The Best 5Aggregated review·11 sources·updated May 23, 2026·checked August 2, 2026

Best Charcoal Grills

Top charcoal grills for backyard cooking ranked by aggregate score from 11 published reviews.

This guide aggregates 11 published reviews across 5 products; the thinnest-sourced pick rests on 2. No publisher printed a score for the top pick — its rating is derived from what reviewers wrote. 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 Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch is our top pick for charcoal grills — an averaged 4.8/5 across 2 published reviews at about $219. Runner-up: Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch (~$2,199).

Read the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch review →$219 · Check Price on Amazon

At a glance

Tap any product for the full review

#	Product	Rating	Price	Best for
1	Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-InchTop Score	4.8 2 sourcesall derived	$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
2	Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch	4.8 2 sources1 derived	$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
3	Weber Performer Deluxe 22-Inch	4.7 3 sourcesall derived	$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
4	Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado	4.5 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
5	PK Grills PK300	4.4 2 sourcesall derived	$732.68	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.	$732.68 · 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 Original Kettle Premium 22-InchTop Score

4.8

2 sourcesall derived

$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

2Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch

4.8

2 sources1 derived

$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

4.7

3 sourcesall derived

$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

4Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado

4.5

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

5PK Grills PK300

4.4

2 sourcesall derived

$732.68Best 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.

$732.68 · 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

SmokedbbqsourceAmazingribsGardenersworldTasteofhomeTrimjimGirlscangrill

The full ranking

How we rank →

#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

4.8

2 sourcesall derived$219as of Aug 1

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
— 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

▾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
— 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

$219 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Kamado Joe Classic III 18-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

4.8

2 sources1 derived$2,199as of Aug 1

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

— 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

▾Why it's ranked here

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 Amazon Full review →vs. Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch →

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

4.7

3 sourcesall derived$549as of Aug 3

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

— 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

▾Why it's ranked here

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

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

4.5

2 sourcesall derived$399.99as of Aug 1

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 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

▾Why it's ranked here

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

$399.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Weber Original Kettle Premium 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

4.4

2 sourcesall derived$732.68as of Aug 1

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. 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, 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

— 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

▾Why it's ranked here

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

$732.68 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch →

Reviews aggregated from

SmokedbbqsourceAmazingribsGardenersworldTasteofhomeTrimjimGirlscangrill

Spec comparison

5 products

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

Spec	Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch	Kamado Joe Classic III 18-Inch
Cooking Area	363 sq in	250 sq in primary, 510 sq in with Divide & Conquer
Diameter	22.5 inches	18 inches
Material	Porcelain-enameled steel bowl and lid	Ceramic shell, powder-coated steel cart, stainless steel components
Cooking Grate	Plated steel, hinged	Stainless steel half-moon (Divide & Conquer)
Dampers	Adjustable lid and bowl	Kontrol Tower top vent, adjustable bottom vent
Ash Catcher	Enclosed One-Touch high-capacity	Slide-out ash drawer
Lid Thermometer	Yes (built-in)	Yes (analog)
Weight	32 lb	280 lb
Warranty	10 yr bowl/lid, 5 yr One-Touch, 2 yr other parts	Limited lifetime on ceramic
Dimensions	22.5"D x 22.5"W x 27"H	24"D x 42"W x 41.98"H
Heat Range	—	225-750 F
Cart	—	—
Wheels	—	—

Frequently asked questions

Which charcoal grill should I buy?

Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch holds the top score for charcoal grills — 4.8/5 averaged from 2 published reviews. 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.

When was this guide last updated?

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

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