10 of the Best-Reviewed Charcoal Grills on Amazon

It's hard to beat the authentic taste of charcoal-grilled foods, so if you're shopping for a new charcoal grill this year, here are 10 of the best-reviewed models on Amazon.

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1 / 10

The Original Po’ Man Charcoal Grill

A five-star rated charcoal grill on Amazon, The Original Po’ Man charcoal grill will be the talk of your next backyard barbecue. This trash can style cooker has one round grate, a flavor lock drip-plate and two skewers. “It works and is a tremendous value! Truly the equivalent of a slow-cooker style BBQ/smoker. Follow the simple directions to set it up, and let the Po’ Man do its thing. We cooked two chickens and two slabs of ribs on the first go, and they turned out fabulous,” said one buyer. Charcoal vs. gas: Which grill is the one for you?

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2 / 10

Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill

There’s a reason so many people own Weber’s original kettle charcoal grills—it’s a fan favorite. The 18-inch cooking area allows you to cook nine burgers at a time and it has a one-touch cleaning system for hassle-free ash cleanup. And, the dampers allow for easy control over the cooking temperature. “This is the second one I’ve bought. My father used Weber grills, and they are the only brand I will buy. The last one lasted over 15 years. I keep it outside and use it quite often,” said one buyer. P.S. Pair it with the Weber grill basket to take your cooking game to the next level.

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3 / 10
Weber Performer 2021

Weber Performer Charcoal Grill

When it comes to charcoal grills, sometimes workspace is limited. This deluxe charcoal grill from Weber changes that, with space for food prep along with storage space underneath. It features an electronic touch-and-go gas ignition system and removable LCD cook timer and built-in lid thermometer. “Hands down the best grill I have ever owned. Will never buy a gas grill again. Always preferred charcoal to gas but this grill makes lighting charcoal a breeze. Propane ignition lights charcoal in minutes, I have not had to use a chimney nor lighter fluid once. Well-made and solid, easy to assemble,” said one buyer. Here are 30 grill tips you’ll wish you knew sooner.

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4 / 10

Dyna-Glo Stainless Charcoal Grill

With three heavy-duty grates for cooking, you’ll have plenty of room for all those burgers and brats with this stainless charcoal grill from Dyna-Glo. The smoke stack allows for temperature control and the side shelves and storage basket have room for keeping food and grilling tools nearby. “We used our grill for a large BBQ at our house and it was able to handle a large amount of food—chicken, dogs, burgers, veggies. The features make this grill easy to use and adjust to cook your food as you like it. It’s also very attractive on our patio,” said one buyer.

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5 / 10

Char-Griller Akorn Grill

This Kamado style grill from Char-Griller promotes even heating to enhance the flavor of everything you cook. The top and bottom dampers make for easy temperature control and there’s an ash pan for simple cleanup. Buyers noted it’s a great charcoal grill for tailgating, camping and trips to the park, or if you have limited space to keep a grill. “Wonderful grill,” said one buyer. “I am able to reach over 700 degrees with only about 12 coals. It’s insane how quickly it can cook. I was able to cook a thin cut steak in three minutes, about a minute and a half on each side. It’s awesome.” Here are 22 surprising things you wouldn’t think to grill but should.

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6 / 10

Old Smokey Charcoal Grill

If you’re not familiar with the Old Smokey charcoal grill, it’s been a long-time favorite of grillers in southern states, but is now sold around the country. The grill’s 333-square -inch cooking area allows you plenty of space to cook up ribs, chops and chicken. “I have grilled burgers, smoked ribs, made pulled pork, and I have made it hold a temp for 7 hours,” said one buyer. “For the money you cannot beat this grill.” Cook up the best ribs with these five grilling tools.

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7 / 10

Weber 22-Inch Performer Charcoal Grill

For grillers looking for a popular model with a modest amount of storage space, there’s the Weber 22-inch Performer charcoal grill. “The Weber Kettle 22 really is the perfect charcoal grill for weekly use. It’s small enough that you don’t have to load it up with charcoal to obtain heat, and there are countless options and accessories you can buy to really tailor it to your specific needs,” said one buyer. It has space for making 13 burgers at once, and hooks for hanging grill tools, along with a small shelf for keeping food nearby. This is the proper way to use a charcoal chimney to get your coals going.

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8 / 10

KamadoJoe Charcoal Grill

This multi-level charcoal grill from KamadoJoe features a thick-walled, heat-resistant ceramic shelf that locks in smoke and moisture when cooking. It has 406 square inches of total cooking space and a built-in thermometer, along with side shelves for storage. “This is by far the best grill I’ve ever had. I have had over 50 grills—from a Weber gas grill to a Traeger pellet grill. This is by far the best. Food has unbelievable flavor. In my search for the best grill, I have found it,” said one buyer.

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9 / 10

Char-Griller Patio Pro Charcoal Grill

With 250 square inches of cooking space and a side drawer, this Patio Pro charcoal grill from Char-Griller is perfect for everyday use on your deck or patio. The wheels make it easy to move around and it has a wood handle that stays cool even while cooking. “This grill is a good size for two to five people and it will easily handle eight burgers. So far I’ve grilled salmon, chicken breast, burgers and hot dogs on it and they’ve all cooked evenly and browned very well. Because of its smaller size, charcoal usage is reduced but it still gets plenty hot enough to do an effective job,” noted one buyer. These are the 25 grilling tools you need this season.

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10 / 10

Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere Grill

Great for picnics, tailgating and camping trips, Weber’s Charcoal Go-Anywhere Grill has space for grilling six burgers at once. Its compact and lightweight design allows for easy portability. “My urban family agrees that this is the best purchase we made last year. We live in a city and have no yard. Our opportunities for grilling come when we take it to a park or go traveling and we have adored languid afternoons in the park, and using it at rest areas for lunch while on tedious drives,” noted one buyer.

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Rachel Brougham
Rachel Brougham spent years working in newsrooms, for television and newspapers, and has won several awards for her writing. In 2015, she left her full-time job as a newspaper editor to focus on freelance writing and editing. She has been a Family Handyman contributor since 2017.
In 2019, Rachel lived through a major remodeling project on her home, and she uses that experience to inform her Family Handyman content. She's also an avid gardener (both native plants and vegetables), enjoys keeping up with decor trends and spends a lot of time traveling, cooking and hanging out with her family and their giant dog.