Category Archives: Product Reviews

What is the Best Pellet Grill in 2024? Top 7 Recommendations

Pellet grills have become a staple in outdoor cooking, offering convenience, versatility, and exceptional flavor. I’ve personally moved away from my kamado in favor of my pellet grill because of the ease and convenience that pellet grills offer. With advancements in technology and design, selecting the best pellet grill in 2024 requires careful consideration. To simplify your decision-making process, we’ve compiled a list of the top seven pellet grills by using our own personal experience as well as incorporating insights from expert reviews and user feedback.


1. Traeger Ironwood 885 Pellet Grill

Traeger Ironwood 885

The Traeger Ironwood 885 Pellet Grill sets a new standard for outdoor cooking with its innovative features and robust construction. Equipped with WiFIRE technology, it allows you to control and monitor the grill from anywhere using the Traeger app. The Ironwood 885 offers ample cooking space, precise temperature control, and superior smoke production, ensuring consistent and delicious results with every cook. This is the grill that made me fall in love with Traeger and took over the top spot in my BBQ line-up – forcing my beloved Kamado Joe off the king’s chair!

U can check out the other Traeger Models here >>>


2. Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24 Pellet Grill

Camp Chef Woodwind 24

Camp Chef’s Woodwind WiFi 24 Pellet Grill is renowned for its durability, versatility, and exceptional performance. Featuring Smart Smoke technology, it maintains consistent temperature levels, allowing for effortless smoking of meats, fish, and vegetables. Additionally, the included sear box provides high-temperature grilling capabilities, perfect for achieving restaurant-quality sear marks on your favorite cuts of meat.


3. Weber SmokeFire EX6 Gen 2 Pellet Grill

Weber SmokeFire Ex6

The Weber SmokeFire EX6 Gen 2 Pellet Grill combines superior craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional results. With its large cooking area and porcelain-enameled finish, it withstands the rigors of outdoor cooking while imparting delicious smoky flavor to your food. The EX6 Gen 2 offers precise temperature control and customizable cooking presets, ensuring optimal cooking conditions for a variety of dishes.


4. Green Mountain Grills Trek Prime 2.0 WiFi Pellet Grill

GMG Trek Prime 2.0

For those seeking portability without compromising on performance, the Green Mountain Trek Prime 2.0 Wood Pellet Grill is an excellent choice. This grill replaces the GMG beloved “Davy Crockett” model and adds new features. Despite its compact size, it boasts impressive cooking capabilities, including WiFi connectivity for remote control and monitoring. Whether you’re tailgating, camping, or grilling in your backyard, the GMG Trek Prime delivers mouthwatering results on-the-go.


5. Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Grill Smoker with PID 2.0

Z Grills 10002 B Pro

Rounding out our list is the Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker 10002B Pro, known for its affordability and reliability. With its generous cooking area and digital temperature control, it offers versatility for grilling, smoking, baking, roasting, and more. The 10002B PRO combines value with performance, making it a popular choice among pellet grill enthusiasts – and it looks downright awesome too.


6. Pit Boss PB820FB1 Pellet Grill

Pit Boss PF820FB1 Model

Pit Boss makes a lot of different models and you can find them at a variety of places. The Pit Boss PB820FB1 Pellet Grill is one of the most popular models because it offers a versatile and budget-friendly option for outdoor cooking enthusiasts. With its large cooking surface and dial-in temperature control, it’s capable of grilling, smoking, roasting, baking, and searing with ease. The durable construction and straightforward operation make it a favorite among beginners and experienced grillers alike.


7. REC TEC Deck Boss RT-590 Wood Pellet Smoker Grill

Rec Tec Deck Boss

Rec Tec makes a lot of grills and some are pretty pricey but for the value I’d go with the REC TEC Deck Boss RT-590 Wood Pellet Smoker Grill– a Wi-Fi-Enabled is a premium option known for its durability, precision, and exceptional performance. Featuring smart grill technology and a high-temperature powder coat finish, it delivers consistent heat distribution and superior smoke flavor. With its spacious cooking area and advanced controls, the Deck Boss is ideal for everything from low-and-slow smoking to high-heat grilling.


And there you have it, we believe the best pellet grill in 2024 offers a blend of advanced technology, durable construction, and exceptional cooking performance. Whether you prioritize convenience, versatility, or flavor, there’s a pellet grill available to suit your needs. Consider factors such as cooking area, temperature control, and additional features to find the perfect grill for your outdoor culinary adventures.

For the record, while all the grills on this list are top rated by experts and users alike, the Traeger 885 Ironwood is my current fav and if I had to pick just one from this list, that would be it. I’ve been 100% satisfied with mine and I’d bet you will be too.

What’s YOUR take?


Elevate Your Burger Game: Top 5 Rubs for Hamburgers

There’s nothing quite like the sizzle of a hamburger hitting the grill on a warm summer day. While a great patty is essential, the right seasoning can take your burger from ordinary to extraordinary. If you’re looking to elevate your burger game, look no further. We’ve scoured the web and grilled up the top 5 rubs guaranteed to make your hamburgers a hit at your next cookout.

  1. Classic Burger Rub:
    • Product: Weber Gourmet Burger Seasoning: A classic blend from a trusted brand, this seasoning offers a perfect combination of kosher salt, garlic, and black pepper to enhance the flavor of your burger patties.
  2. Southwest Chipotle Rub:
  3. Garlic Herb Rub:
    • Product: McCormick Grill Mates Garlic, Herb & Wine Marinade: While technically a marinade, this versatile product can also be used as a dry rub. With flavors of garlic, rosemary, and thyme, it’s perfect for adding a touch of herbaceousness to your burgers.
  4. Maple Bacon Rub:
    • Product: Pork Barrel BBQ All American Seasoning & Rub: While not explicitly labeled for burgers, this rub’s combination of brown sugar, smoked paprika, and bacon flavor adds a unique twist to your burger patties, reminiscent of the classic maple bacon combination.
  5. Mediterranean Lemon Pepper Rub:

At the end of the day these rubs and seasoning blends are not only popular among grillmasters but also highly rated and frequently purchased by consumers so whether you’re a seasoned grilling aficionado or just starting out, these top 5 rubs are sure to impress your guests and elevate your burger game to new heights.

No matter which rub you choose, be sure to generously coat your burgers on both sides before grilling for maximum flavor. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply craving a delicious homemade burger, these top 5 rubs are sure to impress. So fire up the grill, grab your favorite toppings, and get ready to enjoy the ultimate burger experience!

Boost Your Fitness Journey: Top Workout Supplements for Men Over 50

Today, we’re diving into the world of workout supplements tailored specifically for men over 50 like me. Whether you’re aiming to build muscle, improve endurance, or simply enhance your overall health, incorporating the right supplements into your routine can make all the difference. Let’s explore some top-rated workout supplements that will supercharge your fitness journey and have you feeling stronger and more energized than ever before. I’ll also provide links to find the products on Amazon.

Editor’s Note: Hi, I’m Mike – I founded That Helpful Dad on YouTube back in 2011 because I got tired of not being able to find trustworthy product reviews online. So I started doing my own. My goal was to provide a resource that would help other families know what family products were good and what weren’t so hot. We’ve reviewed tons of products over the years and shared countless helpful tips. We’ll continue to do so because our mission remains the same – be a trusted adviser to our readers and friends – like YOU.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and not telling you what you should/should not put into your body. This article is an example of what *I* do. Every person is different. I trust you will make the best decision for your body and I recommend you consult with your health care professional for additional guidance before using any of of the supplements on this list.

1. Protein Power:

First up, let’s talk protein. As we age, there are many benefits to maintaining muscle mass, and protein is the cornerstone of muscle repair and growth. That’s where Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein comes in. I’ve been using this product for about 20 years now and of all the protein powders I’ve tried over the years “ON” has always been my favorite. With its blend of whey protein isolate and peptides, and a wide variety of flavors to choose from, plus very few carbs, this powerhouse supplement supports muscle recovery and growth, ensuring you stay strong and resilient as you crush your workouts.

2. Multivitamin Magic:

Next on our list is Garden of Life Multivitamin for Men 50 & Over. We all know that a balanced diet is essential for overall health, but sometimes we need a little extra boost to ensure we’re getting all the nutrients we need, especially as we age. This multivitamin is specifically formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of men over 50, providing a blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants derived from whole foods. It’s a comprehensive men’s multivitamins formulated to meet the unique needs of men in their 50s & beyond; 100% DV of 18 minerals and vitamins for men like vitamin A, C, D, K, B Complex & Zinc—plus Lycopene, Boron, Vanadium & CoQ10. Say hello to vitality and goodbye to those pesky nutrient deficiencies!

3. Fish Oil Fuel:

Now, let’s talk about heart health and joint support with Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega SoftGels. Omega-3 fatty acids are like fuel for your body, supporting everything from cardiovascular function to brain health. I’m sure you know that research shows that the essential fatty acids EPA & DHA in fish oil support heart, brain, eye & immune health. Omega-3s may also help support a healthy mood.
The Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega features high concentration omega-3 fish oil and their formula meets the daily recommended dose suggested by the American Heart Association to support a healthy heart. I like the fact that Nordic’s omega-3 fish oil concentrates are in the triglyceride molecular form (the form naturally found in fish) for optimal absorption. As a bonus, Nordic’s Ultimate Omega has a great lemon taste, it’s non-GMO, gluten- & dairy-free ingredients with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. These softgels deliver high-potency omega-3s sourced from wild-caught fish, ensuring you stay sharp, focused, and agile as you tackle your workouts and conquer your day.

4. Creatine Charge:

Looking to boost your strength, power, and muscle endurance? Look no further than BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate Powder. There’s no need to spend more money on high priced creatine supplements when it’s been shown time and again that good old ‘mono creatine’ works just as well if not better than the fancy versions of creatine. The bottom line is that creatine is a powerhouse supplement that plays a crucial role in energy production during high-intensity exercise. It’s also been shown by research to be one of the safest supplements to use. I’ve been using creatine on and off for over 25 years and it’s been a staple of my program. Bulk Supplements’ version is micronized powder mixes easily into water or shakes, providing pure creatine to fuel your workouts and help you reach new heights of strength and performance.

5. Collagen Connection:

Last but not least, let’s talk about collagen peptides. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides are like the fountain of youth for your joints, skin, and connective tissues. Sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine hides, these peptides provide a convenient way to support joint health and promote skin elasticity as you age gracefully and maintain your active lifestyle. Personally I like the unflavored version best because it’s the most versatile to put into shakes, etc, but the vanilla and chocolate are also great choices if you wanna put some in your morning coffee.

Conclusion:

And there you have it, folks – the top workout supplements for men over 50 in my opinion and all of these are available on Amazon. Whether you’re aiming to build muscle, improve endurance, or simply support your overall health and vitality, these supplements have got you covered. So what are you waiting for? Stock up on your favorites, hit the gym, and unleash your inner beast. Your fittest, strongest self is waiting – let’s make it happen!

Why We Bought a Diamondback Cover for our Luxury Truck

My wife and I recently traded out her Honda Odyssey Elite Minivan for a Ram 1500 Longhorn Limited truck. The Longhorn is part of a new breed of trucks by Ram, Ford, Toyota, GMC, et al that cater to consumers that want to drive a truck that has the higher end features of a luxury vehicle. This was the case for my wife – our boys were out of car seats and she wanted to get back into a truck, but she wanted it to have all the bells and whistles of a luxury crossover – we found all that and more in her new Longhorn. The vehicle is just beautiful inside and out.

My wife and I with our new Ram
Ram 1500 Longhorn Black Saddle Interior

So you got the truck, what about the cover?

Of course the problem with trucks is that the bed needs a cover if you plan to put anything of value in there. We like to travel, and since the boys are in the rear cab, all our suitcases and gear have to go in the truck bed – that means we needed a cover that would provide weather protection and security.

We didn’t want to go with a full topper (in which case we would have just bought a large SUV) and we didn’t want to go with a single piece hard-shell topper (we didn’t like the way it looks). So that left us with the ubiquitous Tonneau Cover option.

What is a Tonneau Cover?

A “tonneau” is an area of a car or truck open at the top – for trucks that’s the bed. It follows then that a ‘tonneau cover’ is the item that covers the opening in order to provide weather protection, stop theft, and even improve aerodynamics/gas mileage. 

If you shop for a tonneau cover you’ll learn they’re made out of hard or soft materials including steel, aluminum, canvas, PVC, fiberglass, and carbon fiber. They also come in a variety of styles – some are bi or tri-folds, some roll up or retracts, some tilt open, etc. Some of them can be locked, some just snap shut.

Tonneau Cover Options

How did we decide on a Diamondback Cover?

Once we determined we wanted a tonneau cover for my wife’s truck, we had to decide what style we wanted. This took a bit of time, online research, and visiting some tonneau cover distributors so we could see the product types in person. We also started paying attention to what we saw on other people’s trucks around town. 

As I said, weather protection and security were the most important items for us, followed by ease of use and appearance. Since the ‘snap’ covers only provided minimal theft deterrence, we quickly eliminated them. Next we compared the various models that had multiple ‘hard’ panels that could be folded open, retracted, or rolled up.

We found numerous items we liked in this class and we’d actually made the decision to purchase a BakFlip MX4 since that model was known to fit our truck and seemed to offer us everything we wanted. 


Then we saw the Diamondback and that changed everything!

Diamondback Cover

One look at a Diamondback cover and you’ll immediately recognize it’s something special. Pick an adjective – Tough, Impressive, Bold, Sturdy, Impenetrable – these and more come to mind when you see a Diamondback. We absolutely loved the look of the Diamondback and thought it would be a perfect looking cover for our bed.

What makes a Diamondback Cover so special?

Weather protection – reviews out the wazoo complain of leaking in most tonneau covers – to include the BakFlip MX4 we considered. But the Diamondback was built with weather protection in mind – a thick EPDM compression gasket runs along the perimeter of the cover to create a barrier to water, snow, or ice, keeping your cargo dry. Win!

Anti-Theft – although nothing is impossible to break in to, it would take a very determined thief to take the time to pry open the fortress that is a Diamondback when far easier fare could be had slicing open soft tonneau covers or picking the kinda flimsy locks offered by most other tonneau covers. The Diamondback cover is made with die-cast zinc lock handles on the access panels that work in conjunction with a 3/8″ deadbolt-style rods directly under the bed rails of your truck. Check it out…

Ease of Access – although the panels on the Diamondback weigh 35-50 pounds each, because the cover uses gas springs, my wife can raise/lower the panels with a single hand. Another Win!

Appearance – well you already know the answer there. We never knew a tonneau cover like this was an option but once we saw it it was exactly what we wanted!

Bonus – Made in America! My wife and I are grateful to be “Make America Great Again” Conservative Christians who love the USA. When we learned the covers are made in the USA that was yet another reason for us to buy a Diamondback and support a quality American business. Additionally, I was born in PA and when I read the story of how the company was formed at Penn State that was the icing on the cake.

Which Diamondback Cover did we choose?

Diamondback makes 4 different covers at this time: The Diamondback SE, Diamondback HD, Diamondback 270, and the Diamondback 180. You can compare them here. There are also 3 different finish options to choose from – the standard Rugged Black, the new Smooth Black, and the classic Rugged Aluminum (Silver).

We chose the Diamondback SE in the new Smooth Black finish – it looks amazing.

Diamondback SE Smooth Black Finish

The reason why we went with the SE vs the HD or 270 is because we’re not planning to haul anything on the top so we didn’t need the extra heavy duty HD version which can hold up to 1600 pounds of gear/ATV’s/You Name It ON TOP of the cover. The SE version holds up to 400 pounds on top of the cover and that’s plenty more than we’ll ever need.

With the HD eliminated, and not interested in the 180 version, that narrowed it down to the SE and the 270. I was initially leaning towards the 270 with the multi front panel access options, but knowing that I was going to have to do the install myself, I thought it would be best to just go with the easiest model to install (the SE) vs the extra steps of the 270. [Update: after doing the install and realizing it wasn’t really all that hard, I know now we could easily have gone with the 270 model, however the SE has been great and it’s providing everything we want in a tonneau cover].

Anything else?

During the process of buying our Diamondback we learned that the company has an unrelenting commitment to quality backed by truly OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE. When I installed our cover I noticed two things that weren’t quite perfect.

The weather stripping on one of the corners of the rear panel didn’t quite fully meet with the center panel – it was off by about a 1/2 inch.

Additionally the “Diamondback” logo on the back had a tiny bit of paint overspray on the couple of the letters so the logo wasn’t completely clear to my eye (to the clear the logo was still very legible, just not perfect)..

Both of these were very minor issues but given that we’d just paid about $2k I decided to reach out to Diamondback customer care and let them know. 

I assumed they’d just send me a small section of additional weatherstripping for the 1/2 gap and I didn’t really expect much on the minor paint overspray on the logo letters since it wasn’t that big a deal. At most I figured they’d just send me a replacement for the rear panel. Boy was I wrong!

Customer Care Specialist Ben Kramer immediately responded to my concerns and went above and beyond to make it right. Since the issues were minor he offered me two options – a discount to keep the current cover or a full replacement cover. 

I never expected they’d want to replace the entire cover just to fix a couple minor issues with the rear panel, but as Ben explained Diamondback as a commitment to quality and additionally, due to the production process of the Diamondback covers the unique fitment of each panel and one of a kind lock handles, you can’t just replace one panel (the locks won’t match up) so Diamondback wanted to replace the entire cover for us.

We chose the replacement option, Diamondback sent us a new cover, we kept the old cover on until the new cover arrived, quickly swapped out the new cover for the old, and then sent back the original in the return box/crate provided by Diamondback – it really couldn’t have been easier. I’d like to recognize Ben and all the good folks at Diamondback for taking care of us in this way!

With customer service like this and a great warranty program we’re confident our Diamondback will be with us for many years to come. That’s peace of mind worth investing in.

So what’s the bottom line?

If you’ve got a high end truck and you’re looking for a high end tonneau cover to complement it, you really need to be looking at the Diamondback Covers. Check out all the Diamondbacks on their site and if you decide to order, let them know That Helpful Dad told you about ‘em. It’ll be a win-win for all of us.

Best PreWorkout Supplement – Nitro Surge – Focus, Power, and Energy all in one!

Wanted to share my new favorite preworkout supplement with you – Nitro Surge. If you follow my blog you’ll know I’m a big fan of living a health lifestyle – I’ve been doing Intermittent Fasting for 5 years, I meditate daily, and I try to exercise 5-6 days a week. I’m over 50 and so far God has blessed me with great health (and I pray that continues). I’ve written about workout supplements in the past and today I want to tell you about Nitro Surge – a product I’ve been using for nearly a year now.

If you’re looking for a great preworkout supplement to add to your routine that will give you results consider giving Nitro Surge a try.

Disclaimer – please make sure you are healthy enough to workout, you use the product per the directions, and of course you check with your doctor first to ensure you can tolerate the ingredients of Nitro Surge. My recommendation is based on my own personal experience and your results or tolerance for the product may be different than mine so, as always, exercise caution with this or any supplement.

What is a PREWorkout Supplement and why might you want one?

If you want an in-depth discussion of a preworkout supplement, there’s a great article about this on Masterclass.com and I recommend you check it out, but the basic gist is that a “pre-workout is a supplement that can increase energy levels, improve exercise performance, and stimulate muscle growth. The ingredients and effects of pre-workout supplements vary by product, but most products use ingredients like caffeine to provide an energy boost or creatine to help increase muscle mass. Athletes typically consume pre-workout supplements as pills or as powders mixed into drinks and you can also mix pre-workout supplements with protein powders, which can help stimulate protein synthesis and build muscle.”

Now that I’m over 50 the energy level is not what it was when I was 25. I need a bit of a jump start to get going. This is the reason why I take a preworkout supplement.

I’ve tried a bunch of preworkout supplements and there are other good ones (C4 is another preworkout supplement I like), but the best of the bunch, the one that consistently gives me a great workout time and again is Nitro Surge.

What is Nitro Surge?

Nitro surge is a pre-workout for men and women that “delivers everything you need for explosive workouts laser-sharp focus, endless endurance, and powerful pumps.” I put that in quotes because that’s the company’s marketing message, however I can personally attest that these claims are all true.

Although the ingredients are different, Nitro Surge reminds me of my all-time fav preworkout supplement – Jacked3D from back in the day. Sadly the original form of Jacked3D is no longer available and I’ve had a devil of a time trying to find a preworkout supplement that gives me what Jacked3D did – specifically focus, energy, endurance, and a pump. Thankfully I discovered that Nitro Surge does all of that for me.

What are the main ingredients of Nitro Surge?

The formula for Nitro Surge contains L-Citrulline, Betaine Anhydrous, Beta Alanine, Caffeine, L Theanine, and it’s creatine-free. That last part is important in case you take a separate creatine powder – in which case you may NOT want more creatine in your preworkout supplement – that’s another reason why I like Nitro Surge.

Bonus – Nitro Surge contains Nitric Oxide Boosting

Boosting nitric oxide (NO) levels is believed to improve your blood-flow to the muscle to maximize pumps, endurance, strength, and fuel muscle growth. NO boosters are a common ingredient in preworkout supplements and I personally believe in this theory because when I use a NO Booster I can ‘feel’ the pump when I’m working out and my muscles look bigger.

Nitro Surge is Made in the USA

According to the company, Nitro Surge is made in a USA cGMP-Certified Manufacturing Facility. This preworkout powder drink is made in a cGMP-certified facility using high-quality raw materials. Each bottle of Nitro Surge is tested for potency, authenticity, and purity.


My Favorite Workout Supplements

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What’s YOUR Take?

Do you use Nitro Surge or another preworkout supplement? If so, let me know in the comments below.

Amazing Product Alert – Wonderience Sauna Tank Top for Gym, Home, Office, and more

I recently discovered a great new product called the Wonderience Waist Trainer Vest which is a Hot Neoprene Sauna Suit in the form of a workout Tank Top. It’s a fantastic product that’s ridiculously inexpensive (I got it for under $20) and it really lives up to its claims. In this quick post I’ll tell you why I like it and where to get it.

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Workout Sauna Vests – Why Wonderience is Different.

Sauna vests are nothing new – we’ve all seen the old style space suits from years past that force you to sweat by encapsulating you in de facto plastic – while those old style sauna suits do work, the problem with older sauna suits is that they are way TOO HOT and uncomfortable to wear for very long, they look ridiculous, and nobody really wants to wear them.

Old, Uncomfortable Sauna Suits

Wonderience Sauna Vest

The Wonderience Sauna Vest is different. I’ve worn this vest for HOURS and have never gotten overheated – in fact it’s comfortable I don’t realize I have it on sometimes. I DO sweat beneath the vest (which is great), but I do NOT get overheated (which is even better) and I can wear the vest as long as I like.

As an unexpected bonus, the vest acts like a body shaper and it improves your posture by encouraging a proper posture form – awesome!

Wonderience Workout Sauna Vest

Here are the specs on the Wonderience Sauna Vest:

  • Interior material: Neoprene
  • Zipper closure
  • Sauna vest with Zipper burn fat more than regular gym clothing, helps posture for back and abs as you workout
  • Making you sweat like crazy when you workout keeps you body warm during cold days with minimal thermal cover with this underwear ,This Corset training vest can be worn under or over your regular shirts
  • Vests burn more fat, produce heat in a workout wearing Sauna Vest and accelerating your fat burning
  • Material produce higher compression resulting in more sweating and help your body to sweat out harmful fats. Enhances the abdominal and spinal support
  • Wear the Shaper under jacket or dress around the house, when you’re exercising, running errands or going out. You’ll have a firmer posture, lower back support, and be sweating all day.

Shop Wonderience Sauna Vest

MIKE’s PRO TIP – if you do get one be sure to get the one with the ZIPPER FRONT – it makes it super easy to get on and off. You don’t want to be messing with trying to put this on like a normal shirt because it will be too tight. Get the zipper version and you’ll thank me.

Best Gym Headphones – Over the Ear Wireless Edition

In this article, I’ll give you my tips of the best over the ear wireless headphones for the gym.


Best Gym Headphones TL:DR

If you’re in a hurry, here’s the list:


Why Over the Ear Wireless Headphones are Great for the Gym

Going to the gym is great, but when the gym’s music is blasting tunes you don’t like it can put a real damper on your workout, right? I wear headphones so I can listen to the music I want to listen to not what the gym employees want. And I choose wireless phones because I can’t be messing with wires when I’m trying to work with weights.

Why I choose Over the Ear Headphones over Ear Buds

In ideal world, ear buds would be the choice because they are smaller than over the ear phones. Unfortunately, even the best noise-cancelling ear buds just don’t seem to block out the background noise as effectively as over the ear headphones. That’s why over the ear wireless phones are my preferred choice for working out at the gym. Are over-the-ear phones bulkier than ear buds? Sure, but over the ear headphones also do the best job of getting rid of outside noise and distractions – that means you can listen to the music you love and translate that into an awesome workout – and isn’t that what’s important when you go to the gym?


Best Over the Ear Headphones for Gym – Best Sound Quality Overall

If your budget allows, there is no real competition for the best over the ear headphones for the gym in terms of overall SOUND QUALITY and active NOISE CANCELLATION – the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.

Why is the Bose QuietComfort 35 II the Best Over the Ear Headphones for the Gym?

  • Industry leading ACTIVE Noise Cancelling blocks outside music and noise better than anything else on the market. Less Distractions = More Focus on your Workout.
  • Adjust your level of noise cancelling between three settings using the Action button or the Bose Connect app.
  • Volume-optimized EQ gives you balanced audio performance at any volume and makes Bose QC 35 the best over SOUND QUALITY on the market for all types of music in general (EXCEPT for heavy bass music where the Beats is superior – see below).
  • Super Comfortable Ear Cups
  • Easy Bluetooth pairing.
  • 20 hours of battery life.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Bose QuietComfort 35 (original)

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II and the Bose QuietComfort 35 (original) are nearly identical but for an “Action” button.

Here’s the official word from Bose “QuietComfort 35 headphones II offer the same unmatched combination of acclaimed noise reduction technology, wireless freedom, audio performance, dual-microphone system and 20-hour battery life as QuietComfort 35 headphones. However, QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones II also have a new Action button on the left earcup. In countries where the Google Assistant is available, that button gives you instant access to the Google Assistant, your own personal Google. In countries where the Google Assistant is not available, it lets you quickly toggle through three different ANR settings for optimal performance wherever you go.”

Personally we don’t think you’ll get much use of the Action button at the gym and if you can find the Bose QuietComfort 35 original edition than go with that – the problem is they’re hard to find and Bose is really only promoting the QC 35 II now as well as their new 700 model (below).

Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs the new Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

You could go with the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 if you really want to, but in our opinion the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 has been updated to serve meet the Quarantine Life Work from Home market and is not necessarily any better at the audio or noise-cancelling tasks than the Bose QC 35 II. If that’s true then why pay more for the newer model?


Best Over the Ear Headphones for Gym – Best Boomin’ Bass

Here’s another one in the premium price category and it’s aimed at those who value heavy bass in their music – as well as style. For this category the best over the ear headphones for the gym are the renowned Beats Studio 3.

Why are the Beats Studio 3 the Best Over the Ear Bass Headphones for the Gym?

  • Like the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, the Beats have ACTIVE Noise Cancellation to block out distractions.
  • Real-time Audio calibration preserves a Premium listening experience – the full, rich sound on the Beats for rap, hip hop, and other heavy bass music is unmatched.
  • Fantastic STYLE with 7 different color options and Beats branding.
  • Comfortable ear cups to fit over any ear.
  • Up to 22 hours of battery life enables full-featured all-day wireless playback
  • Great Improvement – With the new Fast Fuel system a 10-minute charge gives 3 hours of play when battery is low. (This solves a big problem with earlier Beats phones).

Beats Studio 3 vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II

Let’s keep this very simple – if you listen to music that is heavy bass then get the Beats Studio 3.

Listen, we know style is important and lots of people go to the gym to show off – we’re not judging – so if you wanna look good by wearing the most recognizable pair of headphones on the market AND you wanna choose from lots of colors, then get the Beats Studio 3.

If you don’t care about people looking at you so much and/or you don’t listen to heavy bass music and you just want the best noise-cancelling and pure sound quality, then get the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.


Best Over the Ear Headphones for Gym for Most People – Durability and Price

Let’s face it, most people probably can’t afford to spend the money on the Bose QuietComfort 35 II or the Beats Studio 3 – especially if you still need money to pay for that gym membership, right?

If that’s your situation, don’t worry, we’ve got a fantastic pair of over the ear wireless headphones that durable, have an insane battery life, and you can get them at a much lower price than the premium options: the OneOdio Bluetooth Over Ear Studio Wireless Headphones.

Why are the OneOdio Studio Wireless headphones the best for most people?

  • PRICE – you can buy 5 to 6 of these for the price of 1 Bose or Beats!
  • INSANE BATTERY LIFE – up to 80 hours of wireless play!
  • Never Lose Sound – with Dual Mode & Never Power Off features, when the wireless battery runs out you can switch to wired mode until you can recharge again.
  • Deep Rich Sound – Large 50 mm speaker unit drivers combined with neodymium magnets provides stereo sound, powerful bass, clear vocal, and crisp high tones.
  • Comfortable Ear Cups – ergonomic designed memory ensure long lasting comfort. 
  • Although they don’t feature the same “Active” Noise Cancelling technology of the Bose or Beats, you may not notice the difference because the OneOdio Studio Wireless ear cups fit so well they are really good at blocking out distractions and playing your music.

OneOdio Studio 3 vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Beats Studio 3

Over the years I’ve had lots of headphones – including the Bose, Beats, OneOdio, Cowans, Audio-Technicas, and more.

I love my Bose for sound quality but I don’t like taking them to the gym because they are so expensive and I don’t wanna get the ear cups all sweaty and have the phones break down on my faster – I prefer to keep my Bose for travel and home use.

The Beats I gave to my pre-teen son since he cares more about style and listens to more of the music style that the Beats are best for.

For me, I prefer the OneOdio Studio Wireless as the Best Over the Ear Wireless Headphones for the gym and here’s why…

The OneOdio Studio Wireless are the ones I personally use for the gym because they are durable, sound great, block out distractions, are comfortable, and I pretty much never have to charge them. I use them every day and I can’t tell you the last time I charged them – it’s really crazy! And you just can’t beat the price!

The OneOdio are my 2021 Editor’s Choice Award for Best Over the Ear Wireless Headphones for the Gym.


What’s Your Choice – Bose, Beats, or OneOdio?

Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Beats Studio 3
OneOdio Studio Wireless

How to choose the Best SONOS products for your wireless home music system

Over the last couple of years my family has been upgrading our home audio system and our home theater system inside the house and on the outside patio area and after much research we chose to go with SONOS products. Unfortunately we discovered that it’s kinda hard to do that easily because there are so many Sonos products and it’s hard to know which one you need for which purpose. Luckily I found an informative article that helped me and I wanted to share it with you in the hopes that it will be useful to you as well.

Best Sonos Products Buying Guide

Portions of this post come from a helpful article on Crutchfield.com and written by Ralph Graves

One of the easiest ways to add music to lots of rooms in your house is with Sonos.

Sonos is easy to set up and control wirelessly with your smartphone or voice. And it’s cost-effective compared to hiring a custom installer. We can help you get started. Read on for advice on what you need to add wireless multi-room audio to your life.

How to use Sonos for wireless music

If you want to replace your current speaker system or add music to different rooms, Sonos offers a variety of powered speaker models (each is available in black or white).

Sonos speakers and sound bars are also compatible with Apple AirPlay® 2. This lets you stream directly from iOS devices (like an iPhone®) and use Siri to play Apple Music selections (with subscription). It also lets you stream Netflix and YouTube soundtracks to your Sonos speakers as the video plays on your device. 

The current Sonos Speaker lineup includes

Sonos One vs Sonos One SL

The Sonos One SL is virtually identical to the Sonos One, except it doesn’t have any voice control capabilities.

Sonos One

Sonos One

  • Great for: smaller rooms like a bedroom or a dining room
  • Built-in speakers: 2 full-range drivers
  • Built-in voice control: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
  • Placement: tabletop; wall- or stand-mountable
  • Sound: well-balanced with clear detail and expansive sound field

Sonos One SL

Sonos One SL

The Sonos One SL is great for smaller rooms where voice control is not needed.

  • Great for: smaller rooms like a bedroom or a dining room. The Sonos One SL is virtually identical to the Sonos One, except it doesn’t have any voice control capabilities.
  • Built-in speakers: 2 full-range drivers
  • Placement: tabletop; wall- or stand-mountable
  • Sound: well-balanced with clear detail and expansive sound field

The portable Sonos Move lets you take your music anywhere.

What is the Sonos Move?

Sonos Move speaker by the pool

The Sonos Move is a portable wireless Sonos Speaker with a built-in rechargeable battery. When it can connect with your home Wi-Fi, it can be a part of your Sonos multi-room system. You can also take it anywhere you would any portable speaker (it’s waterproof), and use it as a Bluetooth speaker.

  • Great for: decks, patios, and on-the-go listening
  • Built-in speakers: 2 full-range drivers
  • Built-in voice control: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
  • Placement: tabletop
  • Sound: clear and balanced with full-sounding bass
  • Weather Resistant: With an IP56 rating, Move stands up to humidity, rain, snow, dust, salt spray, UV rays, and extreme heat and cold
  • Durable: Don’t worry about accidental drops or bumps. Move’s components are protected by a hard-wearing, shock-resistant case

Sonos Five – More Power for Larger Rooms

Sonos Five Wireless powered speaker

The Sonos Five is ideal for larger rooms.

  • Great for: large rooms like a living room, master suite, large kitchen, or open floor plans
  • Built-in speakers: 6 balanced drivers: 3 tweeters and 3 high-excursion mid-woofers
  • Placement: tabletop; wall- or stand-mountable
  • Other features: 3.5mm line in and headphone jack
  • Sound: Full-bodied and detailed with a spacious sound field

Sonus Sub – the key to Max Bass


Sonos Sub (Gen 3) Wireless subwoofer

If you’re really serious about excellent sound with plenty of deep bass, we recommend adding a Sonos Sub to a pair of Sonos speakers.

The Sonos Sub features dual woofers and acoustic ports, so it will fill out the low frequencies. It’s great for a system that will rival some pretty nice receiver-and-speaker setups (it’s also great for movies and TV — keep reading). You can also pair the Sub with a single Sonos speaker, though we recommend using it with stereo pairs.


Tip: Use two Sonos wireless speakers in the same room for bigger sound

All Sonos speakers can be set to function in stereo pairs, for a wide stereo image and left/right separation. It’s a great option for large rooms where a single speaker may not be enough. Here’s a vid showing you how to create a Sonos Stereo Pair…

Of course, you can only pair like to like. So you can pair two Sonos One speakers or two Sonos Five speakers or pretty much any combo you like.

Shops Sonos Speaker Sets in the Sonos Amazon Store

Click the pic to shop Sonos Speaker Sets

Best Sonos Components to ADD Sonos to your current stereo system

Sonos Amp vs Port: which component do I need? | Smart Home ...

The Sonos Port and Sonos Amp can added to your existing stereo system, giving you plenty of options to add Sonos into your home.

What is the Sonos PORT?

The Sonos Port allows you to enjoy all the wireless music benefits of Sonos speakers through your existing stereo system. It offers digital and analog audio outputs, so you can connect it to an integrated amplifier, preamp, stereo receiver, home theater receiver, or powered speakers.

I have the Port myself and it was one of the first Sonos components we purchased. It’s Easy to set up and it’s pretty much a set-it and forget it kind of device – which is awesome!

~That Helpful Dad

The Sonos Port lets you tie your existing stereo setup into a wireless multi-room music system – using Sonos speakers or your existing ones.

What is the Sonos Amp?

The Sonos Amp is a versatile amplified player for use with any pair of stereo speakers. Just connect your speakers to the terminals and start streaming tunes wirelessly. It also has mono subwoofer output, for a 2.1 audio system.

You can connect a TV to a Sonos Amp and stream its audio to other Sonos speakers in your system. It also has analog inputs for connecting a source component like a CD player, as well as a preamp output for a powered subwoofer.

Use the Sonos Amp to enjoy Sonos with a pair of stereo speakers.

TIP: You can use the Sonos Port and Sonos Amp with multi-room installations with in-wall or in-ceiling speakers

You can use multiple Sonos Port music players along with stereo or multi-room amplifiers to power in-wall or in-ceiling speakers in several rooms. It’s a great way to enjoy music throughout your home while all the gear remains out of sight.

The Sonos Amp makes it easy to add in-wall, in-ceiling, or outdoor speakers to your wireless multi-room music system.

To learn more, read Cruthfield’s article on How to use Sonos with ceiling speakers and outdoor speakers.


Sonos Home Theater Setups

If you want to put together a system for your TV room or home theater, Sonos has some cool options that offer great sound and wireless music capability, including:

Each option has its own advantages. Sonos home theater systems can play wireless music from the same sources as all the other Sonos components. And these sound bars let you stream audio from your TV to Sonos components in other rooms.

Sonos Arc

The Sonos Arc is a great choice for both music and home theater playback.

  • Great for: advanced home theater and music systems
  • Built-in speakers: eleven — 8 elliptical woofers, 2 drivers, center channel speaker
  • Connection to TV: HDMI ARC port; includes an adapter if you prefer an optical digital connection
  • Built-in voice control: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
  • Placement: cabinet-top; wall-mountable
  • Special features: supports Dolby Atmos® audio signals for a more lifelike soundstage with compatible TVs
  • Sound: spacious, detailed sound from both movie soundtracks and music tracks

Sonos Beam

The Sonos Beam is a compact sound bar for simple systems.

Sonos Beam: The Smart and Compact Soundbar - Go Harvey Norman
  • Great for: dens, bedrooms, home offices
  • Built-in speakers: five — 1 tweeter, 4 full-range drivers
  • Connection to TV: HDMI ARC port; includes an adapter if you prefer an optical digital connection
  • Built-in voice control: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
  • Placement: cabinet-top; wall-mountable
  • Sound: spacious sound with clear TV and movie dialogue

Sonos Playbar

Sonos Playbar - TV Soundbar and Wireless Music System ...

The Playbar makes a great all-purpose sound bar.

  • Great for: family rooms and living rooms
  • Built-in speakers: nine — 3 tweeters and 6 mid-range drivers
  • Connection to TV: optical digital audio cable
  • Placement: cabinet-top; wall-mountable
  • Sound: detailed sound with clear dialogue for movies and TV

Sonos Playbase

The Playbase provides a sturdy platform for your TV.

  • Great for: living rooms, dens, bedrooms
  • Built-in speakers: ten — 3 tweeters, 6 mid-range drivers, 1 low-frequency woofer
  • Connection to TV: optical digital audio cable
  • Placement: cabinet-top — designed to provide a platform for your TV
  • Sound: spacious, powerful sound with strong bass; clear TV and movie dialogue

Sonos Beam vs Playbase vs Playbar

The following comparisons will help you understand the differences between the Sonos Beam vs Playbase vs Playbar.

Sonos Playbase vs Beam

Sonos Playbase vs Playbar


TIP: Add a Sonos Sub to expand your Sonos Home Theater System

The Sonos Sub can be paired wirelessly with any of these sound bars to expand and strengthen the low register, adding dimension to your TV and movie sound.

Playbar and Sub — the Sonos sound bar and subwoofer offer dynamic, impactful sound for movies and TV.

You can use two Sonos One, or Sonos One SL speakers as surround speakers with your Sonos sound bar. Along with the Sub, this gives you a 5.1-channel surround sound system for immersive sound in your home theater.

A great way to add surround speakers is to purchase a bundled set of Sonos speakers. You save money, and — depending on the bundle — you can add more speakers for additional rooms. 

Enjoy a wireless home surround sound setup with Sonos components.


Shop Sonos Store on Amazon

Get even more ideas from the Sonos store on Amazon – click the pic to see more…

Product I can’t live without – How I use my BED OF NAILS to destress and find peace

A few years ago I told you how I discovered a Bed of Nails acupressure mats and that I loved it so much I put it on my Essential Guide to Awesomeness list. Later the product earned one of my Editor’s Choice awards. Since I first discovered it, I’ve pretty much been using my Bed of Nails every day, yet the product became an absolute MUST HAVE for me during the Covid plandemic lockdowns that started in 2020 and currently show no signs of ever ending. My bed of nails is one of the key products that has helped me keep my sanity during these crazy times.

FYI – I have the one by SPOONK in the middle

What is a Bed of Nails?

A Bed of Nails is an acupressure mat that you lay on – it has gentle plastic spikes that provide self-healing benefits from a combo of acupuncture and massage.

How does it work?

Bed of Nails originated over 1,000 years ago and was used by gurus in the practice of meditation and healing. Bed of Nails acupressure mats use a modern, ergonomically designed version of that ancient technology, with a Swedish twist, to model those same deep healing effects. With thousands of non-toxic plastic nails, harmless to the skin but with all the healing benefits of its legendary ancestor.

Acupressure has been used for centuries to promote self-healing by rejuvenating and rebalancing the body. 

A Bed of Nails works on the simple principle of acupressure by pressing the stimulation points on the skin to increase circulation and aid relaxation in the inflamed and painful muscle area, relieving muscle, nerve, and back pain. a bed of nails can provide the benefits of a deep tissue massage that lowers the “stress hormone” cortisol while releasing endorphins (or “feel good hormones”), which help create an overall more positive and relaxed state of mind.

Does a bed of nails hurt?

That depends on how you choose to use it. With a bed of nails, YOU control the intensity of the acupressure. There are many options. For example…

How I use my Bed of Nails

Personally I use the “extra intensity” method and I lay on my bed of nails bare skin to mat.

When you use this method you’ll experience a gamut of sensations. When I first started doing this I would describe it as somewhat painful initially, however once you get through the first 5 minutes you start to reach a state of bliss. After 20-30 minutes, you’ll reach a state of ‘gelatinous euphoria’ where the cares of the world melt away. 

I know use my Bed of Nails every night while reading or watching tv in bed and I regularly lay on it for 30, 45, even 60 minutes or more – it does wonders for relieving the stress of the day!

10 Benefits of using a Bed of Nails

People who use a bed of nails like me believe some or all or the following are the benefits of using a bed of nails…

  1. Reduce pain in back, neck, shoulders, hips and joints.
  2. Improved circulation. Improved Digestion.
  3. Increased energy levels
  4. Release tension and find a deep sense of relaxation.
  5. Relaxing muscles and joints. Decreased muscular tension.
  6. Minimizing headaches. Reduce blood pressure.
  7. Increased levels of endorphin. A positive mental outlook.
  8. Increased uptake of oxygen.
  9. Improve sleep quality and relieve insomnia.
  10. Fibromyalgia relief

I can’t speak to the Fibromyalgia relief or whether it reduces headaches, blood pressure, or increases O2, but…

I can tell you FOR SURE that my bed of nails reduces my stess/tension, reduces pain in my back/shoulders, improves my sleep, and gives me more energy.

Get a Bed of Nails for yourself today

If you follow my blog, you know that when I write an article about a product I only recommend products that I personally use and believe in. I’m telling you that my bed of nails is a product I can’t live without and I give it my TOP RATING.

Take my advice and consider getting a bed of nails for yourself today. As I mentioned before, I own one made by Spoonk but there are plenty to choose from on Amazon. Click the pic below and see for yourself – I have it auto-sorted by the most popular 4-star rated bed of nails choices. Your best bets are likely the following market leading brands: Nayoya, Spoonk, Bed of Nails brand, and ProSource Fit.

Shop Here – Click the Pic to see these and many more bed of nails options.

FYI – I have the one by SPOONK in the middle

After you get one and start using it, let us know how you like it.

Enjoy!

What’s the Best Traeger Grill?

So you’ve decided you want to buy a wood-fired pellet grill and more specifically you want that pellet grill to be a TRAEGER Grill, but you’re still not sure which model is the best for you? If that sounds like you, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll help you learn more about the various Traeger Grill models and narrow down your choice to which model is the Best Traeger Grill for YOU.

If you love grilling, visit our new website LordofTheGrills.com where this article was originally published.

Best Traeger Grill

Why Buy a Traeger?

If you’re reading this article, I probably don’t need to ‘sell’ you on why the Traeger Brand is the best choice when it comes to a wood-fired pellet grill. After all Traeger was the ‘original’ pellet grill and their history dates back to 1986.

Traeger Grill 6-in-1 Grilling

As you probably know by now Traeger makes it easy to grill however you like best – no matter which grill you go with, Traeger’s 6-in-1 ability means you can grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise and BBQ your way to pure, hardwood flavor. A fast learning curve, simple to use grilling technology, the ability to get consistent temperature control, AND great value for the money has made the Traeger Grill brand one of the most popular in the US today.

BTW – If you want to know more about Traeger’s history and why Traegers are so popular be sure to read this article: “What is a Traeger Grill and Why are Traeger Grills so popular.” For now though, let’s get to finding the best Traeger Grill for you.


Understanding the Different Models of Traeger Grill

Because there are so many Traeger Models with different names, it can be intimidating to shop for a Traeger Grill in the beginning. But have no fear, we can help you understand the differences between the Traeger Grill models.

At the time of this article, Traeger currently make 4 models of pellet grills. They are:

  • Traeger Portables – the most portable options of Traegers – including the ScoutRanger, and Tailgator models. The Scout and Ranger are super mini versions, while the Tailgator looks more like a traditional Traeger but has folding legs.
  • Traeger Pro – The most popular options for Traeger Grills. With a mid-range price points, the Pro Series are what most people will start their Traeger journey with. What’s great about the Pro line is that you can still enjoy Traeger’s WiFire technology (wifi connectivity) so you can control your Traeger Grill with the Traeger app on your mobile device – that means you can have a beer and watch the ball game inside while your Traeger is cooking outside!
  • Traeger Ironwood Series – If you want to enjoy more features than the Pro offers, the Ironwood Traegers may be for you. Here you’ll find larger cooking space and more technology (TRU convection, Super Smoke Mode, DownDraft Exhaust, and more).
  • Traeger Timberline series – Looking for a top-of-the-line Traeger? Then The Timberline is for you – these are the biggest, macked-out Traeger’s you can buy, with up to 1300 sq inches to grill on and all the tech Traeger has to offer.
  • Other Models: Traeger also has models & model combinations under the names BronsonRenegade, Texas & Lil’ Tex, Junior EliteXL, and Commercial. Some are sold at Big Box Stores like Costco or online.

What do the NUMBERS mean on the Traeger Grill Models?

As of 2019, the number that you see on the Traeger Grill Models means how large the COOKING SURFACE is. So, for example, the Traeger Pro Series 780 Pellet Grill will have 780 square inches of cooking space. And just like that the mystery is gone!


Best Traeger Grills

It’s now time to look at the best Traeger Grills, we’re going to give you one model from each of the four model lines. That means the best Portable Traeger Grill, the best Traeger Pro Series Grill, the Best Traeger Ironwood Grill, and the Best Traeger Timberline Grill. Knowing what’s the best from each line should help you narrow down your choice and make the best buying decision for your family. Let’s get to it…

Best Traeger Portable Grill

Traeger Tailgater 20
Traeger Tailgator 20

Winner: Traeger Tailgator 20

Unless space is severely limited and/or you just must have a tabletop unit, if you want a true Traeger Grill experience in a portable model, do yourself a favor and choose the Traeger Tailgater 20 Grill. There’s nothing wrong with the Traeger Scout and Ranger models, but they don’t compare to the experience of the Traeger Tailgater 20.

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Why is the Traeger Tailgater 20 the best Traeger Portable Grill?

From game days to getaways, bring wood-fired flavor everywhere with the new Tailgater 20. Featuring a compact, portable design, it’s prime for balconies, tailgating or anywhere else you want to take 6-in-1 versatility and superior taste. And now it comes armed with Traeger’s Digital Arc controller for more precise, consistent temperatures and a Keep Warm Mode that keeps food fresh until chow time.

That means that with the Traeger Tailgater 20 you can enjoy all the benefits of that true wood-pellet grilling experience AND take it with you! With foldable legs and a total weight around 60 lbs, the Traeger Tailgator 20 is easy to transport. But don’t let it’s light weight fool you, this is a real Traeger grill that uses a hopper for wood pellets and the hopper is big enough to hold 8 lbs of wood pellets so you can still cook for 5-6 hours without refilling.

Traeger Tailgator 20 Features

The Traeger Tailgator 20 is also big enough to cook a nice meal on. The grilling space is 20 x 15 inches which is 300 square inches. That’s the right size to cook multiple rib racks, a couple chickens, a boat load of burgers, and more.

Other features of the Traeger Tailgater 20 include:

  • Digital Arc Controller allows you to set the temperature in 5-degree increments
  • Keep Warm Mode ensures food is “hot-off-the-grill” no matter when you eat
  • Advanced Grilling Logic for precise temperature performance
  • Meat Probe to check temps without lifting the lid
  • 300 sq. in. (20″ x 15″) Grilling Area
  • EZ-Fold Legs

Traeger Tailgater 20 Grilling Capacity

Here’s what you can fit on a Traeger Tailgator 20…

Traeger Tailgator 20 Grill Space

Traeger Tailgator 20 Video Review

Here’s a very thorough video review of the Traeger Tailgator 20 from Jus’ Piddlin BBQ…

Traeger Tailgater 20 – Current Prices

Ready to buy a Traeger Tailgater 20? Check the latest price here…


Best Traeger Pro Series Grill

Winner: Traeger Pro 780 Grill

The Pro Series line of Traeger Grills is the most popular and it offers you the most model choices – by far. Check out this chart and see just SOME of the models in the Traeger Pro series lineup.

Traeger Pro Series Lineup

Which Traeger Grill Pro Series Model is right for you?

From the list I showed you in the pic above, you’re best bets are going to be either the Traeger Pro 780 or the Pro 575.

The other Pro Series models you see only have the basic digital controller, but the Traeger Pro 780 and Pro 575 both have Traeger’s new WiFire Controller (which will give you the option of controlling temps from your mobile device) along with other newer features not always available in older Pro models.

How do you decide between the Traeger Pro 780 vs 575?

We recommend the Traeger Pro 780 over the Traeger Pro 575?

The most popular Traeger Grill Pro Series model (especially for newbies) is the Traeger Pro 575 however we are recommending you strongly consider the Traeger Pro 780.

Check Current Prices of the Traeger 575 & 780

You really can’t go wrong with either model, but you can go RIGHTER (if that’s a word?) with the Traeger Pro 780 because time and again on forums and Facebook groups you’ll hear people who have the 575 say “I wished they would have bought the 780 instead.”

Why do people like the Traeger 780 vs the 575? It really comes down to grilling SPACE. Remember, the Traeger Pro 575 has 575 square inches of grilling space, while the Traeger Pro 780 has 780 square inches. That’s a pretty big difference.

The fact is that you will LOVE whichever Traeger model you get and you will WANT to cook on it all the time. That means you’ll be cooking for more and more people and trying new and different things – the Traeger Pro 780 will give you the space you need to experiment on it to your heart’s delight.

If you want a Traeger Pro Series Grilll and you have the budget, then get the Traeger Pro 780 over the Pro 575.

Traeger Pro 780 Features

The Traeger Pro Series is the best-selling pellet grill in the world and the all-new Traeger Pro 780 grill just got better with an enhanced controller that uses WiFIRE® technology. WiFIRE® allows you to monitor and adjust your grill anytime, anywhere from the Traeger app on your smartphone. Here’s a quick intro to WiFire tech on a Traeger…

The Traeger Pro 780 has a LOT more than just WiFire. It also includes all the following features too…

  • Pro D2 controller – as easy as using an oven. Just turn the dial to the desired temp, hit Ignite, and you’re Trailering.
  • Wifire technology – allows you to monitor and adjust your grill anywhere.
  • Pro D2 direct drive – Improves searing and let’s you cook Low and slow or hot and fast.
  • Turbotemp – Lightning fast start Up times and quicker recovery.

Check out all these great features of the Traeger Pro 780 Grill in this picture essay…

Traeger Pro 780 Grill Features

What’s all this add up to?

The Traeger Pro 780 Series wifi pellet grills now starts quicker, heats up faster, and puts out better smoke quality giving you consistent results infused with wood-fired flavor every time!

How much can you cook on a Traeger Pro 780 at one time?

The Traeger Pro 780 has enough capacity to cook the following at the same time: 6 rib racks, or 6 full chickens, or even 34 burgers!

What about the Traeger Pro Series 34 vs Traeger Pro 780?

The Traeger Pro Series 34 is an awesome “1st Generation” Traeger and it’s actually BIGGER than the Traeger pro 780 that I’m recommending. The Traeger Pro Series 34 has 884 square inches of grilling space vs 780 square inches on the Traeger Pro 780. The additional grilling space on the Traeger Pro Series 34 will let you cook another rack of ribs (7 vs 6), 2 more chickens (8 vs 6), or 6 more burgers (40 vs 34).

The Traeger Pro Series 34 is consistently highly rated on Amazon and other sites and if you need the biggest Pro series grill, then the Traeger Pro Series 34 could be for you, BUT you’ll be giving up all the new tech that comes standard on the Traeger Pro 780 – that includes the WiFire technology and more. If the tech doesn’t matter and you just want SPACE, then the Traeger Pro Series 34 is a great buy, just know what you’re giving up so you can make an informed decision.

Learn more about the Traeger Pro Series 34.

Traeger Pro 780 Grill – Current Prices

Ready to buy the Traeger Pro 780 Grill? Check the latest price here…


Best Traeger Grill
Traeger Pro 780 Grill

Best Traeger Ironwood Grill

Winner: Traeger Ironwood 885

Best Traeger Grill
Traeger Ironwood 885

The Traeger Ironwood Series Grills currently come in two sizes The Ironwood 650 and Ironwood 885. As with the Pro 575 and 780 the only difference is grilling space. As with the Pro recommendation, (if you have the budget) we’re suggesting you go with the Ironwood 885 so you don’t regret the lack of space later.

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Traeger Ironwood vs Traeger Pro Series

The Traeger Ironwood series is a newer line than the Traeger Pro line and the Ironwood models offer a couple more features that may or may not be important to you. Here’s a video comparison of the Traeger Ironwood 650 and Ironwood 885 vs Traeger Pro 575 and Pro 780…

Traeger Ironwood vs Traeger Pro

The quick summary is the Traeger Ironwood has all the best features of the Treager Pro AND also includes double side-walled insulation, a free side-shelf, an adjustable lower grill grate, a slightly larger hopper, Traeger’s Downdraft Exhaust System, and the Tru Convection option.

Traeger threads on Reddit and other forums about the Ironwood vs the Pro are somewhat mixed, however the majority of people who have actually purchased the Traeger Ironwood seem to be really happy with it – especially as the Downdraft Exhaust and Tru Convection seem to provide more smoke in the chamber longer for more smoke flavor.

Traeger Ironwood Video

Ironwood 650 vs Ironwood 885 Cooking Capacity

Here’s what you can cook on the Traeger Ironwood 650 vs 885 models…

Traeger Ironwood 650 Grill Space
Traeger Ironwood 885 Grill Space

Traeger Ironwood 650 & 885 Current Prices

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Best Traeger Timberline Grill

Winner: Traeger Timberline 1300 “The Beast”

Best Traeger Grill
Traeger Timberline 1300

The Traeger Timberline Series Grills is not for the faint of heart – these are the mack daddy Traeger Grills for home cooks with only the Commercial Line offering larger sizes. There are currently two Timberline sizes: Traeger Timberline 850 and Traeger Timberline 1300. Again the only difference is the grilling space: 850 square inches or 1300 square inches. You’re going to be approaching $2000 for the Timberline but if you’re reading this and considering a Timberline, I’m assuming budget is not really an issue for you and therefore I’m assuming you’ll want the best of the best – that’s the Timberline 1300.

Traeger Timberline Video

Traeger Timberline Features

The Traeger Timberline grills are Traeger’s premier outdoor cooking solution. You’ll get all the best features of the Pro Series AND all of the following too…

  • Timberline D2® Controller
  • WiFIRE® Technology
  • Timberline D2® Direct Drive
  • TurboTemp®
  • GrillGuide®
  • Three tiers of stainless steel grates
  • Double-wall stainless steel interior
  • Pellet Sensor
  • Magnetic Bamboo Cutting Board
  • Concealed Grease Management System

Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline Grills

Here’s a great video review by Embers Outdoor Living on the differences between the Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline Grills…

Here’s a quick summary of the differences between the Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline grills…

  • Cooking Space: Timberline offer 885 or 1300 square inches of grilling space vs the 650 or 885 square inches on the Ironwood
  • # of Racks: Timberline has 3 vertical cooking racks vs Ironwood single rack + warming shelf
  • Grill Grate Materials: Timberline features solid 304 stainless steel cooking grates vs the Ironwood ironwood porcelain coated grates.
  • Grill Hood: Timberline has a full doubled lined hood (not just side walls) and a gasket all the way around the grill that is commercial grade (which could help with keeping cooking temps consistent in colder weather).
  • Hopper Sensor – Timberline’s hopper sensor alerts you when your wood pellets are getting low.
  • Bamboo Cutting Board – standard with the Timberline.

Traeger Timberline 850 and 1300 Grilling Capacity

Here’s a look at what you can cook on the Traeger Timberline grills.

Traeger Timberline 850 grill space
Traeger Timberline 1300 Grill space

Traeger Timberline 850 & 1300 Current Prices

The Traeger Timberline series is harder to find online and are often sold out even on Traeger’s site.

If you want a Traeger Timberline, you’re best best is to use Traeger’s Find a Dealer Tool.

You’ll likely see prices for the Traeger Timberline 850 around $1800 and the Traeger Timberline 1300 around $2000.


What’s the Best Traeger Grill? Final Verdict

Like I said early on, the Best Traeger Grill is the one that’s right for YOU. We’ve given you four great options to choose from and hopefully helped you narrow down your choice to 1 or 2 best Traeger models that you’ll be happy with. That said, we’re not going to totally cop out on you without giving you are Best “Overall” Traeger Grill choice – or in this case choices…

Best Traeger Grill At/Under $1000

Traeger Pro 780

If your budget is really tight go with the Traeger Pro 575, but if you can get closer to $1000 go with the Traeger Pro 780 and don’t look back.

Traeger Pro 780

Best Traeger Grill Overall

Traeger Ironwood 885

Best Traeger Grill
Traeger Ironwood 885 – Best Traeger Grill Overall

While the Traeger Timberline is very cool (if you can find it), we’re not completely sure that the extra features are worth it compared to the Ironwood Series.

Personally we believe the Ironwood Series is the sweet spot of Traegerhood.

In the case of the Ironwood, we DO believe the value for the money is there with the extra features you’ll enjoy with the Ironwood over the pro line: for a bit more money you’re getting a lot, including double side-walled insulation, a free side-shelf, an adjustable lower grill grate, a slightly larger hopper, Traeger’s Downdraft Exhaust System, and the Tru Convection option – as I noted earlier, actual Traeger Ironwood users in online forums say time and again they are happy with their purchase decision.

The Ironwood 650 is a wonderful Traeger Grill and the Traeger Ironwood 885 is our Best Traeger Grill Overall Winner.

Traeger Ironwood 885

Best Traeger Grill Combo Buy for Under $1500

But wait, there’s more. If you find yourself traveling a lot and wishing you had a Traeger Grill with you, you may want to consider going with the COMBO of the Traeger Pro 780 and the Traeger Tailgeter 20. You should be able to get both for under $1500 (which is the likely price you’ll pay for the Ironwood 885 and less than either of the Timberline models). You would only do this if you cook often away from the house and in this case you’ll be sacrificing some technology in favor of portability but it’s a great way to stretch your dollar farther.

Traeger Pro 780 + Traeger Tailgater 20

Traeger Pro 780
Traeger Tailgator 20

Best Traeger Grill – Conclusion

Well there you have it, our choice for the Best Traeger Grill. Do you agree with these recommendations? Do you have a different opinion. Are you a Traeger owner? If so, what model do you have and what tips do you have to share?


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