Nothing says summer like cooking over an open flame. Whether it’s the salty sweetness of that lightly charred corn or the rich creaminess of smoked meat, warm weather inspires us to get outside and start a fire.
It’s that time of year when, like a groundhog, the grill begins to emerge from the snow and show it’s a rusty and neglected me. If you need a new grill this year, here’s our guide to the best portable grills. We researched and tested dozens to see which one is the best.
For your other outdoor needs, consult our guides Best Camping Gear, Best tents, Best rain jacketsand the Best binoculars.
Updated May 2024: We’ve added the Skotti Grill, some accessories for the Nomad Grill and the Ignik Propane Growler, and we’ve updated prices throughout.
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The best portable charcoal grill
Of all the charcoal grills I’ve tested, the Weber Jumbo Joe offers the best balance between affordability, features and ease of use. It’s large enough (18.5 inches in diameter) to smoke two racks of ribs or hold burgers and corn for six people (admittedly, it was crowded) but small enough that you still have room in the trunk for a cooler and camping supplies. .
This is one of the most versatile grills I’ve tested. Grilling, barbecuing, smoking: you can do it all with ease. With its dual vent system (one bottom, one top), you get the same fine level of temperature control you’ll find in Weber’s full-size kettles.
It weighs 22 pounds and has a handle with a bar that adjusts across the top to hold the kettle and lid together for easy transport. I threw mine in the back of the car to go to the lake and park and it never spilled. The ash catcher at the bottom makes cleaning less complicated by allowing you to dump excess without removing the grill grates.
Jumbo Joe has a huge following on the Internet. The fans have thermometers addedbuttons attached for easy opening and closing of air vents, hanging ashtrays attached, and creative ways to cook larger items, like grilled chicken on beer can.
It’s not perfect, however. No thermometer is included and Weber does not make a storage bag for the Jumbo Joe. If you want to cook with indirect heat, you will need to purchase the hinged grill rack for $40 so you can introduce fresh fuel without removing the top grill and the Charcoal basket for $26 is also useful. Do yourself a favor, throw away your lighter fluid and get yourself a Charcoal Chimney Starter ($28).
Smaller alternative:
- The Weber Smokey Joe Premium costs $46 at Amazon And $57 at Weber. This is our top pick for anyone who doesn’t need the biggest Jumbo Joe. The downside is that you lose the bottom vent, which means less temperature control. This isn’t a big deal unless you cook slowly. The Smokey Joe was also harder to clean. But if you want a smaller kettle, this is a good option.
Best Upgraded Luxury Charcoal Grill
Nomad’s striking suitcase-style cooker (8/10, WIRED recommends) this is what grilling is all about Yeti is at the coolers: better in every way, but expensive. The Nomad is well built, sturdy and easy to transport. It’s heavier than the Jumbo Joe at 28 pounds, but in my experience its shape and large handle make it easier to carry. Like the Jumbo Joe, the Nomad uses a dual ventilation system to get good airflow even when the lid is closed. The vents, combined with the raised fins at the bottom of the grill (which elevate your charcoal allowing air to circulate underneath), allow for precise control of high and low temperatures.
The Nomad comes with a single rack, giving you 212 square inches of cooking space, which is a bit less than the Jumbo Joe above. In practice, it’s not a big difference. I managed to smoke nine chicken breasts, and another time I put in two racks of ribs. If you need to grill for a crowd, get the second grill rack for $158, but even without that, I never felt cramped while cooking for five (two adults, three hungry kids). For 2024 Nomad has introduced some new accessories including a must-have: the ash and coal shovel ($88). The shovel makes cleaning your Nomad much easier and should definitely be included when you buy one. The other thing I really like is the Carbon Steel Griddle ($168). It requires seasoning, but once you set it up, it transforms your Nomad into a dish that would make a Waffle House chef proud. Ventilation holes on the sides of the griddle help maintain air circulation and heat. As nice as it is, using the griddle made me realize that what I’d really like is a half-grill, half-grill option for maximum cooking flexibility. (Technically, you can achieve this by using your grill plate on one half of the grill and your griddle on the other, but this requires double the charcoal.)
