10 Best Charcoal Grills Under 500$ For 2023 : Top Picks

1. Weber 15301001 - Best for Multipurpose Use

Important specification

• Material: Steel.

• Color: Black.

• Item Dimensions: 43.5 x 29 x 42 inches.

• Item Weight: 66.2 Pounds.

Product highlights

The Weber 15301001 falls the 1st place in this best charcoal grills under 500 list. And this range, you'd expect from an oven with some interesting features. 

This oven packs top features like a large workspace. One of the models introduced is the Weber deluxe 15301001 22” grill. It has a lot of great functions that you can use for the best baking experience.

The Weber 15301001 is compatible with a GBS (Gourmet Grill System) insert that can help you easily add and remove charcoal. In addition, the machine also has a hook to hang knives, planers and other baking tools.

The One-Touch ventilation and cleaning system allows you to empty the ash in seconds. Without soiling your hands and debris by sliding into the high-capacity removable ash tray.

Pros

• Easy to clean and easy to use.

• Abundant memory.

• Ceramic bowl.

• Best for beginners to experts.

• 10 years warranty.

Cons

• Coal becomes dirty and harder to clean.

Bottom line

The Weber 15301001 gives you extra workspace to place other items like condiments. This model contains a thermometer to allow you to set the temperature according to your meal. 

Weber performance deluxe is a high-quality product, exactly for its price. You will enjoy its unique features. This Weber charcoal grill is for everyone from beginners to experts.

2. Weber 15401001 - Best for Timing Your BBQ

Important specification

• Material: Porcelain, Alloy Steel.

• Color: Black.

• Item Dimensions: 43.5 x 30 x 48 inches.

• Item Weight: 91 Pounds.

Product highlights

The Weber 15401001 Performer Premium Charcoal Grill has an interesting feature not found on some other grills. Features a circular insert bar. 

In addition to making it easy to add charcoal when grilling, you can also replace the circular insert. In its place you can place a grill, a pizza stone, a poultry grill or other Gourmet BBQ systems. Obviously, this grill offers more cooking methods than just baking.

Pros

• Extra hook to hang the grill.

• Insulated porcelain enameled lid and bowl.

• Easy adding of charcoal.

• Large capacity ash catcher.

• Convenient timer.

Cons

• Hitting the lid can cause the paint to fall off.

Bottom line

Another cool feature on this high-end grill is the built-in timer. This is not a feature that you can easily find in any cheap oven.  

Using the LCD timer, you can set specific baking times, so you never have to worry about constantly checking your food. You don't have to worry that the hot oven will ruin the timer. As this mounted timer is on a workbench attached to the grill.

3. Char Griller E56720 - Best for Kamado Grill

Important specification

• Material: Iron.

• Color: Blue.

• Item Dimensions: 45.2 x 31.3 x 47.4 inches.

• Item Weight: 89 Pounds.

Product highlights

This Kamado BBQ Grill is among the best charcoal grills under $500 because we like the taste on offer and it's easy to use. However, this is simply the tip of the iceberg in terms of overall performance. Let's check out the reviews of the kamado grill.

The AKORN Kamado features indexed dampers and three-wall metal with insulation. The purpose is to deliver moist, delicious meat whenever.

The resulting heat ranges from 200° to 700°F, and because the interior is ceramic coated, it can hold temperature for long periods of time.

Pros

• The top damper is adjustable.

• 314 square inches of main cooking zone.

• Heavy duty swivel casters roll with ease.

• Freely temperature control.

• Easy transport.

Cons

• The quality of the side tables is fairly poor.

Bottom line

Keep flares low with a cast iron cooking grid and grill more with less coals. Easy to clean with a simple pour ash pan. You can keep the hinged lid in place as you cook. 

4. Kamado Joe Jr. KJ13RH - Best for Portable Design

Important specification

• Material: Stainless Steel, Ceramic.

• Color: Blaze Red.

• Item Dimensions: 19.75 x 20.75 x 27 inches.

• Item Weight: 75.58 Pounds.

Product highlights

If you are looking for a portable grill for beach parties, weekend camping, and other outdoor adventures. The Kamado Joe Jr will fit perfectly in the trunk of your car. With all the benefits of grilling the kamado packed into a 68-pound unit that can be easily transported anywhere.

Kamado Joe Jr offers 148.5 square inches of cooking space for cooking, which is pretty good for keeping the family fed and happy. You can grill, smoke, grill and braise. The only problem with Joe Jr is the limited cooking surface.

Pros

• Lifetime guarantee.

• High fired ceramic wall.

• Anti-rust stainless steel material.

• Use fuel efficiently.

• Great for outdoor parties on the beach and weekends.

Cons

• The cooking area is relatively narrow.

Bottom line

Without sacrificing quality for portability, the Kamado Joe Jr is a great choice. This grill and hood combo is compact, durable and versatile. It will take you back to years of outdoor camping and beach barbecues.

5. Weber 15501001 - Best for Ease of Ignition

Important specification

• Material: Porcelain Coated Steel.

• Color: Black.

• Item Dimensions: 30 x 48 x 43.5 inches.

• Item Weight: 91 Pounds.

Product highlights

The Weber Deluxe Charcoal grill is one of the high-end grills with many unique features. It has an electronic Touch-N-Go ignition system that allows you to ignite coals with the push of a button. In addition, it has a built-in lid thermometer that displays the temperature inside your baking dish.

Besides, you can set the timer using the removable backlit LCD timer and control the temperature of the baking dish. The weber grill also has a charcoal holder to make cooking more convenient.

Pros

• Easy to clean.

• Mounted timer.

• High temperature resistance.

• Baking temperature display.

• Precise heat control.

Cons

• Cooking timer only has 99 minutes of egg timer mode.

Bottom line

The 22-inch diameter baking bowl is easy to clean and has a rust-resistant ceramic coating. After the grill has cooled, you can easily remove the ash without removing the grill thanks to the aluminum ashtray. The 2-part recording system makes cooking and cleaning adjustments a breeze!

6. BLOSSOMZ Dual Fuel - Best for Dual Fuel Grill

Important specification

• Material: Alloy Steel.

• Color: Black.

• Item Dimensions: 64 x 28 x 49.75 inches.

• Item Weight: 103 Pounds.

Product highlights

Barbecue enthusiast! Why would you look for the top rated gas/coal combo grills? In a single dish, you can enjoy both. The never-ending discussion has continued for years and will likely continue for many more years. You shouldn't be a part of this discussion just putting in the cart these best charcoal grills under 500.

On this large combination grill, you have a generous 557 square inches of space. 262 for charcoal and 293 for gas. Which can roast 30 burgers at a time. So no one needs to wait for their food. 188 square inch warming rack (89 for coal, 99 for gas) for more space.

Pros

• Large cooking space.

• High quality.

• Auxiliary burner.

• 24000 BTUs of significant thermal energy.

• Dual fuel grill.

Cons

• Not easy to assemble.

Bottom line

For a total of 24000 BTUs, the BLOSSOMZ Dual Fuel contains three burners. Each burner holds 8000 BTUs. 12,000-BTU stainless steel side burners with lid Includes integrated ignition for all burners. Ceramic coated thermal discs reduce wear. For convenience, it has smooth moving wheels and side handles.

7. PK Grills PKO-SCAX-X - Best for Retro Style

Important specification

• Color: Silver.

• Item Weight: 45 Pounds.

• Item Dimensions: 16 x 35 x 35.5 inches.

• Fuel Type: Charcoal.

Product highlights

This PK Grills PKO-SCAX-X is a very elegant charcoal grill. It's great for anyone who wants versatility, durability, and a classic look and feel.

You get the unique capsule shape on this grill with four vents that make it easy to adjust your cooking speed to the meats you have. And it uses premium cast aluminum in the body. 

Aluminum also ensures you get an effective cooking temperature. That can conduct up to four times more heat than traditional steel. It is rustproof, lightweight and durable.

Pros

• There are two styles and two colors.

• Doubles as a chimney or charcoal grill.

• Uses die-cast aluminum construction.

• Retro design.

• Durable and reliable.

Cons

• The screw may be too long for the cap head bolt.

Bottom line

The 300 square inch cooking space can handle everything from turkey to burgers or hot dogs. And you can easily remove this grill from the stand to take it from place to place.

8. Masterbuilt MB20040220 - Best for Smart GrillingImportant specification

Important specification

• Color: Black.

• Item Weight: 146.98 Pounds.

• Item Dimensions: 24.65 x 54.13 x 51.97 inches.

Product highlights

If you enjoy baking with both direct and indirect heat. You want to achieve rich flavors without having to babysit for smokers. The Masterbuilt MB20040220  Gravity Series 560 grill is the right choice.

This device ignites both briquettes, lumps, and wood. Allowing you to achieve competition-appropriate smoke. Like many pellet grills, they link the entire system in a smart, gravity-powered system and “Digifan”. That you can control from a digital control center.

Want to cook low and slow or reach high heat for wilting? Set your temperature accordingly. Then walk away knowing that your smart, gravity-driven system will reach and maintain peak temperatures. The process is within 13 minutes.

Pros

• Smart grilling system.

• Sleek and high-end design.

• Direct and indirect heat.

• Large cooking space.

• Wifi connection.

Cons

• The 1-year warranty is fairly short.

Bottom line

If you're looking for a sleek, well-built, smartly designed charcoal grill that offers convenience and even heat. This charcoal grill is your perfect choice.

9. Dyna-Glo DGN576SNC-D - Best for Large Gathering

Important specification

• Material: Alloy Steel.

• Color: Stainless.

• Item Dimensions: 60.22 x 50.51 x 28.16 inches.

• Item Weight: 112 Pounds.

Product highlights

Sometimes you need to cook for large gatherings but other times just want to open a barbecue for your wife and children? If so, the Dyna-Glo Dual Zone Premium Grill might be the best solution.

This is an ingenious charcoal grill equipped with a removable firebox divider. That allows you to use one or two cooking zones. With 576 square inches of cooking space on one side and 240 square inches on the other. You can easily light the fire to your needs. 

If you're having a large gathering, simply remove the divider and make full use of the 816 square inch grill space.

Pros

• Versatile and customizable grilling experience.

• Dual cooking zones.

• Adjustable coal tray.

• Easy temperature control.

• Built-in lid with thermometer.

Cons

• May be too cumbersome for smaller households.

Bottom line

This Dual Zone high-end grill also doesn't compromise on performance. It uses a porcelain glazed cast iron cooking grid to trap heat. It provides excellent sear traces, and retains flavor and juice. 

The stainless steel construction provides a double-layer liner for heat retention. The stainless steel smoke compartment features an adjustable sensor. It is for temperature and flavor control.

10. Landmann 560212 - Best for Grill and Smoker Combo

Important specification

• Material: Stainless Steel.

• Color: Black.

• Item Dimensions: 25.5 x 54 x 47.5 inches.

• Item Weight: 82.4 Pounds.

Product highlights

This Landmann 560212 is a device with a deflector straw built into its side. Allowing you to smoke meat as well as grill meat. It's not just one smoker. With its 733 square inch cooking grid, it offers very spacious cooking space, as well as an additional warming rack.

Its cooking grid is porcelain coated. Ensuring excellent heat retention and distribution during cooking. No cold spots, no flare-ups. 

The porcelain enamel layer is also very durable and resistant to peeling. So the porcelain enamel layer does not degrade in the first few years of use.

Pros

• Large grilling area.

• Offset smoker box.

• Easy to clean.

• Amazing customer service.

• Good value for the money.

Cons

• It should have a handle for easy mobility.

Bottom line

In case you want compensating smoke extraction with a charcoal stove. This is a great entry-level option at a very reasonable price. And it deserves to have a slot on this best charcoal grills under 500 list!