So you’re stuck with a small outdoor space or need a grill you can take on the go. There are some great small gas grills out there, but there’s also a lot of rubbish.
We test dozens of gas grills of all sizes a year, and these are the five models we would buy if space were at a premium.
We’ve also included some useful guidelines to help you avoid breaking any laws or getting in trouble for using a gas grill.
Our Top Picks for the 5 Best Small Gas Grills in 2024
These are our favorite small gas grills ranging in price from around $315 up to $500. We’ve included three full sized two and three burner grills with a small foot print, as well as two more portable options.
Best Small Gas Grill – Weber Q 2800N+ Gas Grill
Read our full Weber Q 2800N+ review.
The Weber Q 2800N+ Grill is the latest generation of the incredibly popular portable Q series of grills.
There’s a lot to love about this tabletop grill. You get 320 square inches of total cooking area and two burners that reach up to 700°F. So whether you want to cook low and slow or sear at high heat, you can do it all.
The second burner is the “+” burner, which just adds extra heat for searing, so you can’t use it to create a hotter and cooler zone.
The cast aluminum lid’s height also means you can fit two whole chickens inside!
We’ve made a video review showing the assembling process and our cooking tests on this grill.
Some smaller grills struggle to get ripping hot, but in our tests, we didn’t have any issues getting a great sear when cooking steak.
The front-facing grease management system makes cleanup a breeze. Sturdy, removable side shelves with tool hooks are also included. Additional Weber accessories include a portable cart or a hot plate griddle.
You get all of this in a lightweight, compact design that weighs just over 30 pounds. So you can effortlessly take it from the patio to the campground.
Weber sells a portable cart for the Q that can fold down for transportation as well as plenty of accessories including a griddle insert to expand your cooking horizons.
What we like
- Lightweight, portable design
- Quick and easy cleanup
- Ample cooking space for a tabletop grill
- Two burners
What we don’t like
- Expensive for a small grill
2. Best Full-Size Small Grill – Weber Spirit II E-210
If you have the space for it and don’t need a portable grill, the Weber Spirit is your best choice.
The E-210 Gas Grill offers Weber performance, outstanding construction quality, and a generous 10-year warranty in a compact package.
The assembled width is only 48″ inches, so you can fit the Spirit into pretty compact spaces. Each side shelf can fold down, which is handy if you want to push it out of the way to save more space when not in use.
The porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates retain even heat, are easy to clean, and are built to last. Two stainless steel burners complement them, which won’t rust or corrode and reach up to 550°F. The porcelain enamel lid also helps retain even heat.
The two burners provide a lot more versatility compared with the Q, as you can create a hot and a cooler side for cooking larger cuts of meat.
There are 450 square inches of cooking space, including 360 square inches of primary grilling area and a warming rack. In our tests we could comfortably grill 6 large pork chops at once.
There are folding side tables, and the six tool hooks make it easy to access all your grilling accessories. When you’re done cooking, enjoy the low-maintenance grease management system. A fuel gauge next to your tank (there’s built-in storage) also indicates how much is left, so you’re never caught out.
I’ve owned the slightly larger Spirit E-310, which features three burners for around five years and it’s still going strong. There’s also a natural gas version if you have that option.
This grill is perfect if you are stuck with a small balcony or patio, or if you just don’t think you’ll be grilling for a lot of people.
What we like:
- Heats up to 550°F
- Propane tank meter
- Porcelain-enameled grates are great for searing and are easy to clean
- Cooks evenly
What we don’t like:
- Assembly is a little bit fiddly
3. Best Budget – Mesa 200 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill
The Mesa 200 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill is our favorite budget-friendly full cart alternative. It may be cheaper than both the Weber and Napoleon options, but you still get a quality product that gives its counterparts a run for their money.
Let’s start with the 450 square inches of cooking space, including 320 square inches of primary cooking area and a 130 square-inch warming rack.
You still get porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates for easy cleaning, long-lasting performance, and even heat distribution. These are paired with two stainless steel precision-engineered burners.
In a world of boring stainless steel and black grills I love that the Mesa comes in five different color options. I went for the green, which is more of a teal color, and it looks amazing. The colorful options will cost you a tiny bit extra, so go for the stainless steel option if you want to savea few bucks.
There are also large foldable side shelves, lockable wheels, a built-in storage cabinet, and a removable grease drip tray for easy cleaning.
Another unique feature on the Mesa 200 is the Clearview built-in glass lid window with a temperature gauge. Fewer lid lifts equals less heat fluctuations.
So, if you’re on a budget but still want a quality small grill, we recommend the Mesa 200 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill. If you have more space, Monument also has a 3-burner and a 4-burner with a side burner.
What we like
- Easy to start initially
- Built-in window
- Ample cooking space
What we don’t like
- Thinner materials than Weber
4. Best Portable Gas Grill: Weber Traveler
Read our full Weber Traveler review.
The Weber Q2800N+ that we featured at the top of this list is small and light enough to be moved around, while the Traveler is designed to be portable. Nicknamed “Weber on Wheels,” it can be enjoyed at home and then quickly collapsed thanks to its scissor-legged design, placed in your car, and taken camping or tailgating.
But like all Weber products, just because it’s compact doesn’t mean you miss out. You still get top-quality cast-iron cooking grates and 320 inches of total cooking area – enough space to feed the family.
It also has a removable grease management system, tool hooks, and a mounted side shelf that’s big enough for a serving plate.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the easy-to-operate foldable design. Comprised of one singular piece, the gas-spring control is specifically designed for one-handed setup, moveability, and fold-down. An automatic latch also deploys when you fold or unfold the grill, locking it into position.
The large, durable wheels are the cherry on top, as they’re made for navigating campsites. We’ve got a video review you can watch to see the Traveler in action if you want to learn more.
What we like
- Foldable design with large wheels for seamless transport
- Large cooking area for a portable grill
- Mounted side shelf
What we don’t like
- Lower heat output with only one burner
- Need to fold down seats for it to fit in smaller trunks
5. Best Compact 3-Burner Grill: Napoleon Freestyle 365 Propane Gas Grill
We’re starting to stretch the definition of a “small” grill, but if you want three burners the Napoleon Freestyle 365 is a great choice.
This grill shares many features with the Weber Spirit, and is only 48.75″ wide from side shelf to side shelf. That’s a full 3.25″ narrower than the Sprit E-310 3 burner, making it easier to fit into narrow spaces.
The similarities begin with cast-iron, porcelain-enameled cooking grates, which resist rust, provide even heat, and create distinctive sear marks with their wave pattern.
The durable, tubular stainless steel burners cook food quickly and evenly. Napoleon’s instant JETFIRE ignition system quickly lights the main burners every time, and the onboard ACCUPROBE temperature gauge monitors them.
Then there’s the 365 square inches of total grilling area, again on par with the Weber Spirit. To round off the package, you get two rugged, all-terrain wheels for easy movability, foldable side shelves, enclosed propane tank storage, tool hooks, and a bottle opener.
The Napoleon Freestyle 365 is another worthwhile alternative for those searching for a quality portable gas grill for their small outdoor area.
What we like
- Even cooking
- Unique wave grill grate design
- Quick startup
- Easy to clean
What we don’t like
- Like the Weber can be a challenge to assemble
What to consider when buying a small gas grill
Here are some important factors to consider when shopping for the perfect smaller gas grill.
1. Size and cooking space
Size can be broken down further into other categories:
- Cooking space: Most small gas grills have between 200 and 450 square inches of cooking space. If you estimate roughly 75 to 100 square inches per person, a 200-square-inch model could comfortably work for a couple. But if you hope to feed a family regularly, you might benefit from a larger model.
- Burners: The amount of burners is something else to consider, depending on how many people you plan to cook for frequently and the type of grilling.
Having at least two burners allows you to create hot and cooler zones, crucial for grilling thick steaks or meat and veggies at the same time.
- Physical dimensions: Determine the dimensions of your car trunk or outdoor space before buying a grill. Remember to factor in if the side shelves fold down, as they easily add extra width.
2. Portability
Portability depends on what you want your small gas grill for. Do you want it to have a stand with wheels so you can easily move it around your backyard? Or do you want it to be a tabletop grill without a stand you can pack in the car to take on trips?
The Weber Traveler is great if you have the space for it.
Or do you want to cover both bases with a portable gas grill with collapsible legs (looking at you, Weber Traveler) or a tabletop with an additional stand? The choices are endless!
Remember to consider weight if you’re looking for a camping propane grill. We recommend sticking to a model under 50 pounds to make your life much easier.
3. Natural gas vs propane
Propane gas is the most common option for a smaller gas grill. It allows you to enjoy the freedom of an open flame without worrying about extinguishing coals. Just double-check your building or area’s rules regarding propane tank storage.
Natural gas is fitted to your home’s gas source, so you can’t move the grill once a professional installs it. It won’t work on a balcony but is an option if you have a small backyard and portability isn’t a concern.
Out of the grills we’ve covered in this guide, only the Weber Spirit is only model that has a natural gas option, but only for the larger E-320 3 burner.
4. Other fuel types
The two other common fuel types for small grills are electric and charcoal. We’ve reviewed the best portable charcoal grills, but they aren’t the best option if you only have a small outdoor space. They can also be a massive fire hazard if used close to wooden structures.
Weber Lumin is electric but can burn wood pellets to create a more authentic taste.
Electric grills are an alternative but don’t offer the same flavor as gas grills. But if regulations stipulate it’s your only option, both the Ninja Woodfire and Weber Lumin and good options.
Remember to check the regulations before you grill
Before you buy a small gas grill for your apartment balcony, you should check the rules and regulations for operating a grill in your area.
As you’ll see in our guide to the best apartment grills, different cities, apartment buildings, and even landlords have different policies.
So err on the safe side and double-check. We recommend reading this guide to grill safety for apartments from the Prince William County Fire Marshall before you fire it up!
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