The best budget BBQ in NZ is the Grillz 1400W Electric BBQ Grill, which reaches 250C across five heat levels in five to eight minutes and adds seven independent mini pans, so it works indoors or out from nothing but a power socket. That counts for a lot in the many Kiwi flats and apartments where a gas bottle on the balcony is not allowed, though anyone with a backyard will want to compare the gas and charcoal picks further down.
Whether you’re after a full-size backyard BBQ or something small enough to take camping, the right BBQ comes down to how you cook, how often, and how much space you have.
This list covers 7 BBQs available in New Zealand across gas, charcoal, electric and multi-function options, each with independently verified review data.
The Best Portable Gas BBQs in NZ
BBQ Comparison Table
| BBQ | Best For | Fuel | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grillz 1400W Electric (TSB) | Best Budget / Indoor-Outdoor | Electric | No reviews yet |
| Portable Gas BBQ Grill (TSB) | Best Portable Gas | LPG Gas | No reviews yet |
| Ranger Folding Charcoal Grill | Best Compact Folding Charcoal Grill | Charcoal | 4.6★ (31) |
| Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch | Best Full-Size Charcoal Kettle | Charcoal | 4.7★ (12,545) |
| Naturehike Folding Camping Grill | Best Lightweight Camping Charcoal Grill | Charcoal | 4.6★ (162) |
| Cuisinart Venture | Best Compact Camping Gas | LPG Gas | No reviews yet |
| Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 | Best Multi-Function / Premium | Wood pellet + electric | 4.6★ (51) |
The Best BBQs in NZ
1. Grillz 1400W Electric BBQ Grill — Best Budget / Indoor-Outdoor (TSB)
TSB Living’s Grillz electric grill is the cheapest genuine BBQ on this list and the only one designed for both indoor and outdoor use – no gas bottle or charcoal needed, just a power socket.
It heats up in 5-8 minutes with 5 adjustable heat levels up to 250°C, and the 7 independent small pans let you cook eggs, cheese or sauces alongside your main grilling without everything running together.
Everything that touches food is dishwasher-safe (grill plate, pan and oil collection tray), and it comes with a 1-year warranty, though TSB doesn’t currently show customer reviews for this specific listing.
Pros
- Cheapest option on this list
- Works indoors or outdoors, no gas or charcoal needed
- Dishwasher-safe grill plate, pan and tray
Cons
- Smaller cooking surface (44 x 24cm) than a full-size gas or charcoal BBQ
- No customer reviews on TSB yet
Key specs:1400W | 44x24cm grill plate + 7 pans | 5 heat levels, up to 250°C | 1-year warranty
2. Portable Stainless Steel Gas BBQ Grill — Best Portable Gas
TSB Living’s portable gas BBQ is built entirely from stainless steel (304-grade burner, 430-grade body), with a genuinely powerful 12,000 BTU U-shaped burner for fast, even heat across the whole grill surface.
It folds down with locking legs and a carry handle for transport, includes a built-in thermometer and safe piezo twist-start ignition, and is AGA and CSA safety certified.
No assembly is required out of the box, and it comes complete with the regulator and hose, though TSB doesn’t currently show customer reviews for this specific listing.
Pros
- Full stainless steel construction with a powerful 12,000 BTU burner
- Folds down with carry handle for genuine portability
- No assembly required, includes regulator and hose
Cons
- No customer reviews on TSB yet
Key specs:12,000 BTU U-shaped burner | 46.5×28.5cm cooking area | 8kg | AGA/CSA certified
3. Ranger Small Portable Folding Charcoal Grill – Best Compact Folding Charcoal Grill
For anyone who wants a charcoal grill that packs away like a small suitcase, the Ranger is the best compact folding option here. It folds into a yellow carry case with black-grip handles, and the listing says it sets up in under a minute.
Inside, a removable stainless steel grate sits above a separate charcoal tray, so the layout is open and the parts lift out for cleaning once the coals have cooled. A grate lifter and cleaning brush are included, and the exterior has a powder-coated, heat-resistant finish.
This is a small grill, so it suits a couple of people rather than a big gathering, and the listing does not publish the cooking area or weight. Like any charcoal grill it takes longer to light than gas and needs more cleanup. Its listing has 31 ratings at 4.6 stars, so the review base is still modest.
Pros
- Folds into a suitcase-style carry case
- Quick setup, listed at under a minute
- Removable grate and charcoal tray for cleaning
- Grate lifter and cleaning brush included
Cons
- Small cooking area, with no size published
- Charcoal takes longer to light and needs more cleanup than gas
- Only 31 ratings so far
Key specs:Charcoal | Folding suitcase design | 304 stainless steel grate, powder-coated body | Removable charcoal tray | Grate lifter and brush included | 1 year warranty
4. Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill – Best Full-Size Charcoal Kettle
Step up to Weber’s Original Kettle Premium for a full-size charcoal cook, with a 22-inch porcelain-enamelled bowl and lid and a listed cooking area of 363 square inches, about 2,340 square cm, which is enough for a family meal rather than just a couple of steaks.
It is the classic kettle on three legs with two wheels: a plated steel hinged cooking grate that makes it easy to add coals mid-cook, rust-resistant aluminium dampers for heat control, a lid thermometer and lid hook, and nylon handles with tool hooks. The One-Touch cleaning system sweeps ash into a removable aluminium ash catcher, and the listed weight is about 14.7kg.
It is extremely well-reviewed, with 4.7 stars from more than 12,500 ratings on its listing. The trade-offs are the usual charcoal ones: it takes longer to get up to heat than gas, it needs assembly, and it stands about 98 cm tall when assembled, so it wants a proper patch of yard or patio rather than a balcony.
Pros
- Roomy 22-inch bowl with 363 square inches of cooking area
- One-Touch system sweeps ash into a removable catcher
- Dampers and lid thermometer for heat control
- 4.7★ from more than 12,500 ratings
Cons
- Needs assembly and yard or patio space
- Charcoal takes longer to heat than gas
- Too large for most balconies
Key specs:Charcoal | 22-inch porcelain-enamelled bowl and lid | 363 sq in cooking area | Hinged plated steel grate | One-Touch cleaning with removable ash catcher | Model 14402001
5. Naturehike Folding Camping Charcoal Grill – Best Lightweight Camping Charcoal Grill
For camping trips where weight and pack size matter, the Naturehike folding charcoal grill folds down to about 36 x 25 x 2.5 cm and weighs 2.4kg, with a carry bag and two pairs of tongs in the box. It is designed to slot into Naturehike’s IGT camping table but can also be used on its own.
The grill net is listed as food-grade 304 stainless steel and the frame as 201 stainless steel, and six ventilated sides help air reach the coals and keep the fire going in a breeze. The listing says it sets up in seconds straight out of the bag.
It is a simple, no-frills grill, so there is no lid or heat control beyond airflow and the amount of charcoal, and charcoal takes longer to light and needs more cleanup than gas. The listing does not give a cooking area. Its listing has 162 ratings at 4.6 stars.
Pros
- Folds to about 2.5 cm thick and weighs 2.4kg
- 304 stainless steel grill net
- Fits Naturehike IGT tables or works on its own
- Carry bag and tongs included
Cons
- No cooking area published
- No lid or built-in heat control
- Charcoal takes longer to light and needs more cleanup than gas
Key specs:Charcoal | Folds to about 36 x 25 x 2.5 cm | 2.4kg | 304 stainless steel grill net, 201 stainless steel frame | Six-sided ventilation | Carry bag and tongs included | Model NH20CJ006 | 1 year warranty
6. Cuisinart Venture Portable Gas Grill — Best Compact Camping Gas Grill
Cuisinart’s Venture is a small, genuinely portable gas grill aimed at camping, tailgates and beach trips, with a comfort-grip handle and an integrated cutting board for prepping food right at the grill.
Its 9,000 BTU stainless steel burner heats a non-stick, porcelain-enamelled cast iron grate, and it’s backed by a 3-year warranty from an established kitchen appliance brand.
It’s a newer listing with no reviews on Amazon yet, so there’s no independent track record to point to, though Cuisinart is a well-established brand with a long history in kitchen appliances.
Pros
- From an established kitchen appliance brand, backed by a 3-year warranty
- Integrated cutting board and comfort-grip handle
- Compact and genuinely portable for camping/tailgates
Cons
- No reviews on Amazon yet – no independent track record
Key specs:9,000 BTU | Non-stick porcelain-enamelled cast iron grate | 3-year warranty
7. Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 Electric BBQ Grill — Best Multi-Function / Premium
The Ninja Woodfire is a genuinely different category of BBQ: an electric grill and smoker that also functions as an air fryer, using real wood pellets for authentic smoky flavour without needing charcoal or gas.
A smart probe thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking meat to the right internal temperature, and its 7-in-1 functionality (grill, smoker, air fryer and more) makes it genuinely versatile for a small courtyard or balcony where a full-size BBQ won’t fit.
It’s extremely well-reviewed: 4.6 stars from 51 verified Amazon ratings.
Pros
- 7-in-1 functionality including air fryer and smoker
- Smart probe thermometer for precise cooking
- Extremely well-reviewed: 4.6★ from 51 ratings
Cons
- Priciest option on this list
Key specs:7-in-1: grill, smoker, air fryer + more | Wood pellet powered | Smart probe thermometer
How to Choose the Best BBQ for You
Gas, charcoal, electric or wood pellet?
Gas BBQs heat up fast and give you precise temperature control, making them the most convenient choice for regular weeknight use. Charcoal delivers classic smoky flavour but takes longer to heat and needs more cleanup. Electric grills work anywhere with a power socket, including indoors, while wood pellet units like the Ninja Woodfire give authentic smoky flavour with more of gas’s convenience.
How much cooking area do I need?
Think about how many people you typically cook for. A compact model like the Ranger folding grill suits a couple, while a full-size unit like the Weber Original Kettle is better if you regularly host bigger gatherings.
Portable or fixed?
If you’ll be taking your BBQ camping, to the beach or tailgating, look for a genuinely portable, folding design like the Naturehike folding grill, the Ranger or the Cuisinart Venture. For a backyard-only BBQ, a larger fixed unit gives you more cooking area and features for the same footprint concern.
Read more: Best Portable Gas BBQs in NZ
For the rest of your kit, the guides to beach trolleys and camping cookware are worth a look.
Meat has to travel to the barbecue before it cooks on it, and over a long Kiwi summer that trip is what separates decent chilly bins from cheap ones.
Verdict
For most NZ households, the Weber Original Kettle is the strongest all-rounder – it’s from a long-established BBQ brand, genuinely well-reviewed (4.7★ from more than 12,500 ratings), and roomy enough for a family cook-up, though it needs yard or patio space and some charcoal patience.
If budget is the priority, TSB’s Grillz 1400W Electric BBQ is the cheapest way in and works indoors too. For camping and portability, the Naturehike folding charcoal grill packs down to about 2.5 cm thick, while the Ranger suitcase grill is the compact pick for picnics. And if you want maximum versatility in one unit, the Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 stands out as the best-reviewed premium pick on this list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gas or charcoal BBQ – which is better?
Gas heats up faster and gives more precise temperature control, making it more convenient for regular use. Charcoal takes longer and needs more cleanup, but many people prefer the smokier flavour it imparts.
How much does it cost to run a gas BBQ?
Running costs depend on how often you use it and your gas bottle size, but a standard 9kg LPG bottle typically lasts many cookouts for an average household, making gas one of the more affordable ongoing options.
Can I use an electric BBQ indoors?
Yes – electric grills like TSB’s Grillz model are specifically designed for indoor or outdoor use since they don’t produce the same smoke or open flame as gas or charcoal, though always follow the manufacturer’s ventilation guidance.
How do I clean a BBQ grill plate?
Most modern grill plates use a non-stick or porcelain-enamelled coating that’s dishwasher-safe or easy to wipe clean once cooled. For cast iron grates, a wire brush while still warm followed by a light oil coating helps prevent rust.
What size BBQ do I need for a family?
A compact model suits a couple or small family cooking a few items at a time. If you regularly host larger gatherings or cook multiple dishes simultaneously, a larger cooking area or multiple burners will serve you better.
Is a portable BBQ worth it if I have a backyard one already?
If you camp, go to the beach, or tailgate regularly, a genuinely portable folding BBQ is a worthwhile second purchase – it’s far more convenient than trying to transport a full-size backyard unit.
