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The Best Pellet Grill

Last updated on September 11, 2023

We looked at the top 9 Pellet Grills and dug through the reviews from 33 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Pellet Grills.

Best Pellet Grill

Our Review Process

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Go to any decent backyard cookout and the only thing more heated than the brisket will be the debate about what kind of grill to use. The longer a barbecue die-hard has been cooking, the more set their opinions will be on what kind of meats, fuel and grill setup to use. Still, there’s no denying the popularity of the pellet grill, a relatively recent innovation that has changed the game for outdoor grilling since the 1980s.

So what is a pellet grill, and how does it differ from an old reliable charcoal setup? The difference is all about the fuel. Where more traditional grills might burn briquettes or wood logs to produce smoke and heat, pellet grills use tiny bits of compressed hardwood. These pellets are stored in a hopper and fed into a “burn box” at a rate determined by the temperature you choose.

This combination of a controlled feed and the uniform size of the pellets means that the grill can maintain a more consistent temperature as you cook. That’s a crucial advantage for chefs trying to hit that sweet spot for their meats, and it’s especially well suited for the “slow and low” style that suits most styles of barbecue. Mind you, while pellet grills can hold a uniform temperature much better, they do typically take a bit longer to heat up. Performance will vary widely by brand, of course.

In order to heat up those pellets, the grill does need a power source. Typically, that’s going to be electricity from a standard outlet. That means that most pellet grills are going to be best suited for home use. If you’ve got a more compact pellet smoker, make sure that you invest in an extension cord to allow for a little more portability — and check the manufacturer’s specs about power needs.

Even though pellet grills are the cooker of choice for many competitive pitmasters, the great thing about them is how easy they are for beginners to use. Firing them up is usually as easy as pushing a button once you’ve fed the hopper with enough pellets.

Temperature control is just as easy, though the precision and range is going to vary depending on the quality of your grill. Units on the cheaper end of the spectrum might only have a low, medium and high setting. Higher quality grills will allow you to set a target temperature, which the burn box will regulate. Some can even help account for fluctuations in exterior temperature or wind. One big perk on modern pellet grills is Wi-Fi connectivity that will let you monitor your temperature and can even alert you when it’s time to turn over your steaks.

That’s just the beginning of the bells and whistles you can get as the price goes up, though the ones you can actually use are going to be determined by the dishes you typically cook. One big addition that will increase your grill’s versatility is a sear box. These consist of a flat surface somewhere off to the side of the main grill area, heated by a separate burner. This burner heats up quicker and higher than the main grill area, allowing you to put a nice char onto your meats.

Additional racks are another common (but no less useful) feature. Pellet grills heat up the main grilling area by convection, which keeps the temperature relatively uniform when the cover is down. Still, you can expect higher areas to run a little cooler. “Stacking your racks” and putting side dishes above the main dish lets you multitask on big meals.

Also, don’t overlook the usefulness of a grill cover. Many pellet grills come with an insulated blanket that helps the cooker maintain that crucial uniform temperature. When not in use, it protects the grill from the elements, though a full-fledged grill cover that shrouds the entire grill is preferable. These are a must if you plan on storing your grill on uncovered patio areas, though it’s advised that you cover things up even if you don’t expect any direct rainfall.

Speaking of maintenance, pellet grills can spoil a cook with their ease of use. Just remember that they do need to be cleaned between uses, and some models make that easier than others. Burn boxes will need to be emptied out of the ash that accumulates there, and that can be as easy as opening a compartment once things have cooled down. You may also want to keep the interior areas wiped down, especially the heat deflection plate and the grill grates.

Our Picks For The Top Pellet Grills

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

ASMOKE Stainless Steel Broiler & Pellet Smoker Grill

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ASMOKE

Stainless Steel Broiler & Pellet Smoker Grill

With this pellet grill, you'll be able to feed a family of four with ease when away from your home appliances. The device is capable of serving eight functions, including barbecuing, searing, char-grilling and smoking meats and vegetables. It's lightweight and portable and fits nicely on any picnic table.

Overall Take

Most VersatileThis pellet grill comes in a choice of apple red or Tahoe blue.

 Runner Up

Cuisinart Seal Tight Compact Pellet Smoker Grill

Cuisinart

Seal Tight Compact Pellet Smoker Grill

This pellet grill is a portable option, which means you can take it camping or use it when tailgating. It features a spacious 256-square inch cooktop and has a heating capacity of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It's nice and lightweight and can be used to bake, grill, smoke, sear or roast your favorite foods.

Overall Take

Budget-Friendly OptionThanks to the affordable price tag on this pellet grill, you'll be able to grill and smoke your favorite dishes for less.

Pros
" Water/wood tray has its own door. Easy instructions make it easy to use. Turns out tasty meat. Works with wood chips. Compact design doesn't take up a lot of room on your deck or patio. Holds a lot of meat."
Cons
"Propane hose is a little short. No natural gas conversion kit. Grates are a little small."
 We Also Like

Z GRILLS ZPG-450A Steel Digital Control Pellet Grill

Z GRILLS

Steel Digital Control Pellet Grill

The large hopper makes this pellet grill a great choice for slow-cooked meats. It's a good fit for outdoor events due to the all-terrain wheels and rust-proof cover. There's also a waste collector to trap all that unwanted oil.

Overall Take

Slow-Cooking PerfectionSlow-cooking chefs will love the sizeable hopper and durable construction.

Pros
" Cover included. Easy to set and maintain temperature. Large hopper for long cook times."
Cons
"Fluctuating temperatures. No pellets provided."
 Strong Contender

PIT BOSS Stainless Steel Hardwood Pellet Grill

PIT BOSS

Stainless Steel Hardwood Pellet Grill

Prepare to cook delicious juicy steaks for your family and friends with this pellet grill. Afterward, you can use the grill to cook everything from a smoked turkey to barbecue chicken. The cooking surface measures 849 square feet and you can easily adjust the temperature from 180 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Overall Take

Strong and DurableThe hopper within this pellet grill has a large 21 pound capacity.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
16

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the pellet grills available to purchase.
9

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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33

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: BestReviews, Best Grill Reviews, Grill Guru, Kitchen Guru Ideas, Home Cooking Zone.

32,618

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 9 Pellet Grills and also dug through the reviews from 33 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Pellet Grills.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Cuisinart Seal Tight Compact Pellet Smoker Grill

Our Expert Score

9.0
4 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.6
773 user reviews

Our Take

This pellet grill is a portable option, which means you can take it camping or use it when tailgating. It features a spacious 256-square inch cooktop and has a heating capacity of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It's nice and lightweight and can be used to bake, grill, smoke, sear or roast your favorite foods.

What other experts liked

Water/wood tray has its own door. Easy instructions make it easy to use. Turns out tasty meat. Works with wood chips. Compact design doesn't take up a lot of room on your deck or patio. Holds a lot of meat.
- BestReviews
Wood chip pan and water pan in one. Twist locking door for a tight seal. Includes regulator and hose. Backed by a nice warranty. Friendly price point.
- Best Grill Reviews
This device has proven to be long-lasting, built with porcelain enamel coating to prevent heat damages from many hours of cooking. Its temperature gauge is easily readable and includes a smoke flavor determination that helps detects the level of smoke flavoring that is ideal for the food being cooked.
- BroBBQ
Given its features and capability, Cuisinart COS-244 offers great value as the best small propane smoker. It has a small footprint due to its space-saver vertical fashion and relatively light weight, which makes it easy to transport to your favorite cookouts and camping sites or set up on a patio.
- Grill Guru

What other experts didn't like

The assembly of this smoker takes a long time and may need some tweaks.
- BestReviews
Propane hose is a little short. No natural gas conversion kit. Grates are a little small.
- Best Grill Reviews
A disadvantage may be the inability to start up your device if there is no electricity available. Doors not completely sealable. Slow heating.
- BroBBQ
We did not like the combination tray of water and wood which is inconvenient if replenishing wood chips when there is a lot of water in the pan. The close proximity of the pan to the burner depletes water fast so you have to keep refilling it.
- Grill Guru

What to Look For

Pellet grills make almost everything easier when it comes to cooking, but it’s the pellets themselves that can make a big difference when it comes to the final product. Once you start looking for your first bag of fuel, it can be a little intimidating to discover the sheer variety of pellet types. Each of them can enhance your flavor in different ways. For steak, you might want to go with traditional mesquite or hickory pellets to impart that signature smokiness. The longer you smoke your meats, the more that flavor will come through. For fish, try a milder pellet like cherrywood or apple. Poultry or pork will play well with just about any kind of pellet, and you can find “competition blends” for nearly every grill that combine different kinds of wood. Feel free to experiment with different pellets as you progress. It’s half the fun of owning a pellet grill.

One caveat, though: Make sure that you use a pellet brand that’s approved for your model of grill, or at least make sure the size is the same. Using pellets that are too large or too small can throw off the calibration on your hopper and affect the grilling temperature.

If you’re not set on getting a gas grill, check out the best grills of all types according to grill masters.

Pellet Grill Rankings

1. ASMOKE Stainless Steel Broiler & Pellet Smoker Grill

Overall Score: 9.5
Reviews Included: 1

2. Cuisinart Seal Tight Compact Pellet Smoker Grill

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 5

3. Z GRILLS ZPG-450A Steel Digital Control Pellet Grill

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 7

4. PIT BOSS Stainless Steel Hardwood Pellet Grill

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 1

5. Oklahoma Joe’s Pit Control System Pellet Grill

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

6. Camp Chef Automatic Wood Pellet Grill

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 10

7. Traeger Pro Series 22 Wheeled 6-In-1 Pellet Grill

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 10

8. Green Mountain Thermal Sensing Drip Tray Pellet Grill

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 11

9. ASMOKE AS300 Electric Portable Pellet Grill

Overall Score: 7.7
Reviews Included: 8

More to Explore

Think you love spending time behind the grill? Not as much as Jan Greeff of Columbus, Ohio, who currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest barbecue marathon. In 2014, Greef cooked 1,000 hot dogs, over 550 burgers and an assortment of other meats for 80 hours at a benefit for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

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