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The Best 5Reviewed by Mike Hun·May 23, 2026

Best Charcoal Grills

Top charcoal grills for backyard cooking reviewed and ranked.

Quick answer

Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch is our top pick for charcoal grills — an averaged 4.8/5 across 3 published reviews at about $229. Runner-up: Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch (~$2,199).

Read the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch review →$229 · Check Price on Amazon

At a glance

Tap any product for the full review
1Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-InchTop Score
(3 sources)
$229Best for: The weekend backyard BBQer who wants a no-nonsense charcoal kettle that lasts a decade and handles burgers, steaks, ribs, and the occasional smoked chicken without buying accessories on day one.
$229 · Check Price on Amazon
2Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch
(3 sources)
$2,199Best for: The serious low-and-slow smoker who runs 12-to-18-hour briskets, pork shoulders, and overnight cooks weekly and wants one ceramic grill that smokes, sears at 750 F, bakes pizza, and roasts whole chickens with lifetime warranty backing.
$2,199 · Check Price on Amazon
3Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch
(3 sources)
$469Best for: The heavy weeknight backyard griller who values push-button ignition, a built-in work surface, and a stable four-leg cart, but doesn't need overnight low-and-slow capacity that would push them toward a kamado.
$469 · Check Price on Amazon
4Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado
(3 sources)
$369Best for: The budget-conscious kamado-curious griller who wants the heat-retention and fuel-efficiency benefits of a ceramic-style grill but can't justify spending $2,000 on a Kamado Joe or Big Green Egg.
$369 · Check Price on Amazon
5PK Grills PK300
(3 sources)
$599Best for: The premium-leaning weekend cook who wants a portable cast aluminum grill that travels to tailgates, beach houses, and camping trips, with the heat retention of a heavy grill in a 60 lb package.
$599 · Check Price on Amazon
Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.
Reviews aggregated from
Smokedbbqsource.comAmazingribs.comWeber.comGardenersworld.comKamadojoe.comTasteofhome.comTrimjim.orgChargriller.com

The full ranking

How we rank →
Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch
#1 · Top Score
Best for: The weekend backyard BBQer who wants a no-nonsense charcoal kettle that lasts a decade and handles burgers, steaks, ribs, and the occasional smoked chicken without buying accessories on day one.
Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch
from 3 sources$229

The Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch is the default charcoal kettle for a reason: 363 square inches of porcelain-enameled cooking surface, a One-Touch ash sweep, and a 10-year warranty for under $250. AmazingRibs gave it a Platinum medal and over 11,000 reviewers gave it five stars. Buyers who want a workspace and gas ignition should look at the Performer Deluxe sibling; buyers who want fuel efficiency and ceramic heat retention should jump to the Kamado Joe Classic III.

Strengths
  • — 363 sq in of cooking grate fits 13 burgers at once with porcelain-enameled bowl and lid that resist rust
  • — One-Touch sweep system clears ash through three blades into an enclosed wind-proof catcher in seconds
Watch-outs
  • — Built-in lid thermometer sits 7.5 inches above the grate and reviewers call its reading unreliable
  • — Three-leg tripod design feels top-heavy on uneven patios compared to four-leg carts
$229 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch →
Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch
#2
Best for: The serious low-and-slow smoker who runs 12-to-18-hour briskets, pork shoulders, and overnight cooks weekly and wants one ceramic grill that smokes, sears at 750 F, bakes pizza, and roasts whole chickens with lifetime warranty backing.
Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch
from 3 sources$2,199

The Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch is the most capable single charcoal grill you can buy: ceramic insulation that holds 225 F overnight on one fuel load, the Divide & Conquer 3-tier system, the SloRoller smoke insert, and a lifetime warranty on the shell. Gardeners' World rated it 4.8/5 and Smoked BBQ Source picks Kamado Joe over the Big Green Egg because of the included accessories. The price ($2,199) is the only real friction — buyers under $700 should look at the Char-Griller Akorn for a ceramic-style alternative, and weekend grillers without low-and-slow ambitions are better served by the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch.

Strengths
  • — Thick ceramic shell maintains 225 F to 750 F range and holds heat for 18-hour overnight smokes on a single fuel load
  • — 3-Tier Divide & Conquer system flexes from 250 sq in primary to 510 sq in total with half-moon stainless grates
Watch-outs
  • — $2,199 puts it at the top of the price band — roughly 10x the Weber Original Kettle Premium
  • — 280 lb total weight means once you place it, you are not moving it without a forklift or two people
$2,199 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch →
Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch
#3
Best for: The heavy weeknight backyard griller who values push-button ignition, a built-in work surface, and a stable four-leg cart, but doesn't need overnight low-and-slow capacity that would push them toward a kamado.
Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch
from 3 sources$469

The Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch wraps the standard Original Kettle in a four-leg cart with a Touch-N-Go propane ignition, thermoset work table, charcoal storage bin, and 99-minute LCD timer. AmazingRibs awarded it a Platinum medal and Smoked BBQ Source called it the best mid-range charcoal grill. The 363 sq in cooking area is identical to the Original Kettle Premium, so this is purely an ergonomics-and-convenience upgrade — buyers who want a workspace and push-button ignition will spend the extra $240; buyers focused on raw cooking capability are better served by the Kamado Joe Classic III at this price tier and above.

Strengths
  • — Touch-N-Go propane ignition lights a full chimney of charcoal in 10 minutes without lighter fluid or paper
  • — Same 363 sq in porcelain-enameled cooking surface as the Original Kettle, with the same AmazingRibs Platinum-grade build
Watch-outs
  • — $469 is roughly double the Original Kettle Premium for the same 363 sq in cooking surface
  • — 99-minute timer ceiling is too short for low-and-slow cooks longer than 90 minutes
$469 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch →
Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado
#4
Best for: The budget-conscious kamado-curious griller who wants the heat-retention and fuel-efficiency benefits of a ceramic-style grill but can't justify spending $2,000 on a Kamado Joe or Big Green Egg.
Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado
from 3 sources$369

The Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado is the budget answer to ceramic-kamado pricing: triple-walled insulated steel construction, 445 sq in of total cooking area, cast iron grates, an EasyDump ash pan, and a 5-year warranty for $369. Smoked BBQ Source called it 3-4x less expensive than comparable Big Green Egg or Kamado Joe models with most of the cooking benefit. Trade-offs are real — flimsier side shelves, shorter warranty than ceramic, and a steeper learning curve for low-and-slow temperature management. Buyers who want true ceramic durability and lifetime warranty should step up to the Kamado Joe Classic III; buyers who just want the best kettle should pick the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch.

Strengths
  • — Triple-walled insulated steel body holds 200 F to 700 F across an 18-inch primary cooking area
  • — 445 sq in total cooking surface with cast iron grates and a removable warming rack
Watch-outs
  • — Temperature control requires practice — the grill heats fast and is hard to recover from after overshoots
  • — Side shelves feel flimsy compared to premium kamados
$369 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch →
PK Grills PK300
#5
Best for: The premium-leaning weekend cook who wants a portable cast aluminum grill that travels to tailgates, beach houses, and camping trips, with the heat retention of a heavy grill in a 60 lb package.
PK Grills PK300
from 3 sources$599

The PK Grills PK300 is the premium portable charcoal grill — a cast aluminum capsule with a 4-point precision venting system, 30-inch cook height, and a 20-year warranty on the bowl and lid. AmazingRibs called PK's quest to build a better mousetrap successful, and Girls Can Grill measured 500 F+ direct-zone sears and 275 F sustained indirect-zone smoking on the same fuel load. Cast aluminum conducts heat 4x faster than steel, giving exceptionally even sear marks. The cooking surface is smaller than a kettle (315 sq in vs 363 sq in), so buyers prioritizing capacity should look at the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch instead; buyers who want a workspace should look at the Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch.

Strengths
  • — Cast aluminum construction conducts heat 4x faster than steel, giving even sear across the entire 315 sq in cooking surface
  • — Precision 4-point venting system supports two-zone direct + indirect cooking on the same load
Watch-outs
  • — 315 sq in cooking surface is meaningfully smaller than a 22-inch kettle's 363 sq in
  • — $599 price tag is high relative to other portables — pays for cast aluminum durability, not raw cooking capacity
$599 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch →

Spec comparison

5 products
SpecWeber Original Kettle Premium 22-InchKamado Joe Classic III 18-InchWeber Performer Deluxe 22-InchChar-Griller E16620 Akorn KamadoPK Grills PK300
Cooking Area363 sq in250 sq in primary, 510 sq in with Divide & Conquer363 sq in325 sq in primary, 445 sq in total315 sq in (22.35 x 14.13 in)
Diameter22.5 inches18 inches22.5 inches20 inches—
MaterialPorcelain-enameled steel bowl and lidCeramic shell, powder-coated steel cart, stainless steel componentsPorcelain-enameled steel bowl and lidTriple-walled carbon steel bodyCast aluminum bowl and lid
Cooking GratePlated steel, hingedStainless steel half-moon (Divide & Conquer)—Cast ironNickel-plated steel
DampersAdjustable lid and bowlKontrol Tower top vent, adjustable bottom vent—Dual adjustable (top and bottom)—
Ash CatcherEnclosed One-Touch high-capacitySlide-out ash drawerEnclosed One-Touch high-capacityEasyDump slide-out ash pan—
Lid ThermometerYes (built-in)Yes (analog)Built-in plus 99-min LCD timer—Yes (with rear probe port)
Weight32 lb280 lb100 lb88 lb60 lb
Warranty10 yr bowl/lid, 5 yr One-Touch, 2 yr other partsLimited lifetime on ceramic10 yr bowl/lid, 5 yr One-Touch, 2 yr other parts5 years20 years on cast aluminum bowl and lid
Heat Range—225-750 F—200-700 F—
Cart——Four-leg cart with thermoset work table—Aluminum cart with locking casters
Wheels——Two large all-weatherLocking caster wheels—

Frequently asked questions

What is the best charcoal grill?
Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch is our top pick for charcoal grills, with an averaged rating of 4.8/5 from 3 published reviews. The Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch is the default charcoal kettle for a reason: 363 square inches of porcelain-enameled cooking surface, a One-Touch ash sweep, and a 10-year warranty for under $250. AmazingRibs gave it a Platinum medal and over 11,000 reviewers gave it five stars. Buyers who want a workspace and gas ignition should look at the Performer Deluxe sibling; buyers who want fuel efficiency and ceramic heat retention should jump to the Kamado Joe Classic III.
What's the runner-up if the top pick is unavailable?
Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch (around $2,199) rates 4.8/5 in our analysis. The Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch is the most capable single charcoal grill you can buy: ceramic insulation that holds 225 F overnight on one fuel load, the Divide & Conquer 3-tier system, the SloRoller smoke insert, and a lifetime warranty on the shell. Gardeners' World rated it 4.8/5 and Smoked BBQ Source picks Kamado Joe over the Big Green Egg because of the included accessories. The price ($2,199) is the only real friction — buyers under $700 should look at the Char-Griller Akorn for a ceramic-style alternative, and weekend grillers without low-and-slow ambitions are better served by the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch.
How does Verdict rank these products?
Every rating on Verdict is the numerical average of scores published by independent review sites, YouTube reviewers, and Reddit buyer reports. No editor adjusts the order — the ranking is whatever the source data produces. See our methodology page for the full process.
When was this guide last updated?
This guide was last re-checked in May 2026. We re-run our research pipeline for each category on a rolling basis so prices and rankings reflect current market reality.

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