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Editor’s Note: Testing for this article took place in late 2023 and these products remain our current top recommendations for 2024 until we revisit this category. Stay tuned for our 2024 updates.
Cooking outdoors can be an adventure or just everyday fun, and the best portable pellet grills provide a range of options so anyone tailgating, camping, or cooking in their backyard can customize the cooking experience to their style and type of food that’s on the grill.
These versatile grills can cook slow and low at temperatures between 180 and 225 degrees Fahrenheit for smoking ribs, pork butts, whole chickens, and a variety of other foods. They can also handle regular grilling duties thanks to their ability to reach temperatures upwards of 500 degrees Fahrenheit or more.
Wood pellet grills are also easy to operate, thanks to PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controls that monitor the internal temperature of the grill and then automatically add fuel to maintain whatever temperature you set on its thermostat. Read on to find out more about what to look for in these versatile outdoor cooking appliances and find out why the models below are some of the best portable pellet grills on the market today.
- BEST OVERALL: Traeger Tailgater Grill
- RUNNER-UP: Camp Chef Pursuit 20 Pellet Grill
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Country Smokers Traveler Pellet Grill
- BEST WITH WIFI: Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill
- BEST COMPACT: Traeger Ranger Grill
- BEST FOLDABLE: Pit Boss Sportsman Portable Wood Pellet Grill
- BEST LIGHTEST: Cuisinart Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
- ALSO CONSIDER: Z Grills Cruiser 200A Pellet Grill
How We Chose the Best Portable Pellet Grills
While considering several top pellet grills for our list, we considered several criteria. Since portable pellet grills are made to be taken on the road, size and weight are crucial. We only chose models that are light and compact enough for two people to lift and put inside either a car trunk or truck bed.
Since size needs vary, our selection includes small tabletop models with around 180 to 200 square inches of cooking space and large stand-alone portable pellet grills with 300 to 500 square inches of cooking area.
Cooking temperature is key with a pellet grill, so we only chose models capable of cooking at low temperatures of around 200 degrees Fahrenheit and high temperatures of at least 450 degrees Fahrenheit. We also took quality into account, choosing only brands with a reputation for building high-performing pellet grills.
Other factors we considered included hopper size and additional features, such as meat probes and sear functions.
Our Top Picks
The pellet grills below come from some highly regarded brands in the business. They range from small tabletop models for camping up to large stand-alone grills for large family gatherings at the local park or big tailgating events.
Best Overall
Traeger Tailgater Grill
Traeger’s Tailgater manages to make a full-size pellet grill portable, which is why it’s a top all-around option out there for those who want to take their smoking game on the road. It carries the Traeger name, which is an elite brand of pellet grill. Despite being portable, its 300 square inches of cooking surface and 8-pound-capacity hopper are both above average for a portable grill.
The Tailgater also doesn’t compromise on features. It comes equipped with an LED controller with a meat probe and an electronic ignition. The Tailgater folds down into a surprisingly compact form thanks to legs that fold under the cook box. And while it still weighs a hefty 60 pounds, it’s compact enough for two people to lift it into the bed of a truck or into a large trunk.
Product Specs
- Cooking surface: 300 square inches
- Hopper capacity: 8 pounds
- Weight: 60 pounds
- Max temperature: 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Pros
- Offers a lot of cooking surface for a smoker that’s portable
- Large-capacity hopper allows it to run for hours on a single load
- Traeger name is synonymous with excellent performance and build quality
Cons
- Does not support Wi-Fi connectivity like other Traeger smokers
Get the Traeger Tailgater portable pellet grill at Amazon, The Home Depot, BBQGuys, or Traeger.
Runner-Up
Camp Chef Pursuit 20 Pellet Grill
A vast amount of cooking surface coupled with a smart design is what makes the Camp Chef an excellent portable pellet grill. Its design also makes transporting this pellet grill easier. With some 500 square inches of cooking surface and a 10-pound hopper, the Camp Chef pellet grill is capable of handling a lot of food at one time for a tailgating event or cookout at the local park. It also comes equipped with a digital controller that allows you to regulate not only temperature but also the amount of smoke it infuses into food.
This grill has a Slide and Grill feature that allows you to cook over direct heat at temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. With a weight of about 100 pounds, the Pursuit requires two able-bodied people to lift it into a truck bed. Foldable legs and wheels that allow one to pull it or push it like a dolly make it easy to transport to and from the vehicle.
Product Specs
- Cooking surface: 500 square inches
- Hopper capacity: 10 pounds
- Weight: 100 pounds
- Max temperature: 500 degrees Fahrenheit
Pros
- Vast cooking surface for pellet grill that is portable
- Can be wheeled around like a dolly once folded up
- Can flame broil steaks and burgers at high temperatures of 500 degrees Fahrenheit
Cons
- Requires 2 strong people to lift, as it weight 100 pounds
Get the Camp Chef portable pellet grill at Amazon, The Home Depot, or BBQGuys.
Best Bang For The Buck
Country Smokers Traveler Pellet Grill
One would be hard-pressed to find a more affordable pellet grill that offers the same amount of cooking surface and versatility as this model from Country Smokers. Despite its low price, it still offers up 256 square inches of cooking surface, though its hopper is smaller than most with a 3.5-pound capacity.
With its ability to cover a broad temperature range of 180 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, the Country Smoker is capable of smoking ribs and pork butts or searing burgers and steaks. Digital controls make it easy to dial in specific temperatures, though we do wish it supported a meat probe. With its total weight of 43 pounds, one person can carry this grill. It’s also compact enough to fit inside a car trunk.
Product Specs
- Cooking surface: 256 square inches
- Hopper capacity: 3.5 pounds
- Weight: 43 pounds
- Max temperature: 500 degrees Fahrenheit
Pros
- Offers 256 square inches of cooking surface spread over 2 racks
- Broad temperature range of 180 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for smoking and grilling
- Light and compact enough for 1 person to lift and carry
Cons
- Controller does not come equipped with a meat probe port or digital thermometer
Get the Country Smokers portable pellet grill at Wayfair, Walmart, or BBQGuys.
Best With Wi-Fi
Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill
You don’t have to hover over the Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett to monitor temperatures and food. With its Wi-Fi connectivity, the chef can use the Green Mountain Grills app to set the grill’s thermostat and monitor internal temperatures. It also allows you to monitor the meat probe that comes with the grill and set alerts for when food reaches preset temperatures.
With its 219 square inches of cooking surface, the Davy Crockett offers ample space for food. It also features a tented lid that allows you to stand up a chicken inside of it. It’s equipped with a large 9-pound hopper that can run the grill for many hours before requiring a refill. This pellet grill also comes with multiple adapters for connecting to a vehicle accessory port or to a standard electrical outlet. Foldable legs and a manageable weight of 57 pounds make it compact enough to lift and fit in a car trunk.
Product Specs
- Cooking surface: 219 square inches
- Hopper capacity: 9 pounds
- Weight: 57 pounds
- Max temperature: 550 degrees Fahrenheit
Pros
- Temperature can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app
- Includes a meat port and meat probe that are accessible remotely
- Tented lid design allows you to fit larger meats inside
Cons
- Some customers complain that the legs can be difficult to fold up
Get the Green Mountain Grills portable pellet grill at Amazon.
Best Compact
Traeger Ranger Grill
The Traeger Ranger is about the size of a suitcase and weighs just 60 pounds, making it one of the most compact pellet grills one can buy. It’s small enough to fit inside a car trunk with plenty of room for other luggage to spare. Adding to its portability are clips that hold the lid securely closed for transport. Despite its small size, it still boasts a modest 184 square inches of cooking surface, which is about enough to smoke or grill a whole chicken, a rack of ribs, or six hamburgers.
An 8-pound hopper capacity is capable of heating the smoker for up to 8 hours, and digital controls make it easy to set specific temperatures. It’s also one of the more versatile pellet grills as it comes with a cast iron griddle as well as traditional cooking grates.
Product Specs
- Cooking surface: 184 square inches
- Hopper capacity: 8 pounds
- Weight: 60 pounds
- Max temperature: 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Pros
- Compact size and manageable weight make it easy to transport
- Includes interchangeable griddle and grill cooking surfaces
- Traeger brand is well regarded for performance and durability
Cons
- Not as much cooking surface as other portable pellet grills
Get the Traeger Ranger portable pellet grill at The Home Depot, Walmart, or BBQGuys.
Best Foldable
Pit Boss Sportsman Portable Wood Pellet Grill
The Pit Boss Sportsman is a great pellet grill for tailgating events or trips into the backwoods thanks to its easy-to-fold-up legs for transport and ample cooking surface. This portable pellet wood grill is one of the largest portable models out there with 387 square inches of cooking surface. Since the hopper has a 19-pound capacity, this grill can run for a long time on a single load.
It comes equipped with a Flame Broiler lever that allows for direct cooking at temps of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. There are two ports for meat probes, and the grill comes with a meat probe. The collapsible leg mechanism makes it possible for one person to fold up the grill and pull it like a piece of wheeled luggage. However, since it weighs nearly 80 pounds, the grill often requires two people to lift it.
Product Specs
- Cooking surface: 387 square inches
- Hopper capacity: 19 pounds
- Weight: 79.8 pounds
- Max temperature: 500 degrees Fahrenheit
Pros
- Legs are easy to fold up for transport or extend for cooking
- Digital controller comes equipped with 2 meat probe ports and 1 meat probe
- 387 square inches of cooking surface is large for a portable pellet grill
Cons
- Heavy weight of nearly 80 pounds makes it difficult to lift and move
Get the Pit Boss portable pellet grill at Amazon or AJ Madison.
Best Lightweight
Cuisinart Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
While there are plenty of portable pellet smokers available, many weigh well more than 50 pounds, making them a challenge to lift and carry even over short distances for many people. This Cuisinart model is an exception. Weighing in at 44 pounds, it’s lighter than most, making it much more manageable for one person to lift and carry the grill to and from a vehicle. Despite its small size, it still has 256 square inches of cooking surface, which is about the same as most other pellet grills.
The Cuisinart also comes equipped with digital controls, a meat probe port, and a digital meat thermometer. Its pellet hopper capacity is on the small side at 4 pounds, so users will want to be prepared to reload pellets more often.
Product Specs
- Cooking surface: 256 square inches
- Hopper capacity: 4 pounds
- Weight: 44 pounds
- Max temperature: 500 degrees Fahrenheit
Pros
- Easier for a single person to carry thanks to light weight and compact size
- Equipped with digital controller and a meat port with a meat thermometer
- Dual-rack design gives this grill a large cooking surface for its size
Cons
- Equipped with smaller pellet hopper that requires refills more often
Get the Cuisinart portable pellet grill at Amazon, The Home Depot, Walmart, or BBQGuys.
Also Consider
Z Grills Cruiser 200A Pellet Grill
This well-built portable pellet grill features a simple design, some nice extra features, and a reasonable price tag. Despite its compact size, it has some 202 square inches of cooking surface, about enough for a whole chicken, six burgers, or a rack of ribs. Its 8-pound-capacity hopper provides plenty of time to smoke or grill before requiring a refill.
With its compact size and manageable weight of about 52 pounds, it’s small and light enough for one person to lift and place it in a car trunk and carry it small distances from vehicle to cooking location. There are also digital controls and a meat port with a meat probe for monitoring food temperatures.
Product Specs
- Cooking surface: 202 square inches
- Hopper capacity: 8 pounds
- Weight: 52 pounds
- Max temperature: 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Pros
- Compact size and manageable weight make lifting and transporting it easier
- Comes with port and meat probe for monitoring food temperatures
- Broad cooking surface for a tabletop-style pellet grill
Cons
- Some customers complain that the grill arrived with damaged parts
Get the Z Grills portable pellet grill at Amazon or Wayfair.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Portable Pellet Grill
The type of pellet grill as well as its size and weight are crucial factors to consider when shopping for a pellet grill. Find out more about these and other characteristics of portable pellet grills below.
Types
Portable pellet grills come in two types: tabletop and stand-alone. Stand-alone models resemble full-size pellet grills with a cook box that sits on top of four foldable legs. This type of pellet grill has a broader cooking surface than tabletop models, making it ideal for large tailgating events. Since they have foldable legs, they don’t require one to find a table or other flat surface to sit them on.
Tabletop pellet grills are more compact and lighter than stand-alone models, making them easier to lift and transport than stand-alone models, which are much bulkier and heavier. Since tabletop models don’t have legs, they require a flat surface such as a table or pickup truck tailgate. They also have limited cooking space compared to stand-alone models.
Size and Weight
Portable pellet grills can vary significantly in size and weight depending on the type of grill. Tabletop pellet grills are typically about the size of the average suitcase and weigh between 40 and 60 pounds, which is just light and small enough for a single person to lift and carry them over short distances.
Stand-alone portable pellet grills are much larger, usually 3 feet or longer while weighing 60 to 100 pounds. As such, these grills often require two people to lift and move as well as a pickup truck or a vehicle with a large trunk for transport.
In addition to size and weight, hopper capacity is also crucial as it determines how long one can smoke on a single load of pellets. Most pellet grills get about an hour at 225 degrees Fahrenheit per pound of pellets. Portable pellet grills range in hopper capacity from as small 3.5 pounds up to 19 pounds.
Temperature Range
Pellet grills offer versatility you won’t find on standard gas or charcoal grills because they are able to maintain low temperatures for smoking or high temperatures for grilling. Many portable pellet grills have a temperature range of 160 up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Most of the time, pellet grills use indirect heat, which can make it challenging to grill on them. Some pellet grills have searing features that allow the user to change the setup to direct heat and boost the grilling temperature well beyond 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which is key for searing steaks and burgers.
Feature Set
Pellet grills come with various features that make them easier to use. Most have a digital controller with a thermostat. Once the user dials in a specific temperature on the thermostat, the grill automatically feeds the right amount of pellets into the cook box to maintain that temperature.
Many portable pellet grills also have built-in ports that allow you to connect a meat probe for monitoring food temperature via the digital display. Some portable pellet grills have Wi-Fi features and connectivity, which enables you to change the temperature and monitor digital meat thermometers all via an app on your smartphone.
Power Source
Unlike gas and charcoal grills, pellet grills use electricity to power the hopper that automatically feeds pellets into the burner. Since portable pellet grills are used in such places as campsites and stadium parking lots where there is no available electrical outlet, most portable pellet grills come with adapters that allow them to operate off of a 12-volt power source, such as the accessory outlet on a vehicle or a 12-volt battery.
The Advantages of Owning a Portable Pellet Grill
When considering portable grills, there are several reasons to go with a pellet over a gas or charcoal model. Pellets grills, with their ability to maintain very low temperatures for smoking and high temperatures for grilling, offer more versatility than other types of grills.
Since these grills are light enough to take on the road, they’re perfect for tailgating events, camping, or barbecues at the local park. Pellet grills also require less maintenance since they use a built-in thermometer that automatically maintains their temperature, so the chef doesn’t have to hover over the grill.
Portable pellet grills are easy to store, so they are also a good choice for anyone who may want to try smoking but doesn’t have the budget or space on their patio or deck for a full-size pellet grill.
- Can cook at very low or very high temperatures
- Lightweight and compact enough to take on the road
- Easier to use thanks to digital PID system
- Ideal starter grill for newbies to smoking
FAQs
Purchasing the right pellets is key to having a successful barbecuing or grilling session with this type of grill. Find out what you should look for when shopping for pellets and tips on operating your pellet grill.
Q. Is a pellet grill expensive to run?
The average pellet grill uses about a pound of pellets per hour when running at a temperature of around 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Given the cost of pellets, it costs about 75 cents per hour to run a pellet grill.
Pellet grills do use a small amount of electricity to power the PID system that feeds pellets into the cook box; however, the amount it uses is so small that it has a negligible impact on your power bill.
Q. Can you BBQ on a pellet grill?
You can barbecue on a pellet grill. Barbecuing is the process of smoking meat by cooking it slow and low at temperatures that typically range from 180 to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Since pellet grills use indirect heat, they are well suited for barbecuing. Pellet grills are also capable of grilling, which is cooking foods at higher temperatures of 400 degrees Fahrenheit and up.
Q. Does it matter what brand of pellets you use?
Brand matters as it often determines the quality of the pellets. A high-quality brand of pellets will be made from 100 percent hardwood with no softwood fillers. These premium ingredients create more smokey flavor in food, make it easier for the pellet grill to maintain a consistent temperature, and burn for longer than lower quality pellets.
Q. Which pellets last the longest?
If you want a long-lasting pellet, then use hickory wood pellets. Hickory is a very dense hardwood that takes longer to burn than other common pellets, such as apple.
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