QUICK LIST
1. Best gas
2. Best charcoal
3. Best electric
4. Best affordable gas
5. Best design
6. Best small
7. Best egg
8. Best small egg
9. Best hybrid
10. Best luxury
11. Best smoker
12. Best portable
Too late in the year to shop for a BBQ? Absolutely not. Even if you're not planning on using the best BBQ just yet, you'll be prepped and primed for when alfresco dining is a more tempting thought.
Whether you're looking for one of the best gas BBQs or a do-it-all hybrid barbecue, the team at Ideal Home is here to make your life easier by having narrowed down the countless options out there to present you with 12 of the very best barbecues to invest in this year.
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. 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.
Quick list
+ Affordable, easy to set up and use
+ Flawless in testing
+ Quality materials
+ Wheels for portability
- Visible gas canister and not as pretty as #3
+ As good as its reputation - and affordable!
+ High quality, effective grilling
+ Aced our tests
+ Very long lasting
- A little small for big BBQs
+ Perfect for renters - can go on balconies easily
+ Quick and easy to use
+ So many great accessories
- You need an outlet to reach outdoors
- Can't be left outside!
+ Foolproof to operate
+ Compact, but with good storage
+ Super easy to clean
- Assembly is difficult
+ Design is unbeatable, as well as details
+ Great for slow cooking
+ Built-in temperature gauge
+ Heats up super fast
- Only 2 burners, and no warming rack
+ A superstar for camping
+ Deceivingly spacious
+ At a fantastic price
- Not big enough for a huge crowd
+ Incredible design and high quality
+ Fun to use, budding chefs will love it
+ Grill, smoke or use as an oven outdoors
- Very heavy to shift around - and £££
+ Wowed our reviewer in testing
+ A Big Green Egg dupe
+ Comes with a cover
+ Super durable
- Heavy, and still ££ for the size
+ Large cooking area to work with
+ Affordable
+ Available in two colours
- Won't work for small households
+ Unbelievably versatile
+ Perfect design
+ Excellent succulent grilling results
+ Holds heat for ages
- Very, very expensive and heavy
+ Compatible with an app
+ Flavoured pellets available
+ Sizeable cooking space
- Pellets are harder to source than charcoal
+ Comes with lid and chopping board
+ Easy storage
+ We love the look
+ So portable
- Cleaning is a bit tiresome
Best gas BBQ
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.
Best charcoal BBQ
Simple, well-made, affordable, and high-performing - what more could you want from a charcoal BBQ? The Weber Original Kettle is a classic by every standard, and it's the ideal size for 2-4 people. Weber has been around for decades, with a wealth of experience when it comes to making gold-standard BBQs, and this kettle-style one was invented by the brand itself, and has spawned many an imitation since.
We think you should invest a little more (the RRP is £250, but you can find it for less) on Weber's OG version. Why? Well, because the cheaper imitations don't have the same emphasis on quality, and won't last you as long. Our Deputy Editor Rebecca Knight has had a Weber Original Kettle in her family home for over five years, which means that your initial £250 investment can be thought of as a cost to be spread out across a few years.
Our expert BBQ reviewer Helen, who tried this BBQ describes it as a 'great buy' and thinks that 'it'll suit just about anyone looking for a good quality charcoal barbecue from a brand with an excellent pedigree'. Highlights from Helen's review include the various size options available with the Weber Original Kettle, and the excellent, no-faff cleaning system. While this BBQ loses half a star due to the fact that charcoal can be a bit trickier to handle than gas, it sits so high up in this list thanks to the fact it's a star budget buy.
Read our full Weber Original Kettle BBQ review for more information.
Best electric BBQ