The Best Pellet Smokers

Traeger Pro 575 Wifi Pellet Grill

Pellet Smokers are easy to use, affordable, and can convert new grillers into grill masters in no time. These smokers can reach a temperature of 450 degrees easily. And unlike a gas or charcoal grill, they don’t use direct heat.

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The Best Pellet Smokers

Hey BBQ Hero! Are you looking for a versatile and flavorful cooking option for your next backyard bash? Look no further than a pellet smoker, also known as a pellet grill.

These bad boys use a temperature-controlled system to feed wood pellets into a smoke drum. This creates a small fire that generates smoke and heat to perfectly cook your food.

Think of a pellet smoker as an outdoor wood-fired convection oven. It’s capable of cooking anything your indoor oven can while adding a smoky flavor. You can grill, smoke, braise, and even bake to your heart’s content.

The real magic happens when you place the wood pellets inside the Pellet Hopper. The pellets move through an auger to a firepot, heating the entire cooking chamber. This infuses your food with a natural, rich smoke flavor.

If you’re in the market for the best pellet smoker or grill, this is the place for you. We’ll be reviewing the top options on the market to help you pick the perfect one for your specific needs. So fire up your taste buds and get ready to elevate your BBQ game with the help of a top-notch pellet smoker.

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Our Picks: The Best Pellet Smokers

  1. Best Overall: Z GRILLS 700D4E Pellet Grill and Smoker
  2. Runner Up: Weber SmokeFire EX4 Wood Fired Pellet Grill
  3. Editors Pick: Pit Boss Sportsman 820 Wood Pellet Grill
  4. Best Customer Service: Silverbac Wood Pellet Grill Alpha Connect (WiFi)
  5. Best Small Budget: Traeger Tailgater Portable Pellet Grill
  6. Best Luxury: Traeger Timberline 850 WiFi Pellet Grill
  7. Best for Beginners: Traeger Pro 575 WiFi Pellet Grill

BEST OVERALL

Z GRILLS 700D4E Pellet Grill Smoker

Z Grills 700D4E Pellet Grill Smoker 1

The Z GRILLS 700D4E Pellet Grill and Smoker is another one of the best pellet grills. It has a PID temperature controller, two meat probes, and an LCD screen. You can check the temperature of your meat without opening the lid!

A PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) temperature controller allows very precise control of fan speed. This will help you hold temperatures steady. PID controllers are a must-have if you want to be more efficient in your grilling.

This amazing grill has 504 square inches of cooking space (plus another 193” on the elevated grate) and a hopper capacity of 20lbs . The unit is also quite versatile. It has a temperature range of 180° to 450° F, allowing you to grill, bake, sear, roast, braise, and barbecue, resulting in an excellent wood flavor.

What we liked
  • Durable construction
  • Large cooking space and hopper capacity
  • PID technology helps maintain temperature
  • Convenient pellet cleanout system
  • Comes with cover and gloves for assembly
What we didn’t like
  • Heavy unit
  • Elaborate assembly

RUNNER UP

Weber SmokeFire EX4 Wood Fired Pellet Grill

Weber Smokefire Ex4 Wood Fired Pellet Grill

The Weber SmokeFire EX4 Wood Fired Pellet Grill is the ultimate grill for any backyard chef. With a temperature range of 200-600°F, it sears as well as smokes, allowing you to cook up any type of meal to perfection.

But the EX4 isn’t just about its amazing cooking capabilities – it’s also built to last. Its Weber porcelain-enamel finish helps prevent rusting and cracking. This ensures that your grill will be around for years to come. Plus, with a large 672 square inches of dual grilling space, you’ll have plenty of room to cook up a feast for all your friends and family.

The EX4 also features a DC-powered engine. Designed to prevent auger jams and ensure that your grill is always ready to go. This unique design distributes even heat across the cooking area, ensuring that every part of your meal cooks to perfection.

With enhanced grilling performance and Weber Connect smart features, the EX4 takes your grilling experience to the next level. It even includes two meat probes (with a four-probe capacity), allowing you to track the temperature of your meat as it cooks.

What we liked
  • Large hopper capacity
  • Large grilling space
  • Wide temperature range
What we didn’t like
  • Heat hot spots
  • Produces a lot of ashes

EDITOR'S PICK

Pit Boss Sportsman 820 Wood Pellet Grill

Pit Boss Sportsman

The Pit Boss Sportsman 820 Wood Pellet Grill is a great bang for your buck. For its price point, it is very well-built. The extra features like shelving, a spice rack, and even a bottle opener make this a great choice. It also has 8-in-1 cooking versatility. You can smoke, bake, braise, roast, grill, barbecue, char-grill, and even sear – all in one place!

The Pit Boss Flame Broiler Lever lets you choose direct or indirect heat in a temperature range of 180° to 500°Fahrenheit. And the slide plate flame broiler is perfect for open-flame searing or direct flame grilling at 1,000° F.

This wood pellet grill has a large hopper capacity. It’s complete with a large hopper viewing window so you’ll never run out mid-cook ever again. Also included is one Pit Boss meat temperature probe. It notifies you once the desired temperature has been reached!

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What we liked
  • Easy pellet clean-up
  • 5-year warranty
  • 8-in-1 cooking chamber
What we didn’t like
  • No WiFi connectivity

Best Customer Service

Grilla Grills Silverbac Wood Pellet Grill

Product Images

The Silverbac Alpha Wood Pellet Grill from Grilla Grills is a cutting-edge and versatile grilling solution that will take your outdoor cooking experience to the next level. With top-notch temperature control, a roomy cooking area, and a dual-mode controller, the Silverbac Alpha is designed to satisfy both casual and seasoned grill fans.

What we loved most about the Silverbac Pellet Grill is its amazing 8-in-1 cooking adaptability, the spacious 692 square inch cooking area, and the 20-pound hopper capacity. Plus, the Alpha Smoke dual controller that lets you easily switch between accurate temperature control and optimal smoke output is a nice touch.

This grill truly excelled during grilling and smoking sessions. The accurate temperature control and Alpha Smoke dual controller let us experiment with various cooking styles and techniques, which created scrumptious results. When compared to similar products like the Traeger Pro 575 or the Green Mountain Grills Daniel Boone, the Silverbac Alpha provides more cooking space and superior temperature control features.

What We Liked
  • Smoke, grill, bake, roast, sear, braise, barbecue, and chargrill with just one grill
  • Enough space to cook for large gatherings, family meals, or meal prepping
  • Maintains stable temperatures, even in colder weather
  • Sturdy stainless steel construction
  • Outstanding customer support
What We Didn’t Like
  • Initial assembly required
  • Priced higher compared to some competitors

All in all, the Silverbac Alpha Wood Pellet Grill from Grilla Grills is a great outdoor cooking appliance that fulfills its promise of remarkable performance and adaptability. With its sophisticated features, solid construction, and user-friendly design, along with Grilla Grills’ excellent customer service, it offers great value for money and is a worthy investment for anyone serious about grilling and smoking.

BEST SMALL BUDGET
Tailgater

Traeger Tailgater Portable Pellet Grill

The Traeger Tailgater Portable Pellet Grill is a great grill for beginners, plus it’s compact and portable! With 300 square inches of cooking space, it can handle a few smoked pork ribs at a time. The unit weighs around 62 pounds and has foldable legs. This makes it easy for you to place the unit on the backside of your car.

Unlike most other pellet grills that claim to be portable, this unit is actually easy to move around. Plus, the interior parts of the pellet grill are removable. This makes it easy to clean the unit after a grilling session.

The Tailgater is able to hit a high-temperature range with minimal effort. This is great for grilling, smoking, and searing. That said, the size of the hopper is only 8 pounds, which is quite low compared to competitors.

What we liked
  • Portable grill with a good grilling area
  • Digital Arc controller manages temperature
  • Good temperature range
  • Easy to clean
What we didn’t like
  • Small pellet hopper
  • Folding legs difficult to deconstruct

BEST LUXURY

Traeger Timberline 850 WiFi Pellet Grill

Timberline 850

The Traeger Timberline 850 WiFi Pellet Grill is a competitive high-end option. It’s perfect if you’re looking to splurge on one of the best pellet grills out there. Designed to tick all the right boxes for any grill master, this is a high-tech grill model that will give you a great grilling experience.

The high-quality insulated construction provides excellent heat retention. And it has a whopping 1343 square inches of cooking space! For reference, that could hold 8 racks of perfectly smoked ribs!

Paired with WiFi and a user-friendly app, you’re able to track your grill temperature from a long distance. With the help of a probe that comes with it, you can check the temperature of your meat without lifting the lid. The Traeger app also has 1600 recipes that you can access to create magic on your grill.

The D2 controller has digital controls and a display that makes it easy for anyone to adjust the temperature. Plus, it has a built-in pellet sensor that monitors the levels of pellets. It will alert you when it’s time to add more pellets. Though it is one of the more expensive grills, we think it’s worth the money.

What we liked
  • High-tech grill with advanced features
  • Large cooking capacity
  • Pellet Sensor
  • WiFi connectivity + user-friendly app
  • All-terrain wheels for easy transport
What we didn’t like
  • Consumes a lot of wood pellets

BEST FOR BEGINNERS

Traeger Pro 575 WiFi Pellet Grill

Pro 575

If you’re looking for a pellet smoker that excels in multiple areas, this model won’t disappoint. The Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill in our opinion is the best overall pellet smoker on the market. This pellet smoker is very easy to assemble. Constructed using heavy-gauge steel ensuring long-lasting durability. It also features 572 square inches of cooking space, perfect for small gatherings.

What we love the most is that this model operates with better precision compared to most of the models in its price range. The versatile pellet grill by Traeger is also quite fuel-efficient. And it has a lower pellet consumption than most pellet grills on the market.

This grill has Wi-Fi connectivity that makes it easy to control and hold a steady temperature. One temperature probe is included which allows you to check the internal temperature data from the app.

What we liked
  • Fuel efficient
  • Easy to assemble
  • Good grill space for a small family
  • Offers Wi-Fi connectivity and a user-friendly app
What we didn’t like
  • Grill cover not included

Our Results for The Best Pellet Smokers


Things to consider when buying a Pellet Smoker

There are plenty of wood pellet grills available. Most will have the same basic features. Yet, there are also plenty of features that only the best pellet grills have. These can make your pellet smoking and grilling experience a lot more convenient and efficient.

Smart Technology

WiFi connectivity is a game-changer in the wood pellet grill world. This feature allows you to track and control the cooking temperatures from your phone. You won’t need to stand next to the grill at all times or open the lid to check the internal temperature of your meat. Most pellet smokers have some sort of smart technology, but how smart is the question?

Temperature Probes

Some smart pellet cookers come with outputs that make integrating a meat probe into their system easy. You can then see the readings on the main cooker screen. This makes your cooking hassle-free. Plus, you’ll have the added bonus of being able to check on the desired temperature without lifting the lid.

Pellet Removal

Because pellet grills cook by burning wood pellets, it’s essential that there be a way to remove the ashes. Some units come with chutes that help rid all the unused pellets. But, some models need you to vacuum out these pellets by hand.

Add-Ons

Your chosen pellet cooker may also come with a few bonus add-ons. Pellet sensors, replacement parts, durable wheels for transport, or extra meat probes can make a big difference in your grilling experience.

BBQ Hero Tip: Store your wood pellets in a cool, dry place. Wet pellets may clog your system and fail to generate heat.


Features to consider when choosing a pellet smoker

Here are a few more essential features to consider when choosing the right pellet grill.

Construction Materials

An attractive and shiny grill doesn’t always mean worth your money. While looking at the build quality of a pellet grill, pay attention to its vital components. The flame deflector, fire pot, grates, and drip pan should all be considered. These should be made of solid and marine-grade steel. This will ensure your grill is long-lasting and rust-free.

It’s essential not to compromise on the material’s quality while selecting a pellet smoker. A wood pellet grill featuring high-quality construction can keep heat in a better way. This allows the unit to grill food with efficiency even under cold temperatures.

Dimensions

Pellet smoker models can vary in size. You can get compact portable ones or commercial-size units. To determine the right model size for you, think about how many people you’re going to cook for. You should also consider the space you have at home.

Find a wood pellet grill that has a big enough primary cooking area to suit your needs without going too big and compromising on heat control. Portable pellet grills are also great for camping trips.

Also worth mentioning is the pellet hopper size. A Pellet Hopper is like a container to store all the wood pellets required for the cook. The wood pellets are transferred to the fire pot through an auger from the hopper. Therefore, your hopper’s size determines the duration of your cooks. If the hopper size is smaller than you need, you will be unable to cook for the required time.

To extend the size of a hopper, you can also buy hopper extenders. But, ensure these are from a reliable brand and compatible with your pellet smoker.

Warranty

Warranties are especially important to watch out for when shopping for pellet smokers. Ask about the length of time and coverage of the warranty the manufacturer offers. The typical length for pellet smoker warranties is around two years.


Safety Tips for Pellet Smokers

Pellet Smokers of any kind should be handled with care and caution. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when handling your new pellet smoker.

Keep a Fire Extinguisher Nearby

Because you’re dealing with very hot materials, it’s important to practice extreme caution and have a fire extinguisher nearby in case things go wrong.

Do Not Place Against Walls

Find the right place to set up your pellet smoker that is away from any exterior walls or flammable objects. Pellet smokers get very hot and can catch fire if they are too close to other objects.

Avoid Wearing Loose Clothing

Loose clothing may catch fire if too close to the hot pellet smoker. Protect yourself and your loved ones by wearing appropriate BBQ attire.

Did you know Traeger introduced their first pellet grill back in 1985?


Pellet Smoker FAQs

Do Pellet Grills Require Regular Maintenance?

Yes, a pellet grill will require a regular cleaning procedure. The burnt pellets release ashes that can accumulate on your heat deflector or around the pot. Some models will have a pellet removal system, but in some cases, you have to remove pellets ashes on your own. Cleaning a pellet grill is imperative as an extreme build-up of ashes may cause ignition problems.

Do Pellet Grills Require Electricity?

Yes, electricity is usually required because pellet grills use electronic systems to operate.

Are Pellet Smokers Easy To Use?

Yes, once you know what you’re doing, pellet smokers are relatively easy to use. First, fill the pellet hopper with the required amount of wood pellets. Then let the unit pre-heat before you can place your food in. That’s it. You don’t have to monitor the temperatures or airflow yourself as the built-in fans and computers do that job for you.

What Size Pellet Hopper Is Right For Me?

The size of your pellet hopper depends on how long you plan to use your pellet smoker in a single cook. A 40-pound hopper will last for around 40 hours. If you live somewhere with cold temperatures throughout the year, you may need more fuel to maintain the high heat in your pellet grill. In that case, you will require a bigger hopper.

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