VerdictAI
#3 in Best Smart Pellet Grills

Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M - 11111

PIT BOSS · 2 more picks

Best for

Best Pit Boss

Amazon rating

★★★★★4.4(25)

Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score

Verdict scoreGreat
80/ 100

Based on 2 trusted sources

Current price

$799.99

Check Price

Updated May 20, 2026 · 1 min read

Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M - 11111

Sources behind this verdict

10 reviewers weighted by source trust

Methodology →

The consensus

What reviewers found

Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.

Across the reviewers we read, the Pit Boss Navigator 850 stands out from the Traeger field on one specific axis: open-flame searing. Coverage at burningbrisket.com describes it as sturdy and better at open-flame grilling than most pellet grills in its price range, and a Reddit thread cited from r/pelletgrills features an owner saying the open fire pot produced the best steaks they've ever had. The flame broiler lever reaches up to 1000°F per the Amazon product listing.

What reviewers liked

  • Flame broiler lever enables direct-flame searing up to 1000°F (Amazon listing; corroborated by community)
  • 932 sq. in. cooking area is generous for the price point
  • Long-term r/BBQ and r/PitBossGrills owners report multi-year reliability with minimal repairs
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth control included at a lower price than comparable Traegers

Where it falls short

  • r/PitBossGrills users note the burn pot is not removable, complicating ash cleanout
  • Pit Boss product page user feedback mentions missing smokestack and built-in thermometer
  • Thin Amazon review volume (25) limits statistical confidence in the customer signal
  • Pellet-grill community consensus broadly questions Pit Boss build quality vs. premium brands

More from PIT BOSS

See all PIT BOSS picks →

Embed our score

Sell this product? Show off the rank.

Free badge for the brand, retailer, or anyone covering this product. Copy the snippet and paste it anywhere HTML works. Updates automatically when the ranking changes.

VerdictAI score badge for Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M - 11111

Includes a credit link back to this page. No tracking; no JavaScript.

Across the reviews

Synthesis · not our verdict

Across the reviewers we read, the Pit Boss Navigator 850 stands out from the Traeger field on one specific axis: open-flame searing. Coverage at burningbrisket.com describes it as sturdy and better at open-flame grilling than most pellet grills in its price range, and a Reddit thread cited from r/pelletgrills features an owner saying the open fire pot produced the best steaks they've ever had. The flame broiler lever reaches up to 1000°F per the Amazon product listing.

Long-term reliability sentiment in the Pit Boss community is generally positive. A multi-year owner on r/BBQ reported a single auger motor replacement over 5+ years on an older Pit Boss 850, and r/PitBossGrills owners with the competition trim cite the Wi-Fi monitoring as a meaningful upgrade. The most consistent criticism, surfaced on r/PitBossGrills, is that the Navigator 850 has a non-removable burn pot, with users pointing to the 850 Pro about $200 higher as the better long-term buy for ash cleanout.

For a buyer who prioritizes high-heat searing and a competitive price-to-cooking-area ratio over Traeger's app polish, mainstream coverage and community consensus point to the Navigator 850 as a strong Pit Boss pick.

Key specs

Source: Amazon listing
Spacious Cooking
932 square inches
Temperature Control
180F - 500F
Smart Control
Wi-Fi & Bluetooth connected
Intense Heat
Flame Broiler Lever up to 1000F
Pellet Capacity
30 lb. for long, slow cooks
Cooking Grids
2 oven-style, porcelain-coated steel
Temperature Monitoring
2 meat probe ports, 1 probe included
Storage & Prep
Front, side, and bottom shelves with tool hooks

What customers say

2 verified voices
The opened fire pot makes the best steaks I've ever had. And has worked liked a dream for the past 2 months. Bought it in march and since those ...
Trustedvia r/pelletgrills
The 850 navigator doesn't have a removable burn pot. The 850 pro does. They are around $200 more but well worth it for a better controller unit ...
Supportingvia r/PitBossGrills

Trust tier reflects our editorial assessment of the source, not the individual quote. Hover for the rationale. See how we tier sources →

Video review

0 views

In-Depth Walkthrough Of The Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet BBQ Grill” · YouTube

If the consensus convinced you

Check current price on Amazon

Pricing and availability change frequently. Tap through to confirm before buying.