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#3 in Best Smart Pellet Grills

Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M - 11111

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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

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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

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

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

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