'Good value' Big Green Egg barbecue alternative from Argos is over £800 cheaper

By Aimee Robinson, Senior Affiliates and Shopping Editor

11:53, Mon, Apr 20, 2026 Updated: 20:28, Fri, Apr 24, 2026

Barbecue from habitat

The Argos kamado barbecue is a cheaper alternative to a big name brand (Image: Argos | Getty Images)

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Big Green Egg barbecues are hard to miss thanks to that distinctive egg shape and signature green finish. These high-end grills are known for their quality and impressive cooking ability, largely due to their thick, heat-retaining ceramic build. But, they don’t come cheap. Prices tend to start upwards of £800, and even the smallest model, the Big Green Egg MiniMax, will set you back £925.00.

However, while browsing the latest garden deals at Argos, I came across something that looked strikingly similar without the eye-watering price tag. The Habitat Mini Tabletop Kamado Charcoal Barbecue is currently selling for just £96 (down from £120). It’s not a Big Green Egg, of course, but it does seem to take inspiration from the same design, offering a budget-friendly alternative to the MiniMax. And when you compare the prices, the difference is huge: opting for the Argos version could save you a massive £934 in the sale.

Despite the lower price, it’s been getting plenty of praise from shoppers. One Argos customer said: "Run to buy. Absolutely great. If in doubt, don't be. It's such a good value for money and great quality features!" Another added: "It's been great so far and even took camping with me, nice solid heavy smoker."

Now, it’s worth saying this isn’t a like-for-like rival. The Big Green Egg still comes with more refined features and a more premium build. But if you’re after something similar in style and function, the Habitat version could be a smart swap.

Argos Kamado Babrecue

The Kamado from Argos offers similar cooking abilities (Image: Argos)

At first glance, the two barbecues look like they belong in the same family and in many ways, they do. Both are compact, ceramic kamado-style grills designed for charcoal grilling, with airflow control for smoking, roasting, and baking. They share a similar, rounded, egg-shaped design, too. If you’re new to kamado cooking, the Argos barbecue can give you a feel for this style of cooking. But if you’re more experienced or really into your barbecue, the Big Green Egg’s more refined controls might be the better options.

As you’d expect, given the cost, the Habitat model is more of a budget take. It’s made from clay ceramic and offers decent heat retention, although the materials are thinner than those used in the Big Green Egg. That said, shoppers still seem impressed. One reviewer wrote: "We bought this barbecue for summer as we wanted more of a wood-tasting barbecue. This barbecue did not disappoint! It is easy to use; once it's going, it keeps the heat very well. We are a family of four, and it maintains its heat well until the very end of the day."

Others have commented on how sturdy it feels, too, despite the lower price. It weighs in at 21kg, and one customer admitted: "Very surprised how heavy it was."

By comparison, the MiniMax is built from thicker, higher-grade ceramic, giving it a more solid, premium feel, which in turn helps with performance. It also offers more precise airflow control, making it easier to fine-tune temperatures. That’s one of the reasons it’s such a popular choice with more experienced cooks.

Still, the Habitat barbecue keeps things simple. It’s a no-frills, easy-to-use option that delivers the main things kamado barbecues are known for – charcoal cooking inside a heat-retaining ceramic shell. It’s particularly well-suited to casual grilling or getting to grips with this style of cooking.

One shopper said: "This mini kamado barbecue, although it is small, does just about fit a whole spatchcock chicken in and cooks to perfection. Temperature control is simple yet effective. Well worth paying that little bit extra for the quality over other cheaper metal barbecues, and with it being made from clay, it will not rust. I would highly recommend this to anyone, from a novice to a BBQ pro"

Size-wise, both are compact, but the Habitat is slightly smaller, with a 27cm cooking surface. That makes it better suited to a couple of people or a small group, and it works well as a tabletop barbecue. It’s also easier to store away or take with you on camping or caravan trips.

According to Argos, it’s easy to put together so you can get cooking almost straight away, and it comes with a one-year manufacturer’s guarantee for added peace of mind.

So, if you like the look of a Big Green Egg but don’t want to spend hundreds, this £96 deal is a tempting alternative that’s hard to ignore.