Small is a promise that gets broken often, because makers measure the grill and buyers imagine the meal. This ranking defines small honestly: grills that one person carries easily, store in a small space, and feed one to four people. Anything heavier or larger belongs in the main guide, however portable its name sounds.
The Best Small Portable Grills (2027)
Small portable grills for 2027: suitcase gas grills, folding grills, charcoal boxes and kettles for two-person cooking.
The short answer
The Cuisinart Petit Gourmet is the smallest real gas grill here, a suitcase for two with a dishwasher-safe grate. The Coleman Fold N Go is the lightest folding option for solo campers. Charcoal fans get the Weber Go-Anywhere box for fire flavor in a flat package, or the 14-inch Smokey Joe kettle for classic kettle cooking. The Weber Q1200 is the premium small pick, adding cast-iron searing to a carryable body.
Our top picks at a glance
- Cuisinart Petit Gourmet (CGG-180T), RedThe suitcase grill: 150 sq in, folding legs and a handle, built for two-person camping.Best overall small grill
- Coleman Fold N Go Portable Propane GrillThe lightest gas grill here: a folding horseshoe burner for solo and duo camping.Best ultralight small grill
- Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal GrillThe rectangular charcoal box: real fire, folding legs and a lid that locks for the carry.Best small charcoal grill
- Weber Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Charcoal GrillThe classic kettle, shrunk: a 14-inch charcoal grill with a lid lock for two-person cookouts.Best small kettle grill
- Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill (Titanium)The compact Q: the same cast-iron cooking in the smallest body Weber makes for the road.Best premium small grill
- Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable Gas GrillThe armored tabletop: latching lid, infrared heat and a body built to be tossed in the truck.Best rugged small grill
The picks, ranked
Every product in this lineup was picked for this use case, ranked with our strongest choices first. If a product from the wider category does not genuinely fit this scenario, it is not listed here.
| # | Product | Award | Cooking area | Output | Grate | Design | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cuisinart Petit Gourmet (CGG-180T), Red | Best overall small grill | 150 sq in (maker rating) | 5,500 BTU, single burner (maker rating) | Porcelain-enameled, dishwasher-safe | Folding legs with carry handle | 1 lb propane cylinder |
| 2 | Coleman Fold N Go Portable Propane Grill | Best ultralight small grill | - | 6,000 BTU, single adjustable horseshoe burner (maker rating) | - | Folding, single-burner portable grill | Liquid propane |
| 3 | Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill | Best small charcoal grill | - | - | Two-piece plated steel cooking grate | - | Charcoal |
| 4 | Weber Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Grill | Best small kettle grill | 147 sq in, 14-inch grate (maker rating) | - | - | - | Charcoal |
| 5 | Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill (Titanium) | Best premium small grill | 189 sq in (maker rating) | 8,500 BTU, single burner (maker rating) | - | - | - |
| 6 | Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable Gas Grill | Best rugged small grill | 200 sq in (maker rating) | 9,500 BTU, single burner (maker rating) | - | - | - |
Best overall small grill
Cuisinart Petit Gourmet (CGG-180T), Red
The suitcase grill: 150 sq in, folding legs and a handle, built for two-person camping.
Strengths
- 150 sq in of dishwasher-safe porcelain-enameled grate, sized for about eight burgers at a push
- 5,500 BTU single burner with folding legs and a carry handle, so setup is unfold, connect and light
- The whole grill travels like a small suitcase, fitting trunks and storage lockers that reject bigger grills
- Simple controls suit beginners, with one burner knob and no zones or menus to learn
Limitations
- 150 sq in is genuinely small, and larger cuts like a whole chicken crowd the grate
- Heat runs uneven toward the edges, so food placement matters more than on bigger grills
- The light build trades some sturdiness for weight, and the legs feel less planted than a cart grill
What owners report
Most praised
- Owners love the carry-anywhere size, calling it the grill that actually leaves the garage for every trip
- Cleanup wins fans, with the porcelain grate going in the dishwasher after the cook
- Beginners praise the one-knob simplicity after wrestling with bigger grills elsewhere
Common complaints
- Uneven edge heat catches new owners out, with food near the rim cooking slower
- The small grate frustrates buyers who pictured family cookouts on a couples-sized grill
- Replacement burner availability worries long-term owners after years of use
| Cooking area | 150 sq in (maker rating) |
|---|---|
| Output | 5,500 BTU, single burner (maker rating) |
| Grate | Porcelain-enameled, dishwasher-safe |
| Design | Folding legs with carry handle |
| Fuel | 1 lb propane cylinder |
| Model | CGG-180T |
Best for: Couples, solo campers and small balconies that need the smallest real gas grill that still sears.
Skip if: You cook for a family; 150 sq in and 5,500 BTU will not keep up with a crowd's worth of burgers.
Best ultralight small grill
Coleman Fold N Go Portable Propane Grill
The lightest gas grill here: a folding horseshoe burner for solo and duo camping.
Strengths
- Folding design collapses to a slim package that fits where no other gas grill in this guide will
- 6,000 BTU adjustable horseshoe burner spreads flame around the small grate better than a single jet
- Push-button starter keeps lighting simple at the campsite without matches or lighters
- Light enough to carry one-handed to the picnic table, a real difference on walk-in sites
Limitations
- Output is modest, so searing thick steaks takes patience and a preheated grate
- The cooking surface suits one or two people, and a third guest stretches it thin
- Wind affects the small burner noticeably, and a sheltered spot cooks far better than an exposed one
What owners report
Most praised
- Owners praise the packed size above all, with the grill disappearing into gear bins other grills cannot enter
- The even horseshoe flame earns compliments for a grill this small and cheap
- Solo campers call it the right trade: real grilled food without hauling a cart or a kettle
Common complaints
- Low output frustrates owners who expected steakhouse searing from a folding grill
- Windy pitches expose the burner, with cooking times stretching on gusty days
- Two-person cooking is the honest ceiling, and buyers feeding more feel it immediately
| Output | 6,000 BTU, single adjustable horseshoe burner (maker rating) |
|---|---|
| Ignition | Push-button starter |
| Design | Folding, single-burner portable grill |
| Fuel | Liquid propane |
| Model | 2000020932 |
| Carry | One-hand carry when folded |
Best for: Solo campers, backpackers with a car base and anyone whose packing space is measured in inches.
Skip if: You cook for more than two or want high searing heat; 6,000 BTU on a small grate is a gentle grill.
Best small charcoal grill
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
The rectangular charcoal box: real fire, folding legs and a lid that locks for the carry.
Strengths
- Rectangular grate fits sausages, skewers and corn side by side better than a round kettle of the same size
- Two-piece plated steel cooking grate lifts in sections, so adding coals mid-cook does not mean removing all the food
- Dampers give real airflow control for a small charcoal grill, letting cooks run hot for searing or cooler for chicken
- Legs fold up to lock the lid for carrying, so the grill travels as one tidy box instead of loose parts
Limitations
- Charcoal handling is the whole job: lighting, ash and a hot box that must cool before packing
- The compact grate suits two to four people, not a campsite crowd
- At roughly 15 lb with a boxy shape it is easy to carry but awkward to fit among soft camping bags
What owners report
Most praised
- Charcoal flavor is the reason owners keep it, with steaks and skewers tasting unlike anything from a gas tabletop
- The folding-leg lid lock makes it the rare charcoal grill that travels without parts rattling loose
- Campers praise the rectangular grate for fitting long foods that round kettles waste space on
Common complaints
- Ash cleanup at a campsite is the recurring chore, with no easy place to dump a hot box
- The small fire bed needs refuelling on longer cooks, which interrupts the meal
- Wind steals heat from the low box more than owners expect on exposed sites
| Fuel | Charcoal |
|---|---|
| Grate | Two-piece plated steel cooking grate |
| Airflow | Adjustable dampers for temperature control |
| Legs | Folding legs that lock the lid for transport |
| Weight | Approx. 15 lb, per published testing |
| Shape | Rectangular portable box |
Best for: Charcoal loyalists who camp by car and want proper fire flavor in a grill that packs flat.
Skip if: You want push-button convenience or cook in a hurry; charcoal needs lighting time, tending and ash disposal.
Best small kettle grill
Weber Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Grill
The classic kettle, shrunk: a 14-inch charcoal grill with a lid lock for two-person cookouts.
Strengths
- 147 sq in of porcelain-enameled kettle cooking, enough for a few burgers or a small chicken
- Tuck-N-Carry lid lock secures the lid for transport, so the kettle travels as one unit
- Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid resist heat and weather, which is why these kettles last for years
- The kettle shape gives better indirect cooking options than flat charcoal boxes of the same size
Limitations
- The 14-inch grate is a two-to-three person grill, and guests beyond that wait for round two
- A small charcoal bed needs attention on longer cooks and cannot hold heat for hours
- Ash handling is basic, and cleanup means dealing with a kettle rather than a slide-out tray
What owners report
Most praised
- Owners call it the cheapest honest charcoal grill, with kettle flavor at a price that invites a second one
- The lid lock gets praised by campers who carry it loaded without the lid sliding off
- Longevity stories dominate, with kettles still cooking years after cheaper grills rusted out
Common complaints
- The small grate disappoints buyers who pictured a full family cookout on a 14-inch circle
- Ash cleanup without a proper catcher is the chore owners mention after every cook
- Heat control takes practice, and beginners overshoot or stall the fire while learning the vents
| Cooking area | 147 sq in, 14-inch grate (maker rating) |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Charcoal |
| Finish | Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid |
| Lid | Tuck-N-Carry lid lock |
| Model | 1501695 |
| Style | Portable kettle |
Best for: Charcoal fans who want the kettle experience in the smallest, cheapest body that still cooks properly.
Skip if: You cook for more than three or hate tending charcoal; the 14-inch grate and small fire bed set firm limits.
Best premium small grill
Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill (Titanium)
The compact Q: the same cast-iron cooking in the smallest body Weber makes for the road.
Strengths
- 189 sq in of porcelain-enameled cast-iron grate in a body one person can genuinely carry
- 8,500 BTU burner with electronic ignition, sized to the grate so heat stays even edge to edge
- Folding side tables give a place for a tray and tools without demanding a big table
- The Q shape and lid design hold heat well for a small grill, so it behaves like a bigger grill on steaks
Limitations
- 189 sq in is a two-to-four person grill, and a crowd turns dinner into a relay
- A single burner offers no cool zone, so buns and vegetables need timing rather than space
- The small grease system needs emptying sooner than the bigger Q models after fatty cooks
What owners report
Most praised
- Owners call it the right size for two, with enough grate for a pair of steaks and vegetables at once
- The cast-iron grates get singled out for sear quality that cheaper small grills cannot match
- Balcony and small-patio owners value a grill that stores in a corner and cooks like a full-size unit
Common complaints
- Crowd cooking disappoints buyers who underestimated how small 189 sq in feels with guests
- The catch pan fills fast on fatty menus and needs checking mid-cook
- Single-burner control limits cooks who want a gentle side and a hot side at once
| Cooking area | 189 sq in (maker rating) |
|---|---|
| Output | 8,500 BTU, single burner (maker rating) |
| Grates | Porcelain-enameled cast iron |
| Ignition | Electronic ignition |
| Weight | Approx. 29 lb, per listing |
| Model | 51060001 (Titanium) |
Best for: Couples, small balconies and car campers who want Weber grate quality in a grill one person can carry.
Skip if: You regularly cook for five or more; 189 sq in means cooking in rounds for a crowd.
Best rugged small grill
Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable Gas Grill
The armored tabletop: latching lid, infrared heat and a body built to be tossed in the truck.
Strengths
- 200 sq in grate with an infrared emitter plate that transfers burner heat directly and cuts flare-ups
- 9,500 BTU burner with push-button ignition that needs no batteries, one less thing to fail outdoors
- Latching lid and rugged housing are made for rough handling in truck beds and boat lockers
- The boxy shape sits stable on picnic tables and tailgate setups without rocking
Limitations
- Infrared heat runs hot and direct, so delicate fish and vegetables need watching and lower settings
- 200 sq in covers a small group, and a crowd means cooking in batches
- The emitter plate and grease tray add cleaning steps that open-flame grills skip
What owners report
Most praised
- Tailgaters praise the latching lid most, since the grill rides in a truck bed without opening or spilling grease
- Juicy results on burgers and chicken get repeated mentions, with fewer flare-up incidents than open-flame rivals
- The push-button ignition without batteries is appreciated on trips where spares are forgotten
Common complaints
- The hot infrared plate scorches delicate foods when owners treat it like a gentle gas grill
- Cleaning the emitter area and tray takes longer than buyers expect from a small grill
- The 200 sq in grate feels tight once sides and a second round of guests enter the picture
| Cooking area | 200 sq in (maker rating) |
|---|---|
| Output | 9,500 BTU, single burner (maker rating) |
| Heat system | Infrared emitter plate (TRU-Infrared style) |
| Ignition | Push-button ignition, no batteries required |
| Lid | Latching lid for transport |
| Model | 25409200 |
Best for: Tailgaters and beach grillers who want a tough, latching grill that survives rough transport.
Skip if: You want a big cooking surface or gentle heat; the infrared plate runs hot and the grate is 200 sq in.
Questions, answered
What is the smallest portable grill worth buying?
The Cuisinart Petit Gourmet for gas, at 150 sq in with a suitcase carry, or the Coleman Fold N Go for the slimmest folding package. Both feed one or two people properly. Smaller novelty grills exist, but they cook so little and so unevenly that they stop being grills and become toys.
Can a small grill sear a steak properly?
Yes, with preheating and grate quality. Cast-iron grates like the Q1200's hold heat for a real sear, while thin grates on the cheapest small grills lose heat the moment cold meat lands. Preheat fully, dry the steak surface, and sear without crowding the small grate.
Is a small grill enough for a family of four?
Honestly, no, not as the only grill. A 150 to 189 sq in grate cooks for two to four only in shifts, with food cooling while the next round cooks. Families of four should look at 280 sq in models like the Q2200 or Q2000, or accept cooking in waves with a warming plan.
Where do I store a small portable grill?
Most small grills here fit a garage shelf, a storage locker or a car trunk corner, especially the folding and suitcase models. Empty grease trays first, clean the grate, and store charcoal models dry, since damp storage rusts grates and fire beds faster than use does.
Every guide on Portable Grills15 pages
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