I’ve spent the better part of the last year deciding what pellet smoker to get for my backyard. For the longest time, I was using the GE Profile Indoor smoker because I had no outdoor space. As soon as I signed the lease for my new apartment, which has a private backyard, I was scoping grills and smokers. Weber’s Spirit grill was an easy decision, but smokers had me back and forth between Traeger, Recteq, Pit Boss, and Camp Chef. I narrowed it down to two: Traeger versus Recteq.

It’s a hot topic of debate on Reddit and other grilling forums. Traeger is the best-known name in the product category because it created it. Joe Traeger invented the first pellet grill in 1985, and Traeger was the only option for decades until its patent expired in 2006. Once that happened, the floodgates opened for newcomers to get into the smoking game, and nothing fuels innovation like competition. Now there are plenty of options, but they all must tip their cap to Traeger.

I’ve tested a couple of Traeger grills, namely the Pro Series 22 and the Woodridge Pro. They were solid forays into smoking—I had a refined palate for smoked meats growing up in Houston, Texas, but had never actually smoked anything myself. Traeger grills made everything straightforward and easy for an armchair enthusiast like myself. However, they left me wanting more.

I recently got the chance to test Recteq’s newest grill, the Deck Boss 900. A mid-size smoker comparable to Traeger’s Woodridge Pro. After using it for a couple of months, I can wholeheartedly say it has a permanent place in my backyard.

Recteq’s build quality is noticeably heftier than the Traeger’s I tested. The lid is heavier, and the body is thicker, but the side-mounted electric component is more compact. It’s the closest I’ll get to the cast-iron smoking rigs I’d see hitched to trailers back home. Plus, the bull-horn handles are absurd in the best way possible. They’re the first thing people comment on when we go to the backyard. Very Texas indeed.

I also decided on Recteq for its excellent customer service and warranty. The brand’s U.S.-based customer service team was highly touted in reviews for being fast and responsive. I was pleasantly surprised to find these rumors true! I had an issue on initial assembly with some wiring and contacted the team. Within a day, they got back to me with a step-by-step video they shot pinpointing my exact problem. Recteq also sells replacement parts for its grills, meaning you don’t have to toss the entire thing if one component fails.

I also spoke with test editors David Dritsas and Brad Ford for their input on the matter. Both agree that Traeger lost some of its prowess when it was acquired by a larger company, and that construction quality seemed to dip.

“For a while, they were riding that status as first/best. Once the patent ran out, a lot of companies caught up and surpassed them, improving on the pellet grill design, functionality, and adding tech features,” says Ford. “I would say Traeger has caught up now, though.” Ford still enjoys using his Traeger Timberline XL at home, though he notes that the Recteq X-Fire Pro gets much hotter. It was also a winner of the 2026 Gear of the Year Awards.

“Recteq, in my opinion, appeals to more sophisticated grillers and smokers. I don't know that they are necessarily constructed any beefier, but they seem to at least present that facade,” says Ford. “They definitely have more unique designs, with pellet hoppers in front or behind, making for a narrower footprint on a similarly sized grill.” A design note I very much appreciate in my current small backyard.

I’m no pit master, but smoked meats have a sacred place in my heart. I’ve enjoyed testing models from different brands and have had my share of dried-out pork butt and undercooked chicken. All this to say, I’m an armchair enthusiast who enjoys trying my unperfected processes. However, I’ve had experience with both Traeger and Recteq, but only one was actually worth bringing to my backyard.