In a hurry? The Weber Original Kettle Premium is our top pick because it has the strongest review base in this guide, a proven design, and the best balance of flavour, durability, and price of any charcoal BBQ available in the UK. It is one of the best charcoal BBQs you can buy right now. Check the current price on Amazon.
The best BBQs you can buy in the UK right now
Buying a BBQ in the UK is a more considered decision than it looks. Your garden size, whether you cook for two or twelve, how much setup time you are prepared for, and whether you prioritise convenience or flavour all point to completely different answers. Getting it wrong means a BBQ that lives in the shed from July onwards.
We analysed over 26,000 owner reviews across eight BBQs available to UK buyers to find the best in each category, from a budget electric grill for balcony use to a Kamado Joe for serious enthusiasts who want the best outdoor cooking available. No guesswork, just what owners actually say after a season of real use.
Prices are correct at time of publishing. Check Amazon for the latest.
Best BBQs UK 2026 – comparison table
| BBQ | Price | Rating (reviews) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weber Kettle Premium 22″ | ~£260 | 4.8★ (8,500+) | Best charcoal, best overall |
| Char-Broil Gas2Coal 330 Hybrid | ~£345 | 4.6★ (1,100+) | Gas and charcoal in one |
| Ninja Woodfire Electric OG701UK | ~£259 | 4.7★ (1,000+) | Best electric, UK patios |
| CosmoGrill 5 Burner Gas | ~£195 | 4.4★ (1,000+) | Budget gas, families |
| CosmoGrill XL Charcoal Smoker | ~£132 | 4.6★ (3,100+) | Budget charcoal, garden parties |
| George Foreman Indoor Outdoor Electric | ~£79.99 | 4.6★ (6,900+) | Budget electric, balconies |
| Char-Griller AKORN Jr Kamado | ~£227 | 4.6★ (5,000+) | Enthusiast, kamado style |
| Kamado Joe Classic II | ~£1,323 | 4.6★ (904) | Premium, serious outdoor cooks |
See today’s price on the Weber Original Kettle Premium – our top pick for most UK gardens.
Section 1: Premium Picks
These are the BBQs worth spending properly on. Whether you want the best charcoal flavour, the flexibility of gas and charcoal in one, or an electric grill that actually tastes like outdoor cooking, these three cover every serious buyer in the UK market.
1. Weber Original Kettle Premium 22″ – Best charcoal BBQ UK
The benchmark charcoal BBQ. 4.8 stars from 8,500+ owner reviews, enclosed ash catcher, hinged grill grate, and built-in thermometer. Decades of proven reliability.
Who this is for: Anyone who wants the best charcoal BBQ available in the UK, from first-time grillers who want to learn properly to experienced cooks who know what the kettle design delivers.
At 4.8 stars from over 8,500 owner reviews, the Weber kettle has the strongest review score in this guide and the track record to back it up. The Premium upgrade earns its price: the enclosed ash catcher keeps the area tidy, the hinged grill grate lets you add charcoal mid-cook without lifting the whole grate off, and the built-in lid thermometer gives you a temperature read without opening it. The vent system is what makes it genuinely excellent: close both vents and the fire dies naturally, leaving unused charcoal for the next cook. Owners report cooking everything from burgers to slow-smoked pork belly on this grill, and several note theirs has lasted well over fifteen years.
- 4.8 stars from 8,500+ owner reviews, strongest in this guide
- Enclosed ash catcher keeps area tidy
- Hinged grate for mid-cook charcoal top-up
- Built-in thermometer
- Vent system allows precise temperature control
- Weber long-term reliability, owners report 15+ years of use
- Charcoal takes longer to prepare than gas
- Heavier than budget alternatives
- Assembly takes around 30 to 40 minutes
- Learning the vent system takes a cook or two
Check the current price on Amazon
2. Char-Broil Gas2Coal 330 Hybrid – Best hybrid BBQ UK
Gas and charcoal in one BBQ. 4.6 stars from 1,100+ owner reviews. Switch between fuel types without buying two separate BBQs. Ideal for buyers who want flexibility.
Who this is for: Buyers who genuinely use both gas and charcoal at different times, or anyone tired of deciding between convenience and flavour every time they want to cook outside.
The Gas2Coal does both fuel types in one unit, without needing two separate grills. Owners praise the construction quality, dual fuel capability, and cooking results. The honest caveats: assembly is more involved than expected according to a number of owners, and heat distribution takes a session or two to get comfortable with. If you know you will genuinely alternate between fuel types across a season, the flexibility earns its price. If you will mostly default to one, a dedicated gas or charcoal BBQ is a cleaner choice.
- Gas and charcoal in one unit
- 4.6 stars from 1,100+ owner reviews
- Solid construction praised by owners
- Good cooking performance across both fuel types
- Saves buying two separate BBQs
- Assembly time-consuming according to some owners
- Heat distribution receives mixed feedback
- More complex to clean than single-fuel models
- Premium price for the flexibility
Check the current price on Amazon
3. Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ OG701UK – Best electric BBQ UK
Electric BBQ with real woodfire smoky flavour. 4.7 stars from 1,000+ owner reviews. Perfect for UK patios, balconies, and gardens where charcoal or gas is impractical.
Who this is for: UK homeowners with smaller outdoor spaces, flat or apartment dwellers where charcoal or gas is restricted, or anyone who wants the flavour of outdoor cooking without the setup time.
The Ninja Woodfire addresses the biggest complaint about electric BBQs: the flavour. The woodfire pellet system adds genuine smokiness that standard electric grills cannot match. Ease of use and ease of cleaning are the two most consistent owner positives, which matters in a UK summer where your BBQ might only come out on ten good days a year. The overall picture from 1,000 owner reviews at 4.7 stars is strongly positive, with the smoke flavour and easy cleanup called out most often.
- 4.7 stars from 1,000+ owner reviews
- Woodfire pellet system adds real smoke flavour
- Electric convenience, no charcoal or gas needed
- Easy to use and easy to clean
- Suitable for patios and smaller outdoor spaces
- Woodfire pellets are an additional ongoing cost
- Less authentic charcoal flavour than a kettle grill
- Some functionality concerns from a minority of owners
- Not suitable for large group cooking
Check the current price on Amazon
Section 2: Budget Picks Under £200
This is where most UK buyers should realistically shop, particularly if this is your first BBQ, your garden space is limited, or you only cook outside a handful of times a year. All three picks deliver solid results at a price that is easy to justify for a British summer.
4. CosmoGrill Original 5 Burner Gas BBQ – Best budget gas BBQ UK
5 burners, warming rack, side burner, built-in temperature gauge, and storage. 4.4 stars from 1,000+ owner reviews. The budget gas BBQ for families who want space to cook.
Who this is for: Families who want a full-size gas BBQ at a budget price, or anyone who regularly cooks for groups and needs multiple burner zones without spending premium money.
Five burners, a side burner for sauces, a warming rack, a built-in temperature gauge, and storage underneath. Owners call out the sturdiness, appearance, and value as the main positives, with 200 buyers a month backing that up. The one consistent friction point is assembly: some find it straightforward, others report it taking considerably longer than expected and the instructions being less clear than they should be. Budget for the assembly time and you will not be disappointed by the result.
- 5 burners for flexible cooking zones
- Side burner and warming rack included
- Built-in temperature gauge
- 4.4 stars from 1,000+ owner reviews
- Strong value for a full-size gas BBQ
- Assembly receives mixed feedback, some find it time-consuming
- Instructions unclear according to some owners
- Not as refined as premium gas BBQs
- 200+ bought per month suggests high demand but limited long-term review data
Check the current price on Amazon
5. CosmoGrill XL Charcoal Smoker BBQ – Best budget charcoal BBQ UK
4.6 stars from 3,100+ owner reviews. XL cooking area, folding side tables, adjustable charcoal pan, built-in thermometer, and wheels. The budget charcoal pick for garden parties.
Who this is for: Budget-conscious buyers who want a large charcoal cooking area for garden parties and entertaining, without the Weber price tag.
The CosmoGrill XL consistently surprises owners with its construction quality and professional appearance for the price. The large cooking surface suits garden party cooking for eight or more, the folding side tables are practical, and the adjustable charcoal pan gives you more heat control than a basic fixed grate. Same caveat as the gas model above: assembly takes time and the instructions divide opinion. Plan for it and you will not regret the buy. With 700 buyers a month and 3,100 reviews at 4.6 stars, it is one of the most-proven budget charcoal BBQs on Amazon UK.
- 4.6 stars from 3,100+ owner reviews
- XL cooking area for garden parties
- Adjustable charcoal pan for heat control
- Built-in thermometer and wheels
- Strong value at a budget-friendly price
- Assembly takes significant time according to some owners
- Instructions receive mixed reviews
- Budget build quality vs premium charcoal BBQs
- Charcoal BBQ requires more maintenance than gas
Check the current price on Amazon
6. George Foreman Indoor Outdoor Electric Grill – Best budget electric BBQ UK
4.6 stars from 6,900+ owner reviews. Use indoors or outdoors with or without the stand. Easy to clean removable plate, variable temperature, and 1,500cm² cooking surface.
Who this is for: Flat or apartment dwellers where charcoal and gas are not permitted, buyers with very small outdoor spaces, or anyone who wants an easy indoor/outdoor grill at the most affordable price in this guide.
Use it on the worktop, use it on the patio, use it with or without the stand. The removable plate cleans in seconds. With 6,900 owner reviews at 4.6 stars it has the second largest review base in this guide, and the indoor/outdoor flexibility is what most owners specifically mention as the reason they chose it over a standard electric grill. Temperature control divides opinion, and a proportion of owners report reliability issues over time. At a budget-friendly price those are the honest trade-offs of an entry-level electric grill.
- 4.6 stars from 6,900+ owner reviews
- Use indoors or outdoors
- Removable plate for easy cleaning
- Works with or without the stand
- Most affordable pick in this guide
- Temperature control mixed across owner feedback
- Some reliability concerns from a proportion of owners
- Less authentic flavour than charcoal or gas
- Not suitable for large group cooking
Check the current price on Amazon
Section 3: Upgrade and Enthusiast Picks
For buyers who take outdoor cooking seriously and want to go further than a standard kettle or gas grill, these two picks represent the next level. The Char-Griller AKORN Jr brings kamado-style cooking to a more accessible price point, while the Kamado Joe Classic II is the premium ceramic option for serious outdoor cooks.
7. Char-Griller AKORN Jr Kamado – Best kamado BBQ for most buyers
4.6 stars from 5,000+ owner reviews. Kamado-style heat retention, portable design, suits grilling and slow smoking. The enthusiast upgrade without the Kamado Joe price.
Who this is for: Outdoor cooking enthusiasts who want kamado-style performance at a significantly lower price than a Kamado Joe, or campers who want a capable portable BBQ with serious results.
The AKORN Jr brings genuine kamado cooking to a much more accessible price point. Owners describe it as easy to assemble, great quality, and genuinely capable of low-and-slow smoking. One UK owner specifically praised cooking a Boston butt low and slow with excellent results. It is smaller than a full-size kamado but owners consistently find it handles large chicken and substantial cuts without issue. Shut the vents at the end of a cook and most of the unused charcoal stays ready for next time.
- 4.6 stars from 5,000+ owner reviews
- Kamado-style heat retention and versatility
- Portable, suits camping and smaller gardens
- Great for both grilling and low-and-slow smoking
- Significantly lower price than Kamado Joe
- Smaller cooking area than full-size kamados
- Charcoal-only, no gas option
- Learning curve for temperature management
- Thinner steel than ceramic kamado alternatives
Check the current price on Amazon
8. Kamado Joe Classic II – Best premium BBQ UK
The premium kamado. 4.6 stars from 904 owner reviews. Ceramic construction, heat deflectors, cast iron cart, and some of the best outdoor cooking results available from a home BBQ.
Who this is for: Serious outdoor cooking enthusiasts who want the best and treat outdoor cooking as a genuine long-term passion rather than an occasional summer activity.
The Kamado Joe Classic II is not a BBQ you buy on impulse. It is a BBQ you buy after two or three years of loving outdoor cooking and deciding you want the very best. The ceramic construction retains heat at a level steel BBQs cannot match, the heat deflectors allow true indirect cooking, and owners describe pulled pork, smoked ribs, and results that rival restaurant-quality outdoor cooking. For that buyer it is the last BBQ they will ever need to buy. For casual summer grillers, the Weber at a fraction of the price is a far more sensible choice.
- 4.6 stars from 904 owner reviews
- Ceramic construction for exceptional heat retention
- True low-and-slow smoking capability
- Cast iron cart and heat deflectors included
- The last BBQ most serious cooks will ever buy
- Premium price is a significant commitment
- Overkill for casual summer grilling
- Heavy and not portable
- Requires proper care and cover to maintain long term
Check the current price on Amazon
Which BBQ should you buy?
Still not sure? Answer this: how often do you actually grill, and does flavour or convenience matter more to you?
- Want the best charcoal flavour and long-term reliability: Weber Original Kettle Premium 22″.
- Want gas and charcoal flexibility in one unit: Char-Broil Gas2Coal 330 Hybrid.
- Want electric with actual smoky flavour, no charcoal or gas: Ninja Woodfire Electric OG701UK.
- Want a full-size gas BBQ on a budget: CosmoGrill 5 Burner Gas.
- Want a large charcoal smoker at a budget price: CosmoGrill XL Charcoal Smoker.
- Want the easiest electric grill for indoor and outdoor use: George Foreman Indoor Outdoor Electric.
- Want a serious enthusiast upgrade without flagship money: Char-Griller AKORN Jr Kamado.
- Want the best outdoor cooking available at any price: Kamado Joe Classic II.
See the Weber Original Kettle Premium on Amazon UK
BBQ buying guide: your questions answered
Gas BBQs are easier to use, heat up quickly, and offer precise temperature control, making them ideal for everyday cooking. Charcoal BBQs take longer to set up but deliver a deeper, smokier flavour that many people prefer. Neither is better overall. It depends on whether you prioritise convenience or flavour. If you want both, the Char-Broil Gas2Coal Hybrid in this guide offers a genuine middle ground.
Electric BBQs are worth it for UK homes with limited outdoor space or where charcoal and gas are restricted. They are easy to use, heat up quickly, and can often be used on balconies or patios. The trade-off is less authentic BBQ flavour compared to charcoal, although the Ninja Woodfire in this guide significantly closes that gap with its woodfire pellet system. For straightforward budget electric use, the George Foreman is the most proven pick.
For two to four people, a compact BBQ or a 40 to 50cm cooking area is usually enough. For families or regular entertaining, a larger BBQ with multiple burners or a wider charcoal grill is more practical. The Weber 22 inch kettle is widely described by UK owners as the right size for four to six people. If you regularly cook for larger groups, the CosmoGrill XL charcoal smoker or a five-burner gas BBQ gives you more space without needing to size up to an enthusiast model.
This depends on your building rules or tenancy agreement. Many flats restrict charcoal and gas BBQs due to smoke and fire risk. Electric BBQs are usually the safest and most commonly permitted option for balcony use, but you should always check your specific building guidelines before buying. The George Foreman Indoor Outdoor Electric in this guide is the most practical choice for balcony and smaller outdoor spaces.
Gas and electric BBQs are generally the easiest to clean because they produce less ash and residue. Charcoal BBQs require more maintenance, including ash removal and grate cleaning after each use. The George Foreman Electric with its removable plate is the easiest in this guide to clean, taking seconds with a damp cloth. The Weber kettle’s enclosed ash catcher makes charcoal cleanup more contained than most charcoal BBQs.
Hybrid BBQs are a good option if you genuinely want the flexibility of both gas and charcoal in one unit. They allow you to switch between quick convenient cooking and more traditional charcoal grilling without needing two separate BBQs. The trade-off is a slightly more complex setup and higher price compared to single-fuel models. If you know you will mostly use one fuel type, a dedicated gas or charcoal BBQ is usually a cleaner choice.
Found this guide useful?
New buying guides, comparison updates, and the occasional deal worth knowing about. One email a week.
Last updated: . Prices correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
