Looking to mix up the menu at your next cookout?
If so, a pellet grill makes it easy to take your outdoor cooking to the next level.
But there are so many options out there…
Trying to pin down the best wood pellet grill can be a daunting task.
Don’t fret! We’re here to help you find the best pellet grill for your space.
And in no time, you’ll be effortlessly roasting, baking, slow-cooking, or searing.
We’re not going into this review unprepared, either. We surveyed our entire team to get unbiased opinions and experience-backed testimonies on the best pellet grill smokers available.
So let’s get cookin’, shall we?
The Best Pellet Grill Review
We’ve compiled a list of some of the highest rated freestanding pellet grills on the market, so you don’t have to spend hours searching.
There’s the Weber Smokefire, Louisiana Grills, Traeger, and Yoder… But did all of these brands make it to our showcase?
Find out for yourself:
- Best Beginner Pellet Smoker: Camp Chef DLX 24
- Best Portable Pellet Grill: Traeger Tailgater
- Best Small Pellet Smoker: RecTeq RT-340
- Best Small Pellet Fed Smoker: Traeger Pro Series 22
- Best Intermediate BBQ Pellet Grill: Z Grills 700D3
- Best Electric Pellet Grill for the Money: Pit Boss 440D2
- Overall Best Pellet Grill: Coyote Pellet Grill
1. Best Pellet Grill For Beginners: Camp Chef DLX 24
product highlights
cooking area
570 Square Inches
materials
Stainless Steel
temperature range
160°F - 500°F
warranty
3 Years
price
$449.99
PROS
- Low barrier to entry for beginners
- Easy cleanup system for removing pellet ash
CONS
- We've experienced a need for firebox replacement
- Material quality leaves more to be desired
Let’s kick off the list with an easygoing, beginner-friendly outdoor pellet grill.
Camp Chef is well known for their robust line of pellet grills… Such as the Camp Chef Woodwind.
But if you just want to dip your toes in the water and don’t want to cough up the cash for a Woodwind… You may want to consider their DLX 24 model.
Our DSS Team Leader, Alan Morse, has owned this very pellet grill for over five years and has cooked just about everything on it… With the favorite being a simple turkey breast. (A pellet grill won’t overwhelm poultry with smoke flavor!)
With a sizable 18 lb hopper and super-low 160°F bottom end temperature… The DLX 24 is well stocked and well equipped for low and slow smokes.
The cleaning system on this unit is a hit, too.
“The firebox cleanout system is incredibly simple. Pull a lever, your ash goes into a collection pot, then all you do is hit ‘start’ and your grill starts right up. No vacuums, no buckets, no scraping, nothing. Just pull the lever and hit ‘Go’!”, Alan shares.
There’s nothing quite like a nice, easy cleanup.
But on the other side of the ledger… There are some shortcomings to the Camp Chef DLX 24.
“I had an issue with the firebox not keeping the pellets lit, and had a couple ‘flame-outs’ mid cook”, Alan explains.
And although it was an irritating issue, Alan replaced the firebox… And it hasn’t been an issue since!
We’ll also mention that this grill is made with an unspecified grade of stainless steel. Our preference is to see complete 304 stainless steel construction as that is the most rust and corrosion resistant.
So with that said… Be aware that over the years, you’ll likely see some rust pop up. (Particularly on that exposed lid!)
But with such a low barrier to entry… The Camp Chef DLX 24 is a great first foray into the pellet grill sphere.
2. Best Portable Pellet Grill: Traeger Tailgater 20
product highlights
cooking area
300 Square Inches
materials
430 Powder-Coated Stainless Steel Exterior, Porcelain Coated Steel Grates
temperature range
180°F - 450°F
warranty
3 Years
price
$479.99
PROS
- Compact design and folding legs make this grill great to use on the go
- The “Keep Warm” mode and grease management system are useful
CONS
- Would like to see a wider temp range
- Could benefit from a larger hopper for longer cooks
Traeger’s Tailgater 20 is specifically designed for, well, tailgating!
These portable pellet smokers have a compact design and folding legs, making them one of the best tailgate pellet grills for your next road trip.
The Tailgater can sustain temps between 180 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit… And Traeger’s Digital Arc Controller allows you to easily adjust temps in 5-degree increments.
Other special features include a wired meat probe, a “keep warm” mode, and a grease management system, which funnels drippings into a bucket for easy cleanup.
As for construction, Traeger grills are made with black, powder-coated 430 stainless steel.
It’s a good thing this grill is so easy to pack up and store… Because you’ll want to keep it protected from the elements when not in use! 430 stainless steel is notoriously prone to rust.
That said, we’ve got a Tailgater owner on our team, he’s owned this grill for 8 years… And it’s still looking great! (We’ve got the pictures to prove it.)
One of our Project Experience Managers, Peter Kurst, uses his Traeger Tailgater 2-3 times a week.
He loves the ease of use and dual temperature readout feature… But “wishes it had a bigger pellet hopper.”
Fair enough. The hopper on the Tailgater has a measly 8 lb capacity! Which is fine for most quick smoking sessions on-the-go. But for a brisket or a big pork shoulder (Pete’s favorite!)… Having to refill your grill several times can get old quick.
The Traeger Grills Tailgater is covered by a three year warranty… And at the time of writing, this pellet BBQ grill is going for $529.95.
3. Best Small Capacity Pellet Smoker: Recteq Road Warrior 430P
product highlights
cooking area
340 Square Inches
materials
Powder-Coated Steel Exterior, 304 Stainless Steel Interior
temperature range
240°F - 700°F
warranty
2 Years
price
$599.00
PROS
- Durable 304 stainless steel cooking grates and interior components
- Impressive 200-700 degree maximum temperature output
- 14 pound hopper capacity for longer grill cooks
- PID technology for consistent heat control and precision
CONS
- Lack of clarity on exterior materials
- Would like to see a longer warranty
- No WiFi control
RecTeq’s RT-340 is an all-around solid choice for those with a smaller outdoor space!
The cooking chamber is 340 total square inches. You’ll be able to cook 50 wings, 20 burgers, three rib racks, or two pork butts.
The hopper capacity is 14 pounds, which’ll give you plenty of fuel-space for longer, uninterrupted cooks.
So far, this is the best pellet smoker for searing… With a 200-700 degree Fahrenheit internal temperature range.
RecTeq also utilizes PID technology, for precise control of your desired cooking temperature.
Other special features include three handles and folding legs for easy transport, as well as one temperature probe.
As for durability… The grill grates, heat deflector, fire pot, and drip pan are made with heavy-duty, 304 stainless steel. No need to worry about rust, here!
We can’t say anything for sure on the exterior, though. It’s made with a powder-coated steel, but the grade used isn’t specified!
For peace of mind, you’d be best keeping this cooker stored away when not in use.
Recteq warrants this wood pellet BBQ grill for two years.
And at the time of writing, the RT-340 is priced at $599.00.
Pellet Grill + Outdoor Kitchen = Backyard BBQ Perfection
4. Best Small Pellet Grill: Traeger Pro Series 22
product highlights
cooking area
572 Square Inches
materials
430 Powder-Coated Stainless Steel Exterior, 304 Stainless Steel Grates
temperature range
450°F
warranty
3 Years
price
$499.99
PROS
- Efficient & small footprint for small backyards
- Great hopper capacity for the size
CONS
- Hot rod and smoke box design make dealing with ash challenging
- Hopper isn’t well protected and creates moisture trouble for pellets
- Would like to see a higher maximum temperature
Traeger makes another appearance on the list… And you may be surprised we’re not highlighting their new Traeger Timberline XL.
Well, we like to keep things simple around here.
Plus, we have a bona fide Pro 22 owner on the team… So we can speak to this grill far more through direct experience!
Design Expert Michael Calacino has owned his Traeger Pro 22 for 6 months now… And uses it at least once or twice a month.
It’s equipped with a simple (yet effective!) digital control panel for a “set it and forget it” cooking experience.
The 18 lb hopper capacity and 572 square inches of cooking space offers plenty of potential for small to modest BBQs… And for Michael, it’s been a joy to use.
There are a few quibbles on the Traeger Pro 22, however.
As Michael put it, “I do wish that the hot rod and smoke box were designed to more easily deal with pellet ash, so that you could cook a few more times before needing to vacuum the unit out.”
We don’t know about you… But more time spent cleaning means less time spent grilling!
“I also wish that the hopper had a bit more protection from the elements. Even when covered, moisture can find its way into stored pellets”, he continues.
While we love the no-nonsense design of the Traeger Pro 22… There are a few design choices that require more maintenance and proactivity on your part.
As for materials… These smoker pellet grills have a powder-coated, 430 stainless steel exterior. Like some of our previous grills, it’s worth storing the Pro 22 indoors if you can.
Traeger will cover this grill for a period of 3 years… And it’s currently available online for $499.99.
5. Best Intermediate Pellet Grill: Z Grills 700D3
product highlights
cooking area
697 Square Inches
materials
High Temperature Powder Coated Steel
temperature range
160°F - 450°F
warranty
3 Years
price
$609.00
PROS
- Easy pellet loading system and user interface
- Large hopper for low & slow smokes
- Large cooking area for big BBQ parties
CONS
- Must set temperatures in 25° increments
- Currently not enabled for WiFi
- Would like to see a higher maximum temperature
Feeling like you’ve got a little more experience under your belt? If so, you might like to give Z Grills’ 700D3 model a spin.
Z Grills uses PID technology, which allows their pellet smoker to maintain a precise, consistent temperature. You won’t have to constantly make adjustments!
Speaking of temperatures… Heat output on the 700D3 is between 180-450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Though this grill doesn’t get hot enough to sear… It’ll be great for low-and-slow smokes, baking, roasting, and grilling.
But that does bring up a drawback for this smoker.
Another one of our Project Experience Managers, Philip Aldrich, has owned a Z Grill 700D3 for 2 years… And temperature control is his biggest complaint with this model.
“Unfortunately, the temperature can only be adjusted by 25° increments, 225, 250, 275, etc. After 375, the only option left is high, so high heat cooking is not easily done”, Phil explains.
There’s also no WiFi on the unit at the current time of writing… But this may change in the future!
The 20 lb hopper was the largest one we’ve mentioned yet… Which is perfect for smoking meats like pork shoulder, ribs, whole chicken, and turkey. (All of Phil’s favorites!)
There’s also a manual pellet feed feature to funnel more wood pellets through the auger into the firebox… And allow for a quicker startup.
Phil’s only had an issue with jamming once, when trying to cook at high heat. The grill shut off, and killed the finishing touches on the dish he was working on… Thankfully it was an easy fix! He just emptied the pellets, cleaned out the hopper, and it was all set.
The 700D3 is constructed with high temperature powder coated steel, and warranted for a period of 3 years. As we’ve already mentioned… That powder coated steel is at significant risk of rust and corrosion if the coating chips.
At the current price of $609.00… Phil has the following to say:
“For the price, it has been worth every penny. I have recommended it to everyone who is in the market for a mid-tier electric pellet grill smoker.”
High praise, indeed!
6. Best Pellet Smoker for the Money: Pit Boss 440D2 Wood Pellet Grill
product highlights
cooking area
518 Square Inches
materials
Powder-Coated Steel Exterior, Porcelain-Coated Steel Grates
temperature range
180°F - 500°F
warranty
5 Years
price
$349.00
CONS
- Lack of temperature
- Low hopper capacity
- Takes a long time to preheat
Looking for the best budget pellet grill? Pit Boss’s 440D2 has some great features, at a lower price point.
First and foremost, you’ll get a 518 square inch cooking surface, with space for up to 19 burgers.
Temp output is similar to most of the other options on our list, at 180 – 500 degrees Fahrenheit. For searing at higher temps… The Pit Boss 440D2 also has a direct flame function.
Unfortunately, this grill lacks temperature precision. Like the Z Grill we just mentioned… You can only toggle in 25 degree increments!
Hopper capacity is a bit lower here, too, at just five pounds… So don’t plan any overnight cooks!
Other special features include WiFi control, a removable grease bucket, a side shelf with utensil hooks, a digital control panel, one meat probe, and a built-in thermometer.
The exterior is made of an unknown grade of powder-coated steel, and the cooking grates are constructed of porcelain coated steel.
Without knowing the grade used, it’s hard to gauge how the grill will hold up! It’s worth checking with Pit Boss for clarification on these details.
Pit Boss offers a five year warranty on this pellet smoker.
So, just how affordable is this grill?
Well, at the time of writing, you can purchase it for just $349.99… Packing a pretty decent punch for the price.
7. Overall Best Pellet Grill: Coyote Pellet Grill
product highlights
cooking area
609 Square Inches (28”) / 808 Square Inches (36”)
materials
304 Stainless Steel
temperature range
175°F - 600°F (28”) / 175°F - 700°F (36”)
warranty
Lifetime
price
$3,499.00 (28”) / $4,299.00 (36”)
PROS
- High temperature output and burn pot grates make this one of the best pellet grills for searing
- 304 stainless steel construction, making it the best quality pellet grill on our list
- Impressive warranty
CONS
- No WiFi connectivity
- Higher price point
Let’s round out our wood pellet smoker review with our top pick!
Coyote offers one of the best pellet grills on the market.
It comes in two sizes: 28” or 36.”
For the most part, these two models have similar features. That said, there are a couple differences!
For starters, the 28” has a total 609 square inch cooking surface, for up to 15 burgers… And the 36” has a 808 square inch total grilling area, which can fit 21 burgers.
While the 28” can heat up between 175-600 degrees, the 36” can reach 700 degrees.
With the 28,” you’ll get a 12 pound hopper capacity… And the 36” can hold 15 pounds.
So, that covers the differences. What else can you expect from Coyote pellet grills?
Well, both models have an easy-to-use touch screen control panel… Three wired meat probes, and burn pot grates for direct flame searing.
Both also utilize a dual fan convection system, for sustaining precise temps.
And other special features interior and exterior lighting, a wind guard, and a spring-assist hood.
All in all… The features aren’t that much different than the others on our list. Why is Coyote our top pick?
Well, Coyote offers the best quality stainless steel pellet grill, with full 304 stainless steel construction.
They also have the most impressive warranty. The exterior is covered for a lifetime, the interior is covered for five years, and other components are covered for three.
But even more than that… Our team loves the Coyote pellet grill!
Our Social Media Manager, Lauren Conrad, has owned hers for a year… And one of our Design Experts, Justin Merchant, has had his for a little over a month.
Lauren loves the “ease of use and versatility. We use it for long smoked recipes, basic grilling, and we love using it as an oven, especially in the hot, Arizona summers.”
For Justin, his favorite part is the flexible temperature range. “I can go low and slow at 225°F for hours on end, but also crank it up to 700°F and use the searing plate to sear a steak”, he shares.
Justin also mentioned that the Coyote pellet grill has a 2 sided hopper… Allowing you to create your own pellet blends, if you’d like.
As for the drawbacks… Lauren does deal with jams a bit more often than she’d like, and Justin would be thrilled to have WiFi connectivity.
At the time of writing, the 36” goes for $4,399.00, and the 28” for $3,499.00.
Although these grills may have a more “high-end” price than many of the others on our list… You can rest assured that a Coyote high end pellet smoker will look, work, and hold up splendidly for decades! You won’t have to replace it in just a few short years.
Wondering where to go from here? Well…
Elevate Your Pellet Smoker Experience
Now that you’ve seen some of the highest rated pellet grills, and you’re well on the way to becoming a certified pitmaster… What’s the next step?
Well, you could simply buy a freestanding pellet smoker and place it in your backyard…
Or, you could take your outdoor cooking to the next level!
How do you do that?
Well, an outdoor kitchen island is the absolute best solution for getting the most from your new pellet smoker.
Not only will it be the perfect place for food prep…
It’ll also provide a secure spot for storing your wood pellets…
And even a nearby seating area for your guests during those low-and-slow pellet cooks.
So… How do you make this all happen?
Here at RTA, we offer the most convenient and customizable outdoor kitchen solution… Perfect for pairing with your new pellet smoker!
And if you ever want to make things more cohesive with a built-in pellet grill…
We’ve partnered with Coyote for all of our outdoor appliances, which means adding their built-in pellet grill model into your design will be a breeze.
But don’t just stop at a pellet barbecue grill… You can also add a gas grill, a charcoal grill, a flat top griddle… Or even an outdoor pizza oven from Alfa!
And since your appliances will last a lifetime… You should be confident that your kitchen island will, too!
That’s why we make our custom kitchen kits with high performance concrete, backed by a limited lifetime structural warranty … So you can enjoy your outdoor kitchen for decades!
If you’re intrigued, check out our Learning Hub or test our free online design tool to get a better feel for how an outdoor kitchen will enhance your backyard cooking endeavors.
And when you want to get started… We’ll be here!
