The Top 10 Best Smoker Grill Combo Models

January 26, 2023
Written by Kristy J. Norton

Of the ten models that I tested, I found the best smoker grill combo to be the Traeger Grills Pro Series 575.

I come from a long line of pitmasters and learned the ins and outs of top-notch grills and smokers at a very young age. Thus, when it came to finding the best combination grill, I was primed and ready.

The reason my top pick is Pro Series 575 is because it has great grilling and smoking capabilities, tracks temperature well, is high-tech, and has lots of cooking area.

Of course, I am well aware that every person and household has their own needs. This is why I have provided you with other options, each with their own set of advantages. Let's check out what your top models are!

Best smoker grill combo
Best Overall
Traeger Grills Pro 575 Electric Wood Pellet...
Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D...
Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2024 Upgrade Wood Pellet...
Char-Griller® AKORN® Kamado Charcoal Grill...
Cuisinart CPG-4000 Wood Pellet BBQ Grill &...
Weight
128lbs
124lbs
84lbs
97lbs
103lbs
Cooking Space
575 square inches
1,382 square inches
452 square inches
447 square inches
450 square inches
Fuel Type
Wood Pellet
Charcoal
Wood pellets
Charcoal
Wood Pellet
Temperature Range
Up to 500°F
50 - 500°F
180 to 450°F
200 - 700 °F
180 - 400°F
Best Overall
Traeger Grills Pro 575 Electric Wood Pellet...
Weight
128lbs
Cooking Space
575 square inches
Fuel Type
Wood Pellet
Temperature Range
Up to 500°F
Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D...
Weight
124lbs
Cooking Space
1,382 square inches
Fuel Type
Charcoal
Temperature Range
50 - 500°F
Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2024 Upgrade Wood Pellet...
Weight
84lbs
Cooking Space
452 square inches
Fuel Type
Wood pellets
Temperature Range
180 to 450°F
Char-Griller® AKORN® Kamado Charcoal Grill...
Weight
97lbs
Cooking Space
447 square inches
Fuel Type
Charcoal
Temperature Range
200 - 700 °F
Cuisinart CPG-4000 Wood Pellet BBQ Grill &...
Weight
103lbs
Cooking Space
450 square inches
Fuel Type
Wood Pellet
Temperature Range
180 - 400°F

The Best Smoker Grill Combos

Here are your top picks for smoker grill combos:

1. Traeger Grills Pro Series 575

Best Overall

Specs:

  • Weight: 128lbs
  • Cooking Space: 575 square inches
  • Fuel Type: Wood Pellet
  • Temperature Range: Up to 500°F

Great Grilling and Smoking Performance

So, what makes this pellet smoker grill the best option for you? Well, this is all down to performance. At the end of the day, it is hard to beat this brand when it comes to their grill smoker combos and the Pro Series 575 is no exception.

In terms of high quality grilling and smoking experience, ease of use, and next level features, this grill smoker combo beats out the competition. Yes, there is the extra cost to think about but in my opinion, it is worth it.

The only complaint that I have with this model is that it produces moderate levels of smoke. Therefore, if you prefer your food extra smoky, this may not be enough for you. Also, for the best flavor, you should use the Traeger wood pellets.

Plenty of Hi-Tech Features

I would readily recommend this grill and smoker combo to those who are new to the scene. This is because it is a breeze to use thanks to all the tech features. This includes Wi-Fi enabled components.

You can monitor and change the settings on the grill from anywhere in the house. And, since you dont have to mess around with dials, the regulation is a lot more precise, allowing you to make exact alterations.

Good Temperature Control

Another reason that this deserves to be crowned the best grill smoker combo is the excellent temperature control. As I already mentioned, maintaining temp with this machine is pretty easy. This is all thanks to the built in temperature gauge that tracks the heat in the cooking chamber.

charcoal burning

To add to this, there is also a meat probe - this isn't something you usually find with other grills, it is an excellent feature. This ensures that your food is perfectly cooked each and every time.

Suitable Cooking Surface Area

This grill offers more than enough grilling area for a mid-sized family. You can easily fit five rib racks of ribs, four chickens, or twenty four burgers. This allows you to get your food on the table faster.

Also, the porcelain coated grill grates offer incredibly easy cleanup.

Pros:

  • Great smoking and grilling performance
  • Great temp control
  • Hi-tech features
  • Great grilling space

Cons:

  • May not produce as much smoke as you want

2. Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D

Specs:

  • Weight: 124lbs
  • Cooking Space: 1,382 square inches
  • Fuel Type: Charcoal
  • Temperature Range: 50 - 500°F

Great Total Cooking Space

If you want to grill or smoke a lot of food at once, then this is the charcoal grill smoker combo that you need! With five chrome coated grill grates layered on top of each other, you can cater to a larger crowd without any issue at all. There are even pre-installed sausage hooks at the top so that you don't have to take up any unnecessary space.

Ideal for Grilling and Smoking

I will admit to being a bit of a snob when it comes to both grills and smokers. However, this machine does function well on both fronts, particularly as an offset smoker. You can easily grill foods to perfection and enjoy a gorgeous smoky flavor when smoking.

Even if you are new to the world of barbecue, this smoker grill combo makes it a breeze with different zones on the temperature gauge. There is one for smoking, barbecue, and high temp searing and grilling. Simply choose a temp in your preferred zone and you are good to go.

Good Value for Money

Despite my fondness for better known brands, I have to say that this charcoal smoker grill combo does offer excellent value for money. Its heavy gauge steel construction is surprisingly good, ensuring that this machine can be put to use for a long time.

Now, I would suggest sealing up the smoker ahead of time with gasket tape ahead of time as there are lots of places from which the smoke can escape. While this may seem like a major downside, the truth is that this is relatively common with a combo grill in this price range.

Great Cleanout System

Certainly one of my favorite components is how easy it is clean out the grill. There is a removable ash pan that allows you easy access to the ash. There is also a pan that lets you brush everything out quickly.

Pros:

  • Lots of cooking surface area
  • Great grilling and smoking performance
  • Good value for money
  • Simple cleanup

Cons:

  • Needs to be sealed

3. Z GRILLS ZPG-450A

Specs:

  • Weight: 84lbs
  • Cooking Space: 452 square inches
  • Fuel Type: Wood pellets
  • Temperature Range: 180 to 450°F

Good Temp Maintenance

The Z Grills brand is making a name for itself and this is one of the models that are helping it along. In particular, I like the steady temperatures with this pellet grill and smoker. Once you set it, it will only fluctuate a few degrees but will adjust itself so that it is maintained at a range that works for you.

This is actually at maintaining lower temperatures that are perfect for smoking.

Great Cooking System

What's great about this pellet smoker grill combo is that it is extremely versatile. Not only does it grill and smoke, it can also be used for roasting, broiling, and more. Best of all, it does all of things quite well. This is quite impressive at this price point.

Easy to Use

The whole point of this smoker grill combo is that you set it and leave it. This makes it excellent for novices who aren't used to grills or smokers. One feature that assists this ease of use is that the hopper capacity is pretty good for the cooking area. Therefore, you can let the machine run without needing to top up pellets.

Good Design

This is made from heavy duty steel, complete with powder coat finish. Thus, it has been designed to last for quite a while. I also like the fact that there is a small side table that you can store food before or after cooking.

I am not thrilled with the smoking space, however. This is because there is only 324 square inches of cooking space. You have the primary cooking area and a warming rack. The rack can be used during the smoking process but will not be too helpful when grilling.

Pros:

  • Maintain temps well
  • Good smoking and grilling system
  • Easy to use
  • Good design

Cons:

  • Smaller cooking surface area

4. Char-Griller E56720 AKORN Kamado

Specs:

  • Weight: 97lbs
  • Cooking Space: 447 square inches
  • Fuel Type: Charcoal
  • Temperature Range: 200 - 700 °F

High Temperature Options

Considering that this is a kamado style grill, you may be surprised to learn that this is actually a charcoal grill smoker combo. However, this is exactly what it is!

What I like about this machine the most, though, is how high the temperature can get. This is quite unusual even with high end grills. Thus, it is nice to see that at this price point, you have a combination grill smoker that can sear steaks for you.

Excellent Heat Retention

Now, the kamado grill is known for its heat maintenance. Well, you will be happy to learn that you are getting a Big Green Egg performance here without having to pay those outrageous prices. The triple walled steel constructions ensures not only that the temp remains constant but also that the foods heat evenly.

Great Temperature Adjustment

The temperature adjustment on this smoker grill combo isn't what you are used to. Here, you have adjustable dampers or vents on the top and bottom of the machine. You open or close the multiple dampers to get the temp to where you need it to be.

meat on fire

This can take a while to master but when you do, it will be quite easy for you to manage. Not to mention, this method is highly accurate ensuring that your food is cooked perfectly each and every time.

Efficient Design

I like that this smoker and grill combo is essentially equipped with its own grilling accessories - two side tables. These can be kept up or folded, depending on whether you require them or not.

What I don't like, though, is the limited cooking surface area. This only really works for a couple of people at a time. The warming rack doesn't add much in way of function.

Pros:

  • Good temp maintenance
  • Excellent heat maintenance
  • High temperatures
  • Efficient design

Cons:

  • Smaller cooking area

5. Cuisinart CPG-4000

Specs:

  • Weight: 103lbs
  • Cooking Space: 450 square inches
  • Fuel Type: Wood Pellet
  • Temperature Range: 180 - 400°F

Versatile Smoker Grill Combo

Cuisinart isn't the first name that comes to mind when you think about barbecue, let alone a smoker grill combo. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how good this pellet smoker grill was. The higher temps were great for grilling, while the lower temps made this excellent for low and slow cooking.

The main concern I had with this model was that the lid doesn't seal perfectly and a lot of smoke escapes during the cooking process.

Good Cooking Surface Area

The cooking space on this smoker grill combo is pretty good. As with the Traeger, you can easily cook for a mid-sized family without any issue at all. And, since it is equipped with a 15lb hopper capacity, there will be plenty of fuel to keep the machine running for as long as is needed.

Easy Temperature Control

It doesn't matter if you have never used a grill or a smoker before, because the dial on this smoker grill combo makes it simple to control. This is because it is similar to that of and oven. The rest of the settings are pretty easy to use as well.

Another minor concern with this BBQ grill smoker combo is that precise temperature control isn't easy - you can only increase or decrease the temperature by 25 degrees either way. Now, this isn't too much of a problem with barbecue but if you are cooking something more delicate, it can get tricky.

Durable

At this price point, it can be tricky to find a smoker grill combo that is going to last you a long time. Fortunately, this Cuisinart model appears to be the exception. It is made from high quality, heavy duty materials that can survive frequent use. What's more, it even has a weatherproof cover that you can use while you keep it in storage.

Pros:

  • Versatile grill
  • Nice cooking area
  • Durable
  • Easy to use design

Cons:

  • Lid doesn't seal perfectly
  • Imprecise temp control

6. PK Grills PKO-SCAX-X

Specs:

  • Weight: 45lbs
  • Cooking Space: 300 square inches
  • Fuel Type: Charcoal
  • Temperature Range: Up to 500°F

Durable Design

If you are looking for a smoker grill combo with an excellent warranty, then this is the one for you. Made from cast aluminum, these machines are practically rust proof. The PK grill combo has also been put together really well and will be one of those machines that last you a lifetime.

Easy to Use

Now, I am not going to lie to you, this is an old school charcoal grill and smoker. Due to this, it is pretty barebones, but I still love using it. Once you figure out how to work the vents to adjust the grilling and smoking temperatures, your job will be an absolute breeze. This offers the ultimate charcoal grilling and smoking experience.

Be warned that this can take some getting used to - there is no temp dial, gauge, or anything like that. If you want an accurate measurement, then you are going to have to buy a third-party probe.

Great Heat Containment

What makes this such an excellent smoker and grill combo is that main chamber is built to retain as much heat as possible. Thus, whether you are trying to maintain high or low temperatures, you will find it quite easy to do.

Unfortunately, despite being one of the best smoker grill combos out there, this still suffers from poor ash containment so you will need to keep a tray underneath to prevent them from spreading.

Portable and Compact

If you are looking for a grill and smoker that is easy to keep in a small space or to carry around, then this is your dream one. With a small footprint and being quite lightweight, you will not even notice that it is there. Plus, when traveling, a single person can dismantle and carry it.

Pros:

  • Durable
  • Compact
  • Easy to use
  • Good heat output and retention

Cons:

  • Poor ash containment

7. Royal Gourmet CC1830S

Specs:

  • Weight: 54lbs
  • Cooking Space: 881 square inches
  • Fuel Type: Charcoal
  • Temperature Range: 100 - 600°F

Large Cooking Surface Area

Unlike some of the other grill smoker combos, this option has two separate areas for grilling and smoking. As such, you are actually afforded quite a bit of space. You will find that this machine works well to get food quickly on the table for a mid-sized family.

At the same time, there is also a warming rack. Once again, unlike with other smoker grill combos, this one is actually useful as there is plenty of cooking surface area for you to work with.

Good Grilling and Smoking Performance

This is not going to give you top of the line results, but I was really pleased with what this smoker grill combo could do. It grilled at higher temperatures, allowing steaks to cook quickly, at high heat.

At the same time, this grill and smoker did an excellent of maintaining low heat for smoking purposes. The food tasted pretty great, too.

grilling vegetables over a smoker grill

Good Value for Money

As I mentioned, this is far from the best smoker grill combo, but it is worth every penny that you pay for it. Not only does it boast a pretty good performance, there are a lot of other little features such as side tables that make it worth your while, especially if you are a beginner.

I do have to note, though, that this is not the most durable option. As such, you shouldn't expect it to last for too long particularly if you use it on a regular basis. You should also make it a point to store it carefully and properly to avoid damage.

Easy to Clean

Removing the ashes is incredibly easy to do here thanks to a side door that also functions as a charcoal basket. This allows you to quickly sweep or even vacuum them up quickly.

Pros:

  • Great cooking area
  • Good function
  • Good value for money
  • Easy to clean

Cons:

  • Not very durable

8. Char-Broil The Big Easy

Specs:

  • Weight: 23lbs
  • Cooking Space: 180 square inches
  • Fuel Type: Propane
  • Temperature Range: 9000 to 18,000 BTUs

Low Maintenance Function

There is no denying that the average combo grill, even a gas grill can be pretty messy. This is why it is such a relief to use this particular machine. The design of the cooking surface means that grease is less likely to drip down - which also means no flare ups. The other benefit is that no food can fall in between the cooking grates, either.

This, along with the rest of the design makes this machine pretty easy to clean. Thus, if you want to take it to another location for a cookout, it will be a breeze to clean up afterwards.

Highly Portable

It really does not get any more portable than this! Not only is this gas grill smoker incredibly lightweight, but the handles on the side make it a breeze to lift and carry. Cookouts in parks, beaches, or a neighbor's yard is easier than ever before.

It goes without saying that this minute size also allows you to store it virtually anywhere in your home.

Good Temp Control

As you can imagine, precise temp control is really easy as it is a gas grill. Not only does the dial allow you to choose the perfect temp, but it is maintained really well throughout too.

I have noticed that it is tricky to set and maintain low temperatures. Thus, this is something that you want to be careful about when smoking smaller cuts of food.

Durable Construction

This is a high quality smoker grill and has been built as such. It is well worth the price tag and you can guarantee that it is going to last you quite a while. Just remember to take care of it properly if you are moving it around a lot.

Pros:

  • Easy to maintain
  • Durable
  • Portable
  • Good temp control

Cons:

  • Not suitable for lower temps

9. ASMOKE AS350

Specs:

  • Weight: 55lbs
  • Cooking Space: 256 square inches
  • Fuel Type: Wood pellets
  • Temperature Range: 200 - 475°F

Great Flavor Production

I will be the first one to admit at how surprised I was to discover what a delicious smoky flavor this machine was able to produce. Now, even on such a compact design, grilling is relatively easy as it is hard to go wrong as long as you can produce enough heat. Smoking, on the other hand, is not as easy, but this smoker grill combo gets the job done.

Easy to Use

The entire premise of this machine is that it is easy to use. It is meant to be taken on the road, largely for RVing and this function shows in how quickly you can set everything up. Even if you are not someone who is familiar with such a machine, you should be able to have this pellet combo up and running in no time at all.

Precise Temp Control

If you are tired of messing around with imprecise gauges, this smoker grill combo can be a nice break. Not only is the temperature gauge easy to use, it is great to see the exact temperature up on the screen.

I should warn you that the internal temperature of the cooking chamber can be a bit higher or lower than what is displayed. This is fairly common though and with some use, you should be able to predict these fluctuations.

Portable

As I have already stated, this is grill was designed to be moved around. As such, it is lightweight, easy to carry, and can be set up practically anywhere without any trouble at all.

The only downside of this is that due to its small size, the grill needs to be cleaned out more frequently - practically after every use or you risk fires. This can be rather tiresome.

Pros:

  • Great grill for flavor
  • Easy to use
  • Good temp precision
  • Portable

Cons:

  • Requires frequent cleaning

10. Realcook Charcoal BBQ Smoker Grill

Specs:

  • Weight: 35lbs
  • Cooking Space: 636 square inches
  • Fuel Type: Charcoal
  • Temperature Range: Up to 450°F

Simple to Use

It doesn't matter if you don't have much experience in using either grills or smokers, because this grill and smoker combo is as easy as it gets. There aren't any bells or whistles and after your first try, you will have learned out how to use it. As an added bonus, this machine comes with a built in temperature gauge so you have a better idea of how your food is cooking.

At the same time, it requires constant attention, particularly when it comes to temp maintenance. This isn't the kind of grill that you can set and then go on your merry way. Due to this, it only works for shorter cooks unless you have the patience to hang around for longer.

Great Function

I have to say that I was quite surprised by how great the flavor is with this charcoal grill and smoker. This is especially true when smoking foods. There is a nice smoky flavor without any bitter or burnt notes and this is quite impressive for such a machine.

Highly Portable

It really doesn't get more portable than this smoker grill combo. You can essentially just pick it up and carry it with you. It easily stores in the trunk of your car if you want to move it around.

As it can also be broken down into several sections, it is easier even easier to transport it. As for storing this charcoal grill smoker, it is an absolute breeze.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Good performance
  • Portable

Cons:

  • Requires constant attention

The Best Smoker Grill Combos Buying Guide

Here are the top guidelines that you should follow when choosing your own smoker grill combos:

What Type of Smoker Grill is Right for You?

Now, as you have gone through this list, you will have realized that I have included only one gas grill smoker combo - just a propane grill smoker combo, no natural gas - so what gives? Why aren't these types as much of a part of the best smoker grill combo options?

Well, while these smoker grills are quite common - even popular - they aren't a great choice for either grilling or smoking. This is due to the lack of flavor that you typically get with most pellet grills or charcoal models.

I do get the appeal of a gas smoker grill combo, I really do. They involve less hassle and lets face it, they allow you to get grilling or smoking that much faster. If you do have your heard set on such a machine, there is a something that you can do.

Now, to a certain degree, the smoke flavor can be mimicked with the help of a smoker box or smoke box. Thus, if you are looking for gas combo grills, then this is something that you may want to consider.

Of course, at the end of the day, it is about choosing the combo grill that is best suited to your needs and preferences.

A Question of Price - How Much Should You Pay?

I come from a family who takes their barbecue very seriously. Due to this, no one really bats an eye at paying an exorbitant amount for a combo grill provided that it is worth the value.

That being said, most of the options on this best grill smoker combos list are in the mid-price range. I have also thrown in a few budget options for the price conscious. The Traeger is the only exception - it is almost $1000.

grilled kebabs

So, why have I chosen smoker grill combo units in this price range? And, how much should you expect to pay for a good grill and smoker combo?

Well, to begin with, this does depend on how serious you are about grilling and/or smoking. If you are an avid enthusiast and grill or smoker several times a week, then I would absolutely tell you to go for a unit that is between $1000 and $2000 or even more.

I would also offer the same advice for anyone who appreciates perfectly cooked or smoked meats. If you are someone who spends hours agonizing over cuts, rubs, wood chips and pellet flavors, temperature, etc. then a high end option will suit the bill perfectly.

These days, the more expensive options also come with a lot of smart smoke technology features, Wi-Fi control options, apps, and more. The temperature sensors are also far superior.

The thing is, I know that a majority of the buyers just don't fall into this category. If you are reading this post, you are probably an amateur griller or smoker. You may also only occasionally barbecue. Due to this, it doesn't make sense to pay a lot of money - it could be a decision that you end up regretting if you don't feel like you are getting your money's worth.

On the other hand, I would also ask you to beware of extremely cheap options as well. This have basic grilling and smoking features. Many of them tend to leak quite a bit and struggle with temperature maintenance. And, they certainly are not very durable.

As such, it is all about finding the right balance here.

How Much Cooking Surface Area Do You Really Need?

Unless you are only ever going to be cooking for yourself, a relatively large cooking area matters.

At the same time, you shouldn't go overboard. I have seen this happen far too many times. People assume that bigger is better and get far more smoker grill than they actually need. Remember, larger smoker grill combos take a longer time to heat up. Thus, if you don't actually need all that room, you are simply wasting your time.

To decide how any inches of cooking space you need, think about how many people you have to cater to on a regular basis. Now, how many burgers, hot dogs, racks of ribs, briskets, or pork does this average out to?

The Importance of Temperature Regulation

Now, one of the reasons that it can be so difficult to find good grill smoker combos is because smoking and grilling takes place at the opposite ends of the temperature spectrum.

You have smoke low and slow while you grill high and fast, or rather faster. This means that you must look for very low and very high temps.

The other thing that you need to think about is maintaining temperature for an extended period of time. This way, you can simply set the temp and set away, knowing that the food is going to cook at the right pace for what you need.

Thus, you need to look for a machine that is able to self-regulate. At the same time, consider combos that are sealed tightly, ensuring that no hot air escapes or that cold air doesn't rush in.

Some combos are equipped with temperature gauges, although many do not have this feature. In any case, I would take these reading with a grain of salt as they aren't always accurate. Just to make sure, I would use another thermometer to keep track of the readings for the first few tries.

To wrap things up, the Traeger Grills Pro Series 575 is the clear winner here as the best smoker grill combo. It has lots of great features, include Wi-Fi options and gives you an excellent smoking and grilling experience. It is pricey, but worth it.

I would suggest checking out all the options here, though, as you can never tell which one ends up being the best fit for you!

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
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