Eat outside with our BBQ round-ups

Barbecue season is upon us and there are so many options to choose from, whether you’re after something bijou for your balcony or a massive grill for a garden party.

Summer and BBQs go hand-in-hand – is there anything nicer than soaking up the sunshine with friends and family, burger in hand? But it’s not just about eating outdoors, it’s the whole exercise that feels special and more than a little bit adventurous. It’s a chance to get that little bit closer to nature. “It’s no longer just about the food, but spending time together in the garden, creating a relaxed, social experience that can be enjoyed throughout the season,” explains Nigel Press from gardening and outdoor living experts Dobbies.

Whether you go for traditional charcoal, the convenience of gas, or a mix of both, food tastes better when it’s enjoyed outside with people we care for. And we don’t get many opportunities over the year to do so, so let’s make the most of them! Here’s our suggestions for the best barbecues for summer 2026.

Weber Master-Touch C-5755 Charcoal BBQ 57cm Burnt Orange, £334.99

This burnt orange barbecue is a handsome addition to any garden or patio. A traditional charcoal grill, it features a generous 57cm cooking area, which is big enough to cook up to 13 burgers at one time. The deep bowl and lid are porcelain-enamelled which adds to the heat retention, while adjustable ventilation allows for precise temperature control. You can also control airflow for slow cooking, which piles on the flavour and is great for smoking meat. Cleaning is also a breeze, thanks to the closed ash catcher, and the wheeled design makes for easy positioning. It even comes with a measuring cup for the optimum amount of charcoal.

Primus Kuchoma Portable Grill, £219.99

When barbecued food is calling but you don’t have the space for a full-size appliance, how about a compact grill instead? This one from Primus is designed for up to five people and has foldable legs, so you can place it wherever suits best on the day. The horizontal burner ensures even heating across the grill, and when closed, the deep lid helps lock in heat and flavour. Its push-button ignition is simple to use, and the removable grill grate is dishwasher safe. Perfect for at-table cooking and camping trips.

Petromax Atago Gas Grill, £179.95

The Atago’s compact design makes it perfect for camping or caravan holidays, and though it’s small, there’s enough room to cook several servings at once, whether that’s burgers, sausages or something more haute cuisine. Made from stainless steel and with a removable drip tray for easy cleaning, the legs fold out for instant assembly. There’s also an easy start ignition, meaning no more searching around for a lighter or matches. It has a 34cm grilling surface, too, and weighs just 3.7kg, so won’t add too much to the camping kit load.

Ottimo 465 Dual Fuel 2-Burner BBQ, £309.99

Gas barbecues are convenient but charcoal gives that traditional smoky flavour – what to do? Why not have both with this dual fuel model? It’s two grills in one, each with a separate lid, so you can use either charcoal or gas – or both together. There’s a generous 40cm-wide cooking area on each side with a warming rack above. Two burners on the gas section ensure even heat for tasty results, and there’s a built-in thermometer so you can track temperature across both zones. What’s more, there’s an additional gas burner to one side that’s perfect for pans of veg, fried onions or sauces, and to the other, a shelf for condiments or plates.

Vonhaus XL American BBQ With Smoker, £144.99

Get the ultimate in barbecue flavour with this American-style grill. It’s perfect for cooking up a bunch of burgers quickly, or go low and slow on tougher meat cuts for tender, melt-in-the-mouth results. The charcoal tray has four heights so you can control the temperature – and the barbecue is also a smoker. Simply add wood chips over the charcoal, close the lid and let them work their magic. This barbecue is made from ceramic-coated cast iron, which locks in heat and cooks evenly. It has a built-in temperature gauge, generous 57cm x 411cm grill, warming rack, and two fold-out shelves for extra prep space. There’s plenty of hooks for all your chef’s tools and even an integrated bottle opener on one side.

Kasai Medium Konro Grill, £424.09

Japanese barbecues, or konro grills, are the latest thing in outdoor cooking. They’re perfect for chicken and caramelising its skin while keeping the meat juicy, and because the charcoal is just inches away, the smoky flavour is infused into the food. They’re not just for poultry though, producing exceptional results with steak, kebabs, veg and fish. The grill has a stainless-steel frame with vermiculite tiles, which are insulating and heat-retaining. It’s good to know these tiles are replaceable, and old ones can be ground down and used as soil conditioner, meaning the barbecue has sustainability built in. You’ll need to use binchotan charcoal for best results, as this achieves higher temperatures and retains heat, so burns longer than regular charcoal. There’s a range of grill sizes available, but this medium barbecue measures 26.5cm D x 54cm W x 21cm H.

Campingaz Sigma 1, £199

When outdoor space is limited, a table top barbecue is the answer. This model forgoes the traditional grill for a plancha design, making it a versatile choice for hot sandwiches, crepes, and sliced fruit, as well as kebabs and burgers. The enamelled cast-iron hot plate is a generous size, easily accommodating several servings at once. The lid also serves both to hold in heat and as a windbreak, making it perfect for summer in the UK. There’s a dishwasher-safe grease collection cup for easy cleaning, efficient electronic ignition, and the whole thing is portable, so it’s perfect for camping trips or days out.

George Foreman 4-burner gas barbecue, £199

When it comes to convenience, you can’t beat a gas barbecue. Like charcoal, it produces those sear marks on steak and chicken everybody expects, and it cooks delicious burgers, sausages and vegetables. The slight trade off regarding smoky flavour is more than made up for by speed of cooking, and not having to wait for the charcoal to come to temperature. There’s a lot to be said for gas when it comes to cleaning up – no ash floating everywhere! This model has four burners for even cooking and is big enough for up to 10 servings. A warming rack sits above the grill – and there’s even a built in bottle opener for the chef’s beer!

Tower Goucho BBQ and Plancha, £399.99

While barbecues are great for cooking meat and larger vegetables, small items tend to fall through the grill, and you can’t be as adventurous with your accompaniments. That’s where this combo model comes in. It’s a regular gas barbecue on one side and a plancha on the other. Both are controlled with six burners and each section has its own lid, so you can use them individually or together. Delicate fish, thinly sliced meat, eggs and fruit can all be cooked on the flat plate, sauces don’t drip through the grill, and there’s no sudden fat flare ups to burn food. Delicious!

The Range BBQ Grill with Automated Rotisserie, £159.99

This charcoal barbecue boasts a generous grill, which is useful when the kids are clamouring for burgers all at once. There’s also a raised rack to keep food warm and unusually, an automatic rotisserie tool. This comes into its own when you’re cooking for a large group, as it’s big enough for a whole chicken or large joint of meat. Use the long shelf at the front of the grill for plates while you’re dishing up, while the side table is ideal for keeping sauces and spices close to hand.