Grilling is often associated with gas and charcoal, but the electric grill turns up the heat everywhere. Convenience, portability, and effortlessness by no means compromise classic grill marks or smoky flavors. Whether you are a casual griller or a total BBQ fanatic, top outdoor electric grills really can make a difference in terms of cooking. There are plenty of great choices out there.
Here’s the comprehensive guide to the best electric outdoor grills, broken down into features, pros, and cons, with all the information you might need to make the right decision. From small balcony grills to a full-size model, you will find the best outdoor electric grill reviews and comparisons to help you make the perfect choice.
Our Top choices
1. George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill – Best Buy
It’s a supermodel, an exemplification of itself as a pretty good value for the aspiring buyer looking for an effective, inexpensive electric grill that can be used both indoors and outdoors. With 240 square inches of cooking, this model will serve a family or entertain guests. It drains off the fat because of its special design of the grilling surface, making the food leaner. Furthermore, with a power capacity of 1,440 watts, it heats up fast and uniformly.
Product Details:
Use: Indoor or outdoor | Dimensions: 10.9 x 20.5 x 21.3 inches | Cooking Area: 240 square inches | Power: 1,440 watts | Weight: 19.9 pounds
Pros:
- It is budget-friendly with flexibility for indoor and outdoor applications.
- Easy to clean with a grilled surface of the non-stick type.
- Temperature control has a five-position heat setting.
- Big cooking space that can hold 15 servings.
Cons:
- Grease splashes at the controls of the heating element as it grills.
- The grill plate cannot be removed; hence, cleaning will be challenging.
- The floating stand is not very stable.
2. Char-Broil Patio Bistro Electric Grill at – Best for Smoky Flavour
The Char-Broil Patio Bistro Electric Grill is ideal for those who are looking for a true infusion of the authentic smoky taste to electric grilling. This cooks with infrared technology, heating the food directly, avoiding all spots of heat that unevenly cook the food.
Moreover, you can add wood chips to the cooking grate for the old-school smoky flavor and taste of traditional charcoal grilling. It offers a cooking space of 240 square inches with proper space to grill 8–12 burgers simultaneously, making it highly ideal for outdoor festivals.
Product Details:
Use: Outdoor | Dimensions: 26 x 38.5 x 24.2 inches | Cooking Area: 320 square inches | Power: 1,750 watts | Weight: 44 pounds
Pros:
- Infusion of smoky flavors through the wood chips.
- Uses infrared technology to distribute heat evenly.
- It provides a space for even more food when the warming rack is detached.
- Cleaning is pretty effortless since its grates are made from porcelain-coated cast iron.
Cons:
- Heavier and less portable compared to some other models.
- Users complain that the heating doesn’t function evenly, especially on the front side of this grill.
3. Weber Q 1400 Electric Grill – Best for Mobility
If portability is the greatest concern, then the Waterloo winner of choice would be the Weber Q 1400 Electric Grill. It is small and fine for a small balcony and patio, or to take with you on a camping trip or tailgating party. It is a bit smaller than most available ones at 189 square inches of cooking surface.
However, there is room to grill steaks and veggies. The element cooks fast and evens out well at 1,560 watts. The cast-iron grates are strong and able to generate excellent sear marks.
Product Details:
Use: Outdoor | Dimensions: 14.5 x 27 x 16.5 inches | Cooking Area: 189 square inches | Power: 1,560 watts | Weight: 28.5 pounds
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable.
- Fast setup with smooth operation
- Cast-iron grates: perfect for searing
- Perfect heat retention
Cons:
- No grill temperature indicator
- Takes longer to preheat compared to most competing models.
- The cooking area might be a little too small for crowded cooking areas.
4. Deluxe Outdoor Electric Grill – Best Overall
Those who want the highest-quality grilling machine should get it. The Smokingrills Deluxe Outdoor Electric Grill is their best overall pick. Its sleek design and great features help ensure excellent performance in cooking, making it ideal for barbecue enthusiasts.
The electric grill provides even heat and high levels, shooting up to more than 700°F for grilling meat, vegetables, and seafood with the most appetizing outcomes and excellent grill marks. The Smokingrills model is very in demand to preserve the moisture and infuse that natural flavor of a grilled one without using charcoal.
Product Details:
Use: Outdoor | Dimensions: 20 x 28 x 15 inches | Cooking Area: 350 square inches | Power: 2,000 watts | Weight: 38 pounds
Pros:
- High power and excellent heat retention for uniform cooking.
- Big cooking surfaces are ideal for big groups.
- Infusion of smoky flavor just like the traditional grills.
- Easy to clean and maintain with components that can be removed and reassembled.
Cons:
- Higher price point compared to other electric grills.
- Heavy and not as portable as smaller models.
- Requires ample space for setup.
5. PowerXL Smokeless Grill – Best Indoor Grill
PowerXL Smokeless Grill is an electric grill with no indoor smoke issues. Excess smoke is feared by most people as it causes the fire alarms to go off. There is an integrated smoke-extracting fan in this model, which removes most of the smoke while grilling indoors. It has 1,200 watts of power and can cook at up to 450°F.
Moreover, the grill has a non-stick ceramic surface, so it makes cleaning very effortless, and it even includes a flat griddle plate for added variety. Whether one serves breakfast or grills some steaks, this model will cover everything.
Product Details:
Use: Indoor | Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 5.5 inches | Cooking Area: 110 square inches | Power: 1,200 watts | Weight: 15.5 pounds
Pros:
- Truly smokeless with a built-in smoke-extracting fan.
- Comes with both grill and griddle plates.
- Easy to clean as it has a non-stick surface and removable parts.
- Perfect for indoor grilling and allows a variety of cooking options.
Cons:
- Some reported irregular cooking, particularly with meats.
- Not as perfectly seared as outdoor models.
- Has to be assembled and has many parts for cleaning
6. Cuisinart CEG-980 Outdoor Electric Grill – Best for Compact Design
This Cuisinart CEG-980 Outdoor Electric Grill is small, lightweight, and even more efficient, which makes it perfect for people in love with grilling but have only a little space. It’s one of the best models that can be used for small patios and balconies or even as a tailgating party, as it’s sleek, space-saving, and capable of high-performance cooking on 145 square inches of grilling surface.
However, that is enough for most meals for 2-4 people. It heats up quickly because of its 1,500-watt heating element and spreads the heat properly for consistency in results. The porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates are great for retention of heat, plus they offer ease of clean-up.
Product details:
Use: Outdoors | Dimensions: 17 x 19.5 x 12 inches | Cooking Area: 145 square inches | Power: 1,500 watts | Weight: 20 pounds
Pros:
- Compact, light design, just right for a small space and portability.
- Heats fast and stays evenly heated
- Porcelain-coated cast-iron grates allow for great searing and cleaning ease.
- Built-in thermometer
Cons:
- Not big enough for a large party.
- Is only powered with the use of an electrical outlet.
- A drawback of this product is that compared to other models, it’s not strong enough and might become problematic when windy conditions are encountered.
Conclusion
The best electric grill outdoors would depend on your needs. If flexibility between indoor and outdoor grilling is what you need, then you should go for the George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Grill. But if mobility and high seating are your main priorities.
Moreover, the Weber Q 1400 Electric Grill is best for you. And in case you’ll be adding a lot of smoky flavor, then the Char-Broil Patio Bistro and The Smokingrills Deluxe Grill are your best options. Whichever grill you want to have, these top-rated models ensure your outdoor grilling experience is convenient and fun.
