The Traeger Westwood XL Gives You Full-Size Performance Without the Premium Price

I’ve tested several Traeger grills over the years, and while they’re all top-notch smokers, the new Traeger Westwood XL stands out for how easily it turns out rich, smoke-kissed food with very little effort.

I tried it out with multiple foods—burgers, chicken breasts, corn, and even a cauliflower dish—and everything came off juicy, evenly cooked, and infused with that signature wood-fired flavor Trager is famous for. It quickly became my favorite Traeger.

Best Overall Pellet Grill

Traeger Westwood XL Pellet Grill

Rating: 4.8/5

Buy at Ace Hardware Buy at The Home Depot

Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com

What We Like

• Simple, intuitive controls
• Consistent cooking performance
• Large cooking capacity

What We Don’t Like

• Heavy and time-consuming assembly

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Product Specs

• Cooking area: 823 square inches
• Control system: Digital temperature control with WiFIRE
• Power source: Electric-powered pellet hopper

How easy is it to assemble and use?

Assembly took about an hour and a half. It’s manageable solo, but with a 200-pound unit, having a helper nearby makes things easier—especially when attaching the legs. But Traeger’s instructions—both text and visuals—were clear and easy to follow.

The actual cooking process is where the Westwood XL really shines. Operation is about as simple as it gets: press the power button, then use the “+” and “–” controls to set your temperature. There’s no learning curve. And importantly, it preheats quickly. 

The Westwood XL uses Traeger’s WiFIRE system, which allows you to monitor temperatures remotely. While this new Westwood model didn’t appear in the app during my testing (likely due to its new release), I was able to use a similar control panel profile to access the same features. For anyone who likes checking temperatures from indoors, that’s a big plus.

That said, it works just as well without the app. If I’m outside entertaining, I prefer to let it run and enjoy the process rather than checking my phone.

How well does it cook?

The high-end cooking performance was exactly what I expected from a Traeger. The heat is steady, the food cooks uniformly, and it has an excellent flavor. Once seasoned, the grill maintained its temperature well and handled everything I threw at it without exception.

The smoke output was consistent, and the results were near-perfect. Burgers came out juicy, chicken stayed tender, and even vegetables like corn and cauliflower picked up a nice smoky flavor. It’s the kind of grill that lets you focus on the food instead of babysitting the fire.

Another advantage is cleanup. The grates wipe down easily, and the grease bucket detaches quickly. By using the disposable aluminum liners, all I had to do was lift the used one out and put a new one in before cooking again.

Who is the Westwood XL best suited for?

The Westwood XL is a good option for anyone who wants a full-size pellet grill without stepping into premium-tier pricing. At around $799, it delivers the capacity and performance Traeger is known for at a price that’s easier to justify, especially for backyard cooks who want to handle everything from weeknight meals to larger gatherings.

In use, it’s well-suited for cooks who want set-it-and-let-it convenience. The temperature control stays steady, and once it’s running, there’s very little need to make adjustments. That makes it a good choice for those who don’t want to babysit a fire or constantly monitor heat levels. I also appreciated the dual grates, which allowed me to prepare multiple items at once.

The large cooking surface (823 square inches) makes it ideal for families, outdoor entertaining, or anyone who likes to cook in batches. There’s enough space to cook everything at once, and the smoke enhances the flavor of the food without overpowering it.

It’s less suited for those looking for a compact or portable grill. This is a dedicated backyard unit, designed to stay in place and handle regular use. But for anyone who wants reliable performance, simple operation, and plenty of space to cook, the Westwood XL fits the bill.

Best Overall Pellet Grill

Traeger Westwood XL Pellet Grill

Buy at Ace Hardware Buy at The Home Depot

Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com

 

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