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The 10 Best Electric Smokers under $200 | Ultimate 2021 Guide
Why get a smoker? One word….RIBS!
If you want that fall-off-the-bone-melt-in-your-mouth-delicious-meat-candy you need a smoker.
You just can’t get the same thing on a grill. It takes forever and it is not purpose-built for smoking. Infusing that smoky flavor takes your rib game to the next level. Those smoke rings…Mmmmm.
Do yourself a “flavor” and get a dedicated smoker. For under $200 you can grab yourself a nice smoker to get the job done.
Contents
The Final Sear: The Masterbuilt Electric Smoker is my favorite grill in this category. Packing 30″ of cooking interior, this thing is a beast. This more versatile version of the kettle classic is hard to beat.
This list is a compilation of our favorites with a complete spec breakdown to help narrow the field so you can snag the smoker that’s best for you.
The 10 Best Electric Smokers under $200 in 2021
Smoke Hollow Digital Electric Smoker
Product Name- 3.5Rating
- 30"Cooking Area
- 18.5 x 18.2 x 33.4 inDimensions
- $Price
Masterbuilt 20071117 30" Digital Electric Smoker
Product Name- 4.0Rating
- 30"Cooking Area
- 19.88 x 20.47 x 33.27 inDimensions
- $Price
Old Smokey Electric Smoker
Product Name- 4.5Rating
- 15"Cooking Area
- 15.5 x 15.5 x 29 inDimensions
- $Price
1. Masterbuilt 20071117 30″ Digital Electric Smoker
The beauty of an electric smoker is that it’s hands-off. The heavy lifting is done for you, and your job is pretty much to set it and forget it.
We love the Masterbuilt 30’’ because it seamlessly takes over the process and is a consistent top-level performer that works for the beginner or the experienced pro.
So what can you expect in terms of specs? It comes equipped with a digital control panel for power, temperature and time, 4 chrome-coated racks, an adjustable air damper for smoke control and a water bowl for adding extra moisture and flavor (apple cider is a fun one to try!).
The smoker body itself is fully and effectively insulated and the integrated thermostat is great for fine-tuning your cooking. It offers an 800 watt heating element for an even and consistent smoke.
My favorite feature is a side-load wood chip system that is accessible without opening the smoker door, a really smart way to prevent unnecessary heat loss.
Overall size is also key here, especially if your smoker is going to see regular use. This unit has a 30’’ interior and overall dimensions are 19.88 x 20.47 x 33.25’’.
This is one of the bigger smokers on our list and a solid pick for the enthusiast who will be using it for multiple cuts of meat simultaneously.
2. Smoke Hollow Digital Electric Smoker
Coming in slightly smaller than the Masterbuilt, the Smoke Hollow is another top performer we recommend if your smoking ambitions don’t require as much space.
A digital panel controls power, temp and time and three chrome-coated racks allow room for multiple cuts smoking at once.
The overall size is 13.8 x 12.6 x 11.9’’ for the interior space, which can handle 9 chickens, 2 turkeys, 3 racks of ribs or 3 pork butts at once.
Other noteworthy features include an integrated thermostat for temperature control, a fully insulated body, 800 watt heating element, adjustable air damper for smoke control, and removable water and drop pans.
Unlike the Masterbuilt 30”, the chips do load through the main door which accounts for some heat loss if a reload is needed during the cook process.
The price point on this smoker is also less of a hit to the wallet, which is why it snags our second top spot – the value is tough to beat.
3. Old Smokey Electric Smoker
Old Smokey here is a favorite addition to our top 3 and offers a different shape and style to the first two box-style electric smokers.
This is a fairly roomy option at 15.5 x 15.5 x 29’’ with a flat top design so juices drip right back onto the food for maximum flavor and moisture retention.
The circular style means access is only available from the lidded top, like a really tall cook pot, so wood chips are best loaded in advance with a little planning.
The dual inner racks have handles that allow them to be easily lifted out of the container.
The heating element is highly effective and heat retention is strong and consistent, even in cold weather. The shape also promotes retention so meat cooks and smokes much more quickly than in other style smokers.
The Old Smokey is also easy to clean and more portable than the other two options in our top 3.
4. Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D 30″ Digital Electric Smoker
Dyna-Glo is a solid value brand and a great option for a larger electric smoker with a reasonable price point and nice little feature list including digital temp gauges.
This is a mega sized model for our list with four chrome-plated stainless steel racks and over 725 square inches of total cooking space. That’s nearly double most of the smokers on this list, which gives you a ton of flexibility for smoke projects.
It also includes a digital internal meat thermometer and a digital control panel for setting both cook time and temp.
The wood chip box is side access to minimize smoke and heat loss when a refill is needed. The overall construction is insulated double wall with a high temp seal to keep heat in for a maximized cooking experience.
A removable grease tray makes for easy clean up.
The overall size is about 30’’ and vertical vault-style so it will fit anywhere and is easy tostados tore when not in use.
5. Landmann Smoky Mountain 26″ Electric Smoker
The Landmann is a solid smoker for the beginner who isn’t looking for a lot of frills or extra features.
Unlike the smokers in our top 3 spots, the temperature gauge is a little more old school and doesn’t have a digital readout for temp and time.
Sizing is generous on this one, coming in close to the Masterbuilt at 26’’ with 3 inner chrome cook trays. It also has a window inset into the main door, which is a nice addition so you can more easily monitor the progress of the meat you’re cooking.
The interior is not insulated, so keep in mind, this is not your best bet for smoking in colder temps.
6. Cuisinart COS-330 Electric Smoker
A popular option from Cuisinart, this is a powerful and generously sized smoker (think 548 square inches) for the under $250 category.
Like the Masterbuilt, the 330 offers a 30’’ inner chamber with three chrome interior racks. It doesn’t have a digital read out, but it does feature an internal thermometer front and center.
Other features offered on the 330 include a 1500 watt heating element, a light weight frame, front accessed wood chip container and water pan, easy temperature control and a compact profile so it seamlessly integrates into your space.
The build quality is top notch and the unit feels sturdy and well-made.
7. Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker
Like the other options toward the end of our list, the Char-Broil is a solid basic model with a very accessible price tag.
While you won’t find frills like a digital temperature gauge, this is a sturdy, reliable electric smoker that is a favorite for roominess and ease of use.
Overall cooking space is among the largest of the group at 544 square inches, with the standard 3 chrome-plated cooking racks and 1200 watt heating element.
The Char-Broil is insulated with double-wall construction and dual exhaust ports. The water, grease and wood chip trays are all front-access.
8. Masterbuilt 20078616 Electric Bullet Smoker
Of all the electric smokers on our list, this little powerhouse has the most interesting build and is a favorite for high-impact capsule smokers.
The overall cooking space is 395 square inches with two porcelain-coated racks that lift out from the top.
The heating element is especially powerful at 1650 watts for consistent heating up to 400 degrees. The smoke achieved with this design is no joke and this is a user favorite for top-level flavor infusion.
The thermometer is known for being inaccurate so we recommend using your own probe if you end up purchasing this model.
9. Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker with Adjustable Temperature Control
For a mid-large size smoker, this is a nice little option with basic controls and a lower-end price point.
If you’re not looking for internal digital temp setting and monitoring, the SE2801 from Smoke Hollow offers a solid package.
It’s fairly roomy at just over 450 square inches with 3 chrome-plated stainless steel smoking racks. It comes with a removable dial controller for adjusting temp with an analog temperature gauge mounted on the front door panel.
The door has a solid latch system and a cool-touch spring door handle. Double wall construction provides excellent insulation to prevent heat loss. Max temps get to about 300 degrees.
The wood chip and water pans do need to be accessed from the main door, so there is some heat and smoke loss during refills.
The overall height is about 28’’ including the legs, which are a bit taller than some of the other models on our list.
10. Masterbuilt 20073716 Portable Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt is the company behind our favorite smoker on this list and we couldn’t resist sharing this smaller version designed to be portable for smoking on the go.
While it is on the smaller side, this smoker is still mighty! It can handle 20lbs of pork butt or about 5 salmon filets. With the racks removed, a whole turkey or a couple chickens can fit inside.
It packs a 1400 watt heating element with two chrome-coated racks, door-mounted temperature gauge, and folding legs for easy transport or storage. This is an ideal smoker for road trips and tail gates.
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About the Author Craig Rinde
I am a grill freak! It's hard to pick my favorite thing to grill, but if I had to choose... it is still a tie between pork ribs and a juicy beef burger. I am currently grilling on a Weber S210(I live in a small space) but my dream grill is definitely a summit. Those things are bad ass. Anyways I would love to hear from you, leave a comment or question below!
