Pellet grills are a great way to cook delicious food with lots of flavors, and they are excellent smokers too.
It can be tough to find the best one for your needs and budget. With all of the different brands, models, and features out there it can be hard to know where to start.
To help you out, we’ve reviewed some of the best pellet grills on the market, so you can find the perfect one for your needs.
Read our guide which covers two larger, two mid-size, and one smaller daily workhorse to find which of the top 5 pellet grills under $500 suits your needs best. Note that all of these units considered require electricity to operate.
How We Choose the Best Pellet Grills Under $500
You want a grill that’s easy to use and produces great-tasting food. You also want one that is durable, easy to use, and affordable.
After hours of research and considering hundreds of Amazon reviews, we've compiled a list of the top 5 pellet grills when compared against the following criteria:
- Price (under $500)
- Size (dimensions and pellet hopper capacity etc.)
- The purpose of the grilling and the numbers of people to be fed
- Features of the pellet grills in this category
- And of course, quality, as even at this point, we want good grilling (e.g., construction materials, but also customer service, as there's nothing worse than a poor response when things aren't working).
Check out our reviews below for the best pellet grills on the market at this low price point!
Best Smoke Options & Cleanout Ash System for Under $500
Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill
Why We Love It
Camp Chef has been designing and creating outdoor cooking units for over 30 years, and they continue to provide a better way to cook outdoors with this Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill for under $500.
This is a good all-round home unit, with some favorite features such as:
- Adjustable smoke settings from 1-10 so you can manage just how much smoke flavor you want.
- Newly added Gen 2 PID controller for greater temperature control.
- An easy ash cleanout system, which means you don't need to reach for a suction hose to keep it clean.
Read on to find out more about this excellent pellet grill for under $500 from Camp Chef!
What You Should Know
This decent-sized unit, with a total rack surface area of 573 square inches cooking space is one of the most popular pellet grills on the market for under $500.
This Camp Chef SmokePro has a temperature range from 160°-500° F and comes with two meat probes.
The large, 18 lb pellet hopper means you can let the unit run for hours without worrying that you need to constantly top the hopper up; but of course, as with any grill if you're cranking the temperature up high for extended periods (which wouldn't likely happen in many circumstances) you will need to watch it.
Ash management is through a burn cup that catches ashes from the burned wood pellets, and it's easily removable for clean-up.
This unit has an easy-to-use high visibility, low-glare digital display for the PID controller.
This unit can take side attachments such as a sidekick or sear box, meaning you can add a griddle, grill, oven, stock pot, and more (sold separately).
As with any type of grill, even if not in the direct path of rain or the elements, I recommend you cover the grill for longevity.
Summary Of Specs:
|
Item weight |
127 pounds |
|
Hopper Capacity |
18 pounds |
|
Temperature |
160°-500° F |
|
Materials |
Stainless steel inner |
|
Color |
Black, stainless |
|
Cooking area |
573 square inches of cooking space |
|
Meat probe included |
2 |
|
Dimensions |
40.5" length x 25" width x 22" height |
|
Wi Fi enabled |
No |
If you're after a nice-looking, good-performing unit that can cater to a good number of people then this Camp Chef could be the unit for you!
Best Mid-Size Pellet Grill with 8-in-1 Versatility
Pit Boss Sportsman Wood Pellet Grill, Black
Why We Love It
This Sportsman pellet grill from Pit Boss is another great product for under $500 and is awesome for those who are new to pellet grilling.
- One of my favorite features of this pellet grill is the 8-in-1 versatility to grill, smoke, roast, bake, braise, bbq, char-grill, and sear. Think of searing fish, grilling game, smoking jerky, and more.
- Another favorite feature is the innovative slide plate flame broiler with an easy-access handle.
Read on to find out more about the Pit Boss Sportsman Pellet Grill!
What You Should Know
This Pit Boss Wood Pellet Grill is a good all-around unit, without too many complications.
The unit has 542 square inches of cooking area so can cook for a horde and a wide temperature range from 108°-500° F which is the standard for this sized unit and enables the versatile cooking that this unit offers.
The dial-in digital control board works with Pit Boss meat probes (included) to ensure you're cooking to the right temperature.
This Pit Boss boasts a 2-in-1 stainless steel side shelf and removable tray, and a built-in spice rack.
The cast-iron and stainless-steel materials it's constructed from will last for years, although of course I always recommend a cover if you want it to stay looking pretty! As with any grill, I recommend you wipe your machine down with warm water once in a while and dry it before putting your cover on it.
Summary Of Specs:
|
Weight |
121 pounds |
|
Hopper Capacity |
15 pounds |
|
Temperature |
160°-500° F |
|
Materials |
Cast iron |
|
Color |
Black |
|
Cooking area |
542 square inches of grilling space |
|
Meat probe included |
2 |
|
Dimensions |
48.6 length by 31.7 width x 46.7" height |
|
Wi Fi enabled |
No |
If you're wanting a unit that can cater to your pellet grilling requirements through many different cooking uses and at an affordable price, then add this Pit Boss Pellet Grill to your shortlist!
Best Value Pellet Grill & Smoker Per Square Inch in Industry
Pit Boss Classic Wood Fired Pellet Gill & Smoker (700 Sq. In.)
Why We Love It
Yes, we're featuring two Pit Boss pellet grills in this same review, and that's because they're both great grills and two quite different propositions.
- We love this Pit Boss Classic 700" Wood Fired Pellet Grill & Smoker as it's just that - a classic style! And, based on Amazon customer reviews, they love it too!
- Our favorite thing about this beast is that it's the best value per square inch unit in the industry. It's a well-constructed no-frills unit that's built to last and enables catering to large numbers of people.
If you want a large classic-style machine for under $500 then read on to see if this could be right for you!
What You Should Know
This Pit Boss Classic unit comes with a porcelain-coated cooking area. It has 507" on the main rack and 193" on the top (which can be used as a warming rack depending on how you're cooking), summing to 700 square inches of cooking which is large enough for a whopping 32 hamburgers!
This 8-in-1 grill (grill, smoke, bake, roast, sear, braise, bbq or char-grill) has the usual temperature range of 180°-500° F. You select your preferred cook style with the digital control board (which has an LED read-out) and innovative flame broiler which enables you to either sear over a direct flame or set and forget.
This unit comes with a meat probe.
Summary Of Specs:
|
Item weight |
Heavy |
|
Hopper Capacity |
21 pounds |
|
Temperature |
180°-500° F |
|
Materials |
Stainless steel inner, powder coated steel outer |
|
Color |
Black and brown |
|
Cooking area |
700 square inches |
|
Meat probe included |
1 |
|
Dimensions |
40.75" length x 25.59" width x 43.9" height |
|
Wi Fi enabled |
No |
So, if you're in the market for a big unit that can serve a number of people, is built to last and has great customer reviews, then this Pit Boss classic styled grill and smoker could be the one for you!
Best Large-Sized Pellet Smoker with Extra Features - ON SALE NOW
Cuisinart CPG-700 Deluxe Grill & Smoker
Why We Love It
Cuisinart is a steady performer in the appliances, cookware, and now also the gourmet outdoor grilling arena, and the CPG-700 Grill & Smoker is a testament to being able to have a great pellet grill at a low price.
Like the Pit Boss Classic, this Cuisinart is a beast, providing 700 inches of cooking space from 484" on the main cooking grate and 216" on a secondary rack, and also 13 inches of prep space.
- An integrated sear zone opens up both direct and indirect heat, and makes this unit an 8-in-1 so you can smoke, BBQ, grill, roast, braise, sear, bake, and char-grill.
- Another feature we love about this unit includes the bottle opener, 3 took hooks, and a paper towel holder, which stops you from having to keep on running back to the kitchen for things you've forgotten to bring outside to your grill station.
Note the price is particularly good at the time of writing this review as it's on sale, so if you want a grill that's usually at a higher price point then read on!
What You Should Know
While this unit isn't the most portable unit on the market, with its all-terrain wheels and lift handle if you have enough muscle around this can be used for tailgating and is relatively easy to move around your backyard when not in use.
This unit comes with two meat probes and has an electronic auto-start ignition with digital auto temperature control and a real-time LED temperature display.
With a large 21-pound pellet hopper capacity you can smoke for hours without needing to re-fill, so you can set it and forget.
As always, remember to get a cover for your unit if you want it to last for many years without showing corrosion.
Summary Of Specs:
|
Item weight |
121 pounds |
|
Hopper Capacity |
21 pounds |
|
Temperature |
180°-500° F |
|
Materials |
|
|
Color |
Black |
|
Cooking area |
700 square inches |
|
Meat probe included |
2 |
|
Dimensions |
52" length x 24.5" width x 49.3" height |
|
Wi Fi enabled |
No |
So, if you're in the market for a unit that has great form and function and is usually at a higher price tag then the Cuisinart CPG-700 Deluxe Grill & Smoker is hard to beat right now!
Highest Temperature, Alternative Style & Bundle Offer Under $500
Recteq Bullseye Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker - Starter Bundle
Why We Love It
Introducing the Recteq Bullseye, a wood grill and smoker that can reach up to 749° F through its "RIOT" mode!
Some of our favorite features include:
- Well, of course, the first has to be that it can reach 749° F, which opens up different cooking methods.
- The bundle - this grill and smoker comes with 40 pounds of Recteq ultimate blend wood pellets, a grill cover (yes, as with every grill I'll mention the need for a cover for long life), rub and sauce bundle, and 1 box of Nitrile gloves.
- It's not a heavy and oversized smoker, and due to its stainless steel, it gets up to heat relatively quickly which is great for mid-week cooking; and cools down quickly too, which is great for putting the cover on and putting away.
If you're up for something a little different at a great price then read on to find out more!
What You Should Know
There's a lot to like for a unit of the price this goes for. It's nice looking in quality stainless steel and its durable construction and will last a lifetime if kept clean, dry, and covered when not in use.
This unit is the only grill in this review that can be relatively easily used for tailgating as it can be lifted by 2 able people onto the back of the truck for portable grilling and smoking.
The 380 inches of cooking space is ample to feed your family and friends, and due to its ease of getting up to cooking temperature, it's an easy unit to use during the week too.
This unit has an easy-to-use PID controller that has 25 F° temperature increments, which you can use in many ways, for instance by smoking your steak, then ramping it up to RIOT mode to sear over a direct flame for maximum flavor and grill marks. Or of course the more traditional low and slow smokey cook and everything in between, although note the lowest temperature of this unit is a little higher than the other units reviewed.
This unit has more stainless steel than any other grill at this price point, including the cooking chamber to the micro-polished Recteq insignia.
This unit has a HotFlash ceramic ignition system which is rated at over 100,000 lighting cycles.
Summary Of Specs:
|
Item weight |
Unsure but purchasers say easy enough for two people to lift |
|
Hopper Capacity |
15 pounds |
|
Temperature |
225°-749° F |
|
Materials |
Stainless steel inner and outer |
|
Color |
Stainless and black |
|
Cooking surface area |
380 square inches of cooking space |
|
Meat probe included |
1 |
|
Dimensions |
Cooking is on a 22" diameter dome |
|
Wi Fi enabled |
No |
As highlighted in this review, if you're looking to take advantage of an awesome starter bundle for under $500, and you want to step away from the traditionally styled pellet grill, then the Recteq Bullseye has a lot going for it and should be considered as a good contender for your attention!
Best Pellet Grills Under $500 FAQs
Below includes the most frequently asked questions that we get about pellet grills, which may assist you to determine which grill is best for your needs before making a purchasing decision today.
What is a pellet grill and what are its benefits over other grills?
A pellet grill is powered by electricity and uses wood pellets as fuel through pellet feed systems.
Wood pellets are burned to heat a cooking chamber which creates smoke and therefore flavor.
Wood pellets are small cylinders made from compressed sawdust, bark, and other hardwood by-products from cut-down trees.
One key benefit of this type of unit is the ability to maintain a low, steady temperature for hours without needing to make adjustments, which means you really can create amazing flavors with certain cuts of meat such as ribs, brisket, or pulled pork that other methods won't achieve.
Do pellet grills take longer to cook food?
Yes, generally, grilling with propane is quicker, particularly as the unit takes longer to get up to temperature, although of course it does depend on your unit and what you're trying to cook.
What wood pellets should I use with my pellet grills?
Not all smoker wood pellets are created equal!
Some inferior pellets are made with binders and glues, biomass and softwood, which can create performance and reliability problems.
Where the manufacturer recommends a certain pellet then that's what you should go with if you can.
Smoker pellets certainly are interchangeable across different brands and units but do consider that wood pellets are often developed with different compositions to pair with certain grills (e.g., Traeger pellets for a Traeger grill), to maximize a cleaner burn and to reduce the chance of getting ash on your food.
What flavor pellets are best?
It depends on what you're cooking.
I've personally found you can use any flavor for any food, and it still tastes good, however, some match better if you want great!
Consider:
- Hickory, the mostly widely used pellet flavor (and my favorite), for beef, chicken, pork, and vegetables.
- Mesquite, for beef, chicken, and fish.
- Cherry for beef, chicken, pork, and bread.
- Pecan for beef, chicken, pork, bread, and vegetables.
- Apple, for chicken, pork, bread, and vegetables.
You can also mix them for your own signature pellet flavor, for instance, if you find hickory a little too strong, you can make it milder by mixing in oak or apple pellets.
How can I tell if my pellets have gone bad?
If you keep your pellets stored away and dry, they should last but sometimes things happen, and the following indicate if your pellets are past their best:
- There is a significant amount of sawdust in your pellet bag/container. There is naturally some, typically at the bottom of your storage, however, a lot of sawdust or sawdust clumps suggest your pellets are decomposing.
- If your pellets crumble easily if trying to break them.
- If there is moisture within your container/bag, then your pellets probably won't burn efficiently.
Can you leave pellets in a hopper?
You can, however if you leave them in for too long without using the grill or if they are exposed to the elements then they can rot and will be no good.
Ideally you would empty your hopper after each cook and put them into a dry, sealed container, although of course this won't always be practical.
What's the difference between a pellet grill and a smoker?
Many pellet grills have smoker settings but also other options such as roasting, baking, grilling and so on. Some pellet grills designed for smoking can offer additional versatility too but typically are best for smoking food.
If I want to tailgate or take my grill away from my home, how can I power it?
The first consideration would be weight, and how many friends you'll need to get it on and off your truck at both ends.
Some grills such as the Recteq reviewed won't be so difficult.
In terms of powering the unit, you need electricity and of course the easiest way is to plug directly into the mains (110v-120v) and using an extension cord is fine.
If that won't be possible, a relatively affordable alternative option is an inverter/deep cycle battery combo to power your grill, or an inverter with your car or RV battery. You should be able to grill all day, however, if you're grilling all day on your car battery you will need to charge it once in a while, so it doesn't go flat.
Portable power stations can be good too, and there are plenty of reasonably priced options on the market that can power your pellet grill.
A generator is an alternative method however for a small 2,000-watt unit you'll be looking at a bigger cost than the pellet grill, and they can be noisy.
What are the benefits of owning a pellet grill over a traditional charcoal grill?
An electric or gas-powered grill with wood pellets is more set-and-forget cooking, and provides consistent temperature throughout your cook, whereas a traditional charcoal grill requires monitoring and more effort to keep the temperature at the right level.
Don't discount owning a traditional charcoal grill, however, as they have their benefits, particularly at higher temperatures and there's something primal about standing around charcoal heat or open wood-fired flame that awakens the senses.
Additionally, the required pellet grill space may not be available for everyone, whereas a charcoal unit can typically squeeze into even the smaller-sized backyards.
Which features are most important when choosing pellet grills under $500?
This article covers the important features when considering pellet grills, such as cooking area, overall size of the unit, weight, hopper capacity, temperature range, and any additional features.
You need to consider how you will use the unit including how frequently and for how many people. Once you know that you can overlay that with what each of these grills offers, to determine which one is best for you.
For instance, if you'd like a relatively light-weight unit for tailgating or something that's more easily used as a daily cooker then perhaps the Recteq grill is best for your needs.
Or, if you prefer a large unit for entertaining many guests then the Pit Boss Classic or Cuisinart grill could be the way to go.
Or, if you will be using a grill semi-regularly for your family and potentially a few friends for entertaining then you might not really need a huge unit that'll take longer to heat up and draws more pellets than a smaller unit for the same food would use, then consider the mid-size Camp Chef Smoke Pro or Pit Boss units.
There are other pellet smokers at this price point, why don't you recommend them too?
The units presented in this review included an initial long list of close to 20 units. Some of the units that didn't make this list fell short through factors such as customer reviews, lack of features, units being delivered damaged, poor customer service, and being an unknown brand (which doesn't necessarily mean a unit isn't good, but sometimes it's best to go with tried and true).
If we were adding another grill into this mix it would be a Z Grills unit as they are arguably as good as some of the units in this review, so I will be looking to include one in another upcoming review.
I've heard that a Traeger pellet grill is the way to go?
Joe Traeger invented the original pellet grill in the 1980s, and with its patent was able to get the jump on others for 20 years and really set its position as the most popular manufacturer of this style of outdoor cooking.
Traegers are excellent and do build some of the most reliable pellet grills, however, others have caught on fast (some from copying Traeger) and are able to offer inexpensive pellet grills under $500 compared with Traegers with similar specs.
At the time of writing this review, there were no standard sized Traeger units available within this price point. The closest is the portable Traeger Ranger which is covered in a separate review looking at portable units.
Best Pellet Grills Under $500
So, now that we've covered what you need to think about when you're looking at inexpensive pellet grills that still perform, which one is the best for you?
Will it be one of the two larger units to feed lots of people, one of the two mid-size units for your family and a few friends, or the smaller, stainless-steel unit with high-end temperature that can easily be used any day or night of the week?
Thanks for reading, check the prices on Amazon, and happy shopping!
The links used in this blog are affiliate links, which may provide a small commission to us if you make a qualifying purchase, but at no additional cost to you. This enables us to continue to write useful content. Thank you for enjoying our content and contributing towards us being able to provide more!
