Traeger Pellet Smokers: Which Models Give the Most for Your Money

Best for
Tailgates, camping and small patios

The Traeger Tailgater Portable Wood Pellet Grill, also listed as the Tailgater 20, is the portable option. Its foldable legs make it easy to load into a car, and its 300 square inches of cooking space fit 12 burgers, 3 racks of ribs or 2 whole chickens, according to the listing. A Digital Arc Controller holds temperatures from 180 to 450°F within 15°F of your set point.

It offers the same 6-in-1 functions as the bigger models: grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise and BBQ. The hopper holds 8 lbs of pellets, the grates are porcelain-coated for easy cleaning, and it runs on 120V AC power, which means you need an outlet or a power source at the tailgate. The box includes one wired meat probe, and the listing states a 3-year manufacturer warranty.

It suits tailgaters, campers and anyone with limited patio space. There is no WiFi, and the small hopper means refilling on long smokes. If you mostly cook at home for a group, the Pro 22 gives nearly twice the space. For more compact options, see our Traeger portable pellet grill guide.

• 300 sq in, foldable legs
• 180-450°F Digital Arc Controller
• 8 lb hopper, porcelain-coated grates
• Wired meat probe included

Best for
Big crowds and all-weather smoking

The Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill is the largest grill here at 885 square inches across two tiers, enough for up to 10 chickens, 7 rib racks or 9 pork butts. The temperature range is the widest in the lineup at 165 to 500°F, and Super Smoke Mode adds extra smoke flavor at lower temperatures.

The D2 controller maintains steady heat, and double-wall insulation helps it perform in cold weather, which matters if your game days fall in winter. WiFIRE lets you adjust temperature, set timers and check probe readings in the Traeger app. The box includes one wired meat probe. The listing does not specify hopper capacity.

It suits anyone who regularly cooks for large groups or wants reliable winter smoking. If you rarely fill more than a couple of racks, a smaller WiFi model like the Woodridge covers you with less bulk.

• 885 sq in on two tiers
• 165-500°F with Super Smoke Mode
• D2 controller and double-wall insulation
• WiFIRE app control

Best for
Buyers wanting WiFi plus a cover included

The Traeger Silverton XL Wood Pellet Grill bundles 854 square inches of cooking space with a full-length cover. It goes up to 500°F, uses the D2 Controller with WiFIRE connectivity, and offers Super Smoke Mode and double-sidewall insulation for year-round cooking. A pellet sensor tracks hopper levels in the app, so you know when to refill without checking.

An accessory rail and side shelf give you a place to hang tools and plate food. The feature list says a meat probe is included, but the listing’s included components only name the grill, cover and assembly instructions, so confirm before relying on it. The listing does not give a low temperature figure or hopper capacity.

It suits buyers who want WiFi, a pellet sensor and a cover without buying extras separately. If your priority is the maximum temperature range and cooking area, the Ironwood 885 edges it out.

Best for
First full-size pellet grill for game days

The Traeger Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill is the classic full-size Traeger. It offers 572 square inches across two porcelain-coated racks, enough for 24 burgers, 5 racks of ribs or 4 whole chickens. The Digital Pro Controller holds 180 to 450°F within plus or minus 15 degrees.

It is built from powder-coated steel on a sawhorse chassis with a side lift bar and large wheels, making it easy to roll around a patio. An 18 lb hopper supports long cooks, and a clean-out door makes swapping pellet flavors easy. The included components list two wired meat probes. It is compatible with Traeger Pro Series accessories such as covers and drip tray liners.

It suits a first full-size Traeger for game days and family cookouts. There is no WiFi, and 450°F is lower than the 500°F models, which matters for hard searing. If app control is a must, step up to the Woodridge.

• 572 sq in on two racks
• 180-450°F Digital Pro Controller
• 18 lb hopper with clean-out door
• Two wired meat probes listed

Best for
Easy cleanup with WiFi control

The Traeger Woodridge Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker gives you 860 square inches of cooking area, enough for 6 chickens, 8 rib racks or 6 pork butts. It runs from 180 to 500°F with control and monitoring from the Traeger app, and the listing specifically mentions game-day parties among its intended uses.

The EZ-Clean Grease and Ash Keg collects ash and grease in one place, which saves real time after a long cook. It also supports P.A.L. Pop-And-Lock accessories like shelves, hooks and storage bins, plus ModiFIRE cooking surfaces, all sold separately. The box includes a meat probe. Hopper capacity is not specified.

It suits cooks who want WiFi and a large cooking area with less cleanup effort. If you want a griddle surface for breakfast before the game, our Traeger cast iron griddle guide covers add-on cooking surfaces.

Best for
Large families and backyard parties

The Traeger Westwood XL Wood Pellet Grill offers 823 square inches of dual-tier cooking space, which the listing says fits 28 chicken breasts, 7 racks of ribs or 25 burgers. WiFIRE connects it to the Traeger app for temperature adjustment, cook tracking and dinner-ready alerts, and it pairs with Traeger wireless meat probes, though the listing does not say one is included.

It has an 18 lb hopper, P.A.L. Pop-And-Lock accessory support, an integrated side shelf, a hopper top and bottom shelving. It measures 26.38 x 53.02 x 45.58 inches and weighs 165.5 pounds. The listing does not specify its temperature range.

It suits large families and hosts who want app alerts and plenty of workspace. For hard searing, the 500°F models have a stated advantage. If you need to track temperatures without WiFi, our Traeger wired meat probe guide explains the options.

• 823 sq in dual-tier cooking space
• WiFIRE with dinner-ready alerts
• 18 lb hopper
• Side shelf, hopper top and bottom shelving