Is this the easiest way to barbecue? The Char Broil is compact, consistent, and completely fuss-free

Finding one of the best barbecues when you're short on outdoor space isn't always easy. Compact models can feel compromised, while larger gas and charcoal options often dominate the garden before you've even cooked your first burger. The Char-Broil Patio Bistro Cube E aims to strike a happy middle ground: petite enough for patios, balconies and smaller gardens, yet powerful enough to feed a family and impress your guests.

We've been testing barbecues of all shapes and sizes in search of the models that genuinely make outdoor cooking easier, and the Patio Bistro Cube E quickly stood out as a serious contender for smaller spaces. With its electric design, speedy heat-up time and fuss-free controls, it promises all the joy of eating outside without the usual hassle of charcoal, gas bottles and lengthy setup.

But can something so compact really deliver when dinner is on the line? We put the Char-Broil Patio Bistro Cube E through its paces in true British conditions, from heatwaves to hailstorms, cooking everything from sausages and chicken kebabs to charred vegetables to see whether this mini but mighty barbecue lives up to the hype.

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Char Broil Patio Bistro Cube E review

• RRP: £229.95
• Type: Electric
• Dimensions: 53.6D x 47.1W x 47.4H cm
• Temperature range: up to 320 °C
• Power cord length: 3m
• Wattage: 1500 watts
• Automatic shut off time: 11 hours

How we tested the Char Broil Patio Bistro Cube E

The Char Broil Patio Bistro Cube E Barbecue was reviewed by Annalise, who is part of our tester network. Here's a little more about why she's the perfect person for the job...

Meet the tester

Meet the tester

I am a beautician, massage therapist, and a mental health coach for teenagers. I'm married with two daughters, one at university and one doing GCSEs. I'm going through perimenopause and recently found out I have ADHD and live with Lyme Disease. I love decorating, gardening, nature and traveling. I lived in the USA for 14 years and have a bird and a dog. I host a lot and love cooking.

Unboxing the Char Broil Patio Bistro Cube E barbecue

Barbecues often come with more than just the box, so we always like to talk about what it's like getting your barbecue set up and ready. Annalise was impressed with how this looked when it arrived. “It came really well packed and was actually bigger than I thought it would be,” she notes.

Annalise found the Char Broil Patio Bistro Cube E Barbecue easy to set up. It comes almost fully assembled and doesn't require you to have any extra or specialist kit. Once it was all assembled, Annalise played with lifting and lowering the barbecue lid. She noted that she “was impressed straight away with the quality – it just feels sturdy and well made.” First impressions definitely count and, for Annalise, the Char Broil Patio Bistro Cube E barbecue makes a great start.

What's the Char Broil Patio Bistro Cube E barbecue like to use?

One of the best things about the Char-Broil Patio Bistro Cube E Barbecue is that it's low-maintenance and quick to get set up. There’s no fiddling with charcoal, no waiting around for gas canisters to heat up and no complicated setup process. As our tester, Annalise, puts it: “you just switch it on and get cooking.”

She noted that set-up takes just minutes, and once plugged in, the barbecue gets to work quickly. You’ll be ready to cook in around 15–20 minutes, with the grill reaching a maximum temperature of 320°C, which is higher than many electric barbecues on the market. Having the extra heat really matters when it comes to performance, giving you a proper sear on everything from sausages to marinated chicken, without the long wait times associated with traditional setups.

During testing, Annalise cooked a range of barbecue staples, from vegetables and skewers to chicken and sausages, and found the experience consistently reliable. Annalise found that the temperature control is straightforward rather than technical, which makes it particularly appealing if you want something that suits beginners or all members of the family, rather than needing the dedicated grill chef around when you want to have a barbecue.

Perhaps the most important, part of her review is the results: how did the food turn out? And is this a barbecue that you can host with? At a fundamental level, Annalise was pleased. She noted that “the food cooked evenly across the whole grill,” which is often where electric barbecues can fall short. This meant that she didn't need to constantly move food around or second-guess hot spots. Everything cooked steadily, which was perfect for relaxed entertaining and even simple meals with the family. Annalise found she was more free to roam and chat with other people in the garden rather than being glued to the grill.

Speed is another area where it the Cube E outperforms many traditional barbecues. It heats quickly, cooks quickly, and is ready when you are, which is a major advantage in the unpredictable British summer, where planning an hours-long charcoal cookout isn’t always realistic. Provided you’ve got access to a plug socket (or a suitable outdoor power source), it also offers flexibility to move it around the garden if the weather turns.

Sausages were the real standout for Annalise. They developed that irresistible combination of crisp, caramelised skins and juicy centres that you hope for from a barbecue, without any of the burnt patches or frantic shuffling that can happen on less even grills. The consistent heat meant they browned beautifully all over, and she found myself reaching for the Cube E whenever sausages were on the menu. Vegetables were equally impressive. Peppers softened and charred around the edges, courgettes picked up attractive brown marks without turning to mush, and corn took on a gentle sweetness too. Even the tricky marinated chicken kebabs were a success, cooking through evenly while staying tender and succulent rather than drying out.

Because there's one main grill surface, it's worth being a little strategic with what you're cooking. Annalise found it easiest to batch together foods with similar cooking times, a round of sausages and vegetables, for example, or a full load of chicken skewers, rather than trying to juggle lots of different elements at once.

That said, the generous lid makes this surprisingly manageable. It's light and easy to lift with one hand, traps heat brilliantly when closed, and, perhaps most importantly, you can comfortably hold it open to check on your food without feeling like you're about to singe the hair off your arms. It's a small detail, but one that makes the whole experience feel much more relaxed and enjoyable.

When it came to cleaning up afterwards, the Char Broil Patio Bistro Cube E continued to impress. Annalise found it “really easy to clean afterwards,” a detail that shouldn’t be underestimated when compared with the scrubbing and ash-clearance required for charcoal models.

Once it's sparkling clean and ready to rest, Annalise was keen to add that another standout feature is how portable and easy to store the Char Broil Patio Bistro Cube E is. The Cube E is light enough to move and easy to tuck away, making it particularly well suited to smaller gardens or patios. As Annalise explains, “I love being able to store it in the garage when I’m done and not have a big, ugly BBQ taking up space in the garden.”"

Who would the Char Broil Patio Bistro Cube E suit?

The Char-Broil Patio Bistro Cube E Barbecue will particularly appeal to people who love the idea of eating outdoors, but could happily do without the mess, planning and maintenance that often comes with traditional barbecuing.

It's a brilliant option for busy families, first-time barbecue owners, and anyone who wants spontaneous midweek grilling rather than an all-afternoon event. As Annalise puts it, "If you like eating outside but don't want the mess or waiting around, this is for you." Its straightforward controls and quick heat-up time remove much of the intimidation factor, making it ideal for those who value convenience over ceremony.

That said, there are a couple of practical considerations to bear in mind. Because it's electric, you'll need access to a plug socket or extension lead, and while its compact design makes it easy to tuck away, you'll still want somewhere sheltered to store it between uses. "As long as you've got space to store it and a plug socket or extension lead, it's brilliant," Annalise says. "But you do need to think about where you're going to keep it protected....I’d include a cover for people who don’t have indoor storage,” Annalise also adds that she would like “an accessory tray for cooking things like onions or eggs.”

The long-term running costs are another major draw. Without the need to repeatedly buy charcoal or refill gas bottles, it's a surprisingly economical choice. "It saves money in the long run because you're not constantly buying gas or charcoal," Annalise explains. "The last time I filled my old gas BBQ it cost nearly £100, so this feels much more economical over time." Ultimately, this is a barbecue for people who prioritise ease, consistency and practicality, delivering great-tasting food without the fuss or learning curve of more traditional outdoor cooking setups.

Who might want something different?

That said, the Char-Broil Patio Bistro Cube E won't be the perfect fit for everyone. If barbecuing is your hobby rather than simply a means to get dinner on the table, you might find yourself wanting something larger and more specialised. Keen entertainers who regularly cook for big groups may prefer a gas barbecue with multiple burners, giving them separate cooking zones and enough space to juggle burgers, vegetables and sides all at once.

Likewise, traditionalists who love the ritual of lighting charcoal and chasing that distinctive smoky flavour will probably still gravitate towards a classic charcoal model. Serious barbecue enthusiasts interested in low-and-slow cooking, smoking brisket or experimenting with wood chips may also benefit from investing in a dedicated smoker or Kamado-style barbecue, which offer superior heat retention and greater versatility, albeit with a steeper learning curve and a much higher price tag.

The Cube E excels because it knows exactly what it is: a practical, uncomplicated solution for everyday outdoor cooking. As Annalise says, "It's a genius idea for people who don't have much time or don't want the faff of charcoal. It's especially great if you just want to eat outside without all the setup."

She felt that it was excellent value for money. "From what I’ve seen, if you go cheaper, the quality seems more flimsy," adds Annalise. "You get what you pay for as this looks great and works to a high standard – I'd buy it for myself if I could, for sure." However, if you see barbecuing as an event in itself, something to spend hours tending and perfecting, you may appreciate the extra capacity, flavour and flexibility that comes with a more traditional model.

Should you buy the Char Broil Patio Bistro Cube E barbcue?

The Char-Broil Patio Bistro Cube E is a brilliant, compact take on barbecuing. It strips away much of the mess, waiting and maintenance associated with traditional models, while still delivering the kind of performance that makes eating outdoors feel special. From its quick heat-up time and even cooking results to its compact, easy-to-store design, it's a practical upgrade for anyone who wants barbecued food to fit around their lifestyle, rather than the other way around.

Annalise certainly became a fan. "I would definitely recommend it, especially to women like me who just want something quick and easy to use," she says. "If you love eating outside but don't want the hassle and would prefer not to smell like charcoal, this makes it so much simpler."