Traeger invented the pellet grill, and Pit Boss made it affordable. Between them they fill most of the pellet grill aisle at any big-box store, and the choice usually comes down to one question: is a Traeger worth more than a Pit Boss of about the same size? Both burn the same kind of hardwood pellets, both are set and left with a dial, and both will smoke a pork shoulder for barbacoa-style tacos while you do something else.
This guide compares the two brands on how they cook, controllers and apps, direct-flame searing, build, warranty and safety, using a named head-to-head review and what each maker states. Then it says who should buy which, with two Traeger picks and one Pit Boss.
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Quick verdict: Traeger or Pit Boss?
For most backyard cooks watching the budget, Pit Boss gives more grill for the money: more cooking space, and on many models a flame broiler for direct searing. Choose Traeger if you value a more precise controller, a better app and a longer warranty on its full-size grills, or if you want a well-made portable pellet grill. SmokedBBQSource, comparing two similar full-size grills, put it simply: Pit Boss gives “more bang for your buck,” while the Traeger has the better controller, app and build quality.
The table compares the two full-size grills SmokedBBQSource reviewed head to head, plus what the makers state.
Traeger vs Pit Boss, side by side
| Traeger (Woodridge, per review) | Pit Boss (Sportsman 850, per review) | |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Traeger, first pellet grill in 1985 | Dansons, founded 1999 |
| Temperature range | 180 to 500°F | 180 to 500°F |
| Controller steps | 5°F, PID, WiFi | 25°F or 50°F steps |
| Direct-flame searing | Not built in; sear grate sold separately | Slide-plate flame broiler |
| Hopper | 24 lb | 21 lb |
| Cooking area | 860 sq in | 849 sq in |
| Body | 16-gauge steel | Heavy-gauge steel; 1.5 mm lid |
| Warranty | Limited 10 years | 5 years (review); 3 years on the Carbon Series listing |
| Cost class | Higher | Lower |
How they cook: the same idea, different control
Both brands work the same way. Traeger explains it plainly: an auger moves wood pellets from the hopper to a fire pot, a hot rod lights them, a fan circulates heat and smoke, and a controller holds the temperature you set. A drip tray keeps flames off the food and prevents flare-ups. That is why pellet grills are so easy to use, and why their smoke flavor is milder than an offset smoker’s. Our pellet grill vs smoker guide covers that difference.
The difference between the brands is in the controller. SmokedBBQSource found the Traeger Woodridge’s PID controller adjusts in 5°F steps and works with Traeger’s app over WiFi, which it praised. The Pit Boss Sportsman 850 it reviewed used a digital dial that moves in 25°F or 50°F steps. Pit Boss has added WiFi on later models, but SmokedBBQSource says its app “isn’t one of our favorites.” Newer Pit Boss models close the gap: Pit Boss’s own page for its Navigator 850 describes digital control in 5°F increments. For a long cook, finer control and a phone alert matter more than they sound.
Searing: Pit Boss’s flame broiler
A pellet grill’s weak point is a hard sear, because the drip tray sits between the fire and the food. Many Pit Boss grills answer that with a flame broiler: a sliding plate that opens to expose the fire pot under part of the grate. SmokedBBQSource counts it as a real advantage. On its Navigator 850, Pit Boss calls this the Flame Broiler Lever and says it allows direct-flame searing up to 1,000°F. Traeger’s Woodridge has no built-in equivalent, and Traeger sells a sear grate as an add-on. “You definitely can’t beat actual flame for flavor,” the reviewer wrote.
Not every Pit Boss has one. The Pit Boss 500 Carbon Series below does not mention a flame broiler on its listing, so check the model name before you count on it. If carne asada with real char is the main job, look for a Pit Boss with “Flame Broiler” in the name, or keep a hot charcoal or gas grill for searing.
Build and capacity
SmokedBBQSource gave Traeger the edge in build quality, describing a 16-gauge steel body on the Woodridge. It said the Pit Boss uses heavy-gauge steel for the body, legs and heat shield, with a 1.5 mm lid, and comes with more shelves and prep space for the money. Cooking area was close in that pairing, 860 square inches for the Traeger and 849 for the Pit Boss.
Hoppers matter on overnight cooks. The Woodridge holds 24 pounds and the Sportsman 21, according to the review. The smaller grills below hold much less: 8 pounds on the Traeger Tailgater and 13.5 on the Pit Boss 500 Carbon, according to their listings. Buy a big bag of pellets either way; our best smoker pellets guide helps you choose a wood.
Warranty
On paper, Traeger leads on its full-size grills. SmokedBBQSource lists a limited 10-year warranty on the Woodridge against 5 years on the Pit Boss Sportsman. Smaller models are different: Traeger’s Tailgater listing states a 3-year manufacturer warranty, and the Pit Boss 500 Carbon listing also states 3 years. Traeger’s own page refers to the “Traeger Pledge & Warranty” without giving terms, so check the warranty for the exact model you buy.
Safety and recalls
We read both of Traeger’s recall notices on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission site. In September 2018, recall 18-230 covered about 16,100 Scout and Ranger portable pellet grills sold from March through July 2018, because grease could leak from the drip tray and pose a fire hazard. Traeger offered a free replacement grill. The Ranger is one of our picks below. That recall covered grills sold in 2018, but if you own an older Ranger or Scout, check with Traeger. In December 2023, recall 24-061 covered about 37,000 Traeger Flatrock flat top propane grills with mislabeled burner knobs, not pellet grills.
We searched the CPSC recall database for Pit Boss and its parent company, Dansons, and found no recall. Our kitchen sense, not a sourced claim: any pellet grill sheds grease into a bucket or tray, so empty and clean it often, because built-up grease is what catches fire.
Which cook each brand suits
Choose Traeger if…
- You want precise temperature control and a polished app.
- You value a longer warranty on a full-size grill.
- You want a proven portable pellet grill for tailgates and camping.
- You don’t mind paying more for build quality.
Choose Pit Boss if…
- You want the most cooking space for your money.
- You want direct-flame searing built in (check for a flame broiler).
- Coarser temperature steps don’t bother you.
- You are buying your first pellet grill and want to keep the cost down.
Our picks for the Traeger vs Pit Boss decision
Two Traeger picks and one Pit Boss, each in stock with a new lead offer from Amazon.com when we checked. None of these exact listings appears on our other pages. Traeger’s full-size Pro 22, Woodridge and Ironwood are already in our best pellet grill guide, so the Traeger picks here are its two portable grills. Neither listing names a US electrical safety certification.
1. Traeger Tailgater Portable Wood Pellet Grill – Folding Legs, 300 Square Inches
Traeger’s portable grill on folding legs. The listing gives model TFB30KLF, 300 square inches of cooking space, a Digital Arc Controller that holds within 15°F of the set point across a 180 to 450°F range, an 8-pound hopper and porcelain-coated grates. It runs on a 120-volt AC outlet and weighs 60 pounds. Traeger says it fits 12 burgers, three racks of ribs or two whole chickens.
It is a real smoker in a small package, and it suits a patio as well as a tailgate. The limits are the size and the 450°F top end, which is lower than the 500°F of full-size grills. It needs power, so plan for an outlet or a generator at a campsite.
Why we like it
- Folding legs for transport
- Holds within 15°F (listing)
- Six cooking modes, smoke to sear
- 3-year warranty (listing)
Key specifications
| Model | TFB30KLF |
|---|---|
| Cooking area | 300 sq in |
| Temperature | 180 to 450°F |
| Hopper | 8 lb |
| Power | 120V AC |
| Weight | 60 lb (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small household or a tailgater who wants Traeger’s controller in a grill that folds into a car.
Skip it if you cook for a crowd; the Pit Boss 500 Carbon below has nearly twice the space.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Portable, full pellet grill
- Steady temperature control
- Sold by Amazon.com
Cons
- 450°F top temperature
- Small hopper
- Needs an outlet
2. Traeger Ranger Tabletop Wood Pellet Grill – Cast Iron Griddle Included
Traeger’s tabletop grill. The listing gives model TFT18KLD, a Digital Arc Controller, porcelain-coated grates plus a separate cast iron griddle, a built-in meat probe and a Keep Warm mode. It lists a weight of 54 pounds. The griddle is what sets it apart: it lets you crisp tortillas, sear fajitas or fry eggs while the rest of the grill smokes.
The listing does not state the cooking area or temperature range, so compare it in a store if size matters. As noted above, the Ranger was part of the 2018 recall of grills sold from March through July 2018. The notice names grills sold in that window; if you are buying used or own an older Ranger, check it with Traeger.
Why we like it
- Cast iron griddle included
- Meat probe and Keep Warm mode
- Tabletop, fits a truck bed or balcony
- Sold by Amazon.com
Key specifications
| Model | TFT18KLD |
|---|---|
| Controller | Digital Arc |
| Included | Cast iron griddle, meat probe |
| Cooking area | Not stated |
| Temperature range | Not stated |
| Weight | 54 lb (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook with a small space, or one who travels, who wants smoke and a griddle in one grill.
Skip it if you want stated capacity figures before buying; the Tailgater’s listing gives them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Griddle for tortillas and fajitas
- Compact tabletop design
- Meat probe built in
Cons
- Cooking area not stated
- Model line had a 2018 recall
- Small for groups
3. Pit Boss 500 Carbon Series Wood Pellet Grill – 543 Square Inches and a Meat Probe
A full-size Pit Boss for the backyard. The listing gives model 11138, 543.3 square inches of cooking surface, a 180 to 500°F range, a 13.5-pound hopper with a cleanout, porcelain-coated steel grates, automatic start-up and cool-down cycles, an included meat probe, and a bucket grease system. It weighs 89 pounds and carries a 3-year warranty.
It is the Pit Boss case in one grill: plenty of space and a 500°F top end at a lower cost than a Traeger of similar size. The listing does not mention a flame broiler or WiFi, so expect to sear on the grates and set the temperature at the grill. For a family that smokes a brisket or a pork shoulder on weekends and grills burgers on weeknights, that is enough.
Why we like it
- 543.3 sq in of cooking space
- Up to 500°F
- Meat probe included
- Sold by Amazon.com
Key specifications
| Model | 11138 |
|---|---|
| Cooking area | 543.3 sq in |
| Temperature | 180 to 500°F |
| Hopper | 13.5 lb |
| Weight | 89 lb (listing) |
| Warranty | 3 years (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a first-time pellet grill buyer who wants a full-size backyard grill and the most space for the money.
Skip it if you want direct-flame searing or app control; look for a Pit Boss with a flame broiler, or a WiFi Traeger, in our best pellet grill guide.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lots of space for the money
- 500°F top temperature
- Easy grease cleanup
Cons
- No flame broiler stated
- No WiFi stated
- Shorter warranty than Traeger’s full-size grills
Traeger and Pit Boss questions, answered
Is Traeger better than Pit Boss?
Traeger has the better controller, app and, by SmokedBBQSource’s judgment, build quality, plus a longer warranty on full-size grills. Pit Boss gives more space and often a flame broiler for less. For most budget-minded buyers, Pit Boss is the better value.
Can a Pit Boss sear steak?
Models with a flame broiler can, by sliding open a plate over the fire pot. Check that the model you buy has one; the 500 Carbon Series listing does not mention it.
Who makes Pit Boss?
Dansons, a company founded in 1999, according to SmokedBBQSource.
Were Traeger grills recalled?
Yes, two recalls on cpsc.gov: Scout and Ranger portable pellet grills sold from March through July 2018, for grease leaking from the drip tray, and Flatrock flat top propane grills in December 2023, for mislabeled knobs. We found no Pit Boss recall in the CPSC database.
Do I need special pellets for either brand?
Both burn standard hardwood pellets. As general kitchen sense rather than a maker claim: buy food-grade pellets and store them sealed and dry, because damp pellets swell and can jam an auger.
The pellet grill we would fire up first
For most backyards, a Pit Boss gives more grill for the money, and the 500 Carbon is a sensible first pellet grill. Spend more on a Traeger for finer control, a better app and a longer warranty, or choose the Tailgater if you want a pellet grill that travels. For the full range, see our best pellet grill guide, and for the extras, our best Traeger grill accessories and best pellet grill accessories guides. And when you would rather we did the smoking, see the menu or call to order.