The Best Electric Smokers for Fast BBQ at Home

App connectivity is another must-have for both chefs, allowing them time away from the smoker, unlike wood-burning models. We considered these factors and more in our search for the top options on the market, ultimately dubbing the Char-Broil Deluxe our winner. Ahead are the best electric smokers.

Tank Jackson , pitmaster of Holy City Hogs in Charleston and founder of the new Smoking University, and Rebecca King , pitmaster of The Bad Jew in LA, are both electric smoker adoptees. Jackson cites the possibility of spontaneity as one of the main reasons. “If I want ribs, I can turn on the smoker, and it’s ready to go before I’ve even got the ribs out of their package and seasoned. I set the temperature and come back when they’re done.”

Smokers run the gamut of sizes, shapes, and heat sources. Since they tend to be smaller than their charcoal or gas counterparts, electric smokers can be a good entry point for newcomers to the world of smoking or a good alternative for those with outdoor space limitations. They may also provide convenience to home users and professionals alike.

Mention smoked foods, and many people immediately think of American BBQ. Tough, often cast-off cuts of meat are magically transformed into tender jewels, unearthed by breaking down gristly connective tissues and rendering fat trapped in the muscles. In reality, it’s one of the oldest means of cooking and food preservation known to humans and an extension of the slow roasting process that happens over grills or in ovens every day.

Best Overall: Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker

Courtesy of Walmart

View at Walmart ($234)

Pros: The digital controls and large chip box make this unit very easy to operate and maintain consistent temperatures.

Cons: The smoke is inconsistent at low temperatures, and the window can be difficult to clean.

In human form, the Char-Broil Digital Deluxe would be the unassuming person that delivers quiet joy to those around them. It would have many friends but never be the center of attention at gatherings, yet people would heed what they said. It would never dream of being an influencer or dabbling in crypto, instead acting as a stable provider, bringing home a decent, steady paycheck.

Weighing the variety of sizes, fuel types, and connectivity available today, the Charbroil Deluxe Digital found itself at the top of our list for delivering consistent results. Combining the ease of smoking with wood chips and the precision of digital controls, this smoker is versatile and easy to operate.

Its larger capacity allows for smoking four briskets, eight slabs of ribs, or six whole chickens, while its temperature range allows for both cold and hot smoking. The integrated temperature probe monitors the internal temperature of the items inside, and a larger chip box minimizes the need to open the smoker to add more fuel. The dual wall construction allows for heat retention even in cold weather while keeping the outside of the smoker relatively cool. The lighted window facilitates viewing the items inside without opening the door. Finally, it has a warming feature that makes reheating smoked foods after they’ve rested easy without drying the food out.

Price at time of publish: $395

• Dimensions: 16.54 x 32.52 x 18.11 inches
• Capacity: 725 square inches
• Fuel Type: Wood chips
• Temperature Range: 100 – 275°F (38 – 135°C)
• Temperature Probe Included? Yes

Best High-Tech: Traeger Pro 780

Courtesy of Home Depot

View at Home Depot ($999.99)

Pros: This smoker has both an ample food and fuel capacity that, when coupled with its multiple connectivity options, allows for a hands-free cooking experience.

Cons: It’s heavy and expensive.

There are different schools of thought in all areas of cooking. Some tend toward the time-tested, traditional methods that call for an intuitive approach, and some lean toward the scientific, modernist techniques that eliminate room for error. A third group contains those who don’t want to hover over their smoker, monitoring it for hours on end. None of these are right or wrong choices. For those wishing for precise control and connectivity or those who are gadget-oriented, the Traeger Pro 780 might be the choice. Offering Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth apps, and Alexa integration, the 780 keeps the user in constant contact with what’s happening inside, monitoring the smoker temperature, the internal temperature of the food, and the time remaining on the cook.

That’s not to say that tech is all it brings to the table. While primarily designed for smoking, it is also suitable for grilling or baking. The Traeger offers a large capacity, handling 34 burgers, or six whole chickens, or six slabs of ribs at once. (There’s also a smaller model, the Traeger Pro 575; you’d save $100 but lose precious cooking space, as its cooking area is only 575 square inches.)

The Traeger Pro 780 is one of the heaviest smokers reviewed here (the construction and tech add up to 155 pounds), but two-terrain wheels and a set of casters offer more effortless movement. The auger-driven pellet hopper ensures long smoking times without the need to monitor and add fuel. The hopper also eliminates the need to open the smoker to add more, releasing heat that could result in uneven cooking.

Price at time of publish: $999

• Dimensions: 27 x 55 x 49 inches
• Cooking Area: 780 square inches
• Fuel Type: Pellet
• Temperature Range: 120 – 550°F (49 – 288°C)
• Temperature Probe Included? Yes

Best for Beginners: Royal Gourmet 28-inch Electric Smoker

View at Target ($190)

Pros: The ease of use and low price make this a great starter smoker for those who want to try smoking food but don’t want to commit to larger, more complex models.

Cons: Both the small chip box and water pan need to be refilled more frequently than other models reviewed here.

Not everyone wants to dive headfirst into a new project. For those curious about getting started in the world of smoking but hesitant to make a deep commitment to equipment, the Royal Gourmet provides the best balance of quality and cost for entry-level grillers.

It has a powerful 1500-watt heating element and insulated construction to help maintain consistent temperatures. Three stainless steel smoking shelves provide room for ribs, brisket, or pork butts. For cold smoking, you could set a pan of ice between the heating element and the food. The analog controller and the built-in thermometer in the door allow for ease of temperature control. This no-frills smoker will provide consistent results for both beginners and experienced smokers.

Price at time of publish: $190

• Dimensions: 21.3 x 19.1 x 37 inches
• Cooking Area: 457 square inches
• Fuel Type: Wood chips
• Temperature Range: Up to 275°F (135°C)
• Temperature Probe Included? No

Best Analog: Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker

Courtesy of Amazon

View at Amazon (169.99)

Pros: This is an easy-to-use smoker with more precise heat control than other analog brands, and its powerful heating element helps maintain consistent temperatures.

Cons: The built-in thermometer can become uncalibrated, and some claim that the heating element has a short lifespan.

This no-frills smoker rates highly across the board with users. Its insulated steel construction and 1200-watt heating element enable it to maintain steady heat in various temperatures. It has a large chip box that can accommodate several hours’ worth of wood chips, minimizing the opening and closing of the door.

Relying on a rheostat versus digital controls, the temperature regulation takes some getting used to, but the in-door thermometer is easy to read when making these adjustments. It’s a medium-capacity smoker, maybe not large enough for a giant turkey, but you’ll be able to handle ribs, briskets, and pork butts without space limitations.

Price at time of publish: $220

• Dimensions: 14.96 x 33.46 x 20.71 inches
• Cooking Area: 544 square inches
• Fuel Type: Wood chips
• Temperature Range: Up to 240°F (116°C)
• Temperature Probe Included? No

Best Non-Conventional: Smokin-It Smoker Model #1

Courtesy of Amazon

View at Amazon ($450)

Pros: The ability to burn hardwood frees the owner to experiment with a wider variety of woods without the restrictions of commercially available chips or pellets. The heavy-duty casters allow for easy moving for space or cleaning.

Cons: No access to the wood box from the outside of the smoker means opening the unit to reload the wood and losing temperature. The wood box is located directly below the cooking racks, allowing grease and meat drippings to fall on it, which may prove challenging to clean.

People seek different things from their cars. Some prefer the flash and horsepower of a sports car, while others prefer the low-maintenance reliability of a mid-range sedan. Again, neither of these viewpoints is wrong. The Smokin-It Model #1 values function over form. Its practical design is NSF-rated for restaurant use, and it looks every inch a commercial appliance. This model is not the smoker for someone looking for a statement piece, but read on if you’re looking for a utilitarian smoker with precise heat control and medium capacity.

The double-walled, insulated construction provides even temperature and heat retention while keeping the outside relatively cool. The three racks allow space for up to 22 pounds of food inside. The capacity decreases with the height of the food prepared due to the distance between the racks. With a temperature range from 100 to 250°F, it’s well-suited for hot or cold smoking. The large wood box accommodates enough wood to burn for several hours without opening the smoker to reload.

Price at time of publish: $480

• Dimensions: 15 x 19 x 20 3/8 inches
• Cooking Area: 324 square inches
• Fuel Type: Split Hardwood
• Temperature Range: 100 – 250°F (38 – 121°C)
• Temperature Probe Included? No

Best Alternative Fuel: Bradley Smoker Digital 4-Rack Electric Smoker

Courtesy of Meat Processing Products

View at Meat Processing Products ($480)

Pros: The unit provides up to 9 hours of smoking without refilling the fuel feeder, and the digital controls and smoke generator are removable for outdoor storage.

Cons: The proprietary fuel does mean that you may need advanced planning for smoking. The height of the smoking chamber is 19 inches above the drip pan, which may provide size limitations, and its 500-watt heating element may not provide adequate heat when the outside temperature is low.

Combining the convenience of a pellet smoker with a unique fuel delivery system, the Bradley offers digital temperature, cook-time, and smoke-time controls. One stacks the proprietary Bisquettes in the fuel hopper, which are then conveyor-fed to the heat source, ensuring even burning and cooking.

The digital display is easy to read, and the controls are pretty intuitive. The separate controls for smoke and cooking temperatures allow cold smoking meats, fish, seafood, fruits, vegetables, or dairy products at ambient temperatures. This flexibility means you can also slow roast foods at precise temperatures with no smoke.

The detachable smoke generator is handy for sheltering the electronics from the elements. In addition to the Bradley’s flat stainless steel racks, the unit also accommodates meat hooks for hanging bacon, sausages, jerky, or cheeses. It does not have app connectivity, but many find that it is still a “set it and forget it” smoking experience due to the precision and versatility of the controls and fuel delivery system.

Price at time of publish: $774

• Dimensions: 19 × 22 × 34 inches
• Cooking Area: 520 square inches
• Fuel Type: Bradley Flavor Bisquettes
• Temperature Range: Ambient – 320°F (160°C)
• Temperature Probe Included? No

Best Value: Pit Boss 3-Series Analog Electric Vertical Smoker

Courtesy of Amazon

View At Amazon ($349)

Pros: The porcelain-coated racks and pans make cleaning easy and help stave off corrosion. External access to the chip box allows for refilling the chips without losing temperature in the smoker.

Cons: Some users have reported issues with the heating element and the element control board, and the in-door thermometer requires regular calibration.

The Pit Boss 3 Series won in our Best Value category when weighing costs versus features. While sporting analog controls and not offering the bells and whistles of more expensive brands, the Pit Boss features porcelain-coated racks that resist corrosion, a mid-size capacity, and a 1650-watt heating element.

The chip box and water pan are also porcelain-coated, and the model features front-access external access to the chip box to minimize opening the unit. You can use the adjustable air damper with the analog temperature control to fine-tune the temperature. Again avoiding opening the smoker and letting the heat escape, it has a glass window in the door for easy viewing and a door-mounted thermometer. The smoker also ships with an analog temperature probe to monitor the internal temperature of the items inside.

Weighing these features against the average retail price gives the Pit Boss high ratings in delivering bang for the buck.

Price at time of publish: $350

• Dimensions: 22 x 21 x 46 inches
• Cooking Area: 3.2 cubic feet
• Fuel Type: Wood chips
• Temperature Range: 100 – 325°F (38 – 163°C)
• Temperature Probe Included? Yes