A 22-inch kettle is the best place to start: it is affordable, easy to learn, sears and smokes, and is supported by a huge range of accessories. Our favorite is the Weber Original Kettle 22, which scored 4.7/5 in testing.
Hands-on reviews
Charcoal Grill & Smoker Reviews: Every Model Ranked
Charcoal grill reviews for every kettle, barrel, offset and charcoal smoker we tested, ranked by score. Find the best charcoal grill for searing, low and slow smoking or a tight budget.
- 6
- models tested
- 4.4/5
- average score
- October 25, 2026
- last updated
Full ranking
Every charcoal grill we’ve tested, ranked by score
Kettles, barrels, offsets, bullet smokers and gravity-fed models all sit in one ranking because they share one fuel. Charcoal sears hottest and costs least to buy; what you trade is time spent managing the fire, which the buying advice below helps you weigh.
01Best overall4.7Weber
Weber Original Kettle 22"
Best for first-time charcoal cooks and households of 2–6.
- Held 250°F for over 4 hours on one snake-method load in our testing, enough for a rack of ribs without refueling
- One-Touch cleaning swept nearly all the ash into the catcher in one motion
Skip it if: Anyone who wants push-button convenience or long overnight smokes.
363 sq in · Charcoal · tested 4 weeks
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02Best charcoal smoker4.7Weber
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18"
Best for regular smokers of ribs, pork shoulder and brisket.
- Held a steady 225°F for over 9 hours on one Minion Method load in our testing
- The water pan smoothed temperature swings, and pork shoulder came off noticeably more moist than our dry-pan cook
Skip it if: Anyone who wants one cooker for grilling and smoking.
481 sq in total · Charcoal · tested 4 weeks
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034.4Masterbuilt
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050
Best for households of 6–10 who want charcoal flavor without vent work.
- Fan held 225°F within roughly 10–14°F through a 12-hour overnight pork shoulder
- Reached 700°F in about 12 minutes from cold, so one grill smokes and sears
Skip it if: Small patios, tight budgets, or anyone who wants a simple grill with no electronics.
1,050 sq in total · Charcoal · tested 4 weeks
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044.4SnS Grills
SnS Grills MasterKettle 22" Charcoal Grill
Best for charcoal cooks who smoke and sear several times a month.
- The Slow 'N Sear insert ran a 207–265°F smoking zone beside a 485–535°F sear zone in our testing
- Pork shoulders came out with clean apple smoke and a tender interior after 13–15 hours
Skip it if: Casual grillers, or anyone feeding 12+ at once.
363 sq in · Charcoal · tested 40+ hours
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05Best offset value4.2Royal Gourmet
Royal Gourmet CC1830S Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker
Best for first-time offset smokers and budget hosts.
- 811 sq in of total cooking space for about $150, more than twice a Weber kettle's grate
- Smoked a 7-hour pork shoulder with a smoke ring and bark in our testing
Skip it if: Windy yards, or cooks who want set-and-forget smoking.
811 sq in total · Charcoal · tested 4 weeks
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06Best grill and smoker combo3.9Char-Griller
Char-Griller Patio Pro
Best for small patios and first-timers curious about charcoal and offset smoking.
- One of the cheapest barrel charcoal grills from a major brand
- With the add-on side firebox, it smoked baby backs with a smoke ring and bark
Skip it if: Groups of 6+, or anyone wanting heavy-gauge steel and tight seals.
250 sq in primary · Charcoal · tested 3 weeks
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Buying advice
What matters when choosing a charcoal grill
Charcoal gives the highest searing heat and the most flavor for the money. The cost is time spent managing the fire.
- 01
Airflow control
Temperature on a charcoal grill is set by its vents. Tight-fitting lids and precise top and bottom dampers let you hold 225°F for hours or open up for 700°F searing. Leaky budget grills make low-and-slow frustrating.
- 02
Kettle, offset, water smoker or gravity-fed charcoal grill?
Kettles are the most versatile all-rounders; water smokers like the Weber Smokey Mountain excel at long, stable smokes; offsets add a side firebox for stick-burner flavor; gravity-fed units automate charcoal with a digital controller.
- 03
Choosing a charcoal smoker
For dedicated smoking, a water smoker or gravity-fed unit holds 225–275°F with far less tending than a kettle. A kettle can smoke with a two-zone or snake setup, but if long cooks are your main goal, a purpose-built charcoal smoker is the easier choice.
- 04
Ash management
A one-touch sweep and an enclosed ash catcher make cleanup a 2-minute job and keep vents clear on long cooks. Open ash pans are messy and blow around in wind.
- 05
Steel thickness and coating
Porcelain-enamelled steel resists rust far better than painted steel. Thin offsets leak heat and smoke, which is the main reason budget offset smokers are harder to control.
Budget
What each price tier gets you
Budget
Under $200
Classic kettles and entry offsets. A Weber kettle in this range is still the best-value grill you can buy.
3 tested · top scorer: Weber Original Kettle 22"
Mid-range
$200–$500
Water smokers, upgraded kettles with two-zone accessories and better hardware.
2 tested · top scorer: Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18"
Premium
$500+
Gravity-fed digital charcoal smokers and heavy-gauge kettles built to last decades.
1 tested · top scorer: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050
Who should skip a charcoal grill
If you want dinner on the table 15 minutes after you get home, a gas grill is easier. If you want wood-smoke flavor without managing a fire, a pellet grill does more of the work for you.
If you love charcoal but want more heat retention and fuel efficiency, look at a kamado grill. Our kamado vs regular grill guide compares them directly.
Go deeper
Charcoal grill guides
The four guides that matter most if you own or are choosing a charcoal grill.
Best-of guide21 minBest Charcoal GrillsSix hand-tested kettles, offsets and charcoal smokers matched to how you cook and how much you want to tend the fire.Read the guide 
How-to11 minHow to Use a Charcoal GrillLearn to light a chimney without lighter fluid, build the right fire for your food, steer heat with the vents and shut a charcoal grill down safely.Read the guide 
How-to11 minCharcoal Grill Temperature ControlHow to set your vents and coals for smoking, roasting or searing, and how to fix a charcoal fire that runs too hot, too cold or won't hold steady.Read the guide 
How-to10 minDirect vs Indirect GrillingLearn which foods go over the fire, which cook beside it with the lid closed, and how to set up two zones on a charcoal, gas, kamado or pellet grill.Read the guide
Quick answers
Charcoal Grill FAQ
01What is the best charcoal grill for beginners?
02Is a gravity-fed charcoal grill worth it?
If you want charcoal flavor with set-and-forget control, often yes. A gravity-fed hopper feeds charcoal down to the fire while a fan and digital controller hold temperature. They cost more than kettles and have electronics that can fail, so they suit frequent smokers.
03Lump charcoal or briquettes?
Lump lights faster, burns hotter and leaves less ash — ideal for searing and kamados. Briquettes burn longer and more predictably, which makes them easier for long, low-and-slow cooks.
04How do I control the temperature on a charcoal grill?
Use the bottom vent to control how much oxygen feeds the coals and the top vent to fine-tune draw. Open both for heat, close them partway to cool down, and make small adjustments, waiting 10–15 minutes between changes.
05Can you smoke on a charcoal kettle?
Yes. Set up a two-zone or snake method fire, add a few wood chunks, and cook indirectly with the lid vent over the meat. A kettle can hold 225–275°F for several hours.
06Briquettes or lump charcoal: which should I use?
Briquettes burn longer and more evenly, which suits long cooks. Lump lights faster, burns hotter and leaves less ash, which suits quick, hot grilling. Many people keep both.
07How do I control the temperature on a charcoal grill?
With the vents. Open the bottom vent for more heat and close it to cool the fire, keep the top vent mostly open and make small changes. Our charcoal temperature control guide covers the setups in detail.
08Can I use a charcoal grill on a balcony?
Often not. Many fire codes, leases and HOAs ban charcoal on balconies and close to buildings. Check the rules first; an electric grill is the usual alternative.
Keep browsing
Other grill types we’ve ranked
Not set on a type yet? Start with our best grills overall, or see every category winner side by side.
