Best Kamado Grills
The best kamado grills compared: Kamado Joe Classic III, Big Joe III, Konnected Joe and the budget Char-Griller Akorn.
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The short answer
The best kamado grill for most people is the Kamado Joe Classic Joe III, an 18-inch ceramic kamado with the SlōRoller smoke insert, multi-level Divide and Conquer grates and an Air Lift hinge that makes the heavy dome easy to open. For big cooks, step up to the 24-inch Big Joe III. If you want a kamado that lights and holds temperature by itself, get the Konnected Joe, and on a budget the steel Char-Griller Akorn delivers kamado-style cooking for a fraction of the price.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Model | Size | Construction | Temp range | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Kamado Joe Classic Joe III | 18 in | Ceramic | Wide (smoke to sear) | Amazon |
| Best large | Kamado Joe Big Joe III | 24 in | Ceramic | 225–750°F | Amazon |
| Best automated | Kamado Joe Konnected Joe | 18 in | Ceramic + digital fan | 225–700°F | Amazon |
| Best budget | Char-Griller Akorn Kamado | Check listing | Insulated steel | Check listing | Amazon |
| Best small | Kamado Joe Joe Jr. | Compact | Ceramic | Check listing | Amazon |
How we picked
We compared manufacturer specs, owner reviews and published reviews. For kamados, gasket quality, hinge design, vent precision, included accessories and warranty separate the good from the frustrating. Ceramic kamados are heavy and fragile if dropped, so we also weighed cart quality and ease of moving.
1. Kamado Joe Classic Joe III — Best overall
The Classic Joe III is the standard 18-inch kamado, sized for most families. Its headline feature is the SlōRoller, a hyperbolic insert that Kamado Joe says turns the grill into a smoker by circulating smoke and evening out heat. The 3-tier Divide and Conquer system lets you cook at different heights and temperatures at once, and the Air Lift hinge takes most of the weight off the ceramic dome. Kamado Joe lists a limited lifetime warranty.
Good to know: ceramic kamados are heavy and the cooking surface is a circle, so a full packer brisket can be a tight fit on 18 inches.
Check the Kamado Joe Classic Joe III on Amazon →
2. Kamado Joe Big Joe III — Best large kamado
The Big Joe III scales everything up to a 24-inch cooking surface with 450 square inches of maximum cooking space and a 225–750°F heat range. It includes the SlōRoller, Divide and Conquer, Kontrol Tower top vent, stainless charcoal basket and grates, a double-thick gasket, and a powder-coated cart with locking wheels.
Good to know: Kamado Joe lists it at about 406 lb. Plan delivery, assembly help and a level, sturdy spot.
Check the Kamado Joe Big Joe III on Amazon →
3. Kamado Joe Konnected Joe — Best automated kamado
The Konnected Joe answers the main complaint about kamados: learning to light and control them. A built-in Automatic Fire Starter lights the charcoal at the press of a button, and a digital Kontrol fan holds temperatures from 225°F to 700°F, managed through the Kamado Joe app with temperature graphing and up to three meat probes (one included). It’s an 18-inch, 250-square-inch ceramic kamado with a slide-out ash drawer.
Good to know: it’s priced well above the Classic Joe III, weighs over 200 lb and needs power for the fan and igniter.
Check the Kamado Joe Konnected Joe on Amazon →
4. Char-Griller Akorn Kamado — Best budget
The Akorn uses insulated steel instead of ceramic, which makes it lighter, less fragile and much cheaper; Char-Griller lists it at $399.99. It still behaves like a kamado: efficient on charcoal, able to smoke low and slow or get hot for searing.
Good to know: steel kamados hold heat less evenly than ceramic and can rust if left uncovered. Fine-tune vents slowly, since the Akorn responds quickly to airflow changes.
Check the Char-Griller Akorn on Amazon →
5. Kamado Joe Joe Jr. — Best small kamado
The Joe Jr. is a compact ceramic kamado for small patios, couples and tailgating. It handles a few steaks, a chicken or a small pork butt with the same efficient charcoal cooking as its bigger siblings.
Good to know: the small grate limits big cooks, and it’s still heavy for its size. Check the listing for current specs and included stand.
Check the Kamado Joe Joe Jr. on Amazon →
What about Big Green Egg?
The Big Green Egg is the brand that popularized kamados in the US and has a loyal following and strong warranty. It is sold mainly through authorized dealers, and many accessories that come standard on a Kamado Joe (cart, side shelves, heat deflector) are extra on an Egg, so compare the total price carefully.
What size kamado do you need?
| Size | Feeds | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Compact (about 13–15 in) | 1–3 people | Portable, small cooks |
| 18 in (Classic) | 4–6 people | Most popular; fits a pork butt or two racks of ribs with accessories |
| 24 in (Big Joe) | 6+ people | Full briskets, big parties; very heavy |
Buying checklist
- Hinge: a spring or air-assisted hinge makes daily use much easier.
- Gasket: a good gasket keeps temperatures stable and reduces fuel use.
- What’s included: heat deflectors, cart, side shelves and ash tools add real value.
- Weight and placement: ceramic kamados are very heavy; pick a level, permanent spot.
- Fuel: use lump charcoal; avoid lighter fluid, which can soak into ceramic.
- Safety: “burp” a hot kamado by opening the lid slowly to avoid a flashback of flame.
Ceramic vs steel kamados
Ceramic kamados like the Kamado Joe models hold heat extremely well, ride out wind and cold, and use very little charcoal, but they’re heavy and can crack if dropped or hit. Steel kamados like the Char-Griller Akorn use an insulated double-wall steel body: lighter, cheaper and less fragile, though more prone to rust and a little less stable in temperature. If your grill will stay in one spot for years, ceramic is worth the premium. If you move often, have a tight budget or want to try the kamado style first, steel is a sensible start.
Accessories worth adding
A heat deflector is essential for smoking and indirect cooking; Kamado Joe includes its deflector system in the box. Beyond that, a good wireless meat thermometer, a stainless ash tool and a fitted cover are the most useful extras. A cast iron griddle or pizza stone sized for your kamado lets you use its high-heat ability for smash burgers and pizza.
FAQ
Is a kamado grill worth it?
If you want one grill that smokes, grills, sears and even bakes pizza, yes. Kamados are very fuel-efficient and hold temperature well, but they cost more than kettle grills and are heavy.
Kamado Joe or Big Green Egg?
Both make excellent ceramic kamados. Kamado Joe typically includes more accessories (cart, shelves, heat deflectors) in the box, while Big Green Egg is sold through dealers with many accessories priced separately.
How hot can a kamado grill get?
Kamado Joe lists 225 to 750°F for the Big Joe III and 225 to 700°F for the Konnected Joe. That’s hot enough for steakhouse-style searing and pizza.
Can you smoke on a kamado grill?
Yes. With a heat deflector and the vents nearly closed, a kamado holds 225 to 275°F for many hours on one load of lump charcoal, making it an excellent smoker.
