Best Charcoal Grills (2026)

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The short answer

The Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-inch is still the best charcoal grill for most people. It has 363 square inches of cooking space, Weber’s One-Touch ash system with a removable ash catcher, a porcelain-enameled bowl and lid, and a 10-year warranty on the bowl, lid and center ring, all at an entry-level price. If you want to smoke as well as grill, the SnS Grills Kettle with the Slow ‘N Sear Deluxe insert is the better buy. For gas-assisted lighting and a real work surface, step up to the Weber Performer Deluxe.

Our picks at a glance

Pick	Model	Cooking area	Key features	Best for	Amazon
Best overall	Weber Original Kettle Premium 22″	363 sq in	One-Touch ash catcher, hinged grate, 10-yr bowl/lid warranty	Most backyards, beginners	Check price
Best for smoking	SnS Grills Kettle 22″ with Slow ‘N Sear Deluxe	22″ kettle	Two-zone insert, EasySpin grate	Grilling plus low-and-slow	Check price
Best convenience	Weber Performer Deluxe 22″	363 sq in	Touch-N-Go gas ignition, work table, charcoal bin	Frequent grillers	Check price
Best upgraded kettle	Napoleon PRO22K-LEG-2	365 sq in	Cast iron WAVE grates, 3-height grate, hinged lid	Searing, temperature control	Check price
Best built to last	PK Grills PK360	About 390 sq in	Cast aluminum body, 4-point venting	Coastal climates, decades of use	Check price
Best budget kamado	Char-Griller Akorn	445 sq in	Insulated steel kamado	Smoking and searing on a budget	Check price
Best set-and-forget	Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560	About 560 sq in	Charcoal hopper, digital fan control, app	Charcoal flavor with pellet-grill ease	Check price
Best portable	Weber Jumbo Joe 18″	18″ grate	Lightweight kettle, about 18 lb	Camping, tailgates, small patios	Check price

Cooking areas are manufacturer or published-review figures. The PK360 figure is our estimate from its listed 24.8″ x 15.8″ grate.

How we picked

We compared manufacturer specs, warranty terms, owner reviews and published reviews from barbecue sites that cook on these grills. For charcoal, the details that matter are how precisely the vents control airflow, how easy ash cleanup is, how well the grill holds a two-zone fire, how durable the body is outdoors, and how easy it is to add fuel mid-cook. Price matters too, because a $200 kettle in the right hands cooks as well as almost anything.

1. Weber Original Kettle Premium 22″ — Best overall

The Weber kettle has been the reference charcoal grill for decades, and the Premium version is the one to buy. You get 363 square inches on a 22-inch grate, a hinged cooking grate so you can add coals or wood without removing food, a lid thermometer, and the One-Touch cleaning system that sweeps ash into a removable aluminum catcher. The bowl and lid are porcelain-enameled steel, and Weber covers the bowl, lid and center ring for 10 years.

The kettle is also far more versatile than it looks. Bank coals to one side for two-zone grilling, or use the snake method or an insert like the Slow ‘N Sear to smoke ribs and pork butt.

Who it’s for: almost everyone, from first-time charcoal cooks to experienced pitmasters who want a reliable second grill.

Good to know: there is nowhere to set the lid except the built-in side hook, and there is no work surface. Many owners add a side table accessory.

Check the Weber Kettle Premium 22″ on Amazon

2. SnS Grills Kettle with Slow ‘N Sear Deluxe — Best for smoking

SnS Grills made its name with the Slow ‘N Sear, a charcoal basket with a water reservoir that turns any 22-inch kettle into a two-zone cooker for low-and-slow smoking or blistering direct searing. SnS now sells its own kettle with the Deluxe insert included, plus its EasySpin grate, improved vents, a probe port and better ash clean-out. Published reviews praise its solid build.

Who it’s for: anyone who wants one charcoal grill that smokes and sears equally well.

Good to know: reviewers mention a fiddly assembly with lots of small parts. SnS also sells a MasterKettle version with a 304 stainless grate and an integrated side table.

Check the SnS Grills Kettle on Amazon

3. Weber Performer Deluxe — Best convenience

The Performer puts the same 22-inch, 363 square inch kettle into a cart with a large work table, a lidded charcoal storage bin (CharBin) and a wire rack below. The Deluxe adds Touch-N-Go gas ignition, which uses a small propane cylinder to light your charcoal at the push of a button, plus a removable LCD cook timer. It keeps the One-Touch ash system.

Who it’s for: people who grill several times a week and want charcoal flavor with gas-grill convenience.

Good to know: the propane cylinder for the igniter is sold separately. The cart takes up more space than a basic kettle.

Check the Weber Performer Deluxe on Amazon

4. Napoleon PRO22K-LEG-2 — Best upgraded kettle

Napoleon’s PRO22 rethinks the kettle with real improvements. The cooking grate sits at three heights, so you can move food closer to or farther from the coals instead of rearranging the fire. Its porcelain-coated cast iron WAVE grates sear well. The lid is hinged and offset, so it swings aside and stays attached. A large ash catcher slides out with the bottom vent handle. Manufacturer specs list 365 square inches. Napoleon’s warranty covers the lid and bowl for 10 years, the air control system and grids for 5 years, and the rest for 2 years.

Who it’s for: kettle fans who want better temperature control and a hinged lid.

Good to know: reviewers note cast iron WAVE grates are harder to clean than standard grates, and there are no tool hooks.

Check the Napoleon PRO22 on Amazon

5. PK Grills PK360 — Best built to last

PK grills are made from cast aluminum, which will not rust, making them a strong choice for coastal or humid climates. The PK360 has a 24.8″ x 15.8″ cooking surface (about 390 square inches), a hinged grate for adding fuel, and top and bottom vents on each end. That four-point venting gives precise two-zone control, and reviewers say it holds temperature steadily. It also comes with a cart and shelves.

Who it’s for: buyers who want a grill that lasts for decades and value precise heat control.

Good to know: it costs considerably more than a kettle, and the capsule shape limits large cuts like whole briskets or full racks of ribs.

Check the PK Grills PK360 on Amazon

6. Char-Griller Akorn — Best budget kamado

If you want a kamado-style cooker that grills, smokes and bakes without paying ceramic prices, the Akorn is the go-to option. It uses an insulated double-wall steel body instead of ceramic, so it is lighter, less fragile and much cheaper. Char-Griller lists 445 square inches of cooking space. It is efficient on charcoal and can hold low smoking temperatures or get very hot for searing.

Good to know: steel kamados hold heat less evenly than ceramic, can rust if left uncovered, and respond fast to vent changes, so adjust slowly.

Check the Char-Griller Akorn on Amazon

7. Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 — Best set-and-forget

The Gravity 560 feeds charcoal from a vertical hopper and uses a digital fan controller to hold the temperature you set, which you can also adjust from an app. It is the most convenient way to get real charcoal flavor, and it reaches high searing heat when you need it. About 560 square inches suits families of about four.

Good to know: the fan and controller need power, so you will need an outdoor outlet. The smaller hopper means refills on very long cooks.

Check the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 on Amazon

8. Weber Jumbo Joe 18″ — Best portable

The Jumbo Joe is a full 18-inch kettle that weighs around 18 pounds, with a porcelain-enamel bowl and lid and a lid that locks for carrying. It is big enough to grill for a family of four or five at a campsite or tailgate.

Good to know: there are no side handles, so it is awkward to move while hot. Reviewers also note the bottom vent can clog with ash.

Check the Weber Jumbo Joe on Amazon

Charcoal grill buying checklist

• Size: a 22-inch kettle (about 360 square inches) feeds a family of four to six. Go bigger only if you regularly cook for crowds.
• Ash management: a removable ash catcher makes cleanup quick and keeps vents clear.
• Vents: top and bottom dampers that move smoothly and seal well give you real temperature control.
• Hinged grate: lets you add charcoal or wood chunks during long cooks.
• Material: porcelain-enameled steel is durable and affordable. Cast aluminum (PK) does not rust. Thin painted steel rusts fast.
• Smoking plans: if you want to smoke, budget for an insert like the Slow ‘N Sear, or choose a kamado or gravity-fed cooker.
• Warranty: look for long coverage on the bowl and lid. Ten years is the benchmark.

Safety notes

Use a chimney starter instead of lighter fluid for cleaner flavor and fewer flare-ups. Never use a charcoal grill indoors, in a garage or on an enclosed porch, because burning charcoal produces carbon monoxide. Keep the grill at least 10 feet from siding, railings and overhangs where possible. Dump ash only when it is completely cold, into a metal container.

FAQ

What is the best charcoal grill for a beginner?

The Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-inch. It is affordable, simple to control, easy to clean thanks to its removable ash catcher, and versatile enough to grill or smoke as your skills grow.

Is a Weber kettle worth it over a cheaper charcoal grill?

For most people, yes. Weber’s porcelain-enameled bowl and lid resist rust, the vents seal well, parts are easy to find, and the bowl, lid and center ring carry a 10-year warranty. Cheaper painted-steel grills often rust out within a few seasons.

Can you smoke on a charcoal kettle grill?

Yes. Set up a two-zone fire with coals on one side, or use an insert like the Slow ‘N Sear, and you can hold 225–275°F for ribs, pork butt and even brisket with some attention to the vents.

Charcoal vs gas grill: which tastes better?

Charcoal generally gives a smokier, more grilled flavor and can get hotter for searing. Gas is faster and more convenient. Gravity-fed charcoal grills and Weber’s gas-ignition Performer narrow the convenience gap.

How long does a charcoal grill last?

A well-cared-for porcelain-enameled kettle commonly lasts 10–20 years, and cast aluminum grills like PK can last even longer. Keeping it covered and emptying ash regularly prevents rust.