We all love a summer cookout, tasty barbecued food, and enjoying meals al fresco, but not all of us have the space for a full-sized grill. Whether you've only got a balcony at your disposal or you want something you can take with you to the park or on camping trips, the best portable gas grills could be the answer.
These grills typically feature compact and lightweight designs that make them easy to transport, with options for folding legs and built-in handles. The cooking surface area is usually ideal for small to medium-sized groups, and some models may even have additional features such as adjustable burners, smartphone controls, and built-in lighting.
We have assembled the very best compact gas grills, ranking them based on things like power, carryability, size, and design. For full-size models, take a look at our guide to the best gas grills overall, or keep reading to see which portable options we chose in each category.
Best portable gas grills: Quick list
The Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill is a sleek and stylish option for outdoor cooking on the go. It's easy to transport and store with its foldable stand and features a porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate and built-in thermometer.
The Cuisinart Venture Gas Grill is a compact and portable model with a high-grade stainless steel burner for even cooking. It doubles as a prep surface and is great for broiling and roasting, but has limited cooking space and no grease management.
The Royal Gourmet PD1301S tabletop griddle has 3 burners, a generous cooking surface, and 25,500 BTUs of grilling power. It's easy to store, has a built-in grease management system, and comes with a protective cover. Perfect for occasional grilling and medium-large parties.
The Napoleon TravelQ 240 Portable Propane Gas Grill is perfect for camping or backyard use. It's compact, easy to store, has generous cooking space, and produces sear marks with WAVE cooking grids.
The Pit Boss 2-Burner Portable Gas Grill is stylish and small enough to fit in a trunk. With two burners and 240 sq in of cooking space, it's perfect for impromptu cookouts. Cleaning is easy and rust-resistant materials ensure even cooking.
The Cuisinart Professional Portable Gas Grill is compact, powerful, and affordable, making it perfect for small spaces or a couple's getaway. Its simple design isn't an eyesore.
The best portable gas grills in 2024
Livingetc knows design. We spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, bringing only our edit of the very best to you. Find out more about how we review.
Best portable gas grill overall
Weber is a household name in the world of grilling for a reason, and the Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill lives up to its reputation with a sleek and stylish design perfect for outdoor cooking on the go. Its foldable stand makes it easy to transport and store while also giving you a stable base when cooking.
The grill also features a porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate for even heat distribution and a built-in thermometer allowing you to monitor your food easily. The large grease management system also makes cleaning less of a chore, and the overall compact design of the Traveler makes it ideal for campsites, tailgating events, or even picnics.
The Weber Traveler is an excellent grill designed perfectly for backyard get-togethers and taking on trips alike. Made from high-quality materials, during testing, we loved the ample cooking space and handy prep surface, even if we found it a little heavy for a portable model.
Livingetc rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Best portable gas grill for camping
Whether you're camping, tailgating, or spending a day at the beach, the Cuisinart Venture Gas Grill is an ultra-portable and compact model that can help you cook up a storm. With its handle and lid, this grill is a versatile and multipurpose tool that you can take with you anywhere. It has a high-grade stainless steel burner that delivers 9,000 BTUs of heat, while the porcelain enameled cast iron cooking grate and twist-start ignition system ensure that your meals are evenly cooked and satisfying.
One of the best things about this grill is its 'stack-and-go' design. The lid doubles as a prep surface, which is incredibly useful when you're cooking in a location without many clean surfaces, such as the beach. You can also use this grill for broiling and roasting, which makes it a versatile tool for any outdoor cooking adventure. What's more, it's relatively affordable compared to other models, making it a great option for those on a budget.
However, there are a few downsides to this grill. It has a limited cooking surface, which means that it may not be the best option for large groups. Additionally, there's no grease management system, which can make cleanup a bit more challenging. Despite these drawbacks, the Cuisinart Venture Gas Grill is still a great option for those who want an ultra-portable and versatile grill that they can take with them anywhere.
Best portable gas griddle
Even though it's not designed for portability, the Royal Gourmet PD1301S 3-Burner Portable Gas Grill is still compact enough to store conveniently. With three burners and a generous cooking surface, it boasts 25,500 BTUs of grilling power. It also comes with a built-in grease management system, which simplifies the cleaning process, and a protective cover to keep it safe when not in use.
The Royal Gourmet PD1301S is an excellent choice for those who wish to grill occasionally but don't need something for trips away. It's perfect if you're planning to cook for medium-large parties, thanks to its number of burners and sizeable cooking space. It may not be the most attractive grill on the market, but it's certainly built to last, and it's of high quality.
Best tabletop gas grill
The Napoleon TravelQ 240 Portable Propane Gas Grill is perfect for taking with you on your camping trips or simply to use in your backyard. The grill is compact, even when folded out, making it easy to store away when it's not in use, and the legs can be put down to make it even more compact - great for those who are short on space.
Despite its small size, the TravelQ 240 has a fairly generous cooking space, which is always a plus. The lid also makes cooking easier, and the handle on the front of the grill means that you can carry it around with you wherever you go. Whether you're using the TravelQ 240 at home or further afield, you'll appreciate how easy it is to use.
One of the standout features of the TravelQ 240 is the WAVE cooking grids. These grids produce those iconic sear marks on your food, making your meals look and taste even better. Additionally, the firebox and removable drip tray are always easily accessible, which means that cleaning up after your meal is a breeze.
Best 2-burner portable gas grill
If you're looking for a convenient and stylish way to cook outdoors, the Pit Boss 2-Burner Portable Gas Grill is a solid option. With its compact size, it's easy to transport and store, making it perfect for impromptu cookouts or camping trips. Despite its small size, however, it still has two burners and 240 sq in of cooking space, meaning you can easily feed a family or a group of friends without needing a full-size grill.
One of the best things is how easy it is to clean. The removable grease tray and porcelain-coated cast iron grates make it simple to keep the grill looking and functioning like new. And with its rust-resistant body and lid, you can be sure that it will last for many cookouts to come.
Best small gas grill for the money
The Cuisinart Professional Portable Gas Grill is both lightweight and compact, designed to take up minimal space on your counter, and easier to transport than many other grills. Despite its small size, it's still powerful enough to get the job done. While it may not be suitable for feeding a large family all at once, it's the perfect size for a couple's getaway or to use on a balcony.
The Cuisinart Portable is also really affordable. It's one of the most reasonably priced grills on the market, making it a great choice for those on a budget. While it may not be the most exciting appliance in terms of design, its simple silver exterior won't be an eyesore either. It's a practical and functional option for those who want a reliable grill without breaking the bank.
Choosing the best portable gas grill
What size do you need?
The first thing to consider when choosing the best portable gas grill is the space you're dealing with. Do you want to use the grill on your balcony, or do you have a more generously-sized backyard? You may also want to take it on trips, so you need to get to grips with what you can easily fit into your vehicle.
There's nothing worse than buying something and then realizing that it doesn't fit where you wanted to use it, so measure any counter space or storage before committing,
Are portable grills any good?
Portable grills may seem like a compromise, but that doesn't always have to be the case. As with full-sized models, it often depends on how much you're willing to spend, but you should look out for the specs as well as the size of the appliance itself.
If power is your priority, ensure your chosen grill as the number of burners and BTU that you need. Pay attention to the details, and there's no reason that your portable grill can't function similarly to a much more expensive (and space-guzzling) gas grill.
About this guide
Our approach to creating round-ups is hands-on, and this includes our guide to the best portable gas grills. As we feature products, we ensure that (though it's not always possible) our writers and editors test them in their backyards to gain first-hand experience. Our focus goes beyond appearances and descriptions, as we aim to help our readers find the perfect portable gas grill to cook delicious meals. We evaluate aspects such as overall size, price, and practicality, with your needs in mind. Our ultimate goal is to guide you toward the best big-ticket investment. For more info, see our guide on how we review.
Ginevra Benedetti is Associate Editor across the homes titles at Future. This means that she spends her days writing about all areas of the home, inside and out, as well as reviewing gadgets and appliances to ensure that you get the best products for your needs. She has a large backyard area that backs onto a peaceful allotment - perfect for trying out gas grills like the Weber Traveler.
Michelle Mastro is an Indiana-based writer with a keen interest in travel, home decor, and culture. When she's not busy penning down her thoughts, Michelle loves to explore her new abode in the Midwest, having recently relocated from Southern California. In her role as a reviewer for Livingetc, she puts gas grills to the test in her backyard and other outdoor spaces, sharing her honest feedback with readers.
-
I'm an Interior Stylist Who Knows How to Make Your Christmas Lights Work a Million Times HarderThere’s no one better than Livingetc’s long time contributor, the stylist Hannah Franklin, to advise on how best to use Christmas lights to make spaces feel like magic
-
"I'm a Professional Christmas Tree Designer — These Are My 7 Secrets for a Better-Dressed Tree This Year"When it comes to the designing the best-looking Christmas tree, you can take it from designer David Lawson on how to make an impression
