Find the Best Traeger Grill for Your Needs – Reviews of Top Models & Accessories

I’ve been cooking on my Traeger Pro 22 for years, and I can honestly say it’s one of my favorite grills I’ve ever owned. But Traeger has a wide lineup, and the best model for you depends on your space, budget, and how you like to cook.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide:

• A breakdown of the most popular Traeger grills (Pro 22, Pro 34, Pro 780, Tailgater, Woodridge Pro, and Ironwood 885).
• Key features that make each one stand out.
• Must-have accessories and the best pellets for flavor.
• Tips on choosing the grill that fits your BBQ style.

By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which Traeger pellet grill is the right fit for your backyard.

Why Choose Traeger Pellet Grills

There are a lot of grills out there—charcoal, gas, offset smokers—but Traeger pellet grills hit a sweet spot that keeps me coming back.

They combine the flavor of wood smoke with the convenience of push-button control. That’s a tough combo to beat.

Here’s why I think Traeger grills stand out:

• Ease of use: You literally set the temp, load the pellets, and let the grill do its thing. No babysitting a fire.
• Consistent results: The digital controller keeps the heat steady, which means no more guessing whether your food will be underdone or dried out.
• Versatility: You can smoke ribs low and slow, sear a steak, roast a chicken, or even bake pizza—all on the same grill.
• Wood-fired flavor: This is the big one. Traeger hardwood pellets come in different varieties (hickory, apple, cherry, mesquite), so you can match the smoke flavor to what you’re cooking.
• Sizes for every cook: From small, portable models like the Tailgater to full-sized backyard rigs like the Ironwood, there’s something for everyone.

I’ll admit, I was hooked after my first rack of ribs on the Pro 22. The flavor, the ease of cooking—it made grilling more fun and a lot less stressful.

And once you figure out which model fits your lifestyle, it opens up a whole new world of backyard cooking.

Traeger Pro 22 (My Go-To Grill)

The Traeger Pro 22 is the grill I use in my own backyard, and it’s the one I recommend most for folks getting into pellet grilling.

It’s not the biggest or the flashiest, but it nails the fundamentals: steady heat, reliable performance, and enough space to feed a family without hogging the patio.

Here’s what I love about cooking on mine:

• Cooking space: 572 square inches is enough for four racks of ribs, a couple of pork butts, or a whole pack of sausages and sides. For me, it’s the perfect middle ground—big enough, but not overwhelming.
• Temperature control: The digital controller holds temp rock steady. I’ve smoked brisket overnight without worrying about babysitting it.
• Build quality: It’s sturdy, rolls easily on its wheels, and after years of use, mine is still holding up great.
• Ease of use: Load the hopper with pellets, set the temp, and you’re off. It’s that simple.

Of course, no grill is perfect. The Pro 22 doesn’t come with WiFIRE connectivity (you can’t control it from your phone), and if you’re cooking for a big crowd regularly, you might want more space.

But for everyday use—smoking ribs, grilling sausages, roasting chicken—it’s a workhorse!

For me, the Pro 22 hits the sweet spot of value and performance. It’s why I still use it as my main pellet grill, even with fancier models out there.

Traeger Pro 34 — Bigger Grill, More Room to Play

After using the Pro 22 for a while, I started eyeing something bigger when I host friends or grill big cuts.

That’s where the Traeger Pro 34 comes in: more space, more versatility, and enough heft to handle larger cooks—ribs, whole chickens, big slabs of meat. It’s like the Pro 22’s big brother who can do everything, just with more breathing room.

What I love about the Pro 34:

• Massive Cooking Area: 884 square inches over two tiers—enough space to smoke, roast, or sear multiple items at once without crowding the grill.
• Hopper Size & Flavor Swapping: Holds about 18 lbs of pellets, and includes a hopper clean-out so you can switch pellet flavors easier. Love this when I want to go from hickory to apple without messing up the flavor.
• Build & Mobility: Solid steel body, sawhorse chassis, all-terrain wheels. When I need to move it across uneven patios or backyard terrain, it’s much more stable than lighter models.
• Temperature Range: From “Smoke” (low temps) up to 450°F. Searing, smoking, baking—it handles all of that.

Things to watch out for / where it might not be ideal:

• It’s heavier and bulkier, so it takes more space and might need a dedicated spot.
• More cooking area = more pellets used and a bit more cleanup (grates, drip trays, etc.).

Traeger Pro 780 — The Big Backyard Beast

Ready to level up your pellet-grilling game? The Traeger Pro 780 is one of those grills that feels built for more than just weekend steaks.

It’s bulky, yes—but for serious cooks or folks who entertain often, the extra space and power make it worth considering.

What stands out with the Pro 780:

• Huge cooking surface: You get tons of room for multiple racks of ribs, whole turkeys, or mixing different dishes (smoked, roasted, etc.) all at once.
• WiFIRE connectivity: The Pro 780 has built-in WiFIRE, which means I can adjust temp, monitor smoke, and set timers from my phone. Super useful when I’m doing long cooks or juggling other tasks.
• Strong sear capacity + pellet efficiency: Even though it’s larger, it still delivers a good sear when pushed up high, and the pellet hopper size is generous so you’re not constantly refilling.
• Build quality & extras: Sturdier wheels, reinforced frame, better insulation—you notice these when you’re cooking in colder weather or using it often.

Trade-offs to keep in mind:

• It’s heavier and takes up more patio real estate.
• Higher cost—both upfront and for pellets/maintenance.
• It can take longer to heat up or cool down just due to its mass.

Traeger Tailgater 20 (TFB30KLF) — Portability without Losing Flavor

Always on the move, but still want to use a Traeger? If you love tailgating, camping, or just hate hauling out a giant grill for small cooks, the Traeger Tailgater 20 is one of my favorite “grab-and-go” pellet grills.

It’s compact, still gives you that Traeger wood smoke flavor, and it fits a surprising amount of food for its size.

What stands out with the Tailgater 20:

• Cooking area: ~ 300 square inches. Sufficient for ~12 burgers, or 2 whole chickens.
• Temps: It goes from “Smoke” up to 450°F (232°C), so you can do low & slow or fire it up when you want crust.
• Hopper & build: 8 lb pellet hopper, porcelain-coated grates, foldable legs. Weighs around 62 lbs so it’s portable-ish.
• Digital Arc controller: More precise temp control than older basic models. Includes meat probe.

What I like and what to consider:

• Pros:
  • It travels well. I’ve taken it on camping trips; fold-out legs and a manageable size make that possible.
  • Versatile enough for both quick cookouts and weekend smoke sessions.
  • Despite being “small”, the flavor and performance are good—nice smoke, decent sear when pushed.
• Cons:
  • Because it’s portable, you lose some of the capacity and insulation that bigger grills have. It won’t hold temps quite as steady in cold weather as something like the Pro 780 or Ironwood.
  • The legs are foldable, but folding and unfolding require care. Bulk & weight still matter if you move it a lot.

Who it’s good for:

If your space is tight (balcony, small patio), or you don’t need to barbecue for a huge crowd often. Great secondary grill for weekend tailgates, camping, or smaller homes.

If you regularly cook large racks, brisket, or feed many, you may want something larger or supplement with this.

Traeger Woodridge Pro — All the Room & Modern Features

When you want to go big—feed more people, try more styles (smoke, roast, sear), and want tech that helps instead of complicates—this is where the Woodridge Pro shines.

It feels like stepping up into a grill that’s built for folks who cook often and care about quality, flavor, and convenience.

What impresses me most about the Woodridge Pro:

• Huge cooking space: About 970 sq in total (585 on main grate + 385 upper rack). That gave me room to do big ribs, whole chickens, sides all at once without juggling.
• High max temp + good heat range: It goes up to 500°F so you have real sear capacity, but still does great low & slow with the ability to crank out real smoke.
• Smart features: WiFIRE connectivity, a digital pellet sensor (so you can monitor pellet levels via app), Super Smoke mode, and easy-clean ash & grease system—all those little conveniences add up.
• Extra space & prep options: It comes with a folding side shelf (handy for plating or staging), staging hooks, and strong build quality. If you want a grill that’s more of a year-round workhorse, this fits.

Things to consider / what it’s not perfect for:

• It’s big and heavy—takes up real space and needs room around it. If you have a small patio, you’ll want to measure carefully.
• Price is higher; you’re paying for space + tech + features.
• More parts = slightly more maintenance (cleaning, ash collection, ensuring the app & sensors stay working).

Traeger Ironwood 885 — Premium Features & Room to Grow

If you’re ready to step into the upper middle tier of pellet grills, the Ironwood 885 is one of those units that feels like an investment—but one you’ll see return in flavor, versatility, and sheer grilling joy.

It’s got more bells and whistles than simpler models, and if you cook often or for a crowd, you’ll appreciate the features.

What makes the Ironwood 885 stand out:

• Large cooking area: Around 885 square inches of space, which means I can load up big ribs, multiple brisket flat sections, and sides without overcrowding.
• WiFIRE & pellet sensor: Just like higher-end Traeger models, you get digital control, app monitoring, and a pellet level sensor so you’re not guess-checking how much fuel you’ve got left before a long cook.
• Double-sidewall insulation & thick steel: Helps the grill hold temperatures and resist heat loss—very noticeable when doing low-and-slow in cooler weather.
• More sear capability: Reaches high temps better than smaller units, so when I turn it up for steaks or crust, the Ironwood delivers.

What to watch out for:

• It’s heavier and bulkier; moving it takes effort. If you don’t have solid patio flooring or wheels that roll well, placement matters.
• Cost is higher—not just the grill itself, but accessories and parts also tend to be pricier.
• More tech means more things that can potentially need maintenance or updating (firmware, pellet sensor calibration, etc.).

Useful Accessories & Pellets

Owning a great pellet grill is just the start. The right accessories and pellets can take your cooking from a “good weekend BBQ” to “flavor people ask about.”

I’ve gathered what I consider the must-haves and flavor game-changers.

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🛠 Accessories That Matter

• Covers – Even if your Traeger is outdoors under a roof, a heavy‐duty waterproof cover protects against rain, dust, and sun. I got a cover for the Pro 22 early on, and it’s saved the paint and electronics more times than I’ve counted.
• Meat Probe / Dual Probes – Temp monitoring is essential. One probe for your meat, one for the grill or ambient temp is ideal. Helps avoid overcooking or guessing.
• Pellet Sensor / Hopper Clean-Out Tools – For models with pellet sensors (Woodridge, Ironwood), that lets you know when you’re running low. A hopper clean-out tool helps when you want to swap flavors.
• Grill Brushes & Grate Scrapers – Keeping your grates clean improves sear and prevents sticking. A good stainless steel brush or scraper is cheap but crucial.
• Chimney Fire Starter or Pellet Starter Kit – Even though pellet grills have ignition systems, having a reliable way to get heat started (or backup fuel) helps for long cooks or if you’re far from power.
• Pellet Rack / Storage Bin – Keep your pellets dry! Using damp pellets ruins flavor and starts, I learned this the hard way.

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🌲 Pellets & Flavor Choices

Pellet flavor can be subtle or strong, depending on grill size and airflow. Here’s how I pick:

Pellet Type	Flavor Profile	What I Use It For
Hickory	Bold, classic smoke, slightly sweet	Brisket, ribs, pork shoulder—when I want that “deep BBQ” flavor.
Apple / Cherry	Fruity, mild, sweet smoke	Poultry, pork chops, halloumi — anytime I want a lighter touch.
Mesquite	Strong, intense, almost harsh if overdone	Quick cooks, searing, burgers — use sparingly.
Blend (Oak + Fruitwood)	Balanced smoke, mild with complexity	My daily go-to when I’m cooking mixed items (meat & veg).

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, there’s no single “best” Traeger pellet grill—it all depends on what you need.

I love my Pro 22 because it balances size, performance, and price perfectly for my everyday cooks. But if you’re cooking for a crowd, the Pro 34 or Pro 780 give you the extra space.

Want portability? The Tailgater 20 is hard to beat.

And if you’re ready to go all-in with premium features, the Woodridge Pro and Ironwood 885 are built to deliver.

Whatever model you choose, remember that accessories and pellets play just as big a role in your results as the grill itself. Get the right cover, keep a couple of pellet flavors on hand, and make sure you’ve got a good thermometer.

Those little details are what separate “just okay” BBQ from unforgettable backyard cooking.

If you’re looking to upgrade your grill, hopefully this breakdown helps you find the Traeger that’s the perfect fit for your budget, your backyard, and the way you love to cook!

-Joonas