Our pitmasters have cooked on every grill in the Traeger lineup. We’ve tested their ability to cook ribs, brisket, and pulled pork low and slow, as well as how they perform grilling and searing meat.

If you’re considering buying a Traeger but not sure which is best, read on to learn the differences between each model, and how they stack up against the competition.

The Traeger lineup

When it comes to pellet grills, Traeger is king. Joe Traeger invented this new type of grill in 1986, and it remains the most well-known pellet grill brand today.

Shopping for a Traeger grill can be confusing. With so many years in business, there are many different models and versions to compare.

These days, Traeger produces five models of pellet grill.

The Traeger pellet grill lineup

• Pro – The most popular entry-level option.
• Ironwood – A step up from the Pro series, offering larger sizes plus more tech like Super Smoke mode and a built-in pellet sensor.
• Timberline – Even larger sizes, a new cart, a touch screen, and a built-in induction cooktop.
• Tailgater – A portable model with 300 sq inches and a lot less tech, now quite dated.
• Ranger –

The Traeger Pro includes the grill size in the name, while the updated Ironwood and Timberline come in standard or XL, so you’ll need to check the specs (or scroll down) for the exact size.

We’ll go into a lot more detail in our reviews below to help you decide. This comparison tool is also useful for comparing different Traeger models.

The Best Traeger Grills

These Traeger reviews are summaries of longer reviews we’ve done on each model, so be sure to check those out once you’ve narrowed down which model you are interested in.

1. Best For Most People – Traeger Ironwood Wood Pellet Grill

Read our full Traeger Ironwood review.

The Ironwood sits in the middle of the Traeger lineup. Like the top-of-the-range Timberline, it was updated in 2022 with a new color display, improved insulated construction, and a range of customization options with the P.A.L. accessory system.

We think this is the best Traeger for most people. It has a recently refreshed design and a lot of useful tech without the eye-watering Timberline price tag.

The only difference between the base Ironwood and the XL is the size, so it comes down to how many people you plan on cooking for.

Traeger Ironwood Specifications:

The Ironwood shares many features with the more expensive Timberline. It now has the ‘DownDraft Exhaust’ and ‘Super Smoke® Mode’ features that used to be unique to the Timberline.

You also have the option to change the smoke level and a pellet sensor.

While it does sound a bit like marketing jargon, these features do seem to help circulate fresh smoke, keeping smoke in the chamber and maintaining even temp.

When Traeger updated the Ironwood design, they added good prep areas and a storage shelf. The P.A.L accessory system allows you to add on extra like a front shelf and storage bin.

For a detailed look at this grill, check out the video below.

You’ve also got some handy features that make this grill easy to use, like the keep warm mode and options to create custom cook settings via the digital control panel or app.

The Ironwood series is all about offering a middle range between the pricier Timberline and smaller more basic Pro series. With the Pro getting its last redesign way back in 2019, the Ironwood is the best option if you want the latest Traeger enhancements.

The Timberline does have some nice features (we’ll get to those in a minute), but the price jump is huge. That’s why we think the Ironwood is the sweet spot.

2. Traeger Timberline Wood Pellet Grill

Read our full Traeger Timberline review.

When Traeger released the new version of the Timberline, they updated the cart design to make it more of an all-in-one outdoor kitchen.

The new design includes a cabinet, more storage options, and a built-in induction plate for prepping sauces, sides, and searing meat. Like the Ironwood, it uses the P.A.L. Pop-And-Lock system to customize your grill with various attachments.

I’ve been cooking on the TImberline for about a year, and it has continued to surprise me.

Traeger Timberline Specifications:

During my cooking tests, I found the brisket I smoked had noticeably more flavor from the smoke output.

I was also pleasantly surprised that I could get the grill grates hot enough to sear steaks.

This makes it a versatile option for those who want to cook a wide variety of food.

The grill starts relatively fast for its size, and the large touchscreen controller is a joy to use.

I love how they implemented the oven-style racking system so you have a not of flexibility in how you position the grates to fit whatever you’re smoking.

The one big knock against the Timberline is the price point. It is one of the most expensive pellet smokers on the market. Even the smaller Timberline costs almost $1,000 more than the made-in-the-USA Yoder YS640 (we have a detailed comparison of those two smokers you can check out).

If you want the latest and greatest and have the cash, we think it’s worth the investment. Traeger has the best tech and app out of every pellet grill we’ve tested. All the outdoor kitchen features help to justify the price.

3. Traeger Pro 575 Wood Pellet Grill

Read our full Traeger Pro review.

The Traeger Pro is the best-selling, entry-level Traeger grill.

When it was last updated in 2019, it was a great value grill with the addition of Wifi technology to connect the grill to the Traeger companion app.

Now, in 2024, the Pro is starting to show its age. Unlike the Timberline and Ironwood, this grill design has not been touched. Plus, you have a lot more options from the competition, which has been busy releasing grills with better features for a similar or even lower price.

It’s been rumored that Traeger has an update to the Pro coming in Q4 2024. I’d still recommend the Pro if you can buy it on sale, as it’s still a nicely made pit with a great app.

The Pro comes in two sizes. The 575 square inch model has enough space to cook five racks of ribs at once, or four chickens which should be plenty for most people. The price jump to the larger is $200, and for that price, you are way better off looking at the Weber Searwood or Camp Chef Woodwind.

You can also choose between black or bronze colors.

The Traeger app is amongst the best of all pellet grills we’ve tested.

If you’re not sure, we have a guide that covers which Traeger grills have WiFi.

Traeger Pro 575 Specifications:

Temperature is controlled by the Pro D2 direct drive controller, which lets you cook anywhere between 180 – 500°F.

The RTD probe measures the temperature every second to maintain even temperatures within 15 degrees.

Another benefit of the D2 direct drive technology is the turbo temp fast startup, which lets you start cooking quickly.

You get an 18lb hopper, and thanks to the cleanout feature, you can quickly change pellet flavor during a cook.

Prep space is limited, but this can be fixed by adding the front folding shelf. We have a guide that goes over the best Traeger accessories you can add.

The Pro was great value for years but with stiff competition from Weber, Camp Chef and others, it’s no longer a great buy unless you can get it on sale.

4. [TAG117]

Read our full Traeger Tailgater review.

The Tailgater is Traeger’s attempt to offer the convenience and flavor of cooking with pellets, in a portable format.

With 300 square inches of cooking space, the Tailgater can handle 3 racks of ribs, although it will be a tight fit.

The grill weighs 62 lbs and measures 36 x 37 x 18 inches. The pellet hopper can hold 8 lbs, which should allow 4-6 hours of cooking without refilling.

The EZ-Fold legs are a handy feature that allows you to wheel the grill onto the bed or your truck.

What you gain in portability, you give up on features. The Tailgater doesn’t include WiFi or any other improvements in the Pro, Ironwood, or Timberline grills.

Like the Pro, the Tailgater is showing its age, and it is overdue for a refresh.

This grill still performs well and can handle anywhere from 180 – 450°F. The digital controller keeps temperatures fairly stable within 20 degrees of your set temperature.

Traeger Tailgater Specifications:

Traeger also sells the smaller Ranger which we cover in more detail in our best portable pellet grills guides.

While there’s something nice about grilling with charcoal when you are camping, you can’t beat the versatility of a pellet grill. Being able to bake, grill and smoke is super convenient when you can only take one grill with you.

Where are Traeger grills made?

All Traeger grills are manufactured in China and Vietnam.

Some people have complained about Traeger offshoring grill production leading to a drop in quality in the 2010s.

While Traeger did go through a rough period, the simple fact is that the vast majority of consumer grills are manufactured outside of the USA.

If you value American-made products, you might consider a Yoder or Lone Star Grillz pellet grill.

Other brands to consider

Thanks to Traeger’s popularity, there are now many more brands to choose from. While Traeger is still the most popular, these brands are hot on their tails.

In most cases we have detailed comparisons where we pit a Traeger model against a comparably priced competitor.

Not sold on Traeger? Check out our list of the best Traeger alternatives.

Pit Boss VS Traeger

Pit Boss is one of the most popular Traeger competitors and offers grills starting at a fraction of the cost of a Traeger Pro.

One feature many Pit Boss models have over Traeger is the slide and sear system. A small plate slides to open and shut access to the firepot. You can see how this feature works in our detailed review of the Pit Boss Sportsman.

On the upside you can hit temps as high as 500°F which is a full 50°F higher than on the Traeger Pro.

Build quality is pretty similar to Traeger.

Read our full Traeger VS Pit Boss comparison.

Camp Chef VS Traeger

I’m a big fan of Camp Chef and their flagship Woodwind which is always on our list of favorite pellet grills.

The popular DLX 24 pellet grill is also worth checking out.

Unlike Traeger, Camp Chef produces a variety of outdoor cooking products and other types of grill, so they definitely aren’t as specialized.

The option to purchase a sear box with Camp Chef attachment is one of the main features that set these grills apart.

Camp Chef also has a nice system to dump and switch out the wood pellets, and a great grease and ash catch system.

To learn more, check our detailed Camp Chef vs Traeger head to head comparison.

Green Mountain Grills VS Treager

Green Mountain Grills (GMG for short) has a small but loyal following. For many years, Traeger and GMG were involved in a bitter lawsuit, which has now been settled.

They were ahead of the game when it came to adding WiFi as a standard option with their wood pellet grills.

Well-built and competitively priced, they are a strong alternative to Traeger.

A lot of their fame comes from the excellent Trek portable pellet grill, which is one of our favorite portable pellet smokers. This grill competes with the Traeger Tailgater, but with the GMG, you get WiFi, which is really handy when you are camping.

If you aren’t interested in a portable grill, they also sell the popular Ledge Prime which competes with the Traeger Pro 575.

For the price, Green Mountain Grills make an excellent Traeger alternative. You just don’t have the full range of sizes available.

To learn more, check our detailed Green Mountain Grills VS Traeger comparison.

Z Grills VS Traeger

Z Grills are the newest competitor to Traeger. While it looks like they appeared out of nowhere, they’ve been manufacturing grills out of China for other companies (including including Traeger!) for several years.

The main advantage of Z Grills is value for money. The Z Grills 700D4E offers 700 square inches of cooking space, a 3-year warranty, and similar construction quality to Traeger, all for a lower price.

They also have a smaller 450 square inch model that has a similar construction and the suitcase-style Cruiser 200A that competes with the Traeger Ranger.

After some people reported issues with the temperature control unit, this has been upgraded in the latest models.

We have a more detailed guide that puts the Traeger Pro against a similarly priced Z Grills smoker.

Traeger VS Recteq

Recteq (formerly REC TEC) has a reputation for high-quality pellet grills at a mid-range price point.

There fans are famously loyal. Just go on any forum or Facebook group and you’ll see them pop up everytime anyone asks for a smoker recommendation.

Check out our detailed REC TEC VS Traeger comparison for more information.

Traeger Brand History

I always like to know a little bit about the brand of grill I’m buying. And Traeger has quite an interesting brand story.

Traeger grills were the result of Joe Traeger and Jerry Whitfield experimenting with wood pellet-burning stoves.

Joe Traeger was the first person to develop the pellet grill in 1985, and he patented it in 1986.

Thanks to this patent, Traeger had the pellet grill market all to themselves for the next twenty years.

Early Traeger grills used a simple LMH controller, which lets you choose between low, medium, and high heat.

These early models were fairly basic, as the auger timing didn’t allow for weather conditions or the amount of food being cooked.

During this time Traeger remained a small family company based out of Oregon.

When the original patent expired in 2006, there was a rush of new brands entering the pellet smoker market. By 2014 there were 27 different companies manufacturing pellet grills.

Jeremy Andrus joined Traeger in 2014 when he acquired the business in with private equity firm Trilantic Capital Partners and moved the business to Salt Lake City.

Today, Traeger is still the largest manufacturer of pellet grills, selling more than $300 million worth of products per year.

Like any big company, you hear mixed stories about customer service. From digging through the complaints, I see that most people object to long wait times when ordering replacement parts for faulty grills.

Wrapping it up

For many years, if you wanted a pellet grill, Traeger was the only option you had.

With the rush of companies entering the market, Traeger has had to seriously up their game.

They now offer some of the most advanced pellet grills available in terms of technology.

Having said that, as a big company, they do spend a lot on marketing, and you can get good value deals on some of the other brands like Camp Chef or Green Mountain Grills.

We suggest you shop around and look at a few different models before you pull the trigger.