Best Smokers

In a Hurry? Editors choice:
Masterbuilt Digital
Test Winner: Masterbuilt Digital
Amazon Link
The weather is finally getting warmer. If you are like us, you have probably been preparing for your first great summer cookout. While cooking on a charcoal or propane is fast and efficient, smoked foods have a unique flavor that is definitely worth the added time. This summer, you might want to look into changing up the way you cook your meats to really impress your party guests. Even better, the chef has the ability to adjust the flavors of the meats simply by using different types of wood chips.

Mulberry wood chips are perfect for really bring out the flavor or ham and chicken, while maple wood chips are great for cheese, vegetables, and small game. However, if you are hard pressed to get your hands on any specialty wood chips, the tried and tested mesquite chips are perfect for just about any type of meat.

Standout Picks

Masterbuilt Bluetooth
This is the Cadillac of the smoking world, and it’s brought to you by the leading name in the field: Masterbuilt. It has all of the things that a home cook could ever want when it comes to cooking meats low and slow, and lets all of the tech-savvy cooks out there have another reason to utilize their smartphone.
Masterbuilt Digital
If you want to cook low and slow to impress everyone with your top notch BBQ skills- this Masterbuilt model is going to get you there. Masterbuilt is a company that has been in business since 1973 by selling fish cookers that were originally created in the owner's garage. Today, they are one of the leading brands when it comes to cooking food slowly in the great outdoors.
Masterbuilt Charcoal
Masterbuilt is a name that you are going to become quite familiar with when you are on the lookout for one of these products. They are one of the leading companies that make various different types of models that will work for just about anyone. This particular model is great because it uses coal, won’t take up that much room on your patio, and cooks up some incredible BBQ.
Amazon Link
$120.15
Char-Broil Gourmet Offset
If you have ever been driving down the street in the summertime and have seen one of those big cylindrical units that are used to cook up tons of racks of ribs and have fantasized of having a similar model in your backyard- Char-Broil offers that same design but just on a smaller scale.
Amazon Link
$121.96
Char-Broil Analog Electric
Char-Broil offers up another great way to cook all of your outdoor dishes low and slow, and this design rivals some of the higher priced Masterbuilt units. It is easy to use, doesn’t take up all that much space on a patio, and is perfect for infusing flavor into your meats.
Amazon Link
$272.25
Dyna-Glo Signature Series
So, you have used the traditional models in the past, and have decided that smoking is the only way you ever want to cook meat ever again. If that’s the case, the Dyna-Glo Signature Series will be the perfect addition to your outdoor space. It offers an insane amount of cooking space if you host a lot of people for all of your summer get-togethers, and it is really easy to use.
Amazon Link
$399.99
Cuisinart COS-118
It wouldn’t be a proper cookery tool list if Cuisinart didn’t make an appearance. This company has been providing consumers with quality products for the indoor and outdoor home cooks since 1971. If you were looking for something that is easy to use and light on your wallet- this is an excellent choice.
Amazon Link
$149.99
Cuisinart COS-244
It may seem a little strange to think of one of these products that smoke food to be run off of a propane tank- but Cuisinart has made it work wonderfully with the vertical design. What makes using a propane tank great is that you get all of the reliability from a solid energy source- much like the electric designs- but you are not stuck to using it around the house where there are outside outlets.
Amazon Link
$299.95
Char-Broil Infrared
We have seen electric models, we have seen charcoal models, and now Char-Broil brings you a model that runs from infrared light. With this particular model, you still hook it up to a propane tank, but the light emitted means that your meats will be just a little bit more juicy and delicious.
Amazon Link
$362.29
Char-Broil Deluxe Electric
Char-Broil makes this list yet again with another great product. This design uses electricity is its main fuel source and has a lot of extra features that home cooks have come to love when it comes to cooking meats in the great outdoors.
Amazon Link

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Style

Of course, you want something that is effective, but you also want something that is going to look good and not takes up that much space. Everyone is working with different spaces, so we tried to keep it smaller to accommodate everyone. Besides, the less space that it takes up just means that you will have more room to add more seating and party guests. We were impartial to the vertical designs because they had a very small footprint for smaller patios, and they were really able to hold a surprising amount of food. Some of the taller designs could even hold more food that your vertical propane gas grill. Some of the vertical Masterbuilt designs are big enough to cook up to 64 sausage links at one time!

Features

While smoking meats is the ultimate goal, we also wanted to know what else they could do. When a piece of outdoor gear can do more than one thing- we like that. If the unit used an alternative fuel source other than wood chips or charcoal, users have a tendency to prefer those more. Sure, using only wood chips is the traditional way of smoking, but it can be temperamental. If you are just using wood chips or coal, you might have to check in frequently to make sure that it is still lit and cooking. If you have a more reliable fuel source such as electricity or propane, you can rest assured that the heat is still going even if the temperature drops or it becomes windy.

Ease of Use

Cooking outside is supposed to be calming and soothing after a long work week, and we didn’t want to add any additional frustration from a cooker that is hard to use. Generally speaking, units that have a reliable fuel source will free you up to do more things like yard work or hiking without feeling like you need to hover over hot coals and wood chips. We were also drawn to units that had digital displays that were easy to read as well as easy to set. Cooking low and slow is a long and drawn out process, and you want to be able to go out and enjoy your day knowing that the stab of BBQ ribs you set in the morning will be tender and delicious by the time you get back from your afternoon hike.

Value

This may be a product that you will want to use every once in a while, or it may be something that you will want to use every day. Either way, we wanted to keep the price down to save you a little bit of money in the long run. Masterbuilt products have seemed to find that sweet spot between offering up great quality products that use the best materials, but they also do a very good job of keeping the price reasonable. If you are looking for something that will last you a long time, Masterbuilt might be your best bet if you are willing to spend a little bit extra than some of the less expensive models.

10 Best Smokers

1. Masterbuilt Bluetooth

Where to buy
Masterbuilt Bluetooth
Amazon Link

This is the Cadillac of the smoking world, and it’s brought to you by the leading name in the field: Masterbuilt. It has all of the things that a home cook could ever want when it comes to cooking meats low and slow, and lets all of the tech-savvy cooks out there have another reason to utilize their smartphone.

Read more

Style
The look of this model looks like a small scale commercial model that you would find in restaurant BBQ joints. The stainless steel exterior looks great on any patio, and it doesn’t really take up all that much room to leave more room for seating and other cookery gadgets.

Features
In addition to having a sleek and stylish design that is sure to draw the attention of all of your party goers, it also sports a lot of modern features that make cooking your food simple and easy. Aside from the innovative Bluetooth features, it also has a glass front so you can check on the status of dinner without losing heat by opening the door.

Ease of Use
What makes this model stand out from the rest is its Bluetooth ability. Simply download the Masterbuilt app to your phone and sync it to this unit. Once it is synced, you can control the temperature of the inside on your phone. This feature makes it easy for you to enjoy the party without feeling like you have to hover over the food. For those serious smokers- it means that you can cook in the dead of winter and control the temperature while you are nice and warm sitting around a fire inside of your house while this unit does all the hard work out in the cold.

Value
The price of this model is one of the most pricey out there on the market, so be prepared to feel a little sting when it comes time to check out. However, given the capacity of the interior, the ease of cooking while using your smartphone, and sharp look of this model- it is definitely worth the higher price.

Summary
If you love any reason to use your smartphone, and you are serious about the cookey of your smoked meats, there will be no way you will ever be disappointed spending the extra money on this model.

2. Masterbuilt Digital

Where to buy
Masterbuilt Digital
Amazon Link

If you want to cook low and slow to impress everyone with your top notch BBQ skills- this Masterbuilt model is going to get you there. Masterbuilt is a company that has been in business since 1973 by selling fish cookers that were originally created in the owner's garage. Today, they are one of the leading brands when it comes to cooking food slowly in the great outdoors.

Read more

Style
This model won’t take up that much room on your patio and comes to just below the hips of an average sized man. It has a boxy design that makes it easy to fill it with all kinds of meats such as chicken, fish, and beef, and is also perfect for smoking vegetables such as corn. It has the capacity to hold 6 whole chickens, 2 full turkeys, 8 racks of ribs, 64 sausages, or 24 burgers. While it doesn’t take up all that much room- it has the capacity to cook up a great meal for the entire neighborhood.

Features
It has 4 racks on the inside so you can cook up three different types of meat as well as reserve one rack for vegetables.

Ease of Use
To use this product, simply plug it into a power source (such as an outdoor electric plug). The digital display located at the top allows you to adjust the temperature that you want to cook it, and also sets a timer to go off when your meats should be done. Located on the back of the unit is a small tray labeled ‘wood chips’ where you can throw just a handful of your favorite type of wood to give your meats a unique flavor.

Value
Due to the fact that it is so easy to use, and it has the capacity to cook up meats for the entire neighborhood- it’s priced a little bit higher than many of the other smaller and simpler models out there on the market. However, if you are serious about cooking up some masterfully crafted meats- this unit will sure to impress all of your friends and family this summer. Plus, its sealed design makes it perfect for even smoking foods in the winter.

Summary
If you wanted to get the top of the line model without paying the price tag of some of the larger and complicated designs that are out there- this is an excellent choice. Plus it comes with the comfort of knowing it's from Masterbuilt- one of the top brands in outdoor cooking.

3. Masterbuilt Charcoal

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$120.15
Masterbuilt Charcoal
Amazon Link

Masterbuilt is a name that you are going to become quite familiar with when you are on the lookout for one of these products. They are one of the leading companies that make various different types of models that will work for just about anyone. This particular model is great because it uses coal, won’t take up that much room on your patio, and cooks up some incredible BBQ.

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Style
When conjuring an image of one of these products, you are probably imagining something big a bulky- but this is just the opposite. It has a long narrow footprint on your patio and is made from a glossy black material. This design makes it look great in any outdoor space, and is made to cook up some really great foods. Plus, it’s small enough to be able to take with you on your next camping trip.

Features
The addition of a temperature gauge at the top of this model makes it easy to really control the cooking temperature. When it comes to cooking low and slow, it’s important that you don’t get the temperature get too high. And if the temperature gets too low- you might have some hungry campers as you wait more time for dinner to be ready. The front of the unit is where you can load up more charcoal quickly and efficiently without running the risk of putting your hands directly over the heat source. The great thing about charcoal is that it can be used to cook foods quickly, but it can also be used to smoke them slowly.

Ease of Use
Having the temperature gauge front and center makes it easy to control the heat and make sure it turns out how you would like it to. As mentioned, adding charcoal is quick and painless. Overall, this smoker is simple to use and creates delicious slow cooked meats.

Value
This unit is incredibly affordable, and you will likely spend the same amount of money it would cost you to fill up your tank to head out to the campsite for the weekend. Considering that it’s perfect for cooking foods slowly or quickly- it is offered at a really great price point.

Summary
If you were in the market for something that was a little more versatile for those evenings where you don’t have the time to let something cook slowly- this is an excellent option that won’t break the bank.

Amazon Link
$120.15

4. Char-Broil Gourmet Offset

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$121.96
Char-Broil Gourmet Offset
Amazon Link

If you have ever been driving down the street in the summertime and have seen one of those big cylindrical units that are used to cook up tons of racks of ribs and have fantasized of having a similar model in your backyard- Char-Broil offers that same design but just on a smaller scale.

Read more

Style
Like we stated earlier, this has the look of those commercial roadside cookers, but just a lot smaller. The cylindrical design offers a cooking surface of 290 square inches, and the side cooker provides an additional firebox cooking area provides an additional 140 square inches. It has wheels on the base so it will be a cinch to move around our patio as needed or haul into the garage when the weather starts to get cold.

Features
The steel frame is incredibly durable for cooking meats low and slow, or for higher heats- and is completely safe. This model has a small table along the side to prepare vegetables and meats or just serve as a place to set a soda while you cook. You can even use this smoker as a grill.

Ease of Use
When you want to add more wood chips or water in the middle of the cooking process, all you have to do is open the door along the side and slide more in. This way of adding chips is great because it means that you don’t have to open the main chamber. Whenever you open the main chamber, you lose a lot of smoke (and flavor), and it means that your guest will just have to wait longer on their food.

Value
One of the best features of this design is the affordable price. Some users have found that it is a little difficult to put together, so the lower price point comes at the cost of a little extra time spent on assembly. However, if you have the time and the patience to put it together- it is offered at an incredible deal that will save you more money that you can use to spend on expensive cuts of meat.

Summary
If you are in the market for a basic model that doesn’t have all of the additional bells and whistles as some of the Masterbuilt products have- this will be a great addition to all of you summer parties and BBQs.

Amazon Link
$121.96

5. Char-Broil Analog Electric

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$272.25
Char-Broil Analog Electric
Amazon Link

Char-Broil offers up another great way to cook all of your outdoor dishes low and slow, and this design rivals some of the higher priced Masterbuilt units. It is easy to use, doesn’t take up all that much space on a patio, and is perfect for infusing flavor into your meats.

Read more

Style
The boxy design means that it can fit easily into the corner of your patio and allows you to have more room for seating and places to play games. The exterior is all black with a basic gauge on the front to control the temperature. The interior is silver with stainless steel racks to allow for an even cook and well as to be able to see your food better.

Features
It might look like it is a little small, but you would be surprised at how much that it can really hold. The three racks on the inside can hold an impressive 544 square inches of cooking space. Along the bottom of the unit are multiple trays that are used to add water, catch grease drippings, and add wood chips for additional flavor.

Ease of Use
To use, simply plug the entire unit into an outdoor outlet. It has a max temperature of approximately 400 degrees.

Value
The cost of this unit is more expensive than the standard options that only run off of charcoal and wood chips. Generally, the electric models are quite a bit more expensive, but this model is set at a considerably lower price than many of the other electric models out there on the market. If you were looking for an electric model but didn’t want to spend the extra money- this would be an excellent option.

Summary
If you are in the market for an electric unit that is easy to use and has an excellent capacity to be able to cook up sausages for the entire neighborhood, this model would be an excellent option for all of your summertime events.

Amazon Link
$272.25

6. Dyna-Glo Signature Series

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$399.99
Dyna-Glo Signature Series
Amazon Link

So, you have used the traditional models in the past, and have decided that smoking is the only way you ever want to cook meat ever again. If that’s the case, the Dyna-Glo Signature Series will be the perfect addition to your outdoor space. It offers an insane amount of cooking space if you host a lot of people for all of your summer get-togethers, and it is really easy to use.

Read more

Style
The interior of this model offers up an impressive 1,382 square inches of cooking space. The main compartment is great for smoking various different types of meat and veggies and has 6 separate racks that stack tall for easy access without the need to bend over. Next to the main compartment is an offset grill that offers an additional 284 square inches of cooking space.

Features
This grill features large wheels that make it easy to move around on your patio. If the wind is blowing in a different direction, you still need to focus on smoking the meats, not your guests. The lid feature a spring grip that will never be too hot to touch, giving you easy access to check on your meats. On the top of the smoker are built in sausage hooks. There are also five trays which give you plenty of room.

Ease of Use
Whenever you feel the need to remove ash and add more charcoal or wood chips, the tray on the side is easy to pull out and remove old ash and add new fuel without the need of opening up the main compartment. When you open the main compartment, you often lose a lot of smoke, heat, and flavor, so this design is perfect for not losing heat and flavor.

Value
Just looking at this bad boy is a little intimidating- it’s probably about the same height as you are, and you would likely think that it would have a price tag that is way out of a casual home cook's price range- but that would be where you would be wrong. While it is more expensive than most of the other options on this list- it isn’t by much. In fact, it is less expensive than the Masterbuilt Bluetooth model and offers double the cooking space.

Summary
If you are looking to do some serious smoking, and you don’t want to waste your time in smaller models that just won’t cut it for your summer BBQ needs- this is an excellent option if you are willing to dish out just a little bit more money than some of the other options out there on the market.

Amazon Link
$399.99

7. Cuisinart COS-118

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$149.99
Cuisinart COS-118
Amazon Link

It wouldn’t be a proper cookery tool list if Cuisinart didn’t make an appearance. This company has been providing consumers with quality products for the indoor and outdoor home cooks since 1971. If you were looking for something that is easy to use and light on your wallet- this is an excellent choice.

Read more

Style
The design of this model looks just like many of the other vertical units out there on the market. It stands 18 inches off the ground, and a 16-inch model is offered at a lower price point. The exterior is a shiny black metal and the interior houses two tier of stainless steel cooking racks. The narrow design makes it a perfect fit for even smaller patios and backyards that don’t have a lot of extra space.

Features
Its narrow design makes it a cinch to pack up into the car and take along with you on fishing or camping trips. Nothing tastes better than smoking a fish that you caught earlier that morning. The two racks are ideal for smoking many different kinds of foods such as meats, veggies, or even hard cheeses. It stands a total of 45 inches tall so tending to your dinner won’t be a total pain in your back, and the thermometer in the top of the model will make it so that you can see what the temperature is on the inside without needing to lift the lid and lose precious heat and smoke.

Ease of Use
To use this model, all you have to do is lift off the upper part and fill it with your favorite brand of charcoal. There is a thermometer gauge on the outside which allows you to control the temperature without opening the smoker.

Value
While it isn’t the most inexpensive non-electric model out there on the market- it is not the most expensive either. This product runs about in the middle of the road in terms of price. Given the confidence that comes with the name Cuisinart, and the ease of use and durability of this design- it comes in at a really great price point.

Summary
If you are a home cook that wants a new way to cook up summer foods other than your propane gas grill- Cuisinart allows you to cook up a lot of food on 512 square inches of cooking space without breaking the bank.

Amazon Link
$149.99

8. Cuisinart COS-244

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$299.95
Cuisinart COS-244
Amazon Link

It may seem a little strange to think of one of these products that smoke food to be run off of a propane tank- but Cuisinart has made it work wonderfully with the vertical design. What makes using a propane tank great is that you get all of the reliability from a solid energy source- much like the electric designs- but you are not stuck to using it around the house where there are outside outlets.

Read more

Style
While it is a vertical model, it sports a more boxy design rather than rounded or cylindrical design. The outside is a solid black color with sharp silver accents. It has a temperature control gauge on the outside to ensure that you always know what temperature you are cooling your dinner without the need to open the door which will cause longer cooking times in the long run.

Features
There is a knob at the bottom that allows you to control how much heat and smoke is pumped into the unit- a feature that isn’t available on most models and can come in quite handy when you have hungry dinner guests that are ready to eat. There is a tray that is made from porcelain enamel at the bottom of the unit that is used to catch drippings as well as provide a place for water and wood chips.

Ease of Use
To use this model, all you have to do is hook up the hose to a propane tank, and you are ready to go.

Value
Considering that it runs off of propane and has an impressive 4 racks to cook food- it is offered at an excellent price. While it isn’t the most affordable model you might come across on the market- it does come with the Cuisinart name and a long line of satisfied customers to ensure that every penny spent on this model is worth it.

Summary
If you are looking for a unit that runs off of a fuel source that isn’t electric or charcoal- this is an excellent choice. Propane makes it easier to control the heat when needed, and it’s easier to bring a propane tank to the campsite rather than an electrical outlet.

Amazon Link
$299.95

9. Char-Broil Infrared

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$362.29
Char-Broil Infrared
Amazon Link

We have seen electric models, we have seen charcoal models, and now Char-Broil brings you a model that runs from infrared light. With this particular model, you still hook it up to a propane tank, but the light emitted means that your meats will be just a little bit more juicy and delicious.

Read more

Style
This unit looks much like all of the other cylindrical models out there on the market. It stands up to be about 36 inches tall and had a matte black design that will look great in any outdoor space.

Features
Unlike a lot of the mother models that have a series of roasting trays, this design has a cage that you drop down into the unit. It also has a grill tray on the very top lid that allows you to grill veggies and other things separately from the main compartment. On the side of the model is a small compartment that you can use to insert your favorite type of wood chips to give your meats a unique flavor every time you use this model.

Ease of Use
You can use this device to grill, roast, and smoke meats or vegetables. Some reviewers have commented that the smoking basket can be difficult to extract from the smoker and has resulted in burns. Other than that, the item is straight forward and easy to use.

Value
You would think that because it uses a fairly new technology of using infrared heat that this particular model would cost a whole lot more than most other brands- but you would be mistaken in that assumption. This model, while still pretty expensive, is just slightly more than many of the moderately priced models out there, and it actually less expensive than many of the Masterbuilt designs.

Summary
If you are in the market for something a little different, and that uses a more modern technology to get the most out of every cut of meat while still offering that classic flavor that can only come from cooking something low and slow with the aid of wood chips, you will find that this design is worth every penny.

Amazon Link
$362.29

10. Char-Broil Deluxe Electric

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Char-Broil Deluxe Electric
Amazon Link

Char-Broil makes this list yet again with another great product. This design uses electricity is its main fuel source and has a lot of extra features that home cooks have come to love when it comes to cooking meats in the great outdoors.

Read more

Style
The design of this model is a little bit different from many of the others out there. Instead of having a solid black frame, this model is matte silver and has a clear door on the front so that you can keep an eye on the progress of dinner without actually opening the unit. This model will look great on your patio and will be sure to impress all of your BBQ dinner guests.

Features
There is a digital display on the front of the unit that is great for not only adjusting the heat but also for setting a timer to go off when you are finished cooking your meat and veggies. Along the bottom of the unit is a small tray that is used to add the type of wood chip of your choice to ensure that your dinner will have a unique flavor every time. This tray can be opened and additional chips added without the need of opening the main compartment. Additionally, the glass door also means that you can monitor the progress of your dinner without losing any heat or smoke.

Ease of Use
To use this product, simply plug it into an outdoor outlet to fire it up.

Value
This unit will likely cost you the same amount that you would spend on the Masterbuilt model that is similar to this one. However, the glass door and the easy access to the wood chip tray, as well as the digital display make it well worth the slightly padded price tag.

Summary
If you are in the market for something that will look great on your patio, doesn’t take up that much space, and will provide you with juicy and tender slow-cooked meats every time- this is an excellent option to make your next summer BBQ your best.

Amazon Link

Sources

  1. Derrick Riches, BBQ Smokers, Food Blog Entry
  2. Cynthia Lopez, The Best BBQ Smokers (2019 Reviews), Buying Guide