The 11 Best Charcoal Grills You Can Buy Right Now

Nine out of 10 dads agree that the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is the de-facto charcoal grill. (The tenth dad was too busy reaping the rewards of his latest barbecuing bonanza.)

“This is what people think of when they think of a charcoal grill,” said Papantoniou. “It has great wheels to move around, a great ash collector, and stay-cool handles. You can help control the temperature from the top with the vent on the lid and it allows you to create cooking zones.”

That said, she noted that she finds the Weber Original “a little harder to learn how to use due to the round shape,” but appreciated that “you can mount the charcoal high, which gives you nice heating.”

Boasting the capacity to hold up to 13 burgers, its design isn’t just about searing steaks: Using a charcoal grill is just as much about the experience. That’s why Weber designed this grill with a hinged cooking grate that makes adding charcoal a breeze, a porcelain-enameled lid and bowl for optimal rust and peeling resistance, and a hook on the lid so you don’t have to place it on the ground. Combine this thoughtful design with rust-resistant aluminum dampers, a built-in lid thermometer, and one-touch cleaning system, and it’s safe to say the Weber Original will be your go-to grill for years to come.

You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg (or a wing and a thigh) to get a quality charcoal grill. Case in point: The Char-Griller Super Pro Barrel, which, unlike other budget-friendly grills, features shelves that are handy for holding your favorite condiments and seasonings. (Though the Good Housekeeping Institute’s testers found that the front shelf is too small to hold much of anything besides a few barbecue utensils.)

Praising it for being “easy to put together, lightweight, and easy to use,” Papantoniou said the Super Pro Barrel is “really good for that person who’s just trying to grill.” She also called attention to the “second warming rack, which you don’t find in a lot of charcoal grills,” and rectangular cooking surface, which “makes it easier to manage coals and create cooking sections.”

This affordable charcoal grill is all about the heat: Its durable steel barrel offers excellent heat transfer, while the cast-iron cooking grates generate even heat distribution. Furthermore, accessories like an adjustable coal grate, built-in temperature gauge, and heat damper give you full control over your grill’s temperature, so you can avoid any tragic mishaps like—gasp—rubbery, overcooked scallops. And when you’re finished cooking up a storm, just dump out the convenient ash pan for easy clean-up.

If you’re an avid griller with money to burn, there’s no better way to treat yourself than with the Original PKTX. Its convenient 2-in-1 design and 300-square-inch grilling surface are the key to it being the ultimate splurge-worthy charcoal grill.

This model doesn’t come with an ash cleaner and a tool holder, but it makes up for its shortcomings by pulling double-duty as a grill and a smoker. And don’t even get us started on the Original PKTX’s plethora of features, like a stainless steel grate, durable rubber wheels, a solid handle, and two vents each on the bottom and top of the grill.

Impressed? You’re not alone: The Good Housekeeping Institute was also wowed by this grill’s ease of use and “really nice” design, which they remarked was “relatively easy to put together” because the “body sits right on top, [so there is] no need to screw [anything] together.” Whether you’re smoking brisket or roasting beer brats, the Original PKTX will keep you satisfied for years to come. And if you’re hesitant to believe the hype, PK Grills offers an outstanding 20-year warranty to back it up.

Char-Griller's Flavor Pro is the greatest triple threat since J.Lo. It can function as a gas, charcoal, or pellet grill. This 4-burner grill’s user-friendly design features a flavor drawer for depositing your favorite charcoal or wood pellets—so you can impart some serious smokey flavor when you’re in the mood, or just fire up the gas to sear a couple sausages if you’re in a hurry. However, make sure you don’t open the drawer while you’re grilling, because the stainless steel grates sit directly on top.

The Good Housekeeping Institute’s pros noted some slight temperature inaccuracies during some tests, but that wasn’t enough to distract them from the Flavor Pro’s impressive depth. Panelists appreciated how this grill was so spacious that it could “fit a whole animal,” and they noted that steaks came out “very, very tasty and juicy” and chicken was “juicy inside” while having “crispy skin” on the outside.

There’s even more to love about this multifunctional model. The Flavor Pro’s four wheels don’t come with a locking mechanism, but testers found they were sturdy enough on their own while being easy to maneuver.

You probably don’t need to be told that you’re a grill master, but you’ll certainly feel like one with the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker. From smoked beef brisket and seared hanger steak to grilled summer fruit kebabs, the possibilities are endless with its reversible cast-iron grates and porcelain-coated warming/smoking racks.

Papantoniou hasn’t tested this sizeable grill herself, but she explained that avid smokers and grillers may appreciate the Gravity Series 560’s unique design. “The way it works is that the charcoal gets fed into the hopper on the side and it kind of works like a pellet grill in that you set it to heat to a certain temperature.” In fact, the charcoal hopper holds up to 16 pounds of briquettes or 10 pounds of lump charcoal—enough to last you 12-15 hours!

In addition to boasting a built-in temperature gauge and meat probe thermometer to monitor your food, this Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled model allows you to adjust its digital fan and maintain the temperature using the grill’s digital control panel or on your smartphone using the accompanying app. Plus, the Gravity Series 560 “uses indirect heat, so you’re not actually cooking over coals—it heats like an oven, which reduces flare-ups,” said Papantoniou. And once you’re all done feasting on the fruits (or, should we say, meats) of your labor, clean-up is practically mess-free thanks to the removable grease tray, which does a great job of catching any excess drippings.

Pizzas, potatoes, and pies, oh my! Anything is possible with the Kamado Joe Classic II's roomy 18-inch cooking surface.

Boasting a wider and more shallow base, this grill’s thoughtful design offers a plethora of convenient details—including two foldable shelves with tool holders, a slide-out ash tray, and a grate gripper to add more coals as you cook. On top of being a breeze to use and assemble, the Classic II also features a large handle, foldable shelves, and four wheels for easy transport.

The Good Housekeeping Institute’s kitchen pros found the Classic II's thermometer to be less responsive than other models they tested. Nonetheless, this stable grill made up for any shortcomings with its phenomenal heat retention, which can be attributed to the “large gasket around [its] base to keep air and heat in [and] prevent slamming.” Testers were also pleased with the clear markings of the vent up top, so you can control how wide it’s opened or closed.

Whether you don’t grill that often or you’re just grilling for one or two, Nexgrill’s Cart-Style Charcoal Grill offers just the right amount of cooking space at 572 square inches. In addition to boasting dual air vents, the adjustable charcoal tray can be raised or lowered to precisely control the firebox temperature, so you don’t run the risk of overcooking your grilled shrimp.

“It’s a super basic, solid, and compact charcoal grill,” said Papantoniou. “It has a straightforward, solid design.” Despite its small size, the Nexgrill Cart-Style Charcoal Grill still comes with all the essentials you’ll need for a satisfying cooking experience, such as a removable ash catcher, two heavy-duty wheels, a built-in temperature gauge, and a side shelf with two hooks for hanging up your cooking utensils. It’s good to keep in mind, though, that while the porcelain-coated cast iron grates don’t require any seasoning, you’ll need to take a bit of extra care when cleaning to avoid damaging their fragile exterior.

As the largest model we recommend, one thing is for sure: The Dyna-Glo Dual Zone Premium Charcoal Grill is dynamite!

Its double-walled lid and front firebox ensure excellent heat retention while the two charcoal trays ensure each zone remains at the right temperature, so you can quickly roast corn on the cob in one spot while keeping your chicken kebabs warm in another. And whether you’re just cooking for two or a whole crowd, the removable firebox divider allows you to expand or divide your cooking zones based on your needs.

Papantoniou has not tested this model herself, but she called the Dual Zone Premium “a durable, solid grill,” and noted that despite its sturdiness, it’s still “easy to move around, even on tough terrain.” Moreover, she pointed out that this solid performer comes equipped with multiple features that keep safety and ease of use at the forefront: “It allows you to adjust the coals through the doors without moving the grates, which is helpful, and it has an adjustable coal bed, which can help you control the temperature. And then the side shelves are very useful for prep work.”

Though many of these features cause this grill to be on the bulkier side, we still think it's an excellent option for entertaining if you have the extra space.

You’ll never sacrifice flavor for design ever again with the Oklahoma Joe's Rambler. This ultra-portable tabletop grill’s adjustable racks and removable ash catcher offer the utmost convenience from start-up to clean-up. Plus, the two large handles are easy to grip, taking all the grunt work out of transportation and storage—so you can easily bring the barbecue party with you wherever you go.

While it may “[require] a learning curve” in terms of stacking and monitoring coals, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s experts were still big fans of this charcoal grill’s sturdy design and small footprint. Furthermore, they noted: “In our tests, this grill achieved solid sear marks on chicken and maintained temperature well.”

Whether you’re kicking back at the beach, the park, a tailgate, or the comfort of your backyard, The Cube Grill lets you enjoy the rich, smoky flavor of freshly grilled food wherever you are.

Proof that good things come in small packages, the key to this innovative charcoal grill’s portability is in its construction: It offers a porcelain-enameled firebox, stainless steel racks, and not one, but two safety latches to ensure it remains tightly sealed during transport. This compact grill was designed in collaboration with British celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal for optimal convenience and portability.

Calling The Cube Grill “easy to clean and lightweight,” Papantoniou said the Good Housekeeping Institute found it effectively “fit four 4-inch burgers” on its surface. Yes, that’s a bit small for such a high price tag, but we think users will still appreciate the various protective features, including stay-cool chrome handles, built-in heat protection shield, and removable charcoal tray and stainless steel cooking tray.

Furthermore, Papantoniou pointed out that the grill’s lid “doubles as a prep board and storage container, which [the manufacturer says] is food-grade, but I don’t know that I would use it to store food unless it’s cooked. I’d use it more for [barbecuing] utensils.”

Just because you’re roughing it in the wilderness doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of the creature comforts of civilization. BioLite’s FirePit+ is designed to add a little “glamp” to your campsite.

“This model is super-cool,” said Papantoniou. “Basically, it is a fire pit that doubles as a grill because it comes with a grilling grate.” The transition from bonfire to barbecue is simple: Just lift the fuel rack to toss in your charcoal or wood, throw some marinated teriyaki chicken on the grate, and you’ve got yourself a hibachi-style grill.

The FirePit+’s patented airflow technology and long battery life work in tandem to create hyper-efficient flames with a burn time range of seven hours on high and 14 hours on medium all the way up to 30 hours if you operate it on the low setting. In addition to boasting a sleek enamel coating for optimal durability, cleanability, and resistance to high temperatures, it also offers Bluetooth connectivity, so you can monitor and adjust your fire from your phone without having to leave the comfort of your seat.

Though Papantoniou noted that “the grate is smaller and less wide than other grill grates,” the FirePit+ makes up for its shortcomings by coming equipped with “a removable power hub with a fan that helps control the temperature of your coals. Plus, it’s highly portable with handles on the sides and collapsible legs, so you can really take it on the go.” What’s more, its body is designed to intensify a fire’s heat and radiate it outward—so you get more of that smoke in your food and less in your lungs.