11 Best Pellet Grills, According To Customer Reviews
Pellet grills allow you to smoke meats, grill vegetables, and prepare a wide array of other delicious meals. These grills feed hardwood pellets into a fire pot, heating the grill to the ideal temperature to match the type of food you're preparing. They are easier to use than other types of smokers, as the pellets are fed into the pot by an electric auger, which monitors the temperature and automatically supplies more pellets as needed. This means you don't have to adjust any vents or add more fuel manually; you can just sit back and wait for your food to cook.
When you compare pellet grills to charcoal grills, there is also a noticeable taste difference between the food that each cooks. While food cooked on a charcoal grill has a stronger smoky flavor, meat cooked on a pellet grill will pick up on the flavor profiles of the specific wood pellets — such as hickory or maple — that are added to it. If you're ready to add a new pellet grill to your deck or patio, you've come to the right place. I've rounded up some of the top products on the market to help make your decision easier. All of the pellet grills selected have a minimum rating of 4.1 stars based on feedback from at least 180 reviewers. You can find a little more insight into the methodology I used to select these grills at the end of this article.
Pit Boss Wood Pellet Pro Series V3 Pellet Grill with Smart Compatibility
If you're looking for a new grill to help you execute some of the best grilling hacks for your next barbecue, take a look at the Pit Boss Wood Pellet Pro Series V3 – the price is about $700. Thanks to its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility, you can adjust the temperature of the grill (between 180 and 500 degrees F) and monitor the progress of the foods you're cooking using the integrated meat probes from the convenience of your smartphone. It also offers an easy to use 4.3-inch LCD touchscreen for easy use. The grill provides 1,150 square inches of cooking space and offers the option of cooking using indirect heat or the Flame Broiler.
More than 3,000 customers have reviewed this pellet grill, giving it an average rating of 4.1 stars. About three-quarters of reviewers gave it a 4- or 5-star rating (66% gave it 5 stars and 10% gave it 4 stars), indicating that the majority of users are satisfied with their purchase. Many reviewers highlighted the overall ease of use and cooking performance of the grill in their review. One happy customer said they enjoy monitoring the grill via wifi — they explained it keeps temperature steady and it's built well.
Traeger Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
Traeger is one of the most respected manufacturers of pellet grills, and their Pro 34 Bronze Electric Pellet Grill and Smoker is a top product to consider for about $700. It offers a spacious, 884-square inch cooking area, which can be used for smoking, grilling, baking, roasting, braising, and barbecuing food. Ensuring that burgers are grilled to perfection and other cuts of meat come out as desired is also easy with this grill thanks to the Digital Pro Controller for Advanced Grilling Logic. Once you've set your desired temperature — up to 450 degrees F — the pellet grill will maintain the internal temperature within 15 degrees F of this set level. A few other notable features of this grill include its durable steel construction, protective powder coat finish, and all-terrain wheels for easy portability.
With a 4.6 rating based on more than 2,000 reviews, this model comes highly recommended by many customers. And 83% of reviewers give it a 5-star rating with an additional 8% giving it a 4-star rating. Overall, customers are impressed with its quality, ease of use, and the flavor it infuses into the foods they cook. Here's what one user shared in their review: "Every meat that we have prepared is so juicy and flavorful. We brine all poultry and use dry rub on all beef. Smoked turkey was so tasty. The temperature probes are a great accessory. And you never need to open the lid until the meat is done."
Z Grills ZPG-450A Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
Z Grills is another well-known pellet grill manufacturer. This Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker costs about $380 and features a PID controller to help ensure internal temperature stays consistent and right where you set it. It also features a meat probe port, making it possible to monitor the progress of the foods you're cooking and ensure they reach the desired internal temperature. You'll find this model is easy to use — after adding wood pellets to the hopper, all you need to do is place the food you're cooking on the grill, use the control panel to set it to the desired temperature, and sit back as your items are cooked to perfection.
The majority of customers are happy with their decision to try this pellet grill. It holds a 4.4 star rating, which is based on more than 6,000 reviews. And 70% of reviewers gave the grill a 5-star rating, while an additional 14% gave it a 4-star rating. Many commented on its functionality, value, and flavor in their product reviews. One customer wrote, "Not a lot of crazy options to overwhelm you, just good feeder with a good control unit. Highly recommend the purchase."
Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Grill with Smart Compatibility
Those looking for a pellet grill they can control and monitor from remote locations should take a look at the Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Grill with Smart Compatibility for $899. After downloading the WEBER CONNECT app on your smartphone, you can check on the progress of the foods you're cooking or adjust the temperature of the grill from the palm of your hand. This model offers a wider temperature range than some others, allowing you to set the temperature between 180 and 600 degrees F — and it offers DirectFlame for searing and browning meat, and is compatible with Weber's rotisserie and griddle (each available for a separate purchase).
More than 450 reviewers have given this pellet grill an average rating of 4.7 stars. In their reviews, many highlighted its temperature accuracy, ease of use with the app, and overall cooking performance. One individual shared, "Have done smoked turkey, seared steaks, pork and beef ribs and pork loins. All have been great! Love the app and control, plus the meat probe is a game changer."
Traeger Pro 780 Wi-Fi Pellet Grill and Smoker
Whether you're looking to cook frozen pizzas on the grill or want to smoke a brisket, you might find the Traeger Pro 780 Wi-Fi Pellet Grill and Smoker a good fit for about $1000. The grill offers a temperature range between 165 and 500 degrees F, has an 18-pound hopper capacity, and provides 780 square inches of cooking space between its two tiers. As a wi-fi enabled model, this Traeger pellet grill offers flexible control options using the app on your smart device. You can even download recipes to the app, and it will help walk you through the necessary steps to ensure they turn out perfectly.
More than 2,000 people have reviewed this pellet grill, giving it an average rating of 4.4 stars. Three-quarters of those reviewers deemed it worthy of a 5-star rating, with an additional 8% giving it a 4-star rating. Many reviewers praised the wi-fi control options and the grill's overall ease of use in their review. One wrote, "This is a very high quality smoker, so far it does what it says it does, and it is also very easy to clean and use."
Z Grills Pellet Grill with PID V2.1 Controller
This Z Grills Pellet Grill comes with two meat probes, allowing you to easily monitor the cooking progress of two different items without the need to open the lid and let heat out of the smoker. It uses PID V2.1 technology to ensure the internal temperature remains constant, helping each recipe cook as intended and turn out perfect each time. The grill offers 697 square inches of grill space, allowing you to feed a crowd at your next backyard barbecue. Other notable features include the 28-pound capacity hopper to keep it cooking without interrupting your busy schedule, an easy to use LCD control panel, and the bottom cabinet which offers the ideal space for storing pellets and other BBQ essentials.
This grill holds an impressive 4.9-star rating, which is based on more than 400 customer reviews, and sells for around $640. Of those reviews, 89% gave it a 5-star rating and an additional 10% gave it a 4-star rating. "I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to put together and how well built it is ... highly recommend," wrote one customer.
Nexgrill Oakford 1000 Wi-Fi Pellet Grill Smoker
You can grill, smoke, braise, roast, and more with the Nexgrill Oakford 1000 Wi-Fi Pellet Grill Smoker for about $600. It offers a spacious, 1,007-square inch cooking area to accommodate large and small meals. The grill is wi-fi- and Bluetooth-enabled, making it possible to use the smartphone app to monitor progress of the foods you're cooking. This grill also features a SureTemp Controller that works to monitor the internal temperature and make modifications as needed to keep it where you set it (between 160 and 550 degrees F). Other key features of this model include its 32-pound hopper capacity, foldable front shelf and fixed side shelf, and integrated accessory hooks along the side shelf.
More than 300 customers have given this grill an average rating of 4.3 stars. And 65% of reviewers give it a 5-star rating and 17% give it a 4-star rating. Many mentioned the wi-fi connectivity and remote monitoring in their review, while others highlighted this pick as a great value. One user shared, "I just completed a 16 hr cook session on 4 pork shoulders and was happy for the large grill. It maintained temperature like a champ, pork came out tender with a nice bark. Wi-Fi is basic but worked reliably. Highly recommend!"
Traeger Grills Pro 22 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
If you don't need such a large grill, then the Traeger Grills Pro 22 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker may be a great choice for about $500. It offers a 572-inch cooking area, which you can use for roasting, smoking, grilling, baking, braising, and more. This model is also equipped with a Digital Pro Controller with Advanced Grilling Logic, enabling it to keep the internal temperature within 15 degrees of where you set it (with the max temperature being 450 degrees F). The grill is made from durable stainless steel and has a powder coat finish to protect it against the elements and ensure it remains looking its best for years to come.
Nearly 2,000 customers have taken the time to review this pellet grill. And 81% of them give it a 5-star rating and an additional 7% give it a 4-star rating. With all the reviews average, the grill has a 4.5-star rating overall. Some of the features that customers appreciate the most are its smoke level, ease of use, and the flavor it infuses into the foods they prepare. "This is a great smoker for just about anything. I do my regular burgers & hot dogs on it but I also have cooked pork butt for pulled pork ... and beef brisket on it. Definitely worth the money plus Traeger customer service and community is great," shared one individual about their experiences.
Oklahoma Joe's Rider 900 DLX Pellet Grill and Smoker
There is a lot to love about the Oklahoma Joe's Rider 900 DLX Pellet Grill and Smoker for around $800. First, it offers a 906-square-inch cooking surface, providing ample space to smoke your favorite meats, grill delicious vegetables, or prepare barbecue chicken using Sweet Baby Ray's or another celebrity-approved barbecue sauce. Another stand-out feature of this pellet grill is the built-in sear mode. With this mode, you can increase the temperature to 650 degrees F to ensure perfect response. The grill also features an integrated grate accessory system, which makes it possible to configure the grates in different layouts to match the cooking demands of each meal you're preparing.
Most people who have purchased this grill are satisfied with its performance. They have given it an average rating of 4.3 stars, with 72% of reviewers giving it a 5-star rating and 11% giving it a 4-star rating. Many highlight its temperature accuracy and dual temperature probes in their write ups. One reviewer wrote, "It has done well so far and I believe it will continue to do so. Can't wait to compete in my family competitions with it."
Z Grills ZPG-6002B Pellet Grill and Smoker
This ZPG-6002B Pellet Grill and Smoker from Z Grills is another good option for those who are looking for a smaller model with a cost to match at $343. It has a 572-square-inch cooking surface and a hopper with an 11-pound capacity. With the direct flame setting, it can reach higher temperatures than some other models, allowing you to cook meats and other items at up to 750 degrees F. To ensure the temperature stays just where you want it, the grill also features an advanced PID controller, which helps maintain the temperature within 20 degrees of where you set it. A few other features of this model include the side shelf with a built-in bottle opener, all-terrain wheels, and durable steel lid.
If the list of features weren't enough to pique your interest, then the pellet grills high, 4.8-star rating might be. More than 300 customers have reviewed this model, and 84% of them give it a 5-star rating, while an additional 12% give it a 4-star rating. Many praised the grill's temperature control settings and ability to cook delicious meats. One wrote, "All in all my expectations are met if not exceeded. Definitely made the right choice choosing zgrills for my first smoker."
Camp Chef XT 24 Pellet Grill
The XT 24 Pellet Grill from Camp Chef can help you up your grilling and smoking game for everything from family dinners to backyard get-togethers for around $568. It offers 570 square inches of cook space and allows you to set the temperature between 160 and 500 degrees F to match the needs of the foods you're preparing. This grill also offers a special Smoke Control, where you can customize how smoky your foods taste by adjusting the control between one and 10. A few other standout features of this model include the Ash-Cleanout System to simplify cleaning time, the two included meat probes, the grease management system, and low-glare digital display.
Nearly 200 customers have reviewed this grill, giving it an average rating of 4.5 stars. Close to 90% of reviewers found it worthy of a 4- or 5-star rating (70% rated it as 5 stars and 18% rated it as 4 stars). Some of the features several customers noted in their review include the ease of assembly, ability to keep the internal temperature consistent, and the grill's ability to deliver excellent-tasting meals. Here is what one happy customer shared, "This thing turns whatever meat you put into it into pure deliciousness!"
Putting it all together
I considered the overall product review, along with the number of reviews, and percent of 4- and 5-star ratings when curating this list of the best pellet grills. All of the grills to make the list have a rating of at least 4.1 stars based on a minimum of 180 reviews. Additionally, at least 75% of reviewers gave each of these pellet grills a 4- or 5-star rating.