We Tested 5 of the Best Traeger Grills—Here Are Our Thoughts

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Best Overall

Traeger Ironwood XL

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$1999.95 at Ace Hardware

$2199.95 at BBQ Guys

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Looking for the overall best Traeger grill for smoking, searing and serving a crowd? After testing the Traeger Ironwood XL for over a year, Prep Kitchen Manager and grilling expert Catherine Ward calls this pellet grill the best for a serious smoker. It boasts a behemoth 924-square-inch cooking area and two tiers of porcelain grates, offering enough room for flank steaks, fish or a bevy of burgers. In addition, a touchscreen control center makes this pick user-friendly for pellet grill newbies.

Two included probes read the temperature of onboard meats, eliminating the need for separate meat thermometers. That saves room on the generous side table for hot dog dressings or your favorite Traeger accessories. This Traeger also has some of the most comprehensive WiFi and app features of the bunch. It offers a pellet level gauge, temperature control and a timer. Cooks can also shut the grill down via the app or employ special cooking modes like “Super Smoke” and “Keep Warm.”

Four locking wheels make moving the grill around the yard a no-sweat procedure. It also comes with courtesy lights for late-night cooks. This machine also emits a lot of smoke at times, but it’s a rockstar with consistent, even heat. This helped it fare well in our pork chop and corn tests, where it imparted a light smoky flavor.

The one drawback? The XL doesn’t include disposable drip pan liners, making cleanup a bit of a chore. After long-term testing this grill, Catherine’s biggest complaint is the lack of disposable liners. “Hey Traeger, please consider adding a liner pan for this fantastic grill,” she urges. Fortunately, cleaning the grates is a breeze. “I soak them in hot, soapy water for about 20 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft-bristle brush and cloth,” Catherine says. “After rinsing and drying, they’re ready for the next smoke session.”

Like other Traegers, this one requires assembly and some seasoning before it’s ready to start smoking. Assembly takes quite a few hours since there are a lot of little parts. However, we found the instructions were pretty straightforward. Overall, the lengthy assembly is well worth it, especially given the smoky, pleasantly charred chicken it gave us in around an hour and a half of hands-off cooking. This pick was also one of the top performers in our pork shoulder test, providing us with a moist roast boasting the coveted red smoke ring.

In our Traeger Ironwood XL review, Catherine notes that whether you’re a newbie barbecuer or a seasoned pit boss, this model offers the best bang for your buck. “If you’re serious about smoking, don’t be put off by the imposing footprint. The Ironwood XL creates shockingly little mess, so it can go on a patio, deck or even grass,” she says after testing it for a year. Catherine is pretty impressed that it still looks this good after a year of solid use.

“If you want this stunner, you’ll find the space for it! As for those just starting out with this smoky pastime, the Traeger XL is great for you, too, albeit a splurge. It’s intuitive and multi-functional, and it doesn’t require what I like to call ‘babysitting.'”

Grate materials: ‎Porcelain | Weight: 199 pounds | Cooking area: 924 square inches | WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity?: Yes | Special Features: Accessory shelving; locking wheels; courtesy lighting | Warranty: 10-year limited warranty

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Best for Beginners

Traeger Woodridge Pro

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$999 at BBQ Guys

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The Traeger Woodridge Pro is our top choice for those new to the world of Traeger grills. It’s simple to assemble, operate and clean, while providing consistent, evenly cooked results. “I appreciate that the controls and app are streamlined for hassle-free grilling. While some expert grillers might want more features from the Traeger App, I found its simple interface manageable and easy to use from the first cook,” says Shopping Editor Mary Henn.

The Woodridge Pro features WiFIRE technology and a digital pellet sensor, enabling you to monitor your cooking and pellet levels remotely through the Traeger App. “I love that Traeger has introduced the budget-friendly Woodridge Series,” Mary adds, “which includes many of the same technological features as the more expensive Ironwood and Timberline grills.”

The Woodridge Pro also comes with a folding side shelf for added prep space, a super smoke mode and several other impressive features designed to up your outdoor cooking game. Its hopper, positioned on the right side, holds up to 24 pounds of wood pellets. Combined with 970 square inches of cooking area spread across two tiers, it offers enough space to cook for a crowd of people.

During testing, Mary used the Woodridge Pro to smoke ribs and pork shoulder. The pulled pork turned out incredibly juicy with a nice red smoke ring, and the ribs were smoky and tender enough to easily pull from the bone. She also used the grill to cook brats, which developed a nice char and were perfectly juicy.

“One of the best features of the Woodridge Pro is its compatibility with the Traeger App, which is efficient, user-friendly and easy to look at,” Mary says in her Traeger Woodridge review. “The Traeger App allows you to fire up the grill remotely from the comfort of your bed at 5 or 6 a.m. It allows you to control the grill’s temperature, set timers, view the actual and adjust the target temperature of the meat probe, check pellet levels and more.”

Priced lower than the Ironwood and Timberline series, the smoker from the Woodridge series makes a more affordable gift for grillers who want to own their first Traeger pellet grill.

Grate materials: ‎Porcelain | Weight: 174 pounds | Cooking area:  970 square inches | WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity?: Yes | Special Features: WiFi and app connectivity; super smoke and keep warm modes; temperature probe; digital pellet sensor; folding side shelf | Warranty: 10-year limited warranty

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Best Portable

Traeger Tailgater

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$479.95 at Amazon

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$499.95 at BBQ Guys

The Traeger Tailgater impressed as the best Traeger grill for travelers and newbies alike. Temperatures range from a low and slow smoke setting up to 450 degrees—perfect for searing. Despite its small 62-pound stature, it provides plenty of space for pork shoulders and chops. It also imparts the perfect amount of caramelization to chicken breasts and a nice smoky finish to fish.

It’s on the small side—boasting only 300 square inches of grilling surface—so it’s easy to build, pack up and put away. Because of this, it’s our top pick for beginners, travelers and tailgaters. The legs even fold up for more compact storage. Thanks to this portable design, it costs substantially less than its pricier cousins, leaving more room in the budget for grilling accessories.

As you’ll read in our Traeger Tailgater review, the lower price point is especially apparent in its overall construction. Out of all the Traeger grill models we tested, this is the flimsiest. It feels less stable overall, though we didn’t have any issues with pieces falling off or denting. Additionally, the smaller hopper means more refills during the cooking process. There’s also no pellet chute, so it’s impossible to switch pellet flavors until the hopper is empty.

What it lacks in quality, this Traeger grill makes up for in its overall convenience. It still comes with the standard temperature probe present on most models, though it doesn’t offer WiFi connectivity. However, we find that’s just fine for grill newbies who are just dipping their toes into Traegers. The interface is also a bit less intuitive, but that’s on par for a budget grill. Just expect to learn a few control button combinations to correctly program your machine prior to grilling.

Senior Shopping Editor Katie Bandurski has been using the Traeger Tailgater since August 2024. She points out that the main wear and tear so far has been limited to the drip tray. “Unfortunately, ours started rusting almost immediately. I’ve since bought some drip tray liners to hopefully make future cleanups easier,” she explains.

It’s important to remember that if you’re planning to take this grill to a tailgate, you’ll need a generator or another power source. “I think it’s great for camping trips or staying at an Airbnb for a week—anywhere you’re setting up for several days—but I wouldn’t recommend it for quick outings to the beach or a ball game,” Katie says.

Grate materials: ‎Porcelain | Weight: 62 pounds | Cooking area:  300 square inches | WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity?: No | Special Features: “Keep Warm” mode; temperature probe | Warranty: 3-year limited warranty

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Best Budget

Traeger Pro 575

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$799.95 at Amazon

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The wallet-friendly Traeger Pro 575 is the perfect option for the budget buyer. At only a fraction of the price of Traeger’s luxe models, this less expensive option is anything but watered down. A handsome exhaust pipe peeks out of the top, adding a bit of interest to this otherwise stately option.

While it doesn’t have the fancy touchscreen found on the Ironwood XL, there is an easy-to-follow (yet slightly small) LED screen. This comes coupled with a dial for switching modes and temperatures. “Keep Warm” and “Super Smoke” modes offer greater flexibility for a variety of foods. An included meat probe comes with some familiar WiFi features, including remote temperature controls. Plus, the generous 572-square-inch cooking area is spacious enough for most home cooks.

While it imparts a pretty weak sear, that’s pretty on-brand for pellet grills in general. You won’t get a charbroiled finish on your pork chops, but you can expect a nice, moist chicken breast with a red and smoky exterior. Additionally, the lower temperatures lend themselves well to fish since they don’t draw out as much albumin. Now is the time to perfect your salt block grilling game.

In addition to chicken and fish, this pick also performed very well with our pork shoulder, producing a sweet and moist roast with a beautiful bark and interior smoke ring. A disposable drip tray with liners makes it easy to clean up afterward. Just keep an eye on the liners, as the heat can cause some warping and spillage.

Our Traeger Pro 575 review notes that it’s also a little lighter than its pricier counterparts. That said, it still weighs a whopping 124 pounds. Two built-in wheels help it move around, but we wish there were another set for easier mobility. At a significantly lower price point than the larger, more complex grills, it’s still a great deal.

Long-term tester Carmen De La Paz has owned the Pro 575 for about a year now, and it has not disappointed. “At first glance, it looks intimidating, but the clear step-by-step setup instructions and troubleshooting tips make using the grill easy,” Carmen says. “It took me a little while to get the Bluetooth connected to my smoker, but that was a user issue, not the grill’s fault. Once I figured it out, everything ran smoothly.”

Grate materials: ‎Porcelain | Weight: 124 pounds | Cooking area: 572 square inches | WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity?: Yes | Special Features: LED screen; smokestack chimney  | Warranty: 3-year limited warranty

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Best Splurge

Traeger Timberline

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$3499.95 at BBQ Guys

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For serious grillers and pit bosses, the Traeger Timberline is a wow-worthy upgrade. The attractive, kitchen-ready design (including wooden shelves and a magnetic cutting board) is only the tip of the iceberg. This luxe option also boasts a large 880-square-inch cooking area, adjustable grates and an induction burner on the side for glazes and side dishes.

“The Timberline looks and functions like a mini outdoor kitchen,” says tester Sheri Kaz. “The soft-close cabinet doors provide storage space, and the induction burner is a nice feature for creative cooks who want to keep the party outdoors.” In addition to the grilling features, it also offers accessory hooks, courtesy lights, towel racks and a side basket accessory shelf. It even comes with a plastic cupholder for the chef’s favorite brews.

Apart from its external upgrades, the Timberline’s features go even deeper. The touchscreen control panel is simple and user friendly. Each setting has its own sub-menu that makes things feel more intuitive. As you boost the temperature, the screen automatically switches from “Smoking” to “Grilling” to “Searing,” which is something Catherine loves about this model.

Inside the cabinet are the combined grease pail and ashtray, which are hidden away from curious pups and kids. A pellet lever lets you quickly clear out any unused pellets after cooking or while changing the pellet flavor.

Speaking of flavor, that’s exactly what the Traeger Timberline brings to the table. The grill produced near-perfect chicken that had lots of bark and a juicy interior, with a light mahogany top and mild smoky flavor. Similarly, the pork chops received a little color along the edges, and the pork shoulder offered beautiful, complex flavors and a nice color. However, we would have loved to see a better sear on our chops.

That said, there are a few things we didn’t like. Namely, cleanup. The cleaning experience was on par with the Ironwood—gross. It involves lots of spraying, scrubbing and wiping with paper towels to eliminate all the grease. The chamber itself was filled with grease, so expect to spend more time with a grill brush and a bottle of Dawn Powerwash than you’d expect.

Overall, we found this to be the best Traeger grill for someone who wants to fully experience everything the brand has to offer. Between the user interface, performance and gorgeous look, this is truly a luxe option for the dedicated barbecue fanatic.

Grate materials: ‎Stainless steel | Weight: 238 pounds | Cooking area:  880 square inches | WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity?: Yes | Special Features: Touchscreen; two wireless probes; two wired probes; induction cooktop | Warranty: 10-year limited warranty

What To Look for When Buying a Traeger Grill

Those choosing a new grill have undoubtedly heard of gas and charcoal grills. However, plenty of true pros prefer pellet grills. Boasting barrel-like construction, built-in temperature controls and sometimes even WiFi connectivity, Traeger pellet grills are the perfect bridge between the convenience of gas and the flexibility of charcoal. (For full comparisons, read up on pellet vs. gas and pellet vs. charcoal distinctions.)

Searching for the best Traeger grill involves many of the same considerations as shopping for the best pellet grill. Unlike gas or charcoal grills, pellet grills are set-it-and-forget-it grills. Aside from flipping the food, they don’t require much maintenance during cooking. Onboard controls keep temperatures consistent, and the use of wood pellets imparts a woody, smoky flavor. Therefore, the best Traeger grill for you mostly depends on your space and existing know-how.

If you’re new to grilling, we recommend choosing an option with intuitive controls and fewer features. This helps avoid overcomplicating your cooks. Similarly, those in smaller spaces should opt for a Traeger grill with a smaller footprint. While the behemoth Ironwood XL may be appealing, it simply won’t fit into compact areas like apartment balconies.

Additionally, consider your WiFi connection. While testing, we ran into some issues operating our grills’ app outside. We recommend only splurging on WiFi-friendly grills for that feature if your internet allows it.

“While you can’t go wrong with a Traeger, I found some more appealing than others,” says Catherine. “All tested produced moist proteins—the Pro 575 and Timberline had the best moist factor with smoked salmon. The Tailgater is great for portability, but the collapsible legs make it a little unsteady on its feet when grilling and smoking. So, use care when turning bigger pieces of meat.”

“If style is your thing, the Timberline will turn heads while still bringing home the bacon with performance. But I’m a go-big-or-go-home gal. If I’m taking the time to smoke, and it does take time, I’m going to make enough to feed a crowd or to fill the freezer. So my overall Traeger pick is the Ironwood XL for capacity and performance,” she says.

While Traeger grills differ in setup and size, Traeger is a well-loved brand with an excellent reputation. No matter which model you choose, rest assured you’ll be pleased with the quality of your barbecue.

How We Found the Best Traeger Grills

Our Product Testing Team first looked at bestsellers with excellent reviews. Primary testers include Dylan Fischer, Sheri Kaz and Prep Kitchen Manager Catherine Ward. We used Pit Boss Apple Blend pellets for all these tests.

Due to internet limitations, these grills were connected to Wifi and paired indoors, so the grills were not ignited or running during connection. Unfortunately, that means we could not use most of the features. Throughout this test, we smoked 115 pounds of pork shoulder, plus chicken breasts, salmon, corn and pork chops. All in all, our testers:

• Used 280 pounds of pellets
• Collected 660 data points
• Spent 400+ man hours on this test

Assembly and Setup

Testers read through each user manual and assessed its clarity and helpfulness. They assembled each grill and recorded how long the process takes from start to finish (this test does not include adding pellets, connecting to apps, etc.). They evaluated the ease of the process and seasoned the grill, where applicable.

Features

As best as possible, within the bounds of our preset tests, testers utilized the extra features and accessories of each pellet grill. This includes extras like probe thermometers, WiFi/Bluetooth UX, built-in lights, touchscreens and special cooking modes.

Fuel

Testers loaded pellets into the grill and assessed the ease of the process, accessibility and capacity of the hopper. They then replenished the fuel as needed, tracking how frequently this is required and how easy it is to monitor fuel levels.

Food Tests

• Salmon: Testers cooked a roughly 1-pound salmon fillet on each pellet grill, timing how long the grill takes to preheat to cooking temperature. They timed how long it takes the salmon to reach the proper internal temperature and noted any sticking to the grill grates. Testers then consumed the salmon and assessed its tenderness, bark, succulence and flavor (particularly smoky flavor). Testers also monitored how well the grill maintains temperature throughout cooking.
• Chicken breasts: Testers cooked 2 pounds of chicken breasts on each pellet grill, timing how long the grill takes to preheat to the cooking temperature. They then timed how long it takes the chicken to reach the proper internal temperature and noted any sticking to the grill grates. Testers consumed the chicken and assessed its tenderness, bark, juiciness and flavor. They also monitored how well the grill maintains temperature throughout cooking.
• Pork shoulder: Testers cooked one pork shoulder on each pellet grill, timing how long the grill takes to preheat to the cooking temperature. They then timed how long it takes the pork to reach the proper internal temperature and noted any sticking to the grill grates. Testers consumed the pork and assessed its tenderness, bark, juiciness and flavor. They monitored how well the grill maintains temperature throughout cooking.
• Corn/vegetables: Testers cooked a medley of vegetables on each pellet grill. They determined how long it takes the vegetables to cook, whether there is any sticking, the level and evenness of the browning and the flavor of each veggie.

Cleanup

Testers emptied the ash and grease trap and cleaned the grill according to the user manual, evaluating the ease and length of the process.

New and Long-Term Testing

We conducted our original Traeger grill tests in August 2024. Since then, each top-performing pellet grill has gone home with a long-term tester for continued use. We check in with our testers every three months to note any design flaws and deterioration over the product’s natural lifespan. Given the high price point of most Traegers, we will withdraw a recommendation if the product fails to last.

We also make an effort to test any new Traeger grills that launch to keep this guide up to date. The newest line of Traeger grills, the Woodridge Series, launched in January 2025. Shopping Editor Mary Henn, a contributor to this article, personally tested the Woodridge Pro Pellet Grill in her backyard. Growing up in Kansas City, grilling at home was synonymous with smoking meat, especially barbecue brisket, pulled pork and ribs, so Mary has spent countless hours around pellet smokers.

FAQ

What is the top-of-the-line Traeger?

According to our tests, the Traeger Timberline is the most splurge-worthy Traeger grill. In addition to Traeger’s flawless performance, this grill offers a sleek kitchen design and an induction burner on the side. It boasts some of the most essential WiFi features available for Traeger grills. The app offers remote temperature controls, maintenance tips and a convenient gauge that shows the number of pellets left in the hopper.