Best Pellet Smokers (2026)
The Traeger Ironwood 885 is the top pick by cooking area: 885 square inches, a 20 lb hopper, an integrated pellet sensor, and insulated dual-wall construction. All three smokers here carry a 3-year warranty.
Side by side
| Model | Cooking area | Hopper | Temp range | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traeger Ironwood 885 | 885 square inches | 20 lbs | 165°F to 500°F | 3-year |
| Traeger Pro 575 | 575 square inches | 18 lbs | 165°F to 500°F | 3-year |
| Z Grills ZPG-450A | 459 square inches | 15 lbs | 160-450 °F | 3-year |
The picks
Traeger Ironwood 885
Biggest capacity pick
The Ironwood 885 gives you 885 square inches of cooking area fed by a 20 lb hopper, which means whole packer briskets and long cooks without refilling. The D2 controller has a digital display, an integrated pellet sensor warns before the hopper runs dry, and insulated dual-wall construction holds temperature in cold weather. It weighs 175 lbs, so pick its spot once.
cooking area: 885 square incheshopper: 20 lbstemp range: 165°F to 500°Fweight: 175 lbswarranty: 3-year
Traeger Pro 575
The mainstream pick
The Pro 575 covers 575 square inches with an 18 lb hopper and the same 165°F to 500°F range as the Ironwood. WiFIRE connectivity controls the cook from a phone, and one Traeger meat probe comes in the box. At 124 lbs it is the lightest Traeger here, and the 3-year warranty matches its bigger sibling.
cooking area: 575 square incheshopper: 18 lbstemp range: 165°F to 500°Fweight: 124 lbswarranty: 3-year
Z Grills ZPG-450A
The compact pick
The ZPG-450A runs 459 square inches of cooking area from a 15 lb hopper across a 160-450 °F range. An advanced PID controller manages the temperature curve, the lid is high temperature powder coated steel, and the assembled unit measures 45 L × 28 W × 49 H inches at 84 lbs — the one to pick when patio space decides.
cooking area: 459 square incheshopper: 15 lbstemp range: 160-450 °Fweight: 84 lbswarranty: 3-year
FAQ
How big are the pellet hoppers on these smokers?
The Traeger Ironwood 885 holds 20 lbs of pellets, the Pro 575 holds 18 lbs, and the Z Grills ZPG-450A holds 15 lbs.
What warranty do these pellet smokers carry?
All three carry a 3-year warranty: the Ironwood 885, the Pro 575, and the Z Grills ZPG-450A.
What temperature ranges do they cover?
Both Traegers run 165°F to 500°F. The Z Grills ZPG-450A runs 160-450 °F.
Which of these has WiFi control?
The Traeger Pro 575 has WiFIRE connectivity. The Ironwood 885 uses the D2 controller with a digital display, and the Z Grills uses an advanced PID controller.
How much do these pellet smokers weigh?
The Traeger Ironwood 885 weighs 175 lbs, the Pro 575 weighs 124 lbs, and the Z Grills ZPG-450A is 84 lbs assembled, measuring 45 L × 28 W × 49 H inches. Weight matters twice: moving the smoker to its spot, and how much thermal mass the body carries into a winter cook.