Traeger vs Masterbuilt 2026: Pellet Grill vs Electric Smoker Comparison
The Traeger Pro 22 ($497.49) is our pick for pellet grilling — WiFIRE connectivity and proven smoke flavor. The Masterbuilt 30" Digital Electric ($249.99) wins for beginners who want set-and-forget smoking at nearly half the price. Choose Traeger for wood smoke authenticity; Masterbuilt for electric convenience.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price | Our Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Traeger Grills Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill… |
Best Overall | $497 | 9.2 | Buy → |
| 2 |  Traeger Pro 34 Wood Pellet Grill and Sm… |
Best Large Traeger | $729 | 8.5 | Buy → |
| 3 |  Traeger TFB30KLF Tailgater 20 Portable … |
Best Portable Traeger | $444 | 7.8 | Buy → |
| 4 |  Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Sm… |
Best Masterbuilt Value | $249 | 8.9 | Buy → |
| 5 | Masterbuilt 40-Inch Digital Electric Sm… |
Best Large Electric Smoker | $314 | 8.2 | Buy → |
| 6 |  Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Digital… |
Best Premium Masterbuilt | $999 | 7.5 | Buy → |
Traeger vs Masterbuilt Buying Guide
How we compared these. We compared Traeger and Masterbuilt smokers across temperature consistency (±°F variance), fuel type (pellet vs electric), WiFi and app control quality, cooking area (sq in), and price-per-square-inch value, cross-referencing Amazing Ribs, Smoked BBQ Source, and verified pitmaster reviews.
Traeger and Masterbuilt are two of the most-purchased smoker brands, but they use completely different technologies. This traeger-vs-masterbuilt comparison covers Traeger's pellet grills ($497.49–$730) versus Masterbuilt's digital electric smokers ($250–$315).
Traeger vs Masterbuilt: The Core Difference
Traeger pellet grills burn compressed wood pellets, producing genuine wood smoke flavor through a convection-style cooking chamber. The Pro 22 ($497.49), Pro 34 ($729.99), and Tailgater 20 ($444.87) all cook with real wood smoke and can grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ. Masterbuilt's 30" and 40" digital electric smokers ($249.99–$314.60) use an electric heating element with a wood chip tray — simpler to use, lower cost, but producing lighter smoke than wood pellets.
Where Traeger Wins
Traeger wins on smoke flavor authenticity and cooking versatility. The Traeger Pro 22 ($497.49) uses WiFIRE technology for app-based temperature control — set it from your phone and monitor the cook. Wood pellets produce deeper, more complex smoke rings and bark development than electric wood chips. Traeger's 6-in-1 capability means it replaces a grill, smoker, and oven. For BBQ enthusiasts who prioritize flavor, Traeger justifies its $180–$480 premium over Masterbuilt.
Where Masterbuilt Wins
Masterbuilt wins on simplicity and price. The 30" Digital Electric Smoker at $249.99 produces excellent smoked meats with a simple digital controller — set temperature, set time, add wood chips every few hours. No pellet hopper to fill, no complex auger system to maintain. The 40" model ($314.60) adds more rack space for large loads. For beginners or occasional smokers who want reliable results without the investment, Masterbuilt is the smarter entry point.
Choose Traeger If... / Choose Masterbuilt If...
Choose Traeger Pro 22 ($497.49) or Tailgater ($444.87) if smoke flavor depth and cooking versatility are the priority. Choose Traeger Pro 34 ($729.99) for larger capacity with the same pellet system. Choose Masterbuilt 30" ($249.99) if you want an easy, affordable entry into smoking with a simple electric setup. Choose Masterbuilt 40" ($314.60) for more rack space at a modest premium.
Price Comparison
Masterbuilt range: $249.99–$314.60. Traeger range: $444.87–$729.99. The Traeger premium ($180–$480 over Masterbuilt) buys wood pellet smoke, app control, and grill versatility. Both produce excellent smoked ribs, brisket, and chicken — the difference shows up most at competition-level BBQ judgment.
Our Picks
Traeger Grills Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, 572 sq in, 6-in-1 BBQ, Bronze (Best Overall) — $497 See Price →
Traeger Pro 34 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker 884 Sq In Bronze (Best Large Traeger) — $729 See Price →
Traeger TFB30KLF Tailgater 20 Portable Pellet Grill 300 Sq In (Best Portable Traeger) — $444 See Price →
Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker MB20071117 (Best Masterbuilt Value) — $249 See Price →
Masterbuilt 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker MB20072918 (Best Large Electric Smoker) — $314 See Price →
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Digital Charcoal Combo Smoker Grill (Best Premium Masterbuilt) — $999 See Price →
Showing 6 of 6 products
Traeger Grills Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, 572 sq in, 6-in-1 BBQ, Bronze
“The Traeger Pro 22 delivers the wood-fired BBQ flavor that charcoal and gas cannot replicate, with the set-it-and-forget-it convenience that makes it practical for weeknight smoking. The WiFIRE contro”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 572 sq in
- 6-in-1 cooking
- Wood pellet flavor
- Wi-Fi control
Watch out for
- Very expensive at over $1,000
- Pellet fuel creates ongoing cost compared to propane or charcoal
- 572 sq in cooking surface is smaller than larger models in the Pro series
Read Full Analysis
The Traeger Pro 22 delivers authentic hardwood smoke flavor with WiFIRE smartphone monitoring. 572 sq in of cooking space handles a brisket or two racks of ribs. Best for: outdoor cooks who want real wood-fire flavor with smart temperature management.
Traeger Pro 34 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker 884 Sq In Bronze
“A large-format Traeger for families and entertainers who need to feed a crowd. Best for regular backyard hosts who want consistent results over a bigger cooking surface.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 884 sq in
- 6-in-1 cooking
- Wood pellet
- Wi-Fi control
Watch out for
- Large footprint requires significant patio or deck space
- Pellet supply must be maintained to avoid temperature drops
- Higher initial cost than traditional gas grills
Read Full Analysis
The Traeger Pro 34 expands cooking area to 884 sq in — enough for two briskets side by side. Same WiFIRE app control as the Pro 22. Best for: households that frequently smoke for 10+ people or love to meal prep large batches.
Traeger TFB30KLF Tailgater 20 Portable Pellet Grill 300 Sq In
“A portable pellet grill for tailgaters and campers who want real wood-fired flavor away from home. Best for those who need the Traeger experience in a pack-and-go format.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 300 sq in
- Portable design
- Wood pellet
- Tailgater model
Watch out for
- Small 300 sq in cooking area limits batch size
- Portable design sacrifices some heat retention vs full-size pellet grills
- Pellet hopper capacity requires more frequent refilling
Read Full Analysis
The Traeger Tailgater 20 is the most portable full-featured pellet grill available. Folding legs for transport, 300 sq in cooking area, and Digital Arc Controller. Best for: tailgating, camping with RV power, or small-space patios.
Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker MB20071117
“The Masterbuilt 30" is the gold standard entry smoker — simple, reliable, and produces genuinely good results without the learning curve of charcoal or pellet smokers.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Easy digital temperature control
- Side wood chip loader — no heat loss
- Four chrome-coated racks
- Consistent temperature ±5°F
- Compact footprint for small patios
Watch out for
- 30" cooking area limits large briskets
- No Bluetooth/app control
- Thin metal exterior
Read Full Analysis
The Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker is the easiest smoker to use — plug in, set temp, add chips. 730 sq in of rack space fits 6 racks of ribs. Best for: beginner smokers who want hassle-free results without learning fire management.
Masterbuilt 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker MB20072918
“The 40" Masterbuilt hits the sweet spot for dedicated electric smokers — large enough for competition-style cooks but still simpler than managing a pellet or charcoal offset.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 1,050 sq in — fits full brisket flat
- Bluetooth connectivity with app
- Six chrome racks
- Built-in meat thermometer
- Precision ±5°F digital control
Watch out for
- Large footprint (~30" wide)
- App still limited vs. pellet-smoker apps
- Higher price for electric category
Read Full Analysis
The Masterbuilt 40-Inch Digital provides 970 sq in of cooking space with four chrome-coated racks. Side chip loader adds wood without opening the door — maintaining consistent temperature. Best for: large-capacity electric smoking at a fraction of pellet grill prices.
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Digital Charcoal Combo Smoker Grill
“A serious charcoal smoker and grill combo for pitmasters who refuse to compromise on smoke flavor. Best for dedicated BBQ cooks who want charcoal authenticity with digital convenience.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 1050 sq in
- Digital control
- Gravity-fed charcoal
- Combo smoker grill
Watch out for
- Very heavy unit is difficult to move once positioned
- Charcoal and ash management adds cleanup time
- High price point compared to basic charcoal grills
Read Full Analysis
The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 combines digital temperature control with charcoal and wood chunk fuel for serious smoke flavor — bridging the gap between electric convenience and charcoal authenticity. Best for: serious smokers who want digital precision without sacrificing flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do electric smokers produce real smoke flavor?
Can Traeger be used as a regular grill?
How much do Traeger pellets cost?
Is Masterbuilt good for beginners?
What's the Masterbuilt Gravity Series?
How We Analyze Products
We analyze Amazon review data — often thousands of reviews per product — to surface patterns that individual buyers miss. Our process aggregates star ratings, review counts, and buyer sentiment at scale, identifying which strengths and weaknesses appear consistently across the largest review samples available. The 17,100+ reviews analyzed on this page represent real verified-purchase feedback from Amazon buyers.
Each product earned its placement through data: total review volume, average rating, and the specific praise and complaints that repeat most often across buyers. No manufacturer paid for placement on this page. Products appear here because buyers endorsed them at scale, not because a company asked us to feature them.
We use AI to summarize review sentiment — not to fabricate opinions, but to condense what thousands of buyers actually wrote into a readable format. The pros and cons you see reflect the most common themes found in verified purchaser reviews, paraphrased for clarity. We do not claim to have accessed Reddit, YouTube, or specific publications in generating these summaries.
Prices shown reflect Amazon pricing at the time this page was last generated. Click “See Today’s Price” to get the current live price on Amazon. Read our full methodology →