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15 Best Smokers Under $375 for 2024 (for perfect brisket)

By: Author Jeff Campbell

Posted on  - Last updated:

Categories BBQ - Grilling and Smoking

Undoubtedly, purchasing a smoker opens up a whole new world for backyard grilling. But some smokers are really expensive, while others don’t always do a great job smoking meat. So, what is the best budget smoker?

The Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Smoker is the best budget smoker. It’s simple to assemble and offers excellent performance. It features a bigger smoking area which is large enough to feed the entire family, and a thermostat temperature control for even, consistent smoking.

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.

But that’s hardly the only option. So below, I’ll look at my top 15 favorite smokers that are all under $375 but still have great reviews.

Some will be wood or charcoal-based, while others will be electric and use pellets; something for everyone!

Undoubtedly, investing up to a thousand dollars in a new smoker will offer you the real deal for that unique outdoor experience.

However, you don’t have to shell out a substantial sum to get a grill that produces some excellent smoked chicken and meat in your backyard. Excellent solutions are available if you want to save money while still getting a solid device.

If you’re searching for a budget home smoker to help you perfect your technique, here are some of them to explore.

Top Budget Picks for Smokers by Category

Now let’s review the . . . 

15 Best Smokers Under $375

1. Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker – Under $220

The Char-Broil analog electric smoker makes producing excellent smoked food simple whether you are a newbie or an enthusiast searching for a more straightforward smoking option.

This smoker comes with three chrome-plated grilling grates that provide 544 square inches of cooking space. In addition, it is simple to maintain an even smoking temperature while imparting smokey flavor thanks to an insulated cooking chamber and a big-capacity wood chip box.

With this good-quality smoker, large cuts of meat are kept perfectly juicy and avoid drying out, thanks to an integrated water pan. In addition, three chrome-plated grilling grates are included in this smoker, giving you the option to cook for a small family or a big group.

These features and more are offered by the Analog Electric Smoker, which is meant to last thanks to its durable design and high-quality materials.

Pros:

  • Door-mounted temperature gauge
  • Water pan and drip tray
  • 1200-watt heating element
  • Insulated cooking chamber
  • Dual heavy-duty door latches
  • 3 chrome-plated cooking grates

Cons:

  • Smoke seeps from the top of the door
  • Frequent cases of dented unit

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.

2. Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker – Under $200

If you’re just starting or don’t want to spend a ton of money on pricey barbecue smokers, the Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker is a great option. For even and consistent smoking, this great smoker has a thermostat-controlled temperature setting.

Meats can always have a smokey flavor because of the fully insulated body’s ability to retain heat.

Thanks to its easy-to-use and incredibly useful wood pellet loading, cooking on this ideal smoker is pleasantly straightforward. However, you don’t want to volunteer to cook for a large backyard party with this smoker as your only choice because it is on the small side. While coming at an affordable price point, this best smoker has a water pan that collects and keeps moisture in.

Pros:

  • Patented wood chunk loading system
  • Digital control panel
  • Fully-insulated body
  • Precise temperature control
  • Grease Tray
  • Adjustable screw leg

Cons:

  • Frequent cases of fluctuating temperature
  • Frequent cases of electronic error code

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.

3. Dyna-Glo DGX780BDC-D 36″ Vertical Charcoal Smoker – Under $150

The Dyna-Glo 36″ vertical charcoal smoker is a good option for those who enjoy BBQ. It is sturdily constructed and ideal for even those with a tight budget.

With this smoker’s 784 square inches of total cooking surface and 4 cooking grates, you will always have ample space for your smoking delights. The exterior is also made with powder-coated steel.

This best charcoal smoker has a cooking chamber enameled with porcelain, a feature found on many grills and smokers. This kind of material won’t rust and is simple to maintain. In addition, its two-door design greatly aids heat retention and reduces heat loss during cooking.

Simply open the bottom door to fill the Dyna-Glo 36″ Vertical Cooker with pre-started charcoal for continuous cooking.

Pros:

  • 4 smoking racks
  • Stainless temperature gauge
  • Removable ash pan
  • Lightweight and easy to move around
  • Porcelain-enameled charcoal chamber
  • 784 square inches of cooking space

Cons:

  • Built-in thermometer is inaccurate
  • Radical temperature fluctuations
  • Smoke leaks around the doors

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.

If you’ve visited a local home improvement store or a barbecue restaurant in your region, you may have seen the range of grills and smokers available. How, then, are you to determine the right one (or ones) for you?

You might want to check my most recent article if you are in this dilemma.

Here I discussed the different grills and smokers available and where they are better suited. If you want to know the difference between a grill and a smoker, the article also addressed that.

4. Country Smokers CSPEL015010497 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker – Under $250

The Country Smokers grill and smoker is a stylish, portable pellet cooking device and one of the best meat smokers to consider. With a sleek, black sand finish, it offers a delicious, wood-fired taste in a compact form.

Due to its small size and light design, this high-quality smoker allows you to grill, sear, smoke, BBQ, and so much more anytime and wherever you choose.

With this pellet smoker, it’s never been this simple to remarkably cook cuisine of smokehouse excellence. The offset smoker includes a 3.5-pound hopper and 256 square inches of grill space while maintaining a consistent temperature.

In addition, you can separate the base grate from the upper grate for enough cooking space.

Pros:

  • Digital control panel
  • Removable upper rack
  • Portable and lightweight
  • Ease of use
  • Solid heavy gauge stainless steel
  • Wood chip tray

Cons:

  • Absence of carrying handle
  • No backstop to prevent food from sliding off

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Lowe’s.

5. Cuisinart COS-118, Vertical Charcoal Smoker – Under $140

With the Cuisinart COS-118 vertical charcoal smoker, smoking all your favorite dishes, such as cheese, veggies, and racks of ribs, can all be done easily.

Everything needed to set up this smoker, except charcoal and wood chips, is included. In addition, it includes a water-holding porcelain enameled steel bowl and a vertical side door for simple access to fuel and water.

The Cuisinart 18-inch pit barrel cooker simplifies high temperature and smoke control. The quantity of heat and smoke exiting the chamber may be controlled by opening or closing the two vents. This smoker is a fantastic addition to an outdoor grilling area and is perfect for serving delicious smoked food like ribs or brisket to your guests.

Pros:

  • Easy to maintain and clean
  • Two tiers of steel smoking racks
  • More control over heat and smoke
  • Stands 45 inches tall
  • Steel housing
  • Latching base

Cons:

  • Access door has a fragile feeling
  • Grates can be a little sticky

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.

6. Masterbuilt MB20070421 30-inch Digital Electric Smoker – Under $230

One of the best values for smokers is the Masterbuilt MB20070421 30-inch digital electric smoker, which costs a fair amount. This good smoker eliminates the hassle of using charcoal or gas by requiring that you plug it in, load it with food and wood chips, select the temperature, and let it cook.

This new smoker’s body is completely insulated, resulting in little heat loss, stable temperatures, and more reliable cooking times. Additionally, the door is well-sealed.

This is notably important for those who live in regions where the fall and winter months are cooler, which can harm internal smoker temperatures.

Pros:

  • Digital panel controls
  • Electric power source
  • Four chrome-coated smoking racks
  • Thermostat-temperature control
  • Fully insulated body
  • Ease of use

Cons:

  • The controls are not easy to see in direct sunlight
  • Shorter electric cord

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.

7. Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker – Under $270

The Z Grills wood pellet grill and smoker is one of the best cheap smokers on the market today, offering great value. Wood pellets are burned in the grill to provide heat and smoke to things like brisket. And that smoke flavors your food.

A sensor monitors the cooking temperature by regulating the airflow and pellet flow and works with a good digital thermometer to maintain

your chosen temperature.

It’s much simpler to keep a consistent temperature range because of the compact body and improved insulation, although the only downside is that the lid lacks a gasket. So instead, a new PID temperature controller that can be set from a bigger, easier-to-read LED panel regulates the internal temperature.

Pros:

  • Electronic auto ignition
  • Convection heat distribution technology
  • Huge grilling area
  • Digital temperature control
  • Pellet feed system
  • Easy to assemble and move

Cons:

  • Does not maintain a programable temperature
  • Heavy to move around

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.

It’s not a budget smoker, but Traeger is one of the top names in pellet smoker grills.

But switching to a Traeger might be intimidating if you are new to grilling or are more accustomed to gas, charcoal, or traditional wood-burning barbecues.

Check out my most recent article if you’re in this situation and need assistance with your brand-new Traeger grill.

In this article, I covered how to operate a Traeger pellet grill and if you could use one as a grill or merely a smoker. The post also covered how you can pre-heat a Traeger grill, which may be of greater interest to you.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

8. Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-D Wide Body Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker – Under $250

The Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-D vertical offset charcoal smoker is a powerful, multipurpose barbecue appliance that’s a great way to discover new barbecue flavors.

The indirect high heat flow from the offset design is optimized for slow cooking and flavor infusion. In addition, the movable flue on the steel smoke stack can improve cooking accuracy and temperature control.

The six height-adjustable cooking grates on this first smoker allow it to suit a variety of meal sizes and varieties. Briquettes are kept securely piled in the charcoal chamber for better burn performance. The offset shape optimizes indirect heat flow, making it perfect for slow cooking and introducing a smoky flavor.

Pros:

  • Six height-adjustable cooking grates
  • Porcelain-enameled steel charcoal chamber
  • Charcoal and ash management system
  • Built-in stainless-steel thermometer
  • offset design
  • “Smoke Zone” indicator.

Cons:

  • Difficult to assemble
  • Difficult to maintain and keep a constant temperature

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.

9. Country Smokers CSGDL0370 Horizon Series – Under $130

You may cook your preferred dishes outside with the Country Smokers CSGDL0370 Horizon Series. This little grill is strong and built for any outdoor excursion. Cook up some homemade food on the grill in your backyard or while you’re out camping.

The Plains’ 373 square inches of open griddle space and heavy-gauge stainless steel construction make it simple for you to create delectable dishes.

This gas grill lights up immediately and provides tremendous heat and control within seconds, thanks to its 2 different burners for various fuel sources.

Even while cooking in the cold or wind, these perfect smokers allow you can safeguard your burners and keep heat thanks to the Plains’ extra-long protecting edges.

Pros:

  • Portable and lightweight
  • Steel griddle top
  • Fuel source: Propane gas
  • Impressive stainless-steel build quality
  • Removable grease bucket
  • Collapsible leg design

Cons:

  • Low-temperature unit
  • Frequent cases of grill top rusting

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.

10. Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker with Adjustable Temperature Control – Under $180

The Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker is one of the best budget smokers that comes with three smoking racks, more than 450 square inches of area, and adjustable temperature control.

The three racks with chrome finishes may be easily raised or lowered to accommodate meals of different sizes. In addition, this electric model firebox can also effectively maintain smoking heat because of the double-wall structure.

This electric smoker achieves great seal performance due to its door latch system.

A cool-touch spring door handle also shields you from getting burned. The independent grease cup gathers oil residue in a changeable aluminum oil pan beneath the smoker, while the stainless-steel water pan and covered chip box impart great flavor to meals.

Pros:

  • Cool-touch spring door handle prevents scalding
  • 3 chrome-coated smoking racks
  • 1500-watt heating power
  • Fully adjustable and removable digital controller
  • Efficient sealing latch system
  • Multi-functional uses

Cons:

  • Takes a long time to heat
  • Poor insulated

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.

11. USSC Grills USG295SS Stainless Steel Wood Pellet Grill – Under $270

The USSC Grills USG295SS stainless steel wood pellet grill is a great product that allows you to tailgate, grill, barbeque, and smoke like a PRO while enjoying hardwood flavor.

With integrated technology that automatically adjusts the internal cooking temperature to your selected setting, the portable, small stainless steel wood pellet grill ensures that your great food is always perfectly cooked.

The stainless-steel lid delivers a steady temperature and is simple to clean.

Two grill grates are included with the USG295SS, and they may be used together, or the smaller one can be fastened to the side of the grill to free up more counter space. Using the meat probe, you can monitor the cooking process on the grill without opening the cover.

Pros:

  • 295 square inch cooking area
  • Automatic ignition
  • PID control panel
  • Digital thermostat with LED controls
  • Corrosion-resistant stainless-steel lid
  • Pellet hopper

Cons:

  • Absence of twin-wall insulated construction
  • No direct flame access

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.

12. HUMOS Outdoor Vertical Charcoal Smoker – Under $140

The HUMOS Outdoor Vertical Charcoal Smoker offers one of the best value for money. You can utilize all of your cooking abilities thanks to its versatility. This premium 18-inch model serves as a grill, oven, and smoker, giving you access to a ready-to-bake oven for all your favorite recipes.

With its built-in thermometer, you may use this appliance to determine the ideal cooking temperatures for various foods.

With only one match strike, Humos may be fired and is ready to operate, thanks to the airflow vent that simplifies the firing procedure. In addition, the gadget is portable, small, and reasonably priced.

Pros:

  • Easy temperature control
  • Porcelain enamel water and charcoal bowls
  • Double cooking height
  • Double upper and lower air vent
  • Compact design
  • High-grade industrial materials for longevity

Cons:

  • Poor position of access doors
  • Difficulty in getting excess water out of the pan

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.

13. Char-Broil Bullet Charcoal Smoker – Under $200

As one of the best affordable smokers, the Char-Broil Bullet Charcoal Smoker is a long-lasting, high-quality product with great smoking performance.

The airflow management technology on this bullet smoker makes it simple to adjust and maintain cook temperatures. In addition, the sturdy cooking elements and porcelain-coated steel body resist corrosion while being simple to clean.

The system’s detachable ash pan gathers ash from hours of cooking tidily, making cleanup easy. This right smoker has features and offers excellent performance without breaking the budget. The side door is hinged, allowing easy access to refill wood chips and charcoal or check on the meat being smoked.

Pros:

  • Innovative airflow control
  • 388 square inches of cooking space
  • Lid-mounted temperature gauge
  • Removable ash pan system
  • Durable porcelain-coated steel body
  • High-quality fire access door

Cons:

  • Poorly insulated model
  • Frequent cases of door latch becoming loose after a couple of use

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.

14. Pit Boss Grills PBV3G1 Vertical Smoker – Under $310

The PBV3G1 Vertical Smoker from Pit Boss Grills delivers competition-caliber smoking to your backyard. The gas smokers provide more than 700 square inches of customizable cooking space with four porcelain-coated cooking racks.

One stainless steel burner for wood chips and one for controlling cabinet temperature make up the dual valve/burner system.

A single control knob is used to operate both valves, which have a temperature range of 100°F to 320°F. In addition, the propane smoker has a front access grease tray, an external access smoke tray, a piezo ignition for easy and quick lighting, a huge glass viewing window, and a high-temperature door seal.

Pros:

  • Dual stainless steel burner system
  • Front access grease drawer
  • External wood chip and ash removal
  • 720 square inch cooking area
  • Gas-powered heat source
  • Two rear rolling wheels

Cons:

  • Igniter doesn’t work
  • Inconsistent smoke

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.

Charcoal and wood both make fires and flame-kissed food for your pleasures. Are both the same? Or what are their differences? 

If you are as curious as I am, you might want to check my most recent article.

Here I explained the main difference between charcoal and wood and the various forms available for your grills. Perhaps you need answers on if cooking with wood is healthier than charcoal; the article also discussed that.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

15. NutriChefKitchen Portable Outdoor Charcoal BBQ Grill – Under $210

With the NutriChefKitchen portable outdoor charcoal BBQ grill, you can bake, break, smoke, and roast in addition to grilling and cooking your BBQ.

This type of smoker includes double-split cooking grates and a retractable charcoal pan. In addition, you may move the dedicated smoker between different areas outside your home or during picnics because it is fitted with two wheels for outdoor use.

The BBQ grill is perfect and enables you to prepare meals confidently. These great smokers also come with a lid-mounted thermometer gauge that you may use to examine and keep track of the temperature at which food is being grilled, baked, braised, smoked, or roasted.

Pros:

  • Double split cooking grates
  • Additional accessories included
  • Lid-mounted thermometer gauge
  • Portable wheels added
  • Made with durable anti-rust steel
  • Two rear rolling wheels

Cons:

  • Difficult assembly
  • Case of missing parts

CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.

Final Thoughts

Despite advances in culinary technology, it is difficult to match the distinctive flavor of food cooked in a smoker. Nothing quite compares to melt-in-your-mouth barbecue brisket or slow-cooked smoke-kissed pork ribs.

Numerous excellent models promise smokey, tasty food if you’re looking for a home smoker to help you hone your skills and get you closer to becoming a pitmaster.

I examined some of the top budget smoker brands in this article, including, Char-Broil, Masterbuilt, Dyna-Glo, Country Smokers, Cuisinart, Z-Grills, and Royal Gourmet, to name a few.

Whether you want something more laid-back for Sunday ribs or a professional wood-burning smoker, there are options for your needs. What you’re using the smoker for, how your space and ventilation are set up, and how committed you are to the hobby will all play a significant role in which smoker is ideal for you.

Top Budget Picks for Smokers by Category

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Jeff Campbell
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