Head to Head
Traeger Pro 575 vs Solo Stove Bonfire: Which Outdoor Upgrade Should You Buy First?
They both live outside. They both involve fire. That's where the similarities end. The Traeger Pro 575 is a pellet smoker for cooking serious BBQ. The Solo Stove Bonfire is a smokeless fire pit for sitting around with a drink in your hand. Choosing between them is really about choosing what kind of outdoor time matters more to you right now.
Option A
Traeger Pro 575 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
$799.99
Set it, forget it, and take all the credit. The backyard smoker that changed the game.
Option B
Solo Stove Bonfire Smokeless Fire Pit
$161.99
Virtually smokeless. Sits on the patio without ruining everyone's clothes.
Side by Side
| Traeger Pro 575 | Solo Stove Bonfire | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.99 | $161.99 |
| Primary function | Wood pellet smoker and grill | Smokeless outdoor fire pit |
| Learning curve | Moderate — pellets, temp management | None — light it and sit down |
| Setup time | 20–30 min first use | 5 minutes |
| Best season | Year-round cooking | Fall, spring, and cool evenings |
| Space required | Dedicated patio or deck space | Any outdoor surface (keep clear) |
| Ongoing cost | Wood pellets (~$20/bag) | Firewood or wood chunks |
Best for
Traeger Pro 575 Wood
- ✓Anyone who wants to cook real BBQ — brisket, ribs, pulled pork
- ✓Guys who watch BBQ YouTube and want to do it properly
- ✓Outdoor cooks who want set-it-and-forget-it temperature control
- ✓Someone who entertains and wants food to be the centerpiece
Best for
Solo Stove Bonfire Smokeless
- ✓Anyone who wants a reason to spend evenings outside
- ✓Patios, backyards, and decks where a full grill setup isn't practical
- ✓Fire without smoke that follows you — real problem, real solution
- ✓A lower-cost entry point to upgrading outdoor living
The Verdict
Different tools, different evenings. The Traeger is for the person who wants to run a 14-hour brisket on a Saturday — it's about the food. The Solo Stove is for the person who wants to sit outside with friends on a Tuesday — it's about the fire. If outdoor cooking is the priority: Traeger. If outdoor living and having a reason to be outside is the priority: Solo Stove. The Solo Stove is also a much lower financial commitment and has no learning curve. For most people starting to upgrade their outdoor space, the Solo Stove gets used more often. The Traeger gets used more meaningfully when it does get used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Solo Stove Bonfire really smokeless?
Mostly. The double-wall design creates a secondary combustion that burns off most smoke — significantly less than a traditional fire pit. In the right wind conditions you'll still get some, but it's dramatically better than an open ring or chiminea. Use dry wood for best results.
Is the Traeger Pro 575 worth $800?
For people who take BBQ seriously, yes. The WiFIRE app lets you monitor and adjust temperature from your phone, the smoke flavor is genuine wood, and it maintains temperature automatically on long cooks. There's a learning curve but the results are worth it.
Can you cook on a Solo Stove?
Not well — it's not designed for cooking. You can balance a grate over it in a pinch but it's a fire pit, not a grill. If you want outdoor cooking, get a grill. If you want a fire for gathering around, get the Solo Stove.
What size Solo Stove should I buy?
The Bonfire is the most popular size — big enough for a group of 4–6 people to gather around, small enough to move if needed. The Yukon is larger for bigger gatherings. The Ranger is portable for camping.
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