A man cooking on a charcoal grill outside (Photo by Vincent Keiman on Unsplash)
Looking for a new grill? While charcoal grilling may take more prep, clean-up, and time than gas, it delivers unbeatable flavor. Charcoal grills infuse food with a rich, smoky taste that gas grills can’t match. They also reach higher temperatures, perfect for getting that caramelized sear on your meats. With the versatility of two-zone cooking, you can easily switch between high-heat grilling and low, slow smoking. Plus, they’re generally more affordable and portable. Which charcoal grills stand out for their flavor, versatility, and performance? We’ve taken out the guesswork with recommendations from grill masters across eight websites, to present the best charcoal grills on the market. Did we miss one that delivers perfectly charred meat and fish? Let us know below.
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These Top-Rated Charcoal Grills Deliver Unbeatable Results
1. Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-inch Charcoal Grill
The Original Kettle is a timeless classic that many of us grew up with, and it’s still a favorite today. With simple, user-friendly features like hinged grates, it’s perfect for beginners yet beloved by experienced grillers. Grilling expert Steven Schrimpf tells Serious Eats it’s the best for its fast and even heat distribution.
According to The Spruce Eats, this grill is a steal—easy to find on sale and takes less than 15 minutes to assemble. Thanks to a porcelain-enameled lid and bowl, it delivers top-notch heat retention across 363 square inches of cooking space. Perfect for those who want great performance without breaking the bank!
Food & Wine calls the Weber Original a timeless classic for a reason—70 years strong and still a top pick. It’s easy to move around (just secure the lid). Also, the grill’s adjustable dampers make temperature control a breeze.
2. Weber Performer Charcoal Grill
The Weber Performer takes the Original Kettle up a notch, boasting features that earned it recommendations from Taste of Home. Its tool hooks and locking wheels add convenience and stability. Bonus: it’s easier to assemble than the classic, and the lid cradle means no more struggling with where to put the lid while cooking.
Food & Wine prefers the deluxe version of this grill which is a few hundred dollars more – but comes with upgrades like a work table, timer, and butane charcoal ignition system. Hinged grates make adding charcoal easy, and locking casters offer smooth mobility. The grill shines in slow-cooking tests and cleanup is a breeze.
Speaking of cleaning, it’s as easy as pushing a button, with ash automatically emptied into a catch below the kettle. While it may not be the best for smoking, Serious Eats says that it grills a “mean steak with enviable grill marks.”
3. PK Grills Original PK300 Grill and Smoker
The PK300 offers serious grillers the best of both worlds, perfect for smoking large cuts with four dampers for precise heat control and a removable hinged lid. Plus, it’s backed by an impressive 20-year warranty. Serious Eats calls the temperature controls “unprecedented.”
With a cast aluminum body, 315 square inches of cooking space, and a four-point venting system, The Spruce Eats calls this the “Best Splurge,” pointing out it’s great for everything from steaks to a whole turkey. Improvements like extra-long vent handles and a tighter lid make it even better to lock in flavor.
Food & Wine praises the PK for excelling as both a grill and smoker, with easy assembly and simple charcoal additions mid-cook. However, mastering the damper system does take some practice and you have to flip over the grill to clean it.
4. Char-Griller Classic Charcoal Grill
This cart-style grill offers a larger cooking surface than a kettle-style, with vent controls that are easy to manage—even for beginners. Testers at The Spruce Eats praised its ability to maintain steady temperatures for smoking ribs and deliver a perfect char on steaks. Plus, the front-access door makes adding charcoal simple.
This grill is easy to assemble, taking just under 30 minutes for one person. The adjustable charcoal pan, operated by a crank, allows you to position the coals between 3.5 and 8 inches from the enamel-coated cast iron grates for precise heat control. In tests by Food & Wine, it quickly reached searing temps, produced excellent grill marks, and had minimal flare-ups.
Serious Eats loves this massive grill for its 550 square inches of cooking space, a secondary grate, and two prep tables. It’s also perfect for multi-zone cooking. While beginners might struggle with temperature control, it’s a rewarding grill to master with practice.
5. Kamado Joe
Kamado grills are known for their excellent heat retention and versatility, perfect for grilling, smoking, and even baking. While these egg-shaped grills, like the Big Green Egg, have a learning curve, Bon Appetit says Kamado Joe’s smart grill changed the game. With an electric fire starter and built-in temperature control, it takes the guesswork out of Kamado cooking.
The Kamado Joe II is a serious investment, and you’ll need two people to assemble its hefty 230-pound ceramic body. Despite the weight, Bob Vila believes it’s worth the effort. This grill reaches over 700°F for perfect searing and holds low temps for smoking. It’s very versatile and you can purchase accessories like wood-fired pizza tools.
Country Living loves the Kamodo Joe’s wheeled base for easy mobility, though, at around 250 pounds, it can also be a permanent fixture in your outdoor space. The 18-inch grill comes nearly fully assembled, needing only a few finishing touches like attaching shelves.
6. Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker
Masterbuilt’s Gravity Series 560 Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker is considered a game-changer, combining smoking and grilling. With a 12-hour charcoal hopper and a fan for circulating hot air, Country Living finds that it maintains temps from 225°F for smoking to 700°F for searing, all controlled digitally. Plus, it features dual-sided cast iron grates and a meat probe, with app connectivity for remote temperature adjustments.
Men’s Health says this grill is worth the time and money, offering one of the easiest charcoal grilling experiences. With smart tech and automatic fans, it takes away any guesswork. Just load the hopper, light it, and set your temp on the WiFi-enabled screen. Add food, and you’re good to go!
While this is a good grill, Bob Vila says it stands out as a smoker with a fan-controlled digital thermostat that keeps the temperature steady without constant vent adjustments. In tests, it maintains a consistent temp for hours, smoking ribs to perfection with minimal effort. Its 12-hour charcoal capacity makes it an excellent low-maintenance option.
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
Hey look!! Another top 5 companies who pay the most for sponsored content! Yay!!
Yes, I agree . This person does not know squat about grills .
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Another half baked article. There’s only one charcoal grill to consider, Masterbuilt Gravity Series! Ice had mine for a year and a half and nothing I’ve ever owned comes close! BTW, I turn 60 in July, so yes, I’ve owned allot of grills!