If you’re looking at the Pit Boss Navigator, you’re probably after a pellet grill that can handle low-and-slow smoking but still do a better job of grilling than most pellet smokers. I’ve used the older Navigator 850G in a range of conditions and cooked enough on it to get a good feel for where it works really well, where it falls short, and whether the flame broiler is actually worth having.
This review is based on that hands-on use of the older model, with notes on what has changed in the newer connected version. If you want the short version, the Navigator is sturdy, smoky, and better at open-flame grilling than most pellet grills in this price range, but it is not especially even from side to side and weather can affect it more than I’d like.
Editor’s note: This review is based on my hands-on use of the older Pit Boss Navigator 850G. Pit Boss now sells a newer connected version with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, a bit more cooking space, and a larger hopper. The overall design is still similar, so this review is still useful for understanding how the Navigator cooks in real use.
Burning Brisket is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read our affiliate policy to learn more.
Table of Contents
Quick Verdict
The Pit Boss Navigator is a good buy if you want a pellet grill that leans smoky, feels solid for the money, and can do more convincing open-flame grilling than most pellet smokers. That flame broiler is not just a gimmick. The trade-off is that it is not especially even across the cooking chamber, and it benefits from some shelter if you cook in wind, cold, or rain.
Choose Pit Boss Navigator if:
- You want a pellet grill that gives stronger smoke flavor than many pellet grills
- You want the option to grill over real flame
- You care about sturdy construction and useful work shelves
- You want a lot of cooking space without spending premium money
Skip Pit Boss Navigator if:
- You care about even temperatures across the grill
- You cook in exposed weather
- You want a pellet grill that feels more polished and refined
At a Glance
Strengths
- Very smoky for a pellet grill
- Better grilling performance than most pellet smokers
- Solid build quality for the price
- Plenty of workspace
- Good overall capacity
Weaknesses
- Uneven temperature distribution
- Weather affects it more than I’d like
- Rear venting can let in wind and some rain
- Direct-flame grilling area is fairly small
Best use case:
Someone who wants a pellet grill that can handle low-and-slow cooks well but also wants a more useful direct-flame grilling option than most pellet smokers give.
What Changed on the New Pit Boss Navigator?
The version I used was the older Navigator 850G. The newer Navigator 850 Connected Grill keeps the same general idea, but there are a few changes worth knowing.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are now included
- Cooking space is now listed at 932 sq in
- Hopper capacity is now 30 lb
- Pit Boss says it uses their latest digital controller with 5° increment settings
- The newer model uses two oven-style porcelain-coated steel cooking grids rather than the older wording around porcelain-coated grates
To me, this looks more like an update than a complete redesign. The main buying decision still looks very similar. You’re still getting a roomy, smoky pellet grill with a strong cart and a flame broiler that makes grilling more useful than it is on most pellet grills.
My Real Cooking Experience With the Pit Boss Navigator
Before writing this review, I used the Pit Boss Navigator 850 over a few months for both low-and-slow smoking and high-heat grilling. I used it in a range of weather too, including rain, high wind, and near-freezing temperatures, which gave me a decent feel for how much the weather matters with this grill.
In actual cooking, one of the first things that stood out was how smoky it was. It is one of the smokier pellet grills I’ve used, and it gave really good smoke flavor and very respectable smoke rings across a wide range of cooks. From the first few uses, it turned out ribs, pork butt, brisket, and chicken with the kind of flavor I’d actually want from a pellet smoker rather than that milder “close enough” result some of them give.
The other standout was the grilling. I was genuinely hoping I wouldn’t have to write that the flame broiler was mostly marketing, but on this grill it actually works. You can get smoky, moist meat with real grill marks, and in my opinion it gets closer to charcoal-style grilling than most pellet grills manage. It also does that without chewing through pellets just to heat the whole grill up for a few burgers.
That said, this is not a super even cooker. The meat closer to the pellet hopper side was generally done before the right side, and the meat closer to the front also cooked faster. The temperature difference was bigger than I expected, so it is the kind of grill where placement matters and you do need to pay attention.
Performance Breakdown
Smoke Flavor
This is one of the stronger points of the Navigator. It produces noticeably more smoke than a lot of pellet grills, and I was consistently happy with the smoke flavor and smoke ring. That is probably helped by the fact that the older controller lets the temperature move around a bit more rather than locking it down too tightly.
If what you want most is strong smoke flavor from a pellet grill, that is one of the better arguments for this grill.
Temperature Control
The older Navigator 850G I used has a dial-in digital controller with 25°F increments. It is simple to use and gives you what you need, but it is not especially precise. In my testing, temperatures across the grill were uneven, and that unevenness showed up in how the food cooked too.
That does not mean it cooks badly. It means you should expect a bit more movement and a bit more variation than you would from a tighter, more refined pellet grill.
Grilling Performance
This is where the Navigator stands out from a lot of pellet grills in the same price range. The flame broiler gives you access to direct flame, and it genuinely makes grilling more worthwhile. Burgers, chops, and smaller items benefit the most because you can get them directly over that center hot zone.
The main limitation is space. The direct-flame section is really centered over the firepot area, so you are not getting full-width direct grilling. For a handful of burgers or smaller pieces of meat, that is fine. For a bigger grilling session, you’ll need to rotate food around.
Capacity
The Navigator 850 is a good middle-ground size. It has enough room for regular family cooking but still leaves enough space for entertaining or a couple of full briskets. The two-rack setup works well for smoking, and the upper rack is useful for flatter cuts like ribs or brisket.
The main limitation is the gap between the racks. There is only around 3.5 inches of clearance, so taller cuts can force you to remove the upper rack and lose some space.
Build Quality
This is another strong area. The Navigator feels sturdier than I expected for the price. The steel has a decent thickness, the lid has a bit of heft to it, and once assembled the whole thing feels solid. The cart and shelves also felt stronger than a lot of flimsy budget pellet grill setups.
It is not insulated though, and that matters in real use.
Weather Performance
This is one of the main trade-offs. Because there is no built-in insulation, the Navigator struggled more in bad weather than I’d like. I found it did better in a reasonably sheltered location, and I would absolutely think about an insulation blanket if you cook in a cold climate or a very exposed spot.
The rear venting is also worth mentioning. Instead of a chimney, the Navigator vents through holes along the upper back of the cooking chamber. In my experience, that means wind and some rain can get in more easily than I’d like if the grill is exposed. It is workable, but it is something to plan around.
Ease of Use
The older control panel is simple. Fill the hopper, start it on smoke mode with the lid open, let the heavy white startup smoke pass, then close the lid and set your target temperature. There is also a prime button and P setting if you want to play around with smoke output during smoke mode.
I would not call it fancy, but it is straightforward.
WiFi and the Newer Model
My hands-on testing was done on the older 850G, not the newer connected version. Pit Boss now sells the Navigator 850 Connected Grill with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a 30 lb hopper, 932 sq in of cooking space, and a newer digital controller with 5° increment settings. I have not personally tested the app side of the new version, so I would not write it up as a firsthand strength, but it is clearly one of the biggest upgrades on paper.
Work Space and Storage
I really like the shelf setup on this grill. The fixed side shelf and front shelf make a real difference in day-to-day use. The front shelf especially is actually useful for setting down trays, wrapping meat, or handling food when you don’t have a full outdoor kitchen setup.
That is one of those practical details that makes the grill nicer to live with.
Cleaning
Cleaning is pretty typical pellet grill maintenance, but there is a little more scraping involved because of the flame broiler setup. The grates, shelves, and probes should be cleaned after use. Then every second or third cook, the firepot should be vacuumed, and every five or six sessions you should also clean ash or grease from the bottom of the chamber and scrape down the flame broiler drip tray.
Because there is no separate heat deflector, you can’t just foil over the flame broiler area the same way you can on some pellet grills. That makes cleanup a bit less convenient.
Pellet Use
The hopper sizes across the range are generous, and the 850 I used had enough pellet capacity for long cooks without being a constant nuisance. In colder conditions though, the lack of insulation does make pellet use less efficient, so that is where an insulation blanket starts making more sense.
What to Expect
If you buy the Pit Boss Navigator, this is what I think you should realistically expect:
- Stronger smoke flavor than many pellet grills
- Better grilling performance than most pellet smokers offer
- More side-to-side variation than ideal
- Good space for family cooking and bigger smoking sessions
- A sturdier feel than a lot of grills at similar pricing
- More weather sensitivity than an insulated or better-shielded grill
- Some practical shelf space that genuinely helps
- A flame broiler that is useful, but only over a limited central area
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very smoky for a pellet grill
- Strong build for the money
- Flame broiler actually works
- Good workspace with front and side shelves
- Plenty of capacity in the 850 size
- Easy enough to use
Cons
- Uneven temperature distribution
- Weather can affect it more than I’d like
- Rear venting is not ideal in exposed conditions
- Direct-flame grilling area is fairly limited
- Cleanup is a little less convenient than some pellet grills
Who This Is For (And Not For)
Who it's best for
- Someone who wants a smoky pellet grill without paying premium money
- Someone who values the ability to grill over direct flame
- Families who want a roomy pellet grill with useful shelves and solid build quality
- Buyers who are happy to accept a few quirks in exchange for good real-world results
Who should skip it
- Someone who wants very even temps across the whole grill
- Someone cooking in a windy or exposed spot with no shelter
- Someone chasing the most refined controller and most polished pellet grill experience
- Someone who expects full-width direct grilling
Alternatives to Consider
If the Navigator is not quite right, these are the alternatives I’d point people to.
Camp Chef Woodwind Pro + Sidekick
Choose the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro if you want a pellet grill that feels a bit more refined and you like the idea of adding a Sidekick for true direct flame grilling and extra versatility. It makes more sense for someone who wants a more polished overall package rather than leaning into the Navigator’s smokier, rougher-edged style.
Z Grills Multitasker
Choose the Z Grills Multi-tasker if you want tighter control, built-in insulation, and WiFi on both size options, and you are less bothered about open-flame grilling. That makes it a better fit for someone prioritising steadier temperature control over the Navigator’s stronger direct-flame angle.
FAQs
Is this review based on the newest Pit Boss Navigator?
No. My hands-on testing was done on the older Navigator 850G. Pit Boss now sells a newer Navigator 850 Connected Grill with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, slightly more cooking space, a larger hopper, and updated grids, but the overall design is still broadly similar.
Is the Pit Boss Navigator good for smoking?
Yes. One of the best things about it is how smoky it is for a pellet grill. I got very good smoke flavor and good smoke rings across a range of cooks.
Is the Pit Boss Navigator actually good at grilling?
Better than most pellet grills, yes. The flame broiler gives you real direct-flame access, and that makes a noticeable difference. The main catch is that the direct-grilling area is limited to the central section over the firepot.
Does the Pit Boss Navigator cook evenly?
Not especially. In my testing, there was a noticeable temperature difference across the grill, and food on the hopper side and closer to the front tended to cook faster.
Is the Pit Boss Navigator good in cold or windy weather?
It can work, but it is not ideal if it is sitting exposed. Because there is no built-in insulation and because of the rear venting, bad weather affects it more than I’d like. A sheltered spot and an insulation blanket both make sense if you cook in rough conditions.
Is the newer connected Navigator a big upgrade?
It looks more like an update than a full redesign. The biggest practical changes are Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, a newer digital controller with 5° increments, a bit more space, and a larger hopper.
Final Verdict
The Pit Boss Navigator is still worth considering if you want a pellet grill that feels sturdy, gives stronger smoke flavor than a lot of pellet grills, and can do more convincing open-flame grilling than most of its competitors. That combination is why it stands out.
It is not the most even pellet grill I’ve used, and it definitely benefits from some shelter in rough weather. But if you can live with those trade-offs, it is a genuinely useful, capable pellet grill with a bit more character than some of the tidier but less interesting options out there.
Jared Brown is a barbecue enthusiast with hands-on experience across a wide range of grills, smokers, and outdoor cooking setups. He enjoys testing different styles of barbecue and helping readers choose equipment that suits the way they actually want to cook, rather than chasing a one-size-fits-all answer. His practical, open-minded approach makes him a trusted voice for backyard cooks looking for honest guidance and better results.
