The Best Portable Grills 2026 February: for your kitchen

Our experts have bought and tested more than of the best portable grills over the past seven years. They are great for small rooms or tight budgets. These easy-to-use cookers come in gas, charcoal, and electric styles, so you can buy them whether you’re new to grilling or want a second grill that uses a different fuel.

Portable grills have the same basic functions as their larger counterparts, but they are smaller and cost less. This doesn’t always mean that the quality is lower, though. We talk about the pros and cons of these grills in general, tell you what features we think you should look for when buying one, and pair up the best ones with different needs.

Best Portable Grills Comparison Table

Weber Q 1200 Portable Grill

The Weber Q 1200 can heat up quickly and evenly like larger grills, but it is small enough to fit in most car trunks without taking up too much space. The Q 1200 stays at the top of our list of tabletop gas grills because it has the performance of bigger grills in a small size. This is one of the best Portable Grills that you can buy right now.

It only took 12 minutes to put together, and the manual had instructions in the form of pictures. Putting the gas bottle on took some fiddling, which made me worry about safety, but everything worked out in the end. After it was easy to turn on the grill with the push-button ignition, it took about eight and a half minutes for the grill grates to get hot enough to cook on.

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Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill

The Traveler works as well as larger grills do. It heats up quickly and evenly, and there are no hot spots. One of our testers said that the Traveler was “intuitive and approachable” to put together, light, and use. With a similar burner and grate design to the Q 1200, but a larger cooking area and an increase to 13,000 BTUs.

The Traveler is better for families than the Q 1200. The stand is easy to use, and there are clear signs for how to raise and lower it. In terms of how well it works, there are no hot or cold spots on the grates. Even though it is one of the heavier grills we tested, it is easy to move because it has wheels. Overall, it is one of the best Portable Grills that you can buy.

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Cuisinart CGG-180 Petite Gourmet Gas Grill

The Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Portable Gas Grill stands out because of its unique design, which lets it change from a freestanding model to a tabletop model in seconds. If you don’t want to spend as much on our best overall choice, this one is less expensive and also passed our tests.

The small size makes it easy to take to a game or go camping, but the porcelain-enameled cooking grate can fit up to eight burgers at once. This Cuisinart grill has a burner that puts out 5,500 BTUs, an electric ignition that you can start by twisting, and a temperature gauge.

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Coleman RoadTrip 285 Propane Grill

The Coleman RoadTrip Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill, you can get ready for the big game. This model is great for tailgating because its legs fold up quickly, its wheels are tough, and its cooktops can be switched out. It has a large grilling area of 285 square inches, and when hooked up to a 16.4-ounce propane cylinder, it can give off up to 20,000 BTUs.

The sliding side tables, three precise temperature zones, and better burner technology will make this grill a must-have at sporting events. Its legs fold up easily so you can store it quickly, and you can roll it behind you to move it easily. The grill has a push-button start, and if you want, you can buy separate griddles and stove grates to swap in.

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Cuisinart Grillster

For the size and price, it might be hard to find a smaller grill with more power than the Cuisinart Grillster. Not only does it use very little fuel, but after you click the piezo lighter, this portable powerhouse reaches its highest temperature in just a few minutes. It has a lightweight steel lid and three walls that block wind and keep heat in.

This lets you cook even when the weather isn’t great. This model cools down almost as fast as it heats up, so you can leave quickly. It has a lid that locks and room for one-pound gas canisters. It also has a handle that makes it easy to carry.

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Camp Chef Portable Pellet

In the past few years, pellet grills have become extremely popular. It’s not hard to figure out why, since pellet grills can be controlled like a home oven but give food the taste and texture of charcoal grills and wood smokers. Usually, you wouldn’t want to bring one on an RV trip or to a tailgate party for a big game, but the Camp Chef Portable Pellet changes that.

With some clever design, this model breaks down into a size that can be rolled around and moved into spaces that are a fraction of the size of where most pellet grills can fit. Digital controls let you choose the exact temperature you need for the cut of meat you’re cooking.

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Weber Q 2200 Gas Grill

The Weber Q 2200 Gas Grill is just as well-made and good at grilling as our top pick, the Weber Q 1200, but it has a 48% larger grilling grate and 41% more Btus. Like the Q 1200, the Q 2200 has a cast-aluminum firebox for even heating, a porcelainized cast-iron grilling grate, a push-button ignition, a domed lid, and fold-out side tables that set it apart from other grills.

But by any stretch of the imagination, this 40-pound portable grill isn’t light. The grill has the same great performance and sleek design, but it has new looks that are both useful and fun. For example, the grip handle and control knobs are bigger, the side handles are more comfortable, the front and back cradles are stronger, the fold-out side tables are bigger and more stable, and the Weber Q logo is branded in the lid.

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