Best Portable Grills of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

In testing these models, I considered the weight and general portability of each along with the total square inches of grilling capacity they afforded. I also tested how hot each grill gets and how well it maintains that heat using a thermocouple. Convenience and quality are both paramount, so I evaluated the ease of assembly and overall sturdiness of each grill along with the quality of the frame and grill grates. Finally, the ultimate test: I cooked a variety of meat, fish, meat substitutes and vegetables to see how the grills performed in their most critical of duties.

Cooking

To evaluate these grills I assembled each one from scratch and then cooked an array of foods at various temperatures to see how they performed. Foods cooked included steak and burgers, which do best with a hot sear. I also cooked chicken breasts, which appreciate a hot grill to get those outer marks and retain juices but ultimately require a lower and more consistent heat to cook the chicken through without burning the outside. I also tested more delicate foods like fish, mushrooms and Beyond Meat (plant-based) to see how the grills performed at lower temps, but also to see how the different grill plates would handle more delicate foods.

Temperature and control

Temperature control is crucial with any grill. It's a little-known secret that the built-in thermometers on most grills don't work well, so I used a thermocouple thermometer to see how hot the surface above the grill became and how well they could hold that heat. Most grills performed about as well as advertised, with some topping out at as much as 100 F hotter than others. The better grills also generally ended up reading out a more consistent temperature throughout cooking. (Temperature consistency is important, especially if you don't plan to be chained to your grill for the entire cooking process.) I not only measured the temperature of the grill but also its consistency at its holding temperature, both high and low temps, and flagged when there were issues. 

Assembly and sturdiness

I also took into account the ease of assembly and how sturdy a grill felt once it was assembled (for those that required assembly). Although the limits of a pesky time-space continuum would not allow me to measure the quality or durability of each grill over time, there were sight and touch tests employed to help determine how hefty and hearty a grill was. I also dug through verified purchase reviews to determine if any had any consistent or glaring wear-and-tear issues to be concerned about. 

PKGO Charcoal Grill: This was a very solid charcoal grill and the only reason it dropped off of the main list is because of how heavy it is. Although it's a manageable size, at 35 pounds it's a little heavier than a grill I'd personally want to be lugging around. The PKGO is solidly built and has a very cool dual function where the lid pops off and flips over into a hibachi so you can actually double your cooking surface and get that close-to-the-coals hibachi seer if you're looking for it. If you don't mind a little extra weight on your grill

Everdure Cube Portable Charcoal Grill: I really love this small and stylish charcoal grill with its built-in cutting board and prep container. The only thing keeping it off this list was the steep price, but it is currently on sale for $167 with a 10% on-page coupon. It's well-built and easy to maneuver (under 20 pounds) and if you've got the extra coin lying around, I say go for it. 

Magma Firebox Single-Burner: This is another grill I liked, but it's not portable or affordable. The burner alone weighs 26 pounds and originally cost $200 (though it's currently on a steep clearance), but you'll need to add the grill top accessory, which costs $350. This model was engineered with boaters in mind, so if you're setting sail, you might give the pricey Magma a closer look.

Giantex tabletop propane grill: I had no major issues with this grill. It worked fine, got hot and cooked evenly. When compared to the Weber Q and NomadiQ I simply like the design of those small gas grills better. The Weber Q is more solid and has those handy built-in shelves while the NomadiQ is simply the most portable gas grill I've ever seen. This is a fine grill and worthy of the $300 list price.

Char-Broil: Char-Broil Deluxe Tabletop Grill: While the above Char-Broil might work as a no-nonsense budget grill, this model is way too poorly designed and crafted to waste $70. One of the worst for value in the small grill category, and a definite stay-away.

BioLite Grill and Fire Pit: This is a solid option if you covet a fire pit that transforms into a grill for beach hangs and backyard barbecues. This $300 model worked well but we found the build a little chintzy for such a pricey grill.

Char-Broil Portable Gas Grill (Update: No longer available): This grill is cheap and the product matches the price tag. It was rickety once assembled and didn't feel like it would last more than a season. For $50, what more could you hope for? If you need something to get you through a camping weekend or two, this should do the trick.

Fuel type

The biggest decision you'll make is what fuel your grill uses. Gas grills are largely thought to be the easiest, especially since they don't require a large and heavy propane tank. Coleman and other outdoor brands make small, portable propane tanks that weigh only a few pounds. Charcoal is a good option and is cheaper but it's almost always messier, especially after the cooking is done. You might want to avoid charcoal if you're planning to regularly bring your grill in a car or truck.

There are other grill types including electric and solar. Electric grills require, well, electricity which isn't always easy to find when you're on the move. Solar grills are cheeky and work well, but they have limited power and cooking capacity.

Size

Figure out how much cooking you'll need to do and for how many hungry people. The smallest grills have grill tops that fit only a few burgers while the larger grills on this list have grilling areas as large as some full-sized grill.

Cost and value

A portable grill likely isn't going to do as much or last as long as a full-sized grill so it should cost less, too. Grills on this roundup range from the super affordable around $100 to pricier models that cost a few hundred. The Weber Q-1200 clocks in a reasonable $250 and is built to last, which is why we put it at the top of the list.