Traeger vs Masterbuilt 2026: Pellet Grill vs Electric Smoker
Traeger's Pro 22 ($389) wins overall — wood-pellet fire delivers authentic smoke flavor and doubles as a grill, which no electric smoker matches. But Masterbuilt's 30-inch Digital Electric ($250) is the better value for hands-off smoking: set it and walk away for $100 less. Pick Traeger for flavor and versatility, Masterbuilt for convenience and price.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Our Top Pick | $389 Buy → |
|
| 2 | Best Large Capacity | $499 Buy → |
|
| 3 |  Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Elect…Masterbuilt |
Best Value | $249.99 Buy → |
| 4 |  Masterbuilt® 40-inch Digital Elec…Masterbuilt |
Most Cooking Space | $272.60 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 ($444–$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.
Watch Before You Buy
“Traeger's entry pellet grill brings real wood-fired smoke and grill-to-smoke versatility the electric Masterbuilts can't match — at $389 it's the all-rounder if flavor matters most.”
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
“The larger Pro 34 ($499) adds an 884 sq-in barrel for big cooks: same wood-pellet flavor as the Pro 22 with room for multiple briskets, where the Masterbuilt electrics top out on smoke depth.”
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.
“Masterbuilt's 30-inch digital electric is the value and convenience pick at $250 — set the temperature and walk away. It won't out-flavor Traeger's pellets but costs $139 less and is dead simple.”
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.
“The 40-inch Masterbuilt ($272) gives the most cooking space per dollar here: rock-steady digital electric heat for hands-off smoking, trading Traeger's wood-fired taste for set-and-forget ease.”
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.
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 15,470+ 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 →