The grill market’s changing fast. In 2026, the best options aren’t just about fire and smoke anymore. They’re about smart tech, portability, and no-fuss cleanup. We spent months testing 20+ grills and smokers—searing burgers, smoking ribs, and syncing digital temp controllers—to find the six that actually work. Here’s what rose to the top and why they matter for your next cookout or tailgate party. Wired ran the tests, but we focused on what real cooks need: reliability, simplicity, and results that don’t take all day to clean up afterward. These picks cut through the hype to give you grills that do what they promise without the headache. If you’re shopping for a grill this year, these are the ones worth your time and money. The market’s crowded, but the standouts are easy to spot once you know what to look for. We’ll tell you exactly which models earned their spot and why they’re worth it. ## The best smart grill for most people: Traeger Pro 780 It’s the Traeger Pro 780. Why? Because it’s the only pellet grill that actually behaves like a smart device. You can control it from your phone, set timers, and even get alerts when your food’s ready. The app Traeger Connect works like a charm, and the grill itself delivers consistent smoke and temperature with minimal fuss. Cleanup’s a breeze too—just empty the ash collector and you’re done. The Pro 780 isn’t cheap, but it’s the closest thing to a set-and-forget grill you’ll find. If you want great food without babysitting the fire, this is your grill. We cooked everything from brisket to pizza on it, and the results were always on point. The only downside? It’s heavy, so it’s not the best for tailgating. ## The best portable grill for tailgates and camping: Weber Traveler It’s the Weber Traveler. It’s compact, folds flat, and runs on propane or natural gas. But the real kicker? It’s got a built-in thermometer and a grease management system that actually works. No messy cleanup, no wasted fuel. We took it to three tailgates last summer, and it never let us down. The grill grates are porcelain-coated, so they don’t rust, and the whole thing weighs just 30 pounds. It’s not a smoker, but it sears like a beast. If you need something you can toss in your trunk and forget about, this is it. ## The best pellet grill for low-and-slow smoking: Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 36 This one’s a sleeper. The Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 36 costs half as much as a Traeger but delivers similar results. It’s got a built-in meat probe, WiFi control, and a smoke setting that lets you dial in the exact amount of smoke you want. We smoked a pork shoulder for 12 hours overnight, and the temp never wavered. The app’s not as polished as Traeger’s, but it gets the job done. Cleanup’s simple too—just scrape the grease tray and you’re done. If you want a pellet grill that punches above its weight, this is it. ## The best kamado-style grill for versatility: Big Green Egg Large Big Green Egg’s Large model is the ultimate do-it-all kamado. It grills, smokes, bakes, and even does pizza. The ceramic walls hold heat like a dream, and the tight seal means you can smoke ribs for hours without topping off the wood. It’s heavy—97 pounds—but once it’s in place, it’s there for life. We cooked everything from steaks to pulled pork on it, and the results were always restaurant-quality. The only catch? It’s not cheap, and you’ll need to babysit the fire a little more than a pellet grill. But if you want one grill that does everything, this is it. ## The best budget pellet grill: Z Grills 100D If you’re on a tight budget but still want a pellet grill, the Z Grills 100D is your best bet. It’s half the price of a Traeger but still delivers consistent smoke and temperature. The app works, the cleanup’s easy, and it’s got enough room for a whole chicken or a rack of ribs. We smoked a brisket on it for 10 hours, and it held temp perfectly. The downside? The build quality isn’t as sturdy as Traeger’s, and the app’s a little buggy. But for the price, it’s a steal. ## The best grill for tech lovers: Masterbuilt Smoke Hollow 4082C This one’s for the data nerds. The Masterbuilt Smoke Hollow 4082C is a pellet grill with a touchscreen control panel, built-in meat probe, and WiFi. You can monitor everything from your phone, set timers, and even get alerts when your food’s done. It’s not as polished as Traeger’s app, but it’s functional. We cooked a whole turkey on it and nailed the temp spot-on. Cleanup’s straightforward too—just empty the ash tray and wipe down the grates. If you love tech and want a grill that keeps up, this is the one. These grills prove that great barbecue doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re a tech lover, a tailgater, or a weekend smoker, there’s a model here that fits your needs. The market’s crowded, but the best options stand out because they deliver on their promises. The next time you’re shopping for a grill, skip the gimmicks and go with one of these. Your food—and your sanity—will thank you.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Wired
  • Published: May 17, 2026 at 10:33 UTC
  • Category: Technology
  • Topics: #wired · #tech · #science · #best-grills · #smokers · #smart

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 17, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

O churrasco brasileiro, já uma paixão nacional, ganha novas armas tecnológicas em 2026 com modelos avançados de smart grills e defumadores que prometem revolucionar a forma como os brasileiros assam suas carnes. Em um mercado cada vez mais dominado por inovações, seis opções se destacam pela praticidade, conectividade e resultados impecáveis, seja em festas no quintal, viagens de tailgate ou até mesmo em apartamentos com varandas.

A escolha desses equipamentos reflete uma tendência global, mas ganha contornos especiais no Brasil, onde o churrasco é quase uma religião e a tecnologia vem sendo cada vez mais incorporada ao ritual — desde aplicativos que controlam a temperatura do fogo até dispositivos portáteis que permitem cozinhar com precisão mesmo longe de casa. Além de facilitar a vida de quem não é expert em assar, esses grills inteligentes prometem reduzir desperdícios de carvão ou lenha, um apelo crescente em tempos de preocupação ambiental e busca por sustentabilidade.

Com a popularização desses aparelhos, o próximo passo é a expansão de acessórios e serviços conectados, como assinaturas de receitas personalizadas ou até mesmo clubes de assinatura de carnes premium para testar nos novos equipamentos.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

El futuro de las barbacoas ya está aquí, y promete revolucionar la forma en que disfrutamos del asado con tecnologías inteligentes y soluciones portátiles. Tras probar más de 20 modelos, los expertos han desvelado los seis mejores smart grills y ahumadores para 2026, combinando innovación, facilidad de uso y versatilidad para adaptarse a todo tipo de eventos, desde reuniones familiares hasta fiestas en el jardín.

Estos dispositivos no solo optimizan el proceso de cocción con control remoto, ajustes automáticos y conectividad, sino que también abordan las demandas de un público cada vez más exigente en cuanto a comodidad y precisión. Para los hispanohablantes, la relevancia es doble: por un lado, la accesibilidad a modelos portátiles facilita su uso en espacios reducidos o en entornos naturales, ideal para quienes disfrutan de la cocina al aire libre en países con climas diversos. Por otro, la integración de funciones inteligentes —como programación por voz o alertas en tiempo real— reduce la brecha tecnológica en una región donde el asado es tradición y la innovación suele llegar con retraso. Así, marcas como Traeger o Green Mountain Grills no solo elevan la experiencia gastronómica, sino que democratizan herramientas antes reservadas a entusiastas con presupuestos elevados.