Too soon in the year to start thinking about which of the best BBQs you're going to invest in? We don't think so, as there's quite a bit for you to consider, from whether you opt for a gas model or a do-it-all hybrid barbecue. To make your decision easier, the team at Ideal Home has been hard at work reviewing 12 of the very best barbecues to invest in this year, for peace of mind when buying online.
Equipped with a good barbecue, you can slow cook a brisket or flash-fry a perfectly rare steak, better yet you can whip up a couple of hot dogs or a dozen burgers for guests. When reviewing each of these barbecues, several of which we tested in unison during a testing trip to Somerset, we considered everything from how long they took to build to each one's cooking ability. What's more, we definitely haven't forgotten about each barbecue's price: there's something for all budgets just below, whether you have sub £200 to spend or £1,000+.
Keep scrolling to see top choices from brands such as Weber, Char-Broil, Everdure, Kamado Joe, Big Green Egg and Traeger. They're all in stock, ready and waiting. And if you're kitting out your garden in a big way, why not also check out our buying guide on the best pizza ovens, which is packed full of fan favourites.
Best BBQ 2023
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What does it take to be the best BBQ on this list? Value for money, cooking power and ease of use - all of which the Weber Spirit II E310 GBS Gas Barbecue has by the bucket load.
This entry-level buy is perfect for anyone who needs quality but isn't willing to compromise on power. In our tests, it proved itself as a reliable investment from the minute we set it up, and was even a fairly easy BBQ to clean, which goes a long way in the heat of a summer's day. This particular model is part of a wide range from Weber, with prices ranging from £599 to £1299 depending on the spec you want.
Earning five stars in our review, this three-burner BBQ wowed us with its versatile cooking ability, acing every test we threw it at (including veggies, sausages, burgers, and a whole spatchcock chicken). Importantly, it reached the optimum temperature for grilling with ease and was able to stay at that heat without incident.
Design-wise, this is a practical-looking BBQ with all of the features to make flipping those burgers considerably easier. Searching for sturdy side tables and space for all of your spatulas and tongs? The Weber Spirit II E310 GBS won't disappoint, with large wheels for repositioning in your garden too. We'll admit, it's not as showstopping as the Everdure Force, but its value for money can't be overstated. For the price, you guarantee three burners, a large cooking space, and a performance and quality that usually comes with a much larger price tag.
Read our full Weber Spirit II E-310 Gas BBQ review for more information.
The Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Force 2 Burner Gas BBQ has Heston's approval, as well as ours, with a stunning performance and unbeatable design earning an easy five-star rating in our review.
It's got lots of home chef-approved elements, such as the ultra-powerful independent burners, and the extra high hood for convection cooking that worked like a dream during our spatchcock chicken test. And when it comes to design, it's safe to say that it was a case of love at first sight thanks to that signature orange (or blue) hood.
Design points that we absolutely love include the fact that the BBQ can be removed from the stand, making it portable for tabletop use, and all of the perfect finishing details, from the swish metal taps to the fold-down side table. The enamel-coated grates and rust-proof build materials also earned our favour, leaving us feeling that this was really an investment BBQ built to last.
It narrowly lost out on the top spot and the title of best BBQ due to the fact it's only powered by two burners, which made some of our tests a little more restricted, despite an RRP of £749.00. But the benefits of the Everdure Force far outweigh any setbacks, with an unbelievably fast heat-up time (we managed to get it hot enough in around 4 minutes) and the ability to tackle pretty much any job. It offers super precise heat control thanks to its built-in temperature gauge. You could easily fit two medium chickens on there at one time, and the chicken we did cook compared with a range of other gas BBQs, was the crispiest by far.
We can't go without saying that this BBQ is a total breeze to build too, taking just one hour and five minutes to do in its entirety. Cleaning isn't a drag either, meaning that you can more easily look after your outdoor investment. In short, if you're looking for an uber-stylish, extremely competent BBQ, and you've got the money to spend, the Everdure Force is absolutely your best bet.
Read our full Everdure Force Gas BBQ review for more information.
Make no mistake, we know that the Kamado Joe Classic Joe Grill Series II is a huge investment - it's a purchase that even the biggest BBQ enthusiast wouldn't make lightly. But for your money, you get a seriously impressive outdoor centrepiece - this is truly a BBQ that will steal the show at any gathering in your garden for years to come.
As well as being the most equipped charcoal BBQ out there, the Kamado Joe can also be used as a grill, smoker, and even an outdoor oven, so that all of your garden party needs are covered. Performance-wise, we were blown away by the Kamado Joe's ability, with delicious chargrilled burgers and sausages. The smokey taste it created was second to none. Yes, it's a little more labour-intensive to get going than a gas choice, but the results are so worth it, especially if you love the act of BBQing itself.
And it would be remiss to not mention the design here, which is easily the favourite to rival the other super stylish choice on this list, the Everdure Force. We'll admit the Kamado Joe is heavy (at 104kg), but the Series II airlift design is a clever way to bring the bulk down, and the ceramic body really is a thing of wonder. It regulates and retains heat incredibly well, and we'd challenge anyone not to fall in love with the red exterior. Can you tell we're big fans?
Read our full Kamado Joe Classic Joe Grill Series II review for more information.
Gas is the most convenient type of barbecue for most people, and this one that we tested from Char-Broil sits at a happy price point, plus it offers plenty of features for faff-free cooking. For the majority of us, this compact BBQ offers enough cooking space, and it's ideal for small families. Especially if you (like us) don't really have a spare £500+ to spend on a barbecue right now. Don't forget that you can batch cook for when you've guests over, to save on spending a load on a larger barbecue you only really need a couple of times a year.
Boasting two foldout shelves for storage purposes, the All Star is a great little BBQ to own. It's ready to cook after 10 minutes, and it has a temperature gauge on the hood. Whilst it does have a keep warm shelf, its rounded cooking area does get hottest in the middle so you can use the outer space to slowly cook foods without burning them, such as sausages. We managed to cook an entire chicken on this barbecue. It's safe for us to say that whilst it might take a few uses to get the hang of cooking on this BBQ, it's worth it once you do get the knack figured out.
Assembly is very frustrating and instructions are a pain (just use the app) but once it's done initially, it's done forever. The BBQ offers plenty of storage, including hooks for tools and two foldable shelves for your drink or whatever else to sit. It also has onboard storage for your gas canister, to hide it away. It sits on wheels for easy moving, too. Cleaning couldn't be any easier as you need only fire up the heat for 10 minutes with the lid closed, then you can use the tool included, to scrape food residue off the BBQ ready for next use.
Read our full Char-Broil All Star gas barbecue review for more information.
This is one very stylish yet practical way to cook thanks to the Big Green Egg's ceramic build which maintains a steady heat for even and predictable cooking results. It also looks brilliant. Whilst this barbecue is a charcoal model, it's not rated our best charcoal BBQ only because its hefty price tag isn't for everyone. This is why instead, it's our best luxury option for those who can spend a little more. It's one of the most forgiving barbeques out there right now, with a price to reflect that.
After rating this barbecue 5 out of 5 stars, we were amazed at the results from using it. It can roast, bake, slow (and low) cook, grill, smoke and even pan cook food. The air-flow tech will have it up to temperature in around 25 minutes, and although it might take longer than other models, it certainly retains heat well once lit (for up to 10 hours apparently!). It comes with a dome temperature gauge, and it's pretty easy to keep it within a few degrees throughout cooking. It's definitely one for barbecue enthusiasts, and if you only use your BBQ for cooking burgers and sausages a few times a year, then you're not going to get the most use out of it. The idea is that you buy it once and it lasts forever, hence the price tag and that it can be used at all times of the year as it offers enough space to cook your entire Christmas turkey.
Once finished, the leftover fats and oils are cooked down by the heat of the egg meaning all that's left is an easily swept away ash, leaving you ready to cook again the next time. It's deep though so you may want to roll your sleeves up before diving into the ash pile.
This small charcoal BBQ from Weber is a great buy for pretty much anyone. It's versatile and extremely portable and therefore easy to store. Not only that, but it sits at a happy-go-lucky price point, too. It's a top-notch charcoal barbecue and even though it's small, it can really pack a punch when it comes to both cooking ability and flavour.
With a decent size cooking area considering the size of this BBQ, we used it to cook everything from veggies to small pieces of meat, burgers and even joints of beef. Whilst it's not smart or app-connected, it is great for anyone looking for a fuss-free charcoal BBQ at a decent price tag. It has a hinged lid to protect the flames from any wind, and it sits atop a table in your garden so as not to take up any more floor space. Its handle never gets hot and it retains heat exceptionally well. You can fit a fair few burgers on it at once, but you might have to batch cook for a larger group. In short: don't let its size put you off.
After use and cooling, you can pop the grates of this barbecue into your dishwasher. It completely folds to sit neatly in a cupboard or in your garage, while you can also leave it outside if need be. It takes up zero floor space and all in all, is just super convenient.
The Char-Broil Gas2Coal Hybrid Grill stands out to us as a brilliant value BBQ, with a range of burner sizes to choose from (we tested the 3-burner model) and a side burner to cook up sauces or veggies while you do your grilling. It is immensely portable thanks to its fold-down arms and modest grill size. In short: it offers a lot of features in a somewhat compact package.
This gas BBQ ignites easily and the heat can be chosen using the dials on the front of the grill, which adjust the amount of gas that's released. You also use these to ignite a charcoal BBQ, but then can turn them off and allow the smokey flavours to come out in your meat or veggies. The lid is cast aluminium and contains a thermometer to allow you to preheat the oven and prevent heat from escaping as you grill. There's also a warming grate, which will allow you to cook for a crowd. Switching between fuel is also very simple. It's plenty sizeable for large families.
The wheels are large enough for easy transportation, and it's a sturdy machine. Its sides won't fold but they do make it handy for moving into position. It offers storage for charcoal bags and more, to hide these away, and it even has a built-in bottle opener. When it comes to cleaning, you need only soak the grates in your sink.
Boy did we love testing the Traeger PRO 575 Pellet Grill. It’s smart, easy to clean, and surprisingly versatile. While Traeger is a well-known brand in the States (they love a smoker grill) it’s been making strides in the UK, with a range of accessible grills to make smoker cooking easy. If you've got the money, and you're keen on barbecuing, then this smoker would be a worthwhile investment for sure.
You power the Traeger with pellets, which add extra smokiness and are very easy to ignite and use. It's super convenient to light though it does require power, so consider where you will place it in your garden before investing. The drum-shaped grill has a hopper and controls to the side, which are digital and can even be paired with a smartphone. This adds more pellets as and when needed. Otherwise, the guesswork is completely taken out of cooking on this Traeger smoker, and when you cook meat using the probe, it will come out succulent and perfectly cooked.
If you'll be storing this smoker outside, you'll need to buy a cover for it for protection. You can use it with any hardwood pellets, though Traeger does sell flavoured varieties, such as apple wood for chicken and pork, and oak for beef. To clean, soak the grates in your sink and empty the grease bucket.
If you're hoping to invest in a Kamado BBQ, then we can't recommend the one from Tower anymore. We tested it and rated it 4.5-stars out of 5, and we think it's a great buy for small to medium-size families, or if you want a BBQ that's not going to take up too much of your patio space. This one is compact in size yet anything but in features. It's ideal for all-size gardens, from balconies to large spaces and even a terrace.
Use this high-quality Kamado-style BBQ to sear, grill or bake anything from meat to fish and veggies. We think it's great for anyone looking for a sturdy barbecue that will last a lifetime. Its heavy construction screams durability, whilst it sits on a table to use up less floor space. Though its cooking space isn't the largest, you can use it to batch cook food as it retains heat incredibly well. It also boasts a built-in temperature gauge to make cooking easy. It can fit around 6 burgers and 6 sausages, cooking at the same time.
You can leave this BBQ outside year-round, and you might have to because it's so heavy. It comes with a cloth cover though and it has handles. There's also no denying that it doesn't look great, and it comes in your choice of black or green. Cleaning it couldn't be easier, thanks to its compact size grates.
Read our full Tower Kamado Maxi Charcoal BBQ review for more information.
If you're hoping to spend your money on a hybrid BBQ for family cooking, but are on a strict(er) budget, then this one from Outback is your best bet. It's definitely not one for small spaces, though, with a sizeable cooking area plus 2 side shelves and oodles of storage on offer. For less than £300 on most websites, this BBQ is a steal.
Cooking with charcoal or gas is easy on this barbecue. It has a keep warm rack to perfectly time your food, too, and on its hood sits a temperature gauge. We found that it took around 8 minutes to get to heat when using the gas function. Charcoal was slightly trickier but still took only 15 minutes. Overall, we found that cooking was fast and fuss-free on this BBQ.
Assembly time took around 3 hours but once up it's a breeze to use. It sits on two wheels to make it easy to move and comes in two colours to spruce your space. Ideally, it needs to be placed in a well-sheltered location when in use and after use, it has to be moved away from the elements, otherwise, you can invest in a cover for it. Cleaning this BBQ is easy depending on what you've been cooking on it.
Read our full Outback Meteor 4-Burner Hybrid Gas & Charcoal BBQ review for more information.
If the most crucial thing to you when it comes to BBQing is that the process is straightforward (so that you can get on with actually cooking) then you'll like the no-frills Weber Q3200 gas barbecue. It's not the prettiest of the bunch, or the most powerful, but it's quietly capable and has next to nothing complicated about it.
From start to finish this Weber BBQ took less than an hour to put together, with simple-to-follow instructions. Lighting it up was similarly simple, with an electric ignition that works at the touch of a button. It's a lightweight, easy-to-manoeuvre, compact model, which has wheels so that you can set it up in the sunniest part of your garden at any given time too. It's an entry-level grill that will serve you well if you're just looking for two burners, and if you're looking for something that's simple to use.
There are downsides that mean this BBQ might not be the investment grill that some people are looking for. No third burner and a slow heat-up time will mean that seasoned outdoor chefs may find themselves a bit frustrated, and the disappointing build quality considering the RRP means that you might not necessarily be getting the best value for money here.
Read our full Weber Q3200 Gas BBQ review for more information.
If you want a barbecue that isn’t consigned to your garden alone then the Everdure Cube BBQ could be just the one for you. This combines quality craftsmanship and cooking ability with portability that lets you turn any park, field or beach into a barbecue party. We love the look of this BBQ, and it comes in a range of colours. Seeing as this one will likely be best for those without much storage space, it's nice to know you can display it when not in use.
We really liked the chopping board-slash-lid, but it is a shame that there's no lid to use when cooking because a lot of heat could escape from this portable grill when in use. Even still, it does a nifty job of cooking smaller pieces of meat and veggies, from burgers to sausages, wings and corn. It's best for smaller groups, couples and small families but you can use it to batch cook food, for more people. It also takes up no floor space so is ideal for balconies.
When it comes to cleaning, grates can go into the dishwasher but the shiny orange interior is a little harder to clean. It stains but this doesn't impact its cooking ability, it's more of a frustration. The handles do get hot whilst cooking so be careful, and it comes with add-ons such as a chopping board and a plastic storage lid for holding your buns and your Ketchup. We wouldn't recommend leaving this one out in the elements, but it's so easy to store that that's not an issue for us.
Read our full Everdure Cube BBQ review for more information.
How we tested these barbecues
As per our testing protocol, we think that the best way to rate our products is to try them hands-on, which is why we have reviewed all of the BBQs in our guide, and we're working on reviewing more.
When we test a BBQ we take into account the assembly process, how well it cooks both large and small cuts of meat and veggies, and the user experience from quality of build to durability. Also, we never forget the price tags of BBQs, as we know value for money is more important now than ever.
As part of our commitment to evaluating different BBQs to establish which one really is the best, we also tried out a range of grills during a testing excursion in the Somerset countryside. There we could compare first-hand the quality, build-time, and grilling capabilities of each BBQ, and rate them when it came to design elements too. Other BBQs in this list have been tested by our team in their homes, to get the experience that you would have if you purchased one of these grills for yourself.
It's worth us noting that some of the BBQs in this guide were tested in the last few years, meaning they've received years of use and have proven themselves to be very rust-resistant and long-lasting. Below you can find more information on exactly who tested each of the BBQs you'll find in this round-up.
Millie Fender is Head of Reviews at Ideal Home, heading up all things cooking and appliance related when it comes to hands on testing. Whether it's pizza ovens, barbecues or fire pits, she loves any excuse for outdoor entertaining.
From this list, Millie put the Char-Broil Gas2Coal to the test in her parents' garden for a number of weeks last year, cooking up tasty treats in the barely-spring weather. She's looking forward to using it throughout the summer months this year too.
She also led the charge at the Future Homes BBQ testing day, where she grilled up a storm with the Kamado Joe classic Joe Series II, as well as building and cooking on the Weber Q3200.
Molly is the Ecommerce Editor for Ideal Home covering appliances and cleaning, which was a perfect combination for the BBQ testing day, as the team built, used and then scrubbed a number of grills over two days.
She tested the Everdure Force, which is one of the best cooking products she's ever tried, as well as the CharBroil Professional 3400 S BBQ, which was a little more challenging in terms of building and grilling.
Annie was formerly Deputy Ecommerce Editor on Ideal Home, and has been writing for Future Homes titles since 2018.
She's done her fair share of product testing in her time at Future, so it's safe to say that she can spot the good from the bad, whether that's a mattress, a BBQ, a mop or even a handy home organizer.
From this list, she tested the Everdure Cube BBQ and the Weber Go Anywhere for several weeks each at a time and loved both as a portable options. While the Everdure is better suited to those who are design savvy, both are great for park or beach trips.
Ginevra Benedetti is the deputy editor of Ideal Home magazine and has been writing about homes and gardens for nearly two decades for a wide range of magazines and websites.
From this list, Gin has tested the Char-Broil All Star barbecue and the Trager Pro 575 barbecue first-hand in her garden over a number of weeks, using it just as you would, so you know exactly what you are buying.
Linda Clayton is a professionally trained journalist and has specialized in home, interiors, and fitness for more than two decades. She’s a fastidious product reviewer, design obsessive, serial renovator, and amateur runner.
Now on her fourth reno project (a Victorian redbrick in Devon), she is lucky to have recently completed the garden landscaping and patio area, which are finally perfect for hosting barbecues for family and friends.
She and her husband tested the Everdure Force 2 over several weeks in early summer, trying out a range of old favourites (i.e. anything that can be left unattended) as well as a few new ideas. While no Heston, she’s always up for more challenging recipes, especially ones that push her pre-teen children to try new foods.
Rebecca Knight is the Website Deputy Editor on Ideal Home and has been writing about all things homes and gardens for over four years. She lives in a flat in London without a garden so the Outback meteor 4 burner hybrid gas charcoal BBQ was tested at her family home in North Yorkshire.
A keen cook, she regularly takes charge of the BBQ for family dinners and summer gatherings. The youngest of four, she is used to cooking large quantities of food in typical northern portion sizes for the family (a small BBQ would simply not do).
As with all our reviews, the Outback meteor 4 burner hybrid gas charcoal BBQ was tested first-hand by Rebecca with the help of some of her family members over a number of weeks so you know exactly what you’re buying. The product was given to us free of charge, we test the BBQ for as long as possible before sending it back, unless we are able to keep it. Then we are able to continue testing the product to see how it fares over a longer period of time and report back in our review.
How to buy the best BBQ for you
The most major priority is price, so start out with a rough idea of what you want to spend. Once you know this, it’s easier to narrow down the rest and fit in what you need with what you can afford. Next up is fuel.
This subject is an area of debate. Some claim that charcoals offer the very best flavour, while others claim gas gives the same result. Then, to make it more complicated, there are gas barbecues that use gas flames to heat charcoals.
For more outdoor essentials check out the best fire pits
Essentially it boils down to this – if you’re cooking meat, it’s the juices hitting the coals which create a smoke which adds flavour to the meat. Lose the coals and you lose this extra flavour.
So if you want authentic flavour, coals can be the best way to cook. Then there are the smokers which take this idea to the next level and offer slow cooking which not only packs in the smokey flavour but also allows you to give the perfect tenderness to joints of meat.
The problem with gas and charcoal is that you need to buy the fuels, which can be a hassle. That’s where electric barbecues come in. They're a great way ta grill without worrying about anything aside from plugging in the barbecue. Of course, many will argue this is akin to cooking indoors. But with a lid for trapping in flavour you’re still going to get a great experience.
Related: How to clean a BBQ
How much should I spend on a BBQ?
This is the question that’s a tough one to nail down since the range of prices is so broad. You can spend very little on a portable barbecue, or you can stretch to a professional level beast with multiple functions and heat sources priced in the thousands.
Most people find somewhere in the middle suits. So spending just over a hundred or a few hundred will generally get you a barbecue fit for most purposes.
Take a look at fuel costs, too, as gas and coal varies. You'll want to factor this in, especially if you’re planning to use the barbecue a lot.
What other key questions do I need to ask about BBQs?
Size is an issue for areas of limited space, so a smaller barbecue can often be easier for storage. That said, if you’re having parties with lots of people, a larger cooking area is always a welcome addition.
Splashing out a bit more on a cover is another factor to consider if you plan to keep your barbecue outside. Especially in countries where it’s cold and wet in the winter months, it's a necessity if you can’t find an indoor storage location.
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