How many burners do I actually need on a gas grill?

Across the reviewers we read, 3-burner models are the most-recommended sweet spot for typical households because they support two-zone cooking (a hot sear side and an indirect side) without overwhelming a small patio. Two-burner grills like the Spirit E-210 work for couples or small spaces but specialist subreddit threads repeatedly flag that they can't hit the same peak temperatures. Four-burner-plus models make sense if you regularly cook for 6+ people or want a dedicated sear zone plus indirect roasting area at the same time.