Best BBQs

best bbqs

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.


When summer arrives, BBQs magically appear! These elusive cooking appliances spend much of their lives in storage, but when the weather is favourable, we can’t get enough of them. The smell of food blazing on an outdoor grill is something to behold, and who doesn’t love a nice over-cooked sausage or burger? If you fancy yourself as a grilling connoisseur or simply need an upgrade, here are the seven best models currently available.

How We Compared BBQs

To find the right BBQs, we considered multiple factors, including:

  • Fuel Type
  • Size
  • Cooking Capacity
  • Usability

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

BBQ Reviews

CosmoGrill Outdoor XL (Editor’s Choice)

This BBQ is a well-rounded model with an amazing combination of style, ergonomics, and usability. It’s our top pick if you want a product that fits your garden decor and can also be used for small and large gatherings.

The CosmoGrill Outdoor XL BBQ has a matte black frame, lid, and metal fixtures. We also like that it comes with two side wheels so you can push it away when not in use. It has two side trays and a bottom rack for serving and food preparation.

This BBQ uses solid fuel for cooking and has a large charcoal bay under the grill. This is accessible by removing the tray or opening the draw on the front. It also has a handy temperature gauge on the lid to control your timings.

Pros:

  • Includes thermometer and temperature control
  • Also has a stainless steel warming rack
  • The BBQ has two side trays for utensils and serving food
  • The two wheels make it easy to move around your garden
  • This model has an adequate grilling area that can accommodate up to 10 burgers

Cons:

  • The assembly instructions could be difficult to understand
  • Some customers may have reported dents in the BBQ casing

Char-Broil Gas2Coal Hybrid (Luxury Choice)

This is a brilliant pick if you want a long-lasting BBQ that you intend to use regularly for parties and gatherings. It has a robust and durable design and all the features you need for frequent cooking. The hybrid setup also means you don’t have to rely on gas.

The Char-Broil Gas2Coal Hybrid Grill looks superb and has a fixed frame with a large serving tray on each side. The one on the left doubles as an additional hotplate/cooking grill for more serving potential. 

For ease of use, it also has an electronic igniter and a lid-mounted temperature gauge. Inside, there is a warming rack above the grill to keep food hot for longer as people eat.

Pros:

  • Its hybrid design uses both gas and charcoal
  • The BBQ has a sturdy design with two wheels for transportation
  • Simple lid-mounted temperature gauge
  • Includes an ample warming rack to keep cooked food hot
  • The grill trays are easy to remove and clean

Cons:

  • The doors could get dented
  • The BBQ assembly instructions may be poorly written

Uten Stainless Steel (Best Value)

If you regularly go out for road trips or camping holidays, this is the perfect BBQ. It is highly compact, and the legs fold underneath the main grill. This means when it’s packed away, it should easily be able to fit in a car boot.

The Uten Stainless Steel BBQ is also durable and is constructed entirely from high-grade materials. This should make it more durable for regular outdoor use on the road. 

Despite its small size, it still had an adequate grill and cooking area. You can prepare multiple burgers, sausages, or larger items like ribs and steak. For safety, the tray also has a u-shaped handle so you can easily lift it for cleaning.

Pros:

  • This BBQ has a foldable design for amazing storage
  • Made from durable and long-lasting stainless steel
  • The assembly requires no tools
  • It has a large grilling area to cook multiple items at once
  • Includes comfortable lifting handles

Cons:

  • The plastic packaging may be difficult to remove
  • The BBQ legs could be a little flimsy

Tepro Grillwagen (Best Design)

This elegant model is a superb choice if you also want your BBQ to look good and perform great. It has a stylish matte black design with a slanted lid and sturdy frame. It would fit well in any style of garden and make a talking point for parties.

The Tepro Grillwagen is also highly functional. It has two trays, one at the side and another underneath, which are brilliant for storing food or cooking supplies. The charcoal is also easy to insert due to the central fuel lid.

For temperature control, there is a thermometer on the top. Plus, we like that the grill surface is removable for cleaning and further adjustments to the fuel. The two side wheels also make transportation effortless.

Pros:

  • Beautiful and elegant BBQ design
  • Includes two wheels for great manoeuvrability
  • It also has a folding side tray to serve food
  • Has an adequate grilling tray and warming rack
  • The fuel lid makes adding charcoal simple

Cons:

  • The grilling vent could get damaged easy
  • This model may take a long time to assemble

Grandma Shark Foldable and Portable (Best for Easy Storage)

This BBQ is essential for travel use or properties with limited outdoor storage. It has a compact and minimalistic design and various components that can either be removed or folded. As a result, it has a minimum footprint when not active.

The Grandma Shark BBQ Grill has a large cooking area on top with a removable plate large enough to prepare food for up to 10 people. We also like that it has a tray underneath and a basket on the side for storing food and supplies.

This model includes various grill configurations and trays to cook different items like steak, ribs, and burgers. It also comes with a pair of serving tongs. 

Pros:

  • The lifting handles are anti-scalding for improved safety
  • Made from high-quality and durable stainless steel
  • The support parts are foldable for convenient storage
  • The BBQ includes three different rack types
  • It also has a drip tray and cooking utensils

Cons:

  • Some of the steel edges could be sharp
  • It may not include a cooking cover to keep food warm

Weber Compact Kettle 1221004 (Best for Ease of Use)

This BBQ is simple to use and has a traditional round cooking basin and lid. It is perfect if you are new to outdoor cooking and want something you can set up quickly without needing to connect it to a gas supply.

The Weber Compact Kettle Charcoal Grill looks great and is also easy to move. It has two rear wheels and side handles, so you can push it into storage after use. We like that it has a wire rack on the bottom where you can place items like a charcoal bag or cooking supplies.

It comes with an adjustable air vent, and there is also a handy ashtray underneath the main unit, so no mess should fall on the floor. This model has a heavy-gauge grill for barbequing, and the bowl is made of porcelain enamel. 

Pros:

  • It includes a large cooking lid to improve the BBQ process
  • The grate is made from heavy-gauge steel
  • The unit is easy to transport on two wheels
  • It has a catch tray underneath to collect ashes
  • The grill has two large handles for safe lifting

Cons:

  • The ashtray may be difficult to remove
  • The air vents could be fiddly to adjust

George Foreman Indoor Outdoor 22460 (Best for Versatility)

This is a brilliant pick if you want a BBQ that can be used indoors and outdoors. The plastic frame allows you to cook while standing, while the main unit is also detachable and can operate in the kitchen like a traditional grill.

The George Foreman BBQ Grill benefits from the non-stick removable plates that make these products so popular. They are great for cleaning and allow fat and grease to drain off from the food quickly.

For BBQ versatility, it has variable temperature controls and a thermometer, meaning you can efficiently keep track of the cooking. We also like the lightweight stand that is easy to move and allows you to use the product at an ergonomic height.

Pros:

  • It can be used indoors and outdoor as a grill or BBQ
  • The grilling plates are non-stick and easy to remove
  • It has a clear temperature gauge on the lid
  • The BBQ includes a simple but effective stand
  • It can cook up to 15 portions of food at once

Cons:

  • The plastic feet of the stand may not be too durable
  • The BBQ stand could fall over if not on stable ground

How to Choose a BBQ

As you can see, there are many different BBQ styles available. But which is the best choice for you? Below, we have created a simple buying guide emphasising the main features to look for when selecting these products.

Fuel Type

BBQs often have different fuel types and/or connections. The most common one uses charcoal: here, you simply add chunks of the fuel underneath the grill and light it. The blocks burn steadily and keep a fire blazing which you cook on. These models can take a little longer to set up but don’t require anything additional like a gas connection or canister.

Alternatively, you can find gas-fueled BBQs. These have a pipe connection that must fit into a gas source – usually something like a Calor bottle. This method is easier to use but does require more effort in sourcing the fuel.

Size

Next, we advise looking at the size. This depends on where and how you intend to use the BBQ. For example, you may want a portable item to take on holiday in your car. If so, a foldable product would be better suited.

Alternatively, you could require a large, fixed model for gatherings and parties in your garden. If so, the size may not be as important as cooking capacity.

Cooking Capacity

Typically you cook food on a BBQ grill. The size of this item dictates how much food you can blaze at once and thus the product’s suitability for different families etc. 

A small grill could be adequate if you only intend to use the BBQ for yourself. However, if you want to throw parties and organise summer gatherings with multiple people, you may benefit from a unit with numerous trays or a larger overall cooking area.

Usability

Lastly, how easy is the BBQ to use? There are many nuances, including the grill cover, accessibility of the heat controls, and accessories for food handling. 

Does it come with a lid to keep the warmth in and cook more effectively? Are there any BBQ tongs included so you can easily pick up the meat? Does it have a drip tray to catch any cooking fat and grease? Look at the model’s design and features and decide if you think you would be comfortable using it.

Summary

Our editor’s choice is the CosmoGrill Outdoor XL BBQ. This model has an ergonomic size that is large enough to serve food for parties but small enough to store away. The folding side trays and wheels aid this. Cooking is made easy by the generous grilling area, which can accommodate up to 10 burgers at a time. For more control, we also like that it has an adjustable chimney and vent, plus a thermometer so you can check the BBQ temperature.

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