Electric smokers are for those who don’t want to go through hard labor to get mouth-watering, perfectly cooked food. You just set, forget and reappear when food is ready. This means that newbie pitmasters can make world-class barbecue out of these units! So are you ready for some heat? Check out the top meat smokers on the market, reviewed as of 2021.
The 10 Top Rated Smokers for Meats, Veggies and Beyond
Electric smokers vary significantly in size, quality, ease of use, and price. The models featured in these reviews are not only equipped with the features necessary to produce fantastic results, but also have proved themselves to be reliable.
1. Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker MB20071117
View in galleryBuy now The Masterbuilt MB20071117 is arguably the most popular electric smoker on the market today. Also known as the MES 130|B, this top-tier Masterbuilt electric smoker features full-body insulation prevents heat from escaping, thus allowing your food to cook faster. The main cabinet is made of steel, while the interior is made of aluminum. Together, these features ensure that this smoker’s performance does not wane during cooler conditions. Masterbuilt’s MB20071117 offers up to 711 sq. inches of cooking space, which is enough to smoke 2 turkeys at a go if you remove the racks. Smoking is a breeze here, thanks to the built-in digital control panel that allows you to customize your internal temperatures from anywhere between 100 to 275 degrees. Additionally, it also allows you to set cooking times, meaning you can fine-tune internal conditions to suit your meal of choice. Craving a smoky flavor? The Masterbuilt digital electric smoker comes with a side-loading wood chip port to allow you to add wood smoke without having to open the front door and let all the heat out. If you are not a fan of adding chips after every hour, you can utilize the slow smoker attachment that adds chips automatically for up to 6 hours straight. This attachment also comes in handy when you want to cold smoke.
2. Masterbuilt Analog Electric Smoker MB20070210
View in galleryBuy now Simple, easy to use, and budget-friendly, the Masterbuilt MB20070210 Analog Electric Smoker is a great fit for beginning and experienced smoker-enthusiasts alike. Unlike the our previous recommendation which is a digital smoker, the MB20070210 is a fully analog unit. That means it does not come with a fancy control panel that allows you to fine-tune internal conditions to a tee. Instead, it comes with a simple temperature dial that you turn to set your temperatures. Nevertheless, despite its simplicity, this unit offers you a wide range of temperatures to choose from, allowing you to cook a wider array of foods. While the Masterbuilt MB20070210 might not be the largest smoker out there, its 536 sq. inches of cooking space should be enough to cook for a standard family – it can smoke 3 large cuts of meat simultaneously. Inside the smoker, there are 3 cooking grates, a water pan for keeping the meat moist, and a wood chip tray for adding that smoky flavor. They are all removable to facilitate easier loading and cleaning. The MB20070210 packs decent power for a small smoker. It comes with a 1,500-watt heating element that does a great job at creating and maintaining even smoking conditions. While the Masterbuilt MB20070210 does not have all the bells and whistles of a digital smoker, it is effective and reliable, making it a great fit for those looking for a budget-friendly electric smoker of surpassing quality.
3. Char Broil Analog Electric Smoker
View in galleryBuy now The Char Broil Analog Electric Smoker is another contender for the best electric smoker for beginners. It’s the perfect model to help you dip your toe into the smoking world without breaking the bank. Even as you progress as a pitmaster, you’ll never feel you’ve outgrown your trusty Char Broil. This smoker comes with all the necessary features: A temperature gauge, latches that keep the door sealed shut, and a grease cup. Additionally, the cooking chamber is well insulated, thanks to the double wall. Moreover, a pair of exhaust ports facilitate proper airflow and make it easy for you to regulate internal temperatures. This unit comes with a maximum capacity of 544 sq. inches. The benefit of its small size is portability; you can place it in the trunk and hit the road. Nevertheless, the Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker might be a bit underpowered for some hardcore users looking to smoke meats for large parties.
4. Smokehouse Products Big Chief Electric Smoker
View in galleryBuy now Smokehouse is one of the most reputable brands, with over 50 years of experience in the smoker industry. But what sets Smokehouse apart from other brands is their passion for specialization; they make smokers for specific purposes. The Smokehouse Products Big Chief Electric Smoker is designed to smoke fish primarily. As a result, this unit is quite basic feature-wise. For instance, it comes with only one temperature setting -165 degrees F, which is perfect for home-smoked trout, salmon, or steelhead. The Big Chief also excels at cooking cheese, sausages, and jerky. What we love about the low, consistent temperature is that there is no risk of your food being overcooked. As you can imagine, the basic nature of the Big Chief makes it one of the easiest smokers to use. Simply load your food using the front access and close the door. This smoker features premium ventilation to facilitate proper smoke circulation for proper dehydration and maximum flavor.
5. Char Broil Digital Electric Smoker 17202004
View in galleryBuy now There is something about being able to watch your meat brown that is extremely satisfying. And that is what the Char Broil Digital Electric Smoke 17202004 offers; shipping with a transparent door to allow you to see what’s going on inside without letting out the heat. The Char-Broil 17202004 Digital Electric Smoker offers you a decent 725 sq. inches of cooking space, which should be enough to cook for a sizeable crowd. Inside the unit, there are four cooking racks, a 950-watt heating element, and a wood chip container. Unfortunately, there is no way to add wood chips without opening the door, meaning you might lose heat in the process. The good news is that the wood chip container is large enough to hold enough chips to last 7 hours. Furthermore, the manufacturer has done an excellent job at insulating this smoker. The Char-Broil 17202004 Digital Electric Smoker is fully lined and insulated, allowing for year-round use–even in cold weather. If you’re unsure how to use a Char Broil electric smoker, the 17202004 comes with a manual plus numerous handy accessories to aid ease of use. A removable temperature probe allows you to monitor internal temperatures, as well as determine when your meat is done.
6. Dyna Glo Electric Smoker DGU732BDE-D with Digital Interface
View in galleryBuy now The Dyna Glo DGU732BDE-D is one of the best digital electric smokers for the money, hands down. This unit offers you great performance with its 800-watt heating element and super-tight insulation. To prevent any risk of heat loss, it comes with a side-access wood chip loader to allow you to add flavor without opening the main door. Despite measuring only 30 inches long, the DGU732BDE-D offers you a decent 732 sq. inches of cooking space, which should be enough to cook 4 whole chickens simultaneously. You will also appreciate the easy-to-use digital panel that allows you to customize internal conditions to suit your needs. Overall, it’s tough to knock this Dyna Glo Electric Smoker for anything but total capacity–and it may still be ideal for your intended use-case if you tend to cook for a moderate number of people.
7. Cuisinart Smoker COS-330
Cuisinart is renowned for its quality kitchen appliances. Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that the Cuisinart COS-330 is one of the best 30″ electric smokers on the market. View in galleryBuy now This Cuisinart electric smoker is an analog model, meaning it does not come with a digital control panel. As a result, this unit is remarkably easy to use; simply turn the knob to set your preferred temperatures and cooking time, and then allow it to do the rest The COS-330 offers you 548 sq. inches of cooking space, which should be enough to cook one full turkey. Nonetheless, despite its relatively compact size, the COS-330 is powered by a 1500-watt heating element for powerful cooking performance.
8. Cookshack Electric Smoker Amerique SM066
View in galleryBuy now The Cookshack Amerique SM066 Electric Smoker is another excellent option for beginners. To use this unit, simply select your preferred smoking temperature, set the internal meat temperature, and then leave the rest to the smoker. Once your meat reaches the desired temperature, this smoker goes into a holding cycle to keep your barbecue warm without drying it out. The SM066 also allows you to set a time period for smoking, after which the machine goes into the hold cycle. With an impressive 1008 sq. inches of cooking space, the Cookshack Amerique SM066 Electric Smoker is one of the most spacious electric smokers in the game. Imagine being able to smoke up to 8 whole chickens at the same time! Another great thing about the Cookshack Amerique SM066 Electric Smoker is its heavy insulation. As mentioned, good insulation prevents heat from leaking out, increasing the unit’s efficiency. Additionally, that ensures you can use this smoker all year round. Durability should not be a cause of worry, thanks to the 304 stainless steel construction. Nevertheless, due to its premium features, the Cookshack Amerique SM066 Electric Smoker is one of the pricier electric smokers on the market.
9. Smokin Tex Commercial Electric BBQ Smoker
View in galleryBuy now The Smokin Tex Commercial BBQ Electric Smoker is what you want if you’re looking for a food smoker to cook for large gatherings. With 1,300 sq. inches of cooking space, this unit can smoke up to 40 pounds of ribs at a time. As you can imagine, this unit requires a lot of power to run, which is why it comes with two 700-watt heating elements. This beast is also tremendously easy to use. Simply place your wood and food inside, shut the door, set the desired temperatures, and leave. The Smokin Tex Commercial BBQ Electric Smoker also features excellent insulation for enhanced efficiency.
10. Bradley Electric Smoker BS611
View in galleryBuy now Creating the perfect smoky conditions inside an electric smoker takes a lot of hassle. That is because most electric smokers require you to keep adding wood chips after a certain period, but not the Bradley Electric Smoker BS611. This is a self-feeding smoker, meaning that it takes in wood chips automatically to create a smoky environment. As such, you can simply set the smoker, load the chips, and go about your business. Unlike regular electric smokers, the BS611 comes with a separate smokebox with its own heating element. This design allows you maximum control over both the smoke levels and cooking temperature. The BS611 is also fully insulated for excellent performance. Additionally, its stainless steel construction promises you a long lifespan. No wonder Bradley electric smoker reviews are almost uniformly positive.
What to Consider When Choosing an Electric Smoker
Electric smokers differ considerably, as they are designed to suit different types of people. Therefore, before purchasing a smoker, you must first ensure it is a good fit for you. The following are the most important factors to consider:
Size and Capacity
Unlike traditional smokers, electric smokers have a small capacity, with most only being able to cook for a maximum of 5 people. As such, if you are planning to barbecue for a large gathering, electric smokers might not be a good fit for you. Nonetheless, there are some larger models on the market. Therefore, first, make sure that you are comfortable with a smoker’s maximum capacity before investing in the unit.
Temperature Range
Ideally, you want an electric smoker with a temperature range of 100° – 400° F (or even 500° F), as it allows you to cook a diverse array of foods. Ideal smoking temperatures vary between foods. For example, belly bacon smokes at 100°F while chicken smokes at 300° F. As such, the wider the range of temperatures your smoker can support, the wider the array of foods you will be able to cook with it. RECOMMENDED READING: 21 Different Types of BBQ and How They’re Cooked
Wattage
While having a broad temperature range is certainly a good thing, it will not count for much if the smoker cannot maintain optimal temperatures throughout the cooking process. An electric smoker’s wattage is what determines its effectiveness at maintaining consistent internal temperatures. Smokers with higher wattages are better at that task, especially during the cold season.
Ease of Use
While electric smokers tend to be easy to use, some take that convenience to the next level. Digital electric smokers excel in that regard, thanks to their control panel that allows you to set your preferences and walk away.
Best Electric Smoker: Conclusion
Electric smokers are all the rage lately. Being easy to use, these smokers will allow you wow your guests with perfectly smoked meat, even if you are a beginner. Additionally, they are much more convenient and budget-friendly than traditional smokers. Every smoker we have reviewed will put a smile on your face. You only need to take your pick. Which one is your favorite, or have you used any of our picks before? Sound off in a comment below!
