Key takeaways
- Pro: Flame broiler included at the lowest price point in the lineup.
- Pro: Compact footprint suits small patios and limited storage.
- Con: No meat probe means guessing internal temperature with a separate thermometer.
What's inside
A pit boss pellet grill sits at an unusual price point: cheaper than the premium competition, yet capable of temperature ranges and cooking areas that rival units costing twice as much. The practical question a buyer faces is not whether Pit Boss can sear or smoke—it can—but which specific model handles the size of gathering you actually cook for without leaving you short on hopper capacity, cooking area, or connectivity.
The difference between a good and a bad pick in this lineup comes down to three things: whether the cook space matches your typical protein load, whether the pellet hopper is large enough to survive a long brisket without a refill, and whether the controller gives you accurate enough feedback to trust the cook unattended. This guide compares published specifications, street prices, and recurring owner feedback across eight current models to help you narrow the field without guesswork.
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Quick Picks
| Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pit Boss 440 Mahogany | Entry-level backyard smoking | $327.31 |
| Pit Boss 500 FB2 | Small households wanting a meat probe | $339 |
| Pit Boss 850 Navigator | Connectivity on a mid-range budget | $731.18 |
| Pit Boss 1600 Navigator | Large gatherings and competition prep | $999.99 |
| Pit Boss 700 FB2 | Mid-size families needing a flame broiler | $477.24 |
| Pit Boss 500 Carbon | Compact cooking with upgraded build | $349.99 |
| Pit Boss 700 Carbon | Seventh-inch hopper with no flame broiler | $450.42 |
| Pit Boss 1300 Navigator | Large cook space below four-digit pricing | $849.99 |
How We Picked
We evaluated these grills on four criteria: total cooking area relative to typical serving sizes, pellet hopper capacity as a proxy for uninterrupted long cooks, controller feature set (meat probe, digital readout, wireless connectivity), and price-to-capability ratio. A grill that matches your crowd size and hopper needs at the lowest price wins; a feature you never use inflates cost without benefit.
The 8 Best Pit Boss Pellet Grill in 2026
Pit Boss 440 Mahogany
The most affordable entry here delivers 518 square inches of cooking space and a 5-pound hopper, enough for a single rack of ribs or a small pork shoulder. Owners appreciate the flame broiler for direct-flame searing and the LED controller’s straightforward interface.
- Pro: Flame broiler included at the lowest price point in the lineup.
- Pro: Compact footprint suits small patios and limited storage.
- Con: No meat probe means guessing internal temperature with a separate thermometer.
Skip this if you regularly cook for more than four people or run long overnight smokes where the 5-pound hopper forces a refill.
Pit Boss 500 FB2
Same 518 square inches of cook space as the 440, but the LCD controller adds a built-in meat probe that reads internal temperature directly. For a modest price bump, you gain confidence on brisket and pork without a separate probe thermometer.
- Pro: Meat probe integrated at a sub-$350 price.
- Pro: Flame broiler allows open-flame searing alongside indirect smoking.
- Con: Still only a 5-pound hopper, limiting unattended run time.
Skip this if your cooking area needs exceed 518 square inches or if hopper capacity matters more to you than the probe.
Pit Boss 500 Carbon
The Carbon Series swaps the flame broiler for a 543-square-inch cooking area and bumps the hopper to 13.5 pounds. The LCD controller retains the meat probe, and the carbon-steel body gives a slightly heavier, more stable feel than the FB2 line.
- Pro: Hopper capacity nearly tripled over the FB2 equivalents.
- Pro: Slightly larger cooking surface than the 500 FB2.
- Con: No flame broiler, so you lose direct-flame searing capability.
Skip this if searing steaks or burgers over an open flame is a priority; the FB2 or Mahogany handle that job instead.
Pit Boss 700 FB2
With 747 square inches and a 21-pound hopper, the 700 FB2 covers a wider range of household sizes. The flame broiler and meat probe are both present, and the LCD controller is a step up in readability from the LED panel.
- Pro: Combines flame broiler, meat probe, and generous hopper in one unit.
- Pro: Cooking area comfortably handles two full racks of ribs or a large turkey.
- Con: Priced above two other models here with similar total feature sets.
Skip this if you do not need flame-broiler searing; the 700 Carbon offers similar space at a lower price.
Pit Boss 700 Carbon
At $450.42, the 700 Carbon provides 718 square inches and a 13.5-pound hopper with a meat probe, but no flame broiler. It occupies a middle ground between the smaller FB2 models and the larger Navigator line in both price and capacity.
- Pro: Strong price-to-area ratio among sub-$500 options.
- Pro: Heavier carbon-steel construction resists warping over time.
- Con: Hopper is smaller than the 700 FB2’s despite similar pricing.
Skip this if you cook long smokes frequently; the larger hopper on the FB2 version or Navigator models serves better.
Pit Boss 850 Navigator
WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity join a 932-square-inch cook space and a 30-pound hopper, making this the first model here that can run a full overnight brisket without refueling. The flame broiler and meat probe remain, and the LCD controller pairs with a phone app for remote monitoring.
- Pro: Wireless monitoring lets you check temperatures from inside the house.
- Pro: 30-pound hopper eliminates refill anxiety on long cooks.
- Con: Priced well above the mid-size options for buyers who do not need connectivity.
Skip this if you stay near the grill during cooks and do not value app-based temperature alerts.
Pit Boss 1300 Navigator
The 1300 Navigator brings 1,329 square inches and a touchscreen controller into the sub-$900 range. WiFi, Bluetooth, a flame broiler, a meat probe, and the same 30-pound hopper round out a package aimed at people who host twelve or more.
- Pro: Touchscreen interface is more intuitive than button-and-dial controls.
- Pro: Ample space for multiple protein types at different temps simultaneously.
- Con: Large footprint requires significant outdoor space and a sturdy deck.
Skip this if you rarely cook for more than eight; the 850 Navigator handles those gatherings without the size penalty.
Pit Boss 1600 Navigator
The 1600 is the range-topper: 1,593 square inches, touchscreen control, WiFi, Bluetooth, flame broiler, meat probe, and a 30-pound hopper. At $999.99 it sits just under four digits and represents the most cooking area per dollar in this entire group.
- Pro: Largest cook space available; handles competition-scale loads.
- Pro: Every premium feature Pit Boss offers is included in one unit.
- Con: Overkill for households of four or fewer; difficult to fill efficiently.
Skip this if you have limited space or cook primarily for small groups; the 850 or 1300 deliver connectivity and probes at lower cost.
Buying Guide
Cooking Area vs. Household Size
A rough rule: plan for 60 to 75 square inches of primary grate space per pound of meat. A four-person weeknight dinner fits on a 500-series model. A holiday turkey, multiple racks, or a weekend of pulled pork pushes you toward 850 or larger. The 1600 Navigator is designed for twelve-plus guests; anything less and you are paying for empty space.
Hopper Capacity and Cook Length
A five-pound hopper burns roughly four to six hours at 225°F depending on pellet density and weather. A 13.5-pound hopper doubles that, and a 30-pound hopper clears an entire overnight smoke. If you plan to set the grill and walk away, hopper size is the single most practical spec to check before price.
Controller and Connectivity
Every model here covers 180°F to 500°F, so the temperature range is not a differentiator. What matters is whether you get a meat probe (on every model except the 440 Mahogany), whether the display is legible in sunlight, and whether you want app-based monitoring. WiFi and Bluetooth on the Navigator line let you see real-time internal and pit temperatures from a phone, which is genuinely useful during long low-and-slow cooks away from the grill.
Our Verdict
The top pick is the Pit Boss 850 Navigator: it balances 932 square inches of cook space, a 30-pound hopper, wireless connectivity, flame broiler, and meat probe at $731.18, covering most real-world scenarios without the price of the 1300 or 1600. The best budget pick is the Pit Boss 500 FB2 at $339, which gives a flame broiler, meat probe, and 518 square inches in one of the most compact and affordable packages available. The condition under which the 700 Carbon wins instead: if you want a meat probe and mid-size cooking area but do not need flame-broiler searing, it delivers 718 square inches at $450.42, undercutting the 700 FB2 by nearly $27.
FAQ
Can a Pit Boss pellet grill reach high enough for searing?
Every model here tops out at 500°F on the convection setting. The flame-broiler variants (440 Mahogany, 500 FB2, 700 FB2, 850, 1300, and 1600 Navigator) slide the heat shield open to expose an open flame, which produces a proper sear crust on steaks and burgers at temperatures well beyond 500°F.
How long do the smaller hoppers last?
A 5-pound hopper will sustain roughly one long cook or two shorter sessions before needing a refill. At 13.5 or 21 pounds, you gain meaningful margin, and the 30-pound Navigator hoppers handle overnight smokes without interruption.
Is the WiFi feature worth the price difference?
For cooks under two hours, most owners report not using the app. For overnight briskets or long ribs at 225°F, remote monitoring from inside the house is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade that justifies the Navigator-line premium for people who run those sessions regularly.
Do I need a meat probe?
A built-in meat probe reads internal temperature and alerts you or adjusts the controller when the target is reached. Without one, you must open the lid frequently with a separate thermometer, which drops pit temperature and adds unevenness to long cooks. The 440 Mahogany is the only model here without this feature, making it the weakest choice for beginners learning timing.
