Reviews
Z Grills 7002C Review
The most complete pellet grill under $500. A 28 lb hopper is the headline, and the accessories in the box are worth real money.
By Mike M. · Last updated November 6, 2026 · How we pick
Most kit included
Z Grills 7002C
Z Grills · score 9.8/10 · Most kit included for the money
697 sq in, a 28 lb hopper, two probes, a grease bucket and a cover — all in the box for under $500.
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 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 |
#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 who wants to smoke overnight on a sub-$500 budget. The 28 lb hopper — roughly 22 hours at smoking temperatures — is close to Pit Boss Navigator territory and substantially more than Traeger’s 18 lb across their entire range.
The hopper is why we rank it first in its tier
Compare the options at this money: the Pit Boss 700 Carbon has 718 square inches and a 13.5 lb hopper. The Traeger Pro 22 has 572 square inches and 18 lb. The 7002C has 697 square inches and 28 lb.
A 13.5 lb hopper is about eleven hours. 28 lb is about twenty-two. That is the difference between setting an alarm for a brisket and not thinking about it.
What is in the box is not a footnote
A rain cover, two meat probes, a grease bucket and gloves. Buying a cover and a second probe separately for a competing grill is a meaningful fraction of the price difference — so the effective gap to a bare Traeger is larger than the sticker prices suggest.
One listing word to ignore
Z Grills calls this an “electric” pellet grill, which confuses buyers into thinking it is not wood-fired. Every pellet grill — Traeger, Pit Boss, Camp Chef included — needs a wall outlet to run its auger, fan and igniter, and every one burns wood pellets for heat. The 7002C is no more electric than any other pellet grill.
What it gives up
- No WiFi. That is how it affords everything else.
- 450°F ceiling, indirect. Sear grates recommended if steak matters.
- Powder-coated steel. Keep it covered — which it already is, in the box.
- Support network and resale. Three-year warranty with phone and online support, but thinner than Pit Boss or Traeger, and a used Z Grills can sit on the market.
7002C or 7002B?
Z Grills still sells the older 7002B: 700 square inches, a 20 lb hopper, an auto-temperature board rather than PID 3.0, and much less included kit. Unless you find it significantly cheaper, the 7002C is the better grill in every respect. Buying the older model at a similar price would be a mistake.
Or step up within the range
The Z Grills insulated 700 adds a dual-wall insulated base for cold-weather cooking, and the cabinet model adds storage. Both keep the 697 square inches and the 28 lb hopper.
The picks in full
#1 · 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
Our recommendation
Top pick
Z Grills 7002C
Most kit included for the money.
Questions people actually ask
Is the Z Grills 7002C worth buying?
It is the most complete pellet grill under $500 — 697 square inches, a 28 lb hopper, PID 3.0 and a cover, two probes and a grease bucket included. The only significant omission is WiFi.
Is the Z Grills 7002C electric?
It burns wood pellets, like every pellet grill, and needs a wall outlet for its auger, fan and igniter — also like every pellet grill. The word “electric” in the listing is unhelpful marketing language, not a different technology.
7002C or 7002B?
The 7002C. It has the PID 3.0 board, a 28 lb hopper instead of 20 lb, and far more included accessories. The 7002B is the older design.
How long will the 28 lb hopper run?
Roughly 22 hours at smoking temperatures, less when grilling hot or in cold weather. It comfortably covers an unattended overnight cook.
Sources
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