Can you imagine having juicy, smoky, and perfectly charred meat on demand? With the best pellet grill under $500, you can turn that dream into reality.
More and more people are cooking at home instead of dining out. If you are one of them, a reliable pellet grill will come in handy. It can help you host barbeque parties and serve mouth-watering grilled dishes to friends and family.
Weekends and holidays at home will never be the same. Even better, you won’t have to break the bank for it. Below are your most cost-effective options if you are in the market for a new pellet grill.
Best Pellet Grill Under $500: A Review
1. ASMOKE Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
ASMOKE is the new kid on the block of the grilling community. It has an array of grilling accessories and even added a full-sized grill to its portfolio. It is hard to imagine that it all started just over a year ago with a wildly successful crowdfunding campaign.
The product that catapulted ASMOKE to immediate success was the Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker. It offers a unique and flavorful barbeque experience using 100% natural applewood pellets.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly way to enjoy grilled meat, this griller is a great option.
Review
This smoker-griller from ASMOKE has unique features that grill enthusiasts will love. Here are some of them.
- Natural Flavors
The first thing that separates the ASMOKE Portable Pellet Grill from its competitors is that it uses all-natural applewood pellets. While other brands use pellet blends with unnatural fillers, ASMOKE opted for pure fruitwood sourced from real orchards.
It adds a smoky-sweet flavor to your grilled meat without leaving any artificial taste. This is true whether you cook beef, lamb, chicken, pork, or even seafood and vegetables.
- ASCA System
This smoker grill features the ASCA system, which will autonomously steam your meats under high temperatures. It allows you to prepare food up to three times faster than a traditional grill.
Even better, it helps the flavor penetrate the meat, making it tastier and juicier. The ASMOKE Portable Pellet Grill will surely elevate your grilling experience.
- Automatic Pellet Reloading
The ASMOKE pellet grill offers auto pellet reloading. This feature allows you to be a barbeque master without investing most of your time and energy.
You can use it to feed the pellets automatically, so you can walk away from the grill and still maintain the temperature. A digital LED will let you monitor your food even while entertaining guests and enjoying the party yourself.
- Easy To Clean
Once the party is done and everyone has left, cleaning up can be tedious.
The ASMOKE Portable Pellet Grill is designed to make your life easier. It is fitted with a side bucket that will collect all the excess oil and grease for you to dispose of easily and quickly.
It uses 20% fewer pellets, which means less ash and easier cleanup. What is more, the ASCA system cleans the grill ducts, and the ashes are collected automatically at the bottom tray.
- Portability
This smoker grill weighs 55 pounds and has a 17.5” x 16” footprint. It is compact and highly portable, perfect for camping or tailgating. Just make sure that you have access to an outdoor power outlet.
Pros:
- Pellets with no fillers
- Quick and precise grilling
- Auto pellet reloading
- Easy to use and clean
Con:
- Too small for big families
Read also: Best Smoker Grill Combos
2. Z Grills 450A Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
Z Grills officially kicked off its operations in 2017 after launching its first product through a crowdfunding campaign. However, people quickly recognized the undeniable expertise behind the new pellet grill.
This is hardly a surprise since the group has been quietly producing high-quality grills for established brands before venturing on its own. Traeger and other prominent companies were just some of its clients.
In the span of a few years, Z Grills has introduced many other products to the market.
The Wood Pellet 450A Grill and Smoker is its entry-level offering. It is an upgrade to the 2020 version, which was one of its most popular products.
Review
Technically, Z Grills is new to the scene, but the group has extensive experience making high-quality grills. You can see it in how well-made their products are, including the 450A.
Here’s what you can expect if you buy this grill.
- PID Temperature Controller
The 450A features a PID temperature controller that uses cutting-edge closed-loop control feedback technology. It allows the grill to maintain the temperature at the desired level. Once you set it, you don’t have to worry about starting up the grill or keeping an eye on it.
- Multiple Applications
With a temperature ranging from 180°F to 450°F, you can do a lot more than just grill with the 450A. It offers seven other cooking methods: sear, smoke, barbeque, braise, bake, roast, and char-grill.
Whatever you choose, the convection heating process will ensure that your food is evenly cooked and that there are no flare-ups.
- High Capacity
As its name implies, this grill offers a little over 450 square inches of grilling area. It is smaller than the 750 series, but it is more spacious than traditional charcoal kettle grills.
You can fit 18 burgers, four rib racks, or three chickens at the same time. With the 450A, you can easily prepare food for a small family.
- Solid Construction
The 450A features a sturdy solid steel body shielded by a protective powder coating. It is designed to last, giving you years of memorable grilling experience.
Pros:
- Multiple cooking methods
- Precise temperature control
- Durable construction
Con:
- Auger might jam at times
3. Traeger Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
Traeger is one of the most recognizable names in the grilling community, and for a good reason. They developed the technology for the first pellet grill in 1985 and continue to lead the way for other brands. They now have a wide selection of pellet grills and other accessories you need to host an amazing barbeque party.
The Traeger Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker is its entry-level offering. It is designed for the road, but you can also use it to feed a small group at home.
Review
Virtually all barbeque enthusiasts know the brand, and Traeger grills offer a sense of security and stability. If you buy the Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, you can enjoy the following features:
- Digital Arc Controller
Thanks to its digital arc controller, this grill can turn any grilling newbie into a barbeque master. This feature allows you to select the temperature and keep it in the desired setting.
Along with the built-in timer, you will have total control over your cooking. Another cool thing about this grill is its Keep Warm mode, which ensures that your food is ready whenever you need it.
- Durable Build
The Traeger Portable Grill comes with porcelain-coated grates and a powder-coated exterior. It sits on sturdy tabletop legs that provide ample support and stability.
It is built to last yet does not require much effort to maintain. The surfaces are easy to clean, giving you more time and energy to focus on more important things like grilling.
- Natural Hardwood Pellets
This portable grill is fired by all-natural hardwood pellets that add an amazing flavor to anything you cook. While other brands leave a toxic smell and aftertaste to your meats, this grill from Traeger makes them more delicious.
Pros:
- Backed by the Traeger name
- Accurate temperature control
- Highly durable
- Great value for money
Con:
- Grilling area is a bit small
4. Cuisinart Wood Pellet BBQ Grill and Smoker
Cuisinart is another big name when it comes to great cooking. It has a wide range of kitchen appliances and accessories that offer functionality and aesthetics.
The Cuisinart Wood Pellet BBQ Grill and Smoker is a mid-tier product from its long line of smokers and pellets. It has enough space to cook for at least six people and allows multiple methods, from grilling to braising to baking.
Review
This grill from Cuisinart is packed full of features that newbies and seasoned grillmasters would love, such as:
- Large Grill Size
With a grill size of 450 square inches, you can use this grill to cook for at least six people. Its hopper has a 15-pound capacity, which will allow you to grill, smoke, or braise uninterrupted. In addition, its cooking grate comes in two tiers, which lets you accommodate more food.
- Versatility in Cooking
The Cuisinart Wood Pellet BBQ Grill and Smoker offers a wide range of temperatures. This feature will help you cook food in several ways, from slow roasting chicken to smoking beef.
It maintains the heat via a thermostat that you can monitor through its LED. It even adds the pellets automatically, so you do not have to babysit the grill the whole time and miss the fun.
- Easy To Use
While this pellet grill can do a lot, it is straightforward to operate. You can control its temperature through a thermostat, much like a kitchen oven.
The auger takes care of how fast or slow the pellets are fed. It even comes with all-terrain wheels and ergonomic handles, so you can quickly bring it wherever you want to.
Everything is carefully designed to make your life easier and more convenient.
Pros:
- Large grill size
- Multiple cooking methods
- Easy to use
Con:
- Smoke releasing capacity not so good
5. Pit Boss Table Top Pellet Grill
Grilling enthusiasts know Pit Boss for its innovative and value-engineered products. The company has a wide selection of grills, barbeques, and smokers, including complete lines of cooking accessories.
The Table Top Pellet Grill is an entry-level offering from the company. It offers an 8-in-1 cooking versatility for a reasonable price.
Review
This grill from Pit Boss comes with an affordable price tag, but it is no slouch when it comes to grilling. Here are some of its best features:
- Digital Temperature Control Board
The Table Top Pellet Grill comes with a digital control board to manipulate the heat accurately. It is capable of a wide range of temperatures, from as low as 180°F to as high as 500°F.
With this feature, you can execute a number of cooking methods, including grilling, smoking, roasting, searing, braising, baking, and char-grilling.
- Portability
This grill is compact and lightweight, with 24” x 19” footprint. It is ideal for tailgating, camping, or any outdoor setting with access to a power source.
The handles are ergonomic, and the locking lid ensures that everything stays in place during transport.
- Excellent Design
The Table Top Pellet Grill is cleverly designed to meet the needs of grilling enthusiasts. Despite its small size, its hopper has a capacity of five pounds.
The cooking grid is coated with porcelain, while the body has a high-temperature powder coat finish. It is built with heavy-duty steel and can stand too much abuse.
- Affordability
One of the biggest draws of this grill is that it is cheaper than most other models of similar size and quality. It allows you to enjoy and serve restaurant-quality meals without breaking the bank.
Pros:
- Precise temperature control
- Excellent design
- Lightweight and compact
- Very affordable
Con:
- Small grill size
Which One Is Best for You?
The Traeger Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker gets our nod as best pellet grill under $500. It is packed full of useful features but is easy to operate.
Overall, it offers the most value for money. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly alternative, the Pit Boss Table Top Pellet Grill is a good option.