10 Best Cheap Smokers 2025 in the United States

The Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker is a popular choice for anyone looking for an affordable electric smoker with good capacity and convenient features. Its vertical design offers a spacious 710 square inches of cooking space, which is enough to smoke several chickens or racks of ribs at once—great for small to medium gatherings. The digital control panel makes setting and maintaining temperatures up to 275°F straightforward, helping you avoid constant monitoring. A standout feature is the patented side wood chip loader, allowing you to add smoke flavor without opening the door, which keeps heat and moisture inside for juicier meat. The removable water bowl also helps maintain moisture, and you can even experiment with different liquids to enhance flavor.

Build quality is decent with alloy steel on the outside and aluminum inside, making it sturdy yet not too heavy at about 46 pounds. This weight means it’s not highly portable but still manageable if you want to move it occasionally. Cleanup is made easier with a removable rear grease tray and chrome-coated racks. Some users might find the temperature range limited compared to propane or pellet smokers, and the electric power source requires an outlet nearby, limiting use in remote areas. While the build quality is solid for the price, it’s not as rugged as more expensive models.

This smoker is well suited for beginners or casual users looking for an easy-to-use, budget-friendly electric smoker with enough room to cook for a family or small group.

The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker offers a versatile grilling and smoking experience with its large 1050 square inches of cooking space. It heats up quickly, reaching 225F in 8 minutes and 700F in 15 minutes, making it suitable for both slow smoking and high-heat grilling. The DigitalFan and digital control panel ensure precise temperature control, while the GravityFed vertical charcoal hopper provides continuous fuel for up to 8 hours, reducing the need for frequent refueling.

The ability to control the grill via the Masterbuilt app adds convenience for monitoring and adjusting settings remotely. Additionally, the built-in temperature gauge and meat probe thermometer help in achieving perfect cooking results. The grill features reversible cast iron grates for varied cooking methods and includes stainless steel shelves for additional preparation space. However, at 203 pounds, the grill is quite heavy, affecting its portability. While it boasts a solid build quality with stainless steel materials, ease of cleaning might be a concern due to its large size and multiple components.

This smoker is ideal for those looking for a robust and feature-rich smoker at a reasonable price, though its weight and potential cleaning challenges should be considered.