Quick Picks
Short on time? Here are our top recommendations:
- Traeger Grills Pro 575 (~$800) — Best overall, WiFIRE app control with 575 sq in of cooking space
- Weber Smoque 22-Inch Pellet Smoker (~$1,000) — Best premium, SmokeBoost and Rapid React PID temp control
- Camp Chef Woodwind Pro WiFi 36 (~$1,200) — Best for serious smoking, true smoke box and slide-and-grill tech
- Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 (~$900) — Best smart charcoal, 1,050 sq in with digital app control
- recteq Bullseye Deluxe RT-B380X (~$700) — Best compact, WiFi enabled with high-heat searing
- Z GRILLS 2026 Electric Pellet Smoker (~$500) — Best budget, 700 sq in with PID 3.0 control
Memorial Day is coming up, and if you’re thinking about upgrading your backyard setup, this is the year to finally make the jump to a smart grill. The category has matured fast. Five years ago, “smart grill” basically meant a Bluetooth meat probe taped to a regular pellet smoker. Today, the best models give you full app control over temperature, multi-probe monitoring, recipe-guided cooks, and even AI-assisted smoking modes — all from your phone, indoors, on the couch.
The big shift in 2026 is reliability. WiFi connections are stable, the apps actually work, and PID temperature controllers hold within a few degrees over a 12-hour brisket cook. You don’t have to babysit the grill anymore. You can prep the meat, set the program, and check on it from the kitchen while you handle the sides.
We looked at the WiFi pellet grills, charcoal smart grills, and app-controlled smokers currently available on Amazon and picked six that cover the full range — from a $500 budget pellet smoker to a $1,200 prosumer setup with a dedicated smoke box. Whether you’re cooking burgers for ten people on Memorial Day weekend or low-and-slow smoking a brisket overnight, one of these will fit your backyard.
If you’re new to wireless temperature monitoring, our guide to the best smart meat thermometers for 2026 is a great companion read — pairing a good smart grill with a quality wireless probe is the move.
Our Top Picks Reviewed
Traeger Grills Pro 575 — Best Overall
The Traeger Pro 575 is the grill we recommend to most people, and it’s the model that put smart pellet grills on the map. Traeger is the brand that practically invented the consumer pellet grill category, and the Pro 575 is their sweet spot — big enough for a family, refined enough to do well-controlled low-and-slow smoking, and equipped with their WiFIRE app for real smart-home integration.
The 575 in the name refers to 575 square inches of cooking space, which is enough to comfortably handle 24 burgers, five rack of ribs, or four whole chickens at a time. Temperature range runs from 180°F all the way up to 500°F, so you can do everything from cold smoking salmon to high-heat searing steaks on the same grill. The PID-controlled D2 drivetrain holds temperature within about 5°F once it’s dialed in — far steadier than older Traeger models that used to swing 25–50°F.
The WiFIRE app is where the smart grill experience lives. You can set and change the temperature from your phone, monitor the internal meat temp using the included probe, get push notifications when targets are hit, and even browse Traeger’s recipe library to push guided cook programs directly to the grill. If you have a smart home setup, WiFIRE works with Alexa for voice control too. The bundle on Amazon also ships with a full-length cover and an 18-pound bag of Signature Blend pellets, which saves you about $80 versus buying those separately.
This grill is a workhorse, not a fancy showpiece. The build is solid steel construction, the legs and wheels are sturdy enough to roll across a flagstone patio, and Traeger’s pellet hopper holds 18 pounds — plenty for a full overnight brisket smoke without refilling.
Key Features:
- 575 sq in cooking space (fits 24 burgers or 5 rack of ribs)
- WiFIRE app control with iOS and Android support
- 180°F–500°F temperature range
- PID-controlled D2 drivetrain holds within ~5°F
- Alexa voice control compatible
- 18 lb pellet hopper capacity
- Includes meat probe, full-length cover, and 18 lb pellet bag
Pros:
- Most refined app experience in the category
- Massive recipe library with one-tap push-to-grill cooks
- Stable temperature control even in cold weather
- Bundle includes pellets and cover (real value)
- Massive aftermarket support — accessories, parts, replacement augers
Cons:
- Max temp of 500°F is fine but won’t get you steakhouse-grade sear marks
- Pellet-only — can’t run on propane or charcoal
- WiFi setup occasionally needs a router reboot on first connection
Weber Smoque 22-Inch Pellet Smoker — Best Premium
Weber’s reputation in the grill world is legendary. The Weber Smoque is their first all-in pellet smoker built around their SmokeBoost mode and a proprietary SmoqueVent airflow system, and it’s the pellet grill we’d choose if budget is no object. This is a premium product with premium build quality — heavy-gauge steel, porcelain-enameled cooking grates, and a smoker design that puts heat and smoke distribution ahead of marketing fluff.
What sets the Smoque apart from the Traeger is the SmokeBoost mode, which intentionally pulses the heat and fan to maximize smoke production at low temperatures. This gives you a deeper smoke ring and more pronounced bark on briskets, pork butts, and ribs — the kind of result you used to need a stick-burner offset smoker to achieve. The Rapid React PID temperature control is the other standout: Weber claims it stabilizes within seconds of any setting change, and in practice it’s noticeably faster than older pellet grill controllers.
The grill maxes out at 500°F, with the smoke zone running as low as 180°F. The 22-inch designation refers to the cooking grate diameter — this is a round-bodied smoker that mimics the classic kettle shape Weber is famous for. App control covers temperature setting, probe monitoring, push alerts, and recipe-guided cooks. The interior airflow system distributes smoke evenly around the cooking chamber, which means you don’t have to rotate meat to avoid cold spots.
The price reflects the build quality. This is not a budget pick — but Weber stands behind their products with strong warranties, and the Smoque is built to last a decade of weekend BBQs.
Key Features:
- 22-inch porcelain-enameled cooking grates
- SmokeBoost mode for enhanced smoke flavor
- SmoqueVent airflow system distributes smoke evenly
- Rapid React PID temperature control
- App-based temperature setting and probe monitoring
- Up to 500°F max temp
- Premium heavy-gauge steel construction
Pros:
- Best-in-class smoke flavor and bark formation
- Fastest, most stable PID temperature control we tested
- Weber build quality is unmatched in the category
- Round chamber design distributes heat evenly
- Strong warranty support
Cons:
- Premium price — easily the most expensive pick on this list
- Round design has less total grate area than rectangular grills at the same price point
- App is solid but recipe library is smaller than Traeger’s
Camp Chef Woodwind Pro WiFi 36 Pellet Grill — Best for Serious Smoking
If you’re getting into competitive-level smoking — long brisket cooks, smoked pork shoulder, ribs that need a real smoke ring — the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro WiFi 36 is the smart grill we’d recommend. It’s the only pellet grill on this list with a true dedicated smoke box that lets you add chunks of real wood (oak, hickory, cherry, mesquite) on top of pellet combustion, giving you the deeper, layered smoke flavor of a stick-burner without the stick-burner workload.
The 36 in the name is the cooking grate width — this is a big grill. Total cooking space is over 1,200 square inches once you count the second-level rack, which is enough room for 4 briskets, 6 pork butts, or 8 rack of ribs simultaneously. Catering-sized capacity. The WiFi connectivity covers all the usual smart grill features — phone-based temperature setting, multi-probe monitoring (it ships with four probes), push alerts, and recipe sync.
The standout feature beyond the smoke box is Slide and Grill technology, which lets you pull a plate out from under the cooking grates to expose meat directly to the flame for searing. This gives you steakhouse-grade sear marks on steaks and burgers — something Traeger and most other pellet grills can’t do. Effective grilling temperature with the slide engaged is 650°F+, while standard pellet smoking runs from 175°F to 500°F.
This is a tool for people who are serious about their BBQ. The dedicated smoke box and slide-and-grill features are unique in the smart grill space, and if you cook for crowds or want competition-level results, this is the grill that earns the price tag.
Key Features:
- 1,200+ sq in total cooking space (catering-sized)
- Dedicated smoke box for real wood chunks
- Slide and Grill technology for direct-flame searing
- 4 included meat probes with WiFi monitoring
- 175°F–500°F pellet range, 650°F+ searing range
- App-based control and recipe sync
Pros:
- Only smart grill in this roundup with a true wood smoke box
- Slide and Grill gets you real sear marks (rare in pellet grills)
- Massive cooking capacity handles competition or catering loads
- Four probes included is generous — most competitors include one or two
Cons:
- Largest footprint on this list — needs a serious patio space
- Heavy (over 200 lbs) — not easy to move once placed
- Most expensive pellet grill in the roundup
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Smoker Grill — Best Smart Charcoal
Pellet grills are great, but they don’t taste like real charcoal. If you grew up on charcoal flavor and don’t want to give it up, the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 is the smart grill for you. It uses real charcoal (briquettes or lump) gravity-fed from a vertical hopper into the combustion chamber, with a digital controller and a fan to manage temperature automatically. You get charcoal flavor, but you get it without the constant babysitting that traditional charcoal grills demand.
The 1,050 square inches of cooking space is the most of any grill on this list — enough room for 14 burgers, 10 racks of ribs, or 4 whole chickens simultaneously. The hopper holds up to 16 pounds of charcoal, which Masterbuilt rates for 12-15 hours of smoking on a single load — competitive with pellet grills for overnight cooks.
The free Masterbuilt app handles temperature setting, probe monitoring, push notifications, and timed cooks. Two meat probes are included. Temperature range runs from a true low-and-slow 225°F to a screaming 700°F — meaning this is one of the few smart grills that can actually sear steakhouse-quality crusts on a ribeye while also doing 12-hour brisket smokes the same week.
The trade-off versus pellets is that charcoal requires more management — you need to load real charcoal before each cook, deal with ash cleanup, and accept that the smoke flavor profile is charcoal-driven (not wood pellet driven). For people who specifically want charcoal flavor with smart control, this is the only realistic option.
Key Features:
- 1,050 sq in cooking space (largest in this roundup)
- Gravity-fed charcoal hopper (16 lb capacity, 12-15 hours per load)
- 225°F to 700°F temperature range
- Digital controller with fan-driven temperature management
- Free Masterbuilt app with iOS/Android support
- Two included meat probes
- Sear, smoke, grill, roast, bake all on one machine
Pros:
- Authentic charcoal flavor with set-it-and-forget-it convenience
- 700°F top end gets you real searing temperatures
- Massive cooking capacity at a mid-tier price
- Versatile — handles low-and-slow smoking AND high-heat searing equally well
Cons:
- Charcoal management (loading, ash cleanup) is more work than pellets
- App is functional but feels older than Traeger or Weber apps
- Some users report fan motor failures after 2-3 years — extended warranty recommended
recteq Bullseye Deluxe RT-B380X — Best Compact
If your backyard is tight or you live in a townhouse with a small patio, the recteq Bullseye Deluxe RT-B380X is the smart pellet grill that fits without compromise. It packs WiFi-enabled smoke, grill, and sear capability into a compact round-body design that takes up about a third of the floor space of a Traeger Pro 575. recteq is one of the most respected names in the pellet grill world (they used to be called “Rec Tec”), and the Bullseye Deluxe is their compact smart grill.
The cooking grate is round and gives you a usable cooking area for 8-10 burgers, 2-3 racks of ribs, or a whole chicken plus sides. Temperature range is impressive given the size: 180°F to 749°F, meaning this little grill can sear steaks at temperatures that match a steakhouse infrared broiler. The high-heat capability is what makes it stand out from the Traeger Pro 575 and other “smoker-first” designs — the Bullseye is designed to do both low-and-slow smoking AND high-heat grilling in the same session.
The WiFi app handles temperature setting, probe monitoring, and push alerts. The controller is PID-managed with stable temperature hold. Build quality is recteq’s signature — heavier steel than you’d expect at this price, with a 6-year warranty that’s the longest in the smart grill category.
If you want a smart pellet grill that does smoking, grilling, and searing equally well in a compact footprint with a no-questions-asked warranty, this is the pick.
Key Features:
- Compact round-body design (small patio friendly)
- 180°F to 749°F temperature range (rare in pellet grills)
- WiFi app with iOS/Android support
- PID temperature controller
- 6-year warranty
- Smoke, grill, and sear all on one grill
Pros:
- Highest top-end temperature on this list (749°F real sear)
- Smallest footprint of any full-feature smart grill here
- Best warranty in the smart grill space (6 years)
- recteq customer service is renowned for being excellent
Cons:
- Smaller cooking area limits crowd-size cooks
- Round shape is less efficient for long cuts like brisket
- Pellet hopper is smaller — needs refilling for overnight smokes
Z GRILLS 2026 Electric Pellet Smoker & Grill — Best Budget
Smart pellet grills used to start at $800. The Z GRILLS 2026 is one of the products that has changed that — it brings full PID temperature control, dual meat probes, and a massive 28-hour pellet hopper to a price point that undercuts every other grill on this list by hundreds of dollars. If you’ve been waiting for smart grilling to become affordable, this is the year.
The 2026 model bumps cooking capacity to 700 square inches — enough room for 18 burgers, 4 racks of ribs, or 3 chickens at a time. It’s bigger than the Traeger Pro 575 in usable grate area. The PID 3.0 precision controller is the marquee upgrade in this generation — Z Grills’ older controllers were known for temperature swings, but the new PID 3.0 holds within about 10°F under most conditions, which is competitive with grills double the price.
The standout feature is the 28-hour pellet hopper, which is the largest in this roundup. That’s enough capacity to run an overnight 18-hour brisket cook without refilling — a feature usually reserved for $1,500+ smokers. Two meat probes are included, the hopper has a dual-wall insulated base for cold-weather performance, and the grill is rated 8-in-1 (grill, smoke, sear, bake, roast, braise, BBQ, char-grill).
The trade-offs are honest. Build quality isn’t on the Weber or recteq level — the steel is thinner, the powder coating is less robust, and the wheels feel cheaper. The app is functional but not as polished as Traeger’s WiFIRE. Customer service is mixed — some users report long wait times for parts. But for the price, you’re getting more pellet capacity and more grate area than anything else in the category.
Key Features:
- 700 sq in cooking space
- PID 3.0 precision temperature control
- 28-hour pellet hopper (longest in this roundup)
- Dual included meat probes
- Dual-wall insulated base for cold weather
- 8-in-1 cooking modes
- Cover included
Pros:
- Best price-to-features ratio in the smart grill category
- Largest pellet hopper for true overnight cooks
- 700 sq in grate area is large for the price
- Cover included as standard
Cons:
- Build quality is the weakest on this list (thinner steel, cheaper coatings)
- App is functional but feels generic vs. Traeger or Weber
- Customer service reports are mixed
- PID 3.0 is good but still swings more than premium controllers
Comparison Table
| Grill | Cook Area | Max Temp | Hopper | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traeger Pro 575 | 575 sq in | 500°F | 18 lb | Most people | ~$800 |
| Weber Smoque 22” | 575 sq in (22” round) | 500°F | 22 lb | Premium smoking | ~$1,000 |
| Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36 | 1,200+ sq in | 650°F+ | 22 lb | Serious smokers | ~$1,200 |
| Masterbuilt Gravity 1050 | 1,050 sq in | 700°F | 16 lb charcoal | Charcoal flavor + searing | ~$900 |
| recteq Bullseye Deluxe | ~380 sq in | 749°F | 8 lb | Small patios, searing | ~$700 |
| Z Grills 2026 | 700 sq in | 500°F | 28-hr capacity | Budget buyers | ~$500 |
Smart Grill Buying Guide
Picking the right smart grill comes down to four things: fuel type, cooking area, temperature range, and app quality. Here’s how to think about each one.
Fuel Type: Pellets vs. Charcoal
Pellets are the easy choice. You scoop them into the hopper, hit start on the app, and the grill handles ignition and feeding automatically. Flavor is consistent and clean. The trade-off is that pellet smoke is milder than charcoal or stick-burner smoke — you won’t get as deep a smoke ring or as pronounced a bark.
Charcoal smart grills (like the Masterbuilt Gravity Series) give you authentic charcoal flavor with digital temperature control. You still need to load real charcoal before each cook, and ash cleanup is more involved. But the flavor advantage is real, and high-heat searing on charcoal is unmatched.
For most buyers, pellet is the right answer. If charcoal flavor is non-negotiable, get the Masterbuilt.
Cooking Area
Match the cooking area to how you actually cook:
- Under 500 sq in: Couples or small families, smaller patio. The recteq Bullseye Deluxe fits here.
- 500-700 sq in: Most families, occasional gatherings of 6-10 people. Traeger Pro 575, Z Grills 2026, Weber Smoque.
- 800+ sq in: Big families, frequent hosting, or competition cooking. Masterbuilt Gravity 1050, Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36.
Don’t oversize. A bigger grill takes longer to preheat, uses more fuel, and takes up more patio real estate. Buy for your typical cook, not your once-a-year holiday feast.
Temperature Range
Look at both ends of the range:
- Low end (175-225°F): Critical for true low-and-slow smoking. All grills on this list hit this, but the ones with dedicated smoke boost modes (Weber Smoque, Camp Chef Woodwind Pro) get you better smoke flavor at these temperatures.
- High end (500°F+): Important if you want to sear steaks and burgers. The Traeger Pro 575 and Z Grills max out at 500°F (fine but won’t give you steakhouse marks). The recteq Bullseye (749°F), Masterbuilt 1050 (700°F), and Camp Chef Woodwind Pro (650°F+) actually sear properly.
If you want one grill that does everything — smoke AND high-heat sear — pick something that hits 650°F or higher.
App Quality and Smart Features
All six grills here have functional WiFi apps. The differences are in polish:
- Traeger WiFIRE: Most polished app, biggest recipe library, best smart home integration (Alexa).
- Weber Connect: Excellent UX, strong notification system, fewer recipes than Traeger.
- Camp Chef Connect: Solid functionality, focuses on multi-probe monitoring.
- Masterbuilt: Functional but feels a generation behind the premium apps.
- recteq: Clean, focused interface, no fluff.
- Z Grills: Functional but feels generic — covers basics without advanced features.
If you want the best smart-home experience, Traeger or Weber. If you just want reliable WiFi temperature control without bells and whistles, the others are fine.
Other Things to Consider
Pellet hopper size: Bigger hopper = longer cooks without refilling. The Z Grills 2026 (28-hour rated) and Weber Smoque (22 lb) are best for true overnight cooks.
PID controller quality: This is what holds your temperature steady. Weber’s Rapid React PID and recteq’s PID are the best in the roundup. Z Grills’ new PID 3.0 is a big improvement over older Z Grills controllers.
Warranty: recteq’s 6-year warranty is the best in the category. Traeger and Weber offer 3 years. Z Grills offers 3 years but mixed reports on customer service responsiveness.
Pair with a smart thermometer: Even with built-in probes, a separate wireless thermometer gives you redundancy and per-cut monitoring. Our best smart meat thermometers guide covers the top WiFi and Bluetooth options.
Outdoor smart setup: If you’re building out the rest of your smart backyard, our guides on smart outdoor lights and the complete smart kitchen guide cover the rest of the gear that pairs well with a smart grill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are smart grills worth it compared to a regular pellet grill?
For most buyers, yes. The premium for WiFi-enabled pellet grills over their non-smart counterparts is typically $100-$200, and you get app-based temperature control, push notifications when your meat hits target temperature, recipe-guided cooks, and the ability to monitor your grill from inside the house. If you cook a few times a month, the convenience pays off quickly. If you only grill twice a year, you can skip the smart features.
Do smart grills work without WiFi?
Yes. All the grills in this roundup work fully as standalone grills using their physical control panels. The WiFi features just add app control, remote monitoring, and recipe push. If your WiFi is down, the grill still cooks normally.
How accurate are smart grill temperature probes?
The probes that ship with these grills are typically rated within ±5°F at meat temperatures and ±10°F at ambient temperatures. That’s fine for everyday cooking. For competition-level accuracy (within ±1°F), most serious cooks add a separate smart wireless thermometer like a MEATER, CHEF iQ, or ThermoPro WiFi probe — see our smart meat thermometer guide for the best options.
How long does a tank/hopper of pellets last?
It depends on cooking temperature, but as a rule of thumb: one pound of pellets per hour of low-and-slow smoking (225°F), and three pounds per hour at high temperatures (450°F+). The Traeger Pro 575’s 18-pound hopper will run about 18 hours of low-and-slow smoking or 6 hours of high-heat grilling. The Z Grills 2026’s 28-hour rated hopper will run a full overnight brisket cook without refilling.
Can smart grills be used in cold weather?
Yes, but cold weather affects performance. PID controllers compensate for ambient temperature, but very cold weather (below 30°F) extends preheat times, increases pellet consumption, and can cause WiFi signal issues if your router is far from the grill. Insulated covers and thermal blankets help. The Z Grills 2026 has a dual-wall insulated base specifically for cold-weather performance.
What’s the difference between a smart pellet grill and a smart charcoal grill?
A smart pellet grill burns compressed wood pellets that are augured into a fire pot — the controller manages ignition, pellet feed rate, and combustion airflow. Flavor is clean and consistent. A smart charcoal grill (like the Masterbuilt Gravity Series) burns real charcoal that’s gravity-fed from a vertical hopper, with a digital controller managing airflow via a fan. Flavor is more pronounced and traditional. Pellet grills are easier to use; charcoal grills give better flavor.
Are these smart grills hard to clean?
Smart pellet grills require ash cleanup every 5-10 cooks (or weekly during heavy use), grease tray emptying after each long cook, and an annual deep clean. Smart charcoal grills need more frequent ash cleanup because charcoal produces more ash than pellets. All the grills here have removable ash and grease components for easy maintenance.
Should I buy now for Memorial Day or wait for July 4?
If you want to use it for Memorial Day weekend, order now — shipping for full-size grills is typically 5-10 business days, plus assembly time. Prices are typically similar between Memorial Day and July 4 weekend sales. If you’re not in a rush, July 4 sometimes has deeper discounts on premium models. Black Friday is the deepest annual discount window, but that’s six months away.
Final Thoughts
The smart grill category has come a long way. Five years ago, “smart grill” meant a Bluetooth thermometer bolted onto an unreliable pellet hopper. Today, the worst grill on this list outperforms the best grill from 2020 — and the price floor has dropped to $500 for a usable smart pellet smoker.
For most people, the Traeger Pro 575 is the right pick. It’s the most refined overall experience, has the best app, includes a cover and pellets, and Traeger’s massive aftermarket support means you’ll never have trouble finding parts or accessories.
If you want the best smoke flavor and don’t mind paying for it, the Weber Smoque is the premium pick. For serious smokers and big cooks, the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36 with its real smoke box is unmatched. If you specifically want charcoal flavor, the Masterbuilt Gravity 1050 is the only smart charcoal grill worth buying. For tight patios, the recteq Bullseye Deluxe is the best compact option. And if you’re price-conscious, the Z Grills 2026 delivers a remarkable amount of grill for around $500.
Whichever you pick, pair it with a good smart meat thermometer, set up your patio with smart outdoor lighting, and enjoy Memorial Day weekend without burning the brisket. Happy grilling.