Gone are the days of flimsy, unreliable portable grills. Today’s Travel Grills are engineered to deliver the same high performance as your backyard behemoths, offering exceptional heating, consistent temperature retention, ample cooking space, and user-friendly operation. Beyond performance, the best travel grills prioritize lightweight designs, effortless portability, simple setup, and easy cleaning – all while remaining surprisingly affordable.
For years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to rigorously testing grills across every category imaginable – a comprehensive evaluation of 98 models spanning six distinct types. From the nuanced control of the best smokers and the ceramic efficiency of kamado grills to the classic char of charcoal grills and the convenience of gas grills, our journey has been extensive. Along this grilling odyssey, we’ve identified the standout travel grills specifically designed for those on the move. Whether you’re after a gas or charcoal option, a compact tabletop model, or a rolling grill with a stand and wheels, our in-depth testing of numerous portable grills has pinpointed the very best choices for grill enthusiasts who love to travel.
Our Top Travel Grill Selections
Best Overall Portable Gas Travel Grill:
Weber Portable Gas Grill at Amazon $287
Best Overall Portable Charcoal Travel Grill:
SALE
PK Grills PKGo Grill Grilling System at Amazon $400 $340
Best Charcoal Travel Grill for Splurging:
Nomad Grill & Smoker at Bespokepost.com
Best Value Charcoal Travel Grill:
SALE
Everdure Cube Portable Grill at Amazon $199 $155
Best Value Gas Travel Grill:
Cuisinart Venture Gas Grill at Amazon $170
Best Wheeled Gas Travel Grill:
Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill at Amazon $419
Best Wheeled Charcoal Travel Grill:
SALE
Masterbuilt Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Cart at Amazon $330 $250
Best Portable Kamado Travel Grill:
SALE
Kamado Joe KJ13RH 13.5 inch Joe Jr. Charcoal Grill at Amazon $499 $370
Overall Best Portable Gas Travel Grill
Weber Q 1200 Portable Gas Grill
PHOTO: Food & Wine
$287 $261 at Amazon $260 at Target $259 at Wayfair
Pros: The Weber Q 1200 delivers the rapid and even heating characteristic of larger grills, yet boasts a compact footprint easily fitting into most car trunks with room to spare.
Cons: It’s a bit on the heavier side, and we experienced some initial difficulty with the gas bottle connection, which raised minor safety concerns.
The Weber Q 1200 consistently ranks as our top pick for tabletop gas travel grills because it encapsulates the grilling prowess of larger models within a truly portable design. Assembly is a breeze thanks to the manual’s clear, pictogram-style instructions, taking us a mere 12 minutes to get it ready for cooking. Connecting the gas bottle required a bit of maneuvering, briefly sparking safety worries, but these were resolved upon secure connection. After effortlessly igniting the grill with the push-button starter, the grates reached cooking temperature in a mere eight and a half minutes – a feat that challenges most competing portable grills.
One might anticipate uneven heat distribution in a smaller, travel grill. However, the circular, 8,500-BTU tube burner ensures consistent heat across the enamel-coated cast iron grates. In our tests, all food cooked uniformly, without excessive charring or undercooked spots. The grill operates hotter with the lid closed than indicated by the built-in thermometer, and flare-ups were minimal during cooking. Cleanup is straightforward; a quick scrub of the grates with a grill brush and wiping the lid’s interior to prevent grease buildup is all it takes. This compact grill is exceptionally reliable and a true workhorse suitable for both indoor and outdoor use when you are traveling.
Dimensions: 16 x 41 x 17 inches | Weight: 31 pounds | Cooking Area: 189 square inches (approximately four burger patties at once)
PHOTO: Food & Wine
Overall Best Portable Charcoal Travel Grill
PK Grills PKGo Grill Grilling System
PHOTO: Food & Wine
$400 $340 at Amazon $400 at Walmart View on Pkgrills.com
Pros: Solidly constructed, the PKGO heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly for exceptional grilling on the go.
Cons: It’s relatively heavy, and hinged cast iron cooking grates would enhance usability.
The PKGO consistently earned top scores in our tests, and for good reason. Assembly is practically nonexistent; simply position the grates after unboxing. Unpacking it actually took longer than setting it up for cooking! The cast aluminum body, lid, and cast iron grates are built for enduring performance, and the included Flipkit cleverly transforms the two-piece top and bottom into dual hibachi grills, effectively doubling your cooking surface. This feature makes it a versatile travel grill for different cooking styles.
One minor challenge we encountered was precisely positioning the grates. However, we found it heats up rapidly, ready for cooking just 10 minutes after adding lit charcoal from a chimney. Side vents offer enhanced control for lower-temperature cooking. Cooking trials revealed excellent caramelization and even cooking of both meats and grilled vegetables, with heat concentrated towards the grill’s center.
Cleanup is a breeze – simply dumping the cooled ash. A quick wipe-down with soapy water to remove any remaining residue completes the process. Finally, it’s important to note that at 40 pounds, this travel grill is best suited for car camping or picnics, where it’s only a short distance from your vehicle to your cooking spot. It also excels as a supplementary grill for backyard gatherings when cooking for larger groups.
Dimensions: 15 x 21 x 13 inches | Weight: 40 pounds | Cooking Area: 204 square inches per side (approximately five burger patties each)
PHOTO: Food & Wine
PHOTO: Food & Wine
Best Charcoal Travel Grill for Splurging
Nomad Grill & Smoker
PHOTO: Food & Wine
View on Bespokepost.com $695 at Lowe’s
Pros: The NOMAD boasts a compact, stylish design with exceptional heat control and retention, making it a premium travel grill option.
Cons: The dampers could offer finer heat control, and the domed grill grates, while effective, subtly shift the cooking temperature towards the grill’s center.
The NOMAD portable travel grill features a contemporary design, folding neatly like a briefcase for easy carrying, thoughtfully engineered with heat dissipation to maintain a cool exterior while cooking. Similar to the PKGO, the NOMAD functions as a closed grill, or each side can be used independently as a hibachi-style cooker, effectively doubling the cooking area. Magnetic grates ensure secure placement during transport. They are slightly domed for added strength and can be inverted for use as a vegetable grilling basket.
The NOMAD prioritizes functionality over frills with its sleek design. It is engineered for enhanced safety during use, efficiently retaining and dissipating heat away from the exterior. Side dampers allow for airflow adjustments and temperature regulation when closed. The built-in thermometer registered approximately 30 degrees lower than our test probes, but overall heat retention was impressive. For a more comprehensive analysis, read our detailed NOMAD grill review for deeper insights from our testing.
Dimensions: 20 x 14 x 10 inches | Weight: 28 pounds | Cooking Area: 212 square inches per side (approximately 10 total burger patties)
PHOTO: Food & Wine
PHOTO: Food & Wine
Best Value Charcoal Travel Grill
Everdure Cube Portable Grill
PHOTO: Food & Wine
$199 $155 at Amazon $160 at Food52 View on Bbqguys.com
Pros: The CUBE is exceptionally portable and offers ample cooking capacity for individuals or couples, making it an ideal travel grill for small groups.
Cons: Lacking a lid, the CUBE is limited to direct heat cooking, and emptying the firebox could be more user-friendly.
Portable charcoal grills present unique considerations for travel grill enthusiasts. Everdure, known for premium grill designs in collaboration with chef Heston Blumenthal, delivers a design that’s far from ordinary. The CUBE features conveniently sized handles for carrying, and setup is incredibly simple – just place the components and it’s ready to grill. The cooking grate area is perfectly sized for serving two people. Our test load of two burgers, two bratwursts, and two ears of corn occupied most of the space, yet still allowed sufficient room without overcrowding the grill.
While the stainless steel grates require slightly more effort to clean than cast iron, it’s manageable. The firebox is designed to pop out for easy ash disposal, but the handle bolts make removal a bit tricky without slightly tipping the unit. Notably, this travel grill lacks a lid; the top section serves as a storage compartment and cutting board. Consequently, cooking is limited to direct heat, which should be considered when planning your meals.
Dimensions: 14 x 17 x 9 inches | Weight: 15 pounds | Cooking Area: 104 square inches (approximately three burger patties at once)
PHOTO: Food & Wine
PHOTO: Food & Wine
Best Value Gas Travel Grill
Cuisinart Venture Gas Grill
PHOTO: Food & Wine
$170 $150 at Amazon $150 at Target $200 at Williams Sonoma
Pros: The Venture is an exceptionally easy-to-transport, simple-to-set-up, and user-friendly model that delivers consistently good grilling results, making it a great travel grill for beginners.
Cons: Hot spots exist around the edges of the grill surface, and detaching the top section can be somewhat challenging.
The Cuisinart Venture, resembling a stylish picnic basket in appearance, is an excellent entry-level travel grill for those new to grilling and a valuable, thoughtful gift for grillers. Designed primarily for direct-heat cooking, it lacks a lid for humidity control needed for “low and slow” cooking techniques. However, it excelled in our direct-heat cooking tests. The burner delivers 9,000 BTUs beneath enameled cast iron grates, providing sufficient heat for small group cooking. The grill reaches cooking temperature quickly, but some heat variation exists, particularly towards the outer edges where charring was more pronounced than in the center where food cooked more slowly.
In our evaluations, food cooked relatively evenly and displayed appealing grill marks. Heat regulation is straightforward with a single control knob. We confirmed that one person can set it up in under five minutes. Combined with generally positive cooking outcomes, it’s an accessible model for anyone starting out with gas grilling during their travels.
Dimensions: 13 x 16 x 11 inches | Weight: 21 pounds | Cooking Area: 154 square inches (approximately three to four burger patties at once)
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The 3 Best Grill Gloves, According to Our Tests
Best Wheeled Gas Travel Grill
Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill
PHOTO: Food & Wine
$419 $399 at Amazon $399 at Wayfair $399 at Home Depot
Pros: The Traveler offers the added convenience of wheels and performs at a level comparable to larger grills, delivering rapid, even heating without hot spots, making it a top-tier travel grill with mobility.
Cons: The grates are slightly challenging to clean, requiring you to hold the grill steady as brushing can cause shaking.
We found the Weber Traveler to be intuitive and user-friendly – a delight to assemble, ignite, and operate as a travel grill. Sharing a similar burner and grate design with the Q 1200 but offering a larger cooking area and an upgraded 13,000 BTUs, the Traveler is better suited for cooking for family-sized groups while on the move. The integrated stand is easy to operate, with clear indicators for raising and lowering. Because the base is included, you eliminate the need to find a safe cooking surface or bend down to flip burgers. However, it does require slightly more storage space and trunk room.
Performance-wise, it cooks consistently across the grates without any hot or cool spots. While it is among the heavier travel grills we tested, the wheels significantly simplify moving the grill around. Cleanup is easy using a top-down approach: wiping the inside of the lid with soapy water, cleaning the grates with a grill brush, and emptying the grease collector.
Dimensions: 23 x 44 x 37 inches | Weight: 47 pounds | Cooking Area: 320 square inches (approximately six burger patties at once)
PHOTO: Food & Wine
PHOTO: Food & Wine
Best Wheeled Charcoal Travel Grill
Masterbuilt Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Cart
PHOTO: Food & Wine
$330 $250 at Amazon $320 at Wayfair $250 at Home Depot
Pros: The hopper and fan system provide excellent heat control, and the grill is remarkably easy to move for its size, making it a feature-rich travel grill. Plus, it includes cupholders!
Cons: Setup demands some time and careful attention to the detailed instructions for successful assembly, and the sear achieved on food could be more pronounced for the set temperature.
Unlike other charcoal models we’ve evaluated, the Masterbuilt travel grill incorporates a charcoal hopper and fan to regulate temperature, similar to a pellet grill. Despite weighing 52 pounds, it’s easily maneuverable thanks to its integrated stand and wheels. Our tests confirmed consistent temperature performance, and although it didn’t produce the deepest caramelization, the cooked foods had a satisfyingly crisp texture and attractive grill marks. Its smoker capability adds to its versatility as a travel grill.
Assembly took under 20 minutes, but the instructions are very detailed and require close attention for first-time success. Attaching the shelves proved to be the most challenging step due to limited hand clearance. The components fit snugly and remain secure during transport. The grill offers ample cooking space for three or four people, making it a practical travel grill for small groups.
Dimensions: 19 x 45 x 36 inches | Weight: 52 pounds | Cooking Area: 200 square inches (approximately five burger patties will fit)
PHOTO: Food & Wine
PHOTO: Food & Wine
Best Portable Kamado Travel Grill
Kamado Joe KJ13RH 13.5 inch Joe Jr. Charcoal Grill
PHOTO: Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
$499 $370 at Amazon $403 at Wayfair $500 at Walmart
Pros: The Joe Jr. delivers the same exceptional quality and performance as the full-sized Kamado Joe Classic, but in a size that isn’t limited to home use, making it a top-performing travel grill for kamado enthusiasts.
Cons: It is heavier than other grills on this list. Adding wheels would enhance its portability.
The Joe Jr. achieved a perfect score in our kamado grill tests, rivaling full-size kamados in performance, ease of cleaning, user-friendliness, and overall design as a travel grill. It arrived fully assembled, requiring only the attachment of the grill to the cast iron stand with a few screws. At 77 pounds, it’s heavy for single-person transport, but handles on the stand assist with carrying. The weight stems from its robust ceramic construction, which contributes to excellent heat retention – a key feature for a travel grill that needs to perform consistently in various locations.
In our tests, the Joe Jr. produced impressively juicy and smoky steak and chicken wings. While steak seared slightly better on one side and some wings cooked a bit lighter on the bottom, these minor inconsistencies didn’t detract from the grill’s overall performance. At 13.5 inches in diameter, the cooking area is on the smaller side, but we could still fit 16 wings on the grate without overcrowding. Although the two-tier exhaust damper might require a short learning curve, we found the Joe Jr. to be beginner-friendly as a travel grill.
Dimensions: 20 x 27.5 inches | Weight: 77 pounds | Cooking Area: 150 square inches (approximately three burger patties will fit)
Our Favorite Travel Grills for Every Adventure
For tabletop models perfect for picnics or camping, we highly recommend the Weber Q 1200. Its user-friendliness and excellent heat management make it equally adept at grilling burgers and vegetables as it is at cooking more delicate foods like fish, making it a versatile travel grill. For standing models ideal for tailgating or larger campsites, we suggest the Masterbuilt Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker. It offers outstanding overall temperature control and exceptional portability for a wheeled charcoal option, making it a top choice for a travel grill with added features.
How We Rigorously Tested Travel Grills
We conducted separate tests for portable gas, charcoal, and kamado travel grills, tailoring the evaluation criteria to each grill type. However, we consistently looked for similar qualities and followed the same fundamental steps to evaluate and compare across categories, ensuring our recommendations for travel grills are thoroughly vetted.
- Assembly: Our initial step for each grill was assembly. We assessed each grill based on the clarity of the provided instructions and the ease of completing the assembly process to get grilling quickly, evaluating them as practical travel grill options.
- Portability: Next, we assessed the portability of each grill, noting how easily it could be moved and whether lids or grates were prone to dislodging during transport. For models with carts, this included evaluating the ease of movement, setup, and collapsing mechanisms, specifically considering their suitability as travel grills. We then rated how easily each grill lit, how easy it was to add charcoal (if applicable), and the time taken to reach cooking temperature, essential factors for efficient travel grills.
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- Heat Retention and Distribution: We tested heat retention and distribution by cooking a standardized set of food items on each travel grill. For gas grills, this involved grilling onions and burgers and toasting buns. During this process, we measured temperatures before and after placing food on the grill and tracked temperature recovery after loading. We performed similar temperature measurements for charcoal grills, using a different food lineup: two bratwursts, two burgers, and two ears of corn. We evaluated food for browning, grill marks, and doneness. For kamado grills, we cooked steak and chicken wings, basing our ratings on smoky flavor, grill marks, and doneness, all crucial aspects for judging travel grill performance. We monitored temperatures throughout cooking, comparing built-in thermometers to an external grill thermometer for accuracy, and recorded the time taken for meat to reach target temperatures.
- Cleaning: Post-cooking, we assessed cleanup ease for each travel grill. This included evaluating the process of dumping ash and unused charcoal for relevant models. After scoring overall performance in these areas, we weighed scores against retail prices, rating each area on a scale of one to five and averaging category scores to determine the final score for each grill, ensuring we recommend the best value travel grills.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Travel Grill
Construction Quality
When selecting a travel grill, material quality is paramount. Prioritize construction that can withstand the elements, especially if the grill will be stored outdoors when not in use. Sturdiness is a critical safety and usability factor, particularly for tabletop or pop-up models. A wobbly grill creates significant challenges when cooking. Generally, grills with thicker construction offer superior heat retention and distribution compared to those with thinner walls and bases, although exceptions exist. The Everdure CUBE, for example, features a thinner construction but is specifically designed for even heat distribution, proving that design innovation also plays a vital role in travel grill performance.
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Prep and Cooking Area
Consider the typical group size you’ll be cooking for when choosing your travel grill. Smaller grills in the 100 to 150 square inch range are suitable for one or two people, possibly three in a pinch. Larger grills are better suited for three or four people. While a travel grill isn’t designed to cater to large crowds, a larger model minimizes cooking time for more people. Conversely, it might be unnecessarily large if you primarily cook for just yourself or one other person.
Also, consider prep area. Travel grills with side table attachments, stands, and other prep surfaces scored higher in our tests as we evaluated overall design and convenience. When cooking outdoors, a clean, functional prep surface enhances convenience and efficiency, particularly when space is limited during travel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Grills
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How long does propane last in a portable travel grill?
This varies. Some travel grills offer adapters for 20-pound tanks, but not all do, so let’s consider a one-pound tank. Burner BTU ratings vary, affecting fuel consumption. Generally, a one-pound tank lasts about an hour with higher BTU burners and up to 1.5 hours with lower BTU ratings in a travel grill setup.
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Can you place a portable travel grill on a plastic table?
Certain travel grills are designed with non-heat-conductive feet and heat-dissipating designs to minimize exterior heat transfer. These models are sometimes considered safe for plastic tables. However, it’s always wiser to err on the side of caution rather than risk damaging a table or, more importantly, having the grill collapse due to a melted table. Always prioritize a stable, heat-resistant surface for your travel grill.
Other Portable Grills We Tested
Strong Contenders
Dyna-Glo Signature Series Portable Tabletop Charcoal Grill ($119 at Amazon) The Dyna-Glo performed strongly in our performance tests but was edged out of the “Best Value” category due to its heavier weight (40 pounds) and a more complex assembly process that might require two people for easy setup as a travel grill.
Expert Grill Premium Portable Charcoal Grill ($74 at Walmart) This is a solid starter travel grill for those curious about grilling without a significant investment. Its main drawbacks are wobbly legs, even when hardware is fully tightened, and noticeable air gaps in the lid that limit temperature control.
SnS Slow ‘N Sear Travel Kettle Grill ($200 at SnS Grills) The Travel Kettle faced challenges in a couple of areas as a travel grill. Firstly, setup was difficult due to legs that were hard to install correctly. Secondly, heat distribution was uneven, with a uniform coal layer still resulting in a central hot spot.
Models That Didn’t Quite Make the Cut
We tested numerous portable grills, and not all could be top performers as travel grills. While striving for excellence is always the goal, some grills didn’t meet the performance standards expected of their brand reputation. Some had portability issues, such as lids and grates detaching during movement. For instance, the Weber Smokey Joe 14-Inch Charcoal Grill ($52 at Amazon), lacking a lid lock handle, is not an ideal portable option. Despite Weber’s gas grills performing exceptionally well, the Smokey Joe and the Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill ($71 at Amazon) yielded unappealing food. We observed that heat didn’t transfer effectively to the grate, or the grill failed to recover temperature after opening to add food, hindering their effectiveness as travel grills.
Other portable grills, such as the Napoleon 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Kettle Grill ($59 at Lowe’s), radiated heat predominantly towards the grate’s center, leaving edges too cool for effective cooking and resulting in unevenly cooked food. Others couldn’t accommodate our test food quantities without overcrowding. The portable Broil King Keg 5000 ($788 at Amazon) experienced airflow problems that made low-temperature cooking challenging due to difficulty maintaining a sufficiently cool temperature for our tests. The Char-Griller Akorn Jr. Kamado Grill ($198 at Amazon) had similar issues reaching and maintaining temperatures low enough for smoking, further limiting their utility as versatile travel grills.
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