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The best pellet grills for every budget
The Traeger Westwood XL wins for its roomy cooking area and steady, low-effort cooking, while Pit Boss models offer capable cheaper options.
| Best overall | Best value | Cheapest that's still good | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Traeger Westwood XL Pellet Grill | Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill | Pit Boss 150 Portable Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker (PB150PPG) |
| Price | about $800 | about $357 | about $253 |
| Why | Bob Vila named the Westwood its top pick after hands-on testing, praising its quick, even heating, steady temperatures, and generous 823-square-inch cooking area. Its 18-pound hopper and WiFIRE app make it a versatile choice for everyday cooks and longer smokes. | It offers a full-size grill’s everyday versatility at a much lower price than the Westwood XL, with a sliding flame-broiler plate for direct-flame cooking. Bob Vila found it heated quickly and held steady temperatures in hands-on tests. | This is the lowest-priced pick with recent reviewer recommendations: Bob Vila tested the tabletop Pit Boss and rated its cooking performance and value well, and the 150 model has appeared in recent Amazon deal coverage around $253. Its small size makes it a practical entry to pellet cooking, not a substitute for a full-size grill. |
| Good to know | It is heavy, and its maximum temperature does not produce a true sear. | The five-pound hopper means more refills on long cooks. | Its limited cooking area is too small for crowd-sized meals. |
| See on Amazon | See on Amazon | See on Amazon |
picture by AIBob Vila named the Westwood its top pick after hands-on testing, praising its quick, even heating, steady temperatures, and generous 823-square-inch cooking area. Its 18-pound hopper and WiFIRE app make it a versatile choice for everyday cooks and longer smokes.
Good to know: It is heavy, and its maximum temperature does not produce a true sear.
See on Amazonpicture by AIIt offers a full-size grill’s everyday versatility at a much lower price than the Westwood XL, with a sliding flame-broiler plate for direct-flame cooking. Bob Vila found it heated quickly and held steady temperatures in hands-on tests.
Good to know: The five-pound hopper means more refills on long cooks.
See on Amazonpicture by AIThis is the lowest-priced pick with recent reviewer recommendations: Bob Vila tested the tabletop Pit Boss and rated its cooking performance and value well, and the 150 model has appeared in recent Amazon deal coverage around $253. Its small size makes it a practical entry to pellet cooking, not a substitute for a full-size grill.
Good to know: Its limited cooking area is too small for crowd-sized meals.
See on AmazonDanilli may earn a small commission from Amazon or the store when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Pictures marked "picture by AI" are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.
What matters
Look at cooking area and hopper size for the number of people you feed and the length of your cooks. Pellet grills need electricity, and many do not sear as well as gas or charcoal grills.
Who this is for
These picks suit backyard cooks who want wood-smoked flavor with easier temperature control than a traditional smoker. The compact Pit Boss 150 is for small cooks, camping, or tailgating—not feeding a crowd.
The picks, one by one
Best overall: Traeger Westwood XL Pellet Grill
Bob Vila named the Westwood its top pick after hands-on testing, praising its quick, even heating, steady temperatures, and generous 823-square-inch cooking area. Its 18-pound hopper and WiFIRE app make it a versatile choice for everyday cooks and longer smokes. Reviewers checked how evenly it heated, how well it held temperature, and how consistently it cooked; Bob Vila rated its ease of use and cooking performance highly. The large cooking surface gives you room for food for a crowd, and the hopper reduces the need for frequent refills. It has app connectivity for checking and managing cooks. Skip it if you need a true steakhouse sear or a grill that is easy to move.
Good to know: It is heavy, and its maximum temperature does not produce a true sear.
See on AmazonBest value: Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
It offers a full-size grill’s everyday versatility at a much lower price than the Westwood XL, with a sliding flame-broiler plate for direct-flame cooking. Bob Vila found it heated quickly and held steady temperatures in hands-on tests. The 518 square inches of cooking space can handle multiple burgers, chicken, and vegetables. Its direct-flame feature helps with browning, a useful extra at this price. The five-pound hopper is relatively small, so check it during longer smoking sessions. It lacks Wi-Fi and some premium conveniences. Choose a larger-hopper grill if overnight brisket cooks are a priority.
Good to know: The five-pound hopper means more refills on long cooks.
See on AmazonCheapest that's still good: Pit Boss 150 Portable Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker (PB150PPG)
This is the lowest-priced pick with recent reviewer recommendations: Bob Vila tested the tabletop Pit Boss and rated its cooking performance and value well, and the 150 model has appeared in recent Amazon deal coverage around $253. Its small size makes it a practical entry to pellet cooking, not a substitute for a full-size grill. The 150 has 256 square inches of cooking space, so it is best for a few portions at a time. Reviewers of the tabletop model found its digital controls and automatic pellet feed approachable, with minimal assembly. It is portable enough for tailgates and smaller outdoor spaces. Expect less room and fewer premium features than on the larger picks. Skip it if you regularly cook for a group or want long unattended smoking sessions.
Good to know: Its limited cooking area is too small for crowd-sized meals.
See on AmazonHow we chose
Reviewers cooked ribs, chicken, brisket, pork shoulder, burgers, and other foods, assessing temperature stability, heating and recovery, smoke, searing, ease of use, and cleanup. Some tested grills over months or during long cooks; the cited reviews do not establish a uniform testing period across a Danilli read the reviews and tests listed below and compared current prices; it does not take money from brands to pick a product.
Sources
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Written with Danilli's AI from the sources above and refreshed about once a month; prices change, check Amazon for today's price. Danilli may earn a small commission from Amazon or the store when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Pictures marked "picture by AI" are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.