Shop
  • Deals
  • Deal checker
  • Black Friday
  • Buying guides
  • Brands
  • Stores
Travel
  • Flight deals
  • Hotel deals
Company
  • Research
  • Press
  • deal.ai apps
Black Friday 2026
  • Walmart
  • Best Buy
  • Target
  • TVs
  • Laptops
  • Headphones
  • Apple
  • Gaming
  • Vacuums
  • Kitchen
  • Toys
  • Smartwatches
  • Tablets
  • Furniture
  • Mattresses
© Deal.ai Inc.
TermsPrivacy
Deal.ai › Compare

Traeger Tailgater vs Traeger Westwood XL

Buy the Westwood XL if you cook for a household or entertain and want WiFIRE app control, 825 sq. in. of space and an 18 lb hopper. Buy the Tailgater if the grill has to travel or live on a small balcony. The Westwood XL is the better-built, more capable grill and its owners rate it higher, but it weighs 113 lbs and does not fold, so it stays put. The Tailgater folds flat, weighs about 60 lbs and runs on 8 lbs of pellets, which means short cooks and frequent refills.

  • Choose the Tailgater if you need a pellet grill that folds up and moves with you, and 300 sq. in. is enough for a few people.
  • Choose the Westwood XL if the grill stays on a patio and you want app control, a wired meat probe and room for a crowd.

Prices

  • Traeger Tailgater: $479.99 at BbqGuys (last seen Nov 9)
  • Traeger Westwood XL: $479.99 at Dellco Commercial Kitchens (checked today)
  • Difference: both cost the same at the latest prices (Nov 9 and Nov 10)
Traeger
Traeger Tailgater

Traeger Tailgater

4.1(214 ratings)
$479.99at BbqGuysChecked 19 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit BbqGuys

Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Pros
  • Folds flat and rolls into a car or closet
  • Light enough for one person to lift
  • Runs the full 180-450°F range in a small barrel
  • Traeger's pellet system and 3-year warranty
Cons
  • 300 sq. in. fills up fast for a family
  • 8 lb hopper means refilling on long smokes
  • No Wi-Fi or app control
  • Assembly required
Traeger
Traeger Westwood XL

Traeger Westwood XL

4.6(32 ratings)
$479.99at Dellco Commercial KitchensChecked 1 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Dellco Commercial Kitchens
Pros
  • WiFIRE lets you change temperature and watch the cook from your phone
  • Two grates and a side shelf give room to cook and plate
  • 18 lb hopper covers a long brisket without a refill
  • Owners praise easy assembly and steady temperatures
Cons
  • 113 lbs and no folding legs, so it stays on the patio
  • Some owners find the smoke too mild for real barbecue
  • Wireless meat probe costs extra
  • Needs Wi-Fi setup to use the app features

What separates them

Traeger TailgaterTraeger Westwood XL
Cooking area300 sq. in. on one grate, about 12 burgers825 sq. in. across two grates, 548 on the main
ControllerARC digital controller, no appWiFIRE Wi-Fi controller, set and monitor from a phone
Hopper capacity8 lbs of pellets18 lbs of pellets
PortabilityEZ-Fold legs, 60 lbs, built to travel113 lbs, freestanding only
Meat probeOne wired probeOne wired probe included, wireless probe compatible
Build and footprint20-inch barrel, steel body, compact 37 x 18 in.53 x 24 in. cabinet-style body, side shelf and P.A.L. rail
Owner ratings4.1 out of 5 from 214 ratings4.6 out of 5 from 32 ratings
Smoke characterDowndraft exhaust on a small barrelOwners call the smoke mild, one says it is closer to an oven

Price history

$799.99$479.99
Nov 3Nov 10
  • Traeger Tailgater: lowest $479.99 on Nov 7 at BbqGuys; $499.95 on Nov 10.
  • Traeger Westwood XL: lowest $479.99 on Nov 6 at Dellco Commercial Kitchens; $799.99 on Nov 10.

Prices at every store

Traeger Tailgater

  • BbqGuysNew

    In stock

    $479.99Free shippingChecked 19 h ago
    Visit BbqGuys
  • Home DepotNew

    In stock

    $499.99Free shippingChecked 19 h ago
    Visit Home Depot
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $499.95Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Amazon
  • Acme ToolsNew

    Availability unknown

    $499.95Checked 19 h ago
    Visit Acme Tools

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 17 stores and price history →

Traeger Westwood XL

  • Dellco Commercial KitchensNew

    In stock

    $479.99Checked 1 h ago
    Visit Dellco Commercial Kitchens
  • Ace HardwareNew

    In stock

    $699.00Checked 19 h ago
    Visit Ace Hardware
  • Williams-SonomaNew

    Availability unknown

    $799.95Checked Nov 6
    Visit Williams-Sonoma
  • PC Richard & SonNew

    Availability unknown

    $799.95Checked Nov 6
    Visit PC Richard & Son

Also available at

  • The General Store SpokaneCheck price at The General Store Spokane
All 25 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecTraeger TailgaterTraeger Westwood XL
ControllerARC ControllerDigital WiFIRE controller
Assembled Weight60.2 lbs113 lbs | 51 kg
Main Grate Dimensions20" L x 15" D29" L × 18.9" D (548 sq. in.)
Total Grilling Area300 sq. in.825 sq. in.
Hopper Capacity8 lbs18 lbs | 8.2 kg
Grate MaterialPorcelain coated steelPorcelain-coated cold rolled steel
Temperature RangeUp to 450° F180–450°F | 82–232°C
Assembled Dimensions Legs Folded37" L x 18" D x 21.5" H—
Assembled Dimensions Legs Extended37" L x 18" W x 36" H—
Barrel Size20"—
Maximum Temperature450°F—
Meat Probe Count1—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecTraeger TailgaterTraeger Westwood XL
BTUs19,500—
Exhaust SystemDowndraft—
Installation TypeFreestanding—
Portable InstallationYes—
Built-In InstallationNo—
Fuel TypePellet—
Pellet Capacity8 lbs—
Primary Cooking Area300 sq in—
Total Cooking Area300 sq. in.—
Secondary Cooking Area

What reviewers say

Traeger Tailgater

  • 4.1 / 5214 ratings

Owners treat the Tailgater as a packable smoker that holds temperature well for its size. Common complaints center on hopper size, top-end heat and the weight of moving it.

What people mention
  • Temperature controlPraisedOwners say the ARC controller keeps temps steady through long cooks.
  • PortabilityMixedFolding legs help, but the 60 lb weight makes loading it a two-person job.
  • Hopper sizeCriticisedThe 8 lb hopper needs refilling during long brisket or pork butt cooks.
  • SearingCriticisedThe 450°F maximum leaves little room for a hard sear.

Traeger Westwood XL

  • 4.6 / 532 ratings

Reviewers rate the Westwood XL highly, with 4.6 out of 5 from 32 ratings. They praise easy assembly, solid build and steady temperatures across long and short cooks. The main complaint is that smoke flavor is subtle.

What people mention
  • Smoke flavorCriticisedOne reviewer says it smokes too little to count as a true smoker and feels more like an oven.
  • Temperature controlPraisedOwners report steady, consistent heat at the set temperature.
  • AssemblyPraisedReviewers describe putting it together as easy and quick.
  • Build qualityPraised

Questions and answers

Which is better for a small balcony?
The Tailgater. It is 37 x 18 in. with the legs folded and weighs about 60 lbs, so it fits a balcony and stores against a wall. The Westwood XL is 53 x 24 in. and 113 lbs.
Which holds temperature better?
The Westwood XL. Its larger cabinet and 18 lb hopper keep temps steady through long cooks, and owners report consistent results. The Tailgater holds well for its size but its small hopper runs dry sooner.
Is the Westwood XL worth stepping up to?
Yes if you cook for more than four people or want app control. You get nearly three times the cooking area, Wi-Fi, a second grate and a much larger hopper. Skip it if the grill has to move.
Which smokes more?
The Tailgater gives more smoke per cook because of its small barrel and downdraft exhaust. Some Westwood XL owners say its smoke is mild, closer to an oven.
Do both need assembly?
Yes. The Tailgater ships unassembled. Westwood XL owners describe assembly as easy and straightforward.
Which lasts longer?
Both use porcelain-coated steel grates and steel bodies, and both carry Traeger's 3-year limited warranty. The Westwood XL's heavier cabinet build and higher owner rating point to it holding up better outdoors.

Ask our shopping agent

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Enter to send, Shift+Enter for a new line

More comparisons

  • Traeger Tailgater vs Traeger Woodridge
  • RT-B380 Bullseye Wood Pellet Grill vs Traeger Westwood XL
  • Traeger Pro 575 vs Traeger Westwood XL
  • Traeger Woodridge vs Traeger Westwood XL
  • Traeger Tailgater vs Traeger Grills TFT18KLD Ranger Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
  • Traeger Westwood XL vs Traeger Pro Series 575 Grill
  • Traeger Pro 34 vs Traeger Westwood XL

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best pellet grills for backyard BBQ
  • Best Traeger pellet grills
  • Best pellet grills
0 sq in
—
Burger Capacity12—
Cooking Rack Count1—
Grill HighlightsPortable—
Body MaterialSteel, Porcelain coated steel (grates)—
Grill Depth18 in—
Grill Height36 in—
Weight62 lbs—
Temperature Control TypeDigital Arc controller—
ThermometerYes—
Temperature GaugeDigital—
Ignition TypeElectrical—
Electronic IgnitionYes—
Piezo IgnitionNo—
TypeFreestanding—
Assembled dimensions—53" L × 24" W × 46" H
Upper grate dimensions—27.5" L × 10.2" D (281 sq. in.)
Wired meat probe—Included
Wireless meat probe—Compatible (sold separately)
Owners call the components well made and solid.