8 Of The Best Electric Smokers That Deliver Irresistibly Flavorful BBQ Meals

BBQ aficionados know that there’s more than one way to expertly cook up meat in your backyard. One method that’s exploded in popularity over the past few years is smoking. And contrary to how things were in the past, the best electric smokers are now more accessible and affordable for just about everyone.

Having a backyard smoker can take your outdoor cooking game to the next level. You can crank out brisket, poultry, corn and pretty much anything else you want to be infused with that signature smoky flavor without a ton of effort on your end. All you need to do is place your food inside, set your temperature and walk away; it’s really that simple. There are a few major things to consider when shopping for a smoker, including the capacity you’ll need, storage space, whether smart features are important to you and how much you’re willing to spend.

To hunt down the best options on the market, we looked at the most popular models out there and narrowed them down based on must-have features, capacity, durability and value. Whether you’re a novice or a backyard BBQ veteran, these are the best electric smokers available now.

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Best Electric Smoker Overall

A Smoker That Delivers Authentic Flavor With Plenty Of Capacity

SmokinTex Smoker

SmokinTex delivers authentic pit barbecue while simplifying the entire process. Add wood chips to the bottom, place your food on the racks, turn it on and you’re good to go. An adjustable thermostat lets you cycle from 100 to 250 degree Fahrenheit, while double-wall insulated stainless steel construction keeps the consistent low heat you need. Want vegetables, chicken and steak at once? Not a problem. Four racks let you cook whatever you want together. Also, you can move things around thanks to the casters.

Best Inexpensive Electric Smoker

A Hearty And Powerful Option That Won’t Break Your Budget

Masterbuilt Analog Electric Smoker

Don’t let the price fool you—this smoker gets the job done. With a 354-square-inch interior, there’s plenty of space to cook several meats at once. The Masterbuilt has a 1,800-watt heating element, which is more than enough to churn out smoky, juicy, evenly-cooked meats. The smoker has two adjustable chrome-plated grates you can move around to fit your meat, while a removable wood chip tray allows you to infuse as much or as little smokiness as you want. A nice perk: There’s a built-in door temperature gauge, so you can easily keep tabs on the cooking process.

Best Electric Smoker For Beginners

A Roomy Smoker That’s Incredibly Easy To Use

Cuisinart COS-330 Electric Smoker

Cuisinart’s electric smoker doesn’t have too many bells and whistles that could make the process feel overwhelming for newbies. The interior features 548 square inches, which is ample space to smoke several meats and vegetables at once. It also has a small vertical footprint, allowing you to put it just about anywhere outdoors. Three removable stainless steel shelves allow you to shift things around to make room for larger cuts of meat, while an easy-to-read thermometer on the front door lets you check out the temperature inside. The whole thing can heat up between 100 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit with a dial.

Best Large Capacity Electric Smoker

A Sizable Option That Can Handle 16 Chickens At Once

Masterbuilt 40-Inch Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker

Masterbuilt’s smoker has plenty of room for cooking food for your whole family—and your neighbors. This machine can handle 16 chickens, four turkeys or eight oversized cuts of pork at once, with room around for vegetables and other sides. The smoker uses Bluetooth Smart technology to allow you to monitor and control your meat and temperature from either your phone or the digital control panel. An included meat probe lets you see exactly what’s happening inside your food. You can even add wood chips without opening the smoker door.

Best Small Electric Smoker

A Basic Gadget You Can Take On The Go

Old Smokey Vertical Electric Portable Smoker

This classic-style smoker is pretty bare bones, but that’s not a bad thing. It has a flat top, allowing juices to drip right back onto your food. A tray on top of the heating element holds your wood chips for that perfectly smoky flavor. It’s also controlled by a heat thermostat that allows you to cycle through a range of cooking times and styles. The whole thing weighs just 24 pounds, making it easy to tote from backyard to backyard.

Best Front View Electric Smoker

A Cool-Looking Smoker That Lets You Watch The Action Unfold

Pit Boss Vertical Electric Portable Smoker

This version from Pit Boss has a huge window in the front to allow you to keep tabs on your dinner. You can control what’s happening internally with a push-button digital control panel with LED readout. There’s also a programmable meat probe to allow you to monitor the internal temperature of your meat and vegetables. Worth noting: You can even make pizza in this contraption. And the cool blue exterior helps it really pop on your patio.

Best Digital Electric Smoker

A Smart Version That Lets You Easily Adjust The Temperature As Needed

Char-Broil Vertical Electric Smoker

Char-Broil’s smoker has a clear, easy-to-use digital thermostat and display panel so you can quickly change the temperature when needed. The smoker features four chrome-plated steel cooking grates in 725 square inches of cooking space. An integrated meat thermometer lets you track the internal temperature of your food without opening the door and losing precious heat. A really nice feature: The smoker will turn itself off automatically when your food is ready, so you don’t have to stress about overcooking. A warming feature will help keep food hot until you’re ready to eat.

Best Easy-To-Clean Electric Smoker

An Option That Catches Spills And Used Wood Chips For Simple Cleaning

Bradley Smoker BS611 Electric Smoker

The Bradley Smoker has plenty of cool features to make this worth your time. It features a special hopper on the side to store and add your wood chips without much work on your end. Simply load it up with chips, and it’ll do the rest. A stainless steel interior helps circulate even heat, while four racks give you plenty of room to cook. A special smoke diffuser helps ensure smokiness infuses your food, no matter where it’s positioned. A drip tray helps catch spills, and all the racks are dishwasher safe. There’s even a basin to catch used wood chips.

What To Look For In An Electric Smoker

Capacity

You can easily get away with a smaller, less expensive electric smoker if you’re cooking for your family versus regularly hosting backyard parties at your place.

Temperature Control

Are you the type of smoker who wants to be babysitting your meat or be free to make a round of margaritas instead? If it’s the latter, you’ll want to at least be able to turn a dial to set your temperature.

Visibility

Some smokers have windows to allow you to see what’s happening inside while others don’t. If you do like to keep a watchful eye on your chicken, you might want to invest in a model with a glass door.

Overall Size

If outdoor space isn’t an issue for you, you can go as big as you’d like. But if you’re dealing with limited space, you’ll likely want to opt for a smaller smoker.

Portability

Do you plan to take your smoker grill to tailgates and neighborhood backyard parties, or would you rather it take up permanent residence in your backyard? Not every smoker is easy to tote around.