Best BBQ Smoker

Newsweek

24-04-2025

Vote for the best BBQ smoker!
American Barbecue Systems All-Star
Photo courtesy of Bento Orlando/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of Bento Orlando/iStock by Getty Images
Proudly made in Kansas City, American Barbecue Systems All-Star smoker has been charring beef brisket and caramelizing burnt ends to perfection since 2006. Just add charcoal and wood chips, fill the three stainless-steel racks with meat, and start smokin'! The full-length firebox evenly distributes heat, and a damper lets you control the level of smoke. And it doubles as a grill if you're in the mood for a quick burger.
Backwoods Smoker Chubby 3400
Photo courtesy of AscentXmedia/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of AscentXmedia/iStock by Getty Images
If you're ready to join the big leagues of competitive barbecue, the Backwoods Smoker Chubby 3400 might be your ticket to get there. Its winning ways start with four versatile racks that can be arranged to fit half a dozen racks of ribs and still have room to spare. You can even convert it to a grill or BBQ pit when you're not smoking up blue-ribbon meat.
Big Green Egg
Photo courtesy of Big Green Egg
Photo courtesy of Big Green Egg
Created in Atlanta over 50 years ago, Big Green Egg has become the gold standard for backyard burgers and barbecue. These outdoor charcoal cookers can smoke, grill, roast and bake anything you toss on the stainless-steel grate. Advanced ceramics retain heat incredibly well, and unique vents give you precise temperature control. If you love your Egg a little too hard, don't worry; you can sign up for a lifetime warranty.
Brisk It Origin 580 A.I. Powered and WiFi Grill
Photo courtesy of Brisk It
Photo courtesy of Brisk It
No more overcooked steaks or undersmoked sausages—take your meats into the future with the Brisk It Origin 580 smart grill. Powered by an AI assistant and Wi-Fi connectivity, this first-of-its-kind pellet grill automates your searing, smoking, chargrilling or any other wood-fired cooking method you choose! You can even ask the AI assistant the best way to prep chicken or to generate a recipe using your leftovers.
Broil King Regal Pellet 500 Smoker and Grill
Photo courtesy of Drazen_/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of Drazen_/iStock by Getty Images
The Regal Pellet 500 Smoker and Grill from Broil King is built like a tank and works like a champ in any weather. While your chicken's on the rotisserie, you can monitor and change the temperature from the comfort of your couch thanks to electronic meat probes, digital controls and an app. And it's versatile: slow-smoked brisket and cedar-plank fish are both possible on this steel and cast-iron beast.
Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24
Photo courtesy of Yevgeniy Sambulov/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of Yevgeniy Sambulov/iStock by Getty Images
If your patio can't handle a full-size smoker, the small but mighty Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 is big enough for a whole turkey, precise enough to bake a pie and compact enough for easy placement. Powered by propane (though you can convert it to natural gas), this smoker just needs a panful of water and a handful of wood chips to infuse whatever's on the racks with flavor.
Dyna-Glo Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker
Photo courtesy of gorodenkoff/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of gorodenkoff/iStock by Getty Images
Take your smoked meat to new heights with Dyna-Glo's Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker, which lets heat and smoke rise higher thanks to its tall design. You'll be able to feed an army with its six adjustable grates that can hold up to 150 pounds of delicious prime rib. The charcoal and ash chambers are easy to clean, and the great price will make your smoked ham taste twice as nice.
GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker
Photo courtesy of GE
Photo courtesy of GE
Who says you can't smoke meat in your kitchen? GE certainly doesn't; its Profile Smart Indoor Smoker can sit pretty on your countertop while turning a tray of chicken wings into a smoky masterpiece. You'll love the preset options: just add wood pellets and press the right button for smoked salmon, brisket and more. And the smoke stays in the smoker, so it won't set off your fire alarms.
Kamado Joe Big Joe Grill - Series III
Photo courtesy of Kamado Joe
Photo courtesy of Kamado Joe
Cook up a backyard feast on Kamado Joe's Big Joe - Series III charcoal grill. Innovative cooking zones let you barbecue low and slow on one side of the grate and quickly sear zucchini on the other. Its ceramic design and airtight gasket hold in heat, and its venting system releases heat (and tempting aromas) perfectly. Insert the SlōRoller to send smoky flavorful clouds rolling over your brisket.
Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker
Photo courtesy of Kamado Joe
Photo courtesy of Kamado Joe
Welcome to the new age of ceramic grilling! The Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker lets you set it and forget it: just push the ignition button, use the app to control the temperature and then sit back with a margarita while the grill does the work. And it's more than a grill; split cooking zones can slow-smoke ribs on one side while hot dogs plump on the other.
Masterbuilt John McLemore Signature Series 530-Sq. In. Black Electric Smoker
Photo courtesy of rickszczechowski/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of rickszczechowski/iStock by Getty Images
Just dipping your toes into the world of serious meat smokers? Masterbuilt's 530-square-inch electric smoker is a budget-friendly way to dive in. Load up the three chrome-coated racks with BBQ, add some hickory or oak chips, set the temp and get ready for the neighbors to come around with plates in hand. It's simple to use and easy to clean—you'll be well on your way to becoming a pit master.
Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker
Photo courtesy of Yevgeniy Sambulov/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of Yevgeniy Sambulov/iStock by Getty Images
Your vacation just got a little tastier thanks to the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker. You can take this tabletop electric grill anywhere to broil, bake and air-fry for your fellow hungry travelers. To really impress your group, add wood pellets and smoke a pork loin for barbecue on the go. Its nonstick grate makes cleanup fast so you can get back to your road-trip fun.
Oklahoma Joe's Bronco Pro Drum Smoker
Photo courtesy of merteren/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of merteren/iStock by Getty Images
Creating championship-level barbecue for decades, Oklahoma Joe will have you roasting the competition with the Bronco Pro Drum Smoker. Its heavy-gauge steel construction is built to last, and its big wheels make it portable. The huge charcoal basket can last for 15 hours of smoking, and a unique airflow system lets you precisely control the temperature the entire time. You'll be winning over foodie fans in no time!
Traeger Pro 780 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Photo courtesy of Drazen_/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of Drazen_/iStock by Getty Images
It's a match made in BBQ heaven: the Traeger Pro 780 combines modern digital monitoring and electric power with traditional wood pellet smoking. Just open the app on your phone to control the settings (it has a wide temp range of 165–500 degrees), and then let your grill do the rest. Want to switch up the smoky flavor from maple to applewood? The hopper's trapdoor lets you quickly swap pellets.
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Our Featured Panelists
Aly Walansky writes regularly about food news and trends. She has been a food journalist for over twenty years and has covered everything from budget shopping to recipes to culinary travel content for national publications that include the Food Network, Southern Living, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, The Kitchn and more. She was ranked among top 10 journalists of 2023 and top 10 freelance journalists in 2024, as well as #1 food journalist of 2022, by Muck Rack. Follow her at alywalansky.substack.com.
Amy Piper is a freelance travel writer, blogger, photographer and author specializing in luxury and multigenerational travel. She is a native Michigander who travels through the lens of a food lover and has been to 45 states and 41 countries around the world. From getting chased by bomb-sniffing dogs in the middle of the night in Bogotá to being boarding on her plane from Buenos Aires to Paraguay due to the wrong visa, Amy always has an exciting adventure to tell her readers and community of travel enthusiasts. Learn more at followthepiper.com.
Lizzy Briskin is a New York City–based food, travel, wellness and lifestyle writer. Previously, she was the print food editor at Food Network and Real Simple magazines. She has a professional chef's degree from Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and a BA in English from Amherst College. She contributes to Wirecutter, Shape, People, Self, Bon Appetit, The Quality Edit, The Kitchn, Travel Weekly, and other outlets. When she's not cooking, eating, writing or traveling, she's training for her next marathon. Follow her on Instagram and at earthenfood.co.
Gavin Booth of coupleinthekitchen.com specializes in recipe development, all things grilling, food- and wine-based travel and romantic destinations of the world. He has extensive travel experience, visiting all 50 U.S. states and over 40 countries. He's a full-time recipe developer, photographer, videographer and writer.
Linnea Bailey is an award-winning journalist specializing in travel and tourism. Her freelance work can be found in Southern Living, The Palm Beach Post, Florida Weekly, Modern Luxury, art&culture magazine, The Palm Beaches Blog and more. A former newspaper reporter, she now owns a communications company in West Palm Beach. Linnea is an active member of The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the North American Travel Journalists Association, the International Travel Writers Alliance, The Family Travel Association and The Adventure Travel Trade Association. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida's journalism school. Learn more about her travels at www.linneabailey.com.
Margot Black is a passionate outdoor travel writer whose love for the natural world is contagious. With decades of experience exploring the great outdoors, she is a respected expert in the field of adventure travel. Margot strongly believes in the transformative power of nature and works tirelessly to encourage families to spend more time outdoors together. Her travel writing blends in-depth research with a personal touch, providing readers with an escape to the world's most breathtaking landscapes. Margot's warm, capable and fun-loving demeanor inspires her readers to embark on their own adventures and create memories that will last a lifetime. Read more about her adventures at blackinktravelwriting.com.
Terri Guthrie writes and creates videos about her many adventures across the U.S. and globe, describing the things she learns. She often shares itineraries, favorite restaurants, free things to experience and how to be street smart. Sign up to Travel with Terri for great travel ideas and follow her on Instagram.
Susan Lanier-Graham is founder and publisher of Wander With Wonder, an award-winning online travel journalism magazine. She has authored more than 75 books and hundreds of magazine articles while traveling the world over the past three decades. Susan's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including various AAA publications, TravelandLeisure.com, Hotels.com, Modern Luxury, WHERE publications, Fairmont.com, Marriott.com and more. Susan is a member of Society of American Travel Writers, International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association, and North American Travel Journalists Association. She is also a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist.
Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.