I have been cooking with the Meater Pro XL for a while now after coming from the original Meater Block. I loved the hands‑off promise back then, but the first‑gen hardware could be flaky for me. The Pro XL got my attention because the probes were redesigned and the block was updated. After dozens of cooks, I am happy to say this is the Meater setup I wanted in the first place. It is not perfect, but it is close enough that I reach for it every weekend.
Why I upgraded
The original Block did the job, but it also taught me patience. In my Weber Kettle I would sometimes see random disconnects, and a long cook could mean babysitting the app more than the meat. When the Pro XL landed with thinner, tougher probes and an updated block, it felt like a sensible upgrade rather than a side‑grade. I wanted fewer dropouts, better heat tolerance and a charging setup that did not involve swapping batteries.
Probes and block
The new probes are the headline. They are slimmer than my old ones and slide into tougher cuts without a fight. That alone makes setup faster. The higher heat tolerance has also been noticeable. I can run hotter sears and not worry that I am cooking the probe more than the steak. If you ever pushed the original probes near their limits, this change is worth the price of admission.
The Pro XL block now charges over USB‑C. This is a big quality‑of‑life win compared to keeping AA or AAA batteries on hand. I plug it in next to my other kitchen gadgets and it is topped up by the time I am prepping a rub. The flip side is longevity. A sealed, non‑replaceable battery is convenient today but makes me think about tomorrow. If the battery fades a few years from now, I do not have a simple swap‑it‑yourself option. I hope Meater offers a service route if that happens, but it is still a point to consider.
On fit and finish, the block looks and feels better than my original. The magnet is strong, the lid closes cleanly and the whole package is easier to keep tidy. Small thing, but the little frictions add up when you cook often.
Connectivity and app
Connectivity is improved. In the same Weber Kettle that used to drop out regularly, the Pro XL holds on most of the time. I still see the occasional wobble where the app loses contact for a moment and then reconnects by itself. It is not gone, it is just rare enough now that I do not plan around it. If you live in a noisy wireless environment or cook inside a big metal barbecue, expect the odd blip. For me those hiccups have not ruined a cook.
The app is familiar if you have used Meater before. It guides you through placement and lets you track internal temperature and the pit temperature from the same probe. The cook estimations are better when you let the app see the whole curve, so I start it early and leave it alone. Alerts are reliable and easy to tweak. I appreciate that the app does not drown me in settings. I want to cook, not manage a dashboard.
Real‑world cooks
A few highlights from how I am actually using the Pro XL:
- Reverse‑seared ribeye on the Weber Kettle. The slimmer probe goes in cleanly and does not leave a big hole for juices to escape. I track internal temp up to the sear and then finish hot without stressing about the probe’s limits.
- Pork shoulder on a long weekend. I set it up, let the graph do its thing and only touched the vents. The occasional blip in connectivity did not change the end result or the rest of my day.
- Whole chicken spatchcocked. I like that I can watch both breast and pit temps with one probe, then move it if needed. The app is helpful, but the hardware is what makes this simple.
Across these cooks the theme is consistency. The Pro XL does not ask for special treatment. I place the probe properly, shut the lid and get on with it. When I do check my phone, I get useful information rather than surprises.
What still bugs me
Nothing here is a deal‑breaker, but it is worth calling out.
- Connectivity can still hiccup. It is far better than my original Block, yet not bulletproof. A big metal kettle with the lid on is a tough environment. Sometimes I’ll still get dropouts on a random probe in my oven too (it’s always one probe, never all of them).
- USB‑C charging is great, the sealed battery is not. Convenience now, uncertainty later.
- You still have to think about probe placement. That is true of every wireless probe, but the slimmer design can tempt sloppy placement if you rush.
Who it suits
If you are coming from an older Meater setup, this is an easy recommendation. You get better probes, better charging and fewer connectivity frustrations. If you are new to wireless probes and you cook on something like a Weber Kettle, a kettle with a Slow ‘N Sear, or a gas grill, the Pro XL strikes a good balance of simplicity and capability. If you only ever cook in a thick‑walled smoker at long range, you may still want to think about placement, distance and how much metal is between the block and your phone.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Thinner probes that insert easily
- Higher heat tolerance that matches real cooks
- USB‑C charging and a nicer block
- App that stays out of the way
- Far fewer dropouts than my original Block
Cons
- Occasional connectivity wobbles in a thicker walled environment
- Sealed, non‑replaceable battery raises longevity questions
- Not magic: placement and environment still matter
The bottom line is simple. I love my Meater Pro XL probes. The redesign fixes most of what annoyed me about the original Block. They are slimmer, tougher and they let me focus on the food. Connectivity is not perfect, but it is no longer a headache. USB‑C makes daily use nicer, even if the sealed battery nags a little in the back of my mind. If you have been waiting for Meater to hit the right balance of reliability and ease, this is the one to buy.