To factor in trunk space, a tank like this typically measures around 12–15 inches and only weighs a pound, but you might want to have a few spares handy. As the best portable grill with a flat top, this model has a durable cold-rolled steel that can take its fair share of spatulas and tongs knocking it without getting damaged. The grill sports a heat-resistant handle so you can move it around safely and rubber feet that are height adjustable to avoid any instability. When the days get longer and brighter, and the weather more cheery, one of the first things we inevitably want to do is get out and grill.
CR members can read on for reviews of the six models that top our portable grill ratings. Members can also access our comprehensive grill ratings of all the portable and full-sized grills that have come through our labs. And though it was on wheels, folding and unfolding the legs of the grill weren’t intuitive. It provided a great sear, Grills Portable Grills but when combined with the thin material that also meant that the temperature gauge pushed 600 degrees if I didn’t keep an eye on it, and it felt harder to maintain heat control. The grates were also mostly closed, making it more like a grill pan than a grill. I tried to cover both the “portable” part and the “grill” part in my testing.
With its sleek look, the Weber Q 2400 Electric Grill provides convenience, portability, and a practically effortless grilling experience. It offers 1,560 watts of cooking power, which is controllable via a single knob under the side carrying handle, and an aluminum-lined lid and bowl to efficiently insulate the grill. It has a 280-square-inch cooking space and porcelain-coated cast Expert Grill Combo Grills iron grates for easy cleanup and better heat retention. As with all grills, you should scrub the grates thoroughly with a grill brush while the grates are still hot—this will minimize carbonized, crusted-on food that’s tough to clean later. But some portable gas grills come with handy removable drip trays, which collect grease and are easy to remove, wipe out, and wash clean.
The Everdure Cube was right behind it with a 4.78, so we named it our runner-up as a less-pricey alternative. If you’re just getting started with charcoal grilling, the Americana Walk-A-Bout Portable Charcoal Grill is simple and inexpensive, making it well-suited for beginners. It has a large 332-square-inch cooking surface with a height-adjustable grate, and the grill is mounted on a handy folding stand, allowing you to cook just about anywhere. We were impressed with this grill’s performance during testing — it heated up to over 500 degrees in just 10 minutes, and it left nice sear marks and charring on the hamburgers and sausages. There was plenty of room on the cooking surface to spread food without crowding, but we found that the side drawer was a bit tricky to remove when it was time to clean the grill. In terms of performance, the Smokey Joe fell in the middle of the pack during testing.
We loaded the firebox with charcoal from The Good Charcoal Company, which was a consistent medium size and perfect for the small, 1.5-pound-capacity firebox. We lit the charcoal with a torch for about 60 seconds, turned the fan to medium, closed the firebox, and in 15 minutes we were grilling burgers. The fan is electric, of course, but that doesn’t mean you have to be tied to an outlet—it can also be powered by four AA batteries. Ultimately, it’s the RoadTrip X-Cursion’s versatility (it can transform into a steamer with an additional attachment) and high-heat capabilities that earned it top marks. But if you’re looking for an ultra-portable grill you can pack on your back during a hike or long trek to the beach, we recommend one of the smaller tabletop options, instead.