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 might also need a portable 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 barbecue at a nearby park, or just grilling out in your backyard, we’ve got you covered with the best grills of 2024. For more information on choosing a portable grill, check out our buyer’s guide, comparison chart, and FAQ section.
Editor’s Note: We updated this Guide on May 18, 2024 with the addition of the Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill, or new best overall pick.
The Best Portable Grills of 2024
Best Overall Portable Grill
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Footprint
43.6” x 23” x 37.2″ -
Cooking area
320 sq. in. -
Weight
49 lbs. -
Fuel
Propane -
Max BTU
13,000
-
Large cooking area -
Excellent heat output -
Easy to fold, transport, and store -
User-friendly design features
-
Takes up more space in the car than others -
Pricey
Best Budget Portable Grill
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Footprint
27” x 18” x 14” -
Cooking area
225 sq. in. -
Weight
25.6 lbs. -
Fuel
Propane -
Total BTU
11,000
-
Highly portable -
Adequate, well-modulated heat
-
Not as powerful as other grills on the list
Best Tabletop Portable Grill
-
Footprint
24.6″ x 40.9″ x 20.5″ -
Cooking area
189 sq. in. -
Weight
31 lbs. -
Fuel
Propane -
Total BTU
8,500
-
Simple, no-frills design just works -
Helpful folding side tables -
Electric ignition -
Lid with temp gauge
-
Cast iron grate is heavy -
No lock on lid
Best Lightweight Portable Grill
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Footprint
11.5” x 16.6” x 4.6” -
Cooking area
108 sq. in. -
Weight
8.8 lbs. -
Fuel
Butane -
Max BTU
7,250
-
Lightweight -
Highly portable -
Simple design works well
-
Fewer features than other models -
Butane may be difficult to find
Best Portable Charcoal Grill
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Footprint
19″ x 25″ x 26″ -
Cooking area
30 sq. in. -
Weight
38.5 lbs. -
Fuel
Wood/charcoal -
Max BTU
N/A
-
Air convection makes lighting and cooking simple and fast
Best of the Rest
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Footprint
17.7” x 17.9” x 12” -
Cooking area
289 sq. in. -
Weight
28 lbs. -
Fuel
Wood/charcoal -
Max BTU
N/A
-
Excellent modular design -
Stylish & attractive -
Highly portable
-
Inadequate airflow -
Grill feature must be purchased separately
-
Footprint
15.3″ x 11.4″ x 7.1″ -
Cooking area
174.42 sq. in. -
Weight
13 lbs. -
Fuel
Propane -
Total BTU
38,000
-
Easy to transport -
Gas Growlers are adaptable to other camping stoves -
Grills quickly -
Doubles as a portable heater
-
Requires a long match or long-neck lighter -
It’s easy to burn yourself in grilling mode
-
Footprint
13” x 21” x 20” -
Cooking area
184 sq. in. -
Weight
60 lbs. -
Fuel
Electric, pellets -
Max BTU
N/A
-
Indirect heat great for slow-cooking -
Hardwood pellets ensure consistency and let you choose a flavor
-
Requires AC power -
Max temperature is 450 degrees F
-
Footprint
17.3” x 6.1” x 12” -
Cooking area
105 sq. in. -
Weight
10 lbs. -
Fuel
Propane -
Max BTU
8,500
-
Super-compact and light -
Nonstick grill surface cleans easily
-
Only 8,500 BTUs -
Nonstick surface scratches with standard metal utensils
-
Footprint
17” x 18” x 8” -
Cooking area
224 sq. in. -
Weight
24 lbs. -
Fuel
Propane -
Max BTU
18,000
-
Tons of heat -
Huge grill space -
Excellent ventilation -
Lots of aftermarket accessories
-
Size limits portability -
Scratched during cleaning
-
Footprint
32.1” x 18.5” x 5.45” -
Cooking Area
285 sq. in. -
Weight
47 lbs. -
Fuel
Propane -
Total BTU
20,000
-
Huge grill space -
Ample, even heating -
Wheels make transport easy
-
Cast iron grate is heavy and sticky
Portable Grill Comparison Chart
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.
To complete your backyard, camping, or tailgating kit, also check out our Buyer’s Guides with the best coolers and the best camping chairs.
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 to heat up but adds a unique 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.
If you’re cooking with gas, consider what fuel source you’ll use when you’re on the go. For portable grills, using a traditional 20-pound propane tank is a bit of overkill, while single-use fuel canisters can get expensive and can difficult to properly dispose of. During our testing of portable gas grills, we used a 5-pound Ignik Gas Growler. The Gas Growler is available in three sizes (3.8, 5, and 10 pounds), is refillable, and comes with a handy carrying case that allows for easy storage and transportation.
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 or the Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill are appropriate for a family or big group of folks.
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. The Eureka! SPRK Camp Grill is the lightest and most portable option we tested.
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 Weber Traveler and the Coleman RoadTrip 225 come with their own foldable stand stand, while other tabletop models like the Weber Q1200 require a table or stable platform.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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