The best gas, electric and charcoal barbecues for summer cooking

If you love barbecuing but hate being chained to the grill then the new Char-Broil Evolve has a very techy feature that you'll love. You can actually control this grill using your smartphone! All you need to do is download the app and it allows you to control the two independent grilling zones from the palm of your hand. You can mingle and chat with your guests, all while keeping an eye on your sizzling sausages!

You really can cook your food with absolute precision as this BBQ comes with two connected temperature probes and precision temperature settings, from 90-130°C.
It also comes with TRU-infrared Technology that is meant to barbecue your food 50 per cent juicer. And for those of us who hate having scrub dirty grills, it comes with a very handy auto-clean function. So, is it as good as it sounds?

Our Editor Claire Tapley tested the electric version and here's what she thought:
"Firstly I was really impressed with the quality of this product. Every part is sturdy and extremely well-made. Putting it together was fairly straightforward. I have only basic knowledge of fitting things like this together and I found the instructions easy to follow.
The app is simple to use and download. I found this feature particularly useful when preheating the BBQ. It meant I could turn it on, go and do something else and then the app would let me know when it was ready for cooking. Being able to control the grill remotely is probably most useful when you have a large gathering as it means you can socialise while cooking.
I'm always quite paranoid about not cooking chicken thoroughly enough so I really appreciated the two temperature probes.
The large storage cupboard under this model is great for storing all your utensils and tools and the two side shelves are really handy for resting plates on and easily fold down for storage.
I found all food cooked on this barbecue to be really juicy and tasty. Despite being an electric grill we even had some flames when cooking which gave it the food an authentic flame-grilled taste.
I would genuinely recommend this BBQ, it is a little pricey but it's great quality, easy and convenient to use and will last you a lifetime."

The Weber Genesis E-335 is a powerful, premium BBQ designed to elevate outdoor cooking for both casual family meals and large gatherings. With its signature high-performance Sear Zone and an extendable top grate, the Genesis E-335 offers ample space and versatility, easily handling everything from grilled sausages to perfectly seared steaks.

Ideal for entertaining, its multiple burners enable easy heat distribution, while the side burner lets you sauté veggies or sauces alongside your main dishes. Thoughtful features, like a fold-out prep table and tool hangers, add convenience, while the storage area holds your gas canister and accessories. Durable wheels make it easy to move when needed. The Weber Genesis E-335 is a big bit of kit, so you’ll need plenty of room to store it, but it’s built to last and impress too.

Tested and reviewed by Kerry Joyce for Yours.co.uk: "Our BBQ experiences have always been pretty average, so testing the Weber Genesis® E-335 was a treat - especially for my husband, who was thrilled to try out this BBQ “beast.” And it is indeed a beast! At 157 cm wide and 69 cm deep, it needs a good amount of space, but it’s gorgeous and seriously well-built.

"As a family of four who often grills for friends, we’ve found the Genesis E-335 incredibly versatile. Despite some rainy weather, we’ve been able to grill even without the sun. My husband found it straightforward to use, with its handy thermometer and intuitive controls. We’re still dialling in the perfect temps, but hey—that’s part of BBQ fun, right?

"The large Sear Zone and extendable top crate make it ideal for entertaining, letting us host a group of eight adults and seven kids without firing up the oven! We also love the side burner for cooking extras, the tool hangers, and a fold-out prep table. It’s easy to clean, with a fat-catching tray and storage space for the gas canister.

"Yes, it’s pricey, but this BBQ is built to last. It looks fantastic, performs beautifully, and will definitely be the star of our future gatherings!"

The Weber One Touch Original Kettle combines timeless design with modern upgrades. Featuring the One-Touch Cleaning System, with a deep ash catcher, ash disposal is simplified. Integrated tool hooks keep barbecue utensils close at hand. With a porcelain-enamelled lid and bowl, this grill ensures efficient heat retention. The adjustable damper provides easy temperature control without lifting the lid. Also, a built-in thermometer on the lid offers monitoring convenience. Weber is iconic in the BBQ world and this one of their timeless charcoal models.

Customer review: "Great product so far. Recently bought this which replaced a similar Weber kettle that was well over 20 years old. Looking forward to at least 20 more years with this kettle."

Weber is a well-known name in the world of barbecues, and this compact Weber Compact 47cm Charcoal BBQ is a real crowd-pleaser. The porcelain enamelled char ring and stainless steel diffuser plate help to distribute the heat efficiently for steady cooking without burning. It gives you a lot of the control and quality you'd expect from gas, but will all the smoky flavour you'd want from charcoal.

Customer review: "What a beast. Just cooked two barbecues, one for 18 people, the other for nine. This thing is easily big enough to rip through about 16 sausages or 8 1/4lb burgers at once. Gives a ferocious heat that is easy to control. It cooks things fast, really fast! Banging the lid on gives such a great smoky flavour. Quality is top-notch. I would definitely recommend complimenting this purchase with a charcoal starter, heatproof gloves and a cover. Overall, fantastic purchase and really pleased."

This gas to coal barbecue takes all the hassle out of using charcoal. You simply use the gas burners to light the charcoal without the need for any firelighters, or wondering whether the match has caught or not.  

With four burners, you can have the choice to grill and use gas at the same time and there’s also the choice to use it as a gas barbecue, plus a handy little side burner for any extras.  

Reviewed by senior writer Becky Fuller: My whole family is in love with this barbecue! As complete barbecue novices, my two teenage sons and I were wary of putting it together, let alone using it, but both have been so easy.  

Although it looked complicated to build it was incredibly easy, and it looks very stylish in our garden. Our only gripe was that there was no gas pipe included, so we had to get one from the Physics department at school!  

The Gas 2 Coal barbecue is so easy to use. We decided to use charcoal the first time, so we just put the bricks in the tray and lit them with the gas burners. You then close the lid, leave the flames to take, then turn off the gas and wait for the coals to go white. That was it! Second time we just used gas and again, very simple to light and control.  

The side burner is a great addition – we heated a glaze on it and also grilled corn. There’s lots of space on the grill, so everything cooks easily, and can be kept warm easily once done by just closing the lid.  

Initially I found cleaning it difficult – the cast iron grill racks are heavy and hard to get in the sink. However, a friend gave me the tip to heat the grill up again and scrape off the debris, which was much easier. Once cool, all they needed was a quick wash and they were ready to go again.  

The Gas 2 Coal barbecue is definitely going to be in use a lot this summer as it’s so simple and quick to set up and use. It is pricey, but well worth it in my opinion for the quality, simplicity and features it offers.

If you want to bring the wow factor to your summer BBQs, the Big Green Egg Large Egg BBQ has to be the showstopper. The ceramic Big Green Egg charcoal barbecue blends traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional strength, resilience and thermal insulation. This versatile grill infuses bold flavours while offering precise temperature control and moisture retention for succulent results. With the ConvEGGtor at your disposal (included with every EGG purchase), you can make pizza, hot-smoked salmon and sourdough bread. You can pull off astonishing brisket, pulled pork and ribs or just prepare for the greatest roast chicken of your life. The EGG is described by its creators as 'so much more than a barbecue'.

Whether you're cooking solo or hosting a small gathering, this John Lewis Portable Charcoal BBQ is the perfect solution. It offers portability and sturdiness, featuring tripod legs for enhanced stability. The hood includes airflow control and a cool-touch handle, ensuring safety while checking on your food. Cleaning is a breeze with the built-in ash collector, making it an easy grilling experience when on the move.

Customer review: "Great little BBQ that's easy to assemble. Perfect for taking places or having a small BBQ in the garden."

Featuring a timeless design, this Argos Home Extra Large Drum Charcoal BBQ offers ample space, perfect for gatherings of up to 18 people. Equipped with a warming rack, it allows you to keep food warm as you prepare the next batch. The steel hood enhances versatility, making it suitable for roasting, baking and smoking. Plus, its fold-down side table ensures easy access to sauces and spices, while the inclusion of two wheels facilitates effortless movement around the garden.

Customer review: "Bought because we were going to provide BBQ food for over 20 people and intend to hold similar events on our garden in the future. This BBQ was dead easy to put together. We used 3 small bags of charcoal which didn't require lighter fuel and cooked what was regarded by many as an excellent meal. The BBQ cleaned up easily and is now ready for another burn up."

The GoodHome Tippah 4.0 gas barbecue is perfect for simple cooking at an affordable price. You can also customise your barbecue by adding a variety of grids/planchas, allowing you to try out different cooking styles, such as a wok or a pizza stone.

Customer review: "Managed to pick this up as the last one in stock in store. Having only just got round to assembling this weekend, it cooked great! Lid closed I was getting 250-300 degrees within a few seconds. It did take slightly longer with the lid open but nothing noticeable compared to my old BBQ. The fact the grill and fat trays are small and removable makes them ideal for putting in the dishwasher. Struggling to buy a cover from a store as constantly out of stock but otherwise highly recommend for quality vs value."

The Weber Spirit E-215 GBS Gas BBQ is designed for small groups. Its compact size, along with foldable side shelves, suits smaller spaces like patios and balconies. Compatible with Weber's Gourmet Barbecue System accessories, it boasts electric ignition, a cabinet with a steel door, stainless steel Flavorizer bars, and a lid with a built-in thermometer. With four castor wheels (two lockable), moving it around is easy. Lastly, the porcelain enamel finish ensures durability and easy cleaning.

Customer review: "Very well laid out instructions easy to follow. It was a joy to assemble everything fitted together. I did need help from my partner though I not sure it's a one person assembly.
Really happy with the gourmet grate system and all the add on you can get.
Looking forward to many years of searing and barbecuing.

Despite its affordable price, this George Foreman GFGBBQ3B 3 Burner Grill Gas BBQ looks expensive and offers ample cooking space for hosting feasts. With three burners, it provides great heat, and with propane gas hook-up, it's effortlessly ignited with automatic ignition. Additionally, it features a convenient side table and a storage bottom shelf for added functionality.

Customer review: "Some parts to assemble are tricky and the BBQ could be slightly deeper for cooking the likes of beer can chicken… all in all a very good BBQ. Money well spent."