Smart Shopper is reader supported. When you shop our picks, we may receive a commission.
Show off your Grill Master skills with the best charcoal grills
A good charcoal grill can make the difference between a flavorful barbeque or a burnt piece of meat and we’re here to help you make the right choice.
Compare charcoal grills | ||||||||||||
Royal Gourmet 30 inch Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker | Char-Griller Double Play 3-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill | Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill | Dyna-Glo Heavy-Duty Large Charcoal Grill | Pit Boss Charcoal/Pellet Combination Grill | Masterbuilt 30 in. Gravity Series 1050 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker Black | |||||||
Price You save $20.99 (14.99%) $119$139.99 | Price $449 | Price $71 | Price You save $35.50 (12.43%) $250.09$285.59 | Price $599.99 | Price $899.99 | |||||||
Shopping links | Shopping links | Shopping links | Shopping links | Shopping links | Shopping links | |||||||
Consumer ratings Average star rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars at Amazon | Consumer ratings Average star rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars at Home Depot | Consumer ratings Average star rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars at Weber | Consumer ratings Average star rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars at Home Depot | Consumer ratings Average star rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars at Tractor Supply | Consumer ratings Average star rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars at Ace Hardware | |||||||
Specifications | ||||||||||||
Dimensions (in) 48.82 x 45.67 x 27.95 in. (H x W x D) | Dimensions (in) 49.2 x 30.5 x 66 in. (H x W x D) | Dimensions (in) 15 x 19.5 x 11.5 in. (H x W x D) | Dimensions (in) 50.98 x 55.79 x 28.43 in. (H x W x D) | Dimensions (in) 49.7 x 56.6 x 34.5 in. (H x W x D) | Dimensions (in) 61 x 52 x 33 in. (H x W x D) | |||||||
Warranty | Warranty | Warranty | Warranty | Warranty | Warranty | |||||||
Special features Adjustable height for better temperature control | Special features Gas grill and charcoal grill options | Special features Lids lock to keep food safe | Special features Charcoal tray adjustment crank lets you customize cooking temperatures | Special features Supports eight different cooking methods, can be used with charcoal or wood pellets | Special features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, dedicated pizza oven | |||||||
Pros & cons
| Pros & cons
| Pros & cons
| Pros & cons
| Pros & cons
| Pros & cons
|
There’s nothing better than getting your grill going on a bright sunny day with your friends and family. Unlike a gas grill, the charcoal grill gives meat a nice, smokey flavor and a beautiful sear.
If you’re looking for the best-rated charcoal grill to showcase your grilling skills, you’re in luck. We’ve listed our top charcoal outdoor grills to give you the best charcoal BBQ in time for your next cookout.
Ready to cook up a storm?
Read more: Make prepping easy with these knife sets
Specifications:
Cooking space: 811 sq. in.
Dimensions: 48.82 x 45.67 x 27.95 in. (H x W x D)
Weight: 49.8 lbs.
Pros & Cons
Wheels for easy maneuvering
Adjustable height for better temperature control
Side door charcoal access
Paint may crack from high heat
For juicier, tender barbequed meat get the Royal Gourmet 30-inch Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker. With 811 square feet of surface area, you’ll have ample space for all your cooking needs.
The two-level height-adjustable charcoal pan maintains internal temperature to create better heat control while the two-wagon-style wheels make it easy to move it around. You’ll love the temperature gauge that indicates any changes in the temperature that will affect your cooking, too.
Plus, with a side door charcoal access, adding charcoal or removing ash will always be a breeze.
For large gatherings
Specifications:
Cooking space: 1260 sq. in.
Dimensions: 49.2 x 30.5 x 66 in. (H x W x D)
Weight: 158 lbs.
Pros & Cons
Non-sticky surface
Choose between gas or charcoal grill
Comes with a grill cover
Reports of grills being more prone to rust
Assembly requires a learning curve
Looking for a large charcoal grill to cook for a big crowd? The Char-Griller Double Play 3-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill can accommodate up to 43 burgers in one go. With a grill cover, ash catcher and adjustable fire grate, you have everything you need to make BBQ day easy.
The charcoal grill allows you to manually control the temperature and flavor of your meat while the gas grill lets you whip a quick meal for when you’re in a hurry.
Worried about cleaning? The porcelain-coated grates make for a non-sticky surface so you don’t have to put in the work when scrubbing your grates clean of grease.
Top portable option
Specifications:
Cooking space: 160 sq. in.
Dimensions: 15 x 19.5 x 11.5 in. (H x W x D)
Weight: 13.4 lbs.
Pros & Cons
Lightweight
Lids lock to keep food safe
Plated steel grate is easy to clean
Sharp edges on aluminum sliders
Lid handle can get hot during cookouts
This Weber Charcoal Grill makes the perfect companion to test your cooking skills when on an adventure. Weighing less than 20 pounds, it comes with a locked lid and a convenient rectangular shape and fits in your car.
Its plated steel cooking grate retains heat and is easy to clean so you can cook from anywhere without worrying about cleanups. It also comes with dampers to control the temperature inside your grill.
If you want sizzling hot dogs on your outdoor adventures, this is the charcoal grill for you!
Best heavy-duty grill
Specifications:
Cooking space: 686 sq. in.
Dimensions: 50.98 x 55.79 x 28.43 in. (H x W x D)
Weight: 88 lbs.
Pros & Cons
Comes with storage rack and side tables for food prep
Adjustable charcoal tray crank
Heavy-duty charcoal access door
No ignition system
Can be hard to assemble
This heavy-duty charcoal grill from Dyna-Glo leaves plenty of room to explore new recipes for your next barbecue session. With side tables and a storage rack, you’ll have space to prep food and store ingredients.
Designed for better control, this grill is built with a stainless temperature gauge and an adjustable crank to the charcoal tray for better temperature control on searing. The cast iron and steel charcoal access door also provides a convenience for loading charcoal.
Cleaning is made even easier with the removable ash pan to help with disposing of ash and grease quickly.
A hybrid option
Specifications:
Cooking space: 1230 sq. in.
Dimensions: 49.7 x 56.6 x 34.5 in. (H x W x D)
Weight: 203.9 lbs.
Pros & Cons
Dial-in digital control board for easy monitoring
Supports eight different cooking methods
Supports charcoal and wood pellet usage
Heavier than other grills
This Pit Boss Charcoal/Pellet Combination Grill is a BBQ charcoal grill and a pellet grill in one. With an 8-in-1 cooking versatility and the option to use real-wood flavor or classic charcoal, there’s no limit to your cooking methods and flavor experiments.
The flame broiler lever lets you achieve instant direct or indirect heat while the dial-in digital control board works seamlessly with Pit Boss meat probes to help adjust cooking temperatures and track fuel without opening the lid.
Whether you’re smoking jerky, searing your catch of the day or baking muffins, this Pit Boss Grill will help you get it done.
Top digital pick
Specifications:
Cooking space: 1050 sq. in.
Dimensions: 61 x 52 x 33 in. (H x W x D)
Weight: 203 lbs.
Pros & Cons
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
Dedicated pizza oven
Large hopper to hold charcoal
Reports of issues with digital control button
This smart charcoal barbecue grill from Masterbuilt makes cooking a storm more convenient. Thanks to its Masterbuilt App Connectivity and smart device control, you can control everything directly from your mobile phone.
For convenience, this grill is equipped with a fire starter, a digital control panel, a digital fan control and a folding front shelf for extra space. It even has a dedicated pizza oven that can also be used to bake cookies and bread.
Additionally, the GravityFed hopper holds up to 10 pounds of lump charcoal or 16 pounds of briquettes for up to eight hours of use so you won’t have to worry about constantly feeding charcoal to fuel your fire.
FAQs
How do I choose a charcoal grill?
What are the pros and cons of a charcoal grill?
The best charcoal grills revealed
We’ve reviewed each option on our list carefully to bring you the best grills. If you still need help narrowing it down, here are our top two recommendations:
Masterbuilt 30 in. Gravity Series 1050 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker Black: Not only can you control this grill with your mobile phone, but it also has a large cooking surface and is a versatile cooking option.
Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill: We love that it’s compact, portable and functions well to help you achieve a smoky flavor wherever you are.
If you’re a fan of cookouts, this list of the best charcoal grills is everything you need. Start shopping today!
Did you like this article? For more great deals and shopping ideas, find us now on your favorite social networks: Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!
Prices updated on 05/08/2024. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
A journalism graduate from Curtin University, Afina Najib specializes in writing tech, finance, automotive and wellness content. Now residing in Kuala Lumpur, Afina spends her weekends hitting the gym or watching Formula 1 races.