Comparisons
Pellet Grill vs Pellet Smoker: What Is the Difference?
The terms are used interchangeably by every manufacturer, which is why the question keeps getting asked. Here is the honest answer in one paragraph.
By Mike M. · Last updated November 6, 2026 · How we pick
Grill or Smoker?
Pit Boss 850 Navigator Series
Pit Boss · score 9.6/10 · Most backyards — the default pick
The most cooking space per dollar of any WiFi pellet grill we track, and the one we point most buyers at first.
Also direct from Pit Boss — $799.99 (list price as of 2026-11-07)
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Quick picks
Ranked by our value-weighted score. Prices are live from Amazon as of November 7, 2026 — tap a price to check it now, or tap a row to jump to the full write-up.
| # | Product | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pit Boss 850 Navigator SeriesThe most cooking space per dollar of any WiFi pellet grill we track, and the one we point most buyers at first. | Most backyards — the default pick | 9.69.6 out of 10 | $799.99Amazon |
| 2 |  Pit Boss Navigator 3-Series VerticalA 50 lb hopper and five racks for mid-$600s — if you mostly smoke rather than grill, this beats any barrel grill at the price. | Pure smoking — ribs, jerky, sausage, big batches | 9.79.7 out of 10 | $649.99Amazon |
#ad We earn a commission on Amazon purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes the ranking — here is the method.
What is the difference between a pellet grill and a pellet smoker?
In most cases, nothing. Manufacturers use both names for the same machine — Pit Boss and Z Grills both say “grill & smoker” on the same product. Where a real difference exists it is format: a barrel reaches 450-500°F and can grill, while a vertical cabinet tops out around 420°F but drops lower, holds more racks and carries a far bigger hopper.
Why the confusion exists
Look at the actual product names on the listings we track. Pit Boss sells the “850 Navigator Series Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker”. Z Grills sells the “600D2 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker”. Traeger sells the “Pro 780 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker”.
All three brands use both words for the same product, because the machine genuinely does both jobs. Searching for “pellet smoker” and “pellet grill” returns largely the same grills, and that is not a search engine failure — it reflects the market.
The one real distinction: barrel vs cabinet
| Barrel (sold as 'grill & smoker') | Vertical cabinet (sold as 'smoker') | |
|---|---|---|
| Example | Pit Boss Navigator 850 | Pit Boss Navigator 3-Series |
| Maximum temperature | 500°F | 420°F |
| Minimum temperature | 180°F | 130°F |
| Can it grill? | Yes — and sear, with a Flame Broiler | No |
| Cooking surface | Two tiers of grates | Five flat racks |
| Hopper | 30 lb | 50-75 lb |
| Best at | Everything, adequately | Smoking, exceptionally |
| Cleaning | Easier — grease runs to one tray | Harder — tall cabinet, five racks |
If someone is being precise when they say “pellet smoker”, this is usually what they mean: a cabinet. If they say “pellet grill”, they usually mean a barrel. But most people are not being precise, and neither are the manufacturers.
Which should you buy?
Your first and only cooker: a barrel. It grills, it smokes, it bakes and it roasts. A cabinet that cannot cook a burger is a frustrating single purchase.
A second, dedicated smoker: a cabinet. More rack space, a much bigger hopper, and a 130°F floor that opens up jerky and sausage. Far better value per rack than any barrel.
Our rankings are split along exactly those lines: best pellet grills for barrels, best vertical pellet smokers for cabinets, and best pellet smokers for the cookers that are genuinely optimized for low and slow regardless of format.
One more term worth clearing up
Several listings describe their product as an “electric pellet grill”. That is unhelpful marketing language and it confuses buyers into thinking the grill is not wood-fired. Every pellet grill needs a wall outlet to run its auger, fan and igniter, and every one burns wood pellets for heat. An “electric pellet grill” is just a pellet grill. A genuine electric smoker is a different machine entirely, heated by a resistance element.
The picks in full
#1 · Most backyards — the default pick
Pit Boss 850 Navigator Series
Pit Boss · score 9.6/10
The most cooking space per dollar of any WiFi pellet grill we track, and the one we point most buyers at first.
Also direct from Pit Boss — $799.99 (list price as of 2026-11-07)
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Published specifications
- Cooking area
- 932 sq in across two tiers
- Hopper
- 30 lb, with a viewing window
- Temperature range
- 180-500°F in 5°F steps
- Controller
- LCD digital, two meat probes included
- Connectivity
- WiFi + Bluetooth, Pit Boss Grills app
- Warranty
- 5 years
How it scores
Weighted rubric score: 8.4/10. Value carries the most weight on this site by design. On our published scale that is 9.6/10.
What it does well
- 932 sq in for well under four figures — roughly 20% more grate per dollar than the closest Traeger
- 30 lb hopper is double what most sub-$500 grills carry, so overnight cooks do not need a refill
- Flame Broiler slider gives you direct-flame searing, which most pellet grills in this range cannot do
- Two probes in the box rather than one
Where it falls short
- LCD controller is a step below the touchscreen PID on the 1300/1600 and the Advantage 850SL
- Pit Boss app has a long history of connection complaints in owner threads
- Assembly is a genuine two-person, ninety-minute job
#2 · Pure smoking — ribs, jerky, sausage, big batches
Pit Boss Navigator 3-Series Vertical
Pit Boss · score 9.7/10
A 50 lb hopper and five racks for mid-$600s — if you mostly smoke rather than grill, this beats any barrel grill at the price.
Also direct from Pit Boss — $649.99 (list price as of 2026-11-07)
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Published specifications
- Cooking area
- 1,118 sq in over 5 porcelain-coated racks
- Hopper
- 50 lb
- Temperature range
- 130-420°F
- Controller
- LCD digital, one probe, three ports
- Connectivity
- WiFi + Bluetooth, Pit Boss Grills app
- Warranty
- 5 years
How it scores
Weighted rubric score: 8.5/10. Value carries the most weight on this site by design. On our published scale that is 9.7/10.
What it does well
- 50 lb hopper is the standout number here — a full load runs overnight and then some
- Drops to 130°F, low enough for jerky, which barrel grills cannot reach
- Heavy-gauge stainless body with a high-temp door seal and a viewing window
- Named 2025 Best Vertical Smoker by Men's Journal (the maker's claim, cited as theirs)
Where it falls short
- Tops out at 420°F — you cannot sear or grill on it
- Vertical cabinets are harder to clean than a barrel
- Rack spacing limits what you can stand upright
Our recommendation
Top pick
Pit Boss 850 Navigator Series
Most backyards — the default pick.
Also direct from Pit Boss — $799.99 (list price as of 2026-11-07)
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Runner-up
Pit Boss Navigator 3-Series Vertical
Pure smoking — ribs, jerky, sausage, big batches.
Also direct from Pit Boss — $649.99 (list price as of 2026-11-07)
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Questions people actually ask
Is a pellet grill the same as a pellet smoker?
Usually yes — manufacturers use both names for the same machine, and most listings say “grill & smoker”. The real distinction is barrel versus vertical cabinet, not grill versus smoker.
Can a pellet grill smoke properly?
Yes. Barrels hold 180-250°F for hours and produce genuine wood smoke. Vertical cabinets go lower (130°F) and hold more, which is why they are the better dedicated smokers.
Can a pellet smoker grill?
A barrel, yes. A vertical cabinet, no — 420°F with no direct flame produces a gray burger. If you want one cooker that does both, buy a barrel.
What is an 'electric' pellet grill?
Just a pellet grill. It is unhelpful listing language: every pellet grill needs a wall outlet for its auger, fan and igniter, and every one burns wood pellets. A true electric smoker uses a resistance element and a chip tray instead.
Sources
Read next
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The Best Vertical Pellet Smokers
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The Best Pellet Smokers for Low and Slow
Ranked for smoking: big hoppers, low minimums, real capacity.
Comparisons
Pellet Smoker vs Electric Smoker
The clearest answer here: pellets do more, electrics cost less.
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The Best Pellet Grills of 2026
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