Best Smokers Reviewed

How Smokers Work

The Spruce Eats says that a barbecue smoker is "an outdoor cooking appliance that can maintain low cooking temperatures for extended periods while producing smoke and holding it around the meat for absorption." Cooking meat on a low and slow heat setting is the best way to enhance its flavor and retain juiciness. So how does it all work?

The answer to this depends on the type of smoker you’ve invested in (we’ll cover these types later on). The general smoking process requires some sort of fuel - like wood pellets, charcoal, propane, or electricity - to heat up a chamber and fill it with smoke. Meat is placed inside the chamber, cooked to perfection while enhancing the flavor with layers of smokiness.

Smoker Comparison Table 

Buying A Good Quality Smoker

Smoking/Grilling Needs

The first step in the buying process is to determine your smoking and grilling needs. There's a lot that goes into this first step, like considering your household size, the frequency of smoker use, and convenience factors. If you've never owned a meat smoker before, you'll want to find the best smoker for beginners. For optimal ease of use, avoid wood smokers, and invest in an electric smoker instead.

When deciding on your needs, smoker versatility plays a considerable role. Some of the best smokers serve as 6-in-1 machines with the ability to grill, smoke, braise, bbq, and more. Others function solely as a meat smoking device. Having these extra functions is an added perk, but it's not necessary for everyone - especially for you're just looking for an easy-to-use smoker.

Type Of Smoker

Durability & Reliability

Performance, Smoking/Grilling Consistency & Capacity 

Temperature Adjustment

The best smokers to buy aren't designed for high heat (unless you've chosen the best smoker grill combo). The smoking process involves keeping the chamber at a low temperature and slowly cooking whatever is inside, which helps to create that smokey flavor we all love so much. That said, it is still suggested that you find a smoker that offers a wide temperature range.

The ideal smoking temperature fluctuates between 200 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit, but it’s handy to have a device that goes well above this range for searing and braising. But a wide temperature range means nothing if you can’t properly control it. For optimal temperature control, look for a smoker with easy-to-use buttons, dials, or vents and clearly displayed temperatures.

Cooking Space, Storage & Footprint

We've already discussed cooking space; the main thing to remember is that if you plan on cooking large quantities of meat at a time, larger cooking space is necessary. But with an ample cooking space comes a larger smoker footprint and dimensions.

Before going all out and purchasing a smoker that offers 1,000+ square inches of space, make sure that you have the storage space to accommodate it. You can find the dimensions of a smoker on the manufacturer’s product page to figure out the exact size of the food smoker once it’s been assembled.

Mobility/Portability

This isn't an essential consideration for every smoker buyer, especially for those who intend to keep the machine in a set location within the home. But what if you want to enjoy smoked meats on a weekend camping trip or while on vacay at the beach? In this case, mobility and portability are two major factors to consider. Even the best large smokers come with portability features like wheels and handles for easy mobility.

Ease of Use/Cleaning

Extra Features & Accessories

Warranty Coverage & Budget

Even if money is no concern, value for the cost is something to think about. The best smokers range dramatically in price from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Before browsing the smoker grill market, determine the amount you're willing to spend. No matter how much this is, look into warranty coverage. Warranties range from 1 year to 10 years, and each policy is different in the parts, pieces, and defects it covers.

1. Memphis Grills Elite MEMB1B

A real-wood fire fuels the MEMB1B by using natural wood pellets rather than propane or charcoal. The real wood creates an unparalleled flavor through its impressive cooking power and temperature range of 180 to 700°F. The main critique of the MEMB1B doesn't have to do with the smoker grill itself, but is aimed at the mobile app and that it doesn't work with older routers.

2. Smokin-It Model #1

Using wood pellets is an excellent method for creating natural smokiness, but not everyone is up for refilling a smoker hopper with wood pellets. If convenience is what you're after, the alternative to a wood or charcoal smoker is to invest in the best electric smoker. According to numerous electric smoker reviews, there is no electric smoker that compares to the Smokin-It Model #1.

The unit's insulated fiberglass is responsible for its tight seal and amazing heat retention. The #1 model comes with a 12-foot power cord that, once plugged in, starts up the 400-watt heating element. Electric smokers aren't designed for high heat, which some smoked-meat lovers prefer while others wish the Smokin-It smoker were capable of high-heat functions like grilling and searing.

But this device is all about smoking, and the ideal temperature for smoked meats is somewhere around 250°F. Smokin-It is all about low and slow settings for creating smoked meat delicacies, which is why the maximum temperature remains at 250. If you’re looking for a grill/smoker combo, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

3. Camp Chef SmokePro

We’ve already reviewed a high-quality pellet smoker, the Memphis Grills model, but this product isn’t within the budget of all meat-smoking enthusiasts. The best pellet smoker grill for the money is the Camp Chef SmokePro. It uses the same pellet-smoking technology as the Memphis Grills wood smoker, but it’s a fraction of the cost. The SmokePro Camp Chef smoker is the perfect pellet grill for serious meat-smokers. 

4. Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D

Investing in the best offset smoker (also known as the best reverse flow smoker) is the ideal solution if you plan on smoking lots of meats at once. A high-quality offset model like the Dyna Glo smoker comes with two chambers, one large chamber that is dedicated to food and another smaller one that is meant for creating and managing smoke.

The Dyna Glo DGO1176BDC-D is not just the best offset smoker, but it's also the best smoker for the money. Don't let the low cost fool you, though. Even with an affordable price, this smoker comes with plenty of extra features, lots of cooking space, and heavy-duty construction. The main chamber can hold up to 100 pounds of food at a time with a workspace of 784 square inches.

One of the best features of this offset smoker is the easy-to-read temperature gauge. The gauge ranges from 100 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and it indicates the ideal smoking temperature with the "Smoke Zone" label. Dyna Glo says that this "stainless temperature gauge with 'Smoke Zone' indicates the ideal temperature for infusing smoke flavor," ranging from 200 to 275 degrees.

The only downside of opting for the offset design is that this type of smoker has to work much harder to distribute heat and smoke evenly. So far, there have only been a few complaints of uneven heat distribution from Dyna Glo customers, but the problem is usually solved once the user gets the hang of proper offset smoking techniques.

5. Weber Smokey Mountain 721001

Looking for a charcoal grill smoker? Our recommendation is the Weber Smokey Mountain 721001. This product has been called the best charcoal grill smoker time and time again, mainly for its simple design. The 721001 Weber smoker is all about simplicity, which makes it an excellent choice for beginners who are learning the ropes of meat smoking techniques.

The cooking surface area isn’t as large as a few of the best smokers we’ve covered so far. It features an 18-inch diameter rack that can hold enough meat to feed between 4 and 6 people, perfect for a meat-eating family. The most-loved feature of this Weber smoker is its easy operation. It works like any traditional charcoal grill; charcoal is loaded into the bottom half of the smoker, and meat is placed on a grate above the burning coals.

Controlling heat is done through a damper ventilation system. Opening the vents entirely adds heat, and closing them cuts off oxygen to distinguish the coals. This heat control system can take some time to get used to, but you'll quickly get the hang of it.

6. Dyna-Glo DGW1904BDP-D

7. Backwoods Chubby 3400

Most smokers are designed for outdoor use, but not all of them are ideal for storing outdoors. This is a key consideration if you’re looking for the best backyard smoker if you want to prevent rust and keep your smoker working like new for years to come. The best home smoker for the backyard is the Backwoods Chubby 3400. It has a tough exterior with durable powder coating, making it suitable for outdoor use AND storage.

The Chubby 3400 is small enough to take along on outdoor adventures, like weekend camping trips or beachy vacations. It has compact dimensions and weighs only 130 pounds, making it one of the most portable products on this list. Don't underestimate the small size, though; Chubby 3400 can be used as a grill, BBQ, or smoker, cooking meat to perfection each time with the reverse flow technology.

Some buyers don’t like the fact that this product was made overseas, but try not to let this bug you too much. Regardless of the manufacturing location, this is the ideal solution for backyard smoking.

8. Classic Pit Barrel Cooker

The Pit Barrel Cooker Co. is a veteran-owned business that manufactures one of the best-rated smokers on the market: the Classic Pit Barrel Cooker. It features the traditional drum design that requires minimal assembly so that you can start smoking meats ASAP. The best drum cooker is 18.5 inches in diameter and comes with a large circular grate for large pieces of meat, as well as 8 stainless steel hooks and 2 hanging rods. The Pit Barrel Cooker is equipped with a coal basket that is sized perfectly for the ideal amount of charcoal. The barrel design is more natural to figure out than any other smoker type.

Because the barrel design is so simple, some people feel that it lacks special features. In a way, this is true - you won't have WiFi connectivity or high-tech temperature controls with the Pit Barrel Cooker. But this simplicity is exactly what more traditional meat-smoking enthusiasts love. If you want a smoker that doesn't come with tons of bells and whistles, this is our top pick.

9. KBQ C-60 BBQ

The best wood smokers use real wood for cooking meat and producing a smoky flavor profile. There's no need for hardwood pellets, gas, charcoal, or electricity. Using real wood is not the ideal choice if this is your first meat-smoking endeavor since it's a bit more challenging than the other smoker types. But if you consider yourself to be somewhat knowledgeable on the smoking process, there's nothing that compares to a real-wood smoker like the KBQ C-60.

This product allows you to barbecue brilliantly by producing flavors, colors, and bark that is only possible with real wood. Although the fire created by real wood is a bit more challenging to control, KBQ has it all figured out through the Inverted Flame technology.

10. Weber Smokey 711001

Investing in the best small smoker on the market is ideal for those who plan on bringing their smoker on camping trips, vacations to the lake house, or as the main hit at family gatherings. Meat smoker reviews talk a lot about the importance of portability, and it's obvious that some smokers are much more portable than others. The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 711001 ranks the highest when it comes to portability and easy storage.

This Weber smoker is just like the 721001 we covered earlier, only it’s slightly smaller. Instead of an 18.5-inch diameter grill grate, the 711001 has a diameter of just 14 inches. If you’re looking for the maximum amount of cooking space possible, this is not the smoker for you. But if you’re on the hunt for a smoker that is small enough to bring on the road, this is the one.

Weber has a lot to say about its #1 smoker for portability. 

The 711001 features precision heat control through damper ventilation vents located at the bottom of the smoker. This ventilation and heat control is far from high-tech, but there’s no denying that it’s efficient and easy to use.

Types of Smokers

After reading about the best smokers, it's evident that these smokers vary in how they function and how they are fueled. Each smoker type comes with a set of pros and cons, which means each individual has unique preferences for the best type of smoker.

Pellet Smoker

The best pellet smoker uses high-quality hardwood pellets to help produce flavorful, juicy meat products. Pellet smoker reviews say that these are easy to use thanks to their simple design and temperature controls. The main downside is that they require a user to regularly feed wood chips into the pellet compartment (hopper), and high-quality pellets don't come cheap. But if great flavor and easy operation are what you're looking for, you can't go wrong with a pellet smoker.

Gas Smoker – Propane/Natural Gas

A gas smoker uses propane or natural gas as fuel. The gas heats the wood chips to produce smoke, creating an intensely smokey flavor that meat-eaters love. Gas smokers are very affordable, easy to use, and perfect for those who want to set the temperature and forget about the meat until it’s done cooking.

The downside of using gas is that you’ll have to replace the propane bottle when it runs out if you’re not using a natural gas connection. Construction of a natural gas or propane smoker requires more parts and pieces, which means there is a higher chance of malfunctions and defects.

Electric Smoker

Electric smokers provide extreme convenience; they are easy to set up, easy to use, and just require a power source for operation. If you want a completely hassle-free cooking experience that is suitable for beginners, an electric smoker is the way to go. As far as the downsides go, electrically-powered smokers are unable to reach high temperatures, so you won't be able to sear your food after the smoking process.

Smoker/Grill Combo

A smoker grill combo is exactly as it sounds; it combines both smoking and grilling functions, offering much more versatility. This type is ideal for those who want an all-in-one system and don't want to go through the hassle of purchasing two separate units. The drawback is that a combination of smoker and grill is more costly than a unit that is solely for smoking.

Vertical Smoker

The best vertical smoker cooks food in a vertical cabinet that contains multiple shelves that are accessed from the top of the unit. This type uses a minimal amount of space, making it the ideal choice for a portable meat-smoking solution. No matter if you choose the best vertical pellet smoker or a vertical water smoker, the unit won't take up too much space. Some people don't love the idea of a top-load design since it's more difficult to handle.

Charcoal Smoker

A charcoal smoker runs on charcoal with several style options, like barrel, offset, and cabinet. Charcoal smokers produce great results since they are capable of reaching and maintaining high temperatures, plus they produce the best flavors out of all the smoker types. Unfortunately, charcoal can be messy to clean up, and cooking with charcoal takes longer to master.

Offset Smoker/Reverse Flow

Drum or Barrel

A drum or barrel smoker is very simple to use, and it's the most traditional method for smoking foods. It consists of a steel drum that contains a firebox in the bottom and a cooking rack on top. Charcoal is placed in the firebox, so it's great if a smoky flavor is your #1 priority. The disadvantage is that controlling temperature can be challenging, making it difficult to cook large slabs of meat like brisket or pork roast.

How to Use A Smoker

Tips When Using Smokers

The first tip on how to use a smoker is to remember that low and slow wins the race. Smoking meat is not meant to be a speedy process, and the best results come about when you maintain a temp between 200 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. To monitor temperatures, invest in a smoker thermometer that can remain in the meat for the duration of the smoke session. Here are more helpful tips for smoker use:

Cleaning and Maintenance of Smokers

People Also ask (FAQs)

Is smoked meat healthy?

What's the easiest meat to smoke? What is the hardest meat to smoke?

Do you flip meat when smoking?

What to expect from the different budget ranges of smokers?

What’s the difference between a smoker and a grill?

Where is the best place to buy these smokers and accessories?

What is cold smoking?

What are the top smoker brands?

Conclusion

Once all is said and done with this list of the best smoker reviews, no product compares to the MEMB1B. It comes with a high price tag, but it also comes with tons of cool features, like WiFi connectivity, a 700-degree maximum temperature, and over 1,000 square inches of cooking space. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly product, consider the electrically-powered Smokin-It Model #1.