The Best Pellet Grills & Smokers
Pellet grills did for barbecue what the bread machine did for bread: they made the hard part nearly foolproof. Set a temperature, the grill feeds wood pellets and holds it, and you walk away while it smokes a brisket all day. Here's the best pellet grill and smoker for your backyard, plus the one tool that guarantees you don't overcook.
| Pick | Type | Best for | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium pellet grill | Pellet | Set-and-forget BBQ | $$$ | View → |
| Vertical/electric smoker | Smoker | Big batches of smoke | $$ | View → |
| Wireless meat thermometer | Tool | Nailing doneness | $$ | View → |
Price tiers are our rough guide ($ = budget, $$$ = premium); check Amazon for the current price.
Some links below are affiliate links — if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear we'd be glad to own ourselves.
Pellet grills — set-and-forget barbecue
A pellet grill is the easiest path to real smoked barbecue. The main difference between models is build quality, temperature stability, and connectivity.
Premium pellet grill
rock-steady temps, Wi-Fi monitoring, and the build to last — the brand that made pellet grilling mainstream for good reason.
Best for: reliable, app-connected barbecue
Check price on Amazon →Dedicated smokers
If pure smoking capacity (big batches, classic smoker feel) is the goal, a vertical smoker is worth a look.
Vertical / electric smoker
tall racks pack in a lot of ribs and shoulders, and electric models are about as hands-off as smoking gets.
Best for: big batches of smoke
Check price on Amazon →Budget smoker
a low-cost way to start smoking meat — more hands-on than a pellet grill, but the results still impress.
Best for: getting into smoking cheaply
Check price on Amazon →The one tool that guarantees results
Barbecue is about temperature, not time. This removes all the guesswork.
Wireless meat thermometer
monitor the meat (and the grill) from your phone and get alerted at the perfect temp — the difference between dry and juicy, every cook.
Best for: perfectly cooked meat every time
Check price on Amazon →Grill cover & wood pellets
a cover keeps the weather off your investment, and good pellets shape the flavor — the cheap upkeep that protects a big purchase.
Check price on Amazon →Frequently asked questions
Are pellet grills worth it for a beginner?
Very much so — they're the most beginner-friendly way to make real smoked barbecue. You set a temperature like an oven and the grill maintains it automatically by feeding wood pellets, so there's no fire-tending. Pair one with a good meat thermometer and even your first brisket can come out great.
Pellet grill or a dedicated smoker?
A pellet grill is more versatile and hands-off — it grills, smokes, and roasts, all set-and-forget. A dedicated vertical smoker holds more meat and gives a more traditional smoking experience, but is usually more hands-on (except electric models). For most people wanting easy, do-it-all barbecue, a pellet grill is the better first buy.
What's the single most important barbecue tool?
A good wireless meat thermometer. Great barbecue is about hitting the right internal temperature, not cooking for a set time, and probes let you monitor the meat from your phone and pull it at the perfect moment. It does more for your results than almost any other accessory.