Best Pellet Grills Under $1,000
The best pellet grills under $1,000: Traeger Woodridge, Weber Searwood 600, Pit Boss Navigator 1150 and more, compared by size, hopper and warranty.
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The short answer
The best pellet grill under $1,000 for most people is the Traeger Woodridge, which lists for under $900 and includes WiFi control, 860 square inches of cooking space and a 10-year warranty. If searing matters, the Weber Searwood 600 (listed at $999) reaches 600°F. For the most cooking space per dollar, choose the Pit Boss Navigator 1150, and for a smaller, proven grill the Traeger Pro 575 remains a safe buy.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Model | Cooking area | Hopper | WiFi | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Traeger Woodridge | 860 sq in | 24 lb | Yes (WiFIRE) | Most families | Amazon |
| Best for searing | Weber Searwood 600 | About 13 steaks | Large-capacity | Yes (Weber Connect) | Smoke and sear | Amazon |
| Most space per dollar | Pit Boss Navigator 1150 | About 1,158 sq in | 32 lb | Optional upgrade | Big crowds on a budget | Amazon |
| Best proven mid-size | Traeger Pro 575 | 575 sq in | 18 lb | Yes (WiFIRE) | Small families | Amazon |
| Best value WiFi | Camp Chef Woodwind 24 | Check listing | Check listing | Yes | Up to about 5 people | Amazon |
| Best portable | Pit Boss 150 | 256 sq in | 7 lb | No | Camping, tailgating | Amazon |
Prices change constantly and pellet grills are frequently discounted. The $1,000 cutoff here is based on list prices and typical sale pricing; check the current price before you buy.
How we picked
We compared manufacturer specs, owner reviews and published reviews from established barbecue sites, focusing on what you give up below $1,000: usually heavier steel, higher top temperatures and longer warranties. We favored grills that keep the important things (stable temperature control, a decent hopper and a real warranty) and skip gimmicks.
1. Traeger Woodridge — Best overall under $1,000
Traeger lists the base Woodridge at $899.99, and it is the strongest package at this price: 860 square inches of total cooking area (520 on the main rack), a 24 lb hopper, WiFIRE app control and a 10-year limited warranty. That warranty is longer than what Traeger’s older, pricier Pro and Ironwood 650 models carried.
Good to know: the Woodridge Pro and Elite add space and features but cost more than $1,000 at list price. Max temperature is 500°F.
Check the Traeger Woodridge on Amazon →
2. Weber Searwood 600 — Best for searing
Weber lists the Searwood 600 at $999, just under the line. Its DirectFlame design and full-grate sear zone let it run from 180°F up to 600°F, which is a meaningful jump over the usual 500°F ceiling. You also get a PID controller, a SmokeBoost low-temperature mode and Weber Connect WiFi and Bluetooth monitoring.
Good to know: the Searwood XL 600 is a larger version that costs more. The grill must be started at the controller, not remotely.
Check the Weber Searwood 600 on Amazon →
3. Pit Boss Navigator 1150 — Most cooking space per dollar
The Navigator 1150 gives you about 1,158 square inches of cooking space, enough for around 46 burgers by Pit Boss’s count, plus a 32 lb hopper, a 180–500°F range and the Flame Broiler lever for direct-flame searing. Pit Boss describes a 5-year warranty on its pellet grills.
Good to know: WiFi and Bluetooth are not standard on this model; they need Pit Boss’s optional connected control board. If app control matters, compare it against the Pro Series 1150, which includes WiFi.
Check the Pit Boss Navigator 1150 on Amazon →
4. Traeger Pro 575 — Best proven mid-size
The Pro 575 has been a best-seller for years for good reason. It offers 575 square inches, an 18 lb hopper, a 165–500°F range, the D2 controller and WiFIRE app control, with a 3-year warranty. Because it’s so common, replacement parts, covers and accessories are easy to find.
Good to know: now that the Woodridge carries a 10-year warranty and more space at a similar list price, the Pro 575 makes most sense when it’s on sale.
Check the Traeger Pro 575 on Amazon →
5. Camp Chef Woodwind 24 — Best value WiFi
Camp Chef’s Woodwind 24 combines a full-color WiFi controller with two practical features: Slide and Grill, which opens the heat diffuser for direct-flame cooking, and Pellet Purge, which lets you empty the hopper to switch pellet flavors. Camp Chef has sold it marked down from its $999.99 list price, and owner feedback describes it as easy to operate and clean, suited to households of about five or fewer.
Good to know: owner ratings are mixed on Camp Chef’s own site, so read recent reviews on the specific listing before you buy.
Check the Camp Chef Woodwind 24 on Amazon →
6. Pit Boss 150 — Best portable
If you want pellet-smoked flavor at the campsite or tailgate, the Pit Boss 150 is a small tabletop-style pellet grill with 256 square inches of cooking space, a 180–500°F range, a 7 lb hopper and a Flame Broiler for direct heat. It runs on standard 120V power.
Good to know: a 7 lb hopper and small cooking area make it a second grill, not a main backyard smoker. You need power at the campsite or a suitable power station.
Check the Pit Boss 150 on Amazon →
What you give up under $1,000
| Feature | Under $1,000 | Over $1,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Max temperature | Usually 500°F (Searwood 600 is the exception) | Some reach 600–700°F |
| Steel and insulation | Thinner steel, more pellet use in winter | Heavier gauge, double-wall on some |
| Pellet sensor | Rare | Common (Ironwood, Timberline) |
| Warranty | 3–10 years | Often 5–10 years |
Buying checklist
- Count heads, not inches: 575 sq in comfortably feeds a small family; 850+ sq in suits regular entertaining.
- Confirm WiFi is included on the exact listing; some models need a separate controller upgrade.
- Hopper size: 18 lb minimum for overnight cooks; 24 lb+ is easier in cold weather.
- Budget for a cover and pellets: a cover protects the controller, and quality pellets affect flavor and temperature stability.
- Placement: keep any grill away from siding, eaves and anything that can catch fire, and never use one in a garage or enclosed space.
FAQ
Is a $500 pellet grill worth it?
It can be, especially for occasional smoking. Budget models often use thinner steel, smaller hoppers and shorter warranties, so expect more pellet use in cold weather and fewer features. Spending closer to $900–1,000 usually buys WiFi and a longer warranty.
Which is better under $1,000, Traeger or Pit Boss?
Traeger’s Woodridge gives you a 10-year warranty and polished app; Pit Boss gives you more cooking space and a Flame Broiler for searing. Choose Traeger for convenience and support, Pit Boss for size and value.
Do I need WiFi on a pellet grill?
No, but it’s genuinely useful on long cooks: you can check temperatures, adjust the set point and get alerts without walking outside. A wireless meat thermometer is a cheaper alternative.
What is the cheapest pellet grill that can sear?
Pellet grills with a Flame Broiler (Pit Boss) or Slide and Grill (Camp Chef) open the diffuser for direct-flame searing. The Weber Searwood 600 goes up to 600°F with its DirectFlame design.
