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Some of the best pellet grill flavors come from burning wood pellets. They offer a consistent burn and smoke output to infuse your dishes with incredible aromas.
My grill at home is great for backyard cookouts and catering for crowds, but I love to take good taste on the road with me, whether camping or tailgating. Until recently, though, this was impossible because pellet grills are heavy and difficult to transport.
Luckily, new portable versions of pellet grills are now available. I jumped in, trying different ones for overall ease of use and transport, and put them to the ultimate test for cooking-out and wood-smoked perfection to give you the 11 best portable pellet grill options right now.
In A Rush? Check Out Our Top Choice!
- Porcelain-coated grilling surface for distinguishable sear marks and easy clean-up
- Digital arc controller to keep precise and consistent temp settings
- Keep Warm Mode so you can eat on your schedule
Perfect for picnic tables or truck beds, the Traeger Ranger Portable Wood Pellet Grill is a convenient, high-quality grill you can easily take with you anywhere. Its tough design includes rubber feet and latches, making safe transport a cinch. Designed with an impressive Digital Arc Controller, allowing for grill temperatures in 5° increments, it also comes with a convenient Keep Warm Mode, so your food is always ready when you are.
This grill’s surface is porcelain coated, creates distinctive sear marks, and makes cleaning simple and easy. As a bonus, this grill comes with a built-in timer and a meat probe. If you love wood-smoked flavors on the go, the Traeger Ranger Portable Wood Pellet Grill is the one to take with you.
Top 8 Best Portable Pellet Grill Reviews
Enjoy smoky wood flavors with convenience and ease with this best portable wood pellet grill by Traeger. The simple auto-start system gets the grill going quickly, moving your wood pellets into the firepot and turning on its induction fan while you focus on the food.
The grill’s Digital Arc Controller allows you to set the temperature in 5° increments, making this one of the most precise and consistently controlled pellet grills on the market. Its Keep Warm Mode keeps food safe and hot until you are ready to add them to your plate.
A cast iron griddle is provided, along with a built-in timer. But perhaps the best extra feature is the meat probe that allows you to monitor the temperature of the grill at any given time without having to lift the lid.
Overall, when packed up neatly, this portable grill measures 20” x 21” x 13” and weighs approximately 60 lbs. Not super lightweight, but far easier to transport than most pellet grills.
Who Should Get This?
This portable pellet grill is for anyone looking for wood smoke flavor even when they travel, whether for tailgating, boating, or camping.
Pros
- Digital Arc Controller for setting temp in 5° increments
- Simple auto-start system
- 8 lbs. capacity hopper for pellets
- Includes a cast iron griddle
Cons
- Not the best at staying at low temperatures for long
If you cook for large groups or like to cook a variety of foods at the same time, look no further than this Camp Chef Pursuit Portable Pellet Grill. It has one of the largest cooking areas of all portable pellet grills, and you can easily meet a large group’s needs. There’s enough room to fit up to 16 burgers at a time or four full racks of ribs.
The grill comes with a convenient digital temperature display. It allows for easy temperature control between 160° and 500° F. You also get two stainless steel meat probes for juicy meals that are perfectly cooked.
What’s unique about this grill’s portability is that you fold it up and roll it just like luggage with its heavy-duty wheels. This helps considerably with its combined 80-100 lbs. weight.
Who Should Get This?
If you often cook for larger groups at neighborhood block parties or outdoors, this grill provides a large cooking area to cook higher quantities or more varieties.
Pros
- Constructed with powder-coated steel for durability
- Easily switches between direct and indirect flame cooking
- Designed with the largest cooking areas available
- 10 lbs. capacity lockable pellet hopper
- Quick ash cleanout feature
Cons
- Slightly heavier than other models
Whether you’re new to tailgating or a game-day grilling veteran, taking this Traeger wood pellet grill along with you on your next one will impress and delight everyone involved. With its precise temperature controller, this unit can cook six different ways, from smoking to roasting to grilling.
For efficiency, this grill’s E-Z drain grease management design automatically drains excess liquids down into a drain bucket for added convenience and easy clean-up.
Measuring just 20,” you’ll have no trouble finding space for this compact set-up. When finished, simply fold up the EZ-Fold legs and let the wheels help you whisk it away. It does weigh slightly over 60 lbs., so you may need a second person to help you load it in your vehicle.
Who Should Get This?
For tailgaters who enjoy cooking various meats and vegetables and easy transporting and clean-up, this Traeger pellet grill won’t disappoint.
Pros
- 6 cooking style capabilities for versatility
- Digital Elite Arc temperature controller set to 5° increments
- Simplistic and efficient grease drain management system
- Compact design with folding legs for portability
Cons
- Temperature probe connection not included
The Davy Crockett Portable Pellet Grill is a favorite of RVers, and it’s no wonder once you see its capabilities. The grill comes with dual voltage control, allowing it to be operated on a 110V or 120V outlet. It also is technologically advanced, with Wi-Fi capabilities for controlling and monitoring all grilling functions directly from an app on your smartphone.
Expect a wide temperature range for this grill, anywhere from 150°F to 550°F. The included digital temperature probe allows for smoking or grilling, and its internal thermal sensor gives you real-time temperature updates.
With its foldable legs, easily store this 57 lbs. high-quality grill in a convenient outdoor storage area to easily access at your next stop.
Who Should Get This?
RVers and campers will love this compact, portable pellet grill for all their grilling and smoking needs while on the road, but it’s also great for people who love to multitask while they grill.
Pros
- Dual voltage control with power accessories
- Wi-Fi control and monitoring of all grill functions
- 9 lbs. capacity pellet hopper allowing hours of cooking time
- Internal thermal sensor
Cons
- Customer service response times are poor
If you’re looking for a durable grill that can take a lot of transporting back and forth, look no further than this PIT BOSS model. This is a seriously tough grill constructed out of heavy-gauge steel for lots of use. Its stylish mahogany and black finish also make it a classy addition to show off to friends and family.
Features such as dial-in temperature knob controls, LED digital controls, removable side shelf, and serving tray make this grill easy to use. Its 5 pound capacity pellet hopper will keep you in direct or indirect heat for a long time without needing to add more.
This grill weighs slightly under 100 lbs. Fortunately, it is built with larger metal wheels for transporting.
Who Should Get This?
If you’re looking for a portable pellet grill you can count on to stand up to lots of wear and tear; the PIT BOSS can do the job.
Pros
- Constructed of heavy-duty steel for durability and strength
- Built-in stainless steel thermometer
- Dial-in temperature control and LED digital control
- Foldable legs and metal wheels for easily transporting
Cons
- Some customers report experiencing some temp control problems
Get ready to use this grill by GrillaGrills in several different ways. Use it either as a tabletop grill or unfold its legs and let the cart top be your table. You also choose how you want to cook, including a slow smoke or a quick, hot sear. Use this grill for all your grilling, searing, broiling, baking, roasting, and smoking needs.
The Chimp grill is designed with an advanced dual mode controller to set a smoke-producing mode or a concise temperature mode. The large 15 pound pellet hopper is easy to keep going with its automated feeding system design.
The one downside I can find to this grill is that with its higher price, the manufacturer, GrillaGrills, only offers a short warranty.
Who Should Get This?
For those who enjoy cooking elaborate meals or are looking for a grill for multiple methods of cooking outdoors, the GrillaGrills Chimp is a top choice.
Pros
- Designed with double-wall insulation
- Advanced temperature controller
- Stainless steel grates included
- Foldable legs and wheels for transportation
Cons
- Higher price with shorter warranty
If you’re just getting started using a pellet grill, this Z Grills model is perfect for all beginners. With its auto-start ignition, the grill does it all for you, even feeding pellets as needed from its 15 pounds capacity hopper. This means you’ll have longer cooking time without having to refill the hopper.
The easily accessible LED keeps you up to the moment on the temperature inside the grill without lifting the lid. The grill’s cooking surface is approximately 324” with an additional 128” on the warming/smoking rack above it.
This 84 lbs. grill comes with 2 sturdy, large wheels for easy maneuverability. Expect it to last a long time as well with its strong steel construction.
Who Should Get This?
If you are a novice griller or are unfamiliar with the way pellet grills operate, this unit is intuitive, easy to use, without too many confusing features, ensuring a stress-free outdoor cooking experience.
Pros
- Porcelain-coated cast-iron grates
- Easy automatic start up
- Automatic pellet feed with 15 lbs. capacity hopper
- Easy to monitor LED
- Convenient fold down front table
Cons
- Slightly smaller cooking surface
Cuisinart is known for its indoor kitchen tools, and now they can also brag about having one of the best outdoor pellet grills on the market. Built to withstand outdoor elements and the wear and tear of moving it around, this 100 pound grill comes with exceptionally strong all-terrain wheels for easy portability.
You also get abundant space to work your magic. The two-tiered grate allows for a 450” cooking surface, while a collapsible shelf in front and a stationary one on the side gives you room for storing essential ingredients and spices.
The grill’s thermostat activates your chosen temperature, keeping it consistent by automatically adding pellets from the 15 lbs. capacity hopper. Its built-in spigot is handy for draining hot grease away from the bottom of the grill and into an easily removable can.
Who Should Get This?
If you regularly entertain friends and family, this grill is best for larger groups and different cooking methods.
Pros
- 2-tiered cooking grate for cooking, smoking, and grilling
- Precision temperature controls for versatility
- Integrated spigot for draining grease
- All-terrain wheels for portability
Cons
- Occasional temperature control issues
Best Portable Pellet Grill For Your Money
No longer are you limited to where you can grill with the wood-smoke flavors of pellets. The Traeger Ranger Portable Wood Pellet Grill is the perfect solution to taking those flavoring capabilities on the road with you. With its advanced temperature setting abilities in 5°F increments, its Keep Warm mode, quick start system, and added features, you’ll never miss out on the perfectly grilled meal while camping, tailgating, or picnicking.
