Our review compares BBQs on customer satisfaction, so you can find out what other Aussies think about the compared brands before you go ahead with a purchase. Think of it as like asking hundreds of your closest mates which BBQ they think is best!
Canstar Blue surveyed 685 Australians for their feedback on the BBQ(s) they’ve purchased and used in the last two years.
The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included, so not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.
Find more detailed information on our Most Satisfied Customer methodology.
Not sure which BBQ to buy? Check out our buying guide below.
Weber was rated five stars across all categories, including ease of use, design, performance, value for money, features & functionality and overall satisfaction.
Weber has four main categories of BBQs – electric, charcoal, premium gas, and a wood pellet range. The electric series is one of the latest additions, featuring electronic temperature control and smart technology such as monitoring food from your smartphone. The charcoal line is claimed to offer authentic coal grilling for that unique smoky flavour, and if ashes are a concern, these beauties come with a cleaning system to make the clean-up easier. Weber’s premium gas range will see you get a more traditional ‘barbie’, with the Genesis II Series stated to have upgraded features and stainless-steel components for grilling versatility and premium looks. The Weber Q is arguably the most popular series, suitable for small-time grilling, with many grills able to be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Matador was rated five stars for features & functionality, value for money, performance and design, with four stars for ease of use and overall satisfaction.
Matador serves up a fairly bite-sized line of barbecues, ranging in size from two to six burners, and are divided into standalone or built-in models to choose from. Most Matador BBQs are gas-powered, with the brand sold exclusively in Bunnings Warehouse hardware stores, making it easy to pop in, get your spanner and walk out with a BBQ. If you’re looking to update the outdoor entertaining area, you can also opt for the Titan or Palladium BBQ Kitchen sets, which include the BBQ (either a four burner or six burner model depending on which line-up you choose), along with a kitchen sink and multiple cabinets and drawers to help you keep all your grilling tools close by.
Gasmate was rated five stars for value for money, with four stars in all remaining categories, including features & functionality, performance, design, ease of use and overall satisfaction.
Gasmate splits its BBQs into two key categories – outdoor living and camping. The outdoor living BBQs range from the compact ‘Odyssey’ style to the full-blown outdoor kitchen units. Traditional barbecues are also on offer, most being powered by gas. The Odyssey range represents a convenient and portable grilling option, while the Adventurer Deluxe models are best suited for those who prefer to grill while camping. If you’re really looking to whip up a storm, the Caterer BBQ could be the ticket, with a four burner and six burner model available, coming with wheels for easy use and a warming plate to ensure your food is kept ready for the hungry masses.
Jumbuck was rated five stars for value for money, with four stars for performance, ease of use and overall satisfaction, and three stars for features & functionality and design.
Jumbuck’s range of BBQs is split into larger models with two, three, four or six burners, along with portable and charcoal models for those looking for something to fit a smaller space, or those who simply prefer a charcoal-grilled feed. The Jumbuck six burner model – the Astro – features a front removable grease tray, LED control knobs, stainless-steel construction, viewing window, side burner and gas bottle storage to help you get the food from the fridge to the plate.
Billabong was rated four stars for design, value for money and overall satisfaction, with three stars for ease of use, features & functionality and performance.
While offering a smaller range compared to other brands, Billabong still provides the goods for those looking to whip up something special for dinner. In addition to smokers, Billabong primarily deals with charcoal grills and kettles, with the larger charcoal grill model featuring an adjustable air damper, steel wire grate, side shelf and wheels for easy transport, while the smaller portable kettle is ideal for those who enjoy their camping and weekend getaways, with a lockable roasting hood and durable enamelled steel firebowl.
Ziegler & Brown was rated four stars for features & functionality, performance, design and ease of use, with three stars for value for money and overall satisfaction.
Ziegler & Brown is an Aussie brand that offers gas BBQs, with the number of burners ranging from two to six. Some collections to choose from include the Grill range (portable), Turbo series and built-in gas BBQs. Its Turbo classic BBQ incorporates a ceramic burner and quartz dome that’s claimed to increase radiant heat and minimise flare-ups. For small spaces and grilling on the go, you might like to consider the portable two-burner range, featuring a number of colour options, allowing you to properly entertain the masses the next time it’s your turn to host.
BeefEater was rated three stars across all categories, including features & functionality, value for money, performance, design, ease of use and overall satisfaction.
BeefEater sports a solid range of both freestanding and built-in barbecues, most with shiny chrome designs resembling a premium option for your home. In the freestanding BBQ range, BeefEater packs between three to five burners, with the Signature and 7000 ranges available to choose from. In the built-in range, you’ll find a range of styles to seamlessly complement outdoor areas, with certain models additionally come with a side burner. BeefEater also offers a range of portable BBQs to take with you, with the BUGG portable range available as a wheeled model, or as a benchtop option to help fit in with whatever space you have available.
Beefmaster was rated four stars for performance, with three stars for ease of use, design, value for money, features & functionality and overall satisfaction.
Offering the Beefmaster Deluxe, Premium and Classic ranges, each line-up is available as a cart or build-in model, allowing you to pick and choose whatever best fits your needs and household space. The Beefmaster Classic range is available as a two burner, four burner or six burner model, with the four burner model including a stainless-steel control panel, front grease tray and a secondary cooking area which doubles as a warming rack. If you’re after a build-in model, the Deluxe four burner model features independent flame thrower ignitions for each burner, a flame tamer system to cut down on flare-ups, along with a warming rack, double-skin roasting hood and front-access steel grease tray.
Not all brands in the market qualify for our ratings (based on minimum survey sample size), but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth considering. Here are several more brands to check out before making a purchase decision.
Canstar Blue’s guide to buying a BBQ takes a look at the types of BBQs you can purchase, the fuel type they use, and other factors to consider when looking to purchase.
There are three main types of BBQs to choose from, including:
The debate over which produces the better flavour – charcoal or gas – has been ongoing ever since both types existed. If you want to be able to grill without getting a smoky flavour, go with gas, but if you’re big on flavour, using charcoal may be a better option. BBQ fuel types include:
While at first glance all BBQs may be the same – in that they all cook food – ask any grilling connoisseur and you’ll quickly learn that there’s some big differences to be aware. While you may not need to go the full nine yards when it comes to catering for your next weekend shindig, below are a few key areas to consider when it comes to buying a BBQ to ensure you fire up the right option for you.
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Site Editor, Dean Heckscher. He’s our resident expert on all things automotive, health & fitness, streaming and more. Dean is also one of Canstar Blue’s customer research report producers, helping to turn complicated subjects into easily-digestible information for our readers. He’s passionate about helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services.
Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.
Here are the past winners from Canstar Blue’s BBQ ratings:
Appliances - November 23rd
When you’re out mowing the yard in the scorching sun, you probably don’t stop to think about what your mower is costing you to run. It is relatively easy to know how much you’re spending …
– Read moreBest-Rated BBQs - November 3rd
Gas or electric, convection or conventional? Find out which type of oven is right for your home.
– Read moreBest-Rated BBQ Cleaners - October 20th
Solar panels are an investment, both from an environmental standpoint and from the perspective of your energy bill. As a result, it makes sense that you want to take care of your investment, from ensuring …
– Read moreBest-Rated BBQ Cleaners - October 16th
It is marketed as the better loo roll for you and the environment, but what do you really know about recycled toilet paper? Here is some information.
– Read moreBest-Rated BBQ Cleaners - September 18th
Everyone is always looking for the best and newest appliance, but does it always pay off? Air fryers are a handy appliance that can whip up your favourite snacks in an instant in comparison to …
– Read more^By clicking on a shop online, compare now, buy online, more details, go to site or check latest prices button, you may leave Canstar Blue and be taken to a referral partner to compare. Canstar Blue may be paid for this referral. You agree that Canstar Blue’s terms and conditions apply to this referral. If you click on a brand that is not a referral partner, you will be taken to a brand page on Canstar Blue.
Canstar Blue may earn a fee for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship of certain products. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship may vary between providers. Generally, sponsorship fees are payable in addition to referral fees. Sponsored products are clearly disclosed as such on website pages. They may appear in a number of areas of the website such as in comparison tables, on hub pages and in articles. Sponsored products may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product's rating, price or other attributes. The table position of a Sponsored product does not indicate any ranking or rating by Canstar. The table position of a Sponsored product does not change when a consumer changes the sort order of the table. For more information please see How Are We Funded.
*Prices correct as of publication date.