Nothing beats pulling apart a juicy pork shoulder for pulled pork sandwiches or taking a bite out of a smoked chicken drumstick with your favorite barbecue sauce. But meat isn’t the only thing you can make on a pellet grill. Try smoking enchiladas for even more flavor, browning the fluffiest biscuits or even baking an apple pie. Pellet grills are incredibly versatile, infusing food with wood-fired flavor along the way. It’s a taste that gas and even charcoal grills can’t beat. And there are two key brands to consider when you’re trying to find the best fit for your needs: Traeger and Recteq.
Our Product Testing Team put 11 pellet grills, including options from both brands, to the test. Which came out on top? Here are the main differences between Traeger and Recteq based on insights from firsthand testing.
What’s the difference between Recteq and Traeger?
Traeger and Recteq are two of the most popular pellet grill brands on the market. Both have a variety of models and sizes at a range of price points. Recteq currently has 11 pellet grill models in its repertoire, while Traeger offers nine, along with a gas-powered griddle series. The two brands are comparable in performance and price, though Recteq models can reach higher cooking temperatures.
Recteq is backed by a 6-year warranty, while Traeger pellet grills come with a 7- or 10-year warranty, depending on the model.
All About Recteq
In 2009, two former roommates (and avid grillers) launched Recteq. Even with growing popularity, the brand continues to focus exclusively on pellet grills. Each grill is constructed out of stainless steel, which not only provides durability but also excellent heat retention. All Recteq pellet grills can reach up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, while others can go all the way up to 1,000 degrees. This temperature versatility is just one of the many features that impressed our Product Testing Team.
The main difference between model designs lies in the amount of cooking space available. The smallest and most portable grill offers 340 square inches, while the largest has a very spacious 2,535 square inches. That wide size range makes it possible for you to find the ideal fit for your space and needs. Other differences include WiFi controls, hopper capacity for wood pellets, interior lights and the number of adjustable interior racks.
Recteq sells its pellet grills for $450 to $2,200 on its website, as well as at retailers such as Ace Hardware and Amazon. The company also has its own line of wood pellets, barbecue sauces, rubs and grilling accessories.
How We Tested Recteq
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During our pellet grill review, we put the Recteq Flagship 1100 Pellet Grill to the test. We gauged it (and every other pellet grill we tested) on six key considerations:
- General specs: We evaluated the packaging and delivery experience and measured the cooking area, weight, dimensions and any additional size options.
- Features: What is the grill and its grates made of? Is there WiFi or BlueTooth connectivity? How about a touchscreen? We also took note of any inclusions, such as wood pellets or temperature probes. This is where we identified special settings, hopper capacity, external appearance and storage.
- Setup and assembly: We paged through each user manual and took note of any included tools. Then we timed assembly and rated the experience. To get the grills ready to cook, we also seasoned them and filled them with pellets.
- Performance: This was the most crucial test. To ensure we captured a wide cooking experience, we prepped salmon, chicken breasts, pork shoulder and corn on the cob. For each, we recorded the type of wood pellets used, preheat time, cook time, temperature retention/regulation and final results. We reviewed the user experience of accessories and special features, phone applications (if applicable) and pellet consumption.
- Cleaning: After cooking, we explored how easy each grill is to clean, ranking the pellet emptying and overall cleaning experience.
- Value: How much does each grill cost? Does it come with a warranty?
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Out of all the pellet grills we tested, the Recteq Flagship 1100 earned our top accolade. For starters, it’s huge. Over 1,000 square inches of cooking space ensure this bad boy is present at every backyard party. The shelf under the unit is equally roomy and wide, perfect for storing prepped patties and dog dressings. There’s even an electric outlet on the back in case you want to whip up some grill-side margs. A gigantic hopper fits about 40 pounds of pellets, and two built-in meat probes provide quick temp readings.
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In our food tests, the Recteq produced the best color and moistness in our salmon test. The fish came out fairly smoky, with some nice dark edges. Similarly, the corn came out a little smoky and brown on both the top and bottom. While the sear wasn’t overly visible on the pork chops, we appreciated the nice color it creates. The pork roast was one of the best, with a pink smoke ring, dark bark and a tender and moist interior that easily shredded for sandwiches. Similarly, the chicken breasts were juicy and came off the grill with some nice caramelization.
Our biggest gripe with this grill is that we were not able to soak and wash the grates in the sink. The wheels are also on the small side and stick to some terrains. That said, these issues are a small price to pay for this overachieving pellet grill.
All About Traeger
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Traeger is the original name in the pellet grill space, and their dominance continues to grow. Our Product Testing Team reviewed one model from each of the three main Traeger pellet grill series—Pro, Ironwood and Timberline—plus one of their portable options.Â
Each Traeger model is built similarly. There’s a side hopper that feeds wood pellets to ignite and produce indirect heat with airflow, similar to a convection oven. Plus, each grill can reach temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Significant differences come into play when considering special features such as WiFi capabilities, shelving and interior lighting. Another key difference is in the size. The simple Traeger Pro 575 offers 575 square inches of cooking space, while the Traeger Timberline XL offers 1,320 square inches. Each also includes a grease and ash keg to easily dump excess grease that collects throughout cooking.
Traeger pellet grills are constructed from powder-coated steel, which makes them exceptionally durable. They range in price from portable grills under $500 to large stationery grills topping $3500. They are sold on Traeger’s website, along with retailers such as Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, BBQ Guys, Williams Sonoma and Amazon. Traeger also has its own line of wood pellets, sauces, rubs and an extensive selection of Traeger grilling accessories.
How We Tested Traeger
We tested four Traeger grills firsthand—the Traeger Pro 575, Traeger Ironwood XL, Traeger Timberline and Traeger Tailgater. Each grill was evaluated with the same testing methodology listed above. To our surprise, all four models passed with flying colors.
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The Traeger Pro 575 is a great choice for buyers on a budget. While it lacks a touchscreen, it features an intuitive LED display and a variety of temperature settings. Smart features include a meat probe, WiFi connectivity and a 572-square-inch cooking area.
Our tests on this model delivered delicious results: juicy chicken breasts with a smoky exterior, moist salmon and a flavorful pork shoulder with a sweet, tender roast. The pork even earned a bark and smoke ring. Cleanup is simple with a disposable drip tray and liners, though we found they can warp and spill with heat exposure. We also wish it had an additional set of wheels for easier mobility, but at $800, this grill offers solid value with a few minor quirks.
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The Traeger Ironwood XL, Prep Kitchen Manager and grilling expert Catherine Ward has used for over a year, is our top choice for dedicated smokers. It boasts a spacious cooking area, two tiers of grates and a touchscreen control center. It also comes with two temperature probes. As with other Traegers, assembly is time-consuming, and the grill requires seasoning before use.
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However, the cooking results are worth the effort. We were impressed by the smoky, perfectly charred chicken coming off the grill in about an hour and a half. In our pork shoulder test, the Ironwood excelled, producing a moist roast with a beautiful red smoke ring. Pork chops and corn also came out with a subtle, smoky flavor. The main drawback is the lack of disposable drip pan liners, making cleanup a bit more labor-intensive than we expected. Additionally, it can emit a significant amount of smoke at times, but it consistently delivers even, reliable heat.
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For serious grillers and pitmasters, the Traeger Timberline is worth the splurge. Its sleek, kitchen-ready design—with wooden shelves and a magnetic cutting board—is just one smart feature. This premium model also features a spacious 880-square-inch cooking area, adjustable grates and a side induction burner. The touchscreen control panel is both intuitive and user-friendly.
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Most importantly, the food results were among the best of all the grills we tested. The Timberline produced nearly perfect chicken with a juicy interior, a rich bark and a light mahogany finish with a mild, smoky flavor. The pork chops gained a nice edge color, while the pork shoulder developed complex flavors and an appealing color. However, like most of the Traegers, we were disappointed by the lack of searing on the chops. And, like the Ironwood, the cleanup process was also more cumbersome than expected. At a $3,300 price point, we anticipated a smoother experience.
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The Bottom Line
Traeger and Recteq both provide quality options for pellet grills. Our Product Testing Team found grills from each brand outperformed each other, depending on the task. Some models were better for general cooking, while others were best for serious smokers or pros. The main differences lie in the overall design, the look and feel, the cooking space and the options for higher temperatures. If you’re someone who focuses on low and slow cooking, a Traeger grill may be the better option for you. If you’re someone who would prefer more versatility so you can sear at higher temperatures and smoke, Recteq provides that. Both are well constructed, come in at similar price points and are backed by excellent warranties.
