There is a huge range of wood pellet grills now on the market, and the number seems to keep growing year after year. However, what if you’re not looking for a full-sized pellet grill/smoker? What if you are looking for a small unit to go in the back of your car, truck or RV to take camping or a day out at the beach etc? Well, that’s where portable pellet grills come in, and there is now quite a range of options to choose from. So let’s look at the contenders, to try and work out which portable pellet grill is offering the best deal.
Disclaimer: Hey! By the way… any links on this page that lead to products on Amazon or other sites are affiliate links, and I earn a commission if you make a purchase.
Table of Contents
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Introduction To The Best Portable Pellet Grills/Smokers
When it comes to determining what appears to be the best overall portable pellet grill, it means considering multiple factors. For instance, while one product may offer the largest cooking area, it may not be fitted with the best control panel technology etc.
Furthermore, when it comes to portability, the weight and how easy it is to set up the grill (how well do the folding legs work) are also important considerations.
First, I’m going to set out all of the portable pellet grill contenders with key details on each product. Then I’ll discuss and compare the products against each other to come to a conclusion on which portable pellet grill is best for a specific feature and which I think is offering the best deal overall.
1st Contender – ASMOKE AS300 (Currently Best Tabletop)
So I thought we might as well start with the smallest contender on this list, the ASMOKE AS300, which is really under a separate category of portable pellet grills, tabletop/countertop units.
In my article on the best tabletop pellet grills, I compared to the ASMOKE AS300 against the Traeger Ranger, Country Smoker, Pit Boss and Louisiana Grills tabletop units. I determined that overall, the ASMOKE AS300 is currently offering the best deal when it comes to tabletop models.
ASMOKE AS300 Key Features
- Total Cooking Area = 256 sq.in (using additional suspended rack)
- Weight = 48.5 lbs
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 4 lbs
- Temperature Range = 180 to 500 degrees (Direct Flame @ 650 degrees)
- Typical Price = $229 to $249
- Availability: ASMOKEGrill.com & Amazon.com
Best ASMOKE AS300 Review
2nd Contender – Traeger Tailgater
When it comes to the most well know brand in pellet grills/smokers, outside of the Traeger Ranger, the Traeger Tailgater is their portable pellet grill offering.
While the tailgater is a reasonably capable small/portable pellet grill, as discussed below, its not currently the best offering when it comes to its control panel technology or the design of its folding legs.
I discuss this more in my Traeger accessories post, but when out and about, you will need a 12V DC to 110V AC power inverter or another means of portable power.
It should also be noted, the Tailgater (currently anyway) does not feature WiFire compatibility. Therefore, unlike most Traeger grills today, you cannot control/monitor the Tailgater via your phone.
Traeger Tailgater Key Features
- Total Cooking Area = 300 sq.in
- Weight = 62 lbs
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 8 lbs
- Temperature Range = 180 to 450 degrees
- Typical Price = $470 to $529
- Availability = Traeger.com, Amazon.com, BBQGuys.com, Walmart.com & HomeDepot.com
Best Traeger Tailgater Review
3rd Contender – GMG Trek (Davy Crockett)
Right, so for many years GMG (Green Moutain Grills) have had one of the best-selling small pellet grills on the market, and it was branded as the Davy Crockett.
However, after a few modifications, the Davy Crockett is now branded as the Trek, though the core features/functionality and price point remain the same.
The main difference between the Davy Crockett and the Trek is the legs. The Davy Crockett featured folding legs, which also doubled as a carry handle, whereas the Trek features short fixed legs. Personally, I prefer the Davy Crockett design, as I think the folding legs/carry handle was a great idea.
Anyway, the GMG Trek still has the same features that set the Davy Crockett apart from much of its portable pellet grill competition at the time.
Those features include a temperature controller using PID technology and WiFi functionality to control/monitor the pellet grill from the user’s phone. Also, the Trek can run directly from a 12V DC power supply.
GMG Davy Crockett/Trek Key Features
- Total Cooking Area = 219 sq.in
- Weight = 63 lbs
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 9 lbs
- Temperature Range = 150 to 550 degrees
- Typical Price = $344 to $399
- Availability = BBQGuys.com, Amazon.com & Walmart.com
Best GMG Davy Crockett/Trek Review
4th Contender – Camp Chef Pursuit
A well-known pellet grill brand with their SmokePro and Woodwind models, Camp Chef also offers its own portable pellet grill, the Pursuit.
The latest version of the Pursuit is fitted with a Camp Chef Gen 2 controller, which benefits from PID technology providing 5-degree temperature control/accuracy.
However, it should be noted the Pursuit doesn’t currently benefit from WiFi connectivity which is found on some versions of the Gen 2 controller.
Other notable features of the Pursuit include the large (and lockable) 10lb pellet hopper. The Camp Chef Pursuit does also have a novel and quick ash cleanout feature, and the folding legs with wheels perform reasonably well.
While the Pursuit is widely available, in terms of price, there are significant differences from outlet to outlet, so bear that in mind.
Camp Chef Pursuit Key Features
- Total Cooking Area = 501 sq.in (total), main grate 253 sq.in
- Weight = 82 lbs
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 10 lbs
- Temperature Range = 160 to 500 degrees (Slide & Grill @ 650 degrees)
- Typical Price = $486 to $684
- Availability = CampChef.com, Walmart.com, HomeDepot.com, Lowes.com & BBQGuys.com
Best Camp Chef Pursuit Review
5th Contender – The Pit Boss Tailgater/R-Series
The first of two portable pellet grills from Pit Boss, the Tailgater (also sometimes branded as the R-Series) was the brand’s first portable pellet grill.
In my article on the best Pit Boss reviews from real owners, I included an owner’s review who states for the money, the Pit Boss Tailgater provides a lot of value.
Being one of the first portable pellet grills on the market, the time-based control panel fitted to the Pit Boss Tailgater is not the most advanced available.
Therefore, the control panel, as its not PID, is only able to manage the temperature to within 25 degrees of the set temperature. However, the Tailgater does have strong features, such as direct-flame access for better searing/grilling results.
- Total Cooking Area = 340 sq.in
- Weight = 79 lbs
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 5 lbs
- Temperature Range = 180 to 500 degrees (Direct Flame @ 650 degrees)
- Typical Price = $297 to $499
- Availability = Walmart.com
Best Pit Boss Tailgater Review
6th Contender – Pit Boss Sportsman/Mahagony Portable
The second portable pellet grill design from Pit Boss is the Sportsman/Mahagony Portable. What’s the difference between the two? The difference is purely cosmetic, therefore as the Mahagony model is typically $100 less, that’s the version to get.
While they feature the same control panel technology, there are a couple of differences between these portable models from Pit Boss and the Tailgater above.
These models have a significantly larger rear-mounted hopper of 19lbs. Furthermore, they also offer a larger cooking area of 387 sq.in. As a result, they are also the heaviest Pit Boss portable models at 91 lbs.
Pit Boss Sportsman/Mahagony Portable Key Features
- Total Cooking Area = 387 sq.in (includes upper rack)
- Weight = 91 lbs
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 19 lbs
- Temperature Range = 180 to 500 degrees (Direct Flame @ 650 degrees)
- Typical Price = $297 to $499
- Availability = PitBoss-Grills.com & Walmart.com
7th Contender – RECTEQ RT-340
RECTEQ (previously REC TEC) are a premium brand of pellet grills/smokers. Notably, RECTEQ was one of the first brands to bring PID temperature control and WiFi functionality to their products.
All RECTEQ products also feature a stainless steel cooking chamber with stainless steel internals. Features which give a clear indication these are premium products with a price to match.
As the RT-340 does feature premium materials and components, it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that it comes in at a premium price. Now, RECTEQ is currently only selling the RT-340 as a bundle with 4 bags of their pellets. While not a bad deal, it does increase the initial purchase of the RT-340.
RECTEQ RT-340 Key Features
- Total Cooking Area = 340 sq.in (511 sq.in with optional second shelf)
- Weight = 80 lbs
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 20 lbs
- Temperature Range = 200 to 500 degrees
- Typical Price = $659 to $739
- Availability = Amazon.com
8th Contender – Grilla Grills Chimp
Compared to the likes of Traeger, Pit Boss and Camp Chef above, Grilla Grills are a relatively new brand. I’ve recently written an article on the full range of pellet grills from Grilla Grills, where I discuss the Chimp along with its Grilla and Silverbac pellet grill siblings.
Their portable pellet grill, the Chimp, has many of the same premium features of the RECTEQ RT-340 above, but at a lower price point.
The Chimp features the Grilla Grills Alpha Connect control panel, which as I’ve discussed in the linked article, I believe to be one of the most feature-rich PID/WiFi panels on the market today.
The Chimp also features many stainless steel components along with twin-wall insulated construction, which is not found on any of the other portable pellet grills above.
- Total Cooking Area = 460 sq.in (340 sq.in at the main cooking grate)
- Weight = 90 lbs
- Pellet Hopper Capacity = 15lbs
- Temperature Range = 180 to 500 degrees
- Typical Price = $599
- Availability = GrillaGrills.com
Round 1 – Temperature Control & Cooking Performance
The most modern pellet grills today feature control panels using PID algorithms to precisely control the temperature to within 5 degrees of the set temperature.
Of the portable pellet grills above, the Camp Chef Pursuit, GMG Trek, RECTEQ RT-340 and Grilla Grills Chimp are using PID control panels. Furthermore, all of those grills except the Camp Chef Pursuit also offer WiFi/App functionality.
However, of the PID temperature-controlled portable pellet grills above, the Camp Chef Pursuit is the only model to provide direct-flame access, offering searing up to around 650 degrees.
Though put in a set of GrillGrates and load up with some charcoal pellets, and you can now get good searing performance out of pretty much any pellet grill.
While the likes of the ASMOKE AS300 and the Pit Boss Tailgater do offer direct flame access, the lack of PID temperature control really hurts their claim as the best portable pellet grill. The Traeger Tailgater lacks direct-flame access and a PID temperature controller.
Round 2 – Cooking Area, Weight & Hopper Capacity
Of the portable pellet grills above, those that offer the largest cooking area include the Camp Chef Pursuit (501 sq.in) and the Pit Boss Portable (387 sq.in).
However, in both those cases, the cooking areas are calculated by including an upper rack. In terms of the largest main cooking grate, the best offerings are actually from the RECTEQ RT-340 and the Grilla Grills Chimp. Both offer 340 sq.in at the main cooking grate.
Though when it comes to weight, the RECTEQ/Grilla Grills models are also the heaviest at 80lbs and 90lbs, respectively. Therefore, with both of those models, it would be recommended for two people to lift/carry them out of the car, truck or RV.
If you are looking for the lightest weight portable pellet grill, that’s obviously where the likes of the ASMOKE AS300 might be worth considering.
The largest pellet hoppers are found on the Pit Boss Portable and RECTEQ RT-340 at 19lbs and 20lbs, respectively. However, I believe for a portable pellet grill, the 15lb hopper on the Grilla Grills Chimp is perfectly sufficient.
Due to the smaller cooking chamber of portable pellet grills, pellet consumption is below that typically found on full-sized pellet grills/smokers. Hence, you don’t need a large hopper.
Round 3 – Pricing and Value
Now, the price you pay for any of the models above can obviously vary based on the time of purchase and any running sales etc.
Therefore, I’m purely basing my thoughts here on the typical prices I’ve come across from various retailers. While the ASMOKE AS300 is the most affordable at around $230, it cannot be determined to be the best overall portable pellet grill when comparing its features to the other models above.
If purchased at the right time (Walmart sale, for instance), the Pit Boss Tailgater or Portable can be a good deal for their size/features around the $250 to $300 price point.
Likewise for the GMG Trek, while it has a small cooking area compared to some of the other portable pellet grills above, it provides value with its PID/WiFi features.
The Camp Chef Pursuit is a reasonably good option to take. However, north of $500, it doesn’t compare well to the highest specification pellet grills above, the RECTEQ RT-340 and the Grilla Grills Chimp.
While the RECTEQ is an excellent grill, its also quite expensive to purchase right now at $739. Therefore, overall I think the Grilla Grills Chimp is offering the best deal and value for money at $599.
My Conclusion On The Best Portable Pellet Grill
Considering all the factors above on temperature control technology, cooking area etc, for the price point, I believe the Grilla Grills Chimp to currently be the best portable pellet grill on offer today.
While obviously not the cheapest but also not the most expensive option, for the features you’re getting, I believe it to be the best choice.
With any of the portable pellet grills above, you have to make sure you have sufficient power available. Therefore, I would also encourage you to check out my article on portable power for pellet grills. I discuss the pros and cons of inverters, generators and battery banks.
What I will also say, is if you are looking for a pellet grill for a tailgating party in particular, then you may want to choose one of the other portable pellet grills above with direct-flame access.
Thanks for reading, I hope you found this post informative/useful on the smallest, most portable pellet grills on the market today. Please also check out well my Wood Pellet Grill/Smoker Guide to learn more. Cheers 🙂
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