Outdoor grills and BBQs can come with a hefty price tag, but choosing the best gas grill under £200 doesn't necessarily mean you skip out on that BBQ quality. Budget BBQs still provide convenience and seamless outdoor cooking, plus they can be much easier to ignite and allow for easier temperature control, meaning you can be completely in charge of what you're cooking.
It's this ease and convenience that tends to make a gas grill more expensive, as you're paying for a BBQ that's ultimately cheaper to run - you don't necessarily need to buy a new batch of BBQ fuel for every cookout - and it's quicker to cook with too, as it heats up quickly to the ideal cooking temperature.
Best gas grill under £200 at a glance:
• Best large gas grill under £200: George Foreman GFGBBQ3B Portable 3 Burner Grill Gas BBQ - View on Amazon UK
• Best luxury gas grill under £200: Outback Omega 250 2-Burner Gas BBQ, Black - View on John Lewis
• Best tabletop gas grill under £200: Argos Home Portable Gas BBQ - View on Argos
However, there are cheaper gas BBQs on the market that are just as effective as their higher-priced competitors. In this buyer's guide, we've rounded up the best gas grill under £200, from large family-sized BBQs to smaller compact tabletop ones.
Shop the best gas BBQ and gas grills under £200
Best large gas grill under £200
George Foreman/AmazonThis George Foreman looks much more expensive than it is and has plenty of space to cook up a feast. It has three burners for plenty of heat, and once you've hooked it up to propane gas it's easy to get going thanks to automatic ignition. There's also a handy side table and a bottom shelf for storage.
Customer review: "Very happy with the quality and the even flame. Would have loved a wood/coal bbq (as I’m from South Africa and that’s how we love it) but living in Manchester with the weather, this ones a winner!"
Pros
- Light but still feels sturdy
- Large grill area
Cons
- Instructions could be clearer
Best luxury gas grill under £200
Outback/John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
If you want a BBQ that is small enough for compact gardens but big enough to cook for the whole family, the Outback Omega will give you an effortless BBQ experience. The Omega has loads of plush features, including a one-piece painted roasting hood and grill for thorough cooking. Flame tamers reduce flare-ups and cooking options are increased with the addition of a side burner, which is ideal for heating up beans, frying onions, or making sauces.
Customer review: "Bought this to replace our old one and it was fairly easy to assemble ( hour and a half )
It's small and compact and perfect for a family of 4 BBQ. I shopped about and this was definitely good value for money. Pleased."
Pros
- The side burner is a great feature
- Lid thermometer lets you be in control
- Small and compact
Cons
- Some reviews said it could be more robust
Best tabletop gas grill under £200
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
Tabletop BBQs have risen in popularity in recent years, as BBQ-ing can be a messy and heavy pastime. If you only want to grill a few things, or there are less than three people to cook for, this tabletop BBQ from Argo will make your life a whole load easier. Complete with a lid, the built-in thermometer gauge allows you to get the exact heat level you need and better heat circulation.
Customer review: "I wanted a gas grill for convenience, have done a few BBQs for three and it works fine for burgers and sausages etc, it's not the hottest BBQ and the ignition design is awful but other than that it's fine."
Pros
- Simple to use
- Easy to store and clean
Cons
- Some reviews say it doesn't get as hot as they would like
Best gas grill under £200 for hosting
Outsunny/Debenhams www.debenhams.com
If you like to host, this Outsunny gas BBQ is both good value and practical. It boasts a wide grill area that can cook up a storm and two prep tables. The carbon-steel body means it is sturdy and the four wheels make it super simple to move around.
Customer review: "Our first gas bbq grill and we are well impressed. It was easy to assemble and use and very sturdy too."
Pros
- Great first BBQ
- Sturdy
Cons
- Some found the instructions hard to understand
Best gas BBQ under £200 for camping
Outback/AmazonThis 2-burner gas BBQ from Outback is the perfect union of form and function. It has a spacious cooking area with space for up to 15 burgers, two burners and a useful side burner for blackening or boiling. Customers found it to have fantastic build quality and found it easy to put together. It's fast cooking, just like an outdoor oven, and has handy extras like an integrated thermometer, shelves and gas canister holder.
Customer review: "Bought this recently and build and quality is fantastic and easy to assemble. I have added an extra grill to include Lava rock which was simple, overall this is a great purchase."
Pros
- Quality build
- Straightforward to put together
- Stylish
Cons
- Doesn't have a handle to move it on its wheels which some reviewers would have liked
Best gas BBQ under £200 on deal
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
This Argos Home 4 Burner Gas BBQ is a fan favourite with glowing reviews. Not only does it boast four burners that can cook for up to 15 people, but it also has a side burner for smaller dishes and a warming rack to keep food heated. Made of sturdy steel, the BBQ has added features such as a fire bowl and control panel, and even a folding side table for food prep too. All this for under £200 makes it BBQ worth nabbing at the lower price while you can.
Customer review: "I bought this a couple of weeks ago and it did the job perfectly for a 10+ family barbeque."
Pros
- Large cooking surface
- Clear instructions
- Great quality at a low price
Cons
- Suitable for propane gas only (not included)
- Bit fiddly to put together
Best gas pizza cooker under £200
Mimiuo/AmazonIf pizza is your food of choice, get yourself this gas pizza oven from Mimiuo. Compact and portable, it's ideal for small spaces and comes with a 13-inch pizza stone to help you make perfectly crisp pizza every time. It takes about 10-15 minutes to preheat, and when the temperature reaches 500 degrees Celsius, your pizza can be baked in an impressive one minute. The flame control knob will ensure you have complete control of your cooking experience.
Customer review: "This oven has replaced messy BBQ days for our family, perfectly cooked pizzas everytime. I used it as the food for my sons party and was able to cook 30 pizzas in just a couple of hours. So reliable and easy to use."
Pros
- Great for small gardens or spaces
- Comes with pizza stone
- Easy to use and versatile
Cons
- Takes up to 15 minutes to heat up
How we chose the best gas grills under £200
All of these gas grills have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the size, usability, and of course, the price in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching gas grills to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
What to look out for when buying a gas grill under £200
Storage space — You’ll not just need to think about how much storage your grill comes with but where you will store it in the colder months when not in use. Do you have a shed? A garage? Or if it's small, could you keep it inside?
Side trays — These are usually on either side of the grill and provide more space for your BBQ for food prep. Some side trays also have a side burner but come with a cover to convert it into a worktop. It’s not a necessity but can be useful.
The number of burners — The more burners a BBQ has, the larger it will be. They also allow you to cook more food at once. If you have a large household or like having gatherings, then they could be useful.
Size — Are you looking for a gas BBQ that will cook up family feasts? Or do you want something small and compact? Think about how many people are in your household and the size of your garden to determine what size BBQ you should go for.
FAQs
Benefits of using a gas BBQ
They're easier to clean up: No more disposing of ashes and coals; gas options are tidier and more straightforward to clean than a charcoal BBQ which can get rather messy.
It cooks quicker: You do not need to wait for the barbecue to heat up for a long time as it will reach the ideal cooking temperature in no time.
It's cheaper to run: The upfront cost may be more pricey. However, in the long term, gas barbecues are a cheaper alternative to using a charcoal BBQ, which requires a new batch of coal with every use.
Better temperature control: There are no flare-ups with gas burners, so there's no need to worry about incinerating your sausages.
Easy to ignite: Even though part of the fun can be getting the coal to light, gas burners take a different type of fuel that is a much faster and more convenient way to cook.
However, if you want the benefits of both gas and charcoal cooking, a hybrid BBQ gives you the choice of both. As a result, they are more expensive, but we've shared the best hybrid BBQs under £500 for those looking to keep to a budget.
How to keep gas BBQs safe
Gas BBQs are completely safe when they're used properly. Here are some tips to make sure you are using the BBQ safely and correctly:
• Always inspect the BBQ before you start cooking - do not use it if it appears to be damaged.
• Never leave a BBQ unattended under any circumstance.
• Ensure the tap is switched off before changing over the gas.
• Never use a gas BBQ inside or in an enclosed space as it could expose you to the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• If you have a feeling there is a gas leak, turn it off immediately.
• When using a gas grill under £200, ensure you have an extinguisher, gloves and safety equipment with you in case of an emergency.
For more safety tips, check out the Gas Safe Register, which has published some great advice and tips on staying safe while using gas equipment.
How to clean a gas BBQ
Typically, gas grills and BBQs are easy to clean, as long as you keep on top of it after every use. A good way of cleaning is to start by firing it up, closing the hood, and letting it come to full temperature. Wait at least 30 minutes for the extreme temperature to singe any stuck-on food or grease. Then, dip a brush into a bucket of warm, soapy water and scrub off all the carbon from the grates - leaving it all sparkly for the next BBQ session.
What to read next:
Best budget BBQs for al fresco cooking without the hefty price tag
Subscribe to Modern Gardens magazine and get the most out of your outdoor space. Discover everything you need to know to make your outside space look fantastic, quickly and easily, with hundreds of simple ideas, designer tricks, affordable products and expert advice in every issue of Modern Gardens. View our latest subscription offers to save on shop prices.
Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens. She has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace, tending to her houseplants and chilling in her jungle garden with her sausage dog Waffle.