Few things go hand in hand like a warm evening and grilling your favorite meats and veggies outside with your friends or family. And while you may be dialed for grilling pyrotechnics at home, you need a grill that can go with you and your family to your favorite parks, campsites, tailgate parties, and even on road trips.
We identified the best portable grills, with a broad selection of sizes and fuel types. We fired up each model and grilled up hotdogs, hamburgers, trip-tip, and even a veggie or two, all while paying careful attention to the consistency of heat distribution and how long it takes to get each grill up to the proper temperature. We also evaluated each grill for ease of cleaning and maintenance.
Whether you’re car camping at your favorite local spot, planning a barbeque at a nearby park, or just grilling out in your backyard, we’ve got you covered with the best grills of 2023. For more information on choosing a portable grill, check out our buyer’s guide, comparison chart, and FAQ section.
The Best Portable Grills of 2023
- Best Overall Portable Grill: Weber Q1200
- Best Budget Portable Grill: Coleman RoadTrip 225
- Most Portable: Eureka! SPRK Camp Grill
- Best Portable Charcoal Grill: Solo Stove Grill Bundle
Weber Q1200
Specs
- Footprint 24.6" x 40.9" x 20.5"
- Cooking area 189 sq. in.
- Weight 31 lbs.
- Fuel Propane
- Total BTU 8,500
Pros
- Simple, no-frills design just works
- Helpful folding side tables
- Electric ignition
- Lid with temp gauge
Cons
- Cast iron grate is heavy
- No lock on lid
Coleman RoadTrip 225
Specs
- Footprint 27” x 18” x 14”
- Cooking area 225 sq. in.
- Weight 25.6 lbs.
- Fuel Propane
- Total BTU 11,000
Pros
- Highly portable
- Adequate, well-modulated heat
Cons
- Not as powerful as other grills on the list
Eureka! SPRK Camp Grill
Specs
- Footprint 11.5” x 16.6” x 4.6”
- Cooking area 108 sq. in.
- Weight 8.8 lbs.
- Fuel Butane
- Max BTU 7,250
Pros
- Lightweight
- Highly portable
- Simple design works well
Cons
- Fewer features than other models
- Butane may be difficult to find
Solo Stove Grill Bundle
Specs
- Footprint 19" x 25" x 26"
- Cooking area 30 sq. in.
- Weight 38.5 lbs.
- Fuel Wood/charcoal
- Max BTU N/A
Pros
- Air convection makes lighting and cooking simple and fast
Cons
- Bulky and expensive
Snow Peak Tabiki Fire and Grill
Specs
- Footprint 17.7” x 17.9” x 12”
- Cooking area 289 sq. in.
- Weight 28 lbs.
- Fuel Wood/charcoal
- Max BTU N/A
Pros
- Excellent modular design
- Stylish & attractive
- Highly portable
Cons
- Inadequate airflow
- Grill feature must be purchased separately
Ignik FireCan Deluxe
Specs
- Footprint 15.3" x 11.4" x 7.1"
- Cooking area 174.42 sq. in.
- Weight 13 lbs.
- Fuel Propane
- Total BTU 38,000
Pros
- Easy to transport
- Gas Growlers are adaptable to other camping stoves
- Grills quickly
- Doubles as a portable heater
Cons
- Requires a long match or long-neck lighter
- It’s easy to burn yourself in grilling mode
Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill
Specs
- Footprint 13” x 21” x 20”
- Cooking area 184 sq. in.
- Weight 60 lbs.
- Fuel Electric, pellets
- Max BTU N/A
Pros
- Indirect heat great for slow-cooking
- Hardwood pellets ensure consistency and let you choose a flavor
Cons
- Requires AC power
- Max temperature is 450 degrees F
Primus Kuchoma
Specs
- Footprint 17.3” x 6.1” x 12”
- Cooking area 105 sq. in.
- Weight 10 lbs.
- Fuel Propane
- Max BTU 8,500
Pros
- Super-compact and light
- Nonstick grill surface cleans easily
Cons
- Only 8,500 BTUs
- Nonstick surface scratches with standard metal utensils
Camp Chef VersaTop Grill System
Pros
- Tons of heat
- Huge grill space
- Excellent ventilation
- Lots of aftermarket accessories
Cons
- Size limits portability
- Scratched during cleaning
Coleman Roadtrip 285
Specs
- Footprint 32.1” x 18.5” x 5.45”
- Cooking Area 285 sq. in.
- Weight 47 lbs.
- Fuel Propane
- Total BTU 20,000
Pros
- Huge grill space
- Ample, even heating
- Wheels make transport easy
Cons
- Cast iron grate is heavy and sticky
Portable Grill Comparison Chart
Grill | Price | Footprint | Grilling Area (sq. in.) | Fuel | BTUs | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weber Q1200 | $259 | 24.6″ x 40.9″ x 20.5″ | 189″ | Propane | 8,500 | 31 lbs. |
Coleman Roadtrip 225 | $189 | 27″ x 18″ x 14″ | 225″ | Propane | 11,000 | 25.6 lbs. |
Eureka! SPRK Camp Grill | $140 | 11.5″ x 16.6″ x 4.6″ | 108″ | Butane | 7,250 | 8.8 lbs. |
Solo Stove Grill Bundle | $300 | 19″ x 25″ x 26″ | 30″ | Wood/Charcoal | N/A | 38.5 lbs. |
Snowpeak Tabiki Fire & Grill | $350 | 17.7″ x 17.9″. x 12″ | 289″ | Wood/Charcoal | N/A | 32 lbs. |
Ignik FireCan Deluxe | $300 | 15.3″ x 11.4″ x 7.1″ | 174.4″ | Propane | 3,800 | 13.8 lbs. |
Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill | $450 | 13″ x 21″ x 20″ | 184″ | Electric/Pellet | N/A | 60 lbs. |
Primus Kuchoma | $200 | 17.3″ x 6.1″ x 12″ | 105″ | Propane | 8,500 | 10 lbs. |
Camp Chef VersaTop | $190 | 17″ x 18″ x 8″ | 224″ | Propane | 18,000 | 24 lbs. |
Coleman Roadtrip 285 | $229 | 32.1″ x 18.5″ x 5.45″ | 285″ | Propane | 20,000 | 47 lbs. |
Why You Should Trust Us
The flavor of a hamburger grilled over a fire, salmon seared on the grill, and pulled pork smoked over cherrywood makes anyone’s mouth water, and is a great way to bring the neighborhood together. Cooking in a microwave, oven, or stovetop doesn’t elicit the same joy as cooking on a portable grill. There’s a misconception that grilling dinner is a time-consuming and involved task.
But grilling doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, some grills are nearly as easy to use as an oven. And, if you’re into it, grilling can add new dimensions to your cooking as you whip up gourmet meals in remote locations.
The grills in this guide received a battery of culinary tasks until we had a good handle on the strengths and weaknesses of each model. Lead tester Paul Mandell loves to grill. He often finds himself manning the helm at neighborhood get-togethers and regularly grills at home. From tri-tip to hotdogs, corn, peppers, and squash, he was particularly excited to be able to take these grills with him during testing and make delicious meals on the go.
Over the course of several months, Mandell put them to the test far and wide — from backyard barbeques with friends to tailgates after a day of fishing, to après bike park laps, and everything in between. If there was a chance we might want to grill, we threw one in the truck and set out. Mandell and our crew of testers assessed portability, cooking space, heat output, and practicality for each of the grills we tested.
Buyers Guide: How to Choose a Portable Grill
Fuel Source
If you’re adamant about charcoal, gas, or electricity to cook your food, that will narrow your choices. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Gas and electric grills start instantly. Charcoal takes longer but adds flavor. A smoker grill, or a charcoal grill that can also burn wood, will make your cooking next level if you’re into the flavor and the slow cook times. Consider what you want to cook and how, and then buy a grill that can handle it.
Cooking Space
Pick a grill that can handle food for your crew, so you won’t be stuck at the grill all night cooking in waves or burning a lot of extra fuel to heat up empty space. Grills like the Eureka! SPRK are perfect for one or two people, while other options like the Camp Chef VersaTop are appropriate for a family or big group of folk.
Portability and Size
Your setup may determine which portable grill is right for you. If you plan to transport your grill in a compact car or carry a grill to a far-from-the-road scenic overlook, you’ll need a grill that packs smaller and weighs less than if you’re driving your grill to a campsite and unloading it on the picnic table.
And, if you’re trying to squeeze one into your rig for car camping, be sure to buy one that leaves you room for other stuff. Some portable grills like the Coleman RoadTrip 225 come with their own stand, and others require a table.
Diffuse Heat vs. Direct Heat
Most grills claim to cook with diffuse heat, but few actually do. A pellet smoker grill will for sure. So will a charcoal grill if you move your coals to one side and your food to the other.
Diffuse heat will seal in flavor and won’t dry out your food. It can also slow-cook, allowing you to make pulled pork, ribs, and other melt-in-your-mouth slow-cooked meals. Most grills trap heat inside, and some store and release it from the body of the grill. This assists in sealing in flavor, but won’t truly cook slow.
Additionally, you want to make sure the grill you choose puts out enough heat to cook the food you want to make. The Eureka SPRK wouldn’t be our first choice for a huge slab of meat. But it’s perfect for smaller fares like hotdogs or burgers. Those of you looking for a grill capable of cooking full meals might be more interested in grills like the Weber Q1200 or Camp Chef VersaTop
FAQ
The grills on our list range in weight from 8.8 pounds to 60 pounds and everywhere in between. Depending on your intended use, there is likely a grill that will meet your exact weight and dimension needs. Before you buy a grill you’ll want to ask yourself what its intended use is. Are you car camping? Tailgating? Picnicking? You’ll want to choose a grill that’s light enough to carry and offers enough space and heat to cook for you and your crew. Check out the comparison table above for cook space and output stats each of the grills on our list.
Absolutely not. These grills emit CO2 and should never be used indoors. Additionally, open flames from wood or charcoal present an obvious fire and smoke hazard and should always be used outside in well-ventilated areas.
The time-honored debate rages on. Some folks argue that you can’t replicate the added taste of charcoal with a gas grill — which is true when smoking meats or grilling fish. Charcoal grills offer the option of adding wood for flavor, as well as using indirect heat by stacking briquettes opposite your food.
Charcoal is heavier and messier, and takes much longer to cool off when you finish grilling. Propane by contrast is super convenient because of its small footprint, light weight, and easy clean up. The propane grills on our list offer excellent heat modulation, almost instantaneous heat, and quick cooldown. For our money, propane is the move. However, if you are interested in some of the benefits of charcoal — like the ability to smoke your food, or cook with indirect heat — you might not be a propane person.
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