Top-ranking Charcoal Grills of 2025
It's that time of year again where the warm sunshine lures us all outside to enjoy the great outdoors. A classic British summer scene unfolds along the street as the delicious smell of smoky, charcoal-cooked food wafts through the air.
Although gas barbecues are popular due to their quick and clean nature, they are comparatively expensive and require unwieldy tanks of propane. If you're after that authentic barbecue flavor, then you simply can't beat a charcoal barbecue. Let's delve into the best charcoal barbecues for a variety of gardens in collaboration with our pals at Good Food Magazine.
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Ready to throw a party this summer? Check out our reviews of the best pizza ovens and the best gas BBQs, both in collaboration with Good Food Magazine, and our guides to barbecue accessories and fire pits.
Want to set the scene? See our test of the best solar lights, or our guide to parasols and to help keep your barbecue in tip-top condition, our experts have put the best pressure washers through their paces, so you can buy with confidence.
Best Charcoal Barbecues in 2025
Best Portable Charcoal Barbecue 2025: Napoleon Premium 14 Charcoal Portable
RRP: £84.99Our rating: 4.5/5
This portable kettle barbecue boasts a sturdy design and a handle that makes it ideal for carrying, whether you're taking it to a park, beach, or the back of the car for trips away. The 14-inch grill is big enough for a family of four, and unlike most portable barbecues, it also has a lid with two air vents to help you control the temperature effectively. This is a great alternative to a disposable barbecue. You can use proper lumpwood charcoal with it, and a bag of charcoal fits neatly under the lid, so you can then lock and use the carry handle to store it away or take it with you on the go. We awarded it a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best portable charcoal barbecue of 2025.
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Best Family Charcoal Barbecue: Char-Broil Kettleman
RRP: £259.99Our rating: 4.3/5
With enough grilling space to feed a family of four, this sturdy and robust kettle barbecue is a reliable choice for summer grilling. It boasts an attractive design, smooth opening action, and sturdy wheels that make it easy to move around the patio, decking, or lawn. The food produced on this barbecue is evenly cooked, with clear grill lines. This model does lose heat quickly when opened, however, which means some food takes longer to cook.
Specifications
• Dimensions: 66 x 66 x 99.1 cm• Grill size: 52cm
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Best Premium Charcoal Barbecue: Kamado Joe Series III
RRP: £2,149Our rating: 4.8 out of 5
This huge (130kg) egg-shaped ceramic charcoal grill is a real show-stopper. It offers precise temperature control with vents to adjust airflow, and it can maintain heat for hours, making it perfect for slow cooking. Its unique smooker – the Slōroller – circulates smoke around the inside of the grill, resulting in delicious smoking results. It can even be used to roast a Christmas turkey, and you can purchase a rotisserie attachment to enhance your cooking experience. This versatile barbecue scored near-perfect marks in our cooking tests. It's important to note that this is a high-end barbecue, and all of its parts are of the highest quality. However, at over £2000, this is a significant investment for serious BBQ enthusiasts.
Specifications
• Dimensions: 148.336 x 136.398 x 90.932 cm• Grill size: 61 cm
Best Kettle Charcoal Barbecue: Weber Master-Touch GBS E-5755
RRP: £325Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
The Weber Master-Touch E-5755 charcoal barbecue is a fantastic all-rounder, ideal for entertaining. It's designed for traditional grilling, but also offers the option of smoking and slow cooking with accessories such as a pizza stone, wok, and poultry smoker. It's packed with practical features such as an easy-cleaning system, an ash catcher, and sturdy wheels for easy maneuverability. Grilling is a joy on this barbecue, as it quickly reaches searing temperatures in the middle for burgers while also offering a cooler ring of indirect heat for sides like corn on the cob. It's an investment, but it's well worth it for those who love to entertain.
Specifications:
• Dimensions: 118cm H x 65cm W x 76cm D• Grill area: 2,342 cm2
Best Portable Charcoal Barbecue: Lotus Grill G340
RRP: £175Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
The Lotus Grill is unlike any other barbecue we tested. This portable charcoal barbecue uses an electric fan to reach cooking temperature in just a few minutes. It's simple and well-designed, offering easy, fuss-free cooking. Its cool exterior makes it ideal for introducing kids to barbecuing. Despite its compact size, it can still hold up to four burgers at a time. Although not ideal for barbecue aficionados, the Lotus Grill is perfect for anyone new to charcoal grilling.
Specifications
• Dimensions: 23.4 x 35 x 35 cm• Grill area: 35 x 35 cm
Best Budget Kettle Charcoal Barbecue: Weber Classic Kettle E5710
RRP: £232.99Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
The Weber Classic E5710 offers good, well-thought-out features, an attractive design, and easy-to-use functions. Grilling is a joy on this versatile barbecue, as it quickly reaches searing temperatures while also offering a cooler ring of indirect heat for sides. It's big enough to feed up to six people, is easy to move around, and is a great option for those on a budget. However, due to its size, it can take up space in storage.
Specifications
• Dimensions: 100.3 x 57.2 x 63.5 cm• Grill area: 48 x 48 cm
Best Barrel Charcoal Barbecue: Vonhaus Barrel Charcoal BBQ
RRP: £89.99Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
The Vonhaus Barrel Charcoal BBQ is a sturdy and reliable option for larger gatherings. It offers an efficient cooking surface, a handy warming rack, and a comfortable height for cooking. Despite its large size, its lid fits snugly over the grill and comes with a thermometer to monitor temperature. The only drawbacks are the poor-quality wheels and the fiddly assembly process.
Specifications
• Dimensions: 96 x 89 x 90 cm• Grill area: 73 x 39 cm
Best Ceramic Charcoal Barbecue: Kamado Joe Kettle Joe
RRP: £599Our rating: 4.25 out of 5
The Kamado Joe Kettle Joe charcoal barbecue offers excellent results, thanks to its efficient heat and cooking capabilities. It's also highly versatile, perfect for grilling, smoking, and even cooking pizzas. It is well-constructed, with quality components that feel safe, and its cleaning process is straightforward. However, it sits low for cooking, making it uncomfortable to cook for long periods.
Specifications
• Dimensions: 122 cm x 111 cm x 74 cm• Grill area: 56 cm
Best Charcoal Barbecue with User-Friendly Features: Napoleon 22” Charcoal Kettle Grill Barbecue
RRP: £229.99Our rating: 4.25 out of 5
The Napoleon 22” Charcoal Kettle Grill Barbecue offers excellent cooking results and a range of user-friendly features, including a hook to hang the lid while cooking, hinged grills for topping up fuel, and a temperature gauge on the lid with helpful temperature zones. Its grill distributes heat evenly, offering a joyful cooking experience. Despite some fiddly assembly and a hot exterior, it's a great option for those looking for a hassle-free cooking experience.
Specifications
• Dimensions: 112 x 59 x 70 cm• Grill area: 57 cm
Honorable Mentions
Cobb Premier Air
The Cobb Premier Air offers easy set-up and portability but struggles with uneven heat distribution and a limited cooking space.
Minimax Big Green Egg
The Minimax Big Green Egg offers sturdy construction, easy assembly, and an efficient heat retention system but lacks versatility due to its high heat output and limited space for coal.
Everdure by Heston Blumenthal CUBE charcoal BBQ
The Everdure by Heston Blumenthal CUBE charcoal BBQ offers a deceptively large surface area for cooking, cool-touch handles, and several accessories. However, it struggles with heat control and lacks a temperature gauge.
Boss Grill The Egg XS
The Boss Grill The Egg XS offers excellent temperature control with adjustable firebox and a thermometer. However, it lacks versatility due to its small cooking surface and limited proportions.
Vonhaus Compact charcoal barbecue
The Vonhaus Compact charcoal barbecue offers adjustable smoke/temperature control and several accessories but suffers from a small grill area, poor grill lines, and a fiddly assembly process.
Weber Go-Anywhere charcoal barbecue
The Weber Go-Anywhere charcoal barbecue offers excellent grill size for both direct and indirect cooking, a well-fitting lid with two vents, and a stay-cool ergonomic handle. However, it lacks a temperature gauge and struggles with heat retention, causing food to burn quickly if left unattended.
Choosing a Charcoal Barbecue
Consider size, special features, extra functions, and fuel and lighting options. When choosing a charcoal barbecue, think about the following:
- Size: Bigger isn't always better. Choose a barbecue that fits your outdoor space and your needs.
- Special features: Look for added features like temperature gauges, warming racks, and side tables for plates and sauces.
- Extra functions: Consider charcoal barbecues that can also be used for smoking, grilling, baking, and even tandoori cooking.
- Fuel and lighting options: Avoid self-lighting charcoal that contains chemicals and opt for sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives instead.
Conclusion
Whether you're hosting a family barbecue or a massive gathering, we've covered the best charcoal barbecues for various budgets, cooking preferences, and space requirements. Happy grilling!
This review was last updated in June 2025. We apologize if any information has changed since then.
In pursuit of that authentic barbecue flavor, consider investing in a charcoal barbecue. The best portable charcoal barbecue of 2025 is the Napoleon Premium 14 Charcoal Portable, perfect for taking to parks, beaches, or on trips away. If you're after a reliable family charcoal barbecue for summer grilling, the Char-Broil Kettleman is a sturdy and robust option. For serious BBQ enthusiasts, the Kamado Joe Series III offers precise temperature control, versatile cooking options, and smoking results to die for, although it comes with a hefty price tag. For those on a budget, the Weber Classic Kettle E5710 offers good features, an attractive design, and easy-to-use functions, making it a great option for those who love to entertain.
