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Is the Traeger Ironwood 885 worth it?

The Traeger Ironwood 885 ($1,189.00) is a top pick with a 9.1/10 consensus score across 15 expert reviews. Experts highlight d2 direct drive controller holds ±5°f across 165°f–500°f range — wirecutter pellet benchmark and super smoke mode maximizes smoke output at low temperatures for brisket and ribs. Wirecutter says: "The Ironwood 885 is the pellet grill we recommend for anyone who smokes meat reg..." Best for: Serious smokers, Multi-protein cooks, WiFi-first households.

Traeger Ironwood 885 — Must Buy per expert consensus
Must Buy15 Expert Reviews
Price Range
$1,189.00

Verified 13d ago

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Traeger Ironwood 885

NM
Nicholas Miles · Editor-in-Chief & Methodology Owner

Smart Outdoor Grills

SHE ScoreAbove Average

SmartHomeExplorer proprietary rating

6.4/10

15 expert sources

Compatibility Breadth1.1/10
Setup Ease6.1/10
Reliability8.4/10
Value Rating10/10
Future-Proofing6.5/10

The Traeger Ironwood 885 earns a SHE Score of 6.4/10, driven by strong value (10/10) with room to improve in compatibility breadth (1.1/10). Based on 15 expert sources and SmartHomeExplorer compatibility analysis.

How we calculate the SHE Score →

Expert Consensus: 9.1/10 across 15 sources

Updated:
The Ironwood 885 is the pellet grill we recommend for anyone who smokes meat regularly — the D2 controller holds temperature more consistently than any pellet grill we've tested.
Wirecutter9/10

Key Features

  • D2 Direct Drive
  • WiFIRE app
  • Super Smoke mode
  • 885 sq. in.
  • Alexa voice control

Best For

Serious smokersMulti-protein cooksWiFi-first households

Traeger Ironwood 885 vs. the alternatives

How the Traeger Ironwood 885 stacks up against other Outdoor options on price, expert consensus, and our proprietary SHE Score.

Comparison of Traeger Ironwood 885 and alternative Outdoor products by price, consensus score, SHE Score, ecosystem support, and verdict
ProductPriceConsensusSHE ScoreWorks WithVerdict
Traeger Ironwood 885This page$1,189.009.1/106.4/10Amazon AlexaMust Buy
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800$899.008.5/106.4/10major smart home platformsRecommended
Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL$499.998.3/106.1/10major smart home platformsRecommended
Recteq Bullseye Deluxe (RT-B380X)$749.998.6/106.4/10major smart home platformsRecommended

The Traeger Ironwood 885 ($1,189.00) earns a 9.1/10 expert consensus and a 6.4/10 SHE Score across 15 sources, versus the Husqvarna Automower 430X at $1,949-$2,049 (8.7/10 consensus). It works with Amazon Alexa.

What Experts Agree On

What Experts Love

  • D2 Direct Drive controller holds ±5°F across 165°F–500°F range — Wirecutter pellet benchmark
  • Super Smoke mode maximizes smoke output at low temperatures for brisket and ribs
  • WiFIRE app with full remote control and native Alexa voice commands
  • 885 sq. in. cooking area across 2 tiers — fits full packer brisket plus 2 rib racks
  • Pellet sensor alerts before hopper runs empty during 12-hr cooks

Common Criticisms

  • $1,299.99 is the highest entry price in this 5-grill lineup
  • Only one meat probe included at this price — additional probes $30-50 each
  • Pellet consumption of 1-2 lbs/hour means $12-24 fuel cost per long cook

What The Experts Say

WI
The Ironwood 885 is the pellet grill we recommend for anyone who smokes meat regularly — the D2 controller holds temperature more consistently than any pellet grill we've tested.
Wirecutter9/10
CO
The Ironwood 885's WiFIRE app reliability and ±5°F precision are the benchmark for connected pellet grills in 2026.
Consumer Reports8.8/10

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$1,189.00 · 15 expert sources · 9.1/10 consensus

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Traeger Ironwood 885 worth it?

The Traeger Ironwood 885 earns a 9.1/10 consensus score across 15 expert sources and is rated "Must Buy". At $1,189.00, it is best for Serious smokers. Wirecutter notes: "The Ironwood 885 is the pellet grill we recommend for anyone who smokes meat regularly — the D2 controller holds temperature more ..."

How much does the Traeger Ironwood 885 cost?

The Traeger Ironwood 885 is priced at $1,189.00. With a 9.1/10 score from 15 expert reviews and a "Must Buy" rating, that price represents strong value relative to the ~7.5/10 average for Outdoor products. Prices shift often, so check the live figure before buying.

Who is the Traeger Ironwood 885 best for?

The Traeger Ironwood 885 is best for Serious smokers, Multi-protein cooks, WiFi-first households. Experts rate it "Must Buy" with a 9.1/10 consensus across 15 sources.

How does the Traeger Ironwood 885 compare to other Outdoor options?

Among the Outdoor products we have aggregated, the Traeger Ironwood 885 ranks above average with a 9.1/10 score. Consumer Reports adds: "The Ironwood 885's WiFIRE app reliability and ±5°F precision are the benchmark for connected pellet grills in 2026."

What smart home systems does the Traeger Ironwood 885 work with?

The Traeger Ironwood 885 works with Amazon Alexa. Check the compatibility notes above for any hub dependencies or setup requirements before you buy.

What are the best alternatives to the Traeger Ironwood 885?

If the Traeger Ironwood 885 ($1,189.00, 9.1/10) is not the right fit, the closest alternatives in Outdoor are recteq-bullseye-deluxe, weber-searwood-600, masterbuilt-gravity-series-800. Compare them on price, ecosystem support, and expert consensus to find your match.

What are the pros and cons of the Traeger Ironwood 885?

The main strengths of the Traeger Ironwood 885 are d2 direct drive controller holds ±5°f across 165°f–500°f range — wirecutter pellet benchmark and super smoke mode maximizes smoke output at low temperatures for brisket and ribs. The most-cited downside is $1,299.99 is the highest entry price in this 5-grill lineup. Overall, 15 expert sources rate it "Must Buy" with a 9.1/10 consensus score.

Sources & Methodology

This review aggregates 15 independent expert reviews into a single consensus score. See how we build consensus scores and the SHE Score methodology.

Expert review sources cited on this page:

Affiliate disclosure: SmartHomeExplorer.com participates in the Amazon Associates program. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This consensus review is based on 15 independent expert reviews — we did not test this product ourselves. Always verify current prices and availability before purchasing.