Portable grills are a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy cooking and eating in the great outdoors. Whether you’re camping, tailgating, or having a picnic, a portable grill is a convenient and easy way to cook up your favorite meals. However, with so many options available, such as flat-top grills and BBQ grills, it can be challenging to find a grill that is both affordable and of good quality.
When looking for the best cheap portable grill, there are several critical factors to consider. First and foremost, you’ll want to look for a grill that is lightweight and compact, making it easy to transport and store. For those who prefer to grill indoors, an indoor portable grill might be more suitable. Additionally, you’ll want to consider the grill’s cooking surface, heat output, and fuel source, whether it’s charcoal or gas.
After researching and testing various portable grills, including campfire grills, we have identified the top options for those on a budget. These grills offer a perfect balance of affordability, quality, and convenience, making them ideal for outdoor cooking enthusiasts who don’t want to break the bank.
Best Cheap Portable Grills
Looking for a portable grill that won’t break the bank? We’ve got you covered. After researching and testing various options, we’ve compiled a list of the best cheap portable grills on the market. These grills may be budget-friendly, but they don’t skimp on quality or performance. Whether you’re tailgating, camping, or just grilling in your backyard, these portable grills will get the job done without costing you a fortune. Check out our top picks below.
VEVOR 23 inch Portable Charcoal Grill
If you’re looking for a compact, portable charcoal grill that’s perfect for outdoor adventures like camping, picnics, parties, and RV trips, then the VEVOR 23 inch Portable Charcoal Grill is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- Portable and lightweight design
- Large cooking surface area
- Comes with extra foldable food trays
Cons
- Leg design is a little weak
- Paint may peel off from the heat
- No warranty information provided
We recently had the opportunity to try out this grill, and we were impressed with its overall performance. The foldable design makes it easy to transport, and the lightweight construction means you won’t have to lug around a heavy grill.
One of the standout features of this grill is its large cooking surface area. With a surface of over 200 sq. inches, you can easily grill your meat and vegetables at the same time, making it perfect for a party of four or more.
The extra foldable food trays are a nice touch, providing you with more space to keep your ingredients and condiments close at hand. When not in use, these trays fold away, saving space and making your life easier.
While we did notice that the leg design is a little weak, we didn’t experience any major issues during our testing. We also noticed that the paint may peel off from the heat, but this didn’t affect the grill’s performance.
Overall, we think the VEVOR 23 inch Portable Charcoal Grill is a great option for anyone looking for a compact, portable grill that’s easy to use and provides plenty of cooking space. Just keep in mind that there’s no warranty information provided, so you’ll want to take extra care when using it.
plrosnmy Portable Grill
If you’re looking for an affordable portable grill that you can take anywhere, the plrosnmy Portable Grill is a great choice
Pros
- Quick and easy assembly and storage
- Durable stainless steel construction
- High-burning efficiency
Cons
- Small cooking surface
- No adjustable height
- No ash catcher
The plrosnmy Portable Grill is made of sturdy 201 stainless steel and has a load capacity of 15 kg, so you can place heavy items on it without worrying about it collapsing. The barbecue grill grate is made of 304 stainless steel, a food-grade material, so you can cook outdoors safely. The four-sided windproof design provides good protection from the wind, so you can bbq without worrying even if the wind is a little strong. The ventilation holes on the bottom and sides ensure good ventilation and improve combustion efficiency. The rustle part is removable and can be washed with water. It is easy to clean up.
This grill is very portable and lightweight, making it easy to carry anywhere. It’s perfect for outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, mountain climbing, and more. It can also be used at a picnic or in the patio backyard.
Overall, the plrosnmy Portable Grill is a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable and portable grill. It’s quick and easy to assemble and store, and its durable construction ensures it will last for many years.
Hykolity 22 in. Portable Propane Grill
If you’re looking for a cheap and portable grill, the Hykolity 22 in. Portable Propane Grill is a great option to consider.
Pros
- The stainless steel grates ensure even heat distribution while cooking large cuts of meat.
- It’s lightweight and compact, making it easy to set up and ready to grill in under 10 minutes.
- The built-in center-mounted thermometer allows you to monitor the temperature inside the grill with ease, achieving precise cooking results.
Cons
- It sits a little uneven, causing oil to drain out of the drain hole when you need it to stay on the griddle while cooking.
- It’s a little hard to clean.
- The price is a bit higher than other portable grills in the market.
We’ve used this grill for a few months and we’re impressed with its performance. The two main burners deliver a total of 20,000 BTUs, ensuring fast and even heating for a great grilling experience. The individual control knobs for each burner ensure precise temperature control, making it easy to adjust the heat to your liking.
The Hykolity 22 in. Portable Propane Grill is perfect for outdoor cooking enthusiasts. It’s lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around. The folding legs and locking cover allow it to easily fit into a compact car. The carrying handle makes it effortless to take it anywhere you want.
Cleaning up after grilling is effortless, thanks to the drip tray that collects grease and drippings. It ensures easy cleaning and maintenance. Plus, Hykolity offers a 1-year warranty, ensuring quality customer service directly provided by the manufacturer.
Overall, we recommend the Hykolity 22 in. Portable Propane Grill for its portability, precise temperature control, and even heat distribution. It’s a great option for camping, tailgating, or outdoor cooking enthusiasts.
Wimdoyily Portable Charcoal Grill
If you’re looking for a cheap and portable grill for your outdoor adventures, the Wimdoyily Portable Charcoal Grill might be a good option for you.
Pros
- Portable and lightweight, easy to carry and store.
- Made of high-quality materials that are heat-resistant, high-temperature resistant, and rust-resistant.
- Adjustable temperature with heat regulating air vents.
Cons
- Charcoal is too close to the top grate, causing burnt surface and raw internals.
- Lid doesn’t secure for transporting.
- Assembly instructions could be clearer.
We recently used this grill for a camping trip and found it to be a decent option for its price range. The compact size and light weight made it easy to pack and carry, and it didn’t take up much space in our car. The grill is made of thick stainless steel, which felt sturdy and durable. The chrome-plated wire mesh was easy to clean and held up well during cooking.
The adjustable temperature feature was a nice touch, and we were able to regulate the heat with the air vents. However, we did notice that the charcoal was too close to the top grate, which caused some of our food to burn on the surface while remaining raw on the inside. We also had some trouble securing the lid for transport, which was a bit of a hassle.
Overall, the Wimdoyily Portable Charcoal Grill is a decent option for those on a budget who want a portable grill for camping or backyard cooking. It comes with a set of BBQ skewers, tongs, and a cleaning brush, which is a nice bonus. However, it’s not without its flaws, and we recommend keeping an eye on the heat and making sure the lid is secure before transporting.
PHOJEWI Mini Portable Charcoal Grill
If you’re looking for a compact and affordable grill to take with you on your camping or backpacking trips, the PHOJEWI Mini Portable Charcoal Grill is a great option to consider.
Pros
- The mini grill can be detached and stored in the bag, making it easy to carry.
- Made of stainless steel, it can withstand high temperatures.
- The air inlets design around the charcoal grills makes the combustion as complete as possible.
Cons
- The small size of the grill makes it only suitable for 1-2 people.
- The flat construction of the grill can make it difficult to cook larger items like steaks or whole chickens.
- Assembly is required, which may be difficult for some users.
We recently took this grill on a camping trip and were impressed with how easy it was to transport. The detachable design and included carrying bag made it a breeze to pack up and take with us. Once we arrived at our campsite, assembly was straightforward and took only a few minutes.
The grill itself is small but sturdy, and the stainless steel construction held up well to high temperatures. We were able to cook hot dogs, burgers, and small steaks with ease. The air inlets design around the charcoal grills made the combustion as complete as possible, ensuring even cooking.
Cleaning the grill was a breeze thanks to the detachable design and stainless steel construction. The flat construction of the grill made it easy to wipe down and remove any leftover ash.
Overall, we would recommend the PHOJEWI Mini Portable Charcoal Grill to anyone looking for an affordable and compact grill for camping or backpacking trips. It’s not the best option for cooking larger items, but it’s perfect for small groups or solo campers.
Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing the best cheap portable grill, there are a few key features to consider. We’ve compiled a list of important factors to keep in mind when making your decision.
Size
The size of the grill is an important consideration. You’ll want to think about how many people you’ll be cooking for and how much space you have available for the grill. A smaller grill may be more portable, but it may not be able to accommodate larger items like whole chickens or large cuts of meat.
Fuel Type
Portable grills can run on a variety of fuels, including propane, charcoal, and wood pellets. Propane is often the most convenient option, as it’s easy to find and quick to heat up. Charcoal grills can provide a smoky flavor that many people prefer, but they can be more difficult to light and require more maintenance. Wood pellet grills are a newer option that can provide a lot of flavor, but they can be more expensive.
Cooking Surface
The size and material of the cooking surface are also important considerations. A larger cooking surface will allow you to cook more food at once, while a non-stick surface can make cleanup easier. Cast iron grates are a popular option for their durability and ability to retain heat, but they can be heavier than other materials.
Additional Features
Finally, consider any additional features that may be important to you. Some grills come with built-in thermometers or temperature control systems, while others may have side tables or storage compartments. Think about what features are important to you and what you’ll be using the grill for.
By keeping these factors in mind, you’ll be able to choose the best cheap portable grill for your needs.
Cameron Harrison is a passionate outdoor enthusiast with a love for all things grilled. With years of experience exploring the world of portable grilling, he's become a seasoned expert in selecting the perfect grill for any adventure. When he's not testing and reviewing grills, you can find him out in the wild, savoring delicious barbecued creations and sharing his expertise through his writing. Cameron is dedicated to helping readers make the most of their outdoor cooking experiences.