Key takeaways
- The Weber Go-Anywhere is the best all-rounder: real charcoal cooking in a case that fits a car boot, for around £103.
- For flats and small balconies, an electric grill like the George Foreman 22460 skips the smoke and open flames.
- The Lotus Grill uses a battery fan to give charcoal taste with far less smoke, handy where neighbours are close.
- Gas models such as the Char-Broil Grill2Go light instantly, while charcoal gives more flavour but takes longer to get going.
UK summer 2026 has brought another run of hot, dry weeks, and barbecue sales climb every time the forecast turns. A portable barbecue makes sense when you don’t have room for a big trolley grill, or you want to take the cooking to a park, a beach or a campsite. Here are six that cover the main jobs, from proper charcoal flavour to plug-in electric for a balcony.
How we picked these
We leaned on what the big UK testers rate for portable grills, alongside Amazon UK bestseller and review data from July 2026. We looked for barbecues that genuinely pack down or move easily, heat evenly, and suit a clear job, whether that’s a car-boot picnic or a smoke-free balcony. Prices are Amazon UK at the time of writing and they move around, so check before you buy.
At a glance
| Barbecue | Fuel | Best for | Around |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weber Go-Anywhere | Charcoal | Best overall | £103 |
| George Foreman Charcoal Kettle | Charcoal | Budget with a lid | £60 |
| Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 | Gas | Camping | £130 |
| Lotus Grill | Charcoal (fan) | Low-smoke flavour | £175 |
| Charmline Foldable | Charcoal | Beach and picnics | £40 |
| George Foreman 22460 Electric | Electric | Balconies and flats | £80 |
The best portable BBQs
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal BBQ
Best overallClassic charcoal flavour in a box that fits in a car boot. The lid holds heat for burgers and chicken thighs, the plated-steel legs fold over to lock it shut for carrying, and the two dampers give you real control over the fire.
The catch: The 42x26cm grate fills up quickly, so it’s tight for more than three or four people at once.
42x26cm cooking area, charcoal · around £103
Check price on Amazon →George Foreman Portable Charcoal Kettle
Best budget with a lidA 47.5cm kettle on a small wheeled stand with a built-in thermometer. The domed lid lets you cook with the heat around the food, so you can do a whole chicken or roast some veg, not just sear sausages.
The catch: The stand makes it taller and less packable than a fold-flat grill, so it’s more of a patio barbecue than a rucksack one.
47.5cm kettle, charcoal · around £60
Check price on Amazon →Char-Broil Grill2Go X200
Best gas for campingRuns off screw-on gas canisters and lights straight away, so there’s no waiting for coals. The TRU-Infrared plate spreads heat evenly and cuts flare-ups, and the cast aluminium lid clamps shut with a handle for carrying.
The catch: You’re tied to buying gas canisters, and it costs more up front than a simple charcoal tray.
gas, TRU-Infrared plate, cast aluminium · around £130
Check price on Amazon →Lotus Grill
Best low-smoke charcoalCharcoal taste with far less smoke. A battery fan feeds air from below, so it lights in a few minutes and the outer body stays cool enough to sit on a table. That makes it a sensible choice for a balcony where thick smoke would bother the neighbours.
The catch: It’s expensive for its size, and you get the best from it with the maker’s own charcoal and lighting gel.
fan-assisted charcoal, low smoke · around £175
Check price on Amazon →Charmline 39x27cm Foldable Charcoal BBQ
Best for the beach and picnicsFolds close to flat and weighs very little, so it slips into a bag for the park or the sand. There’s enough grill here for two to four people, and it’s cheap enough to leave in the boot all summer.
The catch: The thin steel won’t survive many seasons, and there’s no lid, so it’s for quick grilling rather than slow cooking.
39x27cm folding, charcoal · around £40
Check price on Amazon →George Foreman 22460 Indoor Outdoor Electric Grill
Best for balconies and flatsPlugs into the mains, so there’s no fire to light and no smoke to manage. That makes it the easy pick for flats and rented balconies where open flames are banned. The plate lifts off for washing, and the dial gives you some temperature control.
The catch: You need a power socket within reach, and it won’t give you the smoky char that hot coals do.
1,500cm² plate, electric · around £80
Check price on Amazon →FAQ
Are portable barbecues allowed in UK parks?
It depends on the council. Many parks ban disposable and ground-level barbecues, especially in dry spells, and some allow raised barbecues only in marked areas. Check the local rules before you set off, and never leave one burning unattended.
Charcoal, gas or electric for a small space?
For a balcony or flat, electric is usually the safest bet, since there’s no flame or fuel to store. If you want barbecue flavour with less smoke, a fan-assisted charcoal grill like the Lotus Grill is a good middle ground. Gas suits campers who want heat in a hurry.
How much charcoal do I need for a portable barbecue?
For a small grill, about 1kg of lumpwood or briquettes gives you roughly an hour of cooking. Light it 20 to 30 minutes before you want to cook, so the flames die down to glowing coals.
Can you use a portable barbecue on wooden decking or a balcony?
Only with real care. Stand it on a heat-proof mat, keep it well away from walls and railings, and check your tenancy or building rules first, as many ban charcoal and gas on balconies. Electric is often the only type allowed.