My A to Z list of pellet grill brands now has over 40 brands listed, and many of those brands offer a huge range of models. As such, with more and more competition entering the market, more value/budget models are coming along. It is, therefore, possible to now pick up a pellet grill/smoker for under $300. These pellet grills/smokers are pretty light on features/functionality, but they are a low-cost introduction into the world of cooking with pellets.
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Note: I should note that I’ve only referenced full-sized/freestanding horizontal pellet BBQs below that can be used as a grill or as a smoker.
However, there are several portable pellet grills and tabletop pellet grills that do come in under $300. Therefore, please check out those articles for that type of pellet grill/smoker.
Introduction To The Best Pellet Grill Under $300
So I’ve created a shortlist of 6 contenders for the best pellet grill under $300, including two models from Pit Boss, a leading pellet grill brand, along with other smaller brands.
Now, to determine the best pellet grill under $300, I’ve been researching models that get as close to that price point as possible. However, prices change, so keep that in mind when using the Check Price buttons.
1st Contender – ASMOKE AS550
ASMOKE is a relatively new brand in the world of pellet grills/smokers. However, the manufacturer behind the brand has previously produced products for the Pit Boss brand.
I’ve been able to find this ASMOKE AS550 in bronze for under $300 (just) at Walmart. Not a bad deal when on the ASMOKE website, the AS550 typically retails at over $400.
However, the specs of the Walmart listing for the ASMOKE AS550 don’t match that of the manufacturer’s website. Therefore, I’ve included the specs below from the ASMOKE website.
Beyond the features below, the AS550 also has a feature called ASCA Technology. This is essentially a tray next to the burn pot you can fill with a wide range of liquids.
ASMOKE claims this feature can add not only additional flavor to your food but also the superheated steam can cook food faster and furthermore reduce pellet consumption.
I’ve not been able to test these claims myself, and I’ve not seen any third party validate these claims either. So I’m going to leave the claimed functionality of the ASCA Technology to one side.
ASMOKE AS550 Key Features
- Total Cooking Area = 515 sq.in (325 sq.in at the main grate)
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 13.2 lbs
- Temperature Range = 180 to 500 degrees
- Direct-Flame Access? = Yes
- PID Temperature Control? = Yes
- WiFi/App Control? = No
- Typical Price = $299
- Availability = Walmart.com
2nd Contender – Pit Boss PB440D2
The Pit Boss PB440D2 also goes by the name of the Mahogany 440 Deluxe, and I’ve managed to find it available on Amazon for under $300. In contrast, it is over $300 on the Pit Boss website.
The PB440D2 has the design of your classic little ‘barrel smoker’, and it features the smallest pellet hopper you will find of a freestanding pellet grill at just 5 lbs.
However, the cooking area of the PB440D2 is comparable to the other pellet grills within this comparison, as is the temperature range and direct flame functionality.
It is possible to up upgrade the PB440D2 with WiFi/App functionality via a SmokeIT control panel upgrade. However, that additional cost would add nearly half the cost of the grill itself.
Pit Boss PB440D2 Key Features
- Total Cooking Area = 518 sq.in (373 sq.in at the main grate)
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 5 lbs
- Temperature Range = 180 to 500 degrees
- Direct-Flame Access? = Yes
- PID Temperature Control? = No
- WiFi/App Control? = No
- Typical Price = $284
- Availability = Amazon.com
3rd Contender – Pit Boss Lexington 540
Here we have another entrant from Pit Boss, this time the Lexington 540, which is a Walmart exclusive. Similar in size to the Pit Boss PB440D2 above, but different in one key area.
The hopper on the Lexington 540 is significantly larger at 15 lbs. There is also a slight bump in the overall cooking area due to a larger upper cooking rack (the main grate is the same size).
A newer version of the Lexington is on the way, which will be branded as the Lexington Onyx Edition, which will feature WiFi/App integration which is currently missing from this Lexington 540.
As a result, I’m not really sure how much longer this 540 version of the Lexington will be on sale.
Pit Boss Lexington 540 Key Features
- Total Cooking Area = 540 sq.in (373 sq.in at the main grate)
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 15 lbs
- Temperature Range = 180 to 500 degrees
- Direct-Flame Access? = Yes
- PID Temperature Control? = No
- WiFi/App Control? = No
- Typical Price = $297
- Availability = Walmart.com
4th Contender – Expert Grill 28″ Pellet Grill
I’ve previously written an article on the Expert Grill pellet grill range which is exclusive to Walmart. However, this 28″ model wasn’t available at the time and has a different design.
Notably, this 28″ model does not feature the same PID control panel found on the other Expert Grill pellet grills/smokers. Therefore, it will not be able to maintain its temperature as accurately.
However, as we’ll discuss below, for under $300, this Expert Grill pellet grill/smoker is offering a lot of cooking area for the price point, along with a much larger hopper than the other contenders.
Expert Grill 28″ Pellet Grill Key Features
- Total Cooking Area = 715 sq.in (484 sq.in at the main grate)
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 22 lbs
- Temperature Range = 180 to 500 degrees
- Direct-Flame Access? = Yes
- PID Temperature Control? = No
- WiFi/App Control? = No
- Typical Price = $277
- Availability = Walmart.com
5th Contender – RinKmo Pellet Grill
To be honest, before writing this article, I’d never come across the RinKmo brand, and I’ve not been able to find any details on the brand or its background.
It appears that this little pellet grill/smoker is the only model sold under the RinKmo brand. What is interesting to note is it does feature a PID control panel.
The PID control panel will give the RinKmo better temperature accuracy than some of the other contenders. However, the low max temp (450 F) and lack of direct flame are disappointing.
RinKmo Pellet Grill Key Features
- Total Cooking Area = 330 sq.in (270 sq.in at the main grate)
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 14 lbs
- Temperature Range = 180 to 450 degrees
- Direct-Flame Access? = No
- PID Temperature Control? = Yes
- WiFi/App Control? = No
- Typical Price = $275
- Availability = Walmart.com
6th Contender – KingChii Wood Pellet Grill
This KingChii branded pellet grill has more than a passing resemblance to the Traeger Tailgater if you compare the shape/size of the cooking chamber and the folding legs.
The KingChii pellet grill is stated to be using a PID control panel. However, its temperature settings are still in jumps of 25 degrees like previous generation control panels.
Though this KingChii pellet grill is significantly cheaper than the Traeger Tailgater and you still get the dual functionality of a portable model when the legs are folded.
KingChii Wood Pellet Grill Key Features
- Total Cooking Area = 300 sq.in (single grate)
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 11 lbs
- Temperature Range = 180 to 500 degrees
- Direct-Flame Access? = No
- PID Temperature Control? = Yes
- WiFi/App Control? = No
- Typical Price = $276
- Availability = Walmart.com
Round 1 – Temperature Control & Cooking Performance
So several of the pellet grills/smokers above claim to be using PID temperature control technology. However, they don’t offer 5-degree temperature adjustment, which more expensive PID pellet grills offer.
Therefore, the contenders above, which have PID (ASMOKE AS550, RinKmo & KingChii), only offer 25-degree jumps in temperature settings.
However, their use of PID technology should help them to hold a more accurate temperature than the Pit Boss PB440D2, Pit Boss Lexington, or the Expert Grill 28“.
Though the RinKmo and KingChii pellet grills lack direct-flame access. Hence they are really going to struggle to get a sear on steaks and burgers.
The only pellet grill of the contenders which features PID temperature control technology along with direct-flame access is the ASMOKE AS550. Therefore, its the winner of this round.
Round 2 – Cooking Area & Hopper Capacity
The KingChii pellet grill offers the smallest cooking area of the contenders at just 300 sq.in and a single grate. The RinKmo offers only a slightly larger main grate at 330 sq.in, but does offer an additional upper rack.
Next up is the ASMOKE AS550 with a total cooking area of 515 sq.in, but only a small main grate at 325 sq.in. The Pit Boss PB440D2 is slightly larger at 518 sq.in and a 373 sq.in main grate.
The Pit Boss Lexington has the same sized main grate at 373 sq.in, but a larger upper smoking/warming rack to offer a total cooking area at 540 sq.in.
However, when it comes to cooking area, there is a clear winner of the contenders, the Expert Grill 28″ as it features by far the largest main grate at 484 sq.in and the largest overall cooking area at 715 sq.in.
In terms of hopper capacity, the Pit Boss PB440D2, with just 5 lbs, is very impractical for smoking. You would have to be constantly monitoring the pellet hopper to fill it up.
Most of the other contenders, in general, offer more reasonable capacities between 11 and 15 lbs. However, again its the Expert Grill 28″, which is the clear winner with a 22 lb capacity hopper.
Round 3 – Pricing & Value
When it comes to value, I think the Pit Boss PB440D2 is probably offering the least value with its very small/impractical hopper capacity and no PID technology.
The RinKmo and KingChii have pretty much the same price point, around $275, and offer a cooking chamber, hopper capacity, and PID control panel with similar features.
I would say though, that the KingChii is the better value as it can also be used as a portable pellet grill if so desired, but I don’t think its offering the best value of these contenders overall.
For a typical price point of around $277, I think in terms of cooking area/hopper capacity, the Expert Grill 28″ is probably the best overall value proposition.
Though I think the ASMOKE AS550 is worth considering due to its above-average cooking chamber capacity and the fact it is the only contender with both PID technology and direct-flame access.
Conclusions On The Best Pellet Grill For Under $300
So if it was my money on the line, I would personally opt for either the ASMOKE AS550 or the Expert Grill 28″, and I would choose them depending on the following.
If you are cooking for a larger group of friends/family and you are mainly grilling (steaks/burgers etc), I would choose the Expert Grill 28″ for its significantly larger main grate.
However, if you mainly cook for a smaller group of friends/family or you just cook for yourself and your partner, I would go for the ASMOKE AS550.
The reason is that the PID technology of the ASMOKE AS550 will provide more consistent/predictable results, and who knows, the ASCA technology of the ASMOKE may provide some tangible benefits.
Then again, if you are able to save up for a bit longer and increase your budget to a pellet grill under $400, there are some more interesting options on the table.
That’s it! Thanks for reading. I hope you found the information/analysis above useful. If you would like to learn more about your options at different price points, please check out my Wood Pellet Grill/Smoker Guide. 🙂
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