Is Camp Chef better than Z Grills?

Camp Chef is the more capable and versatile grill — it adds the Sidekick searing/griddle system, Slide-and-Grill direct flame, and an easy ash-cleanout system. But it costs roughly twice as much as the Z Grills 700D4E. If you want a do-it-all cooker and will use the searing and griddle options, Camp Chef is better. If you just want excellent low-and-slow smoking at the lowest price, Z Grills delivers comparable smoking results for far less.

Is the Camp Chef worth twice the price of Z Grills?

Only if you'll use its extra capabilities. The Camp Chef Woodwind's value is in versatility — searing, griddle cooking, and faster cleanup. For pure smoking, the Z Grills 700D4E produces similar results at half the cost. Pay up for Camp Chef if you want one cooker that smokes, sears, and griddles; save with Z Grills if you mainly smoke.

Which has better temperature control?

Both use PID controllers and hold temperature well. The Camp Chef's Gen-2 controller and heavier build give it a slight edge in stability, especially in wind or cold. The Z Grills 700D4E is still excellent for the price, holding within about 10-15°F once dialed in.

Which is easier to clean?

Camp Chef. Its lever-based ash-cleanout system dumps ash into a removable cup, which is faster than the Z Grills' manual fire-pot cleanup. For owners who cook frequently, that convenience adds up.

Camp Chef vs Z Grills: Versatility vs Value in 2026

Camp Chef vs Z Grills: The Bottom Line

This is a versatility vs value matchup. The Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24 (~~$899) is the do-it-all cooker — it smokes, sears, and griddles. The Z Grills 700D4E (~~$399) is the value smoker that delivers comparable low-and-slow results for half the price.

Our pick is the Camp Chef Woodwind if you'll actually use its searing and griddle capabilities — that's where the extra money goes. But if you mainly smoke and want the best price, the Z Grills 700D4E is the smarter buy and gives up very little on smoke quality.

Side-by-Side Specifications

Feature	Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24	Z Grills 700D4E
Rating	4.3	4.0
Price	$899	$399
Cooking Area	~811 sq in	~697 sq in
Hopper Capacity	~22 lbs	~20 lbs
Max Temperature	~500°F (higher with Slide-and-Grill)	~450°F
Controller Type	Gen-2 Digital PID + WiFi	Digital PID
WiFi Connectivity	Camp Chef Connect app	WiFi on latest version
Warranty	3-year	3-year limited
Weight	~140 lbs	~84 lbs
Construction	Steel, heavier build	Single-wall steel
Ash Cleanout System	Lever-based ash cup	Manual
Pellet Sensor	No	No
Side Shelf	Yes	Yes (work shelf)
Meat Probes	Included (dual)	Included
	Check Price	Check Price

Versatility

This is where Camp Chef earns its premium. The Sidekick attachment adds a propane sear burner or flat-top griddle, and Slide-and-Grill opens direct-flame access for higher heat — so the Woodwind can sear steaks and cook breakfast in ways the Z Grills simply can't. If "one cooker that does everything" is the goal, Camp Chef wins decisively.

Smoking & Temperature

For pure low-and-slow smoking the gap narrows a lot. Both hold temperature well on their PID controllers; the Camp Chef's heavier build gives it a slight edge in wind and cold, but the Z Grills 700D4E produces genuinely comparable smoked results for half the price. If smoking is all you do, you're not getting twice the smoker for twice the money.

Value & Cleanup

The Z Grills wins on raw value; the Camp Chef wins on cleanup (its lever ash-cup system beats manual fire-pot cleaning) and on features. Factor in the Sidekick cost when budgeting for the Camp Chef.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy the Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24 if you want a versatile smoke-sear-griddle station and will use those capabilities.
Buy the Z Grills 700D4E if you mainly smoke and want the best price-to-performance.

See both against every brand in our best pellet grills roundup.

Most Versatile: Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24

Smoke, sear, and griddle from one station. Check the current price and Sidekick options.

Check Camp Chef Woodwind Price