Three of the best portable grills — small BBQs to use at home, or on the go

The best portable grills are easier to maintain than your standard grill, and they're much less of an eyesore. Win-win. Think of a tabletop grill a bit like a small air fryer that you only use when the weather is warm.

Designed to be used on a stable outdoor surface, portable grills take up little to no floor space while in use. They provide enough cooking space to feed a few people, and you can use them to batch-cook food, too. If you use your grill less than once a month, it's worth buying a compact charbroiler. Typically, they're easier to clean, store and maintain. 

I spent last summer testing the best barbecues so that I can answer the big ol' question: What is the best portable grill you can buy? That will depend on what you're after and how many people you need to feed. But out of the ones I tested, these three were my favorites. 

The best portable grills to buy this year

The quick list

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The best portable grill

Though compact, this sizeable grill from Weber gets top points from me as it can be used to cook for more than four people at a time. Ideal if you have guests over, I managed to cook eight small burgers at a time on this grill. It's more fitting for keeping at home and using on a small patio or tiny balcony. It also comes in a range of colorways, is super affordable, and takes up zero floor space. And, because you can use its lid while cooking you can control the temperature of your grill and can use it to cook full joints of meat. It's a great all-rounder.

I used it to cook everything from burgers to a Tomahawk steak plus kebabs and more. The bowl-shaped grill does mean you can't use it to indirectly cook food, but no biggie. It was ready to cook within just 15–20 minutes and it stayed hot for a good while, so I used it to batch cook for an entire party of people. The lid can also sit on the hinge and guard the grill against wind and has a damper control so that you can manage airflow. I wasn't a huge fan of its tuck-n-carry lid as it didn't feel secure, hence why it's better for use at home rather than out and about. For example, if you put charcoal in it for a day trip, I'm almost positive it would spill out in your car.

The Weber Smokey Joe Premium is easy to clean and has dishwasher-friendly grates. It comes with a briquette bowl to measure charcoal with ease. I gave this grill to my parents to use while I tested other grills, and they've left it in their yard for the last year in between uses. It only requires a wipe down before every use and it takes up no space in their huge yard.

Rated 5 stars out of 5 in our Weber Smokey Joe review 

The best portable grill for taking on the go

This portable grill is the most pick in this guide. It was initially going on my wedding gift list, so when I was allowed to review one — I leaped for joy. This is the grill that I still have and use time after time, mostly because it looks so cute on my kitchen shelf when not in use, and it is so convenient. We're yet to take it out of the house and to the beach or park, but it has handles (they get hot!) and it comes with a lid that's also a chopping board plus a plastic food storage tray to hold your buns and more. It gets full points from me for portability, and even more for its stylish design and colorways. I managed to squeeze up to six small burgers on this grill.

I was skeptical about this grill as it doesn't have a lid that you can use while cooking. So, it's one for just cooking small pieces of meat and veggies, too. I used it to cook burgers, kebabs, and sausages and they all turned out perfect. But I'd avoid cooking any larger joints on there as it will take so long and they will cook a little unevenly without a lid to control the temperature. It doesn't stay hot for as long as our Weber pick, but it's perfect for couples who just use their grill for the basics now and then. I did manage to use it to batch cook and because the design of this grill is a cube, you can rearrange the charcoals once ready to indirectly cook foods, too.

Though nice and portable, this is heavier than our other two picks. Also, I found it almost impossible to keep its orange interior clean. The grates I popped in my dishwasher but the orange interior stained fast. Also, bear in mind that you cannot leave it outside overnight. So you need to dedicate some indoor space to it. I do like that the accessories sit neatly inside the grill, with clips to keep everything inside secure. You could fill it with charcoal and take it on a day trip without any worries. Hence why I rated it our best pick for taking on the go.

The best stylish portable grill

This basic grill gets top marks for design. It's the smallest on our list, comes with a cork lid that doubles as a base, and you can choose from black or white. I loved using it to cook and found it super convenient to store away. I managed to fit five small burgers on its cooking surface at one time. You can't control its temperature, so it's just a case of lighting it and waiting for it to be ready for your food. Though it is the most expensive grill on our list, you can often find it on sale around the $250–$300 mark.

It's quite similar to the Heston Blumenthal model, albeit smaller, and lighter. I used it to cook smaller pieces of meat plus some veggies. Unfortunately, because it has a cork lid, I couldn't use it to cook joints of meat. However, this lid does double up as a base for the grill, to protect your table. Just make sure that you line up the dips of the lid with the vents to allow airflow while cooking. Though round, the design of the base of this grill is flat so that you can use it to indirectly cook food.

Considering its size, it might be best to use this grill to cook for couples or up to four people. I managed to batch cook on it as it does stay hot, but again without a lid, it doesn't last as long as the Weber grill.

It comes with a grill-lifting tool and a carry strap, however, I couldn't get it to sit on my shoulder. Otherwise, the BBQ is easy to pick up though thanks to its handles, and after cooking, I popped the grates straight into my dishwasher. Note, you can't leave it outside because of its cork lid and given the price tag, you probably wouldn't want to.

Rated 4 stars out of 5 in our Berghoff Tabletop BBQ review

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What to consider when buying a portable grill

1. Size
Portable grills come in all shapes and sizes. Some are traditionally kettle-like in shape and are usually lightweight for easy transportation. Alternatively, portable BBQs can be even more compact with a strap, lid, or even handles to help you transport it.

2. Portability
You've already thought about handles, but also note your grill's weight and if you can buy a carry bag if you'll be taking it out of the house. This Samdew portable grill carry bag from Amazon fits the Weber Smokey Joe.

3. Fuel type
Consider whether you would prefer to cook on gas or charcoal, and think about how easy this fuel is to carry around. You can fill the majority of portable grills with charcoal before you leave home, providing they have a secure lid. Otherwise, check the side of the compatible gas canister, and the weight of it!

4. Ease of cleaning
Cooking on a barbecue is fun, but you need to know how to clean a grill if you want to keep it in good condition.

How we review portable grills

I live just outside London and have a tiny amount of patio space where I reviewed these grills. I've ranked each one based on how well I think it performed, its features, and value for money. An in-depth explaination of how we test barbecues is covered in our main guide.

If you're wondering how to start a charcoal grill, my colleague, Christina Chrysostomou can help with that.