The Best Portable Grills of 2024

Nov 03, 2024

We spent the last 6 years testing over 15 of the best portable grills on the market. This Guide analyzes our favorite 12 models. Whether you like searing steaks, smoking pork or chicken, grilling burgers and dogs, or roasting veggies, we’ll help you find the best portable grill for your cooking goals and portability needs.

We tested portable grills fueled by propane, butane, wood pellets, wood, and charcoal. We fired up each model at home and in the field, all while carefully analyzing design features and construction quality, heat output and control, ease of cleaning and maintenance, and, of course, portability.

If you’re simply looking for a small and inexpensive charcoal grill for occasional use, check out the Weber Smokey Joe. If you’d like larger, more refined, more powerful propane grill, we recommend our top pick, the Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill. Otherwise, check out our in-depth analysis and recommendations below.

Editor’s Note: We added for new grills to this guide on October 31, 2024, including two new top pick winners — the Weber Traveler 22″ Portable Griddle and the NOMAD Grill and Smoker.

The Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill ($399-$449) is the best overall portable grill for most people. It has a powerful burner, large cooking area, and convenient folding design that makes it simple to fold, transport, and store — despite its larger overall size and weight. The clever design makes great for regular at-home use, and easy to pack along wherever your adventures take you.

The Traveler has a 320-square-inch cooking area, which is one of the largest out of all the grills we tested. It’s enough space to grill a bunch of burgers and brats at a tailgate party, or to cook up a full home-cooked meal with sides for a family. The single burner wraps around the entire perimeter of the grill and heats pretty evenly across the cooking surface. A thermometer built into the lid helps you keep tabs on the temperature, though we still recommend a standalone thermometer if you need more precise temperature control.

The only notable drawback is that there is only one burner for the entire grill. The flame can be adjusted up or down, but it doesn’t allow for dual-zone cooking.

The Traveler’s folding mechanism can be operated one-handed, and a built-in hydraulic shock allows the grill to fold closed in a slow, controlled manner. Once closed, a lid lock and a leg lock help keep everything in place, and the roller wheels make transport a breeze. It can be stored lying flat or standing up on its end, which makes it easy to tuck away into a corner of the garage or a closet.

With sleek details, powerful grilling performance, and an easy-to-use design, the Weber Traveler is a great option for portability without compromising on cooking performance. We also recommend you protect your investment with a matching Weber Grill Cover.

With a powerful 16,000-BTU burner and large 352-square-inch cooking surface, the Weber Traveler 22″ Portable Griddle ($299) is a simple and versatile cooking machine. The heavy griddle insert provides a nice smooth cooking surface whether you’re frying up bacon, eggs, and pancakes in the morning, grilling up smash burgers for lunch, or searing steaks and roasting veggies in the evening.

This griddle has all the features you’d expect from a top-quality product. It has four adjustable feet to keep the unit level on uneven surfaces, a grease trap with removable tray, and dual burners to cook at different temperatures.

Weighing over 52 pounds, the Traveler Griddle has a fairly lightweight frame but a very heavy griddle insert. This design enhances the cooking performance, but makes it a bit awkward to carry around. There are no wheels, latches, or handles to assist with transport. You must simply grab it and haul it, while keeping it level. We found it easier to to transport by removing the griddle insert from the frame, and carrying the pieces on two separate trips.

Because of its bulk, we’d recommend pairing your griddle with the Weber Expandable Stand ($199), or another similar camping table. Weber also offers a smaller 17″ Portable Griddle ($249) that saves 11 pounds, but only has one burner and a smaller cooking area.

The Coleman RoadTrip 225 Stand-Up ($275) lets you conveniently wheel your grill to the party so you can cook up a feast. It offers many of the same benefits as the larger Weber Traveler Gas Grill above, but in a smaller package and more wallet-friendly price.

This grill has quick-fold legs and roller wheels. It folds flat for transport and storage, and can easily be towed by its handle. When you’re ready to cook, you open the legs, unlatch the lid, and you’re ready to go. The two adjustable burners ignite with a push button ignition. You can control the temperature — up to 11,000 BTUs total — in two zones across the 225-square-inch cooking surface. The grilling surface can be swapped for stove grates or a cast-iron griddle, both sold separately.

The grill has plenty of heat to tackle anything you want to cook. High heat allows for good searing, and we appreciate the small built-in side table work surface. It’s the perfect place to balance a plate of burgers or a board to let a steak rest. A water pan underneath the grates collects cooking grease. The pan and the cooking grates are removable for cleaning. When dinner is done, and it’s time to roll, the lid locks for the trip back to the car or truck.

Not only is this grill easy to roll to dinner, but it’s also easy to store. When folded flat and standing tall, it fits in a closet, garage, or anywhere else. It’s a great choice for chefs with limited storage space.

The Weber Q1200 Gas Grill ($259) packs a big punch in a smaller package and is our recommendation for the best tabletop portable grill. It’s simple, fully featured, highly functional, and it grills a mean tri-tip.

The Q1200 has all the things you need in a grill: easy electronic ignition that works the first time and every time, a ceramic-coated cast iron grate with decent space between the rungs, a temperature gauge on the lid, and a removable catch pan for grease and char. It also has folding side tables for keeping tools and seasonings within reach. With 189 square inches of cooking surface, it has plenty of room for 6 standard burgers or a 3-pound tri-tip and two ears of corn.

At 31 pounds, the Q1200 isn’t the lightest grill we tested, but we thought the weight was manageable. With the tables folded up and the lid closed, the grill makes for an easy two-handed upright carry. One notable drawback is the lack of a lock on the lid to secure it to the body during transport.

The Q1200 has a heavy-duty two-piece cast iron grate. Cast iron is durable and reasonably easy to clean, but we’re not fans of the cast iron grate trend. Steel makes grills easier to clean and less prone to catching food or sticking. Cleaning the grill, however, is fairly easy — especially with the removable aluminum catch pan.

In the end, we love the easy ignition, ample grill space, and excellent heat modulation on the grill. While we love it for tabletop or tailgate use anywhere, Weber also sells a Compact Grill Stand ($100) for the Q-Series grills that we’ve used and works well.

With a latching suitcase-like design, anodized aluminum construction, and a list of well thought-out features, the NOMAD Grill and Smoker ($695) is the best portable charcoal grill you can buy, and a premium choice for those looking to splurge. With a high-end James Bond feel to it, this grill deserves the head turns and attention it gets. The design and construction are really that impressive.

The NOMAD can be used as a smoker by closing the lid and controlling the air flow through the magnetic air vents. We were able to stick pretty closely to our desired temperature by adjusting the air vents, and we found the built-in thermometer to be more accurate than most built-in grill thermometers. It can also be used as a grill by opening the lid and cooking on one side of the case. It only comes with one grate with a cooking area of 212 square inches, but you can purchase an additional cooking grate ($158) to cook on both sides of the case, doubling the cooking area to 425 square inches.

After you’re done cooking, you don’t need to wait for the grill to completely cool before packing up. Simply latch the case closed and close the magnetic vents, and the NOMAD will keep any leftover coals and ashes contained inside, and the exterior remains cool enough to transport.

The NOMAD’s only downside is the price. It’s pretty expensive for any grill, let alone a portable charcoal grill. Still, the quality, style, and performance are top-notch, and we recommend it for anyone looking for a fun splurge.

Read Review: NOMAD Portable Grill Review

The 60-pound, wood-pellet-fired Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill ($450) is a heavyweight in the portable grill class. But at 13 x 21 x 20 inches, it’s still compact enough to be transportable. The 184-square-inch cooking surface held a lot for such a compact unit. On different days, we loaded up the Ranger with a rack of ribs, six burgers, and two spatchcocked chickens.

The Ranger burns hardwood pellets to cook your food with indirect heat up to 450 degrees F. It’s the best portable grill for slow-cooking ribs, butts, and more. But it also added flavor to tofu, perfectly cooked pork tenderloin, and finished steak perfectly.

A digital control pad on the front of the grill lets users control the temperature in 5-degree increments and monitors cooking time and the included meat probe. The Ranger does require electricity to operate. It plugs into any 120V outlet, meaning you are able to power it from your vehicle’s AC outlet or a portable power station.

The hopper holds 8 pounds of pellets — enough to keep it hot for a long time. We slow-cooked a Boston butt for 4 hours with plenty of pellets left in the hopper. The grill burns Traeger-specific pellets, which are available (and easy to find) in nearly a dozen subtly different and delicious flavors from maple to hickory.

The Ranger also comes with a cast-iron grill, useful if you want to make bacon, eggs, or pancakes. Whatever you’re cooking, the Ranger funnels grease into a tiny bucket on the back of the grill. It sits on a table or the ground, and when you’re not using it, it latches shut so you can carry it like a suitcase with its oversized lid handle.

Read Review: Traeger Ranger Portable Wood-Pellet Grill Review

Perhaps the most unique design in this lineup, the HitchFire F-20 Hitch Mounted Grill ($649) takes away any trouble or guesswork about how to transport your portable grill. Simply mount the rack system into any standard 2-inch hitch receiver, and your grill is ready to go wherever you are. This makes the HitchFire perfect for overlanding or “adventure grilling” where convenience and efficiency are a priority.

Not only does the HitchFire have a standout hitch-mounted design, but it’s a capable grill on its own. Its large 355-square-inch cooking surface with dual burners combine to pump out 20,000 BTUs, making it as capable as any portable grill on this list. Note that the two separate burners require two separate propane bottles, or an adaptor hose to use a single propane tank. The grill can also be removed from the rack and used on its own.

The swinging arm deploys and stows away easily, and while the unit has a little wobble when locked into the hitch receiver, it’s no more than most bike racks or other hitch-mounted accessories. The only other notable downsides are the high price tag, and the fact that you won’t be able to install any other hitch-mounted accessories (like a bike rack) while using this grill.

Read Review: HitchFire F-20 Vehicle-Mounted Grill Review

A novel entry to the field of portable grills, the Ignik FireCan Deluxe ($300) doubles as a compact grill and a portable heater. While it may not have the largest cooking area, it cranks out plenty of heat, so churning out hot dogs for hungry campers isn’t an issue. As a portable heater, it’s great for sitting around with your buddies while planning tomorrow’s adventures.

The FireCan Deluxe has four foldable legs to ensure it’s secure and the grill insert is removable for when you just want to use it as a portable heater. You can’t really use it as a heater and grill at the same time. In grill mode, the flame is diminished to prevent you from nuking your food.

With the insert removed, this thing gets really hot. In grill mode, it’s hard to see the flame, so you need to be careful and make sure everyone around you knows the grill is on, and the FireCan is too hot to touch. This grill cooks in record time, so attentiveness is required for the best results.

Read Review: Ignik FireCan Deluxe Review

The Camp Chef VersaTop grill system ($190) will crisp your salmon, sear your steak, or cook your kabobs until they’re tender. But its grate, griddle, and pizza oven attachments turn this grill into a full kitchen and render the cooking possibilities endless.

With 18,000 BTUs and 224 square inches of cooking surface, you could easily cook for a crew. Switching from grill to pizza oven, burner, or griddle was super simple — just lift the 14-inch grill box off the burner and store it in its bag. A temperature gauge on the face allows you to keep an eye on the heat, though modulation is less accurate than other grills on the list.

The VersaTop uses Camp Chef’s heat diffuser system, which minimizes hot spots, converts flames into infrared heat, vaporizes grease drippings, cooks evenly, and brings out your food’s best flavor. Grease that doesn’t vaporize is collected by a tray and a grease cup. After grilling up a batch of Siracha Sweet Lips Barbecue Chicken and zucchini from the garden, we were able to clean up easily with limited water. The seasoned cast iron did scratch, however.

With a surprisingly reasonable price tag, the Z Grills Cruiser 200A ($299) is a portable pellet grill that is fairly lightweight, easy to use, and produces some great cooking results. We cooked some spatchcocked chicken and a rack of ribs (on separate occasions), and both turned out beautifully.

The pellet hopper holds eight pounds of pellets — similar to the Traeger Ranger above — which was plenty of fuel to slow cook a rack of ribs for six hours without worrying about refilling. The temperature control knob is easy to use, but we found that it didn’t maintain a consistent temperature as well as the Traeger.

Overall, we preferred the consistency of the Traeger. The Z Grills Cruiser is a good deal less expensive though, and still capable of producing nice results. Both of these pellet grills have a limit of 450 degrees F, which make them ideal for smoking or slow cooking over indirect heat, but not for searing at higher temperatures.

Read Review: Z Grills Cruiser 200A Review

The Eureka SPRK Camp Grill ($150) is a highly portable option for folks who value packing light. While it isn’t as fully featured as some others on this list, you can throw it in the car to have on hand for impromptu tailgate parties. With a small footprint and a briefcase-like carrying case, the SPRK is compact and highly portable.

While you probably won’t be cooking a tri-tip or a full-on barbeque meal on the SPRK, it is perfect for hotdogs, burgers, or kebabs. The 12″ x 9″ ceramic-coated grate is easy to cook on and easy to clean. Food was much less likely to stick on this grate vs others in the test. The SPRK uses 8-ounce butane canisters, which are somewhat harder to find than propane. Each canister lasts about 90 minutes and pumps out 7,250 BTUs.

The automatic ignition had our test stove up and running on the second turn, and the grate was hot in about three minutes. The feet easily adjust for uneven surfaces, and while the SPRK doesn’t come with a lid, you can purchase a griddle for more breakfast-oriented foods like eggs and pancakes.

The Snow Peak Tabiki Fire and Grill kit ($320) includes the following: a fireplace, baseplate, grill bridge, and grill net. All of this comes packaged in a high-quality canvas tote that makes carrying the 28-pound package comfortable, and dare we say, stylish. The fireplace and bridge are made from stainless steel, and the grill grate is chrome-coated steel.

The Tabiki has a couple of critical issues, including inadequate airflow, and the shape of the fireplace itself. About two inches from the top of the fireplace are a series of small holes intended for ventilation, but they are spaced too high and too infrequently to appropriately ventilate a fire or bed of coals. Plus, the conical shape of the fireplace causes ashes to funnel downward and fill in the bottom, further limiting airflow. The fireplace itself functions well enough until it begins to fill in with ash, but we struggled hard to get charcoal lit and adequately burning.

Snow Peak sells a steel grate insert at an additional $60. We suggest that this piece is mandatory in order to use the grill function of the fireplace, allowing adequate airflow beneath the coals and for even heat distribution to cook over.

Coleman Roadtrip 285: the bigger sibling of the Roadtrip 225, the 285 has a 25% larger grilling area and nearly double the heat output, but is also nearly twice as heavy, and our main handle broke during assembly, given us concerns about the construction quality.

Weber Smokey Joe: an affordable and compact charcoal kettle grill, the Smokey Joe is the classic choice for grilling up some quick burgers or dogs at a tailgate, but lacks the size to do much else.

Primus Kuchoma: a lightweight and reasonably powerful portable propane grill, the Kuchoma is a great choice for grilling in more remote places, but we didn’t like the nonstick grilling surface.

Burch Barrel Flat Packer: a foldable wood or charcoal fire pit and grill, the Flat Packer is rustic and fun to use, but not as versatile and capable as a dedicated grill designed primarily for cooking.

The flavor of a hamburger grilled over an open flame, salmon seared on a hot grill, or pulled pork slow smoked over cherrywood makes anyone’s mouth water and is a great way to bring people together, whether at home or on the go. We tested the best portable grills both at home and out in the field to find which models best balance the joy of grilling with convenient portability.

To complete your backyard, camping, or tailgating kit, check out our Buyer’s Guides with the top camping stoves, hard-sided coolers, and the best camping chairs.

Our team of Paul Mandell, Berne Broudy, and Nick Bruckbauer put our lineup of the best portable grills to the test.

Paul loves to grill, and often finds himself manning the helm at neighborhood get-togethers. From tri-tip to hotdogs and corn to squash, he was particularly excited to take these grills on his adventures around his home of Bishop, Calif. From backyard barbecues with friends, to tailgates after a day of fishing, to après bike park laps, Paul truly tested the portability of these grills by using them in some adventurous locations.

Based in Vermont, Berne is an experienced all-around outdoors-person and our slow-cooking specialist. She tested the pellet grills in this Buyers Guide, and produced some beautifully-cooked chickens, ribs, and pork roasts. An active cyclist, skier, and traveler, Berne appreciates products that provide portability without sacrificing cooking performance.

Nick is a year-round resident of South Lake Tahoe, Calif. With countless beaches, trailheads, and ski areas within a short drive, he was on the lookout for the best “quiver of one” portable grill that could easily transition from a beach cookout with relatives to a campout with friends to a home-cooked meal in the backyard. With a two-year-old daughter in tow, Nick appreciates simple and intuitive products that work well without wasting time or effort.

As curious and analytical gear nerds, we thoroughly examined every aspect of these portable grills, from the initial unboxing and assembly process, to the final cleanup and storage after cooking, and everything in between.

Upon receiving these grills, we excitedly tore into them just as you would. Since grills can be a heavy and awkward item to ship, we evaluated the boxing and packaging quality to make sure each grill was packaged safely and could be unboxed without too much effort. From there, we read through any directions, ensured all necessary pieces were present, and assembled each grill. Most of the grills came mostly assembled, typically with just a few extra pieces or accessories to attach.

After each grill was assembled and set up at home, we got to the fun part: grilling! On various occasions, we cooked up a smorgasbord of delicious meals including steaks, chickens, tri-tip roasts, smash burgers, brats, hot dogs, corn, veggies, and potatoes. We thoroughly evaluated cooking performance, comparing the each grill’s cooking surface, heat output, and temperature control. We examined different features such as fuel sources, ignition systems, ventilation, and thermometer accuracy. We noted which grills were easiest to use, and which ones provide more user control for more advanced cooking methods.

Finally, we packed up each grill and set out to numerous fun locations for some grilling on the go. We paid close attention to each grill’s size, weight, ease of transport, and ease of cleaning and storing after use. We noted any drops in performance or convenience between using a grill at home or on the go. We cooked up some beautiful meals in some beautiful places, and are happy to share our results with you.

The portable grills we tested use various fuels, including gas (propane or butane), wood pellets, charcoal, or firewood. There are also electric grills on the market, but we opted not to test those. Each fuel source has its advantages and disadvantages.

Most of the grills we tested in this Guide are propane gas grills. Propane is a reliable fuel source that is readily available in various sizes — from smaller 1-pound canisters that you can pick up at most sporting goods stores to larger 20-pound refillable tanks that you might see at your grocery store or gas station.

The obvious advantage to gas grills is that they start nearly instantly, get up to heat very quickly, and cool down quickly after cooking. This makes gas a great fuel choice for a portable grill, since you don’t have to wait as long for the grill to heat up and cool down when you’re on the go. Simply fire up the grill and let it get up to heat, cook your meal, and the grill should be cool and ready to pack up by the time you’re done eating. Transporting a gas canister can also be easier and cleaner than transporting charcoal or firewood.

Gas grills also provide better temperature control than charcoal or wood fires. Most gas grills state a heat output rating (in units of BTU), so you can easily get familiar with the maximum heat output, and can adjust the flame level as needed to reach different temperature levels. Gas grills are also pretty fuel efficient, providing several cooking sessions before needing to refill or replace the fuel.

To combat the waste from single-use 1-pound green canisters, Ignik produces compact and refillable Gas Growlers — essentially mini-versions of larger refillable propane tanks. During our testing process, we used a 5-pound Ignik Gas Growler. It is available in three sizes (3.8, 5, and 10 pounds), is refillable, and comes with a handy padded carrying case that allows for easy storage and transportation. This is a great option for those who are tired of tossing green canisters in the trash after each outing. According to Ignik, “over 40 million end up in landfills every year.”

We also tested one gas grill — the Eureka SPRK — that is powered by butane. Butane typically isn’t quite as readily available around town as propane is, but there are various online outlets where you can purchase 8-ounce canisters.

Wood pellets are an interesting fuel source that provides the best of both worlds — precise temperature control and a natural, smokey flavor. This makes wood pellet grills — like the Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill and the Z Grills Cruiser 200A — excellent for slow cooking or smoking foods like ribs, chicken, or pork roasts.

Note that these grills require an electrical connection program the pellet hopper to continually feed pellets into the grill to maintain your desired temperature. There are a variety of different wood pellet types available so that you can customize the smoky flavorings imparted onto your food.

The downside to wood pellet grills is that they typically have a lower maximum temperature, so they’re not as well-suited for cooking that requires direct heat — like searing steaks.

Charcoal is a classic grilling fuel that is readily available, pretty easy to use, and adds a unique flavor to your food. The main advantage to charcoal grills is that they are usually simpler and have fewer moving parts than gas grills, typically making them more affordable. The exception to this is the high-end NOMAD Grill and Smoker that is one of the most expensive portable grills we tested!

The primary disadvantage to charcoal grills is that they take longer to heat up and cool down than gas grills. This can be an issue if you’re on the move, trying to feed hungry people, or hustling to pack up and leave after your cookout. But, we have to admit we have a certain nostalgia when it comes to drinking a beer around the grill with friends or family while waiting for it to heat up. On days where we have plenty of time to lounge around, we love hanging out around a charcoal fire.

Transporting charcoal grills can also be a little messier from the leftover ashes, and you must also consider your ignition source (lighter fluid, newspaper, or a chimney starter, for example).

Firewood can be more difficult to transport, messier to handle, and take longer to heat up and cool down, but is perhaps the most rustic fuel for grilling. Depending on your location, it may be scarce or may be readily available. Wood fires can also be less efficient than other fuel sources, and challenging to maintain precise temperature control, but can also impart a unique flavor to your food.

Most charcoal grills can also be used with firewood, and there are a number of modern portable fire pits that double as grills.

Finding the right portable grill requires striking a balance between portability and heat output. Typically, a grill with a higher heat output will be larger and more cumbersome, and a smaller and lighter grill will have a lower heat output. Finding your right balance depends on how many people you’ll be cooking for, what type of foods you’ll be grilling, and how frequently and how far you travel with your portable grill.

Most gas grills have a listed heat output rating in units of BTUs. The gas grills we tested range in output from 7,250 BTUs on the Eureka SPRK up to 38,000 BTUs with the Ignik FireCan Deluxe. Higher heat output allows you to cook more food over a larger cooking area at the same time, and allows you to cook at hotter temperatures. A lower heat output might be sufficient for grilling a few brats or hot dogs, but a higher heat output might be required for searing steaks or cooking a full family meal.

Our two favorite grills we tested — the Weber Traveler Gas Grill and the Weber Traveler Portable Griddle — have heat outputs of 13,000 BTUs and 16,000 BTUs, respectively. Both models provide plenty of heat to cook a full meal all at the same time. We cooked a full dinner of ribeye steaks, corn on the cob, and sliced potatoes on the Traveler Gas Grill, and a full breakfast of eggs, bacon, and potatoes on the griddle.

Wood and charcoal grills don’t have standardized BTU ratings, so the heat output is a function of how big and hot you build your fire. You can get a wood or charcoal fire cranking hotter than a gas grill, but you sacrifice temperature control and precision. And a larger fire takes longer to heat up and cool down, both considerations if you’re grilling on the go.

While the maximum heat output is important, so too is your ability to control the heat. Whether you’re smoking a rack of ribs or roasting a tri-tip, many dishes require you to consistently stay at a specific temperature range throughout the cooking process. While most grills have a built-in thermometer, the temperature can vary widely at different spots inside your grill, so it may be better to use a standalone grill thermometer if you require a precise temperature.

Wood pellet grills have some of the best temperature control, since you can set your desired heat level on a digital controller, and then the grill will automatically feed fuel pellets into the grill to maintain the correct temperature. Gas grills can be turned up or down to adjust the temperature on the fly, and many have dual burners so you can set up to cook in direct and indirect heating zones. Wood or charcoal grills may have less precision, but you can still dial in a pretty accurate temperature range by adjusting the air vents and adjusting where you place your food in relation to the heat source.

A grill’s cooking space also is typically inversely related to its size and portability. Obviously, a larger grill will have more cooking space and may be more powerful, but will also be bigger and heavier. Depending on whether you’re cooking for one or two people, a family, or a little league team, the cooking space should be a primary consideration.

The smallest grill we tested is the Eureka SPRK. With 108 square inches of cooking area, it’s ideal for a handful of brats or a couple of burgers. Other options like the Hitchfire F-20 Hitch Mounted, the Weber Traveler Griddle, and the Weber Traveler Gas Grill have over 300 square inches of cooking space, and are appropriate for big family meals or large groups of folks.

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 an option 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, weighing just 9 pounds.

Some portable grills like the Weber Traveler Gas Grill and the Coleman RoadTrip 225 are heavier and have larger footprints, but come mounted on a foldable stand with roller wheels, making transport surprisingly easy despite their larger size.

Other options, like the NOMAD Grill and Smoker, the Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill, and the Z Grills Cruiser 200A are built into a latching suitcase-style carrying case, making storage and transport a breeze.

The Weber Traveler 22″ Portable Griddle is the least portable grill that we tested. It weighs over 50 pounds thanks to its hefty griddle insert, and doesn’t have a latching lid or any added carrying handles. You pretty much have to grab it with two hands and haul it around. Fortunately, the griddle insert is removable, which makes transport much easier if you take separate trips with the griddle insert and the grill frame.

The lowest-priced portable grill that we included in this Buyer’s Guide is the Eureka SPRK at $150. At this price range, you can get a nice lightweight and portable grill, but you’re sacrificing heat output and cooking area. The SPRK has the smallest cooking area and the lowest output rating out of any of the grills we tested. The only other model under $200 that made the cut into this Guide is the Camp Chef VersaTop at $190, but you’ll have to shell out some extra cash for the additional accessories that really add to this grill’s versatility.

If you’re really looking for a budget model without any bells and whistles, the Weber Smokey Joe comes in at just $46. It is a capable charcoal kettle grill, but only has enough space for 4-5 burgers or a pack of brats.

Most of the portable grills that we tested fall into the $200 to $320 price range. This is a nice sweet spot where you can find a great balance of performance, features, and portability at a reasonable price. In this range, you could get our favorite portable griddle, the Weber Traveler 22″ Portable Griddle ($299), our favorite tabletop grill, the Weber Q1200 Gas Grill ($259), or a stand-up grill like the Coleman RoadTrip 225 Stand-Up ($275). These grills have larger cooking areas, more powerful burners, and higher end features than the budget models, without breaking the bank or becoming too cumbersome.

Once you start looking to spend around $400 or more on a portable grill, you start getting more premium options and flagship models from more big-name manufacturers. Our top overall pick, the Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill ($399-$449) sits in this price range, and is one of Weber’s flagship portable grill models. In addition to a large cooking area and a powerful 13,000-BTU burner, it has a high-end folding mechanism that makes it incredibly portable for a relatively big and heavy grill. It also has an all-around high-end feel and construction quality.

The NOMAD Grill and Smoker ($695) and the HitchFire F-20 Hitch Mounted Grill ($649) top our list as the highest-priced portable grills, but they also fill specific niches. The NOMAD is built into an aluminum suitcase, and even though it’s just a charcoal grill, the construction, fit, and finish make the grill a head-turner when you’re out and about. The HitchFire, similarly, is a capable propane grill similar to a few of the others we tested, but comes with a hitch-mounting kit that makes it great for camping or overlanding.

The grills on our list range in weight from 8.8 pounds to 72 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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