Best Electric Pellet Grills: Five Models Worth Buying and What Powering One Takes

Search for an electric pellet grill and you will find a mix of pellet grills, electric smokers and indoor gadgets, all calling themselves the same thing. Here is the simple version. Every pellet grill is electric in the sense that matters: it burns wood pellets for heat and flavor, and it uses household power to run the controller, the auger, the fan and the igniter. That is why you plug one in, and why power planning is part of buying one.

This page ranks five pellet grills that suit most backyards and explains the electric side of owning one: where to plug it in, what kind of cord to use and how to run one away from the house. For the full ranking of every type, start with our guide to the best pellet grills.

What "electric" means on a pellet grill

Three parts draw power. The igniter heats a rod that lights the pellets at startup. The auger is a small motor that moves pellets from the hopper to the fire pot. The fan feeds air to the fire and spreads heat and smoke around the cooking chamber. A digital controller runs all three, watches the temperature and tells the auger when to add more pellets.

That design is why pellet grills hold a steady temperature without much attention, and also why they stop working when the power does. The igniter pulls the most power, but only for the first few minutes. After that, the draw is modest. The real cost of running one is the pellets, not the electricity.

If you are still comparing fuel types, our breakdown of pellet grills versus charcoal and gas shows what you give up and gain with each.

How to choose an electric pellet grill

1. Where the outlet is

Measure from the spot where the grill will sit to the nearest outdoor outlet. A short run is best. If the outlet is far away, you will need a heavy-gauge outdoor extension cord, and a cord adds a connection you have to keep dry. Plan the location before you buy, especially for a large grill like the Navigator 850.

2. Controls and WiFi

A digital controller is enough to cook well. A PID controller, which adjusts to keep temperature steady, is a plus. WiFi adds app control, temperature alerts and probe readings on your phone, and it is worth paying for if you smoke overnight or leave the grill to run while you do other things. Our list of the best WiFi pellet grills goes deeper on that choice.

3. Cooking area and hopper

About 500 to 700 square inches suits a household of two to four people. A bigger hopper means fewer refills on long cooks. Do not buy more size than you will use, because larger grills burn more pellets and need more room and more careful placement.

4. Build and parts

The electric parts, meaning the igniter, controller and fan, are the ones that most often need replacing as a grill ages. A brand with an easy parts network makes that a small repair instead of a reason to replace the grill.

Our top picks, one by one

Z Grills 7002B: best all-round pick

The Z Grills 7002B is the grill most people should look at first. It lists about 700 square inches and a digital controller, and thousands of buyers have rated it. That combination gives you enough room for a family cook, a simple setup that needs one outdoor outlet, and a price below the big names.

Expect a simpler build than a premium grill. Keep it covered, clean the grease regularly and store pellets dry. If you want app control, look at the Brisk or the Pit Boss Navigator below instead.

Buy it if you want a straightforward mid-size grill at a fair price. Skip it if you want WiFi control or the heaviest build.

Traeger Pro 575: best for support and parts

Traeger is the brand with the biggest pellet and parts network, and that matters for an electric appliance. Igniters, controllers and fans wear out on every make eventually, and with Traeger you can usually find a replacement quickly. The Pro 575 lists 572 square inches and is easy to operate: set a temperature and the grill lights and runs. Confirm the controls on the listing before you buy, since Traeger has updated this model over the years.

The trade-off is price. You pay a premium for the brand compared with similar-sized Z Grills and Pit Boss models. If a long track record and easy support matter to you, that premium is reasonable. Our comparison of Pit Boss versus Traeger lays out the differences.

Buy it if you want an easy, well-supported grill. Skip it if you want the most cooking area per dollar.

Brisk Zelos-450: best budget WiFi pick

The Zelos-450 gives you WiFi app control, a PID controller and a meat probe at a lower price than the big brands. It lists 450 square inches and a 12 pound hopper. For long cooks like a pork shoulder, being able to check the grill and the probe from the couch is a real convenience.

The catch is track record. Brisk is a newer name and fewer buyers have rated it, so read recent reviews on the app and the build before you decide. The cooking area is also on the small side for a crowd.

Buy it if you want WiFi control at a low price. Skip it if you want a long-established brand or lots of room.

Pit Boss Navigator 850: most space for the money

The Navigator 850 lists 932 square inches, WiFi and Bluetooth control and a 30 pound hopper. That is a lot of grill, and the big hopper suits long cooks. It also has a large footprint, so check that your patio and your outlet location work for a grill this size. It is a newer listing with fewer buyer ratings, so read recent reviews.

Finishes on lower-priced grills tend to be thinner than on premium models, so use a cover and keep up with grease cleanup to avoid rust.

Buy it if you cook for a crowd or smoke big cuts. Skip it if you have a small patio.

Pit Boss 150: best small and portable

The Pit Boss 150 is a compact pellet grill with 256 square inches and a 7 pound hopper. It suits camping, tailgates, a small patio or a balcony where rules allow. Because it is small, it is also the easiest grill on this list to run from a portable power station. Check the grill's power rating in the manual and match it to the station's continuous output before you rely on it.

The small cooking area and hopper limit big cooks. For more small options, see our guides to small and portable pellet grills and camping pellet grills.

Buy it if space or travel matter more than capacity. Skip it if you cook for a crowd.

Side-by-side specs

Powering a pellet grill safely

Treat the electrical side like any outdoor appliance. These habits keep it safe and keep the grill running.

Use a GFCI outlet. Outdoor outlets should be GFCI protected. If yours is not, use a GFCI adapter or have an electrician add one.

Keep cords short and rated for outdoor use. If you need an extension cord, choose a heavy-gauge one made for outdoor use, and keep the plug connection off wet ground and away from the hot body of the grill and from dripping grease.

Keep the plug and controller dry. Cover the grill when it is not in use, and skip the cook in heavy rain or storms.

Run it outdoors, in the open. Pellet grills burn wood, so they make carbon monoxide and sparks. Never use one in a garage, shed, tent or any enclosed space, even with the door open, and keep it well away from the house, fences, railings and overhangs.

Do not leave it unplugged and loaded. Damp pellets swell and can jam the auger, so empty or seal the hopper if the grill will sit for weeks.

If you use a portable power station, test the setup at home first. Our pellet grill troubleshooting guide covers what to do when the grill will not light or stalls mid-cook, which is common when power is marginal.

Mistakes people make when buying

Ignoring the outlet. A great grill is hard to use if the nearest outlet is across the yard. Plan the spot first.

Paying for WiFi you will not use. App control is useful for overnight smokes. If you cook next to the grill, skip it and put the money toward build quality.

Buying too much size. A large grill burns more pellets and needs more space and power planning.

Skipping the cover. Electronics and pellets both hate moisture. A cover protects the controller and the hopper.

Using the wrong pellets. Use food-grade hardwood pellets made for cooking, never heating pellets.

First cook and care

Follow the maker's break-in for a new grill, which is usually a short high-heat run to burn off factory residue. Then start with something forgiving, such as chicken thighs or pork shoulder. Our guide to using a pellet grill walks through the whole first cook. Clean ash and grease on a regular schedule, since buildup causes temperature swings and can start fires. See our cleaning and maintenance guide for a routine.

How we chose these grills

We compared cooking area, controls, build, support, portability and what each grill costs to own. We favored grills with a long track record and a large base of owner feedback, and we picked a range so there is a fit for different budgets and yards.

These picks come from specifications, manufacturer information and listing research. We have not tested each grill ourselves, and we do not claim to. Prices shown are typical ranges and move often, so confirm the current price on Amazon before you buy. You can read how we work and how we earn money on our about page and our affiliate disclosure.

New to pellet cooking? Our list of the best pellet grills for beginners is a good next step.

Which one should you buy?

If you want one answer, buy the Z Grills 7002B. It is easy to power, easy to run and priced fairly. Choose the Traeger Pro 575 for support and parts, the Brisk Zelos-450 for WiFi at a lower price, the Pit Boss Navigator 850 for the most space, and the Pit Boss 150 if your grill needs to travel and run from a power station.