Popular Science89est.
The reviewer finds the Ironwood XL easy to set up, very consistent, and excellent for smoking.
Traeger Ironwood XL
5 expert reviewsChecked 1 Nov 2026
Quick answer
The Traeger Ironwood XL has a critic score of 83 out of 100 from 5 professional reviews, including Popular Science, Popular Mechanics and CNET. 4 of 5 recommend it, and scores range from 71 (Engadget) to 89 (Popular Science). 0 of the scores are printed by the outlets and 5 are our estimates from the review text. Most praised: ease of use (2 of 5). Most common complaints: price (4 of 5). It ranks #2 of the 2 pellet grills we score.
Reviews checked 1 Nov 2026
Photo coming
Best for: Best for app control
Our verdict
5 professional reviewers tested the Traeger Ironwood XL, and 4 recommend it. Most praised: ease of use. Most common complaint: price.
The catch: The price is high for a grill that is also heavy.
Critic agreement: Medium
Scores run from 71 to 890 printed scores, 5 estimated
5 of these 5 outlets print no score. We estimated theirs from the review text and corrected for the known tendency of estimates to run high.
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What do critics say about the Traeger Ironwood XL?
Popular Mechanics89est.
Awarded best large smart pellet grill after testing, with easy cleanup, a touchscreen and remote app control.
CNET83est.
Named best pellet grill after a 24-hour cooking test; it handled a range of meats well and has a strong app.
Bob Vila83est.
A short gift-guide blurb says the grill's food came out well and it is easy to control through the screen and app.
Engadget71est.
The reviewer finds the redesigned Ironwood cooks well and has nice upgrades, but the large price jump hurts its value.
Scores are converted to 0–100. "est." means the outlet gave no number, so we estimated one from its verdict. How we score
What critics praise most
Ease of use2 of 5
What critics dislike most
Price4 of 5
Alternatives
Not sure about the Traeger Ironwood XL?
Common questions
Is the Traeger Ironwood XL worth it?
Most critics think so: 4 of 5 recommend it. The price is high for a grill that is also heavy.
Do critics agree about the Traeger Ironwood XL?
Agreement is medium: scores range from 71 (Engadget) to 89 (Popular Science), a spread of 18 points across 5 reviews. Most reviewers land close together, with some outliers.
What do critics dislike about the Traeger Ironwood XL?
Price (4 of 5 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Traeger Ironwood XL?
The Traeger Woodridge Pro (critic score 86), best overall.