Head-to-head · Best Kamado Grills

Big Green Egg 13 Inch Egg MiniMax Ceramic Grill vs Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.7 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about Tech-savvy beginners wanting smart kamado features — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Kamado Grills

Big Green Egg 13 Inch Egg MiniMax Ceramic Grill

3.7

3 sourcesall derived$850as of Aug 1

The Big Green Egg MiniMax is a compact kamado-style grill that cooks, smokes, roasts, and bakes. Reviewers noted the 13-inch diameter grid and 133 square inches of cooking space suit intimate gatherings or gourmet experimentation. It uses the same premium ceramic construction as the larger models, so heat and flavor stay consistent. It plugs into Big Green Egg's accessory ecosystem, though the cooking area is obviously smaller than bigger sizes. Small households and anyone short on outdoor space who still wants professional-grade cooking should look here.

Strengths

— Compact design at 19.5 inches tall with 13-inch diameter stainless steel grid
— Delivers consistent heat and flavor like larger models with premium ceramics
— Suitable for intimate gatherings or gourmet experimentation with 133 square inches cooking area

Watch-outs

— Limited to 133 square inches cooking area which may be restrictive for larger groups
— Requires assembly or White Glove service for delivery and setup

$850 · Buy at biggreenegg.com Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Kamado Grills

Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker

4.3

4 sourcesall derived$2,000as of Aug 1

The Kamado Joe Konnected Joe puts digital controls on a traditional kamado, holding temperature steadily and lighting the charcoal for you. Reviewers praised how fast it heats, how consistently it cooks, and how much it can do, particularly for beginners and anyone who likes the tech angle. Some found the 18-inch size restrictive, and the app is basic. It suits people who want charcoal cooking with the fiddly parts automated, less so those needing larger cooking capacity or advanced smart features.

Strengths

— Automatic Fire Starter (AFS) system eliminates need for third-party fire starters
— Fan-assisted system rapidly reaches set temperature
— Computer-controlled temperature regulation provides incredibly stable internal temperature

Watch-outs

— Size limited to 18-inch diameter which feels limiting for larger cooks
— Basic app functionality with limited advanced features

$2,000 · Buy at kamadojoe.com Full review →

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.

How they stack up

Big Green Egg 13 Inch Egg MiniMax Ceramic Grill

The Big Green Egg MiniMax is more compact than the Kamado Joe Big Joe Series I and Konnected Joe, making it ideal for smaller spaces, but it lacks the 2-tier cooking system and digital controls of those models. While it integrates well with the Big Green Egg ecosystem, it provides less cooking area compared to the Brand-Man Rodeo and lacks the steel construction of the Weber Summit E6.

Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker

The Konnected Joe's automatic fire starter and fan-assisted temperature control set it apart from the Classic Joe and Big Joe models, which rely on manual controls. While it offers digital convenience, it lacks the larger cooking capacity of the Brand-Man Rodeo and the 2-tier system of the Classic Joe. It's more tech-oriented than the traditional London Sunshine or Outvita models.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Big Green Egg 13 Inch Egg MiniMax Ceramic Grill	Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker
Dimensions	19.5 in (50 cm)	Width 46.9 in inches
Weight	76 lb	216 lb
Cooking Surface Area	133 sq in (855 cm²)	450 sq in
Temperature Range	200°F to 750°F (93°C to 399°C)	Up to 700°F
Material	premium ceramics	ceramic
Cooking Methods	grilling, smoking, roasting, baking, and searing	rotisserie, low and slow cooks, and grilling
Fuel Type	Lump charcoal	Lump charcoal

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