Head-to-head · Best Pellet Grills Under $1000

Traeger Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker vs Traeger Pro 780

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Traeger Pro 780 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about Serious home cooks wanting large batch and smart control — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #2 in Best Pellet Grills Under $1000

Traeger Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker

4.4

4 sources1 derived$549as of Aug 1

Backyard cooks who would rather not fiddle with an app are the Traeger Pro 22's audience. Reviewers noted the Digital Elite dial controller keeps operation simple, with no pairing or complex setup to work through. Smoke flavor comes out consistent and mild, which suits traditional BBQ, though it runs into the temperature fluctuations typical of older pellet grills. Small to medium families and beginners will get along with it; precision-focused pitmasters and anyone who wants WiFi should look elsewhere. Build quality is solid, with powder-coated steel construction and porcelain grates, minus the modern conveniences newer models include.

Strengths

— Simple digital elite dial controller is beginner-friendly with no menu navigation or app pairing required
— Produces consistent, authentic wood-fired flavor without overpowering food
— Generous 18-lb hopper capacity suitable for most family cooking sessions

Watch-outs

— Temperature swings of 20-30°F from target make it unsuitable for precision cooking or competition use
— No WiFi or app control features that newer Traeger models offer

$549 · Buy at grumpydadco.com Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Pellet Grills Under $1000

Traeger Pro 780

4.6

3 sources$599.99as of Aug 1

Family-sized cooking is what the Traeger Pro 780 is for, and the value holds up. iMore called it 'the best backyard grill you could ever want,' citing the 780 square-inch cooking space and how easy it is to run, and GrillGuru scored it 9.6/10 overall. Wi-Fi connectivity and the companion app get the most attention, letting you control temperature and receive cooking notifications from anywhere. That same reliance on electricity and Wi-Fi will put off anyone who wants traditional, unconnected grilling. Serious home cooks who want professional-grade results without constant monitoring are the fit.

Strengths

— Roomy 780 square-inch cook space allows for large batch cooking including 34 burgers, six rib racks, and six chickens at once
— Wi-Fi connected companion app enables precise temperature and timer control with notification alerts when cooking is complete
— Easy at-home setup with most components pre-assembled and included must-have accessories

Watch-outs

— Requires electricity to operate the auger and heating element, limiting use to areas with power access
— App connection requires Wi-Fi, which may be problematic in remote outdoor locations without internet

$599.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Traeger Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker

The Traeger Pro 22 offers a simpler user experience with its Digital Elite dial compared to the smart features of the Pro 780, but it suffers from significant temperature swings of 20-30°F, unlike the Pro 780's precise Wi-Fi control. It also has a smaller hopper capacity than the Pro 780 and lacks the large 780 sq in cooking space, making it less ideal for family gatherings.

Traeger Pro 780

The Pro 780 outperforms the Pit Boss models in terms of cooking space (780 vs 482-518 sq in) and hopper capacity (18 lbs vs 5 lbs), making it ideal for large gatherings. However, it requires electricity and Wi-Fi, unlike the portable Pit Boss models, and lacks the direct flame searing capabilities of the PB440FB1 and LG300SL.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Traeger Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker	Traeger Pro 780
Total Cooking Area	572 sq in	780 sq. in
Temperature Range	180°F-450°F	165°F to 500°F
Hopper Capacity	18 lbs	18 lbs
Control System	Digital Elite dial	WiFIRE Digital Control
Construction	Porcelain-enameled steel	Stainless Steel
Weight	105 lbs	146 lbs
Dimensions	53.5 x 26.5 x 52.5 in	29.5 x 28.5 x 52.5 in
Warranty	3-year limited	3-Year Limited

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