The Big Green Egg

Reviews say The Big Green Egg charcoal grill is the best luxury charcoal grill you can buy, though its grill is just 18 inches in diameter (it also comes in 24-, 15-, and 13-inch models). This Kamado-style grill's selling point is its temperature control; you can cook at very low and very high temperatures, and the settings are accurate enough that you can bake or use it as a smoker. We find hardly any negative comments for this grill, but some owners say it takes a while to learn how to use it. If you don't need to slow-cook or smoke meats, you can spend less and still get a great grill. For large families and entertaining, reviewers suggest the less costly and larger Char-Griller Outlaw (*Est. $205).

We found the best reviews of the Big Green Egg charcoal grill at About.com and Food & Wine. The experts at these sites know charcoal grills; however, recommendations are based on their experience rather than formal, standardized testing. We also consulted customer reviews at Buzzillions.com.