Top 10 Best Budget Smokers

Whether you’re a beginner looking to dip your toes into the smoky waters or an experienced griller on a budget, we’ve scoured the market to find 11 of the best smokers you can get your hands on without breaking the bank.

Top 10+ Best Budget Smokers

1. Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Smoker

The Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker is a great starting point for anyone on a budget looking to get started smoking meat.

With an electric smoker, you’re giving up a bit in the flavor department for simple temperature control and convenience, all for a fraction of the price of a pellet grill.

Electric smokers can be used in places where charcoal and even gas aren’t allowed, and electric smokers are especially great for cold smokes and making jerky.

A built-in digital thermometer lets you select the temperature you want without worrying about charcoal or maintaining a fire.

This smoker comes in a variety of configurations. You can choose between a 30-inch or 40-inch model, and you can choose one with or without a window and legs.

There’s also a more expensive Bluetooth model available in both 30-inch and 40-inch sizes.

If you can afford it, I recommend the 40″. A wider width will allow you to fit a full rack of ribs without having to cut them into pieces like the 30″ pictured below.

Assembly is very simple and takes no more than 15 minutes. Unlike other cheap smokers, the Masterbuilt is relatively well insulated, making it great for cold weather.

This wood chip loader is great for adding new pieces without having to open up the smoker and lose heat and smoke. You can buy all kinds of wood chips at your local hardware store, or order a variety of types from Amazon, including apple, cherry, hickory, and pecan.

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2. Z Grills Cruiser

The 202 square inches of cooking space is adequate, but with a little clever planning, you can easily accommodate a large group of hungry guests (think compact cuts like pulled pork, half a brisket, or lamb shoulder).

The wide temperature range allows you to smoke, grill, bake, roast, or boil just about anything. Keep in mind that you’ll be closer to the heat source because of the reduced cooking area. To prevent this, even with a heat shield, it’s a good idea to flip your meat while cooking to prevent the underside from overcooking or drying out.

And while the Cruiser 200A doesn’t have the precision PID temperature controller of some expensive pellet grills, it does maintain a surprisingly consistent heat level, typically staying within a 10°F range throughout the cooking session.

Plus, the Cruiser’s pellet consumption is exceptionally efficient, given its small cooking area compared to larger barbecues. It’s also incredibly low-cost to operate!

The side handles make it easy to lift and move, and the front latch keeps everything, including the pellet hopper, in place, so you can move this smoker around the garage or leave it permanently in the backyard.

This is a less expensive version of Traeger’s Ranger. If you’re on a budget, you can make some seriously great food. We’re huge fans of this product!

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3. Pit Barrel Cooker Jr

This charcoal smoker is another really great quality, affordable smoker. But what sets this one apart from the Weber is that the Pit Barrel Junior offers a set-it-and-forget-it experience.

At first glance, the Pit Barrel Cooker Junior may look unassuming due to its simple design, but don’t be fooled. The magic of this cooker lies in its simplicity.

There are no knobs, digital displays, or complicated gadgets here. Instead, there is a suction damper on the bottom. You can adjust it based on your altitude. It will maintain a constant temperature, no matter how high you are in the ocean. Just hang your meat inside and wait for it to be done.

This grill is all about the art of hanging style cooking. This allows you to cook a lot in a small space. And if you’re wondering why the Pit Barrel Junior doesn’t have a thermometer, it’s because it’s a fixed temperature smoker.

As confirmed by the MEATER Plus, it stays stable at around 275°F, making it perfect for pitmasters who want fantastic results with minimal hassle.

Don’t worry about being on the go. It’s compact and portable, making it perfect for tailgating, camping, or finding the perfect cooking spot in the backyard.

Built tough with high-quality materials, this cooker is built to withstand the weather and provide years of barbecue enjoyment without breaking the bank.

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4. Weber Smokey Mountain

Nothing can beat the combination of price and flavor that comes with a charcoal smoker. While operating a charcoal smoker requires a bit more effort than other types of smokers, you’ll be rewarded with authentic, smoked food.

For the price, the Weber Smokey Mountain is the best first smoker. The build quality is excellent. This product will last forever. It’s the first smoker I’ve ever purchased, and I’ve learned a thing or two from it.

You can choose from three sizes, starting at 14 inches, and going up to 18 inches and 22 inches.

The 18-inch model is our pick for the best smoker for beginners because it’s easier to maintain a consistent temperature.

The 22-inch model can get a bit hotter and requires more fuel to operate. The bullet design offers a smaller footprint if space is limited.

It looks pretty thin, but the two cooking surfaces double the cooking space to 481 square inches. It can easily feed a group of up to 12 people.

I was able to fit a packer brisket and three ribs on the 18-inch Smokey Mountain. This smoker has been around forever. Although it was introduced in 1981, the design has been improved several times over the years.

The Weber brand is well-respected and you can enjoy peace of mind with its 10-year warranty. You might be wondering if charcoal is a good choice for beginners.

It’s true that there’s a bit more of a learning curve as you master the temperature control. It also takes more effort to light the charcoal and light the smoker.

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5. Dyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical

If you can’t go beyond old-school charcoal and wood smokers, but don’t want to shell out the cash for an expensive, basic model, the Dyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical Offset Smoker is the answer to your prayers!

Check out this best-selling smoker at a great price, but that doesn’t mean you’re getting a completely inferior product.

Yes, the metal is a bit thinner than the Oklahoma Joe range. However, it is still sturdy and thick enough to maintain a fairly consistent temperature unless you are smoking in a really cold environment.

It also has an adjustable flue that makes it easy to control the temperature, and the dual door design means that heat and smoke won’t escape whenever you need to add more fuel.

The cooking capacity is really big! And this wide body version means you can easily fit ribs and whole cabbages on the grill without any problems.

The wide body also comes with a pretty large rib rack and sausage hook. Together, these will allow you to customize your setup exactly to your liking.

On the downside, I found that the ashtray on the Dyna-Glo Vertical can get a little clogged during really long cooks. This can affect the temperature and cause the fire to go out. We found that simply opening the door and using high-temperature BBQ gloves to give the charcoal box a little shake usually made it last longer.

The charcoal box itself is porcelain coated for durability, which is really good quality. However, expect the paint on the firebox to peel off early in the life of this smoker. This doesn’t really affect performance, just visual, and that’s what most other cheap offsets do.

Many people like to add gaskets to both doors on the Dyna-Glo. Out of the box, it does let out a bit of smoke. I don’t think it’s essential enough to say this is necessary, but you can do it later if you want.

Despite its shortcomings, the Dyna-Glo Wide Body Offset is a decent smoker that can produce a lot of really tasty, authentic smoked food. It’s a great buy!

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6. Masterbuilt MPS ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker

Propane smokers are fantastic for beginners because of their affordable, easy-to-use design. I prefer them over electric smokers because they don’t require power, making them more portable, and they offer a better temperature range that’s essential for getting a crispy crust when smoking poultry.

The Masterbuilt MPS ThermoTemp has temperature control that provides more even and consistent temperatures than other propane smokers.

The 30-inch model has 4 chrome-coated racks for a total of 792 square inches of cooking space, while the 40-inch model has 961 square inches of cooking space.

Since this smoker is narrow, we recommend using the 40-inch model. This will allow you to fit all of your brisket or rib racks without any problems.

If you want a smoker that is easy to use (minus a few hard-to-reach cleaning areas) with good temperature accuracy and consistency, the MPS ThermoTemp is a great choice.

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7. Weber Smokey Mountain 18

The Weber Smokey Mountain 18″ isn’t the cheapest vertical charcoal smoker out there. But the price tag on this top-rated, long-lasting smoker is so good that we can’t help but recommend it as the best budget smoker of its type.

Sturdy, reliable, and portable, this smoker is backed by a 10-year warranty that’s unmatched in its price range. And because it’s Weber, everything screams quality, from the durable porcelain-coated shell to the easily adjustable damper, large, removable fuel door, and accurate thermometer.

With a floor space of 18 inches by 18 inches, this Weber Smokey Mountain offers 481 square inches of cooking space across two racks.

That’s enough to cook four racks of ribs or two fairly large chunks of meat at once, which is usually enough for a family or group of friends.

Just to prove that the Weber Smokey Mountain really does offer great value for money, this model is known as the BBQ winner of many competitions.

Suitable for everyone from the most inexperienced beginner to the longtime meat smoker, this ‘cue’ will help you cook amazing meals at home or on the go for years to come.

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8. Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker

First off, this bad boy offers a generous 711 sq. in. of smoking space. That’s enough room for all your favorite meats, from ribs to brisket. The digital controls maintain the set temperature, making it almost like an outdoor oven with wood chips.

And while adding wood chips to an electric smoker usually means all that precious heat escaping when you open the door, Masterbuilt takes care of that with a sweet side-loading wood chip port.

Just remove the tube, load the chips, insert and twist, and you’re ready to get more smoke without having to wait for the unit to come back up to temperature.

The Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker is also insulated for improved heat retention. At this low price point, insulation isn’t great. I found the unit struggled quite a bit in cold environments. However, any kind of insulation will help. It can even work in the winter. Just expect it to take a little longer to smoke.

If you want a completely set-it-and-forget-it electric smoker, you can purchase the Slow Smoker Attachment. This will automatically feed the wood chips for up to 6 hours.

This provides an external offset element, so you’ll be running at a lower temperature for a true cold smoke.

With its generous space, digital controls, and incredibly affordable price, the Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker has become popular for a reason.

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9. Char-Griller Akorn Kamado

Kamado cookers run on charcoal and are much more versatile than dedicated charcoal smokers like Smokey Mountain.

The more expensive models are made of ceramic, but you can now buy some great, affordable options made of steel.

The most popular kamado grill brands, like Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe, are out of most beginner budgets. The Char-Griller Akorn Kamado uses the same egg-shaped design, but changes the construction to provide better economy.

You still get great insulation and heat retention thanks to the triple-wall design. It can easily maintain low and slow temperatures for over 10 hours.

It can cook between 200-750°F, and you can control the temperature settings with the top and bottom dampers. With 314 sq. in. of basic cooking space and an additional 133 sq. in. of movable warming rack, you get a total of 447 sq. in.

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10. Smokehouse Big Chief

This is a bit of a specialized smoker, and because of that, we debated whether or not it should make it onto our list of the best budget smokers. However, if you’re looking for a smoker to smoke fish, jerky, or smoked sausages, the Smokehouse Big Chief Electric Smoker is an affordable yet powerful option.

This smoker is pretty much just an aluminum box with a heating element on the bottom, a space for a piece of wood, and a perforated top to let the smoke out. Don’t expect much more than that!

Because it’s a fixed-temperature smoker, there’s no temperature dial. It operates at a maximum of 165°F, which is hard to reach even when the weather is a little cooler.

And while you can use it to grill meat, we wouldn’t recommend using it to cook heavy items like ribs, chicken, or brisket. The very low temperature means that the Big Chief alone won’t be able to get these large chunks up to a temperature that’s safe to eat.

Instead, you’ll need to use the smoker to add flavor and finish them off in a regular oven to bring the temperature up.

However, if you’re fishing and want to smoke your weekend catch, the Smokehouse Big Chief’s fixed, very low temperature means you won’t have to worry about it overheating and burning your food.

It’s also set up for dehydration, so if you’re looking to make up to 50 pounds of homemade jerky, this affordable box will do the trick.

You don’t have to open the main door to add wood chips. There’s a small frying pan-like tray that you can simply slide in along the flap and bottom.

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11. Masterbuilt ThermoTemp Propane

If you want to use propane for a clean burn and easy smoking experience, Masterbuilt’s self-regulating ThermoTemp propane smoker is the best choice in the budget category.

Thanks to Masterbuilt’s patented ThermoTemp technology, a smart temperature sensor takes care of the burner control you don’t normally get with propane smokers.

Once you set your desired temperature, it’s like having a sous chef take care of the details while you take your place in the glory.

The heat diffuser ensures that the heat is evenly distributed, so you won’t end up with overcooked or undercooked brisket.

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FAQs

How much should I pay for a smoker?

Smokers can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. So the answer to how much you should spend will largely depend on how much you want to spend.

But if you want to know how much you should spend on a decent smoker, in 2025 you should expect to pay at least $200 for an electric smoker, $400-$500 for a pellet smoker, $300 for a basic charcoal smoker with an offset, and even more for a kamado.

That amount will give you a smoker that performs well without all the frills. If you want to keep your costs down but still get something decent, scroll up to see our actual recommendations.

How many people do you typically cook for?

Some smokers, like the Weber Smokey Mountain recommended in this article, come in a variety of sizes, so think about your general use and then make sure you have some extra room for when friends come over.

You’re much more likely to regret not choosing a larger size. The only downside to larger smokers is that they cost a bit more in fuel and take up a bit more space.

What is the cheapest type of smoker?

In terms of ongoing cost, the cheapest type of smoker is usually an electric smoker. Electric smokers are fairly energy efficient and don’t require charcoal, propane, or wood pellets, which can add up over time.

So if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that won’t break the bank in the long run, an electric smoker is a solid choice.

Be warned, the only way to flavor your electric smoker is to buy wood chips. However, a pack will usually last a long time, especially if you only add chips during the first few hours when the meat is absorbing the most smoke.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you want to keep your running costs down, you should buy a smoker that you think you can fill every time you smoke. You don’t want to waste space on a larger smoker, as it costs more to heat it up.

Do you want a portable smoker?

If you want to take your new smoker camping or tailgating, you want a smoker that’s easy to travel with. A smoker that’s designed for this purpose and easy to set up is an important consideration.

Some pellet smoker brands, like the Traeger Tailgater, offer cost-effective portable options. Masterbuilt also sells portable propane and electric smokers.

How long will a budget smoker last?

There are many factors that affect the lifespan of a budget smoker… build quality, whether there are electrical components that can fail, how often you use it, where you store it, etc.

But as a very general statement, I would expect any of the smokers listed here to last at least 5 years on a weekend basis. The best way to make your smoker last longer is to keep it out of the rain!

Smokers, especially the cheaper ones, seem to rust more quickly these days, even with stainless steel parts.

What is the difference between smoking and grilling?

Smoking is all about low and slow. Think 225-275°F for a long period of time (3 to 15 hours or more). It usually involves burning wood chips, chunks, or pellets to create a smoke flavor.

Grilling is higher temperature (350°F fish) but lasts a shorter time. Depending on what you are doing, it may or may not involve wood smoke. Again, depending on what you’re cooking, you may not need to close the dome.