Reviews
Z Grills 600D2 Review
The same cooking area as a Traeger Pro 22, a better class of controller, and a storage cabinet — for well under half the money.
By Mike M. · Last updated November 6, 2026 · How we pick
Best value overall
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 |
#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
Anyone whose budget stops under $400 and who wants a grill that holds temperature properly. Z Grills quotes 24 burgers, 5 rib racks or 4 chickens from 572 square inches, which comfortably feeds a family of five.
The PID controller is the whole argument
A PID board watches where the temperature is heading and how fast, and adjusts the auger feed and fan continuously to counteract it. A simpler board feeds on a schedule and corrects after the fact. The difference shows up as a narrower swing around your set point, and it matters most on long low cooks.
Z Grills puts this on a grill under $400. Pit Boss does not offer a true PID below the Advantage 850SL. Traeger does not offer one at all in the models we cover. That is the single clearest value argument on this entire site.
The practical details that matter
- Auto-start ignition and an intelligent temperature display. Set it and leave it; there is no start-up ritual.
- Bottom storage cabinet. Keeps a pellet bag off a damp floor, which matters because damp pellets are the most common cause of auger jams.
- Side shelf with tool hooks. A prep surface at the grill.
- Wheels with brakes. It stays where you put it.
- Hopper cleanout. Switching from hickory to apple takes a minute.
- Three-year warranty with phone and online support. Z Grills states over 30 years as a grill manufacturer.
The honest limitations
- No WiFi. Z Grills does not offer it in the range we cover. A wireless thermometer covers most of what people want it for, for a fraction of the price difference to a WiFi grill.
- 450°F ceiling, no direct flame. Searing needs sear grates or cast iron.
- Hopper capacity is not published on this model’s listing. Z Grills states 28 lb for the 7002C; for the 600D2 they do not, and we will not estimate it.
- Thinner support network than Pit Boss or Traeger, and weak resale value. Buy this grill to keep.
- Powder-coated steel, not stainless. A cover is not optional.
What to buy instead, and when
| Buy instead | If |
|---|---|
| Z Grills 7002C | You smoke overnight — a published 28 lb hopper and 125 more square inches |
| Z Grills 550B2 | You want to spend less; 553 sq in with the same PID family |
| Pit Boss 500 FB2 | Direct-flame searing matters more than the controller |
| Traeger Westwood | An app you can rely on is the deciding factor |
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
Our recommendation
Top pick
Z Grills 600D2
Best overall value under $400.
Questions people actually ask
Is the Z Grills 600D2 any good?
It is the best value in pellet grilling: 572 square inches and PID V3.0 control for under $400, with a storage cabinet and side shelf. The trade-offs are no WiFi, a 450°F ceiling and a thinner support network than the big brands.
What is the Z Grills 600D2 hopper capacity?
Z Grills does not publish a figure for this model, so we do not quote one. They do state 28 lb for the 7002C, which is the model to choose if hopper capacity matters.
Does the 600D2 have WiFi?
No. Z Grills does not offer WiFi in the range we cover. A wireless meat thermometer gives you phone alerts for far less than the price step to a WiFi grill.
How does the 600D2 compare to a Traeger Pro 22?
Identical cooking area at 572 square inches, but the Z Grills has a PID controller the Traeger does not, plus a storage cabinet — for well under half the price. The Traeger has better finish, the accessory ecosystem and much stronger resale.
Sources
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