The Best Pellet Grills and Smokers for Backyard Barbecues of 2024

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Smoke a rack of ribs or grill a juicy steak on one of the best pellet grills and smokers.

Whether you prefer smoked chicken or well-done steak, the best pellet grills and smokers deliver. Their versatility and ease of use set them apart from other types of grills. Wood pellets can simmer on low at around 250 degrees Fahrenheit or smolder at temperatures that—depending on the grill model—may top 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

Their set-it-and-forget-it design relies on digital controls, an internal thermostat, and an electric hopper that automatically feeds pellets to the firebox to ensure easy use. But keep in mind that, because of these automated and electric features, the best pellet grills and smokers require both fire and electricity.

This guide examines the features to consider when shopping for the best pellet grill and offers up the top choices on the market, from small, portable models to large units ready for a big backyard barbecue. Each top pick below was thoroughly researched or hands-on tested after an in-depth review of the market.

1. BEST OVERALL: Traeger Pro 575 Electric Wood Pellet Grill
2. RUNNER-UP: Traeger Ironwood Wi-Fi Pellet Grill & Smoker 
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Z Grills ZPG-450A Wood Pellet Grill
4. UPGRADE PICK: Weber SmokeFire EX6 Wood Fired Pellet Grill
5. BEST FOR STEAKS: Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX 1200 Pellet Grill
6. BEST SMART: Green Mountain Grills Trek Prime 2.0 Pellet Grill
7. BEST LARGE: Traeger Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill & Smoker (Gen 1)
8. BEST FOR SEARING: Pit Boss 700FB Wood Pellet Grill

How We Chose the Best Pellet Grills and Smokers

We considered a variety of criteria when testing and selecting the top smokers and pellet grills for our list. We chose models with precise temperature controls that could maintain lower temperatures for smoking pork butts as well as searing heat for grilling steaks. We only considered models made of heavy-gauge steel with durable enamel or powder-coated finishes that protect from rust. We also gave special consideration to models equipped with large-capacity hoppers to reduce the need for repeated pellet refills. While pellet grills are generally easier to use than other wood pellet smokers, ease of use was also a consideration.

Our Top Picks

The list below considers size, quality, and additional features to narrow the field to some of the top pellet grills and smokers on the market. This list includes portable models and full-size wood pellet grills from some of the top names in the business that we hands-on tested or thoroughly researched. 

Best Overall

Traeger Pro 575 Electric Wood Pellet Grill

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Product Specs 

• Cooking surface: 575 square inches
• Width: 41 inches
• Hopper capacity: 18 pounds

Pros

• Superb quality grill and smoker from one of the industry’s leading brands
• Combines rapid starting with excellent hopper capacity and large cooking surface
• WiFire technology offers control via smartphone app and voice commands when paired with Alexa

Cons

• While complaints are rare, some buyers found the paint has bubbled or chipped off

A model from one of the most highly regarded names in pellet cooking grills, the Traeger Pro 575 features a solid build and smart design, making it one of the best wood pellet grills on the market. Traeger’s D2 drivetrain starts and heats faster than other pellet grills. WiFire technology gives outdoor chefs control of the Traeger grill from a smart device through the Traeger app or voice commands (when paired with Alexa). 

Heavy-gauge steel construction makes this a sturdy appliance. A large 18-pound-capacity hopper ensures the grill runs for many hours without a refill, and its 575 square inches of cooking surface will help feed a crowd.

Get the Traeger Pro 575 pellet grill and smoker at Amazon, Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, BBQ Guys, Best Buy, or Traeger.

Runner-Up

Traeger Ironwood Wi-Fi Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker

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Product Specs 

• Cooking surface: 616 square inches
• Width: 59 inches
• Hopper capacity: 22 pounds

Pros

• Extremely versatile construction; grill, smoke, baste, roast, and braise with 1 appliance
• Comes with multiple accessories; features porcelain grates, a pellet sensor, and a grilling light
• 2 cooking tiers with an adjustable top shelf allow you to keep food warm while continuing to cook other items 

Cons

• Some buyers have reported issues with Wi-Fi connectivity

The Traeger Ironwood lets you customize your grilling and smoking experience to your heart’s content. Use the WiFire technology and touch-screen display to get your barbecue going; then cook your food to precise temperatures with two wired meat probes. Insulated dual-wall construction reduces temperature fluctuation while grilling and smoking. Plus, Super Smoke mode keeps fresh smoke flowing over your meat, imbuing it with even more wood-fire flavor.

And at the end of your cooking session, the EZ-Clean grease and ash keg collects both pellet ash and drippings into a single large container that’s easily accessible, making for quick cleanup. For even more customization, purchase a range of P.A.L. Pop-And-Lock accessories, including extra shelving, tool hooks, storage bins, and cup holders.

What our tester says: Stephanie Cronk, executive commerce editor at Bob Vila, notes the following about the Traeger Ironwood pellet grill: “The Ironwood is an easy-to-use, quality-built pellet grill. It lives up to the Traeger name in terms of efficiency and durability. The digital screen is user-friendly, and the built-in seasoning process is a great touch. If you enjoy smoky flavor, which my family does, the Super Smoke function is a must. We’re very happy with this pellet girl and will never go back to gas.”

Get the Traeger Ironwood pellet grill and smoker at The Home Depot, BBQGuys, Best Buy, or Traeger.

Best Bang for the Buck

Z Grills ZPG-450A Wood Pellet Grill

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Product Specs 

• Cooking surface: 452 square inches
• Width: 45 inches 
• Hopper capacity: 15 pounds

Pros

• Ample cooking surface holds up to 18 burgers, 4 rib racks, or 3 whole chickens
• Digital temperature controls precisely maintain cooking temperature
• Steel construction, foldable front shelf, and all-terrain wheels offer durability and convenience

Cons

• Smaller hopper capacity requires more frequent refills than other models
• Lower max temp of 450 degrees Fahrenheit means some items may take longer to cook

This model from Z Grills offers one of the most affordable ways to add a pellet grill to an outdoor kitchen, costing hundreds of dollars less than many other pellet grills. A side-mounted 15-pound-capacity hopper feeds a 452-square-inch cooking surface for ample space and grilling time. Digital controls like those typically found on higher-end wood pellet grills allow for precise temperature settings. Steel construction and a powder-coated finish protect against rust. At 45 inches wide, it’s one of the more compact pellet grills on the market. 

Get the Z Grills pellet grill and smoker at Amazon.

Upgrade Pick

Weber SmokeFire EX6 Wood Fired Pellet Grill

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Product Specs 

• Cooking surface: 1,008 square inches
• Width: 55 inches
• Hopper capacity: 20 pounds

Pros

• Renowned Weber quality with porcelain-enamel finish for all-weather protection
• Smart controls via Wi-Fi and app with 200 to 600 degree Fahrenheit temperature range
• Special Flavorizer bars for consistent heat, plus smoke boost for added flavor

Cons

• It’s a large grill that needs plenty of space, and it’s more expensive than most

Perhaps the best-known name in grills, Weber waited until 2020 to launch its first pellet grill, but the SmokeFire EX6 was worth the wait. A common critique of many wood pellet grills is that they can’t achieve high enough temps for searing. Weber takes what it’s learned from more than half a century of manufacturing grills to produce a pellet grill that heats to a max temp of 600 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about 100 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than most other pellet grills. 

Weber’s SmokeFire EX6 provides the same sturdy build and high-quality materials as the brand’s other grills. One of the larger models on the market, it packs more than 1,000 square inches into its cooking surface. A large LED control screen and smart controls round out its attractive features. 

Get the Weber pellet grill and smoker at Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, Target, or Best Buy.

Best for Steaks

Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX 1200 Pellet Grill

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Product Specs 

• Cooking surface: 1,234 square inches
• Width: 55 inches
• Hopper capacity: 20 pounds

Pros

• Maximum temperature of 650 degrees Fahrenheit with sear mode for perfect steaks
• Dual-sensor temperature technology provides accurate control for all cooking styles
• Large Quickdraw hopper provides consistent feed and rapid pellet changeovers or emptying

Cons

• At 255 pounds, it is very heavy, and there have been a few reliability issues

At its maximum temperature of 650 degrees Fahrenheit, Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX easily achieves that sought-after crust on seared steaks. Remarkably, the Rider also holds steady at temps as low as 200 degrees Fahrenheit for delectably smoked meats, too. 

Backyard gourmets can configure the system of grates and racks for grilling or smoking. They can also monitor temperatures and the DLX pellet grill’s total runtime through an innovative probe system. Dual smoke stacks allow for optimal airflow. The heavy-gauge steel construction of this pellet smoker grill ensures a durable appliance. 

Get the Oklahoma Joe’s pellet grill and smoker at The Home Depot or Oklahoma Joe’s.

Best Smart

Green Mountain Grills Trek Prime 2.0 Pellet Grill

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Product Specs 

• Cooking surface: 220 square inches
• Width: 34.25 inches
• Hopper capacity: 9 pounds

Pros

• Big enough to cook for the family; compact enough to fit in a camper or RV
• Smart Wi-Fi capability allows for control and monitoring of internal temperature
• Connects to both AC and DC power sources for excellent versatility 
• Compact construction is perfect for transporting while camping and RVing

Cons

• While the compact size makes it portable, it does weigh 67 pounds
• Smaller hopper capacity compared to other options on this list 

With its ample cooking surface within a manageable overall size, Green Mountain’s portable pellet grill makes a great addition to an outdoor cooking arsenal during camping trips and tailgating events. It boasts 220 square inches of cooking surface (notably large for a portable grill) on its 67-pound frame. While a bit on the heavy side for a portable, it’s compact enough to load into a trunk. 

Compatible with AC and DC power sources, a car battery, or a vehicle accessory outlet, this grill goes just about anywhere. But the chef won’t have to hover. With its smart Wi-Fi connectivity and meat probe, the grill master can monitor meats while mingling with friends. But make sure they check out the grill, too. With its handsome stainless steel lid, optional extendable legs, rolling cart, and its range of 150 to 550 degree Fahrenheit cooking temperatures, this appliance is meant to be shown off. 

Get the Green Mountain Grills pellet grill and smoker at Amazon, BBQGuys, or Wayfair.

Best Large

Traeger Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill & Smoker (Gen 1)

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Product Specs 

• Cooking surface: 884 square inches 
• Width: 52.7 inches
• Hopper capacity: 17.6 pounds

Pros

• Enough cooking surface for a half dozen racks of ribs or up to 40 burgers
• Digital temperature control with 2 meat probes to monitor cooking without raising the lid
• Solid steel construction with sawhorse chassis design for maximum stability

Cons

• Although it’s popular and usually reliable, some buyers have reported trouble maintaining high heat

With nearly 900