Everyone loves a juicy burger or vegetable kebab fresh from the grill, and one of the advantages of cooking on a gas barbecue (compared with a charcoal model) is the fact that you often have better control over the heat.
Though it’s hard to beat the taste of charcoal, these barbecues can be tricky to master. Even the best barbecuers will have days when their charcoal won’t cooperate. On top of that, once it gets going, charcoal can be hard to tame. It gets so hot that it’s easy to incinerate your sausages.
But a gas barbecue skips all that. Gas models give you total control over the heat under your meat and veg, so there’ll be no more blackened burgers on your barbecue this summer.
Gas barbecues heat up fast, and there’s no faffing around with firelighters: you just turn them on like a hob. On top of that, gas barbecues come with a range of extra features. The most common is a side burner, which is useful for cooking crispy onions or toasting burger buns.
Right now, I think the best option for most people is the Napoleon freestyle 365. However, I’ve tested dozens of gas barbecues over the years, so there are plenty of other models to consider. After grilling countless burgers, sausages, chicken drumsticks and slices of bacon, these are the best gas barbecues you can buy.
How I tested
I’ve covered the best barbecues for IndyBest for years. I used each barbecue at least twice to ensure it produced consistently good results. I’ve tried these models on a huge range of foods, grilling burgers, chicken, mushrooms, halloumi, fish, sausages, lamb, vegetables and more.
When testing, I kept my eye on several key criteria:
- Assembly: With any luck, you’ll only have to do this once, but gas barbecues are much fiddly to build than charcoal barbecues, because they have fancy bonus features, and you have to assemble burners and ignition burners. They can be particularly tricky if you have mobility issues, especially with your hands, so I timed how long it took to set up all of these grills.
- Burgers: What else would you cook on a barbecue? loaded the grates with burgers to see how proficient each model was at high-heat-output cooking. I wanted a crisp sear that cooked the inside of each burger without drying it out.
- Chicken: Like burgers, I was looking for mouth-wateringly seared or crispy-skinned exteriors to the meat while keeping the inside moist. However, unlike burgers, this needs to happen at a lower temperature, so this is a good measure of another key criterion.
- Responsiveness: These grills had to be responsive. One of the best things about gas grills is that they can change temperature almost instantly. Whether I had two, three or four burners on the go, I wanted models with settings that were easy to adjust, so I could get more experimental with my cooking.
- Even heat: The best grills have even heating across their entire surface. I wanted grills without cold spots or uneven temperature regulation.
- Extras: Unlike charcoal grills, gas grills have lots of bonus features like side-burners, tables, warming racks, and more. Below, you’ll even find a model with an air fryer. I made sure to try out all the extras to ensure they weren’t just gimmicks.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Jon Axworthy is a freelance writer and contributing editor who has been feature writing since 1996. He has been writing consumer reviews for IndyBest since 2017 and is an expert in everything to do with the outdoors, from sporting equipment to tech and appliances such as barbecues, giving gas, charcoal and portable options a good grilling, to bring you the best on the market.
The best gas BBQs for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Napoleon freestyle 365: £446.49, Bbqworld.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Argos Home two-burner gas BBQ: £72, Argos.co.uk
- Best three burner – Broil King royal 390 shadow: £664, Bbqworld.co.uk
- Best four-burner – Campingaz 4 series onyx S gas BBQ: £651.97, Amazon.co.uk
Napoleon freestyle 365
Best: Gas BBQ overall
Number of burners: Three
Side burner: No
Cooking area: 2,392 sq cm
Dimensions: 116cm x 76cm x 64cm
Additional features: Side tables, bottle opener
Why we love it
- Usability
- Good temperature control
Take note
- No side burner
This is a much more affordable version of the phantom freestyle 365 that I reviewed last year, and it comes brimming with many of the features I really liked about the phantom. In particular, the manufacturer’s “flame tamers” that vaporise meat juices, which not only adds to the smoky flavour of your food but also ensures the heat distribution stays efficient as long as the burners are lit.
When the roll-top hood is down, the aluminium cook box means cooking is incredibly efficient, as the heat is reflected and convected, which means this was one of the easiest barbecues when it came to maintaining temperatures, making for a stress-free experience.
The graphite grey finish and bottle screen add to the barbecue’s good looks, while the well-sized warming rack, built-in bottle opener, and folding side shelves add to the overall appeal.
Buy now £446.49, Bbqworld.co.uk
Argos Home two-burner gas BBQ
Best: Budget gas BBQ
Number of burners: Two
Side burner: Yes
Cooking area: 1,530 sq cm
Dimensions: 96.5cm x 112cm x 44cm
Additional features: Side table, storage shelf, hose and regulator
Why we love it
- Good-sized cooking area
Take note
- Not as attractive as others
This grill didn’t require a degree in engineering to set it up, with clear instructions, correctly labelled parts and screws that you can pop out from an annotated card, as needed, so they don’t go missing. Once it’s been put together, it doesn’t feel like it’s about to fall apart at the first breath of wind, either, and I was pleasantly surprised with the overall build quality.
It may not win any awards for design, but Argos has really gone for function over form, and the grill was effective, distributing and retaining the heat supplied by a nicely responsive two-burner.
The high cooking hood left plenty of room for any smoke to circulate, and there’s a handy side burner for frying. The good-sized cooking area (made from a wire grate) enabled plenty of heat to get to the feast, and left a good sear on my burgers.
Buy now £72.00, Argos.co.uk
Everdure force BBQ
Best: Gas BBQ for looks
Number of burners: Two
Side burner: No
Cooking area: 2,358 sq cm
Dimensions: 106.7cm x 117.5cm x 74.3cm
Additional features: Drip tray, flame tamers
Why we love it
- Easy assembly
- Cooks food quickly
The Everdure range can’t be faulted for its looks, and the two-burner force is no exception, with its side-mounted and raised taps that control the two burners under the retro coloured aluminium hood. With its simple 12-step construction, the force scored well for ease of assembly, too.
The grill plates have the flame tamers built in to them, which allows the burners to be closer to the grill and for the heat-up time to be one of the best I tested. I was ready to begin searing in around five minutes, so you can expect to get cooking quickly and spend less time at the grill when you’ve got friends and family around.
With a hot spot in the middle of the grate and a cooler zone around the edge, I found I could place different foods accordingly, and there was never any danger of burning.
Buy now £549.00, Amazon.co.uk
Campingaz 4 series onyx S gas BBQ
Best: Four-burner gas BBQ
Number of burners: Four
Side burner: Yes
Cooking area: 3,312 sq cm
Dimensions: 135cm x 64cm x 121cm
Additional features: Side burner, folding side tables
Why we love it
- Excellent heat distribution
- Easy to clean
One thing for which gas grills are renowned is not being particularly beautiful to look at, but Campingaz seems to work hard on the aesthetics of its grills. I particularly like the all-black look of the onyx S, offset with its four blue, backlit dials that control the four main burners, which I found really responsive – they got the grill up to temperature rapidly.
Heat distribution across the generous enamelled cooking surface was faultless, and the well-calibrated controls mean you can create different heat zones across the grates, so you can cook to order, according to how well-done the meat-eaters like their burgers and steaks.
Whether it was red meat or chicken on the grill, flare-ups were practically non-existent, and the whole cooking process was made even easier with the addition of a sizeable warming rack and a very efficient side burner.
Once the cooking is done, the onyx S offers up a very easy clean, thanks to the Aqua Pro system. This relies on a grease drawer that contains a level of water, so the fats that drop down into it float in the liquid, rather than being burned and hardened onto the trays, and can then be drained away, once you’re finished cooking.
Buy now £651.97, Amazon.co.uk
Argos Home deluxe BBQ
Best: Budget four-burner gas BBQ
Number of burners: Four
Side burner: Yes
Cooking area: 2,408 sq cm
Dimensions: 110cm x 122cm x 54cm
Why we love it
- Excellent value
- Reliable cooking performance
It’s rare that you will find a four-burner barbecue for less than £250. If you do, I’ve found you will usually have to compromise on build quality. Not in this case, though. I was very impressed with the idiot-proof assembly and the quality of the end product.
The controls were responsive, with good heat retention across the entire cooking area, and the lid-down performance was solid, which meant I had some great results when cooking proteins and vegetables.
There’s a side burner to keep your sauces bubbling, while the warming rack is ample to keep the family feast at the right temperature until it’s time for everything to come off the grill.
Buy now £220.00, Argos.co.uk
Broil King royal 390 shadow
Best: Three-burner gas BBQ
Number of burners: Three
Side burner: No
Cooking area: 3,355 sq cm
Dimensions: 119cm x 101.8cm x 60.8cm
Additional features: Side burner, rotisserie
Why we love it
- Minimal flare-ups
Take note
- Smaller cooking area than some other models
This three-burner makes it easy to use different grilling techniques, retains and distributes heat well and offers responsive searing power, so you can lock flavour into your food and stop it from drying out. One side of the cast iron grids is pointed, so you can sear with ease, while the other side has grooves, so food is basted and stays juicy, while avoiding flare-ups.
I found the 390 was great for cooking with 50/50 heat, where, after pre-heating, the left-hand burner is kept high, the right-hand burner is turned off, and the middle burner turned down, so you can grill over direct heat and then finish cooking over indirect heat, to prevent the food from burning.
The die-cast aluminium oven means that, with the lid down, the heat is circulated around the food, cooks evenly and stops it drying out, so the end result is very impressive.
Buy now £664.00, Bbqworld.co.uk
Char-Broil professional pro S 3 BBQ
Best: Side burner gas BBQ
Number of burners: Three
Side burner: Yes
Cooking area: 2,737 sq cm
Dimensions: 119cm x 115cm x 57.3cm
Additional features: Side shelf, side burner
Why we love it
- Easy to assemble
Lots of ready-mounted components made putting this three-burner, stainless steel barbecue together very easy. The finished product was solid and compact, with a left-sided shelf that can be folded down – ideal if you aren’t blessed with lots of outside space.
Foolproof ignition meant the porcelain enamelled cast iron grill was ready to cook in minutes, and distributed the heat evenly across a generous cooking area.
Char-Broil’s TRU-infrared system sits above the burners and redistributes the heat over the whole surface, so I could time the cooking of different meats to perfection, so they were succulent to eat.
As well as a raised warming shelf, there’s another burner contained within the right shelf, which reaches super-high temperatures quickly, for adding a final sear and enhancing flavour – I found it was well suited for cooking vegetables, too.
The gas bottle stores away out of sight in a compartment under the grill, and there were plenty of details to make for an enjoyable cooking experience, from the chrome-plated knobs, illuminated with red LEDs, to the integrated bottle opener, so you never have to worry about getting thirsty.
Buy now £616.94, Amazon.co.uk
Broil-King baron 490 BBQ
Best: Gas BBQ for versatility
Number of burners: Four
Side burner: Yes
Cooking area: 2,968 sq cm
Dimensions: 116cm x 145cm x 61cm
Additional features: Accu-temp thermometer, therma-cast aluminum cook box, side shelves, clip-on regulator and hose
Why we love it
- Searing stations add finishing touch to dishes
- Excellent quality and design
- Can cook in a number of different ways
Take note
- Expensive
For its size, this four-burner barbecue came together very easily, and you can tell from the componentry that the build quality was extremely high, which is something I’ve come to expect from the US brand.
Heat distribution was excellent across the expansive cook box, which is made up of reversible grates, one side of which is pointed, for steakhouse-style searing, while the other is grooved, so you can capture the juices from the meat you’re cooking, to stop it drying out.
One of the other things I really like about Broil-King barbecues is the searing stations (not a hob), which essentially add the finishing touch to steaks and fish dishes, by using an infrared heat source to create appetising sear marks, while keeping the food deliciously succulent.
Even more cooking versatility comes in the form of a full rotisserie set with its own rear-mounted burner, so legs of lamb or whole chickens can be cooked without you needing to be ever-present.
The cabinet will easily swallow your gas cylinder and keep it out of sight, while there’s plenty of room on the side table, and all the control knobs are backlit by LEDs, which adds to the shadow’s overall appeal as a great grill, offering the chance to cook in a number of different ways.
Buy now £1329.95, Abell.co.uk
Char Broil all star 120 B-gas BBQ
Best: Compact gas BBQ
Number of burners: One
Side burner: No
Cooking area: 1,662 sq cm
Dimensions: 111cm x 102cm x 65cm
Additional features: Foldable side shelves
Why we love it
- Compact shape
- Produced some of the best burgers we tasted
This grill has remained in my round-ups ever since I began reviewing gas barbecues, and with good reason. It’s ideal for barbecuers with limited space, thanks to its compact dome lid and drop-down shelving, which means it can be stored in the corner of a balcony or patio.
You can also detach the grill from the stand, so it sits on a table. The cast iron grill grates were ready for cooking quickly and produced some of the best burgers I tasted, mainly because it cleverly cooked them using an indirect heat system, which sits above the burner and redistributes the heat evenly over the whole surface.
There’s minimal assembly, and a small canister will fit in the body of the barbecue. It comes with some nice practical touches, too, such as somewhere to store your kitchen towel and even a mini bin.
Buy now £149.00, Appliancesdirect.co.uk
Char-Broil versa tile
Best: Plancha gas BBQ
Number of burners: Two
Side burner: Yes
Cooking area: 3,500 sq cm
Dimensions: 101.5cm x 143cm x 55cm
Additional features: Griddle, grill, pizza oven, side tables
Why we love it
- Adapts to any style of cookery
Take note
- Traditional barbecuers may not want to pay for the extra
Plancha (or griddle) grills are becoming increasingly popular, due to their versatility. They enable you to cook all your meals outdoors, from breakfast to dinner. This gas plancher has a circular section surrounded by a smooth griddling area, and both are individually heated – with a U-shaped burner under the griddle area, and an O-shaped burner for the circular section. This means you can have your steak searing on a high heat, while you griddle veg and heat up a saucepan of sauce at the same time.
Alternatively, you can switch out the circular grate for a circular griddle plate to turn the whole area into a 70cm x 50cm plancher, heated by both elements. Or, if you fancy something entirely different, you can add the circular pizza stone that sits on a riser, place your dough on it and close the domed barbecue lid. Finally, you can turn the pizza attachment over, and it converts into a wok holder for stir-frying. I was truly impressed by the fact that nothing is off the menu with this model.
Buy now £494.99, Johnlewis.com
Napoleon Rogue Pro 425 SIB
Best: For easy barbecuing
Number of burners: Three
Side burner: Yes
Cooking area: 2,758 sq cm
Dimensions: 123cm x 130cm x 63.50cm
Additional features: Infrared sizzle zone, side burner, side table
Why we love it
- Good heat distribution with no flare-ups
Take note
- Expensive
Gas barbecues aren’t always easy on the eye, but I always like the design of Napoleon grills, and the pro 425 will look good on any patio. But it’s not just about good looks. The three burners were responsive, and there’s plenty of heat control at your fingertips, enabling you to quickly seal and caramelise food before cooking it through.
The stainless-steel grate meant I didn’t have any issues with food sticking to the grill, and I found it was particularly suited for slow grilling at lower temperatures, enabling us to cook ribs without having to worry about them burning or drying out.
The main cooking area is 4,574 sq cm, giving you enough room for 26 burgers, which is good news if you’re having a garden gathering.
Buy now £997.49, Napoleon.com
Blackstone 36in griddle airfryer
Best: Air fryer gas BBQ
Number of burners: Four
Side burner: No
Cooking area: 4,954 sq cm
Dimensions: 110cm x 73.2cm x 170.4cm
Why we love it
- Integrated air fryers
- Great value
Take note
- Pricey
This brand is big in the US, and it’s now landed on our shores with this unique four-burner gas barbecue that also houses two air fryer drawers and a warming drawer. The burners sit underneath a griddle surface, which gives you plenty of options for cooking with direct and indirect heat, so I could first achieve a delicious crust on the food before moving it to indirect heat to be finished to perfection.
I’ll be honest: a barbecue with air fryers sounded ludicrous until I started cooking with this one. The 4l drawers negated the need for that annoying garden-to-kitchen relay race to fetch fries, onion rings, potatoes, or other oven-cooked sides. Add in the 4l warming drawer and it makes it much easier to serve everything at the right time and at the right temperature, without having to take your eye off the ingredients on the grill. Reliable ignition, folding side shelves, a tool hook and a magnetic toolbar add to the overall utility of this barbecue.
Buy now £899.00, Blackstoneproducts.co.uk
Your questions on gas BBQs answered
What is the best gas BBQ?
Whether you’re looking to do justice to some prime steak cuts or just keep friends and family topped up on hot dogs for the afternoon, the Napoleon freestyle 365 looks good, cooks better, and it’s fairly well-priced by the standards of gas barbecues. This versatile three-burner barbecue makes it easy to deliver flavourful, succulent food.
How to choose the best gas BBQ for you
Barbecues come in all shapes and sizes, which can make choosing the right one a tricky endeavour. To make sure you pick the best appliance for your garden, there are several things to consider, including how often you are going to use it.
If you plan to use your barbecue regularly, it might be worth investing a bit more in a model that will last you longer and comes with a longer warranty. However, if you plan to use your barbecue occasionally, a cheaper, more portable option might be best, because such models are typically lightweight and easier to store and clean.
It’s also worth considering how many people you are going to be cooking for. Every barbecue has a cooking area that is measured in square centimetres. As a rough guide, up to four people will require a smaller cooking area of up to 1,800 sq cm, while up to six people will require a larger area of 2,000-2,500 sq cm. Finally, if you are catering for up to eight people, you will need the largest gas barbecue, with more than 2,500 sq cm.
There are many other features to look out for, depending on what it is you’re after, including wheels, so you can easily manoeuvre the barbecue around your garden space; shelves for storage, and a warming rack to keep your food warm while you cook.
How to clean a gas BBQ
According to grill manufacturer Weber, there are five simple steps to take when it comes to cleaning the inside of your gas barbecue:
- Start cleaning your gas barbecue by disconnecting your gas tank; consult your owner’s manual for directions on your specific model.
- Next, brush the grates to remove any food debris, then spray your grate cleaner and let it settle for 30 seconds. Then scrub the grates with the abrasive side of your sponge, rinse with water and set aside for drying.
- Spray the grate cleaner inside the cook box and on the bars and let it settle for 30 seconds. Scrape off the grease and debris with a plastic scraper and set the bars aside, and clean with a sponge.
- Wipe down the cook box, drip tray and bottom tray – use a brush when needed. Be careful not to splash water onto the burner tubes.
- Make sure your barbecue dries thoroughly before reassembling it and finishing your grates with a non-stick spray.
Gas vs charcoal BBQ: Which is better?
Perhaps an obvious advantage of gas barbecues is their ease of use. With no waiting around for coals to heat up, you can cook with far more precision than charcoal rivals allow. Plus, once you're finished, gas models are much easier to clean. You can also enjoy longer grilling sessions by connecting the barbecue to a gas line, though this makes them less portable, and you will need to be extra careful about avoiding flare-ups.
Charcoal barbecues, on the other hand, are generally the cheaper option, and can reach higher temperatures while creating that distinct smoky flavour people love.
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