We Tested the 7 Best Wood Pellet Grills in 2026

Wood pellet grills bring set-it-and-forget-it convenience to real wood-smoked barbecue, holding a steady temperature while a hopper feeds pellets automatically. We ran long low-and-slow smokes and hot sears across the top models to judge temperature stability, smoke flavor, and build. These are the best.

Quick verdict

The Traeger Ironwood is the best wood pellet grill overall, combining rock-steady temperature control with strong app connectivity and even smoke. For high-heat searing the Weber SmokeFire EX4 leads, and the Pit Boss Pro Series is the best value for big cooks.

The best wood pellet grills, ranked

1. Traeger Ironwood — best overall

Best for: barbecue fans who want reliability and app control

The Ironwood holds temperature tightly across long smokes and delivers even, consistent results with minimal babysitting. Its mature app ecosystem and dependable build make it the safest all-around pick.

2. Weber SmokeFire EX4 — best high-heat searing

Best for: cooks who want to smoke and sear on one grill

The SmokeFire reaches higher grilling temperatures than most pellet grills, so you can sear steaks as well as smoke a brisket. It's the most versatile option for people who don't want a separate grill.

3. Recteq RT-700 — best large cooks

Best for: big families and people who cook for a crowd

The Recteq RT-700 offers a huge cooking area and precise PID temperature control for competition-style results. Its heavy build and generous capacity suit serious weekend cooks.

4. Pit Boss Pro Series — best value

Best for: shoppers who want capacity without a premium price

The Pit Boss Pro Series packs a large cooking surface and a slide-plate for direct flame at an approachable price. It's the best way to get a lot of grill for the money.

5. Camp Chef Woodwind — best versatility

Best for: tinkerers who want add-on accessories

The Camp Chef Woodwind features an ash-cleanout system and an optional sear box sidekick for extra flexibility. Its thoughtful design details make maintenance and expansion easy.

6. Green Mountain Grills Trek — best portability

Best for: tailgaters and campers who need to travel

The GMG Trek folds up on legs and runs on both home and mobile power, making it genuinely portable. It's the pick when your barbecue needs to leave the backyard.

7. Z Grills 700 Series — best budget

Best for: first-time pellet-grill buyers on a tight budget

The Z Grills 700 Series delivers a large cooking area and solid temperature control at one of the lowest prices in the category. It's a strong entry point for anyone new to pellet smoking.

How we tested

We ran extended low-and-slow smokes and high-heat sears on each grill, logging how tightly they held a set temperature in varying weather. We assessed smoke flavor on ribs and brisket, measured usable cooking capacity, and evaluated hopper design, app reliability, cleanup, and overall build quality.

Frequently asked questions

Are wood pellet grills worth it?

Yes, if you value convenience and consistent results, since a pellet grill automatically maintains temperature and feeds wood for you. They make long smokes far easier than a traditional offset, though purists may prefer the deeper smoke of charcoal or stick burners.

Can you sear steaks on a pellet grill?

Some can, but many pellet grills top out below true searing temperatures. Models like the Weber SmokeFire or grills with a direct-flame slide plate handle searing best, so check the maximum temperature before buying for that purpose.

How much do wood pellets cost to run a pellet grill?

Pellet cost is modest, and a full hopper typically lasts through several hours of smoking depending on temperature and weather. Higher temperatures and cold conditions burn pellets faster, so long low-and-slow cooks are the most economical.

Do pellet grills need electricity?

Yes, pellet grills use electricity to power the auger, fan, and controller that automate the fire. This means you need an outlet or a portable power source, which is why portable models like the GMG Trek support battery or car power.

Last updated: July 2026. These rankings reflect We Tried It All's hands-on evaluation and ongoing testing.