Although a big gas BBQ or charcoal BBQ is great for entertaining hungry guests (with hot competition these days from outdoor pizza ovens), they’re far from practical if you’re short on space. A nightmare to clean, many will be left in the garden all winter long until the rust sets in. The best portable BBQs are far less demanding. 

Portable charcoal BBQs are evidently geared towards portability – the clue’s in the name – but they’re also a good option if you just have a balcony or small terrace on which to work your magic. They’re cheaper, too.

What they do lack is cooking space – less space for charcoal means a shorter cooking time and less room for food. But for a quick dinner, I found them ideal and if you’re camping with a few pals, they will easily fit into the car. They’re also far more eco-friendly to use in parks and at the beach than those disposable BBQs you get in petrol stations. 

After speaking to experts, I picked up the most commonly recommended portable BBQs to see which was best.  You can read my full reviews below, followed by some safety advice. If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my top five:

Which is the best portable BBQ in 2024? At a glance

What should I look for in a portable BBQ?

Weight is an obvious consideration – anything too heavy defeats the point. Ask yourself whether you want legs or can do without. A lid helps, as it creates convection, the air swirling around the chamber helping food cook better and taste smokier.

“If you’re cooking for a couple of people, you only need a small amount of heat and a small, light BBQ is fine,” says Marcus Bawdon, editor of UK BBQ Mag. “If you want to cook bigger cuts for more people, you’ll be relatively limited by a portable BBQ. Disposable ones are no good whatsoever. The quality of the charcoal is shocking, the smoke is awful, you’re left with little time and the food is poor.” 

Portable gas BBQs are also available, although that obviously means carrying around a gas canister. The choice comes down to preference. Style-wise, there are classic kettle options that are little changed from the 1950s, while more modern designs abound too. 

How I chose the best portable BBQ