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I love a barbeque and like countless Brits, I descend on mine the moment the sun comes out, taking advantage of every ray of rare British sunshine. But if your current grill is looking a little worse for wear or you have yet to take the plunge and buy a proper BBQ, you might be wondering where to go next.
Finding the right grill for your particular needs can be a challenge, given there are so many on the market at wildly different price points. The last thing you want to do is regret your expensive new gadget. That is where we come in. Our team of expert testers, which include seasoned product reviewers with decades of experience and professional chefs, have reviewed countless BBQs and pizza ovens. From powerful gas models and traditional charcoal grills, to modern electric BBQs, we have found something to ensure everyone is sizzling all summer long.
Best BBQs: Quick list
- Best overall: Weber Genesis Stealth BBQ
- Best gas: Ninja FlexFlame Gas BBQ & Outdoor Cooking System
- Best electric: Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill and Smoker
- Best charcoal: Charles Bentley Ottimo 635 Charcoal BBQ
- Best portable: Cobb Pro portable
- Best alternative: Gozney Arc Lite pizza oven
How we test BBQs
When testing home and garden appliances, we put them through a series of real world trials to determine whether they live up to their claims. For BBQs, we consider performance factors including how long a grill takes to set up, cooking times, how good a sear meat gets and how much food it can grill at once. We put them to the test by cooking full spreads for several people. This involves cooking different foods, including beef burgers, steaks and chicken drumsticks.
For BBQ alternatives like pizza ovens, we use an infrared thermometer to time how long the stone takes to get to 500 degrees, as well as how much the temperature drops in between pizzas. We also look at how quickly the bottom crisps up, how long pizzas take to cook and how easy it is to get an even colour across the whole dough. As well as performance, we take into consideration how easy the products are to set up, whether any additional tools are needed and of course, general value for money compared to similar models.
The best BBQs to buy right now
1. Best BBQ overall: Weber Genesis Stealth BBQ
Weber Genesis Stealth BBQ ★★★★★ £1,119 from BBQ world, £1,429 from Weber
Product Specs: Number of functions: Three burners and a sear zone. Size: Serves 10+. Fuel type: Gas. What we love: Sear zone adds a nice charred finish to meat. Capacity perfect for hosting. Versatile - effectively cooks a range of meats, sides and even has a rotisserie option. What could be better: Price - only suitable for those with a large BBQ budget.
Review by Alesia Fiddler: The Weber Genesis Stealth is a three-burner gas BBQ with a sear burner, built for hosting and designed with wow-factor in mind. With a striking black exterior and bold red finishing touches, the grill does not only look the part, it lives up to it too. Performance-wise, it cooked just about anything I put on the grill perfectly, and despite feeling huge (I am more accustomed to smaller BBQs that serve two to four), it was easy to use. It has a huge capacity and is capable of serving more than 10 people at once, making it perfect for parties. That being said, the grill is also pretty versatile for smaller groups, as the separate burners can all be individually turned on and off. This means if you just wanted to cook on a small section for a few guests, you easily could. If you are a fan of big grills and love to host during the summer, this BBQ could be the one for you.
2. Best gas BBQ: Ninja FlexFlame Gas BBQ & Outdoor Cooking System
Ninja FlexFlame Gas BBQ & Outdoor Cooking System ★★★★★ £699.99 from John Lewis, £699.99 from Ninja
Product Specs: Functions: Grill, Smoke, Roast, Griddle, Pizza. Fuel type: Gas. Min/max temp: 95/315 degrees C. What we love: Versatile - you can cook just about anything on this. Performance - cooks everything quickly and to perfection. Smoker - the wood chips add a subtle but delicious fire flavour to food. What could be better: Price - it is certainly not a budget buy.
Review by Claire Cisotti: There is NOTHING this BBQ cannot do. If we had no gas in the house this machine would take care of all the cooking no problem. It can take a pan, it can take a pizza. The clever design enables you to maintain a very clean BBQ too, as it can all be removed for washing. Most pieces can go in the dishwasher but some are too large though still clean up beautifully. My Italian husband said the pizza we made on this BBQ was one of the best he had ever eaten - I do not even think he was joking! Something about the cooking stone, the wood chips, the perfectly browned pizza and eating outdoors was incredible. What Ninja has done with the instruction guide is genius too. It guides you through every step, from building it to cooking on it, explaining which items to cook where, on what setting and for how long. This will transform lives as nothing will burn or be cooked too long and everything will be ready when it says it will. Yes it is expensive but I think the Ninja FlexFlame BBQ worth every penny and a real investment if you are a serious BBQer with a large garden.
3. Best electric BBQ: Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill and Smoker
Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill and Smoker ★★★★★ £229.99 from Ninja, £249 from John Lewis (with cover)
Product Specs: Number of functions: 7. Size: 34 x 46 x 46cm. Fuel type: Electric. What we love: Ease of use - simply plug it in and go. Steak sear - despite it not being a traditional BBQ, it still left good sear marks. What could be better: One grill area limits what you can cook at once.
Review by Benjamin Parker: This is not a like-for-like replacement for the classic barbecues, but that is what makes it work. It is an all-in-one outdoor cooker designed for ease and consistency – not for ritual. You do not quite get the same exterior as when food is licked by flames, or the intensity of a hardcore smoker (and if you enjoy the process of managing a fire, this clearly will not be one for you). What it does do is take most of the guesswork from outdoor grilling and smoking – and the fact that it can also roast, bake and air fry only makes it an even more useful piece of kit. And crucially, this is a barbecue built for modern outdoor spaces: balconies, patios and smaller gardens where a full-size grill simply is not practical. Pick the Ninja Woodfire Grill if you want great results without the hassle in a smart, well-designed and more than capable alternative to gas and charcoal.
4. Best charcoal BBQ: Charles Bentley Ottimo 635 Charcoal BBQ
Charles Bentley Ottimo 635 Charcoal BBQ ★★★★★ £249.99 from Charles Bentley, £247 from Amazon
Product Specs: Size: 91.5 x 45cm cooking area. Fuel type: Charcoal. What we love: Heat control - six level charcoal system allows you to better control the heat. Size - the perfect size for entertaining guests. Price - great value for the size and build quality. What could be better: Precision - cooking is not as precise as a gas grill.
Review by Shanique Joseph: The Ottimo 635 Charcoal BBQ is sleek, with a classic black steel body and wheels to conveniently move outdoors. A built-in bottle opener adds functionality for outdoor entertaining. The BBQ features two ample side tables and a long, hanging basket for spices and utensils - an upgrade on more basic, compact grills. With its large cooking area, this BBQ is well suited to feeding a crowd. It comfortably handled family-style cooking during testing, although its size may feel excessive for smaller households or occasional use. Given its £249.99 price tag, the overall build and functionality feel impressive. However, it lacks some premium features - such as a rotisserie - that you would expect on higher-end models. One of its standout elements is the six-level charcoal height adjustment system. While not as convenient as gas controls, it offers effective manual control over heat intensity, rewarding more hands-on grilling. Cleaning is also straightforward. As expected with charcoal, ash build-up is unavoidable, but the removable tray makes disposal quick and relatively mess-free.
5. Best portable BBQ: Cobb Pro
Cobb Pro ★★★★★ £178 from Go Outdoors
Product Specs: Capacity: Fits food to feed one to four people. Size: 33 x 32.5 x 28 cm. Fuel type: Cobblestone or briquettes. Weight: 4.4kg. What we love: Cooking capacity - you can easily prepare a full meal in the Cobb Pro and can cook in a range of different ways. Design - small, light and easy to transport and set up. What could be better: Price - more expensive than other portable BBQs.
Review by Alesia Fiddler: The Cobb Pro definitely did not disappoint when it came to performance. I can see why these BBQs are so popular with camping enthusiasts who want something they can easily carry to the beach or park. Its simple, modern design is really appealing too, consisting of a steel dome lid and black basket. This is also cool to touch, meaning the BBQ can be safely moved around even when hot - again ideal for campers. Weighing just 4kg, the Cobb is also very portable and will not add loads of extra heavy bulk to your packing, so if you prefer to travel light, it is another big tick. Portability aside, actually using the grill is simple too - it is really a case of lighting the briquettes and off you go. There are plenty of different ways to cook on this, despite its simple design, and you can easily cook a full meal with all the sides in one go. If you are a travel enthusiast looking for a lightweight, portable BBQ, I can highly recommend the Cobb Pro.
6. Best alternative outdoor cooking option: Gozney Arc Lite pizza oven
Gozney Arc Lite pizza oven ★★★★★ £349.99 from John Lewis, £349.99 from Amazon
Product Specs: Assembly required? No. Capacity: 12in pizza. Dimensions: 43 x 48.1 x 29.7cm (WDH). Fuel type: Gas. What we love: Heat up time - 20 minutes to heat, one minute to cook. Design - lightweight, easy to use and no setup required. What could be better: Single burner - requires you to turn your pizza more for even cooking.
Review by Danielle Amato: I was apprehensive about how well the Arc Lite would perform when I first unboxed it. It only has one small burner on the left side of the oven and it is light enough that I could easily lift it onto my outdoor table without breaking a sweat. I should not have been though, this oven is powerful for its weight and size. In fact, Gozney claims it cooks a 12in pizza in five to six minutes but I actually found with proper preheating this was closer to two minutes. A single burner does mean that you have to turn it a little more than you would with a dual burner oven but in reality, it is hardly any extra work. It heats up to 500 degrees celsius in 20 to 30 minutes (depending on how cold it is outside) and recharge time between each pizza is just a few minutes - though I found I could do three or four pizzas on the trot without losing too much heat. If you are looking for a pizza oven that is suitable for any size garden (or even a balcony) and do not want to spend more than £400, this is one of the best I have tested at this price point.
Our verdict
For grill enthusiasts who love spending time outdoors hosting friends and family, and want to splash the cash, the Weber Genesis Stealth BBQ could be the one for you. But, it definitely will not be suitable for those who have a tight budget and limited garden space. The Cobb Pro is perfect for BBQ lovers who want something more affordable, and portable for their travels. It does not take up much room and is quick and easy to use - it is a no brainer. Ninja's FlexFlame Gas BBQ & Outdoor Cooking System is a decent all-rounder, given the cooking options, versatility and clever design, you will be sure to please all of your guests with whatever food they fancy. For traditional charcoal enthusiasts, the Charles Bentley Ottimo 635 is a fantastic party-sized grill that is also surprisingly affordable too.
What are some of the most common BBQ mistakes?
Not cleaning your BBQ properly after use is a common mistake that can really impact how maintained your grill is. It is important to clean the BBQ with the recommended products to avoid damage. Incorrectly cooking your meat on a BBQ is another big one, luckily, we have got some expert tips below to help with this.
How to cook meat properly on a BBQ
We have spoken to Sam Martin, expert Head Butcher at British online butcher and farm shop Edenmoor, to get his top tips on making the most of your grill this BBQ Season.
How long to cook burgers on a BBQ
For a standard burger, place the burgers onto the BBQ and cook on each side for around 3-4 minutes, away from direct flame. Leave to rest for 5-10 minutes, then serve. The key is a good hot grill so you get proper caramelisation on the outside while keeping the inside juicy. Avoid pressing them down as they cook, as that pushes out the natural juices and dries the meat.
How do you know when chicken is cooked?
Chicken needs to be cooked all the way through, so the juices should run clear and there should be no pink in the meat, particularly near the bone. A temperature probe is the most reliable way to check that you are aiming for around 75°C.
How long do chicken wings take on the BBQ?
Chicken wings are delicious sizzled on the barbecue. Place over hot coals and cook for 20-30 minutes, turning regularly to stop the skin from burning. It is best to cook them over indirect heat for most of the time, then finish them over higher heat to crisp the skin. This will ensure you get properly cooked meat and a good texture on the outside.
Direct vs indirect heat on a BBQ
Direct heat means cooking straight over the flame, which is ideal for burgers, steaks and anything that cooks quickly. Indirect heat is where the food sits away from the flame, more like an oven, and that is what you want for larger or tougher cuts like chicken legs, brisket or pork belly. Using both gives you much more control and better results.
How to stop meat drying out
Dry meat is usually the result of cooking too hot or for too long. Managing your heat is key, use indirect heat where needed and do not rush the process.
What are the best cuts of meat for a BBQ?
The best cuts depend on how you want to cook. Classics such as burgers, sausages and chicken wings are always great for feeding a crowd. For something more special, steaks like ribeye or sirloin are ideal for quick cooking over high heat. If you have more time, cuts like brisket, short ribs or pork belly really come into their own on the barbecue. Less obvious options like picanha or flat iron steaks offer excellent flavour and are great cooked over fire.
Why trust us
At the Daily Mail, our team of expert testers have been researching, reviewing and writing about their respective specialisms for some time. Our team includes seasoned product reviewers who have been testing BBQs, pizza ovens and more for over seven years, as well as professional journalists, chefs and more. All of our reviews are honest, impartial and designed to give you a full overview of the product you are choosing, this includes the good and the bad.
