The best kamado grills for perfectly cooked BBQs every time, tested by our expert

Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?

We’ve carried out hands-on testing with every product in this article, spending hours assembling, cooking and cleaning each grill to ensure it performs to a high standard. Our testing protocols were developed off the back of hours of research into kamado grills and cover all the ways you would want to use them at home.

We use a mix of data and expert judgement to assess kamado grills, considering everything from temperature readings to how easy each model is to manoeuvre and control. This helps us create an accurate review of every grill based on fact and user experience.

Once we’ve finished testing, our senior homes writer, Megan Geall, takes all the feedback and transforms it into easy-to-read reviews. She looks after all our best BBQ content so knows exactly what makes an excellent grill. She is up to date on all the latest trends and regularly speaks to industry experts about the new launches and innovations on the market.

How to choose a kamado grill

If you’re shopping for a ceramic kamado BBQ, these are the key factors to consider before investing.

• The cooking system: The best ceramic grills come with a two-tier or adjustable cooking surface that allows you to move food further away from the heat, offering better control over the results. Some also come with pizza stones or heat deflectors, which let you grill indirectly. This is a great for large, whole pieces of meats (like a roast chicken) or for slow cooking.
• Extra surfaces: Features such as side wings or tool hooks may not seem essential, but they can make a big overall difference to your grilling experience. Side wings are handy for keeping marinades and sauces nearby, while a wheeled stand can make it easier to move heavy ceramic BBQs from one place to another. It’s also worth looking for a model with a waterproof cover if you’re planning to store it outside in the colder months.
• Weight and size: Ceramic kamado BBQs can be big and heavy. And we mean, seriously heavy – the ones in this list weigh up to 91kg. And while most come on wheeled stands, they can still be tricky to move. On the other hand, if you’re cooking for a crowd, you don’t want to be stuck with a kamado grill that’s too small. You’ll need at least a 15” kamado BBQ for a family of four.
• The warranty: As with any large purchase, it’s wise to look at the product’s warranty, so you’re covered in case anything goes wrong. The warranties in this list range from around a year up to a lifetime so it’s worth considering how much protection you want before buying.

What is special about a kamado grill?

These egg-shaped BBQs are made from thick ceramic, which helps them retain heat more effectively than traditional BBQs. This allows them to reach higher temperatures, making them some of the best charcoal BBQs on the market for searing meat and rendering fat.

They also have adjustable air vents that control air flow – drawing it in through the base, feeding the charcoal and releasing it through the top. This circulates the air round the egg-shaped dome, allowing it to reach hot temperatures, while maintaining an even, consistent cook.

Ceramic grills are also built to last thanks to their heavy, premium designs. They’re an investment but one that will provide delicious results for years to come.

Are kamado BBQs worth it?

If you enjoy cooking outdoors, a kamado grill is well worth the investment. You can experiment with different ways of cooking across various meats and dishes, which means dinner time will never be boring.

They can be tricky to get to grips with at first due to the fact you need to control the air vents when cooking; however, once you’ve got the hang of it, they’re incredibly consistent thanks to their ceramic body. We found the food generally tasted better when cooked in a kamado grill compared to a standard BBQ – the circulating air results in a smokier, juicier finish.

Is a kamado a smoker or a grill?

Kamado BBQs are incredibly versatile and can be used as a standard grill or as a smoker. To use as a normal BBQ, open the air vents to create high heats for searing traditional BBQ food like burgers and sausages.

For smoking, keep the vents partially closed and add wood chips. The heat will stay low and steady – the perfect conditions for slow cooking meat.

Are kamado grills good for beginners?

Kamados aren’t the easiest to get to grips with as a beginner but after a few goes, you might be surprised by how intuitive they are. The temperature is controlled by air vents rather than dials or knobs, hence the steeper learning curve at first. They take longer to heat up than regular BBQs too, so some patience is required.

But the delicious results mean they’re worth putting the time in.

What are the cons of kamado grills?

The most obvious downside to ceramic BBQs is the price tag. The more premium models are expensive, with some on our list costing up to £1,450. There are some more affordable options too, but on average, these grills are pricier than a standard BBQ.

The ceramic design also makes them heavy, with some weighing in over 70kg, so you’ll need a permanent spot in your garden. However, most are built into a frame with wheels, making them slightly more portable than they may seem at first.

They’re also slower to heat than normal BBQs, so it’s worth planning in extra time if you’re serving a crowd.

The verdict: What is the best kamado grill to buy?

The Big Green Egg is the original kamado grill and scored 96/100 in our tests (read our Big Green Egg review for all the detail), but it's pricey, so we've focused here on the rival models.

Our overall winner is the Charles Bentley Ottimo Searsmith 18” Kamado BBQ, which scored the same as the Big Green Egg (96/100) but costs around £900 less.

If you're after a budget-friendly, entry level option, we recommend the Habitat Mini Tabletop Kamado BBQ, which can be popped away in the shed when you’re finished.