This TikTok Cleaning Device Is A Must For Cat Owners
One reviewer said using an integrated scoop was easier and quicker than other devices she had tried, and lighter to hold.
To help you step up your litter box game, here is an all-in-one scooper you'll use every day.
Neater Pet's Neater scooper with a separate bag pack
With over 6,000 positive reviews, this scooper from Neater Pets is a fan favorite. It comes with a separate waste bag holder than you can attach to your litter box or to the scoop itself, and comes apart for easy cleaning. Reviews say this works better if you have a larger litter box and/or a litter box that allowed for you to easily reach into it to scoop. Promising reviews: "I would recommend this to anyone who has the fun job of cleaning a cats "sand box" as I call it. It makes it SOO easy to sift through and so simple. When scooping, I have found using the scoop to get as much of the litter you can sifted and then turn the scoop upright and the poop goes into the bagged end. There is a flap that keeps the poop inside while you continue to sift. You can turn it upside down to scoop more and it doesn't come out as long as the flap closes. The scoop snaps off, you take the pooped filled bag out, tie it up and discard. Works perfectly. With this, it doesn't make a mess and you don't rarely don't have to change the entire litter in the box. I give this an A+." —Pamela Wessinger"I like the fact that I can use this to scoop and bag at the same time. The trap door does work and keeps it from falling back out. I don't have to hold the bag and worry about litter poop and urine getting on my fingers." —knuckleup10Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in three sizes and five colors).
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CNN
a day ago
- CNN
These Oxo products are the unsung heroes of our editors' kitchens
CNN Underscored Oxo favorites For slicing veggies: Oxo Handheld Mandoline Slicer For homemade dressing: Oxo Little Salad Dressing Shaker For liquid measuring: Oxo Good Grips Angled Measuring Cups, Set of 3 For food storage: Oxo Good Grips 5-Piece Pop Container Set For our morning cup of Joe: Oxo Rapid Brewer Whether you're fully immersed in the world of product testing or not, Oxo can feel sort of inescapable. The brand is seemingly everywhere. Next time you need a tool in the kitchen or a storage solution, Oxo will almost certainly have an option worth buying. And it'll only take a few clicks on Amazon or a short drive to the nearest Target to add it to your cart. If (and when) you do choose to buy it, it's a reasonable bet that Oxo's product won't let you down. I've probably owned about a dozen Oxo products over the years, and reliable, accessible and affordable are repeatedly appropriate descriptors. If that feels like an ambitious blanket statement, I have the data to back it up. Banter around the CNN Underscored office led my colleagues and me to realize that we all had a favorite item made by Oxo. The variety, though, was so intriguing that I decided to poll the group. Participants could name up to five of their favorite Oxo products, then I tallied the votes. The following five champs — cookware stars that streamline kitchen prep and form the foundation of our morning coffee rituals — had the most support. Oxo Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer This mandoline can thinly slice any veggie you throw its way for a surprisingly low price point. Its design features a comfortable, secure grip and nonslip feet, significantly reducing the likelihood of accidentally cutting our review Oxo Good Grips Little Salad Dressing Shaker Everything you need to make, shake and serve salad dressings at home is in this little bottle. We love that it has measurement markings so you don't have to use a separate cup to be precise. Oxo Good Grips Angled Measuring Cups, Set of 3 This trio of measuring cups is the upgrade you didn't know you needed until you have it. The angled markings inside mean you don't have to crouch or bend to see just how far you've filled them up. Oxo Good Grips 5-Piece Pop Container Set Chip clips are shaking, knowing how much better these food storage containers are at maintaining an air-tight seal. Oxo Rapid Brewer Hot or iced coffee concentrate doesn't have to take hours to brew. This device — which requires no more than five minutes to do its job — is portable, repeatable and the most affordable way to make a dang good Americano. It's fair that many restaurants and chefs name-drop the Benriner Super Slicer as their go-to mandoline slicer. After all, it offers the almost industrial-grade build quality necessary for restaurant-level demands alongside its very sharp Japanese blade. The thing is, I still don't see it as a necessary tool for every household, especially not at that price point — and I say this as someone who meal preps three different dishes every week. The main reason I feel this way, however, is because of Oxo's sub-$20 option that has proven itself capable of tackling my home-cooking demands just as well as the Benriner slicer. Its stainless steel blade, while not Japanese-made, cuts and slices through potatoes, onions, cabbages, carrots and other veggies effortlessly, making those usually tedious thin-slicing jobs faster, easier and, surprisingly, really fun and a little addictive. I rely on it for many of my meal prep needs. When I'm making my favorite potato gratin recipe, it's the first thing I pull out. If a recipe calls for caramelized onions, I whip it out. Whenever I want coins of zucchini to barbecue, it's there. I love its angled rubber-covered handle as well. It offers a good, secure grip and allows me to position the mandoline in different ways, depending on what plate or bowl is most accessible to me in the moment. Plus, its included food holder can effectively cling to the last thinnest slice of the veggie to ensure that you're not making finger julienne. The Oxo Good Grips mandoline slicer is versatile as well, allowing you to easily adjust the thickness of your slices with settings for 1 millimeter, 2.5 millimeters or 4 millimeters. You can also lock the blade away so you don't accidentally cut yourself when you're rummaging around in your kitchen tool drawer. I've only had mine for a few months — right around the time the cucumber salad recipe started trending on TikTok — but it hasn't failed me yet. Nor has it shown any signs of wear or breakage. That's saying something considering I am not precious about how I clean or store it. I just wash it with my regular dish soap, leave it on my dish rack to dry and toss it in my drawer for storage. So, why buy a $50 mandoline when you can get this one for more than half the price? — Michelle Rae Uy, testing writer As a frequent at-home salad chef, I've come to realize over the years that no bottled dressing can truly compare to the homemade stuff. This shaker is my all-in-one go-to for whipping up a bespoke dressing. It has measurements listed right on the side of the container, so you can put away those measuring cups and spoons. And once your ingredients have been added, you can simply push the lever backwards to create a seal and shake up your creation. Then, it's ready to pour via the handy spout, and the whole shaker can be stashed in the fridge to dress future salads to come. When it's time to clean up, unscrew the top and toss both pieces into the dishwasher. — Chelsea Stone, editorial director I never really thought much about the measuring cups in my kitchen. I just figured they were all kind of the same (that is to say, not great). Then I tried these Oxo measuring cups. They have an angled design and inner measurement markings, which make it easy to see exactly how much is in there from above — no bending down required. They're made of Tritan Renew (aka recycled plastic), which makes them super lightweight too. But my favorite part is that they make pouring liquids mess-free. I use the 2-cup option most often, whether I'm mixing up eggs, liquid egg whites and cottage cheese for a high-protein breakfast or making brown sugar cinnamon coffee syrup in the microwave. The biggest one (4 cups) is perfect for refilling my cat's water fountain and meal prepping for the week. The set also comes with a 1-cup option, but I reach for that one the least often. One slightly frustrating thing is that it can be hard to use a mini whisk to mix things in the cups. There's an indentation where the measurements are listed on the inside, and it often gets in the way. There's a downside to them being so lightweight too. I've once or twice accidentally knocked over a cup full of pasta water that I couldn't get back. Cleanup is super easy because they're top-rack dishwasher-safe. I throw mine in the dishwasher after every single use, and they're still looking brand-new. And when not in use, all three measuring cups stack well to take up less storage space. — Amina Lake Patel, home and gifts editor I've had my Oxo Pop containers for over six years now, and I still love them just as much as I did when I first got them. The BPA-free plastic is decently thick and durable, and as long as a toddler doesn't repeatedly throw the same container against the floor 20 times, you should get just as many years of use — or more — out of them. (We recently had one succumb to such a fate.) The plastic also doesn't seem to retain odors after washing, which is an issue I've noticed with other plastic food storage. The lids make a nice airtight seal with just the press of a button, not only keeping food fresher longer but keeping critters and crawlies out. They are far easier to open and close than Mason jars (and not as breakable), and they can even be used one-handed. Though we've highlighted the five-piece set above, there are a variety of dimensions and shapes available, making them a convenient way to store many different items in many different-sized spaces. Whether it's a small container of trail mix to keep in your desk drawer, a tall container to hold angel hair pasta or a big round container to store bulk rolled oats, there's a size for nearly every need. They also stack so neatly with their modular design, so you can really maximize the space in your pantry. There are a couple of downsides to these containers, but the pros far outweigh the cons. Mainly, while they are dishwasher-safe (top rack only), the two-piece lids can be a hassle to dry. One of the pieces can easily be towel-dried if your dishwasher doesn't do a good enough job, but the other has several small nooks and crevices that are difficult to get to, and water is likely to accumulate, so air-drying is the way to go. Just know that washing the lids properly (which I don't always do, let's be honest) doesn't allow for immediate use post-wash, even in the dishwasher. My only other gripe is that if the lid isn't on completely straight, it won't seal properly when you pop the lid. It will still let you do it, though, so you might not realize until it just plain falls off when you go to pick it up by the top (I may have done this a few times). It's an easy problem to address, though: Just pay attention and don't rush around like a madperson the way I do. — Danielle Poiesz, copy editor I'm no coffee snob, but I can't survive without a daily cold brew. To tighten my budget and reduce plastic waste, I've started making coffee at home, and I can't rave enough about the Oxo Rapid Brewer. I'm fortunate to test some of the newest and shiniest coffee appliances on the market thanks to my job, but I always come back to my trusty Oxo Rapid Brewer. I love that I can make Starbucks-level coffee concentrate in just minutes, without any charging, plugs or disposable filters. It's extremely intuitive too. Simply fill the container with coffee grounds, tamp it, pour in water (hot or cold) and wait for the magic to brew. It's that easy and costs just $40 at that. — Carolina Gazal, associate testing writer While the products covered in depth above got the most love in our staff-wide survey, several others received first-place votes and play a major role in our editors' kitchens. Oxo Good Grips Etched Zester It doesn't matter whether you need to grate Grana Padano, lemon or garlic with this zester. It'll transform them all into fine shavings for your next pasta al limone — and quickly. The best part is you can throw it in the dishwasher when you're finished. — Maxwell Shukuya, associate writer Oxo Outdoor Kitchen 3-in-1 Squeegee and Scraper I've had this simple scraper for probably five years and use it all the time. It has three different materials for various cleaning applications, including a soft silicone side to wipe down counters, a harder plastic side to scrape stubborn or burned-on messes and a stainless steel side to clean grills or cast-iron pans. It's a small but mighty kitchen cleaning tool that I find myself reaching for over and over. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainable living and pets editor Oxo Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder No appliance gets more use in my kitchen than this coffee grinder, which has been going strong for about seven years. With 15 grind settings from fine for espresso and coarse for French press, it rivals other burr grinders that are far pricier. — Joe Bloss, associate testing writerRead our review Oxo Good Grips Squeeze and Pour Silicone Measuring Cups, Set of 3 I'm a big fan of the Food Network, and I noticed a lot of pros using these silicone measuring cups. I figured they must be onto something, so I swapped out my old plastic ones and haven't looked back. I love that they work for both hot and cold ingredients (think melted chocolate or butter) and can go straight into the microwave or dishwasher without a problem. — Lindsey Smith, newsletter editorRead our review Oxo Good Grips Grilling Tongs and Turner Set This dishwasher-safe set of grilling tools does all the work on my grill and handles the heat. It's a steal for its price considering both the tongs — which received multiple votes in my poll of our editors — and the spatula are nearly the same price on their own. — Joe Bloss, associate testing writer Where can I buy Oxo products? Where can I buy Oxo products? Oxo products are sold just about anywhere you'd expect to find kitchen tools — in-store or online at Amazon, Walmart, Target, Macy's and The Container Store, among others — as well as on the brand's own website. Is Oxo an acronym for a longer name? Is Oxo an acronym for a longer name? No. The name, pronounced 'ox-oh,' is an ambigram and a palindrome, meaning it can be read in any direction. Is there a difference between Oxo and Oxo Good Grips? Is there a difference between Oxo and Oxo Good Grips? Not really. Anything under the 'Good Grips' umbrella is simply a matter of branding. The line is designed to promote a comfortable, secure hold, otherwise known as a good grip. CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors with many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products who ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, these are not just products the team has tested, but they're mainstays in their lives. Associate testing writer Joe Bloss assembled this guide with submissions from several other CNN Underscored writers and editors who swear by these Oxo products. Bloss has penned numerous kitchen guides, including the best toasters and the best coffee makers.
Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Buzz Feed
30 Must-Have Products Expert Gardeners Love
A seeding-start kit so you can finally sow all those seeds you've been holding onto. This little setup comes with everything you need to start a whole lineup of veggies, herbs, or flowers before sending them out to thrive in your garden. The kit has space for up to 72 seedlings in cells measuring 1.5" x 1.5" x 2" each. Entire tray is 10" x 20" x 5". Recommended for use with a heat mat to promote germination. Once sprouts emerge, use a plant grow light or place near a well-lit review: "As an avid gardener, I've found this kit to be an essential tool for starting seeds and nurturing young plants before transplanting them into the garden. Each cell is sturdy and well-designed, ensuring proper airflow and drainage to promote healthy root development. The included greenhouse dome helps retain moisture and warmth, promoting optimal germination and seedling growth. Incredibly user-friendly, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced gardeners alike. The included growing medium is pre-fertilized and ready to use, eliminating the need for additional soil amendments and saving time during the planting process. Highly recommend." —Blondie16Get it from Amazon for $14.69. A weed-puller tool to easily remove weeds from your garden or lawn. It's the bestselling weeding tool on Amazon, and for good reason! The same family-owned small business has been making these since 1913, and 46,000+ reviewers have given the product 5 stars. A seed and seedling spacer tool that'll show you exactly where to put your seeds. The color-coded square helps you space out seeds just right, so your veggies grow in neat little rows instead of chaotic clumps. Just press into the soil, poke holes with the included dibber, and plant. A pack of Miracle-Gro water-storing crystals to keep your outdoor plants perfectly hydrated, without you having to guess if you're overwatering or underwatering. You mix it in with your regular soil, and the crystals swell to absorb water and then release it later. A pair of breathable bamboo gloves that'll make you feel like a gardening pro. They're breathable, flexible, and grippy enough to keep a solid hold on your tools (or that stubborn weed that refuses to budge). Plus, they're made from bamboo, so your hands stay cool and comfy while you work your backyard magic. Or a pair of gardening gloves with extra-long sleeves so you don't have to stress about poison ivy, thorny branches, or mosquito bites while you're out there doing your thing. Bug season is no joke, so it helps to stay covered. These'll also save your arms if you accidentally brush up against something prickly. A crack weeder tool to make your pathways, driveways, and patios like new again. The uniquely shaped head allows the tool to fit into tight cracks and grab weeds by the roots for easy removal. A 3D-printed spout that'll turn your empty milk jug into a fully functional watering can. It's lightweight, easy to fill at the sink, and a genius little upgrade for anyone trying to green their garden and their habits at the same time. Granny Geeks is a woman-owned small business based in Georgia that makes 3D-printed garden review: "Such a clever item. My hose is hard to use so I can fill a jug in my kitchen sink and still have it water my plants well! I loved it so much, this is my second (one for indoor plants which require distilled water and one for my outdoor plants)!" —MelissaGet it from Granny Geeks for $5.99 (available in five colors). A pack of the 20 most popular vegetable seeds to basically turn your vegetable beds into your own organic produce market. From beets and cucumbers to cabbage and okra, there are enough seeds to grow plenty of produce year round. A Nisaku Hori Hori weeding knife that'll help you dig, weed, and slice through stubborn roots. It has both a straight and serrated edge for tackling different tasks, plus inch markings to help you plant at just the right depth. A vertical planter so you can grow herbs, strawberries, or flowers without giving up your whole patio. Just stack the five tiers, fill with soil, and plant up to 20 things in one tidy, compact tower. A battery-operated 2-in-1 handheld hedge and grass trimmer that'll help you clean up messy garden edges, trim back overgrown shrubs, and neaten up any rogue patches of grass. It comes with two blade attachments you can swap out depending on the job, and it's lightweight enough to use one-handed. A pair of stainless-steel gardening shears for clipping cuttings and deadheading. Folks say they're lightweight and easy to use, and despite their size, can cut through really thick, tough stems. A galvanized steel planter bed for neatly planting all your veggies and fruits. It has an open bottom, which provides good drainage and keeps weeds away from your soil. Promising review: "Pretty straightforward to build. I have 6 of them in my garden and have had them since March 2023. It's now January 2025 and they are still holding up pretty well." —Dylan"For the past 40 years have always had a garden in the ground. So tired of weeds taking over. Decided to try raised beds. Love this. Easy to assemble." —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in two sizes). Or a raised garden bed that removes the need for bending or kneeling, preserving your back and knees as you tend to your garden. It's made from Chinese fir, a great wood for outdoor furniture and construction because it doesn't warp out of shape when it gets damp or wet. Promising review: "This is my third raised bed. It is very easy to put together, especially after the third time. It is very sturdy; the one I bought three years ago is still standing tall. I like the drainage holes. I do deep watering, so I never worry about the bed being waterlogged. It is easy to move when it is empty, not so much when it is full of dirt." —AnitaGet it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in three sizes and three finishes). A 21-inch Ryobi self-propelling lawnmower because yard work is way more tolerable when your mower doesn't sound like a helicopter. This one's battery powered-powered (read: quiet), and the charge lasts *forever* — I did both my front and back lawn with juice left over. It's a very worthy investment if you want to maintain a pristine lawn all year long without a lot of effort on your part (self-propelling really is awesome). My house has a lot of lawn: over 3,000 square feet. When we first moved in, I bought a cheap battery-powered mower that could barely handle either the front or the back yard on a single charge. Not ideal. This Ryobi mower is the total opposite. I can mow both the front and back with charge to spare. A "command center" lets you activate turbo mode and lights, and adjust the self-propel speed right from the handle (great for slowing down when you're trying to mow a corner). Turbo mode gives you an extra boost for tough patches, and it comes with a grass catcher bag, though I always keep mine on mulch mode because it's better for the lawn. The handle folds down for easy storage. Bonus: the 40V battery works with over 85 other Ryobi tools, which I love because it means I can expand my collection without collecting a bunch of different batteries. Promising review: "I have about 1,500 sq. ft. yard and I have mowed it four times and the battery is at 50%. It does great on a 25% incline slope. It has so much power that I had to lower it to 50%. Best lawnmower I have ever owned. Highly recommend." —RchoHomeOwner Get it from The Home Depot for $549. A seven-piece garden tool kit if you're new to gardening and want a one-stop shop for all your needs. This kit has a folding stool so you can sit comfortably while you work, and all the tools you'll need for basic gardening tasks. The seven-piece kit includes a weeding fork, cultivator, weeder, transplanter, trowel, folding stool, and tool review: "This stool is extremely convenient. I hate squatting in the garden and flailing around trying to find my tools when I need to dig something up. This has several small pockets for the small tools it comes with, plus a large pocket in the middle where I keep my larger clippers and gloves. Since I have things stored inside now, I don't fold it, but before that, the folding was great because it takes up almost no space in my shed. Can't beat the convenience of using and storing all of these things in one compact package. The tools themselves are decent, too. The shovels are flatter than I am used to, but it has actually come in handy in some areas, like around my stone wall." —MollyGet it from Amazon for $36.99 (available in two colors). A pair of Fiskars 28-inch tree trimmers so you can finally cut back those rogue branches without feeling like you just did CrossFit. They've got power-boosting levers that make it way easier to slice through thicker limbs, and the blades stay sharp and gunk free. Or a pole saw if you're done playing the ladder game every time a tree branch misbehaves. It extends anywhere from nearly 8 feet–27 feet (depending on the model you purchase), letting you trim high limbs from the ground. The sharp, triple-cut blade makes quick work of branches, and the lightweight design won't destroy your arms in the process. A bottle of organic Joyful Dirt concentrated plant food and fertilizer for indoor or outdoor plants that you mix into either soil or the plant's water. Within a few weeks, your plants will look noticeably healthier and taller. Joyful Dirt is a small business based in Portland, Oregon, making organic, all-purpose plant food since review: "We love this stuff. We use it on all of our house plants and our outdoor garden. The indoor plants look better day and night about a week after application. Love that it's all natural too, and don't have to worry about any harmful chemicals. Been using this stuff for about three years now!" —DJ it from Amazon for $22.95. A pack of reusable Velcro garden ties that'll gently keep your plants in the right spot. Use these to secure stems to stakes, trellises, or cages without damaging anything delicate. They're soft, adjustable, and way easier to manage than twist ties or string. A garden dibber to make planting bulbs, sowing seeds, and breaking up clumps of dirt easier than ever — every gardener should have one of these babies! A pack of five heavy-duty fabric grow bags so you can grow big plants with ease. These grow bags use a breathable material, which keeps roots and soil oxygenated and cool throughout the year. Great for developing robust, fibrous root systems that stay healthy without needing regular root pruning. Promising review: "So I'm no plant pot-biologist, but these are awesome. They're durable and strong. The handles are stitched on super well. They are also solid enough to hold the soil and plant with no problem while letting enough oxygen to the roots to create a bigger root ball, leading to bigger plants/yields. Best mesh flower pots by far." —Tom Higgins Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in tan or black and in 10 sizes). A potting bench to turn your backyard into your new favorite workspace. This one will give you a waist-height spot to repot, trim, and admire your plants without hunching over like a Victorian ghost. It'll hold your tools, display your prettiest blooms, and even offer a little shelf for whatever garden project you're working on next. Promising review: "Nothing to dislike about this garden bench. It's not built for heavy-duty gardening, which is what I love about it. There's storage, a drawer, and a little shelf for my supplies. It's a private area for just me to play with my plants and bulbs. Super easy to clean up, too. Love it!!" —AprilGet it from Amazon for $122.99+ (available in three wood finishes; be sure to apply the $12 off coupon when applicable). A smart sprinkler controller that'll take over your yard's watering schedule with actual intelligence. It uses weather data to skip watering when it rains, adjusts automatically with the seasons, and lets you control everything from your phone. You'll get a greener, healthier lawn without wasting water or fiddling with confusing timers. Promising review: "I bought this Rachio 3 because I need remote control of my irrigation system. I did research, and Rachio 3 came to the top of the list. My old one is Hunter, which is ok but not Wi-Fi controllable. Plus, it is hard to schedule different watering schedules at the same time. The Rachio 3 is really smart and very user-friendly. It will skip the water day if rainfall is in the forecast. I wish I bought this unit years ago." —Turning Point Get it from Amazon for $164.99+ (available in two styles). A pack of three rolling plant caddies to make sure you can move your heaviest plants without much effort. Each caddy can hold up to 80 pounds, too, so we're talking about some pretty big plants! An extremely flexible, kink-free garden hose so you can water your yard with ease. It's also way lighter than other hoses — perfect for those of us who don't want to turn watering the garden into a cardio session. Promising review: "This thing is an absolute game changer. I mean, it's heavy-duty yet super lightweight, which is a total win-win. It's like the Hulk of garden hoses: strong and sturdy but easy to handle. I can drag it around my yard without feeling like I'm lugging around a huge snake. It's also a vibrant green color, so it adds a nice pop to my outdoor space. I highly recommend it to all my fellow garden enthusiasts out there. You won't regret it!" —Fouad al MaawdahGet it from Amazon for $14.85+ (available in eight lengths). A garden hose nozzle sprayer with up to eight patterns that'll fit all standard garden hoses. Reviewers love (there are over 16,200 5-star reviews!) the 100% heavy-duty metal handle, and that it can take on jobs as simple as lawn watering all the way up to more complicated ones like muddy dog washing. Promising review: "The double seal where the handle connects to the hose is a high-quality feature. I chose this model because of the lever flow control. As an avid gardener, this is better than the trigger-activated garden hose nozzles." —Ernest it from Amazon for $21.80+ (available with three pattern quantities). A pair of supportive, waterproof clogs if you're always tracking mud into the house after spending time in the garden. When you're done outside you can just wipe 'em down or hose 'em off. And a pair of knee pads for comfortably gardening for hours on end. Gardening is such a wonderful thing, but if your body starts to ache you can soon be in agony. Give these pads a try if you find yourself having to quit gardening before you're ready due to aches and pains.
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business Insider
The best BBQ smokers
If you're looking for maximum barbecue flavor, the best smokers are the answer. Smoking is a great way to preserve food and impart a deep, fire-roasted taste. While you can smoke on any grill (read our guide to the best grills for all our favorites), a dedicated smoker is shaped to accommodate larger cuts of meat and impart the ultimate flavor. We've tested dozens of models to find the best BBQ smoker. Our top pick is the Traeger Woodridge Pro, a pellet grill that offers hands-off grilling and smoking without sacrificing flavor. For a more traditional charcoal flavor, the Weber Original Kettle can be used as a smoker and grill, is budget-friendly, and doesn't take up too much space. Top picks for the best smokers Best pellet: Traeger Woodridge Pro - See at Amazon Best pellet Whether you're looking to upgrade an old, well-used smoker grill or are new to the space, the Traeger Woodridge Pro is a great choice for most people. Its heat retention is excellent, and it has advanced wireless connectivity, both of which mean less hands-on cooking is needed. Plus, it has a hearty 970 square inches of cooking real estate, a size that I've personally verified is enough for five full racks of ribs with room to spare. It's versatile as both a smoker and a grill. As is common in the smoker space, the Woodridge Pro can reach 500 degrees Fahrenheit, but it also has a super smoke mode that can be used when grilling under 200 degrees for even more intense smoky flavor. This is a true treat when paired with the right meats. The 24-pound pellet hopper pretty much ensures you'll never run out of fuel during a long cook, but a sensor inside the hopper can relay a notification to the app when it's time to add more — just in case. You can customize the grill. A few years ago, Traeger got serious about updating its line of grilling accessories with the P.A.L. Pop And Lock system. Now, nearly all of its current grills can use the same shelves, hooks, paper towel holder, and hanging storage. Your investment now won't be wasted in the future. Traeger makes three different Woodridge grills, but the Pro is best for most. While there are plenty of other fine smokers out there, the new line of Woodridge smokers offers a range of features to satisfy all, at a price that's easy to stomach. The entry-level model is a good choice for infrequent chefs, and the Elite model is a complete outdoor kitchen, but the Pro model is well-rounded and suitable for most people. If you're curious about other models, you can check out our guide to the best Traeger grills and best pellet grills Best for beginners We find that Weber's Smokey Mountain series' 18-inch smoker offers the most for the casual at-home smoker. It has a relatively small footprint of about 20 inches, is made with the same solid steel and porcelain enamel as the brand's Original Kettle grills, and it will outlast most charcoal smokers on the market for the same price. Depending on the amount of cooking surface area you require, you can size up to 22 inches (726 square inches) or down to 14 inches (286 square inches), but we think the 481 square inches offered by the 18-inch model (between two vertically integrated grates) is plenty for most. Setting this grill up is easy and straightforward, and once assembled, a pile of charcoal, some wood-smoking chips, and a basin (included) filled with water are all you need. You'll have to keep on top of the fire and airflow throughout to find the perfect balance — and make no mistake, that is an art unto itself, but also part of the fun. I've spent the better part of a decade tinkering with and smoking all sorts of things with this very grill. My most monumental successes in smoking have occurred on this very smoker, but so too have my greatest failures. If these prospects don't appeal to you, save yourself the anguish and consider a pellet, propane, or electric smoker instead. Best charcoal To do barbecue right, you'll want the best offset smoker that can handle burning wood without rotting out. Steven Raichlen, creator of Barbecue University, Project Smoke, and countless grilling cookbooks, says, "When it comes to flavor, there's no substitute for charcoal and wood." Professional-level smokers can run well into the four-figure range, but Char-Griller's Grand Champ XD is remarkably heavy-duty with 12-gauge (tenth-inch thick) steel, expanded metal grates, and oversized legs and wheels made for off-patio trudging at half the price of the competition. It took me a little under two hours to build this 250-pound grill; instructions were clear and all the holes lined up effortlessly. It's remarkably heat-stable. When we cooked pork shoulder, the grill maintained a near-constant 225 degrees Fahrenheit over eight hours with two charcoal chimney starters ' worth of coals and five small logs. Despite less-than-ideal gaskets (we think this grill deserves some thicker felt like these LavaLock seals), we haven't experienced any seepage after three long burns. Like with many offset smokers, there's a learning curve. Offset smokers tend to cook unevenly because heat comes from the fire at one end and works its way to the other. Our tests for heat distribution, performed using zucchini strips, proved this, but the transition was gradual. This is a good thing; it can help you dial your grill for low-and-slow cooking versus higher-heat grilling, though it involves some trial and error. Best electric Electric smokers are among the easiest to operate. They're insulated, maintain almost perfect temperature control, and can cook for hours upon hours without much attention (save for adding wood chips). Masterbuilt's 30" Electric Smoker comes practically preassembled (attach the legs, the digital monitor, a latch, and it's ready) and will be up and running with the press of a few buttons. There's no fussy fuel to deal with, and all you have to do is remember to deposit a handful of either dry or pre-soaked wood chips, which you'll want to replenish about every hour or so, depending on the temperature you set. We smoked fish, meat, and a pile of vegetables in it and everything came out perfectly, evenly browned and cooked through. This is as fail-safe and effortless as smoking gets. Vertical electric smokers are the same shape, size, and every bit as straightforward as propane smokers, but without the hassle of dealing with propane (namely, running out of it). The size lets you cook just about everything you would on a midsize barrel grill or smoker, and a glass window in the door is a nice touch that allows you to keep an eye on things without having to open it up and lose heat. You can only use it outdoors, and I wish this grill had handles because I've had to move it quite a bit, and there's no great place to get a grip on it. Plan to keep this grill more or less where you park it, and know that you'll need a solid electrical source. Best budget Good news: you can smoke just fine on a standard charcoal grill. There's a sizeable series of YouTube wormholes to help you navigate your way through converting Weber's Kettle grill into one of the best smokers. If you want to keep things compact and simple but also afford yourself a little versatility with a charcoal grill, the good old-fashioned Weber Kettle allows for just enough ingenuity that it passes for a smoker when called upon. Thanks to the depth and shape of the kettle, you can build a small charcoal bed on one side and set the grate on the other. This is most easily done with Weber's Char-Basket charcoal holders and a bit of aluminum foil as a heat deflector. Despite having thinner steel than most barbecue smokers, the Weber Kettle is a master at heat retention. With the lid on properly, you'll have no trouble maintaining heat. We also enjoy that you still have space to cook over direct heat while smoking, so it's easy to char some vegetables or cook some hot dogs while you're smoking. You're not going to turn any heads pulling out a Weber Kettle grill at a barbecue in the way you will with a furnace-sized offset barrel smoker, but you'll get the job done for a small party, and you're going to save a lot of money and space in doing so. If you want even more versatility, the KettleBasic Pizza Oven Kit turns your charcoal grill into one of the best pizza ovens. Best indoor An indoor electric smoker shouldn't be your first choice when picking a grill to infuse meat with rich, smoky flavor. But if you're limited in space or by other circumstances, the GE Profile Smart Indoor Pellet Smoker is a terrific option to keep you cooking and the meals flowing. It features a small wood pellet hopper to create the internal smoke, but its active filtration system keeps your house from being flooded with a haze. The countertop-size unit has 293 square inches of cooking space, which isn't enormous, but should be plenty of room to make dinner for the family. I'm constantly impressed by how many wings or the cut of ribs that I can fit onto the three grates. Even if that internal space isn't a limiting factor, you should be aware that the GE Profile Smart Indoor Pellet Smoker has a heating range of 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 300. It's perfect for the low-and-slow cooking method, but it won't be able to sear or really serve as a general-purpose countertop oven for other kinds of food. I've found myself using the indoor smoker the most during the winter when it wasn't convenient to cook outside. Making it even more user-friendly, I'm a fan of the built-in WiFi that pairs with the GE SmartHQ mobile app to let you monitor its timer, check the internal probe temperature, and adjust the timer all remotely. If you really want to get fancy, you can connect it with Alexa or Google Home to use certain voice commands. For its $699 retail price, you can get a good outdoor smoker, but if you don't have the outside space for a traditional smoker, then this one does a great job preparing juicy, flavorful cuts of meat. Then again, even if you already have a regular smoker you like, this one is always an option for a secondary one when it's too cold to be outside. —Tyler Hayes, contributor What kind of smoker is best? Smokers are generally classified by the type of fuel used. A charcoal or wood-burning grill will give you the most smoke flavor, but you'll have to be more mindful about refilling throughout the BBQ process. Here's a breakdown of the different smoker types: What to look for in a BBQ smoker Smoker heat source: While smoking over hardwood is probably the most fun experience, not everyone wants to spend the better part of a day hunched over a fire. If you're a smoke enthusiast, opt for an offset or charcoal-powered smoker but be prepared for a learning curve. Otherwise, a pellet grill will get you good flavor (albeit not quite as smoky) and is almost entirely hands-off. Material quality: Most grills have to live outside, and while a cover is a worthy investment, even the best smokers are still going to have to withstand the elements. Flimsier metals and cheap wheels were immediately disqualified. Thicker steel and industrial-grade casters were positive points, especially for competitively priced smokers. Warranty: Look for a warranty of at least two years, but be prepared to make some concessions. In the end, a grill is only as good as the quality of the materials and build. It's hard to call in a warranty on something like a grill or smoker because "normal wear and tear" involves starting fires, spilling grease, and exposure to the elements. We find that investing in a grill that's built to last is ultimately the better consideration, even if it means forgoing a longer warranty. How we test the best smokers After assembling the best smokers, analyzing the design and structure, and preseasoning them, we run several cooking tests: Pork shoulder: For 5- to 7-pound shoulders, we targeted 225 degrees Fahrenheit at a rate of about one hour per pound, checking for a good smoke ring and even heat on both sides of the shoulder. Chicken drumsticks: We evenly spaced drumsticks across each grill to test for the level of smokiness and doneness. (On smaller grills, we used as few as six drumsticks, while larger models saw 12-18.) We targeted 250 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour-and-a-half cook time. We also tossed in the occasional full bird for about two-and-a-half hours on larger grills. Zucchini strips: At 350 degrees Fahrenheit, we spread strips of zucchini across each grill to look for char marks to make sure grills were cooking evenly. We also consulted several experts, including chef Shola Olunloyo of Studio Kitchen and veteran author and Barbecue University TV host Steven Raichlen, to find out what makes a good smoker. Barbecue smoker FAQs Can you smoke on a gas grill? Yes and no. You can impart some smoky flavor by placing a foil packet of soaked wood chips on the burner of your gas grill. However, Steven Raichlen told us that because gas grills aren't sealed well enough, you shouldn't expect BBQ-quality smoke from a gas grill. If you're looking for a traditional grill, check out our guide to the best gas grills. Can you use wood on a charcoal smoker? Yes, you can add wood chips to any charcoal grill. However, higher-quality charcoal smokers, often offset barrel models called stick-burners, are your best option for wood fires because they are built to withstand direct heat. The Char-Griller Grand Champ XD, which we recommend above, is a great entry-level option that can withstand burning wood. How does smoking work? BBQ smokers work by using indirect heat to cook and/or cure food with smoke, and there are a number of ways to smoke food. At their most basic, smokers are simply a well-sealed vessel in which to contain heat and smoke to cure food to your desired level of flavor. More complicated smoker setups have additional features like offset smoke boxes or electronic controls to better regulate the level of heat and smoke.
