Best Affordable Electric Smoker

Very often, people are confused with the type of smoker they should buy, especially when they decide to do it for the first time.

The good news is that there are many smokers out there that provide you with great features and at affordable costs.

A top-notch electric smoker can prove to be a perfect choice for all your smoking needs. So, if you are thinking of giving it a try, the following list of the best electric smokers will help you make up your mind.

Topic + Reviews

Cuisinart COS-330 Electric Smoker Review

Cook up a storm with the Cuisinart COS-330 Electric Smoker! This bad boy has 548 square inches of interior space, so you can smoke up a storm!

Three removable stainless-steel racks make it easy to load and unload food, and the built-in thermometer ensures perfect results every time. Plus, the dishwasher-safe construction makes cleanup a breeze.

The lightweight design makes it easy to move around, while the 1500-watt heating element ensures your food will be cooked evenly every time.

With a chrome spring door handle, this smoker is easy to open and close, making it a breeze to use.

This smoker is perfect for first-timers or casual smokers. It is also equipped with a removable water pan and wood chip tray, making it easy to keep your food moist and flavorful. Plus, it comes with a three-year warranty, so you can rest assured that your purchase is made of quality materials.

Masterbuilt 20070210 Electric Analog Smoker Review

This Analog Smoker has 548 sq. inches of cooking space, so you can smoke plenty of food. The three chrome-coated racks let you cook multiple items at once, while dual-wall insulation ensures even heat distribution and low heat loss.

The smoker has a 1500-watt heating element that will keep your food at the perfect temperature and a variable thermostat to give you complete control over the cooking process. With the built-in thermometer, you’ll always know exactly how your food is doing.

The Temperature gauge on the door ensures you’re always in control, and the temperature range of 100-degree F to 400-degree F lets you smoke any kind of meat to perfection.

The front-loading wood chips tray makes adding smoker flavor easy, while the removable water and drip pan make cleanup a breeze.

Smokin-it Model #2 Electric Smoker Review

This Smokin-It electric smoker is perfect for the at-home griller who wants to smoke meats like a pro!

The all stainless steel construction means your smoker will last for years, while the insulated fiberglass body ensures even smoking temperatures. This smoker comes fully assembled, so you can start smoking right away.

With four racks, a 35-pound capacity, and an 800-watt heating element, this smoker lets you cook up a storm.

Temperature control is easy with the rheostat, so you can get your food just how you like it – whether that’s nice and slow or hot and fast. With the LED indicator light, you’ll always know when your smoker is up and running.

This smoker has a double latch door system to keep the smoke in, ensuring that your food will be perfectly smoked every time. It also includes a sample of hickory wood, so you can get started smoking right away.

The drip pan catches any juices or fats that run off the meat, so your smoker won’t get messy.

This smoker is equipped with rubber casters and side handles for easy maneuverability, as well as integrated electric power cord hangers to keep cords neatly organized.

It is also certified by NSF, meaning it has met the rigorous safety and quality standards of the National Sanitation Foundation.

Char-Broil 17202004 Digital Electric Smoker Review

This smoker is the perfect way to cook your food to perfection every time. With 725 sq. in. of cooking space and four adjustable or removable racks, you can easily fit whatever you’re smoking inside.

The glass door and stainless-steel finish make it easy to keep an eye on your food. It also includes a remote means you don’t even have to leave the couch.

With its insulated double-wall construction and 750 watts of power, you’ll be able to produce smokey, delicious meats with ease. Plus, the smoker comes with a warming feature to keep everything at the perfect temperature.

This smoker has an advanced control panel with an easy-read LED display, making it simple to set your desired temperature and cooking time.

The large, stainless steel locking latch ensures a smoke-tight seal, while the removable temperature gauge allows you to keep track of your smoking progress.

Best of all, this smoker automatically turns off when your food reaches the desired cooking temperature, so you can focus on enjoying your smoked masterpiece.

This smoker has wheels and an integrated handle, making it easy to move around, and the high-capacity grease tray means you can smoke all day without having to worry about cleaning up.

Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker Review

The Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker is perfect for the smoking enthusiast who wants plenty of space to work with.

This smoker has a whopping 730 sq. inch. cooking space, so you can smoke turkeys, pork butts, racks of ribs, and chickens all at once!

The fully-insulated body ensures that your food will stay at the perfect smoking temperature, while the four chrome-coated racks provide plenty of space to work with.

With digital panel controls, you can easily set the on/off, cooking temperature, and time. The thermostat-temperature control ensures your food remains at a consistent temperature, while the max temperature setting of 275ᵒ F creates perfectly smoked meats every time.

The Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker is perfect for the beginner or the pro.

With its patented side wood chip loading system, you can easily add chips to the smoker without having to open the main chamber.

The dimensions of the smoker are 20.47 inch W x 19.88 inch L x 33.26 inch H, making it a great choice for any outdoor event or gathering.

Bradley BS611 Digital Electric Smoker Review

This smoker is a must-have for the outdoor kitchen enthusiast. With its easy-to-use design and fully insulated interior, you’ll be smoking up a storm in no time!

The stainless-steel interior is easy to clean, and the magnetic door ensures that your smoke will stay contained. Plus, the multi-rack design means that you can cook multiple items at once.

The inside dimensions are 19 inches, so it’s perfect for cooking a large piece of meat or fish.

With two separately controlled heat elements – one for the oven and one to create smoke – you can cook whatever you like; however you like it.

The removable side panel makes it easy to access your food, while the temperature control ensures that everything comes out exactly as you want it.

Its smoke vent ensures that your food will be evenly smoked, while the smoke diffuser prevents any unwanted bitterness from developing.

The automatic feed system ensures that you’ll get up to nine hours of wood smoking goodness, letting you slow cook whatever you like.

This smoker uses 12 varieties of Wood bisquettes, which gives your meat a delicious smoky flavor. The water basin also collects the wood smoking bisquettes and grease, making it easy to clean.

Buying Guide for Best Affordable Electric Smoker

The process to buy the best affordable smoker can be a little tricky as there are various factors that need to be considered before buying one.

The following things should be kept in mind before you purchase any affordable electric smoker:

Build Materials, Durability, and Longevity

When you are planning to buy a smoker, then the material of construction used for building it is very important. If the smoker is not properly built with good quality materials, then it would be difficult for you to use it regularly without facing any problem.

The electric smoker should come with a high quality, rust-resistant and durable frame so that you can easily use it regularly without any problem.

Size and Cooking Capacity

The size and cooking capacity of the smoker is also important for you to know because it determines the amount of food which you could cook at a time. The cooking capacity of an electric smoker should be large so that if you want to cook more than one type of meat at a time, then it can be done conveniently.

Heat Output

The amount of heat output produced by an electric smoker varies from one brand to another. You should check the heating capacity of the electric smoker before purchasing it.

Wattage

The wattage of the heating element used in an electric smoker is very important because if the wattage is low, then it would take more time to heat up.

Therefore, choose a good quality electric smoker according to your requirement because all of them do not come with the same kind of heating element.

Drip and Water Pan Quality

The quality of the drip and water pan is also important because if you will use a smoker with low-quality pans, then it would be difficult for you to clean the smoked food residue from it.

Ease of Use

The ease of use should also be considered when buying an affordable electric smoker. When you buy a smoker, it is important for you to know that how easy it would be for you to use the device. You should always check the controls and door locks of the smoker before purchasing one.

Ease of Cleaning

You should always check how easy or difficult it would be for you to clean the electric smoker after use.

Price

Price is yet another important factor that you need to consider before buying any affordable electric smoker.

Most of the smokers available in the market come with various features, and prices vary accordingly.

When you know the price range of a smoker before going to purchase one, it becomes much easier for you to choose a product within your budget. You can compare the various products available in different price ranges and then buy the best one for yourself.

Portability

This is yet another key consideration to make while looking for a low-cost electric smoker. If you’re thinking about purchasing one, make sure you check how easy it will be to transport the smoker from one location to another. Most smokers are equipped with wheels, allowing you to effortlessly transport them wherever you need to go.

Performance and Effectiveness

You should always check the effectiveness and performance of a smoker before purchasing it. If you buy a smoker which is not effective and efficient enough, then it would be a wrong decision on your part so consider this factor properly when you are going to buy the electric smoker.

Warranty

Before buying an electric smoker, you must also check the warranty. A good quality smoker should always come with at least one year warranty so that in case if any problem occurs in between the period of the warranty, then you can easily get it repaired or replaced.

Other Features

• Check if an efficient heat indicator is included to let you know if it needs more charcoal or pellets to produce heat.
• Check if a temperature gauge is included with the smoker so that you can easily monitor the internal temperature of the smoker without facing any problem.

When buying any reasonably priced electric smoker, you should consider all the above factors carefully so that you can easily buy the best one for yourself.

In the end, you should always choose a product that comes with all your desired features at an affordable price.

Benefits of Using an Electric Smoker

1. An electric smoker is easy to use and doesn’t require much maintenance.
2. Electric smokers produce tender, juicy, and smoke-flavored meats that are irresistible.
3. Electric smokers are a great way to experiment with different flavors and styles of smoking meat.
4. An electric smoker can be used as a grill, oven, or stove as well as a smoker.
5. Electric smokers are inexpensive compared to other types of smokers and produce delicious food at home. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do electric smokers work?

Electric smokers use a heating element that produces heat to provide you with enough amount of smoke.

The heating element is controlled automatically by a digital controller so that you can easily control the temperature according to your requirement.

You just have to set the desired temperature, and the smoker will maintain it until you switch it off or food has been cooked properly.

What is the best electric smoker for a beginner?

This is really a judgment call. Nowadays, electric smokers are so much improved that you will have no trouble smoking your first meat with it.

So, the best electric smoker for you depends on what makes you happy. If it’s just about having fun and learning something new, then choose the bestseller on Amazon.

Why should you buy an electric smoker?

Electric smokers are much better than other types of smokers because they can provide you with delicious smoked food without using too much fuel, and they also produce less smoke as well as heat compared to other traditional charcoal and gas smokers.

What’s a good brand for an electric smoker?

If you are planning to buy a good electric smoker, then prefer buying a trusted brand because if the company is not reputable, then you can easily face some issues later. Therefore, choose a brand wisely before buying an electric smoker by checking its reputation in the market.

What is the best size for an electric smoker?

Before buying an electric smoker, you must check its size first because if the size is too small, then it will not be able to provide you with enough space for cooking food, and if the size of the smoker is too big, then it will occupy more space in your kitchen.

Therefore, choose a good quality smoker according to your requirement before buying.

Is a Pellet Smoker Better than an Electric Smoker? Aren’t they Similar?

Both types of smokers are very efficient, but they both have some differences as well.

Pellet smokers typically burn wood pellets which heat up the machine and provide you with a better flavor of smoked food.

However, an electric smoker heats up using electricity from a power source, and it is much easier to use for beginners because it does not require too much knowledge.

How does an electric smoker produce smoke with no flames?

Traditional smokers use wood or charcoal in order to produce smoke, but the electric smoker uses a heating element that is controlled by a digital controller so that it can easily control the temperature according to your requirement.

How much wood chips do they burn through? Does this get expensive?

The average smoker can burn 1-2 pounds of chips a day, so if you do the math, that’s only a few bucks a month.

How long does it take to smoke food?

The smoking time depends upon the temperature setting of your electric smoker. It takes around 2-6 hours to smoke food, depending upon the temperature you have set.

How long do electric smokers last?

The life span of an electric smoker varies from person to person. If you are taking good care of your product, then the lifespan will be increased, but if you are using it frequently, then the lifespan becomes low.

How hot do electric smokers get?

The temperature of an electric smoker can go up to 275°F – 325°F. It is not too hot because the heat is not produced directly, but it is produced through electricity.

Can you use an electric smoker indoors?

While an electric smoker can technically be used indoors, we do not recommend this as it may cause your house to smell like a smoked fish.

The smoke from the wood chips will permeate throughout the space and last long after you have taken out whatever you are smoking.

What size food will fit in an electric smoker?

The size of food depends upon the size of your smoker. Some of them come with an adjustable rack which can be increased or decreased according to your requirement.

How much should I expect to spend on a good quality electric smoker?

As a starter smoker, $100 – $150 is the perfect price point. You get solid quality and performance without feeling like you’re investing too much money.

When shopping for good value smokers, keep in mind that electric smokers are usually more affordable than their larger wood/charcoal counterparts.

Conclusion

You should buy an electric smoker according to your requirement. All of the affordable electric smokers are not available with the same kind of features and size. Therefore, choose a good quality electric smoker according to your requirement before buying. You can also check our article on Best Electric Smoker.

I have tried my level best to provide you with accurate and authentic information regarding electric smokers. I hope that all of my words will be very helpful for you and after reading this article you will easily be able to choose a good quality affordable electric smoker for yourself.