You visited your friend’s house and saw his amazing pellet smoker. Now you want one. But you don’t want just any pellet smoker. You want the pellet smoker that you can afford.
Now, you could spend a lot of time reading hundreds of pellet smoker reviews, or you could spend a few minutes going over this comprehensive guide that we have prepared.
The purpose of the guide is to give you an overall feel for what some of the top pellet smokers on the market are like with the end goal of putting you in a good position to make a conscientious decision when purchasing the pellet smokers for your needs.
Best Pellet Smokers
1. Traeger Grills TFB88PZBO Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill and Smoker
The Traeger Grills TFB88PZBO is one of the top 5 pellet smokers. It allows you to grill, bake, barbecue, smoke, roast, and braise meats and other foods.
Due to the cooking area of this grill, it can accommodate nine racks of ribs or six whole chickens at the same time. It has a digital elite controller to ensure consistent cooking.
You can choose to cook items quickly or use the low and slow setting to smoke your foods. There is an LED display that lets you see the temperature at any time. This smoker only uses 100 percent hardwood pellets. This ensures consistent smoking and a wood-fired flavor for your foods.
This grill manufacturer is one of the pellet smoker brands. The materials are highly durable. You can use it in various temperatures and weather conditions without any negative effects on the cooking temperature.
This is a very large grill. You can cook for the whole family at the same time. This makes smoking or grilling fast and easy.
The temperature controls are easy to use. Since it has an LED display, you always know the exact temperature it is cooking at. This grill is very low maintenance. When you are done cooking, you just wipe it down and it is ready to use again.
This is one of the pellet smokers for the money. You can cook a variety of foods with precise consistency in the temperature. It is also the ideal size for a small patio or a larger outdoor space.
Pros
- One switch turns the smoker on and off
- The porcelain grill grates are easy to clean
- This grill has locking wheels so that it is easy to move around
Cons
- It may take longer when cooking over 330 degrees Fahrenheit
2. REC TEC Grills RT-590 Bundle
Don’t be fooled by the word in the description of this smoker. It weighs about 100 pounds and has the capability of holding 30 pounds of pellets. Despite its size, it is still portable. The legs fold up, so you can take it with you.
This model can reach up to 500 degrees. It can very easily adjust the temperature in 5° increments. It is a great product and can be used for backyard cooking, camping, tailgating, and much more.
This model Grill REC-TEC is one of the smokers and grills on the market. One of the greatest features of this smoker is the range of temperatures it can smoke and grill at. And the temperature is very easy to control. The food you cook will turn out fantastic every time. And you easily transport it anywhere.
If you want to deliver fantastic food to friends and family as well as look like a boss while grilling, this is the model for you. When looking at pellet smoker grill reviews, you will see time and again that people think this product is amazing, awesome, and outstanding. Just be ready for how heavy the product is. But it’s well worth the weight.
Pros
- Great Temperature Control. One of the best features of this smoker is temperature control. It can grill meat at up to 500°, but you can easily smoke other food at much lower temperatures.
- Easy to Transport. Since the legs fold, you can pack up the smoker, put it in the back of your pickup or the trunk, and take it wherever you’re headed.
Cons
- There aren’t any cons with this smoker. Overall, it just works great. However, it has been noted that you need to be a little bit careful when grabbing the handle to move it. The wheels may slide out because of the heavyweight.
3. Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett Grill/Smoker with Cover
The Green Mountain Grills Pellet Grill is a small pellet smoker because you can use it at home when you are camping or even on a road trip. This is a highly versatile pellet grill and it is WiFi-enabled.
There is a mobile application that you can use with Android or iOS. It allows you to monitor and control your grill via the included WiFi. You can change the temperature and check to ensure that it is within your desired range.
The meat probe makes it easy to ensure the right temperature when you are cooking. It also has a thermal sensor for additional continuous monitoring as you cook.
The app that you can download makes this grill easy to use. You can adjust the temperature in five-degree increments so that it is easy to get the precise level of heat that you need.
This grill is small and portable, but there is plenty of space for cooking. You can put three racks of baby back ribs on the grill at the same time and they will cook evenly. It is easy to prepare a full meal for two people simultaneously to save time.
This is one of the budget pellet smokers for regular smoker users and people who are new to this style of cooking. It is portable so that you can take it with you. The thermal sensor ensures that you are always cooking at the intended temperature.
Pros
- You can use this grill for slow smoking at an even temperature
- The smoke remains contained in the grill
- You can adjust the temperature as you are cooking
Cons
- There may be hot spots sometimes
- The hopper capacity is only 9 lbs
4. Pit Boss 700FB Pellet Grill
The Pit Boss 700FB Pellet Grill is one of the BBQ pellet smokers because its burn system features digital control. This ensures that you can choose a precise temperature. It is also easy to adjust the temperature as you use the grill.
All you need are wood pellets to fuel this grill. There is no need for propane or electricity to get the right amount of heat. The grids are cast iron to ensure durability and even heating. They have a porcelain coating for enhanced durability and easier cleaning.
The exhaust system and dome heat shield allow you to maintain consistent temperatures. This remains true when you are operating at the maximum temperature.
This grill is durable, and the materials are long-lasting. You can use it outside in a variety of weather conditions without any problems.
The smoke remains contained so that you are getting the heat level and flavor that you desire. You can add things, such as a bottle opener, to the grill quickly and easily. This grill is easy to keep clean. After you finish cooking and the rack cools, it is simply wiped clean with a wet cloth.
This grill has a very large surface area. The cast iron grids are coated in porcelain for easy cleaning and even cooking. You use 100 percent natural wood pellets for the savory flavor of everything that you cook.
Pros
- You can sear steaks and fish with the sliding plate
- This grill is simple to assemble
- It is easy to load the pellets into the grill
Cons
- You need a screwdriver to open the grill vent if you want a searing finish
5. Z GRILLS ZPG-550B Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
The Z Grills 8-in-1 BBQ Smoker allows you to grill, bake, braise, smoke, roast, and barbecue your food using a single grill. It generates heat using only hardwood pellets. This provides a savory smoky flavor to everything that you cook on this grill.
This grill includes a warming rack and a main rack so that you can easily separate the foods that you are cooking. This smoker features a smart digital controller.
This allows you to maintain a temperature within 20 degrees Fahrenheit. A simple dial is all it takes to control the temperature.
Looking at a variety of pellet smoker grill reviews makes it easier to see if this one is the best option for you. The materials that make up this grill are strong and durable.
This is a very large smoker that lets you cook whole racks of ribs and whole chicken. They cook evenly without cold or hot spots. It is easy to load the pellets. Since it holds 10 pounds, you do not have to refill the hopper often as you are smoking foods.
This smoker is a 7-in-1. You can use a variety of cooking methods so that your foods come out exactly as you want them. It also has a large hopper capacity and cooking space.
Pros
- Putting this smoker together is easy
- The food cooks at a consistent temperature
- You can put whole chickens into the smoker
Cons
- The thermostat may not be precisely accurate
6. Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill
It’s not difficult to see why the Camp Chef is one of the pellet smokers on the market today. It offers lots of different features that make smoking and grilling easy and fun.
I think anyone looking to up their grilling game cannot go wrong with the Camp Chef PG24DLX pellet smoker.
I’ve tried the set-it-and-forget-it temperature control starting at 160F, for re-heating or smoking pre-cooked meat, and up to 500F for fast, crispy, smoked chicken. My pork ribs, slathered with my secret sauce, came out tender, juicy, and smoked to the bone at around 350F.
Temperature tweaks are push-button simple. You get an authentic barbecue flavor, and the unit is versatile enough to be used to smoke, bake, grill, or sear.
You have a very large cooking area and the temperature ranges from 160° for smoking up to 500°F for grilling. This is a dependable grill that comes with a one-year warranty and applies to the contiguous U.S. states only.
570 square inches of grill area was more than enough for a six-person meal. Clean-up is a breeze too. Pull the ash cleanout lever and it’s ready for your next cook.
Something you’re going to like about this unit right away is that to turn it on, all you need to do is hit a button. It is easy to change the temperature and maintain a consistent temperature.
This model is easy to set up and easy to clean. You don’t even have to take the grill apart to get it cleaned thanks to the special drop-down cleaning system.
This is a great smoker for beginners who are willing to take the time to understand how pellet smokers work. You can follow the instructions in the video provided on the manufacturer’s website to see how to put it together.
It is also great for people who have been pellet smoking for years. It has a huge cooking surface, which is perfect for entertaining large groups of friends.
This is an excellent family-size grill that is simple to use and maintain. Its stable digital temperature control and easy-to-clean features made an impression on me.
For my money, the Camp Chef PG24DLX Deluxe – Featuring Smart Grill Technology is one of the top pellet smokers. It’s easy to use, it’s intuitive, and it produces a quality end product.
Pros
- Lots of Cooking Space. There is 560 in.³ of cooking space on the upper rack of this grill.
- Easily Control Temperature. In addition to easily controlling the temperature with the knobs, it comes with a stainless food probe to help you determine the internal temperature of a piece of meat.
- The Grill Grate Is Easy to Clean.
- Quick and Easy Assembly. You can watch a video to see how to set up the smoker on the manufacturer’s website.
Cons
- This grill delivers every time. When you look at reviews from individuals who have used it, the only time they were disappointed was when something broke during shipping.
7. Traeger Grills TFB57PZBO Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill and Smoker
Talk about the pellet grill and smoker and “Traeger” is bound to come up. The Traeger Grills TFB57PZBO is a compact griller/smoker, but its performance lives up to the brand’s reputation.
I have used it to BBQ, roast, and smoke and it performed flawlessly with +/-15F temperature stability up to 450F. There was ample room on the grill, 572 square inches, for meat, veggies, and side dishes for a five-person cookout.
Ease-of-use starts with auto-start ignition and porcelain-covered grates for easy clean-up. At only 103 lbs., move it to the optimal spot on any deck or haul it to your favorite picnic site.
I did not find fancy cleaning aids on this grill, but the usual small whisk broom and vacuum cleaner are all you need for ash removal.
This lightweight, family griller/smoker makes my pellet smoker list easily with the aesthetics and quality construction I’d expect from Traeger. I like how it handles, its stability, and how everything I cooked turned out perfectly.
8. Z Grills ZPG-7002B Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
I was pleasantly surprised at the performance of this modestly-priced pellet smoker/grill ZPG-7002B from Z Grills and the little extras. It’s a very easy-to-use roasting, grilling, braising, and baking machine with an impressive 700 square inches total rack area.
The auto-start ignition, automated pellet feed system, and digitally controlled temperature range of 180F to 475F are all any beginner needs to turn out down-to-the-bone, savory meat dishes.
Forget about complications from a rotisserie as its fan-forced convection ideally distributes the heat. Grilling salmon to perfection is tricky without precise temperature control, but the ZPG-7002B did a beautiful job on my fillets.
Although its aesthetics – it’s plain black – is not remarkable, and there is no meat temperature probe, based on price and performance this grill should make anyone’s pellet grill and smoker list. The large rack area makes it ideal for everyday family meals or when you have company over.
9. Traeger Grills Pro Series 575 Pellet Grill and Smoker
Traeger Grills Pro Series 575 is a great model for those who want to start up the smoker, add some meat, and let the work be done for them. It is also extremely versatile, allowing you to grill, smoke, roast, and bake.
It is perfect for individual households, college students, and even tailgating. And it’s a great option for first-timers as well as those who have experience using pellet smokers. The entire system was designed to make smoking fun and easy. Cleanup is easy, getting everything going is easy, and the food turns out great every time.
The main cooking area is 575 in.², which means you can cook a lot at one time. Since it uses convection technology, the smoky hot air can circulate the food to cook everything evenly.
One of the most outstanding features of this smoker is its digital thermostat controller. It is also small enough to be used for family gatherings but large enough to be used for tailgating parties. Another top-notch feature is that you can control and monitor this smart pellet grill through your smartphone and even Alexa.
With its 575 in.² of cooking space, you can cook a lot at one time. It is made from steel and has a porcelain-coated grilling grate.
This is the pellet smoker for the money if you are a newbie but want to cook like a pro. It is super easy to use and allows you to set up the whole system and then walk away.
It has an electronic autostart ignition, which means you don’t even have to start a fire. Just plug it in, do a little prep work, add some pellets, and it will not be long before you have some delicious food to enjoy with your family or serve to your friends.
Pros
- Digital Thermostat. The digital thermostat controller is easy to use and allows you to control the temperature in a precise way.
- Sturdy Construction. Since this smoker is made of steel, you do not have to worry about replacing it anytime soon.
- Get It Going and Walk Away. Because this model has an auger that will automatically feed the pellets into the firepot, it is going to deliver consistent heat. You can get the thing going and then walk away.
- Works with Alexa and controls via a smartphone app
Cons
- Small Hopper. Most everyone would agree that this smoker is pretty outstanding. However, if I still said that it needed anything, I would say that it needed a larger hopper. That way, it would hold more pellets, and there wouldn’t be issues with the cooking process stopped partway through.
- The price is high, but this grill is worth it.
10. Char-Broil Big Easy TRU Infrared Smoker
One of the things that I noticed right away about the Char-Broil Big Easy TRU Infrared Smoker is its versatility. This device lets you smoke, grill, and roast. It’s also versatile because the internal smoker uses pellets or wood chips, and then in the outer and inner walls, there is a propane burner.
This model uses a unique cooking system called TRU-infrared. What this does is keep your food moist. It limits the flow of hot air and uses radiant heat to directly cook food.
The temperature can be changed, but the meat is going to be able to retain its moisture. The unique TRU-infrared technology cooks meat in an even way and helps to retain moisture. The great thing is there are no flare-ups.
There’s a roasting basket for ribs, poultry, and other meat. The roasting basket can hold up to 25 pounds. The cooking area was grilling can be done has 180 in.². You can adjust the temperature, which ranges from 9000 to 18,000 BTUs, in the smoker box to add flavor.
After looking at a lot of pellets smoker grill reviews, it is easy to see that this is a pretty decent model. It is just so functional.
So if you are looking to purchase something that is more than a pellet smoker, this is the product for you. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully when assembling it and be sure to gauge the cooking time since this is a fast one.
Pros
- Easy to Assemble. It only takes about half an hour to put the smoker together when using the easy-to-follow instructions.
- Quick Cooking Time. The unique design of this smoker cuts cooking time. You can do a chicken in under an hour.
- Good for Cold-Weather. This is a great smoker for those who live in Arctic climates. Even during subzero winter temperatures, entire turkeys can be cooked evenly.
- Easy Drop-in Loading. You will not lose heart when roasting.
Cons
- You have to pay attention to the cooking time or else the meat will dry out. This is an extremely fast smoker, so be sure to set a timer or keep an eye on it.
- Not the sturdiest. Many seem to have a problem with the paint flaking off and the overall unit being a bit flimsy.
11. Camp Chef Smoker Vault 24
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The Camp Chef Smoker Vault 24″ is a vertical pellet smoker because it uses smart smoke technology. The ash cleanout system ensures easy cleanup after using this smoker. It also has a grease management system to ensure even cooking.
Easily determine how many pellets are present thanks to the pellet hopper window. This smoker provides even smoke distribution and heat due to the continuous fan. This smoker has wheels, so it is easy to move around. It is 28 inches tall, making it easy to fit larger cuts of meat into the smoker.
This smoker is easy to use even with all of the features. It is large enough to cook multiple foods at a time but small enough to use in limited outdoor space.
It has a collapsible side shelf to hold food when you are cooking. When you are not using it, it goes down so that it is not taking up space. Since this smoker holds 18 pounds of pellets, you can smoke foods for a long time with constant refills. The ash is easy to dump out.
This grill can handle a variety of meats and other foods at the same time. The multiple racks, grates, and hooks let you customize your smoking experience.
Pros
- It has a bottle opener
- There is a built-in sensor gauge
- The digital controller maintains the cooking temperature
Cons
- It can take a little time to get used to a variety of features
Making The Decision
It is decision time. Our goal throughout this entire review was to give you an overall feel for the different pellet smokers available, allowing you to choose the top pellet smoker for your needs.
We’ve looked at electric pellet smoker reviews, we’ve examined the pros and cons of certain models and even thrown in a delicious cornbread recipe.
Well, the pellet smoker is the one that works for you, fits your budget, and gives you the taste you like. We want you to take some time and research the models that caught your eye. If you’re going to purchase a pellet smoker, it’s better to buy it online.
You get a better deal, you’re able to read other reviews to get a feel for what other people think about the product, and you get it delivered to your home.
Now it’s up to you. Get out there, buy yourself a smoker, grab a slab of meat, mix some cornbread, and invite friends to enjoy a delicious smoked meal. You’ll be the most popular guy in town.
