8 Best Pellet Grills and Smokers of 2026

The Z GRILLS 700D6 is a game-changer for backyard cooks who demand serious cooking real estate without sacrificing precision. With 697 sq. in. of dual-tier grilling space, this pellet grill dominates when feeding a crowd — think six racks of ribs or five whole chickens with room to spare. Its Z-Ultra PID 3.0 controller is the real star, locking in temperatures from 180°F to 450°F with minimal fluctuation, ensuring your brisket stays on track even during all-day smokes. The dual-wall insulated cabinet doesn’t just look rugged — it’s engineered to retain heat in cold weather, a rare win for grills in this price range.

In real-world testing, the 700D6 handles hot-and-fast sears and low-and-slow smokes with equal confidence. The LCD screen is bright and intuitive, while the dual meat probes let you monitor brisket and pork shoulder without lifting the lid — a small feature that prevents massive heat loss. We pushed it in 35°F weather, and it maintained stability within ±15°F, outperforming thinner-walled competitors. The hopper cleanout door is a revelation, making pellet swaps or end-of-season storage a one-step twist — no scooping or vacuuming. That said, the auger occasionally pauses during rapid temp shifts, causing brief dips before recovery.

Compared to the Traeger Pro 34, the Z GRILLS 700D6 offers nearly comparable cooking space at a lower entry point, but lacks Wi-Fi and has slightly slower heat recovery. Still, for the value-focused power user, this grill delivers premium-tier performance without the premium markup. It’s perfect for weekend warriors and meal preppers who want consistent smoke, smart engineering, and hassle-free cleanup — all while staying under $600. If you’re upgrading from a basic gas grill or entry-level pellet model, this is where serious flavor and serious capacity meet.

The Traeger Pro 34 is the gold standard for large-capacity pellet grilling, built for those who treat their backyard like a smokehouse. With a massive 884 sq. in. cooking surface, it effortlessly fits eight whole chickens or seven racks of ribs, making it ideal for tailgates, family reunions, or serious meal prep. Its Digital Pro Controller with Advanced Grilling Logic keeps temps stable within ±15°F, delivering the consistent, hands-off cooking Traeger is known for. The powder-coated steel build and porcelain grates feel rugged and resist rust, while all-terrain wheels make repositioning surprisingly easy despite its size.

On the range, the Pro 34 shines in low-and-slow applications — think 14-hour briskets or pulled pork for a party. The 450°F max temperature is enough for solid searing, but it’s not built for aggressive reverse sear tactics like some high-temp rivals. We tested it during a windy cook, and while it held steady, pellet consumption increased slightly due to the single-wall cabinet’s lower insulation. It lacks built-in meat probes on the display, requiring manual input — a missing convenience when juggling multiple proteins. Still, its 6-in-1 versatility (smoke, bake, roast, braise, grill, BBQ) means you can pull off everything from smoked mac and cheese to apple pie.

When stacked against the Z GRILLS 700D6, the Pro 34 offers more cooking space and brand reliability, but costs more and lacks dual-wall insulation. Compared to newer Wi-Fi models, it’s simpler and more durable, appealing to purists who want proven performance without smart gimmicks. This grill is best for Traeger loyalists and serious entertainers who prioritize capacity and consistency over bleeding-edge tech. It’s not the most feature-packed, but it’s one of the most dependable workhorses in the mid-tier pellet grill game.

The Traeger Pro 22 is the perfect gateway into the world of wood-fired flavor, offering authentic Traeger performance in a compact, approachable package. With 572 sq. in. of cooking space, it’s ideal for small families or couples who still want to smoke a brisket or roast a turkey now and then. The Digital Pro Controller delivers ±15°F accuracy, making it easy to maintain low smokes or quick grills with confidence. Its 18-pound hopper provides up to 18 hours of runtime, enough for most weekend cooks without refilling.

In practice, the Pro 22 handles everyday grilling and moderate smoking with ease. It starts up fast, reaches target temps in under 15 minutes, and holds steady during 8-hour pork butts. The built-in meat probe is a standout — letting you monitor doneness without breaking the seal. However, the smaller capacity means tight space management when cooking for more than four. The side shelf is narrow, limiting prep room, and the lack of insulation makes it more vulnerable to cold-weather swings — we saw ±25°F dips during sub-40°F cooks.

Compared to the KingChii or Brisk It Zelos-450, the Pro 22 doesn’t offer Wi-Fi or AI, but it delivers unmatched brand reliability and consistent flavor. It’s the best entry point for Traeger fans who want proven tech and rugged build without overcommitting. While the recteq Backyard Beast 1200 dwarfs it in size, the Pro 22 wins on affordability and footprint efficiency. For beginners or downsizers who want real wood-fired taste with minimal learning curve, this is the most trusted starting line in pellet grilling.

The KingChii 456 is a budget-savvy powerhouse that punches well above its price tag, making wood-fired flavor accessible without emptying your wallet. With 456 sq. in. of cooking space, it’s perfect for small families or weekend smokers who don’t need industrial capacity. Its PID temperature control keeps things within ±15°F from 180°F to 425°F, delivering surprisingly stable performance for a sub-$300 grill. The D2 feeding technology ensures consistent pellet flow, reducing jams and cold spots during long cooks.

During testing, the KingChii handled smoked chicken and grilled burgers with impressive consistency, though it struggled slightly when searing above 400°F — recovery was slow after lid lifts. The removable oil drum and partitioned grease system make cleanup a breeze, a rare win in this price range. We appreciated the side shelf with hooks for tools and thermometers, though it wobbles under heavy loads. The 11-pound hopper limits long cooks to about 10–12 hours, meaning you’ll need to refill for all-day briskets.

Against the Traeger Pro 22, the KingChii lacks brand pedigree and meat probe integration, but offers similar cooking space at half the price. It’s not as durable long-term, but for beginners or occasional users, it’s a no-brainer value play. Compared to the Brisk It Zelos-450, it misses smart features but delivers core grilling performance reliably. If you’re dipping into pellet grilling for the first time and want flavor, function, and easy cleanup without overspending, this is your best bang-for-buck launchpad.

The Brisk It Zelos-450 redefines smart grilling with VERA, its generative AI assistant, turning BBQ novices into pitmasters with voice commands. This isn’t just Wi-Fi monitoring — it’s a full AI-guided cooking experience that creates custom recipes, adjusts temps on the fly, and even guides you through cleanup. With 450 sq. in. of cooking space and a 500°F max temperature, it supports searing, char-grilling, and low smokes with equal finesse. The industrial-grade PID controller maintains rock-solid temps from 180°F to 500°F, outperforming many pricier rivals in stability.

In real-world use, VERA’s auto-cooking management is a game-changer — we said ‘smoke a brisket for 12 hours, finish at 450°F’, and the grill handled everything from ramp-up to sear. The 7-in-1 versatility shines when baking or dehydrating, and the meat probe syncs with the app for live doneness alerts. However, Wi-Fi can lag in low-signal areas, and the small cooking area fills fast — only enough for two rib racks. The build is solid but not stainless, so long-term weather resistance is a question.

Versus the recteq Backyard Beast 1200, the Zelos-450 trades space for cutting-edge AI and automation. Compared to the Traeger Pro 34, it offers smarter tech at a lower price but less capacity and brand support. It’s ideal for tech lovers and busy cooks who want hands-off, precision BBQ with zero guesswork. If smart features, AI guidance, and modern control matter more than sheer size, this is the most futuristic pellet grill under $350.

The recteq Backyard Beast 1200 is the undisputed king of capacity and precision, built for those who host like pitmasters and demand perfection. With a staggering 1,220 sq. in. cooking area, it can handle multiple briskets, turkeys, and racks of ribs simultaneously — a dream for caterers or large families. Its industrial PID algorithm maintains temps within ±5°F, the tightest control in the category, ensuring flawless bark development and even smoke rings. The 700°F max temperature unlocks true searing power, far beyond most pellet grills.

In extensive testing, the Backyard Beast delivered competition-level results — briskets with perfect bark, ribs with even smoke, and pizzas with charred crusts. The 30-hour runtime means no refills for multi-day cooks, and Wi-Fi monitoring works flawlessly, even in poor signal zones. The stainless steel construction feels bombproof, resisting rust and weather damage. However, its size demands serious backyard real estate, and assembly takes 90+ minutes — not for the faint of heart.

Compared to the Traeger Pro 34, it’s larger, hotter, and more precise, but at nearly double the price. Against the Z GRILLS 700D6, it’s in a different league entirely — more power, more space, more tech. It’s best for serious enthusiasts and entertainers who want no compromises in performance, durability, or control. If you’re ready to invest in a true flagship pellet grill, this is the most complete, capable machine on the market.

The Z GRILLS 450E is the sweet spot of performance and value, delivering mid-range power with premium features typically found in higher-end models. With 459 sq. in. of cooking space, it’s perfect for families of four or weekend entertainers who want versatility without oversizing. The PID 3.0 Controller maintains temps from 180°F to 450°F with ±20°F accuracy, ensuring reliable smoke sessions and solid sears. The dual meat probes and LCD screen give full command over doneness, while the visual pellet window lets you check levels without breaking heat.

In real use, the 450E handles everything from smoked salmon to grilled veggies with consistency. The 8-in-1 functionality (smoke, sear, bake, braise, etc.) means you can roast a casserole or char-grill steaks with equal ease. We loved the rugged wheels and 2.0mm stainless lid, which improved heat retention over thinner models. However, temp swings increase in windy conditions, and the hopper lacks a cleanout door, making pellet swaps messy.

Against the KingChii 456, it offers better build and dual probes at a slightly higher cost. Compared to the Traeger Pro 22, it matches capacity but lacks brand recognition. It’s ideal for mid-tier buyers who want more features than entry-level models but don’t need Wi-Fi or AI. For balanced performance, durability, and cooking flexibility, this is the most well-rounded mid-range pellet grill available.

The Electric Pellet Grill 456 is a beginner’s best friend, designed to demystify pellet grilling with intuitive controls and thoughtful touches. With 456 sq. in. of cooking space, it comfortably fits two briskets or five racks of ribs, making it perfect for learning the ropes without feeling limited. The digital PID controller offers ±10°F accuracy from 160°F to 500°F, one of the tightest ranges in its class, ideal for delicate smokes or high-heat searing.

In testing, it fired up quickly, held temp well, and responded smoothly to adjustments. The built-in meat probe gave accurate readings, and the side table with hooks kept tools within reach — a small but meaningful touch for new users. The stainless steel body resists rust, and the locking casters keep it stable on uneven patios. However, the lid seal isn’t airtight, causing slight temp drift in wind, and the hopper design makes cleaning awkward.

Compared to the KingChii 456, it offers similar capacity but better temp range and stability. Against the Brisk It Zelos-450, it lacks AI but wins on simplicity and reliability. It’s perfect for first-time owners who want a no-fuss, durable entry into wood-fired cooking. If you’re looking for a plug-and-play pellet grill that just works, this is the most beginner-friendly model in the lineup.