Best Electric Smoker Under $400

If you love smoked food, but don’t have a ton of cash to spend on an expensive smoker, then you have landed on the right page. We can understand your situation, and we will provide some ideas to make things easier for you.

When it comes to buying a smoker, there is not much difference between charcoal and electric type. Both of them work in their own way and provide various benefits.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular electric smoker models under $400 and what they offer.

Best Electric Smoker Under $400 Reviews

Cuisinart COS-330 Electric Smoker Review

This smoker is easy to use and has three removable stainless-steel racks that are dishwasher safe. With 548 square inches of interior space, you can smoke anything you like.

This smoker comes with a built-in thermometer to help you monitor the cooking process and a 1500-watt heating element to ensure your food is cooked evenly.

The chrome spring door handle makes opening the smoker easy, even when your hands are full of delicious smoked goodness.

With a lightweight design and a three-year warranty, this smoker is perfect for anyone who wants to start out slow.

The removable water pan and wood chip tray make it easy to keep things clean, so you can focus on the important task of smoking delicious meat.

Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker Review 

With 730 sq. inches of cooking space, this smoker can accommodate even the largest of turkeys or pork butts.

The fully-insulated body ensures that your food stays at the perfect temperature and the four chrome-coated racks provide plenty of space for all of your smoked delights.

The digital panel makes it easy to control the on/off, cooking temperature, and time.

The thermostat-temperature control ensures that the smoker maintains a consistent temperature, while the max temperature setting of 275ᵒ F allows for all types of meat to be smoked.

This smoker features a patented side wood chip loading system, meaning adding your favorite flavorings is a breeze. Its dimensions are 20.47 x 19.88 x 33.26 inches, making it easy to fit on any patio or deck.

Whether you’re an experienced pitmaster or just starting out, this smoker will be perfect for you!

Bradley Smoker BS611 Electric Smoker Review

Now you can create your own smoked delicacies with ease, thanks to the Bradley Smoker BS611 Electric Smoker.

The smoker is easy to use and fully insulated, so your food will always be cooked evenly.

The magnetic door also ensures that your food will stay sealed in, so you’ll never have to worry about losing any of the delicious smoke flavors.

This smoker has a multi-rack design, so you can cook multiple items at once. It also features an analog smoker generator with temperature control and a removable side panel, making it easy to use and clean.

Plus, there are two separately controlled heat elements, i.e., one for the oven and the other for creating smoke, ensuring that your food is cooked perfectly every time.

This smoker features a smoke vent and smoke diffuser to ensure even smoking, while the automatic feed system ensures that your wood supply is always plentiful.

Additionally, the smoker can hold up to 9 hours of smoking, perfect for creating large batches of smoked food.

This smoker comes with 12 different varieties of wood bisquettes, so you can get that perfect flavor every time.

The water basin also collects the bisquettes and grease, making it easy to clean. This smoker is only for outdoor use, so you can smoke your food wherever you want.

Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker Review

The Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker is the perfect way to get that delicious smoked flavor without having to go through all the trouble.

With 457.86 sq. inches of cooking surface and three chrome-coated smoking racks, this smoker has enough space to cook up a feast for the whole family.

The double-wall construction firebox ensures even heat distribution and prevents your food from burning.

With 1500 watts of heating power, this smoker can get up to temperature quickly and maintain it evenly, so your food comes out perfectly every time.

The integrated thermometer ensures that you always have accurate control over the cooking process. The adjustable and removable digital controller makes it easy to customize your smoking experience.

This bad boy has multiple functional uses, from smoked barbecue to firewood grilling. Plus, the door latch system ensures that your food stays safe and secure while it smokes.

And don’t worry about getting burned; the cool-touch spring door handle keeps things nice and cool.

This smoker comes with a removable stainless steel water pan and grease cup, making it easy to keep things clean.

With a lidded chip box, this smoker makes it easy to control the amount of smoke your food gets, ensuring that you get the best flavor possible.

It also has dual side handles for easy transport, so you can take it wherever you go.

Char-Broil 17202004 Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker Review

Make your next cookout a smoked masterpiece with the Char-Broil 17202004 Digital Electric Smoker.

This smoker has a generous 725 sq. in. of cooking space and four adjustable or removable racks, making it easy to cook up a large meal.

The glass door and stainless-steel dual-tone finish give the smoker a sleek look, while the included remote makes it easy to control the cooking process from anywhere in your home.

This smoker features insulated double-wall construction, wattage of up to 750, and a large, stainless steel locking latch for a smoke-tight seal.

This smoker is equipped with a removable temperature gauge, and an advanced control panel with an easy-read LED display, so you can easily monitor your cooking progress.

This smoker also features a high-capacity grease tray to keep your cooking area clean. The integrated handle and wheels make it easy to transport.

Best of all, it turns off automatically so you can focus on your guests instead of tending to your smoker. Plus, the warming feature ensures that everything stays nice and hot until it’s time to eat.

Masterbuilt MB20073519 Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker Review

The Masterbuilt Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker is your solution for creating succulent, smoky meats at home.

With Smart technology, you can control the temperature, lighting and monitor the meat’s progress all from your phone or tablet.

The smoker features four chrome-coated smoking racks that can smoke up to six chickens, two turkeys, four racks of ribs, or four pork butts.

The smoker has a built-in meat probe thermometer to help you monitor the temperature, as well as a thermostat temperature to ensure your food is cooked perfectly every time.

The side wood chip loading system makes adding chips easy, and the rear grease tray catches any excess grease or drippings, so your smoker stays clean.

Whether you’re a novice when it comes to smoking meat or has been doing it for years, this smoker is perfect for you.

Buying Guide for Best Electric Smoker Under 400

Before buying an electric smoker, you need to know some important aspects about it. There are some things which you should keep in mind while purchasing and these things will help you buy the best model for yourself.

Let’s look at some of the factors to consider before purchasing:

Construction

The important thing that you should check before making your purchase is the construction of the product.

If you do not check this aspect, then there are chances that you will get a low-quality product. Some people don’t pay heed to the material of construction, and then they repent later after purchasing it.

So, when checking its construction, make sure that you choose a strong material that will stay with you for a long period.

Type

There are different types of electric smokers available in the market, and they all come with different features. So, it is your responsibility to choose which type you want according to your choice.

If you do not know about them, then just check online and find out which one is best for you according to your budget. This is the best way for you to choose which type of smokers are good and which one is not.

Price

The price also matters a lot as everyone does not have enough money to buy it. So, whether you like it or not, you will have to choose one according to your budget.

If you have the money to spend on it, then just check out different products which are available at an affordable price range. And if you do not have enough money to buy it, then try finding out some discounts or offers that are being provided by those companies for their new customers.

Size Matters

Before buying any of the models, keep in mind that you should choose the best one according to your need. It would be better for you if you choose a bigger size smoker even though it will cost more.

If your family is big, then try having a larger model as they are providing different compartments in it with which you can cook more food at the same time. This will help you save time as well as money.

Warranty

Another important aspect that you should check before making your purchase is the warranty. Most of the companies offer a warranty for 1 year, but there are some which offer more than one year also.

The above are some of the features which you should consider before buying an electric smoker for yourself. If you do not follow these instructions, then there are chances that you will end up with a bad product, and then it would be frustrating for you to deal with that one.

So, make sure that you choose the best one according to your need. You should not compromise with the quality of the product as you will have to use it for a long period.

This is the only way through which you can save money from being wasted on purchasing another product after a short time period.

So, if you follow these instructions, then there are chances that you will choose the best electric smoker which you are looking for.

Benefits of Using Electric Smoker

• Electric smokers are easy to use and maintain.
• They produce consistent, low-temperature smoke that is ideal for smoking meats, poultry, and fish.
• Electric smokers do not require constant tending, so you can step away from the smoker to take care of other things.
• They are smoke-tight, so your smoker will not fill up with smoke and flavor your food with unwanted smoky flavors.
• Electric smokers are relatively affordable compared to other types of smokers.
• They are portable, making them ideal for tailgating or taking on camping trips.
• Some electric smokers come with built-in thermostats, so you can precisely control the temperature of your smoker.
• They are easy to clean, requiring only a quick wipe down after each use.
• Electric smokers do not produce any flare-ups, so your food will not char or burn.
• They come in a variety of sizes, so you can find the perfect electric smoker for your needs.

These are just some of the many benefits of using electric smokers. So, if you’re looking for a hassle-free way to smoke meat, poultry, or fish, an electric smoker is definitely the way to go.

Tips on Using Electric Smoker for Smoking Food

• Keep a close eye on the water pan in your electric smoker, and refill it before necessary to ensure that there is enough moisture in the smoker to produce plenty of smoke.
• Cut off any outside fat from whatever you are smoking before placing it in your electric smoker for best results.
• Don’t rely entirely on the automatic feeding mechanism in your smoker – you may need to add some additional wood chips or chunks to the smoker every few hours to keep the smoke going.
• Make sure the food you are smoking is properly insulated with a good layer of fat, especially if you are smoking at a high temperature.
• Experiment with different types of wood chips to find out which ones you like best. Each type of wood imparts a different flavor to the food, so experimenting with different types of wood will allow you to enhance the flavors in your food.
• When smoking foods, try not to overcook them – cook until they are done and no longer.
• Some people like to apply a dry rub before smoking their meats, fish, or poultry to enhance the flavors of the food. Experiment with different dry rub combinations to find out which ones you enjoy most.
• You can use your electric smoker to smoke all kinds of food, including vegetables, nuts, and cheeses. So get creative and experiment with different types of recipes to see what you can come up with.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an electric smoker?

Electric smokers are appliances that use electricity to create heat for smoking. They are easier than charcoal smokers because you don’t need to check the temperature or start a fire.

Most models come with built-in thermometers, and some even come with digital controls that make it easy to set your ideal temperatures. Many also come with separate controls for heat and smoke production.

What is the difference between electric smokers and pellet smokers?

Pellet smokers use small wood pellets as fuel and an auger to push them into the heating element.

Electric smokers use a heating element to heat up a metal box, which in turn heats up whatever you put inside of it.

Some people prefer one over the other because they offer more control over temperature, and pellet smokers tend to be slightly more affordable.

Is an electric smoker a good starter smoker?

An electric smoker is a great choice for a beginner because it comes with built-in thermometers and doesn’t require any fire to get started. They’re also easier to clean than charcoal smokers.

How do I measure the temperature of my smoker?

There are two ways you can monitor the temperature of your smoker. One is to manually check the thermometer that comes with it, and the other is to get a separate wireless thermometer that you can monitor from inside the house.

Do I need a water pan in my electric smoker?

No, you don’t. If the smoker has one already, then it’s good to use that, but if there isn’t one, then there also isn’t any need for you to buy an extra water pan.

How do you prevent the electric smoker from overheating?

There are several ways an electric smoker can be protected against overheating. One of them is lowering the smoking temperature.

Can I use wood chips in my electric smoker?

Yes, you can. There are smokers out there that are compatible with wood chips. You can simply throw in some wood chips, or you can put them in a smoking box.

What is the best temperature for smoking ribs?

The most important steps to cooking the perfect slab of ribs are applying your favorite dry rub, letting them sit overnight in the refrigerator, and brushing on your favorite BBQ sauce towards the end of cooking time.

You should cook ribs at 250 degrees Fahrenheit until they start falling off the bone.

What is the best brand for an electric smoker?

The best brand for an electric smoker is Masterbuilt because they make a wide variety of models with different features. These include built-in meat probes, digital displays, and adjustable racks. They’re also easy to clean and have a good number of positive customer reviews.

Are electric smokers any good?

Yes, electric smokers are good because they utilize electricity for cooking food. This allows you to set it and forget it, letting your meats cook at optimal temperatures for hours without burning them.

Can you use an electric smoker in the house?

You can use electric smokers in the house, but if you want to avoid any problems, then it’s best that you place them outside.

Can I use my electric smoker for cold smoking?

This solely depends on the type of electric smoker that you have. If it’s one of those high-quality ones, then there is a good chance that you can use it to cold smoke some cheese and such things.

Is it better to cook with wood or without wood?

Both types of smoking methods will give you equally delicious results, but it’s important to note that traditional smoking methods take longer than electric options. This is because the heat source needs more time to reach optimal smoking temperatures.

What are electric smokers good for?

Smokers are known to be easy to use and produce high-quality results. They’re good for cooking meats like beef brisket, sausage, turkey, pork shoulder, chicken wings, and ribs. They can also be used to smoke vegetables like cauliflower and asparagus.

Conclusion

As you can see, we have taken a look at some of the best electric smokers on the market under 400 and reviewed them for you. You can also check our article on Best Electric Smoker Grill Combo.

We hope this post has been helpful in your search for the best electric smoker. Thanks for reading. Happy Shopping!!