The Best Portable Grills Available Online
The best portable grill options include ones from Ninja, Weber, and Hamilton Beach.
This article is more than 2 years old
Grilling is undoubtedly one of America’s great culinary loves. There is nothing like biting into a succulent burger hot off the coals or a perfectly prepared sirloin steak. Fourth of July would not be complete without the tantalizing smells of food cooking on the grill that waft through the air as kids run wildly about with their sparklers. And it should be illegal for hotdogs to be cooked any other way.
Yes, grilling is great. However, for many, traditional outdoor grilling is just not an option. Maybe it’s because of apartment living with absolutely no outdoor space, not even a balcony to speak of. Or possibly it’s that time of the year when the fluffy white stuff has blanketed the landscape in your corner of the nation and there is just no viable way to grill.
Alas, there is hope! Portable grills are a thing and they can be used indoors and even brought with you on outdoor excursions where grills typically would not be available. In recent years, portable grills have been really stepping up their game and through some extensive research we’ve narrowed down the very best options online to suit all of those portable grilling needs.
NINJA FG551 FOODI SMART XL 6-IN-1 INDOOR GRILL
PRICE – $197.50 on Amazon
WHY WE LIKE IT – The Ninja is the premier portable grill option for those looking to bring the joys of grilling indoors without having to worry about setting off smoke alarms. What’s more, this smart grill has been labeled smart for a reason. Not only does it grill but it can also air crisp, roast, bake, broil and dehydrate, all of which are made possible by this portable grill’s Cyclonic Grilling Technology.
Ninja’s proprietary technology enables the grill to cook food with 500-degree air that rotates in cyclonic motion. This high-tech option also comes equipped with an internal thermometer so that food can be cooked to your preferred doneness every time you use it.
HAMILTON BEACH ELECTRIC INDOOR SEARING GRILL WITH VIEWING WINDOW
PRICE – $89.99 on Amazon
WHY WE LIKE IT – This Hamilton Beach model is another indoor-only, more affordable portable grill option. It is made to sear food at up to 450 degrees and is designed with a lid that locks in moisture to ensure flavor and tenderness always reach optimal levels. Its removable parts make it easy to clean and it also features preheat lights indicating when to start cooking.
The best part about his model is its clear viewing window to easily keep an eye on food as it cooks. It eliminates the temptation of lifting the lid to take a peak so that heat isn’t lost during the cooking process.
WEBER 51010001 Q1200 LIQUID PROPANE GRILL
PRICE – $259.00 on Amazon
WHY WE LIKE IT – The Weber is the ideal option for someone who wants a more traditional grill but has very limited outdoor space to work with. For instance, it is well suited to a condo or apartment dweller with a decent-sized balcony. Because this model is powered by propane, it is not suitable for indoor use.
That being said, the Weber is solidly built with Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates and cast aluminum for both the lid and body. Despite it being powered by propane it has an easy-start electronic ignition so you’ll never have trouble lighting it up, it also comes equipped with precision temperature controls.
There are six color options (black, blue, red, green, orange, and titanium) to suit a variety of preferences, as well.
CHAR-BROIL GRILL2GO X200 PORTABLE TRU-INFRARED LIQUID PROPANE GAS GRILL
PRICE -$152.79 on Amazon
WHY WE LIKE IT – The Char-Broil is the ideal portable grill for adventure-faring types. It is built to withstand the perils that go along with the rugged outdoors. It is comprised of fireproof cast aluminum and a stainless steel grilling gate. It also has an impact absorbent frame.
It is propane-powered and cooks food using a no flare-up TRU-Infrared cooking system that is equipped with controls to ensure food is grilled at the precise temperature. This would be a go-to model for any avid campers who frequent the more remote camping grounds that do not come equipped with any modern amenities.
WEBER JUMBO JOE CHARCOAL GRILL
PRICE – $81.99 on Amazon
WHY WE LIKE IT – This portable grill is perfect for those charcoal aficionados who believe that grilling is just not grilling without those little black bricks. This option is also best for those looking to take their grilling on road. Obviously, charcoal grilling should never be done indoors and this grill is not a good option for those looking to grill on a balcony either. This type of grill has a propensity to give off a lot of smoke.
The more space and wide open air you have to use this portable grill, the better. However, if you are looking for a charcoal option to take on the go with you, then this grill checks all the boxes. It works like a traditional charcoal grill, but also comes with some nifty features like a Tuck-N-Carry lid and dampers that promote easier temperature control.
It is also made of porcelain so its heat-retention rate is off the charts and for what you get, the price can’t be beaten either.
Portable grills really have come a long way. If you live in an apartment with no outdoor space, then the fancier electric options would be perfect choices. If you’re lucky enough to call a patio or balcony your own, then either propane portable grill would be ideal.
Or if you are a person who’s in the outdoor enthusiast adventure-seeking camp who swears by coal, then you can’t go wrong with Weber’s charcoal model.
Some honorable mentions to come out of our search also include the super budget-friendly Gotham Steel Smokeless Grill and ChefWave Sosaku Smokeless Indoor Grill & Rotisserie for those looking to kill two birds with one stone.
Ultimately, whatever your portable grill choice may be, our picks above are solid options sure to suit a wide range of individual needs.
