Buying guide · 10 min read · Updated October 2, 2026

5 Best Portable Grill Under 100 in 2026: A Practical Camping Guide

Best portable grills under $100: five tabletop charcoal grills from the Weber Smokey Joe to compact folding models, compared on size, vents and setup time.

By Danny WalkerCamping Editor at RV Gear Lab5 products comparedSpec-sheet researched

A hundred dollars is plenty for a good portable grill, and charcoal keeps costs down. Every pick here is a charcoal tabletop that costs well under that ceiling, so the choice is about size, ventilation and how fast it sets up.

We compared grate area, lid design, vent control and folded size. The classics still hold up, and the folding models trade some durability for a much smaller pack.

RV Gear Lab field notes

The Campsite Fit Check

Start with the job: Weber® Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Grill leads this shortlist for Durable everyday camping grill. Use that fit as a reference point, then compare the alternatives against your own space and workload.
Specs that separate the picks: The first details to compare are 14 inch charcoal kettle, 14 inch, 150 sq in surface, 14 inch, 150 sq in. Confirm the exact model and included components before ordering.
Trade-off to plan for: Priciest of the group

Before you buy

What Matters Before You Choose a Portable Grill Under 100

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

01
Grill area
A 14 inch kettle gives about 150 square inches, enough for four burgers, while larger folding grills add width. Count the people you cook for and decide how many items you cook at once. Check the stated area on the listing.
02
Lid and venting
A lid traps heat for roasting and lets you control the fire, and vents adjust airflow to raise or lower the heat. Flat folding grills without lids heat unevenly. Look for vent and lid features on the listing.
03
Steel and finish
Porcelain enamel resists rust longer than painted steel, and thin steel warps under hot coals. A grill that warps is hard to close and cooks unevenly. Check the finish named on the listing.
04
Folded size
A folding grill packs flat into almost nothing, while a kettle takes the space of a small bucket but cooks with a lid. Think about trunk room and how you cook before you decide. Look at folded dimensions on the listing.
05
Ash handling
An ash catcher or a separate charcoal tray keeps ash from spilling on a table or on the ground. Ash can stay hot for hours and scorch a picnic table. Check for a catcher or tray in the description.
06
Charcoal quantity
Small grills should use a small amount of charcoal, because a heap of coals can warp thin steel. One chimney of briquettes is usually plenty for a 14 inch grill. Read the instructions on the listing before you load it up.

Our standards

Why You Can Trust RV Gear Lab

At RV Gear Lab, we compare products based on campsite fit, verified specifications, usability, setup requirements, weight, durability, and real-world trade-offs. We do not rank products purely on marketing claims or commission rates.

We have not personally tested every product listed. Where hands-on testing is not available, recommendations are based on verified manufacturer specifications, product documentation, use-case fit, and comparative research.

How we review camping gear →

Detailed reviews

The 5 best portable grill under 100, explained

Best Overall · 1 of 5

Weber® Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Grill

14 inch charcoal kettle
Porcelain-enamel finish
Tuck-N-Carry lid lock

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Durable everyday camping grill

Our take

The classic pick that lasts. Worth the extra for a grill you keep for years.

Why it made the shortlist

The Weber Smokey Joe is a 14 inch portable charcoal grill with a porcelain-enamel finish that resists scratches and rust. A Tuck-N-Carry lid lock doubles as a lid holder and carrying clip.

It is the best-known name here, and the lid lock makes it the easiest to carry without ash spilling.

Choose it for a durable grill that lasts for years. It suits camping, picnics and backyard use.

What works

Scratch and rust-resistant enamel
Lid lock doubles as a holder
Compact and lightweight
Trusted brand

Watch out for

Priciest of the group
Small for big groups

The catch: It costs more than the generic folding grills.

Check price on Amazon

Best Locking Lid · 2 of 5

Gas One

14 inch, 150 sq in surface
3-point locking lid
Dual vents and ash catcher

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Best for: Kettle-style grilling on a budget

Our take

A kettle grill at a bargain. The lid lock is the highlight.

Why it made the shortlist

Gas One's 14 inch portable grill has 150 square inches of cooking surface, a 3-point locking lid that traps heat, a dual ventilation system and an ash catcher. It is compact and lightweight for backyard, patio and camping use.

The 3-point lid lock is what separates it from the plain folding grills, and it holds heat like a small oven. It costs about half of the Weber.

Choose it for kettle-style grilling at a low price. The ash catcher keeps the area clean.

What works

3-point lid traps heat
Dual vents control airflow
Ash catcher keeps mess down

Watch out for

No thermometer
Thinner metal than Weber

The catch: The lighter-gauge steel will not last like a Weber.

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Best With Thermometer · 3 of 5

GasOne 14-inch Portable Charcoal Barbecue Grill with Thermometer

14 inch, 150 sq in
Built-in lid thermometer
3-point locking lid

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Best for: Steaks and chicken with temperature checks

Our take

The thermometer makes it the smarter GasOne. A low-cost kettle.

Why it made the shortlist

This GasOne 14 inch charcoal grill has 150 square inches of cooking surface, a red lid with a 3-point locking system and a built-in thermometer. Dual ventilation keeps air flowing to the fire.

The built-in thermometer is the addition over the other GasOne 14 inch model. It is also slightly cheaper.

Choose it if you want to monitor lid temperature while you cook. It suits steaks and chicken.

What works

Built-in thermometer in the lid
3-point locking lid
Dual ventilation

Watch out for

Small cooking surface
Thinner steel

The catch: The thermometer is basic, so check food with a probe too.

Check price on Amazon

Best Grill and Griddle · 4 of 5

Tabletop Charcoal Grill

Grill grate and griddle
Folds to 16.1 x 9.8 x 12.2 inches
7.7 lbs

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Best for: Camp breakfasts and dinners

Our take

A grill and a griddle for the cost of one. Cooks eggs and steaks.

Why it made the shortlist

Run Jee is a tabletop charcoal grill with a dual-sided grate and griddle, folding to 16.1 x 9.8 x 12.2 inches. It weighs 7.7 lbs and is made of thickened cold-rolled steel with a separate charcoal tray for airflow.

The griddle side lets you cook eggs and pancakes, which none of the other grills can. It serves 2 to 6 people.

Choose it for camp breakfasts and dinners from one grill. It folds flat for storage.

What works

Grill and griddle in one
Folds flat at 7.7 lbs
Thickened cold-rolled steel
Separate charcoal tray

Watch out for

Paint may wear
Grease on griddle needs care

The catch: Two surfaces share one small body, so each is modest.

Check price on Amazon

Best Budget Foldable · 5 of 5

Portable Charcoal Grill Foldable 17" BBQ Charcoal Grill Compact Tabletop Barbecue Grill Small BBQ Grill for Ou

17.3 x 11.4 inch grill area
Five side vents
Stainless steel, no assembly

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Best for: Picnics and quick camp meals

Our take

A cheap, flat-folding grill with good surface area. No lid though.

Why it made the shortlist

Minxchen is a foldable stainless steel charcoal grill with a 17.3 x 11.4 inch grilling space, five side vents and unfolding legs with no assembly. A split design and food-grade stainless grid make cleanup easy.

It is the cheapest grill here and has more surface than the 14 inch kettles.

Choose it for quick picnics and car camping. It sets up in seconds.

What works

Larger grate than 14 inch kettles
Five vents for airflow
No assembly

Watch out for

No lid
Less heat retention than kettles

The catch: Without a lid, it cannot roast or smoke.

Check price on Amazon

Methodology

How We Built This Shortlist

Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.

Grate area

Square inches.

Lid and vents

Heat control.

Build

Steel and finish.

Folded size

Packability.

Value

Price.

Decision guide

Match a Portable Grill Under 100 to Your Camp Setup

By Cooking Style

Your situation	Recommended pick	Why
Durable everyday grill	Weber Smokey Joe 14	Porcelain-enamel kettle
Kettle on a budget	Gas One 14 Inch	3-point lock lid
Monitor temperature	GasOne 14 Inch Thermometer	Built-in thermometer
Eggs and steaks	Run Jee Dual-Sided	Griddle and grate
Cheapest and flat	Minxchen 17 Inch Foldable	17.3 x 11.4 grill area

By Budget

Budget	Recommended pick
$10 to $30	Minxchen 17 Inch Foldable or GasOne 14 Inch Thermometer
$20 to $40	Gas One 14 Inch or Run Jee Dual-Sided
$50 to $60	Weber Smokey Joe 14

Kettle vs Flat Folding

Kettles

Hold heat with a lid. Weber Smokey Joe 14, Gas One 14 Inch and GasOne 14 Inch Thermometer.

Flat folding

Pack small and set up fast. Run Jee Dual-Sided and Minxchen 17 Inch Foldable.

Most campers should take Gas One 14 Inch or Weber Smokey Joe 14.

By Budget Tier

Preference	Recommended pick
Lowest	Minxchen 17 Inch Foldable
Low	GasOne 14 Inch Thermometer
Mid	Gas One 14 Inch
Top	Weber Smokey Joe 14

For Car Camping Specifically

Look for

A lid for roasting and room for four. Pre-light coals in a chimney.

In this comparison

Weber Smokey Joe 14 has a lid lock, and Gas One 14 Inch has a 3-point lid.

When to Spend More

Spend more if

Spend more on Weber Smokey Joe 14 for a grill that lasts.

Save if

Save with Minxchen 17 Inch Foldable or GasOne 14 Inch Thermometer.

FAQ

Before You Bring One Home

Is a Weber Smokey Joe worth the extra cost?

Yes if you want it to last. The enamel finish resists rust, and the steel is heavier than cheaper kettles. Cheaper kettles are fine for occasional use but may not last as long.

How many people can a 14 inch grill feed?

About 2 to 4 people. A 150 square inch grate holds around four burgers at once. Cook in batches for a larger group.

Do I need a lid?

A lid helps roast and control heat, and it also keeps coals alive in a breeze. For quick burgers you can go without one. Folding grills are lidless by design.

How do I light charcoal at camp?

Use a chimney starter or lighter cubes instead of lighter fluid. Wait for the coals to turn gray with ash before cooking. Keep the grill on a stable, non-flammable surface.

How do I dispose of ashes?

Let the ashes cool completely, which can take a day, and douse them with water before binning them. Never dump hot coals into a trash bag or a wooden container. Use a metal bucket with a lid at camp.

Bottom line

The short version

Browse more portable grill under 100 on Amazon →

About the author

Danny Walker

Camping Editor at RV Gear Lab

Danny covers camping gear, campsite setup, outdoor power, sleep systems and practical camping advice, with a focus on helping campers make better gear decisions.

5 Best Portable Grill Under 100 in 2026: A Practical Camping Guide

Our top picks

The Campsite Fit Check

What Matters Before You Choose a Portable Grill Under 100

Grill area

Lid and venting

Steel and finish

Folded size

Ash handling

Charcoal quantity

Why You Can Trust RV Gear Lab

The 5 best portable grill under 100, explained

Weber® Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Charcoal Grill

Gas One

GasOne 14-inch Portable Charcoal Barbecue Grill with Thermometer

Tabletop Charcoal Grill

Portable Charcoal Grill Foldable 17" BBQ Charcoal Grill Compact Tabletop Barbecue Grill Small BBQ Grill for Ou

How We Built This Shortlist

Grate area

Lid and vents

Build

Folded size

Value

Match a Portable Grill Under 100 to Your Camp Setup

By Cooking Style

By Budget

Kettle vs Flat Folding

By Budget Tier

For Car Camping Specifically

When to Spend More

Before You Bring One Home

Is a Weber Smokey Joe worth the extra cost?

How many people can a 14 inch grill feed?

Do I need a lid?

How do I light charcoal at camp?

How do I dispose of ashes?

The short version

Danny Walker

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