
In this guide we first review five of the best barbecue covers available and tell you why we think they should be on your short list.
Then, we explain why you might want one, and even why you might not. Then we’ll let you know what you should be looking for when shopping for a grill cover.
We all like to protect our valuable investments. That’s why we have things like surge protectors, tie-down straps, and safety deposit boxes.
If you’re seriously into grilling, then you’ve probably invested in a good charcoal grill, or the best gas grill you can afford, or you at least want to get as much life as possible out of what you’ve got, no matter what you paid for it. So what’s the best way to guard your grill?
The simplest, yet most effective way to extend the life of your barbecue is to buy one of the best grill covers.
If you’re in the market for some grill protection, you’re going to want to read this article. Even if you’ve never used a grill cover before, we’re confident you’ll soon see the value.
At a Glance: The 7 Best Grill Covers Discussed in our Guide
- Best Overall: Grillman Premium BBQ Grill Cover, Heavy-Duty (6 sizes, 3 colors.)
- Runner-Up: Unicook Heavy-Duty Grill Covers, (6 sizes, Gray only.)
- Budget Pick: Viboos Gas Grill Cover, (6 sizes, 3 colors.)
- Most Secure: Classic Accessories Veranda BBQ Grill Covers, (9 sizes, light brown only.)
- Unique Sizes: Nexcover Heavy Duty Barbecue Gas Grill Cover, (9 sizes, Black only.)
- Best For Kettle Grills: Jiesuo Heavy-Duty Kettle Grill Covers
- Best For Built-In Grills: Covermates Built-in Grill Cover
Note: Clicking the above links will take you to further information, current prices and customer reviews on Amazon.
Contents (Jump to Topic)
- 1 At a Glance: The 7 Best Grill Covers Discussed in our Guide
- 2 Consider The Original Manufacturers Grill Cover First
- 3 Make Sure You Know Your Grills Dimensions Before You Buy
- 4 Reviews of Our Top 7 Picks
- 5 Why Use a Grill Cover?
- 6 When Would You Not Need One?
- 7 What to Look for When You’re Choosing a Grill Cover
- 8 That About Covers it
Consider The Original Manufacturers Grill Cover First
Although typically more expensive than a generic 3rd party cover, the covers that manufacturers produce to accompany their grills have many benefits over generic ones:
- They are made to fit PERFECTLY! Most generic covers semi-fit, by being larger than necessary.
- The manufacturers covers tend to be better looking, less plain, and look better in your garden.
- Original manufacturers tend to use better, more durable materials than generic brands.
- Original manufacturers covers tend to come with a longer warranty, and will have better support in case of an issue.
So for me, I like to buy the actual covers that are made especially for my grills. However, I can of course see the sense in going 3rd party in order to save money! So with that in mind, up next are the best available today.
Make Sure You Know Your Grills Dimensions Before You Buy
The single most crucial factor when buying a grill cover is that it will actually fit your grill!
If you buy a cover that is too small, it will naturally not even fit on your grill. If you buy a cover that is too large, it will fit over your grill, and possibly be ok, but too much loose fabric can be a wind trap and weaken the covers ability to stay on and protect your grill.
So the sweet spot is to buy a cover that is as small as possible but still larger than your grill in every dimension to make sure it will fit.
So to get the right cover for your grill:
- Seek out the grill on the manufacturer’s website.
- Note down the length, depth, and height of your grill
- Make sure the cover you choose is equal to or slightly larger in all three dimensions.
Reviews of Our Top 7 Picks
Let’s get up-close-and-personal with five excellent covers that should be contending for your dollars.
Available sizes | ||
---|---|---|
30″ L x 26″ W x 43″ H | 58″ L x 24″ W x 48″ H | 64″ L x 24″ W x 48″ H |
52″ L x 26″ W x 43″ H | 60″ L x 28″ W x 44″ H | 72″ L x 26″ W x 51″ H |
Available colors: Black, Gray and Tan
This heavy-duty cover ticks all the boxes for durability, including resistance to water, UV-protection, and tear-resistant. It’s also easy to wipe down and keep clean.
It’s not a bad looking cover, but we’re not ready to declare it a work of art, either. The Grillman logo is the most prominent design feature.
The large Velcro side straps are easy-to-use and do a good job keeping the cover securely in place, even in very windy conditions. The straps are a little more evident on the Grillman than on some other covers we’ve seen, which detracts slightly from the appearance, but that’s not a major complaint.
This is one of the most heavy-duty covers available on the market today, and for a very good price. It is incredibly popular, and always receives great feedback.
My only gripe is it does tend to fade somewhat in the sun after a year or so. But then, show me a grill cover that doesn’t?
The Grillman premium waterproof grill cover covers (sorry) all the bases when it comes to protecting your barbecue. And if it doesn’t, the lifetime replacement guarantee should take care of you.
It’s a solid product from a reputable manufacturer. Buy with confidence.
Specs
- PVC-lined Oxford cloth
- Waterproof
- UV-resistant
- Tear-resistant
- Adjustable Velcro straps for wind resistance
- Lifetime replacement guarantee
- Suited to most major brands including Weber Spirit, Weber Genesis, Char-Broil, Dyna-Glo, Brinkman, and many more.
Pros
- Fits most grills, with 6 sizes available
- 3 colors available: Black, gray, and tan
- Made from very heavy-duty 600D fabric
- Waterproof, UV-protected, and tear-resistant
- Wind-resistant, with side straps secure and easy to use
- Best warranty we know of with a lifetime replacement guarantee
Cons
- Color fades over time, despite the UV-protection
- A way to attach to the bottom of the grill would make it even more wind-resistant
Unicook Heavy-Duty Grill Covers
Available sizes | ||
---|---|---|
50 x 22 x 40 inches | 60 x 23 x 42 inches | 70 x 24 x 44 inches |
55 x 23 x 42 inches | 65 x 24 x 44 inches | 75 x 24 x 44 inches |
Available colors: Gray
This is a heavy-duty cover made from a polyester fabric with vinyl backing that is water-resistant, UV-protected, and fade-resistant. High-density stitching ensures durability and tear resistance.
A nice feature of these covers is two mesh air vents that allow moisture to escape, which helps to keep down mold and mildew inside your grill, something that blights us all over the winter months if the grill is in long-term storage.
On the side of this cover are hook and loop Velcro straps that hold the cover tightly to the grill, preventing it from flying off in windy conditions. We feel that these straps could be better quality, as they are on other covers we’ve reviewed here. Feedback from thousands of owners shows it doesn’t tear though.
All in all, this is a fantastic cover at a budget-friendly price that will last a long time and is available in many different sizes to suit many different grills. It’s only second place to the Grillman above due to the slightly lower quality Velcro straps, but it beats the Grillman in some respects for having mesh vents.
Pros
- Heavy duty, wind-, UV-, and tear-resistant
- Wide range of sizes to suit many different grills
- Handles up top make it easier to install and remove
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Fastening straps aren’t as heavy duty as some competing products (but from thousands of buyers, very few complaints!)
Viboos Gas Grill Cover
Available sizes | ||
---|---|---|
30 inch x 30 inch x 35 inch | 52 inch × 26 inch × 43 inch | 65 inch × 24 inch × 44 inch |
32 inch × 26 inch × 43 inch | 58 inch x 24 inch x 46 inch | 72 inch × 26 inch × 51 inch |
Available colors: Black, gray, tan
A decent-looking but straightforward cover that comes in six sizes and 3 colors. There’s no log, no design elements, and no splashes of color, so it’s not at all in your face.
This is our budget pick, so considering the price, everything about this cover seems durable and well-made from the heavy material to the bound edges and plentiful stitches. There are six available sizes, ranging from 22” for kettle grills to 72” for big gas grills.
The material is resistant to most conditions, including dust for you desert-dwellers and resistant to cold cracking for those of you where it freezes.
Not only does it look pretty good, but the Viboos heavy-duty grill cover is also carefully and thoughtfully constructed.
It has all the convenience features other covers have, such as a drawstring at the bottom, and Velcro side straps. However, it does not have vents to help prevent condensation, which can lead to rust and mold growth. So you may want to remove it to air out your grill periodically.
Viboos provides a 30-day no-questions-asked money-back guarantee and a 1-year after-sales service.
This is a budget-friendly option, so it does not have the build quality of our top picks (You get what you pay for!), but it’s still a good and reliable cover.
Pros
- Incredible value! At the time of writing, the cheapest covers on this list.
- Side Velcro straps and a bottom drawstring ensure it fits snug and will stay put
- Various sizes available to fit many grill sizes, including kettle-style grills
Cons
- No vents to prevent condensation
- Not as well built as more premium covers on this list
Classic Accessories Veranda BBQ Grill Covers
Available sizes | ||
---|---|---|
38″ L x 22″ D x 44″ H | 52″ L x 24″ D x 44″ H | 70″ L x 24″ D x 48″ H |
43.5″ L x 17″ D x 44″ H | 58″ L x 24″ D x 48″ H | 72″ L x 26″ D x 51″ H |
44″ L x 22″ D x 44″ H | 64″ L x 24″ D x 48″ H | 80″ L x 26″ D x 51″ H |
Available colors: Pebble (a kind of earthy light brown?!)
In a nice departure from the usual very dark gray and black covers on the market, the Classic Accessories Veranda cover is an appealing tan color. A brown stripe that wraps around the cover at the bottom breaks it up nicely and gives a visual cue for finding the drawstring and putting the cover on straight.
The manufacturer’s badge is tastefully small, and right below the padded handles are air vents that reduce condensation and mold growth and wind lifting.
Securing this cover is an elastic drawstring cinch cord at the bottom, as are buckled straps for securing around the legs. It should fit snugly and stay in place on most popular barbecues, and more so than other covers with only side-attached Velcro straps.
This smart-looking cover will look right at home on your patio. There are many useful features, and it appears to be well constructed. If you like it, Classic Accessories offers a variety of matching covers for shade umbrellas, patio furniture, table sets, fire pits, and more.
We are concerned about the lack of UV protection, so if you live in a very sunny part of the world or your grill doesn’t get much shade, you might have to suffer it fading. Having said that, the limited lifetime warranty makes it an appealing purchase, and numerous consumers have given the company glowing recommendations.
I would also like to point out that the lighter color will show dirt more easily over time when compared to darker gray and black alternatives.
Overall, this cover is highly recommended, especially for people in cool and/or damp climates.
Pros
- 9 sizes available, to fit almost any rectangular grill
- Water, wind, and tear-resistant
- Drawstring to pull tight at the base, as well click-close straps make this the most secure cover in this list
- Padded handles for comfort and ease of use
- Unique color, instead of typical gray or black
- Padded handles make installation and removal easy
- Downward facing vent lets out trapped moisture but won’t let any in
- Light color won’t show fading as obviously as dark covers
Cons
- It’s a long way down to adjust the straps and buckles
- No UV protection
- Lighter color may show up dirt more easily
Nexcover Heavy Duty Barbecue Gas Grill Cover
Available sizes | ||
---|---|---|
30 x 26 x 40 inches | 58 x 24 x 45 inches | 65 x 24 x 44 inches |
50 x 23 x 42 inches | 60 x 23 x 42 inches | 70 x 24 x 44 inches |
55 x 22 x 40 inches | 64 x 24 x 45 inches | 72 x 24 x 45 inches |
Available colors: Black
The main draw of this grill cover is it has sizes available not covered by others on the list, so can be suited to some more esoteric, uniquely sized grills.
An all-black cover with no markings, it’s not a stylish tour de force. It is, however, well constructed with heavy-duty, high-performance 600D Oxford fabric with PVC layer and durable sewing. This makes it anti-UV, waterproof, dust-resistant, and windproof.
All seams are double stitched for extra strength, and Velcro hook and loop fastening straps at the ends will keep it snug and secure.
It has a concealed air vent design to permit airflow and prevent moisture from getting trapped inside, leading to rust or mildew.
The manufacturer provides a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee for 60 days and a 1-year warranty.
The Nexcover grill cover is a simple, no-frills option for covering just about any major branded grill. It comes with many of the key features we like to see on a grill cover, including UV and rain protection, and should protect your grill for several years.
Pros
- Unique sizes that may more closely match your grill compared too other covers available
- Budget-friendly and great value for money
- Heavy-duty 600D Oxford fabric material with waterproof PVC coating
- Easy to reach the Velcro straps
- Hook and loop Velcro fastenings on each side
- Concealed air vent design to reduce condensation inside
Cons
- Build quality, particularly around the straps, is not comparable to more premium products
Jiesuo Heavy-Duty Kettle Grill Covers
Size of Kettle Grill | Available Cover Size |
---|---|
18 Inch | 23” W x 20.5” D x 35” H |
22 Inch | 28.5” W x 23.5” D x 35” H |
26 Inch | 33” W x 25.5” D x 38” H |
Weber Performer Premium and Deluxe | 48.5″ L x 25.5″ W x 39.8″ H |
Available colors: Black
Kettle grills, being circular, need specially made cylindrical covers. You could use a square or rectangular cover, but it will be loose and very prone to lifting with the wind.
Jiesuo to the rescue with their range of cylindrical charcoal kettle grill covers made to fit all kettle grills from 18 to 26 inches, including a unique cover to fit Weber Performer grills with their built-in carts.
These covers are well built from 600 D Oxford polyester fabric, with a PVC liner and vinyl layer to make them waterproof, UV-resistant, and resistant to cold cracking.
‘Precision Two-Thread Stitching’ adds tear resistance and durability.
The material is slightly elastic for a snug fit, and each cover has two Velcro straps at the base to secure the cover tightly and ensure it stays put in windy weather.
Pros
- Perfectly fits all standard-size kettle grills
- 600D polyester fabric with vinyl oil is waterproof, and UV-resistant
- Strong stitching to make sure it won’t tear
- Velcro fasteners to attach the cover to the legs for wind resistance
Cons
- None really…except maybe the logo is a bit large, bright, and in your face.
Covermates Built-in Grill Cover
Available sizes | ||
---|---|---|
30” W x 26” D x 14” H | 36” W x 26” D x 14” H | 44” W x 30” D x 18” H |
34” W x 30” D x 18” H | 42” W x 28” D x 14” H | 54” W x 33” D x 18” H |
Available colors: 4 colors and 4 different fabrics
There’s not a lot of choice when it comes to covers for built-in grills, but Covermates are certainly up there with the best of those that exist!
Covermates built-in grill covers come in various sizes (seen above) and in 4 different colors: charcoal, khaki, tan, and light gray.
These covers also come in 4 different fabrics to suit different environments! From Covermates themselves, (paraphrasing) the 4 different fabrics are:
Classic — Entry-level material: Cost-efficient yet durable. For climates with low to moderate humidity, sunlight and wind gusts, and moderate to high rain and snow.
Elite — Best-selling material: ideal for climates with low to moderate humidity, sunlight, and moderate to high wind gusts, rainfall, and snowfall.
Ultima — Top–Rated Material: Will survive any weather condition. Designed to protect through moderate to high rain, sun, snow, and humidity, as well as extreme wind gusts.
Prestige — Our Premium Material: Attractive without sacrificing durability for those who like style as well as protection. Prestige offers an elegant look throughout your backyard without compromising performance, while being ideal for areas with heavy to extreme rain, snow, sun, humidity, and wind.
Here is a table summarizing each fabric’s performance stats:
Classic | Elite | Ultima | Prestige | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bottom Hem | Elastic Only | Elastic & Drawcord | Drawcord Only | Drawcord Only |
Water Resistance | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
UV & Fade Resistance | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Overall Durability | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Material | 12-Gauge Commercial Vinyl | 300D Stock-Dyed Polyester | 600D Solution-Dyed Polyester | 900D Solution-Dyed Polyester |
Each cover has a polyester lining and a securely fitting elastic hem which you simply stretch over your grill for a snug fit.
Covermates also back up their covers with a 2–year warranty, which should give you some confidence in their product.
Pros
- Multiple sizes, colors, and materials to suit your needs
- Easy to fit and remove with an elastic hem
- Good value for money
- Backed up with a 2-year warranty
Cons
- Some versions lack decent UV protection
Why Use a Grill Cover?
Grills come in all shapes and sizes — and all price ranges! If you’ve paid good money for your grill you’ll want to ensure it lasts as long as possible.
Even if you bought a bargain barbecue (and there’s no shame in that — I’ve had great food cooked over charcoal smoldering in a tire rim), you still want it to last, and to be clean and ready for use.
Most of us keep our grills outside, and that means they’re exposed to the elements. Rain, snow, wind — these can all do damage to your grill. The biggest threat to the life of your grill is rust. A good grill cover will keep the wet weather away from all the vital metal parts. Not only does rust make your grill look awful, but it will also severely shorten its life too.
Covering also discourages critters from taking up residence inside your cozy grill. I have personally turned on my barbecue and then discovered a pair of mice frantically scurrying away from the flames. Not to worry; I shut it down and escorted them off the premises without any serious damage.
Also See
- Recommended accessories for your grill or smoker
- The best grill tools
When Would You Not Need One?
There are situations in which one might not need a barbecue cover. For example, if you always store your barbecue in a shed or garage between uses, then that’s probably all the protections it needs.
Likewise, if you keep it under a gazebo or similar shelter you might also get away without one, especially if it’s also partly protected by a wall or fence.
Of course, if it’s constantly in use, maybe for commercial purposes, there’s not much point in having a cover, either.
What to Look for When You’re Choosing a Grill Cover
In a minute, we’ll share our top five picks for grill covers. First, though, here are some of the criteria to consider if you’re doing your own research or heading out on a shopping expedition.
Size
This is one of those times when size really does matter. You want the cover to fit reasonably snug, but not so tight that you struggle to get it on. If you have to stretch it and pull at it to get it on, it’s too tight. You don’t want to fight with it when a storm suddenly kicks up, nor do you want to risk damaging any parts that stick out, like side shelves.
On the other hand, you also don’t want it too large and loose. Though it might be easy to get on, you may end up with moisture issues leading to mold or mildew. In the worst-case scenario, the oversized cover turns into a sail in a windstorm and sends your grill careening across the patio.
Most grill covers fit gas grills, so if you own and wish to cover a charcoal grill, please do make sure the cover isn’t too large and your grill ends up like a pea rattling around in a sock!
Aim for a close fit to keep moisture out, and to reduce the likelihood of it lifting off in the wind. So before you buy, make sure you know the dimensions of your grill, and choose an appropriately sized cover to match, and make sure it fits your grill.
The Look
Hey, there’s nothing wrong with wanting your grill cover to look good! After all, a big barbecue takes up a fair bit of real estate. So who wants to sit in the yard and have a big, ugly cover staring back at them?
Looking good is a subjective topic, so we won’t tell you what you should or should not buy. Just keep it in the back of your mind that you’ll be looking at your cover a lot!
Side note: A great color is of no value if it fades in the sun — see the section below on UV protection.
Material
If you like to grill a lot, then you’ll be pulling this cover off and putting it on over and over. It’s entirely possible you won’t carefully fold it up and set it gently aside each time, either. (Gasp!) For these reasons, and because it will be exposed to the elements at all-times, you want a grill cover made from quality, strong and heavy-duty material.
Look for good stitching, and heavyweight, durable material. You can buy thin covers, and while you might save some money short term, you’ll probably end up replacing it before long. If you really care about your ‘cue, get the good stuff.
What’s the good stuff? Most covers are some form of polyester, and the difference is in the thickness. The unit of measurement most commonly used is Dernier, often shown as the letter ‘D.’ The higher the number before the D, the thicker the material is. A good cover should be at least 600D.
Waterproof
As discussed, moisture is probably the number one enemy facing your grill.
If you live in a very dry climate, rain and snow won’t be much of an issue. For the rest of us, a heavy-duty waterproof cover is absolutely essential for any grill stored outdoors.
Tie-Downs / Fastenings
We discussed the potential for wind to be a problem earlier. If your cover has some kind of tie-downs (like Velcro, buttons, or snaps) or a cinch string, you won’t have to worry about having your cover blown off or, worse, your barbecue blown over because the cover turned into a sail.
UV Protection
Unless you don’t care about how your grill looks (and a lot of us do), choose a cover that has UV protection.
Since your barbecue spends most or all of its time outside, it is constantly exposed to the sun and UV radiation. Without protection, UV will fade the color of your cover in no time. Worse still, it won’t do it evenly, so you end up with a nasty, blotchy looking cover. Not an appetizing way to kick off your deck party!
Be aware, however, that constant exposure to intense sunlight, such as you might get in the southern United States, will eventually fade any cover, UV protected or not. You can help out your cover by keeping your grill in a location that gets at least partial shade.
Warranty
Although it just sits there doing not much of anything, your grill cover will be exposed to the elements. This can be very hard on the material. A good quality premium BBQ cover will come with a warranty, as should anything the manufacturer has confidence in.
Don’t buy a cover with no warranty and then find yourself stuck if it can’t do the job properly. No warranty probably equals low-grade materials and construction.
That About Covers it
Buying a grill cover makes good sense for almost all barbecue owners. It’s an easy way to extend the life of your grill and to keep it primed and ready for use every time.
If you’re in the market, we hope we’ve pointed you in the right direction. If you weren’t in the market, we hope we’ve shown you why you should be and that you might pick up one of the best grill covers from our guide?
Thanks very much for making us part of your grilling journey today. If you’re passionate about barbecue, this is where you want to be. We invite you to browse the site and see what else we have in store for you. I mean, you could go plunging down the Internet rabbit hole, but who’s got time for that?
If you have any questions or comments about this or any of our articles, please send them our way. Contact info is at the bottom of the page.
Grill on, friends!
Need replacement for my Grillman cover. Bar code X001LAVISP. Do you have contact cell # so I can send picture of my cover? Thank You, Dave Krull
Hi Dave,
You would have to contact the manufacturer or search for a suitable replacement online, using the dimensions of your grill as a guide.
I’m looking for one to fit my weber smokey mountain after the last got blown away. But I do not see one suitable in your list. What cover would you suggest?
Hi S. Grohl. Any relation to Dave? 😀
I’ve had a quick just now on Amazon at weber smokey mountain covers, and to be honest, you may as well just buy a replacement for the original. The weber cover is — at the time of writing — $32, and covers from other manufacturers are right on that money, and some cost more. So may as well just get the original, in my opinion?
For the record, you absolutely do want one. I rarely put mine on (laziness more than anything), and after every bit of rain, the bottom charcoal section is always full of water, and my charcoal grate keeps rusting quite severely.
Due to the design of the weber, the way the middle section sits inside a raised lip of the bottom section, rain hits the smoker, trickles down, and then enters into this lip and straight into the bottom charcoal section. So a cover for the Weber Smokey Mountain is a must if you ask me!
Let me what you do and decide?