Best Pellet Smoker (Overall): Traeger 575 with Cover ($969)
Best Cheap Pellet Smoker: KingChii Pro Series 01 ($324)
Best Pellet Smoker for Small Yards: Pit Boss Vertical Pellet Smoker ($468)
Best Portable Pellet Smoker: Traeger Ranger ($429)
My Personal Pellet Smoker: Pit Boss Sportsman 820 ($800)
Finding the best pellet smoker is not always so straightforward. Some of the things you’ll need to consider are; budget, backyard space, Wifi/Bluetooth temperature control, size, function, and material.
Pellet Smokers work by pushing tiny pieces of compressed woof from a hopper into a firebox under a tray, which is fixed under the grates. Most have onboard computers and fans that regulate temperature, even feeding cooking and temperature data to smartphone apps. Though it has caused some criticism, pellet smoking is the only category in grilling to wholeheartedly embrace such technology into even its entry-level products. This technology has made the category as a whole the easiest, most relaxed path to properly smoked meat there is.
Testing Notes: What to Know About Pellet Grills
Easy to use: More so than any other kind of grill, pellet grills strive to eliminate barriers to entry. While revered for high-temperature cooking and its more primal roots, charcoal is especially tricky for new grillers to get a handle on. Gas grilling is quite easy comparatively, but gas grills with the firepower to sear meat quickly are pricier than you’d expect. A decent pellet grill is reasonably priced (about $600) and grants even the most novice cooks the ability to turn out really well-smoked grub.
Smoking, simplified: Traditional wood and charcoal smoking is challenging. You’ve got 6 to 12 hours to maintain a steady temperature, keep the coalbed happy, monitor internal temperatures and probably entertain guests to boot. Pellet grilling frontloads the work on your end: fill the hopper with wood pellets, preheat the grill, put the food on and you’re done. There’s no tending to the fire or monitoring vents for heat flow; computers in the grill do all that for you.
Grilling from your couch: Manufacturers have begun working smart technology into their latest grills, but pellet grills have had it for years now. Turn on the grill, select a cook cycle and get the interior pre-heated and smoky. Once you’re cooking, you can monitor the internal temperature of the meat you’re cooking from your phone via Wi-Fi. More advanced pellet grills will even cut the temperature when you’re closing in on that desired temperature. One note, though: Wi-Fi connectivity is largely dependent on the distance and obstructions between your grill and route. If your router is buried deep in the basement, it’s unlikely you’ll secure a working connection.
Best Pellet Smoker (Overall): Traeger 575 with Cover ($969)
It’s uncommon that a category’s most popular product is genuinely the best choice for most folks. It’s easy to assemble, made of heavy-gauge steel, rarely encounters technical difficulties and operates with more precision than any pellet grill below $2,000. Plus, it’s more pellet fuel-efficient than its competitors and comes in comfortably under the $1,000 mark and is regularly on sale. Traeger’s 575 grill is the benchmark for the pellet grill category.
The 575 features 572 square inches of cooking space, which is enough for small groups and families. If you’re planning to entertain, we recommend buying up to the Traeger 780 which boasts 200 square inches more of grill real estate, which is enough to accommodate larger groups without much issue.
Best Cheap Pellet Smoker: KingChii Pro Series 01 ($324)
Perfect Design BBQ Grill: Electronic AUTO-Start Ignition, avoid the hassle of building a fire manually for traditional BBQ. D2 feeding technology- Through the motor-driven propeller feeds the wood pellets into the combustion chamber, while the semiconductor temperature control technology controls the feeding efficiency and controls the temperature. ★Back Exhaust Design: Exhaust smoke is funneled back and down to avoid getting smoked while enjoying the barbecue.
Best Pellet Smoker for Small Yards: Pit Boss Vertical Pellet Smoker ($468)
Get more cooking space and longer smoking times with a Pit Boss Vertical Smoker. All Pit Boss smokers come with porcelain-coated cooking racks which allow for even heat distribution. Wood pellet smokers can read temps of up to 450°F, allowing you more outdoor cooking options than anything else on the market. With hoppers that can hold up to 40 pounds of pellets, you can host the ultimate BBQ feast for your friends and family.
Best Portable Pellet Smoker: Traeger Ranger ($429)
Small enough to fold up and throw in the backseat and powerful enough for a 12-hour brisket smoke. Traeger’s Ranger impressed when we reviewed it at launch in 2018, and it remains the standard bearer for portable pellet grilling. The drip tray and porcelain-coated grates are easy to clean, too. One thing to note: it’s small and portable, but not so small and portable to take much further than a car camping trip. It’s still 60 pounds of metal.
My Personal Pellet Smoker: Pit Boss Sportsman 820 ($800)
Premium features of the Sportsman 820SP Wood Pellet Grill include more than 800 square inches in cooking space, an innovative slide plate flame broiler with an easy-access handle, 2-in-1 stainless steel side shelf and removable tray, and a built-in spice rack.
NOTE: We highly recommend upgrading to the Wifi / Bluetooth Control Board if you already have this smoker