We Tested 17 Portable Grills: Our Top 5 In Canada in 2024

What We Think of the Weber 9010001 Traveler Gas Grill

We are truly blown away by the quality of the Weber 9010001 Traveler Gas Grill. It’s obviously our favourite propane option in the portable grill category, but it might just be number one overall right now. The grill itself is built into a super durable cart that has durable wheels and a side table—perfect for long treks into the wilderness or easy pulling over sand. And you’ve even got room to store plates and cooking utensils when it’s upright.

We also really like that you can unfold it with a single hand. The usefulness of that explains itself, right? The grilling area is also more than double some other portable grills, so you’ll be able to cook for larger groups with this one without any problem. Everyone gets to eat at once. And when the party’s over, the removable grease tray and easy-clean grates make clean-up a breeze. It really doesn’t get better.

One of the only things that might deter you from choosing this grill is the price tag. It’s higher than most portable grills, but we promise you it’s worth it. One other potential problem is the size. It’s pretty large even in its folded-down state, so if tend to pack a lot of gear for your trips or you’re low on storage space at home, it might not be the most convenient addition.

Overall, the Weber 9010001 Traveler Gas Grill is our top pick for portable propane grills this year. With its convenient cart design, large grilling capacity, and reliable all-terrain wheels, it’s the perfect companion for travelling just about anywhere.

• Performance: 5/5

• Usability: 5/5

• Price: 4/5

• Quality: 5/5

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Weber 9010001 Traveler Gas Grill

Reviewers have a very high opinion of the Weber 9010001 Traveler Gas Grill. Although it’s heavy, the wheels make it really easy to tow along to campsites, beach sites, and more. They really love that it can stand up on its own, too, and unfold with only one hand. They don’t have any trouble cleaning it, no matter what they cook, and the side table is super convenient. They have no complaints.

Weber 9010001 Traveler Gas Grill Pros and Cons

Buy If…

• You’d like to keep an eye on the internal temperature

• A one-hand setup sounds like a brilliant idea

• An easy-to-clean grill is a must-have

• You’ll be cooking for large groups fairly often

Don’t Buy If…

Weber 9010001 Traveler Gas Grill Specifications

Our Top Electric Pick

What We Think of the Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 Outdoor Grill

The Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 Outdoor Grill boasts a lot of features that we appreciate, and we bet you will too. First of all, it’s the single most versatile portable grill money can buy. It offers seven (yes, seven!) different functions so you can cook all of your favourite foods in your favourite ways. It can grill, smoke (with wood pellets), air fry, bake, roast, broil, and dehydrate! Imagine that!

It comes with all of the accessories you need for every function, plus a cover (yay), so you’ll be able to use every feature right away and keep it outdoors if you want to! Since it’s super compact, it’ll make a good travel buddy too, as long as you don’t mind hefting it along. Thirty pounds is a bit heavy for a portable grill, but totally worth it in our opinion.

There are a handful of features you might not completely love, though. The cooking capacity is fairly small, so it’s not great for serving more than three people, maybe four depending on what you’re cooking. Also, it can be a real pain to clean, so you might want to pick and choose what you use it for (especially if it’s greasy food!). You’ll also need an outlet nearby, always. Might be inconvenient sometimes.

All in all, the Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 Outdoor Grill is a pretty fantastic option for cooking at home or on the go. With seven different functions, a ton of included accessories, and a reasonable price tag, there’s really no reason not to buy this one.

• Performance: 5/5

• Usability: 5/5

• Price: 4/5

• Quality: 4.5/5

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 Outdoor Grill

Reviewers like almost everything about the Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 Outdoor Grill. Its versatility means it’s the only appliance they need for all of their cooking needs, and it’s incredibly easy to use on all functions. They don’t have the easiest time cleaning it, but they really like it for apartment living and camping trips.

Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 Outdoor Grill Pros and Cons

Buy If…

• Multifunctionality appeals to you

• You love the flavour of wood-fired food

• You’d like your grill to come with all the necessary accessories

• An ultra-compact design is ideal

Don’t Buy If…

• You’ll want to serve more than four people

• You don’t want to be limited by access to electricity

• You’re not interested in spending a lot of time cleaning it

Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 Outdoor Grill Specifications

• Dimensions: 23.6” x 18.6” x 13.3”

• Weight: 30.6 lbs

• Fuel Type: Electricity and wood pellets

• Cooking Area: 141 sq. in

• Tabletop or Cart: Tabletop

Our Top Charcoal Pick

What We Think of the Masterbuilt MB20040722 Portable Charcoal Grill

We’re big fans of the Masterbuilt MB20040722 Portable Charcoal Grill. Probably our favourite thing about it is the cart. This grill can be used anywhere, even when you don’t have a table to put it on. The cart even has a side table for easier prep. When you’re short on space, you can remove the grill from the cart in no time at all. Handy, right?

This grill has a larger cooking surface than many others, making it perfect for bigger groups, and it’s also able to manage its own temperature. That’s right, this is a charcoal grill that you don’t have to micromanage. You’re welcome. Since the lid can lock and keep the ashes secure, you can travel anytime after cooking without worrying about ash disposal. This is especially useful in more remote areas.

We do want you to consider the possible consequences of a dual power supply. This thing needs both electricity and charcoal to run, so you’ll have to manage both the cost of the charcoal and the potential inconvenience of keeping batteries on hand or setting up near an outlet. Also, it’s one of the larger portable grills out there, so you’ll need more storage space as well.

All in all, the Masterbuilt MB20040722 Portable Charcoal Grill is an amazing choice for anyone with a little extra cash lying around. You’ll have to invest a bit extra in this one, but its quality build and easy management make it a no-brainer for charcoal enthusiasts.

• Performance: 5/5

• Usability: 5/5

• Price: 4/5

• Quality: 4.5/5

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Masterbuilt MB20040722 Portable Charcoal Grill

Reviewers have a high opinion of the Masterbuilt MB20040722 Portable Charcoal Grill. For almost all of them, it’s the first charcoal grill they’ve used that is paired with electricity, and they love the convenience of the temperature dial. They have an easy time using it with or without the cart, and it’s large enough to cook for bigger groups.

Masterbuilt MB20040722 Portable Charcoal Grill Pros and Cons

Buy If…

• You won’t always have a tall surface handy to place your grill on (but you will sometimes)

• You’ll be serving large groups regularly

• You don’t want to micromanage the temperature

• You don’t want to worry about ash disposal till you get home

Don’t Buy If…

Masterbuilt MB20040722 Portable Charcoal Grill Specifications

Our Budget Propane Pick

What We Think of the Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill

We like a lot of things about the Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill in addition to its super affordable price tag. We love it most for its stable design—it has extra wide legs that join along the bottom to make sure it won’t tip over if it’s on an uneven table or a rocking boat. This stability, in combination with the locking lid, makes it safe to use around kids.

The lid can also be locked in an upright position to make open-air cooking (and food addition/removal) a whole lot easier. We love that for you. The twist-start ignition system is also incredibly reliable, so you’ll never have to attempt a start more than twice to get the grill fired up and ready to go.

One of the only times you might not like this grill is if you have to walk with it for a distance. It’s a bit heavy at 17 lbs, and since the only handle is off-balance at the front, it isn’t the most comfortable thing to carry around. It also has a pretty small cooking area, so if you’ll be serving more than two adults, it might not be the best option.

All in all, the Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill is our favourite budget-friendly portable propane grill right now. It has one of the lower serving capacities in the portable grill arena, but for some, that’ll be just perfect. You’ll never have to fight with it for startups, either.

• Performance: 5/5

• Usability: 4.5/5

• Price: 5/5

• Quality: 5/5

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill

Reviewers like the Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill a lot. The lid lock makes them feel more comfortable keeping the grill out around their kids, and it’s also a lot easier for travelling. The grill always starts on the first or second try, and the wide legs are super stable on every surface. They don’t find it to be the easiest thing to carry around though. It’s a bit awkward.

Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill Pros and Cons

Buy If…

• Stability is a priority

• You’d like to be able to cook with the lid open and closed

• Your portable grill needs to be kid-safe

• A reliable ignition system is a must-have

Don’t Buy If…

Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill Specifications

Our Budget Charcoal

What We Think of the Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere BBQ Grill

There are a lot of great features offered by the Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere BBQ Grill. One of our favourites is the way it travels. Its thin metal legs fold up to wrap around the lid, keeping everything secure in an easy-to-carry package. The big handle makes it comfortable to move around, and since it’s infused with glass to keep it cool, you can move the lid while it’s hot without any protective gear.

Since this grill runs on charcoal, you’ll get to enjoy the delicious flavour anywhere you go. It sets up in minutes too, and stays hot for a while, so you’ll be able to use it for multiple meals without a long heat-up time. We’re really happy with its quality considering its low price tag too. You don’t find a combo like that very often.

 You should be aware that this grill can only make food for 2-3 people at a time. If you’ll be serving larger groups regularly (and don’t want to cook in batches), you’ll want to look for a larger grill. Also, since you’ll need to adjust the vents to control the temperature and you won’t have a built-in thermometer to refer to, you’ll want to have some experience with charcoal grilling before you choose this option.

Overall, the Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere BBQ Grill is a perfect option for all of the charcoal lovers out there. It packs very securely for travel, stays hot for a long time, and is also one of the most affordable charcoal grills out there. Doesn’t get much better than that, does it?

• Performance: 5/5

• Usability: 4.5/5

• Price: 5/5

• Quality: 4.5/5

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere BBQ Grill

Reviewers have great things to say about the Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere BBQ Grill. They absolutely love that the legs fold up to keep the lid locked into place—they don’t have to worry about ash spilling or parts sliding around while they head home. It holds a good amount of food for the price and it’s easy to use. Some people would prefer a built-in thermometer for temperature monitoring, though.

Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere BBQ Grill Pros and Cons

Buy If…

• You’d like your grill to be self-contained during travel

• You don’t want to worry about hand protection when lifting the lid

• You love the taste of charcoal-infused meats and veggies

• Affordability is important to you

Don’t Buy If…

Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere BBQ Grill Specifications

How to Properly Choose Your Portable Grill

Price

Some portable grills will be as affordable as $100, others will be closer to $500. In general, propane grills will be the most expensive, and charcoal the most affordable. More expensive grills will also tend to have carts, larger cooking capacities, and a cart design instead of a tabletop.

Cooking Area

Some portable grills will only have 140 square inches of cooking space (enough to serve two people only), while others will more than double that with a cooking area of 320 square inches or larger. If you’ll only be serving yourself and a partner, you’ll get by with pretty much any portable grill, but if you have a large family or like to meet up with friends, you’ll want at least 200 square inches.

Fuel Type

Portable grills can run on propane, charcoal, or electricity. Electric grills are the rarest type and are the least travel-friendly since they rely on access to an outlet. Propane and charcoal grills will require regular fuel purchases, but they also offer more convenience and generally a better cooking experience with better heat output.

Portability

Portable grills will vary quite a bit in size and weight, and you’ll want to pay attention to these things to make sure it’ll be convenient for the travelling you intend on doing. Some portable grills even come with an attached cart that has wheels and side tables—you’ll be able to pull these along instead of carrying the grill by hand, which is a lot more convenient.

Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.