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The best compact BBQs for balconies and small spaces
Barbecues for when you just don't have the space for a giant four-burner beast.
Last updated: 11 Dec 2025
You don’t have to have a big backyard to enjoy deliciously smoky or satisfyingly charred food from a barbecue.
If you’re working with a smaller outdoor space such as a balcony, courtyard or postage stamp-sized backyard, there are plenty of options – tabletop barbecues, compact grills, small charcoal kettle grills, fold-up portable options – so you can still grill in the great outdoors.
(Just make sure you’re following the rules and regulations for your building.)
If you’re working with a smaller outdoor space, you can still grill in the great outdoors
We’ll explain what to look for in a compact barbecue, which one to avoid and how to safely barbecue on your balcony. Plus, exclusively for CHOICE members, we’ll reveal which ones are worth making room for in your small space.
If you want to find out which compact BBQs come out on top in our tests, join CHOICE to get instant access to all of our expert, independent reviews.
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How to clean your barbecue
How much should I pay for a balcony BBQ?
The small barbecues in our review range in price from under $200 to more than $1000. If you’re paying a higher price, you should expect extra features like electronic gas ignition, fold-out side tables and a more solid construction.
There’s a range of different features that can account for a hefty price tag, and you may find a bargain barbecue doesn’t last as long as a pricier model.
“Barbecues are one of those appliances that I find you generally get what you pay for,” says CHOICE’s expert barbecue tester Fiona Mair.
What to look for in a compact BBQ
Before you hit the shops (or the sites), there are a few things to consider.
Size
How many people do you plan to cook for? Most compact barbecues can accommodate food for four to six people – although you can cook in batches if you’re feeding a larger group.
A barbecue’s external dimensions aren’t always an indicator of cooking area, so check out how big the hotplates and grill plates are to make sure there’s enough room for your food.
Portability
If you need to shuffle things around, a BBQ trolley with four wheels will make it easier to manoeuvre. If you’re looking at a trolley with only two wheels, make sure you can lift it easily.
Some compact BBQs don’t come with trolleys or stands, so if you want one it’ll cost you extra. Or you could do away with the trolley concept altogether and make space for them on an outdoor tabletop or bench instead, then tuck them away in between uses to make the most of your space.
If you’re working with a very tight space, you could consider a travel barbecue
If you’re working with a very tight space, you could consider a travel barbecue: they’re lightweight and mobile, so you can put them away when you’re done. And you can take them with you to the campsite, park or beach.
Whether you’re considering a portable or a compact barbecue, check the weight before you buy to make sure you won’t put your back out when moving it.
Durability
Since your barbie will likely be outdoors, it’ll be at the mercy of the elements (even on a balcony) – so look for a BBQ that’s solidly constructed using quality materials.
If you have room, storing your barbecue somewhere undercover in between uses will extend its life. Otherwise a cover is the next best thing.
Balcony barbecues: Keep it safe
If you’re planning a balcony barbie, there are some safety considerations.
- Check the by-laws for your complex and/or the owner’s corporation to see if there are any restrictions on using a gas BBQ on your balcony. (If you’re struggling to find this info, it could be hidden somewhere obscure, such as in a section relating to storage of hazardous material, i.e. an LPG gas cylinder.)
- Renting? Check for restrictions in your contract.
Got the all-clear? Before you go ahead…
- Never store more than one gas cylinder on your balcony – and never store them indoors, including in your garage, shed or under the house. Keep them outdoors so any gas leak will vent safely.
- Make sure you use the BBQ in a well-ventilated space. The fumes can be toxic.
- Don’t BBQ in an enclosed balcony. Even spaces with louvres, cafe blinds or a significant amount of privacy screening pose a fire risk.
Another option is to go for an electric barbecue rather than gas. They produce less smoke, have accurate temperature control and are easier to clean.
To find the best electric barbecues, check out our BBQ reviews.
The worst compact barbecue
For $949 you’d expect brilliant barbecuing, but this Gasmate absolutely underwhelms.
The Gasmate Paragon Digital Electric BBQ is the most expensive electric barbecue we’ve tested but ranked lower than barbies costing less than $400.
It’s not great at cooking sausages, which are a BBQ staple.
A $900 barbie that can’t handle snags? Sounds like a recipe for disappointment.
And it’s patchy in terms of heat distribution – so if you’re aiming for medium-rare steaks, you might end up with half well done and the other half rare.
What are the top 3 balcony barbecues?
We recommend barbecues with an overall score of 80% and above, and electric barbecues with an overall score of 70% and above.
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