Monument just launched the new Mesa II series, a sharper-priced follow-up to the original Mesa we reviewed a few years ago.

This one is trimmed down in size and power, and clearly aimed at first-time grill buyers or anyone who wants a solid four-burner without spending $500. The real question is whether you’re giving up too much to save the money.

The Mesa II comes in two versions, and we tested both with burgers, steaks, chicken, and brats to see how they perform. You can watch our video review below, or keep reading for the full breakdown.

Monument Mesa II 415BZ Gas Grill

Our Verdict: The Monument Mesa II is a budget-friendly four-burner built as a solid first grill. It’s smaller and less powerful than the original Mesa, but it still delivers reliable everyday performance. The Power Broil Zone adds useful high heat, just don’t expect infrared-level searing.

Pros:

• Affordable 4 burner setup
• Compact footprint
• Power Broil Zone for higher heat cooking
• Removable drip tray makes cleanup easy

Cons:

• Broil zone not dramatically hotter than standard burners
• Plastic casters and wagon wheels feel cheap

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Breaking Down the Mesa II Lineup

When Monument announced the Mesa II, I’ll be honest, I was a little surprised.

The original Mesa 415BZ impressed us. It was big, powerful, loaded with features, and it earned a spot on our list of the best gas grills under $500. So when a company takes a grill that already felt like a value monster… and makes a cheaper version? You start wondering what had to give.

The Mesa II comes in two versions.

The 410FBZ is the cart model. Two wagon-style wheels on one side, peg legs on the other, folding shelves, simple setup. It keeps the price down and the footprint tight.

The 415BZ moves up to a cabinet base with four locking casters and adds a 12,000 BTU side burner for $100 extra. Same main cooking setup, just more storage and convenience.

Under the hood, both Mesa II models share the same core layout. Four main burners, 525 square inches of cooking space, and Monument’s Power Broil Zone on the right-hand side.

Compared to the original Mesa 415BZ, the Mesa II is trimmed down. On the base 410FBZ model, total BTUs drop from 62,000 down to 37,000, while the 415BZ version comes in at 49,000, including the side burner.

You’re also giving up the window in the lid, which is a win in my book. I’ve never enjoyed keeping glass clean on a grill.

So yes, it’s smaller. And yes, it’s less powerful on paper. But it’s also significantly cheaper.

Here’s how the two Mesa II models stack up:

Looking at the numbers alone, the Mesa II clearly isn’t trying to replace the original Mesa. It’s trying to sit below it.

The original Mesa felt like a budget grill that punched above its weight. The Mesa II feels more intentionally entry-level, built to hit a lower price point while keeping the core grilling experience intact.

Assembly, Burn-Off, and First Impressions

Monument does a good job packing a lot of grill into a surprisingly small box. Everything was tight and secure, and nothing showed up damaged.

The assembly took about an hour and a half for both units. Not terrible, but not quick either. If you’ve built a grill before, you’ll be fine. If this is your first one, just plan for it and don’t rush.

Like any new gas grill, you’ll want to do a burn-off before cooking. We fired up all the burners on max and let them run for about 30 minutes to burn off any manufacturing oils or residue. Pretty standard process.

This is also when you first see that snake-like burner pattern on the broil zone light up. It’s a cool little detail. Flame everywhere. Makes you want to throw something on right away.

During the burn-off, the stainless warming rack did flex a bit as it heated up. That’s pretty normal with thinner stainless. Once everything cooled down, it settled right back into place and nothing stayed warped or out of shape.

Overall first impression? It looks clean, feels solid for the price, and clearly positions itself as a more compact, entry-level version of the original Mesa.

Build Quality and Design

Once it’s assembled, you can tell the Mesa II isn’t trying to be a heavy-duty, premium grill. It’s built to hit a price point, and for the most part, it does that well.

You get 405 square inches of primary cooking space plus a 120 square inch warming rack. For most families, that’s enough room for burgers, chicken, steaks, and a few extras without feeling cramped.

The enamel-coated cast iron grates are solid for this category. They hold heat fine, though they’re not especially thick. Pretty standard for this price.

The snap ignition lit quickly every time during testing. No fuss.

Mobility is where you notice some cost control. The cabinet model uses plastic locking casters that feel more like office chair wheels than heavy-duty grill hardware.

They’ll roll fine on smooth concrete, but I wouldn’t want to drag this thing across gravel all summer. The cart version keeps it simpler with wagon wheels and peg legs.

Overall, it feels appropriately built for an entry-level four burner. Not premium. Not flimsy. Just straightforward.

Grilling performance

We started simple with burgers. Preheated the grill, kept things straightforward, and let it run. No issues. Good browning, solid char, and even cooking across most of the grate. As a basic four burner gas grill, it does exactly what you want it to do.

Next up were thicker New York strip steaks. This is where you start paying attention to heat. The right side of the grill, where the broil zone sits, definitely runs hotter. You can see it in the browning. But the difference isn’t dramatic.

The steaks cooked well, but they didn’t come off looking like they’d been blasted with an infrared sear burner. For thicker cuts, the best approach was sear first, then slide them over indirect to finish. That worked well.

Chicken breasts told a similar story. After about a 15 minute preheat, we got good color and some nice charring. Not super aggressive grill marks, but solid everyday results. If you want deeper crosshatching, you’ll want to give the grates a little longer to heat soak.

We also threw on some brats just to see how the grill behaved across zones. This is where it became obvious that the right side runs hotter. The brats on that side browned faster, so you’ll want to rotate food during longer cooks.

Once you understand that heat pattern, it’s predictable. And predictable is good.

Does the Power Broil Zone Really Sear?

The Power Broil Zone is Monument’s headline feature on the Mesa II. It sits on the right-hand side, and when you fire it up, that snake-like burner pattern lights up underneath the grates. It definitely runs hotter than the standard burners.

We were able to push the grill into the 700°F range during preheat with it on max, so the heat is there.

Compared to the original Mesa 415BZ, though, this version doesn’t feel quite as aggressive. On the original, the broil zone delivered stronger, more defined searing. Here, it feels more like a boosted heat zone than a dedicated sear station.

It still helps with browning and gives you a hotter area to start steaks. Just don’t expect steakhouse-level crosshatch marks straight out of the box.

It works. You just need to go in with the right expectations.

Storage and Prep Areas

Both Mesa II models offer usable side shelf space, but the level of flexibility you get depends on which version you choose.

The 410FBZ cart model keeps things simple. Both side shelves fold down, making it easier to store when you’re tight on patio space. You also get the mounted bottle opener and open storage underneath. Basic, but functional.

The 415BZ cabinet model gives you an enclosed cabinet below for your propane tank and extra gear, plus a 12,000 BTU side burner. The tradeoff is that only one shelf folds down. The side burner shelf stays fixed, so it takes up a bit more permanent space.

One small detail we liked on the cabinet version is the adjustable peg hook system. You can move the hooks around and customize where your tools hang, instead of being locked into fixed positions. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s practical and gives the grill a slightly more polished feel.

Neither version is oversized, but they’re practical. Enough room for trays, plates, and tools. Just know the cabinet version gives you more storage, while the cart version gives you more flexibility in footprint.

Cleanup

Cleanup is one area where Monument keeps things simple, and that’s a good thing.

Both Mesa II models use a removable drip tray that slides out from the bottom. That means you’re not crawling inside the grill trying to scrape grease out of a hard-to-reach pan. Slide it out, clean it, slide it back in. Done.

The enamel-coated cast iron grates clean up like most in this category. A good brush while they’re still warm takes care of most of it. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated.

If you go with the cabinet model, just keep in mind the stainless surfaces will show fingerprints and grease smudges over time. That’s normal for brushed stainless at this price point. Quick wipe-down and you’re back in business.

Overall, it’s straightforward. No awkward grease traps, no weird design choices. Just easy, predictable cleanup.

Other grills you should consider

The Mesa II makes a lot of sense for budget-conscious buyers. But depending on what matters most to you, there are a couple of other directions worth looking at.

If You Want More Power and Space

If you liked the sound of the Mesa II but wish it had more cooking space and more heat, the original Mesa 415BZ is still available.

You’re jumping from 525 square inches up to 630. Total BTUs climb significantly, and the broil zone felt a little more aggressive in our testing. It’s a bigger, heavier grill overall and feels more feature-packed.

You’ll pay more, but it still lands under $500 most of the time. If you cook for larger groups or just want more room to work, the original Mesa is the better fit.

If You Want Better Build Quality and a Stronger Sear

If build quality is your top priority, the Weber Spirit E-325 is a step up.

You’re getting thicker materials, tighter fit and finish, and a sear zone that delivers more concentrated heat. On the Weber Spirit we reviewed, we had no problem getting defined crosshatch marks. On the Mesa II, you have to work a little harder and preheat longer if that look matters to you.

But there are tradeoffs.

You drop down to three burners instead of four. There’s no enclosed cabinet unless you go for an even higher spec version, and the price jumps significantly compared to the Mesa II.

So you’re paying more for better construction and a stronger sear, not for more space or features.

Final Verdict

The Monument Mesa II isn’t trying to outdo the original Mesa. It’s trying to make it more accessible.

You’re getting a compact four-burner with usable prep space, a removable drip tray, and a hotter broil zone. It cooks well, it’s easy to manage, and it makes sense as a first serious gas grill.

It’s not oversized. It’s not overpowered. And it’s not built like a premium Weber.

But it’s also not priced like one.

If you want the most space and heat for the money, the original Mesa 415BZ is still the better choice. If you want better materials and a stronger sear, you’ll need to step up to something like the Weber Spirit and pay for it.

If you want a straightforward, budget-friendly four burner that handles everyday grilling without drama, the Mesa II does exactly that.

And honestly, that’s who it was built for.