5 Best Budget Pellet Smoker, Dec(2024)

Here is my list of Best Budget Pellet Smoker..

The best part?

Everything on this list is up to date and I am frequently updating it..

So, if you are looking for a Portable, Wood Pellet, Small, Overall, Beginner friendly Budget Pellet Smoker then you will find it useful.

Let’s dive right in…,

Recommended Reading:
– List of Best Pellet Smokers (All Category) .
– Top Electric Pellet Smokers.
– Learn how to increase smoke on a Pellet Smoker.
– Top Pellet Smoker for winter or cold weather.
– Different types of Vertical Pellet smoker.

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5 Best Budget Pellet Smoker for Every Need

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#1 Camp Chef SmokePro DLX ( Best Overall )

Camp Chef is another brand that has built a name for itself in the pellet grilling industry..

The Camp Chef Smoke Pro DLX Grill is the best choice for grilling area, heat control, and flavor.

However the price keeps on fluctuating so you need to check the current price before buying.

Let’s know more about this versatile grill…

The Bad

Heavy 
Although this grill appears to be little, it is not light.
The Camp Chef Grill is overall 140 lbs. pounds in weight.

Smokes leaks
Around the lid, a small amount of smoke escapes.

If it is leaking in more amounts then get some high temp gasket and install around the lid.

And if there is a little leaking then don’t worry, it is common in every smoker or grill.

Legs are not foldable
This Camp Chef Smoke Pro DLX Grill model does not have foldable legs..

The Good

Build quality 
Just love it and the quality is better than most at a much higher cost.

This smoker is well-made of thick metal and will last a lifetime if you maintain properly.

This grill is, however, somewhat heavy..

It also appears to be of high quality. It’s just enjoyable to use and built like a tank.

The results you get from this thing are sometimes not even a pricey grill can provide.

The wheels look great and it is also very sturdy.

It helps you move your grill…

Cooking area
In this grill you will get about 570 sq inches of cooking surface.

You can cook anything like brisket, steak, pork butt, ribs, burgers, hot dogs, pizza, fish, cookies, chicken etc.

I want to clear one thing here that the sear box doesn’t come with this grill. You have to purchase it separately. It is a great edition.

The side shelf is a plus for me..

Temperature
Maintaining a consistent temperature when grilling and smoking is essential.

The dial control keeps the temperature constant during the cooking process and allows you to set the exact temperature that you need. 

It’ll keep it within minus five degrees of the temperature you specify, which is really accurate.

It just makes grilling and smoking so much easier.

It can reach temperatures of around 500 degrees, which is pleasant. because many other pellet grills only get up to 400 degrees.

Hopper
It has a large capacity of hopper which can hold 18 lbs. of pellets.

In this grill you can get more smoke by using a little pellet.

A little window in the hopper allows you to see when the pellet level is low. Also you can easily change the hardwood.

The PG24DLS comes with a hopper clean out which is very rarely found in any pellet grill.

Cleaning
It has an ash out system that removes all pellet ash.

A small ash pan  is located underneath the grill. So, it is very easy to clean.

The ceramic coated cast iron grates can also clean easily. 

PID controller
The Gen 2 controller, which was recently added, is simple to operate and has Smoke Control + PID technology.

You can adjust your smoke number and get a flawless cook.

The controller is outstanding which features built-in cooling system, high and low smoke settings, and pellet prime for auger charging.

It includes a built-in digital meat probe port, so there’s no need to run cables beneath the lid.

Another excellent feature is the power outage bypass.

When the power goes out in the middle of a cook, you can bypass the relight feature..

Smart design
A smoke stack is located in the back of the grill, providing you with work space on the right side.

It’s a basic design choice, but it’s a wise one.

Inside the grill, the grill generates extra space, allowing you to use your upper grill rack without feeling cramped.

The menu dial looks fantastic..

You do not need to buy a separate bottle opener.

This grill has also made this facility..

Flavor
I should say it is better than most smoker in higher ranges.

You’d be surprised how much better the food tasted.

This grill allows you to use different pellets and gives you your favorite flavor.

Easy to use 
It is so simple and easy to use..

The PID controller controls the temperature and shows you the heat level..

What do I love the most?

It’s a versatile pellet grill which is available at a lower price..

The way grills hopper and PID controller perform is pretty impressive.

It’s cooling system, low and slow cook, bypass and so many features you will get in this grill.

Also you can add sear box.

You can cook anything whatever you want.

So, this is the best overall pellet grill and also second in my list of best budget pellet smoker..

Quick info

Good

• Smart design.
• You can add sear box.
• Gen 2 controller.
• Built in meat probe.
• You can change pellet.
• You can set the temperature.

Bad

• Little heavy.

If you want one with foldable legs at a reasonable price consider purchasing the PG24STX model from Camp Chef.

#2 Z Grills ZPG-450A ( Best Wood Pellet/ Cheapest )

The Z GRILLS ZPG-450A is an eight-in-one barbecue grill that features auto temperature control and 454 square inches of cooking capacity.

You can grill, smoke, roast, bake, braise, char grill, sear and barbecue with this versatile Z GRILLS.

There are various different barbecue models available from z grills.

Among all the Z Grills models, this model is the one of the Wood Pellet Grill at a reasonable price.

Lets know about Z GRILLS ZPG-450A in detail..

The Bad

Heavy product
This Z Grill is little heavy so its little difficult carry or move.

Especially if you are somebody who wants to keep relocating the smoker then, this can be little annoying.

The Good

Easy to assemble
It may take about an hour to assemble. But with the given tools you will easily assemble it.

It is not difficult to assemble. If you want, you can also take help from someone to hold the parts.

I could easily do most part of assembly with the help of written manuals. It is quite easy to follow.

Build quality & construction
The pellet grill is designed to last, with a high-temperature powder coating finish.

And with this finish, you’ll be able to enjoy wood-fired grilling for many years to come.

Also it is designed for small families.
The Z Grill 450A contains 452 sq. inches of cooking space while infusing your food with powerful flavor.

So, this is Perfect size for small households..

Sturdy wheel- This grill comes with a strong wheel which makes it easy to maneuver in my yard.

Hopper
This grill has a large capacity hopper. It can hold 15lbs of pellets.
One thing you’ll be glad to know is that this hopper will save you from having to refill pellets.

So, in this grill you will get more smoke without filling the pellets again and again.

As a result, the hopper allows for longer cooking times and minimizes the need to constantly reload the hopper.

Flavor
Once you should try the wood smoked flavor of this grill.  I can say that the flavor will not disappoint you.

It’s not so easy to get the wood smoked flavor from a pellet grill.

But the flavor and taste of this Z Grill is no less than other gas or charcoal grills.

Temperature
It is very easy to set the temperature in this grill.

The one reason which I love most is that you can smoke, grill, and everything in between its 180° to 450° F temperature range.

High tech smoker
This grill contains a PID controller that keeps the temperature as steady as possible during your cooking.

PID controllers make use of software algorithms and powerful hardware designs to automatically maintain the heat and the temperature in a smoker.

This Z Grill, on the other hand, uses wood fire technology to achieve specific temperatures quickly and precisely.

Grease pan
A grease pan comes with this Z Grill.

It doesn’t allow to spread grease in the bottom of the cooking chamber which means the pan collects all grease.

This gives you the advantage that there is not much dirt inside the chamber and the space around the grill is also kept clean.

Easy to use
Anybody can use this grill because it’s so easy.

First of all you have to be ready with whatever you cook then pour the charcoal on the hopper.

And the last two things is set the temperature and place the food in your cooking place.

Simply sit back and relax; once you’ve set the temperature, the z grills pellet grills will take care of the rest.

So, there’s no need to put in a lot of effort.

Simply enjoy the process of cooking, and the outcomes will be consistent every time..

What do I love the most?

When it comes to taste and temperature control, pricing is irrelevant, yet this grill is designed to deliver high quality at a low cost.

So, this is the best deal for the best wood pellet grill.

This is also why it is first in my list of Best Budget Pellet smoker..

Quick info

Good

• Low price.
• Wheel for mobility.
• Produces great flavor.
• No need to refill pellets.
• One time temperature setting.
• Foldable shelf.

Bad

• Little heavy.

#3 Asmoke AS300 ( Best Portable )

The ASMOKE AS300 is a portable pellet grill that provides a big flavor with a small footprint.

Know the advantages and disadvantages of this grill..

The Bad

Inaccurate temperature
The temperature sometimes fluctuates a little.

It is common for smoke to leak out and a poor temperature balance in the grill or smoker.

The Good

Quality & Design
It’s composed of steel and stainless steel with a cooking grate.

It has a good clean look to it.

This grill comes with a robust front handle that opens and closes your lid.

You also have some latches on both sides that you may leave open while cooking and close when you’re finished.

This unit isn’t very heavy it only weighs approximately 45 pounds, making it quite portable.

The main venting of this grill is located on the right side.

You will have your grease pan.

You can see the control board right in the front of this grill and this is the brain of the grill. 

There are a couple different sections inside the grill.

Let me explain. In the cooking chamber you will have all sections meaning grill section as well as your hopper.

It may look strange but isn’t it unique? Hopper has less capacity but this footprint grill doesn’t require much.

Cooking capacity
-It has about 256 square inches of open grilling space that allows you to direct and indirect grilling.

This unit features 8-in-1 versatility which means it allows you to barbecue, roast, back, smoke, braise, broil, sear, and also can prepare char-grilled food.

It has  two tiers of porcelain coated cast iron cooking grids.

In this pellet grill I have done a number of different cooks.

I have seared, done steaks, and barbecued  three chickens.

And also I have done vegetables on this pellet grill and it’s been a lot of fun every time.

Portable
This pellet grill is lightweight and very convenient so you can carry and take it anywhere.

The ASMOKE pellet grill is Ideal for some camping, parties, backyard BBQ entertainment, RVs, traveling and more.

Temperature 
The ASMOKE pellet grill has a temperature range of 500 degrees.

Smart function
It has smart features with a control system and programmable meat probe port.

With a temperature dial ranging from 180° to 500°F, this control system allows you to use low and fast or quick and hot settings.

Color LED digital temperature controller with programmable meat probe port display makes it easy to set and track the temperature .

This grill’s auto-pellet reloading and heating fan keeps the temperature where you want it. 

A control board with a digital leave-in thermometer really helps to cook  with this pellet grill.

Hopper
With a four-pound pellet capacity, you’ll be able to fuel most of your Cooks..

If you’re preparing brisket or pork shoulder, you’ll need to fill this halfway through the cooking process just to get through the 10-12 hour cooking time..

What do I love the most?

Portable
You can use this pellet grill anywhere..

This is idle for camping, parties, backyard BBQ entertainment, RVs, traveling and more like I told earlier..

Quick info

Good

• Potable.
• Color LED digital temperature controller.
• 8-in-1 versatility.

Bad

• Less capacity of Hopper.
• Inaccurate temperature.

#4 Z Grills ZPG-7002E ( Best for Beginners )

The Z Grills ZPG-7002E upgrade is one of the best pellet grills for beginners.

Let’s find out why…

The Bad

Can’t cook steaks
There is no access to a direct flame to sear, as there is in previous models.

Temperature
Sometimes the temperature control is not working properly.

Heavy
This pellet grill is a little heavy unit. You can not lift easily

The Good

Build quality
The Z Grills ZPG-7002E grill features porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates as well as a stainless steel body for durability and rust resistance.

Their tough design prevents the grates from rusting and effectively distributes heat.

There are also two heavy-duty wheels on the grill for portability.

Features 
This pellet grill comes with an electrical ignition system for faster start-up, a side and bottom shelf for holding utensils, and a grease collector for easy clean-ups.

The ZPG-7002E Pellet Grill  comes with 8-in-1 versatility which allows you to bbq, bake, roast, braise, smoke, grill, sear and char-grill with this equipment.

Cooking capacity
It has a total of 700 square inches of cooking space, with a primary cooking space of 504 square inches and a warming rack.

Hopper capacity
This hopper can hold 20 pounds of pellets.

And these pellets through an automatic auger maintain the set temperature.

However, a convection fan efficiently spreads heat inside the chamber, allows accurate temperature control

Temperature
The digital control allows you to set  the temperature between 180 to 450°F, keeping the variations within 10 degrees. 

You will get a smart LED screen to read-off the internal temperature.

What do I love the most?

This grill is very easy to use and it comes with 8-in-1 versatility.

You can cook whatever you want. I have cooked chicken, burgers, sausage, ribs, briskets, turkey etc.

You can set the temperature in it and you can take the cooking experience with ease.

This model is very good for beginners

Quick info

Good

• 8-in-1 versatility cooking.
• Durable. 
• Accurate temperature control.
• Easy to use.

Bad

• It doesn’t have meat probes.

#5 Traeger Grills Ranger ( Best Small Size )

The Traeger Grills Ranger a tiny pellet grill. It’s looking great. 

Let’s know how durable the grill is..

The Bad

Temp probe doesn’t work
Sometimes the given probe doesn’t work properly.

The Good

Build quality
This product is only 60 lbs. weight. This is heavy but you can carry it because it is small in size.

For durability and safe travel, this small and portable Ranger has a baffled lid construction and lid latches.

Cooking capacity
Traeger Grills Ranger has about 184 sq inches cooking space.

This smoker comes with a cast iron griddle where you can sear on your steak, or cook.

This grill is not just for grilling but you can roast, braise, smoke, bake, and BBQ food too.

Hopper capacity
Grill is small so obviously the hopper will also be small. The hopper can hold 8lbs of pellets.

Traeger Grills are powered by all-natural hardwood pellets that impart a delicious wood-fired taste to anything you cook.

Temperature 
This Pellet Grill Smoker temperature range is Max 450ᵒ Fahrenheit in which you can prepare anything.

Advanced Grilling means before cooking you can precise the temperature

It allows you to set a cook timer which alerts you when it’s time to sauce or check on food.

The Ranger does have a built-in meat probe that allows you to check the interior temperature of your meal without having to raise the lid.

Small in size
This grill is really small. Seeing this grill, a lot of planning started in my mind. 

My cooking list keeps on growing ever since I have it. 

I enjoy cooking in it. There is no hassle of cleaning. I save a lot of time by using this grill.

Easy-to-clean
The grill is easy to clean. And also you can clean porcelain-coated grill grates. 

What do I love the most?

Portability

Since the size of this smoker is small . It makes it a perfect portable budget pellet smoker.

Especially this comes in handy for people who want to travel a lot or go for camping.

However you may need to check on the capacity.

Still because of all its value for money it has secured a place in my list of best budget pellet smoker.

Quick info

Good

• Small.
• Portable.
• Grate for sear.
• Comes with temp probe.

Bad

• Doesn’t work temp probe.
• little heavy.

I’ve explained the process for cooking some of my favorite foods in a pellet smoker. You can visit the given link and attempt the process..

Recommended Reading:
– Learn how to cook ribs in a Pellet Smoker.
– Easy smoking process of beef jerky in a Pellet Smoker.
– How to cook steaks In a Pellet Smoker.
– How to smoke fish in a Pellet Smoker.
– How to cook pork loin in a Pellet Smoker.

credit: Grill Sergeant

# Is electricity required for a Pellet Smoker?

Yes, it is. Because a Pellet Smoker’s control panel, thermometer, auger, and fans are usually all powered by electricity.

Therefore, before you start smoking, the unit must be plugged in.

# What are the downsides of a pellet grill?

Here are few downsides of pellet grills.

• You can’t use pellet grill everywhere.
• Pellet grills are need an outlet to work, so they’re not portable.
• They are not for wet weather use.
• Pellet grills are uses electricity..

# Conclusion

In conclusion, the top affordable pellet smokers provide cost without sacrificing quality or functionality..

These top-rated pellet smokers offer affordable prices, precise temperature control, dependable heat, and enough cooking space.

Even though they are inexpensive, they nevertheless offer great smoked flavors and convenience.

Users can enjoy the advantages of pellet smoking without breaking the bank by selecting one of these suggested low-cost models, making it a fantastic choice for both new and seasoned smokers on a budget…