Best Kamado Grills for 2024

Top Rated Kamado Grills

Want one charcoal grill for everything? Consider the kamado, a modern spin on a centuries-old Asian cooking style. Kamados grill, smoke, and bake — effectively, they’re three outdoor kitchen appliances in one. Their insulating properties and ovoid shape rewrite the book on heat retention while encouraging delicious smoky flavors… but not all kamados are created equal! Over two decades of in-house testing by our experts support these hand-picked superstars based on their quality, performance, and features.

  • Quality - When judging kamado grills, our experts look for thick ceramic insulation, or some equivalent material. Kamados need mastery of heat absorption, retention, and radiation for that excellent indirect heating. Kamados are built to last — we don’t accept weak cart construction or short warranties. Every component should be of utmost quality.

  • Performance - A kamado grill should produce, and hold, a very wide range of chamber temperatures — and provide relative ease in adjusting them. Performance is where lesser kamados are weeded out, as there’s no clean-cut secret to ceramic grilling success. This is why we eagerly examine each new improvement.

  • Features - Nothing breaks up a neck-and-neck competition like quality-of-life changes. Kamado lids are heavy, so an easy-lift hinge should be standard. Rainproof airflow control towers are major plusses. But, from our personal wish list, we want easy fire access for adding fuel or subtracting ash on every single kamado grill.

Best Overall Kamado Grill

Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker

Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Kamado Grill

What We Love:

  • Kontrol Fan maintains your set cooking temperature and keeps the smoke and heat flowing
  • Air Lift Hinge makes lifitng the lid significantly easier
  • 2-Tier Divide & Conquer Cooking System gives you extra cooking flexability

Honorable Mentions:

Best Built-In Kamado Grill

Blaze Kamado 20-Inch Cast Aluminum Kamado Grill

Blaze Kamado Grill

Expert Review Rating 4.6 out of 5.

What We Love:

  • One inch thick solid cast aluminum provides unmatched durability
  • Cooking grid is hinged on either side for adding additional charcoal
  • Removable stainless steel ash pan with handles makes cleanup easy
Heat retention is one of the most important features of a kamado grill, which are known for holding their temperature during long cooks, and the Blaze kamado is no exception.
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Honorable Mentions:

Best Oversized Kamado Grill

Kamado Joe Big Joe III 24-Inch Ceramic Kamado

Kamado Joe Big Joe III Kamado Grill

Expert Review Rating 4.4 out of 5.

What We Love:

  • Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System allows you to cook a variety of foods at different temperatures
  • Air lift hinge makes lifting the dome a breeze by supporting the lift so you don't wear yourself out
  • Galvanized steel and aluminum side shelves keep your grill in tip top shape, regardles of weather
Designed for flexibility, you can configure the 3-tiered grates to work however you need them too – the options are abundant!
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Honorable Mentions:

Best Entry Level Kamado Grill

Lifesmart 19-Inch Ceramic Kamado Grill

Lifesmart Kamado Grill

What We Love:

  • Durable glazed ceramic holds heat well and saves on fuel
  • Stylish drop-down side shelves provide a helpful prep space
  • 2-tier stainless steel grates and heat deflector give you more ways to cook

Honorable Mentions:

Best Gourmet Kamado Grill

Kalamazoo Shokunin Kamado Grill w/ Oiled Ipe Frame

Kalamazoo Shokunin Kamado Grill

What We Love:

  • Movable chacroal/wood tray allows for 3 different cooking types: high for grilling, mid for roasting, low for smoking
  • Quarter-inch thick, laser-cut grill grates hold heat to make perfect sear marks
  • Adjustable air vents allow for more precise heat control