8 BEST Pellet Grills Under $1000 of 2024 – Tried & Tested

For this amount of money, you can afford all of the top pellet grill names (Weber, Pit Boss, Traeger, Camp Chef, and Louisiana Grills are some of them) with ease.

You still need to be careful though, as some grills are a downright disaster and are nothing more than a seriously expensive heap of junk.

That’s why I did all of the homework for you and gathered the best of the best pellet grills under $1000. Your only job here is to choose the one that suits your needs and preferences the most.

What Is the Best Pellet Grill Under 1000?

• Best Vertical Smoker: PIT BOSS PBV3P1 Vertical Pellet Smoker
• Best Smoker: PIT BOSS Sportsman 820SP
• Best for the Money: Grilla Grills – Silverbac Alpha
• Best for Searing: Weber SmokeFire EX6 (2nd Gen)
• Best with WiFi: Broil King Crown 400
• Best Under $800: Cuisinart CPG-6000
• Best Under $700: Traeger Grills Pro Series 34
• Best High-End: Z GRILLS ZPG-1000E

Best Pellet Grills Under $1000 Reviews

Grilla Grills – Silverbac Alpha Model Bundle | Multi Purpose Smoker and BBQ Wood Pellet Grill with Dual Mode PID Controller

Now we’re cooking! Park this Cadillac in the backyard and turn it into a luxury restaurant.

Prepared to Rock

This grill packs some serious heat.

It comes with:

• Heavy-duty grill cover
• Four 20lb bags of premium pellets
• Additional rack

That would otherwise cost you an additional $165 ($60, $80, and $25 respectively*).

The cover is made from durable waterproof polyester and is backed up by a 1-year warranty.

The pellets are a competition blend, the most versatile type of pellets on the market. The bags consist of hickory, oak, and cherry.

The additional 1/4 inch (6 mm) stainless steel rack (official name is “Rack Extension”) increases the total cooking area by 185 square inches which is about 25%.

*Prices were taken from the official site at the time of writing.

A Cooking Behemoth

This gargantuan of a grill has a total cooking area of 692 square inches (877 once you install the rack extension).

The main cooking area is 507 square inches and measures 26 x 19.5 square inches.

Both the upper cooking area and the rack extension are 185 square inches large and measure 7 x 26.5 inches.

This should be more than enough for a party of 10 – 15 people.

Highly Versatile

The 180°F (82°C) to 500°F (260°C) temperate range allows slow-cooking, braising, baking, roasting, and BBQ-ing.

You can sear as well just don’t expect steakhouse sear marks. The max temperature is correct but there isn’t an official way to cook directly over the flame.

Energy-Efficient

The cooking chamber is double-wall insulated.

The seams are welded, powder-coated, and caulked.

All of this greatly increases heat retention which in turn decreases pellet consumption.

In layman’s terms, this means more cooking with fewer pellets.

Highly Customizable Controller

This is not a regular controller that lets you just set the temperature.

It’s packed with tons of useful functionality that turns your grill into a cooking marvel.

The most notable features are:

• PID and Pro modes
• Auger Trim adjustment
• Temp Tamer
• RTD offset adjustment
• Meat probe adjustment

The PID and Pro options are cooking modes, each made for a specific style of cooking.

The PID mode produces less smoke but controls the temperature with marksman-like precision while the Pro mode does the opposite.

The latter is ideal for low and slow cooking and the former is for baking and high-temperature cooking.

This is a life-saver when your guests are picky eaters.

Adjusting the auger trim doesn’t really come to mind for many grillers. It’s made specifically for those who really want to be in control of the entire cooking process or live in very hot/cold environments.

The Temp Tamer greatly stabilizes the temperature once you open the lid. Its operation is simple, yet genius: when you open the lid, the grill stops looking at the RTD temperature probe.

Offsetting the RTD sure comes useful when you want to use an aftermarket thermometer as this lets you synchronize the temperature reading between the grill’s control panel and your thermometer.

Meat Probe Offset adjustment is the same as above but for meat probes.

A Tough Nut to Crack

When it comes to durability, this is one tough soldier.

The whole thing is made from durable powder-coated heavy-duty 14-gauge stainless steel.

Additional Features That Make It the Best Choice

One meat probe is included.

The closed cabinet below the cooking chamber has more than enough space for everything you could possibly need.

The hopper holds an entire 20 lb bag of pellets.

Swapping and storing pellets has never been easier. There’s a trap door at the back of the hopper. Just open it and off the pellets go.

The assembly takes a while but it’s straightforward and simple.

What the Folks at Grilla Grills Won’t Tell You

This particular model doesn’t have WiFi capabilities.

Some grillers reported (this happened to me, also) that the seal that seals the hopper to the auger was dislodged. Check if the pellets in the hopper are starting to get moist.

The Best Bang for Your Grand

It performs like a charm every time, it’s virtually indestructible, as solid as a rock, and packs lots of features and adjustments. This one truly deserves the name Alpha.

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PIT BOSS PBV3P1 Vertical Pellet Smoker

Become the new boss in town and smoke out the competition with this vertical pellet smoker.

Spacious

Don’t be fooled by its narrow size.

Its 4-rack design makes it bigger than the Silverbak above in terms of cooking space.

In total, this smoker has 901 square inches.

More Than Ideal for Going Low and Slow

Its minimum temperature is lower than what you’d expect on most pellet grills: 150°F / 65°C.

This is not low enough for cold smoking but the food will be better infused with that delicious smokey flavor than using a regular pellet grill.

The maximum temperature this thing can reach is 450°F / 232°F.

Cold Weather? What’s That?

Even when there’s really cold outside, this baby won’t lose its sharpness.

Double-walled construction and blanket insulation allow you to smoke ribs, brisket, and anything else your heart desires even during wintertime.

Vast Hopper

This one has the largest hopper on the list: an astounding 40 lbs.

You’ll never run out of pellets mid-cookout here.

What You Should Be Aware Of

Being a vertical smoker, it has a lot of unused potential. You can’t really grill on it, and searing is more or less out of the question.

Like so many grills on the market, this one also suffers from poor quality control. Bent pieces, dents, scratches, faulty controllers, you name it. In my case, the door and hinges were bent beyond repair.

The Best Pellet Smoker Under $1000

If you really like your sausage smoked (pun intended), then this is your go-to choice. Its durability and insulation are unmatched in this price range.

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Weber 23510201 SmokeFire EX6 (2nd Gen) Wood Fired Pellet Grill

Already featured as the best pellet grill for searing under $1000, the SmokeFire EX6 is yet another one of Webers’ masterpieces.

Ideal for Searing

Try saying pellet grills are nothing more than glorified ovens after trying this one.

Having a maximum temperature of 600°F / 315°C and the option for direct-heat cooking, searing things like steaks and cooking burgers becomes not only possible but the sear marks really look like they were made in a steakhouse.

Get Maximum Heat With Maximum Flavor

It’s not a Weber if it doesn’t have Flavorizer bars.

This little beauty replaces the conventional diffuser plate pellet grills have.

In addition to making direct cooking possible, flavorizer bars distribute heat even more evenly and vaporize all drippings, juices, grease, oil, and marinades which then infuse the food.

Perfect Size for Large Gatherings

Its 1,008 square inches large 2-rack cooking area should be more than enough to feed a large group of people with ease.

The main rack at the bottom is 648 square inches large while the upper removable one is 360 square inches.

The large capacity hopper is the perfect size for an all-day BBQ party as the thing holds an entire 20 lb bag of pellets.

Low-Maintenance Cleaning System

The leftover ash and grease fal into their own separate containers which are located in a drawer under the grill.

No more disassembly and vacuuming.

Even when you’re full and tired after the cookout, you can still clean this grill with little to no effort.

Shiny and Durable

The exclusive porcelain enameled coating makes it look like it just came from a car wash where it was polished.

It also has other, more important functions:

• Protection from the harsh weather
• Improved heat retention
• Easier cleanup

The controller is just as tough. It features a weather-resistant LCD display.

Integrated Smart Grilling Technology

Just like the Silverbak, this one also comes with its own smart customizable controller with an added feature: it’s WiFi capable.

Dubbed Weber Connect, it turns your phone into the ultimate pellet grill remote control.

With it, you can:

• Change the temperature and smoke levels
• Shut the unit down
• Get notifications when to flip and to serve
• Receive step-by-step griling instructions

And more.

The app is available for both iOS (12.1 and later) and Android (7.0 and up).

The Inside Scoop

You’ll have to set aside some time to get acquainted with all of these features and settings.

The motor died on me during the third cookout and I don’t know why. I’m not the only one who had gotten this grill with a defective part. Be prepared for this and have the receipt nearby.

Weber Never Ceases to Amaze Me

This is a true workhorse, capable of transforming an ordinary backyard into a luxury restaurant and anyone using it into a professional pitmaster.

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Traeger Grills TFB88PZBO Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill and Smoker

If it’s the price you’re worried about, then don’t worry. Despite being cheaper than the others, it still does an amazing performance – even for this price range.

Spacious

This grill can easily accommodate up to:

• 8 whole chickens
• 7 rib racks
• 40 burgers

on its combined cooking area of 884 square inches.

You’ll do most of the cooking on its main rack which is 646 square inches large.

The grates are porcelain-coated for easier cleanup and better heat retention. This also makes them non-stick.

Advanced Grilling Logic

It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles newer models have but that still doesn’t stop the Pro 34 from delivering perfect results every time.

The controller is equipped with Traeger’s very own “Advanced grilling logic”, making it a true “set it and forget it” grill smoker.

Temperature control is extremely precise with very little fluctuation (+/- 15°F max).

Robust

Being heavy-duty and durable, it needs something to support this.

This is where the legs come in.

Just look at them. Even from a distance, they look like the arms of Atlas who was holding the heavens upon his shoulders.

Even the wheels are tough-looking. They’re rugged and solid, making the transportation of this beast a breeze.

Other Features

Included are 2 meat probes. With them, you can easily monitor the internal temperature without having to lift the lid.

The hopper holds 18 lbs of pellets. This translates to 15 – 18 hours of low and slow cooking.

Expect a Little More Maintenance

It’s not as easy to clean as the Weber.

In order to fully clean it, you need to remove the grates and diffuser plate and vacuum out the ash.

Doesn’t Put a Lot of Heat to the Meat

Like many pellet grills, this one also struggles with cooking at high heat.

Officially it reaches 450°F / 232°C but I never managed to get it past 425°F / 218°C. It also takes some time to reach this temperature, about 20 minutes.

With a little patience and practice, you’ll still be able to get a good sear on that steak or burger. Just don’t expect any miracles.

An Impressive Grill for an Impressive Price

It doesn’t have the fancy programs that the newer grills have nor can’t you connect your phone to it but it’s still a heck of a grill smoker combo and it’s made to withstand the test of time.

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PIT BOSS 10537 PB0820SP Sportsman 820SP Wood Pellet Grill

After tasting ribs from this grill, you’ll find out that smoking is, in fact, really cool.

The Lord of the Rings

When slow-cooking ribs, I noticed beautiful smoke rings and for a second I had doubts about eating the ribs.

Can Feed a Crowd

The grill boasts a large cooking area of 849 square inches.

It features a 2-rack design with cast iron porcelain-enamel grates.

The main rack has 593 square inches and the top one has 256 square inches.

Not Just for Smoking

When you want to sear, many pellet grills aren’t up for the job.

As luck would have it, this one is.

What makes it excel at searing is not the max temperature of 500°F / 260°F but the Flame Broiler.

The Flame Broiler is a slide arm that opens the diffuser plate, making direct heat cooking possible.

This is analogous to Camp Chef’s Slide & Grill technology.

Simple and Fast Assembly

Despite tight packaging, tons of bits, pieces, and packing foam, the whole assembly from unboxing to finish took me an hour and a half.

All of the parts fit like a glove and the manual was easy to follow (like I needed it)

It would have been less if I didn’t take a coffee break. It wasn’t hard work, I just wanted a fresh cup of joe.

Made for Punishment

The whole grill is durable and sturdy.

It’s made from heavy-duty heavy-gauge steel and coated with heat-resistant powder.

It even feels sturdy during transport. No rattling whatsoever.

Interesting Hopper Design

The 21 lb-capacity hopper has a window that allows you to see how many pellets are left.

Simple yet genius.

It features a safety grate that prevents people from pushing pellets into the auger and potentially hurting themselves.

This grate is easily removable for fast and easy pellet swapping and cleanup.

It doesn’t stop here. Pit Boss even attached a bottle opener to it.

Plenty of Prep Space

The cooking area isn’t the only thing that’s spacious.

There’s a spice rack on the hopper, a collapsable front shelf, a solid bottom shelf, and a side shelf.

What I really like about the side shelf is that it has 3 utensil hooks.

The Things I Don’t Like

Here are the issues I noticed.

After unboxing, I saw a few scratches on the legs and a minor dent on the lid. Nothing special. But after reading the reviews, I considered myself lucky as some grillers had it worse.

I’m not saying yours will arrive damaged ar your front step, too, but to be on the lookout for such things.

The searing surface isn’t that particularly big. It has space for 1 steak or 2-3 burgers.

Become the Boss With the Pit Boss

It’s a thing of beauty. I am using it for about half a year now and it does just as a fantastic job as it did the first time I fired it up. 10/10 would buy again.

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Z GRILLS ZPG-1000E 2020 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker

The ZPG-1000E is a cooking giant that packs quite a punch while retaining its low affordable price tag.

A Gargantuan

Out of all the grills on this list, this one has the largest cooking area: a whopping 1,056 square inches.

On a huge surface such as this, you can easily fit:

• 43 burgers
• 9 racs of ribs
• 7 while chickens

It also features 3 racks instead of the regular 2. This is why the grill has a taller cooking chamber.

The sizes are:

• Main: 428 square inches
• Middle: 374 square inches
• Top: 254 square inches

Comes With a Cover

It’s very considerate of Z GRILLS to include a grill cover.

Although it’s resistant to rust, I still recommend you use it as much as you can. This is because moisture can still penetrate the grill, wreaking havoc on the electronics and the leftover pellets.

Simplicity Is Beauty

I really love how simple is it to operate it. It’s so easy, a chimp could do it.

No special gadgets, bells, whistles, or frills. No programs. No settings.

You just load up the pellets and set the temperature. The other things are left to the grill.

This is why I recommend this grill to everyone starting out with pellet grills.

You can’t connect your phone to it, though.

Storage Cabinet

Like the Silverbak and the CPG-6000, this one also features a storage cabinet instead of a regular bottom shelf.

The enclosed space is ideal for places with lots of bugs, among other things.

No Vacuuming Here

Instead of taking apart the grill to vacuum the ash, you just go to the back of the grill and pull out the ashtray.

Less Filling, More Smoking

The 20 lb pellet hopper, combined with the uniquely designed and effective firebox ensures hours and hours (up to 33 when cooking low and slow) of uninterrupted cooking.

It burns through fewer pellets than other pellet grills of the same caliber.

Durable, to Say the Least

The grill, lid included, is made of heavy-duty thick polished stainless steel that’s resistant to rust.

Additional Features That Need to Be Mentioned

The hopper lid is much bigger than I expected. It’s big enough for a cutting board to cut and prepare meat.

Move the grill around with ease. It has 4 caster wheels. No more lifting and bad backs.

Assembly took a bit more time but it went smoothly all the way.

The side shelf features 3 utensil hooks.

It’s More of a Smoker Than a Grill

Expecting to sear steaks with this one? Save yourself the disappointment.

This grill’s highest temperature is 450°F / 232°C which is low and there is no option for direct-heat cooking.

Not Ideal for Winter Time

Despite its thick construction, it doesn’t hold heat that well in the freezing cold.

If you really want smoked ribs during the harsh winter, get yourself a thermal blanket (and one for the grill, too).

Turn Every Meal Into a Work of Art

With a competitive price tag, simplistic design, durability, and efficiency, I don’t see a reason why not to consider it.

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Cuisinart CPG-6000 Deluxe Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker (Bonus Cover Included)

The folks at Cuisinart made a name for themselves yet again with this Cadillac of a grill.

Cooking Capacity

The total cooking surface of 700 square inches (513 square inches main rack + 187 square inches warming rack) isn’t that big compared to other models on this list but it’s still spacious on its own.

I managed to place 33 burgers on it.

Cook up to 20 Hours Without Refueling

The hopper holds 20 lbs of pellets (a whole bag in most cases) which roughly translates to 20 hours of uninterrupted cooking time when cooking low and slow or 6.5 hours when grilling at maximum temperature (450°F / 232°C).

Cover Included

Unlike many manufacturers that charge you extra for a grill cover (which is about $50), Cuisinart gives you it free of charge.

Now that’s saying something!

Minimalistic Yet Spacious Design

Some grills have side shelves, bottom shelves, and more shelves. This makes them bulky and kitschy.

The only shelf here is the hopper’s lid and the rest of the prep space is nicely hidden in the cabinet under the cooking chamber.

User-Friendly

The controls couldn’t be simpler.

Turn on the grill and set the temperature. That’s it.

Easy to Move Around

Having wheels on all 4 sides and a sturdy handle, moving it from place to place is easy and hassle-free.

What Needs Improvement

They should put more effort into quality control at the factory. I was missing the handle of the left cabinet door and a wheel. Also, the hopper lid was somewhat dented.

Don’t expect steakhouse sear-marks. The inability to cook directly over the flame and the low maximum temperature of 450°F / 232°C isn’t a good combination for this.

Great Grill, Wonderful Food

This is an all-around great-performing pellet grill that’s easy to use, has plenty of space, and isn’t that terribly expensive.

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Broil King 493051 Crown 400 Pellet Grill

This baby is cute and small but packs quite a punch, making it perfect for small spaces like balconies, decks, and patios.

Small Yet Spacious

It doesn’t look much when you look at it, but in reality, it’s capable of feeding a whole family with its total cooking area of 640 square inches.

The main grate is 450 square inches large and the warming rack is 190 square inches.

The grates are made from heavy-duty cast iron.

Interesting Grate Design

Each side has its own look and function.

One side is made for creating steakhouse sear marks and the other for maximum smoke infusion.

Cook From the Comfort of Your Own Couch

The controller of this grill is both WiFi and Bluetooth capable, meaning you can monitor and control it with your phone while watching a ball game, searching for recipes, or knocking a cold one on the couch.

Some grillers complained about connectivity issues but I never experienced them myself. They either had faulty equipment or were doing something wrong.

Smart-Touch Digital Controller

The control panel reminds me of a blender or rice cooker.

It comes with 3 pre-set programs:

• Smoke
• Roast
• Grill

The display is tilted and back-lit for easier readings, even when it’s very bright or dark outside.

There’s room for 2 meat probes (they are included with the package).

Made for Searing

Cast iron is a much better choice than stainless steel when it comes to searing. It retains heat much better.

Also, as previously mentioned, one side of the grates is designed for achieving perfect steakhouse sear marks.

But what makes it even better for this job is its maximum temperature of 600°F / 315°C.

Convenient Ash Management System

With a simple pull of a lever, the leftover ash falls into an at tray which you can lift out. No more dismantling the grill and vacuuming.

No More Spilled Grease

A few times I bumped into the grease bucket only to spill the contents on the floor and myself. What a great time that was!

This can’t happen here as the grease drips into a tray that’s hidden inside the grill.

You can even place tray liners in there for easier disposal and cleanup.

Assembly Is Child’s Play

Putting the grill together was a breeze. Everything went smoothly.

It’s a good thing I watched this assembly video as this made the process much faster.

These Issues Are Included With the Package

Nothing is perfect and the Broil King is no exception.

What really ticks me off is the inaccurate temperature reading. The controller sometimes displays temperatures up to 25°F / 4°C higher. In a few cases, it was off by as much as 50°F / 10°C.

Take your time once you start it. It takes about 20 minutes to reach 350°F / 177°C and almost an hour to get to 600°F / 315°C. Not cool.

A Quality Made Grill With Functionality to Match

This compact but competitive grill will make short work of anything you place in it (be it slow-cooked ribs or thick steaks) with mouth-watering results.

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The Kings of Grills

Getting a pellet grill is easy. Getting a decent and reliable one, that’s another story.

When there are big bucks at play (especially such large sums of money like a grand) the risk is even bigger.

These reviews of the best pellet grills under $1000 go into depth so you’ll exactly know what you’re getting.

Read them in detail to fully understand their specs, features, where they excel, and where do they not.

This way, your only worry will be cooking the food itself.