We hope you love the products we recommend. TheMeatHouseBlog.com may earn a commission on qualifying purchases from Amazon Associates or other vendors. Read more here.
There is absolutely nothing better than a hot steak, charred on the outside and tender and pink on the inside. For many pitmasters, the best place to cook a great steak is on their charcoal grill.
The great thing about charcoal grills is their dependability. With a grill and a bag of charcoal briquettes, you can get a fire going anywhere and enjoy the smoky taste of barbecued meats and vegetables.
A quality charcoal grill doesn’t have to run you hundreds of dollars. Instead, the best charcoal grills under $200 on the market today offer durability, large cooking areas, and lots of space for charcoal for low-and-slow cooking.
See our top picks for Best Charcoal Grills.
In A Rush? Check Out Our Top Choice!
- Grill, smoke, or sear on 1 surface
- All-weather wheels move the grill effortlessly
- Aluminum vent does not rust
This sturdy grill sits on a tripod stand. It’s available in several sizes and has smaller portable grills modeled after it. It’s built from porcelain-enameled stainless steel to resist rust and corrosion while staying lightweight enough to move around your backyard quickly. The patented One-Touch system ensures effortless ash cleanup.
The iconic design of the grill allows airflow to keep your fire breathing. Control the temperature with an air vent on the lid. The Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill is a simple, straightforward grill that cooks your food evenly and thoroughly each time you use it.
Top 11 Best Charcoal Grill Under $200 Reviews
Everyone recognizes the Weber Original Kettle 22” Charcoal Grill as the epitome of summer grilling, and there’s a good reason for that. The durable stainless steel construction with baked-on porcelain enamel makes these grills last for years.
You can grill burgers, smoke ribs, or sear steaks across 363 in2 of heavy-duty plated steel cooking grates. Manage ash easily with the patented One-Touch system Weber developed. The handle rotates, turning three blades in the grill bowl, filtering ash through the sieve below.
The unburned coals left in the grill are perfect for use the next time you barbecue. The aluminum tripod holding the bowl and ash pan features leg height adjustment, so the grill is always at the ideal height for you.
Who Should Get This?
Weber builds quality grills that last, and the Original Kettle is perfect for anyone who needs an inexpensive grill to fire up on the weekends and holidays for years to come.
Pros
- Finish does not rust or peel
- Features an ash catcher for easy cleanup
- Glass-reinforced nylon handles are comfortable to grip
- Heavy-duty plated steel cooking grates
- Bowl sits on strong a strong aluminum tripod
Cons
- Grill has trouble retaining heat
Serve up to 10 people using the 368 in2 of cooking space on this Royal Gourmet Charcoal Grill. The porcelain-enameled cooking grates conduct heat evenly, transferring it to your food and cooking it thoroughly each time. Depend on precise temperature control with the damper and built-in thermometer.
The height-adjustable charcoal pan gets your temperatures more intense for searing meat over an open fire. Lower the pan to smoke at low temperatures for hours and add more fuel easily. Open the front access panel to stoke your fire without disturbing your food as it cooks. Two foldable side trays assist with food preparation and storage.
Who Should Get This?
This Royal Gourmet model is great for anyone who wants to smoke over charcoal. The pan is ideal for adding more fuel while the ash falls away.
Pros
- Porcelain-enameled cooking grates means easy cleaning
- Folding side tables are the perfect prep space
- Height adjustable charcoal pan fine-tunes temperatures
- Bottom shelf offers more storage space
- Large wheels withstand weather and move grill easily
Cons
- Difficult to assemble
- Charcoal falls out of charcoal pan
Purchase the Americana by Meco Charcoal BBQ Grill for your backyard, tailgate, or beach getaway. It works best with lump charcoal and briquettes but cooks with wood chips or logs as well. The 342 in2 of cooking space is perfect for grilling up 14 burgers at a time. Adjust the grid’s height while cooking using the exterior knobs to help control your temperatures.
The grill features an elevated ash dump, which extends the grill’s life, preventing corrosion and burns through the bowl’s bottom. Meco makes this grill for outdoor use only, so it’s ideal for all of your summer holiday barbecuing needs.
Who Should Get This?
This charcoal grill is perfect for barbecuing at home or on-the-go. It’s ideal for chefs who want a simple but dependable grill that travels well.
Pros
- Cooking grids adjust with Stay-Cool knobs
- Wheels roll easily on pavement, grass, or sand
- Control temperatures with air vents
- Capsule design circulates heat to cook food
- 342 in2 of cooking space feeds many people
Cons
- Shelving not included, available at upgraded charge
- No hooks to hang utensils
This compact grill/smoker combo fits on most small patios with space to spare. It is a versatile appliance that allows grilling and smoking on an 800 in2 cooking grid. The grill grates are durable and manufactured using porcelain enamel for protection and temperature regulation.
A scald-proof handle prevents burns because it stays cool to the touch. Adjust the charcoal pan for easy searing on the 183 in2 of additional cooking space directly over the smoker box. Use this same grate as a warming rack or roast side dishes to enjoy your primary course of ribs, brisket, or chickens as they smoke on your primary cooking space.
Who Should Get This?
This is an excellent grill for small families and intimate gatherings. The offset smoke box includes a grill grate to use as a searing station over high heat.
Pros
- Large wheels make it easy to move
- Plenty of storage and prep space
- Hooks hold utensils
- Offset smoke box doubles as extra grill space
- Paint withstands temperatures up to 400°F without peeling
Cons
- Bulky grill not suitable for tailgates
- Low to the ground
Use the Humos Outdoor Vertical Charcoal Smoker while out camping or set it up at home. This vertical charcoal grill, smoker, and oven combo let you roast, bake, steam, cook, and grill all on one appliance. Humos manufactured the charcoal and water bowls to last using porcelain enamel for extra stability and durability.
It’s great for a small cabin or picnic. Simply lift the lid to use the top rack as a grill or leave it closed to bake. Control the temperatures utilizing the airflow vents. Monitoring your grill temperatures is easy with the included, easy to read thermometer. The grill’s design enables upper and lowers air control, distributing heat, and maintaining high internal temperatures.
This grill works best with lump charcoal and briquettes but adds wood chips for added layers of delicious tastes.
Who Should Get This?
It’s a perfect option for those wanting a compact 3-in-1 grill for versatile cooking. The low price point is a bonus for being able to do so much.
Pros
- 3-in-1 grill, smoker, oven appliance
- Control temperatures with air vents
- Porcelain-enameled stainless steel for durability
- Lightweight and easy to pack to take on-the-go
- Features water and charcoal bowls
Cons
- Small grates require batch cooking for groups
The Weber Go-Anywhere Portable Charcoal Grill lives up to its name by being lightweight and easy to carry with you no matter where you go. It’s ideal for tailgating because its steel construction packs in your car quickly, with heavy-duty pivoting legs that lock the lid in place.
The 160 in2 plated steel cooking grate removes from the bowl for easy cleaning. The baked-on finish prevents paint peeling and rusting even after years of grilling and cooking. The glass-reinforced nylon handles are comfortable to grip as you carry the grill. The weather is no match for this grill; you can use it in sunshine or rain while still feeding your friends your favorite recipes.
Who Should Get This?
This model is perfect for the weekend warriors who can’t wait to get to the stadium for burgers, hot dogs, and chicken. It’s lightweight and easy to carry over long distances.
Pros
- Excellent price point fits in any budget
- Portable for tabletop cooking on-the-go
- Place on grass, gravel, asphalt, or sand
- Foldable legs make packing it easy
- Porcelain-enameled base protects from burn throughs
Cons
- May be too small for large groups
This Cuisinart grill is excellent to take with you camping. Fire up the charcoal and boil water on the 14” diameter chrome-plated grill grate for tea and coffee in the morning, grill chicken for lunch, and burgers for dinner. It’s large enough to do all of this for four people, making it an ideal companion for small get-togethers in the great outdoors.
Cuisinart built this 150 in2 grill to last with an enameled firebox. The dual vents control your interior grill temperature for high searing or slow cooking. Lock the chrome latches into place for ultimate security and portability. The ash collection tray is easy to access for quick cleanup.
Who Should Get This?
Perfect for camping in a tent or backpacking, it’s easy to carry because the lid latches securely to the base. It features an easy ash collection for fast cleanup.
Pros
- Lid locks in place for easy carrying
- Easy assembly requires a screwdriver and 10 minutes
- Cooks enough for 4 people at once
- Temperature management for low-and-slow cooking
- Chrome grilling surface is durable
Cons
- Small grill requires batch cooking
- No shelves for storage or preparation
The Everdure By Heston Blumenthal CUBE is a sleek-looking grill that’s sure to draw attention every time you set it up. The flashy colors are eye-catching, and the compact design makes cooking for friends or family anywhere easy. The design includes powder-coated steel with cool-to-touch chrome handles that lock the bamboo prep tray and food-grade storage tray into place on the grill’s top when traveling.
Heston Blumenthal built heat protection into the grill, so place it on any surface with confidence that no damage will occur. The removable charcoal tray offers instant access for adding more fuel to your fire or quick cleanup.
Who Should Get This?
This is great for grillers-on-the-go. The compact design looks great on tabletops and won’t damage any surface it’s on, thanks to the built-in heat shield protection.
Pros
- Available in 4 eye-catching colors
- Tabletop grill is perfect for intimate gatherings
- Service tray and food prep station included
- Removable charcoal tray makes cleanup a snap
- Chrome carry handles remain cool to touch
Cons
- Small grill means batch cooking for groups
- No thermometer or grill lights included
The Original Po’ Man Charcoal Grill is as straightforward as it gets when you’re cooking over charcoal. The grill includes a round grate and skewer for grilling, but you don’t need much else with this grill.
The flavor lock drip plate protects the charcoal briquettes from juices as they drip from your proteins. The drip plate vaporizes drippings as soon as they hit it, redirecting flavor back to the food above it.
It’s a high-capacity cooker, so it’s great for family barbecues or block parties, creating a great conversation piece as your food cooks inside. You’ll have plenty of time on your hands since this grill does the work for you.
Who Should Get This?
This grill is ideal for anyone who wants to grill large quantities of meat over hours to create fall-off-the-bone tenderness. It’s a great ice breaker and conversation piece.
Pros
- Model comes with skewers and drip plate
- Inexpensive grill outperforms more expensive grills
- Not galvanized, cooks large-sized turkeys
- Creates fall-off-the-bone meals
- Easy to use, easy to clean
Cons
- Not diverse for high-temperature cooking
- Limits cooking methods
The Weber Jumbo Joe 18” Portable Charcoal Grill is compact in design and ideal for urban dwellers who love to grill burgers but don’t have a lot of space for it. Bring it out for block parties or just because you want to cook some kabobs outside with neighbors.
The porcelain-enameled bowl is anti-corrosion, preventing burn throughs that extends the lifetime of the stainless steel grill. The baked-on finish won’t peel over time. Like larger Weber grills, the Jumbo Joe grill grates evenly distribute heat to cook your food, and you control airflow using the vents on the top of the grill.
Who Should Get This?
Ideal for urban dwellings when you don’t have a porch, this grill leaves plenty of room for people to pass by on a sidewalk and compliment the smell of your food.
Pros
- Store anywhere thanks to compact design
- Tuck-N-Carry lock makes carrying it convenient
- Lid handles remain cool to touch
- Ash catcher and dampers are rust-resistant
- Price point fits in any budget
Cons
- Small grill doesn’t cook for many people
- No built-in thermometer or lights
Fire up your hibachi grill late at night to keep party-goers fed without having to leave your pool. This hibachi features two multi-positional cooking grids, giving you the ability to control the amount of heat that cooks your food. The total grilling area equals 181 in2 of cooking space. It’s lightweight and easy to carry to your outdoor bar or to store in your pool house.
The charcoal grates are steel wire, so they don’t rust. It’s a great addition to small outdoor kitchens or bars where entertaining is the focal point. Just prop it up on the surface of your choice and light it up to enjoy burgers, kabobs, and hot dogs whenever you’re hungry.
Who Should Get This?
This hibachi grill is perfect for anyone who doesn’t have a lot of space to cook on. Use the multi-positional steel wire grids to control cooking temperature
Pros
- Dual burners provide 30,000 BTUs
- Easy to assemble, coming together in 30 minutes
- Lid allows for roasting, steaming, baking on grill
- Folding prep surface has paper towel holder underneath
- Features 360° grease pan, uses gravity for cleanup
Cons
- Smaller cooktop means less grilling at one time
- Users reported issues with packaging, receiving grill damaged
Best Charcoal Grills Under $200 Overall
Grill, smoke, and sear all on one cooking surface with the Weber Original Kettle Grill. It withstands rust, cracking, and corrosion while quickly moving around your deck or patio on wheels. Ash is easy to clean from the bowl, leaving new coals and briquettes to be relit the next time you want to grill. It boasts 363 in2 of cooking space, making the Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill our top choice.
