The Pit Boss Lexington is the cheapest name-brand pellet grill most Walmart shoppers will see, and that’s most of what people know about it. The name covers two generations of grill, and the Lexington now shares Pit Boss’s catalog with a cheaper 543 sq in model of its own. We worked through Pit Boss’s own catalog data, both Lexington owner’s manuals, and the archived product pages to show what the Lexington actually is in 2026, and when it’s the right buy.
Quick Answer
The Pit Boss Lexington 500 Onyx Edition (model PB500NX) is a Walmart-exclusive pellet grill with 543 sq in of cook space, a 15 lb hopper, a 180-500°F controller in 5°F steps, a Flame Broiler for direct-flame searing, and a 5-year warranty, per Pit Boss. Pit Boss lists it at $396. Walmart has sold it for $346 during rollbacks. It’s a good first pellet grill for a family of 2-5. It has no WiFi unless you add Pit Boss’s $90.99-$129.99 upgrade board, and the main grate is smaller than the 543 sq in figure suggests. If it isn’t on sale, compare it with the $349.99 Carbon 500, which has the same cook space but no Flame Broiler and only a 3-year warranty.
Pit Boss Lexington at a glance
| Spec | Pit Boss Lexington 500 Onyx Edition |
|---|---|
| Model / SKU | PB500NX / 10985 |
| Where it's sold | Walmart only ("Retailer Exclusive" on pitboss-grills.com) |
| Pit Boss list price | $396 (Walmart rollbacks seen at $346) |
| Cook space | 543 sq in total, 2 tiers, porcelain-coated cast iron racks (Pit Boss). AmazingRibs: 356 sq in main + 178 sq in upper rack |
| Hopper | 15 lb, with clean-out |
| Temperature range | 180-500°F in 5°F increments, plus P-setting at the lowest setting |
| Searing | Slide-plate Flame Broiler, direct flame up to 1,000°F (Pit Boss claim) |
| Probes | 2 ports, 1 meat probe included |
| WiFi / app | No (optional $90.99-$129.99 Connected Control Board) |
| Power | 120V, 250 W rated, minimum 10 A circuit |
| Max fuel input | 2.48 lb per hour |
| Size / weight | 37.7 x 24.8 x 42.4 in; 90.4 lb |
| Warranty | 5 years on all parts, 5 years on electrical components |
Sources: Pit Boss’s Lexington 500 Onyx Edition product listing and its PB500NX owner’s manual, checked October 31, 2026; AmazingRibs’ Lexington 500 Onyx review (updated June 14, 2025) for the grate split.
Which Lexington are you looking at?
Search “Pit Boss Lexington” and you’ll find three names for what is really two grills. Check the model number on the box or listing before you compare reviews, because the older one has different specs.
| Name you'll see | Model / SKU | Cook space | Hopper | Weight | Status in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington 500 Onyx Edition (matte black) | PB500NX / 10985 | 543 sq in | 15 lb | 90.4 lb | Current, Walmart-exclusive, $396 list |
| Lexington (Copper Series), often called "Lexington 540" | PB500LXW1 / 71505 and 10761 | 540 sq in | 15 lb | 92.6 lb | Older generation. Gone from Pit Boss's current catalog, but replacement parts are still sold |
| "Lexington 500 Square Inch" (Walmart listing title) | Same grill as PB500NX | 543 sq in | 15 lb | 90.4 lb | Walmart's own title rounds 543 down to "500" |
Sources: Pit Boss owner’s manuals for PB500NX and PB500LXW1 (both hosted on Pit Boss’s manual server), Pit Boss’s archived Lexington product page (October 2024), and Pit Boss’s parts catalog, checked October 31, 2026.
The two generations are closer than the names suggest. Both have a 15 lb hopper, a 180-500°F range, the slide-plate Flame Broiler, 250 W rated power, the same 2.48 lb-per-hour fuel rating, and a 5-year warranty. The “540” name comes from the older grill’s 540 sq in cook space, not from a different model line. If you own the older Copper Series grill, Pit Boss still sells its replacement analog PID control board (SKU 80112, $62.99 on sale, regular $89.99), so it isn’t orphaned.
What the Lexington does well
Pit Boss Lexington 500 Onyx Edition
- A real sear option at this price. Sliding the Flame Broiler plate open exposes the fire pot, so you can finish steaks or burgers over direct flame without a separate grill.
- Fine temperature control for a budget grill: 5°F steps from 180°F to 500°F, plus a P-setting for more smoke at the lowest setting.
- The 15 lb hopper has a clean-out, so changing pellet flavors doesn't mean scooping it empty by hand.
- Two probe ports, one probe included. Add a second probe for a two-meat cook.
- Pit Boss's 5-year warranty covers all parts and the electrical components, not just the steel.
The Lexington’s best argument is what it includes for the money. Pit Boss’s own cheaper 543 sq in grill, the Carbon 500, drops the Flame Broiler, uses a preset dial instead of 5°F steps, has one probe port, and carries a 3-year warranty (see the comparison below). AmazingRibs, which examined the Lexington 500 Onyx up close but didn’t run a full cook test, noted that Pit Boss has improved the Flame Broiler since its early versions, which gave “only a small sear section”. It now sears over “a limited, but larger area”.
Where it falls short
- The 543 sq in figure includes the upper rack. AmazingRibs puts the main grate at 356 sq in (about 17 burgers) plus a 178 sq in upper rack. That’s fine for two racks of ribs or a pork butt, but a big packer brisket may need trimming or the upper rack removed to fit.
- No WiFi out of the box. You set the temperature at the grill. Pit Boss’s Connected Control Board adds the app, but at the $129.99 regular price it takes the Lexington to about $526, which is Classic 700 Onyx money plus $80.
- Wind and cold move the temperature. At 90.4 lb it weighs about the same as Pit Boss’s other 500-class grills (89.3-90.3 lb per their manuals). Pit Boss’s own manual warns that outdoor conditions cause “higher peaks and valley’s in temperature readings” at low settings, which is what the P-setting chart below is for.
- Rust is mostly on you. The warranty excludes rust and oxidation “unless there is loss of structural integrity”, and it excludes scratches, dents, and chips. Budget for a cover, which matters more on a grill this light.
- You can only buy it at Walmart. Returns follow Walmart’s rules, and Walmart’s grill returns can require disassembly. Our pellet grill at Walmart guide covers the return-policy catch.
Lexington vs. Carbon 500 vs. 500FB2 vs. Classic 700 Onyx
| Grill | Cook space | Hopper | Hours at max fuel rate | Controller | Flame Broiler | Probe ports | Warranty | Price | $ per sq in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington 500 Onyx (PB500NX) | 543 sq in | 15 lb | 6.0 h | Dial, 5°F steps + P-set | Yes | 2 | 5 years | $396 list / $346 rollback | $0.73 / $0.64 |
| Carbon 500 (PB500CP) | 543 sq in | 13.5 lb | 5.4 h | Preset dial (Smoke, 200-475°F, High) | No | 1 | 3 years | $349.99 | $0.64 |
| 500FB2 (PB500FB2) | 518 sq in | 5 lb | 2.9 h | Dial, 5°F steps + P-set | Yes | 2 | 5 years | $399.99 | $0.77 |
| Classic 700 Onyx (PB700NX) | 746 sq in | 18 lb | n/a | Dial, 5°F steps + P-set | Yes | 2 | 5 years | $446 list (Walmart only) | $0.60 |
Prices, cook space, hopper sizes, and warranties from each grill’s pitboss-grills.com listing and owner’s manual, October 31, 2026. “Hours at max fuel rate” = hopper size divided by the manual’s rated maximum fuel input (2.48 lb/h for the Lexington and Carbon 500, 1.73 lb/h for the 500FB2). Real cooks at smoking temperatures burn far less.
Three things stand out in that table:
- The 500FB2 is the worst value of the four. It costs $3.99 more than the Lexington’s list price, has 25 sq in less cook space, and has a 5 lb hopper, a third of the Lexington’s. Its footprint isn’t meaningfully smaller either: 39.3 x 23.6 in versus the Lexington’s 37.7 x 24.8 in, per the two manuals. Buy it only if the Lexington is sold out, and see our best small pellet grill list for genuinely compact options.
- The Carbon 500 only makes sense when the Lexington is at full price. At list, $46 separates them, and the Lexington’s extras (Flame Broiler, 5°F control, second probe port, 2 more warranty years) are worth more than that. When Walmart runs the $346 rollback, the Lexington is the cheaper grill.
- The Classic 700 Onyx is the step-up to consider. For $50 more at list, you get 203 more square inches (37% more space) and an 18 lb hopper, with the same controller, Flame Broiler, and warranty. If you cook for six or more, skip the Lexington. Our Austin XL review covers the next size up.
How to use the P-setting (and why it matters on a light grill)
The Lexington’s “P” button only works when the dial is at its lowest setting (180°F). It sets how long the auger pauses between pellet feeds. Pit Boss’s manual gives the exact cycle:
| P-setting | Auger feeds for | Then pauses for | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| P0 | 18 s | 55 s | Cold or windy days, to keep the fire up |
| P1 | 18 s | 70 s | Cold weather |
| P2 | 18 s | 85 s | Cool weather |
| P3 | 18 s | 100 s | Mild, slightly cool weather |
| P4 (default) | 18 s | 115 s | Start-up and most cooks |
| P5 | 18 s | 130 s | Warm weather, more smoke at low heat |
| P6 | 18 s | 140 s | Hot weather |
| P7 | 18 s | 150 s | Hot weather. Watch the fire pot: the fire can go out |
Source: Pit Boss PB500NX owner’s manual, “Smoking at Low Temperatures”.
On a light 90 lb grill, this is the main tool for keeping temperatures steady in cold weather. Pit Boss’s manual says lowering the P-setting “can also minimize temperature swings in varying outdoor weather conditions”. It also warns that raising it too far, too fast can let the fire die. Press the P button lightly: the manual says pushing it too hard can damage it. Our PID controller guide explains how this differs from the fully automatic control on pricier grills.
Pellet use: how far 15 lb goes
Pit Boss rates the Lexington’s maximum fuel input at 2.48 lb of pellets per hour, so even running flat-out at 500°F, a full 15 lb hopper lasts about 6 hours. Low-and-slow cooks burn far less. Pit Boss’s own product page for the older 15 lb Lexington claimed “up to 17 hours of continuous smoking”, which works out to about 0.9 lb per hour. That lines up with Bear Mountain’s published figure of about 1 lb per hour at low settings. For an overnight brisket, top up the hopper before bed. The hopper size guide has the full math, and our best wood pellets for smoking roundup covers which bags are worth buying.
Warranty: what “5 years” covers
The PB500NX manual’s warranty is simpler than Traeger’s component tables. Pit Boss (made by Dansons) gives 5 years on all parts and 5 years on electrical components for the original purchaser with proof of purchase. That’s two years longer than the Carbon series gets. The exclusions are what owners run into:
- Rust and oxidation aren’t covered unless the part has lost structural integrity. Pit Boss names humidity, chlorine, fertilizers, lawn pesticides, and salt as things that damage coatings.
- Cosmetic wear (scratches, dents, chips, minor cracks) isn’t covered.
- Commercial and rental use void it, and so does repair by anyone other than an authorized Pit Boss dealer.
- Damage from not following the manual’s cleaning and maintenance steps isn’t covered. Grease build-up is the classic cause of the ErH overheat code.
If you add the Wi-Fi board, it has its own 1-year warranty, not the grill’s 5 years. When a part does fail, the igniter and auger motor are the usual suspects. Our igniter and auger motor guides cover both.
Error codes, decoded
| Display | What it means | First thing to check |
|---|---|---|
| ErH | Grill overheated, possibly a grease fire or excess fuel | Hold Power for 3 s to turn it off, let it cool, clean the grease tray and fire pot, then restart |
| ErP | Grill temperature probe wire not connecting, or the probe is broken | Remove the access panel, check the probe wires, and reseat them on the control board |
| ErL | Failed start-up cycle, or the grill won't stay lit | Check the pellet level and feed, the igniter, and the fan. In extreme cold, try a second start |
| NoP | Bad meat probe connection | Unplug and reseat the probe, then inspect the probe wire |
| Flashing auger icon | Auger jammed or not connecting | Empty the barrel, run the grill, and check that pellets drop into the fire pot |
| Flashing fan or pellet icon | Fan fault, or low or poor-quality fuel | Clear the air intake; replace damp or overly long pellets |
Source: Pit Boss PB500NX owner’s manual, Troubleshooting section. The manual also says the grill needs a working outlet on a circuit of at least 10 amps.
Price: what to pay in 2026
Pit Boss lists the Lexington 500 Onyx at $396 and sends buyers to Walmart. Slickdeals users have posted Walmart rollbacks at $346 ($345.98 in one thread), and AmazingRibs logged $294 when it reviewed the grill in 2024. Treat $396 as the ceiling and $346 as a good price. At $346 it costs $0.64 per square inch, the same as the Carbon 500 at its list price. Walmart’s listing showed about 4.5 stars from more than 4,000 reviews in late October 2026. We couldn’t load Walmart’s live page directly, so check the current price there before you go.
One more Walmart note for anyone picking up tools: on October 1, 2026, the CPSC announced Walmart’s recall of about 4.48 million Expert Grill wire-bristle grill brushes (sold January 2025-August 2026) because bristles can detach and end up in food. If you own one, stop using it and return it to Walmart for a refund. Our pellet grill cleaning guide covers bristle-free ways to clean grates.
Who should buy the Pit Boss Lexington
Buy it if you want your first pellet grill for two to five people, you shop at Walmart anyway, and you want a real sear option without spending $500 or more. At the $346 rollback price, it’s one of the best values in Pit Boss’s lineup.
Skip it if you regularly cook for six or more (the $446 Classic 700 Onyx has 37% more space), you want phone control out of the box (see our best WiFi pellet grill picks), or you need a smaller grill for a balcony (see our best small pellet grill picks). For the full Pit Boss range, see our best Pit Boss pellet grill ranking. For other brands at this price, see best pellet grill under $500.
Bottom line
The Pit Boss Lexington 500 Onyx Edition is a solid entry-level pellet grill at the right price. It has 543 sq in, a 15 lb hopper, 5°F control, a Flame Broiler, and a 5-year warranty, and you can only buy it at Walmart. Know what you’re getting: a 356 sq in main grate, no WiFi, and a light barrel that needs the P-setting on cold days. At $346 it beats Pit Boss’s own Carbon 500 on features and warranty for about the same money. At the full $396, spend $50 more on the Classic 700 Onyx if you have the room.
Last verified October 31, 2026, against Pit Boss’s catalog listings, owner’s manuals, and parts catalog, AmazingRibs’ review, and the CPSC recall database.