Everything tastes better on a grill, right? Well, most things at least. We’re talking hot dogs, burgers, steak, chicken breast, baked potatoes, seafood, roasted veggies, and even pizzas. Yours too? But what do you do when you want all the delicious grilled foods when you’re at a friend’s house, on a boat, or out camping in the woods? You take along a portable grill, of course! Portable grills are mini versions of standard barbecues and share many features with them—multiple fuel options, easy-to-use controls, and excellent durability in all weather conditions. There’s also one major difference between them — portable grills are small enough and light enough to travel with you anywhere you want to go. A portable grill sounds like a pretty good idea, doesn’t it? We think so too. And that’s why we’d be thrilled to help you find your perfect fit. Portable grills will vary in factors such as price, fuel type, overall size, cooking area, and even extras like wheels and side tables. And we highly recommend you think about every feature before you decide. This comprehensive guide will investigate the best portable grills in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products. The Best Portable Grills Right Now Our Top Propane Pick for The Best Portable Grill Weber 9010001 Traveler Gas Grill Review What We Think of the Weber 9010001 Traveler Gas Grill We are truly blown away by the quality of the Weber 9010001 Traveler Gas Grill. It’s obviously our favourite propane option in the portable grill category, but it might just be number one overall right now. The grill itself is built into a super durable cart that has durable wheels and a side table—perfect for long treks into the wilderness or easy pulling over sand. And you’ve even got room to store plates and cooking utensils when it’s upright. We also really like that you can unfold it with a single hand. The usefulness of that explains itself, right? The grilling area is also more than double some other portable grills, so you’ll be able to cook for larger groups with this one without any problem. Everyone gets to eat at once. And when the party’s over, the removable grease tray and easy-clean grates make clean-up a breeze. It really doesn’t get better. One of the only things that might deter you from choosing this grill is the price tag. It’s higher than most portable grills, but we promise you it’s worth it. One other potential problem is the size. It’s pretty large even in its folded-down state, so if you tend to pack a lot of gear for your trips or you’re low on storage space at home, it might not be the most convenient addition. Overall, the Weber 9010001 Traveler Gas Grill is our top pick for portable propane grills this year. With its convenient cart design, large grilling capacity, and reliable all-terrain wheels, it’s the perfect companion for travelling just about anywhere. What Reviewers Are Saying About the Weber 9010001 Traveler Gas Grill Reviewers have a very high opinion of the Weber 9010001 Traveler Gas Grill. Although it’s heavy, the wheels make it really easy to tow along to campsites, beach sites, and more. They really love that it can stand up on its own, too, and unfold with only one hand. They don’t have any trouble cleaning it, no matter what they cook, and the side table is super convenient. They have no complaints. Weber 9010001 Traveler Gas Grill Pros and Cons Buy If… Don’t Buy If… Weber 9010001 Traveler Gas Grill Specifications Our Top Electric Pick Weber Lumin Compact Electric Grill Review What We Think of the Weber Lumin Compact Electric Grill There are a ton of reasons why the Weber Lumin Compact Electric Grill became our top electric pick for this year. One of those is its durability. With reliable construction and a 10-year warranty, you can trust that this grill will be part of the family for a long time. Plus, since it has an extra-large cooking surface, it can actually feed the whole family! We’re also big fans of the convenience of electric power, and we think you’ll love it too. It doesn’t take too long to heat up, you don’t have any messy or expensive fuel to worry about, and it doesn’t demand much of your time when cleanup comes around! Doesn’t that all sound perfect? A built-in thermometer and even heating guarantee your food comes out perfect every time. The only concern you might have with this portable grill is the price tag. It’s on the expensive side, so if you’re sticking to a strict budget or you won’t be using a portable grill that often, you might be better off looking at more affordable options. If you want the best, this one won’t disappoint. You’ll see that every penny spent was worthwhile. Overall, the Weber Lumin Compact Electric Grill has every feature you could need for a great cookout anywhere the road takes you. It’s reliable, durable, easy to use, and easy to clean. You can’t ask for a better electric grill than this one! What Reviewers Are Saying About the Weber Lumin Compact Electric Grill Reviewers are very happy with the Weber Lumin Compact Electric Grill. It heats up quickly and maintains an even temperature no problem. The built-in thermometer makes cooking a variety of dishes a breeze. They’re also fans of how large the cooking surface is and how easy it is to clean. They highly recommend this one to others. Weber Lumin Compact Electric Grill Pros and Cons Buy If… Don’t Buy If… Weber Lumin Compact Electric Grill Specifications Our Budget Charcoal Pick Napoleon 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Kettle Grill Review What We Think of the Napoleon 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Kettle Grill We are so excited to introduce you to the Napoleon 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Kettle Grill. Of course, when you choose a charcoal grill, you’ll get to enjoy a delicious smoky flavour in all of your food. How do you beat that experience at this affordable price point? You don’t! The thoughtful design of this portable grill is also something to admire. It’s supported by four sturdy metal legs, so you won’t ever have to worry about it toppling over while you’re cooking on it or cleaning it out when the meal is done. It also has a lid latch and a large carry handle, so you can carry it around without any hassle (or much physical effort; it only weighs 10 pounds!). There are also a couple of downsides we want to mention before we wrap this up. First, it doesn’t have the largest cooking surface you’ll see in the portable grill arena, so if you’re cooking for a large group all the time, you might feel that limitation. Second, you’ll need to remember that charcoal comes with a longer heat-up time and a messier cleanup than other power types. Hopefully, that won’t be a dealbreaker. All in all, the Napoleon 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Kettle Grill has a lot to offer for a great food experience, anytime and anywhere. Whether you’re hitting the beach, enjoying a campsite, or exploring options for an apartment balcony, this grill is a wonderful option. What Reviewers Are Saying About the Napoleon 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Kettle Grill Reviewers have great things to say about the Napoleon 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Kettle Grill. It’s one of the most portable grills they’ve ever used thanks to its lightweight body and large carry handle, and it does a great job of cooking for small to medium families. It produces a great smoky flavour in the food without needing a ton of space or fuel, and they absolutely love it for that reason. Napoleon 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Kettle Grill Pros and Cons Buy If… Don’t Buy If… Napoleon 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Kettle Grill Specifications Our Budget Propane Pick Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill Review What We Think of the Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill We like a lot of things about the Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill in addition to its super affordable price tag. We love it most for its stable design—it has extra-wide legs that join along the bottom to make sure it won’t tip over if it’s on an uneven table or a rocking boat. This stability, in combination with the locking lid, makes it safe to use around kids. The lid can also be locked in an upright position to make open-air cooking (and food addition/removal) a whole lot easier. We love that for you. The twist-start ignition system is also incredibly reliable, so you’ll never have to attempt a start more than twice to get the grill fired up and ready to go. One of the only times you might not like this grill is if you have to walk with it for a distance. It’s a bit heavy at 17 lbs, and since the only handle is off-balance at the front, it isn’t the most comfortable thing to carry around. It also has a pretty small cooking area, so if you’ll be serving more than two adults, it might not be the best option. All in all, the Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill is our favourite budget-friendly portable propane grill right now. It has one of the lower serving capacities in the portable grill arena, but for some, that’ll be just perfect. You’ll never have to fight with it for startups, either. What Reviewers Are Saying About the Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill Reviewers like the Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill a lot. The lid lock makes them feel more comfortable keeping the grill out around their kids, and it’s also a lot easier for travelling. The grill always starts on the first or second try, and the wide legs are super stable on every surface. They don’t find it to be the easiest thing to carry around, though. It’s a bit awkward. Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill Pros and Cons Buy If… Don’t Buy If… Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill Specifications Our Budget Charcoal Weber Jumbo Joe 18” Portable Charcoal Grill Review What We Think of the Weber Jumbo Joe 18” Portable Charcoal Grill We really like the Weber Jumbo Joe 18” Portable Charcoal Grill. As a tabletop grill, it’s very compact and easy to pop in your trunk when you’re ready to hit the road, and you won’t need much space to set it up at your campsite, beach site, or wherever else you’re grilling. It’s also incredibly well-priced, so it’s great for people shopping on a budget! We love a good deal. Don’t you? This grill provides enough cooking space to easily serve up to three people, and since it cools down quickly, you won’t be waiting around forever to be able to clean it and get it packed up again. It’s also surprisingly durable for the price, so you can be confident in its ability to travel well and look great for years down the line. A full decade of warranty coverage doesn’t hurt, either. Honestly, the only thing missing from this portable grill is precise temperature control. Cooking on this grill won’t be an exact science, but if you’re experienced with charcoal, that shouldn’t be too much of an issue. And if you’re new to charcoal, at least you’ll have fun learning your ideal cooking times! All in all, the Weber Jumbo Joe 18” Portable Charcoal Grill has a lot going for it, and if you’re shopping for charcoal on a budget, you won’t find anything better. It might not be the fanciest portable grill out there, but at this price point, you really can’t lose. What Reviewers Are Saying About the Weber Jumbo Joe 18” Portable Charcoal Grill Reviewers are very happy with the Weber Jumbo Joe 18” Portable Charcoal Grill. It offers more cooking space than other portable grills they’ve tried, and is a lot easier to clean, too. It’s held up well to the demands of travel so far, and it couldn’t be easier to use. Some people would prefer precise temperature control, but at this price, they don’t mind all that much. Weber Jumbo Joe 18” Portable Charcoal Grill Pros and Cons Buy If… Don’t Buy If… Weber Jumbo Joe 18” Portable Charcoal Grill Specifications Why Trust Shopping Trends? At Shopping Trends, every product we review goes through rigorous hands-on testing to ensure we’re recommending only the best for Canadian households. With over a decade of experience in product evaluation and consumer reporting, I personally oversee each test and comparison. Our process is transparent, methodical, and grounded in real-world usage. Whether it’s a cordless vacuum, a 4K TV, or a hammock for your next camping trip, we evaluate items the way you’d use them at home. When needed, we also consult Canadian industry experts to offer context and help readers make confident, informed decisions. Every “top pick” featured in our guides has earned its spot through careful analysis, not sponsorship. How to Properly Choose Your Portable Grill Price Some portable grills will be as affordable as $100; others will be closer to $500. In general, propane grills will be the most expensive, and charcoal the most affordable. More expensive grills will also tend to have carts, larger cooking capacities, and a cart design instead of a tabletop. Cooking Area Some portable grills will only have 140 square inches of cooking space (enough to serve two people only), while others will have more than double that, with a cooking area of 320 square inches or larger. If you’ll only be serving yourself and a partner, you’ll get by with pretty much any portable grill, but if you have a large family or like to meet up with friends, you’ll want at least 200 square inches. Fuel Type Portable grills can run on propane, charcoal, or electricity. Electric grills are the rarest type and are the least travel-friendly since they rely on access to an outlet. Propane and charcoal grills will require regular fuel purchases, but they also offer more convenience and generally a better cooking experience with better heat output. Portability Portable grills will vary quite a bit in size and weight, and you’ll want to pay attention to these things to make sure it’ll be convenient for the travelling you intend to do. Some portable grills even come with an attached cart that has wheels and side tables—you’ll be able to pull these along instead of carrying the grill by hand, which is a lot more convenient.
