Kamado vs Pellet Grill: Which Should You Buy (2026)
The Kamado Joe Big Joe III is the top pick with 450 square inches of cooking space across a 24 inch cooking surface diameter. The 225°F to 750°F heat range runs on charcoal lump fuel under a limited lifetime warranty. The 3-Tier Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System supports different temperatures across three tiers at once.
Side by side
| Model | Fuel | Capacity | Temp range | Standout spec |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Green Egg Medium | Charcoal kamado grill | 177 sq in | 200°F to 750°F | Limited Lifetime Warranty |
| Kamado Joe Big Joe III | Charcoal (lump) | 450 sq in | 225°F to 750°F | 3-Tier Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System |
| Traeger Pro 575 | Wood pellets | 575 sq in | 165°F to 500°F | WiFIRE connectivity via Traeger App |
| Pit Boss 700FB2 | 100% all-natural hardwood pellets | 747 sq in | 180° to 500°F | 1,000°F direct flame sear |
The picks
Kamado Joe Big Joe III
Largest kamado pick
The Kamado Joe Big Joe III delivers 450 square inches of cooking space across a 24 inch cooking surface diameter in a 51.6 W x 55.1 H inch premium 24-inch ceramic grill. The 225°F to 750°F heat range runs on charcoal lump fuel under a limited lifetime warranty. The 3-Tier Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System supports different temperatures across three tiers at once, and the 406.3 lb grill weight anchors the build.
450 sq in cooking space24 inch cooking surface diameter225°F to 750°F heat rangePremium 24-inch ceramic grillCharcoal (lump) fuel3-Tier Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking SystemLimited lifetime warranty
Big Green Egg Medium
Lightest kamado pick
The Big Green Egg Medium covers 177 square inches of cooking area across a 15 inch grid diameter in a 28.34 inch tall charcoal kamado grill. The 200°F to 750°F (93°C to 399°C) temperature range fits an 18 lb turkey, 6 burgers, 3 vertical chickens, or 4 steaks. The 114 lb weight is the lightest kamado in the roundup, under a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
177 sq in cooking area15 inch grid diameter200°F to 750°F temperature range18 lb turkey, 6 burgers, 3 vertical chickens, or 4 steaks capacity114 lbs weightLimited Lifetime Warranty
Traeger Pro 575
Best connected pellet pick
The Traeger Pro 575 covers 575 square inches of cooking space from an 18 lb pellet hopper with a 165°F to 500°F temperature range. The D2 Controller with TurboTemp holds precise temperatures, and WiFIRE connectivity via the Traeger App drives remote monitoring. The 124 lb total weight carries a 3-year warranty and runs on wood pellets.
575 sq in total cooking space18 lb pellet hopper capacity165°F to 500°F temperature rangeD2 Controller with TurboTempWiFIRE connectivity via Traeger App124 lbs total weight3-year warranty
Pit Boss 700FB2
Largest pellet cooking area pick
The Pit Boss 700FB2 covers 747 square inches of cooking space with a 21 lb hopper capacity and a 180° to 500°F range with 5°F increment settings. The dial-in digital control board with LCD screen drives 100% all-natural hardwood pellet fuel, and the Flame Broiler lever delivers direct flame searing up to 1,000°F. The 5-year warranty anchors the build.
747 sq in cooking space21 lb hopper capacity180° to 500°F temperature rangeFlame Broiler lever for 1,000°F direct flame searDial-in digital control board with LCD screen100% all-natural hardwood pellet fuel5-year warranty
FAQ
Is the Kamado Joe Big Joe III worth it?
The Kamado Joe Big Joe III delivers 450 square inches of cooking space across a 24 inch cooking surface diameter. The 225°F to 750°F heat range runs on charcoal lump fuel under a limited lifetime warranty. The 3-Tier Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System supports different temperatures across three tiers at once, in a 406.3 lb premium 24-inch ceramic grill.
Kamado Joe Big Joe III vs Traeger Pro 575: which is better?
The Kamado Joe Big Joe III covers 450 square inches of cooking space with a 225°F to 750°F heat range on charcoal lump fuel. The Traeger Pro 575 covers 575 square inches with a 165°F to 500°F range on wood pellets plus WiFIRE connectivity via the Traeger App. For higher temperature and ceramic heat retention the Kamado Joe Big Joe III wins; for app-driven pellet set-and-forget the Traeger Pro 575 wins.
What size kamado grill do I need?
The Big Green Egg Medium covers 177 square inches of cooking area with a 15 inch grid diameter, fitting an 18 lb turkey, 6 burgers, 3 vertical chickens, or 4 steaks. The Kamado Joe Big Joe III covers 450 square inches of cooking space across a 24 inch cooking surface diameter. On the pellet side, the Traeger Pro 575 covers 575 square inches and the Pit Boss 700FB2 covers 747 square inches.
How long does a kamado grill last?
The Kamado Joe Big Joe III carries a limited lifetime warranty and the Big Green Egg Medium carries a Limited Lifetime Warranty. The Pit Boss 700FB2 carries a 5-year warranty and the Traeger Pro 575 carries a 3-year warranty. The ceramic body of both kamados is the longest-warrantied build in the roundup.