Best Pellet Grills for Backyard Cooks (2026)
Updated How we research
Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, 885 Sq In, WiFi | Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, WiFi app control, 500°F max - 6-in-1 grill, smoke, bake & BBQ
Traeger Ironwood 885 pellet grill and smoker with WiFIRE control, Super Smoke Mode and 885 sq in of two-tier cooking space for big cooks.
Traeger Woodridge Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, 860 Sq In, WiFi | 500°F max temp, 6-in-1 versatility - grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise & BBQ with WiFIRE app control
Traeger Woodridge pellet grill and smoker with 860 sq in of cooking area and WiFIRE app control, a step up in space from the Westwood it replaces.
Pellet grills blend wood-fired flavor with the ease of a thermostat. The heart of any pellet grill is its controller, so favor models with steady temperature holding and a large enough hopper to run long cooks without refills. Consider the temperature range, since a grill that reaches higher heat gives you searing options beyond low smoking. Look at build quality and insulation, because a well-sealed body keeps temperatures stable when the weather turns. Extras like meat probes, app connectivity, and easy ash cleanout can make a real difference over years of use. Pellet grills are ideal for cooks who want smoke flavor without standing watch over a fire. If you like the idea of setting a temperature, walking away, and coming back to ribs or a brisket that mostly cooked themselves, this is the category for you. It suits busy families, first-time smokers, and anyone who wants forgiving, repeatable results.
The short version
We compared 7 picks. Our scores range from 7.8 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, 885 Sq In, WiFi | Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, WiFi app control, 500°F max - 6-in-1 grill, smoke, bake & BBQ. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Pit Boss 500 FB2 Series Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker with Flame Broiler and LCD Digital Controller, 518-Sq. In. Cooking Space, 180°F to 500°F Temperature Range, Meat Probe, 5 lb. Pellet Hopper, Black. Value score of 9/10, overall 7.8/10.
- Solid build:recteq Patio Legend 600 Pellet Smoker Grill with WiFi & App Connectivity, Outdoor Smokers Grills, Wood Pellet Grill, Temp Range 180° to 700+°. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Feature-rich:Traeger Woodridge Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, 860 Sq In, WiFi | 500°F max temp, 6-in-1 versatility - grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise & BBQ with WiFIRE app control. Features score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, 885 Sq In, WiFi | Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, WiFi app control, 500°F max - 6-in-1 grill, smoke, bake & BBQ8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.Traeger Woodridge Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, 860 Sq In, WiFi | 500°F max temp, 6-in-1 versatility - grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise & BBQ with WiFIRE app control8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.recteq Patio Legend 600 Pellet Smoker Grill with WiFi & App Connectivity, Outdoor Smokers Grills, Wood Pellet Grill, Temp Range 180° to 700+°8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.Pit Boss 850 Navigator Series WiFi & Bluetooth Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, Flame Broiler and LCD Digital Controller, 932-Sq. In. Cook Space, 180°F to 500°F Temp Range, Meat Probe, 30 lb. Hopper8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Traeger Woodridge Pro Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, 970 Sq In, WiFi8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Traeger Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, Bronze7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.Pit Boss 500 FB2 Series Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker with Flame Broiler and LCD Digital Controller, 518-Sq. In. Cooking Space, 180°F to 500°F Temperature Range, Meat Probe, 5 lb. Pellet Hopper, Black7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1Traeger Ironwood 885 pellet grill and smoker with WiFIRE control, Super Smoke Mode and 885 sq in of two-tier cooking space for big cooks.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Super Smoke Mode and the D2 controller are listed for steady smoke flavor and consistent temperatures.
- + 885 sq in over two tiers is listed for up to 10 chickens, 7 rib racks or 9 pork butts.
- + Double-wall insulation and WiFIRE app control with timers and probe readings suit long cooks in cooler weather.
- - One of the most expensive grills in this guide, so it suits buyers who cook for crowds more than casual grillers.
- - The listing gives a 500 F maximum, so searing relies on the grill rather than a dedicated sear station.
#2Traeger Woodridge pellet grill and smoker with 860 sq in of cooking area and WiFIRE app control, a step up in space from the Westwood it replaces.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + 860 sq in of cooking space is listed for up to 6 chickens, 8 rib racks or 6 pork butts.
- + WiFIRE app control and a 180 to 500 F range cover grilling, smoking, baking, roasting and braising in one unit.
- + EZ-Clean grease and ash keg plus P.A.L. accessory compatibility are listed for easier upkeep and add-ons.
- - Costs more than the Westwood it replaces, so it sits in a higher price band.
- - Maximum temperature is 500 F, which is lower than some dedicated high-heat sear setups, and accessories are sold separately.
#3recteq Patio Legend 600: a WiFi pellet grill with a PID controller, 600 square inches of cooking space and a listed 180 to 700 F range, built with more stainless steel components than is usual in its class per the listing.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Listed temperature range of 180 to 700 F, wide enough to cover low smoking through high-heat grilling
- + PID controller for steady temperature control, with WiFi and an app that offers guided cooks and 500 plus recipes
- + Listing describes extra stainless steel components for rust resistance and ignition rated for over 100,000 cycles
- - 600 square inches is on the compact side next to the 900 plus square inch grills in this guide
- - The listing highlights do not give the hopper capacity or mention an included meat probe
#4Pit Boss 850 Navigator: a WiFi and Bluetooth pellet grill with 932 square inches of cooking surface, a 180 to 500 F range, a flame broiler, a 30 pound hopper with viewing window and two meat probes.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 932 square inches of total cooking surface, room for large cooks and party-size batches
- + 30 pound hopper with a built-in viewing window, so you can check the pellet level without lifting the hopper lid
- + WiFi and Bluetooth for reading and adjusting temperatures from a phone, and two meat probes come included
- - The 932 square inch figure is total surface, so the main grate is smaller than the headline number suggests
- - Controller range ends at 500 F, well short of the 700 F that the recteq in this guide lists
#5Traeger Woodridge Pro: a 970 square inch WiFi pellet grill with Super Smoke mode, a digital pellet sensor, Keep Warm mode and a folding side shelf. A larger, pricier step up from the Traeger Pro grills in this guide.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + 970 square inches of cooking area, which the listing says fits up to 7 chickens, 9 rib racks or 7 pork butts
- + Super Smoke mode adds extra smoke at the push of a button for low and slow cooks like brisket and pulled pork
- + WiFIRE app control with a digital pellet sensor to track fuel level, plus an EZ-Clean grease and ash keg for cleanup
- - Priced above the Traeger Pro models, so it only pays off if you will use the extra capacity
- - P.A.L. and ModiFIRE accessories are sold separately, and the listing highlights do not give the temperature range
#6Traeger's Pro 22 wood pellet grill and smoker in bronze, an established entry into set-and-forget pellet cooking.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Digital controller feeds pellets automatically to hold a set temperature
- + Wood pellets add real smoke flavor without managing charcoal or logs
- + Traeger is the category pioneer, so parts and recipes are easy to find
- - No WiFi mentioned, so you must check the grill in person during cooks
- - Needs a power outlet and dry pellet storage to run
#7Pit Boss 500 FB2 pellet grill with 518 sq in of cooking space and a flame broiler for direct searing, a lower-priced pick than the Traeger it replaces.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Flame Broiler Lever opens direct flame searing, listed up to 1,000 F, on top of the 180 to 500 F pellet range.
- + Digital control board adjusts in 5 F increments, and the two-tier surface offers 518 sq in of space.
- + Priced well below the Traeger models in the guide, with a solid bottom shelf for tools and pellets.
- - The 5 lb hopper is small, so long smokes mean refilling pellets more often.
- - The listing has no WiFi or app control, and it is a lower price band than the Traeger it replaces.
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- One of the most expensive grills in this guide, so it suits buyers who cook for crowds more than casual grillers. (Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill &...)
- Costs more than the Westwood it replaces, so it sits in a higher price band. (Traeger Woodridge Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker,...)
- 600 square inches is on the compact side next to the 900 plus square inch grills in this guide (recteq Patio Legend 600 Pellet Smoker Grill...)
- The 932 square inch figure is total surface, so the main grate is smaller than the headline number suggests (Pit Boss 850 Navigator Series WiFi &...)
- Priced above the Traeger Pro models, so it only pays off if you will use the extra capacity (Traeger Woodridge Pro Wood Pellet Grill &...)
- No WiFi mentioned, so you must check the grill in person during cooks (Traeger Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker,...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among pellet grills for backyard cooks (2026)?
Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, 885 Sq In, WiFi | Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, WiFi app control, 500°F max - 6-in-1 grill, smoke, bake & BBQ is our top overall pick. Traeger Ironwood 885 pellet grill and smoker with WiFIRE control, Super Smoke Mode and 885 sq in of two-tier cooking space for big cooks. It earns our score of 8.6/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Traeger Woodridge Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, 860 Sq In, WiFi | 500°F max temp, 6-in-1 versatility - grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise & BBQ with WiFIRE app control is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Traeger Woodridge pellet grill and smoker with 860 sq in of cooking area and WiFIRE app control, a step up in space from the Westwood it replaces.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Grill Smoke Craft independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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