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Is the Traeger Ironwood 885 worth it?

The Traeger Ironwood 885 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 58d ago

$1,189 listD2 Direct Drive15 expert sources
Check price

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Traeger Ironwood 885

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

Smart Outdoor Grills

Expert consensus

How we score
09.1/1010

15 expert sources · 2 quoted

2 quoted sources with published scores

  • Consumer Reports 8.8/10
  • Wirecutter 9/10

Expert Consensus 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 ecosystem support.

Comparison of Traeger Ironwood 885 and alternative Outdoor products by price, expert consensus score, ecosystem support, and verdict
ProductPriceConsensusWorks WithVerdict
Traeger Ironwood 885This page$1,189.009.1/10Amazon AlexaMust Buy
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800$889.998.5/10major smart home platformsRecommended
Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL$499.998.3/10major smart home platformsRecommended
Recteq Bullseye Deluxe (RT-B380X)$749.998.6/10major smart home platformsRecommended

The Traeger Ironwood 885 ($1,189 list) earns a 9.1/10 expert consensus across 15 sources, versus the Husqvarna Automower 430X at $2,499.99 list (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

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

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 is among the named sources behind that consensus.

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 (RT-B380X), 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.

Decided on the Traeger Ironwood 885?

$1,189 listD2 Direct Drive15 expert sources
Check price

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Sources & Methodology

This review aggregates 2 independent expert reviews into a single consensus score. See how we build consensus scores.

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.

Independence notice: Smart Home Explorer is an independent publication. Traeger and other product names, logos, and brands referenced on this page are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification purposes only. This review is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Traeger or any other manufacturer named in this article.