Z Grills Wood Pellet Smoker Grill 8in
Score: 82/100
Masterbuilt 40-inch ThermoTemp Vertical BBQ Smoker
Score: 74/100$369.00
Rankings
The Z Grills ZPG-7002E is an 8-in-1 wood-pellet grill with a spacious cooking area, rapid heat-up, and precise ±5°F PID temperature control. Its considerable weight and initial heavy smoke are notable drawbacks. Best for intermediate to advanced home cooks who value performance and have space for a larger, heavier grill.
The Masterbuilt MB20051316 is a 40-inch vertical propane smoker featuring ThermoTemp automatic temperature regulation and a generous 960 sq in cooking area. Its large size and lack of digital features make it less portable and limit high-heat options. Ideal for large gatherings where set-and-forget convenience outweighs the need for advanced connectivity.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
4.84 sqft | 6.67 sqftbest | |
450 °Fbest | 375 °F | |
| ↓ lower better | 84 lbbest | 92 lb |
| ↓ lower better | 51 inbest | 53 in |
| ↓ lower better | 22 inbest | 28.7 in |
| ↓ lower better | 48 in | 22.8 inbest |
2 | 4best | |
| ↓ lower better | 5 °Fbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(3) | ||
Cooking Area (Total) (sqft) | 4.84 sqft | 6.67 sqft |
Maximum Temperature (°F) | 450 °F | 375 °F |
Fuel Type | Wood Pellet | Propane |
Build & Design(4) | ||
Weight (lb) | 84 lb | 92.0 lb |
Height (in) | 51 in | 53.0 in |
Width (in) | 22 in | 28.7 in |
Length (in) | 48 in | 22.8 in |
Controls(1) | ||
Control Type | Digital PID | Analog |
Features(1) | ||
Number of Racks | 2 | 4 |
General(1) | ||
Warranty (years) | 3 years | 1 years |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers acknowledge the ZPG-7002E's solid build quality, large cooking area, and precise digital temperature control, but criticize the heavy smoke produced during the first burn-in and the absence of smart-app connectivity.
Everyday users generally praise the generous cooking surface and the convenience of automatic temperature regulation, while recurring complaints focus on the heavy initial smoke output and the unit's considerable weight, which makes moving it cumbersome.
“Heavy smoke during initial burn-in and first cook on the ZPG-7002E.”
