This electric smoker buying guide answers one question first: is an electric smoker right for you? It is if you want low and slow barbecue with the least babysitting, have an outdoor outlet nearby, and care more about consistency than maximum smoke flavor. It is not the best pick if you want to sear, cook above about 275°F, or chase the deepest bark and smoke ring. Below we compare electric with pellet, charcoal and gas, explain the features that matter, and size real Masterbuilt models from our catalog.
How an electric smoker works
An electric smoker is an insulated vertical cabinet with a heating element at the bottom, a wood chip tray or loader above it, a water bowl, and stacked racks. The element heats the box and smolders the chips, and the smoke rises through the food. As Home Depot’s smoker guide puts it, electric smokers use a simple heating element, can be safer than tending hot embers for hours, and a digital model “can be as easy to use as a microwave oven.” The same guide notes the tradeoffs: they can use more energy and seldom match the flavor of other smoker types.
Electric vs pellet smoker and other fuel types
| Type | Fuel | Strengths | Tradeoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Electricity plus wood chips | Simple heating element, steady temperature, no embers to tend | Can use more energy, seldom matches other types for flavor, needs an outlet |
| Pellet | Electricity feeding hardwood pellets | Wood smoke flavor with the ease of an electric unit | Often more expensive |
| Charcoal | Charcoal and wood | Rich, traditional flavor, often less expensive, simple design | More complicated and time consuming to run |
| Propane | Gas plus wood chips | Easy to operate, more authentic flavor than electric, can run hotter | Tanks need replacing |
Strengths and tradeoffs above summarize the Home Depot guide. One more electric limit to know: most Masterbuilt models in our table below list a maximum of 275°F. If you are leaning toward a cabinet but undecided on fuel, our offset smoker vs vertical smoker guide covers charcoal and gas cabinets, and pellet grill vs kamado covers two cookers that both grill and smoke.
Electric smoker buying guide: features that matter
Analog vs digital controls
Analog models use a dial and thermostat with a built in gauge. They are simpler and cost less. Digital models let you set both the temperature and a cook time on a control panel, which is what makes them hands off. WiFi models add app control so you can adjust the temperature away from the smoker.
Cooking space and racks
Masterbuilt lists cooking space in square inches, which is the best way to compare. Home Depot’s guide adds two practical checks: a full slab of ribs needs racks wider than 16 inches, and a whole turkey needs at least 12 inches between the rack and the top of the smoker. For a rough headcount, it suggests planning about one pound of uncooked meat per person.
Side wood chip loader
Masterbuilt’s digital models have a patented side wood chip loader, so you can add chips without opening the door and losing heat and smoke. Masterbuilt advises adding no more than half a cup of chips at a time and waiting until the previous chips stop smoking before adding more.
Window, legs and probes
A window lets you check food without opening the door. Legs raise the cabinet to a more comfortable height. An integrated meat probe reports internal temperature, which matters more than the cabinet reading when you decide food is done.
Best electric smoker for your needs: models we carry
Every electric smoker we currently carry is from Masterbuilt. Specs below come from our product pages and Masterbuilt’s own product pages.
| Model | Controls | Key specs | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 inch Analog Electric Smoker, 2 Rack | Analog dial | 1,800 watt element, 2 racks, fits up to 4 chickens or 2 pork butts | $129.99 |
| 30 inch Analog Electric Smoker with Legs | Analog dial | Up to 275°F, removable ash tray and water bowl | $229.99 |
| 30 inch Digital Electric Smoker with Window | Digital | 711 sq in, 4 racks, up to 275°F, side chip loader | $279.99 |
| 710 WiFi Digital Electric Smoker | Digital plus app | 710 sq in, 4 racks, integrated meat probes | $349.99 |
| 40 inch Digital Electric Smoker | Digital | 970 sq in, 4 racks, up to 275°F, fits up to 8 pork butts or 8 racks of ribs | $349.99 |
| 40 inch Digital Electric Smoker with Window and Legs | Digital | 970 sq in, 4 racks, window and legs | $399.99 |
Masterbuilt lists a one year warranty on the 40 inch digital and 710 WiFi models. For a small household that smokes a few times a season, the 2 rack analog is the simplest start. For family gatherings, the 30 inch digital with window is the sweet spot. If you regularly cook for a crowd, the 40 inch models add roughly a third more rack space than the 711 square inch 30 inch digital.
Power and placement
You need an outlet near the smoker, and Home Depot advises keeping the unit from sitting too close to the exterior of your home. An 1,800 watt element draws about 15 amps at 120 volts, so avoid running other heavy loads on the same circuit. Follow the owner’s manual for outlet and extension cord guidance, use a GFCI protected outdoor outlet, and ask a licensed electrician if you are unsure what your circuit can handle. Local code has the final word.
Getting started and care
- Season it first. Masterbuilt recommends curing a new smoker to burn off manufacturing oil: water pan in place but empty, 275°F for three hours, adding half a cup of wood chips in the last 45 minutes.
- Wet or dry chips. Masterbuilt says either works. Dry chips burn faster with more intense smoke, and chips soaked for about 30 minutes burn slower with milder smoke.
- Clean gently. Masterbuilt suggests a 50/50 mix of hot water and apple cider vinegar with a soft sponge, and warns against harsh chemicals.
- Cover it. The Masterbuilt 30 inch Electric Smoker Cover ($39.99) protects the controls between cooks. Our grill cover guide explains when covers help and when they trap moisture.
- Keep a spare probe. The Masterbuilt Meat Probe for electric smokers is $9.99; check the fit list against your model number.
Frequently asked questions
Is an electric smoker worth it for beginners?
For most beginners, yes. Steady electric heat removes the hardest part of smoking, which is holding a low temperature for hours. You give up some smoke intensity in exchange for consistency.
Electric vs pellet smoker: which tastes better?
Home Depot’s guide says pellet smokers offer wood smoke flavor while being as easy to run as an electric unit, and that electric smokers seldom match the flavor of other smoker types. Pellet smokers are often more expensive.
How hot does an electric smoker get?
Masterbuilt lists a maximum of 275°F for the digital models in our table, and our analog model with legs lists the same. That is ideal for smoking but too low for searing, so pair it with a grill if you want both.
What is the best electric smoker size for a family?
A 30 inch digital model with about 711 square inches handles most family cooks. Choose a 40 inch model with 970 square inches if you often smoke several pork butts or racks of ribs at once.
For the bigger outdoor cooking picture, see our built in grill and outdoor kitchen guide. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight, and smaller orders ship for a flat $200. Need help choosing? Call 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST.
