Our top picks at a glance
Best value
Weber Original Kettle (22 in)See itPrice tier 2 of 4:$150–$500Anyone who wants great flavor and flexibility without spending much.Best kamado overall
Kamado Joe Classic Joe IIISee itPrice tier 4 of 4:Over $1,500Enthusiasts who want one cooker that grills, smokes and bakes.Best for long-term support
Big Green Egg (Large)See itPrice tier 3 of 4:$500–$1,500Buyers who want the most established kamado brand with long-term support.Best for set-and-forget charcoal
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560See itPrice tier 3 of 4:$500–$1,500People who want charcoal flavor but don't want to babysit the fire.Best dedicated smoker
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker (22 in)See itPrice tier 3 of 4:$500–$1,500Barbecue purists on a mid-range budget.Best budget kamado
Char-Griller Akorn KamadoCheck pricePrice tier 2 of 4:$150–$500Budget buyers curious about kamado-style cooking.
There's a reason charcoal never went away. It sears harder than most gas and pellet grills, burns hot or low, and adds flavor you can taste. Modern charcoal cookers range from the budget-friendly classic kettle to digital models that manage the fire for you.
Quick picks
- Best value: Weber Original Kettle
- Best kamado: Kamado Joe Classic Joe III
- Longest-term support: Big Green Egg Large
- Set-and-forget: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560
How we picked
We evaluated each cooker on temperature stability, versatility, fuel efficiency, build quality, parts and support, and value. We focus on what each product line does best and call out the trade-offs, including weight, learning curve and price; specs and pricing change, so check the current listing before buying. See our methodology.
Our top picks
Best value
Weber Original Kettle (22 in)
The budget-friendly classic that still beats most grills at its price.
The 22-inch Kettle is the benchmark for a reason: it's affordable, durable, easy to find parts for, and genuinely versatile — direct grilling, indirect roasting and basic smoking. It takes more attention than gas or pellets, and there's no temperature control beyond the vents, but it's hard to do better for the money.
What we like
- Affordable, durable and easy to find parts for
- Versatile: direct grilling, indirect roasting and basic smoking
- Huge community knowledge and accessories
Trade-offs
- Charcoal takes more time and attention than gas or pellets
- No built-in temperature control or smart features
- Best for
- Anyone who wants great flavor and flexibility without spending much.
- Skip it if
- You want push-button convenience.
- Size: 22 in
- Fuel: Charcoal
Best kamado overall
Kamado Joe Classic Joe III
The kamado with the best accessories and smarter design.
A ceramic body that holds temperature for hours, excellent fuel efficiency and thoughtful accessories (such as the Divide & Conquer flex rack on supported bundles) make this the kamado for enthusiasts. It's heavy and premium-priced, and you'll want a stand and cover.
What we like
- Ceramic body holds temperature steadily for long cooks
- Thoughtful features like the Divide & Conquer flex rack and SloRoller (sold with certain bundles)
- Great sear temperatures and excellent fuel efficiency
Trade-offs
- Heavy and fragile if mishandled — plan your spot and a stand
- Premium pricing, with accessories on top
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want one cooker that grills, smokes and bakes.
- Skip it if
- You'd rather not manage charcoal or lift a heavy cooker.
Best for long-term support
Big Green Egg (Large)
The original kamado with a legendary resale value.
The original ceramic kamado remains the benchmark for durability, dealer support and resale value, with a huge accessory ecosystem. The EGG alone is only part of the cost — most people add a nest or table, plus accessories — and the dealer-based sales model isn't for everyone.
What we like
- Extremely durable, with a long warranty and a huge accessory market
- Great temperature stability from low-and-slow to searing
- Strong resale value and dealer support
Trade-offs
- The base EGG is just the start — you'll want a nest or table plus accessories
- Heavy, and you need a dealer or shipping plan
- Best for
- Buyers who want the most established kamado brand with long-term support.
- Skip it if
- You want a ready-to-cook grill without buying a nest or table plus accessories, or can't plan around its weight and delivery.
Best for set-and-forget charcoal
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560
Charcoal flavor with a digital fan controller for set-and-forget cooks.
A digital fan-controlled charcoal cooker that lets you set a temperature and let the fan handle it, with grill, smoker and griddle capability in one footprint (model dependent). It heats quickly and is great for weeknights. More electronics means more points of failure — read recent owner reviews before buying.
What we like
- Digital controls let you set a temperature and let the fan handle charcoal
- Griddle, grill and smoker in one footprint (model dependent)
- Gets hot quickly, which makes it good for weeknight cooking
Trade-offs
- More electronics means more things that can fail
- Owners report build-quality quirks — read recent reviews before buying
- Best for
- People who want charcoal flavor but don't want to babysit the fire.
- Skip it if
- You want fewer electronics that can fail, or recent owner reports on build quality give you pause.
Best dedicated smoker
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker (22 in)
The easy-to-learn charcoal water smoker that's been winning barbecue for decades.
A charcoal water smoker with a proven design: the water pan helps hold steady low temperatures and the capacity is generous for brisket, pork shoulder and ribs. It's a smoker, not a general-purpose grill.
What we like
- Water pan helps hold steady low temperatures for long smokes
- Large capacity for brisket, pork shoulder and ribs
- Simple design with few parts to break
Trade-offs
- Only really suited to smoking — not a general-purpose grill
- Requires charcoal and attention during long cooks
- Best for
- Barbecue purists on a mid-range budget.
- Skip it if
- You want one cooker that also grills, or you don't want to tend a charcoal fire through long cooks.
Best budget kamado
Char-Griller Akorn Kamado
Kamado-style performance at a lower price.
An insulated steel kamado-style cooker at a much lower price than ceramic models. It's lighter and less fragile, but thinner steel doesn't hold heat as well and fit and finish can be inconsistent.
What we like
- Insulated steel body that's lighter and less fragile than ceramic
- Holds temperature well for smoking and grilling
- Much lower entry price than ceramic kamados
Trade-offs
- Thinner steel than ceramic doesn't retain heat quite as well
- Fit and finish can be inconsistent
- Best for
- Budget buyers curious about kamado-style cooking.
- Skip it if
- You want ceramic-level heat retention or the tightest fit and finish.
How to choose
Kettle, kamado or smoker?
- Kettle: best all-around value and the easiest way to start.
- Kamado: more insulation, better fuel efficiency and temperature stability, and more money.
- Dedicated smoker (like the Smokey Mountain): best for long, low barbecue; not a general-purpose grill.
- Digital charcoal: closest to pellet-grill convenience with charcoal flavor.
Ceramic vs. steel
Ceramic holds heat superbly but is heavy and can crack. Steel is lighter and tougher but less insulating.
Accessories that matter
A chimney starter, a good thermometer (ideally dual-probe), heat-resistant gloves and a cover are the essentials. Heat deflectors and flex racks expand what you can cook.
Running costs
Charcoal costs more per cook than gas, but lump charcoal and efficient kamados can stretch a bag a long way.
Not sure about charcoal?
Compare with our guides to the best pellet grills and best gas grills.
Frequently asked questions
Is a kamado worth the money?
If you cook low-and-slow often or want a single cooker that can sear, roast and smoke efficiently, yes. Kamados burn charcoal slowly and hold temperatures well. If you mostly grill quickly on weeknights, a gas grill is more practical.
Lump charcoal or briquettes?
Lump charcoal burns hotter and cleaner with more variable chunk sizes, which is great for searing. Briquettes burn more uniformly and last longer, which is handy for long cooks. Many cooks use both.
How heavy are ceramic kamados?
Very — often well over 100 lbs with the stand. Plan where it will live and how you'll move it. Ceramic can crack if dropped or subjected to rapid temperature changes.
Charcoal vs. pellet?
Charcoal gives you stronger flavor and higher searing heat but needs more attention. Pellet grills are more convenient and consistent but sear less.
Alex Mercer brings 15 years of experience and a practical editorial approach to Backyard Review. Alex compares published product information, installation needs and ownership costs, highlighting trade-offs and distinguishing research from documented hands-on experience.
