If you want the best charcoal grill for backyard cooking, whether it is a family BBQ or your first real grill, I have put together the top models I trust, how they differ, and which one makes sense for your budget and goals.
Below, I link out to in-depth reviews for the charcoal grill brands and styles I trust, along with quick guidance on who each one is best for.
If you already know what kind of grilling you like to do, you can jump straight to the section that fits you best.
Quick picks if you just want a starting point:
- Classic backyard charcoal: Weber
- Best build quality: PK Grills
- Set-it-and-relax charcoal control: Spider Grills
- Small space and quick cooks: Fuego
- Simple high-heat cooking: Cast iron hibachi
- All-day heat retention: Kamado grills
Best Charcoal Grill Brands and Styles
Weber Charcoal Grills
If you ask most people to picture a charcoal grill, they picture a Weber kettle. There’s a reason for that.
Weber charcoal grills are easy to use, easy to control, and tough enough to last for years. They’re a great choice if you want something that can handle burgers, steaks, ribs, and even low-and-slow cooks without a steep learning curve.
If you’re looking for a dependable, all-around charcoal grill, Weber is usually where I tell people to start.
→ See my full Weber charcoal grill reviews
PK Grills (Portable Kitchen)
PK grills are built differently from most charcoal grills, and that’s what makes them special.
These grills use a thick cast aluminum body that holds heat extremely well. They are excellent for both grilling and indirect cooking. They shine when you want steady temperatures without constantly adjusting vents.
PK grills aren’t cheap, but they are made for people who want long-term durability and better heat control than a basic kettle.
→ Read my PK grill reviews
Spider Grills (Digital Charcoal Control)
Spider grills are for people who love charcoal flavor but want modern control.
With digital airflow control and app-based temperature monitoring, Spider grills take a lot of the guesswork out of charcoal cooking. They’re especially appealing if you like low-and-slow cooks but don’t want to babysit vents all day.
If you want charcoal flavor with tech-assisted control, Spider grills are worth a serious look.
→ Check out my Spider grill reviews
Fuego Charcoal Grills
Fuego grills stand out because of their vertical design and compact footprint.
They heat up fast, use charcoal efficiently, and work well for people with limited patio or deck space. While they’re not built for long overnight cooks, they’re great for quick grilling sessions when space matters.
If you want something different from the usual kettle style, Fuego grills offer a unique option.
→ See my Fuego grill reviews
Cast Iron Hibachi Grills
Sometimes, simple is best.
Cast-iron hibachi grills are small, heavy, and incredibly durable. They’re perfect for high-heat grilling, tabletop cooking, camping, or anyone who wants a no-frills charcoal experience.
They don’t offer much temperature control or cooking space, but what they do, they do very well.
→ View my cast-iron hibachi grill picks
Kamado Charcoal Grills
Kamado grills are ceramic charcoal grills that excel at heat retention and temperature stability. They are heavier, more expensive, and slower to heat up than standard charcoal grills, but they offer incredible control for both grilling and low-and-slow cooking.
If you are the kind of cook who likes dialing things in and running longer cooks without constant adjustments, a kamado might be a better fit than a traditional kettle grill.
I have put together a full breakdown of the most popular kamado grills, how they compare, and who they’re actually best for.
→ See my Kamado grill reviews
How to Choose the Right Charcoal Grill
If you’re still unsure which direction to go, here’s a quick way to narrow it down:
- Want classic backyard grilling? Start with Weber
- Care about heat retention and build quality? Look at PK Grills
- Want charcoal with digital control? Spider Grills
- Need something compact and fast? Fuego
- Want simple, high-heat cooking? Cast iron hibachi
Choosing the right charcoal grill comes down to how you cook, how much space you have, and how hands-on you want to be.
Cheap Charcoal Grills
I think most of us (me included) started with a cheap charcoal grill from a hardware store or big box store. And honestly, that’s not a bad way to learn.
But cheap grills usually come with the same problems: thin metal, leaky vents, and temperature swings that make you feel like you’re doing something wrong.
If you are just getting started, go cheap to learn the basics. If you want better results with less frustration, step up to a proven brand like Weber, PK, or even a kamado.
Still not sure what type of grill fits you best? Start here: outdoor grill reviews.
Now that you have a bit of an understanding of charcoal grills, I advise you to spend a little more and look at some of the better brands.
Related Read: Why A Quality BBQ Costs More
About Charcoal
I will be adding more information about what I think are the best charcoal grills, but let’s have a look at charcoal and what it is.
If you would like to know more about it, I think the best article to start with is my how charcoal briquettes are made.
This is the one most people use, although there is also hardwood lump charcoal, and here is the difference.
- Briquettes burn longer and with a more consistent temperature
- Lump charcoal burns hotter and shorter
What Are The Best Charcoal Grills?
This question is impossible to answer, but this is how I answer this question.
But I would say this: the best charcoal grill is the one you actually learn and use often.
If you want my shortcut, start here:
Want ceramic heat stability? Kamado grills
Want classic backyard grilling? Start with Weber
Want rock-solid heat retention? Look at PK Grills
Want easier low-and-slow control? Spider Grills
Charcoal Grills – My Experience
I have cooked on just about every style of charcoal grill over the years, from cheap box-store kettles to heavy, well-built grills that hold heat like a vault.
Charcoal grills don’t need to be complicated to be good. The best ones are the grills that fit how you cook and make you want to light them more often. That’s why I focus on brands and designs that actually perform in real backyard conditions, not just on paper.
If you want deeper breakdowns, comparisons, and hands-on notes, use the links above to dig into the full reviews. That’s where the real details live.
I even learned how to smoke on a charcoal grill just by trying and messing it up a few times.
Robert Chill
Robert Chill loves to cook on grills and uses all types of recipes and techniques to cook some awesome food. With his experience, he can share many reviews, tips, and ideas on how to useany type of grill. You can read more about him here.