The Best 5Aggregated review·14 sources·updated October 10, 2026·checked October 18, 2026

Best Charcoal Grills

Top charcoal grills for backyard cooking ranked by aggregate score from 14 published reviews.

This guide aggregates 14 published reviews across 5 products; the thinnest-sourced pick rests on 2. How we rank.

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.

Quick answer

Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch is our top pick for charcoal grills — an averaged 5.0/5 across 1 published review at about $549. Runner-up: Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch (~$219).

Read the Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch review →$549 · Buy at acehardware.com

At a glance

Tap any product for the full review

#	Product	Rating	Price	Best for
1	Weber Performer Deluxe 22-InchTop Pick	5.0 1 source	$549	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.	$549 · Buy at acehardware.com
2	Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch	5.0 1 source	$219	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.	$219 · Check Price on Amazon
3	Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado	4.3 2 sourcesall derived	$399.99	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.	$399.99 · Check Price on Amazon
4	Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch	4.7 1 source	$2,199	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
5	PK Grills PK300	4.3 1 sourceall derived	$699.99	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.	$699.99 · Check Price on Amazon

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

At a glance5 products ▾

1Weber Performer Deluxe 22-InchTop Pick

5.0

1 source

$549Best 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.

$549 · Buy at acehardware.com

2Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch

5.0

1 source

$219Best 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.

$219 · Check Price on Amazon

3Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado

4.3

2 sourcesall derived

$399.99Best 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.

$399.99 · Check Price on Amazon

4Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch

4.7

1 source

$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

5PK Grills PK300

4.3

1 sourceall derived

$699.99Best 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.

$699.99 · Check Price on Amazon

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

Reviews aggregated from

SmokedbbqsourceAmazingribsTasteofhomeTrimjimSeriouseatsGardenersworldGirlscangrill

The full ranking

How we rank →

#1 · Top Pick

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

5.0

1 source$549as of Sep 6

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

Strengths

— Same 363 sq in porcelain-enameled cooking surface as the Original Kettle, with the same AmazingRibs Platinum-grade build
— Two large all-weather wheels and four-leg cart give meaningfully better stability than the tripod Original Kettle

Watch-outs

— 99-minute timer ceiling is too short for low-and-slow cooks longer than 90 minutes
— Built-in lid thermometer is inaccurate above 470 F per Smoked BBQ Source — plan to add a digital probe

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Same 363 sq in porcelain-enameled cooking surface as the Original Kettle, with the same AmazingRibs Platinum-grade build
— Two large all-weather wheels and four-leg cart give meaningfully better stability than the tripod Original Kettle

Watch-outs

— 99-minute timer ceiling is too short for low-and-slow cooks longer than 90 minutes
— Built-in lid thermometer is inaccurate above 470 F per Smoked BBQ Source — plan to add a digital probe

$549 · Buy at acehardware.com Full review →vs. Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch →

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

5.0

1 source$219as of Oct 18

There is a reason the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch is the default charcoal kettle: 363 square inches of porcelain-enameled cooking surface, a One-Touch ash sweep and a 10-year warranty, all under $250. AmazingRibs gave it a Platinum medal, and over 11,000 reviewers gave it five stars. If you want a workspace and gas ignition, look at the Performer Deluxe sibling; if you want fuel efficiency and ceramic heat retention, 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
— Hinged plated-steel cooking grate flips up on either side so you can add charcoal or wood chunks mid-cook

Watch-outs

— Built-in lid thermometer sits 7.5 inches above the grate and reviewers call its reading unreliable

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— 363 sq in of cooking grate fits 13 burgers at once with porcelain-enameled bowl and lid that resist rust
— Hinged plated-steel cooking grate flips up on either side so you can add charcoal or wood chunks mid-cook

Watch-outs

— Built-in lid thermometer sits 7.5 inches above the grate and reviewers call its reading unreliable

$219 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch →

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

4.3

2 sourcesall derived$399.99as of Oct 18

Ceramic-kamado pricing has a budget answer in the Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado: 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. The trade-offs are real: flimsier side shelves, a shorter warranty than ceramic, and a steeper learning curve for low-and-slow temperature management. For true ceramic durability and a lifetime warranty, step up to the Kamado Joe Classic III; for the best kettle, pick the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch.

Strengths

— Triple-walled insulated steel body holds 200 F to 700 F across a 20-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

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Triple-walled insulated steel body holds 200 F to 700 F across a 20-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

$399.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch →

★ Premium Pick

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

4.7

1 sourceOne review so far, so ranked one place lower$2,199as of Oct 18

No single charcoal grill is more capable than the Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch: 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

— SloRoller hyperbolic smoke insert designed by Harvard researchers gives even smoke distribution and steady low-and-slow
— Air Lift Hinge reduces lid weight by ~96% making one-handed opening practical even for the 280 lb grill

Watch-outs

— 280 lb total weight means once you place it, you are not moving it without a forklift or two people

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— SloRoller hyperbolic smoke insert designed by Harvard researchers gives even smoke distribution and steady low-and-slow
— Air Lift Hinge reduces lid weight by ~96% making one-handed opening practical even for the 280 lb grill

Watch-outs

— 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 Amazon Full review →vs. Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch →

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

4.3

1 sourceall derived$699.99as of Oct 18

The PK Grills PK300 is the premium portable charcoal grill: a cast aluminum capsule with a 4-point precision venting system, a 30-inch cook height and a 20-year warranty on the bowl and lid. 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, which produces 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, and buyers who want a workspace should look at the Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch.

Strengths

— Precision 4-point venting system supports two-zone direct + indirect cooking on the same load
— 30-inch cook height is ergonomically taller than the old PK Original and easier on the back

Watch-outs

— Ash management uses an interior containment system rather than a slide-out pan — slower to clean than the Akorn or the Weber kettles

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Precision 4-point venting system supports two-zone direct + indirect cooking on the same load
— 30-inch cook height is ergonomically taller than the old PK Original and easier on the back

Watch-outs

— Ash management uses an interior containment system rather than a slide-out pan — slower to clean than the Akorn or the Weber kettles

$699.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch →

Reviews aggregated from

SmokedbbqsourceAmazingribsTasteofhomeTrimjimSeriouseatsGardenersworldGirlscangrill

Spec comparison

5 products

Spec	Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch	Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch	Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado	Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch	PK Grills PK300
Cooking Area	363 sq in	363 sq in	325 sq in primary, 445 sq in total	250 sq in primary, 510 sq in with Divide & Conquer	315 sq in (22.35 x 14.13 in)
Diameter	22.5 inches	22.5 inches	20 inches	18 inches	—
Material	Porcelain-enameled steel bowl and lid	Porcelain-enameled steel bowl and lid	Triple-walled carbon steel body	Ceramic shell, powder-coated steel cart, stainless steel components	Cast aluminum bowl and lid
Cart	Four-leg cart with thermoset work table	—	—	—	Aluminum cart with locking casters
Ash Catcher	Enclosed One-Touch high-capacity	Enclosed One-Touch high-capacity	EasyDump slide-out ash pan	Slide-out ash drawer	—
Wheels	Two large all-weather	—	Locking caster wheels	—	—
Lid Thermometer	Built-in plus 99-min LCD timer	Yes (built-in)	—	Yes (analog)	Yes (with rear probe port)
Weight	100 lb	32 lb	88 lb	280 lb	60 lb
Warranty	10 yr bowl/lid, 5 yr One-Touch, 2 yr other parts	10 yr bowl/lid, 5 yr One-Touch, 2 yr other parts	5 years	Limited lifetime on ceramic	20 years on cast aluminum bowl and lid
Dimensions	8"D x 48"W x 43.5"H	22.5"D x 22.5"W x 27"H	45"D x 31"W x 47"H	24"D x 42"W x 41.98"H	16.21"D x 42.75"W x 37.35"H
Cooking Grate	—	Plated steel, hinged	Cast iron	Stainless steel half-moon (Divide & Conquer)	Nickel-plated steel
Dampers	—	Adjustable lid and bowl	Dual adjustable (top and bottom)	Kontrol Tower top vent, adjustable bottom vent	—
Heat Range	—	—	200-700 F	225-750 F	—

Spec	Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch	Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch
Cooking Area	363 sq in	363 sq in
Diameter	22.5 inches	22.5 inches
Material	Porcelain-enameled steel bowl and lid	Porcelain-enameled steel bowl and lid
Cart	Four-leg cart with thermoset work table	—
Ash Catcher	Enclosed One-Touch high-capacity	Enclosed One-Touch high-capacity
Wheels	Two large all-weather	—
Lid Thermometer	Built-in plus 99-min LCD timer	Yes (built-in)
Weight	100 lb	32 lb
Warranty	10 yr bowl/lid, 5 yr One-Touch, 2 yr other parts	10 yr bowl/lid, 5 yr One-Touch, 2 yr other parts
Dimensions	8"D x 48"W x 43.5"H	22.5"D x 22.5"W x 27"H
Cooking Grate	—	Plated steel, hinged
Dampers	—	Adjustable lid and bowl
Heat Range	—	—

Frequently asked questions

Which charcoal grill should I buy?

Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch is the top pick for charcoal grills — 5.0/5 averaged from 1 published reviews. The Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch wraps the standard Original Kettle in a four-leg cart with Touch-N-Go propane ignition, a thermoset work table, a charcoal storage bin and a 99-minute LCD timer. AmazingRibs awarded it a Platinum medal and Smoked BBQ Source called it the best mid-range charcoal grill. Its 363 sq in cooking area is identical to the Original Kettle Premium, so what you are buying is ergonomics and convenience. Anyone who wants a workspace and push-button ignition will spend the extra $240; anyone focused on raw cooking capability is better served by the Kamado Joe Classic III at this price tier and above.

When was this guide last updated?

This guide was last re-checked in October 2026. Prices, links, and source ratings are re-verified on a rolling basis, and the ranking updates when the underlying scores change.

Related guides

Browse all →