If you are searching for a quality smoker, then a Kamado grill is the perfect solution. These grills focus on absorbing heat and then radiating that heat back through the grill. It’s similar to a brick oven for pizza! 
Best Kamado Grills
If you are considering taking a leap and buying a kamado grill, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together some reviews of the more popular grills along with their pros and cons so you can compare similar products. This will give you an idea of what’s available and key features to consider before you make your decision.
1. Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill, Blaze Red
The Kamado Joe Classic II grill has a dual rack system which allows you to place the racks at different heights to grill food at different temperatures. The grill is fueled with charcoal, but the cleanup of the ash is extremely easy. It is collected in an ash drawer that can be pulled out and dumped directly in the trash.
The Kamado Joe has an air lift lid hinge which ensures that the lid will not slam shut abruptly. The grill is also equipped with a wire mesh fiberglass gasket. This is much more durable than standard grill gaskets.
The built-in thermometer gives you a way to monitor the internal temperature of your Kamado without opening the lid. It includes a cast-iron cart with locking wheels for easy transportability.
Pros:
- Counterbalanced lid hinge
- Wire mesh fiberglass lid gasket
- Easy to remove ash drawer
- Dual grilling rack system
- Hot rack grabbing tool
Cons:
- Customer service is not reliable
2. Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Kooker Charcoal Grill
This kamado grill has 314-square inches of cooking surface and it includes a warming rack. The insulated design means you will retain heat in the grill and not use as much charcoal.
The cooking surface is cast-iron, and the body is constructed of 22-gauge steel. It comes with a tubular steel cart and rubber wheels. A locking caster on the front ensures the grill isn’t going to move on you suddenly!
The grill has an adjustable numbered air damper on the top of the lid. This allows you to help control the internal temperature of the grill while you are cooking.
Pros:
- 314-square inches of cooking surface
- Warming rack
- Cast-iron cooking surface
- Adjustable air damper
- Priced at under $500
Cons:
- Paint chips easily off of the exterior
3. Kamado Joe Classic Joe Grill
This 18-inch diameter grill comes with a sturdy cart and locking wheels. It features a “divide and conquer” flexible cooking system which allows you to adjust the placement of the cooking racks so you can cook foods at different temperatures.
The patented slide-out ash drawer gives you the ability to empty the ashes into the trash directly. It includes two side shelves for additional cooking preparation space. If you are looking for a well-built grill for under $1000, then this Classic Joe grill is the grill you need.
With a lifetime warranty on ceramic parts, this grill will give you a lifetime of consistent grilling. The blaze red color will be a bold addition to your backyard!
Pros:
- 18-inch diameter grill
- Includes a sturdy cart and locking wheels
- Two side shelves
- Lifetime warranty on ceramic parts
Cons:
- Paint on the exterior scratches easily
4. Char-Griller Akorn Jr. Red Charcoal Kamado Grill
If you want a grill that gives you the best grilling experience for the money, consider the Char-Grill Akorn Jr. This 14-inch diameter grill has 153-square inches of cooking surface and features top and bottom air dampers to control the interior temperature of the grill. It is durable and lightweight for tailgating or camping.
There are convenient side handles for portability and includes 3 angled legs for easy placement on the ground. With a bottom ash pan, you can dump the ashes easily into the trash for quick cleanup after grilling. You will love the convenience of this compact grill and the even temperatures will make your food taste fabulous!
Pros:
- 14-inch diameter grill
- 153-square inches of cooking surface
- Adjustable air dampers
- Portable
Cons:
- Grilling grate tends to rust
5. Kamado Joe Big Joe II Charcoal Grill
The Kamado Joe Big Joe grill is 24-inches in diameter. It has a cast-iron car with locking wheels and an air lift counterbalanced lid hinge. The adjustable air vent on top of the grill allows you to control the internal temperature of the grill.
The Kamado Joe uses a wire mesh fiberglass gasket which is more durable than standard grill gaskets. The built-in thermometer lets you monitor the temperature inside the grill. Two folding shelves on the side of the grill can be used for food preparation or to hold spices and grilling tools. This bright red kamado grill will be the life of your backyard party!
Pros:
- 24-inch diameter grill
- Cast-iron cart and locking wheels
- Wire mesh fiberglass gasket
- Built-in thermometer
- Two side shelves
Cons:
- Customer service is very poor
6. Louisiana Grills Kamado BBQ Ceramic Grill
This grill from Louisiana Grills is 22-inches in diameter. This equates to approximately 575-square inches of total cooking space! It has a stainless iron top tamper which gives you control of the airflow and temperature inside the grill.
It features dual tier cooking grates which provides more space inside the grill for cooking more food. Classy solid bamboo side shelves can be raised to provide additional food preparation space. The built-in thermometer lets you monitor the temperature of your grill.
Once you have this grill in your backyard, you will be the envy of all your neighbors! You will love the juicy flavors of the food you grill in this kamado-style grill.
Pros:
- 575-square inches of cooking space
- Stainless iron top tamper for airflow control
- Dual tier cooking system
- Two solid bamboo shelves
Cons:
- Bolts on the lid hinge are not strong enough for repeated use
7. Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker Combo With Grill Cover And Cooking Stone
This graphite gray kamado grill from Char-Griller has 314-square inches of total cooking space. The grill includes a Smoking Stone which can be inserted into the grill for a solid cooking stone surface. It also comes with a full-sized grill cover.
The grill comes with an integrated cart that has locking caster wheels. This makes the grill portable so you can move it around in your backyard. The grill has a locking lid and includes two folding black metal shelves. Cleanup of the charcoal ashes is easy. Simply remove the ash pan and dump the contents into the trash!
Pros:
- 314-square inches of cooking space
- Comes with a Smoking Stone
- Includes a grill cover
- Features 2 black metal folding shelves
Cons:
- Assembly is time consuming
8. Char-Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill
This grill from Char-Broil has about 470-inches of cooking space with two individual racks available for food placement. You can smoke, roast or grill your food all in one unit! It features a unique intake channel and top damper which provides easier heating and cooking control.
The ash pan is removed from the top of the grill. This means there is no bottom openings for potential air leaks ensuring heat stays tightly sealed inside the grill. You will love the convenience of this compact grill and the tasty food you are able to produce from this 3-in-1 grill!
Pros:
- 470-square inches of cooking space
- Two individual cooking racks
- Integrated cart and wheels
- Side shelf
- Ash pan removal from the top
Cons:
- Temperatures get extremely hot even with the vents fully open
9. Kamado Joe Classic II Stand-Alone Grill
The Kamado Joe Classic II stand-alone grill uses charcoal as the heat source. Ash is collected in an ash drawer that can be pulled out and dumped directly in the trash. This makes cleanup after grilling extremely easy.
The grill has a dual rack system which allows you to grill food at different temperatures. It has an air lift lid hinge which ensures the lid will not slam shut suddenly. The built-in thermometer gives you a way to monitor the internal temperature of your Kamado without opening the lid.
The grill is also equipped with a wire mesh fiberglass gasket which is more durable than standard grill gaskets. This grill will offer you a lifetime of flavorful grilling.
Pros:
- Wire mesh fiberglass lid gasket
- Air lift lid hinge
- Built-in thermometer
- Easy to remove ash drawer
- Dual grilling rack system
Cons:
- Customer service is not reliable
10. Kamado Joe Joe Jr Charcoal Grill
This is one of the smaller versions of the Kamado Joe charcoal grills. It is 13.5-inches in diameter and comes with a cast-iron grill stand. The built-in thermometer allows you to monitor the internal temperature of the grill while you are cooking.
It features a 304 stainless steel cooking grate and comes with a hot rack grabbing tool. This compact grill is perfect for camping or tailgating and will give you amazing flavorful results every time you use it!
Pros:
- 13.5-inches in diameter
- Cast-iron grill stand
- Built-in thermometer
- 304 stainless steel cooking grate
- Includes hot rack grabbing tool
Cons:
- Ceramic structure seems to crack easily
11. Vision Grills Pro Kamado BBQ Bundle
This Kamado grill from Vision Grills offers 596-square inches of grilling surface. It has a two-tiered cooking grate system and includes an integrated easy-to-read thermometer to monitor cooking temperatures.
Vision Grills has a patented ProZone electric starter port for quickly igniting your charcoal. Two folding side shelves give you additional food preparation space while you are grilling.
Vision Grills offers a limited lifetime warranty on all ceramic parts. This grill comes with a cover so you can protect your grill from the weather elements. This grill allows you to have year-round grilling. You will love the resulting foods this grill produces!
Pros:
- 596-square inches of grilling surface
- Two-tiered grilling system
- Folding side shelves
- Limited lifetime warranty on all ceramic parts
Cons:
- Ash removal is a bit challenging
12. Blaze Cast Aluminum Kamado Grill
If you are looking for a stand-alone grill that will set you apart from your neighbors, then take a look at this Blaze Cast Aluminum Kamado grill. It’s unique design allows you to grill, bake, roast and smoke all with the same grill! It features an overall cooking surface of about 400-square inches.
The premium construction of this grill includes a 1-inch thick cast aluminum body. The cooking grates and hinges are made of 304-gauge stainless steel. The tongue-and-groove design of this grill provides a tightly sealed system that allows for little to no heat loss.
This unique kamado grill will give you a lifetime of grilling satisfaction. Don’t miss out on this beautiful cast aluminum grill from Blaze.
Pros:
- 400-square inches of cooking space
- 1-inch thick cast aluminum body
- 304-gauge stainless steel cooking grates
- Tongue-and-groove design for a tightly sealed grill
Cons:
- Price point is pretty high
Frequently Asked Questions
You may be wondering what are some key features to consider when looking for a kamado grill. We have compiled some FAQs (frequently asked questions) that might help you out.
What Is The Best Material?
Kamado grills are typically made of ceramic, stainless steel or cast aluminum. Ceramic kamado grills tend to last longer since they are rust-resistant. Ceramic also tends to hold and radiate heat better than metal.
Should I Worry About The Warranty?
Anytime you are buying a product that has mechanical parts, you want to look at the manufacturer’s warranty. With ceramic kamado grills, be sure you are getting a grill that has a lifetime warranty against the ceramic parts. This will ensure you are protected if the ceramic ever cracks or breaks.
Which Kamado Grill Is Best For The Price?
There are kamado grills for under $200 and there are some that are close to $2000 or even more. I like the Kamado Joe grills the best for the price they offer. They also have varying sizes of kamado grills, so you can get a smaller one for a lower price if the larger grills are too costly.
Conclusion
There are many kamado grills available on the market. We have provided reviews for you of several products. Now it is time for you to decide which one best fits your needs. Be sure to consider if you want a ceramic kamado or metal. This can narrow down your decision drastically. Also give yourself some peace of mind and be sure you are getting a product with a good warranty.