Best Charcoal Grills buyers have more options than ever. Charcoal grills deliver a flavor and sear that gas and pellet grills still can't fully replicate. We compared six from the iconic Weber Kettle to the indestructible PK Grills, weighing build quality, airflow control, and long-term value.
| Pick | Award | Key spec | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill | Best Overall | Cooking area 363 sq. in. | Check price |
| PK Grills PK360 Charcoal Grill and Smoker | Best Premium | Body Cast aluminum — won't rust | Check price |
| Weber Master-Touch 22-Inch Premium Charcoal Grill | Best for Smoking | Charcoal baskets Included — ideal for indirect smoking setups | Check price |
| Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw Charcoal Grill | Best Budget | Cooking area 1,063 sq. in. — largest on this list | Check price |
| Char-Griller E16620 AKORN Kamado Charcoal Grill | Best Kamado-Style | Style Kamado-style triple-wall steel | Check price |
"The charcoal grill that's been tested by every backyard for 70 years. It does things better than grills costing four times as much."
The right answer for most buyers. Proven, affordable, and produces excellent results when you learn to use the vents.
For buyers who want to buy once and never buy again. The cast aluminum body simply won't degrade over time like steel grills do.
The step up from the Original Kettle for anyone who smokes regularly. The included baskets and hinged grate make longer cooks much easier.
For large groups without premium grill money, the Char-Griller Outlaw has more surface area than anything else here at this price.
The AKORN gives kamado-style versatility at a significantly lower price than Big Green Egg or Kamado Joe.
For small patios, balconies, or cooking for 2–3 people, the Jumbo Joe gives you Weber quality at the most accessible price on this list.
| Product | Best For |
|---|---|
| Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill | Best Overall |
| PK Grills PK360 Charcoal Grill and Smoker | Best Premium |
| Weber Master-Touch 22-Inch Premium Charcoal Grill | Best for Smoking |
| Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw Charcoal Grill | Best Budget |
| Char-Griller E16620 AKORN Kamado Charcoal Grill | Best Kamado-Style |
| Weber Jumbo Joe Premium 18-Inch Charcoal Grill | Best Compact |
Kettles are the most versatile — they handle direct searing, indirect cooking, and smoking well. Kamado-style grills offer excellent heat retention for low-and-slow. Barrel grills offer maximum cooking space for the price. Choose based on what you'll cook most: for all-day smokes, kamado heat retention matters; for everyday grilling, a kettle is unbeatable.
The top vent controls how much heat escapes. The bottom vent controls how much oxygen reaches the coals. Nearly closed bottom vent = low and slow. Wide open both vents = high heat sear. Learning vent control is the single biggest difference between frustrating and excellent charcoal cooking.
Briquettes burn longer, more consistently, and are cheaper — great for indirect long cooks. Lump charcoal burns hotter, lights faster, and produces less ash — ideal for high-heat searing and shorter cooks. Many experienced grillers use lump for direct heat and briquettes for indirect smoking.
The Weber Original Kettle is the right answer for most buyers — don't lie, and it handles everything from burgers to brisket. Upgrade to the Master-Touch if you smoke regularly. The PK360 is the buy-once-keep-forever premium option. For large groups on a budget, nothing beats the Char-Griller Outlaw's cooking area.
Use a chimney starter — fill it with charcoal, place two sheets of crumpled newspaper underneath, and light. Coals will be fully lit and ashed over in 15–20 minutes with no chemical taste. Lighter fluid leaves a slight petroleum flavor if you add food before it fully burns off.
A full chimney of briquettes burns for approximately 45–60 minutes of active grilling. For longer indirect cooks, add a second round of fully-lit coals from a chimney starter. Never add unlit coals directly — it drops your temperature and takes too long for them to catch.
Temperature control comes from two factors: the amount of lit charcoal and the vent settings. More coals + open vents = high heat. Fewer coals + partially closed vents = lower heat. For indirect smoking, set coals on one side only and cook on the opposite side with the lid on, both vents cracked to hold 225°F–275°F.
The best charcoal grills balance performance, value, and durability. Our top picks cover a range of budgets and use cases — see the full comparison above for our ranked recommendations.
Charcoal Grills range in price from $219.00 at the budget end to $109.00 for premium options. The best value is usually somewhere in the middle — see our picks above for specific price breakpoints.
Kettles are the most versatile — they handle direct searing, indirect cooking, and smoking well. Kamado-style grills offer excellent heat retention for low-and-slow. Barrel grills offer maximum cookin
For most first-time buyers, we recommend starting with a mid-range option rather than going straight to the most expensive charcoal grills. Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill is a solid starting point based on owner reviews and published specs.
Yes — quality charcoal grills are worth the investment for anyone who uses them regularly. The key is matching the spec to how often and how hard you'll use them. Our picks above flag the best value at each price point so you're not overpaying.
