The catch
Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
It is a big patio grill and not a portable or tabletop unit.
Side by side
Pit Boss Navigator 850M vs Traeger Pro 780: A larger hopper and direct-flame finishing come with Navigator
Quick verdict
Weigh direct-flame access and a larger hopper against the Pro 780 smoking workflow.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Put total multi-level rack area on the same basis for comparison
Navigator 850M has 932 square inches and Pro 780 has 780, a difference of 152 square inches, or 19.5% of the smaller figure.
Where this comes from
932 minus 780 = 152 sq in. 152 ÷ 780 × 100 = 19.5%. These totals span multiple rack levels and do not describe a contiguous pan area. Servings are not inferred from either figure.
The catch
Traeger Pro Series 780 WiFIRE Pellet Grill
For very long cooks with a heavy load, an 18-pound hopper is small next to a 780-square-inch body.
Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Why pick it
- The direct-flame lever appeals to you
- An 18lb hopper isn't enough for you
- The catch
- It is a big patio grill and not a portable or tabletop unit.
Traeger Pro Series 780 WiFIRE Pellet Grill
- Why pick it
- The Pro 780 rack arrangement suits you better
- The established WiFIRE workflow is your pick
- The catch
- For very long cooks with a heavy load, an 18-pound hopper is small next to a 780-square-inch body.
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What this page compares
Navigator 850M or Pro 780? A look at usable rack space, pellet capacity, searing setup and cleanup to help you choose your grill.
Weigh direct-flame access and a larger hopper against the Pro 780 smoking workflow.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
The largest uninterrupted main grate is what the meal needs
Navigator's stated total cooking area is 152 square inches larger. Both totals span more than one rack, so don't read the gap as a guaranteed extra brisket or a specific number of servings.
- Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Depends
- Traeger Pro Series 780 WiFIRE Pellet Grill
- Depends
A planned pellet reserve for a long cook
At 30lb, the Navigator hopper is 12lb larger than the 18lb hopper on Pro 780. A 500°F chamber ceiling is listed for both, but only Navigator has the documented direct-flame lever in this pair.
- Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Depends
- Traeger Pro Series 780 WiFIRE Pellet Grill
- Depends
Regular cooks in which cleanup and movement matter
If you like its smoking layout and already know WiFIRE, Pro 780 is the simpler choice. Navigator is for the cook who wants to finish food over its flame opening and not buy another appliance.
- Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Depends
- Traeger Pro Series 780 WiFIRE Pellet Grill
- Depends
Need to empty one full 20lb bag into an empty hopper with nothing left over
The bag goes into the Navigator with 10lb of nominal room to spare. With the Pro 780, 2lb has to stay in dry storage even if the hopper starts out empty.
- Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Depends
- Traeger Pro Series 780 WiFIRE Pellet Grill
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Put total multi-level rack area on the same basis for comparison
Navigator 850M has 932 square inches and Pro 780 has 780, a difference of 152 square inches, or 19.5% of the smaller figure.
How we worked this out
932 minus 780 = 152 sq in. 152 ÷ 780 × 100 = 19.5%. These totals span multiple rack levels and do not describe a contiguous pan area. Servings are not inferred from either figure.
The hopper comparison becomes usable once a pellet-burn assumption is stated
With an illustrative 1.5lb per hour, a full 30lb hopper equals 20 hours of fuel, and an 18lb hopper equals 12 hours. Count them as planning estimates, before any reserve.
How we worked this out
To compare hoppers on a common scale, this assumes a steady 1.5lb/h for each. 30 ÷ 1.5 = 20h. 18 ÷ 1.5 = 12h. Actual fuel use shifts with temperature, weather, food and grill design. It is not a recommendation to cook unattended.
Pro 780’s empty hopper is 2lb too small for a full 20lb pellet bag
The bag goes into the Navigator with 10lb of nominal room to spare. With the Pro 780, 2lb has to stay in dry storage even if the hopper starts out empty.
How we worked this out
30 minus 20 = 10lb. 20 minus 18 = 2lb. It compares nominal bag size to hopper capacity and is no instruction to refill a grill that is running.
Option A
Pit Boss, PB850M
Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
Its 932 square inches of cooking area come with a pellet hopper that holds 30 pounds.
- Best for
- cook for eight or more people or feed a family of four
Facts we checked
- Cooking area comes to 932 square inches.
- Hopper capacity is 30 pounds of pellets.
- Its top listed setting is 500°F.
Option B
Traeger, TFB78GZEC
Pro Series 780 WiFIRE Pellet Grill
The pellet hopper holds 18 pounds, and cooking area comes to 780 square inches.
- Best for
- cook for a crowd of eight or more as well as a family of four
Facts we checked
- Cooking area comes to 780 square inches.
- Hopper capacity is 18 pounds of pellets.
- Its top listed setting is 500°F.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill | Traeger Pro Series 780 WiFIRE Pellet Grill | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking surfaces | 932 sq in total | 780 sq in total | Navigator's stated total cooking area is 152 square inches larger. Both totals span more than one rack, so don't read the gap as a guaranteed extra brisket or a specific number of servings. |
| Pellet supply | 30lb hopper | 18lb hopper | At 30lb, the Navigator hopper is 12lb larger than the 18lb hopper on Pro 780. A 500°F chamber ceiling is listed for both, but only Navigator has the documented direct-flame lever in this pair. |
| Chamber ceiling and searing | 500°F, direct-flame or high-heat grilling design | 500°F, indirect cooking | Chamber settings, localized flame heat and separate side stations measure different things. Match the cooking method along with the temperature. |
| Controls and smoke mode | Wi-Fi app access | Wi-Fi app access | Connectivity helps only where the network reaches. No advantage in flavor or temperature accuracy is inferred from a named mode. |
| Cleaning and installation | Accessible grease tray with separate internal ash cleaning | Separate grease bucket and periodic internal ash cleaning, 150lb dry weight | If you like its smoking layout and already know WiFIRE, Pro 780 is the simpler choice. Navigator is for the cook who wants to finish food over its flame opening and not buy another appliance. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Only the Flame Broiler, which exposes food to direct flame, reaches the much hotter 1,000°F. Indirect pellet cooking tops out at 500°F.
With Traeger Pro Series 780 WiFIRE Pellet Grill
- Food can't go directly over flame for a seared finish.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
The direct-flame lever appeals to you
Go with Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill. Navigator's stated total cooking area is 152 square inches larger. Both totals span more than one rack, so don't read the gap as a guaranteed extra brisket or a specific number of servings.
The Pro 780 rack arrangement suits you better
Go with Traeger Pro Series 780 WiFIRE Pellet Grill. If you like its smoking layout and already know WiFIRE, Pro 780 is the simpler choice. Navigator is for the cook who wants to finish food over its flame opening and not buy another appliance.
Decision guide
How to decide
The pick is direct-flame access with a larger hopper, or the Pro 780 smoking workflow.
Judge fit by the racks themselves
Navigator's stated total cooking area is 152 square inches larger. Both totals span more than one rack, so don't read the gap as a guaranteed extra brisket or a specific number of servings.
Treat fuel capacity and temperature as different questions
At 30lb, the Navigator hopper is 12lb larger than the 18lb hopper on Pro 780. A 500°F chamber ceiling is listed for both, but only Navigator has the documented direct-flame lever in this pair.
Pick the cooking and cleanup routine you prefer
If you like its smoking layout and already know WiFIRE, Pro 780 is the simpler choice. Navigator is for the cook who wants to finish food over its flame opening and not buy another appliance.
What this page can’t tell you
- The pellet-duration estimates assume a stated illustrative burn rate, so treat them as neither measured runtime nor permission to walk away from a grill.
- A rack total won't tell you how many people you can serve or if a single large item fits.
- We do not claim any test of smoke flavor, temperature stability or searing performance.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the pellet grills and smokers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
8 of the 22 models checked meet every need here: “Run a brisket overnight” and “Get to 500 degrees or more for a hot finish”.
8 models fit, out of 22 checkedThe gap in numbers
Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill lists 932 sq in for listed cooking area, 19% more than the 780 sq in on Traeger Pro Series 780 WiFIRE Pellet Grill.
- Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- 932 sq in
- Traeger Pro Series 780 WiFIRE Pellet Grill
- 780 sq in
- Models with this figure
- 17 of 22
Show the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Run a brisket overnight” and “Get to 500 degrees or more for a hot finish”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
How we calculatedFigures are the maker's total cooking area. Upper racks and odd-shaped layouts do not give you the same direct-grate space. For context, 17 of 22 models publish comparable figures.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill |
|
| |
| Traeger Pro Series 780 WiFIRE Pellet Grill |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
The direct-flame lever appeals to you
See price & reviews on AmazonTraeger Pro Series 780 WiFIRE Pellet Grill
The Pro 780 rack arrangement suits you better
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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