Traeger Tailgater
Budget-friendly with solid firmware, but its smaller size and thinner construction lower it slightly.
Consolidated from 29 cited sources across 25 outlets
Where the cited sources landed, as we read them
- 19 positive sources
- 9 mixed sources
2 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.
Reddit user reviews report inconsistent temperature control and lack of durability; no outlet lists it as a top pick.
Flagged 29 July 2026
Pros & cons
- ✓ Budget friendly
- ✓ Solid build quality
- ✓ Five-year warranty
- ✓ Portable design
- ✓ Balance of price, size, and performance
- ✗ Smaller cooking area
- ✗ Thinner construction
- ✗ Inconsistent temperature
- ✗ Poor durability
- ✗ Firmware bugs
The sources behind this ranking
We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.
Evidence 11 articles, 16 video reviews and 2 community sources
19 positive sources
The Traeger Tailgater earned top marks for its accessibility, thanks to its folding legs and small, portable footprint. More importantly, we love that it delivers delicious cooks on pork, chicken and vegetables. Here’s everything we learned about this beginner-friendly pellet grill.Read J
We would highly recommend one if you enjoy outdoor cooking and trying new recipes while camping or outdoors.Watch T
The GMG also had no difficulty with a whole rack, and likewise for the Traeger Tailgater that found room to spare.Read J
We love our Traeger Tailgater because we take it camping with us everywhere but we have never tried smoking something this large for this long. This is the first brisket we have ever smoked but luckily Kara's brother was able to come and give some directions.Watch I Instagram Instagram post
The Traeger Tailgater 20 is a portable wood pellet grill that delivers authentic wood-fired flavor.View post W
From game days to getaways, bring wood-fired flavor everywhere with the new Tailgater 20. Featuring a compact, portable design, it’s prime for balconies, tailgating or anywhere else you want to take 6-in-1 versatility and superior taste.Watch B
BEST PORTABLE: Traeger Tailgater Portable Wood Pellet GrillRead W
Although I can't speak for longevity, this drip tray install easily in my Tailgater 20, handled its first cook well and was also cost efficient. It's for those reason's I'm going to give the Stainless Steel FlameDuty SUB025 Traeger Drip Tray Replacement a World's Greatest Dad thumbs up and I say.Watch T
Rest assured, though, both get stellar reviews.Read A
In 3rd place is the Traeger Grills Tailgater, our pick for the best portable pellet grill. In 2nd place is the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24, our pick for the best runner-up pellet grill. In 1st place is the Weber SmokeFire EPX6 Stealth, our pick for the best overall pellet grill.Watch A
We use it regularly to feed our 50+ person team and it always delivers consistent quality every time! As we get closer to finalizing our overland Polaris General build, we decided to check in with Traeger to see if they had anything small that might work for the build.Watch T
Take wood-fired flavor anywhere with the Traeger Tailgater 20 Pellet Grill & Smoker! With foldable legs and 6-in-1 versatility, this compact grill delivers pro-level smoking, grilling, and roasting—perfect for tailgating, camping, or backyard BBQs.Watch G
The Traeger Tailgater wood‑fired grill will take your tailgating game to the next level.Watch C
Fueled by 100% pure hardwood pellets and controlled with a digital controller, means from low and slow to hot and fast grilling, you'll fire up deliciously consistent results every single time. The Home Depot exclusive Tailgater Elite 20 features a smaller footprint and EZ-fold legs that fold flat making it prime for balconies, tailgating, or anywhere else you want to roll out wood-fired flavor.Watch C
If you have a portable Traeger pellet grill like the Traeger Ranger, Traeger Tailgater or Traeger Trailhead then a great portable power supply option is the Jackery 300.Watch R
Ultimate Wood-Fired Flavor, No Gas or Charcoal – The Traeger Tailgater 20 is a portable wood pellet grill that delivers authentic wood-fired flavor. Whether you're tailgating, camping, or cooking at home you can achieve perfection.Watch C
Despite its compact size, the Traeger Tailgater 20 Grill delivers high-quality performance akin to a full-sized pellet grill, making it a standout choice for outdoor cooking enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned griller or a casual cook, explore the possibilities with the Traeger Tailgater 20 Grill and elevate your outdoor cooking game.Watch K
From pre-game parties to weekends at the cabin, savor wood-fired flavor anywhere with the new Tailgater 20. Thanks to its portable size and stashable EZ-Fold legs, the new Tailgater 20 lets you grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise or BBQ just about anywhere.Watch S
The Tailgater is our most capable of our portable wood pellet grills.Watch
9 mixed sources
It heats and recovers quickly, retains that heat, and provides good smoke flavor in all aspects but one. The long-smoking test didn’t produce a very smoky flavor, but it did yield an excellent bark on the pork butt. It’s a very good portable grill with the same control panel interface as larger models, but that portability means it lacks Wi-Fi connectivity.Read A
However, some customers have noted that the small cooking surface may not be sufficient for larger groups or big events.Watch T
It feels less stable overall, though we didn’t have any issues with pieces falling off or denting. Additionally, the smaller hopper means more refills during the cooking process. There’s also no pellet chute, so it’s impossible to switch pellet flavors until the hopper is empty.Read S
We did find the max temperature of 450°F insufficient when it came to searing, but otherwise, the Tailgater 20 Portable is solid.Read T r/Traeger u/shittybumm · owner
Only real drawback to the tailgater is less cooking surface and a smaller hopper, but I have no doubt you'll enjoy using it.Read thread T
While it came to temperature quickly, it doesn't reach up to 500 degrees, which is an issue if you like to sear a lot.Read S
Digital controls made it easy to hold the correct temperature, but changing temperatures was slow.Read W
Overall, it's a great option for grilling and smoking for portability and price.Read B
8-pound pellet hopper capacity requires frequent refillingRead
Frequently asked questions
It ranks #15 of 15 on our pellet grills tier list, in F tier. That placement draws on 29 cited sources across 25 outlets.
None of the 28 sources with a clear view is critical of it. Smaller cooking area. Thinner construction. Inconsistent temperature. Poor durability. Firmware bugs.
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F tier #14 1 of 5 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.