The 8 Best Charcoal Grills

Our Top Charcoal Grill Picks:

• Best Overall: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
• Best Budget: Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill
• Best Cart-Style: Nexgrill Cart-Style Charcoal Grill With Shelf
• Best Large: Dyna-Glo DGN576DNC-D X-Large Heavy-Duty Charcoal Grill
• Best Splurge-Worthy: Masterbuilt Gravity Series Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker
• Best Kamado-Style: Kamado Joe Joe Jr Ceramic Grill + Stand
• Best for Camping: BioLite FirePit+
• Most Stylish: Solo Stove Grill

If summer had a smell, it would be charcoal. It’s that open-your-back-door-and-know-your-neighbor-is-grilling-burgers smell. Charcoal means good things are about to happen, from gathering with family to celebrating holidays to staying outside as long as possible. The best part about charcoal grills is that they're not fancy, fussy or expensive compared to gas grills. If you’re a grilling newbie, a classic charcoal kettle is a perfect grill to start with, but just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s basic. Many grill masters around the world still opt for charcoal. Today’s charcoal grills come with some seriously cool features, from digital alerts to combo smokers. If you’re ready to kick off summer, AKA grilling season, we’ve rounded up the best charcoal grills you can order online for every budget and cooking style. Take a look at these top-rated buys and see which charcoal grill is right for you.

Charcoal Grills 101

The most common question grilling newbies have when shopping for a grill is should I get a gas or charcoal grill? The difference really comes down to two things: budget and convenience. Charcoal grills are way more affordable than gas grills, cart-style grills that are powered by natural gas or a propane tank. However, gas grills heat up quickly and require less maintenance and cleanup. Charcoal grills rely on briquettes, those bags of lumps of coal. The briquettes require more time heating up than a grill connected to your home’s natural gas supply. And charcoal grills must be cleaned out after grilling. Unlike a gas grill, all that fuel turns into messy ash once burned. Charcoal grilling is also much more practical for camping and vacationing as it’s much easier to pack a portable charcoal grill and a small bag of briquettes than lugging around or renting a propane tank.

When shopping for a charcoal grill, the first thing to consider is size. If you’re cooking for a big crew often, you might want a charcoal grill that’s around 30 inches. However, if most of your grilling is for impromptu date nights on the patio or a couple of burgers for the Fourth of July, you likely only need an 18- or 20-inch grill. The most popular style is a charcoal kettle on a tripod stand, made famous by Weber. In the last decade, egg-shaped, ceramic charcoal grills have exploded in the market. There are also a handful of cart-style charcoal grills if you like the aesthetic of a gas grill, but you’re on a charcoal budget.

Best Overall Charcoal Grill

You can't talk about charcoal grills without mentioning Weber. The brand is responsible for the iconic kettle/tripod design that's serviced backyard cookouts for decades. Today, the Weber Original continues to out-rank other styles. Just take a look at the nearly 3,000 five-star reviews on Walmart or nearly 9,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. People love this grill, and you can score the classic black for under $220 at both Walmart and Amazon.

Best Budget Charcoal Grill

If $200+ is still a little too high, the slightly smaller 18-inch Weber is just as reliable, well-made and top-rated. It's just more compact, which makes it great for condos or small patios), and it's just $119 at both Walmart and Amazon.

Best Cart-Style Charcoal Grill

However, if you don't like the kettle design, don't worry. More brands are releasing cart-style charcoal grills that look just like a gas grill. Many, like this Nexgrill, even feature a side shelf like a gas grill for prep work. This matte-black model totally looks like a gourmet gas grill but without a bulky propane tank or the steep price tag. It's only $149 + free shipping at The Home Depot.

Best Large Charcoal Grill

If you're cooking for a crowd and need more grill space, this Dyna-Glo is your best bet. It features two side shelves for meal prep and plating, and while this model isn't cast iron, fans have praised the thick stainless steel. It's also earned rave reviews for the easy pull-out draw that catches ash and makes cleanup a breeze.

Best Splurge-Worthy Charcoal Grill

For the seasoned grillers who live for summer cookouts, it might be time to upgrade your happy place to a charcoal grill with bells and whistles. Say hello to the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 Charcoal Grill. This baby has it all, from WiFi or Bluetooth-enabled controls to a smoker. Yep, you can grill and smoke at the same time with this grill, making it perfect for entertaining and preparing multiple dishes. This grill also answers the question many gas grill fans ask: How do you control the temperature? Charcoal takes more time to heat and isn't as consistent as gas, but the Masterbuilt Gravity features a digital fan for ultimate temperature regulation.

Best Kamado-Style Charcoal Grill

You might not know the name of these egg-shaped grills, but you've probably seen one. Usually green or red, these kamado-style grills are made with a super thick ceramic to insulate and hold heat in for grilling or smoking. The design and technique create a more consistent internal temp and burn less fuel which saves money. The tabletop Joe Jr. from Kamado Joe is perfect for tailgating, fishing trips or other summer get-togethers. It's smaller than the original, but this version is more affordable at just under $300.

Best Charcoal Grill for Camping

We're already big fans of the Biolite FirePit+ for summer s'mores because its vented design nearly eliminates all annoying campfire smoke, but this portable pit also doubles as a portable charcoal grill making it a great option for camping or RVing. And Biolite now makes grill accessories for the FirePit+ including a pre-seasoned cast iron pan that fits perfectly on top of the grill.

Most Stylish Charcoal Grill

Who knew a charcoal grill could be so chic? If you'd rather have a grill that looks more like decor and less like an appliance, say hello to Solo Stove. Nope, not the firepit. They do grills, too! This charcoal grill comes with a short stand that's perfect for beach bonfires and backyard picnics.