Pit Boss Pro Series 1150 vs Z Grills 700D4E
Quick take: The Z Grills 700D4E costs $100 less; the Pit Boss Pro Series 1150 offers more cooking space (1,150 vs 697 sq in); the Pit Boss Pro Series 1150 reaches a higher max temp (500 vs 450°F).
| Spec | Pit Boss Pro Series 1150 | Z Grills 700D4E |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 | $599 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (4,200) | 4.5★ (5,400) |
| Type | Pellet Grill | Pellet Grill |
| Cooking Area | 1150 sq in | 697 sq in |
| Max Temp | 500°F | 450°F |
| Fuel Type | Wood Pellets | Wood Pellets |
| Build Material | Powder-Coated Steel | Powder-Coated Steel |
| Hopper Capacity | 32 lb | 20 lb |
| 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 | No |
| Dimensions | 55 x 27 x 49 in | 48 x 22 x 51 in |
| Weight | 150 lbs | 132 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years | 3 years |
Pros & cons
Pit Boss Pro Series 1150
- ✓You get a massive 1150 sq in of cooking space for around $700, by far the most square inches per dollar of any name-brand pellet grill
- ✓The sliding Flame Broiler plate exposes direct flame for searing up to ~1000°F, so it actually sears steaks better than most pellet grills
- ✓The 32 lb hopper is large enough for long overnight cooks without refilling
- ✓It comes with two meat probes included, which is more generous than Traeger's single probe at this price
- ✓The 5-year warranty is excellent for a budget grill and beats Traeger's 3 years
- ✓Porcelain-coated cast-iron grates hold heat well and leave nice sear marks
- ✓The removable ash and grease management makes cleanup between cooks quick and tidy
- ✓It heats up fast and the wide temp range covers everything from 180°F smoking to high-heat grilling
- ✗Temperature swings are wider than premium grills - expect 25-40°F fluctuations, so it's less precise for delicate low-and-slow cooks
- ✗Build quality is noticeably thinner powder-coated steel that can rust and warp, and fit-and-finish feels budget
- ✗The WiFi and Pit Boss app are the weak point - buggy, slow to connect, and prone to dropping the grill
- ✗Smoke output is lighter than Traeger's, so some owners add a smoke tube to get the bark and ring they want
- ✗Single-wall body loses heat in cold weather and burns through pellets quickly in winter
- ✗The controller and electronics are a common failure point, with owners reporting board replacements within a couple seasons
- ✗Customer service through Pit Boss/Dansons is hit-or-miss compared to Recteq's stellar reputation
- ✗It's heavy and bulky, and the casters can feel flimsy when rolling a fully loaded grill across rough patio surfaces
Z Grills 700D4E
- ✓At around $600 with PID control and WiFi it's one of the best-value pellet grills you can buy, a fraction of a comparable Traeger
- ✓The 2025 PID upgrade holds temperature noticeably tighter than the old controllers, making low-and-slow cooks reliable
- ✓697 sq in plus a 20 lb hopper is plenty for a family, and the included two meat probes let you track multiple cuts
- ✓The dual-walled hopper and decent insulation help it hold heat better than you'd expect at this price
- ✓It's lightweight at 132 lbs and easy for one person to roll around the patio
- ✓The pellet-cleanout system at the bottom of the hopper makes swapping wood flavors quick and painless
- ✓Smoke flavor for the money is genuinely good, and the huge owner community shares plenty of mods and tips
- ✓Z Grills' customer service and replacement-part availability get solid marks from budget buyers
- ✗It tops out around 450°F with no sear mode, so it's strictly a smoker/grill and won't sear steaks at all
- ✗Thin powder-coated steel construction feels budget and can rust over time without diligent covering
- ✗WiFi reliability is the most common gripe - the connection drops and the app can be clunky to use
- ✗Temperature swings are wider than premium grills, often 20-30°F, so very delicate cooks take babysitting
- ✗There's no pellet-level sensor, so you manually monitor the hopper on long cooks
- ✗The single-wall body loses heat in cold weather and pellet consumption climbs in winter
- ✗Fit and finish is rougher than name brands, with some owners noting alignment and gasket issues out of the box
- ✗It's a direct-ship purchase you can't inspect in store, and the 3-year warranty trails Recteq's coverage