Best gas barbecues 2021: our top ten BBQs for your garden

Choose the best gas barbecue for the convenience of electronic ignition, with all the classic BBQ flavours of summer. Now that summer is well and truly underway, the best gas barbecues have been selling out fast. That doesn't mean you'll have any trouble picking up the perfect model for you, though, because we've been keeping our best gas BBQ guide up to date with all the top options that you can buy right now. 

Featuring top brands like Weber, Everdure, Campingaz, Char-Broil and CosmoGrill, our best gas barbecue guide comprises ten top options at a variety of sizes and styles. While gas barbecues are more expensive than their charcoal counterparts, it is possible to pick up a great gas BBQ for under £200. Many of the models in our guide come in at around the £300 mark, but for a high-end option from the likes the Heston-approved Everdure range, you could pay as much as £600, or more. 

Why buy a gas barbecue?

We're fans of a charcoal barbecue, so much so that you'll find an entire section of our best barbecue guide dedicated to them, but there's no denying the convenience of gas barbecues. For a start, the ignition means you don't need to fiddle with fire starters or top up on coals, simply attach your gas canister and switch on as you would a hob. 

Cooking is easier too, because you can regulate the temperature to suit your needs. The best gas barbecues often feature in-built thermometers so you know exactly how hot the grill is. Simply increase or decrease the amount of gas accordingly. 

The best gas barbecues 2021

Without question the most iconic gas BBQ of 2020, the Everdure By Heston Blumenthal Gas BBQ is back in stock once more. It comes in three striking colours and with a slimline yet large frame, making it not only lovely to look at, but great to use. Controls are minimalist and easy to operate, and there's a 2358cm ² cooking area to play with. The high hood means you can make the most of convection cooking to handle larger items such as turkeys and other cuts of meat. The servery drops down for easy storage, and the enamelled lid is rust-resistant. 

Weber is one of the most trusted and iconic grill brands on the market, with a premium price tag to match. Yet it’s hard to fault the ease of assembly, design details or cooking results. The Genesis II E-310’s 65kg heft is a clue as to how well it is constructed. From porcelain enamelled cooking grates to stainless steel ‘flavourise bars’ to produce great barbecue taste and stainless steel side tables, every detail is of the highest quality - right down to the double-thick flame-tamers. The assembly is not trivial and will take a couple of hours, but it’s built to last, unlike cheap barbecues you’d have to replace after a couple of years. 

It looks the part, but the Outback Excel Onyx 2-Burner Gas Trolley BBQ also offers great value for money. This BBQ has a unique shape with a domed lid and two strong wheels for convenient storage.

The side burner can be used to work on side dishes while you make the main course on the two-burner grill. There is a lower storage shelf and an in-built groove to the side of the grill where the gas can live. The 50 x 36cm cooking area is great for most families. 

We've tested the Char-Broil Gas2Coal Hybrid Grill ourselves, and it's a brilliant gas barbecue. For a start, there's the fact that it's also got the option of charcoal fuel, which is something you can completely ignore if you're only interested in gas, but it does make the BBQ all the more versatile. It's easy to ignite thanks to the ignition button built-in, and you can choose from two, three, or four burners depending on your family size. Other extras include a warming rack and shelf for storing the charcoal tray when not in use. There's also a thermometer in the lid, which makes life that little bit easier. 

Ideal for storage and even better for taking on the go, the Weber Traveler LP BLK Gas Barbecue folds completely flat and has a generous grilling area, meaning you'll never have to compromise when barbecuing again. 

There's 2062cm squared of cooking space and the grill is built into the frame itself, so simply fold it down and carry along using the wheels and handles attached. It's built to minimise gas wastage and while on the heavy side, you can easily pull it behind you and let the wheels do the work. 

The clever design, which has a separation of the grill from the trolley, means this BBQ can be at full height or sit on a table. It makes this a great choice if you have a small outdoor space but want the performance of a premium grill, or if you want to take your BBQ out with you. Sausage sandwich on the beach, anyone? Super useful design touches include hooks to hang cooking utensils, thermometer, side trays, somewhere to store a kitchen roll and a mini bin. The All-Star does take a while to assemble, and note that the push-start Surefire Electronic Igniter requires batteries, so have some AAAs handy, yet it’s a great grill which promises juicy results every time.

This sturdy and well-made gas barbecue heats up quickly and cooks evenly, making grilling is a breeze. The clean down is easy too, as all cooking surfaces will fit in the dishwasher, and everything else wipes and rinses down into the ‘fat trap’ for disposal. If you’re looking for a grill that’s lightweight, easy to assemble, and offers powerful flames with lots of cooking space, this is the right choice for you. It’s worth mentioning that the unusual grill design means you don't get the classic BBQ grill marks. For the price, this is a brilliant gas barbecue.

With an in-built thermometer, rust-proof lid, and fully portable frame, the Weber Spirit Classic E-210 is a great option for those who want the best gas BBQ but without the large size requirements. This barbecue has two burners, but the warming rack means you can cook meals for the whole family in shifts. Its wheels also make it extremely easy to wheel in and out for use in the summer months. 

Side shelves feature hooks for cooking accessories, and the cooking grate itself is porcelain-enamelled. Weber calls these grills "flavourizers" and they're designed to add an extra kick of that classic smokey barbecue flavour to your meals. 

The John Lewis & Partners 6 Burner Gas BBQ is finished in sleek silver and has six burners as well as an optional side burner. It's somewhat reasonably priced given how vast this gas barbecue really is, and it can cater to up to (or over) 12 people at a time. The barbecue also comes with an in-built warmer shelf that will keep food warm while you're still grilling. The side burner can be folded away, acting as a shelf for storing plates and cutlery as you prepare your feast. 

With so many burners this definitely isn't a BBQ for those without much space, but if you can spare the room to store it you'll appreciate the fact that it comes with four wheels, and that the side shelves fold down to make it a little narrower. 

With an in-built thermometer, rust-proof lid, and fully portable frame, the Weber Spirit Classic E-210 is a great option for those who want the best gas BBQ but without the large size requirements. This barbecue has two burners, but the warming rack means you can cook meals for the whole family in shifts. Its wheels also make it extremely easy to wheel in and out for use in the summer months. 

Side shelves feature hooks for cooking accessories, and the cooking grate itself is porcelain-enamelled. Weber calls these grills "flavourizers" and they're designed to add an extra kick of that classic smokey barbecue flavour to your meals. 

What is the best gas barbecue? 

The Weber Genesis II E-310 is our top choice of the best gas barbecue. Weber never fails to produce high quality products that not only look great, but give you the best cooking experience too. That said, this isn't the best gas barbecue for everyone. Some may prefer a grill with a more in-built look, whereas others will want a smaller barbecue for easy storage and transportation. 

How to choose the best gas barbecue for you

Size

The size of a barbecue is one of the most important things to check. Firstly, the dimensions of the grill itself will dictate whether it fits into your garden or patio space. For those short on space or who have a set area in mind, choosing something with the perfect dimensions is key. 

The size of the grilling area is another thing to check. The amount of burners can reflect this. Ideally, you should choose something that can cater to a crowd for summer entertaining or family dining. Keep in mind though that you may have to light all burners, no matter the crowd, when you fire up your new gas barbecue. This could be a waste of gas if you're only doing a burger or two, so the energy-conscious may want to pick an appropriate amount of burners for their family size. 

Storage

If you plan on leaving your barbecue on the patio all year, its portability isn't massively important. For most though, it's nice to have the option of moving it to the garage when it's not in use, or even being able to take it on trips to the beach or campsite. 

Some gas barbecues come with extendable sides that can be lifted up to provide added storage - or even cooking - space. When not in use you can lower these and make your barbecue far easier to store. While some gas barbecues come on legs, people tend to prefer one on a trolley. This gives you storage space for you gas canister to live discreetly, and can even offer shelves for grilling essentials such as spatulas and carving knives. 

Extras

A straightforward gas barbecue should chargrill your burgers, vegetables, and steaks, but you can also find some with the added advantage of side burners. These allow you to cook with a regular frying pan alongside your grill, meaning you can prep crispy onions or hot baked beans while you grill. This will save you trips to and from the kitchen, meaning you don't have to leave your food and potentially grill it while you prep any sides. 

Many gas barbecues feature this function, so keep an eye out for one that can multi-task. 

And of course, every good barbecue needs somewhere to enjoy that perfectly grilled burger from! Check out our guide to the best garden furniture to find the outdoor tables, chairs and garden sofas that are perfect for alfresco dining.