If you’re looking at Pit Boss, you already know you want the set-and-forget convenience of a pellet grill combined with heavy-duty construction. But staring at a lineup of grills that all look like matte-black barrels can be overwhelming.

As BBQ specialists, we speak to customers every day who are stuck between models. You don’t need a breakdown of every single grill Pit Boss has ever made. You just need to know which one fits your garden, your budget, and how many people you usually cook for.

Here is the no-nonsense guide to choosing the right Pit Boss for your patio.

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🔑 Key Takeaways

• The Pit Boss Advantage: Unlike many rival pellet grills, almost all Pit Boss models feature a slide-plate flame broiler. This means you can actually sea steaks over an open flame rather than just baking them.
• The “Goldilocks” Rule: Don’t buy a massive grill just for the sake of it. If you only cook for two people, a giant grill wastes pellets. For 90% of UK buyers, the Navigator 850 is the perfect middle ground.
• Smart Tech Costs Extra: If you want to monitor your brisket from the pub using your phone, you need to step up to the Competition Series 1600 or the Titan. The standard Navigator does not come with Wi-Fi out of the box.
• Protect Your Investment: Wood pellets and British rain are a disastrous combination. Whatever model you choose, you absolutely must budget for a heavy-duty, fitted weather cover.

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Best Pit Boss Grill for Beginners

Recommended Model: Pit Boss Navigator 550

If you are brand new to pellet smoking or you have a smaller UK garden, the Navigator 550 is your perfect entry point.

It takes the intimidation factor completely out of smoking meat. You get the exact same heavy-duty steel construction and digital temperature control as the bigger models, but in a much more manageable footprint. It’s highly affordable, making it a low-risk investment if you’re just dipping your toes into the world of low-and-slow BBQ.

• Buy this if: You usually cook for 2 to 4 people, have limited patio space, and want a budget-friendly way to learn pellet grilling.
• Don’t buy this if: You regularly host summer garden parties or want to cook multiple large briskets at once. You will outgrow it quickly.

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Best Value Pit Boss Grill

Recommended Model: Pit Boss Navigator 1230 Gas and Pellet Combination Grill

If a customer asks us, “Which one should I buy?” without giving us any other information, we point them to the Navigator 1230. It is the undisputed “Goldilocks” of the Pit Boss lineup.

It hits the absolute sweet spot between price and cooking area. With the flexibility to use pellets or gas and enough space to comfortably handle a large family roast, a couple of briskets, or a mountain of burgers and sausages, it offers incredible versatility. It’s big enough that you won’t regret not going larger, but not so massive that it wastes pellets when you’re just cooking dinner for three on a Tuesday.

• Buy this if: You want the best bang for your buck, you cook for a family of 4–6, and you want a grill that can handle both weeknight dinners and weekend entertaining.

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Best for Larger Families and Entertaining

Recommended Model: Pit Boss Navigator 1150

When you take BBQ seriously and you’re the designated host for family gatherings, the Navigator 1150 is the workhorse you need.

Cooking capacity is the name of the game here. You can load this up with multiple racks of ribs, pork shoulders, and whole chickens simultaneously. The larger hopper means you can run long, overnight brisket cooks without constantly checking your pellet levels. If you have the space for it, the extra capacity is almost always worthwhile.

• Buy this if: You regularly cook for 6+ people, host summer parties, or like to meal-prep large batches of smoked meats.

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Best Premium Pit Boss Grill

Recommended Model: Pit Boss Competition Series 1600

For the serious enthusiast who wants upgraded tech and premium features, the Competition Series 1600 is a massive step up.

This is where you get built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to monitor your meat probes and adjust grill temperatures directly from the Pit Boss app while sitting in the pub. It features a roll-top lid — which is much easier to open than standard barrel lids — a massive hopper, and an enormous cooking area.

• Buy this if: You are a BBQ enthusiast who wants smart controls, maximum capacity, and premium finishing touches.
• Don’t buy this if: You are a casual griller who prefers a simple, screen-free cooking experience.

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Best High-End / Latest Model

Recommended Model: Pit Boss Titan 1600 Competition Series

The Titan is Pit Boss’s flagship statement piece. It is built for absolute performance with heavy-gauge construction, advanced PID temperature control for pinpoint accuracy, and top-tier insulation.

We are careful not to oversell this model. It commands a premium price tag, and frankly, it is more grill than the average weekend warrior needs. But if you want the absolute latest technology, the heaviest build quality, and a grill that will be the envy of your neighbourhood, the Titan is unmatched.

• Buy this if: Budget is not an issue, you want the absolute best Pit Boss has to offer, and you demand precise temperature control in all weather conditions.

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Pit Boss Range Comparison

Model	Best for	Cooking area	Hopper size	Connectivity
Navigator 550	Beginners	Compact	Small	Upgradeable
Navigator 1150	Value / Entertaining	Medium-Large	Medium	Upgradeable
Comp Series 1600	Premium Tech	Extra Large	Extra Large	Built-in Wi-Fi
Titan 1600	High-End	Extra Large	Extra Large	Built-in Wi-Fi
Navigator 1230 Combo	Flexibility	Split (Gas/Pellet)	Medium	Upgradeable

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How to Choose the Right Pit Boss Grill

Still on the fence? Here is how we walk customers through the decision process in-store. If you’re still deciding on fuel types, you might also want to read our Pellet vs Gas vs Charcoal guide.

• Garden Size: Pellet grills need to be plugged into the mains. Ensure you have a safe, covered outdoor socket nearby. If your patio is tight, stick to the Navigator 550 . The 1150 and 1600 are heavy, wide units that demand space.
• Cooking Frequency & Family Size: Be realistic about how often you cook. If you fire up the BBQ twice a week for a family of four, the Navigator 1150 is perfect. If you only cook when you have 10+ friends over, size up.
• Beginner vs Enthusiast: Pellet grills have a very short learning curve. They are essentially outdoor ovens that produce smoke. The Navigator 550 is a great starter, but don’t be afraid to start with a 1150 — the operation is exactly the same; you just get more room to work with.
• Budget: Pit Boss offers incredible value compared to competitors. However, remember to budget for accessories: you will need a high-quality weather cover, a couple of bags of pellets, and a good meat thermometer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which Pit Boss grill is best for beginners?

The Pit Boss Navigator 550 is the best model for beginners. It features the same digital temperature controls and heavy-duty build as the larger models, but its compact size and lower price point make it a highly accessible entry into pellet grilling.

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Are Pit Boss grills worth the money?

Yes. Pit Boss is widely considered one of the best value-for-money brands on the market. They use thicker gauge steel than many similarly priced competitors, and their patented side-plate flame broiler — which allows for direct-flame searing — is a feature you usually have to pay a premium for on other brands.

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Can Pit Boss grills sear steaks?

Yes, and they do it better than most pellet grills. Almost all Pit Boss models feature a curved drip tray with a side-plate flame broiler. By sliding the plate open, you expose your food to the direct flames of the fire pot, allowing you to achieve a true, high-heat sear on steaks and burgers.

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Are Pit Boss grills good in UK weather?

Pit Boss grills are built with heavy-duty steel and high-temperature powder coats, making them robust enough for the UK climate. However, because they contain electronic components and wood pellets — which turn to mush if they get wet — you must buy a fitted, waterproof cover and ideally store the grill in a sheltered spot during heavy winter rain.

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Ready to Fire Up Your Pit Boss?

You’ve done the research, you know your budget, and you know how much patio space you have to work with. Now it’s time to stop reading and start cooking.

Whether you’re starting small with the Navigator 550 or going all-in on the Competition Series 1600, upgrading to a Pit Boss will completely transform how you BBQ at home. The set-and-forget convenience means you’ll find yourself cooking outside on a random Tuesday evening, not just waiting for the weekend.

Don’t forget to add a heavy-duty weather cover to your basket to protect your investment from the unpredictable UK weather, along with a couple of bags of competition blend pellets so you can fire it up the day it arrives.

👉 Shop the Full Pit Boss Range Here

You might also like:

• 👉 Are Pit Boss grills any good? (Honest UK review)
• 👉 Which BBQ should I buy as a beginner?
• 👉 Gas vs charcoal vs pellet grills
• 👉 A guide to different wood flavours for pellet grilling
• 👉 10 easy outdoor cooking ideas
• 👉 Outdoor hosting checklist
• 👉 Healthy BBQ recipes that don’t feel like diet food
• 👉 Easy outdoor cooking recipes to do with the kids

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