Best barbecue 2021: get grilling with our roundup of the best charcoal, gas and hybrid BBQs

Reclaim your garden with the best barbecue of 2021. We've featured some of the best gas, charcoal and hybrid barbecues ahead of this year's BBQ season, so you can have your new grill delivered and assembled in time for a summer of alfresco entertaining. 

Our guide to the best barbecue features some seriously premium grills from the likes of Weber, Everdure, Char-Broil, and Kamado Joe, but we've also featured some surprise budget winners that you can find at your local Argos, B&Q or John Lewis. Whether you need a portable barbecue for travelling or something more stationary to equip your outdoor kitchen, we've got something for everyone right here.

We've divided the best BBQs by type, including charcoal, gas and hybrid options. Some prefer the classic smokey charcoal kettle grill, whereas others opt for the ease of ignition and large grilling area you'll find with the best gas barbecues. Size is also a factor, because if it's just you and your partner you're cooking for, that four-burner BBQ may be a bit excessive. Likewise, a little kettle grill won't do the job if you want to throw sensational summer barbecues for your family and friends. Keep reading for our top picks of gas, electric, hybrid and charcoal barbecues for every home. 

What type of barbecue is best? 

Charcoal barbecues

Charcoal barbecues give that traditional smokey flavour, and they're also some of the more affordable options. You don't need to hook these barbecues up to any supply of fuel, so they're great for taking with you on your travels. 

Gas barbecues 

Gas barbecues offer the convenience of easy and instant ignition, and allow you to control the temperature of your grill for that perfectly juicy steak and no burnt kebabs.

Hybrid barbecues

A hybrid combines both, which can offer a great versatility for those who like to switch it up. Some have different burners for gas and charcoal, while others allow you to pick a fuel type and utilise the entirety of the barbecue. 

Best charcoal barbecues 2021

Perhaps it’s the rugged and almost primitive nature that makes cooking on a charcoal BBQ such a treat. Gas options have risen dramatically in popularity over the past few years but if you are after that authentic smokey taste then you cannot beat a charcoal BBQ. From the pocket-friendly open grills to the outright extravagant American-style smokers, we round up the best charcoal BBQ’s to suit every budget

Everyone has to start somewhere when it comes to barbecuing and the Rösle 25001 Number 1 F50 AIR Kettle Grill is a good place to start. With its easy to use ventilation system and built in ash removal container, the Rösle will have you flipping burgers in no time. Unlike other kettle grills, the Rösle comes with a practical hinged lid which means there is never the need to remove it, just flip it back and feast.

It comes partly pre-assembled to make it easy and fast to set up and once it's going you're not on your own. The simple AIR control system can be used at the turn of a knob.

The traditional kettle charcoal barbecue is a classic for a reason. Take this one from Weber on the go with its tripod design and two rear wheels. 

For smaller families or small spaces, you'll find this barbecue more than capable of catering to your every need this summer. It's not the largest you can buy, but it maxes out on cooking space for the overall size with a 47cm diameter kettle. 

Available for around £200, we recommend the Weber One Touch E4710 for those who want a tried and trusted brand barbecue without the high price tag. 

The Kamado Joe KJ23RH Classic Charcoal Grill really is for BBQ enthusiasts that mean business. It may come with a hefty price tag but the Kamado Joe provides the ultimate barbecuing experience - from low and slow to rapid roast, it does it all. 

This charcoal barbecue has a multi-level half-moon cooking system to revolutionise your BBQ experience by allowing you the space to cook different foods in different styles at different temperatures—all at the same time.

It comes in a striking blaze red colour and the ash drawer makes it easy to remove ash when cleaning. 

Take camp cooking to a whole new level with the BergHOFF portable barbeque. This miniature charcoal grilling machine may not pack as much of a punch in terms of grill space as its big brothers and sisters but it can really hold its own when it comes to portable outdoor cooking - in fact it is at the top of its class. 

Complete with a removable soft silicone carry strap and cork lid that doubles up as a heatproof mat, this perfectly portable BBQ is ready to go on any adventure. 

Whether you’re heading off for a relaxing day on the beach or a picnic in the park, the BergHOFF portable BBQ will become your favourite cooking companion.

Fans of classic American barbeque know that it is all about the smoke when it comes to adding flavour to your food. The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker is perfect for rustling up stacks of smoked goodness - whether it’s succulent salmon, tender pulled pork or delicious smoked cheese, the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker is your new best friend. 

Not only does this stylish piece of kit add that classic smokey American flavour, it also comes in 3 sizes to suit your space and four rust-resistant aluminium dampers to help control airflow within the cooking chamber. This tried and true BBQ includes a built in water pan to help you regulate the temperature as well as two stacking grates giving you plenty of room to create a real Southern feast. 

Adding coal or maple wood to the charcoal chamber is made easy with a sturdy aluminium fuel door and the bars are close enough together to stop the crumbling coals or wood from falling through.

Cooking with gas

Gas barbecues are some of the best barbecues you can buy. They have easy ignition and all you need to do is hook them up to a bottle of gas to get the party started. No fiddly firelighting required! Typically these BBQs can be found in the states, where people love their convenience and have large enough gardens to accommodate the often generous size. If that sounds like you, opt for gas! 

Last year's standout gas BBQ; the Everdure By Heston Blumenthal FORCE 2 impressed across the board for its slick design and powerful cooking. Available in three colours - mint, orange and charcoal, and including accessories and a BBQ cover when you buy, there's everything you need to get the party started.

When off duty, this barbecue looks a treat, but it's a brilliant burner too. The ignition is ergonomic and it claims to fire up to temperature in five minutes, meaning you can cook in a hurry and not waste your gas supply as it heats up. 

The convection hood is extra high, designed to fit a 6kg turkey, so you can also use this gas BBQ for bulkier tasks than just a burger. The hood and grill plates are enamel coated, designed for easy cleaning. 

Electric ignition makes the Char-Broil All-Star 120 B-GAS easy to use, and it comes on a portable frame on four casters. This barbecue can also be taken out of the stand and placed on a tabletop, making it even more portable.

According to Char-Broil this BBQ was designed for balconies and small gardens. Its cooking area is 46cm in diameter which isn't huge, but it's certainly big enough for a few steaks.

Other thoughtful touches include the lid, which has an in-built thermometer, and the TRU-Infrared cooking system which claims to cut back on flare-ups and wasted gas. 

Gas cooking is very convenient, so the Outback Excel Onyx 2-Burner is a great budget-friendly way of getting in on the action. It's got a 50 x 36cm cooking area that can handle up to 15 burgers at once, and the lid has an in-built thermometer for easy use.

The grill is porcelain-coated wire, which is hardy and easy to clean. It's also got a side burner which is great for knocking up side dishes while you barbecue the main meal. 

With a warming rack and attachments for all your cooking tools, this barbecue really packs in a lot for the price. 

Portability is key if you want to enjoy barbecues at the beach, in a campsite or even in a park (rules permitting, of course). The Kuhn Rikon Table Top BBQ offers portability and much more. Its fold-out arms are great for prepping a feast when far away from the kitchen and it has legs for security when placing it on a table. 

The cooking area is a reasonable 47 x 35cm and it weighs only 19kg, which isn't too weighty for taking on the go. 

You will need to buy a specific camping gas barbecue cartridge for this, but an Amazon search ought to bring one up! 

Best hybrid barbecues 2021

Can't choose between the best charcoal barbecue or a gas alternative? Why not pick both. The best hybrid barbecues are surprisingly affordable given their versatility, and some even come with two cooking zones so you can operate different fuel types simultaneously. 

Designed to run entirely on either gas or coal, you can switch out the Char-Broil Gas2Coal Hybrid Grill based on the dish you're cooking or simply your mood. 

The warming rack keeps food warm and can toast burner buns while you work on the main event, and there are two side arms (one with a side burner) to support you as you go. 

Ignition is convenient and electronic, and the charcoal tray makes it easy to clean and switch out the type of fuel you use. 

For devout charcoal barbequers the idea of incorporating gas may be sacrilege but if you sit on the fence when it comes to gas or charcoal cooking then this is the BBQ for you. 

It has a large cooking surface on both sides which makes it perfect for entertaining and has an attached bottle opener to crack open a cold one whilst cooking up a storm.

This unique hybrid offers the best of both worlds - charcoal for an authentic smokey taste and gas for easy-to-adjust heat. The best part? Both methods can be used at the same time; so whilst your cajun spice chicken is cooking on the coals, your veggie sausages can be sizzling on the gas. Win-win.

Given its immense size, the Argos Premium Dual Fuel Charcoal & Gas Combi BBQ is very affordable. It's a bit lacking in the looks department, with a minimal frame and a side arm jutting out, but there's loads of room for storage and a range of convenient features. 

You can use the left burner for gas and right for charcoal, or run them simultaneously for the added convenience of cooking two types of meat at the same time. The front shelf is designed to hold condiments and oil for added ease of use. 

How to choose the best barbecue

Portability

Some barbecues are designed to be taken on the go. Whether you want to take it camping or simply make storage easier, opting for a lightweight barbecue with wheels or a removable base will make this easier.

Price

The best barbecue could cost as much as £1,000. Sometimes you'll pay even more for a professional-level option from a top brand like Weber or Kamado Joe. They can come in for under £100 though, so there really is a barbecue out there for every budget. 

Size

Cooking for a crowd? The more burners the merrier when it comes to entertaining. This will allow you to cook various dishes at once and cater to large groups all at the same time. Some come with warming shelves so you can still serve everything simultaneously, and others have side burners to prepare sauces and dips while you cook.