The 8 Best Charcoal Grills to Buy in 2020

Best Overall: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill

Excellent

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Whether you’re replacing a well-loved grill or buying your very first one, you can’t go wrong with the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill. While widely viewed as the best charcoal grill you can buy, this thoughtfully-designed grill is also quite affordable, costing hundreds less than high-end models. Plus, our reviewer said it took him less than 15 minutes to put it together.

This Weber grill features a porcelain-enameled lid and bowl for optimal heat retention, and the cooking grate can hold up to 13 burgers at once. Our reviewer tested this model by cooking everything from pork to pineapple and found that it's consistently a great choice for beginners and seasoned pros.

There’s a built-in lid thermometer and dampers on the lid that allow you to monitor and adjust the inner temperature. The plated steel cooking grate includes a hinge that allows you to add charcoal while you’re cooking, and the angled lid hook lets you hang the top of the grill on the side of the unit, keeping it off the ground.

When you’re done cooking, the Weber grill has a one-touch cleaning system that lets you sweep ash and debris into the removable ash catcher for disposal.

Best Budget: Weber Original Kettle 18-Inch Charcoal Grill

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If you’re not looking to spend as much on a grill, you might consider a pared-down version of our top pick: the Weber Original Kettle 18-Inch Charcoal Grill. It’s smaller and lacks some of the features of the Premium model, but this affordable Weber Kettle Grill still delivers delicious grilled foods infused with the smoky flavor of charcoal. 

This grill can hold up to nine burgers on its plated steel cooking grate, and it features an enameled porcelain lid and bowl, lid hook, and easy-to-adjust tampers. It has durable wheels for easy transport, and you can clean up quickly using the one-touch cleaning system, which swipes ash and debris into the rust-resistant ash catcher. Many reviewers prefer the “simple” design of this budget-friendly charcoal grill, writing that it’s easy to maintain and even going so far as to call it the “best grill ever made.”

Best with Smoker: PK Grills Original PK Grill & Smoker

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Grilling cooks food quickly using high heat, while smoking uses indirect heat and lower temperatures to cook food slowly. If you like to switch up your cooking style once in a while, you’ll love the PK Grills Original Charcoal Grill and Smoker Combination. This model delivers the best of both worlds, and it’s perfect for both casual grillers and professional chefs. 

This grill is made from cast aluminum for superior heat conduction, and its unique shape and four-point venting system make it ideal for both grilling and smoking foods. It has 300 square inches of cooking surface—that’s big enough for a whole turkey!—and two work shelves where you can prep food. Our product tester said the grill "blew [her] away." The coals got hot quickly and the shape of the grill made it easy to cook multiple types of food.

Best Cart-Style: Nexgrill Cart-Style Charcoal Grill

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Cart-style grills feature wheels on one side so you can easily tilt and move the unit. One of the best charcoal grills in this category is the Nexgrill Charcoal Grill, which gets top marks from reviewers, thanks to its solid construction and reasonable price. 

This charcoal grill can hold up to 19 hamburgers at a time on its primary cooking space, which is equipped with porcelain-coated cast iron grates, and it also features a top-level warming rack for buns and side dishes. There’s a foldable front shelf to provide you with more working space, and you can use the built-in thermometer and adjustable ventilation brackets for heat control. The removable ash catcher makes clean up easier, and reviewers say the wheels and light weight of the unit make it easy to transport.

Best Portable: Weber Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill

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Looking for a charcoal grill that you can bring to the big game or on your next outdoor adventure? Then you should definitely consider the Weber Smokey Joe Portable Charcoal Grill. Just like full-size models from the brand, this 14-inch grill has a porcelain-enameled lid and bowl, as well as steel grates and an ash catcher down below. 

This portable charcoal grill can hold up to seven hamburgers at a time, and the lid’s glass-reinforced nylon handle stays cool during use. Reviewers say this product is an unbeatable value, as it’s easy to tote around to various events and delivers the same caliber of high-quality food as full-size Weber grills. 

Best Kamado: Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill

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Kamado-style grills originated in Asia more than 3,000 years ago, and these oval-shaped cooking vessels have become increasingly popular in the U.S. in recent years thanks to their superior versatility. Kamado grills like the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Charcoal Barbecue Grill can be used to smoke and bake dishes, and they heat up quickly and impart more flavor into food. 

This particular Kamado grill has a triple-walled solid steel construction and features 314 square inches of cast iron grill space, as well as a removable warming rack. It includes a built-in thermometer and can be used to cook at temperatures ranging from 200-700 degrees Fahrenheit. The grill has two convenient folding side tables and utensil hooks, and reviewers say it works great for grilling, smoking, and even baking pizza and other dishes. 

Best Hibachi-Style: Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill With Coal Door

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Hibachi grills are small, portable charcoal grills that are typically made from cast iron, and one of the best ones available is this model from the popular cast iron brand Lodge. While certainly not lightweight—it weighs 30 pounds!—this cast iron grill is ideal for camping, tailgating, or grilling in a small space. 

The Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill measures 10.25 x 8.25 x 19 inches, and it’s built out of American-made cast iron that’s been pre-seasoned for you. The hibachi grill has two adjustable heights, as well as a draft door to regulate heat and a flip-down door that lets you access the coals.

Our reviewer loved the ability to cook meat and vegetable skewers evenly and quickly without using a lot of charcoal. She said the grill retains a lot of heat.