Quick Answer
For most home cooks, the Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker is the better pick — Traeger's premium platform — WiFIRE app, D2 controller, and Super Smoke mode for the most polished pellet experience. The Pit Boss Navigator 850 Wood Pellet Grill wins on value and is the right call if budget is the deciding factor.
Traeger and Pit Boss are the two biggest names in pellet grills, and they pull in opposite directions: Traeger is the premium, app-polished experience, while Pit Boss undercuts it on price and piles on cooking area. Both give you hands-off, wood-fired smoking — set a temperature and the auger does the rest — so the real question is how much you value the software, build, and searing heat. We compared Traeger's Ironwood 885 against the Pit Boss Navigator 850, with a budget Z Grills wildcard, to sort out which deserves your patio.
How We Picked These
For this traeger vs pit boss comparison, we applied the framework laid out in our Editorial Policy: we evaluate materials and construction first, then weight long-term durability heavily — six-month and one-year owner-review patterns matter more than first-week impressions. We hold each candidate to the same criteria (material quality, real-world performance, warranty terms and how the manufacturer actually honors them, and value at each price tier), then note where one option clearly wins, where the difference is marginal, and where the cheaper option is good enough for most people.
1.: Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Traeger
- 885 sq in cooking area; WiFIRE app and Alexa control
- D2 Direct Drive controller holds steady temps
- Super Smoke mode for deeper flavor
- Premium build with downdraft exhaust
Pros
- Best-in-class app and temperature control
- Super Smoke mode adds real depth
- Polished build and huge accessory ecosystem
Watch-outs
- Pricey
- Needs an electrical outlet
2.: Pit Boss Navigator 850 Wood Pellet Grill
Pit Boss Navigator 850 Wood Pellet Grill
Pit Boss
- 849 sq in cooking area
- Hits higher searing temperatures than most Traegers
- PID control board with meat probes
- Heavy-duty build for the price
Pros
- More cooking area for the money
- Hits higher temps for searing
- Strong value versus Traeger
Watch-outs
- App less refined than Traeger's
- Heavier hopper to fill
Alternative Pick: Z Grills 700D Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Z Grills 700D Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Z Grills
- 700 sq in cooking area
- PID controller for steady temps
- 8-in-1 versatility; includes a cover
- Budget-friendly entry into pellet grilling
Pros
- Traeger-style cooking at a budget price
- PID controller holds temp well
- Big cooking surface
Watch-outs
- No WiFi connectivity
- Lighter-gauge build than premium brands
The Comparison Table
| Product | Brand | Role | Key spec |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traeger | Traeger | Contender A | 885 sq in cooking area; WiFIRE app and Alexa control |
| Pit Boss | Pit Boss | Contender B | 849 sq in cooking area |
| Z Grills | Z Grills | Wildcard | 700 sq in cooking area |
The Verdict
Get the Traeger if you want the most refined experience. The WiFIRE app, D2 controller, and Super Smoke mode are the best in the category — rock-steady temps, useful alerts, and a deep accessory ecosystem. You pay a premium for the polish and build, but it's the one that 'just works.'
Get the Pit Boss if you want more grill for less money. The Navigator gives you comparable cooking area, higher searing temperatures, and a sturdy build for hundreds less than a similar Traeger. The app and fit-and-finish aren't as slick, but the cooking results are excellent.
Both deliver real wood-fired flavor. This isn't a performance blowout — both hold low-and-slow temps well and produce great smoke. The decision is about software, build quality, and budget, not whether the food comes out good. It does, on both.
Want to spend less? The Z Grills wildcard. If you want pellet-grill convenience on a tight budget, the Z Grills 700D delivers PID temperature control and a big cooking surface for noticeably less than either — you just give up WiFi and some build refinement.
Buyer Scenario Decision Matrix
Stop comparing specs. Start with what you're actually doing, then the right product is obvious:
| Your Situation | Buy This | Skip This | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most people — daily use, no compromises | Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker | Premium-only sets you won't grow into | 885 sq in cooking area; WiFIRE app and Alexa control |
| Budget-conscious or first-time buyer | Pit Boss Navigator 850 Wood Pellet Grill | Premium upgrade you may not need yet | 849 sq in cooking area |
| Heavy daily use, splurge, or buy-once-keep-forever | Z Grills 700D Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker | Cheaper sets — you'll outgrow them | 700 sq in cooking area |
Bottom Line: Which Should You Buy?
For most people: the Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker. Traeger's premium platform — WiFIRE app, D2 controller, and Super Smoke mode for the most polished pellet experience.
On a budget: the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Wood Pellet Grill. Pit Boss's answer — more cooking area and high-temp searing for hundreds less, with a sturdy build.
Worth the splurge: the Z Grills 700D Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker. The value wildcard — Traeger-style pellet cooking and a PID controller at a budget price.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Traeger or Pit Boss better?
Traeger is better if you want the most polished app, temperature control, and build — and you'll pay for it. Pit Boss is better value, offering similar cooking area and higher searing temps for less money. Both cook excellent food; the choice comes down to budget and how much you care about the app and finish.
Do pellet grills get hot enough to sear?
Most top out around 450–500°F, which gives a decent sear but not a blistering steakhouse crust. Pit Boss models often run a bit hotter than equivalent Traegers, which helps. Many cooks reverse-sear: smoke low, then finish the crust on a hotter grill or in a cast-iron pan.
Which has the better app, Traeger or Pit Boss?
Traeger's WiFIRE app is the more mature and reliable of the two, with smoother setup, useful alerts, and a large recipe library. Pit Boss's app works but is less refined. If app control and connectivity matter a lot to you, Traeger is the safer pick.
Are Pit Boss pellet grills reliable?
Yes — Pit Boss grills are well-regarded for the price, with sturdy builds and solid PID controllers. They're not quite as refined as Traeger in fit-and-finish or software, but they're dependable cookers that deliver a lot of capacity and value.
What is the top-rated pick for Traeger vs Pit Boss?
The Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker is our top-rated choice — Traeger's premium platform — WiFIRE app, D2 controller, and Super Smoke mode for the most polished pellet experience. Choose the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Wood Pellet Grill if pit Boss's answer — more cooking area and high-temp searing for hundreds less, with a sturdy build.
Is Pit Boss as good as Traeger?
For cooking results, nearly identical — both produce real wood-fired flavor with hands-off temperature control. Traeger has the better app, larger accessory ecosystem, and more polished build quality. Pit Boss is $200-400 cheaper across the lineup and a smarter buy for first-time pellet-grill owners.
Traeger or Pit Boss for the money?
Pit Boss — by a wide margin. The Pit Boss Pro Series 850 delivers Traeger Ironwood-quality cooking at half the price. Traeger is worth the premium if you'll use the WiFIRE app daily; otherwise Pit Boss is the value-king of pellet grills.
Want to dig deeper? See our guides to Best Pellet Grills (2026), Best Gas Grills (2026), and Best Charcoal Grills (2026).