Are you for a new grill to take along on your trips and adventures? If so then this the perfect article for you. I have had the pleasure of testing a variety of portable grills and have found I found a few that were compact and offered a lot of power and space for the money which is the once I will talk more about through this article
Without further ado, let’s start on the list of the best portable grills
12 Best Portable Grill Reviewed and Rated
Most For The Money
Masterbuilt 205
Most For The Money
Masterbuilt 205
Best For Tailgating
Coleman Roadmaster
Best For Tailgating
Coleman Roadmaster
Budget Option
Cuisinart CGG-180
Budget Option
Cuisinart CGG-180
1. Weber Q2200 – Best Overall
- Total cooking area = 280 Square Inches
- Stainless steel burner puts out 12,000 BTU-per-hour
- Porcelain-enameled, cast iron cooking grates
If you are looking for a compact grill that is easy to pack but still is perfectly able to make juicy burgers and steaks then look no further. Weber Q2200 is equipped with everything you need, plus more.
Featured with 280 square inches of cooking space and 12 000 BTU you have enough power and space to host a grill party anywhere you’d like.
The grill comes with two foldable side tables that can be used to store both food or other necessities. I recently purchased the weber cart along with the grill that allows you to attach the grill to this small cart making it more comfortable and practical to grill anywhere. After this purchase, I have started using it as the main grill at the house and for trips, I love it.
In addition to this, the cooking grates are porcelain-coated making it quick and easy to clean after use. The webers ignition system makes it easy to start the grill, combine this with the quick heating time and you are set up to grill in a few minutes.
If you are looking for a portable grill then this is our pick.
Check Price2. Masterbuilt 205 – Most for Your Money
- 205 sq. in. primary stainless steel cooking area 105 sq. in....
- 10,000 BTU stainless steel "U" burner
- Fold-able stainless steel legs; Uses 16oz. disposable cylinder
If you are looking for a grill that is packed with size, power, good looking design, and a low price then here is an option for you, the Materbuilt 205.
Because of the stainless steel materials used this is a robust and durable grill that can last you for several years. Since there no plastic or aluminum parts used in this grill the chance of anything getting broken is very slim which makes it such a great portable grill.
Featured with 305 square inches of cooking space, warming rack and 10 000 BTUs you have everything you need to cook food seamlessly.
Still, if it’s built with quality materials and providing you with a lot of space the grill only weight 20.4 lbs making it easy to carry to your grill destination.
Having a warming rack, accurate temperature rack and is built of quality materials I find this to be a great grill that comes at an excellent price.
3. Coleman RoadTrip 285 – Best for Tailgating
If you are an active tailgater the grill that would suit you is the Coleman Road trip 285. crafted for one single purpose and that is being a great portable grill.
It’s clear that Coleman has made an effort to make this one of the best portable grills on the market. Its foldable comes with a wheel and a big handle. The folding feature allows you to fold it into a very compact size and its quick and easy to setup.
The Coleman is powered on propane which means there is no coal or wood to dispose of. In addition to this, it comes with a coated iron and removable grease tray that makes it easy to clean reducing the time it takes to pack down the grill and head back home. Resulting in a grill that is both portable, easy to clean and set up.
With just a push of a button, the two 10 000 BTU burners are in action and ready to use after a few short minutes of heating time. In terms of heat, the burners provide an even and well-distributed heat that makes sure the whole cooking surface is evenly heated.
If you want a grill that is quick to set up, quick to clean and is easy to take along on your adventures than the Coleman Roadtrip 285 is our recommendation.
4. Cuisinart CGG-180 – Best Budget Option
- 160-SQUARE-INCH PORCELAIN ENAMELED COOKING GRATE:...
- 5, 500 BTU BURNER: Features a 5, 500 BTU burner, a twist to start...
- COMPACT ENOUGH TO TAKE ANYWHERE: The grill measures 19 x 11. 5 x...
The Cuisinart CGG-180 offers a great combination of price and ease of use. In a matter of seconds, this grill turns from a lunchbox sized grill to a full-blown outside kitchen.
It dosent offer the highest quality materials nor the power, but for the price you pay, I would expect less than what you get with the Cuisinart. Featured with a total of 145 sq inches of cooking space and 5 500 BTU you have a compact grill that is suited for 4-6 people grill out.
It comes with a porcelain-coated surface that can be cleaned with a dash of water and a few paper wipes. In terms of portability, the Cuisinart is hard to beat. Shaped like a lunchbox sized suitcase you can carry this grill around effortlessly. It weighs just about 17 lbs so not even a smaller sized grillmaster should have any problem carrying this one around.
If you are looking to acquire a budget-friendly grill that is perfectly suited for small cookouts in the woods or the beach than the Cuisinart is a grill we strongly recommend you to take a closer look at.
5. Napoleon TQ285-BL – Best camping option
- 2 burner portable grill with up to 12,000 BTUs
- Total cooking area: 285 sq. In
- Dual stainless steel burners for direct and indirect grilling
The Napoleon TQ285 is very similar to the Cuisinart in terms of size and weight, the difference is the power output and materials used making it both higher in price, but performance as well.
The compact size and weight make it possible for you to transport it effortlessly with one hand. Still if its a smaller grill its not lacking in size or power. Providing you with a total of 285 square inches of space and two burners providing you with up to 12 000 BTU which is remarkable compared to its size.
It comes with a higher price tag than other smaller grills on this list, but the money is not wasted. With the extra bucks, you spend you get more cooking space, quality materials, and power which are all ingredients to a good grill.
If you want a small grill from the top shelf this is our recommendation.
6. Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 – Robust, portable and budget-friendly
- Road worthy and built to travel easy
- Cast aluminum firebox and lid with dual stainless steel latches...
- High-impact frame with legs and carry handles
There is no complete grill list without a Char-broil. The Grill2go offers a great combination of low price and quality.
Featured with one burner that produces 9,500 BTUs you have a grill that is a bit harder to heat control, but it brings sufficient power for cooking a couple of burgers. Still, if the Grill2Go is smaller in size Char-Broil has managed to pack a total of 200 square inches into the tiny body, this allows you to cook at least 7 burgers at the time which should be plenty for most small cookouts.
The briefcase design and heat-resistant handles on the side allow for easy transportation and moving without you having to worry about the danger of getting burnt.
7. Weber Jumbo Joe – Best Charcoal Grill – (Cheapest Option)
- Holds up to eight burgers made with a Weber burger press
- Compact and lightweight for grilling on the go
- Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, and won’t rust or...
then Weber Jumbo Joe offers a lot of space while maintaining a low weight of 20 lbs. If you are more than 2-3 people and is looking to have a cookout then the weber jumbo is a great choice.
It’s simple and easy to use. The downside is that you need to bring the coal and there is more cleaning up afterward, besides this, you have a grill that is capable of grilling a lot of food at the time, and it comes it a very low price.
Still if its one of the most budget-friendly grills on this list it’s still the most versatile grill. You can with ease grill, smoke, and barbeque. Thanks to the dual vent system you have a fine-tuned temperature control that is close to what a full-sized weber would give you.
In terms of size, its total weight is 22 pounds and its very easy to fit in the car in addition to the other cooking supplies you may bring.
8. Best Wood Fired: Cook-Air Wood Fired Grill
- Pre-assembled; just attach the handle, Uses hard dry wood as a...
- Equivalent to 65,000 BTU's, reaches temperature of 1100 degrees...
- 14" cooking grid, Blower system makes the Cook-Air Grill ready to...
In the following years, there are been a few remarkable improvements and design upgrades in the grill industry, the Cook-Air is one of those upgrades.
The Cook-Air wood is a unique design that uses wood and an air fan to reach high heats that are perfect for grilling food. My favorite part of this grill not that it cooks fast, but the smoky flavor you get from the wood, it adds its own touch to the food making it taste like it has been cooked over the campfire.
To take the grill in use you can either use your car adapter or any standard electrical outlet, this can be less portable than a standard gass grill, but the smokey flavor is far worth the effort in my opinion.
9. Oklahoma’s Joe- Best Smoking Grill for Groups
If you are looking to smoke some ribs the Oklamhomas Joe is our top pick. It’s not the easiest grill to use, but the flavor you get in return far exceeds the effort.
If you are a couple of a small family this grill will suit you, but if you are looking to prepare larger meals we advise you to look into other options since you can fit two ribs at maximum.
Oklahoma is known for its quality smokers and the smoker Joe is a nice addition to this line of quality products.
The smoker is quite heavy, so I wouldnt recommend you to take it along on longer walks, but if you need a smoker to have handy on the beach or at the countertop then this grill would be my recommendation.
10. Solaire SOL-IR17BWR Portable Infrared Propane Gas Grill
- Real Infrared ceramic and Stainless Steel burner with electronic...
- 140 Square inches of grilling area that fits six 4-inch burgers...
- Use made by 100-plus Year old family business
If you are looking to prepare food at a lightning speed then the Solaire SQL is the way to go. Because of its infrared heating system you can high temperatures within seconds, and when I say high, I meen HIGH!
If there are any leftovers or residues of food stuck on the inside of the grill it will be burnt and turned into ashes, it’s super convenient since it saves you a lot of time and effort in terms of cleaning.
When you get the grill from amazon there are only a few screws that need to be added and then you are ready to go, it’s super convenient and easy to setup.
In terms of size, the Solaire won’t give you much. Suited for couples, although it can work for larger groups of people because of the speed, although it will force you to move the food around.
The price is a bit steeper than what you will find on the other models on this list, but I still thought it deserved its spot on this list due to its high performance.
11. Coleman NXT
- Made of the highest quality materials
- Camping cooking grills
- Another quality Coleman product
The Coleman is a convenient grill that is suited for both the kitchen table and any camping trip. It comes at a neet size making it possible to bring in both the backpack or car without having to worry about space.
Equipped with 8500 BTUs and 168 square inches of cooking space you have grill suited for small families to couples. Because of the smaller cooking space, it’s quick to heat and with the built-in thermometer, you can easily adjust and monitor the heat during the cooking.
This is one of the more budget-friendly options we have on this list. If you are looking for a small grill that provides good value at a low price point then the Coleman NXT is an option to consider.
12. Camco Olympian 5500 – Best Grill For RVs
- Connects to low pressure propane supply on RV
- Includes mounting bracket for hanging on RV mounting rail and...
- Quick connect hose and quick connect valve included and equipped...
The Camco Olympian 5500 is an Rv owner’s dream. The Camco can be easily connected to your low-pressure outlet and it comes with tabletop legs and a mounting bracket that allows for ease of use. It can be installed on the RV or any outdoor tabletop.
Featured with 180 square inches of cooking space and 12 000 BTUs you have more than enough power for a family dinner.
The Camco is built of durable stainless steel materials that result in a durable grill that can last you for several years and adventures. Camco has even included a one year guarantee to ensure this.
With the Olympian 5500, you have a setup that is more than capable of providing you the barbeque taste we all look for. Camco has several times that this was their goal with this grill. To make a grill that makes the food taste excellent and at the same time preventing dangerous flare-ups.
When you have a grill mounting to your RV the last thing you want is a flame all over the place, with the Olympian you can be sure that it won’t happen.
How we tested the Grills
As you may know, I and my wife is active grillers and I must admit its one of my biggest passions and projects. Throughout the years we have tested a variety of models and products which allowed us to make this blog since we have basically tested most popular grills on the market.
We dont have the capacity of testing them all, so if there is ANY grill you think we should have included feel free to email us and we will look into buying and testing that one too.
The grills are scored based on a few things, the most important once are:
- Durability
- Power and size
- Ease of use and cleaning
- Safety
Most grills on today’s market work wonderfully, but there are a few who dont and others who outperform 99% of the grill and its those products we want you to get your hands on.
We tried including one option for each type of need and person, that way we could have one perfect grill for each one of you.
Conclusion
Make sure to check out the list and do a deep dive on your own on the grill you prefer. If you were to find a grill yourself I would recommend you check out the forums and reviews of that grill first.
There is a lot of grills out there who look good, but dosent meet the standards of what I would call a perfect grill.