My top pick for an electric smoker is the Masterbuilt MB20071117. It has a great smoker capacity, produces a great smoking flavor, is easy to use, and is affordable to boot.
When I lived in an apartment complex, I wasn’t allowed to have an open door. So, I decided to invest in an electric smoker. I got a pitmaster friend to help me put the top models through their paces.
In this post, I will give you in-depth reviews to help you find the best electric smoker. I have also included a buyer’s guide to help you out further.
Here are the best electric smokers on the market for you to choose from:
Best Overall
Don’t let the small dimensions of this Masterbuilt electric smoker fool you – it actually has plenty of cooking surface area. You can easily fit in several racks of ribs and around two to three large pork butts.
If you are a small to mid-sized family or frequently like to host cookouts, then this electric smoker will serve you well. I like the fact that you can arrange different foods on each of the four cooking racks for greater cooking ease.
As far as smokers go, electric smokers tend to be trickier types to use. The good news, though, is that the Masterbuilt digital electric smoker is quite simple to use. Even if you haven’t used any kind of smoker before, you should be able to figure out the process quite quickly.
Despite being pretty low-tech, this electric smoker model does come with a digital interface. As a result, you will find it easy to set the temperature, timer, etc. The learning curve here is minimal.
The other issue with electric smokers is that they aren’t great at creating that smoke flavor without making some effort. This electric smoker model has taken care of this by having a wood chip tray right above the heating element. This means that the insulated interior is filled with delightful and flavor-inducing smoke.
The Masterbuilt electric digital smoker isn’t perfect – the temperature control isn’t ideal. As I was doing my test runs I found that the has a tendency to fluctuate ten degrees or more during the cook. This issue is remedied by setting the cooking temperature to a slightly low one and using a thermometer. Still, it can be inconvenient.
However, when you consider the cost of the Masterbuilt smoker, I feel like you can overlook faults like this. In general, for its features and capabilities, this is one of the more affordable models that you can get.
Best for Consistent Temperatures
Most electric smokers are not so great at maintaining a consistent temp inside the smoker. I should know, I have tested my fair share. I repeated my experiment with the Dyna Glo and kept a high-quality thermometer inside the chamber.
Now, some fluctuations are to be expected and the electric smoker did vary by a couple of degrees at times, but no more than that – the heating element did its job. If you are looking for a simple, consistent cook, this is one of the best electric smokers for the job.
The capacity of this electric smoker is pretty great – I was able to get three racks of ribs, two chickens, and two pork butts. When I adjusted the racks, I was actually able to fit a decent sized brisket in there as well!
There are actually a lot of features that I really like about this electric smoker. One of these is digital controls. They are easy to use and make it easier to get the right settings for the cook.
You also have an integrated meat probe – this tracks the internal temperature of the meat and displays it on the screen for you. This allows you to keep track of the rate at which the meat is cooked.
There are two elements that help to take the smoke flavor with this electric smoker to the next level. The first is the excellent seal – this helps to keep the smoke trapped inside the chamber.
The second is that the tray for the wood chips is on the side of the smoker, on the outside. So, when you have to refill the tray, there is no need to let the smoke out.
Just remember that sometimes you have to push the wood chips into the tray above the heating element. Make sure to do this or they may not smoke sometimes.
As an added bonus, as the temperature range starts low with this electric smoker, it is great for cold smoking.
Best High Tech Model
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The newer pellet smoker models have a ton of high tech features but electric smokers have yet to catch up. If you do want an electric smoker that is more efficient and intuitive to use, then you should consider the Char Broil Deluxe Digital electric smoker.
The digital electric smoker has a digital control panel that offers plenty of settings so that you can get your cooking process just right. The Char Broil Deluxe Digital electric smoker even comes with a remote control. This way, you can monitor and change the settings at a distance.
Last but certainly not least, this great electric smoker has an integrated, easy to read thermometer. This allows you to track the internal temperature of the food. I checked this against a wireless meat thermometer and it was right on the money.
I actually really like this electric smoker for smoking meat or hot smoking in general. This is because it has an excellent seal and this keeps the smoke in the cooking chamber.
The only thing that slightly ruins this effect is that the wood box is inside the chamber. So, you have to open and close the door to access it.
Another positive point is that the construction of this electric smoker is top notch. This is quite interesting considering its price point. However, it is very well built and highly durable. As a result, this is an electric smoker that you are going to be able to use for quite a few years.
This electric smoker is quite portable. Due to its lightweight build and great build quality, you can safely move it around from one place to another. This means that you can store it in your garage or inside your home when it is not in use.
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Best for Ease of Use
As someone who is more used to a charcoal smoker or pellet smoker, electric smokers aren’t my favorite to use. They tend to be trickier to figure out due to the heating element and other electrical components.
This isn’t the case with this Cuisinart model, though! Not only are there minimal steps to using this smoker, but it has a set it and forget it function that allows you to move on to other things.
This smoker does come with an integrated thermostat and thermometer. However, I did my due diligence and tested out the temperature inside the chamber with a third party thermometer.
As you would expect, there are a few fluctuations here and there but for the most part, this smoker and heating element is able to manage fairly stable temperatures. This is one of the reasons that you don’t have to constantly monitor the cooking temperatures.
This may not be the biggest model around but I do appreciate the layout. The racks are spaced evenly allowing heat to permeate to all levels of the smoker. Also, these are adjustable racks so you can easily alter the position or remove one or more completely to make space for large cuts.
The only thing here is that the tray for the wood chips is a bit oddly placed. Due to this, it can take a while for the smoke to fill up the smoker.
I am not especially great at putting electric smokers or any kind of smokers together but this model was really easy to set up. I had it ready to go in around 15 minutes or so and that is a kind of record for me!
Best Budget Pick
If you are new to smoking, then you may not want to spend a lot of money on your first machine. If so, then this is the electric smoker that you should consider for yourself. It is definitely the most affordable model on this list.
Despite this, you do get a good smoking experience out of it. It works well and you are able to cook your food and infuse it with smoke flavor as necessary.
Of course, at this price point, it is only natural that you will have to deal with some quirks. In this case, the smoker doesn’t function well when it is very cold. The temperature will not go up to as much as you need it to smoke meat.
At the same time, you can still use it for cold smoking.
As this electric smokers work is meant to be affordable, it has almost no bells and whistles. This is a good thing if you are a first time user. It means that you don’t have to spend a long time trying to figure out how to make your smoker work.
Instead, you can figure it out right away and get to smoking!
This smoker does have a smaller surface area compared to some other electric smokers but this doesn’t mean that you can’t fit plenty of food in there. The racks are organized so that you can easily fit in larger cuts and smoke three different types of food at the same time.
Best for Uninterrupted Smoking Performance
Unlike other electric smokers, this model doesn’t rely on wood chips. Instead, the machine uses personalized wood briquettes, much like pellet smokers. Now, this does mean that you have to buy the briquettes specifically from the Bradley smoker manufacturer.
The upside, though, is that you can get up to 9 nine hours of smoke without opening the door or having to intervene at all. This is a great option when you are dealing with large cuts like brisket and need an uninterrupted cooking process.
Being used to wood chops, I was curious to see how these briquettes performed. I was thrilled to see that as with a pellet smoker, these briquettes produced a nice, clean smoke. What’s more, the smoke diffusion system in the Bradley smoker means that the smoke is diffused throughout the chamber.
The seal on this digital electric smoker is pretty good and, as a result, the smoke remains trapped inside.
That being said, I did notice that the heating element wasn’t really up to the task when it came to cold weather. So, you should expect temperatures to drop in cold and windy conditions.
Complete with digital controls, this is a pretty simple digital electric smoker to use. The digital controls mean that you can easily set the timer, temperature, etc., and go about your day.
At the same time, the digital control panel allows you to see exactly what is going on inside your smoker.
I have to say that this digital electric smoker was actually quite easy to clean. For one thing, it has a stainless steel interior and this means that wiping down all the components is a breeze. Also, the interior is set up in such a way that the grease goes straight into the trap, avoiding too much of mess.
If you haven’t used electric smokers before, then I would definitely recommend this model to you. It is completely analog which means that there are just a few steps to get it up and running. No fidgeting with dials or settings – just set the temperature and you are good to go.
I also like that it has a glass door. Those who are new to smoking can get a little nervous about how their food is cooking and the glass door helps you to see what is going on.
It also comes with an analog meat probe to check the internal temperature of the meat.
The smoking features on this model is good – the heating element works well and there is a good seal too. I like that the tray for the wood chips is on the outside and this makes it easier to top up the chamber when needed.
The temperature management with this model is pretty good too. There are minor fluctuations but as long as you keep an eye on the temperature inside the chamber, you shouldn’t face any issues.
This electric smoker is certainly not cheap or budget, but it is affordable. It is from a good brand and boasts great build quality.
The only complaint that I can really make is that it can be hard to maneuver the food out of the smoker due to the weird dimensions and layout. I found that I had to first slide the food onto a baking tray to get it out.
It is a lot more difficult to find an electric smoker with consistent temperatures than most people realize. Poor insulation typically leads to fluctuations that can mess with your cook.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that Smokin-It was able to maintain my desired temperature almost entirely throughout the cook. Considering that this brand isn’t nearly as well known as others, it did the job beautifully.
This consistency has to do with the well insulated interior of the smoker. It ensures that the heat stays trapped inside throughout the cook.
One of the things that I really like is that the Smokin-It electric smoker has managed to produce a restaurant quality smoker with an interface that is incredibly user friendly. I would say that this electric smoker can easily be handled by beginners.
This has to do with the fact that there are limited control options here. There is a temperature gauge where you set the temp and that is all that there is to it!
The only downside with this smoker is that you can’t refill the wood chips without opening the door. So, if you do need to top up the tray during a smoke, you will be letting some cold air into the cooking chamber.
At this price point, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the entire electric smoker is made entirely from stainless steel! This is not something that even well known electric smoker brands have.
As a result, this is an electric smoker that is going to be lasting you a while. Of course, this does mean that you have to pay a higher price tag as well.
I like that the drip pan is quite large and is able to catch any grease or food debris that falls. The layout of the stainless steel interior is very even and you can easily access all parts of the electric smoker. This makes it an absolute breeze to clean up.
Here are some of the guidelines that you should follow to find the right electric smoker for you:
Don’t automatically assume that you need the largest electric smoker out there. Very large models only work well for large families or people who host cookouts regularly.
If you don’t fit the bill, then you will likely have to contend with a large smoker in your home and have very little use for it.
If you have a smaller family, then a small to mid sized model will do the trick.
When deciding the capacity, it is a good idea to think about the kind of foods that you would like to smoke as well. If it is just burgers, hot dogs, ribs, and the occasional pork butt, then you aren’t going to need much room.
If you have checked out various electric smokers, then you will have noticed that some have glass doors and others do not. So, which one is the right one for you?
Well, a glass window or door does help you see how your food is cooking and I know that a lot of people – especially those new to smoking – are comforted when they can see this.
The only issue is that even with the best electric smokers, this glass tends to get covered in smoke and grime. So, after a short time into the cook, you can’t really see through the glass anymore.
I also feel like in terms of insulation a covered door may be the better option.
These days, almost everyone prefers a digital electric smoker. This is because these come with the opportunity to set a variety of settings. This often includes timers so that an alarm will ring at various times throughout a cook.
You are also able to monitor the temperature inside the smoking chamber. And, if there is an integrated meat probe, then you can keep track of the internal temperature as well.
There are just two things to be mindful of regarding these kinds of smokers, though. First, the really good and reliable ones tend to be more expensive.
They are also more complicated as there are more settings that you need to learn about.
Analog smokers are often a lot easier to work with. This is because they tend to only have a temperature dial. Simply set this and the cook begins.
The downside, though, is that you can’t keep track of what is going on during the cook. Also, you can’t customize the cook according to your preferences.
A lot of people think that the heating element is key to a good smoking performance but it plays a secondary role in insulation.
It is important for your smoker to be properly insulated – this means a thick seal around the inside of the door and a good latch.
Unfortunately, you can’t know how good the insulation is beforehand. You gain some idea of what to expect by reading the reviews though.
If you do end up with a smoker that doesn’t have the greatest insulation, though, you can usually take care of the problem by yourself.
Apply liquid insulation around the door to create an airtight seal.
Each smoker has its own temperature range. Some start off really low – around 30 F or so while others will have a minimum temperature of 100 F or even higher.
The cutoff point for most of these smokers is 275 to 375 F.
To determine which range is right for you, think about what kind of smoking you would like to do.
Do you like to cold smoke nuts and cheese? In this case, you should look for a smoker that can reach the lowest temperature possible.
On the other hand, if you are only planning on hot smoking food, look for a smoker that can reach temperatures between 180 F and 275 F.
I want to start off by saying that not even the best smoker in the world is completely consistent. There will always be a few fluctuations.
However, with top electric smoker brands, these fluctuations will be minor. There will not be a variation of more than 5 to 10 F and even then, these fluctuations will be far and few in between.
This is another feature that is difficult to analyze before buying a smoker. Due to this, you will need to pay attention to reviews.
And, after you have bought a particular smoker, make sure to check the function for yourself.
Place a wire or wireless thermometer inside the chamber and monitor the ambient temperature throughout the cook. This will let you know how consistent the smoker is.
This is also a good way to determine if the door thermometer on the smoker is accurate.
With electric smokers, you have two options for the smoke system. Either you have a smoker box that is placed right over the heating element. Or, there is a wood chips tray inserted on the outside of the smoker.
So, which design should you choose?
Well, they each have their pros and cons.
The great thing about the smoker box is that it is right above the heating element. As a result, more smoke is produced and at a faster rate too.
The problem here, though, is that if you want to refill the box, you need to open the smoker. In doing so, you are causing smoke to escape and cold air to get in.
Not only are you losing some of that smoke flavor but this action can also cause fluctuations inside the chamber.
With the insert on the outside of the smoker, you don’t need to open the door. This means that you don’t face the above issues.
However, with the wood chips insert, the wood chips aren’t directly above the heating coil. Due to this, the smoke is produced at a lower rate.
So, you will need to determine which of the downsides you are willing to deal with before making your decision.
So there you have it, the Masterbuilt is the top option for you. It has tons of space for cooking capacity, produces a great smoke flavor, and is easy to use. It is also an affordable model.
Of course, to find the best option for you, you need to see all the choices available to you. So, make sure to read all the reviews to find what you need!
