Electric smokers cook meat at a low temperature for a long time. You can also cook vegetables or add a smokey flavor to food using wood chips fed via a firebox. While you have to wait a little longer for your food to cook but you will get tender ribs or briskets every time. Food cooked ‘low and slow’ retain food juices, and the flavor gets amplified tenfold. Finally, they are healthier and safer than charcoal or gas smokers as there is a low risk of smoke leakage. Flare-ups are also non-issues as they have no open flames.
We want to help you find the best electric smoker for you and your budget. We have a collection of the top five bestsellers in this niche, all featuring digital systems. All are durable, spacious, and support cooking multiple foods at the same time. We have also highlighted the pros of buying an electric smoker and a shopping guide for choosing the best.
Are you in a hurry?
These are our top selections for the best electric smoker:
Best Overall
Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt MB20071117 is a digital electric smoker with a double-wall design. It measures 30-inches wide and has an insulated thermostat-controlled design that retains an ample temperature for cooking. Press a button to set the correct temperature for the type of food that you are cooking. Its steel shell is durable. The door is leak-proof, while the wood chip loading system on the side helps you add flavor to food.
High-End Pick
Char-Broil 17202004 Digital Electric Smoker
With Char-Broil 17202004, expect a 50-pound electric smoker that offers a huge cooking space. This Char-Broil sports 725 square inches of cooking space, one of the largest home-smokers available. Its double-walled design is not only durable but also has insulation that maintains a steady internal temperature. In addition, its latching door prevents leakage, while its control panel has touch controls with LED backlighting. Thus, it is easy to use at night.
Amazon Smart Oven, a Certified for Humans Device – plus Echo Dot
Budget Pick
Smokehouse Products Little Chief Electric Smoker
Smokehouse Products Little Chief is an inexpensive yet multifunctional smoker for fish and meat (up to 25 pounds). While its 250-watt heating element seems underpowered by today's standards, it delivers good results for these reasons. First, it uses 120-volt electric outlets, which are standard in most homes. It also has adjustable temperature settings up to 165 F. As such; you can set the correct temperature for cooking by simply touching a button. This CUL, UL, and CSA-listed product has an aluminum (embossed) structure. You get a two-year warranty for it and a free bag of Chips n' Chunks hickory flavor wood.
Benefits of Electric Smokers
If you are among those who like to cook fresh meals at home, you will love having an electric smoker around. Here are a few benefits of buying a new one:
Versatile: The best electric smokers have spacious and versatile systems suitable for preparing most types of foods. You can smoke and cook meats in one. You can adjust heat to cook tasty fish as well.
Easy to Use: The traditional smokers of charcoal and gas-fired grill need a bit of effort to use well. Automated systems control cooking temperatures in electric smokers. You can adjust the temperature to your desired level via touch controls. Doors open wide to make loading food effortless, while their plug-and-use designs are ready to use. You will enjoy using one.
Safe: With an electric smoker, you will never worry about flames flaring up, as is the case with charcoal and gas models. They use UL-certified electrical heating elements that do a good job always safely.
Durable: Made from thick steel or aluminum, these are long-lasting household items. They do not rust over time and have robust double-walled designs that withstand abuse for long. They also have insulated walls.
What to Look For In an Electric Smoker
Space: One of the worst decisions you can make is to buy a product that will not satisfy your needs. Thus, before ordering an electric smoker, check its size and make sure that it is optimal. Of course, it should have shelves as well, ideally adjustable.
Longevity: Over the years, you will expose your smoker to heat, food juices, and elements such as water. As such, you will need a durable product that can withstand such a level of abuse in most settings. It should be a durable material such as stainless steel or aluminum. Double-wall models are the best, so check that.
Ease of Use: For the best cooking experience at home, you will need a reliable product that is easy to use. First, the product should have digital controls for switching it on and off and adjusting the temperature. Second, it should also have a large and lockable door that accommodated bulky ingredients.
Safety: As much as the best electric smokers cook tasty food, you will need a product with a good safety rating. The parts should be BPA-free. It should also have an auto-shutoff system and boil dry protection.
Best 5 Electric Smokers in the 2021
Do you enjoy slow-cooked foods with a woody or nutty flavor? Then, you will benefit from one of the five electric smokers we have reviewed. Their electricity-powered designs are efficient and easy to use. The quality of materials used to make them is also good.
1. Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker
Features:
- Spacious design (30 inches)
- Adjustable heat settings
- Fully insulated interior
- Wood chip loader on the side
- Simple digital controls
- Thermostat temperature control
- Long lasting design
Are you tired of firing up a manual smoker whenever you are cooking or preserving food? Masterbuilt MB20071117 has a digitized design that will help you to do an excellent job with little effort. It has a spacious 30-inch design that fits large batches of food. The feature-rich design also has adjustable heat settings up to 275ᵒ F for cooking types of food. Use a lower setting for vegetables and white meats as they take a short time to cook. Heat takes longer. It also has a thermostat that guarantees you consistent cooking.
Masterbuilt MB20071117 has a digital control panel that makes it set up effortless. Simple buttons control temperature controls as well as the power on and power off. It is that easy. The system's fully insulated design retains heat very well. You can use the wood chip loader on the side to add flavor.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
Masterbuilt MB20071117 has everything you will ever need in an electric smoker. Its digital controls are easy to use. It also has a durable design with an insulated interior that does not leak. You can adjust the heat and burn wood chips to get custom results.
2. Char-Broil 17202004 Digital Electric Smoker
Features:
- Tempered glass door
- Stainless steel structure
- Digital controls
- Fully insulated design
- LED backlighting
- Secure steel latch
- Removable food thermometer
The Char-Broil 17202004 is a deluxe, silver-themed smoker with a double-wall design that is built to last. It does not break, nor will it warp over time. It also retains heat well and has an advanced control panel you can use to set up a cooking job in minutes. Once you have added food and powered it on, set the temperature and let it cook to your desired consistency. The display has LED backlighting, making it easy to use at night.
With Char-Broil 17202004, expect a stainless-steel smoker that will not rust. It looks good and has a food-safe structure that withstands abuse for many years. The door is thick glass (tempered) that enables you to watch food cook. A latch stops smoke and heat leaking, while its removable food thermometer allows you to check the temperature without opening the door.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
Char-Broil 17202004 has a double-walled design that lasts for years. Its insulated interior retains heat. It also has digital controls and a glass door (tempered) for checking food as it cooks. You will love its eye-catching design and the built-in food thermometer too.
3. Smokehouse Products Little Chief Electric Smoker
Features:
- Embossed aluminum
- Two-year warranty
- Chrome grills (four)
- Chips n' Chunks hickory wood
- 250-watt heating element
- Adjustable temperature
- CSA, CUL, and UL listed
Smokehouse Products Little Chief is an 11.5 x 11.5 x 24.5-inch electric smoker with a convenient front-loading design. Loading food is effortless as its front door opens wide. It also has a spacious interior with chrome grills (four) that you can use to organize food as it cooks. You can place meats at the bottom and vegetables at the top, for instance, and cook a whole meal at once. You can also add wood chips and use them to add a smoky flavor to meats. The electric smoker comes with 1.75 pounds of Chips n' Chunks hickory wood that you can use. Do not hesitate to buy one.
The embossed aluminum design of the Smokehouse Products Little Chief lasts for many years. It does not stain nor rusts over time and has a food-grade structure that makes it suitable for home use. It also has a stylish design that feels good to the touch. Finally, Smokehouse Products Little Chief uses a 250-watt heating element with an adjustable temperature. You can set its temperature between 0-165F on demand. All parts are CSA, CUL, and UL listed and therefore are 100% safe. They also have a 2-year warranty.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
If you need a simple but functional electric smoker, this is the product for you. Its embossed structure looks stunning. It is durable (aluminum) and has a spacious interior with chrome-plated shelves. Its 240-volt heating element needs a 120V outlet to work.
4. Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker
Features:
- 1000 watts heating element
- Front-mounted thermometer
- 544 square inches of cooking space
- Double-wall design
- Fully insulated interior
- Chrome-plated grates
- Secure door latches
- Built-in grease cup
Char-Broil Analog offers approximately 544 square inches of cooking space, making it one of the largest on our list. You will love having one around during parties because of the delicious food it cooks and its premium design. The double-wall, for instance, are durable and have insulation, which retains heat well. The latter also boosts its efficacy and thus saves the power it would have used to supplement lost heat.
Char-Broil Analog has a powerful heating element (1000 watts) that does a good job always. It heats quickly and is resistant to damage as the material used to make it lasts is the best. The chrome grates are equally durable (chrome-plated), while the grease cup that comes built-in prevents messes. It catches juices and oil for easier disposal as the product is in use. Use the door latches to seal is doors shut and thus prevent heat loss. You can also check the temperature without opening the door via a front-mounted thermometer.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
This double-walled electric smoker maintains a hot internal temperature better than most models. It also has a spacious interior with grates (chrome) that support your food. Finally, you will never worry about messes as the smoker has an inbuilt oil cup.
5. Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker
Features:
- 1500-watt heating element
- Three chrome-plated grates
- 457. 86 square inch design
- Two side handles
- Front-mounted thermometer
- Digital controller
- Firebox for smoking
- Secure door latch
Buying a smoker with adjustable temperature control is a good idea as they are versatile. Royal Gourmet SE2801 is one of the best brands in this niche. The system has a 458 square inch design in four sections separated by three chrome-plated grates. As such, you can prepare up to three meal types at once without cross-contamination. In addition, the bottom slot has a drip pan that catches oils and juices to keep the smoker clean.
This smoke has a 1500-watt heating element with an adjustable temperature. You set it low while cooking vegetables and high when cooking meats to get the best results. Use the front-mounted thermometer to check its temperature and make adjustments via its digital controller if needed. Finally, Royal Gourmet SE2801 has two side handles for transport. Use these to move it to and from a patio. It also has a firebox for smoking and a door latch that ensures a perfect seal while in use. As a result, it does not leak heat or smoke.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
Do not expect this product to get as hot as premium charcoal smokers available in the market. However, it has a well-rounded system with a firebox and a 1500-watt electrical element with adjustable heat. It also has a spacious design with durable double walls.
Final Thoughts
If you need an all-around electric smoker for your home, our top five picks will never let you down. They feature durable double-wall designs that retain heat for long. Most of them are portable via side or top-mounted handles and have spacious designs that can satisfy the needs of all people. Select yours and order it worry-free. They work flawlessly in all areas.
