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The best tabletop grills let you cook wherever you and whenever you want. Aside from this, they are compact, lightweight, and does the job the way you want it to.
These portable grills are the perfect solution if your grilling is very small. Likewise, they’re a good choice for anyone who loves going camping to grill, looking to level up their outdoor cooking game.
But with so many brands and models to choose from, finding the right tabletop grill can be quite difficult. To narrow down your choices and help end your search, we did all the digging for you.
We also include a handy buying guide so that you’ll be well-equipped with info before making any purchase.
Table of Contents
In a hurry? This is our winner!
- Total cooking area = 280 Square Inches
- Stainless steel burner puts out 12,000 BTU-per-hour
- Porcelain-enameled, cast iron cooking grates
- Electronic ignition with built in thermometer
- Two folding work tables
Best Tabletop Grills – Runner Up
- 150 SQ. IN. PORCELAIN ENAMELED COOKING GRATE: Cooking surface measures 15.5" x 9.75" for 150-square-inches of grilling space that is large enough to accommodate up to 8 hamburgers at a time.
- GRILL DIMENSIONS: Grill measures 30" W x 19.5" D x 30.25" H when full deployed. When folded, the grill measures 22.5" W x 19.5" D x 10.25" H. Lid locks shut for easy portability.
- 5,500 BTU BURNER: Features a 5,500 BTU burner, a twist to start electric ignition for easy start-up.
- USE AS A FREESTANDING OR TABLETOP GRILL: Unique design allows you to use the grill as a freestanding or tabletop grill
- FAST AND EASY SETUP AND BREAKDOWN: The grill requires no assembly and can be set up and ready for grilling in under 10 minutes without the need for tools or matches.
Best Tabletop Grills – Comparison Table
Best Tabletop Grills – Reviews
The best tabletop gas grills are very convenient and won’t give you trouble starting up. Likewise, they quickly heat up and will hold temperatures steadily.
If you don’t mind spending a little extra, the Weber Q2200 Propane Gas Grill will not disappoint you. The portable grill is worthy of your investment due to ease of use, large enough cooking grate, and heat output that’s second to none.
Our top pick boasts durable porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates. At 280 square inches, the grates can deliver a heat of up to 12,000 BTUs per hour once you connect it to a liquid propane cylinder.
With a level of power like this, you’ll be able to cook thick cuts of meat in less time than you would if you’ll use a charcoal grill. Plus, the non-stick coating means you can easily and quickly wipe away any mess.
Another notable feature of the Weber Q2200 is its electronic ignition, allowing you to start the grill in a matter of seconds. Additionally, it comes with a removable catch pan compatible with Weber’s 1000-series griddle, which you can buy separately.
What’s more, the tabletop grill features an infinite control burner valve settings. This will ensure that you get the best possible temperature for whatever type of food you’re cooking.
Lastly, you’ll also like the extra space of the two folding work tables on the sides of the grill. That’s pretty useful when prepping and serving your meals. Meanwhile, the side handles have an ergonomic design for easy transport.
Overall, the Weber Q2200 is a very handsome grill packed with features that offer value for your buck.
- Durable and easy to clean cooking grates
- Easy to start and heats up quickly
- Large cooking surface for a portable grill
- Built-in lid thermometer
- Folding side tables offer added prep space
- Its base is pretty stable
- It only comes with one burner, so it only allows one heat zone
- It’s a little heavier than most tabletop grills
There are so many things you’ll love about the Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Portable Gas Grill. Our runner up for the best tabletop grills is lightweight and highly versatile.
One of the things that make this Cuisinart grill stand out is its unique design. You can actually convert the Petit Gourmet from a freestanding grill to a tabletop model instantly.
Moreover, since it has a compact design, it’s a great companion to bring along on your camping trips or even sporting events. But don’t be fooled by the size of this tabletop grill as its cooking surface can take on up to eight burgers at the same time.
Similar to Weber Q2200, the grates of this tabletop gas grill are porcelain-coated. Thereby, you can expect consistent and even heat distribution every time. On the other hand, its aluminum body makes the product light and portable (but not a good grill for salt air).
And check this out, you can easily start the grill with a simple twist of its electric ignition and its burner will produce up to 5,500 BTUs. The cooking grate at 160 square inches can serve around 4 to 6 bbq lovers at a time.
The Petit Gourmet’s telescoping VersaStand is another one of its fantastic features, providing you with the right cooking height. Also, you can fold this tabletop grill like you would a briefcase. It’s so compact that you can even fit it in a regular grocery bag (or start grilling in small apartments)!
- Extremely lightweight and portable
- Cooks evenly like larger grills
- Precise temperature gauge giving you the ultimate temperature control
- Unique design that allows you to use the grill as a freestanding or tabletop grill
- Great for small decks and patios, or any home with limited space
- At 5,500 BTUs don’t expect that you’ll be able to cook eight steaks with this tabletop grill
- Cooking surface is relatively small and only has one burner
Some folks can’t live without their charcoal. In the meantime, some want. heavy-duty grill. But who says you can’t have the best of both worlds? So next on our list of the best tabletop grills is something that combines these in one mean grilling machine.
The Char-Griller Tabletop Charcoal Grill and Side Fire Box has a traditional aesthetic of the horizontal barrel grill but smaller. This one may be standalone, but it gives you the option to attach it to a full-sized Char-Griller unit to use as a firebox. Hence, you’ll be able to create an offset smoker.
Nonetheless, once you attach it, that’s it. You won’t be able to remove it since the attachment process calls for some hole drilling on the grill itself.
With that aside, this compact grill has so much to offer. First is its 240 square inches cooking surface, which makes it possible to craft an entire meal at once. Then, there’s the cast-iron grill that offers optimal durability. You’ll also have full control of the smoke level and temperatures.
And when you’re finished with your cooking and the grill has cooled down, you can wipe away messes with ease. Also, to get the Char-Griller Tabletop Charcoal Grill ready for your next grilling session, simply remove its ash pan and dump the ash in your dustbin.
- Its body has a long-lasting, heavy steel construction
- Easy dump ash pan allows for easy cleanups
- Grill grates are made from cast iron
- Ample cooking surface
- Grills and smokes your foods
- You can connect it to Char-Griller charcoal barrel grills as a side firebox.
- You can’t take this tabletop grill once you attach it to Char-griller BBQs
- It’s a bit on the heavier side so you may not be the best one to bring along on your outdoor adventures
The Giantex Propane Tabletop Gas Grill has the third largest surface in our list of the best tabletop grills on this list. It offers more than 266 square inches of cooking area, enabling you to grill meats for larger groups.
Although it may not be as portable as most tabletop grills out there, you can still tag it along with your camping trips. With a reasonable weight of 26 lbs, you can easily load it up in your car whenever you’re on the go.
Furthermore, it comes with foldable legs and a lid that you can lock into place, adding to the propane grill’s portability. This also means that you won’t find it difficult to store once you’re done cooking. What’s more, it’ll only take you a few minutes to set it up.
Another perk of this Giantex tabletop grill is it has two burners that deliver 10,000 BTUs. The great thing about this feature is that it provides you with different temps and heat zones across the grill surface. And because it has multiple burners, the grates will be able to reach optimal heat for even cooking and good sears
One particular feature of this tabletop gas grill you’ll love is the length of its hose. While others have shorter ones, this model has a more generous 40-inch propane hose.
Also, both interior and exterior of this tabletop gas grill are made of stainless this. So not only is it easy to clean, but it’ll last you for many years as well.
- A powerful combination of raw grilling performance and great design
- Two push-and-turn ignition burners for quick and easy start-ups
- Reaches high temperatures quickly with each burner independently adjustable
- Stainless steel material is rust-resistant
- Versatile and has a beautiful design
- Grill grates are a bit close to the burners
- The gas controls lack some fine control, which may result in very high temperatures
When it comes to the best tabletop grills with a flat top, there’s no denying that Blackstone is the one to beat. Their 22-Inch Portable Gas Griddle combines quality, performance, and value for money.
This grill is lightweight and has a massive cooking space of 330 square inches. Thereby, it’s an excellent option for most families. For its size, it’s a solid performer. Also, you can control its 2 burners independently. This means that you can grill juicy burgers while cooking some veggies at the same time.
The propane-fueled grill has a griddle instead of grates. But this style comes with a few benefits like reducing the risk of flavors leaking and flare-ups. Furthermore, you won’t have to worry much about overcooking your meal and cleaning up charred messes.
On top of that, it also features a built-in grease catcher to prevent grease from getting into your food. This also means easy cleanups after each cooking session.
The Blackstone tabletop grill offers even heat distribution and produces 12,000 BTUs. It cooks fast, compact, and has a reasonable price tag, making it a great choice to take tailgating or camping.
- Two independently controlled H burners
- A massive and versatile cooking surface, where you can cook several foods at once
- Built-in grease system and catch draws grease away from your food
- Allows you to cook without the worry of flare-ups or flavor loss
- Griddle top is easy to clean
- It doesn’t come with a lid so your food will be exposed to elements
- No handles for easy carrying and transport
Best Tabletop Grills – Buyers Guide
What To Consider When Buying The Best Tabletop Grills
Once you’re ready to look for the best tabletop grill, you have a few considerations to keep in mind. These factors can help you better decide which grill best suits your needs.
Type of fuel
All types of grill fuel have their own sets of pros and cons. Gas grills use propane, while others use charcoal. These fuel types are quite affordable and accessible in most places.
However, propane is more eco-friendly and safer when you store it properly. Likewise, since it’s non-toxic you won’t experience any adverse effects when you’re around it during your cooking sessions (even when grilling on the beach).
Both propane and charcoal offer different heat levels, allowing you to cook a wide variety of meals. Plus, working with them is easy as well.
Of course, there are also electric tabletop grills if you don’t like the idea of storing heavy bags of charcoal. But it limits you to grilling in your home. So at the end of the day, it will all boil down to personal preference.
Performance
Look for a grill that offers quick cooking and will not leave any hot or cold spots in your meals. Also, make sure to choose a model with double grates for retaining heat. And the lid should be either stainless steel or enameled to ensure the heat inside is maintained even when you close the grill’s lid.
Portability
The main concept of the best tabletop grills is that you can easily move and carry around, as well as take it wherever you’re on the go. Ideally, if you don’t want to strain yourself when lifting a grill, look for a model with a weight of 50 pounds or below. Additionally, you want a unit with foldable or detachable legs so that it can fit in your vehicle with no problems.
Size
There’s no denying that tabletop grills are portable. Nonetheless, not all will meet your transportation requirements. Unless you’ll place the grill at the back of your pickup truck, then all models will do. But if you own a regular or compact car, make sure to get a grill with a shape and size that can fit its trunk.
Cooking surface
In terms of surface area, consider the number of foods you’ll cook at once. Doing so will provide you with an estimate of the amount of cooking space you need. As a rule of thumb, get a grill that can accommodate cooking for at least four individuals at the same time.
Conclusion
These best tabletop grills are sure to meet your backyard barbecue, camping, or tailgating needs. They’re easy to use, clean, maintain, and will make grilling even more enjoyable. If you need a different kind of grill, check out:
