Best Electric Smoker — What Is the Best Smoker to Buy? Analog and Digital Electric Smoker Reviews

So, your shopping for the best electric smoker.  We can definitely understand why.

There is just something about smoked foods that we all have an affinity to. They come in all varieties ranging from conventional diets, vegetarian nourishment to vegan nutrition. Whether you’re drying out your meats, seafood, cheeses, vegetables, or nuts, you will need to get a smoker to help you achieve the expected results. 

This begs the question, why would you waste your time and energy using complicated and imprecise smokers like charcoal or gas smokers when you could use electric smokers?

Electric smokers are the go-to smokers for most beginners and professionals as they are simple to use, convenient in their various applications, and regulating temperature is more straightforward due to the use of thermostats. They can also be modified for remote applications using Bluetooth technology.

Not to mention, these smokers offer some of the least environmental harm while safeguarding that rich smoke-enriched flavor (check out this wood chip pairing guide).

Going camping and can't take your smoker? Read our best camp stove reviews!

Best Digital and Analog Electric Smoker Reviews

We have scoured the market and the internet for electric smokers that have admirable construction and most useful features. We also looked looking closely at the price tag, among other considerations.

Below is the compilation of the top ten best electric smokers available. We also want to give a quick shout out to well-known kitchen appliance brand Cuisinart whose model COS-330 Electric Smoker gets our vote for honorable mention.

Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker Review

For serious smoked meat fans (and isn’t that everyone?) and anyone else wanting to get into the scene, Masterbuilt Manufacturing Company has just the tool for you. The Masterbuilt 130|B Digital Smoker is easy to use by both the amateur and the professional. All you need to do is simply plug into an electrical outlet, configure the controls to your liking, and wait for the end result.

It has been put together with a couple of features, each as vital as the last in preparing the most delicious dehydrated meats. Once you have loaded your pieces of meat on the four chrome-lined racks and consequently shut the door, you will need to keep on adding wood chips through a side-tray. This dehydrates the meat as well as adds flavor. You can use the same opening to remove the ash.

This cooker can feed a couple or a small group of people as the capacity can provide room for smoking six chickens, four pork butts, four racks of ribs, or two whole turkeys. When it comes to its digital controls, you can either power the machine on/off, regulate the time, or control the smoking temperatures. The embedded thermostat ensures the meat cooks evenly and consistently all through.  

Pros

• Easy to understand manual
• Clean up is relatively simple
• The machine is easy to assemble
• It has a robust overall build

Cons

• Digital controls are challenging to read in direct sunlight
• You’ll need to split full racks of ribs in half to fit

Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker Review

You will be hard-placed to find a smoker that cooks your meat better than the Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker (model 17202004). It is the ideal smoker for when you have company over as it has an internal cooking capacity of 725-square inches differentiated into four easily adjustable smoking racks. Such space is capable of feeding up to a group of eight people. While you wait for your food to be impeccably done, spend time with your friends.  

Knowing when your meat is ready is easier than ever before. No more guessing and trial-and-error when determining the readiness of your food. This is because of your removable and washable meat probe. Just insert the probe into the piece of smoked meat, and the electric smoker will notify you when your meat has been cooked internally to a pre-determined temperature.

It has a warming feature that will make sure your food remains toasty until it is removed. The Char-Broil Smoker does an excellent job of locking in heat and smoke thanks to its dual-wall construction. This makes this smoker more efficient than a lot of the competition and has a four-cup capacity of wood chips that guarantees up to 7 hours of smoking. Its full-length glass window lets you see everything that goes on inside.   

Pros

• The construction is top-of-the-line
• Its design is as functional as it is aesthetically appealing
• Cleaning it is easy
• Its removable thermometer is accurate

Cons

• The remote control’s range could be improved
• It doesn’t have a way of controlling airflow

Bradley Smoker BS611 Electric Smoker Review

There are a lot of electric smokers out there; however, few can claim to be constructed as finely as the Bradley BS611 Analog Electric Smoker. It uses CleanSmoke Technology when it comes to the consumption of wood fuel. Basically what happens is, a conveyor system feeds the smoker the all-natural wood smoking briquettes, which are then smoked for a certain amount of time, and then put out before they turn to ash.

This incomplete burning is done to safeguard the integrity of your food. Not only does this process toxify your meat, but it also adds a bitter and acidic mouth-feel to it. It doesn’t mean that the Bradley Smoker has to be babysat the whole time in order not to burn the wood to ash. There is the availability of digital controls through which you can set the temperature, the smoke time, and you’re good to go.

It is easy to smoke all the traditional favorites like pork, beef, wild game, fowl, jerky, sausage, and some veggies. In the spirit of advancement, you can also put in a Bradley cold smoke adapter via which you can cold smoke beer, whiskey, wine cheese, salmon, and even nuts. The versatility you can get from the Bradley BS611 Smoker is simply nuts. 

Pros

• Robust construction
• It is easy to clean
• The interior is not prone to rust
• Can be configured to work autonomously using a timer

Cons

• It’s not a cheap product
• Isolated reports door fell off on some of models after a few months of use

Landmann Smoky Mountain Electric Smoker Review 

We know you loved your smoked meats and sausages, but sometimes the necessary space for the smoker is just not there. This is why the Landmann MCO 32954 Smoky Mountain Electric Smoker is such a godsend. It comes in a comfortable size of 26 inches that makes it perfect for cramped spaces. To this effect, its construction is strong, but lightweight and handles have been steadfastly fixed onto the sides for easier transportation from one area to another.

The heating element itself is powered using 1500 Watts of electric power. Not only does this cook the meat at the right temperatures, but it also helps with the addition of smoke for heightened flavor. This enriching smoke and necessary heat could be lost when the door is constantly being opened when checking the food. Due to this, the Smoky Mountains’s door is see-through to ensure this doesn’t happen.

Its small stature might discourage you when you start thinking about its internal capacity. However, good things sometimes come in small packages. This analog electric smoker has three levels for you to smoke your pork, jerky, chicken, or beef on. Its cooking racks are chrome-plated, which makes sure any grease or grime easily washes off when it comes time to do the dishes.

Pros

• Its price is affordable
• Easy to clean once you’re done cooking
• It was simple to assemble
• It’s quite accurate when it comes to the temperature

Cons

• The door latch has a tendency of falling off
• Best used outside as grease and liquid smoke leaks from its underside

Masterbuilt Smoke Hollow 26142E Electric Smoker Review

Another powerhouse model when it comes to outdoor meat smoking is the Smoke Hollow 26142E Electric Smoker with Adjustable Temperature Control. It uses a 1500 Watt heating element that provides the right temperatures at any one time thanks to its fully adjustable heat control mechanism. You just need to add your wood chips for that smoky flavor. Its usage of electricity means you do not have to worry about how low your gas is with every cookout.

Acquired by Masterbuilt in 2017, you know Smoke Hollow smokers will get the job done well.

You can adjust the temperature on this analog electric smoker with uncanny precision thanks to its highly calibrated full range heat indicator. The internal capacity of model 26142E is 26” tall, 14” wide, and 12” deep, which is enough to accommodate whole chickens and turkeys, so it is safe to say that you, your family, and friends never have to worry about going home on an empty stomach. But if you DO need more space, go for the Masterbuilt Smoke Hollow 30162E 30-Inch Electric Smoker which also has adjustable temperature control.

The wood chip tray and water pan are commercial-grade, and both have porcelain coating, which makes them easy to clean as well as appealing to the eye. This steel cabinet has to be moved every time you decide to put it to use; thus, its side handles are firmly fitted onto the body. They have also been made cool to the touch, ensuring no ghastly accidents happen when you need to move the smoker while the interior is still hot.

Pros

• Comes at a comfortable price tag
• It is a robust well-crafted machine
• Pretty straightforward to use
• Very easy to assemble

Cons

• The smoke condensation sometimes drips outside the drip pan’s coverage
• It’s a tad small

Masterbuilt 20070210 30-Inch Electric Analog Smoker Review

With what we have already seen from Masterbuilt, it is no surprise seeing another one of their products making it into the rankings. The Masterbuilt 20070210 Electric Analog Smoker isn’t on the list only because it rides the coattails of its successful parent company; it has a couple of amazing features on its own. To begin with, it has an internal capacity of about 547.8 square inches.

This internal volume means that there is ample space for say three whole chicken or two full turkeys. It is safe to say it is perfect for the entire family or even for a group of more than six people. It cooks at a temperature ranging from 100-degree Fahrenheit to 400-degree Fahrenheit. To adjust your meat’s temperature to the precise settings, all you need to do is set the thermostat-regulating control where you want it.

The temperature gauge assists the user in making informed adjustments. Your smoker would not be complete without the included water pan and wood-chip tray. These help in the process of imbuing a rich smoky aroma into the food—the Masterbuilt Analog Smoker’s front access grease tray help to collect any food drippings.

Pros

• It has a solid construction to it
• Gets the flavors just right
• Cleaning up the smoker isn’t too much of a hassle
• Its handles make carrying it around easy

Cons

• Doesn’t do well outside in winter weather
• The smoke condensation drips outside the drip pan

Old Smokey Electric Smoker Review

Most of the electric cookers on this list conform to a cuboid shape, so the Old Smokey Electrical Smoker comes as a breath of fresh air with the cylindrical design. It provides the right temperature for your cooking and smoking needs thanks to its trifecta of thermal-related features. The smoker is constructed of aluminized steel, has a 1250 Watt element, and has a thermostatic controller for temperature control.

The thermostat kit, once set, regulates the smoker’s interior temperature using sensors and heat regulators. Old Smokey’s heat element is located at the bottom of the cylinder, and atop of it is the wood chip tray. This is where you place your briquettes to give your meat cuts that permeated a smoky flavor profile. A well-fitting lid covers the top of the smoker, locking in the smoke and flavor.

Having your hand safety in mind, the side handles and the lid handle is insulated using fireproof material. This means your cooking can go on for hours, but your hands won’t get burnt when handling the lid or pot. Its upper and lower grills also have handles making inserting and removing them, an easy task.

Pros

• Its handles and lightweight construction make it portable
• One of the easiest electrical cookers to use
• Its design allows for even cooking throughout
• Offers adequate room for cooking whatever you want

Cons

• Doesn’t have digital settings hence it’s not very precise
• The smoker gets really hot when in use so care should be upheld

Smokin-It Electric Smoker Review

The Smokin-It Electric Smoker is constructed from authentic stainless steel. Steel doesn’t rust, and it is as strong as it is light, so you can be reassured that this is a smoker that will take you places and vice-versa. If mechanical know-how isn’t one of your strong suits, then you don’t need to worry as the smoker comes with easy to follow instructions for assembly. It also comes with a hickory wood sample for you to use while you get to know your way around it.

The Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker not the biggest electric smoker you will ever see, but the 12.5” by 17.2” by 13.5” size can accommodate seafood and meat worth 21 pounds. This is enough for both you and your guests or even clients as it is NSF certified for restaurant use. Its heating element has a 400 Watt rating, which, when powered, will trigger the LED indicator light. Due to its lower power rating, it results in an equally reduced energy bill.

Need more space? The Smokin-It Model #2 Electric Smoker measures 24 x 30 x 22 inches.

Part of its charm is the work put in to ensure its insulation is perfect. It utilizes fiberglass to reduce heat loss. The handles are located in a convenient position along the sides for easier transportation when moving with it around. It is also worth mentioning that the smoker has two pairs of wheels on the bottom for added mobility. 

Pros

• It is quite easy to use
• The craftsmanship put into it is exquisite
• It has top-of-the-line insulation
• Its customer care service is good

Cons

• Can’t fit in a full rack of ribs, so you need to cut them in two
• Cleaning it isn’t a joke

Masterbuilt Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker Review

Well, look at that, another Masterbuilt entry. The Masterbuilt Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker is a bit different from all the other smokers on this list. First of all, all the settings you needed to alter while standing next to the smoker can be adjusted from the comfort of a lawn chair a few feet away. This is because of the incorporation of Bluetooth technology into the smoker, enabling remote operation from your smartphone.

Using either the digital control panel or the smart device, you can easily alter temperature settings, turn the machine on/off, change the time settings, and even checking on the meat’s internal temperature. At the top of the smoker’s interior is a heating element right on top of a grill for broiling, grilling, or putting finishing touches on recipes. All in all, there are four chrome-lined racks for all your smoking needs.

Loading the wood briquettes is as easy as sliding the side tray out, putting in your chips, and then pushing it back into place. This removes the necessity of opening the front door to load the wood pellets, thus ensuring the smoke and flavors are completely locked in for mouth-watering results. For even cooking, the temperature is regulated through the use of a thermostat.

In terms of size, you can choose either the featured 30" model MB20073519 which also has a broiler, or the larger 40" model MB20074719 (which actually costs a little less because it doesn't have the broiler).

Pros

• Come well packaged
• The Bluetooth and app work perfectly together, and pairing is easy
• The built-in temperature probe is a nice touch
• Handles and wheels make portability easier

Cons

• The digital LED screen can’t be easily seen in the sun
• You will need to stay within the Bluetooth range for it to work

Dyna-Glo Analog Electric Smoker Review

The Dyna-Glo Electric Smoker is one of the most robust electric smokers anywhere. You don’t have to worry about this smoker falling apart ever. The interior has a capacity of 505 square inches when it comes to cooking space. This space is subdivided adequately into segments thanks to the chrome-coated cooking racks. Three of the grates are easily adjustable in case you need a lot of extra space for whole chicken and turkeys.

Filling it with wood pellets is as easy as can be thanks to its side chute. This ensures no essential flavors and smoke escape the vessel. One of the great things about the Dyna-Glo Electric Smoker is its heating power. The burner is powered a whopping 1500 Watt element making it your ideal cooking partner even in the chilliest of weather.

Controlling the cooking temperature is a manual job, and you will need to keep on checking on the food while periodically readjusting the temperature dial. The temperature gauge is clear and well labeled enough to allow for accurate heat control. Such measures will keep you on your toes, thus reducing the risk of any fiery accidents to zero.

And in case you were wondering, Dyna-Glow also has a 30" Digital Electric Smoker, as well as a Bluetooth Digital Smoker which comes in your choice of 30" or 40".

Pros

• The customer service is well-responsive
• Its temperature-gauge accuracy is uncanny
• The included meat probe gives an even more precise reading
• Its pair of back wheels make moving with it easy

Cons

• The meat probe isn’t detachable hence making cleaning a task
• Assembly is time-consuming

Best Electric Smoker 2021 Buying Guide

Having done your research, you have decided to get an electric smoker as compared to the other types of smokers. It is a good decision as they are very easy and convenient to use, even by complete novices when compared to the other varieties.

Deciding to get the electric is the first step. Next, you will need to assess the factors and considerations that will either make or break your purchase. What are you really looking for? What do you actually need?

These are some of the questions we will answer in this segment.

How much does an electric smoker cost?

If you’re like us, the price tag is usually the most significant consideration when buying anything, electrical smokers included. While they are pricier when compared to conventional charcoal grills, they are affordable vis-à-vis other kinds of smokers and high-end grills. This is for a good reason. Some expensive smoker types like charcoals, wood, or gas have better taste profiles when dealing with pork ribs, turkey, or pulled pork.

However, when dealing with steaks, bacon, cheeses, and smoked fish, the cheaper electrical smoker, is better. Higher-end electric smokers even out this disadvantage though. As a general rule of thumb, the bigger the electrical smoker is and the more features it has, the more expensive it will be. If you have a limited budget, you will need to find the perfect marriage of specs and price from the compilation above.

Get your sizes straight.

This is both an issue of the burner size and the overall cooking area. In this regard, you will need to assess how many people you will be feeding, how much food you will be preparing, and how much floor/patio footprint you have at your disposal. You will not be surprised to learn that most electric smokers are large and offer around 700 square inches of cooking space.

If you need more space than this or are cooking for groups of up to eight, then a thousand square inch model may be more your speed.  If you intend to use the smoker indoors, you will need to provide a provision for smoke clearage and a big enough spot in the room for it to fit in. Using it outside your house offers plenty of open space for air letting and placement, but for that, you will need a ready electrical outlet.

What you need to know about temperature control.

Someone once said that fire is an excellent servant. In order to bend it to your will, you will need to understand how the heating occurs and is used. When cooking such meats, you will need to have precise, and well-advised temperature adjustments as burning too hot will reduce your meat into charcoal while too low a setting will have you waiting forever for your food to get ready. However, thermostats, gauges, installed caveats, display panels, and other regulatory mechanisms in electric cookers makes controlling the heat simple.

While being an excellent servant, fire can also be the worst master. It can quickly get out of control, thanks to carelessness or electrical faults. It is therefore recommended when assembling to take proper care not to short circuit anything or just generally tampering with the electrical components. You couldn’t go wrong with a fire extinguisher or two in the house or around the cooking area.

We are consumers just like you are, and so have looked at what both of us would look for when getting electric smokers. Considerations and factors affecting every individual’s buying criteria can be hard to pin down, but we have listed what we can all prioritize foremost.

The guide, however, compliments some of the features highlighted in the model entries. Thus we believe, a careful assessment of both of these areas will undoubtedly have you making a confident purchase that will not only wow you alone; it will bring joy to your friends and family too.   Make sure you pick up the wood chips.