These Are the 4 Best Electric Smokers, According to Our Test Kitchen

April Benshosan, M.S.
·16 min read

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We tested 14 smokers, and these picks are guaranteed to turn meats, fish and veggies into smoked perfection.

<p>Courtesy of Brand</p>

Courtesy of Brand

Electric smokers are like the slow cookers of the barbecue world. They let you "set it and forget it," so you can pop a rack of ribs or a whole salmon into your smoker and let it work its magic without any babysitting required.

"Electric smokers are a great way to start your journey in the barbecue world," says Matt Abdoo, executive chef and partner of Pig Beach BBQ restaurants in Brooklyn and Queens, New York. "They're able to maintain consistent temperature with the aid of a thermostat so that your pit is never dipping or spiking in temperature, allowing a novice barbecue enthusiast to learn and understand the basic fundamentals of smoking."

And you can smoke way more than just brisket, ribs and pork chops: You can throw fish, vegetables, and even certain fruits in the smoker for a delicious meal or side dish that's sure to impress.

To help you find the perfect smoker that suits your needs, we tested 14 electric smokers in our test kitchen and evaluated them based on ease of use and cleaning, performance, design and value. Check out our top picks below.

Our Top Recommendations

Best Overall Electric Smoker: Dyna-Glo 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

What we like: It's budget-friendly, very intuitive and produces beautifully smoked chicken, ribs and salmon.

What to know: The wheels are on the smaller side, which makes it a bit difficult to maneuver the smoker over gravel and rocks.

Dyna-Glo's 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker is straightforward to set up, easy to use and produces finger-licking barbecue. In our tests, we found that this smoker was quick to put together—it took us about 10 minutes from start to finish, thanks to clear instructions that were relatively easy to follow, even for someone who's never used an electric smoker before. Once set up, we loved that the smoker was very easy to monitor and control, and we could see the digital screen in full sun when using it outdoors.

Probably the most impressive perk of this Dyna-Glo smoker is how well it performed in our tests. It has four roomy racks that fit about 15 chicken wings each. Our wings were a beautiful golden brown with a savory, buttery flavor and good juiciness. The ribs had a lovely smoky hue around the outer edges, and the meat was very tender and fell off the bone. The salmon was beautifully cooked as well, with a satisfying flaky texture and smoky taste that didn't overpower the flavor of the fish.

The handy water pan caught all the drippings as the meats were smoking. Plus, the temperature remained consistent and stabilized throughout the smoking process. While the temperature dropped significantly after we added the wood chips, the smoker reheated quickly. We feel this model's value exceeds its price point, especially considering the intuitive digital features and high performance.

Cooking Area: 732 sq. in. | Control Type: Digital | Temperature Range: 180-275°F | Number of Racks: 4 | Temperature Probe Included: Integrated

Best Budget Electric Smoker: Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

What we like: It's great for use with fish and veggies, and it's easy to set up and clean after use.

What to know: It performed better on salmon than meat but produced a very mild smokey taste that didn't stand out.

A solid option for the budget-conscious buyer, this no-fuss Char-Broil electric smoker is perfect for making mildly smoked foods. Upon unboxing, this smoker took us about six minutes to assemble, and the only necessary attachments were the legs and the handles, which required a Phillips-head screwdriver. While it was easy to put together on our own, you might need help moving the smoker once assembled, considering it only has legs, not wheels.

Loading and replacing wood chips was super easy as the chips sit in a small metal box that slides into a holder directly above the electric heating element. We also appreciated that adding wood did not destabilize the temperature—instead, it helped raise the temperature to the target 225ºF after it started to dip. When testing, we found a moderate amount of temperature control, and the analog dial is responsive, but you'll likely have to play around with the dial to achieve the perfect temp.

While we smoked the salmon, we noticed the temperature varied greatly, with a span of 75ºF (170ºF to 230ºF), and we had to make multiple adjustments over the 1 hour and 45 minute smoke period. But the fish turned out delicious—a medium-dark pink with a mildly present smoky flavor throughout. The salmon was evenly cooked, moist and fell apart with ease. As for the chicken, the skin was moist but not rubbery, with some nice crispy bits. However, the ribs were mediocre, boasting a too-mild smoke flavor and almost zero crust.

After finishing up, we appreciated that the wood chip, water, and drip trays slid out for easy cleaning. All in all, this budget-friendly smoker is ideally for someone who isn't concerned about maximizing their results but instead wants simple, mildly smoked food.

Cooking Area: 544 sq. in. | Control Type: Analog | Temperature Range: 0-400°F | Number of Racks: 3 | Temperature Probe Included: No

Best Splurge Electric Smoker: Bradley Professional P10 4-Rack Outdoor Electric Smoker

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

What we like: It's fully digital, maintains your chosen temperature throughout cooking time and makes a delicious smoked salmon.

What to know: Read the instructions carefully—this smoker has two heating elements that both need to be turned on for it to smoke.

This sturdy smoker is fully digital and intuitive, holds a temperature well and doesn't require any assembly. Upon unboxing, we only had to put the racks in place. We found that this smoker is more of a tabletop appliance as it comes with stoppers on the bottom that act as legs. The racks fit super securely, and the smoker was stable and didn't budge when placed on a flat surface. It comes with its own round briquettes, rather than wood chips, that produce about 10 hours of smoke without needing to refill the chamber.

When testing this smoker, we noticed it didn't start producing smoke until an hour in, which may have helped the chicken retain moisture in the skin and the meat. The poultry had a deep burnt orange-brown color consistent with a well-smoked wing. It retained lots of moisture, its initial flavor was very clean and the smoke was prevalent, but the aftertaste was a bit chemical-like. We experienced similar results with the rack of ribs: The smoke flavor wasn't clean, and the acrid taste lingered long after finishing the rib. The meat didn't pull away from the bone as we would've liked, and the meat was dry and lacked moisture throughout. However, the salmon boasted a deep reddish-brown tint, and the flesh was soft and moist. Unlike the ribs and chicken, the salmon had a prevalent yet very clean smoke flavor. During longer smoke times, the food takes on a strong smoky flavor that some may find acrid, so this appliance may be best for foods that fare well with shorter smoke times.

Also good to know: We loved that the drip pan spans the entire bottom of the smoker and covers both the heating element and water bowls, so this pick doesn't require much cleanup.

Cooking Area: 806 sq. in. | Control Type: Digital | Temperature Range: 86-320°F | Number of Racks: 4 | Temperature Probe Included: Yes (2)

Best Large Electric Smoker: Masterbuilt 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

What we like: It's great for cooking for a crowd and is very precise and consistent, producing perfectly smoked meats with a clean flavor.

What to know: It takes up about the same amount of space as a standing deep freezer, so anyone with limited space should seek a smaller smoker.

This 40-inch digital smoker from Masterbuilt is spacious enough to smoke four turkeys, 16 chickens or eight racks of ribs. The Masterbuilt is a large refrigerator-style smoker with a door that opens to the right and latches on the left. Still, it's incredibly easy to assemble—it took us just six minutes, and all you need is a Phillips-head screwdriver to attach a few pieces. The control panel shows the temperature setting, the internal temperature and the time, and there are buttons to set both temperature and time and to turn on the smoker. We loved that it's a beginner-friendly smoker, and the instructions are very helpful in explaining how to set up and use it.

The large cooking surface area fits plenty of food. About 20 chicken wings fit on a single rack, with half an inch of space between each wing and plenty of space left on the rack for more if needed. This smoker produced one of the cleanest smoky wings of all the products we tested: The aftertaste was smooth, and both the skin and the meat were moist with a little pull to the skin from the low, steady 225ºF heat. The outside had a nice, deep browning, and the pink tinge of the smoke ring penetrated the meat almost to the bone. The ribs were also very juicy with a noticeable smoke flavor without being overwhelming. The salmon developed a nice reddish color and a clean smoke flavor.

We also loved that this Masterbuilt smoker's temperature remained constant thanks to the digital controls. This large appliance is painless to clean and move around because the large back wheels make it easy to tilt the smoker back and roll it into place.

Cooking Area: 970 sq. in. | Control Type: Digital | Temperature Range: 0-275°F | Number of Racks: 4 | Temperature Probe Included: No

The Bottom Line: The Best Electric Smoker

The Dyna-Glo 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker (view at Bed Bath & Beyond) won the top spot for the best electric smoker because it produces perfectly smoked chicken, ribs and salmon and is intuitive to use. The Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker (view at Amazon) is a great budget-friendly smoker that imparts a subtle smoky flavor and makes for easy cleanup.

Choosing an Electric Smoker

With so many options on the market at a wide range of price points, you'll want to do your research to find a smoker that best fits your needs. To do so, consider the following factors:

How Much Can It Hold?

When it comes to capacity, it all depends on how much food you're going to smoke regularly. If you want to throw a rack of ribs on occasionally or do a single pork shoulder or brisket, then a smaller capacity will probably be suitable. But if you host often and need the ability to smoke a few racks of ribs plus multiple shoulders and a brisket, and maybe some chicken and turkey breasts, you'll need a large-capacity smoker, says Chef Abdoo.

How Portable is Your Electric Smoker?

Electric smokers need to be near an outlet to power up, but that doesn't mean they can't be portable. Smaller, portable smokers can be thrown in your car or truck so you can bring it with you when you're camping or heading to a tailgate—and you can easily run it off a portable power supply or a small generator, Chef Abdoo says. But note that portability will significantly vary based on the size of your smoker.

Does It Have Extra Features?

"The more features a smoker has, the more it costs, but the reality is as long as the thermostat is working and you have the best possible pellets or chips you can use, then they will all do a great job of cooking good barbecue," Chef Abdoo says.

Most of the features on electric smokers are pretty standard: They'll all have a thermostat to regulate heat, while some will have a digital display, and others will have an analog display for the internal temperature reading. In addition, many smokers these days have Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, which makes it convenient to monitor the temperature of your smoker from the comfort of your couch (like while you're watching a football game). Many smokers also have a temperature probe, but you can purchase a separate digital thermometer if yours doesn't.

If you're a beginner, using a straightforward smoker with few features may be your best bet. "Getting in there and smelling, touching and probing to check doneness is an important part of learning how to cook barbecue," Chef Abdoo says. "Once you understand all of that and are just looking for convenience, then, by all means, spend the extra money [on a smoker with additional features] so you can stress less while cooking."

Does It Fit Your Budget?

The smokers on our list range from $220 to $800, so you will likely find one that fits your budget. Larger smokers and those with intuitive features often come with higher price tags.

Our Electric Smoker Tests

In our search for the best electric smokers, we tested a combined total of 14 different products from a variety of popular brands. We evaluated the smokers based on:

  • Ease of assembly: We rated each smoker based on how easy it was to put together and control the smoker's temperature once assembled.

  • Performance: Smokers were tested on the results of both a shorter and a longer smoke on proteins, including salmon (a more delicate protein requiring a shorter smoke), chicken wings and ribs. We also tested the smokers' temperatures for accuracy.

  • Ease of cleaning: We evaluated whether it was easy to access and thoroughly clean the drip pan and the surrounding parts.

We Also Considered

  • Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker ($280 at Amazon): While this Masterbuilt electric smoker is on the affordable side, we weren't impressed with its ability to maintain a consistent temperature and smoke.

  • Bradley Smoker 4-Rack Outdoor Electric Smoker, Natural Draft Smoker ($429 at Amazon): This smoker left an acrid and bitter taste on the longer smoked proteins, including ribs and chicken wings. While it did produce a tasty smoked salmon, that didn't justify its higher price tag.

  • Cuisinart Vertical Electric Smoker ($250 at Amazon): This Cuisinart appliance is more like an outdoor oven than a smoker. It didn't produce much smoke, and its temperature fluctuated between 190°F and 215°F throughout our test.

Common Questions

How do I clean an electric smoker?

Most electric smokers come with specific cleaning instructions in the user manual, so be sure to read the instructions and follow them carefully. "The grates can be removed and cleaned with the aid of grill cleaners, soap, water and a scrubbing pad," Chef Abdoo says. Just be sure not to get any of the electronics wet.

Is an electric smoker better than a gas smoker?

Electric and gas-assisted smokers both do a great job making A+ barbecue. Electric smokers come with the added convenience of not requiring propane as a fuel source, so you can just plug it in and get cooking. On the other hand, gas smokers are usually designed to use sticks or chunks of wood instead of pellets as the smoke source, which lends food a better smoke flavor, Chef Abdoo says.

What is the difference between a pellet grill and an electric smoker?

Pellet grills (or "pellet smokers") are fueled by wood pellets fed into a firepot. When these pellets ignite, they generate heat and smoke, which are distributed using internal fans, creating an effect similar to a convection oven. The circulating heat cooks food while imparting a smoky flavor from the wood pellets. Because pellet grills can operate at higher temperatures, they can be used for grilling, roasting, and even baking, in addition to smoking.

Electric smokers, on the other hand, rely on electricity to power a heating element inside a smoking cabinet. The heating element warms the wood chips, and the resulting smoke circulates through the smoker. Unlike pellet grills, electric smokers do not produce as much heat and are more suitable for smoking meats and other foods at low temperatures.

Can an electric smoker be used as a dehydrator?

Yes and no!  Most dehydration takes place around 120°F to 140°F for fruits and vegetables, and from 160°F to 180°F for meats and fish, Chef Abdoo says. If your smoker allows for those low temperatures, then you can absolutely dehydrate with it. But if your electric smoker uses pellets (meaning your fuel and heat source comes from the pellets), then your dehydrated foods will taste smokey, which may not be enjoyable for some fruits and vegetables.

"Regardless, when using your smoker as a dehydrator, it is important that you put whatever it is you are dehydrating on a separate rack that has small enough grates or holes in it so that the meat or vegetables won’t fall through, and place that rack onto the grates in your smoker," chef Abdoo says.

Is it safe to use an electric smoker overnight?

Yes. All electric smokers are designed so the thermostat will manage the temperature so there is no risk of a fire raging out of control. However, don’t forget basic safety precautions. "Please always use your electric smokers outdoors unless they are designed and fitted under a commercial exhaust hood," Chef Abdoo says.

Can you use an electric smoker in the winter?

Absolutely! Most electric smokers on the market are designed with insulated walls that help keep the heat in and the cold out, Chef Abdoo says. "It may take a little longer if it's really cold outside, but the thermostat  will manage the temperature to keep the heating element on longer to combat any loss in temperature due to the cold."

Our Trusted Expertise

April Benshosan, M.S. has over seven years of experience reporting on nutrition, health and expert-recommended products. To write this article, she drew on insights from our test kitchen, in which our testing team reviewed 14 popular electric smoker models, taking into account ease of assembly, use and cleaning, and overall performance. April also interviewed Matt Abdoo, executive chef and partner of Pig Beach BBQ restaurants in Brooklyn and Queens, about what to look for in a smoker that fits your needs.

This article was edited by Katie Tuttle, a food editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine, Real Simple and The Spruce Eats. 

Read the original article on Eating Well.