Updated on Apr. 09, 2025
Does Recteq or Traeger make the better pellet grill for wood-fired flavor? We put them to the test to find out.
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Nothing beats pulling apart a juicy pork shoulder for pulled pork sandwiches or taking a bite out of a smoked chicken drumstick with your favorite barbecue sauce. But meat isn’t the only thing you can make on a pellet grill. Try smoking enchiladas for even more flavor, browning the fluffiest biscuits or even baking an apple pie. Pellet grills are incredibly versatile, infusing food with wood-fired flavor along the way. It’s a taste that gas and even charcoal grills can’t beat. And there are two key brands to consider when you’re trying to find the best fit for your needs: Traeger and Recteq.
Our Product Testing Team put 11 pellet grills, including options from both brands, to the test. Which came out on top? Here are the main differences between Traeger and Recteq based on insights from firsthand testing.
Traeger and Recteq are two of the most popular pellet grill brands on the market. Both have a variety of models and sizes at a range of price points. Recteq currently has 11 pellet grill models in its repertoire, while Traeger offers nine, along with a gas-powered griddle series. The two brands are comparable in performance and price, though Recteq models can reach higher cooking temperatures.
Recteq is backed by a six-year warranty, while Traeger pellet grills come with a seven- or 10-year warranty, depending on the model.
“Both brands make excellent pellet grills and have loyal followings,” says Wes Wright, Founder and CEO of CookOut News. “When you compare the two, Traeger is almost like Apple or Peloton of the pellet grill space. They also have some of the most loyal fans, called ‘The Traegerhood,’ of any pellet grill company.”
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Out of all the pellet grills we tested, the Recteq Flagship 1100 earned our top accolade. For starters, it’s huge. Over 1,000 square inches of cooking space ensure this bad boy is present at every backyard party.
The shelf under the unit is equally roomy and wide, perfect for storing prepped patties and dog dressings. There’s even an electric outlet on the back if you want to whip up some grill-side margs. A gigantic hopper fits about 40 pounds of pellets, and two built-in meat probes provide quick temp readings.
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The Traeger Pro 575 is a great choice for buyers on a budget. While it lacks a touchscreen, it features an intuitive LED display and a variety of temperature settings. Features include a meat probe, WiFi connectivity and a 572-square-inch cooking area.
Our tests on this model delivered delicious results. Cleanup is simple with a disposable drip tray and liners, though we found they can warp and spill with heat exposure. We also wish it had an additional set of wheels for easier mobility, but at $800, this grill offers solid value with a few minor quirks.
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Prep Kitchen Manager and grilling expert Catherine Ward has used the Traeger Ironwood XL for over a year, and it’s our top choice for dedicated smokers. It boasts a spacious cooking area, two tiers of grates and a touchscreen control center. It also comes with two temperature probes. As with other Traegers, assembly is time-consuming, and the grill requires seasoning before use.
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For serious grillers and pitmasters, the Traeger Timberline is worth the splurge. Its sleek, kitchen-ready design—with wooden shelves and a magnetic cutting board—is just one smart feature. This premium model also features a spacious 880-square-inch cooking area, adjustable grates and a side induction burner. The touchscreen control panel is both intuitive and user-friendly.
Most importantly, the food results were among the best of all the grills we tested. However, like most of the Traegers, we were disappointed by the lack of searing on the chops. And, like the Ironwood, the cleanup process was also more cumbersome than expected.
DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME
Last but not least, the Traeger Tailgater shows that a small size can still deliver a big flavor. This compact pellet grill reaches up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and weighs just 62 pounds, yet it offers ample cooking space. The foldable legs make it even more portable. At just $480, it’s also the most affordable Traeger. However, there are some trade-offs. It’s the least sturdy of the models we tried, and the smaller hopper requires more frequent refills during cooking.
“Traeger’s tech is arguably better than Recteq’s both in terms of the tech on the grill itself and execution on their mobile app,” says Wright, who has used pellet grills from both companies and is very familiar with their product line-ups and what differentiates the brands. “The Traeger Ironwood and Timberline have some of the nicest color touchscreen controllers in the industry. The Woodridge, one of their newest grills, has some of the best all-around specs.”
“On the other hand, Recteq is known for its quality and customer service. They use more stainless steel components than Traeger, or the rest of the mainstream brands for that matter,” Wright adds. He suggests that this can lead to Recteq pellet grills having a longer lifespan. The stainless steel construction not only provides durability but also excellent heat retention. Traeger pellet grills are constructed from powder-coated steel.
“It’s worth noting that the styling of Recteq grills isn’t for everyone. Rather than a conventional bar-style handle, their grill lids have two stainless steel bull horns,” says Wright. “Some people will think it’s cool, while others will find it garish.”
Each Traeger model is built similarly. A side hopper feeds wood pellets to ignite and produce indirect heat with airflow, similar to a convection oven. Each Traeger grill also includes a grease and ash keg to easily dump excess grease that collects throughout cooking. But you’ll find variances between Traeger models when it comes to special features such as WiFi capabilities, shelving and interior lighting.
Recteq grill models also vary in terms of WiFi controls, hopper capacity for wood pellets, interior lights and the number of adjustable interior racks.
The smallest and most portable Recteq grill offers 340 square inches, while the largest has a very spacious 2,535 square inches. That wide size range makes it possible for you to find the ideal fit for your space and needs. One of Traeger’s smallest grills, the simple Traeger Pro 575, offers 575 square inches of cooking space, which is quite a bit bigger than the smallest, portable Recteq grill. The Traeger Timberline XL offers 1,320 square inches. So, you’ll find both smaller and larger cooking spaces from Recteq grills.
In 2009, two former roommates (and avid grillers) launched Recteq. Even with growing popularity, the brand continues to focus exclusively on pellet grills.
Traeger is the original name in the pellet grill space, and their dominance continues to grow. Our Product Testing Team reviewed one model from each of the three main Traeger pellet grill series—Pro, Ironwood and Timberline—plus one of their portable options. Since the brand’s conception, it has also been focused exclusively on pellet grills.
All Recteq pellet grills can reach up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, while others can go all the way up to 1,000 degrees. This temperature versatility is just one of the many features that impressed our Product Testing Team. All Traeger grills, similarly, can reach temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Recteq sells its pellet grills for $450 to $2,200 on its website, as well as at retailers such as Ace Hardware and Amazon. The company also has its own line of wood pellets, barbecue sauces, rubs and grilling accessories.
Traeger pellet grills range in price from portable grills under $500 to large stationary grills topping $3500. They are sold on Traeger’s website, along with retailers such as Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, BBQ Guys, Williams Sonoma and Amazon. Traeger also has its own line of wood pellets, sauces, rubs and an extensive selection of Traeger grilling accessories.
During our pellet grill review, we put Recteq and Traeger grills to the ultimate test. We gauged every pellet grill on six key considerations:
In our food tests, the Recteq Flagship 1100 Pellet Grill produced the best color and moistness in our salmon test. The fish came out fairly smoky, with some nice dark edges. Similarly, the corn came out a little smoky and brown on both the top and bottom. While the sear wasn’t overly visible on the pork chops, we appreciated the nice color it creates.
The pork roast was one of the best, with a pink smoke ring, dark bark and a tender and moist interior that easily shredded for sandwiches. Similarly, the chicken breasts were juicy and came off the grill with some nice caramelization.
Our biggest gripe with this grill is that we were not able to soak and wash the grates in the sink. The wheels are also on the small side and stick to some terrains. That said, these issues are a small price to pay for this overachieving pellet grill.
We tested four Traeger grills firsthand—the Traeger Pro 575, Traeger Ironwood XL, Traeger Timberline and Traeger Tailgater. Each grill was evaluated with the same testing methodology listed above. To our surprise, all four models passed with flying colors.
The Traeger Pro 575 delivered delicious results: juicy chicken breasts with a smoky exterior, moist salmon and a flavorful pork shoulder with a sweet, tender roast. The pork even earned a bark and smoke ring. The Traeger Ironwood XL delivered smoky, perfectly charred chicken in about an hour and a half.
The Ironwood excelled in our pork shoulder test, producing a moist roast with a beautiful red smoke ring. Pork chops and corn also came out with a subtle, smoky flavor. The main drawback is the lack of disposable drip pan liners, making cleanup a bit more labor-intensive than we expected. Additionally, it can emit a significant amount of smoke at times, but it consistently delivers even, reliable heat.
The Traeger Timberline had the best food results among the best of all the grills we tested. The Timberline produced nearly perfect chicken with a juicy interior, a rich bark and a light mahogany finish with a mild, smoky flavor. The pork chops gained a nice edge color, while the pork shoulder developed complex flavors and an appealing color.
The portable Traeger Tailgater delivered perfect caramelization on chicken breasts and a lovely smoky finish on fish. We appreciated its easy assembly and compact design.
Traeger and Recteq both provide quality options for pellet grills. Our Product Testing Team found grills from each brand outperformed each other, depending on the task. Some models were better for general cooking, while others were best for serious smokers or pros.
The main differences lie in the overall design, the look and feel, the cooking space and the options for higher temperatures. If you’re someone who focuses on low and slow cooking, a Traeger grill may be the better option for you. If you’re someone who would prefer more versatility so you can sear at higher temperatures and smoke, Recteq provides that. Both are well constructed, come in at similar price points and are backed by excellent warranties.
Truthfully, both Traeger and Recteq offer some of the best pellet grills. Which brand is best will boil down to personal preferences. However, of the 11 pellet grills we tested and reviewed, we named the Recteq Flagship 1100 the best overall. The Flagship 1100 is large in both cooking space and hopper capacity, it has very precise temperate controls and what ends up on your plate is worth writing home about. Even when compared to Traeger, we were impressed.
Recteq grills are manufactured in China. Traeger wood pellet grills are also now manufactured in China and Vietnam.
A Traeger grill should last 5 to 10 years with proper care and maintenance.
Our team at Taste Recipes dedicates itself to vetting and testing the products. Our Product Testing Team has more than 25 combined years of experience in professional product selection and testing, and the Test Kitchen Team brings even more experience to the table.
A lifelong foodie and pellet grill tester, Catherine Ward heads up the Taste Recipes prep kitchen. She also lends her expertise to articles about cooking and baking techniques and kitchen tools. Her areas of focus include grilling and smoking. Catherine has worked in the hospitality industry for most of her career, catering and teaching cooking classes. She is happiest when cooking for a table full of friends and family.
A former bakery owner and event planner, Molly Allen brings years of experience and industry knowledge to Taste Recipes readers. She loves to keep an eye on the latest food trends and kitchen gadgets while expanding her knowledge of cooking outdoors on smokers, grills, pizza ovens and fire pits.
For this piece, we also spoke to Wes Wright, Founder and CEO of CookOut News, the largest trade publication in the live-fire cooking industry. He has used pellet grills from Traeger and Recteq and is very familiar with their product lineups.
