Masterbuilt Gravity 560 vs 800: Which Gravity Grill Should You Choose?

Some grills are designed to make outdoor cooking easier, others to make it more exciting—but the Masterbuilt Gravity Series manages to do both. When I first tried the Masterbuilt Gravity 560 and later upgraded to the Gravity 800, I realized these weren’t your average charcoal grills. These are part smoker, part grill, and part smart cooking machine, blending traditional charcoal flavor with modern digital control.

After spending long weekends searing steaks, smoking ribs, and even flipping pancakes on the flat top griddle, I’ve developed a strong sense of what sets the 560 and 800 apart. If you’re torn between the two, let me share my hands-on experience to help you figure out which one fits your cooking style.

The Key Difference Between Masterbuilt Gravity 560 and 800 Grill, Griddle & Smoker

The biggest difference between the Masterbuilt 560 and 800 is cooking versatility and size.

• The Gravity 560 gives you 560 square inches of cooking space, perfect for small to medium gatherings. It’s lighter, easier to maneuver, and hits high temperatures a little faster.
• The Gravity 800, on the other hand, is built for bigger cooks. With 800 square inches of cooking area and a flat top griddle insert, it can handle breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a crowd. It’s heavier, bulkier, and costs more—but you get more functionality in return.

So, in short: if you want compact power, go for the 560. If you want size and flexibility, the 800 is the winner.

Quick Comparison Table: Masterbuilt Gravity 560 vs 800 Grill, Griddle & Smoker

Feature	Masterbuilt Gravity 560	Masterbuilt Gravity 800
Cooking Space	560 sq. in.	800 sq. in.
Functions	Grill + Smoker	Grill + Smoker + Griddle
Heat Range	225°F in 7 min / 700°F in 13 min	225°F in 8 min / 700°F in 14 min
Hopper Capacity	10 lbs lump / 16 lbs briquettes (12–15 hrs)	10 lbs lump / 16 lbs briquettes (8 hrs)
Weight	~147 lbs	~204 lbs
Connectivity	Digital panel, WiFi, Bluetooth	Digital panel, WiFi, Bluetooth
Extras	Reversible cast-iron grates	Cast-iron grates + flat-top griddle insert
Best For	Backyard cooks, smaller families	Larger families, parties, versatile cooking
Check Price	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Design and Build Quality

The first thing I noticed is how similar these grills look—sleek black steel with a tall charcoal hopper on the side. Both feel sturdy and well-built.

The 560 is lighter and more compact, making it easier to tuck into a corner of the patio. Its folding shelf at the front is surprisingly handy for holding trays or seasonings.

The 800 is a beast. It’s heavier, wider, and takes up more space. But the build screams durability. The extra weight also makes it feel more stable when you’re moving around large cuts of meat or using the griddle top.

For me, the choice comes down to how much space you have in your backyard. If space is tight, the 560 is friendlier. If you have the room, the 800 looks and feels like a professional outdoor kitchen setup.

Ease of Use

This is where the Gravity Series shines. I’ve always loved charcoal flavor but hated babysitting the fire. With both models, that problem is solved.

The digital control panel is intuitive. I set the temp, press start, and the DigitalFan does the rest, feeding air into the hopper to keep the fire steady. I’ve also used the WiFi app to monitor temps from inside the house, which is a game-changer when you don’t want to hover over the grill all day.

The 560 heats slightly faster—225°F in 7 minutes and 700°F in just 13 minutes. The 800 is only a minute slower, which honestly doesn’t make a huge difference.

Both models handle temperature control beautifully, and I never worried about fluctuating heat like I would with a regular charcoal grill.

Cooking Performance

Here’s where I really got to know the difference.

• On the Gravity 560, I smoked a rack of ribs low and slow for 6 hours. The hopper easily lasted with briquettes, and the built-in meat probe kept me confident everything was cooking evenly. The sear was incredible too—I got steakhouse-level crust at 700°F.
• On the Gravity 800, I went wild. I grilled burgers, then swapped in the griddle insert for breakfast the next day. Pancakes, eggs, and bacon all on the flat top—something the 560 simply can’t do. That griddle makes the 800 feel like an all-day cooking station.

Both gave me that unmistakable charcoal flavor, but the extra space on the 800 was a blessing when cooking for friends. With 560 sq. in., I could cook for 4–5 people comfortably. With 800 sq. in., I fed a party of 10 without juggling food off and on the grill.

Cleanup

Cleanup was easier than I expected. Both grills have removable ash and grease trays, so most of the mess drops into a pan you can dump out.

The 560’s smaller size made cleanup quicker, but the 800’s porcelain-coated racks wiped down easier after greasy foods. The griddle insert needs a little extra care—scraping and oiling like a cast iron pan—but it’s worth it for the meals it produces.

Masterbuilt Gravity 560 Grill, Griddle & Smoker

Pros:

• Compact, lighter, and easier to move
• Heats slightly faster than the 800
• Long hopper life (12–15 hours)
• Affordable compared to the 800
• Great for smaller families or patios

Cons:

• Smaller cooking space
• No flat-top griddle option
• Less suited for large parties

Buy on Amazon

Masterbuilt Gravity 800 Grill, Griddle & Smoker

Pros:

• Huge 800 sq. in. cooking area
• Includes a flat-top griddle insert
• Perfect for entertaining or cooking for a crowd
• Strong build quality and stability
• Same smart digital controls as the 560

Cons:

• Heavier and bulkier (harder to move)
• Hopper burns faster (about 8 hours)
• More expensive investment

Buy on Amazon

My Final Verdict: Masterbuilt 560 or 800?

Here’s how I see it after using both:

• If you’re someone who wants the charcoal flavor with modern convenience, but doesn’t need a massive grill, the Masterbuilt Gravity 560 is your perfect match. It’s affordable, reliable, and ideal for smaller gatherings.
• If you want to go all out with big family meals, backyard parties, and breakfast-to-dinner versatility, the Masterbuilt Gravity 800 is the way to go. The griddle alone makes it a winner for me—it turned my grill into an outdoor kitchen.

Personally, I’d choose the Gravity 800 if budget and space allow, simply because I love cooking on the griddle as much as I do on the grill. But if you’re looking for a balance of size, performance, and price, the Gravity 560 won’t disappoint.

Either way, both grills bring charcoal cooking into the modern age—and once you try them, you may never go back to traditional charcoal grilling again.