A portable BBQ is a grill small enough to take to a campsite, a park or the beach, or to put on a table in a small outdoor space. This page compares seven that work that way: five charcoal grills, one gas barbecue and one folding campfire grate.
Every fact below comes from the product listing, and each pick shows its star rating with the number of ratings so you can see how much evidence sits behind it. If you want a full size backyard barbecue instead, start with our BBQ guide.
Best portable BBQ overall: Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill
Best portable BBQ overall: the Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill, because it packs a chrome plated grate of about 1,265 cm², dual vents and three lid locks into a tabletop grill of about 1.8 kg.
The listing describes adjustable dual vents for low and slow or high heat, three lid locks that keep the lid secure during transport, and an enamel coated firebox with an ash base. It gives the weight as about 1.8 kg, and names camping, tailgating and small outdoor spaces. It has 4.3 stars from 14,245 ratings, the most of any pick on this page.
It suits couples and small groups heading to a campsite or park, and anyone buying a first portable charcoal grill. The honest catch: it is a small charcoal grill, so the cooking area runs out quickly once you feed more than a couple of people.
Best for folding flat: Charmline Portable Charcoal Grill
Best for folding flat: the Charmline Portable Charcoal Grill, because it needs no assembly, folds to 39 by 27.2 by 8 cm and the listing says it suits 2 to 4 people.
The listing describes reinforced alloy steel, a space for sauces when the grill is unfolded and a grate that lifts up so you can add charcoal. It says the structure is very stable when unfolded and can be used on a table, the beach, the lawn or relatively flat surfaces. A manual is included. It has 4.7 stars from 286 ratings.
It suits anyone short on boot space who wants a grill that packs down to a slim shape. The honest catch: only 286 ratings back it, and the listing says to keep the coal below half of the container to extend its life.
Best gas: Weber Baby Q Premium Q1200N
Best gas: the Weber Baby Q Premium Q1200N, because it is a compact portable gas barbecue with electronic ignition, a lid thermometer, a porcelain enamelled cast iron grill and removable side tables.
This listing is the LPG model in charcoal grey, sold with side tables. It describes a high domed lid for large roasting capacity, a porcelain enamelled cast iron cooking grill for even heat distribution and heat retention, and electronic ignition for quick lighting. The removable side tables are there for prep and for keeping tools within reach. It has 4.7 stars from 40 ratings.
It suits people who want gas and a lid thermometer rather than charcoal. The honest catch: it is the most expensive pick here, and only 40 ratings sit on this bundle listing.
Best Weber charcoal: Weber Go Anywhere Charcoal BBQ
Best Weber charcoal: the Weber Go Anywhere Charcoal BBQ, because it has a porcelain enamelled bowl and lid, 1,040 cm² of cooking space and three glass reinforced nylon handles for carrying.
The listing describes a chrome plated steel cooking grill, a heavy duty steel fuel grate and no rust aluminium vents. The nickel plated legs swivel to lock the lid for carrying, the lid acts as a windbreak, and a split cooking grill lets you top up fuel as you go. The listing calls it hibachi style cooking. It has 4.2 stars from 33 ratings.
It suits Weber fans who want a charcoal grill with a lid that locks for the trip. The honest catch: it costs more than the top pick, it ties for the lowest star rating here, and only 33 ratings back it.
Best Korean style tabletop: Primst Charcoal Barbecue Grill
Best Korean style tabletop: the Primst Charcoal Barbecue Grill, because the set includes a charcoal bowl, burning plate, roasting pan, grill mesh and pot stand in food grade stainless steel.
The listing describes a grill body, charcoal bowl, charcoal burning plate, roasting pan, roasting mesh, pot stand and an anti scalding handle. You can cook Korean barbecue on the pan or Japanese barbecue on the mesh. Two side vents control the size of the fire, and the listing gives a diameter of about 34.8 cm, with room in a car. It has 4.3 stars from 394 ratings.
It suits a table of friends who want to cook together rather than a solo camper. The honest catch: it is a set of several parts built for tabletop use at home or camp, not a single piece you fold and carry light.
Best hibachi: WillBBQ Charcoal Hibachi
Best hibachi: the WillBBQ Charcoal Hibachi, because it has stainless steel mesh grilling grates and good ventilation for backyard or camping cooking, and comes in several sizes.
The listing calls it commercial quality and says it was featured on a TV barbecue competition show. It names skewer, kebab and satay cooking, stainless steel mesh grilling grates, excellent ventilation and high temperature resistance. This listing is the 30 by 18 cm size. It has 4.2 stars from 115 ratings.
It suits skewer and satay fans who want a compact grill for the backyard or a campsite. The honest catch: the 115 ratings are shared across sizes, so they do not describe one size alone, and the listing text is brief.
Best ultralight: CAMPINGMOON Folding Campfire Grill
Best ultralight: the CAMPINGMOON Folding Campfire Grill, because its 304 stainless steel grate weighs 490 g, folds with its legs into an attached bag and works over an open fire or a camping gas burner.
The listing gives a grill area of 16 by 16 cm, a height of 12.2 cm on the high setting and 10.2 cm on the low setting, and a weight of 490 g. It says the grate supports 20 kg and is ideal for backpacking, camping, picnics and the beach. It has 4.7 stars from 283 ratings and is the lowest priced pick on this page.
It suits hikers and campers who already have a fire or a gas burner and want something light to cook on. The honest catch: the grill area is only about 16 by 16 cm, so it cooks for one or two, and it has no firebox of its own.
How to choose a portable BBQ
Charcoal, gas or open fire
Five picks here burn charcoal, the Weber Baby Q Premium runs on LPG with electronic ignition, and the CAMPINGMOON grate sits over an open fire or a camping gas burner. Pick the fuel you will actually carry, then choose the grill that uses it.
Cooking area and how many you feed
The listings give very different sizes. The CAMPINGMOON grill area is about 16 by 16 cm, the WillBBQ listing here is 30 by 18 cm, the Weber Go Anywhere has 1,040 cm² and the Cuisinart grate is about 1,265 cm². The Charmline listing says it suits 2 to 4 people. For a bigger group, pair a grill with a cooler from our esky guide so the food stays ready between rounds.
Weight, folding and carrying
The CAMPINGMOON grate weighs 490 g and the Cuisinart about 1.8 kg. The Charmline folds to 39 by 27.2 by 8 cm, the Weber Go Anywhere has three nylon handles and legs that swivel to lock the lid, and the Cuisinart has three lid locks. The Primst listing says it fits in a car without taking much space.
Where it sits at the campsite
The Cuisinart and Primst are described as tabletop grills, and the Charmline listing names a table, the beach, the lawn or relatively flat surfaces. The CAMPINGMOON grate has legs for use over a fire. If the campsite has no table, our camping table guide covers the options.
Read the rating count as well as the stars
The Cuisinart has 14,245 ratings at 4.3. The Charmline and CAMPINGMOON sit at 4.7 on fewer than 300 ratings each, and the two Weber picks have only 40 and 33. A high score on a small count is a good sign but not proof, which is why the page leads with the most rated grill.
Korean style and hibachi cooking
If you cook skewers, satay or Korean barbecue rather than burgers, a style made for it helps. The Primst set includes a roasting pan and mesh, and the WillBBQ hibachi has stainless steel mesh grates built for skewers and kebabs, per its listing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best portable BBQ in Australia?
For most people it is the Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill: a chrome plated grate, dual vents and three lid locks, with 4.3 stars from 14,245 ratings, the most on this page. If you want gas, choose the Weber Baby Q Premium, and if you want a grill that folds flat, the Charmline.
What is the best portable gas BBQ in Australia?
On this page it is the Weber Baby Q Premium Q1200N, the one gas barbecue we picked. The listing describes electronic ignition, a lid thermometer, a porcelain enamelled cast iron grill and removable side tables. It holds 4.7 stars from only 40 ratings, so the rating is thin, and it is the most expensive pick here.
What is the best portable BBQ for camping in Australia?
For car camping it is the Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill, with three lid locks for transport. The Charmline folds to 39 by 27.2 by 8 cm if boot space is tight. For a campfire or a camping gas burner, the CAMPINGMOON grate weighs 490 g and has a storage bag attached, with 4.7 stars from 283 ratings.
What is the best portable charcoal BBQ in Australia?
The Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill is our pick, because it has the most ratings here and a grate of about 1,265 cm². The Weber Go Anywhere has 1,040 cm² of cooking space and a porcelain enamelled bowl and lid, but it costs more and has only 33 ratings, so it suits those set on Weber.
What is the best rated portable BBQ?
By stars, the Charmline, the Weber Baby Q Premium and the CAMPINGMOON grate all show 4.7. The Charmline has 286 ratings, the CAMPINGMOON 283 and the Weber only 40. By number of ratings the Cuisinart leads with 14,245 at 4.3, which is the stronger evidence of the lot.
What's better, Ziggy or Weber?
Ziggy barbecues are not on this page, so we cannot compare them from listings. Of the two Weber picks here, the Baby Q Premium Q1200N is the gas model, with electronic ignition and a lid thermometer, and the Go Anywhere is the charcoal model with a porcelain enamelled bowl and lid. Choose the fuel first, then the brand.
Is a gas or charcoal portable BBQ better?
Gas suits quick lighting: the Weber Baby Q Premium has electronic ignition. Charcoal gives more choice here, with five of the seven picks being charcoal grills, from the Cuisinart and Charmline to the Primst and WillBBQ. The listings describe vents for heat control on the Cuisinart and the Primst.
What is the best Weber portable BBQ?
It depends on fuel. The Weber Baby Q Premium Q1200N is the gas choice, with 4.7 stars from 40 ratings, and the Weber Go Anywhere Charcoal is the charcoal choice, with 4.2 stars from 33 ratings. Both rating counts are thin, so the Cuisinart is the better evidenced pick if you are not set on Weber.
What is a hibachi style portable BBQ?
Hibachi style means cooking over charcoal on a compact grill. The WillBBQ Charcoal Hibachi has stainless steel mesh grilling grates and comes in several sizes, and the Weber Go Anywhere listing describes hibachi style cooking. The WillBBQ title names skewers, kebabs and satay, and the Weber listing describes steaks or satays over glowing charcoal.
