Sturdy, Smokeless Portable BBQ Grill for Outdoor Party The only part about using the Nomad that I didn’t love was emptying it. Because it needs to be emptied while completely open, it was hard to lift when attempting to dump the ash into a bin. On its website Nomad suggests using a shop vac to get all the spent charcoal out. I have no doubt that that would do the trick, but if you’re off on an adventure an hour from an electrical outlet, a shop vac might not be practical. That said, I’m hard pressed to imagine a better camping grill than this. The Nomad does cost more than anything else I tested, but it was unparalleled both in how it cooked and how easy it was to move. For the most part, the scoring of the heat output follows manufacturer claims, but we made some exceptions based on our observations. For instance, while the Weber Q 1200 only claims 8,500 BTUs, in practice it operates at hotter temperatures and maintains that heat over a larger cook surface compared to other similar models. The infrared-cooking capability of the Solaire Everywhere puts out 14,000 BTUs, and confidently sears a steak faster than anything else. The Solaire Everywhere infrared grill is the most unique product in our roster and performs very well in a few categories. Even with ample background on the best portable grills, you might still have some additional questions. Read on for answers to some of the most common queries about portable grills. The compact size also created issues when we attempted to roast our kabobs. At 21 pounds, the George Foreman is fairly light and fit easily into the trunk of our SUV, though toting along the stand, which breaks down into three pieces, was a bit more cumbersome. We’d certainly prefer using it on a tabletop if we’re traveling with it. The George Foreman comes with a dome-shaped lid, which we used when we roasted our kabobs. The vent problem was minor given that we could fine-tune the temperature with a turn of the control knob, which allowed us to produce juicy chicken and evenly cooked veggies. Cleaning the Jumbo Joe, as with cleaning the smaller version, is pretty straightforward; simply remove the grates and flip the entire grill over to dump the ash and charcoal bits into a trash can. This model cools down almost as quickly as it heats up for a quick get-away, with a locking lid and enough space to store one-pound gas canisters. While slow-cooking on the Takibi would be challenging, you can at least adjust the grill height to control temperature. While all the grills on this list are portable to some degree, certain models are decidedly more portable than others. The NomadiQ portable propane grill folds up into a case the size of a small bag, with easy-grab handles. It also weighs just 12 pounds, making it the best truly portable gas grill I tested. But, crucially, the GoBQ also performed quite well during the cooking tests. This product is built to United States electrical standards and is intended for use in the United States and Canada only. Whether you're grilling on a deck, patio or small balcony, we found a storage solution for your grilling tools and more. Pellet grills can do the work of a smoker, grill and oven — all in your backyard. Bushcraft Grill with Canvas Carrying Case, Portable, Easy to Carry. This is a small grill with a big heart; it had no problem when covered with hamburger patties and buns. The dual-burner Cuisinart is our favorite small gas grill, delivering nearly perfect heat distribution across its surface, which is quite large for a portable appliance. A bottom vent and an aluminum top damper allowed us to dial in the airflow. To illustrate this, we cooked plain white bread and photographed the result to help visualize the distribution of heat across these grill tops. We also took into consideration whether the lid was big enough for closed grilling, how easy the grease trap was to use, remove, and clean, and if the regulator provided a snug or loose fit. While the all-natural allure of charcoal might be viewed as a more sustainable option than propane, these grills tend to burn through coals pretty quickly. Though the Grill2Go reached a good heat level and cooked well, we found that the food was not as flavorful as that which came off the other gas grills we tested. And, you can rely on it to preheat quickly and cook evenly, so you won’t need to move all those patties around to have them all ready and nicely browned at the same time. We've been testing grills for decades in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliance and Culinary Innovation Lab. We've tested more than 60 grills, including gas grills, charcoal grills, pellet grills and smokers and more. We were impressed with the high-heat grilling performance of the Weber Go Anywhere Charcoal Grill. But when the firebox got hot, the side vents that regulated airflow stuck in place, rendering us powerless when it came to heat control—critical for slow-cooking things like chicken and sausages. The Weber Q series may be the best of the portable grills we’ve tested, but they also cost the most. But Weber’s warranty covers most of the unit for five years, so we think the price is justified. If you have the space for something bigger, check out our guide to full-size charcoal grills. Load up the car and hit the road with a Weber portable charcoal grill to throw a BBQ, host a tailgate, or grill lunch wherever the day takes you. This is the best option on this list for transitioning from a barbecue dinner to a post-meal fire pit session. A few of the portable grills we tested to find the best in 2022. Before a game or concert, you'll want a smaller, portable grill to keep the gang fed. Some, like the $549 Hitchfire Forge 15, are even designed to fasten to the back of your car, making your next pregame buffet as seamless as if you were home. There are also great small grills under $125 if you're tailgating on a budget and other extremely portable grills that you could probably sneak into the stadium -- although we don't recommend it.