10 Best Smoker Grills for 2022 – Buyers Guide

There is nothing quite like the taste of a carefully smoked meal. From racks of ribs to chicken and vegetables, there are few things that don’t taste especially amazing when they have been prepared in a smoker.

Some people who are dedicated to their grill may disagree, but once they have a taste of something that had been smoked, it’s hard to find fault with the quality of food from a smoker.

Grills are wonderful when the occasion calls for it, but smokers are becoming easier and easier to use and are rising among the ranks of the best way to prepare food.

You may find yourself thinking that smoking food is a complicated process, or only professionals should attempt to do it with hot charcoal. That just isn’t the case.

There are now many different types of electric smokers perfect for your home. You have the option to choose a pellet smoker (similar to a wood pellet grill), an electric smoker, a charcoal smoker, a gas smoker, or a smoker that runs on wood chips to buy to use at home.

Whatever your wants or needs are in a smoker grill, you should be able to find the best option that is right for you after seeing the list we have put together.

It is important to figure out what is important to you in a smoker grill. Do you lean toward something easy to use with a set it and forget it type of capability? Do you need a lot of cooking space? Do you want a combination grill and smoker? Is it the price? Do you want the best portable grill?

Once you see all the options available to you and what sort of features they include, the only thing left to figure out is what type of smoker is the one you want to buy. Decide on a price point, whether you want to use charcoal to smoke your food or another source of heat, what you are smoking, and how often, how many options or features smokers should have and get smoking! Are you interested in brands like the Big Green Egg, Camp Chef, or the Weber Smokey Mountain? Are they even available? Let’s find out.

Having so many options can be overwhelming, which is why this list includes the best smokers for each category. Our list of smokers is one that promises to help you find what you like, even if you don’t know what that is going into this.

Short on Time? Consider These Top 3

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9.5
Camp Chef Woodwind

Camp Chef Woodwind Best smart smoker

If you just want to have the latest in smart technology and wi-fi connectivity when it comes to choosing your new smoker, the Camp Chef Woodwind might be right up your alley.
9.5
Kamado Joe Classic III

Kamado Joe Best portable combo

The Kamado Joe is the best portable place for the cauldron available. If you are looking to grill or smoke, you can do both with the Kamado Joe. 
9.5
Kamado Joe KJ23RHC

Big Green Egg (Large) Best Value

If you want plenty of cooking space in a high-quality kamado smoker and great control over what and how much you cool, this may be a great option for you.
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How to Choose the Best Smokers for Your Needs

What do you plan to be cooking with your smoker? How much do you plan to cook at a time? Is it important to have more square inches of cooking space, or is it more important to you to have the smoker with the best capacity as the best charcoal smoker or the one that is a top pick among users?

It is important to consider ahead of time what you plan to be cooking, how much, and how often to make sure you select the smoker the capability to fulfill your desires.

Read before you buy to save yourself some hassle and stress when choosing which purchase to make. We have a good feeling that something on our list should catch your eye.

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Comparison Table

Our research is based on the hard statistics of each of the smokers that we mention as well as user reviews from all over the internet. Our buying guide is meant to be taken as a suggestion, so bear that in mind while browsing through our selection.

We provide you with everything you need to know to pick the best smoker for you. Here are our top picks for the best smokers, the best grills, and the best smoker combos available to you.

Smoker GrillsCooking SpaceWeightDimensionsReview
Camp Chef Woodwind – The best smart smoker382 sq in156 Pounds30 x 43 x 49 inchesCheck Price
Kamado Joe – The Best portable combo18 inches316 Pounds30 x 46.5 x 50.5 inchesCheck Price
Big Green Egg (Large) – Best value for the price18 1/4 inches250 Pounds26.4 x 26.4 x 36 inchesCheck Price
Weber Smokey Mountain – Best wood pellet smoker grills672 sq in68 Pounds24 x 23 x 48.5 inchesCheck Price
Green Mountain Daniel Boone – Best for features458 sq in57.32 Pounds29.92 x 14.96 x 21.65 inchesCheck Price
Char-Griller Duo – Best for Versatility1260 sq in160 pounds48 x 21.5 x 13.5 inchesCheck Price
Smoke Hollow – Best for a smaller budget418 sq in34.9 pounds16.5 x 19 x 35.5 inchesCheck Price
Traeger Pro Series – Best name brand884 sq in150 pounds22 x 54 x 49 inchesCheck Price
NOMAD – Best for little storage space425 sq in31 pounds20.5 x 13.5 x 9.5 inchesCheck Price
Camerons Products – Best for indoor smoking198 sq in2.1 pounds3.54 x 7.44 x 10.12 inchesCheck Price
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The 10 Best Smoker Grills: Detailed Review

1. Camp Chef Woodwind – The Best Smart Smoker

If you are looking for a smoker that is smarter than all the rest and automates most of the smoking process for you, this Camp Chef Woodwind is perfect for you.

This is one of the best pellet smokers available.

This great smoker may look small to the naked eye, but it has an impressively sized cooking area. It comes with a tell-all app that allows you to control the temperature at the touch of a button, or in this case, the tap of an app.

This smoker can connect to wi-fi to work with the app. The app can tell you everything from the current temperature to when to flip or remove the meat from the heat.

Features

  • Large cooking area
  • Great value- the price point on this smoker is lower than what you might expect
  • Automatic temperature control
  • Median price
  • Automatic pellet feed- This smoker senses when the temperature is fluctuating and automatically add more pellets to maintain the heat, but stops on its own when the temperature regulates.
  • An accompanying app
9.5Expert Score
Takeaway

If you want the peace of mind of knowing that you have a lot of help from your smoker, or if you just want to have the latest in smart technology and wi-fi connectivity when it comes to choosing your new smoker, the Camp Chef Woodwind might be right up your alley. This is truly a set it and forget it electric smoker.

Pros
  • Automatic controls mean there’s less guesswork for you
  • Wi-fi capabilities mean that you don’t have to drain your data plan for this one
  • This is the best pellet smoker for someone just starting out since it monitors so much for you
  • Automatic pellet feed is great for the first time smoker that doesn’t know how much to add
Cons
  • Since it’s fully automated, it requires a ton of power. Make sure you have ample access to electricity or a large power source.

2. Kamado Joe – The Best Portable Smoker/Grill Combo

Kamado means ‘Place for the Cauldron’ in Japanese. The Kamado Joe is the best portable place for the cauldron available. If you are looking to grill or smoke, you can do both with the Kamado Joe. You can even bake bread or cook a pizza once you buy the proper attachment. The Kamado comes as a pellet smoker, a gas smoker, a wood smoker, an electric smoker, or a charcoal smoker. The KamadoJoe is a grill and smoker combo, so if you’re looking to take your smoking on the go, you may want to get this one!

Features

  • Easy to use temperature controls
  • Built-in thermometer
  • Automatic timers
  • Fair price
  • A remote control option
  • Pellet feeder
9.5Expert Score
Takeaway

If you are looking for something to function as a grill and smoker, something to be portable, and something that is easy to use, then the Kamado Joe may be the grill smoker for you.

Pros
  • Easy to light
  • Simple
  • Efficient
  • Affordable
  • Portable
Cons
  • Smaller cooking space than some of its competitors

3. The Big Green Egg – The Best Value for Price

While it may be a more expensive kamado smoker on our list of electric smokers, the Big Green Egg is also the best smoker in terms of value. This popular brand of kamado smoker features seven different sizes for all of your cooking needs, but the top pick among buyers is the Large size. This charcoal smoker is easy to clean, easy to get, and can make it easy to smoke a wide variety of foods and dishes.

With this charcoal smoker, you can grill, roast, smoke, bake, and sear with ease and confidence. This is among the best smokers and grills on the market, and you might just like it!

Features

  • Ceramic Insulation
  • Versatile
  • Kamado-Style
  • Charcoal ready
  • An assortment of sizes
  • Dozens of accessories (Sold separately for another price)
  • Lifetime warranty
9.5Expert Score
Takeaway

If you want plenty of cooking space in a high-quality kamado smoker and great control over what and how much you cool, this may be a great option for you. This smoker is where you truly get everything you pay for.

Pros
  • Various sizes allow you to fit the Big Green Egg into any outdoor cooking environment
  • Easy to clean
  • A lifetime warranty allows you the comfort of knowing you’ve selected a great product
  • The ability to accommodate dozens of accessories means you can prepare just about anything
  • Size- You can easily smoke 12 burgers, six chickens vertically, or seven racks of ribs vertically. Having room for everything in your smoker is no longer an issue. It has value down to the last square inch!
Cons
  • The price point itself is the biggest drawback concerning these types of smokers, but it’s hard to argue with the price when you get so much out of one device.

4. The Weber Smokey Mountain Wood Pellet Grill – The Best Wood Pellet Smoker Grill

Smokey Mountain is known for its pellet smokers. You are never going to be let down by a Smokey Mountain cooker. With temperature control, the ability to heat and smoke quickly, the use of wood pellets, and good results, the line of Weber smokey mountain pellet smokers might be the best grill and smoker for you.

The Weber Smokey Mountain Smokefire EX4 Woodfired pellet grill is a perfect grill and smoker for anyone to try. This Smokey Mountain cooker delivers satisfaction time after time and brings pride to its brand.

Features

  • A temperature range of 200-00 degrees Fahrenheit to suit a wide range of meats and vegetables
  • Weber Connect
  • 672 square inches of cooking space
  • A high capacity side hopper for wood pellets
9Expert Score
Takeaway

The Smokey Mountain cooker Smokefire EX4 Woodfired pellet grill is the best option for fans of the wood pellet grill that also want a ton of cooking space. If you look for a large cooking surface in your pellet smokers, you need to look no further than Smokey Mountain. Pellet grills just got a lot hotter with the introduction of the Weber on the market!

Pros
  • A huge cooking surface with a lot of square inches
  • Weber Connect built right into the smoker lets you know when it is time to flip food or when food is done. It also has a countdown timer to tell you exactly how much longer your food has to cook.
Cons
  • Some users have reported a few technical difficulties with some of the features

5. The Green Mountain Daniel Boone Grill – The Best for Features

If you want the most out of your pellet grill and smoker, look no further than the Green Mountain Daniel Boone Grill. This incredible machine boasts 458 square inches of cooking surface and is among the best smokers available for your money. You can grill and smoke at the same time with this incredible work of engineering.

Other charcoal smokers and electric smokers seem like a thing of the past when you feast your eyes on this incredible grill and smoker, and you see how easy it is to maintain a low and slow cook on the best smoker grill that Green Mountain has to offer.

Features

  • A front shelf that collapses in when not using it
  • An interior grill light
  • reinforced cooking grates
  • High quality steel construction; solid build quality!
  • The ability to mount a rotisserie spit
  • 12V power
  • Grill window to check on your food without having to open the lid
  • Window in the pellet box to easily check your pellet levels
  • Wi Fi connectivity
  • Smart Control app allows you temperature control over everything you cook
  • Dual meat temperature probes
9Expert Score
Takeaway

In terms of pellet grills and electric smokers, the Green Mountain Daniel Boone can't be beaten for features, size, price, and ease of use. Your meat comes out juicy, smoky, and perfect every time since you don't need to open the lid mid-cook to monitor. Since it has so many monitoring capabilities, there should be no problem cooking your meat low and slow all day and well into the evening without having to worry about not catching fluctuations in temperature and not ending up with what you had hoped for.

Pros
  • Interior grill light and grill window allow you to monitor food without lifting the lid and allowing juices to escape.
  • Dual meat temperature probes allow you to monitor the temperature of your food as it simultaneously grills and smokes
  • Smart Control app allows you to monitor and adjust smoking and grilling temperatures from your seat in an increment of five degrees at a time.
  • Wi-fi connectivity allows you to make use of the app without draining your data plan
  • The large cooking area makes it easy to feed large groups of people at one time, perfect for parties!
Cons
  • Uses a large amount of power in order to run
  • While you get so much for your money, this grill and smoker is among the more expensive models on the market

Everything you make is going to be so good; a line might even form beside this grill and smoker so people can get their hands on some of what’s cooking! People can even line up for seconds with its 458 square inches of space for food.

6. Char-Griller Duo Gas and Charcoal Smoker Grill Combo – The Best for Versatility

You’ve never seen anything quite like this stainless steel beauty before. This Char-Griller combines the flavor and quality of charcoal smokers with the ease and simplicity of gas smokers. This is among the grills that might change the face of easy to use smokers for years to come. Smoking your food may never be the same with this one.

Features

  • Three methods of cooking side by side- a gas grill, a charcoal grill, and a smoker
  • Between both the charcoal grill and gas grill, there are 1,200 square inches of space for your food
  • A grate with adjustable height settings
  • Durable stainless steel construction
  • An acceptable price for the number of options you get
  • Cast iron grates with porcelain coating for easy cleanup
8.5Expert Score
Takeaway

Other grills may be smaller or just for smoking, but this one is special. This one is not like other smokers or grills on this list. Its use of both charcoal and gas is unique among smokers and grills. This is perfect if you like to smoke at the same time you grill or if you simply want multiple options in one place instead of having to use multiple grills.

Pros
  • In the past, there would either be charcoal smokers or gas smokers; this once machine has the versatility to be both at the same time
  • A large area for cooking means you can feed more people than other smokers or grills on this list
  • The adjustable grate allows you total control over how close your food is to the heat source
  • The coating on the cast-iron grates makes it easy to use and easy to clean
Cons
  • This grill is not as easy to assemble as some of the other charcoal and gas smokers on this list
  • Some parts rust easily if left exposed to the elements. Be sure you have a safe, dry place to store this smoking wonder to avoid having to deal with rust

7. The Smoke Hollow 30″ Electric Smoker – The Best for a Smaller Budget

Electric grills are less expensive than charcoal grills by design, and this digital electric smoker is no exception. While other smokers on this list include a grill feature, this one is designed to only smoke. If you are only reading this list for smoking machines, you are in luck with Smoke Hollow.

The Smoke Hollow is the best electric smoker for the best price. For the best smoke you can hope to get, other grills are just going to let you down.

Features

  • Three chrome-plated racks for lots of space to smoke food
  • Digital control panel
  • Impressive insulation
  • A reasonable price
8.5Expert Score
Takeaway

Other grills are made for just grilling, but the Smoke Hollow is not like other grills. For this price, you get a dedicated smoker that you are going to really like; and you'll really enjoy the price tag, too. Nothing smokes like the Smoke Hollow.

Pros
  • The digital control panel allows you to set and control your temperature easily
  • Great insulation means wonderful temperature control
  • The lower price means its more affordable than most grills, and you can get it without breaking the bank
  • Easy to assemble for the first time- Not frustrating to get started!
Cons
  • You have to open the door to get to the woodchip tray. This is a feature reviewers don’t like because having to open the door means inviting temperature fluctuations.

8. Traeger Pro Series 34-Inch (Gen 1) Wood Pellet Grill – The Best Name Brand

Traeger is a leading name in grills and smokers. Traeger grills are best known for being the best wood pellet grills available for purchase. Traeger has been deemed the ‘King’ of wood pellet grills, so they must be doing something right. This middle of the line priced grill allows you to have the Traeger name without the standard name brand markup that many companies are known for.

You’re going to like the standard features available for the cost of this incredible name brand grill.

Features

  • Sawhorse cart style for stability while cooking
  • Versatile cooking options
  • Dual probe thermometers allow you to cook different meats to different temperatures at the same time
  • A bronze lid and powder-coated steel construction
  • Porcelain-coated grill racks for easy cleaning
  • A heat range f 180 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit so you can slowly smoke a brisket or sear a steak at the same time
  • Easy to use auto-start
8Expert Score
Takeaway

Sometimes, a name brand is well-respected for a reason, and that's what you get with a Traeger grill or smoker. Especially considering what you pay for it, you get an incredible value with a Traeger. Traeger means quality, versatility, and satisfaction, and that's exactly what you get with this smoker. Become part of the Traeger family, and start enjoying the way you smoke and grill!

Pros
  • Versatility in the dishes you can make
  • Precise control over temperatures
  • Energy efficient
  • Sturdy cart and wheels allow for easy movement around your outdoor cooking area
Cons
  • The size of this smoker means that it requires a large area for storage

9. The NOMAD Grill & Smoker – The Best for Little Storage Space

Having a full-sized smoker grill is exciting, but trying to find a place to keep it when not in use is less exciting for some users. Not everyone who wants to take up smoking has a shed or large garage to store a massive smoker conveniently.

This is where the NOMAD comes in. This little smoker packs a mean punch in the flavor department and isn’t much bigger than a standard briefcase. Gone are the days of trying to figure out where to store a massive smoker with this tiny model.

Features

  • Multi-layer cast-aluminum construction
  • Fully portable with a unique carrying handle
  • Magnetic vent sliders
  • 425 inches square of available space to cook food
7.5Expert Score
Takeaway

Don't be fooled by its size; the NOMAD is capable of producing huge flavor just as well as its full-sized competitors without the hassle of trying to find a large enough area to store it when not in use. It is well-made and produces incredible meals with each use.

Pros
  • The multi-layer construction keeps the outer layers cool enough to be set on nearly any standard surface
  • Its portability makes it perfect for back yards, patios, beach days, camping, fishing, hunting, or tailgating
  • The magnetic vent sliders are perfect for airflow control and the containment of ash
  • Can be stored just about anywhere with its compact size and minimal weight
Cons
  • It has been reported that this is not the easier smoker to clean

10. Camerons Products Stovetop Smoker – The Best for Indoor Smoking

Smokers have been an outdoor cooking method up until now. In addition to the size restricting these cookers for indoor use, the level of smoke produced is generally unsafe for a standard kitchen. Some electric smokers are not the best for use on a rainy day, so what do you do when the weather doesn’t cooperate, but you are in the mood for a nicely smoked meal? You use a stovetop smoker! This gadget makes smoking food indoors a breeze!

Features

  • Can also be used to steam, poach, or roast food
  • Self-storage: all of the included accessories can be stored inside the smoker for convenience once it cools down enough to safely put away
  • A non-stick rack
  • A drip pan
  • A removable lid
  • Purchase includes three pints of flavored wood chips and a recipe guide
7Expert Score
Takeaway

Never let the weather take control of your ability to smoke your food again! With this stovetop cooker, you are in total control of your cooking environment! Its ability to be used over a campfire also enables you to still be able to smoke food outside without purchasing a separate item!

Pros
  • The ability to use it as storage for all of its parts is convenient and saves space
  • Stainless steel parts are dishwasher safe
  • The included recipe guide is great for first time users who aren’t sure how to get started
  • The included wood chips give you a sample of the available flavors on the market, so you can try them before blindly committing to a full-sized bag
  • Can be used on any surface- a gas stove, an electric stove, or even a campfire!
Cons
  • The smaller size prohibits how many people you can cook for at one time
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Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes a Smoker Different than a Gas Grill or a Charcoal Grill?

A gas grill is best for cooking food at either a very low or very high heat. The temperature is very easily maintained and there aren’t fluctuations, which is why it’s ideal for cooking something that needs a steady, single heat level. There is usually no smoky flavor profile produced when using a gas grill.

charcoal grill is best for food that needs to be cooked at medium heat or higher. With charcoal, maintaining a consistent temperature is still pretty simple, but it takes a little more monitoring and control. Due to the nature of charcoal, a moderate amount of smoky flavor can make its way into your food.

smoker is ideal for cooking something at a low or medium temperature for long periods of time. It leaves the meat with a robust, smoky flavor and fall-off-the-bone tenderness. It may take longer to cook meat with a smoker, but the end results are well worth the wait. This method of cooking meat is often referred to as the ‘low and slow’ method.

Is a Smoker Better than a Grill?

This is a matter of opinion, so it’s hard to say. It all depends on the type of food you want to be cooking, how much of it you want to cook at once, how long you’re willing to wait for food to be done, and how you want it to taste.

If you want a simple and quick way to cook, a grill might be the right tool for you. If you are prepared to have patience and allow food to cook for a good portion of the day, a smoker might be better suited to you.

Many of the items on our list can double as both, so if you’re still undecided on which thing is ‘better’, you might want to opt for the best overall grill smoker combo with all the features included.

What Are the Different Types of Heat Sources in Smokers?

There are five different types of heat sources to choose from with a smoker.

pellet smoker is fueled by compressed sawdust pellets that come in a variety of flavors to add an extra kick to whatever you’re smoking. A pellet smoker is usually one of the best smokers for people who are new to smoking food since they are usually also automated smokers.

The next type is a wood smoker. A wood smoker is run only on wood logs instead of wood chips or pellets. This type is not usually recommended for newbies since you need to have good fire management skills and the ability to know how to manage airflow and the amount of wood needed to maintain a consistent temperature. A wood smoker requires more regular management during cooking since you have to check on and add wood to the fire at regular intervals.

charcoal smoker uses the same basic principle as the wood smoker, just with charcoal briquettes or an actual lump of charcoal. You still need to check to maintain and monitor the temperature when cooking, but rather than wood or wood pellets, you choose your form of charcoal.

Electric smokers are run on a bar powered by electricity that is used to heat the cooking chamber. You can still add flavored wood chips to produce an array of flavors, but this is not a requirement. Since it’s electric, make sure to be careful with it around water or using it in the rain. This is another best smoker for someone just starting out or for someone concerned with price.

The final type of smoker on our list is a gas or propane smoker. In these, natural gas or propane is used to ignite the source of the smoke.

Are There Different Types of Smokers?

There are six different styles of smokers.

  • Offset– In offset smokers, the heat source or source of smoke is not directly below the cooking food.
  • Direct– With this smoker, the heat source is directly below the food
  • Drum– This type looks like a sideways barrel. The heat source goes on the bottom, and the food sits on bars that are positioned across the top of the barrel
  • Vertical– This is a small, cylindrical smoker where the heat source sits at the bottom of the canister, and the food is on top of cooking grates.
  • Vertical Water Smoker– This type is incredibly popular with people just getting started because the water element helps to keep food moist while smoking. This one comes in either electric or charcoal. You can also put whatever flavored wood chip you would like into the water to add a unique flavor.
  • Ceramic- This smoker can also double as a grill. Its ceramic material means that it can hold heat better than a standard metal smoker, which is why it can also be used as a grill.
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The Ultimate Takeaway

With so many incredible grills and smokers competing for the title of best electric smoker, best charcoal smoker, best gas smoker, best digital electric smoker, or best smoker combo, you may now be able to imagine why someone might need a list like this in order to decide. If you want a grill or smoker of great quality that smokes mouth-watering meat or vegetables and can heat and smoke easily, an electric smoker on this list may be the best option for you.

Outdoor cooking isn’t just about grills anymore. Smokers are changing the game by making smoking food easy for any chef of any experience for any price.

Check out these incredible grills and smokers to see what is right for you! Happy smoking!

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