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Top 9 Best Small Portable Grills To Buy

Don't make a lack of outside space keep you from savoring a marbled steak or veggies this summer. 

Cooking meat and plant-based burgers and meats on a small portable grill is still an option for those who don't have a big patio for a five-burner flat-top grill.

They're compact enough to carry on a balcony or a grassy area outside your back door and portable enough for car traveling and tailgating.

In this article, we'll dive into the world of grill and pick the best small portable grills to enhance your BBQ recipes. 

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Last update on 2025-09-07 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

Best Small Portable Grills Review

1. Cuisinart CCG190RB Inch BBQ

Pros:

  • Ultimate charcoal management
  • Easy for transport 
  • Enamel coated firebox
  • Quick prep and cleanup

Cons: 

  • Not hot enough grill

2. Masterbuilt MB20030819 Portable Propane Grill

Pros:

  • Chrome-coated warming rack
  • Well design
  • Visible temperature gauge
  • Hard to clean
  • Unique U-shaped burner for maximum heat distribution

Cons:

  • Difficult to clean

3. Mueller Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker

Pros:

  • Nicely built
  • Easy to install
  • Sturdy and lightweight
  • Super light

Cons:

  • A little sharp edge

4. Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet

Pros:

  • Solid and sturdy on its stand
  • Simple setup
  • Heat fast
  • Clean easily
  • Look good

Cons:

  • Not for an extended time

5. NOMADIQ Portable Propane Gas Grill

Pros:

  • Simple and sleek design
  • Nice grill
  • Steady flames
  • Great capacity
  • Legs lock makes space for the detachable grease trays

Cons:

  • Can not remove the regulator from the Y hose splitter

6. Masterbuilt MB20040722 Portable Charcoal Grill

Pros:

  • High-quality
  • Thick powder coated material
  • Easy to care for and maintenance
  • Last for a long time
  • Nice racks and fold up cart

Cons: 

  • Loose pre-assembled parts

7. Coleman RoadTrip 285 Stand-Up Propane Grill

Pros:

  • Slide out tray
  • Solid construction
  • Great color
  • Excellent grill taste

Cons:

  • A bit messy
  • Flimsy latch

8. Barbecue Charcoal Grill Folding Portable BBQ Tool Kits 

Pros:

  • Super easy to put up
  • Grills evenly
  • Safe to operate
  • Easy to clean

Cons:

  • No side table

9. Weber Q Portable Cart

Pros:

  • Simple to assemble
  • Collapses for easy storage
  • Fold away handle
  • Awesome bit of kit
  • Appropriate height to stand and cook at

Cons:

  • Little wobbly when cleaning

Buying Guide

Now that you know the top list of the best small portable grills. Let's dive into some crucial factors you need to know to get the best one.

Cooking Space

This should be considered when using almost any grill, yet small grills may require more. 

Can you fit the entire family's burger on the grill at once for dinner, or will you have to cook in shifts while attempting to keep everyone's food warm enough to eat? 

Getting just the right amount of grill is essential.

Lid

While you prefer to have the quick-cooking option available, not all of our suggested options have lids. Even those without lids achieved worthwhile outcomes.

Fuel Type

Both gas and charcoal barbecues have advantages. Gas burns quickly and is simple to fire; propane cylinders weighing one pound take up very little room when transported. 

On the other hand, charcoal is big and heavy, and an open flame can add taste thanks to the chemicals in the wood.

FAQs

What can you prepare on a little grill?

Naturally, smaller items work best on small barbecues, but you may cook various foods on them. 

Burgers, chicken pieces, kebabs, sliced veggies, sausages, fruit, micro pizzas, and even tiny wood boards of seafood should all be suitable.

How do you make the most of a small grill's space?

Firstly, ensure you're using the right equipment to handle your food, such as high-quality grill tongs that are long enough to allow for easy movement of objects. 

Precooked meals, such as sausages and hot dogs, can also be seared and heated stacked on top of one another. 

Finally, you can buy an extra grill grate so you'll be able to cook a new batch of food following the first swiftly.

Is it better to use a small grill for regular meals?

For starters, since you're heating a smaller surface, you'll need less charcoal for a charcoal barbecue and less propane for a gas grill. 

A smaller grill will ultimately save you cleaning time because there will be less surface area to clean and because grills need to be cleaned after every usage.

Regardless of how frequently you use it, a small barbecue won't be the best option if you have a big family or frequently grill with friends.

Why choose a small portable barbecue instead of a large one?

While a large grill is ultimately the ideal choice, compact grills have improved and become more dynamic over time and can handle much of the same cooking load as their larger siblings. 

These grills are ideal for campers, city dwellers who live in apartments, and anyone without a large backyard or who frequently travels.

Are small grills worth the money?

Yes, they are. Compact grills are practical for cooking outdoors on your small balcony, backyard, or limited spaces. 

The best small grills frequently perform equally well as larger grills. They come in various designs and materials, including electric, propane, and charcoal, to best suit your cooking tastes.

Conclusion

With a small and portable grill, you may cook inside and outside with your family and friends. 

Additionally, the beauty of portable grills is that you can transport them easily and conveniently anywhere you go with no burden.

Ultimately, the Cuisinart CCG190RB Inch BBQ, Mueller Portable Charcoal Grill and Smoker, and Coleman RoadTrip 285 are the three best grills to satisfy your urge to eat delectable barbeque. Yet, the other products are also worth the price.  

Hopefully, you'll find the best small portable grill you need on this list.

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Linda Kim
WRITTEN BY
Linda Kim