Best Pellet Grills Under $1,000: Six Grills That Reward a Mid-Range Budget

A budget of around $1,000 is a sweet spot for pellet grills. You can buy a large grill with a good controller, app control and a big hopper, and you do not need to pay for extras that rarely matter. At this level the choice stops being about whether a grill is good and becomes about what you cook and how much room you need.

Prices move, so the figures in the table are typical ranges. Always confirm the current price on Amazon. If your budget is lower, our under 500 guide shows what a smaller spend buys, and our main guide covers every price band.

What a bigger budget buys

Compared with entry-level grills, a mid-range pellet grill usually offers more cooking area, a better controller, a larger hopper and more reliable build. It also often adds WiFi or Bluetooth so you can follow a long cook from your phone.

It does not guarantee better food. A forgiving grill and a good thermometer matter more than extra features. If you are new to this style of cooking, our beginner guide shows how little you need to start.

Where the extra money does help is durability and comfort. Thicker steel holds temperature in wind and cold, a larger hopper means fewer refills and a good controller keeps the grill steady, which saves pellets over a season.

Our six picks

Pit Boss Navigator 850: best for space and features

The Navigator 850 lists about 932 square inches, WiFi and Bluetooth control, a flame broiler and a 30 pound hopper, at a price below comparable Traeger models. That space handles a big family cook, and the hopper suits long smokes without a midnight refill.

It is a newer listing with fewer buyer ratings, so read recent reviews on the app and the build.

Buy it if you want the most space and features per dollar. Skip it if you prefer a model with a longer history.

Z Grills 7002B: best mid-size value

About 700 square inches, a PID controller and a large base of buyers, with a rain cover and other extras included in some listings. It is a strong value for a family that wants to smoke and grill.

There is no app control, and the finish is lighter than on premium grills.

Buy it if you want a mid-size grill at a fair price. Skip it if you want WiFi.

Traeger Woodridge: best big-name WiFi grill

The Woodridge lists 860 square inches and WiFi control from the brand with the largest owner community. Parts, pellets and advice are easy to find, and the app makes long cooks easier to manage.

It costs near the top of this range, and you pay a brand premium over Pit Boss and Z Grills.

Buy it if you want a well-supported WiFi grill. Skip it if you want the most space per dollar.

Weber Searwood 600: best for smoking and searing

Weber built the Searwood to smoke low and slow and sear at high heat, so one grill can handle ribs on Saturday and steaks on Sunday. It lists Bluetooth control and carries Weber's support behind it.

It sits at the top of this budget, and fewer buyers have rated it than the big sellers.

Buy it if you want smoke and a real sear in one grill. Skip it if you only smoke.

Pit Boss 700 Carbon: best low-cost large grill

About 718 square inches, a 13.5 pound hopper, a digital controller and a meat probe at a price far below the other large grills here. It is the pick if you want room without spending near the top of the range.

It has no app control and has fewer ratings so far.

Buy it if you want space and a low price. Skip it if you want WiFi.

Traeger Pro 22 and Pro 575: best easy, well-supported grill

A mid-size grill that is easy to run, with an enormous owner base. It lists 572 square inches and has been rated by thousands of buyers.

It costs more than similar-size rivals, and the cooking area is smaller than the big Pit Boss and Z Grills models.

Buy it if you want the easiest, best-supported choice. Skip it if you want the most cooking area.

How to choose at this price

Start with the room you need. If you often cook for more than six people, look at the Navigator 850 or the Woodridge. If you cook for a family, the Z Grills 7002B or the Pro 22 fits. If you want a sear, look at the Searwood 600.

Then decide about app control. If long cooks are your thing, WiFi is worth it, and our WiFi grill guide covers the options. If you cook shorter, a simple controller does the job.

Finally, think about support. A grill from a brand with a large owner base is easier to fix, and parts are easier to find. That matters in year three.

A size guide by household

Cooking area is the easiest number to compare, and the right amount depends on who eats. For two people, 450 square inches is plenty. For a family of four, 600 to 700 gives you room for a main and sides. For regular gatherings of eight or more, look at 850 square inches and above, and think about a larger hopper too.

Remember that usable space is less than the listed figure, because the number includes upper racks and gaps. A grill listed at 700 square inches fits roughly three racks of ribs, two chickens or a couple of pork shoulders with some sides. If you only host a few times a year, you can cook in batches on a smaller grill and save money and pellets.

What it costs to run

A pellet grill uses pellets, a little electricity and some cleaning supplies. Pellet use depends on temperature, weather and grill size. Low and slow smoking uses relatively few pellets per hour, while high heat uses more, and a windy day on a thin-walled grill uses more again. A bag of food-grade hardwood pellets typically lasts a few cooks, so budget for several bags a season if you cook weekly.

Cold weather matters. Insulated or thicker-walled grills hold heat better and use fewer pellets, which is one of the quiet ways a pricier grill pays you back. If you cook through winter, a grill blanket, a windbreak and a lidded storage bin for pellets are cheap ways to cut the bill.

Finally, plan for upkeep. Parts like the igniter and the fan wear out over several years, and brands with a large owner base make replacements easy to find. Our Traeger guide and Pit Boss guide cover what to expect from each.

Mistakes to avoid at this budget

Paying for a brand premium you do not need, buying size you will not use, ignoring hopper size and skipping the cover. Also remember pellets, a cover, a thermometer and a power source are part of the real cost, so keep a little budget for them.

What to buy with the grill

A grill cover protects the controller and slows rust. A spare meat thermometer gives you a second opinion, since probes can drift. A sealed pellet bin keeps pellets dry. A shop vacuum makes ash cleanout quick, and our guide to pellet grill maintenance explains the routine.

One last check before you buy

Read the most recent reviews, not just the average rating, since models change between production runs. Check the return window and the warranty length. And confirm that the grill fits the spot you have in mind, including the lid swing and the clearance from walls.

To compare value across every budget, see our guide to the best pellet grills for the money.

Bottom line

For most people under $1,000, the Pit Boss Navigator 850 is the best for space and features, the Z Grills 7002B is the best mid-size value and the Traeger Woodridge is the best big-name WiFi grill. The Weber Searwood 600 suits cooks who want a real sear. Choose on size, features and support, and confirm the current price on Amazon.