Best Pellet Grills Under $500: Six Low-Cost Grills That Still Smoke Well

A pellet grill does not have to cost a lot to cook well. The core job, holding a steady temperature while feeding wood pellets, is done by a controller, an auger and a fan, and those parts are on every model, including the lower-priced ones. What you pay extra for is steel thickness, insulation, finish and convenience features.

That makes the under $500 range a good place to start. You can learn how smoking works, find out which cooks you enjoy and decide later whether a bigger investment is worth it. Prices move, so the table shows typical ranges, and you should confirm the current price on Amazon. Here are six grills worth considering.

What you give up at a lower price

It helps to know the trade-offs before you buy.

Steel and insulation. Thinner metal loses heat faster in wind and cold, so the grill works harder and burns more pellets. In mild weather the difference is small.

Controller precision. Cheaper controllers can swing a bit more around the set temperature. PID controllers hold steadier, and several grills here have one.

Finish and details. Paint, hinges and shelves tend to be simpler. A cover and regular cleanup protect against rust.

Extras. WiFi and big hoppers are less common, though the Brisk Zelos-450 and Pit Boss 700 Carbon include them at a low price.

None of that stops you making excellent ribs, chicken and pork shoulder. For new cooks, our beginner guide shows how little equipment you need.

Our six picks

Pit Boss 700 Carbon: best for space

About 718 square inches, a 13.5 pound hopper, a digital controller and a meat probe. That is a lot of grill for the price, and it handles a family cook with room for sides.

It is a newer listing with fewer ratings, and it has no app control.

Buy it if you want the most space on a budget. Skip it if you want WiFi or a long track record on this model.

Z Grills ZPG-450A2: best compact grill

A compact grill with 459 square inches, a PID V3.0 controller, a foldable front shelf and side shelf, a meat probe and a rain cover listed. Thousands of buyers have rated it.

The cooking area is small for big gatherings, and there is no app control.

Buy it if you cook for two to four. Skip it if you often host.

Brisk Zelos-450: best cheap WiFi grill

WiFi and app control, a PID controller, a meat probe and a 12 pound hopper, at a modest price. For long cooks, being able to check the grill from your phone is a real help.

Brisk is a newer brand, and a couple of hundred buyers have rated it so far.

Buy it if you want app control for less. Skip it if you want a long-established brand.

Pit Boss 440 Mahogany: best proven low-cost grill

A 518 square inch grill with a flame broiler for direct searing and an LED controller. Well over a thousand buyers have rated it, so there is plenty of real-world feedback to read.

The 5 pound hopper means refills on long cooks, and the build is light.

Buy it if you want a proven, low-priced grill. Skip it if you smoke overnight.

Pit Boss 150: best portable grill

A small pellet grill with 256 square inches and a 7 pound hopper that travels to campsites, tailgates and small patios. It is priced low, and well over a thousand buyers have rated it.

The cooking area is small, and it needs a power source.

Buy it if the grill has to travel. Skip it if you cook for a crowd. Read our guide to small and portable pellet grills for more.

Z Grills 7002B: best if you can stretch the budget

About 700 square inches and a PID controller, often priced right around the top of this range. If you can spend a little more, it gives you a larger grill with a big base of ratings.

It can move above the line on some days, so check the current price.

Buy it if you can stretch a little. Skip it if the limit is firm.

Getting the most from a budget grill

Treat it kindly. Keep it covered, empty the grease tray often and vacuum the fire pot every few cooks. Use dry, food-grade pellets and store them in a sealed bin. Add a second thermometer, since cheap probes can drift.

In cold or windy weather, shield the grill from the wind and let it preheat longer. A grill blanket can help, and so can cooking a little lower and slower than you would on a pricey model.

If you outgrow the grill, our under 1,000 guide shows the next step up, and our main guide covers every budget.

Common mistakes

Buying on price alone without checking hopper size, ignoring the return policy, skipping the burn-in, and cooking without a thermometer. A cheap grill rewards simple habits.

Cooking tips that save pellets

Preheat with the lid closed and resist peeking. Use the lowest temperature that does the job, since higher heat burns more pellets. Cook several things in one session when you can, such as chicken and vegetables, so the grill does more work per pellet. And keep the grill clean, because a dirty fire pot struggles to light and ends up wasting fuel.

If you are weighing price against size more broadly, our guide to the best pellet grills for the money shows how to judge value at any budget.

Pellets, covers and other small costs

A cheap grill still needs fuel and a few accessories, and those costs add up. Pellets are the main running cost. A bag costs a few dollars per pound, and a long cook burns several pounds. Buy in bulk when pellets are on sale, and store them in a sealed bin so they stay dry.

A fitted cover is the best money you can spend after the grill itself. Budget grills often use thinner steel and simpler paint, so rain and sun do more damage. A cover can add years to the life of the grill. Add a good digital thermometer too. It costs less than a bag of pellets and saves you from overcooked food.

Learning to cook on a budget grill

A low-cost grill rewards simple recipes. Start with chicken thighs at 375 degrees, then try a pork tenderloin, sausages and burgers. Move on to ribs when you are comfortable. Keep notes on the temperature, the time and the result, so you can repeat what works.

Expect to learn how your grill behaves. Every grill has hot spots and quirks. Put a thermometer at the grate level and learn where the edges run hotter. Rotate food if one side browns faster. These habits matter more than the price tag.

When to upgrade

A budget grill is not a dead end. Many people use one for years. Signs it may be time to move up: you keep running out of room, you want app control, the grill struggles to hold temperature in wind or you want to smoke long cooks without refilling. When that happens, our under $1,000 guide shows what a bigger budget buys, and our guide to Pit Boss vs Traeger covers the brand trade-offs.

A note on prices

Prices at this level move often, and the same grill can sit well under the limit one week and above it the next. Check the current price before you decide, and watch the listing for a few days if you are not in a hurry.

If you are comparing stores as well as models, our guide to wood pellet grills for sale explains where to buy and what to check first.

Bottom line

You do not need to spend a lot to enjoy pellet cooking. The Pit Boss 700 Carbon is the best for space, the Z Grills ZPG-450A2 is the best compact grill and the Brisk Zelos-450 is the cheapest way to get WiFi. Check the current price, add a cover and a thermometer, and start cooking.