Traeger vs. Pit Boss: Which Pellet Grill Should You Buy?

This is the argument I've had with friends more times than I can count. Traeger loyalists insist the premium is worth it. Pit Boss owners can't believe anyone spends twice the money for a grill that does the same basic thing. Both sides have a point. I decided to settle it.

For 3 months I cooked on a Traeger Ironwood 885 and a Pit Boss 1150 Pro Series simultaneously. Same pellets — Traeger Signature Blend, nothing fancy. Same recipes. Same weather. I smoked briskets, ribs, pork shoulders, and chicken. I used both apps, measured temperature variance with external probes, and weighed pellet consumption on identical cooks.

The results surprised me in some ways and confirmed what I already suspected in others. Here's the honest breakdown.

How We Tested

Both grills were purchased at retail price and tested simultaneously over 3 months. We completed 20+ cooking sessions per grill including brisket, ribs, pork shoulder, chicken, burgers, and pizza.
Temperature was logged every 5 minutes using independent dual-probe thermometers. Smoke ring depth was measured and photographed. Pellet consumption was weighed and recorded.
App functionality was tested for reliability, ease of use, and feature completeness. Build quality was evaluated after exposure to rain, humidity, and temperature swings.

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BBQSource Testing Methodology

Every product purchased at retail price — no free samples
Minimum 10 cooking sessions per product over 4–8 weeks
Temperature logged every 15 minutes with calibrated probes
Real weather conditions: wind, rain, cold mornings included
Results validated against verified buyer reviews

Learn more about our testing process

The Picks

1Top Pick

9.2/ 10

Traeger Ironwood 885

Better app, better insulation, Super Smoke mode, and the most refined pellet grill experience money can buy.

Tech Lovers & Serious BBQ Enthusiasts

$1,199 – $1,399

Cooking Area

885 sq in

Temp Range

165°F – 500°F

WiFi

Yes (WiFIRE)

Super Smoke

Yes

Hopper

20 lbs

WiFIRE app is the best in the business — reliable, intuitive, and feature-rich
Super Smoke mode delivers noticeably deeper smoke flavor than Pit Boss
Double-wall insulation holds temps steady in cold weather

Check Price on Amazon Full Review

2Best Value

8.9/ 10

Pit Boss 1150 Pro Series

More cooking area, direct-flame searing, and 80% of Traeger's performance at 60% of the price.

Budget-Conscious Buyers & Large Families

$699 – $799

Cooking Area

1,150 sq in

Temp Range

180°F – 500°F

WiFi

Bluetooth only

Flame Broiler

Yes

Hopper

31 lbs

30% more cooking area than the Traeger at $500 less
Flame broiler allows direct-flame searing — something Traeger lacks
31-lb hopper handles overnight cooks without refilling

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At a Glance

Feature	Traeger Ironwood 885	Pit Boss 1150	Cooking Area	WiFi/App	Direct Sear	Warranty
Traeger Ironwood 885	9.2 / 10	$1,199 – $1,399	885 sq in	Yes (WiFIRE)	—	—
Pit Boss 1150 Pro Series	8.9 / 10	$699 – $799	1,150 sq in	Bluetooth only	—	—

Buying Guide

The Traeger Ironwood wins on smoke flavor, but not by as much as you'd expect. The Super Smoke mode genuinely produces a deeper, more pronounced smoke ring on brisket and pork shoulder. But the Pit Boss still delivers solid wood-fired flavor — it's just milder. If smoke intensity is your top priority, Traeger wins. If 'good enough' smoke flavor is acceptable, the Pit Boss performs admirably.

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Still Deciding?

Both grills were tested side-by-side through real cooking sessions — not just spec-sheet comparisons. Click through to our individual reviews for detailed temperature logs, smoke ring photos, and honest assessments of each grill's strengths and weaknesses.

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