Most strata schemes and apartment leases in Australia ban gas and charcoal barbecues from balconies outright, which is the main reason an electric BBQ exists as its own category rather than just a smaller gas grill: it runs from a standard power point, produces no open flame or gas bottle, and is the one barbecue type most bodies corporate will not object to. The best electric BBQ in Australia is chosen on cooking surface area and genuine outdoor-safe or indoor-smokeless design first, since wattage numbers alone do not tell you whether a unit is rated for outdoor use or built to sit on a kitchen bench.
Electric BBQs sold in Australia split into a few distinct types: portable tabletop grills with a compact plate for balconies and small groups, standing patio electric BBQs built on legs or a trolley for a full backyard cooking area, indoor smokeless grills designed to run on a kitchen bench with active smoke extraction, and multi-function grills that combine grilling with a smoker, air fryer or hot pot in one unit.
A compact tabletop electric BBQ typically runs at 1200 to 2000 watts and heats a cooking surface of roughly 30 to 45cm across, enough for two to four people at a time, while a standing patio unit with a larger plate and a higher wattage rating suits a bigger group. Checking whether a unit is rated for outdoor use, rather than kitchen-bench indoor use only, matters as much as the wattage figure itself.
This guide compares seven electric BBQs available to Australian buyers, from compact balcony-friendly grills to a premium standing multi-function unit. Anyone deciding between an electric BBQ and a gas or charcoal option should also see this site’s guide to the best BBQs in Australia for how the fuel types compare directly.
Quick Picks
Grillz 1400W Electric BBQ Grill
The Grillz 1400W splits its cooking surface into seven individual non-stick pans arranged around a central hot plate, rather than one continuous grilling surface, so each portion cooks separately without sauces or juices running together.
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Airflo Smokeless Vertical Grill
The Airflo cooks food vertically against a heated plate rather than flat on a hot plate, using active smoke extraction to pull rendered fat and smoke down and away from the cooking surface rather than up into the room.
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Split Grill and Hot Pot Combo
This unit combines a flat non-stick grill plate on one side with a separate cooking pot insert on the other, so a barbecue-style grill and a hot pot or soup can run at the same table from the same unit.
CHECK CURRENT PRICEBest Electric BBQ Australia Compared
| Product | Link | Type | Best For | Key Spec |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grillz 1400W Electric BBQ Grill | Check price | Portable tabletop, 7 cooking pods | Individual portions for small groups | 1400W, 7 non-stick cooking pans |
| Airflo Smokeless Vertical Grill | Check price | Standing indoor smokeless grill | Kitchen bench or indoor use without a hood | Vertical design, active smoke extraction |
| Split Grill and Hot Pot Combo | Check price | Portable tabletop grill and hot pot combo | Grilling and hot pot in one sitting | Split grill plate and cooking pot |
| Grillz Portable Electric BBQ with Stand | Check price | Portable with detachable stand | Balcony or patio use with a stand | 2000W, detachable stand, 3m cable |
| Costway 2000W Electric BBQ Grill | Check price | Standing, two-zone plate | Cooking different foods at different temperatures | 2000W, 2-zone non-stick plate, adjustable temperature |
| George Foreman Immersa Medium Electric Grill | Check price | Indoor countertop grill | Easy cleanup with a fully washable design | Removable control panel, dishwasher safe |
| Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 Electric BBQ Grill and Smoker | Check price | Standing multi-function grill and smoker | Grilling, smoking and air frying in one unit | 7-in-1 functions, smart probe, integrated air fryer |
1. Grillz 1400W Electric BBQ Grill – Best Individual Portions
The Grillz 1400W splits its cooking surface into seven individual non-stick pans arranged around a central hot plate, rather than one continuous grilling surface, so each portion cooks separately without sauces or juices running together. A 1400W element heats the full plate for a small group cooking at the same time.
The individual-pod layout suits shared or communal-style eating, where each person’s serve stays in its own pan rather than competing for space on a single hot plate, and it keeps the unit compact enough for a balcony table or small outdoor setting.
This suits a couple or small group wanting an individual-portion cooking style rather than a large single grilling surface, and it is the most affordable way into this comparison. A larger gathering or anyone wanting one continuous grilling surface for bigger cuts is better served by one of the standing or two-zone options below.
Pros
- Seven individual non-stick cooking pans keep portions separate
- Compact enough for a balcony table or small outdoor setting
- Most affordable pick in this comparison
Cons
- Individual pans mean less continuous surface area than a flat-plate grill
- Not designed for large cuts that need a full grilling surface
Key specs: 1400W; 7 non-stick cooking pans; portable tabletop design.
CHECK CURRENT PRICE2. Airflo Smokeless Vertical Grill – Best Indoor Smokeless
The Airflo cooks food vertically against a heated plate rather than flat on a hot plate, using active smoke extraction to pull rendered fat and smoke down and away from the cooking surface rather than up into the room. This is a kitchen-bench design, not an outdoor unit, and is built for indoor use where a hood or open-air venting is not available.
The vertical layout lets fat drain away from the food as it cooks rather than pooling under it, which is the main mechanism behind the reduced-smoke claim rather than any filter alone. It suits an apartment kitchen or a rental where installing an external hood is not an option.
This suits a household wanting genuine indoor grilling, in a kitchen rather than outdoors on a balcony, without the smoke a flat hot plate produces. Anyone wanting an outdoor-rated unit for a balcony or patio should choose one of the outdoor-rated grills in this comparison instead.
Pros
- Active smoke extraction genuinely reduces indoor smoke versus a flat grill
- Vertical design drains fat away from the food as it cooks
- Suits a kitchen bench where an external hood is not available
Cons
- Designed for indoor kitchen-bench use, not rated for outdoor balcony use
- Smaller cooking capacity than a flat-plate standing BBQ
Key specs: Vertical smokeless design; active fat and smoke extraction; indoor kitchen-bench use.
CHECK CURRENT PRICE3. Split Grill and Hot Pot Combo – Best Grill and Hot Pot Combo
This unit combines a flat non-stick grill plate on one side with a separate cooking pot insert on the other, so a barbecue-style grill and a hot pot or soup can run at the same table from the same unit. Both sides share one heating base with independent temperature control.
This two-in-one layout suits a shared-table dining style over a single grilling surface, where some diners grill while a broth or soup simmers alongside on the same appliance rather than needing a separate hot pot cooker. It packs down to a similarly compact footprint to the tabletop grills elsewhere in this comparison.
This suits a household that regularly does shared-table cooking, whether that is barbecue-style grilling, hot pot, or both in the same sitting, more than it suits someone wanting a single dedicated grilling surface. A larger single grilling area is better served by the standing patio options in this comparison.
Pros
- Combines a grill plate and a cooking pot in one appliance
- Independent temperature control for each side
- Compact tabletop footprint
Cons
- Grill plate area is smaller than a dedicated single-surface grill
- Two functions in one unit means neither side is as large as a dedicated appliance
Key specs: Split grill plate and cooking pot; independent temperature control; portable tabletop design.
CHECK CURRENT PRICE4. Grillz Portable Electric BBQ with Stand – Best Balcony Stand
The Grillz Portable pairs a 2000W hot plate with a detachable stand, so it can run as a standing patio unit or come off the stand for tabletop use on a balcony or camping table. A 3 metre cable gives it more placement flexibility than most tabletop-only grills.
Non-stick plates cover the full cooking surface rather than splitting it into individual pans, giving more room for larger cuts than the individually-portioned grills in this comparison, and the stand folds down for storage between uses.
This suits a balcony or small patio where the stand is genuinely useful some sessions and unnecessary on others, since it converts between the two rather than committing to one format. Anyone always cooking at ground or table level does not need the stand and could save a little by choosing a tabletop-only unit instead.
Pros
- Detachable stand converts between standing and tabletop use
- 2000W with a full non-stick plate for larger cuts
- 3 metre cable gives more placement flexibility
Cons
- Bulkier to store than a tabletop-only grill when the stand is not needed
- Outdoor balcony and patio use only, not designed as an indoor kitchen appliance
Key specs: 2000W; detachable stand; non-stick plate; 3m cable.
CHECK ON AMAZON5. Costway 2000W Electric BBQ Grill – Best Two-Zone Cooking
The Costway splits its non-stick cooking surface into two independently adjustable zones, so meat can run hotter on one side while vegetables or bread cook gentler on the other, rather than one uniform hot plate. A removable stand and a small condiment shelf are built into the frame.
Adjustable temperature control per zone is the main practical advantage over a single-zone grill of similar wattage, since it avoids constantly moving food to manage doneness across different ingredients cooking at once.
This suits a household that regularly cooks a mixed spread, meat, vegetables and bread together, rather than one type of food at a time. A single-zone grill is simpler and slightly cheaper for anyone mostly grilling one thing at a time.
Pros
- Two independently adjustable cooking zones
- Removable stand plus a built-in condiment shelf
- 2000W across a full-size non-stick plate
Cons
- Larger footprint than the compact tabletop grills in this comparison
- Two-zone control adds a step over a simple single-temperature grill
Key specs: 2000W; 2-zone non-stick plate; adjustable temperature; removable stand.
CHECK ON AMAZON6. George Foreman Immersa Medium Electric Grill – Best Washable Design
The Immersa is built around a genuinely recognisable brand and a specific cleaning advantage: its control panel detaches from the cooking plate, so the entire grilling surface can go under a tap or into a dishwasher rather than needing to be wiped around a fixed control panel.
As an indoor countertop grill, it suits toasties, paninis and hot-plate style cooking as much as barbecue-style grilling, and the energy-saving design keeps running costs down for regular indoor use rather than occasional outdoor entertaining.
This suits an indoor kitchen setup prioritising easy cleanup and everyday versatility over a large outdoor cooking surface. A balcony or patio setup needing an outdoor-rated grill should choose one of the outdoor units in this comparison instead.
Pros
- Removable control panel makes the whole plate dishwasher safe
- Recognisable, established brand
- Doubles as a toastie and panini press indoors
Cons
- Indoor countertop design, not rated for outdoor balcony or patio use
- Smaller cooking surface than the standing outdoor grills in this comparison
Key specs: Removable, dishwasher-safe control panel; indoor countertop design; energy-saving element.
CHECK ON AMAZON7. Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 Electric BBQ Grill and Smoker – Best Premium All-in-One
The Woodfire is a standing outdoor unit combining grilling, smoking and air frying in one appliance, using real wood pellets for smoke flavour rather than liquid smoke or flavoured charcoal. A smart temperature probe tracks internal food temperature through the cook rather than relying on time alone.
Seven cooking functions across one footprint is the main reason for its price relative to the rest of this comparison, effectively replacing a grill, a smoker and an air fryer that would otherwise be three separate appliances taking up outdoor space.
This suits a household that genuinely wants smoked barbecue flavour alongside grilling and air frying, and has outdoor space and budget for a premium all-in-one unit. Anyone wanting a simple grill without the smoking or air fry functions is better served by a cheaper single-function option elsewhere in this comparison.
Pros
- Combines grilling, wood-pellet smoking and air frying in one unit
- Smart probe tracks internal food temperature
- Genuine wood-pellet smoke flavour rather than liquid smoke
Cons
- Highest price in this comparison by a wide margin
- Larger footprint needs genuine outdoor space to justify the extra functions
Key specs: 7-in-1 functions; wood pellet smoking; integrated air fryer; smart temperature probe.
CHECK ON AMAZONHow to Choose an Electric BBQ
Check whether it is rated for outdoor or indoor use. An outdoor-rated electric BBQ is built to handle weather exposure and open-air use on a balcony or patio, while an indoor smokeless grill is designed for a kitchen bench and is not weatherproof. Using an indoor-only unit outdoors, or an outdoor unit as a smoke-free indoor grill, does not work as well as buying the right type first.
Match cooking surface area to group size. A compact tabletop grill suits two to four people; a standing patio unit with a larger plate suits a bigger gathering. Buying more surface area than needed mostly adds storage bulk rather than any real benefit.
Confirm balcony and strata rules before buying, not after. Most bodies corporate that ban gas and charcoal barbecues do allow electric ones, but rules vary by building, and it is worth checking the specific strata by-laws rather than assuming every electric BBQ is automatically permitted.
Wattage is a starting point, not the whole story. A higher wattage heats faster and holds temperature better under a full load, but plate material, zone control and lid design affect real cooking performance as much as the watt figure alone. Anyone comparing this guide against gas and charcoal options should see this site’s guide to the best BBQs in Australia for how those fuel types stack up on power and running cost.
Non-stick plates need gentler cleaning tools. Metal scrapers and abrasive scourers wear through a non-stick coating faster than the manufacturer’s rated lifespan suggests, so a plastic or silicone scraper protects the investment better than whatever is already in the kitchen drawer.
Multi-function units cost more per feature, not less. A 7-in-1 grill and smoker replaces several separate appliances, but it is rarely cheaper than buying a dedicated single-function grill alone. Whether the extra functions are worth the price depends on whether they will genuinely get used, not just whether they sound useful in the listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an electric BBQ on an apartment balcony in Australia?
In most cases, yes. Most strata schemes and body corporate rules that ban gas and charcoal barbecues from balconies specifically allow electric ones, since there is no open flame or gas bottle involved, but the exact by-laws vary by building and are worth checking directly.
Is an electric BBQ as good as a gas BBQ?
It depends on what matters most. An electric BBQ heats more evenly and is easier to clean and store, but a gas BBQ typically reaches higher searing temperatures and offers a larger cooking area for the same price. See this site’s guide to the best BBQs in Australia for how the fuel types compare directly.
Do indoor smokeless grills actually reduce smoke?
Genuinely, yes, though not to zero. Active fat and smoke extraction, combined with a vertical or sloped cooking surface that drains fat away from the food, meaningfully reduces smoke compared with a flat hot plate, but some smoke and odour is still normal, especially with fattier cuts.
How much power does an electric BBQ use?
Most compact tabletop units run at 1200 to 2000 watts, similar to a kettle or toaster, and standing or multi-function units can run higher. Running cost for an average grilling session is comparable to using a few other kitchen appliances for the same length of time.
Can an electric BBQ get hot enough to sear meat?
A higher-wattage unit with a full-plate design can reach a reasonable sear, but most electric BBQs run cooler at the plate surface than a gas or charcoal grill at full heat. Anyone prioritising a hard sear above all else may still prefer gas.
Are electric BBQ plates dishwasher safe?
It depends on the specific model. Some, like removable-panel designs, are built to be fully washable including in a dishwasher, while others have a fixed plate and control panel that should only be wiped down. Check the specific product’s cleaning instructions before assuming either way.
Verdict
Balcony rules and group size decide most of this comparison before features do. The Grillz 1400W is the easiest starting point for a couple or small balcony setup on the lowest budget here, the Airflo suits anyone wanting genuine indoor kitchen grilling without the smoke, and the Ninja Woodfire is worth the premium only for a household with real outdoor space that wants grilling, smoking and air frying from one unit.
