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Best Pellet Outdoor Grills With Smoker: Top 5 Picks Compared

Updated 10 min read

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Guide at a glance

  • 5products compared
  • 10minute read
  • Side-by-side comparison table
  • Who each pick suits best
  • What to check before you buy

A pellet grill with smoker capability can handle low-and-slow barbecue, roasting, and everyday grilling with one outdoor cooker. The best fit depends on how much cooking space you need, whether you want direct-flame searing, and how much control you want from an app. These five picks range from compact, straightforward models to larger connected grills with extra cooking features.

Quick Comparison

Pellet GrillCooking AreaTemperature RangeStandout FeatureBest For
Traeger Woodridge Elite970 sq. in.Not specifiedInsulated body and side sear stationLarge cooks and versatile outdoor meals
Pit Boss 500 FB2 Series518 sq. in.180°–500°F; direct-flame searing up to 1,000°FFlame Broiler leverGrilling and smoking in a smaller footprint
Pit Boss 850 Navigator Series932 sq. in.180°–500°FWiFi, Bluetooth, and a 30-pound hopperLarge cooks with connected temperature control
Pit Boss 440 Mahogany Series518 sq. in.180°–500°FLED digital controller and Flame BroilerBasic pellet grilling and smoking
Weber Searwood 600Not specified180°–600°FDirectFlame cooking and SmokeBoostSmoking, searing, and roasting in one grill

Our Picks: Best Pellet Outdoor Grills With Smoker reviews

Traeger Woodridge Elite: Best for Capacity and Cooking Versatility

The Woodridge Elite is the most feature-rich option here for cooks who want more than a smoker. Its 970 square inches of cooking space can handle large meals, and Traeger says it can fit up to seven chickens, nine racks of ribs, or seven pork butts. That makes it a strong choice for family gatherings and larger batches of barbecue.

An insulated grill body is designed to help maintain steady heat, including during cold-weather cooking. The built-in side sear station adds a separate high-heat cooking option for steaks, vegetables, and sauces. WiFIRE app control, a digital pellet sensor, Bluetooth meat thermometer compatibility, and Keep Warm Mode offer extra ways to monitor and manage a cook.

Storage is another plus: the grill has a cabinet and side shelf, while its EZ-Clean Grease & Ash Keg is intended to simplify cleanup. The product description also notes that P.A.L. and ModiFIRE accessories are sold separately. With this many features and a large cooking area, it may be more grill than you need if you usually cook for just a few people. The listed specifications do not provide a temperature range, so compare the current product details if precise heat limits matter to you.

Pros:

  • Large 970-square-inch cooking area for group meals
  • Insulated body designed to help maintain heat
  • Side sear station expands cooking options
  • App controls, pellet monitoring, and thermometer compatibility

Cons:

  • Some accessories are sold separately
  • Temperature range is not stated in the supplied specifications

Verdict: Choose the Woodridge Elite if you want a large, connected pellet grill with insulation and a dedicated sear station, and you expect to use its extra features.

Pit Boss 500 FB2 Series: Best for Direct-Flame Searing

This Pit Boss pairs a modest cooking area with a useful range of cooking methods. Its 518 square inches of space is arranged across a two-tier cooking surface, while the digital controller adjusts in five-degree increments from 180°F to 500°F. That temperature span covers low-temperature smoking as well as standard grilling and roasting.

The standout feature is the Flame Broiler lever, which opens the way to direct-flame searing up to 1,000°F. This gives you a way to finish steaks over higher heat without moving to a separate grill. The 5-pound hopper is smaller than the 30-pound hopper on the Pit Boss Navigator, so it is worth considering how often you want to refill pellets during longer or repeated cooks.

It includes two meat-probe ports and one probe, plus a solid bottom shelf for tools and accessories. The listed features keep the design focused on practical grilling rather than app connectivity. Its five-year warranty is also specified by the manufacturer.

Pros:

  • Flame Broiler provides direct-flame searing up to 1,000°F
  • Five-degree temperature adjustments from 180°F to 500°F
  • Two-tier cooking surface and 518 square inches of space
  • Includes one meat probe and has a five-year warranty

Cons:

  • Five-pound hopper is smaller than the Navigator’s 30-pound hopper
  • Cooking area is limited compared with the larger grills in this roundup

Verdict: Pick the 500 FB2 if direct-flame searing is a priority and you want a compact pellet grill that also handles smoking.

Pit Boss 850 Navigator: Best for Large Connected Cooks

The Navigator combines a roomy cooking surface with remote monitoring features. It offers 932 square inches of total cooking space and a 30-pound hopper with a viewing window, which is useful when you want to keep an eye on fuel during a longer cook. The stated temperature range is 180°F to 500°F.

WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity let you check readings and make adjustments, while two included meat probes help track food temperature. A folding front shelf, side shelf, tool hooks, and bottom shelf give you extra space for prep and storage. Fan-forced convection is designed to distribute indirect heat across the cooking area.

The Navigator is a strong match for larger households or anyone who regularly cooks several items at once. Its cooking area is close to the Traeger’s, but the listed specifications do not include the Traeger’s insulated body or side sear station. The Navigator has a flame broiler, but the supplied details do not state a direct-searing temperature, so compare the product listing if that feature is central to your decision.

Pros:

  • 932 square inches of cooking space
  • 30-pound hopper with a viewing window
  • WiFi, Bluetooth, and two included meat probes
  • Folding shelves and storage shelves support prep and organization

Cons:

  • Maximum temperature is listed as 500°F
  • Does not list an insulated body or separate side sear station

Verdict: Choose the Navigator if you want substantial cooking capacity, a large hopper, and connected monitoring for longer or larger cooks.

Pit Boss 440 Mahogany Series: Best for Straightforward Pellet Cooking

The 440 Mahogany Series is a more basic option for cooks who want pellet-fueled smoking and grilling without listed WiFi or Bluetooth features. It has 518 square inches of cooking space, porcelain-coated steel grates, and an LED digital controller. Its temperature range of 180°F to 500°F covers low-and-slow smoking through higher-heat grilling.

Like the 500 FB2, this model includes a Flame Broiler, giving it a direct-flame option alongside indirect pellet cooking. The shared cooking area and temperature range make the two models similar on paper. The 500 FB2 lists five-degree temperature settings, meat-probe ports, and a probe; those details are not included for the 440, so check the exact listing if those features matter to you.

The smaller cooking area is easier to match to everyday meals than the 850 Navigator or Woodridge Elite, but it offers less room for a crowd. Its porcelain-coated grates and digital readout are useful straightforward features, while the supplied specifications do not list hopper capacity or connectivity.

Pros:

  • 518 square inches of cooking space
  • Temperature range from 180°F to 500°F
  • Flame Broiler adds a direct-flame cooking option
  • Porcelain-coated steel grates and an LED digital readout

Cons:

  • Does not list WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity
  • Hopper capacity is not specified in the supplied details

Verdict: The 440 Mahogany Series is a sensible choice if you want a smaller pellet grill with digital temperature control and a Flame Broiler, without prioritizing app features.

Weber Searwood 600: Best for High-Heat Range and Smoke Control

The Searwood 600 is built to cover a broad range of outdoor cooking. Its listed temperature range runs from 180°F to 600°F, and Weber describes it as suitable for smoking, searing, and roasting. DirectFlame cooking is designed to brown and crisp food, while the full-grate Sear Zone aims to spread that high-heat area across the grate.

For low-temperature smoking, the SmokeBoost setting holds the grill at 180°F to encourage smoke absorption. Rapid React PID is designed to bring the grill to its set temperature in 15 minutes or less, recover heat after the lid is opened, and maintain steady temperatures in cold weather. WiFi and Bluetooth support connect with the WEBER CONNECT app, and one food probe is included.

The product also supports optional accessories, including a griddle insert, rotisserie, and WEBER CRAFTED grates and grillware; these are sold separately. The supplied details do not state the cooking area or hopper capacity, making it harder to compare its meal size and fuel capacity directly with the Pit Boss and Traeger models. Those figures are worth checking before you choose.

Pros:

  • Broad 180°F to 600°F temperature range
  • DirectFlame cooking and a full-grate Sear Zone
  • SmokeBoost setting for low-temperature smoking
  • WiFi, Bluetooth, app connection, and one included food probe

Cons:

  • Cooking area and hopper capacity are not stated in the supplied details
  • Griddle, rotisserie, and other listed accessories are sold separately

Verdict: Choose the Searwood 600 if you value a high maximum temperature, direct-flame cooking, and a dedicated low-temperature smoke setting.

How to Choose a Pellet Outdoor Grill With Smoker

Match the Cooking Area to Your Meals

Cooking area affects how much food you can prepare at once. The Traeger Woodridge Elite and Pit Boss Navigator offer the largest listed areas in this group, at 970 and 932 square inches. The two smaller Pit Boss models each provide 518 square inches. If you often cook for a crowd or want to smoke several cuts at once, a larger surface can be useful. For routine meals, a smaller grill may be easier to fit into your cooking setup.

Check the Temperature Range and Searing Method

Temperature range helps show whether a grill can handle both smoking and hotter cooking. All four models with a stated range include a low setting of 180°F. The Weber reaches a listed maximum of 600°F, while the Pit Boss 500 FB2 and 440 go to 500°F and offer a Flame Broiler. The 500 FB2 specifies direct-flame searing up to 1,000°F. The Traeger includes a side sear station, but its supplied product details do not give a temperature range.

Consider Hopper Capacity for Longer Cooks

A larger hopper can mean fewer pellet refills during an extended cook, though how often you need to refill also depends on how you use the grill. The Pit Boss Navigator lists a 30-pound hopper with a viewing window; the 500 FB2 lists a 5-pound capacity. Hopper sizes are not included in the supplied specifications for the other models, so confirm them if you plan to smoke for long stretches.

Decide How Much App Control You Want

Connected features can help you monitor a cook without standing beside the grill. The Traeger lists WiFIRE app control, a digital pellet sensor, and Bluetooth thermometer compatibility. The Navigator offers WiFi and Bluetooth with two included meat probes, while the Weber connects through WiFi and Bluetooth and includes one probe. The 500 FB2 and 440 emphasize digital controls but do not list app connectivity in the supplied details.

Look at Storage, Prep Space, and Cleanup

Shelves and storage can make outdoor cooking more convenient by keeping tools and ingredients close. The Navigator has folding front and side shelves, tool hooks, and a bottom shelf. The Traeger includes a side shelf and storage cabinet. The 500 FB2 lists a solid bottom shelf, while the Weber and 440 details here do not specify comparable storage. The Traeger also lists an EZ-Clean Grease & Ash Keg, and the Navigator has an easy-access grease tray.

Compare Included Items with Optional Accessories

Check what comes with the grill before planning around a particular cooking setup. The 500 FB2 includes one meat probe, the Navigator includes two, and the Weber includes one. Traeger lists compatibility with P.A.L. and ModiFIRE accessories, which are sold separately. Weber also identifies optional griddle, rotisserie, and grillware accessories. If you expect to use a particular add-on, factor in its separate purchase and confirm compatibility with the exact grill model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a pellet grill also be used as a smoker?

Yes. The models in this guide are designed for both grilling and smoking. Their listed low settings start at 180°F, and features such as the Weber’s SmokeBoost setting are intended to support low-temperature smoking.

Which grill has the largest listed cooking area?

The Traeger Woodridge Elite has the largest stated area in this comparison at 970 square inches. The Pit Boss 850 Navigator is close behind at 932 square inches.

Which option has the most direct-flame searing detail?

The Pit Boss 500 FB2 specifies direct-flame searing up to 1,000°F through its Flame Broiler lever. The Weber also lists DirectFlame cooking and a full-grate Sear Zone, while the Traeger has a built-in side sear station.

Which grills include meat probes?

The Pit Boss 500 FB2 includes one probe and has two probe ports. The Pit Boss Navigator includes two probes, and the Weber includes one food probe. The Traeger lists Bluetooth meat thermometer compatibility, but its supplied details do not say that a thermometer is included.

Do these grills need WiFi to work?

The supplied details list WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity on the Traeger Woodridge Elite, Pit Boss Navigator, and Weber Searwood 600. The Pit Boss 500 FB2 and 440 list digital controllers but do not specify app connectivity. Check the product instructions for the controls and features available without an internet connection.

Are accessories included with every model?

Not necessarily. Some features are built into the grill, while optional accessories may be sold separately. The Traeger P.A.L. and ModiFIRE accessories and the Weber griddle insert, rotisserie, and grillware are specifically listed as separate purchases.

Final Recommendation

For a large, versatile setup with insulation, app control, and a side sear station, the Traeger Woodridge Elite stands out. The Pit Boss Navigator is a strong alternative if you want a large cooking area, a 30-pound hopper, and connected monitoring. If direct-flame searing is your main priority, consider the Pit Boss 500 FB2; for a wide stated temperature range and SmokeBoost, the Weber Searwood 600 is the better match. Compare the listed features with your cooking needs, and confirm any missing specifications before choosing.

Author

  • Emily

    Emily is the editor of YourModernLiving, where she helps readers make informed decisions about home, kitchen, family, and everyday products. She focuses on researching product features, comparing available options, and creating practical buying guides to help readers find products that suit their needs, preferences, and budgets.

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