8 BEST Tabletop Pellet Grills for Every Budget & Need

Pellets grills can be quite heavy and large, making them less than ideal camping companions. Even some portable models can be bulkier than their charcoal and gas counterparts.

Luckily, there are exceptions to this case, and with enough digging around, you can find and try models that are compact and portable enough to be carried by just one person and easily fit into your vehicle.

You’re in luck as I did the dirty work for you: I have scoured all four corners of Amazon, researched, and rigorously tested many pellet grills, and declared these as the best tabletop pellet grills:

Last update on 2023-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What Is the Best Tabletop Pellet Grill to Buy?

• Best Smoker: Ninja OG701
• Best Budget: Cuisinart CPG-256
• Best Z Grills: Z GRILLS ZPG-200A
• Best Traeger: Traeger Ranger
• Best Portable: ASMOKE AS350

Reviews of the Best Tabletop Pellet Grills

Last update on 2023-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Anyone who owns a Ninja blender or any other Ninja kitchen appliance will tell you how amazing it is and the Ninja OG701 Woodfire Master Grill is no exception.

An Upgraded Electric Grill

It’s technically an electric grill with a pellet smoke box.

But don’t be fooled by this. It’s just as effective as a pellet grill in terms of grilling and smoking. This is why it’s on the list.

Highly Versatile

Besides the usual stuff a pellet grill can do (grill, smoke, bake, broil, roast,…), the OG701 also functions as an air fryer.

If you’re planning on getting one, you might as well get this one and save on both money and space.

Just as Great as a Weber

It grills just as well as a Weber and smokes just as well as a Traeger at a fraction of the cost.

Don’t Let Its Compact Size Fool You

Despite having a relatively small cooking area of 141 square inches, you can still feed at least 5 people as it can hold:

• 30 hot dogs
• 2 rib racks
• 6 steaks
• 9 lb brisket

Comes With Its Own Special Blend of Pellets

Once you open the box, you’ll be greeted with two 2-lb bags of Ninja’s very own pellet blends:

• “All-purpose blend” of cherry, maple, and oak
• “Robust blend” of hickory, cherry, maple, and oak

Both are made by Bear Mountain BBQ Woods.

Note: if you don’t like these blends or if you’d like to try others, see this list of the best grill pellets. Despite Ninja saying you shouldn’t use any other brand, I’ve tried them all and everything turned out okay.

Pellets Aren’t the Only Thing Included

You also get a crisper basket which is ideal for air frying, a recipe book, and a pellet scoop.

Built With the Outdoors in Mind

The thing is built like a tank: highly durable, robust, and weather-resistant.

Refilling Pellets Is Super Easy and Convenient

With some models on this list, you have to open the lid in order to add more pellets.

In this case, you lose a lot of heat and smoke.

Not here. The pellet box is located on the outside of the lid where you can add pellets during cooking without interrupting the cooking process.

Can Be Further Upgraded

Ninja sells several accessories that make this grill even more versatile and convenient to use. These include:

• Grill stand
• Combo basket
• Griddle plate
• Grill cover

Keep in mind that you have to purchase these items separately.

There Are a Few Minor Issues

Pellet grills require a learning curve and even if already own one, you still have to experiment with the controls and pellets if you want to make the most of out this grill.

The pellet holder is tiny and holds about only 1/2 cup of pellets.

Pros

• Highly versatile
• Amazing performance
• Durable
• Pellets included
• Ample cooking area
• Super easy to clean

Cons

• Learning curve
• Small pellet holder

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Last update on 2023-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Cuisinart CPG-256 is an ideal budget pick but that doesn’t mean it’s any worse than its more expensive counterparts on this list.

Spacious

It’s almost twice as big as the Ninja above.

The grill’s combined 256 square inches large cooking area is more than enough to feed up to 7 people.

What’s more, it features a warming rack.

Versatile

The wide temperature range of 180°F – 500°F (82°C – 260°C) greatly increases the grill’s versatility.

Go low and slow, sear steaks, and anything in between including roasting, braising, and even baking.

It even has a sear zone.

Cook for Up to 4 Hours Without Refueling

The pellet hopper holds 4 lbs of pellets which translates to about 4 hours of cooking time.

Durable and Reliable Controller

Cook with peace of mind because the grill’s PID controller does the thinking for you.

There are almost no temperature fluctuations (a couple of degrees within specified) and zero auger jams.

I’ve been making Texas-style ribs and briskets for about half a year now and I was happy with the results every single time.

Super Easy to Clean

Because the grates are nonstick, they’re really easy to clean. It only takes a few brush strokes. Other parts of the grill are also easy to clean, as well, requiring a simple wipe with a paper towel.

Portable and Lightweight

Weighing in at just 45 lbs (20.4 kg) and measuring just 24 x 18 x 15 inches (61 x 46 x 38 cm), you can easily carry the whole thing by yourself and store it just about anywhere.

What I Don’t Like About It

As with all pellet grills, it can be a bit tricky to use its full potential if you’re a newcomer. But with skill, practice, and time, you’ll get the hang of it.

The hopper is located under the lid. This means that if you have to add pellets during cooking, you’ll have to open the lid to do so. This lets out the heat and smoke and may impact the end result.

The water pan could be a bit bigger as it fills up fairly quickly. Keep a constant eye on it.

Pros

• Ample cooking area
• Durable
• Reliable
• Easy to clean
• Compact
• Wide temperature range
• Sear zone

Cons

• Learning curve
• You have to open the lid to add more pellets
• Shallow water pan

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Last update on 2023-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

With the ZPG-200A, you’ll be able to make delicious smoked BBQ ribs with little to no effort.

202 Square Inches Large Cooking Area

It’s big enough for:

• 6 burgers
• 1 rib rack
• 11 hot dogs

My personal record was 8 burgers.

The grates are nonstick which makes them easy to clean.

Side Handles for Easy Transportation

The handles are cool to the touch and ergonomic.

There are also latches on the lid so that the grill won’t open during transportation.

Cook for as Long as 8 Hours

Its surprisingly spacious hopper has the capacity to hold 8 lbs of pellets.

Easy to Read and Easy to Use Controller

The controller’s LCD display is big and bright enough to be read at almost any angle.

Setting the temperature is super easy – you just turn the dial and you’re all set.

Will Last You for Quite a While

Made from durable and hardened heavy-gauge stainless steel, this grill will endure even the harshest conditions imaginable.

For additional protection, it’s also powder-coated.

I use this grill a lot, especially in the winter when it was around 23°F (-5°C) and even during snowy weather and I was surprised that I didn’t find a single rust spot. The electronic components were also unscathed.

The Downsides

The lack of direct grilling and low max temperature of 375°F (190°C) make it not that great at searing.

I’ve noticed on several occasions that the temperature is a bit off. The biggest difference I recorded was about 20°F.

Same with the Cuisinart above: the hopper is located under the lid. If you want to add more pellets while cooking, you’ll have to open the lid.

Pros

• Compact
• Spacious cooking area and hopper
• Easy to use and clean
• Built like a tank
• Convenient side handles
• Reliable controller

Cons

• Not great at searing
• Small temperature fluctuations
• You have to open the lid to add more pellets

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Last update on 2023-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Traeger Ranger is a durable and reliable grill that will last you for a long time.

Packs Quite a Punch

Its 184 square inches large cooking area fits:

• 6 burgers
• 10 hot dogs
• 1 rib rack
• 1 whole chicken

Comes With a Griddle

This greatly increases the grill’s versatility because you can cook much more stuff on it.

Now you can cook things like eggs, pancakes, and stir fry, among other things.

Keep Warm Mode

Once the food is done cooking, the grill switches to keep warm mode – just like a rice cooker.

Digital Arc Controller

What makes the Ranger’s controller stand out from the rest is its reliability and additional features.

The temperature is smooth, consistent, and precise. It even has a cook timer that will alert you when the food is done.

Hassle-Free Cleanup

The grates and griddle are porcelain-coated. This makes them not only nonstick but also super easy to clean.

Other Things Worth Mentioning

Included is 1 meat probe.

The hopper is spacious enough for an 8-hour cook-off as it has the capacity to hold 8 lb of pellets.

Things I Don’t Like

The folks at the factory and/or the courier should be more gentle as my grill arrived with a couple of noticeable dents on the lid.

Pros

• Compact
• Reliable
• Durable
• Large cooking area
• Keep warm function
• Spacious hopper
• Cook timer

Cons

• May arrive with dents or scratches

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Last update on 2023-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The ASMOKE AS350 is a grill smoker combo that’s ideal for both camping and cooking at home.

256 Square Inches of Total Cooking Area

This grill features a main cooking area and a warming rack. You don’t see many portable grills with a warming rack.

The main cooking area (porcelain-coated stainless steel grill grates) is 191 square inches large and the warming rack is 65 square inches.

If you don’t need the warming rack or if it’s in your way, you can simply remove it.

Solid and Sturdy

This baby is made from durable and long-lasting powder-coated stainless steel that will last for many years to come.

A New and Interesting Way to Cook

Next to the ash tray is another tray where you pour wine, sauce, beer, water, etc.

Over time, the liquid will turn into steam, infusing your meals with additional flavor.

I poured beer several times while smoking ribs and it turned out amazing (even more than usual)!

Revolutionary Cooking Technology

The feature above is part of ASMOKE’s very own patented ASCA (Automatic Steam Culinary Applications) technology. I’ve never seen anything like it.

In addition to this:

• The grill preheats faster
• Cooking times are greatly reduced
• Cleanup is much easier (cooled vapor drips into the ash tray, carrying most debris with it)
• Pellet consumption is reduced by as much as 20%

No More Guesswork

Just set the temperature and you’re all set.

The color LED digital PID controller does all of the thinking and work for you.

No more checking up on the food and temperature. Say goodbye to micromanaging.

What Needs to Be Improved

As with most grills on this list, you have to open the lid to add pellets.

Despite claiming to reach 500°F (260°C), it can’t hold it for long. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t see steakhouse sear marks.

The temperature can be a bit off. The biggest difference I noticed was 15°F.

Pros

• Excels at both smoking and grilling
• Spacious
• Durable
• Reliable
• Revolutionary new cooking technology
• Simple to clean and use

Cons

• Doesn’t hold higher temperatures that well
• Minor temperature fluctuations
• You have to open the lid to add more pellets

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