Traeger vs Pit Boss: Which Pellet Grill Is Actually Worth Buying?
Traeger invented the pellet grill category. Pit Boss disrupted it with significantly lower prices and more cooking space per dollar. Both make genuinely good grills — but they're optimized for different things, and buying the wrong one is an expensive mistake.
Here's the honest comparison.
Price: Pit Boss Wins Clearly
The Pit Boss 700FB offers 700 square inches of cooking area for around $400. The comparable Traeger Pro 575 has 575 square inches for around $700. That's a $300 gap for less cooking space.
At the higher end, the Pit Boss Sportsman 1250 (~$700) gives you a massive cooking surface for what the mid-range Traeger costs. On raw value — cooking area per dollar — Pit Boss wins every time.
Edge: Pit Boss
Temperature Control and Consistency: Traeger Wins
This is where Traeger earns its premium. The temperature control system on Traeger grills holds tighter tolerances — typically within ±15°F of the set temperature. Pit Boss models fluctuate more, often ±25°F or more on cheaper models.
For most cooks, a 25°F swing doesn't matter much. For long smokes where you're holding 225°F for eight hours, consistency matters more. Traeger's PID controller (on Ironwood and Timberline models) is genuinely more precise.
Edge: Traeger
Searing Capability: Pit Boss Wins
Standard pellet grills — Traeger included — struggle to get hot enough for a proper sear on steaks. Most max out at 500°F, which gives a decent crust but not the intense browning a gas or charcoal grill achieves.
Many Pit Boss models include a slide-and-grill feature — a sliding plate over the firebox that exposes an open flame. Open that up and you're searing at 700°F+, which is a legitimate sear. If you want one grill that can smoke a brisket and properly sear a ribeye, Pit Boss has a genuine advantage here.
Traeger's solution is separate sear stations or finishing steaks inside, which adds steps.
Edge: Pit Boss
App and Technology: Traeger Wins
Traeger's WiFIRE app (included on most current models) lets you monitor and control your cook from your phone — adjust temperature, set timers, and get alerts when the meat hits target temp. The app is genuinely well-designed and works reliably.
Most entry and mid-level Pit Boss models don't have WiFi connectivity. Their premium Navigator and Platinum models do, but the app experience isn't as polished as Traeger's.
If you want to monitor a 12-hour brisket cook without sitting outside all day, Traeger's connectivity is a real advantage.
Edge: Traeger
Build Quality and Longevity: Traeger Wins
Traeger uses thicker steel and has tighter quality control than Pit Boss. Over years of heavy use, the difference shows up in how well the grill holds temperature (thicker walls = better insulation), how well the finish holds up, and how often parts need replacement.
Pit Boss grills are well-built for the price, but they're not in the same class as Traeger's premium steel construction.
Edge: Traeger
Cooking Area: Pit Boss Wins
If you regularly cook for large groups or want to run multiple proteins simultaneously, Pit Boss gives you more space per dollar than any Traeger in the same price range. The Pit Boss Sportsman 1250 at $700 has significantly more cooking area than the Traeger Ironwood 885 at $1,200.
Edge: Pit Boss
Who Should Buy Traeger?
- You want the most reliable, consistent temperature control
- WiFi monitoring and a well-designed app matter to you
- You do a lot of low-and-slow smoking where temperature precision counts
- Budget is flexible and you want something that lasts a decade without drama
Who Should Buy Pit Boss?
- You want maximum cooking area for the money
- You want to sear steaks at high heat on the same grill you smoke on
- You're new to pellet grills and don't want to spend $700+ to experiment
- Budget is the primary constraint
The Verdict
For most people new to pellet grilling: Pit Boss. The value is undeniable, and the open flame feature gives you more versatility than entry-level Traegers.
For serious, frequent users: Traeger Ironwood or Timberline. The temperature precision, build quality, and app ecosystem justify the premium for heavy use over many years.
Also considering other options? Read our best pellet grills for beginners guide, or see is buying a grill worth it in 2026 for the full cost breakdown.
About the Author
Derek Hollis has spent the last 12 years testing grills, smokers, and outdoor cooking gear for a living — first as a backyard hobbyist who couldn't stop buying grills, then as a full-time product reviewer. He's fired up and broken down more than 150 grills across every price range. When he's not testing gear, he's hosting backyard cookouts for friends and family in Austin, Texas.
