Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 vs Masterbuilt Gravity Series XT
vs
Quick take: The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 costs $899 less; the Masterbuilt Gravity Series XT offers more cooking space (1,260 vs 800 sq in); the Masterbuilt Gravity Series XT reaches a higher max temp (NaN vs NaN°F).
| Spec | Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 | Masterbuilt Gravity Series XT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$900 | ~$1,799 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (1,800) | 4.6★ (145) |
| Type | Electric Smoker | Charcoal Grill |
| Cooking Area | 800 sq in | 1260 sq in |
| Max Temp | 700°F | 700F°F |
| Fuel Type | Wood/Charcoal | Charcoal (gravity-fed) |
| Build Material | Powder-Coated Steel | Dual-wall insulated steel with porcelain interior |
| Hopper Capacity | 16 lb | 18 lbs |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | Yes | Yes |
| App control | Yes | Yes |
| Meat probe | Yes | Yes |
| PID controller | Yes | Yes |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 53 x 33 x 50 in | 61 x 33 x 52 in |
| Weight | 146 lbs | 199 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year | 3 years |
Pros & cons
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800
- ✓It gives you real charcoal flavor with set-and-forget digital convenience - the fan-driven controller holds temp automatically like a pellet grill but burns lump or briquettes
- ✓It's wildly versatile, going from a 225°F low-and-slow smoke to a 700°F sear, and the included griddle insert turns it into a flat-top
- ✓The gravity-fed hopper holds up to ~16 lbs of briquettes for roughly 8+ hours of unattended cooking
- ✓The digital controller and Masterbuilt app let you set and monitor temps and probe alerts from your phone
- ✓It reaches genuine searing temps that pellet grills can't, so steaks and burgers get a real crust
- ✓800 sq in of cooking space plus the griddle option make it a true do-it-all charcoal cooker
- ✓At ~$650 it's a lot of capability and charcoal flavor for the money versus separate grill and smoker
- ✓It heats up fast - charcoal lights and reaches temp quicker than a traditional charcoal smoker
- ✗Reliability is the big knock - the control board, fan, and temperature sensors are known to fail, sometimes within the first year
- ✗The thin sheet-metal body and gaskets leak and wear, so many owners reseal it to hold temps and protect the electronics
- ✗The 1-year warranty is short for a $650 cooker with so many failure-prone electronic parts
- ✗It still needs power for the fan and controller, so it's not a true off-grid charcoal cooker
- ✗Ash and charcoal management is messier than a pellet grill, and the hopper/firebox area needs regular cleaning to run right
- ✗Smoke flavor, while real charcoal, can be lighter than a traditional offset unless you add wood chunks to the hopper or ash bin
- ✗The app and WiFi can be glitchy, dropping the connection mid-cook like many smart grills
- ✗Rain and moisture can wreak havoc on the electronics and charcoal, so it really needs a cover and dry storage
Masterbuilt Gravity Series XT
- ✓Real charcoal flavor with pellet-grill-style automation
- ✓700F sear capability with reversible cast iron grates
- ✓Massive 1,260 sq in capacity - 16 rib racks or 20 chickens
- ✓Dual-wall insulation makes it fuel-efficient and cold-weather capable
- ✓Four probe ports and solid WiFi app monitoring
- ✓24-hour hopper runtime covers overnight briskets
- ✓3-year warranty triples the old Gravity Series coverage
- ✗$1,799 is premium pricing for a brand with a budget reputation
- ✗Electronics (fan, lid switch, board) remain the long-term failure risk
- ✗199 lbs and a lengthy two-person assembly
- ✗Charcoal ash cleanup is still messier than any pellet grill