Best Barbecue Reviews 2018

Summertime is here! Nothing defines summer like the aromas of a barbecue in your backyard as you enjoy the warm weather with your family and friends. With a million and one BBQ grills out there, it can be a headache sifting through all of them to get your perfect fit. For this reason, we’ve dug deep and brought you 5 amazing products from some of the best BBQ grill brands out there in the hope that one of them will land in your backyard.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Heat Source

Usability/Type

Cooking Space

Grate Info

Power

Our Top Choice

Coleman Portable Roadtrip LXE BBQ Grill

Coleman makes it easy to enjoy the outdoors with heavy-duty outdoor gear like this collapsible propane grill.

Lightweight. Collapsible design. Even cooking. Slide-out side tables. Cast iron grills. Wheeled stand.

May not be large enough for big gatherings.

Propane

Compact, Portable Outdoor

285 Square Inches

Cast Iron Grates

20,000 BTUs

Best Value

Char-Broil Graphite Patio Bistro® Electric Barbecue Grill

Char-Broil specializes in unique smart grills with advanced functions like the TRU-Infrared Electric Barbecue.

Infrared cooking for juicier food. Compact. Small footprint. Usable in areas where you can't use gas or charcoal.

Less powerful than larger gas and charcoal grills.

Infrared

Compact, Portable Outdoor

320 Square Inches

Porcelain-Coated Premium Grates

1750 Watts + Infrared Heat

Weber SPIRIT® E-310 Natural Gas BBQ Grill

Weber is famous for their top-of-the-line grill like this natural gas barbecue, featuring Flavorizer bars and electric ignition.

Durable. Side counter space. Flavorizer bars for added flavor. Cast Iron Grates. Electric Ignition.

Requires natural gas hookup, but Weber offers alternatives for those without one.

Natural Gas

Stationary Outdoor

424 Square Inches

Cast Iron Grates

32,000 BTUs

George Foreman 15 Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric BBQ Grill

George Forman grills are known for their powerful and innovative indoor grills like this indoor & outdoor combo grill. This portable one is compact enough to take tailgating!

Removable Stand for indoor/outdoor use. Nonstick. Variable temperature control. Sloped surface to remove fat – not flavor. Drip tray.

Smaller than many compact grills, but the added versatility of this combo grill makes up for it.

Electric

Portable Indoor/Outdoor

240 Square Inches

Non-Stick Cooking Surface

Variable Controlled Heat Settings

Char-Griller Patio Pro™ 1515 BBQ Grill

Char-Griller specializes in simple, dependable barbecues like this compact barrel-style patio grill.

Cast Iron Grates. Stay-cool wood handle. Side shelf. Bottom and side vents. Wheels.

Some assembly is required. May be too small for larger parties.

Charcoal

Compact, Stationary Outdoor

250 Square Inches

Steel & Cast Iron Grates

Charcoal-Based Temperatures

(Updated August 28, 2017)

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Watch Our Barbecue Review

How Do I Choose the Best Barbecue?

Summer is here and you’ve been waiting all year long to invite your friends over to show off your newly renovated house. So, you buy all types of meat, fire up the gas oven, and start cooking. By the time your friends come, the house isn’t only full of smoke, but all the summer heat has made the mixed aromas from the kitchen worse. Your friends opt to sit on the outdoor chaise lounge to escape the heat. If only you had a BBQ grill strategically positioned in your backyard for you to cook on as you chat away with your friends!

Having a barbeque grill allows you to grill scrumptious meals right in your backyard as you enjoy the warm weather. BBQ grills allow for different heat sources to be used such as gas (propane gas or natural gas), charcoal, and even electricity. If you grill frequently, then gas grills will save you on fuel compared to the electric ones.

The best BBQ grill should have adequate space, allowing you to easily cook anything and everything with amazing results. The grates of the BBQ grill are also an important consideration since that’s where your food tongs work their magic. Grates made of cast iron last the longest and are naturally non-stick. On the other hand, their stainless steel counterparts are less likely to corrode, but you may find that food sticks a lot on the grates.

Price

Just as there are many different types and brands of barbecue grills out there, so are the prices different. For as high as $600 and with a little less than $120, you’ll be in a position to acquire a BBQ grill that comes with all the essentials for grilling.

Among other things, the cooking surface area dictates the price of a grill - you’ll pay some extra bucks for a grill with a larger cooking area. The quality of the grates also determines the price, where porcelain-coated cast iron grates make a grill pricier than one with stainless steel grates. Of course, the market has cheap BBQ grills that are dome-shaped, which limits the amount of food you can grill at a go – we don’t recommend these for grilling large amounts of food.

Features

The market is flooded with barbecue grills of all sorts with different designs and quality, making it a bit difficult to know which one to settle for. Here are some crucial features to look out for:

Heat source – Can either be gas (propane gas or natural gas), electric heat, infra-red, or charcoal. Gas grills are the most common since they’re versatile and convenient.
Usability/Type – Is the grill portable? Does it allow you to store food after cooking? How long does it take to ignite and heat up?
Cooking space - Dome-shaped grills have less cooking space compared to flat ones. You may need to go for a larger surface area in case you’re grilling for a large crowd.
Grates– Are the grates made of porcelain-coated cast iron or stainless steel? Cast iron is easier to clean and is naturally non-stick.
Power – Does it come with a variety of heat and temperature settings?

Construction and Design

BBQ grills can be dome-shaped or rectangular, depending on the size of the cooking surface. The dome-shaped grills occupy less space and are perfect if you have a small balcony or a sizeable back yard. The rectangular ones are larger and may need more space to fit in. You may also find that they have wheels for portability.

A key feature in grills is the cooking grid /grates where you place your delicacies. Grates can be made of porcelain-coated cast iron that’s non-stick, or stainless steel which is less likely to rust - but some people have reported that food may stick on the grill as you cook.

Of late, barbecue grills have incorporated extra features such as side burners that allow you to cook dishes to compliment your meat, as well as convection cooking which saves on gas and makes your meat more succulent.

Performance and Ease of Use

The performance of a barbecue grill depends on the source of heat. Grills that use gas, whether propane or natural gas, are the most convenient because they quickly heat up compared to charcoal grills which take longer to ignite and cool down afterwards. Electric grills offer the least natural flavor, but the best thing about them is that they can be used practically everywhere.

BBQ grills are easy to install and only require you to set up your heat source before you start grilling. They’re also easy to clean – just wipe the grates and the outer surface. Some grills come with a cover to protect your BBQ grill when you’re done using it in the summer, which is definitely something to be on the lookout for.

What is the Best Barbecue?

We’re sure by now you have an idea of what to look out for when getting a BBQ grill, such as the size of the cooking surface as well as the quality of the grates. This review goes further and brings you more pointers that will assist you as you seek to purchase an ideal grill.

Our Top Choice

The Coleman RoadTrip LXE combines portability and functionality, featuring a collapsible design with cast iron grills and slide-out counter space. Along with the LXE, hundreds of users have also purchased and highly rated the Coleman NXTTM Grill Cover to shield their grills from wind, rain and sun damage.

Coleman Roadtrip LXE Propane Barbecue – Portable, Push-Button Ignition, PerfectFlow Even Cooking, Folds for Transporting and Storage

Coleman Barbecue Grill 2000020937NP - Red

Features

Coleman offers some of the highest quality equipment to make outdoor living easier for everyone. It all began when W.C. Coleman began work on his groundbreaking gas lamp, revolutionizing life in rural America by providing farmers with light after sundown. Today, Coleman's reliable picnic grills, camping gear and many more products mean you don't have to worry when you're spending your days outside.

This portable grill lets you take your picnics anywhere with convenient, compact features you can use to make the most of a day at the park – or if you are looking to do some heavy duty tailgating. Let's take a closer look at this portable gas grill:

This portable grill has a collapsible stand so you can easily move it around from your backyard to the park or into storage.
The collapsible stand has wheels to easily move from place to place.
PerfectFlow technology keeps the heat evenly cooking your food even in extreme weather conditions.
Sliding out tables offer counter space no matter where you're cooking.
High quality cast iron grills and porcelain-coated surfaces are easy to clean and the removable grease tray makes it even easier.
For a portable grill, this bbq has a large cooking area of 285 square inches.
Sold-separately cook tops can be interchanged for a variety of cooking options.
Each burner is powered with 10,000 BTUs for serious cooking.

This collapsible bbq is available in red, orange, blue, green, purple, silver, black and maroon.

Take the BBQ with you with the RoadTrip LXE. Looking for a larger barbecue grill or a charcoal one, Colemam has those too!

Best Value

The Char-Broil Tru-Infrared Grill won't dry out your food like other grills, featuring even infrared cooking to seal in the juices and a compact, durable design. Looking for a classic gas grill? Check out the best-selling Char-Broil Traditional 4-Burner Gas Grill.

Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Patio Bistro Electric BBQ Grill – Portable, Porcelain Coated Premium Grates, Compact, Small Footprint, 5 Colors

Char-Broil Barbecue Grill 16601559 - Graphite

Features

Char-Broil specializes in smart, unique technology you're not likely to find in other grills. They have a long history of innovation as they tested and perfected new forms of cooking for the best possible results as well as convenient features like real-time mobile alerts. They offer a wide variety of grills in every style and their passion shows in their careful designs and thorough customer service.

This Tru-Infrared Electric BBQ is the latest in a long line of innovative infrared grills. Their rugged design and unique cooking method makes outdoor grilling a breeze for grill masters and new users alike.

Let's see what makes this infrared grill stand out:

An impressive 320 square inches of cooking space makes this outdoor grill stand out from other compact grills, offering plenty of space for small to medium gatherings.
Innovative tru-infrared system cooks your food without flare ups and without drying out your meats.
The design is rust-proof so it can stand against the elements.
The premium grates are porcelain-coated are easy to clean and prevent sticking.
Wheeled stand and lightweight design make it easy to move this compact grill around your patio or yard.

The Char-Broil Tru-Infrared Patio Grill comes in blue, red, glossy black, graphite and chocolate graphite colors and can be purchased with a grill cover.

Taste the infrared difference with this Patio Bistro Grill or check out some of Char-Broils other innovative grills.

The best-selling Weber Spirit Natural Gas Grill features a rugged design, innovative Flavorizer bars and 424 square inches of premium cooking area. Don't have a natural gas hookup? Luckily, Weber's Original Charcoal Kettle Grill is also an Amazon best seller.

Weber Spirit E310 Natural Gas Grill – Electric Ignition, Flavorizer Bars, Cast Iron Grates

Weber Barbecue Grill 47510001 - Black

Features

Weber is known world-wide for their excellence in grilling. In their ongoing quest to cook the greatest steak and burgers possible, Weber has continued to innovate with strong materials and advanced features. That quest began over 50 years ago, and Weber is showing no signs of slowing down.

This classic natural gas powered barbecue is an Amazon best seller with hundreds of positive reviews. Like all of Weber's products, this grill is built to last through many seasons of serious grilling. Let's see what all the fuss is about:

This gas grill offers 424 square inches of cooking area so you can easily prepare large meals.
An upper-level warming rack gives you even more space to keep dishes warm.
High quality, porcelain-coated cast iron grates are built for maximum durability and flavor.
Included Flavorizer bars keep grease and other drippings out of the burners to cut down on flare ups. They also add flavor by collecting grease and vaporizing it, where its absorbed by your foods.
Easy-starting electronic ignition makes grilling simple and easy.

This barbecue is available on Amazon as a standalone or with a cover, grilling set or thermometer.

If you don’t have a natural gas hook up, we encourage you to check out more of Weber’s world renowned grills.

The George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Combo Grill makes it easy to prepare for parties no matter what the weather's like, featuring simple and safe electric power, adjustable temperature control and non-stick coating. For a simpler, smaller design and George Foreman's specialty, check out the highly rated 4 serving indoor grill with removable plates for a variety of grilling styles.

George Foreman Indoor-Outdoor Combination Electric BBQ Grill – Portable, Large Cooking Surface, Nonstick Grates , Removable Stand,

George Foreman Barbecue Grill GFO240S - Silver

Features

George Foreman is a household name when it comes to compact indoor grills, and for good reason. They offer long-lasting grills with convenient features and are always looking to improve their products. They offer the flavors and conveniences of an outdoor grill but with added ease that comes with a powerful and safe indoor grill.

This grill's versatile design makes it the perfect choice for anyone deciding between an indoor and outdoor grill. Easily turn it from a countertop cooker to a patio or picnic grill in no time. Let's take a close look:

The simple four legged stand easily attaches to instantly turn this countertop grill into a freestanding outdoor barbecue – ideal for patios, yards, parks and tailgating.
The unique sloped surface and grease catchers automatically remove fats and grease for a healthier finished product.
This round grill fit about 15 servings, making it ideal for entertaining the family or a few neighbors.
George Foreman's specialty non-stick coating makes it easy to cook without dealing with stubborn stuck-on foods.
Easily adjust the temperature with a precise dial for exact cooking every time.

Get the best of both worlds with the Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Grill, or check out their variety of expert-made indoor grills.

The Char-Griller Patio Pro Compact Charcoal Grill features a simple, dependable build and compact barrel-style design. For added convenience, Char-griller also offers a combination gas and charcoal grill with a 1260 square inches of cooking space.

Char-Griller Patio Pro™ Charcoal Grill – Cast Iron Grates, Compact Design, Side Counter

Char-Griller Barbecue Grill 1515 - Black

Features

Char-Griller is all about hardworking, honest products since their founding in the state of Georgia – where they take their grilling seriously. Their original barrel-style charcoal grills became known for their simple, trustworthy design and long-lasting durability. Since then, Char-Griller has doubled down on that simplistic promise to deliver strong, honest grills without spending time on flashy add-ons.

This compact Char-Griller Patio Pro brings that authentic Georgian experience to small backyards and patios with a compact and powerful design. Let's see what you get with this classic barrel grill:

High quality cast iron cooking grates make for ideal cooking for years to come.
The pullout charcoal rack makes it easy to fill this grill.
Strong steel construction makes this barrel-style grill extremely durable and trustworthy.
The wooden handles and side shelf make it easy to handle this grill conveniently without injury.
The stand uses heavy duty wheels so you can easily move it around your patio or yard.
The steel grate at the bottom provides extra storage for charcoal and other grilling items.

This grill comes in just one color – black, as is Char-Griller's simple, authentic way.

Get the real deal with this compact grill or any of Char-Griller's authentic Georgian grilling gear.

Get the Best Barbecue of 2018!

Now that you’ve made it to the end of this review, we hope that it was helpful and that you’ll confidently step out and pick an amazing BBQ grill. It’s worth noting that these brands bring you quality products, and you won’t regret picking them for your grilling needs.

Our Top Choice

Coleman Portable Roadtrip LXE BBQ Grill

Best Value

Char-Broil Graphite Patio Bistro® Electric Barbecue Grill

Weber SPIRIT® E-310 Natural Gas BBQ Grill

George Foreman 15 Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric BBQ Grill

Char-Griller Patio Pro™ 1515 BBQ Grill