Here at the Strategist UK, we like to think of ourselves as crazy (in the good way) about the stuff we buy, but as much as we’d like to, we can’t try everything. Which is why we have People’s Choice, in which we find the best-reviewed products and single out the most convincing ones. (You can learn more about our rating system and how we pick each item here.)
While we’ve written about all kinds of outdoor items before — including the best patio heaters and paddling pools — here, we’ve rounded up the best portable BBQs, as praised by the most enthusiastic reviewers on Amazon.co.uk.
Best-rated overall portable BBQ
Averaging 4.7 stars with over 1,500 reviews (84 percent of which were five stars), this portable barbecue from Campingaz is the highest-rated item in this list. The barbecue is a gas model — like the Char-Broil Grill2Go, also on this list — and is compatible with various bayonet-type gas canisters (that are easy to track down, according to one reviewer). The same reviewer also said that to carry the compact BBQ was no trouble, with another 26 reviewers agreeing that the BBQ was exceedingly convenient to transport. One reviewer said that the barbecue really allowed the flavour of his food to come through, reporting that he’d enjoyed whipping up everything from a stir-fry to a full English on his trip. Another reviewer said that they were such an advocate of the BBQ that they took personal offence when people walked by without chatting to them about what they were grilling.
Best-rated less expensive portable BBQ
For an inexpensive option, this Uten model also has over 1,500 reviews, this time with an average rating of 4.4 stars. Unlike the best-rated overall barbecue, this stainless-steel Uten barbecue is fired with charcoal. Reviewers love the ease that the BBQ offers, with 16 saying that it is a doddle to assemble and a further 36 calling it equally as easy to clean. Reviewers reported a whole menu of meals that they’d prepared with the grill, from hot dogs and pizzas to a whole chicken. One downside, however, was that the amount of packaging that the BBQ came in was reportedly arduous to remove.
Best-rated stylish portable BBQ
For grillers looking to add a dash of style to their garden parties, this Weber Smokey Joe is a popular choice. Within its 602 reviews, the BBQ has been referred to as smart, stylish, and thoughtfully designed. There was even some debate amongst reviewers as to which colour available is the most chic, with customers enjoying the range of lime green to ochre. One customer, who had bought the BBQ as a Mother’s Day present, said that her mother had delayed in cooking with the gift, calling it “too nice to use.” The customers that have used the BBQ rated it at an average of 4.5 stars, pleased that the portable BBQ offers the same quality as larger Weber items. One reviewer said that he was so impressed with the Smokey Joe that he’d used it every single day of a weeklong heatwave. A couple reviewers did report that after a few uses the paint had chipped around the handle, but that excluding this, the BBQ had performed exactly as they’d hoped.
Best-rated barrel portable BBQ
This Kingfisher barrel BBQ is made of stainless steel, and has almost 600 reviews and a rating of 4.4 stars. Sixteen reviewers remarked on how portable and lightweight the BBQ is, 12 called it easy to assemble, and 18 said that its cleanup was stress-free. One customer said that the model had endured whatever windy conditions her “nerdy but romantic” fishing date nights had thrown at it. She also said she and her partner had made friends with their fellow fishermen after cooking them up a storm with the BBQ. Another reviewer also fed a large party using the BBQ, saying that you’d be surprised how much food actually fits on the double-barrel grill. If your party is smaller, however, one customer said that the second barrel can also act as a rather effective windbreaker.
Best-rated heavy-duty portable BBQ
This cast-aluminium gas BBQ is a heavy-duty option for serious grilling. The BBQ is still portable, however, weighing under ten kilograms and coming equipped with a built-in handle. Reviewers were impressed with the simplicity of the BBQ, from its setup to cooking and cleaning. Food cooked on the grill is never dry, according to one reviewer, and always juicy, according to another. Another reviewer was so delighted with its performance that he hadn’t bothered to fire up his freestanding BBQ since purchasing the portable option. The fact that it had outperformed his much larger BBQ made it, to him, worth the slightly more expensive price tag; nine other customers agree, mentioning specifically in their reviews that the BBQ was well worth the money.
The Strategist UK is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Read about who we are and what we do here. Our editors update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.