Buying guide

The Best Pellet Grill

Johnny Alto, illustrated portraitResearched by · Updated October 12, 2026

Research pick: Based on product documentation and owner discussions. How we research →

Short answer: Our top pick is the Traeger Pro 780. The pellet grill most others get measured against.

Top pickTraeger Pro 780View offer →
Pellet Grill
Top pick

Traeger Pro 780

The pellet grill most others get measured against.

Temperature controlHopper sizeCooking area
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A pellet grill gives you real wood-smoke flavor with the convenience of a gas grill: a hopper feeds wood pellets to a fire pot, and a controller holds your set temperature like an oven, so it handles both low-and-slow smoking and hotter grilling. The keys are a stable controller, a hopper big enough for long cooks, and solid build. Here is the benchmark pick, plus a value alternative.

Top picks at a glance

Value pick

a Z Grills or Pit Boss pellet grill

These give you more cooking area and a bigger hopper per dollar than Traeger.

What should you look for in pellet grill?

A few things separate a good pellet grill from a frustrating one: temperature control, hopper size, cooking area, and ecosystem & parts. Weigh these before you buy.

What are the best alternatives?

Value pick

a Z Grills or Pit Boss pellet grill

These give you more cooking area and a bigger hopper per dollar than Traeger. The apps and fit-and-finish are a step behind, but the cooking results are excellent for the price, and they are the smart-money pick if you do not need the Traeger ecosystem.

Larger Traeger

Traeger Pro 34

A bigger-capacity Traeger if you routinely cook for a crowd or want to run multiple briskets. Same reliable platform, more grill.

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Bottom line: the Traeger Pro 780 is the reliable, well-supported benchmark; go with a Z Grills or Pit Boss for more grill per dollar, or the Pro 34 if you need Traeger with more capacity.

Our top pickTraeger Pro 780
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Frequently asked questions

What is the best pellet grill?

Traeger Pro 780. The pellet grill most others get measured against.

What should you look for in pellet grill?

Focus on temperature control, hopper size, cooking area, and ecosystem & parts.

What is a good alternative to the Traeger Pro 780?

The a Z Grills or Pit Boss pellet grill. These give you more cooking area and a bigger hopper per dollar than Traeger. The apps and fit-and-finish are a step behind, but the cooking results are excellent for the price, and they are the smart-money pick if you do not need the Traeger ecosystem.

Related buying guides

This is a research-based buying guide, not a personal hands-on review. Product details, prices, and availability can change; confirm the current listing on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

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