We all love cooking up a storm in the great outdoors – the smoky aroma of a fired-up barbecue, the taste of seared meat and well-grilled veggie skewers. And with gardens set to be our main socialising venue in the summer months, securing the best barbecue on the market (and at the right price!) is more important than ever.
Whether you’re firmly in camp charcoal, or fall into team gas, deciding on the right barbecue depends on a few things. If it only comes out occasionally, you might want to consider something more budget-friendly and portable. However, if you’re an aspiring grill master or want to feed a crowd, you might want something with extra features.
Outdoor socialising ideas
If you're not quite sure on whether a charcoal or gas BBQ is best for you, you can jump to our tips on which type of barbecue you should buy.
And if you're in the market for a smaller model, check out our favourite portable BBQs. Plus, for ultimate al fresco dining, consider investing in an outdoor kitchen.
Once you've decided which barbecue to buy, don't forget to keep it in top condition with our cleaning tips!
Best barbecues
Best for plenty of cooking space VonHaus Gas BBQ
Best for big parties CosmoGrill Outdoor XXL
Best for Texas-style grilling Argos Home 4-burner gas barbecue with side burner
Best for burgers on a budget VonHaus Barrel Charcoal BBQ
Best for flexible cooking options Argos Home 2 burner gas and charcoal BBQ
Best for grilling on the go Weber Smokey Joe premium charcoal BBQ
Best for culinary variety Argos Home Kettle Charcoal BBQ with Pizza Oven
Best for ultimate smoky flavour Texas Starter Smoker & BBQ
The best BBQs in the UK this summer
VonHaus Gas BBQ, 4 1 Burner with Warming Rack
Best for plenty of cooking space
Perfect for a family gathering when the warm weather strikes, this decked out BBQ comes with four burners as well as an extra side burner so there are plenty of cooking options.
Despite being made from a sturdy cast iron it should still be nice and easy to move around thanks to the four wheels at the base.
There's a warming rack so you can keep the food at a desired heat and even a side table so you can prepare the ingredients or have space to add the finishing touches before you hand out the plates.
CosmoGrill Outdoor XXL
Best for big parties
With its generous 72 x 42 centimetre grill, the CosmoGrill Outdoor XXL is the ultimate party BBQ. The main grill can be adjusted to be closer or further away from the flames for that perfect finish, while the lid contains a warming rack. Other features include an inbuilt bottle opener, a fold-down side tables and four utensil hooks.
Finished in stylish powdered steel, the design also features a chimney, adjustable air vents and range-style door for adding charcoal if you want to use it as a smoker.
Argos Home 4-burner gas barbecue with side burner
Best for Texas-style grilling
You struggled to find more control over your grilling at a better price! Comes with get four individual gas burners, which can be easily adjusted to different temperatures for cooking different foods to perfection. Handy features like a condiment rack, warming rack and a side burner for small dishes just add to the convenience.
It comes with a pre-installed regulator for propane gas, but it can also be fitted with a butane regulator if that's your grilling preference!
Barrel Charcoal BBQ
Best for burgers on a budget
Get summer started with this top-value BBQ. A 70 x 36cm grill tray provides plenty of room for cooking, aided by an easy-read thermometer dial and a warming rack to keep finished dishes piping hoy. All this adds up to BBQ that’s under £100 and capable of catering for a hungry family.
Fuelled by charcoal and with a deep barrel-style lid, this BBQ is also perfect for use as an American-style 'smoker'.
Argos Home 2 burner gas and charcoal BBQ
Best for flexible cooking options
If you're a serious griller looking for complete control over your cooking, a dual fuel barbecue might be the solution. Use charcoal for that authentic deep smoky tang on your meat, fish and vegetables, or switch to gas if you prefer lighter, faster grilling suitable for a large group. You can even use both at the same time!
This model from Argos comes with a propane gas regulator and it can also be used with butane gas with the appropriate regulator (not included). It also includes a warming rack, storage shelf, spice and condiments rack, hooks for holding utensils or tea towels. Plus, the BBQ is on wheels for easy transportation around your garden!
Weber Smokey Joe premium charcoal BBQ
Best for grilling on the go
Small (just 43 x 36 x 42cm) but perfectly formed, the Weber Smokey Joe charcoal BBQ is portable enough to make it great for days out – even if you’re only going as far as the bottom of the garden. With a lockable lid, a carrying handle and tripod legs, you can take it with you wherever you go and start cooking as soon as you arrive.
Interested in on-the-go grilling? Take a look at our full Buyer's Guide to portable BBQ's here.
Argos Home Kettle Charcoal BBQ with Pizza Oven
Best for culinary variety
By the end of summer, you'd be forgiven if you'd gotten a bit bored of burgers and sausages. Step in, the BBQ pizza oven! This ingenious twist on the traditional kettle charcoal barbecue is specially designed with a removable middle section that allows it to double up as a built-in pizza oven.
This clever hybrid appliance comes with a pizza stone to guarantee the perfect crunchy base, and a paddle for loading and unloading pizza like a pro.
Check out our Buyer's Guide to pizza ovens here.
Texas Starter Smoker & BBQ
Best for ultimate smoky flavour
If you want to try your hand at American-style barbecue, this smoker box and grill combo from Homebase is the ideal starter set.
The offset smoker box comes an adjustable vent to achieve the precise level of heat you need for a slow-cook beef brisket or rack of ribs, as well as a chimney stack to channel the smoke away from you while cooking. When not in use as a smoker, simply open the lid to use as a straightforward BBQ for easy grilling.
Which barbecue should I buy – gas or charcoal?
Gas
For speed and convenience, it’s easy to see why gas is a popular choice. Ready to go in just 10 minutes, it’s perfect if you enjoy a mid-week barbie, and if you love entertaining, temperature accuracy and consistent heat mean more time to mingle with guests. The downside is that while you can recreate that smoky flavour using a smoker box, you don’t quite get the same experience of cooking over a live fire.
Charcoal
Fans will argue you can’t beat grilling over hot coals, and it’s true that charcoal provides radiant heat that gives food a flavourful crust, plus it’s variable so you can cook long and slow or at a searingly hot temp. You can also play with flavour, using different woods to impart smokiness. The drawback? It takes time to heat up – though a chimney can speed this up to 20-30 minutes. Embers also require tending, meaning less downtime for the cook!
If you enjoyed our round-up, check out our other Buyer's Guides to discover the best garden furniture, best decking paint, and many more ideas to give your garden a glow up!
