10 cheap gas BBQs UK 2023: the best affordable barbecues for the summer

Publish date: 2024-02-18

IF you're looking forward to having a garden full of family and friends this summer, you'll need a good quality gas BBQ.

Gas barbecues are an investment and can fetch up to thousands, but you can also find plenty of bargain buys that will get the job done.

We've hunted for some of the best cheap gas BBQs that'll cook up an impressive feast – without breaking the bank.

When it comes to the best barbecues, many people swear by gas rather than a charcoal grill for sheer convenience. There's no waiting for the charcoal to ignite: simply fire up your gas BBQ and away you go.

They're also easier to clean, create direct and consistent heat, and emit less carbon monoxide and soot into the atmosphere.

There are many different types of gas barbecues - from portable and tabletop options to bigger models with multiple burners, warming racks and side tables for food prep.

You can also find BBQs with built-in thermometers to help you monitor your cooking for better results.

If you're on the lookout for more gas BBQ options, check out our best gas barbeques for 2023.

Best cheap gas BBQs at a glance:

1. Texas Barrel 4 Burner Gas BBQ

Thanks to a 20% off sale at Homebase, this Texas Barrel 4-Burner BBQ represents great value for money: for under £200, you get four burners, a porcelain steel cooking grate with enough room for 25 burgers and a warming rack that will keep your meat warm while it rests.

There's also a grease cup for easier cleanup, a temperature gauge to ensure a perfect sear, and a hose and regulator so that you can get grilling quickly after you've set the BBQ up.

Dimensions: 95 x 81.6 x 60 cm Burners: 4

2. Best cheap gas BBQ for camping: Crusader table top BBQ

This super-affordable single-burner barbecue is perfect for taking on camping trips or caravan holidays.

As well as a decent cooking surface, this barbecue is fitted with lava rocks that help recreate that smoky barbecue flavour.

Plus, the lid can be closed to help cook the food all the way through more evenly - and it's handy when you want to transport the BBQ without causing any mess.

It runs on butane or propane, although you have to buy a suitable regulator for it depending on which one you use.

Dimensions: 44.9 x 33.1 x 21 cm Burners: 1 

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3. Best cheap gas BBQ overall: Argos Home 2-burner gas BBQ with side burner

This compact 2-burner barbecue has enough cooking space to cook for six to eight people.

There’s a handy side burner that you can use to whip up anything that needs to be cooked on the stove as well as a side table for food prep.

There's also a foldaway shelf on the other side, which is useful for storing ingredients and keeping everything close at hand.

It's straightforward to assemble and the wheels are really handy if you want to keep moving it to a sunnier spot.

It’s designed to work with propane (regulator included) but you can also use it with butane if you buy a separate regulator.

Overall, this is a great value BBQ with some nice features thrown in for the price.

Dimensions: H96.5, W112, D44cm Burners: 2 (plus a side burner)

4. Best tabletop cheap gas BBQ: George Foreman GFSBBQ1 portable grill gas BBQ

For a barbecue that’s pretty much ready to go when you are, check out George Foreman’s GFSBBQ1 portable grill gas BBQ.

This model features a grill surface that’s heated with propane gas.

And like fancy, larger barbecues, this one has an integrated temperature gauge so you can check on the heat levels for precision cooking.

It's elevated so you don't need to worry about it scorching your grass or tabletop - we think it makes a pretty stylish centrepiece for your outdoor dining table too.

Dimensions: 340 x 700 x 500 mm (H x W x D) Burners: 1

5. Best portable cheap gas BBQ: Char-Broil X200 Grill2Go portable BBQ

Char-Broil’s X200 Grill2Go is pretty much top of the range of budget-friendly portable barbecues.

To make it easier to carry around, it has sturdy side handles and clasps to hold the lid down.

There’s no need to bring matches either - it has a push-button ignition switch to light the gas from the portable propane canister.

The RU-Infrared Cooking System cooks food throughout and more evenly while using 30% less gas - and the cooking grate is top quality stainless steel.

Plus, there's a lid-mounted Temperature Gauge so you can keep an eye on the temperature of your grill - this nifty little barbecue is brimming with great features.

Dimensions: 15.7D x 23.7W x 13.6H cm Burners: 1

6. Texas Nimbus 2 burner gas BBQ

The Texas Nimbus 2 burner gas BBQ is very similar to the Argos Home version but it comes with extra storage at the base as well as a side shelf and side burner.

It’s designed to be used with propane gas, which is ignited with the push of a button.

The grill is made from porcelain-coated steel wire, which retains heat well and is resistant to rust if properly cared for.

This 2-burner BBQ offers plenty of cooking space - claiming it can cook 20 burgers at once - so it's a great option for feeding larger groups.

Dimensions: (L)110 x (W)58.5 x (H)107.5cm Burners: 2

7. Best 6-burner BBQ: Home Wow Premium 6 Burner Gas BBQ

Home Wow's Premium 6 burner gas barbecue is packed with handy extras, including a side hob, electronic ignition and separate temperature controls for each section so you can cook everything to perfection.

As well as bigger capacity – the large central grilling section is ideal for feeding family and friends – it also has side shelves to keep all your barbecue essentials within arms’ reach.

The warming rack is also super handy for resting cooked food until it's ready to be eaten.

Overall, this is a bargain price for a 6-burner BBQ with such a generous cooking space.

Dimensions:H110, W144, D60cm Burners: 6 (plus side burner)

8. Best 4-burner cheap gas BBQ: CosmoGrill 4+1 Original Series Gas Barbecue

This CosmoGrill 4-burner barbecue is a great value purchase for summer at B&Q.

The generous cooking area will allow you to cook for up to 10 people all at once, so it's ideal for big garden gatherings.

There's a built-in thermostat and you can adjust the temperature as needed to get your meat and vegetables cooked just right.

We love the thought that has gone into making the cleaning and maintenance of this BBQ quick and easy - from the easy assembly to the removable grill plates and grease tray - and the durable cover to protect your BBQ from the elements.

Dimensions:H1030, W500, D1260cm Burners: 4 (plus side burner)

9. Best of both cheap gas BBQ: Fervor Dual Fuel 3-burner BBQ

Can't decide if you want a gas or charcoal BBQ? This 2-in-1 barbecue from Aldi combines gas and charcoal cooking and it's a great price to boot.

There are plenty of advantages to gas BBQ cooking but some BBQ chefs still yearn for that authentic charcoal-smoked taste.

With this Fervor BBQ you get the best of both worlds with the flexibility to gas or charcoal cook as you please - plus, there are loads of other nice features thrown in.

Both barbecues have thermometers and roasting hoods to ensure the food is evenly cooked - as well as warming racks and a side burner for any side dishes.

There's also plenty of storage and prep space with a side shelf and under-shelf too.

Dimensions:159 x 53 x 102cm (approx.) Burners: 3 (plus side burner)

10. Outsunny 3 Burner Gas BBQ

This Outsunny 3-burner BBQ has a lid with a thermometer so you can monitor the temperature and ensure your meat and vegetables are cooked through evenly, with a smokier taste if you wish.

Feeding large groups is no problem at all with a wide cooking area and 3 gas burners to allow you to cook different food at the same time.

There are side tables with plenty of space for ingredients  - and the BBQ is on wheels so you can move it to your favourite shady spot whenever you like.

Dimensions:121D x 55W x 109H cm Burners: 3 

How do I choose a gas BBQ?

Size is the number one consideration when it comes to choosing the best gas barbecue for you.

If you have a large garden and plan to cook for lots of people, there’s no reason not to go extra-large, although, of course, the price tag will be higher.

For larger barbecues, you also need to think about the number of burners it comes with. The more burners it has, the more people you can cook for at the same time and the more versatile the machine is.

But if you only have a small patio, or will generally only cook for a few people, look for something small and compact but with at least two burners.

You can also get portable barbecues that are great for camping trips.

Once you’ve decided on the size and number of burners, it’s time to think about additional features.

Some barbecues have a side burner that allows you to cook or warm other food at the same time, just like a hob at home.

While others feature a “flavouriser bar” or lava rocks, basically an extra surface over the gas that catches all the fat, sauces, and juices from the food.

When these evaporate, they help recreate the smoky barbecue flavour that you get in charcoal barbecues.

If you might need to move your barbecue around your garden, or in and out of storage, it’s worth going for one with wheels too.

And of course, you should look for hooks, rails and shelves in convenient places that will let you hang tongs and towels or rest plates of food.

How much do gas BBQs cost?

Prices for gas barbecues can vary enormously, from less than £100 to several thousand. It all depends on whether you’re buying branded versions and what features are included.

As proven by our list of cheap gas BBQs, you can get yourself a decent-sized barbecue for around £200 if you hunt for a bargain.

Where to buy cheap gas BBQs

Head to one of these online retailers to get a great deal on a gas BBQ for the summer:

What is the best cheap gas BBQ?

This is really dependent on which features are most important to you, the size of your space and the numbers you're hoping to cook for.

Overall, we would recommend the Argos Home 2-burner for the volume of features for the price - or the Argos Home Wow 6-burner BBQ, which is also a great price for such a large cooking area.

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