10 Best Pellet Smokers of 2023

The name says it all. A pellet smoker is basically a grill that uses pellets as fuel to cook and also smoke your food. These grills are very popular primarily because of the smoking aspect because they make it possible to prepare delicious smoked food with unique flavors.

With that in mind, if you are shopping for such a grill for your barbecues, this article lists 10 of the best pellet smokers in the market, from which you can take your pick.

10 Best Pellet Smokers – Review

IMAGE	​PRODUCT	​FEATURES
	1. Camp Chef PG24S (Easy-to-Maintain)	570 square inch cooking surface 18-pound capacity hopper Ash cleanout and hopper cleanout systems Automatic auger
	2. Green Mountain Grills DCWF (Affordable)	Affordable, compact and lightweight (68 pounds) Digital Wi-Fi controller 150 – 550˚F temperature range in 5˚ increments Compatible with 120 volts AC and 12 volts DC
	3. Z Grills ZPG-7002ENC (8-in-1)	694 square inch cooking capacity 8 cooking functions in 1 Fan-forced convection cooking 180 – 450˚F temperature range
	4. Traeger TFB38TOD (With Meat Temperature Probes)	380 square inch cooking surface 6 cooking functions in 1 Includes two meat temperature probes Digital Pro controller with 15˚ increments
	5. Camp Chef PG36LUX (Largest)	875 square inch cooking capacity Dual LED temperature readout Automatic auger for pellet dispensation Smart smoke technology
	6. Rec Tec Grills RT-700 (Complete Set)	Includes 2 grill mats, a cover, and pellets 40-pound hopper capacity Wi-Pellet Wi-Fi technology 200 – 500˚F temperature range with 5˚ increments
	7. Camp Chef PG24WWS (Smart Smoke Technology)	570 square-inch cooking capacity Smart smoke technology Side table and bottom shelf 160 – 500˚F temperature range
	8. Pit Boss 700FB (With Porcelain Coated Grates)	700 square-inch porcelain-coated cast-iron grates Digital control board and standard flame broiler Lid mounted thermometer 8-in-1 grill with a 180 – 500˚F temperature range
	9. Traeger TFS60LZC (Has Storage Cabinet)	2-door cabinet and 2 side tables 586 square inch cooking surface Digital elite controller with advanced grilling logic Induction fan
	10. Z Grills ZPG-450A (Induction Fan)	452 square-inch cooking surface Induction fan Digital controller with an LED temperature readout Side table and waste oil collector

1. Camp Chef PG24S – Easy-to-Maintain Pellet Smoker

Photo: Camp Chef

• Cooking Capacity: 570 square inches
• Hopper Capacity: 18 pounds
• Weight: 140 pounds

With patented ash can clean out and hopper cleanout systems, Camp Chef’s PG24S is very easy-to-maintain. In fact, the ash cleanout only requires you to pull the removable ash can, dump the waste collected in it, then slide it back into position.

As for the hopper, its cleanout mechanism makes it very easy to change pellet flavors while its 18-pound capacity means less refilling from time to time.

That said, the pellets are dispensed by an automatic auger for better smoking efficiency. This process is checked by digital heat control settings so as to maintain the accurate temperature inside while infusing as much smoke as possible.

Other features include low to high smoke and 160 to 400˚F temperature settings, a 141 square-inch upper smoking rack, a 429 square-inch lower grilling rack, a stainless-steel lid and handle, a dual LED temperature readout that shows the internal food and cooking temperatures.

However, you get no storage cabinet underneath, but at least there is a side table to place your ingredients.

Pros:

• Ash cleanout and hopper cleanout systems for easy maintenance
• Digitally controlled auger for accurate heat control and smoking efficiency
• Relatively wide 160 – 400˚F range
• Dual LED readout for showing the internal food and cooking temperatures

Cons:

• Lacks a storage cabinet

2. Green Mountain Grills DCWF – Affordable Pellet Smoker

Photo: Green Mountain Grills

• Cooking Capacity: 219 square inches
• Hopper Capacity: 9 pounds
• Weight: 68 pounds

If you are tight on cash, Green Mountain Grills’ DCWF is an affordable pellet smoker that you should consider. Despite this, the unit features a digital Wi-Fi controller that allows you to monitor and control the cooking process remotely via an Android or iOS device.

The actual dispensing on the smoker is done using a digital controller with a wide temperature range of 150 – 550˚F in 5˚ increments. A variable-speed fan ensures there is sufficient oxygen getting to the firebox for efficient burning of the dispensed pellets.

Other features include a venturi-style firebox that creates a cyclone flame for maximum heat distribution, a lightweight and compact design with foldable legs that is ideal for fitting into a trunk, and 120 volts AC/ 12 volts DC compatibility that is perfect for tailgating/home use.

However, the unit has a relatively small 9-pound capacity hopper and a small cooking capacity of 219 square inches.  

Pros:

• Affordable
• Digital Wi-Fi controller for remote monitoring and control
• Variable speed motor fan for efficient oxygen feeding into the firebox
• Lightweight and compact design with foldable legs for easy portability
• Compatible with 120 volts AC and 12 volts DC

Cons:

• Relatively small hopper capacity
• Small cooking capacity

3. Z Grills ZPG-7002ENC – 8-in-1 Pellet Smoker

Photo: Z Grills

• Cooking Capacity: 694 square inches
• Hopper Capacity: 20 pounds
• Weight: 112 pounds

Z Grills’ ZPG-7002ENC is a very versatile pellet smoker that gives 8 functions in 1. These include grilling, smoking, baking, searing, roasting, braising, char-grilling and barbecuing, which enables you to prepare many types of food.

This is largely supported by fan-forced convection cooking, which makes it easy to smoke, roast, bake, braise and grill without requiring a rotisserie.

You also get a digital control board that runs the automated pellet feed system. This setup lets you easily regulate the temperature inside from 180 – 450˚F while producing the optimal volume of smoke.

Other features include a large cooking capacity that comprises a 504 square inch main cooking area and a 190 square inch warming/smoking rack, all-terrain heavy-duty wheels for easy movement and a 20-pound hopper, which is quite big.

On the downside, no protective cover is included, though the smoker has a stainless-steel lid that is rust-proof.

Pros:

• Versatile with 8 functions in 1
• Fan-forced convectional cooking for efficient oxygen feeding
• Digital control board with a 180 – 450˚F temperature range
• Relatively large 694 square inch cooking capacity

Cons:

• Protective cover not included

4. Traeger TFB38TOD – Pellet Smoker with Meat Temperature Probes

Photo: Traeger

• Cooking Capacity: 380 square inches
• Hopper Capacity: 18 pounds
• Weight: 109 pounds

This pellet smoker is equipped with two meat temperature probes for measuring the internal food temperature as you cook. They are plugged into the digital pro controller, which shows the LED readout while also allowing you to make +/-15˚ changes for precision grilling.

That said, the unit gives you 6 functions in 1, enabling you to grill, smoke, braise, roast, bake and barbecue on a 380 square-inch cooking surface that can fit up to 12 burgers or 2 whole chickens.

Other features include a sawhorse chassis with a side lift bar and all-terrain wheels for easy movement, a hopper cleanout for quick changing of pellet flavors, electronic ignition and a sturdy steel build with a powder-coated finish for durability purposes.

However, you get no side table or storage cabinet for keeping your ingredients and cooking accessories.

More Detailed: Traeger TFB38TOD Review

Pros:

• Includes two meat temperature probes
• 6 cooking functions in 1
• Digital Pro controller with 15˚ increments/decrements for precision grilling
• Hopper cleanout for quick changing of pellet flavors

Cons:

• No side table
• Lacks a storage cabinet

5. Camp Chef PG36LUX – Largest Pellet Smoker

Photo: Camp Chef

• Cooking Capacity: 875 square inches
• Hopper Capacity: 18 pounds
• Weight: 180 pounds

Camp Chef’s PG36LUX is the top-rated pellet smoker in this review and this can be largely attributed to the fact that it has a very large 875 square inch cooking capacity. This comprises a 663 square-inch grill and a 212 square-inch smoking/warming rack.

Other than that, the smoker has a relatively large 18-pound hopper capacity, which eliminates constant refilling. An automatic auger dispenses the pellets from the hopper to the firebox inside, thereby ensuring smoking and heating efficiency.

More features include dual LED temperature readout for showing the internal cooking temperature and internal food temperature (using the included meat probe), electronic auto-start ignition and smart smoke technology for ensuring maximum smoke production.

On the downside, the unit is quite heavy (180 pounds), making it a bit difficult to transport, and its cover is not included for protection against the elements.

Pros:

• Very large 875 square-inch cooking capacity
• Relatively large 18-pound hopper capacity
• Dual LED temperature readout for the internal food and cooking temperature
• Smart smoke technology for maximum smoke production

Cons:

• Quite heavy
• Lacks a protective cover

6. Rec Tec Grills RT-700 – Complete Pellet Smoker Set

Photo: Rec Tec Grills

• Cooking Capacity: 702 square inches
• Hopper Capacity: 40 pounds
• Weight: 200 pounds

Though very expensive, Rec Tec Grills’ RT-700 comes as a complete set containing two non-stick mesh grill mats, a cover, 200 pounds of Rec Tec’s ultimate blend pellets and of course, the smoker.

This smoker has a very large hopper capacity that can fit up to 40 pounds of pellets, and this ensures you get a long runtime without having to refill.

Additionally, you get the convenience of Wi-Pellet Wi-Fi technology, which allows you to cook and monitor the progress remotely. All you need is Rec Tec Grills’ app, which is available for Android and iOS in the respective app stores.

Other features include automatic shutdown by the push of a button, two meat probes and a temperature range of 200 – 500˚F with 5˚ incremental settings. However, the unit is very heavy and therefore, not easily portable.

Pros:

• Complete set with grill mats, a cover, and pellets
• Large 40-pound hopper capacity eliminates frequent refills
• Wi-Pellet Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control and monitoring
• Convenient automatic shutdown with the push of a button

Cons:

• Expensive
• Heavy

7. Camp Chef PG24WWS – Pellet Grill with Smart Smoke Technology

Photo: Camp Chef

• Cooking Capacity: 570 square inches
• Hopper Capacity: 18 pounds
• Weight: 146 pounds

Camp Chef’s PG24WWS is equipped with smart smoke technology, which comprises a digital temperature control and an automatic auger. These two work in-sync to ensure pellets are fed optimally into the firebox so as to produce a sufficient amount of smoke.

That said, the cooking is done over a 570 square-inch wide surface, which is composed of a 429 square inch lower rack and a 141 square inch upper/smoking rack. With this, you can grill, smoke, braise, roast, bake, and barbecue all your favorite meals across a wide 160 – 500˚F range.

Other features include a patented ash cleanout mechanism for quick maintenance, pellet hopper cleanout for quick changing to new pellet flavors, a side table for placing ingredients, a bottom shelf for storage and 4 wheels for easy portability.

On the downside, the smoker does not come with its patio cover.

Pros:

• Smart smoke technology for optimal smoke production
• Wide 160 – 500˚F temperature range
• Patented ash cleanout system for easy maintenance
• Side table and bottom shelf for additional storage space

Cons:

• Patio cover not included

8. Pit Boss 700FB – Pellet Smoker with Porcelain Coated Grates

Photo: Pit Boss

• Cooking Capacity: 700 square inches
• Hopper Capacity: 21 pounds
• Weight: 118 pounds

With its porcelain-coated cast-iron grates, Pit Boss’ 700FB is quite easy to clean and very durable as well. This is topped off by heavy gauge steel components, which give the smoker the required structural strength and stability for maximum durability.

The grill features a digital control board and a standard flame broiler for controlling the flame/heat output, and this enables you to grill, smoke, roast, bake, braise, barbecue, sear or char-grill.

More features include a cooking temperature range of 180 – 500˚F, a side lift bar and two wheels for easy movement, a lid-mounted thermometer for temperature level monitoring and a 700 square inch cooking surface.

However, there is no built-in side table and no probes are included for measuring the internal meat temperature.

Pros:

• Durable and easy-to-clean porcelain-coated cast-iron grates
• Digital control board and standard flame broiler for flame control
• 8 cooking functions in 1
• Lid mounted thermometer for temperature monitoring

Cons:

• Lacks a side table
• Meat probes not included

9. Traeger TFS60LZC – Pellet Smoker with a Storage Cabinet

Photo: Traeger

• Cooking Capacity: 586 square inches
• Hopper Capacity: 18 pounds
• Weight: 170 pounds

Traeger’s TFS60LZC is quite costly but it has a practical design with a two-door storage cabinet underneath and two side tables for placing ingredients within close reach.

The grill has a capacity of 586 square inches, making it capable of cooking up to 20 burgers, 4 whole chickens or 4 racks of ribs at once. With this, it offers 6 cooking functions, which are grilling, smoking, baking, barbecuing, braising and roasting, making it very versatile.

A digital elite controller with advanced grilling logic is built-in, giving 20˚F increments/decrements for precision temperature control. This is supported by an induction fan, which ensures there is enough oxygen supply to the firebox for efficient burning.

Other features include a drip tray and collection tray for grease management, 4 locking casters for easy movement and stability and a temperature range that goes up to 450˚F. However, no meat probes are included.

Pros:

• Two-door storage cabinet and two convenient side tables
• 6 cooking functions in 1
• Digital elite controller with advanced grilling logic for precise tuning
• Induction fan for stroking the fire

Cons:

• Quite expensive
• No probes

10. Z Grills ZPG-450A – Pellet Smoker with an Induction Fan

Photo: Z Grills

• Cooking Capacity: 452 square inches
• Hopper Capacity: 15 pounds
• Weight: 84 pounds

Rounding up the list is Z Grills’ ZPG-450A, which is also equipped with an induction fan to stroke the fire for efficient burning. This component works hand-in-hand with an automatic auger, which pushes pellets into the firebox for optimal heat and smoke production.

A digital controller with an LED temperature readout runs the pellet feeding system and gives you a relatively wide temperature range of 180 – 450˚F.

You also get an easy-to-clean waste oil collector, a convenient side table, an easily portable cart design with large lockable casters, a corrosion-resistant stainless-steel construction with a smooth, polished finish and a waterproof protective cover.

However, the smoker lacks a storage cabinet and no meat probes are included for measuring the internal food temperature.

Pros:

• Induction fan for stroking the fire
• Digital controller with LED temperature readout for accurate temperature setting
• Easy-to-clean waste oil collector
• Side table for keeping sauces and ingredients

Cons:

• No Wi-Fi for wireless remote control
• Meat probes not included

How to Buy the Best Pellet Smoker

Photo: Traeger

1. Cooking Area

In selecting a pellet smoker, the first thing to consider is its total cooking area. While a large unit might seem like the best choice, this is not usually the case. The larger it is, the more the fuel that it will burn so as to heat up the wide area.

Therefore, you need to consider the quantity of food that you will be preparing, which is determined by the number of people you want to serve. For instance, a 500 square-inch smoker can cook about 20 burgers, which is enough for about 10-15 people.

2. Hopper Size

It is also important to check the hopper size and with this, the bigger the better. Since it holds the pellets (fuel), the hopper size determines the total cook time the smoker can give without refilling.

A small tank will require frequent refilling, which can be very annoying, especially if the food takes a long time to cook. In standard conditions, a pound might burn in about an hour and therefore, an 18-pound capacity hopper can give about 18 hours of cook time.

3. Temperature Range

A wide temperature range means the smoker is more flexible and can cook food at very low or very high heat, while also producing a small or large amount of smoke. A narrow range is quite limiting and therefore, the wider the better.

4. Construction Material

Corrosion can easily destroy any pellet smoker if it is not built using the right materials. For this reason, ensure that the one you buy has corrosion-resistant stainless-steel parts and if powder coated, the coat should be of very high quality.

As for the grates, they should be made of a material that retains heat, such as cast iron, then coated in a protective material such as porcelain.

5. Side Table

A side table is a convenience feature that gives you space to keep sauces and other ingredients within close reach as you cook or serve the ready food. Not all pellet smokers have this feature and therefore, you should check for it in the one you buy.

Another convenience feature to look for is a shelf or storage cabinet, which gives extra space to keep your cooking accessories conveniently close to where the cooking action is.

6. Controls

While most modern pellet smokers feature digital controllers, some are equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless remote control and monitoring using an Android or iOS app, which makes it very easy to cook.

Such grills definitely have an edge over those that lack this feature and should be highly considered.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pellet smokers should be your go-to option if you want food full of smoky flavors. Unlike charcoal grills, these are easy to start and operate, and you can change the pellets easily so as to alter the flavor.

With that in mind, having gone through the buying guide above, you should be in a better position to pick the best pellet smoker that suits your needs.