5 Best Grills Under 300 Reviews in 2022

“The most wasted day of all is that which we have not barbecued” -Anonymous

Can you imagine going on camping, picnics, or even just backyard barbecues without any grilled meals to savor and enjoy? 

Designed to be carried where people go, portable grills allow us to have the luxury to cook delicious meals outdoors.  It provides a quick and effortless way to help prepare your favorite grilled food. 

You can cook burgers, ribs, steaks, chicken, shrimp, or even vegetables without too much hassle in preparation.  Also, grilling directly over flame cooks your meat, fish, and poultry faster.

In this short but detailed review, we will list 5 of the best grill under 300 currently on the market. 

In a hurry?  Here then is a quick comparison of these products:  

Top 5 Best Grills Under 300 

Now that we have made a quick comparison of all our 5 portable grills, it’s time to get detailed  information for each.   

1. Everdure Cube Portable Charcoal Grill and Cover Bundle by Heston Blumenthal

Looking at this cute boxy grill, it’s hard not to fall in love with its stylish retro look design.  When you bring this to the beach or at a picnic, it’s hard to tell what it is.  Expect to see people glancing and trying to figure out what this little cube is all about.

The moment you snap off the safety latches on both sides, and take off the bamboo board on top, that’s when the grill reveals itself.  This undoubtedly is a unique and out-of-the-box grill design. 

You can put your grilled food on the bamboo board for preparation. The plastic top beneath it which covers the rack is where you can put paper plates or utensils.  The lightweight steel handle on both ends is always cool to the touch, as it’s not too close to the body of the grill.

Enough room also separates the top stainless grill and the bottom rack to accommodate enough charcoal for the heat.  There’s a double line wall that acts as a built-in heat protection shield for an easy, comfortable grill experience.   Another noteworthy feature is the integrated base plaque.  It acts as a protector for any surface you decide to put the Cube in.

It comes in different colors and the whole body is a powder-coated finish.  But no worries, it’s not gonna rust as it’s galvanized first before it was coated. It comes with an attractive portable canvas bag that can be used to store all your grilling utensils.  There’s also a drawstring bag inside to store used dishes.

Great design, lightweight, easy to transport, and hassle-free cleaning, makes this portable piece of beauty an ideal go-to-grill for a small picnic or tailgating. 

And just in case you are wondering, the Everdure Cube is made by Heston Blumenthal, a British Celebrity Chef.   

Pros

• Compact and portable
• High-quality material
• Stylish & innovative design
• A highly versatile and durable piece of equipment

Cons

• A bit pricey for its size

2. Char-Griller E8936 Flat Iron 36″ Gas Griddle, Black

“We know that a grill produces not only great-tasting food, but also lifelong memories.”

It’s hard to argue with that quote, especially if it comes from the Georgia brother and sister duo, who founded Char-Griller.  It’s the company that produces quality grills and smokers for decades.  

If you’re fond of hosting backyard barbecues, the Char-Griller E8936 Flat Iron 36” Gas Griddle is here to help.  It’s made from a heavy gauge griddle top that is highly durable. Whether it’s for 5, 10, or even for 50 people, this grill will be able to keep up and you can be sure that everyone will leave your place full and happy.

With its four independent cooking zones, you can cook different types of foods all at once to varying degrees of heat, from warming,  to super hot and searing.  It’s easy to ensure even cooking.  Its 36” flat iron griddle can take whatever you give it, from eggs, pancakes, burgers, steaks, vegetables, and anything else you can imagine.  It’s the grill that’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Easy to assemble, and with its foldable legs and side shelves, you can take it anywhere and feed a large group of people with no worries.  It has a shelf under the grill where you can store your tools or condiments. The side shelves can be folded depending on your preference.  It has an igniter button to start each of the 4 burners. 

It also has a grease cup underneath the grill which is large and deep to catch all the grease that comes out of the grill while cooking.  The four wheels make it easy to move around and 2 out of the 4 locks in place to secure the grill.

It has a shelf at the side for the propane tank which keeps it off of the ground and safety latches with the unit.  Another cool feature is the magnet on the side where you can keep your metal cooking utensils for easy access while cooking. 

Overall, this is a great grill to have in your home that is small enough to take wherever you want, either to a picnic or tailgating.  It’s a well-made, solid-built flat iron grill that can cook great-tasting food. And with the proper care and maintenance, it will surely create lifelong memories. 

Pros

• Compact and portable
• Heavy-duty gauge griddle top for durability
• Four independent cooking zones
• Foldable legs and sides for easy transport
• 36-inch griddle top can handle a large amount of food

Cons

• Takes a bit of time to assemble

3. Char-Griller 5030 2-Burner Gas & Charcoal Grill Dual Function, Black

The Char-Griller 5030 is a 2-burner gas and charcoal grill that has a dual function.  Made from heavy-duty steel construction, it has a total cooking area of 870 square inches, enough to cook 19 regular-sized burger patties all at the same time.  The porcelain-coated cast-iron grates makes it less sticky to the foods being grilled. 

Both grills have temperature gauge for monitoring.  The adjustable grate height for the charcoal gives great flexibility to adjust the cooking process.  A sturdy side shelf is very convenient to use for placing food or cutting meat.  Push-button ignition makes it convenient to start up the gas burner without the need for a lighter.

Dual smokestacks controls the smoke coming out of the grill.  There’s also an easy dump ash pan which is very convenient for easy cleanup.  It’s a small detail but users will appreciate since it’s a good way to get rid of the ash residue from the charcoal. 

It’s a portable dual function grill that is easy to move around with the 2 side-wheels, yet very sturdy once it’s flat on the ground.  The Char-Griller 5030 is ideal for those who want a 2-in-1 grill that can cook using charcoal for that smokey flavor, and a gas burner for even cooking.  It’s having the best of both worlds in grilling.

Pros

• 2-in-1 charcoal and gas grill function
• Large surface area for cooking
• Dual smokestack and easy dump ash pan
• Porcelain-coated cast-iron grates

Cons

• Takes a bit of time to assemble

4. Cuisinart CGG-888 Grill Stainless Steel Lid 22-Inch Round Outdoor Flat Top Gas, 360° Griddle Cooking Center

A griddle as compared to a traditional grill will help keep juices in the food. Burgers will cook away in its juices and the protein just sizzles there and stays on the griddle.  With grills grates, it doesn’t happen that way for obvious reasons.

With Cuisinart CGG-888 Grill, most of the juices stay with the meat locking in the flavors, making it tastier and you guessed it – more flavorful. And for that reason alone, it’s worth checking out this beauty.

With a stainless steel lid and a 22-inch cold-rolled steel cooking top, this 360⁰ griddle is great to look at. But more than the looks, it’s a flat top grill that delivers great food every single time. The round cooking surface is heated by two propane burners and can be independently used with self-igniter switches.

The two burners combined for a total of 30,000 BTUs and allow you to control hot and cool zones on your griddle surface.  The dome-shaped stainless steel lid (with vent) lets you roast, steam, bake, or smoke, whatever food you want. 

This is also ideal for teppan and Mongolian barbecue cooking.  Isn’t that versatile or what?  Just look out for your shirt when cooking as it tends to splash grease out.  Wearing an apron solves this problem, so no worries.

The over-sized 360⁰ grease pan guides the grease to the grease trap located at the side that you can just pull out for easy cleaning.  A folding prep table can be used to hold the food or use it to prepare the meat for cooking.  It even has a paper towel holder underneath which is very handy when it’s time to clean up.  They sure thought about even the littlest of things.

This grill can be assembled around 30-45 minutes which is just about right.  If you’re on the look-out for a griddle that is easy to use, lots of fun, and makes awesome food, this could be the grill for you.

Pros

• 22-inch cold-rolled steel cooking surface 
• Dual burner with self-igniter switches
• Folding prep table and paper towel holder
• Easy to clean and maintain

Cons

• Tends to splash grease out when cooking 

5. Napoleon TQ285-RD-1-A TravelQ 285 Portable Gas Grill, Red

Last but certainly not least is a Napoleon Grill – TQ285-RD-1-A Portable Gas Grill.  Truly portable, this grill features 2 individually controlled stainless steel tube burners.  This is ideal for cooking with different amounts of heat, such as cooking steaks and vegetables at the same time. 

With a 285 square-inch of total grilling surface, it’s capable of cooking large amounts of food.  And with the high cast aluminum lid, this is perfect for roasting whole chicken with no problem. Its Accu-Probe™ temperature gauge allows you to monitor the temperature of your grill with precision. 

Firing it up is easy with its individual instant jetfire™ ignition control, for a failsafe start-ups.  And you will know it’s a Napoleon with the iconic WAVE™ cooking grids which leave distinctive sear marks on your meat. 

The porcelain-coated enamel grids will season to a non-stick surface just like a cast iron frying pan would. A removable grease tray slides out for easy cleaning. 

The Napoleon is easy to assemble and easy to store with its foldable legs which can be done in seconds.  You may have to wait for a few minutes though before you fold it after cooking since the grill is still hot. 

Great for traveling, tailgating, or barbecuing in the back yard, this is truly an easy and portable grill to set up.  And to add to your peace of mind, it comes with a 10-year limited warranty.  This is a portable grill that’s worth checking out.

Pros

• 2 individually controlled stainless steel tube burners
• High-cast aluminum lid allows for cooking large food
• Accurate temperature gauge
• Porcelain-coated enamel grids

Cons

• Need to cool the unit first before you can fold the legs

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make a portable grill last for years?

Any appliance or equipment will only last us long if we know how to take good care of it.  The same thing goes with a portable grill.  It is important to clean your grill after every use to keep it in tip-top condition.

You may refer to the manual that goes with your unit on how best to clean it.  Also, you must store it where it will not be exposed to rain or snow.  Most manufacturers offer a separate cover for their grills.  It may be a good idea to invest in one to shield your grill from the elements.

What is the best portable grill?  

A lot of us buy things for different reasons.  And just like in buying a portable grill, it’s important to know why you are buying one in the first place.  Maybe your grill has seen better days and it’s now time to replace it with a new one.  Or it’s your first grill to purchase and you want one that will last for a long time.  Either way, it’s only you can decide which one will be the best grill based on your needs and requirements.

Conclusion

Now that we have compared the features of all the portable grills on our list, it’s fair to say that all of them have their strengths and weaknesses.  No two grills are the same, and one may not necessarily be better than the rest. 

If style and design are important to you, the Everdure Cube might appeal to your aesthetic taste.  But if it’s bang-for-the-buck that you’re after, it’s hard not to consider the dual functionality of the Char-Griller 5030 2-Burner Gas & Charcoal Grill.  It’s like having the best of both worlds in grilling. 

But as we’ve said, it’s a matter of what you think is best for you based on what you need.  And whatever you decide at the end, it’s up to you to get the most out of your grill in the years to come. 

See also:

• 5 Best Grill under 500
• 5 Best Grill under 200
• 5 Best Grill under 1000
• 3 Best Grill under 400