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Kamado Grills

Expert Picks for January 2026

Best Kamado Grills

The ancient design that does everything. We compared kamado grills for heat retention, versatility, and whether a ceramic egg is really worth more than your first car.

Last updated: January 28, 2026
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Best Overall Our top recommendation
Best Overall
Large Big Green Egg

Big Green Egg

Large Big Green Egg

4.9 (12,456 reviews)

The cult. The legend. The egg that launched a thousand backyards. Holds temperature for hours on a handful of charcoal.

Diameter

18.25 inches

Cooking Area

262 sq in

Weight

162 lbs

Material

Ceramic

Pros

  • βœ“ The original kamado
  • βœ“ Incredible heat retention
  • βœ“ Lifetime warranty on ceramics

Cons

  • βœ— Expensive
  • βœ— Heavy (162 lbs)
  • βœ— Requires dedicated stand

Head-to-Head Comparison

ProductRatingPrice Action
Large Big Green Egg
Large Big Green Egg Best
Big Green Egg
4.9
$1,299 View
Classic III
Classic III
Kamado Joe
4.8
$2,099 View
Classic II
Classic II Value
Kamado Joe
4.7
$1,499 View
Professional C-Series
Professional C-Series
Vision Grills
4.4
$799 View

* Prices may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

All Recommended Products

Best Overall
Large Big Green Egg

Big Green Egg

Large Big Green Egg

4.9 (12,456 reviews)

The cult. The legend. The egg that launched a thousand backyards. Holds temperature for hours on a handful of charcoal.

Diameter

18.25 inches

Cooking Area

262 sq in

Weight

162 lbs

Material

Ceramic

Pros

  • βœ“ The original kamado
  • βœ“ Incredible heat retention
  • βœ“ Lifetime warranty on ceramics

Cons

  • βœ— Expensive
  • βœ— Heavy (162 lbs)
  • βœ— Requires dedicated stand
Premium Pick
Classic III

Kamado Joe

Classic III

4.8 (6,789 reviews)

What happens when engineers improve on the Egg. SloRoller distributes smoke evenly. The innovators kamado.

Diameter

18 inches

Cooking Area

256 sq in per level

Features

Multi-level, SloRoller

Warranty

Lifetime ceramic

Pros

  • βœ“ SloRoller smoke system
  • βœ“ Divide and Conquer racks
  • βœ“ Air lift hinge

Cons

  • βœ— Premium price
  • βœ— Heavy
  • βœ— Cart required
Best Value
Classic II

Kamado Joe

Classic II

4.7 (8,234 reviews)

Premium kamado features without the III price tag. The sweet spot.

Diameter

18 inches

Cooking Area

256 sq in per level

Features

Multi-level cooking

Warranty

Lifetime ceramic

Pros

  • βœ“ Divide and Conquer system
  • βœ“ Great value in kamado
  • βœ“ Air lift hinge

Cons

  • βœ— No SloRoller
  • βœ— Competes with BGE on price
  • βœ— Previous generation
Budget Pick
Professional C-Series

Vision Grills

Professional C-Series

4.4 (3,456 reviews)

Kamado cooking without kamado prices. Performance is surprisingly close.

Diameter

18 inches

Cooking Area

288 sq in

Features

Electric start port

Material

Ceramic

Pros

  • βœ“ Kamado at budget price
  • βœ“ Electric starter port
  • βœ“ Ash drawer

Cons

  • βœ— Thinner ceramics
  • βœ— Less refined
  • βœ— Temperature variance

Buying Guide: How to Choose Kamado Grills

How to Choose a Kamado Grill

Why Kamado?
One cooker that grills, smokes, bakes, roasts, and makes pizza. Ceramic walls retain heat so efficiently you use a fraction of the charcoal.

### Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe
BGE: The original, massive ecosystem. Kamado Joe: More innovation, better value.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kamado Grills

Can kamados crack?

Yes, but rare with proper use. Avoid thermal shock and physical impacts.

How much charcoal do kamados use?

Remarkably little. A low-and-slow cook might use 4-6 lbs over 12 hours.

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