Nothing beats the flavor of wood-fired cooking, but getting the flame just right is a challenge. Fortunately, the best Traeger grills make even beginners look like seasoned pitmasters. "A Traeger grill is truly easy to use, taking away the most common problem when dealing with any other grill — having the knowledge of managing a flame," explains Stephen Chavez, Traeger owner and senior chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education.
After years of testing and countless barbecues and the best pellet smokers, we found the Traeger Woodridge Pro is the best because of its spacious cook surface, roomy pellet hopper, and moderate price. For more grill recommendations, check out our guides to the best BBQ smokers, best gas grills, and best grills.
Our top picks for the best Traeger grills
Best overall: Traeger Woodridge Pro — See at Amazon
Best upgrade: Traeger Timberline — See at Traeger
Best portable: Traeger Tailgater — See at Amazon
Best flattop: Traeger Flatrock — See at Amazon
Best overall
This Traeger model might sound like it's aimed at professionals, but it’s simple enough for anyone to operate. It can be controlled with the spin of a dial or remotely via a mobile app. Best of all, it has 970 square inches of cooking space, so big parties or intimate dinners are both possible.
- Spacious cooking area with two levels
- Sleek design with a practical exterior surface to prep food
- Value price compared to the competition
- WiFi connectivity for remote control and included meat probes to monitor temperatures
- No enclosed cabinet
The Ironwood XL is a worthy smoker and the previous top pick in this guide, but the new Woodridge Pro smoker matches or outdoes it in most ways, for around half the price.
The Woodridge Pro features 970 square inches of cooking area, including two racks, and is even lighter in weight and slightly smaller in physical size than the Ironwood XL. There are three Woodridge models to consider — the Woodridge, Woodridge Elite, and Woodridge Pro. The entry Woodridge model is best suited for infrequent cooks, and more dedicated smokers should look at the Woodridge Elite, but the Woodridge Pro is the Traeger smoker grill that most people should get, or at least consider first.
The all-new digital controller across the Woodridge line is responsive, making setting the temperature quick and easy on the grill. But if the simplified, blocky-looking screen isn't your style, the grill's integrated WiFi connectivity makes it easy to operate all the functions via a mobile app on your phone. This includes seeing food temperatures from the wired or wireless probes connected to it. I'm a big fan of the increased hopper capacity as well, which allows the grill to hold 24 pounds of pellets, two pounds more than the Traeger Ironwood XL.
Among other niceties, the Woodridge Pro has a super smoke mode, top temperature of 500 degrees, an all-inclusive ash and grease collection system, and a pellet sensor to display remaining fuel remotely in the app.
I've had hands-on time with multiple Traeger grills over the last several years, including all three of the Woodridge smokers, and the Pro model hits the sweet spot for price and features. It's a bummer that it doesn't have an enclosed cabinet, but it still remains a stunning value among the company's products and other competitors. —Tyler Hayes, contributor
Best upgrade
If you want hands-off barbecuing with immaculate Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, it doesn't get any better than the Traeger Timberline series.
- Strong WiFi connectivity
- Perfectly even cooking
- Great gasket and seal
- Induction side burner and storage
- Wish the steel was thicker for the price
- Accessorizing is expensive
The Traeger Timberline is the most sophisticated of the best Traeger grills, with more bells and whistles than any other model. It has three levels inside, so there's plenty of cooking space for multiple whole chickens, several racks of ribs, or even baking several pans of biscuits. The Timberline XL offers an additional 440 square inches of space with all of the same features.
The Timberline has a large hopper capacity of 22 pounds, meaning you won't have to refill pellets too often. We were impressed by the dual-wall, steel construction; it ensures you won't lose too much heat while cooking, which is essential for barbecue. This grill also has WiFi connectivity and connects to the Traeger app. Add in the wireless meat probes, and you can easily track temperatures while cooking different things simultaneously.
With the added side induction burner, we think of this grill as a plug-and-play outdoor kitchen. The cooktop is compatible with just about any pot or pan, so I was sautéing peppers and onions to pair while a tri-tip was smoking on the grill. I also love that I can use the induction burner to cook outdoors even if I'm not grilling that day.
Once you pull your food off the grill, you can use the magnetic cutting board on the side for convenient slicing. The grill also has two wood shelves and a bottom cabinet for storing all of your tools and accessories, along with rubs and sauces.
Read our full Traeger Timberline review to learn more.
Best portable
This Traeger has folding legs, two wheels, and a more compact body for smoking and grilling on the go.
- Pellet grilling in a compact, smaller size
- Folding legs with two wheels for mobility
- Porcelain coating makes grill grates easier to clean
- 8-pound pellet hopper capacity requires frequent refilling
Most Traeger models aren't exactly portable. They're designed and built for use in the backyard or on the deck, and that is where we primarily test them. For those who want smoked flavor on the go, the Tailgater grill is the best portable grill in the Traeger lineup. It has folding legs and two wheels to make moving around a bit easier.
This compact grill works just like the other top Traeger models, just on a smaller scale. Its hopper holds eight pounds of pellets, which will last for about four hours, depending on the heat setting. While portable, a power source is also necessary; this is not a camping smoker. If you want a grill to take truly off the grid, the Weber Smokey Joe is affordable and durable.
The Tailgater is one of the simplest in design. It has two handles for hanging barbecue tools, but any other storage solutions, such as a front or side shelf, are sold separately. The grill can be used at temperatures up to 450 degrees F and has a keep-warm mode so your food can hang out on the grill until you're ready to dig in. Because this isn't a model with all of Trager's upgraded features, it does need to be monitored more frequently while cooking. Cleaning also requires a bit more work since it doesn't have the built-in grease and ash keg.
Best flattop
With three individual burners, this carbon steel cooktop provides a spacious area for cooking and adding excellent flavor. It’s powered by propane and has two folding side tables for prep and storage.
- Three distinct cooking zones for precise control
- Fuel gauge to help keep an eye on propane tank levels
- Wind block design helps to keep heat in
- Folding shelves on each side
- Takes up a lot of space
While the Traeger Flatrock doesn't run on wood pellets, it deserves a spot on our list of the best Traeger grills. The Flatrock still delivers on flavor and has a spacious carbon steel cooking area. Other than fuel source, the grill is designed like the other Traeger models with a durable, powder-coated steel exterior. Powered by propane, the Flatrock has three high-powered U-shaped burners. Each burner has its own ignition and temperature control dial to maintain different cooking zones. With all three burners on high, the Flatrock cranks out impressive heat: 47,000 BTUs.
I really love being able to cook at different temperatures across the entire griddle. For an outdoor brunch, I cooked sausages at a high temperature on one side and fluffy pancakes at a lower heat on the other. Plus, I can set each burner on low and serve food right off the grill.
The Flatrock takes up a lot of space, especially with the large folding shelves on each side. However, those come in handy for easy prep and storage while cooking. There's a built-in hook to hang your propane tank and a gauge that gives a read-out on the front of the grill so you'll always know before you run out of fuel. The grill is equipped with Traeger's signature grease and ash keg cleaning system; the inevitable grease build-up on the flat cooktop can be scraped into the catch and dumped.
Other Traeger grills we tested
Traeger Pro 575: One of our all-time favorite pellet grills, the Pro 575 is just on the edge of our list because of its size and simplicity. It's an awesome grill and smoker, retaining heat even in a stiff breeze. We recommend this model for a moderately experienced griller who doesn't need bells and whistles and wants to conserve space.
Traeger Woodridge Elite: If you want the Timberline's features, but for under $2,000, the Woodridge Elite is the way to go. We tested the grill and, aside from minor design flaws, it performed just as well as smokers twice the price. You get WiFi connectivity, SuperSmoke, and a side burner on the Elite. It's a great grill, but probably more than most cooks need, which is why we recommend the Woodridge Elite as our top overall pick. Read our full Traeger Woodridge Elite review.
Traeger Ironwood and Ironwood XL: The XL was our previous top pick in this guide, but was recently unseated by the Woodridge Pro, which offers similar or better specs at about $900 less. With the new Woodridge line available, we don't think there's a strong reason to spend significantly more on an Ironwood.
What to look for in a Traeger grill
Size: If you're a frequent host, choose a grill with a slightly larger capacity than what you regularly need. Smaller households can get away with a compact model, while those who regularly entertain may want to go big. Also, look at the cooking surface area relative to the hopper capacity. The hopper should be big enough to minimize refills and keep temperatures consistent.
Insulation and heat retention: For reliable results, you need a grill that can reach and maintain consistent temperatures. Insulation is important here. The higher-end Traeger models generally feature superior sealing and double-wall insulation to dramatically improve performance regardless of the weather, a major plus for those who like to grill year-round.
Added features: Specialized smoking modes and WiFi connectivity might make cooking more convenient, but also increase the complexity and price. We think the extra features are worth the cost for a Traeger grill, especially for beginners who want a more hands-off grilling experience.
What's the difference between Traeger models?
With the exception of the Flatrock and Tailgater, which are specialty grills for specific scenarios (flat-top grilling and portability, respectively), Traeger has four main grill lines: Pro, Woodridge, Ironwood, and Timberline. The major difference between them comes down to price, size, and features. Here's a breakdown:
Pro: The Pro line is Traeger's smallest and least expensive option. Pro grills range between 575 to 780 square inches of cook space and start at around $389. You won't find the Pro line available on Traeger's website anymore, and all indications point to the Woodridge soon overtaking the Pro line as the brand's budget option.
Woodridge: Traeger's newest grill line. It is available in three models, ranging from 860 to 970 square inches and priced from $800 to $1,800. We think this is the line that will suit most people.
Ironwood: With the introduction of the new Woodridge line, it's unclear what benefits the Ironwood now offers for the price, other than slightly better insulation. The grills range from 616 to 934 square inches and are priced from $1,800 to $2,000.
Timberline: Trager's most premium grill line, priced from $3,800 to $4,300, with 880 to 1,320 square inches of grill space. You'll get tons of extra features for ultimate customization, including an induction cooktop.
Traeger grill FAQs
What size Traeger should I get?
Each Traeger series has multiple sizes in the lineup. The choice depends on how you plan to use your Traeger and how much space you have.
Chavez says, "You should also consider what you will be using it to cook most often [...] If you are intending to do larger items, then I would suggest something larger. If you are intending to cook mostly burgers, chicken, or veggies for a smaller family, then get the grill that fits your lifestyle."
In general, we find that folks rarely regret having more grill space, so we recommend going as large as your backyard will allow.
Can I cook different types of food on a Traeger grill?
Shawn Niles, former Masterchef contestant, loves the ability to smoke either hot or cold on his Traeger, from making pork loin to smoked bone marrow caramel. You can use your Traeger like an oven, cooking or baking at 350 to 450 degrees. At higher temperatures, less smoke will be infused into your food. Chavez says he has even used his Traeger as an oven for a long braise when making a pot of chili or soup, which provides great texture and an extra touch of smoky flavor.
How do you clean a Traeger grill?
Just like any other grill, Niles recommends cleaning your Traeger right after use. "Otherwise, you'll continue to have build-up from the smoke, and that will wear down your grill over time," he says. Any quality grill cleaner can be used on a Traeger, though the brand sells its own, which is biodegradable and cuts through grease without scrubbing.
Chavez also notes that the foil drip trays in the grease and ash keg are very helpful for keeping drippings away from the bottom of the grill. "Once the tray is really dirty, just toss it out and replace it with a new one. To clean out the ashes from the bottom, we use a shop vac, and this works really well," he says.
How long do Traeger grills last?
Traeger grills are constructed with a steel body that provides great heat retention and longevity. This powder-coated steel is specifically designed for outdoor use. With proper cleaning and care, a Traeger will last between five to ten years. The Ironwood and Timberline models come with a 10-year warranty, while the Traeger Flatrock comes with a five-year warranty.
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