Masterbuilt Gravity Series vs Kamado Joe Comparison

If you’re comparing a Masterbuilt Gravity Series to a Kamado Joe, you’re choosing between two very different charcoal cooking experiences. Both can deliver excellent flavour from charcoal and wood chunks, but they differ quite a bit in how they hold heat, manage airflow, and fit into day-to-day cooking.

For most buyers, the decision comes down to this: do you want the convenience of app-connected, set-and-forget charcoal cooking, or do you want the fuel efficiency, heat retention, and traditional feel of a ceramic kamado?

In this guide, we’ll break down the real differences between Masterbuilt Gravity Series and Kamado Joe, who each one suits best, and where the Kamado Joe Konnected range fits in.

Quick Answer

Choose a Masterbuilt Gravity Series if you want:

• set-and-forget charcoal cooking
• digital heat control
• app connectivity
• more cooking space for the money
• an easier learning curve

Choose a Kamado Joe if you want:

• stronger fuel efficiency
• excellent heat retention
• a more traditional charcoal cooking experience
• great versatility for smoking, grilling, roasting, and searing
• premium ceramic construction

Choose a Kamado Joe Konnected if you want: 

• the benefits of a ceramic kamado
• easier temperature management
• set-and-forget features with a digital fan
• modern features with a more traditional kamado design

Masterbuilt vs Kamado Joe Comparison Table:

How The Two BBQ's Work

Masterbuilt Gravity Series

The Masterbuilt Gravity Series has a more familiar metal BBQ and smoker look, with a charcoal hopper mounted to the side. You load charcoal into the hopper, set your target temperature on the controller or through the app, and a fan helps move heat and smoke into the cooking chamber.

That setup is a big part of the appeal. You still get charcoal flavour, but with a much easier and more automated cooking process than a traditional vent-managed charcoal BBQ.

It is especially appealing for people who want to do long cooks without needing to hover around the barbecue.

Kamado Joe

Kamado Joe cookers use a ceramic kamado design, with the charcoal sitting under the cooking grate and heat controlled mainly through top and bottom vents. Heat deflectors and internal accessories allow you to switch between direct and indirect cooking styles.

What really sets a Kamado Joe apart is the ceramic body. That heavy ceramic construction holds heat extremely well once the barbecue reaches temperature. It is one of the main reasons Kamado-style cookers are known for steady cooks and strong fuel efficiency.

Most of the range is more hands-on than a Masterbuilt, although the Kamado Joe Konnected range introduces digital control and auto ignition for people who want a more guided experience.

Fuel Efficiency: Which One Uses Less Charcoal?

If fuel efficiency matters, Kamado Joe has the edge.

Thanks to the ceramic body and the way a kamado retains heat, Kamado Joe cookers can run very efficiently once they are dialled in. They do not need as much airflow to maintain temperature, which usually means less charcoal use over a long cook. They hold the temperature extremely well when it's dialled in due to the ceramic build.

The Masterbuilt Gravity Series can still produce excellent results, but the fan-assisted system tends to use fuel faster than a ceramic kamado. That is part of the trade-off for convenience. You get easier temperature control, but not the same fuel economy.

If you do regular long cooks and want to stretch your charcoal further, Kamado Joe is likely to suit you better.

Set-&-Forget Cooking: Which One Is Easier?

This is where the Masterbuilt Gravity Series stands out.

One of the biggest reasons people choose Masterbuilt is because it makes charcoal cooking simpler. You load the hopper, choose your temperature, and let the controller manage airflow while you monitor the cook from your phone. For many buyers, that is a very attractive balance of flavour and convenience.

Kamado Joe can also run very steadily, but most models require more involvement early on. You need to learn how to use the top and bottom vents to get the barbecue settled at your target temperature.

That said, once a Kamado Joe is dialled in, it can hold heat extremely well and often needs very little adjustment during the cook.

So if your main priority is easy set-and-forget cooking, Masterbuilt is usually the better fit. If you want a kamado with more automation, the Kamado Joe Konnected range is worth considering.

Cooking Versatility

Both brands are versatile, but they shine in slightly different ways.

Masterbuilt Gravity Series is well suited to:

• low and slow smoking
• roasting
• controlled cooks with digital temperature management
• buyers who want charcoal flavour without needing to learn vent control
• grilling, but the caveat is it acts more like a hot oven than direct grilling flames

Kamado Joe is well suited to:

• low and slow smoking
• roasting
• direct grilling
• searing
• buyers who enjoy a more traditional charcoal cooking style

A lot of people comparing these two are not just choosing between smokers. They are choosing between two styles of charcoal BBQ. Kamado Joe often appeals to people who want to smoke, grill, and sear on the one unit with a more classic charcoal feel.

Masterbuilt is still versatile, but its strongest appeal is making charcoal cooking easier and more approachable.

Build & Long-Term Ownership Feel

These cookers are built differently, and that affects the ownership experience.

Masterbuilt Gravity Series units are metal-bodied cookers designed around convenience, cooking capacity, and digital control.

Kamado Joe uses a ceramic build, which gives it a very different feel in both performance and price. It sits at a higher price point, and for many buyers that reflects the heavier construction, heat retention, and overall cooking style.

A careful way to frame it is this: if you want a premium ceramic charcoal cooker and do not mind being a little more hands-on, Kamado Joe is a strong option. If you want convenience, easier operation, and app-based control, Masterbuilt makes a lot of sense.

Which BBQ Suits Beginners?

For many beginners, Masterbuilt is the easier option to get started with.

The digital controls reduce a lot of the trial and error that comes with learning charcoal airflow. If you are new to smoking and want reliable temperature control without a lot of manual adjustment, Masterbuilt can be a less intimidating place to start.

Kamado Joe can absolutely work well for beginners too, but it usually suits someone who is happy to spend a bit more time learning how vent settings affect heat.

From what we see, the people happiest with Kamado Joe are often the ones who do not mind spending a little time getting the temperature set properly at the start, because once it is stable, it holds heat very well and can run for hours with minimal interference.

Model Range Overview

On the Masterbuilt side, this comparison mainly refers to the Gravity Series range, which includes different sizes depending on how much cooking capacity you need.

On the Kamado Joe side, the range includes smaller and larger ceramic kamados, along with the Konnected range for people who want a more automated experience.

For most buyers, the more important question is not the exact model first. It is whether you prefer the cooking style of a gravity-fed charcoal smoker with digital control, or a ceramic kamado with strong heat retention and traditional airflow management.

Who should you choose Masterbuilt?
Masterbuilt Gravity Series is a strong fit if you:

• want charcoal flavour with less effort
• like digital temperature control
• want a more hands-off cooking experience
• value cooking space and convenience
• are comfortable with using more fuel than a ceramic kamado

Who should you choose Kamado Joe?
Kamado Joe is a strong fit if you:

• want excellent fuel efficiency
• value heat retention and steady cooking
• enjoy traditional charcoal barbecue
• want strong versatility across smoking and grilling
• do not mind a little more involvement setting up the cook

If you like the sound of Kamado Joe but want some of the convenience that attracts buyers to Masterbuilt, the Konnected range is the most relevant option to consider.

Final thoughts

Masterbuilt Gravity Series and Kamado Joe are both excellent charcoal cooking options, but they suit different types of barbecue owners.

If you want easier set-and-forget charcoal cooking with digital control, Masterbuilt is likely the better match.

If you want stronger fuel efficiency, premium ceramic construction, and a more traditional charcoal cooking experience, Kamado Joe is likely to be the better fit.

If you want something in between, the Kamado Joe Konnected range offers a useful middle ground.

The best choice comes down to how you actually like to cook, not just which brand has the stronger spec sheet on paper.

Watch the comparison video below for a quick side-by-side overview, then browse the Masterbuilt range online or browse the Kamado Joe range online to find the option that suits your cooking style best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Is Better, Masterbuilt Gravity Series Or Kamado Joe?

Masterbuilt is better for easy, set and forget cooking. Kamado Joe is better for fuel efficiency, heat retention and traditional charcoal cooking.

What Is The Main Difference Between Masterbuilt And Kamado Joe?

Masterbuilt uses a digital controller and fan to manage temperature. Kamado Joe uses an insulated ceramic body and airflow vents to control heat.

Which Uses Less Charcoal, Masterbuilt Or Kamado Joe?

Kamado Joe generally uses less charcoal because its ceramic body retains heat extremely well and requires less airflow to maintain temperature.

Which Is Better For Beginners, Masterbuilt Or Kamado Joe?

Masterbuilt is usually easier for beginners because the digital controller automatically manages temperature. Kamado Joe requires more practice with vent control.

Is The Kamado Joe Konnected Similar To A Masterbuilt Gravity Series?

Both offer digital temperature control, but they cook differently. Masterbuilt uses a gravity-fed charcoal hopper, while the Konnected Joe uses a ceramic kamado design.

by: Sasha Halabi