In this article, we scour the electric smokers under 300. We break down each electric smoker to figure out what it does best, so you do not waste time, food, or money on a mediocre electric smoker.
Let’s dive right in…
Best Electric Smokers under $300
1. Masterbuilt MB20073519 Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker with Broiler
The Masterbuilt is one of the company’s mid-tier electric smokers that is a bit more expensive for our list but is still one of the better digital electric smokers in the $300 price range.
This is the only electric smoker on our review that comes with Bluetooth connectivity and an app that allows you to control the Masterbuilt from your smartphone.
This way, you do not always have to get up to go check on your food and can do so from the comfort of your seat. On top of that, this electric smoker also comes with 4 different chrome-coated smoking racks which tie it the most on our list.
This arrangement lets you smoke a wider range of different foods simultaneously, though it does not necessarily provide more total cooking area. As such, you will need to consider what kinds of food you want to smoke at one time to determine the proper fit.
Pros
- A digital control panel
- Has Bluetooth Connectivity
- Has 4 chrome smoking racks
- A side wood chip loading system
Cons
- Is a more expensive smoker
- Is a heavier smoker
2. Masterbuilt MB20070210 MES 35B Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt makes another appearance on our list, but this time it does so with an “old reliable” model in the MES 35B. Unlike some of the other electric smokers on our list, the Masterbuilt MES 35B is not a digital electric smoker– though it might be the 30-inch electric smoker.
While this might otherwise make taking the temperature a bit more difficult, this electric smoker features a temperature gauge on its front door that presents fewer issues than some of the other analog electric smokers we encountered.
On top of that, the analog function works similarly to any other electric kitchen appliance with a knob for adjusting the temperature. This function makes using the Masterbuilt MES 35B a bit easier than some of the digital models which can be more complicated.
On top of that, this electric smoker also comes with a list-tieing 1500-watt heating element, allowing it to get hotter than many of the other models we reviewed.
Pros
- Has a 1500-watt heating element
- Has 3 chrome smoking racks
- Is easy to use
- Has an adjustable air damper
Cons
- The paint may peel
- The heating element is not the most durable
3. Masterbuilt Smoke Hollow SH19079518 Digital Electric Smoker
Our final Masterbuilt review comes from the specialty line Smoke Hollow and blends a couple of different features found on the main product lines while still being a somewhat inexpensive electric smoker.
For example, this electric smoker is digital, so you do not have to worry about a faulty analog temperature gauge or opening the door or exhaust vents to take the temperature.
While the digital control panel is a bit more complicated than an analog electric smoker’s knob, it also provides you finer control over the temperature as well.
To complement this control, the Masterbuilt Smoke Hollow uses a fully insulated body to prevent any of the smoke or heat from leaking out of the seams or door as occurs with some of the competition.
One thing to consider is that the Masterbuilt Smoke Hollow electric smoker has one of the cooler heating elements at only 800 watts. This power rating means that this electric smoker may not be the for higher-heat smoke, but it works great for cold smoking.
Pros
- Digital control panel
- 3 chrome smoking racks
- Has an adjustable air damper
- Has a fully-insulated body
Cons
- Only has an 800-watt heating element
- Has iffy wiring
4. Cuisinart COS-330 Electric Smoker
Cuisinart is known far more for developing some of the kitchen tools and appliances, but the Cuisinart COS-330 is a quality smoker. This model surprises us first by tying our list with the hottest heating element we found at 1500 watts, perfect for hot smoking.
On top of that, the Cuisinart COS-330 takes special care to make sure that using this electric smoker is easier than others before, during, and after an operation. First, this electric smoker is analog and uses an easy-to-read knob that allows you to dial the temperature from 100 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is also one of the lighter-weight electric smokers on our list and comes with two side handles that make it easier to move. That way, once you are done smoking, you do not have to worry about a protective cover and can just store it in a protected space.
Pros
- 1500-watt heating element
- Has 3 chrome smoking racks
- Is easy to use
- Is easier to move
Cons
- Poor tray placement
- Not an accurate temperature gauge
5. Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker
Char-Broil has developed a solid reputation in the barbecue industry for making quality products across the market. A glance at the reviews of the electric vertical smoker will show that the Char-Broil analog electric smoker follows that tradition.
While not the hottest, the Char-Broil electric smoker still provides a decent heating element that puts out 1200 watts. That said, the heating element does not necessarily need to be quite as hot for the Char-Broil because the walls employ double insulation.
Not only does this design help keep the heat in, but it also prevents the smoke from seeping out and is combined with dual locks to further ensure that it stays hotter and smoker than most of its competition.
This electric smoker is also one of the few that we came across that features aluminized steel trays for the water, wood chips, and grease trap. This material choice means that you do not have to worry about these trays rusting as quickly as some of the others we found.
Pros
- Has double-wall insulation
- Has 3 chrome smoking racks
- 1200-watt heating element
- Has aluminized steel trays
Cons
- Has a long break-in period
- Not the best airflow
6. Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker
The Royal Gourmet SE2801 is easily one of the most affordable electric smokers that we have come across. Keep in mind, that when looking for a budget-friendly product, you will often have to account for some kind of flaw.
Thankfully, with the Royal Gourmet, you do not need to worry about any of the electrical components.
For instance, this electric smoker has a 1500-watt heating element that ties in with the hottest on our list and does not suffer from some of the overheating issues we found with other similarly hot analog electric smokers.
On top of that, the Royal Gourmet also employs a double-wall construction to help retain heat and smoke. That said, you will likely need to purchase some high-heat sealant as the Royal Gourmet is known for letting too much heat and smoke out of its seams.
You might also want to modify the rack system as it is known to be a bit less stable than some of its competitors.
Pros
- 1500-watt heating element
- Has 3 chrome smoking racks
- Has a double-wall construction
- Is a less expensive electric smoker
Cons
- Does not get hot enough
- Has an unstable rack system
7. Bradley Smoker BS611 Original Smoker
The Bradley Smoker BS611 is a unique model that takes the easy-to-use analog approach and goes one step further. Unlike the other electric smokers we reviewed, this is the only one that does not use wood chips, favoring briquettes instead.
However, you do not place the briquettes in a tray above a heating element like with most electric smokers. Instead, the Bradley Smoker BS611 employs an automatic feeder and a dedicated smoke box like a traditional smoker.
This design allows the Bradley Smoker BS611 to offer more cooking space than most of its competition since it does not have a heating element at its base. Even better, this electric smoker’s interior is made of stainless steel which makes it much easier to clean and provides natural resistance against rust.
While you can use the Bradley Smoker BS611 for hot or cold smoking, this is the only electric smoker that we found that also doubles as an oven– just keep in mind that would still be a smoking oven.
Pros
- Has an automatic feeder
- Has 4 smoking racks
- Stainless steel interior
- Can be used as an oven
Cons
- The biscuit feeder is not durable
- Burns through fuel quickly
8. LANDMANN MCO 32954 Landmann Smoky Mountain Electric Smoker
The Landmann Smoky Mountain is another analog electric smoker that is a bit less expensive than the average and may require a few aftermarket modifications. Specifically, you may need to reseal the seams and the front panel, but once you do, this is a great value.
The Landmann Smoky Mountain presents no concerns with maximum heat thanks to a 1500-watt heating element that is perfect for hot smokes. Even better, the Landmann Smoky Mountain features one of the most complete tray systems we have come across.
Where some electric smokers may not catch all of the grease and drippings properly, leading to a fire hazard, the Landmann Smoky Mountain features a fully covered tray system.
This also allows the trays to be larger than most of the competition so you do not have to worry about refilling the smoking fuel or dampening water as much as with some of the other electric meat smokers we reviewed.
Pros
- A viewing window
- Has a 1500-watt heating element
- Has adjustable feet
- 3 smoking racks
Cons
- Is not insulated
- Not the best seals
Factors to Consider
Analog
An analog electric smoker would be considered the “traditional” type of electric smoker and functions similarly to many other types of electric kitchen appliances.
A control brick connects to the heating element, and a knob allows you to control the temperature.
This type of electric smoker is generally easier to use than other types and is often a more affordable electric smoker compared to a digital model.
On the other hand, some analog electric smokers run into the issue of heating the control brick which can ruin its wiring.
This type of electric smoker will also often come with an analog temperature gauge mounted on the door or somewhere else on the exterior.
While easy to read, an analog temperature gauge is rarely as accurate as an internal digital one, and you may need to employ additional measures to get an accurate reading.
Digital
Digital electric smokers are more modern than analog models, but they are not necessarily more common.
Rather than using brick and knob, the digital electric smoker generally features a digital control panel mounted on the top of the smoker.
While digital electric smokers do not have to worry about overheating the electrical connection point, they can run into circuitry issues that cause problems.
This type of electric smoker provides you with finer control over the temperature and more accurate readings, but it is also inherently more complicated to use.
One thing to consider is whether or not the digital control panel must be manually activated or whether it can connect wirelessly to a smart device. This arrangement is the least common and can be a bit unreliable, but it is the most convenient by far.
Heating Element
This is often seen as one of the more important considerations, but it does not always have to be.
Essentially, the more power that a heating element can handle, generally the hotter the electric smoker can get.
That said, there are plenty of design features with the electric smoker that can increase or decrease the internal temperature, regardless of how much electricity runs through the heating element.
Still, if you want to be able to do a “hot smoke,” you should look for an electric smoker that employs a heating element with at least 1200 watts.
FAQ
Why Choose an Electric Smoker?Traditionally, smokers use fire on their wood chips or pellets as it is an easier and more reliable way to light the smoking fuel. On top of that, traditional smokers can be significantly larger than electric smokers and smoke more food simultaneously. However, if you live in an apartment or another rented property, you may not be allowed to own any kind of grill-- smoker or otherwise-- that uses fire. Electric smokers are also often among the best budget smokers, though this can depend on whether you use a high-end digital or analog model.
What is “seasoning” an electric smoker?Many manufacturers will instruct you to “season” your electric smoker before you actually try to smoke food in it. Seasoning can be a different process depending on the electric smoker, but it almost always involves running the electric smoker at high temperatures. Depending on the electric smoker’s internal material, you may only need to season the smoker for an hour or so. However, some electric smokers require you to season it for multiple hours at the hottest temperature setting. On top of that, some electric smokers may require you to coat the interior of the smoker with some sort of cooking oil. Baking the cooking oil into the interior of the electric smoker protects it from rust and corrosion but may need to be repeated after multiple smoking.
Which type of electric smoker should you choose?The choice between a digital or analog electric smoker may seem straightforward, but it really depends on the kind of smoking you do. For example, if you regularly smoke a lot of food but do not do anything special, an analog electric smoker will often work just fine. However, if you are a fairly experienced smoker and like to use different smoking techniques, it helps to have refined control over the smoking process. This is where a digital electric smoker comes in handy with its ability to adjust the temperature better, even if it is a bit more complicated.
Conclusion
As we can see, the electric smoker market has plenty of high-end electric smokers for you to choose from. There is an electric smoker to fit everyone’s needs, but we think that the Masterbuilt 240G has everything most people would want.
First, it is a digital electric smoker, providing a more refined control over the temperature to accommodate both hot and cold smoking. Even better, you can control the Masterbuilt 240G without ever having to get up and check on it.
Of course, if that model is a bit too expensive, the Landmann Smoky Mountain is a less expensive option that only requires minor aftermarket tweaking.
