Pellet grills · Best for app control

Traeger Ironwood XL

84
Well liked
Average of 6 professional reviews
5 of 6 recommend it · one critic disagrees
Where the 6 reviews landedRange 71–89
Score printed by the outlet Estimated from the verdict

Exact average 84.0 · 0 printed, 6 estimated

Engadget's review from 2023 has no printed score; we read it as 71/100. The other 5 average 87.

Traeger Ironwood XLImage: Traeger

6 professional reviewers tested the Traeger Ironwood XL, and 5 recommend it. Most praised: ease of use. Most common complaint: price.

Reviewed by Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, Taste of Home and 3 more

The catch: The price is high for a grill that is also heavy.

6 of these 6 outlets print no score. We estimated theirs from the review text, then adjusted the estimates against the ratings outlets actually print (ours ran slightly low). An estimate is never higher than 92.

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What 6 critics said

Highest score first · all converted to 0–100
  1. 89est.
    Popular ScienceNo printed score · Hands-on review

    The reviewer finds the Ironwood XL easy to set up, very consistent, and excellent for smoking.

    Read Popular Science review
  2. 89est.
    Popular MechanicsNo printed score · Hands-on review

    Awarded best large smart pellet grill after testing, with easy cleanup, a touchscreen and remote app control.

    Read Popular Mechanics review
  3. 89est.
    Taste of HomeNo printed score · Hands-on review · 2025

    The test kitchen gives this large pellet grill a hearty thumbs-up for consistent results and easy, hands-off cooking.

    Read Taste of Home review
  4. 83est.
    Bob VilaNo printed score · Hands-on review

    A short gift-guide blurb says the grill's food came out well and it is easy to control through the screen and app.

    Read Bob Vila review
  5. 83est.
    CNETNo printed score · Buying guide · 2026

    Named best pellet grill after a 24-hour cooking test; it handled a range of meats well and has a strong app.

    Read CNET review
  6. 71est.
    EngadgetNo printed score · Hands-on review · 2023

    The reviewer finds the redesigned Ironwood cooks well and has nice upgrades, but the large price jump hurts its value.

    Read Engadget review

"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates

What critics praise most

Ease of use3 of 6

What critics dislike most

Price5 of 6

Other pellet grills critics rate highly

Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XLImage: Ninja
Best overallNinja Woodfire Pro Connect XL5 reviews · broad agreement93
Traeger Woodridge ProImage: Traeger
Most reviewed pickTraeger Woodridge Pro7 reviews · critics agree85

Also reviewed, not yet scored

Common questions

Is the Traeger Ironwood XL worth it?

Most critics think so: 5 of 6 recommend it. The price is high for a grill that is also heavy.

Do critics agree about the Traeger Ironwood XL?

One critic disagrees: scores range from 71 (Engadget) to 89 (Popular Science), a spread of 18 points across 6 reviews. Engadget's review from 2023 has no printed score; we read it as 71/100. The other 5 average 87.

What do critics dislike about the Traeger Ironwood XL?

Price (5 of 6 reviews).

What is the best alternative to the Traeger Ironwood XL?

The Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL (critic score 93), best overall.