Our grilling experts smoked over 40 pounds of pork shoulder in our quest to test four of the best Traeger grill models
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We Tested 4 of the Best Traeger Grills—Here Are Our Thoughts
Updated Sep. 15, 2024
Those choosing a new grill have undoubtedly heard of gas and charcoal grills. However, plenty of true pros prefer an entirely different type. Pellet grills are our preferred method when switching between smoking and grilling. Boasting barrel-like construction, built-in temperature controls and sometimes even WiFi connectivity, pellet grills are the perfect bridge between the convenience of gas and the flexibility of charcoal. They also run entirely on wood pellets and electricity, making switching between different flavors like hickory and applewood a no-fuss process.
“Pellet grills are incredibly versatile, allowing you to braise, smoke, grill or bake food. They can be set at a specific temperature to ensure cooking is consistent and efficient, and with no open flame or direct heat, you don’t have to worry about flare-ups charring your food,” says Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose.
When it comes to the best pellet grills, one brand always impresses with its quality, durability and ease of use: Traeger. Known as the quintessential pellet grill manufacturer, Traeger pioneered the first pellet grills in 1980. Since then, they’ve released dozens of different models, each with its own distinct look and feel. Now, Traeger has more than 10 different options available, all of which have their own features, pros and cons. So, which is the best Traeger grill for the home cook?
To learn which option is best for each type of griller, our expert product testing team partnered with Catherine Ward, our in-house grill expert and Prep Kitchen pro. Together, they tested four of the most well-loved Traeger grill models as part of our search for the best grills. After smoking over 40 pounds of pork shoulder (plus chops, corn, chicken and salmon), we ranked each option based on what it’s “grate” (get it?) for.
Best Overall
Traeger Ironwood XL
Pros:
- Very roomy
- Useful app features
- Locking wheels
- Generous work surface
- Quick pellet switching
- Courtesy lighting
- Intuitive touchscreen controls
Cons:
- May be too large for some
- No disposable liner pan
- Interior paint is peeling after one year of use
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. That said, the XL doesn’t include disposable drip pan liners, making cleanup a bit of a chore. 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.
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 review of the Traeger Ironwood XL, 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. While the paint on the inside is starting to peel a bit, 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
Best for Beginners
Traeger Tailgater
Pros:
- Portable design
- Fold-down legs
- Good size for moving, travel and storage
- Assembly isn't too complicated
Cons:
- Small hopper
- Not as stable as some grills
- No pellet chute
The Traeger Tailgater impressed as the best Traeger grill for newbies and travelers. Temperatures range from a low and slow smoke setting up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit—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.
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.
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
Best Budget
Traeger Pro 575
Pros:
- Budget friendly
- Cleans up easily
- Drip bucket with disposable liners
- Smokestack-style chimney
- Keeps meat moist
Cons:
- Weak sear
- Small, hard-to-read screen
- Only one set of wheels
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.
The Traeger Pro is 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.
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
Best Splurge
Traeger Timberline
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Large grilling area
- Adjustable grates
- Attractive kitchen-ready design
- Induction burner on the side
- Removable cutting board
Cons:
- Not the best at searing
- Pricey
- Lengthy, 20-minute shut down cycle
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 this grill 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
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.
Why You Should Trust Us
The Taste of Home team dedicates itself to vetting and testing the products we recommend, from big purchases like the best food processors to smaller splurges like the best hop water. Our Product Testing Team has more than 25 combined years of experience in professional product selection and testing, and the Test Kitchen Team brings even more experience to the table.
A lifelong foodie, pellet grill tester Catherine Ward heads up the Taste of Home prep kitchen. She also lends her expertise to articles about cooking and baking techniques and kitchen tools. Her areas of expertise include grilling and smoking. Catherine has worked in the hospitality industry for most of her career, catering and teaching cooking classes. She is happiest when cooking for a table full of friends and family.
For this piece, we also spoke to Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose for additional insights about what to look for in a Traeger grill. Chef David Rose was raised with a diverse and curious palate. Born in New Jersey to two chef parents, his culinary interest led him to enroll in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary College in Georgia, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Living in Atlanta for more than a decade, Chef Rose finds inspiration in his surroundings. He identifies as a Southern chef, creatively reinterpreting classic Southern fare by incorporating the refinement of his French culinary training with his signature bold flavors and the occasional flair from his family’s Jamaican recipes.
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 assess its clarity and helpfulness. They assemble each grill and record how long the process takes from start to finish (this test does not include adding pellets, connecting to apps, etc.). They evaluate the ease of the process and season the grill, where applicable.
Features
As best as possible, within the bounds of our preset tests, testers utilize 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 load pellets into the grill and assess the ease of the process, accessibility and capacity of the hopper. They then replenish the fuel as needed, tracking how frequently this is required and how easy it is to monitor fuel levels.
Food Tests
- Salmon: Testers cook a roughly 1-pound salmon fillet on each pellet grill, timing how long the grill takes to preheat to cooking temperature. They time how long it takes the salmon to reach the proper internal temperature and note any sticking to the grill grates. Testers then consume the salmon and assess its tenderness, bark, succulence and flavor (particularly smoky flavor). Testers also monitor how well the grill maintains temperature throughout cooking.
- Chicken breasts: Testers cook 2 pounds of chicken breasts on each pellet grill, timing how long the grill takes to preheat to the cooking temperature. They then time how long it takes the chicken to reach the proper internal temperature and note any sticking to the grill grates. Testers consume the chicken and assess its tenderness, bark, juiciness and flavor. They also monitor how well the grill maintains temperature throughout cooking.
- Pork shoulder: Testers cook one pork shoulder on each pellet grill, timing how long the grill takes to preheat to the cooking temperature. They then time how long it takes the pork to reach the proper internal temperature and note any sticking to the grill grates. Testers consume the pork and assess its tenderness, bark, juiciness and flavor. They monitor how well the grill maintains temperature throughout cooking.
- Corn/vegetables: Testers cook a medley of vegetables on each pellet grill. They determine 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 empty the ash and grease trap and clean the grill according to the user manual, evaluating the ease and lengthiness of the process.
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.
What is the life expectancy of a Traeger?
With proper care and use, Traeger pellet grills can last up to five—and sometimes even 10—years. Those grilling throughout the year should take proper precautions to protect their grill from the elements when not in use. Similarly, those who only grill during the spring and summer should cover and store it when not in use.
What are the cons of a Traeger grill?
All Traeger grills run on wood pellets, which means that they don’t impart flavors as smoky as traditional smokers. Those who want the flavor of charcoal or the convenience of gas should opt for a different model instead. Additionally, pellet grills don’t get as hot as other grill types. However, they get much hotter than the pellet grills of yore. One more note: You’ll want to invest in disposable drip tray liners. It beats scrubbing the drip tray manually after every grill sesh.
That said, there are tons of benefits to owning a Traeger pellet grill. One of the best aspects is that it’s easy to control the temperature throughout the cooking process. It’s also nice to have the option to switch out pellet types for different wood flavors. As a bonus, Traeger pellet grills can even bake things like cakes and cookies!
Originally Published: September 04, 2024
