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Head-to-head · Best Portable Grills Under $200

Coleman RoadTrip 225 vs Coleman RoadTrip 285

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Coleman RoadTrip 285 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about tailgaters, parking-lot parties, and camp cooks who feed 4-6 people and want roll-it-from-the-trunk portability — read the strengths below before deciding.

Coleman RoadTrip 225
Ranked #4 in Best Portable Grills Under $200
Coleman RoadTrip 225
$150

The RoadTrip 225 is the value sibling of the 285. Same stand-up-with-wheels portability format, same InstaStart ignition, but two burners and 11,000 BTUs instead of three and 20,000 BTUs. At $150 it undercuts the 285 by $50. For a smaller cook (2-3 people) it's plenty. For tailgates that feed 5+, step up to the 285.

Strengths
  • — Stand-up grill with quick-fold legs and wheels — same RoadTrip portability as the 285
  • — 225 sq-in cooking area with two independently adjustable burners
  • — InstaStart matchless ignition
Watch-outs
  • — Only two burners vs the 285's three — less zone-cooking flexibility
  • — 11,000 BTUs is half the 285's output — slower heat-up
  • — Same Coleman build quality as the 285, which trails Weber Q1200
$150 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Coleman RoadTrip 285
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Portable Grills Under $200
Coleman RoadTrip 285
$200

The RoadTrip 285 is the stand-up portable grill with the biggest cooking surface in this lineup. Three independently-adjustable burners (20,000 BTUs total) and 285 sq-in cooking area handle tailgate-sized crowds in ways the Weber Q1200 and Cuisinart CGG-180 can't. The fold-out stand with wheels is the differentiator — you roll this from the trunk to the cooking spot. Trade-offs: bulkier when set up, less premium build than the Weber, and the three-burner heat needs zone management.

Strengths
  • — 285 sq-in cooking area — largest in this round-up
  • — Three independently adjustable burners for zone cooking
  • — 20,000 BTUs total output — most powerful pick here
Watch-outs
  • — Bulkier than tabletop competitors when set up (30+ inches tall)
  • — Stand and wheels add 50+ lb to the rolled package
  • — Build quality is functional rather than premium — Weber Q1200's castings are heavier
$200 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Coleman RoadTrip 225

Smaller, cheaper sibling of the Coleman RoadTrip 285. Same form factor and quality as the 285 but with two burners instead of three. Bigger cooking area than the Cuisinart CGG-180 and Char-Broil Grill2Go X200, smaller than the Coleman RoadTrip 285.

Coleman RoadTrip 285

Largest cooking area and highest BTU output. Beats the Weber Q1200, Cuisinart CGG-180, Char-Broil Grill2Go X200, and Coleman RoadTrip 225 on raw size and power. Heavier and bulkier than every other pick. Same brand as the RoadTrip 225 but bigger across every spec.

Specs side-by-side

SpecColeman RoadTrip 225Coleman RoadTrip 285
Burners2 (independently adjustable)3 (independently adjustable)
Total BTUs11,00020,000
Cooking Area225 sq-in285 sq-in
StandQuick-fold with wheelsQuick-fold with wheels
IgnitionInstaStart push-buttonInstaStart push-button
GratesPorcelain-coated cast ironPorcelain-enameled cast iron
Weight40 lb47 lb
Warranty3-year—
Side Tables—Yes (2 included)
← See the full ranking of best portable grills under $200