Key takeaways
- Huge cooking area rivals pellet grills at this tier
- GravityFed hopper reduces refueling interruptions
- Large and heavy; limited portability
What's inside
Buying a grill from Masterbuilt means choosing between charcoal, propane, and electric fuel types across a wide price range, and that decision shapes everything downstream: the temperature ceiling you can hit, how much hands-on time you spend, and whether the unit fits your outdoor space. The problem is that the brand’s lineup has grown so dense that a shopper comparing Masterbuilt grills often cannot tell which model actually solves their specific cooking problem versus which one simply has more features on the spec sheet.
We compared published specs, listed prices, and recurring themes from owner feedback to separate the units that deliver on their core promise from those that add complexity without adding value. A good pick here balances adequate cooking area against the fuel type that matches your patience and local restrictions. A bad pick either overwhelms you with technology you never use, or underserves you with too few square inches for the price.
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Quick Picks
| Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gravity Series 1050 | Large gatherings, serious charcoal cooking | $999 |
| Gravity Series 800 | Charcoal flavor plus griddle versatility | $749 |
| Gravity Series 600 | Weeknight charcoal grilling with app control | $649 |
| AutoIgnite 545 | Easy-start charcoal with minimal setup | $499.99 |
| Portable Propane Gas Grill | Camping, tailgating, small patios | $128.70 |
| Paraffin Fire Starters | Charcoal grill owners needing clean ignition | $10.38 |
| 30-inch Electric Smoker with Leg Kit | Apartment or flat-surface smoking | $268.51 |
| 30-inch Electric Smoker, Chrome Racks | Budget electric smoking on a stand | $219 |
How We Picked
We evaluated each model on four criteria: whether the cooking area justifies the price for a realistic household size, how well the fuel type matches the owner’s willingness to manage fire and temperature, the durability and fit-and-finish feedback from long-term owners, and whether smart features like app connectivity add genuine convenience or merely marketing clutter. Models that scored poorly on any single criterion without excelling elsewhere were excluded from consideration.
The 8 Best Masterbuilt Grills in 2026
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050
The largest GravityFed charcoal combo, built for cooks who routinely feed a crowd and want digital precision without abandoning real charcoal flavor. The 1,050 square inches of cooking space handles briskets, whole chickens, and multiple steaks simultaneously, while the app connection lets you monitor and adjust temperature from inside the house. Owners praise the consistent low-and-slow hold and the gravity-fed hopper that keeps fuel moving. The main trade-off is footprint and price; this is not a grill you tuck away easily.
- Huge cooking area rivals pellet grills at this tier
- GravityFed hopper reduces refueling interruptions
- Large and heavy; limited portability
Skip this if you cook for four or fewer people most weekends. The 600 or 800 will serve you better at a lower cost.
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800
A charcoal grill that ships with a griddle insert, making it the pick for owners who want searing, sautéing, and smoking from a single unit. The 800 square inches comfortably handles a family plus guests, and the digital control panel with app connectivity keeps temperatures locked without babysitting. Owner feedback highlights the griddle surface as genuinely useful rather than gimmicky, though a few note it takes up storage space when not in use.
- Griddle insert adds a cooking mode most charcoal grills lack
- Digital control holds temperature well for long cooks
- Griddle storage is an afterthought
Skip this if you already own a dedicated griddle or flat-top; you are paying for overlap.
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 600
The entry point into the GravityFed digital charcoal line, offering WiFi control and the signature hopper at a price that undercuts pellet grill competitors. At 600 square inches it suits households of four to six without feeling cramped. Owners consistently mention the app as a genuine quality-of-life improvement for monitoring overnight cooks. The smaller hopper capacity means slightly more frequent refills on very long smokes compared to its siblings.
- Most affordable entry into GravityFed digital charcoal
- App monitoring works reliably for set-and-forget cooks
- Smaller hopper requires more attention on multi-hour smokes
Skip this if you need to sear at very high temperatures; the 1050 or a dedicated charcoal kettle handles that better.
Masterbuilt AutoIgnite 545
For grillers who want charcoal flavor but dread lighter fluid and charcoal chimney routines, the electric auto-ignite system and built-in sear plate make this the easiest charcoal experience in the lineup. The mini hopper keeps a modest feed going, and the 545 square inches cover a standard family cookout. Owners appreciate the low maintenance and consistent ignition, though some note the sear plate reaches lower peak temperatures than open-flame charcoal.
- True set-and-forget ignition eliminates charcoal frustration
- Built-in sear plate allows decent crust without a chimney starter
- Peak searing temperature trails open-flame methods
Skip this if chasing a violent, open-flame sear is your primary goal; a traditional kettle wins there.
Masterbuilt Portable Propane Gas Grill
A compact propane unit with folding legs and a chrome-coated warming rack, aimed at campers, tailgaters, and patio owners with minimal space. The 288 square inches handle two burgers, a rack of ribs, or a tray of vegetables. Owners value the lightweight design and quick setup. The chrome-coated rack is functional but thinner than porcelain enamel, so longevity depends on care.
- Folding legs and compact footprint suit travel and tight spaces
- Propane ignition is instant with no fuel prep
- Chrome warming rack is less durable than porcelain alternatives
Skip this if you regularly cook for more than three people; the surface area becomes limiting fast.
Masterbuilt Paraffin Fire Starters
Not a grill, but the accessory that removes the single most annoying barrier to charcoal cooking. These all-natural, odorless wax cubes light clean without chemical taste transfer and work across all charcoal grills and fireplaces. The 48-count box lasts a season for most households. Owners report they eliminate lighter-fluid flavor and outperform paper-and-kindling routines. The only downside is that they cannot substitute for a chimney starter when loading a cold grill quickly.
- Odorless paraffin means no chemical aftertaste on food
- Compatible with any charcoal grill or fireplace, not just Masterbuilt
- Slower than a chimney starter for lighting a full bed of charcoal
Skip this if you own an AutoIgnite model with built-in electric ignition; you already have the solution.
Masterbuilt 30-inch Electric Smoker with Leg Kit
The leg kit elevates this vertical smoker to a comfortable working height, making it ideal for patios, balconies, or garage use where a dedicated stand or table is inconvenient. At 710 square inches across multiple racks it holds a full Sunday cook. The side wood chip loader lets you add flavor without opening the door and losing heat. Owners note the digital control maintains temperature well, though electric smokers cap out lower than charcoal or gas equivalents.
- Leg kit brings the smoker to a practical standing height
- Side chip loader preserves internal temperature during flavor additions
- Electric heat source limits maximum temperature for searing
Skip this if your primary cooking involves high-heat grilling or searing; this is a low-and-slow machine.
Masterbuilt 30-inch Electric Smoker, Chrome Racks
The same 710 square inches and digital temperature control as its sibling, minus the leg kit, at a lower price. Chrome-coated racks replace the standard configuration and suit owners who already have a table or stand at the right height. The side wood chip loader remains, and owner feedback confirms temperature stability matches the more expensive variant. The chrome finish requires more diligent cleaning to prevent surface wear over multiple seasons.
- Lower price for identical cooking area and control logic
- Side chip loader still eliminates heat-loss door opens
- Chrome racks demand more maintenance than porcelain alternatives
Skip this if you have no elevated surface available; without the leg kit, setup becomes awkward.
Buying Guide
Cooking Area and Household Size
Square inches of usable grate space should match how many people you cook for on a typical weekend. Under 400 square inches, expect to cook in batches unless your menu is simple burgers and dogs. Between 400 and 700, a family of four to six eats comfortably in one pass. Above 800, you can handle proteins and sides simultaneously without rearranging mid-cook. Factor in vertical space on smokers, where rack count multiplies effective capacity beyond the stated figure.
Fuel Type and Lifestyle Match
Charcoal GravityFed models offer the best flavor ceiling but require hopper refills and ash cleanup. Electric smokers deliver the lowest hands-on commitment and work where open flames are banned, though they cannot produce a true sear. Propane sits in the middle: instant start, clean burn, moderate temperature range. Match the fuel to your local regulations and your realistic patience for prep and cleanup, not to an aspirational Sunday-morning scenario.
Smart Features: Useful or Gimmick
App connectivity and digital PID controllers genuinely improve long cooks by eliminating the need to stand outside checking a dial. On shorter grills and sears, they add little over a built-in thermometer. When evaluating Masterbuilt grills with WiFi or Bluetooth, ask whether you will actually be inside the house during the cook; if you will be standing next to the grill anyway, the digital layer inflates price without changing your experience.
Our Verdict
The Gravity Series 600 is our top pick for most buyers: it delivers digital charcoal cooking, app monitoring, and the GravityFed hopper at the lowest price in that technology family, making it the best value entry into serious grilling. The Portable Propane Gas Grill is our budget pick at under $130, solving real cooking problems for campers and small-space owners without compromise on convenience. The one condition under which another product wins outright: if you exclusively smoke at low temperatures and cannot manage charcoal or gas, the 30-inch Electric Smoker with Leg Kit is the only sensible choice in this lineup.
FAQ
Are GravityFed grills actually charcoal or just pellet grills?
They are real charcoal grills that use a gravity-fed hopper to move lump charcoal or briquettes into the burn zone, similar in concept to a pellet hopper but accepting standard charcoal. The digital controller adjusts a fan to regulate temperature, so you get charcoal flavor with pellet-style convenience.
Can I use a Gravity Series grill in an apartment with a balcony?
Charcoal and gas models require open-air ventilation and will trigger most HOA or landlord restrictions. The electric vertical smokers are the only Masterbuilt options typically permitted on balconies, since they produce no open flame and emit far less smoke than charcoal equivalents.
How long does the GravityFed hopper last on a single fill?
Fill duration depends on target temperature and charcoal density, but owners report multi-hour low-and-slow cooks without refilling on the 800 and 1050 models. The 600 and the AutoIgnite 545 have smaller hoppers and will require a top-up on overnight or multi-hour smokes above 225 degrees.
Do the fire starters work in an AutoIgnite grill that already has electric ignition?
Technically yes, but there is no reason to use them since the AutoIgnite’s built-in electric element lights the charcoal without external aids. The paraffin starters are designed for manual charcoal grills and fireplaces where no electric ignition is available.
