Whether you’re looking for an easy to use, set it and forget style electric smoker that offers superior ease of use or something that lets you tweak every detail, this list of 8 of our favorite electric smokers should have the best electric smokers for all styles of cooking. Buying an electric smoker should be nearly effortless with this buying guide.
Table of Contents
Best Everyday Electric Smoker: the Masterbuilt MB20073519 Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker with Broiler
We love this electric smoker because it’s so easy to use and comes with a range of great features. This Masterbuilt electric smoker can really get the job done. With a trademark wood chip loading system, Bluetooth controls, stainless steel build, and four separate chrome-coated smoking racks, there’s not much this smoker can’t handle. If you need to step away from the smoker for a moment, don’t worry. This is a Bluetooth digital electric smoker, meaning you can control the temperature and settings via Bluetooth.
Offering 30 square inches of chrome-coated cooking space and a separate heating element on the top, this electric smoker Masterbuilt has produced is easy to use and control. You can easily manage internal temperature with the digital control, and its cooking capacity should be more than satisfactory for most home cooks. To refill the device, you load wood chips in via the side, eliminating any chance for heat to escape throughout the cooking process.
Best Budget: the LANDMANN MCO 32954 Landmann Smoky Mountain
With chrome-plated cooking racks, an impressive temperature range, and a 1 500-watt heating element, you’re probably not surprised to find out that the Landmann is perhaps the best budget electric smoker out there. This 26 inch electric smoker may be small, but it packs a punch! The fact that it is so small makes it very easy to move and place, and the Landmann consistently produces a great, smoky flavor. If you don’t grill for large parties, then the Landmann may be more than enough for you and your household. At such a competitive pricepoint, why not give it a try?
Best Vertical: the PIT BOSS PBV3D1 3 Series Digital Vertical Electric Wood Smoke
Vertical smokers are a fantastic way to maximize space and cooking power. Pit Boss is renowned for manufacturing a line of fantastic vertical smokers, and this model is no exception. The digital control panel makes temperature control simple and precise, and the stainless steel parts give the PBV3D13 enhanced durability. You can use a variety of wood chips with this model for varied, delicious results.
Best Smoker for Beginners: the Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker
If you’re looking for something that you can utilize to heat and smoke your food without too many frills, then the MB20071117 might be your best bet. Temperature control is easy thanks to the control panel, and it comes with a water bowl instead of a water pan for enhanced flavor retention. Removing water feels much safer this way, especially when the internal temperature has been maxed out. Some electric smoker brands manufacturer models that come with an enormous range of features, but if you’re getting started out with smoking, then there’s no need to get carried away. This model is perfect if you’re looking for something you can easily use to heat and smoke, no questions asked.
Best High-tech: the Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker with Bluetooth & Broiler, Black, 30-inch
This is similar to the other digital offerings from Masterbuilt, but with much more under the lid. This is the 30-inch model, and it also supports broiling and Bluetooth connectivity.
Best Heavy-duty: the Char-Broil 19202101 Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker
The Char-broil Deluxe Digital is truly a heavy-duty model. This electric smoker Char-broil even supports a remote control (purchased separately). With a sturdy heating element and capacious wood chip tray, the Char-broil Electric is an excellent choice if you want to make sure your next smoker lasts and lasts. The temperature gauge is easy to read and monitor, and this model offers a whopping 725 square inches of cooking space.
Best Luxury: the Masterbuilt MB20041020 Gravity Series 560 Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker
If you want a smoker with the greatest range of features and superior build quality, you musn’t overlook Masterbuilt’s MB20041020. Temperature management is effortless thanks to the smart controls and digital panel, and the wood chip tray is very substantial. This smoker can reach an incredible temperature of 371 degrees Celcius in just 13 minutes a full hopper should last for between 12-15 hours of use.
The internal fan in the MB20041020 provides consistent temperature management without you needing to lift a finger. A built-in thermometer gives you the most accurate readings possible and any relevant information can be sent to your phone via the Masterbuilt app. If you want the most luxurious, high-tech grilling experience, then you simply must consider the MB20041020.
Best Bisquette Smoker: the Bradley Smoker BS611 Electric Smoker
Sometimes you need something a little extra specialized or powerful. That is where the Bradley smoker comes in. Instead of using pellets or chips, this smoker operates through tiny briquettes, which the Bradley brand of electric smokers is known for. This isn’t generally how electric smokers work, but Bradley fans often find that it is far more efficient and tidier, too.
With the Bradley, you can control heat and smoke separately while you cook. Smoking is an efficient and tidy business with this model. It has four separate racks that have been designed for stability, so you don’t need to worry about them falling out or even getting pulled out by accident. The Bradley can tolerate operating for long periods at a high temperature, and it has an interior made entirely of steel for easy cleaning.
Electric Smokers FAQs
How Do I find the Right Beginner Model for Me?
If you haven’t cooked with smokers before, then the prospect of investing in one might seem intimidating. We recommend trying a friend’s model or buying a budget option if you aren’t yet used to smoking your food or if it’s not something you do often. If you’d like to try smoking but haven’t had the opportunity to use a friend’s or a trial, you could consider investing in a conversion kit like the Smokemeister first. This is a good option if you already have a grill that you like using. You can get experience smoking and experimenting with different methods before you invest in something made exclusively for smoking.
What Should I Look for?
When choosing new smokers, there are a few criteria you can employ to make it much easier for you to find the perfect model. It’s important that whatever you choose is appropriate for your lifestyle and cooking style, as well as consider factors like size and performance overall. For example, you might prefer an analog electric smoker for purely aesthetic reasons. Other than appearance, an analog smoker isn’t drastically different from a digital smoker. If you travel a lot, you might like to look for a portable electric smoker instead of a larger model.
Controls and Connectivity
The smokers available today have all kinds of options for connectivity and control. Some of them even have Bluetooth, meaning you can operate the model remotely via your phone. When considering which model to get, you should think about whether or not this is a priority for you and how much it matters. Not all models offer control via Bluetooth, and some are analog, meaning you can only operate them manually. Consider this in your evaluation in order to make the most appropriate decision.
Size and Capacity
How many people do you typically smoke for? Do you enjoy cooking for larger parties, or do you mostly cook for your family? Smokers vary considerably in terms of their cooking capacity, and this affects how many people you can cook for at a single time. Smoking for larger groups of guests can be frustrating and quite inefficient with a model that isn’t up to the task, so taking size into consideration is important when you look for new smokers.
Portability
Are you an avid camper or do you mostly cook at home? This ties in partially to the point about size but also concerns factors like the weight and portability of the smokers you are considering. If you want a model that you can easily transport, then look for the most portable option possible. These models can handle a smaller workload than larger ones, but the payoff is that you can smoke your food just about anywhere with minimal preparation and hassle. For many home cooks and food enthusiasts, this is more than worth the trade-off!
Other Models Worth Mentioning
In addition to the models covered in our list, you may like to consider other popular choices, like the Char-broil Analog Electric Smoker, the Smokin It Model, the Old Smokey, or the Smoke Hollow.
