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Choosing an outdoor wood cooker often comes down to a balance between mobility and permanent patio utility. Shoppers looking for a pit boss portable smoker quickly discover that moving a grill from the deck to a campsite involves clear trade-offs in cooking area, hopper capacity, and overall weight. Figuring out which pit boss smoker to buy requires looking closely at how often you cook away from home versus how much food you prepare on the deck. Looking at practical options like pit boss pellet grills on clearance shows how sharply features divide between tabletop travel cookers and stationary backyard carts.
Across the manufacturer listings, the brand organizes its smoking catalog into distinct cooking formats. At the ultra-compact end sits a dedicated tabletop unit designed with locking latches and handles for road trips. Moving into backyard territory, the range introduces compact patio carts, mid-sized barrel grills with extended fuel hoppers, and large connected rigs with folding workspace. An electric vertical cabinet smoker rounds out the catalog, built strictly for low-and-slow barbecue rather than high-heat searing. This pit boss smoker comparison examines how hopper volumes, grate footprints, and control boards distinguish each model.
Pit Boss Pellet Smokers Lineup at a Glance
| Model | Cooking Surface Area | Fuel and Power Type | Hopper Capacity / Key Spec |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pit Boss 150 Wood Pellet Grill | 256 square inches | Wood Pellet | 7 lb. hopper |
| Pit Boss 700 FB2 Series Wood | 747 square inches | Wood Pellet | 21 lb. hopper |
| Pit Boss 500 FB2 Series Wood | 518 square inches | Wood Pellet | 5 lb. hopper |
| Pit Boss 3-Series WiFi & Bluetooth | 880 square inches | Electric (wood chip tray) | 1,650-watt element |
| Pit Boss 440 Mahogany Series Wood | 518 square inches | Wood Pellet | 5 lb. hopper |
| Pit Boss 850 Navigator Series WiFi | 932 square inches | Wood Pellet | 30 lb. hopper |
The Models in Detail
Pit Boss 150 Wood Pellet Grill The portable pellet smoker is easy to use
Check price on Amazon Our score: 9.2/10
Best for: Tailgaters and campers needing tabletop mobility
Pros
- Compact tabletop profile
- Latching lid with carry handles
- Direct flame sear up to 1000 degrees
Cons
- Small 7-pound hopper capacity
- 43-pound weight requires two hands to lift
The Pit Boss 150 Wood Pellet Grill is the brand’s dedicated portable tabletop unit. Built for tailgating, camping, and travel, it features a latch-locking lid, integrated carry handles, and a total weight of 43 pounds. Its exterior dimensions measure 24.8 inches deep by 18.6 inches wide by 14 inches high, allowing it to slide into vehicle trunks or truck beds. The cooking interior provides 256 square inches of cooking space across a two-tiered rack with porcelain-coated steel grates. It utilizes a single-burner convection system operating from 180°F to 500°F.
For travel cooking, this pit boss portable pellet grill includes automatic start-up and cool-down cycles, digital temperature control, and three power levels. Its 7-pound hopper accommodates enough hardwood pellets for tailgates and campsite dinners. A built-in flame broiler plate provides instant direct flame heat up to 1,000°F for quick searing. The pit boss 150 suits campers, RV travelers, and small households needing a compact tabletop smoker. It yields to larger freestanding barrel cookers once stationary backyard capacity and all-day unattended fuel capacity take priority.
Pit Boss 700 FB2 Series Wood 747 square inches of cooking space
Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.6/10
Best for: Backyard cooks hosting large family cookouts
Pros
- Generous 747 square inches of cooking space
- Large 21-pound hopper supports long sessions
- Precise 5-degree digital temperature increments
Cons
- Stationary cart build is not portable
The Pit Boss 700 FB2 Series Wood shifts the focus from travel to full-size residential barbecue. It delivers 747 square inches of cooking space across two tiers of porcelain-coated steel cooking racks, providing the space needed for whole briskets, pork butts, and multiple rib racks. The unit features an LCD digital controller that manages temperatures from 180°F to 500°F in 5°F increment settings. A dedicated Flame Broiler lever allows the cook to expose open flames for direct searing up to 1,000°F.
A standout attribute of this pit boss 700 fb2 model is its 21-pound pellet hopper, which holds a standard bag of pellets to support low-and-slow smoking sessions without mid-cook refills. The controller features two meat probe ports and includes one meat probe in the box. A solid bottom shelf adds storage space for tools and supplies. Backed by a 5-year warranty, this model suits backyard cooks who regularly feed families and gatherings, giving up travel portability in favor of expansive cooking area and long fuel runtimes.
Pit Boss 500 FB2 Series Wood Unlike other outdoor grills, this one has two probe ports with one probe
Check price on Amazon Our score: 9.8/10
Best for: Small patio and townhouse wood-fired grilling
Pros
- Space-saving frame with solid bottom shelf
- Includes meat probe with dual controller ports
- Flame Broiler lever provides high-heat searing
Cons
- Small 5-pound hopper requires frequent refills
- Heavy 136.6-pound assembled cart weight
The Pit Boss 500 FB2 Series Wood brings wood-fired smoking to compact backyard spaces. Offering 518 square inches of two-tier porcelain-coated steel cooking area, this grill provides enough space for family dinners while maintaining a modest deck footprint. It weighs 136.6 pounds on a cart frame equipped with a solid bottom storage shelf. An LCD digital controller sets temperatures between 180°F and 500°F in 5°F increments, supporting 8-in-1 versatility to smoke, bake, braise, roast, grill, barbecue, chargrill, and sear.
Equipped with a Flame Broiler lever, the pit boss 500 fb2 enables direct flame heat up to 1,000°F for steakhouse grill marks. It includes two meat probe ports with one probe supplied to track meat doneness without opening the lid. Its 5-pound hopper is engineered for efficient shorter cooks rather than multi-day unattended smoking. This model suits urban homeowners, patio grillers, and smaller households who want authentic wood smoke without a massive cart, conceding cooking surface to the 700 and Navigator models.
Pit Boss 3-Series WiFi & Bluetooth Our vertical smokers offer 880 sq in of total cooking surface with six
Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.8/10
Best for: Dedicated jerky makers and low-temperature smokers
Pros
- Spacious 880 square inches of vertical space
- WiFi and Bluetooth smartphone monitoring
- Maintains low smoking heat down to 100 degrees
Cons
- Top temperature is limited to 300 degrees
- Lacks high-heat flame broiling feature
The Pit Boss 3-Series WiFi & Bluetooth takes an entirely different architectural approach as an electric vertical smoker. Powered by a 1,650-watt heating element rather than an auger-fed firepot, it includes an integrated wood chip tray that accepts wood chips or pellets for smoke flavor. The vertical cabinet features 880 square inches of total cooking surface. The listing description notes four porcelain-coated adjustable racks, while its key features note six adjustable racks. Temperature settings span 100°F to 300°F, targeting low-and-slow barbecue, cured sausages, and jerky.
Equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, this pit boss vertical smoker lets users monitor and adjust temperatures through a mobile app. The unit includes dual temperature ports with one meat probe, rear wheels for patio mobility, and a removable grease cup with an easy-access grease tray. It complements an outdoor lounge area alongside a pilot rock fire pit. This electric cabinet suits dedicated smoking enthusiasts focused on vertical capacity, yielding to pellet grills whenever high-heat searing above 300°F is required.
Pit Boss 440 Mahogany Series Wood Pit Boss Mahogany Series 440 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
Check price on Amazon Our score: 9.4/10
Best for: Traditional cooks wanting classic styling and value
Pros
- Versatile 8-in-1 cooking capabilities
- Flame Broiler enables direct open-flame searing
- Porcelain-coated steel cooking surfaces
Cons
- 5-pound hopper requires regular refills
- Lacks wireless app connectivity
The Pit Boss 440 Mahogany Series Wood pairs traditional wood-fired grilling with a distinctive brown finish. Model PB440D2 offers 518 square inches of cooking space, giving it the same primary cooking capacity as the 500 series. Heat is managed by an LED digital controller operating from 180°F to 500°F. The grill supports 8-in-1 cooking versatility, allowing users to smoke, bake, roast, braise, sear, grill, char-grill, or barbecue. It also includes the signature Flame Broiler for open flame direct searing.
The hopper on this pit boss 440 mahogany model holds 5 pounds of hardwood pellets, catering to everyday family meals and standard smoking sessions. While it delivers consistent wood-fired flavor and direct flame access, it relies on a standard LED controller rather than the LCD board or wireless connections found on other lines. This model suits traditionalists and value-focused cooks who prioritize simple push-button controls and classic aesthetics, leaving connected controls and larger hopper volumes to the Navigator 850.
Pit Boss 850 Navigator Series WiFi The Pit Boss Pellet Grill features fan-forced convection that ensures
Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.2/10
Best for: Large gatherings requiring app control and workspace
Pros
- Massive 932 square inches of total cooking space
- Oversized 30-pound hopper with viewing window
- Folding front and side prep shelves
Cons
- Large footprint demands dedicated patio space
The Pit Boss 850 Navigator Series WiFi represents the largest and most feature-dense horizontal wood pellet grill in this selection. It features 932 square inches of total cooking space, handling large parties and multi-meat spreads with ease. A fan-forced convection system distributes indirect heat across a range of 180°F to 500°F, adjustable in 5°F increments via an LCD digital controller. Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities connect to the manufacturer mobile app, giving the pitmaster remote temperature control across the yard.
Designed for long cooks, the pit boss navigator 850 includes an expansive 30-pound hopper with a built-in viewing window to verify fuel levels at a glance. It features folding front and side shelves for prep space, tool hooks, a solid bottom shelf, an easy-access grease tray, and a Flame Broiler for high-heat searing. It pairs naturally in an outdoor entertaining space near an hgd fire pit. This model suits dedicated hosts who want premium prep surfaces, high capacity, and wireless tracking, yielding to smaller models only when deck space is tight.
Matching a Model to Your Setup
- Tailgating, RV camping, and mobile weekend trips: Pick the Pit Boss 150 Wood Pellet Grill for its 43-pound weight, latching lid, dual handles, and tabletop profile.
- Compact patio spaces and townhouse decks: Pick the Pit Boss 500 FB2 Series Wood for its space-efficient 518-square-inch cooking surface and lower storage shelf.
- Backyard cooks who favor classic styling: Pick the Pit Boss 440 Mahogany Series Wood for its distinctive finish, LED digital control, and 8-in-1 cooking versatility.
- Family barbecue hosts running unattended overnight cooks: Pick the Pit Boss 700 FB2 Series Wood for its 747-square-inch grates and 21-pound hopper capacity.
- Dedicated low-temperature smoking, jerky, and sausage batches: Pick the Pit Boss 3-Series WiFi & Bluetooth vertical cabinet for electric operation and temperature settings down to 100°F.
- Large gatherings requiring maximum surface and wireless control: Pick the Pit Boss 850 Navigator Series WiFi for its 932-square-inch cooking area, 30-pound hopper, and prep shelves.
Before You Buy
When preparing to purchase one of these models, keep in mind what the listings do not include. Fuel is never included in the box: wood pellets or wood chips must be purchased separately before your initial cook. In addition, while several models feature dual meat probe ports on their digital controllers, each product listing specifies that only one meat probe is included with purchase. Protective weatherproof grill covers, assembly tools, and secondary probes must be acquired on your own.
Power and space requirements also warrant careful planning because the listings omit several practical details. Every grill and smoker in this group requires an electrical power source, whether to run the auger motor, convection fan, and digital board on pellet grills, or the 1,650-watt element on the vertical cabinet. The listings do not specify power cord lengths, making an outdoor-rated extension cord necessary. Furthermore, full assembled exterior dimensions and total weights are left unspecified on several models, including the 700 FB2, 440 Mahogany, and Navigator 850, so measure your patio clearance in advance.
FAQ
Which Pit Boss model is genuinely portable for travel?
The Pit Boss 150 Wood Pellet Grill is the only genuinely portable model in this selection. At 43 pounds with locking lid latches and dual carry handles, it is built for tabletops, truck beds, and camping trips. The other five models are freestanding residential units designed for stationary patio setups.
Can the vertical smoker grill burgers or sear steaks?
No, the Pit Boss 3-Series vertical smoker is engineered strictly for low-and-slow smoking. Its temperature range is capped between 100°F and 300°F using an electric element. It does not feature the Flame Broiler direct searing plate or the 500°F convection heat found on the brand’s pellet grills.
How does the Flame Broiler work on Pit Boss pellet grills?
The Flame Broiler consists of a sliding metal plate positioned over the firepot. Kept closed, it provides indirect convection heat for baking and smoking. Sliding the plate open exposes food directly to pellet flames, enabling direct flame searing at temperatures reaching up to 1,000°F.
Do Pit Boss pellet smokers require an electrical outlet?
Yes, all pellet models and the vertical smoker require electricity to operate. Pellet grills need power for their digital controllers, convection fans, auger feed motors, and igniters. For mobile use, the Pit Boss 150 must connect to a generator, inverter, or portable power station.
How do hopper capacities affect unattended cooking time?
Hopper capacity determines how long the grill can cook without adding fuel. Compact 5-pound and 7-pound hoppers on smaller models suit shorter grilling sessions. In contrast, the 21-pound hopper on the 700 FB2 and the 30-pound hopper on the 850 Navigator easily support long, unattended overnight cooks.