The best BBQs are selling out ahead of summer, so here are 21 stylish choices to level-up your garden parties

The best BBQs are selling like hot cakes right now – not least because they’re one of the best Father’s Day gifts. Just one look down John Lewis’ almost entirely sold-out selection of stylish barbecues will act as proof. And it’s hardly a surprise. There’s nothing better than the great British barbecue season, and as we get more glimpses of warmer weather and outdoor socialising comes onto the cards once more, it’s going to be better than ever. Just imagine: gathering in the parks and beaches with our best pals, bathing under non-stop sunshine (a tad too ambitious?), drinking boxed-wine, Prosecco and Aperol aperitifs while grilling something delicious on the barbie. Hell. Yes.

It’s likely you usually make a beeline for those tiny disposable barbecues you get from the supermarket circa April-September each year. But not only are they way too small for a proper feast, they’re pretty unreliable and wildly bad for the environment. They burn the grass they sit beneath and they can’t be recycled or composted. So in the name of sustainability (and your purse – in the long run), investing one of the best (actual) barbecues is a no-brainer. Consider your al fresco summer 2022 plans transformed. If you’re in a rush, we’ve actually got our top two picks right here to save you the hassle of scrolling and, on top of that, if you cast your eyes down just a little bit, we’ve even pulled together our top 10 BBQs by category. Though, if you’re after a bit more in-depth research, by all means, keep scrolling – there’s some real good’uns to get your hands on. 

What is the best BBQ to buy?

Char-Broil Professional CORE TRU-Infrared 4 Burner Gas BBQ, Black

Outback Spectrum Hybrid 3 Burner Gas BBQ

There are a few things to consider when it comes to shopping for the best BBQ. For true grill aficionados, there’s a longstanding debate between which BBQ is better: the charcoal barbecue or the gas barbecue. And honestly? It just comes down to your preferences. Generally, charcoal is best for taste and easy transportation, while gas is said to be more efficient and much easier to use.

Other factors to consider include size – do you want a two-burner grill, or something bigger for cooking higher quantities of food? – cooking speed, ease of clean-up and hassle of fuel access. There’s also, of course, your budget. Prices can range hugely depending on what you want. You can get a pretty affordable two burner gas BBQ from John Lewis for less than £200 – but you can also invest in an all-singing-all-dancing extra large BBQ embedded in its own transportable acacia wood table for £2,690 at the top end of the spectrum. We’ve made sure to include the best barbecues for all budgets here.

Best BBQs at a glance

• Best BBQ 2022 UK – Char-Broil Professional CORE TRU-Infrared 4 Burner Gas BBQ, Black, £799.99, John Lewis
• Best gas BBQ – Everdure By Heston Blumenthal FURNACE 3 Burner Gas BBQ, Graphite, £899, John Lewis
• Best charcoal BBQ – Gardenline Kamado Ceramic Egg BBQ, £399.99, Aldi
• Best budget BBQ – Home Wow Premium 6 Burner Gas BBQ, £240, Argos
• Smallest gas BBQ – John Lewis & Partners 2 Burner Gas BBQ, £199, John Lewis
• Best table top BBQ – everdure by heston blumenthal CUBE Portable Charcoal BBQ, Graphite, £179, John Lewis & Partners
• Best portable BBQ – Eurohike Foldable BBQ, £15, Blacks
• Gas and charcoal combination BBQ – Outback Spectrum Hybrid 3 Burner Gas BBQ, £400, Homebase
• Best electric BBQ – Lotus Grill XL BBQ grill 43.5cm, £225, Selfridges
• Best Amazon gas BBQ – Outback Excel 2 Burner Gas BBQ £169.99, Amazon

How did we test and review our BBQs?

Combining our knowledge of the BBQs we’ve used as a team with customer reviews and the most frequently purchases BBQs over the years, we’ve compiled what we believe to be an exhaustive round up of the best BBQs to cover all bases. We haven’t ignored negative customer reviews and, whether a BBQ is hard to clean or requires a handyman to assemble, we’ve let you know. We’re lucky enough to speak to lots of the influential staff behind the brands to get that little bit of extra know-how and, now with this guide, we’re able to share it with you. Happy shopping!

So, whether you want a smaller grill for chucking on a few hot dogs and meat-free burgers – seriously, whether you’re vegan or not, you need to try the Beyond Meat Plant-Based burgers, they are chef’s kiss – or if you’re after a meatier (sorry) option for family get-to-togethers, these are the best gas and charcoal barbecues you need to buy this summer. Don’t sleep on it.

We’ve also rounded up the best garden furniture for all budgets to transform your outdoor space for those summer parties, fire pits for a Love Island-style garden makeover and the very best cocktail making kits (to pair with those perfectly-grilled hotdogs or vegan burgers)… Head this way for the best pizza ovens, over here for picnic sets to take to the park and in this direction for the best patio heaters to keep you toasty. And, lastly, we’ve got the best chimineas, the best patio heaters, the best rattan furniture, the best garden bean bags, garden mirrors and Aldi garden furniture – more than enough to get going with. 

For more from our Commerce Writer Lucy Smith, follow her on Instagram @luceeeeesmith.