When you are on the road in the South and a billow of smoke is visible above someone adding firewood or basting racks of ribs with sauce, it’s a good idea to pull over. They are likely smoking something and it is probably tender and delicious.

But you don’t have to go out to get that smokey bliss—with a smoker in your home arsenal you can achieve that level of culinary nirvana right in your backyard. Don’t confuse grilling with smoking though—the basic difference is smoking is a slow process where food is cooked at low temperatures for a long period while grilling requires high heat applied over a short burst of time.

The field is wide when it comes to choosing the best smoker—some have smart technology, others offer additional grilling capabilities, there are large and small models, and even options with casters to make portability easier. Whether you are smoking a single brisket for the week or throwing a family reunion for 50 people in your backyard, there is sure to be one that lights your fire.

Our Top Picks Best Overall Smoker: Dyna-Glo Wide Body Offset Charcoal Smoker at Amazon ($349) Jump to Review Best Budget Smoker: Char-Broil Bullet Charcoal Smoker at Amazon ($200) Jump to Review Best for Beginners: Weber 18-Inch Smokey Mountain Cooker at Amazon ($382) Jump to Review Best Gas Smoker: Camp Chef 24-Inch Vertical Gas Smoker at Amazon ($384) Jump to Review Best Electric Smoker: Masterbuilt 30-Inch Electric Smoker at Amazon ($249) Jump to Review Best Pellet Smoker: Traeger Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill & Smoker at Bbqguys.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Kamado Smoker: Big Green Egg Large Charcoal Kamado Grill and Smoker at Bbqgalore.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Portable Smoker: Traeger Tailgater Pellet Grill at Amazon (See Price) Jump to Review Best Smart Smoker: Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker at Amazon ($1,699) Jump to Review Best Grill-Smoker Combo: PK Grills Original PK300 Grill and Smoker at Amazon ($525) Jump to Review

　　 Best Overall Smoker

Dyna-Glo Wide Body Offset Charcoal Smoker

View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Home Depot What’s Great About It Large cooking area

Versatile

Good ventilation for heat regulation

Easy to clean

What Could Be Better Challenging to assemble

Bulky

This is an offset smoker, meaning it has a horizontal cooking chamber and a heat source on the side. It may be intimidating upon first glance, but once mastered, it provides everything you need for tender smoked food. 

The Dyna-Glo can use charcoal or wood in its separate firebox and the 1,890-square-inch cooking area—the largest on our list—is big enough to tackle food for a crowd and also includes a grill surface over the firebox for searing, making it a versatile choice. We do wish the assembly process was a little more user-friendly, but once assembled the dampers on the top of the smoker and on the side of the firebox regulate heat like a charm.

The design of this smoker keeps direct heat away from food to give an even distribution of heat and smoke. Pre-installed sausage hooks, removable chrome-plated rib racks, and height-adjustable grates offer efficient use of space while cooking. We also appreciate the charcoal and ash management system that makes maintenance and cleanup easier.

Smoker Type: Offset For purists, this is the model. The smoker has a separate firebox for split wood and a large cooking area. That means your food is always cooked over indirect heat, perfect for the low and slow of smoking.

Who It’s For: If you are looking for hands-on pitmaster experience, working the fire and finessing the meats from start to finish, you want an offset smoker.

Cooking Area: 1,890 square inches | Dimensions: 43.3 x 50.2 x 21 inches | Weight: 83 pounds

　　 Best Budget Smoker

Char-Broil Bullet Charcoal Smoker

View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Macy's What’s Great About It Easy to assemble and operate

Lightweight

Sturdy construction

Easy to clean

What Could Be Better Seal on lid not secure

The second lightest smoker on our list, weighing in at a svelte 41 pounds, has two carrying handles so you can transport it without breaking your back. It also offers an enviable 388 square inches of cooking area, plenty of space for a rack of ribs, and a few ears of corn.  

This bullet-shaped smoker has two porcelain-coated cooking grates, a temperature gauge on the lid, and numbered dampers to keep track of heat and smoke, making it easy to operate. We do wish the lid sealed more securely, but with its easy assembly, sturdy construction, and consistent temperature, we think this smoker is a great value. Plus the ash pan is removable for easy cleanup once you're finished with the cook.

Smoker Type: Charcoal Charcoal smokers offer you more flavor than propane, usually a less expensive price tag, and a less smokey alternative to wood, but there is a learning curve with this model to achieve the sweet spot with temperature. 

Who It’s For: If you are interested in learning how to smoke effectively, this is a great entry-level style of grill.

Cooking Area: 388 square inches | Dimensions: 23 x 37.6 x 21.1 inches | Weight: 41 pounds

　　 Best for Beginners

Weber 18-Inch Smokey Mountain Cooker

View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Lowe's What’s Great About It Durable construction

Thoughtful design with spot for meat thermometer

Easy to assemble and operate

Lightweight

What Could Be Better Water pan difficult to monitor

No removable ash pan

Making the iconic charcoal kettle grills since 1952, Weber also makes a user-friendly smoker for fans of the top-rated brand. This vertical smoker operates similarly to a charcoal grill without dials or controls and utilizes charcoal as the fuel source. It has two 18-inch cooking grates with 481 square inches of cooking area—plenty of room to smoke a whole turkey.

The interior water pan helps regulate heat and keep food moist during the cook. However, it is difficult to monitor the water pan’s level while smoking, and we do wish it had a removable ash pan to make cleanup easier. 

The real win on this smoker though, is the silicone plug in the side that allows you to slide a remote meat thermometer in to ensure the perfect cook temperature. The porcelain-enameled exterior retains heat well and remains rust- and peel-resistant even at high temperatures. The heavy-duty steel construction makes this a durable choice and at 39 pounds, it is the lightest on our list, making it easier to move in and out of storage.

Cooking Area: 481 square inches | Dimensions: 18.7 x 41.7 x 19.7 inches | Weight: 39.1 pounds

　　 Best Gas Smoker

Camp Chef 24-Inch Vertical Gas Smoker

View On Amazon View On Bbqguys.com View On Lowe's What’s Great About It Beginner-friendly design

Large cooking capacity

Included wood chip tray for added flavor

Easy ignition

Easy to clean

What Could Be Better Assembly can be challenging

Learning curve with damper system

This vertical smoker has the convenience of propane fuel with the added benefit of a wood chip tray where you can add some of that authentic smoked wood flavor to your food while cooking.

The vault-like design has two adjustable cooking grids and one jerky rack that offers 780 square inches of cooking area. The three adjustable damper valves—one on top and one on each side—help control smoke and heat, though there is a bit of a learning curve to find the sweet spot while smoking. 

The easy-to-read door thermometer makes monitoring the inside cook a snap and matchless snap-ignition makes starting the smoker a breeze. We do wish assembly was easier, you may need two people to put it together and make sure everything is aligned.

We appreciated the included drip pan to catch all of the mess while cooking and the overall intuitive design of this smoker. With the adjustable heat-control dials and removable porcelain base tray for easy clean up, this smoker is approachable even for a beginner pitmaster.

Smoker Type: Propane These types of smokers typically heat faster and easier than electric smokers but are still easy to operate. You don’t need a power outlet, but you do need to be aware of how much propane you have in the tank so you don’t run out mid-cook. 

Who It’s For: This is for the person who wants a little more flavor than an electric can provide, but without the cleanup required of a charcoal, pellet, or wood smoker.

Cooking Area: 780 square inches | Dimensions: 24 x 44 x 16 inches | Weight: 75 pounds

　　 Best Electric Smoker

Masterbuilt 30-Inch Electric Smoker

View On Amazon What’s Great About It Easy to operate

Affordable

Sturdy construction

Easy access wood chip tube

Large cooking area

What Could Be Better Assembly can be challenging

You won't get the bark you get from charcoal or wood smokers

If you are looking for an easy introduction to smoking, this electric smoker has detailed instructions, a very straightforward control panel, and an easy-to-fill chip tube for that added smoked wood flavor. The sturdy steel construction and ample 710 square inches of cooking area come at a budget price, just $20 more than our budget pick. Setup may require an extra set of hands on this bulky smoker, but once it is functioning, operation couldn't be easier.

The four chrome-coated racks provide a sturdy surface for loading food and the digital controls ensure consistent heat. This vertical smoker can cook up to eight racks of ribs at once, but only weighs 46 pounds for all that cooking area. 

The adjustable damper allows you to control smoke levels and the thoughtful side wood chip loader lets you add chips to increase smoky flavor during your cook without losing smoke or heat.

Smoker Type: Electric These models operate much like a stove and are probably the easiest to operate right out of the box—just plug in, add fuel, water, and food.

Who It’s For: These smokers are for people who can’t use gas, wood, or charcoal near their homes or apartments.

Cooking Area: 710 square inches | Dimensions: 20.9 x 33.3 x 19.8 inches | Weight: 45.9 pounds

　　 Best Pellet Smoker

Traeger Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill & Smoker

View On Bbqguys.com View On Home Depot View On Pcrichard.com What’s Great About It Easy-to-use digital controls

Delivers authentic smoky wood flavor

Durable construction

Thoughtful design on temperature port

Wheels and handle to make transport easier

What Could Be Better Pellets need to be ordered ahead

Bulky

No removable ash pan

Fueled by hardwood pellets for that authentic wood-smoked flavor, this barrel-style pellet smoker offers the ease of technology-assisted operation with the results of traditional pit smokers. The durable steel construction is complemented by easy-to-clean porcelain grates and a spacious 572-square-inch cooking area, enough to smoke four whole chickens at once. 

The included meat probe slides through the thoughtfully designed port so no need to lift the lid to check the temperature while cooking. Though on the heavier side at 103 pounds, we do appreciate the wheels and handle that make transport easier.

This versatile smoker can grill, smoke, bake, roast, and braise, and the Digital Pro Controller maintains a +/- 15°F temperature control for precise cooking. It has a grease trap on the side to catch drippings, but we do wish it had a removable ash tray to make cleanup easier. 

Leonard Botello IV, owner and pitmaster at Truth BBQ, has a Traeger pellet grill and lauds the ease of operation. “It is a great entry-level pit to help you understand the ins and outs of cooking barbecue. There is a wealth of knowledge that you will gain from all the technology that is integrated into these new pellet smokers. Not only that, smoking any type of protein is an investment of time. Starting the fire, waiting for the fire to properly break down, maintaining temperatures, and fueling the pit (depending on the size) every 45 minutes to an hour takes a lot of time out of your day. People have jobs, kids, or other things they need to do around the house, which can make it very difficult to sit in front of a barbecue pit for 15 hours,” he says.

Smoker Type: Pellet These electrically powered smokers burn wood pellets to provide heat and smoke. They are as convenient as an electric smoker but offer the smokey flavor of a charcoal or wood smoker.

Who It’s For: Anyone who wants a low-maintenance, set-it-and-forget-it style smoker.

Cooking Area: 572 square inches | Dimensions: 41 x 49 x 27 inches | Weight: 103 pounds

　　 Best Kamado Smoker

Big Green Egg Large Charcoal Kamado Grill and Smoker

View On Bbqgalore.com View On Ace Hardware View On Biggreenegg.com What’s Great About It Heavy-duty construction

Precise temperature control

Easy to clean and operate

Excellent heat retention

Ready to cook in minutes

What Could Be Better Very heavy

Pricey

Smaller cooking area

Kamado-style smokers like this one offer heavy-duty design, ease of cleanup, and versatility. All of that capability comes at a cost, but Aaron Fletcher, pitmaster chef at Noko in Nashville, thinks it is a worthy splurge, “Though more of a learning curve, using a Kamado-style smoker like The Big Green Egg can produce amazing results with little monitoring. And it will last you a lifetime.”

This model has 262 square inches of cooking area that can grill, roast, smoke, sear, and bake. That’s enough to cook a 20-pound turkey, though we wish it could handle a little more food. Crafted from durable powder-coated steel, the exterior is weather resistant while inside the ceramic coating provides excellent heat retention while keeping food moist. 

It is the second heaviest on our list at 162 pounds, so a dedicated spot for it to live would be a consideration, but it’s hard to not be impressed by its reliable, precisely calibrated temperature gauge and patented air flow systems—we crowned it the best kamado-style on our list of the best charcoal grills.

Smoker Type: Kamado Kamado-style smokers offer the versatility of grilling and smoking and the convenience of not having to add more fuel. You will need to spend some time learning how to control the airflow, but ceramic is the gold standard in insulation and heat retention. 

Who It’s For: “If you're looking for a mixed-use grill and smoker that won't take over all your patio space, Kamado-style grills produce great results and are really fun to learn,” says Fletcher.

Cooking Area: 262 square inches | Dimensions: 22 x 31 x 22 inches | Weight: 162 pounds

　　 Best Portable Smoker

Traeger Tailgater Pellet Grill

View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Home Depot What’s Great About It Easy to use

Compact size

Lightweight and portable

Versatile

What Could Be Better Smaller cooking area

Pellets must be ordered

One of the major issues with smokers is lack of portability, but this lightweight smoker has easy-fold legs, wheels, and a handle so you can bring it along for tailgating, camping trips, or weekend getaways. This versatile smoker can grill, smoke, braise, roast, and bake, but it does have one of the smaller cooking areas on our list at 300 square inches.

Like the other Traeger on our list, this model has an easy-to-use digital control, an electric auto-start ignition, and maintains precise cooking temperature with its Digital Arc Controller. The easy-to-access pellet hopper is large enough for an all-day smoking session, though you will need to acquire the pellets from the manufacturer or another source. 

"If you are in a place where you cannot openly burn wood or build fires to cook barbecue, I would start with a Traeger pellet smoker," says Botello. "They constantly monitor your cooking temperatures, smoke, and internal protein temperatures all while self-fueling the pit."

Cooking Area: 300 square inches | Dimensions: 37 x 36 x 18 inches | Weight: 60 pounds

　　 Best Smart Smoker

Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker

View On Amazon View On Home Depot View On Perigold.com What’s Great About It Sturdy construction

Strong seal to retain heat and moisture

Easy to operate

Easy to clean

Versatile

What Could Be Better Pricey

Heavy

Smaller cooking area

Another Kamado-style smoker, this model brings the ease of technology-assisted operation. The Automatic Firestarter button ignites your charcoal easily and then you set your cooking temperature with the digital Kontrol Board or the Kamado Joe app and let the smoker do the work. Like the Big Green Egg, the cooking area is on the smaller side at 250 square inches and it is the heaviest on our list at 216 pounds, but with the ability to grill, bake, roast, and smoke, it is a versatile choice. 

There are lots of bells and whistles on this smoker that make it a worthy splurge (it is the most expensive on our list) like the multiple cooking functions and modes, the Kontrol Fan that automatically maintains your desired temperature, the Kontrol Tower top vent that maintains consistent air while opening and closing, and the tight seal around the lid to lock in heat and moisture for maximum heat retention and moistness of food. It truly is a set-it-and-forget-it smoker.

Cooking Area: 250 square inches | Dimensions: 47 x 48 x 47 inches | Weight: 216 pounds

　　 Best Grill-Smoker Combo

PK Grills Original PK300 Grill and Smoker

View On Amazon View On Pkgrills.com View On Home Depot What’s Great About It Easy setup

Excellent heat retention and control

Portable

Built-in side table

Versatile

What Could Be Better Venting system has learning curve

No built-in thermometer

This model combines grilling and smoking in one unit. The cast aluminum construction offers superior heat conduction and the two-wheeled design coupled with a light, 60-pound body makes portability easy.

A side table provides workspace and though the four-point venting system has a slight learning curve, it allows it to excel at high-heat grilling and low and slow smoking, making it a versatile choice. 

It has 320 square inches of cooking area, putting it on the smaller side on our list, but it has enough room for a whole turkey or a slew of sausages. 

We do appreciate the foldable shelf for prepping and the large under-shelf for storage, but we wish it had a built-in thermometer rather than just an opening for a probe thermometer. Assembly is easy, and the shape facilitates two-zone cooking so you can get more done at once.

Cooking Area: 320 square inches | Dimensions : 42.75 x 37.35 x 16.21 inches | Weight: 60 pounds

　　 The Bottom Line

If you are looking for an expansive smoker that offers an authentic smoking experience with lots of cooking space and versatility, we recommend the Dyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker. It has good ventilation for heat regulation, is easy to clean, and has six height-adjustable cooking grates that can accommodate various sizes of food.

If you want a more budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on versatility and design, choose the Char-Broil Bullet Charcoal Smoker. Its two porcelain-coated cooking grates, temperature gauge on the lid, and numbered dampers to keep track of heat and smoke make it easy to operate, and the lightweight design makes it easy to transport if you don't have a permanent home for your smoker.

　　 Tips for Choosing the Right Smoker

Size  For Botello bigger is better. He adds, “Most people see our 1,000-gallon pits made out of propane tanks and immediately become intimidated, but those pits are easier to cook on because they have a large surface area to distribute the heat, making them much more forgiving.”

In the end, it comes down to how much space you have for a smoker and how many people you regularly cook for when considering the size. As a general rule of thumb, 300-500 square inches will comfortably accommodate a whole brisket, pork shoulder, a full rack of baby back ribs, or about 20 quarter-pound burgers. If you want to smoke multiple proteins at the same time, a larger cooking surface will be required.

Features Smart Technology

Smoking is a time-honored process that connects you to the food you are cooking, but smokers have evolved to make that time commitment less onerous, so this question then comes down to how involved you want to be in the cooking process. 

If you are looking for a set and forget it, look for electronic or computer control features that take some of the work out for you like the Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker from our list.

Versatility

For the home cook who may not have a ton of space or budget to have multiple cooking appliances, some models smoke and grill. Multipurpose smokers, like the PK Grills Original PK300 Grill and Smoker from our list, are designed to deliver both high-heat charcoal grilling and low and slow smoking. Kamado grills, like the Big Green Egg from our list, also offer the versatility of grilling and smoking.

Portability

Portability isn’t something we usually associate with smokers, but models like the Traeger Tailgater Grill from our list make it easier to move around with its lightweight design and wheeled cart. If you don't have a permanent home for your smoker, make sure you take weight into account to make moving it in and out of storage easier.

　　 Questions and Answers

Are smokers worth buying? As Botello says, “If smoking is a passion or a hobby that you love, like let’s say golf, then absolutely, yes. The best thing about a good smoker that’s properly welded out of steel is that it can last you generations if you take care of it properly.” 

Beyond just a love of smoking your own food, a smoker can facilitate entertaining and feeding large crowds. Mike Saperstein, chef and co-owner of Sunshine Provisions, adds, “A smoker can be a great investment for larger cuts of proteins where you have time to prep and process. It’s not something you’d do every day, as it has to be planned. That’s why a combo grill/smoker may be the best option for someone who wants to get regular use out of their investment.”

How much should you expect to spend on a smoker?  On our list you have options as budget-friendly as the Char-Broil Bullet Charcoal Smoker coming in at $230 to our Wi-Fi-enabled pick, the Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker at $1,700, and lots in-between.

But even our Best Overall pick, the Dyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker only costs $349, a bargain when looking at the amount of food that can be cooked at once. Specialty smokers the Kamado-style options, as well as smart smokers are more of an investment, but most of our choices come in at $500 or less.

What is the lifespan of a smoker? This depends on several factors including the environment your smoker is exposed to, how diligently you care for the smoker, and the quality of the smoker you buy. 

In the South, and especially on the coast, a smoker is regularly exposed to salt air, humidity, and extreme temperatures. These conditions promote rust and deterioration of outdoor cooking equipment. A quality smoker should last at least five years, especially if you keep it clean and covered from the elements, as Saperstein advises. If you change out parts as needed, your smoker could last 20 years. Longevity is subject to how you care for your smoker and the level of quality you opt for on the initial investment.

Expert Tips To Extend the Life of Your Smoker Treat them like a cast-iron skillet: “Make sure the exterior and interior are nice and oiled down to help extend the lifespan,” says Botello.

Clean out your firebox: “Clean out all the ash and coals after your cook to keep from corroding the metal and rusting out the bottom of it,” says Botello.

Get a cover!

Invest in high-temp paint: “Most home smokers aren't coated in the right high-temp paint, and after a few cooking sessions, the paint on the firebox will start to peel. A layer of high-temp ceramic paint, followed by a glossier high-temperature enamel paint, will make it look like new and extend its lifespan by years,” says Fletcher.

　　 Why Trust Southern Living

Carrie Honaker is a food and travel writer who loves the fall-off-the-bone tender ribs that her Dyna-Glo Offset Smoker produces after 18 hours in the box. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she has seared and smoked hundreds of ingredients—she knows the importance of the proper smoker to ensure peak flavor and ideal cook temperature.

To compile this list, Carrie spent hours researching what to consider when shopping for smokers, including cooking area, ease of operation, ease of cleaning, fuel types, and available features. For expert tips on what to look for in smokers, she spoke to Aaron Fletcher, pitmaster chef at Noko in Nashville, as well as Leonard Botello IV, owner and pitmaster at Truth BBQ, and Mike Saperstein, chef and co-owner of Sunshine Provisions.