An electric smoker does one thing well: it holds a low, even heat for hours while you get on with your day. There is no fire to manage, only an outlet, a tray of wood and a thermostat. That makes it the easy way to get smoked chuck, pork shoulder and ribs for tacos on a Saturday, or a tray of smoked jalapeños for your own salsa.
The trade-off is known: lighter smoke than a live fire, and no real sear. The useful differences between models are how smoke gets made, how you add wood and how much fits inside. This guide covers eight cabinets on those points, and our main best smoker guide covers charcoal, gas and the rest if you are still choosing a fuel.
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Quick verdict: which electric smoker to buy
For most households, the best electric smoker is the Masterbuilt 40-inch Digital: 970 square inches of cooking space, digital controls and a side loader that adds chips with the door shut. If you want smoke that runs itself for hours, choose the Bradley 6-Rack. For a sturdy sealed stainless box, look at the SmokinTex The OG, and if you want a probe and window on a modest budget, the EAST OAK 30-inch.
Five electric smokers side by side
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of cook, with the specifications each maker, listing or named review states. All eight smokers are reviewed in full below.
| Smoker | Best for | Capacity | Key feature | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Masterbuilt 40-inch Digital Electric SmokerBest overall
|
Most households | 970 sq in | Side chip loader, digital | View on Amazon |
Bradley 6-Rack Digital Electric SmokerBest automatic smoke
|
Long, hands-off smoke | 6 racks, 11 x 13 in each | Auto-fed Bisquettes, digital | View on Amazon |
SmokinTex The OG 1400 Electric SmokerBest build
|
A box built to last | 38 lb capacity | Sealed stainless, door opens for wood | View on Amazon |
EAST OAK 30-inch Electric SmokerBudget pick
|
First smoker on a budget | 725 sq in | Probe, window, side loader | View on Amazon |
Pit Boss 4-Series Digital Vertical SmokerLargest, with app
|
Big batches, app control | 1,320 sq in | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, up to 300°F | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacities and features are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best electric smoker
These eight run from a stainless box you could fit on a small patio to a six-rack cabinet for a crowd. None of them repeats a listing from our main smoker guide or our smokers for beginners guide. Where a review we read covers a related model rather than the exact one, the entry says so. Where we read no review at all, the entry says that as well.
1. Masterbuilt 40-inch Digital Electric Smoker – Most Room From the Common Choice
This is the one to look at first if you want a plug-in cabinet that will hold a family cook and a few extra racks for the freezer. Masterbuilt’s listing puts it at 970 square inches of cooking space, in a vertical cabinet with a digital panel and chrome racks.
The feature that matters most is the side wood chip loader. Opening a smoker door dumps heat and smoke, and on a long brisket that adds up. Here you slide chips in from the side while the door stays shut, the same system Outdoor Life praised on Masterbuilt’s smaller 30-inch model.
Smoked BBQ Source names the 40-inch its best electric smoker for most people, pointing to the insulation and the chip system. It also says the chip tray is small enough to need refilling, and that the build is less durable than pricier cabinets, so go in expecting a sensible appliance and not a lifetime piece.
For taco meat, this much room is useful. A smaller chuck roast, a pork shoulder and a tray of chiles or tomatoes for salsa can go in together, on separate racks, without one crowding the others.
Why we like it
- 970 square inches of cooking space, per the listing
- Side loader adds chips with the door closed
- Named best overall by Smoked BBQ Source
- Digital controls, so you set a number and not a dial position
Key specifications
| Model | MB20072918 |
|---|---|
| Cooking space | 970 sq in |
| Power | Not stated |
| Temperature range | 100–275°F (Smoked BBQ Source) |
| Controls | Digital panel |
| Smoke source | Wood chips, side loader |
| Size | 40-inch vertical cabinet |
| Warranty | 1 year limited |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you cook for more than a few people and want the steadiest route to plain, repeatable smoking. Because a cabinet stacks food upward, most of the extra room comes in height, not floor space.
Skip it if you want a built-in meat probe or a sear. Smoked BBQ Source lists no built-in probe on this line, and the 275°F ceiling means poultry skin stays soft, so plan to crisp it on a grill or under a broiler.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large stacked cooking space
- Chips go in without opening the door
- Digital temperature setting
- Common brand, easy to find accessories for
Cons
- Chip tray needs regular refills
- No built-in probe, per Smoked BBQ Source
- One-year warranty
- Listing gives few other details
2. Bradley 6-Rack Digital Electric Smoker – Smoke That Feeds Itself
Bradley does the job differently from every other cabinet here. Rather than loose chips, it burns compressed wood Bisquettes that feed automatically, so you load the stack and let the smoker turn out smoke for up to nine hours, according to the listing.
Outdoor Life named Bradley’s 4-rack digital model its best for automated controls and explained why the design works: separate burners run the smoke and the heat, so you can have heavy smoke at low heat or light smoke at high heat. That review covered the smaller cabinet, not this one, so read it as a guide to how Bradley’s system works.
The 4-rack sits on our main smoker guide, so this is the deliberate exception on this page: same maker’s system, larger size, for people who found four racks too few. Six racks at 11 by 13 inches each take a lot of ribs or sausage, though a whole packer brisket may need trimming to fit a rack that size.
Bradley says the stainless interior is easy to clean and won’t rust, and that its smoke diffuser stops “black rain” from dripping onto the food below.
Why we like it
- Bisquettes feed automatically for up to 9 hours
- Six racks, each 11 by 13 inches
- Separate smoke and heat, per Outdoor Life’s look at the 4-rack
- Stainless interior
Key specifications
| Model | BTDS108P |
|---|---|
| Cooking space | 6 racks, 11 x 13 in each |
| Power | Not stated |
| Temperature range | Not stated |
| Controls | Digital |
| Smoke source | Bradley Bisquettes, auto-fed |
| Size | 19 x 22 x 41 in |
| Warranty | Not stated (see maker) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want the smoke itself handled for you, with no chip tube to watch through a long cook. It suits someone smoking sausage, fish, chiles or several racks of ribs at a time.
Skip it if you dislike being tied to one fuel. Outdoor Life notes Bisquettes are harder to find than wood chips, and they are the only fuel this system takes. The racks are also fairly small for very large single cuts.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Smoke runs without refills for hours
- Lots of small-format rack space
- Stainless interior
- Runs smoke and heat separately on Bradley’s system
Cons
- Needs Bradley Bisquettes
- Rack size limits large cuts
- Temperature range not stated on the listing
- Sold by a reseller, not Amazon
3. SmokinTex The OG 1400 Electric Smoker – Stainless, Insulated and Small
SmokinTex takes the opposite approach to a big steel cabinet. This is a compact, wheeled stainless box with a small 700-watt element, full insulation except on the bottom, and a food capacity the listing puts at 38 pounds across five rack positions.
Smoked BBQ Source gives it its best build quality award, describing double-wall insulation and tight rubber door seals. It also reports strong smoke flavor for an electric, because the box is sealed apart from a small vent. That is worth noting, since milder smoke is the common complaint about this type of cooker.
The drawbacks are specific. There is no chip feeder, so the door has to open when you add wood, and Smoked BBQ Source says chips need topping up about every 90 minutes. It also found only about three inches between shelves, so a large item may mean taking a rack out. The temperature tops out at 250°F.
The listing calls it an outdoor and indoor smoker. We would treat it as an outdoor appliance like the rest of this page unless the manual and your ventilation clearly say otherwise; Smoked BBQ Source says indoor use would need a restaurant-grade extraction system.
Why we like it
- Stainless construction with insulation on all but the bottom
- 38-pound stated food capacity
- Best build quality in Smoked BBQ Source’s guide
- Two locking wheels and two standard wheels
Key specifications
| Model | 1400 (The OG) |
|---|---|
| Cooking space | 38 lb food capacity, 5 rack positions |
| Power | 700 W |
| Temperature range | 100–250°F |
| Controls | Temperature control, type not stated |
| Smoke source | Wood, removable chip pan |
| Size | About 70 lb (listing size field) |
| Warranty | Listing conflicts: 2-year and 5-year both shown |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a cooker that feels built for years and you are happy to open the door for wood. It suits anyone smoking at moderate volume who values a stout, easily rolled box over a large rack count.
Skip it if you want to add wood without opening the door or you smoke big briskets. Both limits come up in Smoked BBQ Source’s review, and the 250°F ceiling is the lowest stated here, shared only with the smaller SmokinTex. Also confirm the warranty before you buy, because the listing shows both a 2-year and a 5-year term.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sturdy stainless box
- Tight seals keep smoke in
- Rolls on four wheels
- Stated 38-pound capacity
Cons
- Door must open for wood
- About 3 inches between shelves
- Tops out at 250°F
- Warranty terms conflict on the listing
4. EAST OAK 30-inch Electric Smoker – Probe, Window and Side Loader
EAST OAK is an Amazon-first brand, so we looked for outside confirmation before listing it. Smoked BBQ Source names this 30-inch cabinet its best budget electric smoker and says it feels better built than expected.
On paper it brings several extras. The listing gives it 725 square inches of cooking space, digital time and temperature controls, a clear viewing window, a side chip loader and a built-in meat probe. When your set time runs out, it stops and moves to keep-warm, according to the listing.
EAST OAK’s headline claim is six times longer smoking per chip load. We can’t verify that, and it does not say six times what. Smoked BBQ Source’s figure is more useful: around four hours of smoke at 250°F from a full tray, which beats the short reload intervals it warns about on electrics generally.
The same review says the chamber is narrow, so a full rack of ribs may need trimming, and the smoke flavor is milder than pellet, charcoal or offset cookers. That is normal for the type, and it is worth knowing before you buy.
Why we like it
- Built-in meat probe and viewing window
- Side chip loader
- 725 square inches of cooking space
- About four hours of smoke per tray, per Smoked BBQ Source
Key specifications
| Model | PES23001 |
|---|---|
| Cooking space | 725 sq in |
| Power | Not stated |
| Temperature range | 100–275°F (Smoked BBQ Source) |
| Controls | Digital, keep-warm mode |
| Smoke source | Wood chips, side loader |
| Size | 30-inch cabinet |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a probe, window and side loader on a modest budget, and you are comfortable with a newer brand. It is a good first electric smoker for someone who cooks ribs, chicken and small roasts.
Skip it if brand history matters to you. EAST OAK does not have Masterbuilt’s or Bradley’s long record, and the listing does not state a warranty term, so check that first. Long racks may also need trimming to fit.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Probe included
- Window saves door openings
- Loads chips from the side
- Long smoke per load
Cons
- Narrow chamber
- Milder smoke than combustion cookers
- Warranty not on the listing
- Newer Amazon-first brand
5. Pit Boss 4-Series Digital Vertical Smoker – Six Racks and App Control
If capacity is the priority, the Pit Boss 4-Series has the most listed room on this page: 1,320 square inches across six adjustable racks. That is enough to smoke for a block party or to fill the freezer with chopped meat for tacos.
It runs on a 1,650-watt element and reaches 300°F, the highest figure here, which gives a little more margin for poultry and for recovering heat after you open the door. An LCD controller connects by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the listing mentions a meat probe with two probe ports, so you can check the cook from indoors.
The wood tray takes chips or pellets, according to the listing, which gives you a little choice on fuel. Cleanup runs through a removable grease cup and tray, and rear wheels help you move it.
We found no independent review of this exact model in the reading we did, so this pick rests on the listing and Pit Boss’s stated three-year warranty, not on outside reports. Its size also puts it out of step with most electric smokers, so measure first.
Why we like it
- 1,320 square inches across six adjustable racks
- 1,650-watt element and a 300°F top end
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth control
- Three-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 11085 |
|---|---|
| Cooking space | 1,320 sq in, 6 racks |
| Power | 1,650 W |
| Temperature range | 100–300°F |
| Controls | LCD, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth |
| Smoke source | Wood chips or pellets, tray |
| Size | 42-inch cabinet |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you smoke large amounts at a time and like to watch the numbers from your phone. It fits big families, frequent hosts and anyone batch-cooking meat to freeze.
Skip it if you have a small patio or only cook for a couple of people. A cabinet this tall holds far more than a small household will use, and connected features add another thing to set up. Our page has smaller, plainer choices below.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most listed cooking space here
- Highest stated top temperature
- App control and probe ports
- Longest clearly stated warranty
Cons
- Large cabinet to place and store
- No independent review read for this model
- Tray, not a side loader, in the listing
- More setup than a dial
6. Pit Boss 3-Series Analog Electric Smoker – A Plain Knob and Three Years
Some cooks would rather not pair an app with a smoker. The 3-Series keeps the same 1,650-watt element and 100°F to 300°F range as its larger sibling but swaps the screen for a single analog knob.
The listing puts cooking space at 880 square inches. Be aware that it disagrees with itself on rack count: the title says four racks and a feature bullet says six. Count on 880 square inches and check the rack count before buying if it matters to you.
An analog dial sets a heat level rather than holding an exact number, and we’d keep a separate thermometer probe in the cabinet. Smoked BBQ Source recommends a dual-probe thermometer for any electric cabinet, since temperature can vary across it. Our guide to the best meat thermometer for a smoker covers those.
As with the 4-Series, this pick rests on the listing and the stated three-year warranty; we did not find an independent review of this model.
Why we like it
- One knob, nothing to pair
- 880 square inches of cooking space
- Same 1,650-watt element as the 4-Series
- Three-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 11187 |
|---|---|
| Cooking space | 880 sq in; rack count conflicts (4 or 6) |
| Power | 1,650 W |
| Temperature range | 100–300°F |
| Controls | Analog knob |
| Smoke source | Wood chips, tray |
| Size | 42-inch cabinet |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want simple controls and plenty of room, and you are happy to watch a thermometer. It’s a good fit for a backyard cook who just wants to turn it on.
Skip it if you want to set a precise temperature and walk away. A dial needs checking, especially in cold or windy weather, and a digital cabinet like the Masterbuilt suits hands-off cooks better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very simple to run
- Good stated capacity
- Three-year warranty
- Reaches 300°F
Cons
- No digital temperature set
- Listing conflicts on rack count
- No independent review read
- You must add your own probe
7. Royal Gourmet SE2805 28-inch Electric Smoker – A Short Cabinet for Small Cooks
At 28 inches and 454 square inches, this is the modest cabinet of the full-size group. Three chrome-plated racks hold a couple of racks of ribs or a shoulder and some sides, which is plenty for a small household trying smoke for the first time.
The setup is traditional: a bottom heating tube at 1,350 watts, a removable stainless water pan and a chip box above it, with a built-in thermometer and an adjustable analog controller. The water pan helps keep the cabinet steady and the meat moist, and it is a common design because it is forgiving.
Royal Gourmet’s listing also suggests the cabinet for steaming and drying. We would treat smoking as its job and anything else as a bonus, and the listing doesn’t state a top temperature or warranty term, so check those if they matter.
We read no independent review of this model, so this pick rests on the listing and on Royal Gourmet being an established grill maker.
Why we like it
- Short 28-inch cabinet
- 1,350-watt element
- Removable stainless water pan and chip box
- Built-in thermometer
Key specifications
| Model | SE2805 |
|---|---|
| Cooking space | 454 sq in, 3 racks |
| Power | 1,350 W |
| Temperature range | Not stated |
| Controls | Analog controller |
| Smoke source | Wood chips, chip box |
| Size | 28-inch cabinet |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you are short on room or want to try electric smoking for a household of two to four. A smaller chamber also means fewer empty racks on an ordinary weeknight or Sunday cook.
Skip it if you plan to smoke a full brisket or feed a crowd, because three racks fill fast. Skip it too if you want digital controls, since this one depends on you watching its thermometer.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compact height
- Simple water-pan design
- Built-in thermometer
- Removable pan helps cleanup
Cons
- Only three racks
- Top temperature not stated
- Warranty not on the listing
- Analog control only
8. SmokinTex Lil’ Tex Electric Smoker – Arrives Assembled, Rolls Away Small
Lil’ Tex is a small stainless box, 14.75 by 18.75 by 21.25 inches. It holds about 23 pounds of food across three rack positions, per the listing, and it arrives fully assembled.
Its 350-watt element is half the power of the OG above, with the same 100°F to 250°F range and the same insulated, sealed idea. A low-wattage element heats slowly, so we’d allow extra warm-up time and keep it out of strong wind.
SmokinTex pitches it for tailgating, camping and patios. At about 55 pounds by the listing’s size field, it is portable in the sense of fitting a truck bed, not of carrying with one hand. It still needs a power outlet at the campsite or stadium, of course.
This is the second SmokinTex on the page because the two serve different buyers. Smoked BBQ Source’s review covers the larger model, not this one, so read its praise as a guide to the maker’s approach and not as a verdict on Lil’ Tex.
Why we like it
- Arrives fully assembled
- About 23 pounds of food capacity
- Stainless body, insulated except the bottom
- Small footprint for a patio or truck bed
Key specifications
| Model | 1100 (Lil’ Tex) |
|---|---|
| Cooking space | About 23 lb food capacity, 3 rack positions |
| Power | 350 W |
| Temperature range | 100–250°F |
| Controls | Temperature control, type not stated |
| Smoke source | Wood, chip tray |
| Size | 14.75 x 18.75 x 21.25 in; about 55 lb |
| Warranty | Listing conflicts: 2-year and 5-year both shown |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you cook for two, want to smoke chiles, salmon, chicken or a small pork shoulder, and need a cooker that can live in a small space. Being ready out of the box is also a real plus.
Skip it if you want room for brisket or ribs in quantity, or you dislike opening the door for wood. Check the warranty term before buying as well, since the listing shows two different figures.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No assembly
- Very small footprint
- Sturdy stainless box
- Optional cart accessory available
Cons
- Only 350 watts
- Small capacity
- No review of this model read
- Warranty terms conflict
How to choose an electric smoker
Once you’ve settled on electric, the fuel debate is over and the choice comes down to the details below. Start with how you add wood, because that decides how much you’ll have to stand next to it.
1. How smoke gets made and added
Most electric cabinets smolder wood chips over the element. Smoked BBQ Source says chips typically need reloading every 30 to 45 minutes to keep smoke going, and calls soaking them first a myth. A side loader, as on the Masterbuilt and EAST OAK, lets you add wood without opening the door. A pan or tray, as on SmokinTex, means opening it. Bradley’s Bisquettes feed themselves, but tie you to one fuel. Our smoker wood chips guide compares woods if you’re new to it.
2. Flavor expectations
Electrics are clean-running, and that has a cost. Smoked BBQ Source quotes Meathead Goldwyn on the point: electrics don’t usually make the combustion gases needed for a smoke ring, so the flavor differs. Its own view is that most people won’t be able to tell the difference in practice. A tightly sealed box may keep more smoke in, as it reports for the SmokinTex, and Outdoor Life found food from Bradley’s Professional P10, a different model from the one here, tasted cleaner than the others it tried.
3. Capacity and rack spacing
Square inches flatter a cabinet because they add up several small racks. Look at the size of each rack and the gap between them. Bradley gives 11 by 13 inches per rack, and Smoked BBQ Source measured about three inches between shelves on the SmokinTex. A long brisket or full rack of ribs needs a wide rack or some trimming, so measure against what you actually cook.
4. Controls and top temperature
Digital panels hold a number; analog dials set a heat level you need to check. Top temperatures here run from 250°F on SmokinTex to 300°F on Pit Boss. All are fine for low-and-slow, but none is a grill. Outdoor Life found one cabinet’s built-in thermometer off by 30 to 50 degrees, a Cuisinart that isn’t on this page. Even so, we’d keep a separate probe in any smoker.
5. Power and where it will sit
Check that the outlet can carry the element’s listed wattage, and use the cord the manual allows. Smoked BBQ Source says most people end up needing an extension cord and recommends a weatherproof one. The U.S. Fire Administration’s outdoor fire advice is written for grills, not electric smokers, but its placement rule travels well: keep the cooker “well away from siding and deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.” It also says to clean after each use, since grease can start a fire.
How we picked these eight electric smokers
We looked for electric cabinets from identifiable makers, in stock with a new offer on Amazon when we checked, in a spread of sizes and control styles. Specifications come from each Amazon listing. Where a listing gives two answers, as on the Pit Boss 3-Series rack count and the SmokinTex warranty, we say so instead of choosing one.
For outside evidence we read Outdoor Life’s electric smoker review by Michael Pendley, updated in 2023, and Smoked BBQ Source’s guide. Both are named wherever we use them. They support the Masterbuilt 40-inch, EAST OAK and SmokinTex The OG directly. Outdoor Life’s Bradley findings are on other Bradley models. The two Pit Boss cabinets, the Royal Gourmet and the Lil’ Tex rest on their listings. We have not used any of these smokers.
We searched the CPSC recall database for each brand. Masterbuilt has had older electric smoker recalls, including a 2013 recall of models 20070312 and 20070512, which aren’t the model on this page. We found no recall matching the models listed here. None of the listings we read states a UL or ETL safety mark, so if that matters to you, ask the maker or check the label. Masterbuilt’s own site and SmokinTex’s site would not load when we checked, so we could not confirm it there.
Electric smoker questions, answered
What is the best digital electric smoker?
For most people, the Masterbuilt 40-inch Digital, thanks to its large cabinet and side loader. If you want app control and more room, look at the Pit Boss 4-Series. For a probe and viewing window on a modest budget, the EAST OAK 30-inch.
Do electric smokers give real smoke flavor?
Yes, from real smoldering wood, though it’s generally lighter than a charcoal or offset fire. Smoked BBQ Source quotes Meathead Goldwyn saying they usually don’t produce a smoke ring, but also says most people won’t be able to tell the difference on the plate.
Can you use an electric smoker indoors?
We wouldn’t. The SmokinTex listing uses the words “outdoor/indoor,” but Smoked BBQ Source says indoor use would take a restaurant-grade extraction system. Keep it outside unless the manual and your ventilation clearly support something else.
Should you soak wood chips first?
Smoked BBQ Source calls soaking a myth. Check your manual, since each maker sets its own chip instructions, and add wood in small amounts.
Is an electric smoker good for brisket?
It can cook one, but check rack width first and expect a softer bark than a charcoal cooker gives. Many cooks choose electric for ribs, chicken, fish and shoulder and keep a live fire for brisket. For food safety, use a food thermometer and follow current USDA temperature guidance, which we cover on our main smoker page.
What temperature range do you need?
Low-and-slow cooks usually sit between about 225°F and 275°F, and every smoker here that states a range reaches at least 250°F. If crisp poultry skin matters, finish the bird on a grill or under a broiler, since no cabinet here states more than 300°F.
Our last word on electric smokers
Buy the Masterbuilt 40-inch if you want the sensible all-rounder. Choose the Bradley for automatic smoke, the SmokinTex The OG for a stout sealed box, and the EAST OAK for features on a modest budget. The Pit Boss 4-Series suits big batches, while the Pit Boss 3-Series, Royal Gourmet and Lil’ Tex suit simpler or smaller setups.
Once the meat is ready, a smoky taco leans on good chiles and salsa. Our guide to what a chipotle pepper is explains the most famous smoked chile, and what barbacoa is explains how pit-steamed meat differs. If you’d rather leave the long cook to someone else, see the menu or call to order.