Pellet Grill vs Gas Grill: Which Should You Buy? (2026)
By Claire Whitmore. Last updated October 2026.
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Gas grills and pellet grills are the two most convenient ways to cook outdoors, but they’re built for different kinds of cooking. A gas grill is a fast, hot, turn-a-knob workhorse. A pellet grill is a wood-fired, thermostat-controlled smoker that can also grill. Choosing between them comes down to what you cook most.
This guide answers one question: should you buy a pellet grill or a gas grill? We drew on Serious Eats’ testing of pellet and gas grills, Wirecutter’s 2026 gas grill testing, CNN Underscored and Taste of Home. We haven’t tested these grills ourselves. Prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.
The short answer: buy a gas grill if you mostly cook burgers, steaks, chicken and vegetables on weeknights and want great searing with minimal fuss. Buy a pellet grill if you love smoked barbecue such as brisket, ribs and pork shoulder and want set-and-forget wood flavor. Many serious outdoor cooks eventually own both.
Pellet vs gas at a glance
| Gas grill | Pellet grill | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | Propane or natural gas | Hardwood pellets, plus electricity |
| Heat-up | About 5-10 minutes (Serious Eats) | Longer; pellets must ignite and the grill stabilize |
| Searing | Great | Decent; many max out around 450-550°F |
| Smoking | Not good | Great |
| Temperature control | Knobs | Digital thermostat, often app-connected |
| Needs an outlet | No | Yes |
| Price of Serious Eats’ favorites | $449 to $3,899 | $411 to $3,500 |
| Maintenance | Easy: brush grates, empty grease tray | More: ash, pellet hopper, grease |
Ranges from Serious Eats’ gas and pellet grill guides; pellet max temperatures from Serious Eats and Taste of Home.
How each one works
A gas grill burns propane or natural gas through burners under the grates. You turn a knob, press the igniter and cook over direct flame. Serious Eats says gas grills reach temperatures of about 225°F to 600°F and take about five to 10 minutes to heat up.
A pellet grill feeds hardwood pellets from a hopper into a fire pot with an auger. An electric igniter lights them, and fans control the fire to hold a set temperature, much like a convection oven, as CNN Underscored describes it. Because the heat is indirect and comes from burning wood, food picks up real smoke flavor. All pellet grills need electricity, Serious Eats notes, so you’ll need an outdoor outlet or an extension cord.
The differences that matter
Flavor
This is the main reason to buy a pellet grill. Serious Eats puts it plainly: gas grills don’t smoke. A gas grill gives you a lightly charred flavor from the flame. A pellet grill gives you real wood smoke, strongest at low temperatures. Taste of Home notes that food cooked low on a pellet grill is smokier, while food cooked at higher temperatures picks up a subtler flavor.
Searing
Gas wins on high heat. Serious Eats says gas grills get hotter and are better at charring, while pellet grills excel at smoking and often struggle to get a deep sear. Taste of Home says most pellet grills top out at about 450°F, and CNN Underscored found its pellet pick could sear well at its limit of around 500°F. There are exceptions: Serious Eats highlights the Recteq X-Fire Pro 825, which it says reaches 1,250°F.
Convenience
Both are easy. A gas grill is ready in minutes and perfect for weeknights. A pellet grill takes longer to get going, but once it’s at temperature you can walk away while it holds steady for hours. Serious Eats calls pellet grills very easy to use: add pellets, set the temperature and that’s it.
Cost
Purchase prices overlap. Serious Eats’ favorite pellet grills range from $411 to $3,500 and its favorite gas grills from $449 to $3,899. Wirecutter found the best value in gas grills between $400 and $900. Running costs depend on local fuel prices. Taste of Home says propane generally costs more than wood pellets, though pellet grills often cost more to buy.
Maintenance
Gas grills are simpler: scrub the grates and empty the grease trap now and then, as Serious Eats notes. Pellet grills need more care. You’ll need to vacuum out ash, keep pellets dry so they don’t jam the auger, and clean the grease system. Taste of Home also notes pellet grills can take more effort to clean and maintain.
The best grills of each type
1. Weber Spirit E-425: best gas grill for most people
Best for: weeknight grilling for a family.
Wirecutter’s top gas grill, about $629. It has four burners at 35,000 Btu, two of which make a sear zone, and reached 500°F in seven minutes in Wirecutter’s testing. Weber covers the firebox, lid and burners for 10 years. See our full guide to the best gas grills.
Pros
- Fast heat-up
- Sear zone
- Long warranty
Cons
- No cover included
2. Weber Genesis E-325: best upgrade gas grill
Best for: entertainers who want more space and searing power.
Wirecutter’s upgrade pick, about $949, and a Serious Eats favorite. It adds about 20% more cooking area than the Spirit and a dedicated 13,000 Btu sear burner.
Pros
- Dedicated sear burner
- Excellent warranty
Cons
- About 57 inches long
3. Traeger Ironwood XL: best pellet grill
Best for: serious barbecue fans who cook for crowds.
Serious Eats’ top pellet grill, listed at $2,200, with 924 square inches of cooking space and strong smoky results. CNN Underscored named the related Traeger Ironwood 885 its best pellet grill.
Pros
- Excellent smoke flavor
- Huge cooking area
Cons
- Expensive
- Needs power
4. Weber Searwood 600: best pellet grill for beginners
Best for: gas grillers trying smoking for the first time.
Serious Eats’ pick for beginners, about $999, with a temperature range up to 600°F and 648 square inches of cooking area. The higher top temperature helps it sear better than many pellet grills.
Pros
- Higher max heat than many pellet grills
- Approachable price
Cons
- Smaller than the Ironwood XL
5. Recteq X-Fire Pro 825: best pellet grill for searing
Best for: people who want smoke and real sear in one grill.
Serious Eats’ high-heat pick, listed at $1,795, which it says reaches 1,250°F. It’s the rare pellet grill that can rival gas for searing.
Pros
- Exceptional top heat
- Smoke and sear in one
Cons
- Expensive
- Large
Which should you choose?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Grill burgers, steaks and chicken on weeknights | Gas |
| Love brisket, ribs and pulled pork | Pellet |
| Want the best sear | Gas (or a high-heat pellet like the Recteq) |
| Want set-and-forget cooking | Pellet |
| Have no outdoor outlet | Gas |
| Want the simplest cleanup | Gas |
| Want one grill that does it all | A high-heat pellet grill, or a gas grill plus a smoker |
Can you smoke on a gas grill?
Sort of. You can put wood chips in a smoker box or foil pouch over a burner and cook with indirect heat on the other side. It adds some smoke flavor, but it won’t match a pellet grill’s steady wood fire or the deep flavor of a long, low cook. If smoked barbecue is a big part of why you want a grill, a pellet grill is the better tool.
Can you grill on a pellet grill?
Yes. A pellet grill can cook burgers, chicken and vegetables, just with a gentler sear than gas. Models with higher top temperatures, like the Weber Searwood 600 or Recteq X-Fire Pro 825, close the gap. Some cooks use a cast-iron griddle or searing grates on a pellet grill for a better crust.
Owning both
Plenty of outdoor cooks keep a gas grill for weeknights and a pellet grill for weekend barbecue. If you’re building an outdoor kitchen, add an outdoor pizza oven and a fire pit for a complete setup. For more design ideas, see our luxury patio ideas.
Setup and safety
- Place either grill on a level, non-combustible surface away from walls, railings and overhangs.
- Pellet grills need a grounded outdoor outlet. Use only an outdoor-rated extension cord if you must.
- Keep pellets dry in a sealed bin. Damp pellets swell and can jam the auger.
- Check propane hoses each season with soapy water. Bubbles mean a leak.
- Clean grease trays regularly on both types to prevent grease fires.
How we researched this guide
We don’t test grills in-house. This guide draws on Serious Eats’ gas and pellet grill testing, Wirecutter’s May 2026 gas grill guide, CNN Underscored’s grill testing and Taste of Home’s comparison. Prices are from those guides and change often.
FAQ
Is a pellet grill better than a gas grill?
For smoking, yes. For searing and speed, gas is better. Serious Eats says gas grills get hotter and char better, while pellet grills excel at smoking.
Do pellet grills need electricity?
Yes. Serious Eats notes all pellet grills need an outlet or extension cord.
How hot do pellet grills get?
Many top out around 450°F to 550°F. Some, like the Recteq X-Fire Pro 825, go much higher.
Is cooking with pellets cheaper than propane?
Taste of Home says propane generally costs more than pellets, though pellet grills often cost more to buy.
Can a pellet grill replace a gas grill?
For many people, yes, especially models with a high top temperature. If you mostly sear, a gas grill is still easier.
