Top 8 Best Pellet Smokers Reviews 2022 (Ultimate Guide)

Sometimes it’s great to just be able to set and forget what we’re cooking. However, when working with smokers, that’s not usually the case. You need to tend to it every once in a while and see if there’s enough wood chips.  Well, that’s not how it works when you have a pellet smoker!

Now, here’s the thing: if we’re getting a smoker that’s basically going to do almost all of the job for us, we need a unit that can do the job just like us – if not better! In order to achieve that, we need to equip ourselves with the best pellet smoker.

Luckily for you, you’ve come across this article and everything you’re looking for is written here. We’re going over the 8 best pellet smoker reviews in 2022 and talk about their advantages and disadvantages so you don’t have to keep tabs on an overwhelming list.

Top 8 Best Pellet Smoker Reviews

1. Country Smokers Traveler – Most Portable Pellet Smoker

If you find yourself always on the go, you would want to add The Traveler from Country Smokers to your shortlist. As the name suggests, it’s designed with frequent transporting in mind.

Country Smokers is one of the newer names in this industry and this is their first product release. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating its prowess. They’ve managed to couple great features with such a compact design.

The Traveler features 2 grates that totals to about 256 sq. in. of cooking space. Now that is a decent size for a smoker that size. To give you an idea, it fits 24 hotdogs, 14 brats, 9 burgers, 6 steaks, and 8 chicken breasts. Judging by the numbers, that’s more than enough to feed a family comfortably in one go.

What makes this pellet smoker unique is its pellet hopper itself. It can hold up to 3.5 lbs of wood pellets but that’s not what’s making it great. When you place a pellet smoker at the back of your car, sudden movements can throw some loose pellets all over the place. Now that doesn’t happen with the Traveler because it locks and latches the pellet reservoir to keep it in place!

While we can say a lot of good things about The Traveler, it does have its own drawbacks too. First is that its searing ability  doesn’t cover the whole area. Good news is that it does support both direct and indirect heating. You just have to slide the chamber to switch it. The thing is, the flame can only do 2 burgers at a time.

Lastly, the latches that lock the hood are made of metal and they tend to get hot when in use. Just make sure to be wearing a protective gear when operating this unit. Otherwise, the product is still a decent choice.

Pros	Cons
+ Direct and Indirect heating + 10 temperature presets + Removable drip tray + Secured pellet reservoir	– Latches can get hot – Searing ability doesn’t cover the whole area

2. Z Grills 7002B 8-IN-1 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker – Most Versatile Pellet Smoker

This is one of the pellet smokers you’d love to put in your backyard. Mainly because it can do most of your cookout needs. It can grill, smoke, bake, roast, sear, braise, barbecue, or char-grill.

Apart from its multi-purpose function, the Z Grills 7002B is large enough to feed your family. With 2 cooking grates, it has a total of 700 sq. in. of working space. To keep up with long hours of cooking, this pellet smoker can hold up to 20 lbs of wood pellets. Now that’s enough to keep you going for 20 hours!

What makes this pellet smoker great is that it has a port where most of the smoke comes out. This keeps smoke away from you and prevents you from smelling like barbecue after the session. Another thing is that with most backyard smokers, they need to be placed in a shade because they are prone to rusting.

However, with the Z Grills 7002B, that’s the least of your concern. It’s made of stainless steel which is rust and corrosion resistant. Meaning to say, even when it rains, you don’t have to bother moving this smoker away. Plus, to give an extra layer of protection, this also comes with a cover which you can put on when you’re not using it!

While this is a great all-in-one option, an issue with this grill is that the maximum smoke it can reach is relatively lower compared to other similar smokers. Plus, it takes a lot longer for it to reach enough heat for you to start smoking. When using this unit, you will just have to plan and prepare ahead of time.

Pros	Cons
+ Multi-purpose + Rust and corrosion resistant + Electronic auto-start ignition + Digital auto temperature control + Real-time LED temperature display + With locking caster wheels	– Maximum smoke is on the lower scale – Takes time to reach high temperature – Takes long to assemble

3. Z Grills ZPG 700D 8-IN-1 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker – Most Durable Pellet Smoker

The next on our list is another smoker from Z Grills. At first glance, you’d think that the only difference between this smoker and the previous one is the color. While that may be the case, the ZPG 700D still has its own catch.

Similar to the previous smoker, this one also has a multi-purpose feature where you can grill, smoke, bake, roast, sear, braise, barbecue, or char-grill.  This is a great option if you’re yet to find barbecue equipment for your backyard.

This pellet smoker also has 2 cooking grates, one is dedicated for smoking or warming. Both grates contribute to the 700 sq. in. of space that it has to offer. Very similar to what we have for the previous smoker.

Again, similar to the previous smoker, the ZPG 700D also has a smoke port, an electronic start ignition, an electronic temperature control, and a real-time LED temperature display. However, unlike the previous smoker, this one is made of heavy gauge steel and not stainless steel.

With such similarities, you might ask how this smoker differs from the previous Z Grill smoker we’ve discussed. Their difference lies in their disadvantages. The main issue with this smoker is that it doesn’t work as efficiently as it would during colder weather. So when you’re using this smoker during the winter, expect to refill the pellets more often. 

Pros	Cons
+ Electronic Auto-Start Ignition + LED Temperature Gauge + Digital auto-temperature control + Large working area	– High Pellet Consumption – No ash cleaning feature – Doesn’t come with dripping cup

4. REC TEC RT-700 Bull Pellet Grill – Best High End Pellet Smoker

The RT-700 is the higher end unit offered by REC TEC. With the price range, it’s just right to see if it’s worth the investment. If there’s anything that can get your eyes on this smoker is the fact that it’s filled with great features.

A notable feature of this smoker is its very generous working space. It has 2 racks that combine to whopping 1,054 sq. in. of cooking space. With that size, you can easily fit 4 briskets and more than 15 lbs of turkey. With RT-700, running out of space is never a concern.

Plus, it’s hopper can hold up to 40 lbs of wood pellets.That capacity is twice the amount of typical smokers. This is actually great because having to add pellets every other use can get tiring.

What makes this smoker unique is the fact that it can be conveniently controlled using your phone, even if you’re meters away! It also has Smart Grill Technology that maintains heat at your desired temperature. Plus, it has dual meat probes so you can make sure that your meat is done just the way you like it.

While its features justify its high-end price, this smoker too has its own disadvantages. Apart from its hefty price tag, one of the most reported claims is the fact that the hopper located at the rear is harder to access. Other than that, the pros still outweigh the cons.

Pros	Cons
+ Large working space + Smart Grill Technology + WiFi Technology + Has interior lights + Dual meat probes + Stainless Steel construction + HotFlash Ceramic Ignition System + LED Temperature display + Self-cleaning shutdown	– Limited mobility – Expensive – Hopper is hard to access

5. Camp Chef’s Woodwind 24 PGSEAR Pellet Smoker –  Most Advanced Pellet Smoker

Today’s technology allows us to control almost everything using our mobile phone. Smokers are not an exemption and makes cookouts even more convenient.

With almost everything  being conveniently controlled using our mobile phone, it’s great to have a smoker you can control without the need to be near the unit. Among the grills here in our list, the Camp Chef’s Woodwind 24 Pellet Smoker attempts to offer as much user convenience.

 To start, this pellet smoker has 2 cooking grates that totals to 811 sq. in. of working space which is decent to serve a family comfortably. Plus, its hopper can hold up to 22 lbs of pellet. This is great because it means you can fit the whole 20 lbs of pellet without spillage.

It also allows for both indirect and direct grilling with its Slide and Grill Technology. Even better, it has 4 meat probes so you can prepare your meat the way you like it, inside and out.

Those are not the only features that make this smoker great. An impressive feature of the Woodwind 24 is that you can control not only the temperature but the smoke as well. All you have to do is to connect it to your phone via WiFi or Bluetooth!

While the Camp Chef’s Woodwind 24 Pellet Smoker is proving to be a great choice, it does have its own drawbacks. The issue we see here is that their technology, such as the smoke control, is fairly new to the market. Thus, its longevity and usability are yet to be tested.

As of today, most Android phone users have been complaining that they’re having difficulties controlling the unit. Since this is still new in the market, most probably, Camp Chef will be releasing an update that fixes all those issues. Before getting this unit, especially if you’re on Android, make sure to connect and fiddle with the controls yourself and check if you can work with it.

Pros	Cons
+ Slide and Grill Technology + Patented Ash Kickin’ Cleanout System + PID Controller with Smoke Control + WiFi Technology + 4 Meat Probes + Attachment Compatible	– Newer technology is yet to be tested for durability – Connectivity issues with Android

6. REC TEC TR-590 Stampede Wood Pellet Grill – Most Compact Pellet Smoker

Sometimes you’re placed in a tight spot where you want the benefits of a full-sized smoker but you don’t have enough space to fit it in your backyard or patio. If you can relate, you might want to add the TR-590 Stampede to your short list.

This is a great choice if you find the TR-700 Bull a little too large. While being in the range of a mid-size smoker, this unit still offers a decent cooking space which totals to about 772 sq. in.

Similar to the previous REC TEC smoker on this list, the TR-590 Stampede can also be controlled using your mobile phone using WiFi. Apart from the digital display of temperature on the unit, you can check and manage the internal temperature of the smoker from your device. This also includes 2 meat probes so you’re sure to cook meals at the exact temperature you’d like them to be.

This is a decent choice for a smoker and it’s honestly hard to find anything wrong with it. However, the only concern we have here is that it doesn’t have the usual design of pellet smokers of its size. It’s missing the chimney. If you don’t mind smelling like barbecue after working with this, then this is still a good choice.

Pros	Cons
+ Smart Grill Technology + WiFi Technology + Stainless Steel Hardware + Self-cleaning shutdown HotFlash Ceramic Ignition System + Dual Meat Probe + Digital Temperature Display	– No dedicated chimney

7. Z Grills  ZPG 450A Wood Pellet Grill Smoker – Most Lightweight Pellet Smoker

Next on our list is another smoker from Z Grills. The ZPG 450A is one of their most compact smokers. This makes this a great choice for those who are limited in space. However, don’t make the mistake of underestimating its ability.

Similar to the other smokers from Z Grills that are in this list, the ZPG 450A is also a multi-purpose smoker allowing you to grill, bake, barbecue, smoke, braise, and roast your meals.

With 2 grates, it totals 452 sq. in. of cooking space which is still generous, considering its size. With 15 lbs of hopper capacity, it can keep your running for approximately 15 hours.

The ZPG 450A is built using stainless steel which means it’s rust and corrosion resistant. This allows you to use the same smoker for the years to come. You can leave it outside too without worrying about it being damaged by the rain.

The  only issue we see with this griller is its temperature. Most users have reported that the heat from the grate is a little uneven. You will notice that some areas are warmer compared to others. When you decide to take on this grill, make sure to keep an eye out on the internal temperature to see if it’s still accurate.

Pros	Cons
+ Electronic auto-start ignition + Digital Auto temperature control + Real-time LED temperature display + Stainless Steel construction	– Temperature fluctuates

8. Camp Chef’s Woodwind 24 PG14 Pellet Grill & Smoker with Sidekick – Best Overall Pellet Smoker

Last, and definitely not the least, we have another pellet smoker from Camp Chef. It is quite similar to the previous one we’ve discussed. However, the only difference is that this one has a Sidekick installed instead of a sear box.

The rest of the features are the same in terms of the latest technologies – the smoke control and WiFi connectivity. However, the PG14 only has 660 sq. in. of working space.

Don’t be quick to jump and think you’re losing anything. In fact, with this pellet smoker, you’re actually in liberty to cook more. The Sidekick attached to it is a griddle so you can cook your other favorite meals like eggs and bacon! On top of that, you can  do even more with your pots and pans.

Both are good choices but the PG14 just gives you more versatility in terms of what you can cook. The only thing that concerns us is that it has the same issue as with the PGSEAR. So you would want to try connecting and controlling your mobile phone to the unit before making the purchase.

Pros	Cons
+ Slide and Grill Technology + Patented Ash Kickin’ Cleanout System + PID Controller with Smoke Control + WiFi Technology + 4 Meat Probes + Attachment Compatible	– Newer technology is yet to be tested for durability – Connectivity issues with Android

Things to Consider When Choosing The Best Pellet Smoker

Hopper Capacity

When looking for a pellet smoker, the first feature you’d want to look at is the capacity of the hopper. The higher the better because it means you can store more. You wouldn’t want to be refilling pellets every other use. This saves you more money too.

Cooking area

One of the  important factors in choosing a pellet smoker is that it should have enough working space to be able to fit what you’d like to serve. If you’re looking at a smoker with 2 racks, make sure it has enough vertical clearance for you to fit a large chunk of meat pretty easily.

Construction

The next you’d like to weigh in is the material of the smoker. You need something that you can use long term. If the smoker is big and should be placed in your backyard, as much as possible, prioritize the smoker that’s rust and corrosion resistant. On the other hand, if it’s not waterproof, it should be light enough or built in a way that you can easily roll it under a shade.

The Verdict

Trying to choose the best pellet smoker can be paralyzing. Your options are endless with each bearing your favorite quirk. In fact, even if the list is shortened like this article, some might still find it challenging to decide.

However, if it were up to us, the clear winner here is  Camp Chef’s Woodwind 24 PG14 Pellet Grill & Smoker with Sidekick. Why? Because it has a good balance between features and price. It has its limitations but it can be worked around.