Which Traeger
to buy: Ranger to Woodridge
For most people, get the Traeger Pro 780. Traeger sells pellet grills from a tabletop model to a big family smoker. We sorted the five main models sold on Amazon by size, features and who each one suits, so you pay for the grill you will actually use.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated October 19, 2026
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
For most backyards, the Traeger Pro 780 is the one to buy. Its listing gives you 780 sq. in. of cooking space (the listing says up to 34 burgers or 6 whole chickens), WiFIRE app control, the D2 drivetrain and an 18 lb pellet hopper. It sits in the middle of the lineup on size and on price, and the gap up to the bigger Woodridge models is mostly extra room and extras you may never use.
Pick by how many people you cook for and where you cook. The Traeger Ranger and Traeger Tailgater are small, portable grills for camping, tailgates, balconies and couples. The Traeger Pro 22 (572 sq. in.) is the simple, classic pick for a family that wants wood-fired flavor without WiFi. The Traeger Woodridge Pro (970 sq. in.) is for big cooks, holiday spreads and anyone who wants a folding side shelf and a pellet sensor.
Skip the larger grills if you only cook a few times a month or have a small patio. A pellet grill also needs a power outlet, a steady supply of wood pellets and space for the hopper, so the Ranger or Tailgater is the smarter buy for light use. Also skip the WiFi models if you never plan to use the app, because the Pro 22 gets you the same wood-fired cooking for less. We lay out each model below, and the Pro vs Ironwood vs Timberline question comes down to the same size and features trade-off.
How we picked: we compared the Traeger grills sold directly on Amazon, then checked each listing’s size, temperature range, hopper size and features side by side. We do not claim hands-on testing. Everything here comes from the listings and from what owners report. Checked October 2026.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 5.
| Product |  Best Compact Traeger Ranger Portable tabletop pellet grill |  Best for Travel Traeger Tailgater Portable pellet grill with folding legs |  Best for Beginners Traeger Pro 22 Entry full-size pellet grill | Best Overall Traeger Pro 780 WiFi pellet grill |  Best for Big Cooks Traeger Woodridge Pro Large WiFi pellet grill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 84 / 100 | 85 / 100 | 88 / 100 | 92 / 100 | 90 / 100 |
| Best for | Camping, balconies and small spaces | Tailgates, camping and small families | First-time pellet grill owners | Most families | Large families, hosts and brisket fans |
| Typical price (checked October 19, 2026) | $460–$500 | $480–$520 | $530–$570 | $780–$820 | $1,100–$1,200 |
| Cooking space | See listing | 300 sq. in. | 572 sq. in. | 780 sq. in. | 970 sq. in. |
| WiFi app | No | No | No | Yes, WiFIRE | Yes, WiFIRE |
| Temperature range | See listing | 180–450°F | 180–450°F | See listing | See listing |
| Pellet hopper | See listing | 8 lb | 18 lb | 18 lb | See listing |
| Feeds (per listing) | Small meals for a few people | 12 burgers or 2 whole chickens | Up to 24 burgers or 4 whole chickens | Up to 34 burgers or 6 whole chickens | Up to 7 chickens or 9 rib racks |
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BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why each one made the list
What each pick does best, where it falls short, and the typical Amazon price when we checked.
- 1. Best Compact
Traeger Ranger
BeastScore 84 / 100Typically $460–$500 on Amazon (checked October 19, 2026)The Ranger is the smallest Traeger on this list and the easiest to move. It is a tabletop pellet grill, so it works on a patio table, a tailgate or a camp site as long as you have a power outlet. The listing says it comes with a separate cast iron griddle and porcelain-coated grates, and it has a built-in meat probe and a Keep Warm mode. It is a good fit for one or two people who want wood-fired flavor without a big grill. The trade-offs are limited room and no WiFi app, so it is not the grill for a party. A portable grill also costs nearly as much as the larger Pro 22, so you pay for the small size, not for more cooking space.
Pros- Small enough for a tabletop or balcony
- Cast iron griddle included
- Meat probe and Keep Warm mode built in
Cons- Small cooking area, not for crowds
- No WiFi app control
- Costs close to a full-size Pro 22
- 2. Best for Travel
Traeger Tailgater
BeastScore 85 / 100Typically $480–$520 on Amazon (checked October 19, 2026)The Tailgater is the portable grill with real cooking room. The listing gives it 300 sq. in. of space, enough for about 12 burgers, 3 racks of ribs or 2 whole chickens, plus foldable legs so it packs into a car. It has the Digital Arc Controller (180–450°F, within 15°F of the set point per the listing), an 8 lb pellet hopper and porcelain-coated grates for easier cleanup. It runs from a 120V outlet, so it needs power at your campsite or tailgate. It suits a small family or a couple who want one grill for the patio and for trips. The downsides are the small hopper, which means refilling on long smokes, and the lack of WiFi. If you stay home most of the time, the Pro 22 gives more room for a similar price.
Pros- Folding legs make it easy to transport
- 300 sq. in. is enough for a small family
- Same 6-in-1 cooking as bigger Traegers
Cons- Only an 8 lb hopper, so long smokes need refills
- No WiFi app
- Needs a 120V outlet wherever you use it
- 3. Best for Beginners
Traeger Pro 22
BeastScore 88 / 100Typically $530–$570 on Amazon (checked October 19, 2026)The Pro 22 is the simple, classic Traeger. It is the full-size entry model with 572 sq. in. of cooking space, an 18 lb pellet hopper and a Digital Pro Controller that the listing says holds 180–450°F. That is enough room for up to 24 burgers, 5 racks of ribs or 4 whole chickens. It has a built-in meat probe, porcelain-coated grates and a sawhorse chassis with big wheels. It has no WiFi, so you check and set the temperature at the grill. For a first pellet grill, that keeps things simple and keeps the price lower. Cooks who want app alerts should look at the Pro 780. If you do not care about the app, this is the best value in the lineup.
Pros- 572 sq. in. at the lowest full-size price
- Simple controller, easy for beginners
- Large wheels and an 18 lb hopper
Cons- No WiFi, so no app control or alerts
- Top temperature is 450°F, lower than newer models
- Fewer extras than the WiFi models
- 4. Best Overall
Traeger Pro 780
BeastScore 92 / 100Typically $780–$820 on Amazon (checked October 19, 2026)The Pro 780 is the best fit for most households. The listing gives it 780 sq. in. of space, enough for up to 34 burgers, 6 whole chickens or 6 racks of ribs, and WiFIRE so you can change the temperature and get alerts from the Traeger app. It uses the D2 drivetrain, and the listing says TurboTemp helps it recover heat quickly after you open the lid. It also has an 18 lb hopper, a built-in meat probe and a powder-coated steel body that is built for all seasons. Compared with the Pro 22 you get about 200 sq. in. more space and the app. Compared with the Woodridge Pro you get less room and fewer extras (the listing does not mention a pellet sensor), but you save a few hundred dollars. The main downside is that it is still a large grill that needs real patio space.
Pros- 780 sq. in. feeds a crowd
- WiFIRE app control and alerts
- D2 drivetrain with TurboTemp heat recovery
Cons- Needs a big patio spot
- Less room and fewer extras than the Woodridge Pro
- Costs about $250 more than the Pro 22
- 5. Best for Big Cooks
Traeger Woodridge Pro
BeastScore 90 / 100Typically $1,100–$1,200 on Amazon (checked October 19, 2026)The Woodridge Pro is the biggest grill on this list and the most feature-rich. The listing gives it 970 sq. in. of space, enough for up to 7 chickens, 9 rib racks or 7 pork butts. It adds Super Smoke Mode for extra smoky flavor, a digital pellet sensor so you do not run out mid-cook, WiFIRE app control, a folding side shelf and the EZ-Clean Grease & Ash Keg. That makes it a good choice for holiday meals, game days and long brisket cooks. It also works with Traeger’s P.A.L. and ModiFIRE accessories, which are sold separately. The downsides are price and size. It costs hundreds more than the Pro 780, and the extra room is wasted if you cook for four. Choose it if you host often or want the pellet sensor and shelf.
Pros- 970 sq. in., the most room here
- Super Smoke Mode and pellet sensor
- Folding side shelf and easy-clean grease keg
Cons- Hundreds more than the Pro 780
- Large footprint for small patios
- Accessories sold separately
All 5 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with Traeger Pro 780. Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- Cooking spaceTraeger Woodridge Pro · 9.6/10
- Smart featuresTraeger Woodridge Pro · 9.4/10
- PortabilityTraeger Ranger · 9.4/10
- Easy to useTie
- ValueTraeger Pro 22 · 9.0/10
- ExtrasTraeger Woodridge Pro · 9.4/10
Who wins where
The winner of each category, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Pick the rounds that matter to you.
- Round 1
Cooking space
Traeger Woodridge Pro winsThe Woodridge Pro wins on size with 970 sq. in., then the Pro 780 (780), Pro 22 (572) and Tailgater (300). The Ranger is a tabletop grill and is the smallest. Buy the size that fits your usual cook, not your biggest holiday.
- Round 2
Portability
Traeger Tailgater winsThe Tailgater has foldable legs and the Ranger is a tabletop model, so both travel well. We give the round to the Tailgater because its 300 sq. in. space is more useful once you get there. Both need a power outlet.
- Round 3
App and smart features
Traeger Woodridge Pro winsBoth the Pro 780 and Woodridge Pro have WiFIRE app control. The Woodridge adds a digital pellet sensor, which tells you when the hopper is low. The Ranger, Tailgater and Pro 22 have no WiFi app.
- Round 4
Ease of use
Traeger Pro 22 winsThe Pro 22 keeps things simple: a digital controller, a meat probe and no app to set up. It is an easy first pellet grill. The Pro 780 is just as easy to cook on if you want the app.
- Round 5
Value
Traeger Pro 780 winsThe Pro 780 gives the best mix of space and features per dollar. The Pro 22 is cheaper, but it has less room and no app. The Woodridge costs hundreds more for extras only some cooks want.
Which one should you buy?
Find your situation below. That's your pick.
- You have a balcony or tabletop only
- You cook for one or two
- You want a cast iron griddle in the box
- You camp or tailgate often
- You want a grill that folds for the car
- You cook for a small family
- This is your first pellet grill
- You do not need an app
- You want full-size room for less
- You want app control and alerts
- You cook for a family of four to six
- You want the best balance of space and price
- You host often or cook big cuts
- You want a pellet sensor and a side shelf
- You smoke brisket or pork butts for a crowd
Traeger Pro 780
A big 780 sq. in. cooking area, WiFIRE app control and fast heat recovery, without the Woodridge’s price jump.
- 780 sq. in. cooking space
- WiFIRE app control
- TurboTemp heat recovery
Quick tips before you buy
Pick the grill for a normal weekend dinner. Extra square inches cost more and burn more pellets.
Every Traeger here runs on a 120V outlet. Check that you have one near the grill spot.
Wood pellets swell and crumble when wet. Store them in a sealed bin away from rain.
Covers, thermometers and shelves are often sold separately. Add them to your budget before you buy.
Quick answers
Which Traeger should I buy?+
For most families, the Traeger Pro 780 is the best fit: 780 sq. in., WiFIRE and a big hopper. Choose the Pro 22 if you want a simple, cheaper full-size grill. Choose a Tailgater or Ranger if you need something portable.
What is the difference between the Traeger Pro and Woodridge?+
The Woodridge Pro is larger (970 sq. in. vs 780 sq. in. on the Pro 780) and adds Super Smoke Mode, a digital pellet sensor, a folding side shelf and the EZ-Clean Grease & Ash Keg. The Pro 780 has the core features for less money.
Is the Traeger Pro 22 the same as the Pro 575?+
They are close. Traeger sells the Pro 22 with 572 sq. in. (often called the Pro 575 in older listings). It has no WiFi. If you want app control, look at the Pro 780.
Do Traeger grills need electricity?+
Yes. A pellet grill uses power for the auger, fan and controller. The Tailgater runs on a 120V AC outlet per its listing, and the other models listed here also plug in.
Is a Traeger worth it for beginners?+
It can be. You set a temperature and the grill feeds pellets to hold it. The Pro 22 keeps things simple, and WiFIRE models let you check the cook from your phone. Learning to smoke still takes practice.
What about the Ironwood and Timberline?+
Those are Traeger’s higher-end series. They sit above the Pro line on features and price, and Amazon stock and prices change often. Compare them against the Woodridge Pro before you pay more.
