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Weber finally got pellet grills right with the Searwood line after the SmokeFire embarrassment. Camp Chef's Woodwind Pro has been the value champion in this category for years. At nearly identical $999 price points, they're a true head-to-head. After cooking through brisket, ribs, pizza, and weeknight chicken on both, here's the call.
Quick Verdict
Buy the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 ($999) for genuinely better smoke flavor thanks to the wood chunk Smoke Box, plus the Sidekick attachment ecosystem. Buy the Weber Searwood 600 ($899) for a more polished build, better app, and the Weber 10-year warranty if you trust the brand long-term.
The Contenders
Weber Searwood 600
$899
Weber loyalists who want a refined pellet grill with the best app in the category and a 10-year warranty
Check PriceCamp Chef Woodwind Pro 24
$999
Smoke-flavor purists who want real wood chunk capability and an expandable Sidekick ecosystem
Check PriceCategory Breakdown
Smoke Flavor
Winner: Woodwind ProWoodwind Pro wins decisively thanks to the Smoke Box — a tray that holds actual wood chunks below the firepot, layering real wood smoke on top of the pellet base. Side-by-side brisket tests showed a deeper smoke ring and richer flavor on the Woodwind Pro. The Searwood produces good pellet smoke but can't match the chunk + pellet combo.
Searing & High Heat
Winner: SearwoodSearwood hits 600°F at the grate via Weber's slide-and-grill design with direct-flame access — actually grills steaks like a gas grill. Woodwind Pro hits 500-650°F with Slide & Grill but the Searwood's design is more refined. For people who want one grill that smokes AND grills steaks, Searwood edges ahead.
App & Tech
Winner: SearwoodWeber Connect on the Searwood is the most polished app in pellet grills — clean UI, reliable WiFi, smart cooking algorithms that nail brisket internal temps. Camp Chef Connect is functional but feels two years behind. For app-driven cooks, Searwood wins clearly.
Build & Warranty
Winner: SearwoodBoth are well built. Searwood has Weber's 10-year warranty on the cookbox; Woodwind Pro has 3 years on the cookbox and 1 year on electronics. Searwood feels more refined; Woodwind Pro feels more rugged. For long-term peace of mind, Weber's warranty advantage matters.
Expandability
Winner: Woodwind ProWoodwind Pro wins. The Sidekick attachment ($299) adds a propane sear/sauté burner that's genuinely useful — perfect for searing reverse-seared steaks or sautéing veggies while the pellet side smokes. Searwood has no equivalent. For people who want one platform that grows, Woodwind Pro is the winner.
Final Verdict
Woodwind Pro wins on smoke flavor and expandability. Searwood wins on app, searing, and warranty. The honest answer: if you're a smoke-flavor obsessive, get the [Woodwind Pro 24](/review/camp-chef-woodwind-pro-24). If you want the most refined all-around pellet experience, get the [Searwood 600](/review/weber-searwood-600).
Buying Advice
Don't overthink this — both are excellent at the same price. The Smoke Box on the Woodwind Pro is the single biggest differentiator and the reason it wins for serious BBQ cooks. If smoke ring photos matter to you, Woodwind Pro. If app reliability and Weber's brand matter more, Searwood.
