The StandardCharcoal Grill$175
Weber 22" Original Kettle Premium
4.6/5
Fifty-plus years of proven design. Dead simple, wildly versatile, and the benchmark every charcoal grill is measured against.
Charcoal Grills
Nothing beats the flavor of food cooked over real charcoal. From the iconic Weber Kettle to premium kamado cookers, charcoal grills deliver that unmistakable smoky taste that gas simply can't replicate. If flavor is your top priority, this is your category.
What to Look For
Charcoal type matters: lump charcoal burns hotter and cleaner; briquettes give more consistent, longer burns.
Airflow control is everything — quality vents make the difference between a $100 grill and a $1,000 one.
Ash management systems save massive cleanup time. Look for easy-dump designs.
Kamado-style ceramics hold heat for 12+ hours but weigh 150-400 lbs — plan your placement carefully.
A chimney starter is non-negotiable. Never use lighter fluid.
Ideal For
Flavor purists who want the best-tasting food possible
Low-and-slow smoking enthusiasts
Budget-conscious grillers (kettles are incredibly affordable)
Weekend warriors who enjoy the ritual of charcoal cooking
Our Charcoal Grills Reviews
12 models tested and reviewed
The Standard
Best Charcoal StationCharcoal Grill$399
Weber Performer Deluxe
4.7/5
Everything great about the Original Kettle plus a worktable, charcoal storage bin, and gas-assisted ignition.
Top RatedKamado Grill$1,299
Big Green Egg (Large)
4.9/5
The dominant name in ceramic kamado grills. Unreal heat retention — sear, smoke, bake. This ceramic beast holds temp for hours with minimal fuel.
Best InnovationKamado Grill$1,499
Kamado Joe Classic III
4.8/5
The biggest competitor to the Egg, arguably better out of the box. SloRoller insert, air lift hinge, and divide-and-conquer system are genuine innovations.
Built to LastCharcoal Grill$499
PK Grills PK360
4.5/5
Built like a tank from thick cast aluminum. The capsule shape creates excellent two-zone cooking.
Premium KamadoKamado Grill$2,699
Weber Summit Kamado E6
4.7/5
Weber's premium kamado entry — thick-walled porcelain enamel, built-in thermometer, and iGrill compatibility. The Cadillac of ceramic-class grills with a 10-year warranty that actually means something.
Portable KamadoPortable Kamado$699
Big Green Egg MiniMax
4.6/5
All the kamado magic in a portable package. The MiniMax travels to tailgates and delivers the same performance as its bigger siblings.
Ultra-Budget PickCharcoal$70
Expert Grill Premium 22-Inch Kettle
3.8/5
The $70 Walmart kettle that gets the job done. Not a Weber, but surprisingly capable for backyard basics.
Best Aussie CharcoalCharcoal Grill$1,799
Everdure HUB II Charcoal Grill
4.6/5
Heston Blumenthal's electric-ignition charcoal grill. Lit and ready to cook in 10 minutes — the charcoal grill that finally solves the lighting problem.
American HeritageCharcoal Grill$1,499
Hasty-Bake Legacy 131
4.7/5
America's original premium charcoal grill — built in Tulsa since 1948. Adjustable charcoal pan, oven-style design, and a cult following four generations deep.
Best Budget KamadoKamado Grill$649
Vision Grills Classic B-Series Kamado
4.3/5
The ceramic kamado that brings Big Green Egg performance to a sub-$700 price point. Smart features, lifetime ceramic warranty, and a serious starter kamado.
American ClassicCharcoal Grill$429
PK Grills PK300
4.6/5
The cast aluminum classic — capsule-shaped, four-vent airflow, and a 50-year-old American design that still outperforms most modern charcoal grills.