A kamado is an insulated, egg-shaped charcoal cooker that can sear hot or smoke low for hours, but it takes a few practice cooks to learn. For a first kamado, what matters most is a size you will actually fill, a vent system you can learn to control, a stand or cart that makes a heavy grill safe to move, and the few accessories that open up indirect cooking. The seven picks below are complete grills from our current range.
Quick picks
| Pick for | Product | Key spec | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall first kamado | Kamado Joe Classic Joe Grill, Series II Standalone | Kontrol Tower top vent, Air Lift hinge | $1,399.99 |
| Lowest price to start | Char-Griller AKORN Kamado Charcoal Grill and Cover Bundle | Grill with cover | $427.99 |
| Cooking for one or two | Kamado Joe Joe Jr with Cast Iron Stand and Cart Bundle | Smallest Kamado Joe, stand and cart included | $725.99 |
| Value full-size Kamado Joe | Kamado Joe Classic Joe Grill Series I and Cover Bundle | Classic size with cover | $1,069.99 |
| Help with temperature control | Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker, Cover, and Grate | Digital charcoal grill and smoker, on backorder | $2,174.99 |
| Large families and parties | Kamado Joe Big Joe Grill Series I plus Heavy-Duty Cover Bundle | Big Joe size with heavy-duty cover | $1,586.99 |
| Grill and cart in one box | NewAge Platinum Kamado Bundle, Pro 22 in Cart and 22 in Kamado Grill | 22 in grill with matching cart | $1,799.99 |
How we chose
Every pick is a complete grill from the store’s current range, not a part or accessory, and all but one are in stock as listed. We chose them on what matters most to a new owner: size, how easy temperature control is to learn, whether a stand or cart is included, and price. Details come from each product’s listing, not hands-on testing.
Kamado Joe Classic Joe Series II Standalone: best overall first kamado
The Classic Joe Series II is our pick for most beginners because two of its features target the usual first-kamado frustrations. Its listing calls out the Kontrol Tower top vent for precise temperature control and the Air Lift hinge, which makes the dome easy to lift. It also includes everything in the Classic Joe I. Trade-off: this is the standalone version, described as built-in ready, so it does not come with a cart or stand. Budget for a stand or an outdoor kitchen cabinet before it arrives.
Char-Griller AKORN Kamado Charcoal Grill and Cover Bundle: lowest price to start
This AKORN bundle is the lowest priced complete kamado on this list, and it includes a cover so the grill is protected from day one. It works on the same principle as the pricier grills here: airflow through the vents sets the temperature. Our Char-Griller AKORN review compares it with the AKORN Jr and Auto-Kamado. Trade-off: this listing does not give cooking area, weight or dimensions, so read the review or call us for the numbers, and plan to buy a heat deflector separately for low and slow smoking.
Kamado Joe Joe Jr with Cast Iron Stand and Cart Bundle: best for cooking for one or two
The Joe Jr is the smallest Kamado Joe, and this bundle adds the cast iron stand and a cart, so you get a complete setup that can be rolled around a small patio. A smaller firebox uses less charcoal per cook, a cheap way to practice vent control. Our Joe Jr review covers its cooking area and who it suits. Trade-off: it is sized for one or two people, so large cuts and cooks for a group will not fit comfortably; if you entertain often, the Classic is the better first grill.
Kamado Joe Classic Joe Series I and Cover Bundle: best value full-size Kamado Joe
This bundle gives you the Classic Joe Series I with a cover for $1,069.99, which is less than the Series II standalone. It is the same Classic size, so Classic accessories carry over, and the cover protects the grill between cooks. Trade-off: the Series II listing describes its Kontrol Tower top vent and Air Lift hinge as additions over the Classic Joe I, so this is the more basic of the two. The listing also does not say whether a cart is included, so confirm that before ordering.
Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker: best for help with temperature control
Temperature control is the main learning curve with any kamado, and the Konnected Joe is built to shorten it as a digital charcoal grill and smoker. It suits a buyer who wants charcoal flavor with less hands-on fire management. This bundle includes a cover and a grate. Our Konnected Joe review explains how its digital features work day to day. Trade-off: it is currently on backorder and is the most expensive grill on this list. If you are happy learning the vents by hand, the Classic Joe Series II costs less.
Kamado Joe Big Joe Series I plus Heavy-Duty Cover: best for large families and parties
If you regularly cook for a crowd, the Big Joe is the largest of the Kamado Joe sizes on this list, and this bundle pairs the Series I grill with a heavy-duty cover. The extra grate area gives more room for two-zone cooking and large cuts. Our Classic vs Big Joe guide compares the sizes. Trade-off: a bigger grill burns more charcoal, takes longer to settle at temperature and is harder to move, so beginners who mostly cook for two to four are better served by the Classic. Confirm stand or cart details with us, since the listing does not mention one.
NewAge Platinum Kamado Bundle with Pro 22 in Cart: best grill and cart in one box
This NewAge bundle pairs a 22 in Platinum kamado grill in Midnight with the Pro 22 in cart, so the grill arrives with a matching way to move it around the patio. That solves the stand question standalone models leave open, and a cart lets you roll a heavy cooker under cover or away from the house between cooks. Trade-off: our listing gives the size and the cart but not the cooking area, weight or included accessories, so call us for those details before choosing between this and the Kamado Joe options.
What to look for
Match size to how many you cook for
Buy for the cooks you do most weeks, not the one big party a year. A Joe Jr suits one or two people, a Classic or a 22 in grill suits most families, and a Big Joe makes sense if you regularly feed a crowd.
Expect a temperature control learning curve
A kamado runs on airflow. The bottom vent feeds the fire and the top vent fine-tunes it, and small adjustments take several minutes to show on the thermometer. Creep up to a target slowly, because an overshot fire is hard to bring back down. Grills with a precise top vent or digital control shorten this learning period.
Plan for weight and a stand
Kamados are heavy, so think about where the grill will live before it arrives. Standalone models are made to sit in a cart, stand or outdoor kitchen cabinet, and a bundle that includes a cart saves a second purchase.
Accessories to buy first
Start with a heat deflector for indirect cooking and smoking, a good supply of lump charcoal, natural fire starters, an instant-read thermometer and a cover if your bundle does not include one. Everything else can wait until you know how you cook; our Kamado Joe accessories guide covers which extras are worth it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a kamado grill good for beginners?
Yes, as long as you allow a few cooks to learn the vents. Once the fire settles, it holds temperature steadily, which makes long cooks easier.
What size kamado should a beginner buy?
Most households do well with a Classic or a 22 in grill. Choose a Joe Jr if you cook for one or two, and a Big Joe only if you regularly feed a crowd.
Do I need a stand or cart for a kamado?
Yes, unless it is going into an outdoor kitchen. Standalone models ship without one, so budget for a cart, stand or cabinet, or choose a bundle that includes it.
Can I smoke on a kamado grill?
Yes. Set up for indirect heat with a heat deflector, keep the vents nearly closed for a low temperature, and give the fire time to settle before adding the food.
Questions about sizing, utilities or lead times? Call 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM Pacific. Orders of $999 or more ship free within the United States; a $200 flat rate applies below that. Still deciding on a cooker type? Read pellet grill vs kamado or our Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg comparison.
