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
- Traeger is widely credited with creating the pellet grill and offers a much larger lineup, from the tabletop PTG to the Timberline 1300.
- Z Grills offers similar core features, often at a lower price, with more cooking area at comparable price points (e.g. 700 sq in vs 418 sq in on the Lil Tex Elite 22).
- Z Grills models are described as strong set-and-forget cookers in the mid-temperature range; Traeger is described as offering more control at the low and high ends.
- Traeger grills come with porcelain-coated grates; the Z Grills rack is rust-proof but not porcelain-coated, and its ash needs vacuuming every few cooks.
- Both brands listed a 3-year warranty at the time of writing.
Traeger and Z Grills are two of the best-known names in wood pellet grills. Traeger has the longer history and the wider range; Z Grills competes mainly on value, offering similar features and more cooking space for less money. Here is how the two brands compare, based on manufacturer information and the features of a popular mid-range model from each.
Traeger vs Z Grills at a glance
| Traeger (Lil Tex Elite 22) | Z Grills (7002 / 700 sq in) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking area | 418 sq in | 700 sq in |
| Listed temperature range | Smoke setting up to 450°F | 180°F to 450°F |
| Temperature control | Digital controller, listed within ±20°F | Digital controller with Smart Smoke technology |
| Grates | Porcelain-coated | Rust-proof, not porcelain-coated |
| Cover included | No, sold separately | Yes |
| Wheels | Standard | Heavy-duty all-terrain |
| Lineup | Around a dozen grills | A small number of models |
| Warranty | 3-year limited (residential) | 3 years, plus 30-day return when bought on Amazon |
| Relative price | Higher | Typically lower |
Specifications and warranty terms are as listed at the time of writing; both brands have updated their lineups since, so check current models.
How pellet grills work
A pellet grill burns small, compressed hardwood pellets. An auger moves pellets from a hopper into a fire pot, where an igniter lights them and a fan circulates the heat and smoke around the food. Because the fuel feed is continuous and controlled, the grill can hold a steady temperature for hours with little attention.
Cooking pellets are made from hardwood sawdust, often a by-product of other wood processing, with vegetable oil used as a lubricant during production. They come in flavours such as hickory, apple and oak, so you choose the smoke flavour by choosing the pellet. Traeger traces its pellets back to a pellet stove design, and its grills were adapted from the same auger-and-fire-pot idea.
Both brands’ grills can smoke, grill, roast, bake and braise. They won’t hold an exact temperature the way a kitchen oven does, so keep a closer eye on baking. A good wireless BBQ thermometer helps you track both the grill and the meat.
Traeger pellet grills
Traeger’s long time in the market has produced a broad lineup, from the compact tabletop PTG to the large Timberline 1300, which can cook for a big crowd. Traeger grills are designed to be set and left alone: as long as there are pellets in the hopper, the grill holds its temperature, making long, low cooks straightforward.
A representative mid-range model is the Traeger Lil Tex Elite 22 (TFB42LZBC). Traeger lists 418 square inches of cooking area, which it says fits up to 16 burgers or four whole chickens. Its digital controller lets you set the temperature like an oven dial and is listed as holding within 20 degrees, from the smoke setting up to 450°F. It has an auto-start igniter, porcelain-coated grates and a powder-coated steel body.
Even heat suits delicate foods where a hot spot could ruin the dish, and fatty foods that might cause flare-ups on a conventional grill. Traeger also offers guidance on its website on which wood suits which food.
Because the pellets themselves supply the smoke, you don’t need to add wood chips the way you might with charcoal. The Lil Tex Elite 22 can handle a rack of ribs, a wood-fired pizza or even an apple pie, so in good weather it can stand in for your oven. Its porcelain grates clean up easily even after saucy ribs, and the grills are designed for long service; some early Traeger grills are still in use today.
Traeger Lil Tex Elite 22
Listed specifications
- 418 sq in cooking area
- Digital controller, listed within ±20°F
- Smoke setting up to 450°F
- Auto-start ignition
- Porcelain-coated grates
- Powder-coated steel
- 3-year limited warranty (residential products)
Pros
- Long-established pellet grill brand with a wide range of sizes
- Porcelain-coated grates for easier clean-up
- Grill, smoke, bake, roast and sear in one cooker
- Durable powder-coated steel
- Classic barrel-smoker styling
Cons
- Cover and accessories sold separately
- Wheels less rugged than Z Grills’ all-terrain wheels
- Can go out on the smoke setting in windy conditions
- Needs more pellet checks and refills than Z Grills
- Less cooking area than a similarly priced Z Grills model
- Slightly more top-heavy
Z Grills pellet grills
Z Grills is newer to the pellet grill market than Traeger but, according to the company, has been manufacturing grills for over 30 years. Rather than a large range, it focuses on a few models built around easy set-and-forget cooking, and its grills are typically cheaper than comparable Traegers.
The Z Grills 7002 offers 700 square inches of cooking space across the main and warming racks, enough for most parties. Its automated feed system is listed as holding temperatures from 180°F for smoking up to 450°F, and heavy-duty all-terrain wheels make it easier to move across a yard. The rack is rust-proof but not porcelain-coated, so stuck-on food can be harder to remove.
The trade-off is maintenance: Z Grills does not have a strong ash clean-out system, so plan to vacuum the fire pot every few uses. There is also no port for emptying the hopper, which makes switching pellet flavours between cooks less convenient.
Z Grills 7002
Listed specifications
- 700 sq in cooking area (main plus warming rack)
- Listed range 180°F to 450°F
- Digital controller with Smart Smoke technology
- Powder-coated steel
- Heavy-duty all-terrain wheels
- 3-year warranty and 30-day return when sold on Amazon (at the time of writing)
Pros
- Cover included
- Easy set-and-forget operation
- More cooking area for the price
- Often described as sturdy and well built
- Easy assembly
Cons
- Ash must be cleaned out every few uses
- No hopper clean-out port for changing pellets
- Rack is not porcelain-coated
- Much smaller model range than Traeger
Which should you choose?
- Choose Traeger if you want the widest choice of sizes, porcelain-coated grates, and more control at the very low and high ends, and you don’t mind paying more and checking pellets more often.
- Choose Z Grills if you want the most cooking area for your budget, a cover in the box, rugged wheels and a hands-off mid-temperature cooker, and you’re fine vacuuming the ash regularly.
For more comparisons, see Pit Boss vs Traeger, our follow-up on how Z Grills compare to Traeger, and the best pellet grills under $500.
Bottom line
For the average backyard cook, mid-range grills from both brands are broadly comparable. Z Grills wins on value and cooking space; Traeger wins on range, brand history and finishing touches like porcelain grates. Compare current models and warranty terms before you buy, as both lineups change often.
FAQ
Are Z Grills cheaper than Traeger?
Generally, yes. Comparable Z Grills models have typically been priced lower than Traeger while offering similar features and more cooking area.
Do pellet grills need cleaning?
Yes. Ash builds up in the fire pot. Z Grills recommends vacuuming it out every few uses, and Traeger grills are also designed to be cleaned regularly.
Can you bake in a pellet grill?
Both brands’ grills can bake, roast and braise, but they don’t hold temperature as precisely as an oven, so watch baked goods more closely.
