Top 7 Traeger Smoker Reviews and Comparison 2023

Imagine, smoking the best cuts of meat to perfection. How about grilling juicy tuna belly or roasting tender duck? You can do all these and so much more with your own smoker/grill. In fact, you can bake, braise, barbecue and sear all kinds of food in this versatile outdoor cooker. And when it comes to portable and versatile smokers, only one name stands out: Traeger. We’ll help you find the ideal Traeger smoker model that’s best for your needs in this Traeger smoker reviews.

Traeger Smoker Reviews

Traeger smokers, especially their Traeger pellet smoker models are the best choice among homeowners, cooks, and outdoorsmen who want nothing but the best. All Traeger smokers are designed for easy use, versatile features, easy maintenance and reliable construction that even a novice user can become a talented cook. Choose the Traeger pellet smoker which fits your cooking needs; whether you’re cooking for your family or for the entire clan this weekend, there is a pellet smoker that’s right for you.

We have gathered seven of the best Traeger grills and smoker in this Traeger smoker review. These top models are known for being versatile smokers because aside from smoking food, you can also use these to grill, bake, braise, roast and barbecue. These smokers come with large cooking spaces and some with prep spaces and shelves where you can prepare meals. Food is grilled to perfection with the best flavor because of the unique features only from Traeger. And when it comes to cleaning the smoker/grill, you can count on easy features for no-fuss and safe maintenance.

1. Traeger Grills TFB39TOD Renegade Pro Pellet Grill and Smoker

Traeger Grills TFB38TOD Renegade Pro Wood Pellet Grill

The Renegade Pro is our next Traeger smoker review. It is a smoker/griller that uses wood-pellets for that delicious wood-fired taste and smell. It is a versatile cooker that comes with 380 square inches of cooking space to cook 12 burgers, 2 chickens and 3 racks of ribs. This smoker may be the right one for a small family or for a small group of friends.

Key features of this smoker

  • Gives you that wood-fired taste and smell
  • The versatile cooker can  be used in six different  ways
  • Comes with  precise temperature controls that let  you set and forget your food
  • Made from strong steel with porcelain grates, both  durable and easy to clean
  • With all-terrain wheels  to let you push the grill over grass and dirt
  • Easy to clean with a grease bucket
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The Renegade Pro is made from strong steel with a powder coat finish and porcelain grates for easy cleaning. It has all-terrain wheels which you can use on grass and soil. It is very easy to use with its digital controller; you just set the grill and come back for cooked food. You’ll also find this grill very easy to use and maintain. The easy to clean drip basket removes grease and oil from the smoker for easy maintenance.

The Traeger Grills Renegade Pro might just be the right grill for you. It comes with just the right size of cooking space for a small family or for a small group of people. It has precision settings that will put an end to complicated cooking, grilling, and smoking. The digital controls maintain temperatures of more or less 15 degrees Fahrenheit so you can cook poultry, fish, meats, and seafood to perfection.  The Renegade Pro is made from very durable materials with porcelain grates so it’s easy to clean and maintain.  It may have some flaws and has limited cooking space but it remains to be a good Traeger smoker to try.

2. Traeger Grills TFB57PZBO Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill and Smoker

Traeger Grills TFB57PZBO Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill

The Traeger Grills Pro Series 22 is a pellet grill and smoker with a large 572 square inch capacity which will give you that delicious wood-fired flavor and taste in any food you cook. The Pro Series is a versatile grill that will give you more uses than grilling and smoking. It will let you bake, braise, BBQ and roast with up to 4 chickens, 24 burgers and 5 racks of ribs. The large cooking capacity will let y you cook for a large family or for a large number of guests.

Key features of this smoker

  • Food tastes better because it tastes wood-fired
  • You can cook more food with its large 572 square inch cooking space
  • Versatile cooker with 6-in-1 capabilities
  • Comes with precision control for easy cooking
  • With all-terrain wheels for easy rolling on grass and dirt
  • Easy to clean with  grease bucket and porcelain grates
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Meanwhile, you’ll be able to maintain this grill/smoker easily because grease and oil do not accumulate inside the grill body. It drains out the side into a grease bucket for easy cleaning. It is made from very durable steel with porcelain grill grates so food will never stick no matter what you’re cooking. All its impressive features make this a good grill to consider for your next weekend outdoor event.

The Traeger Grills Pro Series 22 is larger than the Elite series but retains the impressive features of Traeger such as the durable construction, easy to use controls, versatile functions, and easy move design. The Pro Series 22 lets you cook for a larger family or for more people and cleaning is also easier with its porcelain grates and grease buckets. The Pro Series 22 may just be the smoker/grill for you.

3. Traeger Grills TFB38TCA Renegade Elite Wood Pellet Grill

Traeger Grills TFB38TCA Renegade Elite Wood Pellet Grill

This Traeger smoker review is for the Renegade Elite wood pellet grill. It is the grill for you if you only need to cook for a small number of people. It guarantees that your food will have that delicious wood-fired aroma and taste and cooked perfectly because of its special digital Elite controller. With 380 square inches of cooking space, the Renegade Elite lets you cook two whole chickens, 3 racks of ribs and around 8 burger patties.

Key features of this smoker

  • Wood-fired flavor and taste on food all the time.
  • Ample space to cook for a small family
  • With digital controls for precise cooking
  • With versatile cooking functions, 6-in-1 ways to use this grill
  • Made from very durable materials
  • With large wheels for easy movement in any terrain
  • With utility basket
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The Renegade Elite is made from durable materials which mean this will stand the test of time. This grill is easier to clean because oil and grease will drain easily down a grease bucket found along the side of the grill. Compared to other Traeger grills, this comes with a utility basket at the bottom to store your supplies. It has two large wheels to let you move it through grass or dirt. 

Traeger Grills Renegade Elite is a wood pellet grill with just the right cooking space for a small group of people. It is the grill that will give your food that classic wood-fired taste. It is a versatile cooker that will allow you 6-in-1 cooking with utmost precision. It is made from durable materials, is easy to take anywhere and easy to maintain. Despite its size and lacking features, the Renegade Elite could be the grill for you.

4. Traeger Grills TFS60LZC Select Elite Pellet Grill and Smoker

Traeger Grills TFS60LZC Select Elite Pellet Grill

One of the bigger Traeger Grills is the Select Elite pellet grill and portable smoker. This comes with a huge 589 square inches of cooking space where you can cook up to 20 burgers, 4 racks of ribs and 4 chickens. It is huge with a larger hopper capacity. It is equipped with precision temperature controls so you’ll cook with consistent results.

Key features of this smoker

  • Guarantees a wood-fired taste and smell
  • Versatile cooker with 6-in-1uses
  • With precision temperature controls
  • With a sturdy and durable construction
  • With stainless  steel shelves, dual storage cart
  • Improved hopper capacity
  • Large cooking space/capacity
  • Easy to move with caster wheels
  • large, heavy lid
  • With food prep spaces
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The Select Elite has a large working area along the sides and at the front. The cover is large and heavy that will prevent flavors and heat from escaping. And you can put anything inside its large cabinets! You can place food, supplies, extra pellets, tools and cleaning supplies.

The Traeger Grills Select Elite pellet grill with 6-in-1 uses and has a  larger cooking area compared to all the pellet grills and smokers in this list. What makes it very different aside from its size is its large storage cabinet and food prep space.  It also has precision temperature controls,  caster wheels, and a heavy lid. It has a few disadvantages but it remains a good smoker/grill for anyone who needs to cook for a large group or family.

5. Traeger TFB42LZBC Grills Lil Tex Elite 22 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

Traeger TFB42LZBC Grills Lil Tex Elite 22 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

Get that delicious wood-fired taste when you grill or smoke with the Traeger Lil Tex Elite. This small smoker/grill is an original Trager wood-pellet grill with features that you may have been looking for as you host your next weekend barbecue dinner. It has a versatile cooking space at 418 square inches. You can grill up to 16 burgers, 4 chickens, or 5 large racks of ribs.

Key features of this smoker

  • This is the right size to be taken anywhere; convenient wheels let you push this smoker anywhere.
  • With ample cooking space for a small family.
  • With an integrated controller for easy and precise cooking.
  • Well-sealed cover to keep smoke and flavor locked in.
  • This is easier to clean because half of the chore is done as it cooks with the convenient drip basket
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The Lil Tex Elite is a classic wonder but has updated features and designs including an integrated controller which keeps cooking temperatures within the ideal cooking range in just one turn of its convenient dial. The large, well-sealed cover allows the temperature to remain consistent and flavors locked in food. 

The Traeger Grills Lil Tex Elite is a small wonder with great features that any homeowner or cook will love. It has convenient cooking settings, a large cover to seal flavor and smoke plus it is easier to clean and maintain. There are a few flaws too. It has a small cooking space especially when you are cooking for a large group of people. It does not have features that other large smokers too but in the end, we know this is a good smoker despite these flaws.

6. Traeger Grills TFB65LZBC Texas Elite 34 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

Traeger Grills TFB65LZBC Texas Elite 34 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

Compared to the Lil Tex, the Texas Elite 34 wood pellet grill and smoker has a larger cooking capacity of 646 square inches. This lets you cook up to 8 large chickens, 30 burger patties and 5 racks of ribs enough for a large family or a party of hungry guests. This original wood-pellet grill is a convenient way to add that wood-fired flavor in your food.

Key features of this smoker

  • There’s no need to use gas or charcoal again
  • Food tastes better with wood-fired flavor or taste
  • Versatile can do more than smoke and  grill
  • With larger cooking space at 646 square inches
  • With precision controls for improved temperature control
  • Very durable made of steel
  • With powder coat finish and clean porcelain grills
  • Easy to clean and maintain with a grease bucket
  • Easy to take anywhere, lockable coasters
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The Texas Elite 34 is versatile. Aside from roasting, grilling, and smoking, this cooker can also braise, barbecue and bake. You’ll be in control with Traeger’s precision temp control which maintains a more or less 25 degrees Fahrenheit temperature. It is made from very strong steel so it will last for a very long time. It is also easy to clean and easy to take anywhere with easy to move but locking casters.

The Traeger Elite 34 is a larger smoker/grill compared to the Lil Tex Elite, therefore, it will give you more cooking space to cook for more people. It offers the same precision control features so you can cook effortlessly. It is made of very durable materials and with the grill made of clean porcelain. And despite its few flaws, we remain certain that this could be a good smoker/grill to choose.

7. Traeger TFB29LZA Junior Elite Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

Traeger Grills TFB29LZA Junior Elite Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

The next Traeger Smoker review is about the Traeger Junior Elite wood pellet grill/smoker. This is your smoker if you just want a personal cooker to grill and smoke food for your small family. It has 300 square inches of cooking space, therefore, it can only accommodate 2 large chickens or three racks of ribs.

Key features of this smoker

  • You can cook food with the delicious wood-fired taste.
  • Versatile cooker with 6-in-1 uses
  • Your food will all always come out perfectly cooked because of the Integrated Digital Elite Controller
  • Easy to use, just set and forget
  • Made of durable materials, will last a long time
  • With large wheels to let  you push it on grass and ground
  • Easy to clean and maintain with the grease bucket
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The Junior Elite is made from very durable materials which will stand years of use. It also comes with the Integrated Elite Controller that lets you keep cooking temperatures at slightly higher or lower 20 degrees Fahrenheit. You can easily cook food with that classic wood-fired taste.

You’ll be able to cook for a small family or a few friends with the Junior Elite from Traeger Grills. It has a compact cooking space but may still do more than a grill and smoke food.  This smoker/grill has digital controls for easy use and comes with large wheels so you can easily take these to where you want to cook. It is made from strong materials so this grill can withstand countless use. And despite some flaws, it may be the grill you have been looking for.

What is the best Traeger smoker?

Based on different Traeger smoker reviews, we choose the Traeger TFB 42L ZBC Grill Lil Tex Elite 22 as the best smoker. This smoker/grill stood from the rest because of its many engaging features. First, it has adequate space to cook for a small number of people or a small family.

A homeowner’s first grill must not be too big or too small considering that he would probably grill or smoke food for his family. Tiny grills are for tailgating or camping while larger ones are for parties and outdoor gatherings. Grills with a moderate size like the  Lil Tex Elite may just have the right size for a beginner to learn everything he can about grilling and smoking.

Traeger Lil Tex Elite 22 Pellet Grill and Smoker TFB42LZBC Grills
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Next, it comes with precision temperature controls, therefore, it’s always easy to use this grill and get the best results. Another reason is its very durable construction which guarantees use for many more years. Finally, the Lil Tex Elite is the best because it will give your food that wood-fired flavor and smell.

And because of its size, it is easier to clean and to maintain. The handy grease bucket lets you collect grease and oil and eases on maintenance. All these good qualities make the Lil Tex Elite a good smoker/grill from  Traeger.

Traeger Smoker vs Pit Boss Smoker

Traeger smokers are designed differently than Pit Boss Smokers. Traeger brand smokers are designed to look and work like a regular grill while Pit Boss grill Smokers are made to look and work like cabinet-type smokers.  A  Traeger Smoker will let you grill, bake, braise, roast and BBQ while a Pit Boss Smoker is only for smoking food.

A  Traeger brand smoker is made for the outdoors. These smokers are made from heavy-duty materials and come with easy to move casters so you can use this for any outdoor activity. The Pit Boss brand smokers are made for home use. Although this kind of smoker comes with wheels, these are meant only for indoor smoking. 

Therefore, if you were to choose between a Traeger and a Pit Boss, a Traeger Smoker wins hands down. Traeger Smokers are versatile and may be used to grill, braise, bake, BBQ and roast.  Pit Boss Smokers serves one purpose and can only be used indoors. But if you are looking for a standalone smoker then you might be better off with a Pit Boss Smoker than a Traeger Smoker.

What to consider at Traeger Smoker

Traeger Smoker and Grills are for people looking for a versatile cooker. All Traeger Smokers are designed to offer more features and to be used in different ways. But despite these common features, Traeger Smokers come in different models. To find which smoker model is for you, consider the following tips:

How big is your family? Do you have plans to entertain guests?

Traeger Smoker/grills vary according to the cooking space. Larger cooking areas of 500 square meters or more will be enough to cook for a large group of people like a large family or a lot of guests for a party or event.                                                                  

Where do you intend to cook?

Different Traeger Smokers come with different designs along with different types of wheels. If you intend to cook on a smooth surface such as a patio with tiled floors then a smoker with any kind of wheel will do. To cook in a grassy backyard or garden, choose a smoker with larger wheels so you can easily roll these over any kind of surface.

Do you want a fully-automated or manual temperature control

High-end, updated Traeger Smokers come with precision control that will let you cook by setting and forgetting the temperature controls. Meanwhile, older models may still have manual controls.

Your budget

Traeger Smokers are affordable compared to Pit Boss smokers. And together with its good features, this brand offers the best value for your money in the long run.

Check the construction and materials

Traeger is made from very durable materials which will last for a long time. Even the grates should be made of a durable, easy to clean material like porcelain. You must consider a material that’s easy to clean and should be durable enough to handle the tough pressures of cooking and food preparation.

Cleaning is the hardest part of owning a grill/smoker. You need to remove grease, oil, dirt, food remnants and debris in the smoking/grilling chamber, as well as the pellet feeder and these, takes time. If you don’t want to deal with so much cleaning then you might be better off with a Traeger model with a grease spout and bucket.

Do you want food prep shelves and racks?

Not all Traeger models come with prep shelves and tool racks. Usually, the high-end models come with cabinets and racks and you need to pay extra for shelves and prep areas.

Overall Verdict

There are so many Traeger smokers available in the market each with different cooking space sizes, designs, and features. You need to get to know each one, compare one from the other, to get the ideal smoker/grill for you. As there are differences, there are also similar features of these smokers.

You can expect that all Traeger smoker/grills are durable, versatile and can make grilling and smoking easier and more enjoyable. The fact that you can get that delicious wood-fired taste in your food without trying is definitely priceless.

There is a Traeger smoker for you. We hope this Traeger smoker review was able to help you out.

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