Tabletop grills are perfect for those who have very limited space at home but still crave grilled steaks, and for those who enjoy regular trips away from home.
Cooking while on the road can be frustrating if you don’t have the right equipment. But road-tripping and camping are meant to be full of fun, and there’s nothing more fun than grilling up a delicious meal on a portable grill.
The capacity of a tabletop grill is more than enough for a small family, and you can get a great quality little grill if you know what you’re looking for.
My favorite is the Weber Go-Anywhere. As the name suggests, you really can go anywhere with it (or just stay home and grill on your balcony!). Plus, you’re cooking on coals which offer the absolute best grilling flavor overall.
I’ve outlined four of my favorite tabletop grills below so you can get a good idea of what suits your needs best.
| Best tabletop grills | Image |
| Best tabletop grill overall: Weber Go-Anywhere |
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| Best tabletop griddle: Blackstone Tabletop Grill 22 Inch |
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| Best 2-burner tabletop grill: Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef’s Style Propane |
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| Most durable tabletop grill: Weber Q1200 |
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In this post we'll cover:
Tips for buying a new tabletop grill
Don’t know where to start? First and foremost, take a look through these pointers below to help you narrow down your choices.
Budget
Determine how much you want to spend on a new tabletop grill. Charcoal options are among the cheapest, whereas propane-fueled versions are a little more pricey.
Type of fuel
Everyone has their preferences regarding flavor and cooking style. Decide which type of fuel is the best for you, taking all pros and cons into account.
Can’t choose? Have a look at my review of the best gas & charcoal combo grills for the best of both worlds
Size and weight
Think carefully about where you are going to cook and if the weight and size make a difference. If you want to bring the grill along on a trip, you certainly need to take this aspect into account.
Handles
Not all small grills come with handles, and you only really notice that they are missing when you need them!
So check to see if the grill you’re interested in has handles. This really helps when you have to move a hot grill around safely.
Warranty
Check the warranty to see if the manufacturer stands by their product. This will help give you a good idea of how long you should expect your grill to last.
Choose good, established brands that offer better warranties, and overall quality (like Weber or Blackstone).
The 4 best tabletop grills reviewed
Below you will find my favorite charcoal and gas tabletop grills. Some of them, combined with accessories, offer nearly the same kind of comfort as a regular grill.
Best tabletop grill overall: Weber Go-Anywhere
Weber is the leading manufacturer in the world of BBQ, and is responsible for creating some of the best charcoal grills in my opinion.
There is no arguing that it is a brand that’s maintained the high quality of its products for many years.
The Weber Go-Anywhere is a wonderful charcoal grill that will work great in many different situations. It is perfect for small barbecue events and is extremely mobile.
Under the lid, you will find 160 square inches of cooking area which means you can fit as many as 6 burgers, two large steaks or a few pieces of chicken on it.
The entire construction is so lightweight that you can easily bring it along on the road.
See it unpacked and (slightly) modified here to give you a sense of the versatility of this great little grill:
I love the aluminum legs that separate the hot grill from the surface, and then serve as a lid lock when folded. This grill also has three convenient handles – one on top and two on the side.
There are built-in air vents to help control the temperature. Overall, I don’t believe you can get a better quality, more functional tabletop grill.
Pros
- Budget: Very affordable at less than $70
- Fuel: Charcoal
- Size & weight: 160 square inches of cooking area, 13.45 Pounds
- Handles? Yes
- Warranty: Different parts have various warranties, but some are up to 5 years
Don’t go for low grade fuel and get the best lump charcoal for your next Weber cookout
Best tabletop griddle: Blackstone Tabletop Grill 22 Inch
Different from a conventional grill, a griddle offers a lot of cooking space on a relatively compact surface.
You can cook so many different kinds of food on a flat top griddle, from the usual burgers and steaks to egg and bacon.
This Blackstone has two burners and runs on propane. The two burners mean that you can create different heat zones and keep some food warm while you’re grilling on the other side.
It also includes a helpful grease drainage system and is relatively easy to clean up once you’re done with cooking.
The only thing it’s missing in my opinion is a lid and handles.
Pros
- Budget: Just a little over $200, it’s very affordable for the quality
- Fuel: Propane
- Size & weight: 330 square inches of cooking space; 32 pounds
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
Cons
- Handles? No
Have a gas grill but still like the idea of a flat BBQ surface? Try grilling on a BBQ mat!
Best 2-burner tabletop grill: Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef’s Style Propane
The Cuisinart CGG-306 offers 276 square inches of cooking area and is one of the biggest tabletop grills on this list. However, it’s still compact enough to be very mobile and easy to transport.
You can easily prepare enough food for a larger family or a gathering of friends. The drip tray gathers up all the grease so there’s an easy clean-up after you finish cooking.
The solid construction includes a locking cover, folding legs, and a comfortable carrying handle so you can really take it anywhere.
Plus it only weighs in at 22 pounds. For under $200, this is a great option for tabletop grilling, and the manufacturers offer a 3-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Budget: Very affordable for the size and durability
- Fuel: Propane
- Size & weight: 276 square inches of cooking space; 22 pounds
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
Cons
- Handles? It does not have side handles, but the lid does lock into place, and you can transport it easily by carrying the handle on the front
Most durable tabletop grill: Weber Q1200
If what you want is the easiest possible temperature control and convenience, this grill is the number one choice for you! Once you start the burner, it only takes a moment to reach the right temperature for cooking.
The Weber Q1200 propane grill is perfect for small spaces (apartment balconies or patios) and great for traveling.
It is extremely solid and stable and together with the separately sold stand (Q Portable Cart) it can easily serve as a small-sized stationary grill.
Hidden under the lid are 189 square inches of cooking area. There’s also the slightly bigger Q2200 version.
A very strong burner made of stainless steel and high-quality porcelain grill grates guarantee great results when it comes to your food.
And if you want even more versatility, you can buy an additional griddle.
I’m really impressed by the high temperatures this little grill can reach. I also like the side shelves which offer decent working space and fold away when not in use.
You don’t have to worry about cleaning either, because the grease runs through a hole in the middle of the grill onto a special aluminum tray that you can quickly and easily remove on the side.
It is one of the most expensive tabletop grills on this list, but in my opinion, quality and functionality are things that don’t come cheap but are definitely worth paying for.
Pros
- Budget: At just over $200, it’s well worth the price
- Fuel: propane
- Handles? Yes
- Warranty: Different parts have various warranties, but some are up to 5 years
Cons
- Size & weight: It’s fairly small at 189 square inches of cooking area; 31 pounds
FAQs about tabletop grills
Can I use a tabletop grill on a plastic table?
A tabletop grill requires the right type of surface so that you can cook safely.
Don’t cook on plastic as it is not a safe or durable surface. It could melt due to the heat transfer from the grill to the table.
Make sure that the tabletop you grill on is wood or metal. You can even buy heat-resistant mats to protect the surface under the grill.
Can you use a tabletop grill indoors?
Some grills can be used indoors, and the manufacturer will specify this in the product description.
However, it’s mostly advised not to use propane grills inside as the gases can build up if the room is not well ventilated. Always check the grill instructions before use.
How long will a 1-lb propane tank last me if I use it with my tabletop grill?
This will last around 1½ hours at high heat. A 10 lb tank should last a reasonable amount of time – approximately 6 hours on high heat.
Takeaway
Now you’re ready to pick the right tabletop grill for your needs.
Remember to always check the type of fuel, and go for a respected manufacturer to get the most value for your hard-earned cash.
Also looking for a BBQ smoker? These are the 5 best BBQ smoker brands (+ complete buying guide)
