlexFlame introduces a sort of versatility that hasn’t been available in a grill before. I don’t have the griddle accessory, but I could absolutely see adding this cast iron cooktop so I could whip up eggs and hash browns in the morning, or big batches of fried rice for the occasional dinner. 

Because I cook most meals on the grill, I’m always prioritizing ease of use and convenience. I need to be able to throw a few pieces of chicken on the grill and run inside to work on the side dishes. The set it and forget it temperature control was really convenient for this style of weeknight cooking. This need for convenience is also why the finicky ignition system was a let down to me. 

Pros 

• Solid materials 
• Innovative technology 
• Fast cook times 
• Super versatile 

Cons 

• Fan is noisy 
• Needs electricity 
• Ignitor is finicky 

Final Verdict

The FlexFlame is one of the more expensive grills in our Grilling Awards, so it’s not something you should purchase on a whim. Think about how you use your current grill, and then consider whether the addition of a convection system would increase the usability of that grill. Having the ability to cook perfect pizzas and smoke some ribs in the same appliance is extremely appealing to me. Being able to grill restaurant-quality chicken wings and perfectly sear steaks in the same space is appealing to me, too.

• Cooking Area: 424 Square Inches 
• Burners: Three 
• BTU’s: 37,000
• Fuel: Propane 
• Warranty: 10 year limited warranty 

Why You Should Trust Me

While I’m not a professionally trained chef, I’ve worked as a cook in a variety of restaurants where I learned the art of cooking on a fire and the nuances of timing a full meal with food that has varying finish times. Grilling in the wild is a passion of mine, but I spends most of my time hovering over the grill on my back deck. I love grilling, so I cook most of my family’s meals on a grill. I’ve also been testing and writing about a variety of grills for the better part of a decade. I’ve written about the best gas grills, open-fire cooking, and best charcoal grills for a variety of magazines.