If the cost of living has curtailed some of your leisure activities, you're probably spending more time at home: homemade coffee instead of going to the cafe, eating in instead of out, beers on the balcony instead of at the pub.
Buying a few key appliances can take the sting out of missing out: a decent coffee machine to replace barista-made brews, an air fryer so you can cook your own top-notch French fries, a barbecue so you can socialise at home instead of going out.
But since you're on a budget, does that mean you need to settle for a substandard model just to save money? Not necessarily.
While many of the best-scoring barbies from our tests are at the upper end of the market, there are also plenty of more affordable models.
If you're in the know, you can pick up a barbecue that's recommended by our experts for $600 or less.
We explain how to make your money go further when you're buying and using a barbecue. Plus, exclusively for CHOICE members, we reveal which ones came out top in our tests.
If you just want to get straight to the best products, you can jump to the results now.
Are cheap barbecues any good?
Can you pick up a good barbecue on the cheap? Maybe, but it's important to choose wisely, says CHOICE kitchen expert Fiona Mair.
"As a general rule, we find that cheaper barbecues often aren't made from good-quality materials, and aren't well constructed," she says.
It is possible to find a decent barbecue at a decent price if you do your research
"Build quality is important in a barbecue because they are most likely stored outdoors in the elements, so they need to withstand Australia's harsh climate.
"But it is possible to find a decent barbecue at a decent price if you do your research."
How to make a cheap barbecue last longer
If you only have the funds for a budget barbie but you still want to get your grill on, Fiona has a few pointers that'll help your barbecue last the distance.
"It might sound excessive, but if you clean your barbecue each time you use it, it can really extend the lifespan of the grill plates and keep other parts in good condition," she says.
"And if you have room, store it undercover in between uses – especially over winter when you most likely won't be using it often or at all."
How to make your money go further when buying a barbecue
Don't be tempted to buy the biggest barbecue your money can buy, Fiona says – go for quality over quantity.
"Bigger doesn't always mean better: sometimes the grill plates on larger barbecues, particularly if they're cheaper ones, don't heat evenly, so you'll be left with cold spots and your food won't all finish cooking at the same time," she says.
"Our tests often show that smaller hooded barbecues are more efficient at cooking.
"If you choose wisely, you can get more bang for your buck with a smaller, better-quality barbecue than a big one."
Don't be tempted to buy the biggest barbecue your money can buy – go for quality over quantity
And it's worth thinking outside the box: you don't necessarily have to buy a traditional gas barbecue.
"Some of the charcoal and electric barbecues we test deliver great results," says Fiona.
"In fact, nine of the 18 barbecues we recommend are electric or charcoal models.
"They're generally cheaper than gas barbecues and, as an added bonus, they're often more compact and portable."
We list the best charcoal and electric barbecues below, alongside the best gas models.
The Ziegler & Brown Ziggy: we suggest you don't get ziggy with it.
The bargain BBQs not to buy
These barbies may well be cheap, but there's a reason for that – they'll leave you with sad steaks and burnt bangers.
Several of them appear in our list of Barbecues to avoid buying (AKA the BBQ Hall of Shame).
Even if you find them heavily discounted, we suggest you don't throw a shrimp on these barbies.
Ziegler & Brown Ziggy Electric Grill BBQ
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 51%
- RRP: $499
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 56%
- RRP: $449
Jumbuck 4 Burner Hooded Portland BBQ
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 68%
- RRP: $239
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 69%
- RRP: $499
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 69%
- RRP: $499
What are the best barbecues under $600?
We independently test and review dozens of new BBQs each year in our kitchen lab, and our experts know exactly what to look for to help you find the best product.
Our detailed barbecue reviews include information about each model's performance, ease of use, durability and features – all important factors to also consider when purchasing a barbie.
Only CHOICE members can access our detailed testing data. If you're not yet a member, join CHOICE to get instant access to all our expert, independent reviews, from coffee machines and grinders, to kettles and cots, toasters and TVs, and more.
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
