Editor’s note: Originally published December 2020. Reviewed and updated November 2026. Some models mentioned here may have been updated or discontinued since; check current availability and specifications before buying.
Quick answer
- Most features for the money: Camp Chef PG24 DLX — 570 sq in of rack space, an 18 lb hopper, a pull-lever ash clean-out and a 160°F–500°F listed range.
- Most cooking space: Z Grills ZPG-7002B — 700 sq in total, a 20 lb hopper and a lifetime guarantee, but no ash clean-out or pellet purge.
- Smaller family pick: Z Grills ZPG-450A — a compact pellet grill with a 15 lb hopper for small households.
- Most portable: Traeger Tailgater 20 — folding legs and roughly 62 lb, but only 300 sq in and an 8 lb hopper.
- Budget pellet grills can swing in temperature, so check them with a separate thermometer.
You can get a capable pellet grill for under $500 that smokes, grills, bakes and roasts without the price of a premium model. The trade-offs at this budget are usually cooking space, hopper size, clean-out convenience and how tightly the controller holds temperature. Prices change often, so check current prices before you buy.
Below are four pellet grills that fit this budget at the time of writing, with the features and specifications listed by their manufacturers. Our picks are based on that information, not on hands-on testing.
What to know before buying a budget pellet grill
Less expensive pellet grills are more likely to have temperature swings and uneven pellet feeding. Keep an eye on a new grill and verify the cooking temperature with a separate thermometer, such as a wireless BBQ thermometer, so you know it is performing as it should.
The grill’s temperature probe is often one of the first parts to wear out. A dirty probe can sometimes be cleaned with steel wool to restore normal readings, and it is worth checking your thermometers’ accuracy over the years.
Other things to compare:
- Cooking area: enough rack space for the crowd you usually feed.
- Hopper capacity: a bigger hopper means fewer refills on long smokes.
- Clean-out: an ash dump or pellet purge saves you from vacuuming the firepot and lets you switch wood flavors.
- Warranty and support: coverage at this budget ranges from one year to a lifetime guarantee.
- Power: every pellet grill needs electricity to run the auger, fan and igniter, which limits portability.
The best pellet grills under $500
Camp Chef PG24 DLX Pellet Grill
The Camp Chef PG24 DLX packs a lot into this price range. It has a large cooking surface, an internal temperature sensor so you can see the grill temperature without lifting the lid, and an included meat probe.
Its digital controller and automatic auger feed pellets to hold your set temperature, so you don’t need to babysit the fire. The listed range runs from 160°F for low-and-slow smoking up to 500°F for searing, which also makes it suitable for baking and roasting.
Camp Chef’s patented ash clean-out is the standout feature: pull a lever and the ash drops out, rather than having to vacuum the firepot every few cooks. A pellet purge lets you empty the hopper when you want to change wood. The trade-offs are a one-year warranty, shorter than some rivals, and a controller that holds within about 20°F of the target. It may also struggle to reach high temperatures on very cold days.
Listed specifications
- Main rack 19.5 x 22 in; smoking/warming rack 6 x 24 in; 570 sq in total rack area
- Temperature range 160°F to 500°F
- 18 lb hopper capacity
- Pellet purge system
- Electronic auto ignition
- Internal temperature sensor and meat probe
- 1-year warranty
Pros
- Pull-lever ash clean-out and pellet purge make maintenance easier
- Internal temperature sensor shows grill temperature without opening the lid
- Large 570 sq in of rack space and 18 lb hopper
- Widest listed temperature range here, up to 500°F
- Described as simple to assemble
Cons
- Holds temperature only to within about 20°F of the target
- Built-in thermometer may read 10–15°F off
- Only a one-year warranty
- May not reach high temperatures easily in cold weather
Z Grills ZPG-7002B Pellet Grill
The Z Grills ZPG-7002B offers the most cooking space in this list and comes with a cover, which other brands often sell separately. Its Smart Smoke technology and automatic electric feed keep pellets moving to hold your set temperature, and the digital controller is listed as holding within 20°F of the setting.
The cooking area is split into a 513 sq in main rack and a 187 sq in warming rack, and the 20 lb hopper is the largest here. An internal temperature sensor and electronic auto ignition round out the features, and Z Grills backs it with a lifetime guarantee.
The weak points are maintenance and low-temperature smoking. There is no ash clean-out, so you need to remove the heat baffle and drain pan and vacuum out the ash regularly. There is no pellet purge either, which makes changing wood flavors awkward. It is reported to hold temperatures above 250°F well but to be less steady below that, which matters if you like very low smoking temperatures.
Listed specifications
- 700 sq in total cooking space (513 sq in main rack + 187 sq in warming rack)
- Temperature range listed as 180°F to 450°F (some listings say 160°F)
- 20 lb hopper capacity
- Internal temperature sensor; electronic auto ignition
- Cover included
- Lifetime guarantee
Pros
- Most cooking space and biggest hopper in this guide
- Cover included
- Lifetime guarantee
- Described as easy to set up
Cons
- No ash clean-out; ash must be vacuumed out
- No pellet purge to empty the hopper
- Less steady below about 250°F, so not ideal for very low smoking
- Temperature may fluctuate during cooking
Z Grills ZPG-450A Pellet Grill
The ZPG-450A is Z Grills’ smaller option, aimed at small families and small gatherings rather than big parties. Like the larger model, you set the temperature and the controller feeds pellets to hold it, so there’s no complicated start-up and no need to tend the fire.
Z Grills describes it as an 8-in-1 cooker: you can grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, sear, char-grill and barbecue on the same unit. The 15 lb hopper means fewer refills than the Tailgater, though it holds less than the larger grills here.
Listed specifications
- 8-in-1 cooking: grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, sear, char-grill, barbecue
- 15 lb hopper capacity
- Weight: 84 lb
- Dimensions: 45 x 28 x 49 in
- Bronze finish
Pros
- Very versatile cooking modes
- Set-and-forget temperature control
- Compact footprint for small households
Cons
- Smaller cooking area than the ZPG-7002B
- Heavier than the Tailgater 20 and not built to travel
Traeger Tailgater 20 Pellet Grill
If you want the Traeger name on a budget, the Tailgater 20 is one of the brand’s smaller and most affordable grills. Its folding legs and weight of around 62 lb mean most people can lift it into a vehicle and set it up at a tailgate or campsite.
Keep in mind that it still needs an electrical outlet to run, so it is most useful where power is available. The 300 sq in grilling area is noticeably smaller than the competition, but it still fits up to 12 burgers or two whole chickens.
The Digital Elite controller holds temperature to within about 20°F of your setting, and electronic auto-start ignition means no charcoal chimney or fire starters. Porcelain-coated grates are easy to clean, even after saucy ribs. There is no ash dump or pellet clean-out door, so expect some manual cleaning between cooks.
Listed specifications
- 300 sq in grilling area
- 8 lb hopper capacity
- Cooking temperature 160°F to 450°F
- Digital Elite controller; electronic auto-start ignition
- Porcelain-coated grill grates; folding legs
- Weight: about 62 lb; dimensions 37 x 18 x 36 in
- 3-year warranty
Pros
- Folding legs and low weight make it the most portable here
- Easy-clean porcelain-coated grates
- Well-known brand with a three-year warranty
- Described as easy to assemble
Cons
- Smallest cooking area and hopper in this guide
- Temperature can fluctuate and the probe may be unreliable
- No ash dump or door to empty pellets; ash must be cleaned out manually
- Needs electricity, which limits its portability
- Manual instructions could be clearer
Not ready for a pellet grill? Try a pellet smoker tube
If you already own a gas or charcoal grill, a pellet smoker tube is a far cheaper way to add wood-pellet smoke flavor. The LIZZQ Premium Pellet Smoker, for example, is a 12-inch hexagonal stainless steel tube that the maker says works in any grill or smoker, for hot or cold smoking, and produces up to five hours of smoke.
It works with a range of wood pellets such as cherry, hickory, mesquite, apple and pecan, and suits foods from sausages, chicken, fish and lamb to cheese, nuts and fruit. It won’t replace a pellet grill’s automatic temperature control, but it is a low-cost way to experiment with smoke.
Which pellet grill under $500 should you choose?
- Choose the Camp Chef PG24 DLX if easy cleaning, a pellet purge and a higher 500°F top end matter most.
- Choose the Z Grills ZPG-7002B if you regularly cook for a crowd and want a long warranty, and you don’t mind vacuuming out ash.
- Choose the Z Grills ZPG-450A for a small household that wants lots of cooking modes.
- Choose the Traeger Tailgater 20 if portability and the Traeger name matter more than capacity.
Comparing brands more broadly? See our Traeger vs Z Grills comparison, or the Traeger Lil Tex Elite 22 review for a step up in size.
Bottom line
A pellet grill under $500 can deliver wood-fired flavor with set-and-forget convenience, as long as you accept some compromises. Decide whether cooking space, easy cleanup or portability matters most, and use a separate thermometer to keep an eye on temperatures, since budget controllers can swing by 20°F or more. When you’re cooking, use our safe internal cooking temperatures chart to know when meat is done.
FAQ
Do pellet grills under $500 hold temperature accurately?
The grills here are listed as holding temperature within about 20°F of the setting, and budget models can fluctuate more. Verify with a separate thermometer.
Which budget pellet grill is easiest to clean?
The Camp Chef PG24 DLX, thanks to its pull-lever ash clean-out and pellet purge. The Z Grills and Traeger models in this guide require manual ash removal.
Can I take a pellet grill camping?
The Traeger Tailgater 20 is built to travel with folding legs and a weight of about 62 lb, but like all pellet grills it needs electricity to run.
