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Although pellet grills have been available for many years, their recent innovations, like as WiFi compatibility, have really taken off in the outdoor cooking space among the finest grills. The most effective pellet grills are vibrant and provide a variety of direct and indirect heating options. Without the hassle of charcoal, all that, together with a flavorful smoke? Register with us.

We have identified the top pellet grills to suit every need and budget, ranging from straightforward models suitable for mild climes to fully functional cooking stations featuring side burners and smoke-sealing gaskets. The Traeger Pro 575 is our best choice following comprehensive testing. Compared to most other grills in its price range, it features thicker walls and superior seals, which improves heat retention and temperature control. The Z Grills Pioneer 450B, which is less expensive, lacks smart connectivity but offers excellent temperature control and a great smoke option for slow cooking.

Our top picks for the best pellet smokers and grills

• Best overall: Traeger Pro 575
• Best budget: Z Grills Pioneer 450B
• Best splurge: Traeger Timberline Pellet Grill
• Best versatile: Camp Chef Woodwind 24
• Best charcoal: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050

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1. Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill

Best overall

SPECIFICATIONS

• Fuel: Wood pellets
• Cooking area: 575 square inches
• Dimensions: 53″H X 41″W X 27″D
• Features: WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity, locking wheels, front temperature dial
• Hopper capacity: 18 pounds

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The Traeger Pro 575 pellet grill is an incredibly durable device that is perfect for entertaining and can impress visitors as much as you do. It is the most powerful pellet barbecue available for less than $1,000. (See our guide to the best smoker pellets for our recommendation on our preferred fuel; Traeger is ranked #1 once again.)

When it comes to a grill’s operation, heat retention and moderation are the most crucial factors. The Traeger is significantly thicker and seals better than anything else we’ve tried in this price range, even though it lacks the quarter-inch steel we want to see on a grill. In all types of weather, we’ve managed to maintain consistent temperatures within five degrees of our goal temperature—something that would be extremely difficult for even the most skilled griller to accomplish with charcoal or wood.

The Pro’s temperature ranges from 180 degrees, ideal for low-and-slow cooking, to 500 degrees, which will successfully braise food without causing a sear. In comparison to more modular grills, here is where the Traeger Pro series may falter, but it still deserves a place in this guide.

However, the Traeger Pro Series grills are the most durable and hold heat well for the price, so if you’re on a moderate budget and want to use the grill solely for barbecuing (or as an oven), you don’t need to look much farther.

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2. Z Grills Pioneer 450B Pellet Grill

Best budget

SPECIFICATIONS

• Cooking area: 459 square inches
• Features: Includes two meat probes, grease management system, manual feed feature
• Hopper capacity: 15 pounds

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For over two years, we have been testing low-cost pellet grills, and while the faults of some quickly became apparent, the Z Grill 450B didn’t experience the same issues with temperature regulation as we did with other models. In comparison to many other models in this price range and above, this grill was also simpler to assemble. The “smoke” setting allows you to lower the temperature down to 170 degrees Fahrenheit, which we enjoy for extra low-and-slow cooking. The temperature ranges from 180 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

While WiFi is a feature that some people may want in their Traeger and Camp Chef grills, if you’re on a tight budget, you really don’t need any additional technology on your pellet smoker. In place of built-in electronics, the grill can be carefully positioned so that it is close enough to view an LCD screen or use a temperature probe with Bluetooth or WiFi.

The main drawback of this grill is that smoke leaks out because the seal isn’t very good. To quickly address that, install your own gaskets (which, to be honest, works well for most grills). Lavalock is an excellent choice for this. Grilling experts we consulted on the subject advised that while a smoke leak could occur, the fire cannot spread past the auger.

The Z Grills 450B is an excellent, straightforward, and reasonably priced option if you want to grill for a small gathering without spending a lot of money or fussing with equipment or extras.

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3. Traeger Timberline

Best splurge

SPECIFICATIONS

• Fuel: Wood pellets, side induction burner
• Cooking area: 880 square inches
• Dimensions: 51″H X 59″W X 25″D
• Features: WiFi connectivity, grease and ash keg, two wireless thermometers, induction cooktop, downdraft exhaust
• Hopper capacity: 20 pounds

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The Traeger Timberline series (buy the XL if you require the best grill for large gatherings) is the greatest option if you want the most perfect barbecue with the least amount of work. Although it will cost you a lot of money, if you buy a cover and give it some minor maintenance, this grill should last for many years.

But be aware that the Timberline weighs more than 250 pounds, so be prepared. That being said, this is a true outdoor cooking station without a sink; you should leave it fixed on a sturdy surface rather than move it around your backyard. The Timberline is more akin to a Cadillac than your rugged, all-terrain utility Jeep with wagon wheels and a heavy-duty offset smoker.

It will be difficult for seasoned grillers to justify paying more than $3000 on a pellet grill, particularly one with a comparatively thin metal construction. This grill is ideal for individuals seeking a hassle-free and reliable experience, but it’s not for them per se.

Although the grill maintains a consistent temperature and cooks food uniformly, the firebox’s metal is unexpectedly thin, especially when compared to the quarter-inch-thick material found on charcoal or stick-burning pit barbecues that cost about the same. Starting with a grill cover that costs $200, accessorizing is nearly unaffordable. Nevertheless, out of almost a dozen upgraded pellet grills I’ve tried, this one is the best, and it’s also made to last longer than any other.

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4. Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24

Best versatile

SPECIFICATIONS

• Cooking area: 811 square inches
• Features: WiFi connectivity, smoke control, ash clean out, slide-and-grill start
• Hopper capacity: 22 pounds

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Among the earliest brands of pellet grills available was Camp Chef. The Woodwind series’ extensive accessory list and modular design surpass those of any other manufacturer, even though we believe there are alternative solutions better suited for the beginning griller.

The Woodwind grill functions simply and effectively, and its user-friendly interface boasts a robust WiFi connection. We are won over by the accessories, which include the Blanket, the Flat Top, the Sear box, the 28,000-btu cast-aluminum Sidekick side burner, and the Pizza Oven (available with a single and double burner). There isn’t much you can’t do with this grill in your backyard with this setup, and it’s all fairly priced.

We have discovered that this grill is difficult to maintain stability in strong winds or in below-freezing temperatures, but it will function perfectly in moderate weather or in a subtropical area. Nevertheless, the Blanket compensates for that remarkably effectively, and it’s a terrific option to shelling out hundreds or even thousands of dollars extra for a grill with stronger seals and thicker steel.

The greatest flexible pellet grill is the answer if you want a fully customizable, one-stop shop for grilling in your backyard without having to spend thousands of dollars on it, according to our testing and research over the past several years.

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5. Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050

Best charcoal

SPECIFICATIONS

• Cooking area: 1050 square inches
• Features: Digital control panel, WiFi connectivity, two-sided cast iron grates, fan control
• Hopper capacity: 10 pounds of hardwood, 16 pounds of briquettes

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It’s far easier said than done to tend to a charcoal fire, and it’s virtually always the reason for disappointing or unsuccessful grilling endeavors. With the aid of WiFi connectivity, Masterbuilt’s massive Gravity Series is an impressive device featuring a sizable hopper and feeder that functions similarly to a pellet smoker—only for charcoal.

Why choose charcoal instead of wood pellets? While many chefs contend that charcoal has a richer flavor, the reality remains that charcoal burns far hotter than wood pellets. The temperature range of the Gravity Series is approximately 150 degrees Fahrenheit, which is perfect for low-and-slow smoking, and up to 700 degrees, which is perfect for searing—a task that pellet grills typically aren’t able to accomplish.

The greatest charcoal pellet grill is ultimately a grill, griddle, and (higher-temp) smoker combined into one. Additionally, it features two-sided cast-iron grates—one thicker side for searing and one thinner side for smoking.

We could not go around the corner to the store, but we were still able to stay connected throughout the house, changing the temperature and even turning the grill off (though we still advise doing that in person). Monitoring the temperature with WiFi and Bluetooth was simple, and connectivity is about as steady as most grills we’ve tested.

Like many grills, the Masterbuilt Gravity Series has several drawbacks. It is not long-lasting or heat-resistant due to its comparatively light metal construction, and it took more than two hours to assemble. As predicted, there is typically more temperature variation than with a wood-pellet smoker, but that’s just with charcoal (briquettes burn more uniformly than hardwood chunks).

How to choose a pellet grill

Interface: A growing number of barbecues come equipped with cutting-edge WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity, so you can keep an eye on your brisket from your deck or even several miles away. Some, on the other hand, don’t require you to add another program to your phone and employ simpler controls. Technology advancements don’t necessarily translate into improved performance; instead, it depends on your preferences and cooking method.

Accessories: A large number of the grills we examined come with few or no extras, or you have to buy them separately. Be prepared to shell out extra money for a side burner and more shelves if you’re seeking for an all-in-one outdoor kitchen (without the sink). Out of all the grills we tested, the Traeger Timberline and the Camp Chef Woodwind series had the most added features.

Grills are best measured in terms of their cooking surface area, which is typically expressed in square inches. Larger models, exceeding 800 square inches, can cook for up to twelve people, while smaller models, ranging from 450 to 575 square inches, provide ample capacity for four to six people. Everything hinges on the dish you’re preparing. Companies display schematics of their grill configurations, showing the number of briskets, hog shoulders, chicken wings, and/or hamburger patties that they can accommodate.

How we test pellet grills

In order to determine what constitutes a successful pellet grill and for whom they are intended, we spent more than two years developing and testing smokers and pellet grills. We also talked with industry professionals, including Steven Raichlen, a seasoned TV host and author, Susie Bulloch of Hey Grill Hey!, and Chef Shola Olunloyo of Studio Kitchen. In order to assess grills, we grilled zucchini at a higher temperature and “low and slow” cooked pig shoulders and chicken drumsticks.

Build quality: When constructing each grill, we took into account the quality of the materials used, keeping track of which metal was more brittle or prone to denting. Each model was also exposed to the weather, with some left outside for longer than two years. We checked a number of grills and the electronics, and none of them failed. Any grill may be upgraded at a low cost and with ease by installing high-quality gaskets yourself.

We examined the process of owning and maintaining these grills, covering everything from construction and connectivity to cleaning and operation. We took into account if the grill was simple enough for a novice to use, whether the controls made sense, and whether the setup procedure required too much effort.

Value: A lot of the grills we evaluated included a small number of accessories, some of which were necessary. Although the least expensive option on our list does with a cover (that has withstood two years outside), every other grill we evaluated needed to have a cover bought separately. It quickly becomes pricey to add shelves, hooks, and/or brackets that should be there. Nevertheless, the warranty and construction quality offset these more expensive options.

Pellet grill FAQs

What are the positives and negatives of pellet grills?

Do pellet grills, sometimes referred to as pellet smokers, hold up against the finest charcoal or BBQ smokers that pitmasters love? When we questioned our favorite grillmaster, Steven Raichlen, he said emphatically, “No.” Pellet smokers, he did note, are excellent for the average individual who wants the flavor of wood smoke without having to put in the sweat equity.

This is not the kind of art that can and will only ever be done by hand; don’t expect the same smokiness in your meal that you would find if you carefully fed furniture-grade, kiln-dried cooking wood to an exquisitely burning bed of coals for 12 hours.

How do pellet grills work?

Pellet grills use a hopper that supplies an auger with compressed hardwood pellets. The auger then grinds the pellets into smaller pieces, which fall into a firebox and ignite, producing smoke.

What’s the difference between a pellet grill and a pellet smoker?

You can use a pellet grill or a pellet smoker interchangeably. Smokers frequently employ indirect heat, whereas grills typically operate on direct heat. The highest heat setting for a modern pellet grill is roughly 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which is in the middle of the low-to-slow cooking temperature range of 160–225 degrees Fahrenheit. This strikes a compromise between grills and smokers.

What are the best pellets for smokers?

You’ll probably be directed to its own line of pellets by the pellet-grill brand you choose, but the term “additive-free” pellets is what matters most. Because pellets are frequently forged from sawdust in commercial settings, lower-grade pellets, especially those lacking this difference, might include a lot of pollutants (down to even plastics and industrial waste).

It’s important to consider the sort of wood you purchase, but this gets quite personal. However, different wood species or mixtures are typically suggested by brands for certain meals. See our comprehensive guide to the top smoker pellets for additional suggestions.