Because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy delicious meals prepared on a charcoal grill. However, charcoal grills are known to be quite expensive. So, getting a decent barbeque griller for less than $200 can be quite a challenge. It’s even more difficult when you have a high taste for grills. However, after considering several factors like the grilling size, construction material, and numerous features, we came up with the top 10 best charcoal grills under 200 worth checking out in 2023.
Review Summary
Editor Choice: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grills
Grill with charcoal on this 22 inches charcoal grill and worry-less about clean up. Weber 14401001 also features a rust-resistant porcelain-enameled lid and bowl for more durability.
Best Value: Char-Griller E06614 Charcoal Grill
Searching for an affordable kamado? Look no further, the Char-Griller E06614 is affordable, lightweight, and offers enough grilling space on its cast iron cooking grate.
Best Overall: Dyna-Glo DGN405DNC-D Heavy-Duty Compact Charcoal Grills
Sear your food and lock in the juice with this Dyna-Glo heavy-duty compact charcoal grill. The cart-style design, side shelves, and cooking chamber make this grill quite spacious.
Offset Smoker Charcoal Grills: Royal Gourmet CC1830S Charcoal Grill
Get this 30 inches Royal Gourmet grill as it is perfect for outdoor grilling especially camping. With the CC1830S grill, you get an ample grilling space, a side cook box, side table, and wheels for easy mobility.
Portable Charcoal Grills: Cuisinart CCG190 CCG-190 Portable Charcoal Grill
The Cuisinart CCG190RB is a 14 inches portable charcoal grill with secure lid locks for easy and safe transport. The dual venting and chrome-plated grates allow efficient distribution of even heat.
Outdoor Charcoal Grills: Realcook Vertical 17 Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker
With this 17 inches Realcook vertical steel charcoal smoker, you get two smoking chambers to handle different shapes and sizes of meat. Cook different ways: grills, steams, smokes, braise, bake, and roast.
Weber Charcoal Grills: Weber 741001 Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
This 22 inches Weber Original Kettle is an ultra-durable charcoal grill with a porcelain-enamel lid and bowl for even heating. Use the two durable wheels for easy transport.
Top Rated Charcoal Grills: Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill 18 Inch
The Weber Jumbo Joe charcoal grill is a compact charcoal grill with a large grilling area and a convenient carry handle. And the durable porcelain-enameled lid and bowl are resistant to rust and peel.
Camping Cooking Grate: BEAU JARDIN Portable Charcoal Grills for Outdoor
Beau Jardin is another portable 18 inches barbeque grill featuring two wheels which makes it suitable for outdoor picnic, patio, backyard, camping, and tailgating grilling. Sear your meat on the steel cooking grate for a more flavorful meal.
Tabletop Charcoal Grills: Char-Griller E82424 Side Fire Box
With the Char-Griller E82424, you get the versatility of both a side firebox and a charcoal grill. It is a perfect go-to grill for tailgating, camping, RV travel, and more.
Top 10 Best Charcoal Grills Under $200 Review
#1. Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grills – Editor Choice
First on our list of grills to review is this premium quality charcoal BBQ grill from Weber. As we know, Weber is a top manufacturer of outdoor grills founded in 1893, with headquarters in Palatine, Illinois. From Weber, this 14401001 original kettle grill is perfect for everyday charcoal grilling. Take away the hassle of grilling with this Weber Original Kettle with up to 363 square inches grilling surface. You can conveniently fit up to 13 burgers in this grill. And with the 7.5 inches lid height, you can also conveniently fit a whole chicken and massive cuts of meat like brisket in this grill. This tripod Weber grill comes with two large, durable wheels for easy mobility.
Additionally, Weber constructed this grill with a porcelain enamel coated steel bowl and lid. On the other hand, the cooking grates are plated steel. And the hinge design on the grates offers you a convenient way to add charcoal while grilling. With the convenient angled lid hook, you can hang the lid on the grill’s side to avoid placing it on the ground. Take your grilling a notch higher with the one-touch cleaning system. The large capacity ash catcher provides a hassle-free cleaning up of charcoal and debris while grilling. Other features you’d love about this grill include the lid-mounted temperature gauge, precision heat control dampers, and nylon fiber handles.
- Easy to assemble and add charcoal
- Durable construction
- Excellent ash catcher system
- Integrated tool hook on the handle
- Angled lid hook to prevent putting the lid on the floor
- Temperature control is tricky
#2. Char-Griller E06614 Charcoal Grill – Best Value
The Char-Griller E06614 is one of the best charcoal grills in the class of kamado grills. One thing about kamado grills is that it promotes even heating and enhances the flavor of your food. Unlike other manufacturers of kamado grills, Char-Griller is a grill manufacturer with decades of manufacturing experience. You can use this grill for tailgating, camping, and even going to the park. Since it is quite durable thanks to the excellent construction material and relatively affordable, this grill is many griller’s preferred choice for kamado grills. This 14-inch grill offers a decent grilling space on its 153 square inches porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grate.
Char-Griller constructed this E06614 charcoal grill with a tripled layered 22-gauge steel making it less expensive and lightweight than its competitors. Moreover, its heat holding capacity is also excellent, letting you get that juicy grilled meat every time. You can maintain a temperature range from 200 to 700 degrees on this grill. Use the top and bottom dampers to regulate the airflow for adjusting the temperature inside the grill. And with the two handles at the side, mobility isn’t an issue.
- Durable construction
- Easy to assemble
- Great heat retention property
- Easy temperature control
- Hard to keep the temperature low below 250 degrees
#3. Dyna-Glo DGN405DNC-D Heavy-Duty Compact Charcoal Grills – Best Overall
The Dyna-Glo DGN405DNC-D is another cheap charcoal grill with a cart style design. Dyna-Glo, as we know, is no new manufacturer of home and commercial grade products for smoking, grilling, and a whole range of heating solutions. With decades of manufacturing history, Dyna-Glo has improved on this design with innovations and tweaks to offer the best result. And with the DGN405DNC-D, you pretty much get everything you bargained for, mostly because of its full 568 square inches cooking surface. You get plenty of room for all your grilling desires, just enough to grill 20 hamburgers at one time.
Another Review: Top 10 Best Charcoal Grill Review
Constructed with heavy-duty steel, Dyna-Glo ensured this grill is coated to protect the steel for added durability. And its cast-iron porcelain-enamel coated cooking grate is perfect for searing food and locking in juice, which offers better heat distribution. You can easily fine-tune the cooking flexibility and heat control of this grill with the charcoal tray adjustment system. You also get two foldable side shelves, which provide you with extra space for preparing food. The temperature gauge, storage basket, and 6-inch resin wheels are nice extras added to this grill, making it stand out.
- Ample grilling space
- Durable construction
- Front access door for easy charcoal adjustment
- Included temperature gauge
- Hard to assemble
#4. Royal Gourmet CC1830S Charcoal Grill – Best Offset Smoker Charcoal Grills
Royal Gourmet is another excellent manufacturer of one of the best charcoal grills in the industry. The CC1830S charcoal grill from Royal Gourmet is a dual style grilling that offers you the ability to grill and smoke all in one grill. This 30-inch charcoal grill offers an ample grilling space of 438 square inches main chamber and 179 square inches swing-away rack. Apart from the total 800 square inches of cooking surface, you also get an additional 183 square inches cooking area of the side box for grilling or smoking. The main cooking box’s front panel and sides open up to provide you with a flat platform for food preparation.
Royal Gourmet was thorough in the construction of this grill with coated heavy-duty steel. The porcelain-enamel cooking grate offers a nonstick cooking surface and provides you with even heating. You can adjust the fire grate in the main chamber with lifting handles to raise or lower the fire pan to two different levels. And with total control over the heat, the two adjustable dampers help you control heat when needed. The lid-mounted temperature gauge comes in handy in monitoring the temperature of the grill. Moreover, Royal Gourmet installed two resin wheels on this grill to offer you the convenience to move this grill around your backyard.
- 2-in-1 charcoal grill for smoking and grilling
- Ample grilling space
- Adjustable fire pan to control the distance between the charcoal and food
- Included temperature gauge
- Coating quality is not the best
#5. Cuisinart CCG190 CCG-190 Portable Charcoal Grill – Best Portable Charcoal Grills Under $200
Cuisinart is another excellent manufacturer of the best charcoal grills in this industry. With a rich heritage dating far back to 1973, Cuisinart’s main aim is to produce innovative, top-quality, and functional products. And with the CCG190 CCG-190, Cuisinart brought to the market an inexpensive charcoal grill that is compact enough to take anywhere. This 14-inch charcoal grill weighs 2 pounds and offers a decent grilling space. The rounded chrome-plated cooking grate provides you up to 150 square inches of cooking area. For easy and safe transport, this grill features three secure lid locks to lock in the lid.
Construction-wise, Cuisinart made use of heavy-duty, durable steel for the bowl and lid construction. The steel is also porcelain-enamel coated to help increase the resistivity of the grill for better longevity. The bottom vent lets the ash fall into the enamel-coated aluminum ash pan for easy cleaning. You’d find the dual air venting system helpful in controlling the airflow into this grill for easy temperature control. Also, the cool to touch lid handle offers you a safe way to hold the lid even when hot.
- Compact and portable charcoal grill
- An excellent dual air venting system
- Lightweight grill
- Ash catcher is not removable
#6. Realcook Vertical 17 Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker – Best Outdoor Charcoal Grills Under $200
This 17-inch Realcook vertical charcoal smoker is another excellent barbeque griller suitable for families. This Realcook vertical charcoal BBQ grill is a multifunctional grill that offers you the flexibility to braise, bake, steam, grill, smoke, and roast. The excellent two-layer design provides you pretty much enough cooking space to cook enough for a large crowd. The two cooking grids offer you a total grilling space of 435 square inches. With the latch locking system, you get more stability with this grill. Moreover, it is straightforward to assemble and use. And with the crossbar and four hangers inside the lid, you can smoke meat of different shapes and sizes.
Reakcook made use of porcelain-enamel coating on heavy-duty steel for more resistivity on this grill. Its chrome-plated cooking grid offers an excellent cooking surface that is easy to clean and evenly distributes heat. You also get two stainless steel access doors to check your food and add wood or charcoal easily. The heat-resistant bakelite handles make it easy to hold this grill while it’s hot for easy transport, basting, and cooking. The included temperature gauge with a detailed temperature scale makes it easy to monitor the grill’s temperature. Overall, this unit weighs 22 pounds and sits on three solid legs for better stability.
- Multifunctional grill
- Ample grilling space
- Durable construction
- Included temperature gauge
- No wheels mounted, making it hard to transport
#7. Weber 741001 Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill – Best Weber Charcoal Grills Under 200
Here is another tripod grill from Weber suitable for outdoor grilling. Weber, as we know, has a rich heritage dating many years back. With this Weber 741001BLK portable char grill, you can expect nothing less than Weber ultra-durability. We love that this grill offers you enough grilling space measuring up to 363 square inches. On this 22 inch Weber charcoal grill, you can comfortably fit up to 13 burgers. More so, the 7.5 lid height offers you enough space from the grate to the lid to grill large pieces of meat like whole chicken and brisket.
Similarly, the porcelain-enameled steel coated bowl and lid make this grill quite durable to last years. Its steel coated cooking grate offers superior heat retention and even distribution. There is also a lid hook in this grill you can use to prevent placing the lid on the ground. Dampers on this grill provide you with an easy way to control the temperature of the grill. More so, the cool to touch nylon fiber handle is a nice feature that helps you handle the grill while hot. And like most Weber kettles, cleaning comes easy. The one-touch aluminum catcher provides you with a hassle-free ash cleaner. Lastly, the two large wheels provide this grill with the ease of moving around the yard.
- Easy to assemble
- Great grill for its price
- Suitable for smoking and grilling
- Easy to clean
- No lid thermometer
- Ash catcher is small
#8. Weber Jumbo Joe Charcoal Grill 18 Inch – Top Rated Charcoal Grills Under $200
Here is another inexpensive charcoal grill from Weber, the Jumbo Joe. The Weber Jumbo Joe grill is one of the smallest charcoal grills suitable for small gatherings. For those after a completely portable grill you can use for travel and camping, this Jumbo Joe grill will be perfect for you. The large 18 inches cooking surface on this Jumbo Joe grill provides enough space to grill for yourself and your friends. Because of the compact design and Tuck-N-Carry lid lock on this grill, mobility isn’t an issue.
For added durability, Weber constructed this Jumbo Joe grill with a porcelain-enamel bowl and lid. The porcelain coating does not only makes the surface nonstick, but it also protects the steel from corrosion. Furthermore, this grill comes with a charcoal grate and a cooking grate with a 3.5-inch distance between them. The heavy-gauge steel charcoal grate and plated cooking grate both ensures maximum durability. Besides, the aluminum ash catcher makes ash disposal a breeze. There is a nylon fiber handle that feels cool to touch even while using the grill for the lid.
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to assemble and clean
- Solid construction
- Cooks well
- Does not come with a temperature gauge
#9. BEAU JARDIN Portable Charcoal Grills for Outdoor – Camping Cooking Grate
The Beau Jardin BBQ010 charcoal grill is another excellent grill for every BBQ enthusiast who doesn’t want to spend much. You can easily use this 18-inch charcoal grill from Beau Jardin for tailgating, picnic, patio, camping, or backyard grilling because of the compact design. However, this grill comes with a grilling space of up to 255 square inches, enough to grill for 3-4 people despite its compact design.
Amongst the numerous features of this Beau Jardin BBQ010 charcoal grill, its thickened porcelain-enamel bowl and lid makes this grill quite durable. And the plated steel cooking grate cleans easily after every grilling session. The two handles on the cooking grate make it easy to lift the grate to add charcoal. The lid hanger also comes in handy in preventing you from placing the lid on the floor. Moreover, the ashtray and air dampers were constructed with aluminum, which adds to this grill’s overall durability.
- Features a lid hanger and wire rack
- Thickened porcelain-enamel bowl
- Durable wheels for easy transport
- Ash catcher is not removable, making it hard to dispose of the ash
#10. Char-Griller E82424 Side Fire Box – Best Tabletop Charcoal Grills
The Char-Griller E82424 is the best portable charcoal grill under $200 in this review worth considering. As we already know, Char-Griller has decades of experience in manufacturing grills. With this E82424 grill with charcoal, you can use it as a firebox on a barrel-style grill or a portable char grill. If you want to use it as a portable char grill, you can take it along with you for camping, tailgating, RV travels, etc. Despite the small compact nature of this grill, you get a wholesome 250 square inches cooking space.
Char-Griller was not lagging in the construction of this grill with a coated heavy steel for added durability. And the grate was constructed with cast iron, which is durable and offers a better heat retention capacity. You also get two adjustable air dampers you use to control the airflow and precise temperature. The included stay cool handles make it easier to hold this grill while it’s hot. And since it can serve as a side firebox for Texas-style grilling, it fits into most Char-Broil barrel grills like the 5650, 2828, 2121, 1224, and duo 5050, amongst others.
- Perfect side firebox
- Durable construction
- Very portable and compact
- Easy to get started with
- Too small compared to other grills under $200
Best Charcoal Grills Under 200 Dollar Buying Guide
1. Cooking Space
When it comes to buying any grill, the cooking space it offers matters a lot. Although having a large grill lets you grill more food at a go, if you don’t occasionally grill, buying such a massive grill is an unnecessary cost. So, the first question you ought to ask yourself is how many people you want to feed. When you inspect the amount of cooking space, consider the distance from the cooking grate to the lid. Also, check the charcoal grate’s distance and the cooking grate to ensure you’ll get nothing less than optimal cooking.
2. Quality
The quality of material used in manufacturing the grill is another essential factor to consider. While you want the construction material to be rigid and sturdy, it is best to be careful not to opt-in for an extremely heavy grill. Steel, cast iron, and aluminum are common materials you’d find on most charcoal grills. So, when shopping, ensure the grill you want to buy comes with a premium grade construction material. Poor construction material on a grill does not last, and in no time, starts to rust.
3. Ease of Use
Some charcoal grills are more comfortable to use than others. So, it is essential that when you are buying a charcoal grill, you check out for some quick perks to ensure you wouldn’t find it challenging to use. A charcoal grill with a nonstick cooking surface is easier to use. Since the surface is nonstick, it makes flipping of delicate foods like fish easy and effortless. A charcoal grill with other accessories like side shelves and wire baskets makes food preparation and storage easy. Most importantly, the ease of adding charcoal or wood into your grill while grilling matters a lot. On some charcoal grills, it is always a hassle to add more fuel, so check that out before buying a grill.
4. Fast Cleaning
To know if your charcoal grill will come easy to clean is the inclusion of an ash pan. Many charcoal grills claim to have an ash pan, but not all of them come with an ash pan that is easy and fast to clean. So, first, ensure the ash pan is removable. Because if you can’t remove the ash pan, then disposing of the ash will be a bit of a hassle as well. Also, inspect the ash vent and ensure it’s designed to allow for maximum ash droppings.
5. Temperature Control
One of the significant problems with charcoal grills is the difficulty of controlling its temperature. To control the temperature on a charcoal grill, you need to control the grill’s airflow. The dampers on charcoal grills are responsible for managing and regulating the airflow in the grill. Some charcoal grills come with two air vents, one on top of the lid, and the other near the charcoal grate. Charcoal grills with more than one air vent offer better flexibility with temperature control.
6. Wrap Up
To wrap things up, check for other features on your charcoal grill like the lid hook. The lid hook comes in handy in preventing you from placing the lid on the ground. Other features like cool to touch carrying handles and lock latches on portable charcoal grills make mobility a breeze. And if you want a massive grill, opt-in for one with wheels to make moving in and out of the backyard easy. A temperature gauge is another nice feature to look out for as it helps you grill at a precise temperature.
Conclusion
A charcoal grill is a must-have for every BBQ lover. Having a low budget does not mean you shouldn’t enjoy the delicious taste of a charcoal grill. Check out the list of the best charcoal grills under 200 in this review to purchase the grill ideal for your needs. There are many fantastic features to gain from owning a charcoal grill, but it all starts by buying a charcoal grill first.