After 50 Hours of Testing, We Found the Five Best Smokers

There is no shortage of types of smokers available to grilling enthusiasts. Pellet smokers are increasingly popular, owing to their simple “set it and forget it” temperature maintenance. Urn-shaped kamado-style smokers are also favored by home grillers for their versatility. And while we've thoroughly tested many smokers, we realized a look at charcoal smokers was in order.

We chose 13 charcoal smokers from trusted and popular brands, including vertical smokers, barrel or drum smokers, and cabinet or box smokers. After evaluating each model on five metrics (assembly, design, ease of use, performance, and cleanup), we confidently recommend five charcoal smokers, including two picks from the brand Dyna-Glo. Whether you’re an advanced griller looking for highly customizable results, or you simply want a solid smoker for a good price, one of these models has your name on it.

The Tests

• Assembly Test: We read the manufacturer’s instructions for setting up the smoker, paying attention to safety warnings. Once we had the necessary materials assembled, we started a stopwatch and assembled the smokers. We considered the time required to complete this task, plus how clear the instructions were.
• Lighting and Initial Burn Test: To assess how easy it was to light the smokers, we filled them with charcoal according to the manufacturer’s instructions (if no amount was given, we filled them to capacity and noted the amount of briquettes required). We lit the smokers and completed an initial burn with a wireless probe thermometer clipped onto the side of the smoker to monitor the cooking chamber temperature. 
• Chicken Wings Test: The following two tests were conducted after the initial burn test. The purpose of the chicken wings test was to evaluate the smokers’ performance in a short smoke. Once the smoker was lit and ready to use, we set seasoned chicken wings on one half of the grill, noting how many we could fit without them touching. We recorded how long it took for the wings to cook, and evaluated them on time, tenderness, and flavor.
• Ribs Test: We also tested bone-in, seasoned spare ribs to evaluate how the smokers fared with longer-duration sessions. While we smoked the ribs, we noted how often we had to add additional coals to the fuel chamber (and how easy it was to do so) to maintain a consistent ambient temperature of 225˚F.
• Cleaning Test: Once the chicken wings and ribs tests were completed, we smothered the coals by closing the dampers and allowed them to burn off completely. We then emptied the coals and cleaned the smokers.

What We Learned

Easy-to-Access Dampers and Fuel Boxes Were Key for Maintaining a Consistent Temperature

Maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial for evenly cooked meat. Smokers that swing too high can dry out the meat, but models that struggle to maintain a target temperature will produce gray, unappealing meat without the distinctive bark and color of quality barbecue. This isn’t too hard to do with shorter smokes, like chicken wings. But for longer smoking sessions, the temperature is bound to fluctuate as the coals lose heat. Two methods are used to maintain a steady temperature: adjusting dampers for greater or slower airflow and adding more fuel. In our tests, we docked points for smokers with inefficient or hard-to-adjust dampers. We also noted when fuel boxes were tricky to reach. Because charcoal smokers require more hand-holding than pellet smokers, ease of use was imperative for a positive experience.

Roomy Cooking Areas Were Essential for Most Smoking Sessions

While all of the smokers we tested were compact enough for home use, we preferred the models with roomy cooking surfaces. Smoking calls for greater surface area than high-heat grilling (a brisket or pork shoulder takes up more space than a couple of steaks), so we valued models with multiple racks and even hanging hooks. Ideally, grates should be adjustable, and there should be many of them—we did not favor models with just a couple of grates and a few placement options.

Charcoal Smokers Should Have Adequate Space for Air Flow (Electric Fans Helped, Too)

The best-performing smokers had plenty of room between the racks, allowing air to circulate around the meat. This resulted in more evenly cooked, tender, and flavorful food. We paid particular attention to the dampers during testing, evaluating them on construction, ease of use, design, and—of course—how effective they were at making the necessary adjustments to maintain our target temperature. Overwhelmingly, we preferred smokers that had multiple adjustable dampers. Whether you’re shopping for a smoker or a grill, the dampers should made from sturdy, easy-to-move material that is capable of closing completely and opening smoothly. Electric fans were also helpful in properly distributing air throughout the cooking chamber and keeping the firebox at an ideal temperature.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Smoker

Charcoal smokers, more so than pellet or offset smokers fueled by large wood chunks, need rigorous temperature monitoring and adjustment. For that reason, we recommend charcoal smokers that have easily accessible fuel boxes that can be safely and swiftly refilled with minimal disturbance to the meat in the cooking chamber. Dampers are crucial in maintaining temperature as a first line of defense, so those should be constructed from high-quality material, with an easy-to-adjust design on a smooth track.

Even if you don’t plan on smoking multiple racks of ribs at once, look for a charcoal smoker with plenty of cooking surface area and multiple racks. The roomier the cooking chamber, the more efficiently smoky hot air can flow, cooking meat and infusing it with flavor.

Our Favorite Smokers

The Best Overall Smoker

Dyna-Glo Signature Series Heavy-Duty Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker & Grill

$498 at Amazon $40 at Walmart $473 at Lowe's

What we liked: This vertical, cabinet-style smoker was heavy and well-constructed. It burned fuel efficiently and maintained our desired temperature. In testing, we appreciated the offset fuel box, which made adding charcoal mid-smoke very easy. It’s also convenient for short smoke sessions that end in a sear—as with steaks. The dampers were some of the most responsive we worked with. The vertical orientation of this smoker makes it a good space saver for home use, but with five separate racks—and a sixth in the fuel box—there is still plenty of space to play with. It’s great for big crowds.

What we didn’t like: Although there's a temperature gauge affixed to the door of the unit, it did not do well during our testing (this, though, is pretty par for the course with smokers/grills—and why we recommend investing in a separate thermometer). We felt that shorter smokes could be improved on, and our test produced sub-par chicken wings. The heavy-duty construction made assembly a little tricky: it’s ideal to have two people for setup.

Key Specs:

• Cooking area: 1,382 square inches
• Dimensions: 45.5 x 24.9 x 58.8 inches
• Weight: 139 pounds
• Special features: Fuel box includes grates for searing; the unit is wheeled
  

The Best Budget Smoker

Dyna-Glo Vertical Wide Body Offset Charcoal Smoker

$349 at Amazon View on Dkhardware.com View on Build.com

What we liked: At the time of testing, this impressively large smoker was on sale for under $300—an attractive price for a large smoker with 1,890 square inches of cooking space. Fuel can be added to the firebox with two methods: either sliding out the box or simply opening the door and tossing in additional coals. After the initial burn started too hot—about 300˚F—we learned that removing fuel was simple, thanks to the easy-access firebox. The placements of the two dampers allowed for efficient airflow throughout the cooking and fuel chambers. The ribs were delicious, with some of the best smoke flavor we tasted. Cleaning was less headache-y than usual because the ashes fell into a dedicated chamber. Overall, this is an excellent value smoker for cooks with a base layer of smoking knowledge.

What we didn’t like: The construction of this smoker was less sturdy than the other Dyna-Glo model we tested, with thinner walls. The offset handles made it difficult to move, even with two people. Following the manufacturer’s instructions for lighting resulted in a too-hot smoker, although that was easily remedied by removing a portion of the coals.

Key Specs:

• Cooking area: 1,890 square inches
• Dimensions: 21 x 43.3 x 50.2 inches
• Weight: 105 pounds
• Special features: Hanging hooks at the top of the unit

The Best Lightweight/Portable Smoker

Pit Barrel Cooker Co. Classic Pit Barrel Cooker Package

$400 at Amazon $400 at Home Depot View on Pitbarrelcooker.com

What we liked: With a classic barrel/drum shape, this lightweight smoker is easy to put together. We were able to assemble it entirely in under five minutes, with just one person. The basic construction and lighter weight allowed us to move around the testing area. Once we identified a problem area in the smoker (a defective damper), we were able to configure the charcoal grate for an efficient burn. Both the chicken and the ribs were superior: juicy, with adequate smoke flavor and an attractive quarter-inch smoke ring. In fact, they were some of the best we tested across the board. Although this smoker does require more knowledge than most, its portability makes it highly attractive for the advanced cook.

What we didn’t like: The damper was poorly constructed, and did not fully close during testing. The design was arguably too minimal, as there was no option to use a second grate or water pan. Adding fuel mid-smoke can be dangerous, because the cooking grate must be removed first.

Key Specs:

• Cooking area: 240.5 square inches
• Dimensions: 21 x 21 x 32 inches
• Weight: 57 pounds
• Special features: Includes hanging hooks and rods

The Best Smoker for Beginners

Masterbuilt 40-Inch Digital Charcoal Smoker

$23 at Walmart $359 at Home Depot View on Academy.com

What we liked: The primary attraction of this cabinet-style electric smoker was the ability to set a desired temperature, which is maintained without manual adjustments. In our tests, we noted that the temperature only varied by two to three degrees from its target. There was no need to fiddle with the amount of fuel because an internal fan controlled heat flow. Any adjustments could be made with an app, which was intuitive and accessible for novice cooks. The smoker was heavy, but the wheels allowed it to be moved around with relative ease. Locking casters kept it in place once we had it where we wanted it. Even cleanup was easy because every part could be removed for thorough scrubbing.

What we didn’t like: The ribs reached their set temperature very quickly—almost as fast as the chicken—which resulted in meat on the tougher side. While this smoker was one of the more expensive models we tested, we feel the price is worth the ease of use and consistency.

Key Specs:

• Cooking area: 1,320 square inches
• Dimensions: 24 x 28.3 x 49 inches
• Weight: 110 pounds
• Special features: Digital controls maintain a desired temperature without manual adjustment

The Best Weber Smoker

Weber 18-Inch Smokey Mountain Cooker

$455 $419 at Amazon $419 at Home Depot $419 at Lowe's

What we liked: This smoker is reminiscent of one of our favorite kettle-style grills, with similar material and construction. It’s on the smaller side, making it a good choice for cooks with limited storage space. Airflow was excellent during testing, and the four dampers were enjoyable to use, allowing for minute temperature changes that would be appreciated by the more advanced cook. This was one of the easier smokers to clean, with a simple disassembly. If you like this model of smoker, you can choose from three different sizes: 14, 18, and 22 inches. Like all Weber products, the Smokey Mountain comes with a generous warranty (10 years for the bowl, lid, and ring). 

What we didn’t like: The walls of this smoker felt thinner compared to other models, which caused more rapid heat loss—which ultimately meant more monitoring and hands-on adjustments. We would have preferred this model to have handles for easier maneuvering (as-is, it can’t be moved when in use). The second rack would be more useful with a greater distance from the water basin.

Key Specs:

• Cooking area: 481 square inches
• Dimensions: 41 x 19 x 21 inches
• Weight: 51 pounds
• Special features: Built-in thermometer

The Competition

• Char-Broil Bullet Charcoal Smoker, 20-Inch: Although we appreciated the supremely responsible dampers on this smoker, the awkward water basin placement made adding fuel mid-burn dangerous and overly complicated.
• Oklahoma Joe’s Bandera Vertical Offset Smoker and Grill: The dampers were responsive, and it was easy to add fuel to this smoker. Unfortunately, the burn was overly efficient, and we noted that an excessive amount of charcoal needed to be added to maintain the temperature during our tests.
• Broil King 28” Vertical Charcoal Smoker (923610): Responsive dampers and an accessible firebox earned this smoker points. But we were unimpressed with both the chicken and the ribs, which tasted bitter, dry, and had a rubbery texture.
• Cuisinart Vertical 18-Inch Charcoal Smoker (COS-118): The assembly of this smoker was frustrating, due to misaligned parts. Charcoal burned very quickly, and the constant opening and closing of the fuel door caused undesirable temperature swings.
• Meco Americana Charcoal Vertical Water Smoker, Stainless (5025): This teeny smoker sacrificed ease of use for price. Although it was one of the most affordable we tested, we disliked having to remove all the racks to add fuel mid-smoke.
• Orion Cooker Large Bullet Smoker: The design of this smoker was lacking. In our tests, we noted that smoke hovered stubbornly at the top of the cooking chamber, which resulted in overly smoked, bitter, and borderline-inedible chicken and wings. As of April 2024, it appears to be out of stock through all retailers—but the manufacturer has launched a redesigned smoker.
• Realcook Vertical 20-Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker: Maintaining a steady temperature was unnecessarily difficult to do with this budget smoker—we had to add fuel nearly every 20 minutes. The firebox was annoying to fill, and without tongs would result in burnt forearms.
• Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco Drum Smoker: This smoker required almost constant damper adjustment to maintain our desired temperature, and no door allows for easy access to the fuel source.

FAQs

What is a charcoal smoker?

A charcoal smoker is a smoker that uses charcoal (or a combination of charcoal and wood) as its fuel source. These smokers are typically vertically oriented and contain a fuel box that can be offset—attached to the cooking chamber. Some models situate the fuel chamber underneath the cooking grates, which may make adding fuel mid-smoke trickier.

What is an upright charcoal smoker?

An upright smoker is one long, vertical unit: The fuel—charcoal and wood, typically—sits directly underneath the cooking grates. An offset smoker contains a fuel box to the side of the body. Offset smokers offer superior airflow and (generally speaking!) better airflow. But upright smokers are usually less expensive, and they're easier to store.

Can you use wood in a charcoal smoker?

Yes. In fact, it's common the start a smoker with charcoals, which you can use to light wood once things get going. You can even use both fuel sources at the same time.

Are charcoal smokers good for beginners?

Some might say electric or gas smokers are best for beginners, but all types can be good for beginners. It depends on the model. Generally speaking, any smoker that can maintain a consistent temperature with minimal adjustments (damper maneuvering and the addition/removal of fuel) is a good choice for beginners. Overwhelmingly, pellet smokers are ideal for beginners for this reason. But we found some beginner-friendly charcoal smokers, too: namely the Masterbuilt 40-inch Digital Smoker.

Can you grill on a charcoal smoker?

Depending on the model, yes. Some of the smokers we tested had cooking grates above the offset firebox, which made searing and high-heat grilling easy. In models where the fuel source was inside the cooking chamber, you may be able to grill by adjusting the proximity of the grates to the coals. In either instance, the height will not be as ideal as a traditional grill (you’ll have to kneel or crouch), but the job can still get done!

Why We’re the Experts

• For this review, we tested 13 smokers in various styles. We performed two smoking tests to evaluate the smokers on both quick smokes and longer sessions. We considered the smokers from both professional and home cooks’ points of view, to find the best smokers for every skill level.
• Rochelle Bilow is a commerce editor at Serious Eats with 15 years of professional food writing experience. She’s written extensively about grills and smokers for Serious Eats.
• In gathering source material, we consulted with Joshua Bousel, a former SE contributor, who runs the all-things-barbecue website The Meat Wave.
• We were serious about smoking delicious meat! In creating the methodology for this review, we used Bousel’s recipe for Kansas City-style barbecue ribs.