Best gas barbecue 2024: sterling gas grills for year-round use

If you’re looking for the best gas barbecue for the patio, garden, balcony, campsite, caravan, RV or beach, you can stop here.

In this guide, you’ll find gas barbecues of all shapes and sizes, from large garden models to patio-sized grills and even one to two balcony-friendly products. And just below this selection you’ll find a handy guide on how to choose the right gas barbecue for you so you don’t go into the barbecue blizzard blinded by choice.

Remember, though, that this guide is dedicated to the best gas barbecues on the market, while T3's main best barbecue buying guide includes charcoal, gas, pellet and electric varieties. In other words, you should check that guide out if you're unsure which fuel type you're looking for.

The Best Gas Barbecues you can buy in 2024

Canadian BBQ manufacturer Napoleon normally specialises in premium barbecues so it’s great to see the company bringing out an entry-level gas model that performs as well as its prestigious stablemates.

This four-burner model is a brilliant choice for larger families or those who like to entertain on a regular basis. Aside from the trademark wave-shaped cast iron grates – which amount to 4,315cm² of total grilling area – this model also comes with a side-mounted infrared Sizzle Zone for searing steaks and fish at very high temperature. This writer normally dislikes standard side burners that are designed for saucepan use but having an infrared searing station instead is a genuine bonus.

Napoleon’s Jetfire ignition system is another great reason to consider this BBQ since it fires up instantly by dint of a flamethrower that immediately ignites the stainless steel burner the moment your turn and click the temperature control wheel. Since all four burners are linked by a gas channel, each subsequent turn of a different control knob ignites that burner instantaneously. With all four burners raging at full bore you can expect the 425 to reach around 400˚C in about 12 minutes.

The Napoleon 425 SIB (SIB stands for Side Infrared Burner) comes with two sturdy shelves – the one on the left is fixed and has the Sizzle Zone beneath the lid while the shelf on the right can be folded down for easier storage. A superb temperature gauge completes the front end.

Heading round to the back, there’s a big open space to hold your preferred size of propane bottle – the plastic plinth at the base of the unit can be adjusted to accommodate either 5kg or 13kg bottles. Apart from one hiccup during the long assembly process, this BBQ was fairly easy to build.

Cast iron grates of this caliber are amazing to grill on since they retain heat very well. I also love the curly nature of the grates on this model which adds a nice shape to sear marks while stopping small food items like prawns and halloumi from slipping through. During my test, temperatures were very consistent across the entire cooking surface – the chicken, sausages and burgers I grilled came off perfectly cooked and nicely seared. The Sizzle Zone, too, produced a stunning sirloin steak with amazing caramelisation that tasted out of this world.

This writer has always been impressed with Napoleon barbecues. Despite the lower price, this model has performed as well as expected. It’s a cracker in every respect.

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Available in shiny stainless steel or lush black, this snazzy gas model from one of America’s favourite barbecue brands is an absolute corker that’s exceptionally well designed and constructed using better quality materials than the majority of other models on this page. 

As we detail in our Broil King Baron 490 IR review, this is a four-burner beast with a side-mounted steak sizzler, a rotisserie with dedicated rear burner, heavy-duty reversible cast-iron grilling grates, a sturdy side shelf, two solid steel doors to hide the gas bottle and backlit control knobs for night time grilling.

Like all large BBQs, the Baron 490 IR arrives on palette and requires assembly which takes up to three hours to complete. However, seeing the whole shebang as a collection of parts makes you really appreciate the quality of the materials used. Crucially, everything went together perfectly with no dodgy bolt holes and misaligned panels.

At around £1,500, this is not a cheap barbecue but then you do get a lot of meal estate, an incredible steak searing station on the side and a full rotisserie kit with its own full-length back burner. I’ve tried many other gas barbecues in this price bracket and few can compete with this one for sheer versatility and performance.

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If you’re shopping for a small 4kW gas barbecue that can be easily collapsed for winter storage in the shed or taken away with you on a camping or caravan holiday, the Broil King Porta Chef 120 is a very reasonably priced option that ticks many a box.

This grill has one long burner that stretches the entire width of the unit and 1,420 sq cm of grilling space on its high-quality cast iron cooking grate. For its sub-£300 asking price, the Porta Chef 120 is well built though the legs can be a bit wobbly if you don’t pull them outwards a bit when in situ. However, the removable legs and side shelf do make it easy for storage and transport.

Refreshingly, the Porta Chef 120 is one of the easiest gas barbecues to build because most of it is factory assembled. All you have to do is clip in the four legs, attach the lid using the supplied grommets, screw in the lid handle and position the cast iron grates. A great easy-to-store travel choice for gas fans.

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This is a superb portable folding model that’s perfect for both home and away. Because it folds in a thrice and can be stored on its end, you can simply pop it in the shed at the end of the season. Granted, the Traveler is large for a portable – and heavy, too – but its big wheels and scissor-like cart make it really easy to move it around.

As we said in our Weber Traveler review, the Traveler’s folding mechanism is a joy to use and it collapses with such a slow and satisfying damping action you will almost certainly play around with it for some time before even attempting to start grilling on it.

The Traveler comes with a 2,065cm cast-iron grilling area which is big enough for about six guests or more if you’re just doing standard fare like sausages and drumsticks. The gorgeously fashioned  porcelain-enamelled lid, meanwhile, provides reliable indirect grilling without any flare ups.

The Weber Traveler is designed to work with disposable gas canisters of the screw-top camping variety but it can also be adapted to work with a standard Patio Gas propane bottle if using it mostly at home.

This semi-portable gas barbecue is extremely practical to use, easy to store and it grills like a trojan. It isn’t too expensive either, at least for a Weber.

You can compare this gas BBQ to another highly-rated designer model in our Weber Traveler vs Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Force comparison feature.

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This Spanish-style table-top gas plancha (or griddle as we prefer to call it) provides a whole new style of outdoor cooking. In fact we can’t think of anything you can’t cook on it. Blackstone is a major US player in this regard and this heavy but eminently portable table-top model is just the ticket if you want to make like a spatula-wielding chef at a roadside burger pop up. 

The Blackstone excels in a wide variety of outdoor cooking disciplines and is absolutely perfect for whipping up a full English breakfast, American pancakes with maple syrup and streaky bacon, indeed anything from fish and veg to steak and stir fries. However, there’s one particular thing it is amazingly good at – making the best smash burgers you’ve ever eaten. And all you need is a few brioche burger buns, a packet of 7% to 12% fat beef mince and some sliced onions plus sliced cheese, lettuce, tomato and French’s mustard to garnish.

This model comes with two gas burners amounting to a whopping 21,000 BTU. To make smash burgers, fire up both burners and leave one side on full blast until the griddle is searingly hot. Start frying the onions on the side with less heat and roll the beef mince into small golf-sized balls. Now place them on the super hot side and press them down flat on the griddle using a spatula or burger-specific smasher. Turn after a minute or two and dress each patty with salt, cheese, tomato, lettuce etc. Just before serving, lightly toast the sliced brioche buns face down on the griddle, soaking up any oils and juices from the onions. Now build yourself the crispiest and juiciest burger you’ve ever eaten.

I’ve been really impressed with this griddle. Heat is easily controlled and I love the obligatory drain at the rear. Simply scrape any remnants left on the griddle towards the rear and it goes into the grease catcher beneath. I’ve been using Blackstone’s brilliant 5-piece griddle kit comprising a scraper, two stainless steel spatulas and two squeeze bottles – and I suggest you place an order, too.

If you want to revolutionise your outdoor cooking, this griddle will cook absolutely anything you throw on it, including the most slippery of ingredients. It’s a perfect size for patios and balconies, and ideal for car camping and caravanning. Just don’t forget to follow the instructions and perform a full griddle seasoning routine to ensure that the surface is completely non stick. Then griddle away till the cows come home.

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This compact single-burner gas grill is perfect for patios and balconies. Its 46cm circular cast iron grate is similar to that of a standard Weber kettle and we love the way it sits flush with the surface of the main body. It also has an excellent heat-retaining hinged lid. The two fold-out shelves, meanwhile, provide plenty of space for holding raw ingredients while you slap them on, and it fires up instantly with one touch of its battery-powered igniter.

The All-Star's circular single burner heats the grate to a maximum temperature of about 350°C and, because it has one of Char-Broil's innovative corrugated heat-distributing TRU- Infrared sheets directly beneath it, the entire grate is heated evenly. Char-Broil recommends cleaning the infrared sheet after every barbecue session and the best way to do this is to leave the gas on high for about ten minutes to carbonise the grease and other detritus. Then, simply brush off the powdered remains or use the provided cleaning tool. The top half of this barbecue comes with its own separate set of sturdy legs so it can be lifted off the main stand and placed on a table or transported in a caravan or RV. 

Minor assembly niggles aside, the All-Star is one of the most compact gas barbies we've come across and an ideal choice for a patio or balcony use. It's easy to use, it grills everything evenly and it's simple to clean. Well worth a gander.

You can find out more by reading our five-star Char-Broil All-Star review

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The three-burner Genesis EX-335 GBS comes with a tranche of smart tech that monitors your cooking using the Weber Connect app. It’s a great system for novice chefs and for those who would rather not be manacled to the grill.

The Genesis II is equipped with three main gas burners, a Sear Station burner sandwiched between the two right-hand burners, and a side burner for boiling stuff and warming sauces. Its heavy-duty 68cm x 48cm porcelain-enamelled cast iron grill grate, meanwhile, provides ample space for up to 10 guests and can also be used with a range of accessories from Weber’s Gourmet BBQ System. For night-time use, it comes with bright red back-lit burner knobs and a clever clip-on LED grill lamp that automatically switches on when you raise the lid.

If you’re a big entertainer who hates having to stand by the grill while everyone else is shooting the breeze, then consider this premium bells-and-whistles model.

To see how the EX-335 compares to Char-Broil Pro 2, check out our Weber Genesis II EX-335 GBS Smart Barbecue vs Char-Broil Professional Pro S2 comparison feature.

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This mid-priced three-burner model has a large 61cm x 46cm porcelain-enamelled cast iron cooking grate that’s good for up to eight hungry gannets. Rather cleverly, the grate is divided into two sections: a large cast-iron section with a removable centre to accommodate a range of Campingaz’s Culinary Modular cooking accessories, and a two-way flat/ribbed griddle plate for fish, prawns, halloumi, vegetables and breakfast fry-ups. It’s also equipped with a right-hand side burner for pot-based boiling and a large shelf on the left.

This model’s main grill grate is designed with several solid sections that are placed directly above each burner. These sections protect the burners from dripping fats while allowing naked flames to kiss the food for authentic charcoal-style flavour and texture. Its innovative cleaning system is an especially cool, time-saving feature. In essence, a water tray beneath the barbecue catches all the fats which then float on the water. All you do is remove the tray and pour away the fatty water.

If you’re after a reasonably priced and very versatile three-burner gas barbecue that excels in a myriad of ways, then this could be the model for you. Just be prepared to spend a few hours assembling it.

For even more information on this top BBQ be sure to read our Campingaz 3 Series Premium S review and our Campingaz 3 Series Premium S vs Char-Broil Professional Pro S3 comparison feature.

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If you've decided that gas grilling is for you, you might not find a more efficient contender than this strikingly simple albeit pricy model, approved by food sorcerer, Heston Blumenthal. Available in three colours – graphite, orange and mint – the two-burner Force is a joy to use, doesn't take up too much space and heats up very quickly - just four minutes to reach a searing temperature of 350°C. 

This aesthetically spot-on two-burner gas model from food sorcerer Heston Blumenthal is built almost entirely out of rust-free die-cast aluminium so you can expect it to last for years. It also comes with the most accurate control dials in the business, a top-quality cast-iron grate with integrated flame tamers and a collapsible side table.

If you're in the market for a gas barbecue that delivers in spades and don't mind forking out so you can, uh, fork in, you won't find a more capable model that the Everdure Force.

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This gas grill retails at a very affordable price point and features a robust frame, three burners, a built-in lid thermometer and a good-size grilling area.

When we tested the John Lewis 3 Burner Gas BBQ we found that it was easy to move and sturdy, too. Our testing area is located on the top of a hill, where the winds whip up frequently, and if a grill suffers from stability issues then we're soon aware of it, so it was pleasing to see this grill’s flame was pretty stable.

In terms of design and use, this model is very straight forward. Simply hook up your gas canister, turn on the gas, and then ignite one to three burners. This is a good thing as the size of the grill is such that if, say, just two people want to BBQ then you can just use one burner, and if you have a load guests turn up, simply whack on all three.

If you regularly want to BBQ for larger amounts of people then John Lewis also produces a 4-burner variation of this grill but naturally the price increases. For our money, though, this 3-burner model is more than enough for most al fresco banqueting.

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As we say in our Landmann Fryton review, this is the first barbecue we know of to ship with a built-in electrically-powered air fryer. No, really. The air fryer has a capacity of 3.5 litres which, while smaller than a standard kitchen top model, is large enough for several portions of French fries, chips, broccoli or rosemary potatoes. Figure in a 3kW side burner, and you have a gas barbecue that can grill, boil and fry.

The Fryton’s excellent cast-iron grill measures 65 x 40cm so it provides ample space to feed a party of up to six – more if you’re grilling small ingredients like sausages and chicken wings.

We tested both the grill and the air fryer and both performed exceedingly well. In fact, aside from some chicken wings on the main grill, we also tried some air-fried drumsticks and they were out-of-this-world crispy with a succulent centre that isn’t that easy to replicate on a barbecue grill.

If you’d rather stay out in the garden and not have to enter the kitchen when whipping up an al fresco banquet, the Landmann Fryton might just be the BBQ you’re looking for.

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This stainless-steel model comes with a 47.8 x 44.5cm porcelain-coated, cast-iron grate and uses Char-Broil’s renowned ‘TRU-infrared’ technology – essentially a couple of perforated corrugated steel sheets above the two burners – to ensure even cooking temperatures across the entire cooking surface.

Like most gas barbecues, the Char-Broil Professional Series 2200 S fires off a 5kg Patio Gas bottle (refills around £35) which tucks away in a cupboard underneath. This is a cracking gas barbecue that grills exceptionally well though it does take a few hours to assemble. 

If you have a large family and need a grill grate with a bigger surface area, we would advise giving this model's larger stablemate, the equally excellent Char-Broil Professional Pro S3, a gander.

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The Very 2 Ring Gas BBQ with Side Burner doesn't deliver any fancy features but, providing you're happy with its compact size and grill area, it's a really super affordable choice of gas BBQ.

At well under £100 that price is very hard to overlook. But you do get two burners, with a useful exposed side-burner allowing you to fry onions, create sauces for your meat, veg and fish, or cook other sides, as well as a 45 x 34 cm grilling area that is suitable for individuals, couples and small families.

Assembly is relatively straight forward, too, and as it's compact the whole grill is light and easy to manoeuvre, even if its wheels are a bit plasticky and don't rotate. Naturally, build quality is nowhere near the premium gas grills and its design is very, but for this money we don't think you can complain too much.

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This matt black Napoleon scissor cart sports a 37 x 54cm wave-shaped cast-iron grill grate for excellent grilling and searing. It also folds up for easy transport and storage. Although the Phantom is designed out of the box to be used with full-size propane bottles, it can easily be converted to use disposable gas canisters.

Granted, the cart's folding mechanism isn’t as smooth as the Weber Traveler above but then this model comes with two stainless steel burners (the Weber has just one), jet-powered ignition and a lid that’s tall enough to accommodate a large chicken.

This writer has cooked quite a few things on this grill – from drumsticks and corn on the cob to steak kebabs and halloumi – and it has been impeccable in all disciplines. Also, the wave-shaped grate is perfect for grilling slim slippery items like prawns and halloumi, while the two burner controls provide precise heat regulation. In short, this is the perfect gas barbie for patios, balconies and the odd camping trip. Warmly recommended.

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How to choose the best gas BBQ for you

Most seasoned chefs and barbecue aficionados will argue that charcoal is a much better heat source for alfresco grilling than a gas flame. But contrary to that, gas fans will argue that it doesn’t really matter what the heat source is because the whole essence of a barbecued dish is the smokey flavour produced by meat fats dripping onto the heat below. Whether the heat source is hot charcoals or a metal heat shield above a gas flame shouldn’t make a great deal of difference to the flavour.

One thing’s for sure – gas barbecuing is a much more convenient way to grill than charcoal, even though the barbecues themselves are invariably more expensive to buy and a lot more hassle to assemble. Gas is a much more dependable way to grill, too, especially for novices who might still rue the day they lit the charcoal too late and started grilling before the charcoal was at optimum temperature. With a gas barbecue you’re ready to start cooking in about five minutes, flare-ups are easily dealt with by simply turning down the heat, and you can go on grilling for as long as there’s gas in the canister.

If gas is ultimately your bag, then you need to decide next what size of gas grill you need. There's portable, single, dual and even triple burner models on the market, which allow you to cook everything from a handful of sausages and a few burgers, right up to industrial levels of chops, steaks, sausages, burgers, vegetables, fish and tofu. Most families will be fine with just a single-burner gas grill, but larger families or those that entertain a lot should scope out a dual burner at the minimum.

Portable BBQs can be a great shout, too, as they of course can be used on patios and balconies for example at home, as well as on road trips, picnics or camping trips. Again, the obvious downside with these grills is that they don't tend to have as large a cooking plate as most non-portable barbies.

Some gas grills, like the Char-Broil Gas-2-Coal, deliver both gas and charcoal functionality in one product. These sorts of grills are the last word in versatility, as they can be used on gas at home, or on charcoal while sat on the ground near a picnic hamper.

In terms of brands, the big names in the gas BBQ world are Weber, Napoleon, Char-Broil and Broil King, so expect to pay a premium for grills made by them. These brands have been making BBQs for years and they've got serious pedigree in the field, so you can expect quality.