Pyrolysis of wheat straw without and with catalysts was investigated using TGA-FTIR method to determine the general effects of zeolite and noble metal catalysts on the evolution profile and relative yield of the volatile compounds. The addition of all catalysts increased the conversion of wheat straw to 72.2–79.6%. All used catalysts can be categorized in two groups: 1) catalysts able to change both the composition of the volatile compounds and the absorption spectra profile over the temperature range for each corresponding volatiles (noble metals); and 2) catalysts able to change only the composition of the gases (zeolites). Noble-metal catalysts had also higher deoxygenation ability for compounds containing carbonyl, carboxyl and hydroxyl groups than zeolites. These results provide a guidance to select suitable catalyst for the upgrading the composition of condensable pyrolysis gases.