Even with a small patio or balcony, you can still enjoy the magic of outdoor cooking. Mesa grills are made for simple moments — easy to start, easy to handle, and always delicious. Perfect for beginners or anyone who loves good food and good company.
Quick Answer: The Best Small Gas Grill for Most People
For a small patio or a first grill, the two-burner Mesa 200S is the best small gas grill for most people: 24,000 BTU, 450 sq. in. of cooking space, a Clearview® lid and folding side shelves so it stores narrow. If you cook for more than four or want a side burner, step up to the three-burner Mesa 305. If the grill has to travel or sit on a table, choose a tabletop gas grill instead.
Classic Mesa Lineup
If you're starting your grilling journey or live in an apartment with limited outdoor space, the Mesa collection has you covered. These compact gas grills are easier to live with than a charcoal grill or a full charcoal setup in tight areas because they heat fast, clean up easily, and offer steady control, even if they won't deliver the same flavor. They're quick to assemble, easy to clean, and built with the same reliability Monument fans trust.
From the family-friendly Mesa 415BZ to the versatile Mesa 325 and ultra-portable Mesa 200S, this small gas grill range includes portable options with smart design and powerful heat control in a size that fits your lifestyle. Whether you're grilling on a balcony or setting up in a cozy backyard, Mesa makes every meal easy and enjoyable, but always check your building rules before grilling on an apartment balcony.
Mesa 415BZ Gas Grill with Side Burner
Best for Small Families and Everyday Grilling
- Burners: Four burner grill with 4 main burners, 4 x 10,000 BTU stainless steel
- Total Cooking Area: 630 sq. in. (450 sq. in. primary + 180 sq. in. warming rack)
- Cooking Grates: Porcelain-coated cast iron
- Side Burner: Yes, 12,000 BTU
- Foldable Side Shelves: No
- Fuel Type: Propane Gas
- Best For: Small patios, families, and weeknight dinners
The Mesa 415BZ is compact but powerful, with a generous cooking surface that works well for small gatherings and daily cooking. Four stainless burners deliver even heat across the entire surface, while the additional infrared burner creates a dedicated sear zone for open flame high-heat cooking and seared steaks. Its porcelain-coated cast-iron grill grates retain heat beautifully and improve the grill's ability to maintain consistent cooking performance, while the side burner lets you sauté, simmer, or warm sides with ease.
Owners love its simple ignition system, steady temperature control, and easy maintenance. Whether it’s about burgers cooked with solid sear or cooking chicken thighs evenly alongside grilled vegetables, the Mesa 415BZ makes every cookout smooth and flavorful.
Bottom Line: A smart choice for those wanting the feel of a full-size grill in a compact form, with great value and features that often cost double on pricier grills. Reliable, efficient, and built for everyday use.
Mesa 325 3-Burner Gas Grill
Best for Compact Patios and First-Time Grillers
- Burners: 3 x stainless steel, 48,000 BTU total with side burner
- Total Cooking Area: 570 sq. in. (about 20 burgers)
- Cooking Grates: Porcelain-coated cast iron
- Foldable Side Shelves: No
- Side Burner: Yes
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Best For: Singles, couples, or small balconies
- Grill Type: Three burner grill
The Mesa 325 delivers full-sized performance in a compact footprint, making it a good gas grill for buyers who want more versatility than a two burner grill. Its three-burner design gives you flexible heat zones for indirect heat and low and slow cooking, while still letting you grill, sear, and warm at the same time — perfect for learning temperature control. The sturdy lid and built-in thermometer make it beginner-friendly while maintaining precision for more advanced cooks, with enough space for weeknight cooking without taking over a compact patio.
Easy to start, quick to clean, and compact enough for tight spaces, the Mesa 325 proves that good things come in smaller packages.
Bottom Line: Great for beginners who want dependable performance and easy operation without taking up space.
Mesa 200S Compact Gas Grill
Best for Small Balconies and On-the-Go Grilling
- Burners: 2 x stainless steel, 24,000 BTU total
- Total Cooking Area: 450 sq. in. (320 sq. in. primary + 130 sq. in. warming rack)
- Cooking Grates: Porcelain-coated cast iron
- Side Burner: No
- Foldable Side Shelves: Yes
- Fuel Type: Propane
- Best For: Camping, tailgating, or compact outdoor setups
- Grill Type: Compact propane grill
Lightweight and portable, the Mesa 200S is a small grill built for travel and tight outdoor setups. This two burner model heats up fast, cools down quickly, and is easy to store or transport for an apartment balcony or other compact spaces. Despite its size, it delivers the same Monument-quality heat control that keeps food perfectly cooked every time.
Fans love using it for weekend trips or balcony cookouts where space is limited but flavor is not. For those who prefer a sleeker look, the Mesa 220 offers the same compact power in a stylish black finish, and both are practical portable options for on-the-go grilling.
Bottom Line: The Mesa 200S is your go-anywhere grill — simple, compact, and built to impress even in small spaces.
Two Burners or Three? Tabletop or Cart?
- Balcony, 1–4 people: a 2-burner cart grill (Mesa 200S or Mesa 220). See the 2-burner gas grill collection.
- Small patio, 4–8 people, roasts and ribs: a 3-burner (Mesa 305 or Mesa 325). Our 2-burner vs 3-burner comparison explains the difference in heat zones.
- No permanent space, or the grill rides in the car: a tabletop grill such as the G22. See best tabletop gas grills.
- Small footprint but full-size cooking: the 4-burner Mesa II 410BZ or Mesa II 415BZ — not the older Mesa 415BZ, which is a larger 62,000 BTU grill.
Buying Tips for Small-Space Grilling and Cooking Space
When choosing a compact grill, check local rules first if you plan to use one on an apartment balcony, then focus on features that make your experience easier and safer:
- Cooking Space: For everyday family use, pick the Mesa 415BZ for a larger cooking surface; for limited outdoor areas, go for the 325 or 200S, keeping in mind that whole birds need more room than compact models may comfortably provide.
- Portability: The Mesa 200S is perfect for travel or apartment living, while a pizza oven is a separate outdoor appliance category that usually needs different space planning.
- Build Quality: All Mesa models use stainless burners and porcelain-coated grates for durability and even heat, and those durable components generally outperform thinner materials in heat retention and longevity.
- Maintenance: Each Mesa grill is designed for simple cleaning and long-term reliability.
Side tables and tool hooks can make a small setup more practical without increasing footprint too much.
Wood chips can add smoky character on gas grills, even if they do not fully replicate charcoal flavor.
How We Picked These Models
Each Mesa grill was tested and loved by real Monument fans for heat distribution across the cooking surface, portability, and long-term value. Testing also checked for cold spots and used a simple heat map approach to compare hot and cool areas. Strong performers also help limit flare ups so food cooks more evenly and more safely. Whether you're just starting out or downsizing your setup, these compact grills offer the same reliable performance Monument is known for.
Simple, durable, and beginner-friendly — the Mesa series proves that you don't need a big backyard to enjoy great grilling moments.
More to read:
Join the conversation
Share Your Thoughts
Have a question, a variation, or a result worth sharing? Add it to the conversation.