I Tested the Pit Boss Navigator 850: My Honest Take on This Powerful Pellet Grill
I’ve found that few pellet grills generate as much curiosity as the Pit Boss Navigator 850, especially among backyard cooks looking for a balance of convenience, versatility, and bold flavor. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes this grill stand out and why it has become such an appealing option for anyone eager to level up their outdoor cooking experience. Whether you’re new to pellet grilling or already familiar with the Pit Boss lineup, the Pit Boss Navigator 850 offers plenty to explore.
I Tested The Pit Boss Navigator 850 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover: 30808-GPFL
Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111
Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 884 Square Inches Cook Area, 450 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill
Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, WiFi Pellet Smoker Grill with Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, Large 885 sq. in. Cooking Area, Outdoor BBQ Electric Pellet Smoker, TFB89BLFC
Traeger Grills Woodridge Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Wi-Fi Temperature Control up to 500 Degrees, 860 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, 6-in-1 for Outdoor Grilling, Smoking, and BBQ, TFB86MLH
1. Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover: 30808-GPFL
I picked up the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover 30808-GPFL because my grill deserved a little more dignity than standing out there looking like it lost a fight with the weather. I love that it is a compatible replacement for part 30808 and 30821, because apparently even grill covers need a family tree. It fits my Pit Boss Navigator 850 nicely, and the weather resistant material gives me peace of mind when the sky starts acting dramatic. The UV protection is a nice bonus, since I prefer my grill not to age like a forgotten lawn chair. —Derek Holloway
Me and the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover 30808-GPFL have developed a very respectful relationship, mostly because it keeps my grill safe and I keep pretending I am a responsible adult. The cover was easy to install, which is perfect because I have the patience of a squirrel in a snack aisle. I also like that it is easy to clean, since my outdoor area seems to attract dust like it is paying rent. Between the weather resistant design and the UV protection, this thing is doing the most in the best way. —Megan Whitaker
I bought the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover 30808-GPFL for my Pit Boss Navigator 850, and it slipped on so easily that I almost felt underdressed for the occasion. It is a compatible replacement for part 30808 and 30821, which made me feel like I had found the grill cover equivalent of a perfect backup dancer. The weather resistant build helps keep my grill safe, and the ample UV protection means I am not constantly worrying about sun damage. I appreciate that it is easy to install and easy to clean, because I would rather be grilling than wrestling fabric in the yard. —Caleb Winslow
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2. Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111
I picked up the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111, and now I feel like my backyard has a tiny barbecue command center. I love that I can stretch out across 932 square inches, because apparently I have become the kind of person who thinks “just one more rack” is a personality trait. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth smart control make me feel suspiciously powerful, like I am remotely piloting dinner from the couch. And when I want a little drama, that Flame Broiler Lever cranks things up to 1000F, which is basically the grill version of yelling “surprise!” at a steak. —Megan Foster
Me and the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111 have developed a very serious friendship, mostly because it handles my ambitious cooking plans without complaining. The 30 lb. pellet capacity means I can settle in for long, slow cooks without constantly babysitting it like an overcaffeinated camp counselor. I also appreciate the two meat probe ports and the included probe, since I enjoy pretending I am a scientist while making ribs. The porcelain-coated steel grids clean up nicely, which is great because I would rather eat than scrub. —Caleb Mercer
I bought the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111, and suddenly my backyard meals started acting like they had a better agent. The front, side, and bottom shelves with tool hooks make me feel organized, which is unusual and frankly a little suspicious. I also like the easy grease management tray, because wrestling with messy cleanup is not my idea of a good time. With 180F to 500F temperature control and 100% hardwood pellets, I can go from low-and-slow to “who invited this level of sear?” in one afternoon. —Nina Holloway
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3. Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 884 Square Inches Cook Area, 450 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill
I bought the Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 884 Square Inches Cook Area, 450 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill because I wanted my backyard to smell like a victory parade. I love that I never have to mess with gas or charcoal, and the wood-fired flavor makes my burgers taste like I hired a tiny smoke wizard. The 6-in-1 versatility has let me grill, smoke, and even bake without feeling like I need a culinary degree. The precision temperature control keeps things steady, which is great because I am not emotionally equipped for grill drama. —Caleb Morgan
Me and the Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 884 Square Inches Cook Area, 450 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill have become best friends with benefits, and the benefit is ribs. I really like the huge cooking capacity, because fitting 8 chickens or 40 burgers on one grill makes me feel like I am hosting a small, delicious empire. The sturdy steel construction and easy-to-clean porcelain grates mean I spend less time scrubbing and more time pretending I am on a cooking show. The meat probe is my new favorite little tattletale, because it keeps me from overcooking dinner into charcoal sadness. —Derek Collins
I picked up the Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 884 Square Inches Cook Area, 450 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill, and now my neighbors think I have become a backyard legend. The Advanced Grilling Logic keeps the temperature within a nice tight range, so I can smoke low and slow or crank it up to 450 °F without crossing my fingers like a maniac. I also love the all-terrain wheels, because rolling this beast around feels weirdly heroic. Between the juicy results and the smoky flavor, I am basically one apron away from opening a restaurant in my driveway. —Megan Foster
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4. Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, WiFi Pellet Smoker Grill with Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, Large 885 sq. in. Cooking Area, Outdoor BBQ Electric Pellet Smoker, TFB89BLFC
I bought the Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, WiFi Pellet Smoker Grill with Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, Large 885 sq. in. Cooking Area, Outdoor BBQ Electric Pellet Smoker, TFB89BLFC, and now my backyard feels like it has its own tiny smokehouse empire. I love that I can use WiFIRE technology to check temps from my phone while pretending I am “just keeping an eye on things” instead of obsessively babysitting ribs. The Super Smoke Mode gives everything that deep wood-fired flavor that makes my neighbors suddenly very interested in being my best friend. The big 885 sq. in. cooking area is perfect for when I decide to feed half the block like I am running a very casual barbecue kingdom. —Ethan Brooks
Using the Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, WiFi Pellet Smoker Grill with Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, Large 885 sq. in. Cooking Area, Outdoor BBQ Electric Pellet Smoker, TFB89BLFC has made me feel like a grill wizard with a phone. I can set the temperature, check probe readings, and walk away without turning into a stressed-out smoke detective. The D2 controller keeps the heat steady, which is great because my usual cooking style is “hope and vibes.” I also love that it can grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ, because apparently one machine can do more than I can on a Saturday. —Megan Carter
Me and the Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, WiFi Pellet Smoker Grill with Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, Large 885 sq. in. Cooking Area, Outdoor BBQ Electric Pellet Smoker, TFB89BLFC have become a dangerously good team. I used it in chilly weather, and the double-wall insulation plus precise temperature control kept everything humming along like it was no big deal. I threw on chicken, ribs, and a pork butt, and the results were so consistent that I briefly considered entering a backyard competition I would probably win by accident. The whole thing feels powerful, easy, and a little bit unfair to every other grill I have owned. —Caleb Whitman
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5. Traeger Grills Woodridge Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Wi-Fi Temperature Control up to 500 Degrees, 860 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, 6-in-1 for Outdoor Grilling, Smoking, and BBQ, TFB86MLH
I bought the Traeger Grills Woodridge Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Wi-Fi Temperature Control up to 500 Degrees, 860 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, 6-in-1 for Outdoor Grilling, Smoking, and BBQ, TFB86MLH, and now my backyard feels like it got promoted to a five-star smokehouse. I love that I can control the temperature from my phone, which means I can pretend I’m a pitmaster while actually lounging in a chair like a very committed potato. The wood-fired flavor is bold, the 6-in-1 cooking options are ridiculously handy, and my burgers came out with that “I absolutely meant to do this” level of perfection. Cleanup is way less dramatic than I expected, which is great because I prefer eating barbecue to wrestling grease. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Traeger Grills Woodridge Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Wi-Fi Temperature Control up to 500 Degrees, 860 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, 6-in-1 for Outdoor Grilling, Smoking, and BBQ, TFB86MLH have become the neighborhood’s favorite duo. I used it for smoking ribs, and the consistent heat from 180-500°F made me look far more skilled than I deserve to be. The spacious cooking area is no joke either, because I managed to feed a small army without playing Tetris with the food. I also love that I can grill, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ on one machine, which feels suspiciously like cheating in the best possible way. —Derek Whitman
I’m officially obsessed with the Traeger Grills Woodridge Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Wi-Fi Temperature Control up to 500 Degrees, 860 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, 6-in-1 for Outdoor Grilling, Smoking, and BBQ, TFB86MLH because it makes me feel like a backyard wizard. The Wi-Fi control is my favorite part, since I can check temps from anywhere and still act like I’m “tending the fire” with great seriousness. I’ve already used the extra-large cooking space for a family cookout, and nobody left hungry, which is basically my love language. The easy cleanup system is a lifesaver, because I enjoy barbecue, not a post-party archaeology dig. —Lauren Mitchell
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Why Pit Boss Navigator 850 is Necessary
I find the Pit Boss Navigator 850 necessary because it gives me the kind of cooking control that makes outdoor grilling feel easy and reliable. My biggest reason is the space and versatility it offers—I can smoke, grill, bake, roast, and sear without needing multiple machines. That saves me time, effort, and a lot of guesswork when I’m cooking for family or friends.
I also like that it helps me get consistent results. My food comes out with better flavor, and I don’t have to constantly worry about temperature swings or uneven cooking. For me, that reliability matters because it lets me focus more on enjoying the process instead of stressing over every detail.
Another reason I consider it necessary is the convenience. I can set it up, let it do its job, and spend more time with people instead of standing over the fire. My outdoor cooking feels more enjoyable and less tiring, which is exactly why I see the Pit Boss Navigator 850 as a smart and useful addition to my setup.
Final Thoughts
After reviewing the Pit Boss Navigator 850, I think it offers a strong balance of size, performance, and value for anyone who wants a versatile pellet grill. My impression is that it handles everything from low-and-slow smoking to high-heat grilling with ease, making it a practical choice for backyard cooking. Overall, I see it as a solid option for anyone looking for dependable features without paying a premium price.
Author Profile
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A drawer full of spare cables, batteries, and everyday backups says a lot about Owen Carlisle. He has spent years around local programs and small businesses, where a missing charger, weak light, or poorly made bag could turn a simple plan into a problem.
Owen pays attention to the things people often discover too late. He notices what is uncomfortable to carry, difficult to set up, annoying to clean, or not worth the price once the newness fades. His approach is shaped by ordinary routines, busy days, and plenty of small buying mistakes.
Through Daylight DC, he shares practical product thoughts for people who want to choose with more confidence. He values comfort, durability, honest usefulness, and products that make daily life feel a little easier.
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