A pellet grill is the easiest way to pull competition-style brisket, ribs, and pulled pork at home — set a temperature, load the hopper, and the auger feeds hardwood pellets to a fire pot while a controller holds your number. We compared the most popular pellet grills of 2026 on temperature stability, smoke flavor, build quality, app control, and price to find the ones worth your money.
Our top picks at a glance
| Pellet Grill | Best for | Cook area | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traeger Ironwood 885 | Best overall | 885 sq in | ~$1,300 | ★★★★★ |
| Recteq RT-700 Bull | Best build & value | 702 sq in | ~$1,200 | ★★★★★ |
| Pit Boss Pro Series 850 | Best budget | 849 sq in | ~$600 | ★★★★☆ |
| Traeger Pro 575 | Best first grill | 575 sq in | ~$600 | ★★★★☆ |
| Weber SmokeFire EX6 | Best for searing | 1,008 sq in | ~$1,200 | ★★★★☆ |
1. Traeger Ironwood 885 — Best Overall
Traeger Ironwood 885
- Holds grate-level temperature within ~5°F on long cooks — the key to repeatable results.
- Full-color controller with WiFIRE app control, dual meat probes, and a pellet-level sensor.
- Down-draft exhaust and double-wall body improve smoke circulation and cold-weather performance.
- Pricey, and the strongest smoke flavor still comes at low temps like any pellet grill.
The Ironwood 885 is our top pick because it nails the two things that matter most on a pellet grill: temperature stability and hands-off convenience. In extended pork-shoulder and brisket cooks it holds its number tightly, so you can go to bed on an overnight brisket without babysitting the pit. The WiFIRE app is the most polished in the category — you get remote temp changes, probe alerts, and a step-by-step recipe mode. If you want one grill that “just works” for the next decade, this is it. For a cheaper way into the Traeger ecosystem, see the Pro 575 below.
2. Recteq RT-700 Bull — Best Build Quality & Value
Recteq RT-700 "Bull"
- Heavier-gauge stainless steel construction and a 6-year warranty — built to outlast rivals.
- Reaches 700°F, so you can smoke a brisket at 225°F then sear steaks on the same grill.
- Dual-probe PID controller with Bluetooth/WiFi app and rock-solid temperature holding.
- App and accessory ecosystem aren't as slick as Traeger's; ships direct so shop early.
If you buy a grill to keep, the Recteq RT-700 is the smart-money choice. It’s built with noticeably heavier steel than similarly priced Traegers and backed by a longer warranty, and the PID controller holds temperature with the best of them. The 700°F ceiling means you don’t need a separate grill for searing — smoke low and slow, then crank it for a reverse sear. We break the two brands down in detail in our Recteq vs Traeger comparison.
3. Pit Boss Pro Series 850 — Best Budget
Pit Boss Pro Series 850
- 849 sq in of cooking space and a sliding flame-broiler plate for direct-flame searing.
- WiFi and app control at roughly half the price of comparable Traegers.
- Delivers about 80% of the premium experience for a fraction of the cost.
- Temperature swings a bit wider than PID grills; fit-and-finish is more basic.
Pit Boss’s whole pitch is more grill for the money, and the Pro Series 850 delivers. You get a big cook surface, WiFi control, and a flame-broiler slide for hard sears — features that cost hundreds more elsewhere. Temperature control isn’t quite as tight as a PID grill, but for weekend cooks it’s plenty. See how it stacks up in our Traeger vs Pit Boss breakdown.
4. Traeger Pro 575 — Best First Grill
Traeger Pro 575
- 575 sq in cook area, WiFIRE app control, and an included meat probe.
- Simple to run — the easiest on-ramp into the Traeger ecosystem.
- Consistently praised by owners for value and the mobile app.
- Single-wall body loses more heat in cold weather than the Ironwood.
The Pro 575 is the pellet grill we recommend to first-timers who want a proven brand without the Ironwood’s price tag. It has the same easy app control and enough space for a couple of racks of ribs or a pork butt, and it’s the model most people should start with. If you cook in a cold climate or want tighter temps, step up to the Ironwood.
5. Weber SmokeFire EX6 — Best for Searing & Big Cooks
Weber SmokeFire EX6
- Huge 1,008 sq in two-level cook area and a 600°F+ ceiling for real sears.
- Porcelain-enameled body and Weber Connect app with guided-cook alerts.
- Strong smoke flavor and fast temperature ramp compared with rivals.
- Runs through pellets faster at high heat; earlier units needed firmware to tame temp swings.
If you want a pellet grill that can also grill like a gas unit, the SmokeFire EX6 is the one. The high-heat ceiling and massive two-level grate make it the pick for people who host big cookouts and want to smoke and sear on the same rig. Weber’s Connect app is excellent for coaching you through a cook.
How to choose a pellet grill
Focus on four things and you’ll pick the right grill:
- Temperature control: PID controllers (Recteq, Traeger Ironwood) hold your number within a few degrees — the single biggest factor in repeatable BBQ. Cheaper controllers swing wider.
- Cook area & hopper size: Match grate size to how many people you feed; a bigger hopper means fewer refills on overnight cooks. 500–600 sq in suits most families.
- Build quality & warranty: Heavier steel and a longer warranty (Recteq’s 6 years) mean the grill survives years of weather. Double-wall bodies hold heat better in winter.
- App & searing: WiFi apps make overnight cooks painless. If you want to sear steaks, prioritize a 500°F+ ceiling or a flame-broiler slide.
New to smoking? Pair your grill with the right fuel — see our guide to the best wood pellets for smoking. Tailgating or camping? Check the best portable pellet grills.
The bottom line
For most people, the Traeger Ironwood 885 is the best pellet grill of 2026 — it’s stable, smart, and built to last. Want the toughest build and searing power for the money? The Recteq RT-700 is the value champion. And if budget rules, the Pit Boss Pro Series 850 gives you most of the experience for around $600.