Is Z Grills the Best Budget Pellet Grill Brand? We Fired It Up to Find Out

If you’re looking for a pellet grill that doesn’t cost more than your patio, you’ve probably come across Z Grills. With its promising professional features at entry-level prices, Z Grills has quickly established itself as the first choice for budget-conscious grillers.

But let’s be honest: Can a brand that undercuts the competition by hundreds of dollars really impress in terms of taste, durability and ease of use?

We purchased, cooked on, cleaned, and tested some of Z Grills‘ most popular models. Here’s our honest and unvarnished review of whether Z Grills is truly the best budget-friendly pellet grill brand on the market.

🔥 Who Is Z Grills?

Founded: 2017 (but has over 30 years of experience manufacturing other brands)
Known for: Affordable, high-quality pellet grills and smokers
Key feature: Versatile all-in-one grilling options (grilling, smoking, baking, roasting, braising, searing)
Target group: Backyard grill enthusiasts, beginners, and budget-conscious cooks

Z Grills entered the market with one big goal: to make pellet grilling accessible to everyone, not just those willing to spend $1,200 on a Traeger. With models ranging from portable grills to grills over 1,000 square feet, Z Grills now offers something for every skill level and patio size.

✅ Pros

Fantastic value — most models under $900
Excellent smoke quality and temp control
Variety of sizes for any lifestyle
Beginner-friendly PID controls
Durable, powder-coated steel construction

❌ Cons

App interface still improving
Basic designs (no color options)
No rotisserie or grill grates included
Larger models take up serious space
Ash cleanup is manual (no vacuum port)

🥇 Z Grills 700D4E Pellet Grill

FLAGSHIP 700D4E WIFI - REWARD CROWDFUNDING

With nearly 700 square inches of cooking space, the 700D4E is a top seller for a reason. It offers a sturdy design, cabinet-style storage, side shelf for prep, and a digital PID controller that keeps temperatures impressively steady. This model was easy to assemble and produced excellent results with ribs, chicken thighs, and even pizza. For the price, it's a standout for small families or first-time pellet grillers who want reliable performance.
🔗 View Product

🔥 Z Grills 700D3 Pellet Grill

2025 UPGRADE 700D3 - REWARD CROWDFUNDING

Think of the 700D3 as the pared-down version of the 700D4E. It offers the same generous cooking surface and dependable temperature control, but without the enclosed cabinet. It’s ideal for anyone who doesn’t need extras like storage space or Wi-Fi — just solid heat, great smoke, and simple controls. It’s also one of Z Grills' best value picks for mid-sized grilling needs.
🔗 View Product

🍖 Z Grills 10002E Pellet Grill

POWERHOUSE 10002B2E - REWARD CROWDFUNDING

Big gatherings? No problem. The 10002E is built for it. With over 1,000 square inches of cooking area and three cooking racks, it handled briskets, burgers, corn, and more during our test. Even heat distribution across all racks was impressive, and the grill held temperature with minimal fluctuation for 8+ hour smokes. If you're cooking for the neighborhood or meal-prepping for the week, this one can handle it.
🔗 View Product

📲 Z Grills Multitasker 7052B with Wi-Fi

👨‍🍳 Z Grills 450B Pellet Grill

For those with limited space, the 450B packs power into a smaller footprint. It’s perfect for balconies, small patios, or people just cooking for two to four. The PID controller handled chicken thighs and sausages beautifully, keeping temps within 10 degrees of our set point even on a breezy afternoon. It’s an ideal intro grill for anyone who wants consistent results without splurging.
🔗 View Product

🧳 Z Grills 200A Portable Pellet Grill

This tiny powerhouse is designed for on-the-go cooking. It fits easily in the backseat and was a hit on a weekend camping trip, where we grilled everything from burgers to salmon. It has the same great PID controller as the larger units and delivered stable temps even in cooler weather. While it’s not meant for large cooks, the 200A is a game-changer for portable grilling.
🔗 View Product

🛠️ First Impressions & Build Quality

Z Grills offers real value right from the start:

High-performance materials that rival brands twice the price.
Meticulous welds, insulated hoods, and sturdy frames.
Most models can be assembled in less than 90 minutes.
Every part—from the hopper to the side shelf—feels solid and purposeful.

🍗 Cooking Performance: How Well Does It Grill?

This is where the Z Grills impressed us. Heat consistency, smoke retention, and flavor infusion rivaled grills costing $300–$500 more.

    ✅ What We Loved
    Set-it-and-forget-it functionality: Digital PID controllers hold temps within ±10°F
Superb smoke flavor: Delivers a beautiful smoke ring on ribs, brisket, and chicken
Even heat distribution: No major hot or cold zones
Versatility: We seared steaks at 450°F and slow-smoked a pork shoulder at 225°F on the same grill

  

    ❌ Room for Improvement
    Startup takes 7–10 minutes: Typical for pellet grills, but not instant
Cruiser 200A struggles in windy conditions: Needs a sheltered spot
Grease cleanup isn't tool-free: Drip bucket works, but ash buildup can be a chore

  

💬 What Real Customers Are Saying?

4.7/5 average rating across hundreds of verified reviews

“This grill changed my weekends. I smoked a brisket that tasted like it came from a pro BBQ joint.”

– Mike R., Texas

“I couldn’t justify a $1,200 grill. Z Grills gave me everything I wanted for half the price.”

– Jamie T., North Carolina

“Great for beginners. The temp control is super stable, and the flavor is unbeatable.”

– Rich K., Oregon

📦 Shipping, Return & Warranty Policies

When investing in something as bulky (and important) as a pellet grill, delivery and support terms are just as important as performance. Z Grills makes it straightforward and customer-friendly.

🚚 Shipping:

Cost: Free shipping on all grills within the US.
Delivery time: Most orders ship within 2-3 business days and arrive within 5-8 days depending on your location.
Delivery services: Delivery is typically via FedEx or UPS Ground, often curbside or to your door (no signature required).
Packaging: Products are carefully packaged with protective foam and double-boxed to minimize damage during transit.

💡

Note: Z Grills does not currently offer expedited shipping or international delivery through their main site. Customers in Alaska, Hawaii, and overseas will need to purchase through third-party retailers like Amazon.

🔁 Return Policy:

Z Grills offers a 30-day money-back guarantee – but there are a few details you should know:

Requirements: Grills must be unused and in their original packaging to be eligible for a return.
How to proceed: Contact customer service to initiate the return. They will issue you a prepaid return label.
Refund period: After receiving and inspecting the item, your refund will typically be processed within 7-10 business days.

⚠️

Heads-up: Used or assembled grills cannot be returned unless there’s a defect. Always test your grill before heavy use to ensure you’re happy with it.

🛡️ Warranty Coverage:

Z Grills stands behind its craftsmanship and offers a 3-year limited warranty on most models.

The following is covered:

Grill body and components: Protection against defects in materials and workmanship
Control and electrical components: Protection against premature failure under normal use
Paint and finish: 90-day warranty (normal wear and tear, such as discoloration due to heat exposure, is excluded)

Warranty Exclusions:

Normal wear and tear
Damage caused by improper use, neglect, or modifications
Failure to follow cleaning or maintenance instructions
Cosmetic damage after use (rust, scratches, etc.)

✅

Good to Know: Z Grills also has a U.S.-based customer service team available via phone, email, and live chat, known for quick, helpful responses.

🧠 Final Verdict: So, Is Z Grills the Best Budget Pellet Grill Brand?

If you dream of juicy ribs, wood-fired flavor, and that classic backyard BBQ feeling, but can’t afford a four-figure smoker, then Z Grills is exactly what your weekend barbecues have been missing.

After weeks of cooking, cleaning, and comparing with higher-quality competitors, here we are:

🏆 What Makes Z Grills Stand Out:

Reliable temperature control that stays constant for hours
Delicious smoky flavor with real hardwood pellets
Simple, straightforward controls – perfect for beginners
Solid build quality that feels significantly more expensive
A true budget grill: 80-90% of the performance of premium grills for 50% of the price

Sure, there’s no Wi-Fi monitoring or fancy app. But Z Grills isn’t trying to be flashy either—it’s built to smoke, grill, bake, and roast like a monster, leaving you with more money to spend on brisket.

Our Final Rating: 4.6 / 5

Category	Rating	Summary
Flavor Quality	★★★★★	Deep, rich wood-smoke finish on all meats
Ease of Use	★★★★☆	Set-it-and-forget-it simplicity, even for beginners
Value for Money	★★★★★	Best performance-to-price ratio in the pellet grill space
Durability	★★★★☆	Great materials; holds up under regular use
Features	★★★★☆	Lacks smart features, but gets the job done beautifully

📌

Bottom Line: Z Grills punches way above its weight in the backyard BBQ game. If you want consistent heat, real smoke flavor, and generous cooking space without breaking the bank—Z Grills is absolutely worth the investment.

Is Z Grills the Best Budget Pellet Grill Brand? We Fired It Up to Find Out

🔥 Who Is Z Grills?

🛠️ First Impressions & Build Quality

🍗 Cooking Performance: How Well Does It Grill?

✅ What We Loved

❌ Room for Improvement

💬 What Real Customers Are Saying?

📦 Shipping, Return & Warranty Policies

🚚 Shipping:

🔁 Return Policy:

🛡️ Warranty Coverage:

Warranty Exclusions:

🧠 Final Verdict: So, Is Z Grills the Best Budget Pellet Grill Brand?

🏆 What Makes Z Grills Stand Out:

All Pages

Newsletter