Best BBQ 2020: the best charcoal, gas and hybrid models

The best BBQ is just what you need this spring. As we're likely to remain confined to our homes and gardens, getting much-needed fresh air while getting tasty food going on the barbie will help make self-isolation that little bit more fun.

There are lots of points to consider when buying a barbecue – it's a serious investment – to know whether a charcoal BBQ, gas, hybrid, electric or other model will best suit your garden and lifestyle. With state-of-the-art designs that are more akin to an outdoor kitchen than anything else, and with smokers and pizza ovens around too for something a bit different, it pays to do your research to know you’re getting all the features and extras you need, without forking out for those you don’t.

There are cheaper models out there, they just may not last as long but can still work for short or mid-term purchases. To help you determine which BBQ is the best one for your family, we’ve split our favourite buys into the different types available to make it quicker and easier for you to search. And if you want to read up on how to buy the best BBQ this year, scroll down to read our detail run through of points to consider.

• Remember to check out our food hub for the best BBQ food recipes and plenty more inspiration when you want to get grilling!

Which is the best BBQ 2020?

If you're looking for a good all-round BBQ then we can recommend buying the Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal BBQ, as it combines looks with function to give you a cart-style cooking station that is perfect for burgers, bangers and more. For those who prefer cooking with gas,  take a look at the Outback Omega 250 2 Burner Gas BBQ, which is perfect for families as it comes with a roasting hood and grill, additional side burner and controllable heat.

Best charcoal BBQs

Nothing beats the traditional smokey flavour of a charcoal barbecue; having said that, with the dizzying number of models out there, it can be difficult to choose a good one. We've compiled the best charcoal bbqs that give the best flavour. Keep scrolling for more barbecue types.

Love a traditional charcoal barbecue? We wouldn't hesitate   buying the Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal BBQ as it offers plenty of cooking surface as well as storage and somewhere to serve, too.

Cooking features

A grate and sear grate are included and you can also buy a number accessories as optional extras, such as the poultry roaster, which can be slotted into the centre of the grate. Perfect for classic grilling of burgers, bangers and chicken.

Storage space

As the barbecue is integrated into the cart, it doubles up as a cooking surface with storage space below. Ideal for keeping sauces and condiments within easy reach, ready to serve.

Added benefits

It may be a charcoal barbecue but there’s no need to worry about using firelighters to get this beauty going, as the Touch-N-Go electronic gas ignition lights it in no time. It also comes with a charcoal measuring cup and a lid thermometer so you can make sure everything is cooked to perfection. There are also three tool holders and a removable LCD cooking timer. We also love the One Touch cleaning system, as no one likes cleaning the barbecue after use.

Shop more best barbecues at John Lewis & Partners.

We can highly recommend buying Green Egg BBQ; it's everybody’s favourite in terms of style and substance and it’s perfect for small spaces, terraces and courtyard gardens. 

Cooking features

Thanks to patented air-flow technology, once the Big Green Egg is up to temperature (which doesn’t take long at all), it maintains it nice and steady so there’s no worry about over or under-cooking food. Having a predictable barbecue gives peace of mind, especially when you’re having people over. You can also control the temperature to within a few degrees for precise cooking.

Storage space

It features wooden shelves on either side, so you can easily keep meat and fish separate, or use one shelf for the cooked food and another for the rolls and salads.

Added benefits

No need to worry about children dashing about, as this design has superior insulation so the outside of the egg is never too hot to touch. It’s also self-cleaning as the oil and fat left over after cooking are burnt down by the Egg’s residual heat leaving a fine ash that can easily be brushed away.

See more Big Green Egg barbecues at John Lewis

If you want to involve your favourite wood chips to burning charcoal for full-on flavour, we recommend buying the Napoleon charcoal kettle BBQ.

Cooking features

The spacious lid provides plenty of space to barbecue whole joints of meat or alternatively, the grille is large enough to produce a BBQ feast, helped along by the temperature gauge, which should prevent you from burning or undercooking your food. 

Storage Space

There is a small open shelf on the bottom where you can pop a few items but nothing more, so you’ll need to have a garden table or trolley to hand for all the condiments and added extras.

Added benefits

The lid lifts up on a hinge and stays open with no risk of it snapping shut as you're turning your meat. This means you won't need to be looking for a place to put down a hot lid while cooking. Also, once shut, the lid locks in the heat while the vents regulate it. The result is some seriously juicy meat. 

Browse more barbecues at Furniture 123

To make cooking outdoors easier on yourself we can highly recommend  investing in the Outback Omega 200.

Cooking features

The Grid in Grid system allows you to expand your cooking space by adding in pizza stones, woks and pans, which are available separately. There’s also a temperature gauge, removable centre rack and a secondary rack for slower cooking.

Storage space

There’s a handy side shelf that folds down for easy storage after use. Perfect for popping the ketchup and mayonnaise on.

Added benefits

We love the ash collection tray, as this makes cleaning the barbecue so much quicker and simpler once it’s fully cooled down. Just slide out the tray and dispose of the ash. Easy.

Find more barbecues at Robert Dyas

Small enough to pop into the back of the car as you head off on a day or weekend out, we can recommend buying the Weber Smokey Joe (it's well priced too!)

Cooking features

For a portable model, it’s packed full of features such as a steel cooking grate, a handy tuck and carry lid, a steel charcoal grate for aeration and a briquette measuring cup so you don’t overdo it on the heat production. 

Storage space

There’s no storage but you wouldn’t expect that for such a small model or such a low price.

Added benefits

At just 3.5kg, this is lightweight enough to take with you to the beach, park, festival or camping site. The size is ideal for two people, but you may struggle to cook comfortably for any more than that.

See more of the best portable BBQs in our guide. 

Find more barbecues and tools at Go Outdoors

Best gas BBQ

When you don’t want to be messing around with charcoal and smoke or you prefer precise control, a gas barbecue is for you. Or you can keep scrolling for hybrid dual fuel designs as well as electric grills, smokers and pizza ovens…

If you're looking for great value for money and consistent cooking results, we can recommend  buying the Outback Omega 250 Gas BBQ.

Cooking features

If you prefer the idea of cooking on gas but don’t want to lose out on the smokiness produced by charcoal barbecues, this Outback Omega 250 2 Burner Gas BBQ is the ideal choice. Well priced, it comes with lava rocks that, when heated with the gas flames, turn the juices from the meat into flavoursome smoke. The side burner is also useful for frying steak on a hot griddle.

Storage space 

As well as a shelf space below, there are also two foldaway side flaps, which are ideal for sauces, salads and drinks.

Added benefits

Its simple design means that assembly time is no more than 15 to 30 minutes before you're ready to go, making it an ideal last-minute purchase when the weather forecast predicts a sunny weekend.

Shop more Outback products at Amazon

This gas barbecue ticks all the right boxes; it's convenient, easy to use and great value for money. For these reasons, we recommend  buying the Argos Home Premium 4 Burner Gas BBQ With Side Burner – it's great for all kinds of alfresco entertaining!

Cooking features

Thanks to an off-heat cooking option, this Premium 4 Burner Gas BBQ enables you to keep two rings on and two off if you’re looking to slowly cook meat all the way through. There’s a handy heat rack to keep food warm without burning and a smaller side burner gas ring perfect for cooking side dishes at the same time as your mains. 

Storage space 

This one’s got plenty of storage with a bottom shelf and useful condiment rack, which is great for seasoning food as you cook.

Added benefits

Suitable for both propane and butane gas, this model comes with a regulator for propane gas pre-installed. If you need to use butane gas, you’ll have to change this to a certified butane regulator.

See more barbecues at Argos Home

Offering outstanding control and good looks, it would be a great investment if you  buy the Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Force 2 Burner Gas BBQ.

Cooking features

Any cooking gadget or appliance with the name Heston Blumenthal attached to it is going to be great quality and well thought out and this Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Force 2 Burner Gas BBQ is no different. A beautiful piece of design, we think it's well worth the investment. It comes with independently controlled gas burners for cooking on and off the heat with variable heat control so you can ensure that ingredients are cooking at the perfect temperature. Cook with the hood up or the hood down, with the hood being high enough for convection cooking if you fancy a large joint of meat.

Storage space 

Side shelves and space below provide all the space you need for sauces and salads.

Added benefits

The die-cast aluminium body is rust-proof and feels extremely sturdy and durable. Bear in mind that the plates are enamel coated, which means you'll need to clean them more carefully without the use of conventional scourers. Try a nylon brush instead.

Shop more Everdure by Heston Blumenthal barbecues at John Lewis

Best hybrid BBQs

Not sure whether you prefer charcoal or gas? How about a hybrid dual fuel design for the best of both? Here are our top picks…

Use both gas and charcoal at the same time with this hybrid barbecue, which provides both instant and classic cooking in one.

Cooking features

We love this John Lewis & Partners hybrid model, as it’s packed with features. There are five burners as well as an infra-red ceramic side burner, dual hoods with thermometers for cooking at different temperatures and a warming rack to keep dishes warm or you can use it as a secondary cooking area.

Storage space

As well as the warming rack, there are also side shelves, two sliding drawers and enclosed storage space underneath the cart.

Added benefits

Check out the Grillstream, which prevents flare-ups, as well as the LED backlit control knobs, chopping board and ice bucket, all of which elevate this barbecue into something truly special. The cut-out circular griddle can also be used with a pizza stone, wok and poultry roaster, which are available to buy separately.

Whether one member of your family prefers gas and the other prefers coal or you’re really looking to maximise every available opportunity to cook outside this summer, we can recommend  buying the Char-Broil Gas2Coal Hybrid Grill which leaves you with plenty of scope for creating amazing food. 

Cooking features

This design offers great gas temperature control with three individual burners that allow you to get the temperature just right when cooking on the gas setting. There’s an off-heat cooking option for that smoky, slow-cooked flavour while the ability to cook without the heat on in the charcoal mode is great. The results, flavour-wise, are stunning.

Storage space

There is a little space with a side shelf and warming rack, which is also handy for keeping food warm.

Added benefits 

Thanks to a warming rack, you can keep food warm while cooking more – ideal for larger batches and parties.

Find more of the best gas BBQs in our guide. 

See more barbecues at Argos

Best electric grills

No mess, no fuss, no purchasing of fuel: electric grills give you all of that, plus portability. Keep scrolling for smokers and pizza ovens.

One of the best electric grills you can get, we wouldn't hesitate to buy the Smart Grill Pro. Perfect for steaks and burgers, it’s the next best thing to a barbecue.

Cooking features

From rare to well done, the five temperature settings will delight steak lovers. However you like your meat cooked, this will get it exactly right. Remarkably accurate, the heat probe will allow you to relax and cook meat through to the right temperature without fuss.

Storage space

None but then you'll likely be using it in the kitchen so that’s not really an issue.

Added benefits

The grill heats up in seconds and sears food for that smoky, chargrilled finish. It cooks veggies in seconds and it’s easy to clean, as the plates can be removed and will fit in a standard dishwasher.

Shop more Sage appliances at Amazon

If you're savvy with your money, we can recommend buying the George Foreman Indoor and Outdoor Grill which can double up as table top cooker and BBQ. Whether you’re taking on the cooking responsibilities at a summer BBQ or cooking a healthy mid-week dinner for the family, this grill should enable you to do it with ease. 

Cooking features

Perfect for meat or fish, this portable appliance can easily cook 15 portions of food and can be used inside or out. There’s also an outside temperature gauge so you can keep an eye on the temperature inside, too. 

Storage space 

There’s no storage with the unit but when it comes to storing it yourself, simply remove the stand and the grill will sit neatly on the table or worktop.

Added benefits

Cleaning this BBQ Grill is easy as it comes with non-stick removable plates, which are also angled so they drain fat and grease away into the integrated drip tray. No need for connecting to a gas canister or messing around with dirty charcoal – just plug in and away you go.

See more of the best electrical grills in our guide. 

Find more George Foreman products at Amazon

Best smokers

Love the characteristic flavour and tender texture of smoked fish and meat? Now you can create your own smoked dishes at home…

Weber is a big name in barbecuing, so it’s no surprise that they’ve successfully turned their hand to barbecue smokers too. If you want to  buy the Smokey Mountain Cooker you won't be disappointed – it does what it says on the tin which is why it's award-winning and highly rated by yours truly.

Cooking features

Its sturdy, snug construction is very important for the quality of the smoke, and all the parts in this reassuringly heavy smoker hold together in a nicely tight fit, making sure smoke does not escape. Smoking is an hour-long process and this smoker, once you've got it to the desired temperature, will hold it remarkably steadily. This makes it suitable for smoking anything, from fish to veg and even nuts. The multiple vents compensate for windy weather.

Storage space

There's no storage with this smoker but that’s not a problem as you’d likely have an additional barbecue or table alongside it.

Added benefits

This smoker means business in terms of how much it can cook in one go: we're talking a very large whole chicken or multiple whole salmon fillets. 

Find more Weber products at Amazon

Best pizza ovens

For authentic pizza, rustic bakes, and even your own bread, look no further than a traditional outdoor oven. 

If you love the rustic look of outdoor ovens and the delicious, homemade taste of clay-oven cooking, then you should buy the Wildon Home Premier Wood Fired Pizza Oven.

Cooking features

With naturally insulating clay and cork housing, a sturdy cast iron door and a durable stainless steel flue, this Premier Wood Fired Pizza Oven is exactly as rugged as it looks. For more than just pizza, this oven can roast, smoke and grill as well as bake, so think Sunday roast or homemade bread or even a tagine.

Storage space

No storage is included so have a table or trolley handy nearby for serving.

Added benefits

Superior insulation - the heat retention of this oven is superb, making it great both for quick, authentic pizza firing and slow cooking. At the same time, it will remain cool to the touch, making it safe around children or pets. 

Find more of the best pizza ovens in our guide.

Shop more outdoor pizza ovens at Wayfair

How to buy the best BBQ 2020

Picking the perfect barbecue for your family will depend on a number of things – the fuel you like to cook with, whether you want any fancy extras and how large or small you need the barbecue to be. Also, take into account the style, the overall look and the price, too.

Fuel type

Think about the type of food you like to pop on the barbie. Is it more your classic burgers and hot dogs? In which case a traditional charcoal design will give the best, most authentic chargrilled flavour. Or are you after something that will expertly cook fish and seafood? In which case you’re be better off with an all-singing, all-dancing gas design. Maybe you want the best of both with a hybrid dual fuel model or an electric grill for when it rains? If you’re after something a little more exotic or as an added extra for an existing barbecue, consider a smoker. And when you need something for the park or to take to a festival, go for a portable model which will really impress your guests; whilst a pizza oven (also very impressive) is perfect for children’s parties and large gatherings too. So there are plenty to choose from at prices to suit every pocket too.

Flavour

While the best gas barbecue will still deliver on the smokey BBQ flavour, a charcoal barbecue is your best bet if you really like that authentic, chargrilled taste. An electric grill will be portable and easy to use, but won't give you the smoke. For added flavour, consider a smoker barbecue instead.

Ease of cleaning

Look at how simple the barbecue is to clean. Are the grates and accessories dishwasher-safe for instance? Do the parts come off so you can dunk them in a sink of hot soapy water? Bear in mind that larger surface areas will take more elbow grease and time, too.

Size

As a rough guide, for four people, you'll need a grill size that's less than 1800cm²; for six people, a grill up to 2500cm² will do; for eight people or more, look for a barbecue with a grill size that's 2500cm²+.

Storage space

Consider whether the barbecue comes with any storage space for cooking utensils and tools as well as larger shelves for condiments and pop-up side flaps for bowls of salads and rice. At the very least, it’s great if there’s somewhere to pop the Ketchup. Also, look at the overall dimensions of the design and think about where you’ll store it during the winter months. A barbecue left outdoors won’t last very long if it’s exposed to the elements so make sure there’s room in the garage or shed.

More BBQ advice and recipe ideas:

• New to BBQ cheffing? Discover how to barbecue right
• Check out these super easy BBQ recipes
• Once you've found the best barbecue, browse our list of the best BBQ tools