Fuel, the way the cooker makes a sear and the way it holds low heat decide more than grate size or brand.
Fuel decides the flavor and the work
- Pellet (Navigator 850): a controller feeds hardwood pellets to hold your setpoint. Easy and steady, with mild smoke flavor.
- Gravity-fed charcoal (Gravity 1050): charcoal flavor with a fan doing the vent work.
- Kamado (Classic Joe I, AKORN): charcoal in an insulated body, controlled by vents. Very hot or very low, but you learn the vents.
- Offset (CC1830S): wood or charcoal in a side firebox. The most hands-on and the most traditional.
- Propane with a pellet box (FlexFlame): gas convenience, with pellets for flavor.
- Electric with a smoke box (Woodfire XL): plug in and cook; the lightest smoke flavor of the group.
- Kettle (Original Kettle 22): plain charcoal, smoking by arrangement of the coals.
For the broader fuel debate, see gas vs charcoal vs pellet grill. If you're weighing a pellet cooker against a dedicated smoker, our pellet grill vs a traditional smoker comparison covers that choice.
How each type sears
A sear needs direct, high heat under the food. Each combo gets there differently:
- The Navigator 850's Flame Broiler slides open so the fire pot's flame reaches the grate. Pellet grills without a flame zone cook indirectly and sear poorly.
- The Gravity 1050 runs up to 700°F and flips its cast iron grates to the sear side.
- Kamados open their vents and put the food right over the charcoal, up to 750°F on the Classic Joe I and 700°F on the AKORN.
- The CC1830S and the Kettle sear over coals in the main pan or bowl.
- The FlexFlame sears over its burners, and the Woodfire XL sears on a fully preheated grate over an electric element.
Our guide to direct vs indirect grilling explains how to set up both zones.
How each type holds low temperatures
Digital control is the easiest: the Navigator, Gravity 1050, FlexFlame and Woodfire XL all hold a setpoint you choose, and all have an app. Kamados hold low temperatures with vents and insulation; once they settle, they stay steady on little fuel, but you learn the vents first. The CC1830S and Kettle need the most attention: you manage the fire and dampers through the cook.
Cooking area: main grate vs total
Makers often list total area, which includes warming racks and second tiers. The main grate is what you can sear on. Compare the CC1830S's 443 sq in main grate with its 811 sq in total, or the AKORN's 325 sq in cast iron grate with its 445 sq in total.
Power, fuel and space
Four picks need an outdoor outlet: the Navigator 850, Gravity 1050, FlexFlame and Woodfire XL. The FlexFlame also needs a 20 lb propane tank. Weight matters if the cooker will move: about 175 lb for the Navigator and 135.8 lb for the FlexFlame, against about 39 lb for the Woodfire XL. Ceramic kamados are heavy too; the steel AKORN is the lighter kamado. Follow each manual's clearance and outdoor-use rules.
Warranty differences
Coverage runs from 1 year (Gravity 1050, CC1830S, Woodfire XL) through 5 years (Navigator 850, AKORN) and 10 years (FlexFlame, Kettle bowl and lid) to lifetime on the Classic Joe I's ceramics. Coverage varies more than price suggests. Cookers with fans, controllers and Wi-Fi have more parts to fail, so the warranty counts for more on those.
Combo or two cookers?
A combo saves space and money, but each job involves a compromise somewhere: a smaller sear zone, a smaller grate or more fire tending. If you smoke big briskets most weekends and grill only now and then, a dedicated smoker plus a cheap kettle may suit you better. See our best smokers for dedicated smokers, or best smokers for beginners if it's your first one.
