We break down the best pellet grills on the market for those on a budget
Do you want to wow your friends and family with a perfectly smoked piece of meat at your next BBQ, but are not interested in all of the work and hassle that goest along with a traditional smoker? A pellet grill is the perfect option.
Some pellet smokers can be quite expensive, but that should not stop you from having the ability to grill or smoke food low and slow. We tried out some of the most affordable options available today to determine which models are the best. We cooked up everything from hamburgers and pork ribs to chicken thighs, and we evaluated each one on factors such as temperature control, ease of use, special features, and more.
Here are the best inexpensive pellet grills on the market, based on our testing.
Our Picks for Best Pellet Grills Under $500
- Best Overall Pellet Grill: Traeger Tailgater 20
- Pellet Grill with the Most Grilling Space: Camp Chef Smoke Pro DLX
- Pellet Grill With the Most Smoke Piboss PB440
- Best Portable Pellet Grill: ZGrills 200A
Best Overall Pellet Grill
Traeger Tailgater 20
Category: Value
Main Grilling Area / Secondary Grilling Area: 300 sq inches/NA
Total Grilling Area: 300 sq inches
Wifi/Bluetooth enabled: None
Hopper Capacity: 25 pounds
Maximum Temperature: 450 degrees F
What we like: Portable with folding legs, great smoke at low temperatures
What we don’t: Difficulty maintaining grilling temperatures above 400, folding legs can be cumbersome
The Traeger Tailgater 20 is a small and portable pellet grill that is ideal for campers, tailgaters, and RVers. It is lightweight and has folding legs, making it easy to take on the go. Despite its smaller size, the Tailgater 20 still offers the same high-quality performance as its larger counterparts. It is constructed of powder-coated steel and has 19,500 BTUs of cooking power, with a 300 square inch porcelain-coated grilling surface that produces great sear marks and is easy to clean.
Pellet Grill with the Most Grilling Space
Camp Chef Smoke Pro DLX
Category: Value
Main Grilling Area / Secondary Grilling Area: 406 sq inches/154 sq inches
Total Grilling Area: 553 sq inches
Wifi/Bluetooth enabled: None
Hopper Capacity: 16 pounds
Maximum Temperature: 450 degrees F
What we like: Great quality for the price, very easy to assemble and use
What we don’t: Temperature can be inconsistent in colder weather
The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill is an excellent option for those who want to enjoy the convenience and flavor of a wood-fired pellet grill. With a digital temperature display and simple temperature settings, this grill is easy to use and ensures that your food is cooked to perfection.
One of the standout features of the SmokePro DLX is its patented simple ash cleanout system, which makes cleaning up after grilling a breeze. The digital temperature display can be toggled between showing the cooking temperature and the internal food temperature, so you can easily monitor the progress of your food as it cooks. Additionally, the grill features Smart Smoke technology, which keeps the cooking temperature within +/- 15 degrees Fahrenheit of the selected temperature, ensuring that your food is cooked consistently and evenly.
The SmokePro DLX is constructed of durable powder-coated steel and has a stainless steel lid and firebox. It offers a large cooking area, with a primary cooking space of 429 square inches and an upper warming rack of 141 square inches, for a total of 570 square inches of cooking space. The grill is powered by 25,000 BTUs of cooking power, ensuring that it heats up quickly and maintains a consistent temperature.
Pellet Grill with the Most Smoke
Pitboss PB 440
Category: Value
Main Grilling Area / Secondary Grilling Area: 465 sq inches/NA
Total Grilling Area: 465 sq inches
Wifi/Bluetooth enabled: Wifi and Bluetooth
Hopper Capacity: 8 pounds
Maximum Temperature: 500 degrees F
What we like: Very affordable, quick heat-up, Wifi and bluetooth enabled
What we don’t: Small Hopper, temperature controlled in 25 degree increments only
The Pit Boss PB440 Deluxe Wood Pellet Grill is a great-looking grill with a mahogany barrel finish and a side shelf with a serving tray. The tray doubles as a place to set up food or condiments while grilling. The two wheels make the grill portable, and when it’s not in use, it can be easily pushed into storage. One of the legs is even mounted with a bottle opener for easy entertaining.
The digital temperature display and Bluetooth feature on your phone make it easy to monitor the temperature and set the desired cooking time. The grill also features a digital thermometer to check the doneness of your food. The “P” setting on the control board allows you to control the desired smoke and grill temperature to compensate for weather conditions. By adjusting P setting, you can control the amount of smoke the grill puts out.
Best Portable Pellet Grill
ZGrills Cruiser 200A
Category: Value/Portable
Main Grilling Area / Secondary Grilling Area: 202 sq inches/NA
Total Grilling Area: 202 sq inches
Wifi/Bluetooth enabled: None
Hopper Capacity: 8 pounds
Maximum Temperature: 450 degrees F
What we like: Value, Ease of use, quick assembly
What we don’t: Hopper design can cause pellet jams if overfilled, long heat-up time
The Z Grills Cruiser 200A is a portable pellet grill that is built well and weighs only 40 pounds, making it easy to carry. It has a 202 square inch cooking surface and an 8lb hopper, providing enough fuel for 10 hours of cooking at 225 degrees Fahrenheit. The grill can also reach temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for cooking a variety of foods. The controller is simple and effective, with a temperature swing of less than 10 degrees even though it is rated for 15. However, the grill does not come with a temperature probe