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Both these grills attack the same problem — combining great flavor with set-it-and-forget-it convenience — from opposite directions. The Masterbuilt Gravity 560 uses an automated charcoal hopper with a fan-driven temp controller. The Pit Boss Platinum Laredo 1000 is a feature-loaded pellet grill with WiFi. Same money, different fuel.
Quick Verdict
Get the Masterbuilt Gravity 560 ($699) if you want real charcoal flavor with smart controls. Get the Pit Boss Platinum Laredo 1000 ($799) if you want bigger cooking space, more pellet-style versatility, and full WiFi app control.
The Contenders
Masterbuilt Gravity 560
$699
Charcoal lovers who want set-and-forget temp control and rapid heat-up
Check PricePit Boss Platinum Laredo 1000
$799
Pellet cooks who want maximum cooking space and full app integration
Check PriceCategory Breakdown
Flavor
Winner: MasterbuiltMasterbuilt wins. Real charcoal — and the option to add wood chunks to the hopper — produces smoke that pellets just can't match for depth. The Pit Boss makes great food, but the Masterbuilt has the higher flavor ceiling.
Convenience
Winner: Pit BossPit Boss wins slightly. Pellets are cleaner to store and load than charcoal, and there's no ash management. The Masterbuilt's fan-driven combustion is convenient but you still deal with ash and charcoal dust.
Cooking Space
Winner: Pit BossPit Boss wins decisively — 1,012 sq in vs the Masterbuilt's 560 sq in. Nearly double. If you regularly cook for crowds or run multiple briskets, the Pit Boss is the obvious choice.
Heat Up & Sear
Winner: MasterbuiltMasterbuilt wins. The Gravity 560 reaches 700°F in 13 minutes and produces serious sear. The Pit Boss tops out around 500°F. For steak nights, the Masterbuilt is meaningfully better.
App & Smart Features
Winner: Pit BossPit Boss wins. The full WiFi app with recipes, alerts, and remote control is more polished than Masterbuilt's app. Both work, but the Pit Boss experience is smoother day-to-day.
Final Verdict
Buy the Masterbuilt Gravity 560 if flavor and high-heat sear are non-negotiable and you want real charcoal in a smart-grill format. Buy the Pit Boss Platinum Laredo 1000 if cooking space, app polish, and pellet convenience matter more.
Buying Advice
If you've owned and loved charcoal grills before, the Masterbuilt will feel like a magic upgrade. If you're coming from gas or pellet, the Pit Boss will be the easier transition. Both are excellent at this price.
