Pellet Grills
Are Z Grills Any Good? The Range, Ranked
Short answer: yes, and they are the best temperature control per dollar on the market. Here is the catch, and which model to buy.
By Mike M. · Last updated November 6, 2026 · How we pick
Best Z Grills
Z Grills 600D2
Z Grills · score 9.8/10 · Best overall value under $400
572 sq in, PID 3.0 and a storage cabinet for well under $400 — the best all-round budget pellet grill we track.
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 | Z Grills 600D2572 sq in, PID 3.0 and a storage cabinet for well under $400 — the best all-round budget pellet grill we track. | Best overall value under $400 | 9.89.8 out of 10 | $339.00Amazon |
| 2 |  Z Grills 7002C697 sq in, a 28 lb hopper, two probes, a grease bucket and a cover — all in the box for under $500. | Most kit included for the money | 9.89.8 out of 10 | Check price |
| 3 |  Z Grills 550B2PID 3.0 temperature control for low-$300s. The best temperature accuracy per dollar anywhere on this site. | The tightest temperature hold under $400 | 9.79.7 out of 10 | $329.00Amazon |
| 4 |  Z Grills 700 Series InsulatedDual-wall insulated base and PID 3.0 for mid-$600s — the cheapest insulated pellet grill we can find. | Winter smoking without Traeger money | 9.59.5 out of 10 | $649.00Amazon |
| 5 |  Z Grills 450EThe 450A2's sibling with a 2.0mm stainless lid and two probes. Better heat retention for the same money. | Cold-weather cooking on a budget | 9.39.3 out of 10 | $419.00Amazon |
| 6 |  Z Grills 450A2A rain cover, foldable shelves and PID 3.0 at low-$400s. Smaller than the 600D2 and costs more — buy it for the bronze finish and the cover. | Small patios where the folding shelves matter | 9.19.1 out of 10 | $419.00Amazon |
| 7 |  Z Grills 200A TabletopPID control in a 25-inch tabletop grill for low-$200s. The cheapest honest way to get wood-fired flavor. | Apartments, balconies, RVs and the tightest budgets | 9.19.1 out of 10 | $239.00Amazon |
| 8 |  Z Grills 7002BThe long-running 700 sq in Z Grills. Older non-PID board, so the newer 7002C is the better buy at a similar price. | Buyers who find it discounted below the 7002C | 9.19.1 out of 10 | $499.90Amazon |
#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.
Are Z Grills good pellet smokers?
Yes. Z Grills put genuine PID temperature control on grills costing a third of a comparable Traeger, and they include accessories — covers, two probes, grease buckets — that other brands charge extra for. The honest catch is support: a thinner dealer and parts network than Pit Boss or Traeger, and much weaker resale value.
Z Grills is a contract manufacturer that went direct to consumer. The company states over 30 years of grill manufacturing experience, and the hardware reflects it — these are not thrown-together grills. What they lack is the retail and service infrastructure the big two have.
The range, decoded
Z Grills model numbers are roughly their cooking area in a shorthand, and the letter suffix indicates the generation and trim. 200A is a tabletop; 450, 550, 600 and 700 are increasing sizes.
| Model | Cooking area | Controller | Hopper | Included kit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200A tabletop | 202 sq in | PID V3.0 | 8 lb (~10 hrs) | Meat probes |
| 450A2 | 459 sq in | PID V3.0 | With cleanout | Rain cover, 1 probe |
| 450E | 459 sq in | PID 3.0 (+/-20°F) | With cleanout | 2 probes, stainless lid |
| 550B2 | 553 sq in | PID 3.0 | With cleanout | Meat probe |
| 600D2 | 572 sq in | PID V3.0 | With cleanout | Probes, storage cabinet |
| 7002B | 700 sq in | Auto temp (older) | 20 lb | Basic |
| 7002C | 697 sq in | PID 3.0 | 28 lb | Cover, 2 probes, grease bucket, gloves |
| 700 insulated | 697 sq in | Z-Ultra PID 3.0 | 28 lb (~28 hrs) | Cover, 2 probes |
What Z Grills does better than anyone
PID control at the bottom of the market
This is the whole story. A PID controller continuously adjusts auger feed and fan speed based on where the temperature is heading, not just where it is. Z Grills ships it on a grill in the low $300s. Pit Boss does not put a true PID on anything below the Advantage 850SL.
Published accuracy figures
Z Grills states +/-20°F on the 450E. That is not a flattering number, which is exactly why it is worth noting — they publish it anyway. Pit Boss does not publish an accuracy figure at all, and Traeger quotes +/-15°F on the Pro 22, a grill costing considerably more.
Everything in the box
The 7002C ships with a rain cover, two meat probes, a grease bucket and assembly gloves. On a Traeger, a factory cover alone is a meaningful add-on purchase.
The honest downsides
- Support network. Three-year warranty with phone and online support, but a thinner parts and dealer network than Pit Boss or Traeger. In year four you are more on your own.
- Resale value. Weak. Buy a Z Grills to keep, not to trade up from.
- No WiFi anywhere in the range we cover. If connectivity matters, Z Grills is not your brand — though a wireless thermometer covers most of what people want it for.
- 450°F ceiling and no direct flame. Searing needs sear grates.
- Confusing listing language. Z Grills markets several models as “electric” pellet grills, which makes buyers think they are not wood-fired. Every pellet grill needs a wall outlet and every one burns wood pellets; the wording is just unhelpful.
Which Z Grills to buy
Best value: the 600D2. 572 square inches, PID V3.0, a storage cabinet and a side shelf, under $400.
Most grill for the money: the 7002C. 697 square inches, a 28 lb hopper, and basically every accessory you would otherwise buy.
Cheapest we would recommend: the 550B2. 553 square inches with PID 3.0.
Cold weather: the insulated 700. A dual-wall insulated base for roughly half the cost of Traeger’s insulated Ironwood.
Skip the 7002B unless you find it genuinely cheaper than the 7002C — it is the older non-PID board with less included kit.
The picks in full
#1 · Best overall value under $400
Z Grills 600D2
Z Grills · score 9.8/10
572 sq in, PID 3.0 and a storage cabinet for well under $400 — the best all-round budget pellet grill we track.
Published specifications
- Cooking area
- 572 sq in (24 burgers, 5 rib racks or 4 chickens)
- Hopper
- Hopper with cleanout
- Temperature range
- 180-450°F
- Controller
- PID V3.0, meat probes included
- Connectivity
- None
- Warranty
- 3 years
How it scores
Weighted rubric score: 8.6/10. Value carries the most weight on this site by design. On our published scale that is 9.8/10.
What it does well
- Matches a Traeger Pro 22's 572 sq in for well under half the money
- PID V3.0 with auto-start and an intelligent temperature display
- Bottom storage cabinet and a side shelf with tool hooks
- Wheels with brakes, so it stays put
Where it falls short
- No app and no WiFi
- 450°F ceiling
- Powder-coated steel, not stainless — keep it covered
#2 · Most kit included for the money
Z Grills 7002C
Z Grills · score 9.8/10
697 sq in, a 28 lb hopper, two probes, a grease bucket and a cover — all in the box for under $500.
Published specifications
- Cooking area
- 697 sq in
- Hopper
- 28 lb, tool-free cleanout
- Temperature range
- 180-450°F
- Controller
- PID 3.0, LCD, two meat probes
- Connectivity
- None
- Warranty
- 3 years
How it scores
Weighted rubric score: 8.6/10. Value carries the most weight on this site by design. On our published scale that is 9.8/10.
What it does well
- 28 lb hopper is close to Pit Boss territory and nearly double Traeger's 18 lb
- Rain cover, two probes, grease bucket and gloves included
- Two locking casters plus two wheels
- Pellet viewing window
Where it falls short
- No WiFi, so the app crowd should look elsewhere
- 450°F ceiling
- Z Grills calls it an 'electric' pellet grill in the listing, which confuses buyers — it burns wood pellets and needs a wall outlet, like every pellet grill here
#3 · The tightest temperature hold under $400
Z Grills 550B2
Z Grills · score 9.7/10
PID 3.0 temperature control for low-$300s. The best temperature accuracy per dollar anywhere on this site.
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Published specifications
- Cooking area
- 553 sq in
- Hopper
- Hopper with cleanout and viewing window
- Temperature range
- 180-450°F
- Controller
- PID 3.0 with LCD, meat probe included
- Connectivity
- None
- Warranty
- 3 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
- PID 3.0 holds temperature better than the LCD boards on Pit Boss grills costing more
- 553 sq in for low-$300s
- Hopper cleanout for quick flavor swaps — rare at this price
Where it falls short
- No WiFi or Bluetooth
- 450°F ceiling, so searing needs a cast iron skillet or GrillGrates
- Z Grills has a thinner dealer network than Pit Boss or Traeger if something breaks
#4 · Winter smoking without Traeger money
Z Grills 700 Series Insulated
Z Grills · score 9.5/10
Dual-wall insulated base and PID 3.0 for mid-$600s — the cheapest insulated pellet grill we can find.
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Published specifications
- Cooking area
- 697 sq in
- Hopper
- 28 lb, rated up to 28 hours of cooking
- Temperature range
- 180-450°F
- Controller
- Z-Ultra PID 3.0, two built-in probes, large LCD
- Connectivity
- None
- Warranty
- 3 years
How it scores
Weighted rubric score: 8.3/10. Value carries the most weight on this site by design. On our published scale that is 9.5/10.
What it does well
- Dual-wall insulated base cuts pellet burn in cold weather — the Traeger Ironwood feature at half the money
- Two probes and a cover included
- Hopper cleanout with a twist
Where it falls short
- Insulated base only, not a fully insulated body like the Ironwood
- No WiFi at a price where Traeger gives you WiFIRE
- 450°F ceiling
#5 · Cold-weather cooking on a budget
Z Grills 450E
Z Grills · score 9.3/10
The 450A2's sibling with a 2.0mm stainless lid and two probes. Better heat retention for the same money.
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Published specifications
- Cooking area
- 459 sq in
- Hopper
- Hopper with cleanout and pellet view window
- Temperature range
- 180-450°F, +/-20°F
- Controller
- PID 3.0, large LCD, two meat probes
- Connectivity
- None
- Warranty
- 3 years
How it scores
Weighted rubric score: 8.1/10. Value carries the most weight on this site by design. On our published scale that is 9.3/10.
What it does well
- 2.0mm stainless steel lid holds heat better than the painted steel on cheaper models
- Two meat probes included, not one
- Z Grills publishes its accuracy figure (+/-20°F) rather than leaving it vague
Where it falls short
- Same 459 sq in as the 450A2 — modest for the price
- 450°F ceiling
- No connectivity
#6 · Small patios where the folding shelves matter
Z Grills 450A2
Z Grills · score 9.1/10
A rain cover, foldable shelves and PID 3.0 at low-$400s. Smaller than the 600D2 and costs more — buy it for the bronze finish and the cover.
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Published specifications
- Cooking area
- 459 sq in
- Hopper
- Hopper with cleanout
- Temperature range
- 180-450°F, PID-controlled
- Controller
- PID V3.0, large LCD, one meat probe
- Connectivity
- None
- Warranty
- 3 years
How it scores
Weighted rubric score: 7.9/10. Value carries the most weight on this site by design. On our published scale that is 9.1/10.
What it does well
- Rain cover included
- Foldable front and side shelves fold flat for storage
- Lift-to-roll wheel system with locking legs
Where it falls short
- 459 sq in for more money than the 572 sq in 600D2 — on paper the worse buy
- No WiFi
- One probe only
#7 · Apartments, balconies, RVs and the tightest budgets
Z Grills 200A Tabletop
Z Grills · score 9.1/10
PID control in a 25-inch tabletop grill for low-$200s. The cheapest honest way to get wood-fired flavor.
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Published specifications
- Cooking area
- 202 sq in
- Hopper
- 8 lb, about 10 hours of low-and-slow
- Temperature range
- 180-450°F, +/-20°F
- Controller
- PID V3.0, LCD, meat probes included
- Connectivity
- None
- Warranty
- 3 years
How it scores
Weighted rubric score: 7.8/10. Value carries the most weight on this site by design. On our published scale that is 9.1/10.
What it does well
- 25 x 20 x 13 in — fits a balcony, a truck bed or a cupboard
- PID control at a price where everything else uses a simple dial
- 8 lb hopper runs about 10 hours at smoking temperatures
Where it falls short
- 202 sq in feeds two or three people
- Needs a wall outlet
- Check your lease and local fire code before putting it on a balcony
#8 · Buyers who find it discounted below the 7002C
Z Grills 7002B
Z Grills · score 9.1/10
The long-running 700 sq in Z Grills. Older non-PID board, so the newer 7002C is the better buy at a similar price.
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Published specifications
- Cooking area
- 700 sq in
- Hopper
- 20 lb
- Temperature range
- 180-450°F, within about 10°F
- Controller
- Auto temperature control, one-button start
- Connectivity
- None
- Warranty
- 3 years
How it scores
Weighted rubric score: 7.9/10. Value carries the most weight on this site by design. On our published scale that is 9.1/10.
What it does well
- 700 sq in of grate area
- 20 lb hopper
- Z Grills quotes a 10-degree fluctuation, tighter than Traeger's published +/-15°F on the Pro 22
Where it falls short
- Not the PID 3.0 board — the 7002C is the newer model
- No cover, fewer probes, less kit than the 7002C
- No connectivity
Our recommendation
Top pick
Z Grills 600D2
Best overall value under $400.
Runner-up
Z Grills 7002C
Most kit included for the money.
Questions people actually ask
Are Z Grills good pellet smokers?
Yes. They offer the best temperature control per dollar on the market, with PID 3.0 on grills in the low $300s and useful accessories included. The trade-offs are a thinner support network, no WiFi and weak resale value.
Are Z pellet grills any good compared to Traeger?
On temperature control and value, better. On app, finish, resale and support, worse. A Z Grills 7002C gives you more cooking area and a bigger hopper than a Traeger Pro 22 for less money. Full comparison: Z Grills vs Traeger.
What is the best Z Grills model?
The 600D2 on value, or the 7002C for the most grill and the most included kit. The insulated 700 if you cook in the cold.
Does Z Grills make a WiFi pellet grill?
Not in the range we cover. If you want app control, look at Traeger or Pit Boss — or add a wireless meat thermometer to a Z Grills for a fraction of the price difference.
What does Z Grills mean by an 'electric' pellet grill?
Nothing meaningful. It is unhelpful listing language. Every pellet grill — Traeger, Pit Boss, Camp Chef included — needs a wall outlet to run its auger, fan and igniter, and all of them burn wood pellets for heat.
Sources
Read next
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Z Grills 600D2 Review
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