Best barbecues 2024: Which? Best Buys and expert buying advice

Barbecues come in all shapes and sizes, from portable sizzlers and charcoal smokers to six-burner, gas-powered grills. Our expert guide will help you on your way to picking the perfect barbecue that suits your needs, preferences and budget.

To choose the best barbecue for you, it’s worth taking time to think through what you'll be cooking, where, how often and for who. That way you can pick one that's the right size and has all the features you need to fit your style of cooking and entertaining.

Our barbecue reviews can help you compare and find the best barbecues right away, or you can keep scrolling for expert tips on how to buy the best barbecue.

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Best gas barbecues for 2024

The best gas barbecues are thoughtfully made, have all the features you need and, most of all, help you cook up delicious barbecue food that’s guaranteed to impress family and friends.

The worst gas grills don’t cook food evenly and give you bland flavours that lack any authentic barbecue taste.

Here's our pick of the top gas barbecues from our expert lab tests.

Which? members should log in now to view our recommendations below. If you’re not already a member, join Which? to get instant access to all our reviews.

None of these gas grills jumping out at you? Take a look at our full range of barbecue reviews.

Best charcoal barbecues for 2024

The best charcoal barbecues are well-designed, easy to use and, most importantly, give you tasty food full of tender juices and smoky barbecue flavours.

The worst we’ve tested take too long to get to cooking temperature and are a real pain to assemble and move.

We’ve pulled out our top charcoal barbecues from our tests in the table below.

Which? members should log in now to view our recommendations below. If you’re not already a member, join Which? to get instant access to all our reviews.

Not seeing the right charcoal barbecue for you? Browse all of our barbecue reviews.

Best dual-fuel barbecue for 2024

The best dual-fuel barbecues are all about versatility, giving you tasty food no matter what fuel you want to use. 

The worst dual-fuel barbecues are tricky to clean, slow to heat up and a nightmare to maneuver. 

Which? members should log in now to view our recommendations below. If you’re not already a member, join Which? to get instant access to all our reviews.

Not seeing the dual-fuel barbecue you want? Browse all of our barbecue reviews.

Best electric barbecue for 2024

The best electric barbecues won't compromise on cooking performance, whilst being easy to use and clean.

The worst electric barbecues don't get hot enough and struggle to give an authentic barbecue flavour. 

Which? members should log in now to view our recommendations below. If you’re not already a member, join Which? to get instant access to all our reviews.

Not seeing the electric barbecue for you? Browse all of our barbecue reviews.

Types of barbecue

Choosing the type of barbecue to go for is a bigger decision than you might think. Finding the right type will depend on the style of barbecue you like to have, the time you’re willing to spend grilling and the features you need to ensure your food is cooked the way you like.

Gas and charcoal barbecues are the most common but they aren’t the only barbecues available. We’ve also tested electric barbecues, kamado grills and smokers, too. Keep scrolling for what to expect from each type.

Gas barbecues

Gas barbecues combine gas hobs and grill bars to give you a versatile and easy-to-use outdoor cooker. If you want a grill that’s simple to get going and which offers lots of handy features, a gas barbecue could be the choice for you.

Pros: usually easy and quick to light, dials help you adjust gas flow and control the temperature, fat drip trays collect drips and reduce flare-ups, some have extra side burners for heating pots and pans, no ash and coal to clean, lava rocks or vaporiser bars can help create that smoky barbecue taste.

Cons: generally more expensive than charcoal, can lack chargrilled BBQ flavour.

See all our gas barbecue reviews.  

Charcoal barbecues

Charcoal is the go-to for those who like their barbecues traditional and full of authentic, smoky flavours. 

Pros: typically cheaper than gas models, higher max temperatures, usually have air vents to control the heat level, lots have removable ash collector trays, can have adjustable grill heights.

Cons: take longer to heat up than gas models, harder to clean.

Charcoal barbecue types

There are three main types of charcoal barbecue:

• Freestanding - the classic, and often cheapest, option. Consists of a stand, grill and basin. They come in various sizes and shapes, and some have storage shelves, wheels, and different height options for the grill.
• Oil drum - these large barbecues are well-suited to catering for large numbers. You can go for a half-barrel or a full oil drum, and both are great options for cooking large joints or even whole animals using a spit.
• Kettle - circular barbecues that come with hoods to sit snugly on top of the grill. The hood lets you roast and bake provided the coals don’t sit directly underneath your food. Some have temperature gauges and vents for controlling temperature, too.

See all of our charcoal barbecue reviews.

Kamados

Kamado grills, such as the Big Green Egg, are Japanese-style charcoal barbecues made out of heavy ceramic instead of metal. They’re often egg-shaped and usually require lumpwood charcoal for fuelling your cooking.

Pros: Retain heat for a very long time, easy to cook in cooler climates, perfect for slow cooking.

Cons: takes practice to control the temperature, you'll need to master using the right amount of fuel, expensive.

Want to see how good kamados really are? We’ve tested and tried out models such as the Kamado Joe Jr and the Kamado Joe Classic II to give you the answers you need.

Electric barbecues

An electric grill may not appeal to barbecue purists, but if you’re short on space and still want an outdoor cooking experience they can be a great choice. 

Pros: work well in small spaces, no fuel needed.

Cons: can lack that iconic charcoal taste.

See all of our electric barbecue reviews.

Smokers

Have you been watching with envy those American-style smoker barbecues with beef briskets, pulled pork and sizzling ribs? Any long-burning charcoal barbecue, like a kamado, can be used to smoke, but there are also specialist smokers available.

Pros: produce juicy and smoky food, more versatile cooking.  

Cons: this food takes a lot of preparation, slow cooking requires more patience.

We’ve got our hands on a couple of barbecues that double up as smokers. Check out our reviews for the Landmann Kentucky Smoker and the Char-broil Big Easy Smoker, Roaster and Grill to see if they tickle your fancy.

Disposable barbecues

We don't test disposable barbecues as they are potential fire hazards and cannot be reused, meaning they are not an environmentally friendly option. We do, however, test portable models that are perfect for taking camping and, as they can be used multiple times, they're also a far more sustainable choice.

Find the best portable models by reading our barbecue reviews, or see our roundup of top camping stoves.

How much do I need to pay for a good barbecue?

This all depends on how much you can afford and how durable you want your barbecue to be.

You’ll often see cheaper barbecues that have some of the features of more expensive ones, but many compromise on build quality. A cheap barbecue will still be a waste of money if the features are shoddily made, as they won't last long and won’t give the desired results.

Most barbecues we test cost around £300 to £350, but a Best Buy is likely to cost just over £400 on average. As a rule, we find that if you spend more on a barbecue, you can expect to see features such as:

• larger, easier to clean grills
• lots of extra storage
• wheels for ease of movement
• faster cooking times

Of course, spending more on a barbecue won't necessarily guarantee you better performance. In fact, we've tested a couple of Best Buys costing under £200, so there's no need to splash out unless you really want to. 

We also now highlight Great Value barbecues - these models have scored at least 65% in our testing, but are also at least 20% cheaper than the average cost of a barbecue of a similar design in our tests, such as another gas/dual fuel model. These are models highlighted by our experts to go for if you're looking for a bargain

See our Great Value barbecues or compare all our barbecue reviews to find the best that suits your budget. 

Average barbecue test scores at different prices

• 67% is the average test score for barbecues between £0-£200
• 67% is the average test score for barbecues between £201-£400
• 74% is the average test score for barbecues between £401-£600
• 73% is the average test score for barbecues over £601

What size barbecue should you buy?

• Standard barbecues if you’re catering for a group of four to six people, a two-burner gas or a charcoal barbecue with a grill area of around 40 x 45cm should suffice. These barbecues are the most common and are usually the cheapest option, but they're limiting if you plan on hosting bigger parties.
• Large barbecues if you’re cooking for more people, you’ll need a three-burner or four-burner gas grill or a larger charcoal barbecue type, such as an oil drum or half barrel, to meet the demands of eight guests or more. These barbecues tend to be pricier and have high fuel requirements, so you should choose carefully before buying.
• Portable barbecues if you’re keen to pack up your grill and take it camping or to the beach, a portable barbecue can be a handy and versatile solution that lets you take your grilling experience anywhere. A small cooking area comes with the territory, so don’t expect to cook for more than three or four people in one go, and prices vary greatly from as little as £25 to more than £350.

How easy barbecues are to manoeuvre is an extra-important factor when we calculate the test score of portable barbecues. Head to our guide on how we test barbecues to learn more about what makes up our test scores.

What are the best barbecue brands?

Even the most well-known and reputable barbecue manufacturers can end up producing bad models, which is why it's important to read our individual barbecue reviews.

However, if you want an overall impression of how the different barbecue brands perform, we survey thousands of barbecue owners every two years to tell us about the barbecues they own - from how likely they'd be to recommend a brand, to how reliable the barbecues are once you get them home.

Our product experience surveys, combined with our extensive lab tests, mean we can recommend the best barbecue you should buy.

Find out which barbecue brand to buy in 2024.

Can you buy an eco-friendly barbecue?

If you’re shopping for a new barbecue, to help you find the most sustainable option, we’ve started recommending Eco Buy barbecues.

Using a barbecue is not the most environmentally-friendly way to cook your food, but some use fuel more sustainably than others. To be an Eco Buy barbecue it must use gas or electricity rather than charcoal, which directly burns off more pollutants when you're barbecuing. This means charcoal only or dual-fuel barbecues cannot be Eco Buys. We also take into account how quickly each barbecue heats up to avoid wasting fuel unnecessarily.

Eco Buy barbecues must be made of strong and high-quality parts, must be easy to clean, and needs to be fairly manoeuvrable so you don’t have to keep it outside all year. This helps you choose a barbecue that will last longer so you don’t have to replace it as often.

Currently, our Eco Buy recommendations don’t include issues in the supply chain of the barbecue or fuel or how recyclable the barbecue is.

Head to our barbecue reviews to see all our Eco Buys. 

Where to buy a barbecue

There are countless shops to choose from when buying a barbecue - including specialist brands, such as Weber, high street DIY stores such as B&Q and Homebase, and online retailers such as Amazon and Argos. Whether you're shopping online or in-store, make sure you pay attention to the shop's returns policy.

Popular online retailers that stock barbecues include:

• Argos sells a variety of barbecues from different brands, including its own Argos Home range. Prices start from £15 and go up to £450.  
• Amazon has a wide selection of barbecues, including built-in, freestanding, portable and smokers. Prices start from around £9 and rise to £7,000 for specialist outdoor ovens.
• Homebase is home to a small selection of gas and charcoal barbecues. Prices start from £25 and go up to £400.
• John Lewis stock a selection of portable and full-sized gas and charcoal barbecues with prices ranging from £58 all the way up to £7,500 for specialist outdoor kitchens. 
• The Range offer portable bucket barbecues and full-sized gas and charcoal models. Prices range from £12 to more than £2,000.

What can I do with my old barbecue?

If you’ve got an unused barbecue lurking about, here are some ways to free up storage space and maybe make some extra cash while you’re at it. 

• Sell your barbecue online. There’s a thriving second-hand market online for barbecues – particularly when it comes to models in good condition from popular brands such as Weber. Sites such as Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Gumtree and Preloved will let you list your unwanted barbecue.
• Give your old barbecue to friends and family. Offering an unwanted but functioning barbecue to friends and family is a great way to reuse your BBQ.
• Freecycle your barbecue. If your barbecue is still in safe working order but you’ve had no luck selling it, you could give it away to others that need it through a community-based re-use scheme such as Freecycle or Freegle. 
• Recycle or dispose safely. If your barbecue isn’t in good-enough condition to pass on to someone else, contact your local council for recycling or disposal options in your area.

How we test barbecues

Which? is independent meaning we work for you, the consumer. We buy all the products that go to our test lab, so you can be sure that our barbecue recommendations are influenced only by our test results and not by the manufacturers.

• How well does it cook? We have two independent chefs cook a typical barbecue feast and rate food on evenness of cooking, how tender and succulent it is as well as its overall flavour and appearance.
• How easy is it to use? We time how long it takes to heat up and cook a variety of food - including marinated chicken thighs, veggie sausages and many more. The chefs try all the accessories the barbecue comes with and then finally, it's rated it on how easy it is to clean.
• How easy is it to build? We time how long it takes to assemble and the ease of doing so.
• How well made is it? we inspect the durability of the barbecue pre and post-testing.
• How easy it is to move and store? How simple it is to manoeuvre and any features that make it simpler.

Find out more about the lengths we go to in our test lab by visiting how we test barbecues.

Ready to pick out your grill? Head to our full list of barbecue reviews to see all the models that have gone through our tests.