There’s so much choice when it comes to electric smokers! A heap of different brands offering different wattages, sizes, and, other features. So, if you know you want electric and you’d like the extra precision that digital gives you, you’re on the right page.
In our best digital smoker review, we’ve sorted the top choices from the rest to give you confidence in what you’re buying, without having to do the hours and hours of research and testing we’ve done.
The digital electric smokers here have been recommended based on their performance, reliability, features and user reviews. Regardless of what size you need and the budget you have, you’ll find something here to suit.
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Table of Contents
Most Popular Digital Smoker:
Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker
The bestselling smoker from industry leader Masterbuilt, you can’t go wrong with the ease and consistency you get from the MB20071117.
Also known as the MES 130|B, this smoker does exactly what you need it to without unnecessary and expensive features.
The 800 watt heating element is powerful enough to heat it’s 711 square inches of cooking space. And, the body is fully insulated for maximum heat retention and great performance, even when the weather is cooler.
The digital controller is allows you to set the temperature exactly where you want it while the thermostat reliably keeps it there. The side-loading wood chip port lets you add more smoke without opening the door, disrupting the heat inside.
But, if you don’t even want to do that, you can get Masterbuilt’s Slow Smoker attachment that will automatically feed wood chips into the smoker for up to 6 hours. It’s also great for cold smoking (took a place as one of our favorite cold smoking solutions) and has a removable ash tray for easy cleaning.
In terms of layout, you’ve got 4 cooking racks set over a water and drip tray, wood chip tray and heating element. It’s enough to fit 4 chickens, pork butts or racks of ribs. Or, you can even remove 2 of the racks to cook 2 whole turkeys.
But, go and check out the price! The MB20071117 is a steal. It’s performance and quality for the price is next to none.
Specs for the Masterbuilt MES 130B
Fuel type: Digital electric
Wattage: 800 watts
Barbecue material: Insulated steel
Grate material: Chrome-coated wire
Cooking capacity: 711 sq. in.
Price guide: $
Model: MB20071117
Dimensions: 20″ W x 33″ H x 19″ D
Weight: 46lbs
Warranty: 1 year
Pros of the Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker:
- Well-powered 800 watt heating element
- Fully-insulated body retains heat well for better performance in colder conditions
- Simple digital control panel
- Moderate capacity suits most users
- Removable racks mean you can fit larger cuts of meat like a turkey
- Accurate temperature maintenance
- Side loading wood chip port lets you add more smoke without letting valuable heat out
- Great price
- Optional cold smoking kit available
- Leg extension kit sold separately if you want to raise the height of this Masterbuilt
Cons of the Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker:
- Prone to peeling paint
- Digital controller can be hard to read in direct sunlight
- You need the Slow Smoker attachment if you want to cold smoke foods like cheeses
Best Smoker Quality:
Bradley BS611 Digital Electric Smoker
For the most clean and pure smoke production in electric cooking, the Bradley Digital Electric Smoker is unbeatable.
They work slightly differently from traditional electric smokers. Instead of putting wood chips over a heating element to create smoke, there’s a dedicated smoke box with it’s own heating element that burns their 100% natural Wood Smoking Bisquettes for clean and consistent smoke throughout your cook.
Once the Bisquettes have been smoked for an exact amount of time, they’re actually doused before the wood turns to ash so you don’t get any bitter and toxic byproducts filtering through your food.
The result really is a much better smoke quality on a type of smoker that’s typically harder to get smoking well.
But, healthier smoke isn’t all. Using the Bradley Bisquette system is way easier as well. You can get up to 9 hours of smoke time where you literally don’t need to touch a thing. It’s simple, easy, a bit more expensive, but, ultimately a better product.
The size is a little smaller, but, similar to the other electric smokers on this list. It’s fully insulated for efficient performance in cooler climates. Oh, and, the inside is all stainless steel for improved durability as well.
You really are getting a quality product with a Bradley Digital Smoker.
Specs for the Bradley BS611 Digital Smoker
Barbecue material: Stainless steel interior
Grate material: Stainless steel
Cooking capacity: 572 sq. in.
Fuel type: Digital electric
Temperature range: Up to 250°F
Wattage: 500 watt cooking element + 125 watt smoking element
Price guide: $
Model: BS611
Assembled size (in): 18(W) x 20(D) x 34(H)
Weight: 45 lbs
Warranty: 1 year
Pros of the Bradley Digital Smoker:
- Produces clean, consistent and healthier smoke by having a separate smoking element
- Automatic feeding feature makes it a true set and forget smoker
- Quality stainless steel interior makes it durable and easy to clean
- Full insulation keeps running costs low when the weather isn’t great
- Works as a cold smoker as well
- You can actually turn the smoke generator off after a couple of hours when the meat absorbs the most flavor and then just run the cooking element to finish off the meat and save on bisquettes
Cons of the Bradley Digital Smoker:
- You’ve got to buy the Bradley Bisquettes which are more expensive than buying any old wood chips
- Cooking burner has a lower maximum temperature than some other brands which might limit some people’s cooking style
Best Alternative Digital Electric Smoker:
Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D 30" Digital Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt is definitely a fan favorite. But, this similarly priced digital smoker from Dyna-Glo is a worthwhile alternative that also has a double latch door system and internally stored meat thermometer to monitor the progress of your cook without using a separate unit.
Dyna-Glo haven’t been around for as long as Masterbuilt (they started making their top rated offset smokers). But, they’ve got a solid reputation for manufacturing well-priced smokers that perform.
Just like the MB20071117, the Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D is powered by an 800 watt heating element. It’s well-sized for it’s 732 square inches of cooking space that’s split over 4 racks. And, there’s double-wall insulation around the firebox and a great door seal to minimize heat loss.
To add wood chips mid-cook, there’s a large, side-access loader. Plus, the internal removable drip tray makes clean up easy.
Simple, effective and well-priced, the Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D is a top unit that should only see it’s popularity rise as more people become familiar with the brand.
Specs for the DGU732BDE-D 30" Digital Electric Smoker
Barbecue material: Steel with a double-wall insulated firebox
Grate material: Chrome-plated steel
Cooking capacity: 732 sq in
Fuel type: Electric
Wattage: 800 watts
Price guide: $
Model: DGU732BDE-D
Assembled size (in): 32.5 H x 19.4 W x 19 D
Weight: 62.2 lbs
Warranty: 1 year limited
Pros of the Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D Digital Electric Smoker:
- Well-sized burner for efficient smoking
- Double-walled insulated firebox for improved heat retention
- Effective door seal with double latch system to lock heat and smoke in
- Easy to use digital control panel
- Comes with 1 internally stored meat probe so you can monitor how done your meat is without opening the lid (temperature displays on control panel)
- External side-loading wood chip feature lets you add more smoke without disrupting the cooking temperature
- Great price
Cons of the Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D Digital Electric Smoker:
- Would be nice if the double-wall insulation extended up through the cooking chamber as well. But, the great seal and latch system does help minimize heat loss and the unit does still perform in cooler conditions
- Reports of trouble with customer service
Best Digital Smoker With Window:
Char-Broil 17202004 Digital Electric Smoker, Deluxe
For anyone who likes to be able to peek at what they’re cooking without opening the door, slowing down the cook, the Char-Broil Deluxe 17202004 is our top pick.
Powered by a 750 watt heating element, you’ve got 725 square inches of cooking space that’s split over 4 racks. It’s fully insulated, boosting the smokers efficiency and reducing running costs. The extra large stainless steel side latch is easy to lock in place and also helps to keep the seal really tight.
Unlike our first two picks, the Char-Broil 17202004 doesn’t have a side-loading wood chip option. But, the wood chip holds 4 cups which theoretically gives you up to 7 hours of smoke production. We find it’s more like 4 hours. But, it’s still a decently long enough time that you’re not having to check on the smoker every hour or so.
The grease cup on this thing is also huge! Like holds 8.5 cups worth. Easy to use and easy to clean. You also get 1 meat temperature probe that’s removable for easy cleaning.
If remote control is also you’re jam, the Char-Broil 17202004 comes with a small remote. You can use it to see the temperature, set it, and, see how long you’ve got left. The working distance isn’t huge. But, it’s an easy way to monitor your cook without having to go outside again.
Oh, and it’s also got stainless steel wire racks, an extra that helps to justify it’s slightly higher price and boost it’s durability.
Specs for the Char-Broil 17202004 Deluxe Digital Smoker
Barbecue material: Double-walled steel
Grate material: Stainless steel wire
Cooking capacity: 725 sq in
Fuel type: Digital electric
Wattage: 950 watts
Price guide: $
Model: 17202004
Assembled size (in): 32.5(H) x 18(W) x 16.5(D)
Weight: 50.2 lbs
Warranty: 1 year
Pros of the Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker:
- Moderate capacity to suit most cooks
- Stainless steel racks
- Clear window so you can see what’s inside
- Includes 1 removable meat probe for exact monitoring of how cooked your meat is
- Fully insulated design for improved efficiency and performance in colder climates
- Appropriately sized heating element for the space
- Extra large wood tray gives at least 4 hours of unaided smoke time
- Large grease tray reduces need for mid-cook cleans
- The deluxe version comes with a remote so you can control it from the couch
- You can get a stand for it if you want to raise the height
Cons of the Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker:
- Even though the wood chip tray is so large, you’ll probably have to open the door to add more at some point during your cook
- Controls aren’t super straight-forward. Like you might actually have to read the manual
- Some people have had trouble with the remote control only working intermittently
Best Bluetooth Digital Smoker:
Masterbuilt MB20074719 Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker
For anyone looking for an electric smoker with a wireless hook up, the Masterbuilt MB20074719 is our top choice.
Digital bluetooth electric smokers have terrible reputations for not working well. But, the MB20074719 breaks the mold by being such a solid smoker with a reliable connection that lets you adjust and check the cooking temperature, or turn the whole machine on or off from your phone.
The MB20074719 also comes with 1 internal meat probe so that you can see exactly how done your meat is. And, it’s temperature displays direct on your phone.
Just like all Masterbuilts, you get a convenient side-loading wood chip port, insulated sides, and, a heating element that’s big enough to power the space.
Available in both a 40″ and 30″ model, it’s also a great choice when it comes to a larger digital electric smoker.
Specs for the Masterbuilt MB20074719 40" Bluetooth Electric Smoker
Barbecue material: Double-walled steel
Grate material: Chrome-coated wire
Cooking capacity: 975 sq in
Fuel type: Digital electric
Wattage: 1,200 watts
Price guide: $
Model: 20074719
Assembled size (in): 41 (H) x 25 (W) x 19 (D)
Weight: 66 lbs
Warranty: 1 year
Pros of the Masterbuilt Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker:
- Bluetooth connectivity lets you control this smoker from your phone
- Powerful heating element that’s well-sized for the space
- Two size options to suit your needs
- Side-loading wood chip port lets you add more smoke without letting the heat out
- Comes with 1 meat probe so you can accurately monitor how well your meat is done (and see it through the smart phone app)
- Insulated design to boost efficiency during the colder months
- Window design also lets you see how your food is going without opening the door
Cons of the Masterbuilt Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker:
- You’ll still need to refill the wood chips every hour or so, it’s not completely set and forget
- The light doesn’t really shine inside the cooking chamber well so isn’t the best
