I’ve previously compared the Onyx Edition vs Pro Series, and the Onyx Edition vs Competition Series Pit Boss products. The Onyx Edition is exclusive to Walmart, the Pro Series is exclusive to Lowes, and the Competition Series is exclusive to Acamedy Sports. However, Walmart actually has another exclusive range of Pit Boss products, the Platinum Series. So the question is which is of these Walmart-exclusive Pit Boss product ranges offer the best deal?
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Introduction To The Pit Boss Onyx Edition vs Platinum Series
The Pit Boss Onyx Edition range of products includes a brand-new model called the Savannah. However, it also includes two updated versions of previous models, the Lexington and Austin XL.
I have a separate article on the Pit Boss Onyx Edition range that goes into more detail, but as a quick introduction, I’ve included the short promotional video from Pit Boss below.
The Pit Boss Platinum Series, which is also a Walmart exclusive, has been around for several years now. The range includes a pellet/gas combo grill along with a unique pellet grill with an upper smoking cabinet.
There is also a vertical pellet smoker as part of the Platinum Series, which we’ll look at below. First, here is a quick promotional video on the Platinum Series range.
Before we get into doing relevant model vs model comparisons, I first want to discuss the control panel differences and similarities between these two Pit Boss product ranges.
Controller Differences & Similarities
Pit Boss has been making pellet grills/smokers for many years now, and with new product ranges, there is typically a new control panel that comes along with additional features/capabilties.
While the Onyx Edition range was launched in 2022/23, the Platinum Series is from 2020/21. Hence, while there are some similarities in their control panel technology, there are also some notable differences.
For instance, both the Onyx Edition controller and the Platinum Series controller feature PID technology, which is constantly monitoring and adjusting the auger/fan to maintain a stable temperature.
However, only the Onyx Edition controller gives the user the ability to adjust the temperature in 5-degree increments. The Platinum Series products have temperature adjustments in the 10 to 25-degree range.
Furthermore, there is a difference when it comes to smoke production. The Platinum Series products offer no ability to adjust the amount of smoke the pellet grill/smoker produces.
The Onyx Edition products (for the most part) provide the user with P-Setting adjustment, which will reduce temperature accuracy but will also enable the pellets to smolder and produce more smoke.
What About WiFi/SmokeIT?
Now, the Austin XL and Savannah Onyx Edition, as standard, do not come with WiFi/SmokeIT functionality.
Though they can be upgraded with the feature, last time I checked, it was a $160 upgrade, but you can check through the link below.
Pit Boss Onyx Edition vs Platinum Series Comparisons
Below, I’ve provided some direct comparisons between Onyx Edition and Platinum Series models of equivalent sizes to see how they compare not only on their features but also their price points.
Pit Boss Austin XL Onyx Edition vs Laredo Platinum Series
| Features | Austin XL Onyx Edition | Laredo Platinum Series |
| Total Cooking Area | 1,007 sq.in | 1,085 sq.in |
| Main Grate | 720 sq.in | 528 sq.in |
| Cooking Surfaces | 2 | 3 |
| Hopper Size | 30 lbs | 26 lbs |
| PID | Yes | Yes |
| Temp Range | 180-500 | 180-500 |
| Temp Adjustment | 5 Degrees | 10-25 Degrees |
| Smoke Mode/P-Setting | Yes | No |
| Direct Flame Access | Yes | Yes |
| SmokeIT (WiFi) | No | Yes |
| Typical Price | $483 | $547 |
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On first impressions, it may appear that the Laredo from the Platinum Series, as it offers a slightly larger overall cooking area, is the superior product. However, note the sizes of the main grates.
The main grate of the Austin XL Onyx Edition is significantly larger at 720 sq.in compared to the main grate of the Laredo Platinum Series at 528 sq.in.
Therefore, when it comes to grilling burgers or steaks, the Austin XL Onyx Edition offers a lot more usable cooking area than the Laredo Platinum Series.
The Austin XL Onyx Edition also provides a larger pellet hopper along with the more advanced PID controller, as I’ve discussed above, with 5-degree temperature adjustment.
When it comes to their typical price points, the Austin XL Onyx edition is typically around $70 cheaper than the Laredo. Therefore, I think this is a win on value for the Austin XL Onyx Edition.
However, if you do want the SmokeIT upgrade for the Austin XL Onyx Edition, it would end up being more expensive than the Laredo.
Pit Boss Savannah Onyx Edition vs Lockhart Platinum Series
| Features | Savannah Onyx Edition | Lockhart Platinum Series |
| Total Cooking Area | 1,507 sq.in | 2,136 sq.in |
| Main Grate | 633 sq.in | 546 sq.in |
| Cooking Surfaces | 3 | 4 |
| Hopper Size | 28 lbs | 40 lbs |
| PID | Yes | Yes |
| Temp Range | 180-500 | 180-500 |
| Temp Adjustment | 5 Degrees | 10-25 Degrees |
| Smoke Mode/P-Setting | Yes | No |
| Direct Flame Access | Yes | Yes |
| SmokeIT (WiFi) | No | Yes |
| Typical Price | $597 | $847 |
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When comparing the total cooking areas of these two Pit Boss pellet grills/smokers, its clear that the Lockhart from the Platinum Series is offering significantly more cooking space.
However, as is made clear by the size of the main cooking grates, most of the additional cooking area of the Lockhart is from its upper smoking cabinet.
The Lockhart does provide a larger hopper capacity. However, the 28 lb hopper of the Savannah Onyx Edition is more than enough in reality, and as discussed above, the Savannah has the superior controller.
However, as discussed above, the standard Savannah controller is missing WiFi/SmokeIT. Though as also discussed, the SmokeIT upgrade is available.
The Lockhart has a typical price point of $250 above that of the Savannah, and while the Lockhart does offer a larger cooking area overall, I think the Savannah Onyx Edition offers the better value.
Pit Boss Copperhead Onyx Edition vs Brunswick Platinum Series
| Features | Copperhead Onyx Edition | Brunswick Platinum Series |
| Total Cooking Area | 1,300 sq.in | 1,164 sq.in |
| Cooking Surfaces | 5 | 4 |
| Hopper Size | 65 lbs | 98 lbs |
| PID | Yes | Yes |
| Temp Range | 130-420 | 130-420 |
| Temp Adjustment | 5 Degrees | 10-25 Degrees |
| Smoke Mode/P-Setting | No | No |
| SmokeIT (WiFi) | No | Yes |
| Typical Price | $474 | $597 |
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While the Copperhead Onyx Edition does offer more cooking area than the Brunswick Platinum Series on paper, the reality is there is very little difference between them.
If you check the table above, the Copperhead has an additional rack over the Brunswick. Therefore, with that additional rack removed, they offer more or less the same cooking area.
In terms of hopper capacity, the Brunswick, with its 98 lb capacity, I think is way over the top. It would take several long smoking sessions to use up such a capacity.
In terms of temperature range, the Copperhead and Brunswick are identical, and both are using PID technology. However, only the Copperhead offers 5-degree temperature adjustment.
However, the Copperhead is significantly cheaper than the Brunswick, typically priced around $130 less. Therefore, despite its missing features, I still think the Copperhead Onyx Edition is the better value.
Though, the Copperhead is missing WiFi/SmokeIT functionality. So your decision could depend on how much weight/value you put on this feature.
Conclusions On The Pit Boss Onyx Edition vs Platinum Series
So what have we learned? Well, of the two Pit Boss product ranges exclusive to Walmart, I think the new Onyx Edition models offer better value over their Platinum Series siblings.
In fact, for under $500, I think the Austin XL Onyx Edition is currently the best-value pellet grill on the market, and I’ll need to update my other comparison articles to reflect that.
That’s it! Thanks for reading. As always, please check out my Wood Pellet Grill/Smoker Guide to learn more about all your current options in the world of pellet BBQs.
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