Pit Boss · Buying Help
Pit Boss Navigator (Wi-Fi) vs Non-Connected: Is The App Worth It?
The Navigator and Pro Series Elite add Wi-Fi + the Pit Boss Grills app; the Austin XL, Classic, Lexington, and Pro Series II do not. The app enables remote probe alerts, recipe push, and firmware updates. Worth it when: you smoke overnight, cook 10+ hour briskets, or hand off a cook mid-way. Not worth it when: you grill 1 to 2 hour direct cooks and stay at the grill. Honest trade-off below.
By Reed · Updated November 9, 2026
What you need
Navigator vs non-connected
- Core controls
- Both: full dial + probe
- Remote temperature monitoring
- Navigator only
- Probe alert via phone
- Navigator only
- Recipe push
- Navigator only
- Firmware updates
- Navigator only (also means update risk)
- Price premium
- +$150 to $300 over equivalent non-connected
Step by step
Match the app to your cook style
If you set a long overnight cook and check probe temp from inside the house: Navigator earns its keep. If you're actively tending a 2-hour direct sear: unnecessary.
Consider the firmware-update risk
Connected grills can be bricked by a bad firmware update (rare but possible). Non-connected has zero update risk.
Factor in Wi-Fi coverage at the grill
If your Wi-Fi is spotty at the patio, the app is useless anyway. Measure signal at the actual grill location before committing to Navigator.
Common mistakes
- Buying Navigator when Wi-Fi doesn't reach the patio. An unreliable connection means the app never gives alerts when you need them. Fix Wi-Fi first OR stick with non-connected.
- Assuming the app controls everything. You still need to physically add pellets, swap drip trays, and clean. The app monitors; it doesn't eliminate maintenance.
Hands-on tips
- An outdoor mesh node under $50 solves most Wi-Fi gap problems and pays back a Navigator purchase within the first long smoke.
- If you're not sure, buy the non-connected version and upgrade in 2 to 3 years if you find yourself wanting remote monitoring.
- Bluetooth-only Pro Series II is a middle ground — app features without Wi-Fi dependency.
Questions people ask
Can I add Wi-Fi to a non-connected Pit Boss later?
Not officially. The Wi-Fi module is integrated into Navigator and Elite controllers; retrofit isn't supported.
Does the app work when I'm away from home?
Yes — the grill connects to your home Wi-Fi which connects to the Pit Boss cloud. You can monitor from anywhere with internet.
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