If you’re looking for an electric smoker on a $200 budget, you’ve come to the right place!
In this TheGrillingDad.com guide you will find:
- What to look for when buying an electric smoker
- Our top 5 list
- And much more!
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Our Top 5 Best Electric Smokers Under $200 Ratings
- Masterbuilt 30″ Digital Electric Smoker (Best Overall)
- Smokehouse Big Chief Electric Smoker (Best Budget Option)
- Cuisinart 30″ Electric Smoker (Best Runner Up)
- Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker (Best Portable Option)
- Masterbuilt 30″ Analog Electric Smoker (Best Analog Smoker)
The Best Budget Electric Smokers Reviewed
Looking for an electric smoker that will cook your meat and vegetables with that phenomenal smoky taste without breaking the bank? It is possible to buy a great one for under $200!
The best electric smoker will have all of the standard features such as temperature control, multiple moveable racks, and a sealed door. What makes the best different than the rest, however, are those extra bells and whistles.
When it comes to electric smokers, many factors should be taken into consideration before you make your decision. Keep in mind that you don’t have to drop hundreds or thousands of dollars on a top-notch unit to get that smoked flavor on your food.
While the higher-end brands certainly have their advantages with all of the bells and whistles, there are electric smokers on the market that are great for producing great food that is less expensive.
Finding these brands may take some work on your part, however, your pocketbook will thank you for it.
For those who are just starting with the world of smoked meats, these models are a great place, to begin with, your electric smoker adventures. Not only are these models inexpensive, but they are also great for learning how the process works.
Check out the list below to find the perfect electric smoker suited to your wants and needs.
Pick #1: Masterbuilt 30″ Digital Electric Smoker – Best Overall
This electric smoker was rated best overall for several reasons including the fact that Masterbuilt is a company that has a great reputation for building quality smokers.
Although the MB20071117 is less than $200, it still produces some of the best food you would expect from a smoker.
This digital electric smoker features a cooking space that is 711 square inches of capacity which mean there is plenty of room to cook quite a bit of food.
With four removable racks, you have the flexibility to change up the food you decide to smoke.
Although the heating element only produces about 800 watts of power, the insulated construction provides plenty of heat to cook your food effectively.
The Masterbuilt smoker is also equipped with electric temperature controls so you can adjust the temperature as you wish.
It is also interesting to note that you can attach a Slow Smoker to the smoker the side which allows you to add wood chips for many hours without having to open the door. This is also the attachment that is needed to create the cold smoker which is a great addition.
Pros
- Electric temperature control
- Large capacity to suit those cooking for larger crowds
- Slow Smoker attachment that can turn it into a cold smoker
- Wood chip port on the side for more smoke
- Insulated body
Cons
- Short-term warranty
- Temperature only goes to about 275℉
Pick #2: Smokehouse Big Chief Electric Smoker – Best for Delicate Meats
The Smokehouse Big Chief is the perfect electric smoker for those who plan to use it to cook food that does not require a higher heat such as fish, sausage, and jerky.
This smoker is only equipped with one temperature of 165℉.
The Big Chief is also designed with careful ventilation to allow for your delicate meats to smoke and produce great flavor. The ventilation system also allows for your jerky to dehydrate in the best way.
What many people enjoy about the Big Chief is that it is somewhat versatile with the ability to cook other meats to a certain extent as long as you finish cooking it by other means. Additionally, it is small and light enough to bring along when you go camping or on fishing trips.
Keep in mind that if you do use this smoker to cook larger cuts of meat like brisket, it will require that you put it in the oven after smoking it to bring it up to the desired temperature. This will ensure that the meat is cooked thoroughly.
Pros
- Lightweight for easy portability
- Holds about 50 pounds of food
- Only one temperature means it is perfect for delicate meats
Cons
- Not appropriate for larger cuts of meat
- Only one temperature
Pick #3: Cuisinart 30″ Electric Smoker – Best Runner Up
When most people think about the Cuisinart brand they know that it comes with stellar quality based on years of producing reputable products. The Cuisinart COS – 330 does not disappoint when it comes to this great electric smoker.
For those looking for an electric smoker that is manufactured by a reputable company and has the quality and warranty to back it up, this may be the smoker for you.
The great thing about this top-notch smoker is that you can acquire it for less than $200.
The heating element on this smoker sits at about 1500 watts which means it has the power to keep the temperature hot despite not having an insulated design.
In addition, the 548 square inches of cooking space provides you with quite a bit of room to smoke your favorite foods.
Pros
- 1500 watts of power to hold in the heat
- Longer warranty
- Easy to transport
- Good size cooking space
Cons
- Does not have insulation
- Required to open door to add more wood chips
Pick #4: Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker – Most Portable Option
If you are just getting started in the world of smoking foods, you may want to start with the Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker. This is because it is the most portable out of all of the other choices weighing under 50 pounds.
The analog dial on the side of the unit controls the temperature which can be seen on the front door.
With 544 square inches of cooking space and three removable racks, this cooker is a favorite among those who do not want to spend much money but still have a quality smoker.
You should be aware that while this is a great smoker for the price, there are a few things you will need to deal with. Even though this smoker is designed to reach a temperature of 350℉, it may have trouble maintaining a temperature of even 250℉.
The reason for the temperature control is that the door has to be opened to add wood chips which makes it difficult to keep the temperature maintained. Additionally, the door on the unit may not be secure as tightly as it should.
Pros
- Less expensive than others on the market
- Longer warranty available
- Higher temperature availability
Cons
- Issues with maintaining temperature
- Temperature control is analog
- Have to open the door to add more wood chips
Pick #5: Masterbuilt 30″ Analog Electric Smoker – Best Analog Smoker
With 536 square inches of cooking space and three removable racks, you will have plenty of room for all of your smoking needs. For those who enjoy entertaining, this is the perfect model since there is plenty of cooking space.
The MB20070210 comes equipped with 1500 watts of power which means that it has the ability to keep the temperature as steady as possible. This is true even though it is not insulated like other models of electric smokers are.
Like other models that are less than $200, this one does not come with the ability to add more wood chips without opening the door. This means that when you add more chips to create a smokier flavor, you may lose some of the heat from the inside.
Here we have another Masterbuilt model that is great for those who want an analog smoker that has the same reputation as a great manufacturer.
The analog temperature control means that there is less of a chance that something will get broken.
Pros
- Ability to clean along the way with the external drip pan
- 1500 watt power means a more even temperature throughout the smoker
- Less chance of broken parts with the analog design
- Capacity to work for few or even larger groups of people
Cons
- Loses temperature when adding wood chips through the door
- The analog dial gives limited information
- There is no insulation which could be a problem in colder temperatures
- Short warranty
Why Should You Consider a $200 Electric Smoker?
Most people think that when they are considering purchasing an electric smoker that they will need to invest quite a bit of money. For smokers that have all of the bells and whistles, this may be a true thought.
However, unless you have the money readily available, you may want to start with a smoker that is less expensive so that you can determine if you enjoy using them or not. You may even be pleasantly surprised to discover that these smokers that are less than $200 have the quality and features you find in the more expensive brands.
The most important thing you should think about when considering buying an electric smoker for under $200 is that you are not sacrificing quality by doing so. Most of these smokers are top-of-the-line within the price range.
Buying an electric smoker that is less expensive initially can save your budget but also provide you and your family and friends with a great smoked meal as often as you like. Although you have the option to wait, many people choose to start with one of these before upgrading to one with more features.
Read More >> How to Season an Electric Smoker
What are Some of the Features to Consider?
As with most appliances and grills, there are certain features and potential problems that you should consider before making a purchase. Since electric smokers can be a big investment, you will want to be extremely careful to not buy something that you will later dislike.
The following features are considered to be the most important factors you should look for when buying an electric grill.
Temperature Control
While many budget electric smokers come equipped with analog temperature controls, you may want to consider one that you have the ability to control the temperature. This is because, with the analog models, you have to set the temperature according to what is on the smoker.
There are some smokers in this price range that come equipped with digital temperature controls that you can control. This means that you have the ability to change the temperature as you see fit throughout the cooking process.
Cooking Space
Another important feature you should consider when purchasing a new electric smoker is how much space there is to cook. This is important especially if you are cooking for larger crowds more often than not.
With a larger cooking space, you can not only smoke your meat, but you can also toss in your vegetables at the same time. While the cooking time varies, you will want to keep careful when out, however, having the extra space will come in handy.
Durability
Many people worry about purchasing an inexpensive electric smoker for fear that they may be giving up the durability of the more expensive smokers. If your budget does not allow the pricier models, you should know that you can get one for under $200 that still has great quality.
Although you may be looking for an electric smoker for cheap, you don’t have to sacrifice quality workmanship. They are constructed with materials that can withstand extreme temperatures and are built to last despite the lower price.
Warranty
You may also consider making sure the electric smoker you choose has a warranty that is for a good amount of time. This is because if you do not have a warranty or it expires in a short period, you will be out of the money to repair or replace it.
Most appliances come with a warranty that is for about a year with the option to upgrade to an extended warranty. Other products come with a warranty that is less than a year, which means you could be out quite a bit of money over time.
Power
For any electric smoker, the speed at which it can heat up and stay at a constant temperature is extremely important. This ensures that the food you are smoking will cook evenly with the same amount of power.
Even though you are considering a cooker that is inexpensive, you should not sacrifice the amount of power it comes equipped with. Most of the smokers listed above have the power needed to cook your food to perfection.
Read More >> How to Use Wood Chips in an Electric Smoker
Final Thoughts on Budget Electric Smokers
The bottom line is that if you want to purchase an electric smoker for under $200 that has the best overall quality, then look no further than the Masterbuilt 30″ Digital Electric Smoker. This is because it has all the features you could need, but at a great price.
This Masterbuilt electric smoker comes equipped with many of the features that you could desire at a price that fits your budget. The fully insulated design keeps your food airtight so that it absorbs all of the heat and smoke for a better taste.
In addition to the insulated design, this smoker also has a large cooking space that is great for those with more people to cook for. Whether you are cooking food for yourself or a crowd of people, you cannot go wrong with this electric smoker, especially with a price under $200.
Learn More About Smokers
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