Best Pellet Smokers Under $1000 (2026)
The Pit Boss Austin XL 1000 Onyx is the top pick with 1,007 square inches of 2-tier porcelain-coated cast iron cooking space and a 30 lb hopper for extended cooks. Advanced PID control holds 180° to 500°F in 5°F increments under a 5-year warranty.
Side by side
| Model | Fuel | Capacity | Temp range | Standout spec |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pit Boss Austin XL 1000 Onyx | 100% all natural wood pellets | 1,007 sq in | 180°-500°F | 2-tier porcelain-coated cast iron grates |
| Pit Boss 850FB2 | 100% all-natural hardwood pellet fuel | 840 sq in | 180°-500°F | 1,000°F direct flame sear |
| Pit Boss 700FB2 | 100% all-natural hardwood pellets | 747 sq in | 180°-500°F | 1,000°F direct flame sear |
| Z Grills 700D4E WiFi | 100% hardwood pellets | 697 sq in | 160-500°F | Z-Ultra PID 3.1 Controller |
| Traeger Pro 575 | wood pellets | 575 sq in | 165°F to 500°F | WiFIRE connectivity via Traeger App |
The picks
Pit Boss Austin XL 1000 Onyx
Largest capacity pick
The Austin XL 1000 Onyx covers 1,007 square inches of 2-tier porcelain-coated cast iron cooking space, the largest rack in the roundup. A 30 lb hopper supports extended cooks without a refill, and the Flame Broiler lever delivers direct flame searing up to 1,000°F. Advanced PID control holds 180° to 500°F in 5°F increments, and the 5-year warranty anchors the build.
1,007 sq in 2-tier porcelain-coated cast iron cooking space30 lb hopper180°-500°F in 5°F incrementsAdvanced PID control1,000°F direct flame sear5-year warranty
Pit Boss 850FB2
Best searing pick
The Pit Boss 850FB2 brings 840 square inches of cooking space with a 21 lb hopper and the dial-in digital control board with LCD screen. The 5°F increment settings deliver fine temperature control, and the Flame Broiler lever opens for direct flame searing up to 1,000°F. The 5-year warranty matches the Austin XL, and 2 meat probe ports with 1 probe included handle multi-protein cooks.
840 sq in cooking space21 lb hopper180°-500°F with 5°F increment settings1,000°F direct flame sear via Flame Broiler lever5-year warranty2 meat probe ports, 1 probe included
Z Grills 700D4E WiFi
Best WiFi-equipped pick
The Z Grills 700D4E WiFi covers 697 square inches of cooking space from a 28 lb hopper — the second-largest pellet capacity in the roundup. The Z-Ultra PID 3.1 Controller holds 160 to 500°F, and WiFi plus Bluetooth via the Z Grills App drive the cook from a phone. Two meat probes ship in the box, and the 5-year limited warranty covers the upgrade-program model.
697 sq in cooking space28 lb hopper160-500°F temp rangeZ-Ultra PID 3.1 ControllerWiFi and Bluetooth via Z Grills App2 meat probes included5-year limited warranty
Traeger Pro 575
Best app ecosystem pick
The Traeger Pro 575 weighs 124 lbs total while covering 575 square inches of cooking space. The D2 Controller with TurboTemp holds 165°F to 500°F, and WiFIRE connectivity keeps the Traeger App tied to the cook from anywhere. The 18 lb hopper sits below the Pit Boss models, and the 3-year warranty is the shortest in the roundup.
575 sq in cooking space18 lb hopper165°F to 500°F temp rangeD2 Controller with TurboTempWiFIRE connectivity via Traeger App124 lbs total weight3-year warranty
Pit Boss 700FB2
Best value pick
The Pit Boss 700FB2 delivers 747 square inches of cooking space with a 21 lb hopper and the Flame Broiler lever for direct flame searing up to 1,000°F. The dial-in digital control board with LCD screen reaches 180° to 500°F in 5°F increments, and 2 meat probe ports with 1 probe included cover multi-protein cooks. The 5-year warranty matches the bigger Pit Boss models.
747 sq in cooking space21 lb hopper180°-500°F with 5°F increment settings1,000°F direct flame sear via Flame Broiler lever5-year warranty2 meat probe ports, 1 probe included
FAQ
Is the Pit Boss Austin XL 1000 Onyx worth it?
The Austin XL 1000 Onyx combines 1,007 sq in of 2-tier porcelain-coated cast iron cooking space with a 30 lb hopper for extended cooks. Advanced PID control holds 180° to 500°F in 5°F increments, and the Flame Broiler lever delivers direct flame searing up to 1,000°F. The 5-year warranty runs longer than the Traeger Pro 575's 3-year warranty.
Pit Boss Austin XL 1000 Onyx vs Pit Boss 850FB2: which is better?
The Austin XL 1000 Onyx delivers 1,007 sq in of cooking space versus the 850FB2's 840 sq in. The Austin XL also carries a 30 lb hopper against the 850FB2's 21 lb hopper. For maximum cooking area and longest hopper runtime the Austin XL 1000 Onyx wins; for a smaller footprint the 850FB2 covers 840 sq in.
What size pellet grill do I need?
A 575 sq in cooking area covers a single-protein cook for a small group, while 697 sq in to 747 sq in adds room for a side rack. The 840 sq in 850FB2 fits two whole briskets and a side, and the 1,007 sq in 2-tier cooking space handles a full party menu plus a warming tier.
How long does a Pit Boss pellet grill last?
The Pit Boss 700FB2, 850FB2, and Austin XL 1000 Onyx each carry a 5-year warranty. The Traeger Pro 575 carries a 3-year warranty, and the Z Grills 700D4E WiFi carries a 5-year limited warranty on upgrade-program models.
Does the Pit Boss Austin XL 1000 Onyx work in cold weather?
The Austin XL 1000 Onyx's 180° to 500°F range in 5°F increments supports winter smoke sessions, and the Flame Broiler lever delivers direct flame searing up to 1,000°F when ambient temperatures drop. The 100% all natural wood pellets feed reliably across the documented range.