Is Pit Boss or Camp Chef better?

They serve different buyers, and the gap has narrowed: the Navigator 850 now sells around $800 (up from ~$479), close to the Woodwind's price. Pit Boss is the capacity pick — slightly more cooking space. Camp Chef is the versatility-and-quality pick, with the Sidekick searing/griddle system, easy ash cleanout, and a more refined build. At near price parity, the Camp Chef is the stronger buy for most people.

Which has more cooking space?

Pit Boss. The Navigator 850 offers about 849 square inches versus roughly 811 on the Camp Chef Woodwind 24 — close, but Pit Boss edges it and at a much lower price. If raw capacity per dollar is your priority, Pit Boss wins.

Which is more versatile?

Camp Chef, by a wide margin. The Woodwind's Sidekick attachment adds true high-heat searing or a flat-top griddle, and Slide-and-Grill opens direct-flame access. The Pit Boss sears decently on its grates but can't match the Woodwind's add-on flexibility.

Which is the better value?

This used to be an easy Pit Boss win at ~$479, but its 2026 price is about $800 — within $100 of the Camp Chef. At that gap, the Woodwind's versatility, cleanup, and build quality earn the difference for most buyers. Pick the Pit Boss only if maximum grate space is the deciding factor.

Pit Boss vs Camp Chef: Capacity & Value vs Versatility (2026)

Pit Boss vs Camp Chef: The Bottom Line

This is capacity vs versatility — and in 2026 it's closer on price than it used to be. The Pit Boss Navigator 850 (~$800, up from ~$479 when we first compared them) gives you the bigger cooking area. The Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24 (~$899) is the do-it-all cooker with searing, griddle, and easier cleanup.

Pick Pit Boss if maximum grate space decides it. Pick Camp Chef for almost everyone else — at near price parity, its versatility and build quality carry the day.

Side-by-Side Specifications

Feature	Pit Boss Navigator 850	Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24
Rating	4.2	4.3
Price	$799.99 · View on Amazon Price as of November 6, 2026	$1,399.99 · View on Amazon Price as of November 6, 2026
Cooking Area	~849 sq in	~811 sq in
Hopper Capacity	~28 lbs	~22 lbs
Max Temperature	~500°F	~500°F (higher with Slide-and-Grill)
Controller Type	Digital PID + WiFi	Gen-2 Digital PID + WiFi
WiFi Connectivity	WiFi/app on current versions	Camp Chef Connect app
Warranty	Limited	3-year
Weight	~150 lbs	~140 lbs
Construction	Single-wall steel	Steel, heavier build
Ash Cleanout System	Manual	Lever-based ash cup
Pellet Sensor	No	No
Side Shelf	Yes	Yes
Meat Probes	Included	Included (dual)

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Capacity & Value

Pit Boss edges this round on raw capacity — the Navigator 850 offers slightly more cooking area (~849 sq in vs ~811). But the old price advantage is gone: at roughly $800 versus $899, the capacity difference is the only value argument left, and it's a thin one.

Versatility & Build

Camp Chef takes this round, decisively. The Sidekick adds true high-heat searing or griddle cooking, Slide-and-Grill opens direct-flame access, and the lever ash-cleanout makes maintenance faster. The build feels more refined, and temperature control is a touch tighter.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy the Pit Boss Navigator 850 for maximum capacity and searing per dollar.
Buy the Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24 for versatility, easier cleanup, and a more refined build.

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.

$1,399.99 · View on Amazon

Price as of November 6, 2026

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