9 Best Portable Grills to Take Traveling

Whether you’re planning a road trip, camping trip or a tailgate party, you’ll want the best portable grill on hand for cooking up gourmet snacks. Sure, your backyard barbecue set-up may be the best grill in town, but it’s not very easy to haul around. That’s where the portable grill comes in. 

When it comes to choosing the best portable grill, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost is the type of grill for you, and this is closely tied to how much time and attention you want to spend when you’re cooking. Electric and gas grills are great options if you’re mostly grilling up kebabs or burgers and brats, and they don't take very long to heat up. Charcoal will always reign supreme in terms of traditional grill flavor, but it’s much more hands-on and time intensive. 

The market is full of compact, portable grills of all types, but not all of them are worth your time and money. To ease you through the process, we’re examining the nine best portable grills and what they’re good for. These nine mini grills have earned their spot not just for ease of transport, but also for design and functionality. They stand up against their full-size cousins and deliver grilled goods that could’ve come from your home barbecue. 

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• Best Overall: Coleman 4-in-1 Portable Propane Gas Cooking System
• Best for Small Storage: Coleman Deluxe Table Top Propane 2-in-1 Grill & Stove
• Best for Easy Transport: Coleman Roadtrip 225 Portable Tabletop Grill
• Best for Tailgates: Weber Jumbo Joe Grill
• Best Splurge: Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill
• Best Traditional: Weber Q 1200 Grill
• Best Budget: Weber Charcoal Go Anywhere Grill
• Best for Feeding a Crowd: Coleman 24” Roadtrip Griddle XLT
• Best All-in-One: Everdure Cube Portable Charcoal Grill

1. Best Overall: Coleman 4-in-1 Portable Propane Gas Cooking System

Enjoy easy grilling on the go with the Coleman 4-in-1 Portable Propane Gas Cooking System, a versatile, portable propane gas grill that starts up with the push of a button. Featuring three interchangeable cooktops including a grate and griddle top, this is one of the best portable grills for preparing a wide range of dishes on a road trip as one of the best camping grills. A removable drip tray along with removable legs make cleaning and packing up a cinch when you’re ready to move on to your next destination.

• Price: $179.99

2. Best for Small Storage: Coleman Deluxe Table Top Propane 2-in-1 Grill & Stove

This 2-in-1 grill and stove is perfect for camping or tailgating with a stove top for pots and pans up to 10 inches as well as a grill top that measures 130 square inches. The two separate adjustable burners make it easy to control the temperature whether you’re frying up eggs and bacon in the morning or burgers at night. The Coleman Deluxe Table Top Propane 2-in-1 Grill & Stove uses propane and heats up quickly for fast and easy meals. 

• Price: $178.95

3. Best for Easy Transport: Coleman Roadtrip 225 Portable Tabletop Propane Grill

This gas grill was built with convenience in mind. Its compact size yet full cooking capabilities make it a great option for day trips and easy set-up. With two adjustable burners, the Coleman Roadtrip 225 Portable Tabletop Propane Grill can handle everything from vegetables to burgers, and a removable drip pan makes clean-up a breeze.

• Price: $299.99

4. Best for Tailgates: Weber Jumbo Joe Grill

The Weber Jumbo Joe Grill is one of the best portable grills if you plan on setting up shop in a spot and spending the day there — think a tailgate party or backyard BBQ. Coming in on the larger side for portable grills at 240 square inches, this charcoal grill can easily handle cooking for a crowd. It’s also rust resistant and easy to transport with its premium Tuck-N-Carry lid lock. 

• Price: $104.95

5. Best Splurge: Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill

The Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill is a small portable unit perfect for a picnic in the park or a pre-game cookout. Even with wheels and a handle for easy transport, the grill folds up into a nice, compact package for easy storage in the back of your car or camper. Another feature that makes it one of the best portable grills is its 320-inch cooking area: You can cook up to 15 burgers at once on the adjustable grill top. It’s no wonder this beauty is one of the best grilling gifts on the market. 

• Price: $420.95  

6. Best Traditional: Weber Q 1200 Grill

This powerful and lightweight gas grill is the perfect high-tech grill for on-the-go. Featuring an electronic ignition system, removable drip tray for easy clean-up and two attached side tables that fold away for hassle-free storage, the Weber Q 1200 Grill is one of the best portable grills on the market with a surprisingly large cooking area for its size.

• Price: $271.95

7. Best Budget: Weber Charcoal Go Anywhere Grill

The Weber Charcoal Go Anywhere Grill is a highly functional portable grill designed for ease of use and no frills. With dampers for easy temperature control and rust-free lid and base for excellent heat retention, your burgers will taste like they came from a restaurant. With a lockable lid and easy-to-clean cooking grate, this is not only one of the best grills that you can get your hands on, it’s also one of the best portable grills that’s affordable and easy to use.

• Price: $99.95

8. Best for Feeding a Crowd: Coleman 24” Road Trip Griddle XLT

While still qualifying as a portable grill, the Coleman 24” Road Trip Griddle XLT can feed an army with its 24-inch cooking area. The steel griddle-style cooktop makes this an excellent choice for camping trips or early morning tailgates. Prepare eggs, bacon and hashbrowns for a crowd or grill up to 13 burgers at one time on a multi-use grill top that boasts a cooking power of up to 20,000 BTUs and premium heat distribution. Easily collapsible legs and sturdy wheels make this one of the best portable grills that’s easy to transport and store.

• Price: $369.99 

9. Best All-in-One: Everdure Cube Portable Charcoal Grill

This portable charcoal grill has it all, including a bamboo cutting board and integrated storage tray that fits right on top of the grill component, all wrapped up in a sleek design. Cook up to six burgers or three medium steaks at a time on this cube grill and transport it with ease via the cool-to-the-touch handles on either side. Perfect for a beach lunch with friends, the Everdure Cube Portable Charcoal Grill is one of the best portable grills on the market for storing and preparing your meal with ease. 

• Price: $194.88

If you’ve decided you want the best portable grill, this list is a great place to start whether you’re an amateur or a self-proclaimed pitmaster. With tons of options for fuel type, size and price, there’s a grill for you! Plus, a portable grill makes a great gift for your favorite grill master. 

For even more ways to elevate your kitchen, check out chef-recommended cookware in the Cozymeal Shop.