Reviews
Pit Boss Advantage 850SL Review
The Navigator 850 with the controller it should have had, plus a removable burn pot and a cover in the box. The best Pit Boss on specification.
By Mike M. · Last updated November 6, 2026 · How we pick
Best controller
Pit Boss Advantage 850SL
Pit Boss · score 9.7/10 · Buyers who want PID accuracy without crossing $900
Same 932 sq in as the Navigator 850 but with a real PID controller and a cover in the box — the upgrade worth paying for.
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 Advantage 850SLSame 932 sq in as the Navigator 850 but with a real PID controller and a cover in the box — the upgrade worth paying for. | Buyers who want PID accuracy without crossing $900 | 9.79.7 out of 10 | $827.54Amazon |
#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.
Who this is for
Long-cook specialists. If you do overnight briskets, cook through cold weather, or simply want the temperature held as tightly as a pellet grill can hold it, the PID board is the upgrade that matters and this is the cheapest Pit Boss that has one.
The three features that justify the premium
1. A genuine PID controller
P.I.D. — proportional-integral-derivative — means the board watches where the temperature is heading and how fast, and adjusts the auger and fan continuously to counteract it. Pit Boss states 5°F increments across 180-500°F. The result is a narrower band around your set point than any LCD board achieves, and the difference shows up on 12-hour cooks and in wind.
2. A removable burn pot
This is the underrated one. Ash accumulation in the burn pot is the most common cause of the temperature swings people blame on controllers. Being able to lift the pot out turns ash clearing from a vacuum job into a 30-second lift, which means you will actually do it.
3. A cover and tool set included
Real money you would otherwise spend. A cover is not optional on a grill that lives outdoors, so this is a genuine offset against the price difference rather than a token extra.
One listing error, so you are not alarmed by it
The Amazon listing states “58 square inches on primary rack, plus 350 square inches on upper rack”. 58 is a typo for 582 — 582 + 350 = 932, which matches the headline figure in the title. Pit Boss’s own copy has the error. The grill is not tiny.
What it gives up against the Navigator 850
- One probe instead of two. There are two probe ports but only one probe in the box. A second probe is inexpensive, but it is an odd saving on the pricier grill.
- The price. Same grate, more money. If your cooking is burgers, chicken and the occasional rib rack, the PID board will not change your results and the Navigator 850 is the sensible buy.
Should you buy this or the Navigator 850?
Buy the Advantage if you do long low cooks or cook in cold weather, or if you were going to buy a cover anyway. Buy the Navigator 850 if you mostly grill and want to put the saving into better pellets and a thermometer.
Our full head-to-head: Navigator 850 vs Advantage 850SL.
The picks in full
#1 · Buyers who want PID accuracy without crossing $900
Pit Boss Advantage 850SL
Pit Boss · score 9.7/10
Same 932 sq in as the Navigator 850 but with a real PID controller and a cover in the box — the upgrade worth paying for.
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Published specifications
- Cooking area
- 932 sq in (582 primary + 350 upper)
- Hopper
- Nearly 30 lb, with cleanout
- Temperature range
- 180-500°F in 5°F steps
- Controller
- Touchscreen PID, one probe, two probe 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
- PID control holds temperature far tighter than the LCD boards on the cheaper Pit Boss models
- Fitted cover and a tool set are included, which is $60-80 of kit you would otherwise buy
- Removable burn pot makes ash clearing a two-minute job instead of a vacuum session
- Swivel-locking casters, so it actually parks where you put it
Where it falls short
- Costs more than the Navigator 850 for the same grate area — you are paying for the controller
- Only one meat probe included despite two ports
- Listing bullet says 58 sq in on the primary rack, which is a typo for 582 — the maker's own copy is sloppy
Our recommendation
Top pick
Pit Boss Advantage 850SL
Buyers who want PID accuracy without crossing $900.
Price as of November 7, 2026. #ad how this is funded
Questions people actually ask
Is the Pit Boss Advantage 850SL better than the Navigator 850?
On specification, yes — a touchscreen PID controller, removable burn pot, hopper cleanout, locking casters and a cover and tool set included, with the same 932 sq in. Whether the premium is worth it depends on whether you do long low cooks.
Does the Advantage 850SL come with a cover?
Yes — the listing states a fitted cover and a tool set are included.
Why does the listing say 58 square inches?
It is a typo for 582. 582 primary plus 350 upper gives the 932 sq in in the title. The error is in Pit Boss’s own listing copy.
What is a removable burn pot and why does it matter?
A burn pot you can lift out to clear ash, instead of vacuuming it in place. Ash buildup is the most common cause of temperature swings, so making cleaning easy makes the grill cook better over time.
Sources
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