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The Best Portable Grills of 2023

Grilling can add new dimensions to your cooking and help you create gourmet meals in remote locations. Check out our list of the best portable grills!

Testing the Solo Stove Grill while camping in MoabThe Solo Stove Grill provides a smoke-free grilling experience; (photo/Matt Granger)
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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

Specs

  • Footprint 24.6" x 40.9" x 20.5"
  • Cooking area 189 sq. in.
  • Weight 31 lbs.
  • Fuel Propane
  • Total BTU 8,500
Product Badge The Best Portable Grills of 2023

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
Best Budget Portable Grill

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
The Best Portable Grills of 2023

Pros

  • Highly portable
  • Adequate, well-modulated heat

Cons

  • Not as powerful as other grills on the list
Most Portable Grill

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
The Best Portable Grills of 2023

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Highly portable
  • Simple design works well

Cons

  • Fewer features than other models
  • Butane may be difficult to find
Best Charcoal Grill

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
The Best Portable Grills of 2023

Pros

  • Air convection makes lighting and cooking simple and fast

Cons

  • Bulky and expensive
Best of the Rest

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
The Best Portable Grills of 2023

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
The Best Portable Grills of 2023

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
The Best Portable Grills of 2023

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
The Best Portable Grills of 2023

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

Specs

  • Footprint 17” x 18” x 8”
  • Cooking area 224 sq. in.
  • Weight 24 lbs.
  • Fuel Propane
  • Max BTU 18,000
The Best Portable Grills of 2023

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
The Best Portable Grills of 2023

Pros

  • Huge grill space
  • Ample, even heating
  • Wheels make transport easy

Cons

  • Cast iron grate is heavy and sticky

Portable Grill Comparison Chart

GrillPriceFootprintGrilling Area (sq. in.)FuelBTUsWeight
Weber Q1200$25924.6″ x 40.9″ x 20.5″189″Propane8,50031 lbs.







Coleman Roadtrip 225
$18927″ x 18″ x 14″225″Propane11,00025.6 lbs.
Eureka! SPRK Camp Grill$14011.5″ x 16.6″ x 4.6″108″Butane7,2508.8 lbs.
Solo Stove Grill Bundle$30019″ x 25″ x 26″30″






Wood/Charcoal
N/A38.5 lbs.
Snowpeak Tabiki Fire & Grill$35017.7″ x 17.9″. x 12″289″






Wood/Charcoal
N/A32 lbs.
Ignik FireCan Deluxe$30015.3″ x 11.4″ x 7.1″174.4″Propane3,80013.8 lbs.
Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill$45013″ x 21″ x 20″184″Electric/PelletN/A60 lbs.
Primus Kuchoma$20017.3″ x 6.1″ x 12″105″Propane8,50010 lbs.
Camp Chef VersaTop$19017″ x 18″ x 8″224″Propane18,00024 lbs.







Coleman Roadtrip 285
$22932.1″ x 18.5″ x 5.45″285″Propane20,00047 lbs.
Grilling hot dogs
The Eureka! SPRK is so compact it can easily live in your truck and facilitate impromptu grilling opportunities; (photo/Paul Mandell)

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.

Grilling on a portable firepit
The Snow Peak Takibi doubles as a fire pit and a grill. We love the vibes but didn’t find it to be the most efficient grill; (photo/Paul Mandell)

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.

Large cooking space on the Weber Q1200
The Weber Q1200 is our favorite grill and it features a large cast iron cooking area; (photo/Paul Mandell)

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

Grill with folding shelves
The Weber Q1200 includes a built-in thermometer and folding shelves: (photo/Paul Mandell)

FAQ

How big are portable grills?

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.

Can I use a portable grill in my kitchen?

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.

Gas or charcoal?

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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