Grills & smokers · owner-verdict comparison

Traeger Pro 575 vs Weber Smokey Mountain 18: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Weber Smokey Mountain 18: 76% of 339 owners recommend it, vs 57% of 127 for the Traeger Pro 575.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Traeger Pro 575

57%of 127 owners recommend
57% recommend · 13% neutral · 30% don't
Owners praise
  • Extremely easy to use, almost set-and-forget like an oven
  • WiFi and companion app make monitoring and control convenient
  • Produces great-tasting, juicy food with consistent results
Owners complain about
  • Weak, mild smoke flavor compared to stick burners or charcoal
  • Can't sear, tops out around 500F
  • Inaccurate built-in temperature probe, often reads off by 10-45 degrees
Full owner report →

Weber Smokey Mountain 18

76%of 339 owners recommend
76% recommend · 12% neutral · 12% don't
Owners praise
  • Easy to use, forgiving, and beginner-friendly
  • Holds steady temperature for hours, nearly set-and-forget
  • Solidly built and lasts for many years
Owners complain about
  • Too small to fit large briskets or full racks of ribs without trimming
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Traeger Pro 575 if
  • ✓Beginners wanting easy, set-and-forget pellet cooking
  • ✓Owners who like WiFi app monitoring from their phone
  • ✓Low-and-slow smokers doing pork butts and brisket
  • ✓Small households cooking for a few people
Skip it if
  • Anyone wanting a hard sear or high-heat grilling
  • Heavy smoke-flavor chasers, since it burns clean
Get the Weber Smokey Mountain 18 if
  • ✓First-time smokers wanting an easy, forgiving charcoal smoker
  • ✓Backyard cooks feeding a family of four
  • ✓Cooks wanting rock-solid temps for long overnight cooks
  • ✓Buyers prioritizing durability and simplicity over gadgets
Skip it if
  • Cooks doing full untrimmed briskets or big-batch ribs
  • Anyone needing more capacity (step up to the 22")

What Traeger Pro 575 owners say

“BEST STEAK EVER!!!”
— @Onix.556 on YouTube
“IT IS AWESOME!! absolutely awesome.”
— @francescodox78 on YouTube
“I traded in my Traeger Pro 575 for a Jim non wifi. Much much happier and works like it should ( surprising, right).”
— xxdibxx on Reddit

What Weber Smokey Mountain 18 owners say

“the 18 is an engineering masterpiece for several reasons”
— @Hoosier-Dave on YouTube
“Best $40 I've spent”
— @chriscooper1657 on YouTube
“I usually find a slight acrid taste to the food so I'll give this approach a try (assuming cleaner smoke).”
— @ants7075 on YouTube

Traeger Pro 575 vs Weber Smokey Mountain 18: frequently asked questions

Is the Traeger Pro 575 or the Weber Smokey Mountain 18 better?

Real owners lean toward the Weber Smokey Mountain 18: 76% of 339 owners recommend it, vs 57% of 127 for the Traeger Pro 575.

Who should get the Traeger Pro 575?

Owners point the Traeger Pro 575 at beginners wanting easy, set-and-forget pellet cooking, and owners who like WiFi app monitoring from their phone.

Who should get the Weber Smokey Mountain 18?

Owners point the Weber Smokey Mountain 18 at first-time smokers wanting an easy, forgiving charcoal smoker, and backyard cooks feeding a family of four.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Traeger Pro 575 is weak, mild smoke flavor compared to stick burners or charcoal. For the Weber Smokey Mountain 18, it's too small to fit large briskets or full racks of ribs without trimming.