The 8 Best Pellet Grills
This wiki has been updated 23 times since it was first published in March of 2019. Pellet grills offer versatility, convenience, and, perhaps most importantly, mouthwatering, wood-smoked flavor. Powered by electricity, the feature-rich models on this list use convection to braise, bake, roast and more, and are capable of cooking everything from restaurant-grade steaks to pizzas and cornbread. We’ve ranked them by heat distribution, ease of use and cleanup, and durability. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Pit Boss Navigator 850G
2. Camp Chef SmokePro DLX
3. Traeger Pro Series 780
Editor's Notes
February 10, 2021:
Both the Camp Chef Woodwind and Camp Chef SmokePro DLX are good mid-range options, and for moderate budgets, the SmokePro is the way to go. The Pit Boss Sportsman 500SP is one of the few compact models we found from the widely praised manufacturer, and if you have more space, the Pit Boss Navigator 850G is the same company's more high-end model, and it's an impressive piece of equipment, even for the price. If you want to save the most money, consider the Big Horn Outdoors Smoker, although it's not built to the same level as many others. The Green Mountain Davy Crockett is another interesting choice, as it's relatively portable, considering how capable it is.
April 04, 2019:
Pellet grills make it easy to knock up delicious meals using a variety of cooking methods, so they're a truly versatile option to have on hand. While you won't get the exact same results as with a charcoal or gas grill, many users prefer units that use pellets and indirect, convection-like heat because it imbues food with an exquisite wood-fired flavor. Further to that, we included models capable of reaching temperatures up to 500 degrees (the Camp Chef SmokePro and Rec Tec Trailblazer RT-340, among others) as well as selections with direct-flame grilling (Pit Boss 700FB), so you can still achieve the sear and char that you love.
We favored models that were ruggedly built, with warranties and clear instruction manuals to help you troubleshoot any issues, as can happen with this category. We incorporated choices for beginners (the Cuisinart CPG-4000) and seasoned grillmasters alike, and included a handful of high-performing units for the budget-conscious. Every item on our list is engineered to be high-quality, safe, and durable. The Rec Tec Bull RT-700 was given the top ranking due to its feature-rich design, smart technology, ease of use, and the plethora of bonus goodies it comes bundled with.
Special Honors
Yoder Smokers If you run a professional outfit and are willing to make a sizable investment, consider one of these premium options. They're about as rugged, reliable, and effective as you could possibly want, and they're built to last for many, many years. yodersmokers.com
Sawtooth Pellet Grills They don't have a very big lineup, but these high-quality options are made in the USA and offer both high-powered smoking capabilities and an austere look that should fit great in any backyard. They aren't even all that expensive. sawtoothpelletgrills.com
4. Pit Boss Sportsman 500SP
5. Grilla Silverbac Alpha
6. Green Mountain Davy Crockett
7. Camp Chef Woodwind
8. Big Horn Outdoors Smoker
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.