The Best Budget Smoker for Your Money in 2023

You should definitely have a reliable smoker on hand for cooking for your loved ones, friends, or large groups. Roasting and grilling will be a breeze with the best budget smoker. Our review of the best budget smokers will help you sort the good from the bad.

Best Budget Smoker – Buying Guide

Factors to consider Best Smoker Under 1500

Buying your first smoker can be tricky if you’re unfamiliar with them and don’t know what to expect. It is quite easy to overspend for features you won’t use. Choosing the best smoker in budget deals begins with comparing costs, then moving on to other major decisions.

1. Cost: The price of a smoker starts at around $100. Spending thousands on a fully equipped outdoor kitchen is a good idea if money isn’t a concern. The price of a good, cheap smoker varies based on the type of fuel used, the cooking capacity, the construction, and essential features like accurate temperature gauges built in.
2. Purpose & Size: The size of a smoker is directly related to its purpose. A smoker that serves a few people requires less space than one that serves a crowd. Considering the size and portability of a smoker before taking it camping, to parties, or tailgating is another important consideration. When you have good sturdy wheels on your smoker, moving it across your yard won’t be an issue. However, packing it into your SUV or truck may prove challenging. You should remember that the smoker will be dirty and hot by the end of the day.
3. Fuel: Gas, charcoal, wooden pellets, or electric smokers are available at good prices. Depending on your preference, a smoker can be powered by charcoal, gas, pellets, or even electric. However, a charcoal or gas grill is more difficult to use and can be more expensive.
4. Storage: Generally, you should cover and even store a smoker inside a garage or shed if possible, especially if you spent a lot on it. You may want to choose a smaller smoker if your garage or outdoor storage area is full since larger smokers take up more space.

Now that you know all the factors to look for while buying a budget smoker, let us jump to the best reviews. 

Best Budget Smoker Reviews

1. Dyna-Glo Wide Body DGO1890BDC-D Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker

• Description: 

• Brand: Dyna-Glo
• Model Name: N/A
• Power Source: Charcoal
• Color: Black

• Outer Material: Stainless Steel, Steel
• Item Weight: 83 Pounds
• Item Dimensions: 21 x 43.3 x 50.2 Inches 
• Inner Material: Stainless Steel
• Fuel Type: Charcoal

• Performance: Due to Dyna-Glo smoker being a vertical offset smoker, it distributes the heat more evenly and controls and monitors temperatures more easily than the other smokers out there.
• Comparison:  One of the best budget stainless steel smokers out there is the Dyna-Glo Vertical Offset Smoker. The large cooking area, along with the versatility offered by this smoker, is what makes it the best. Buyers get to choose between smoke and charcoal grills as well.
• Usage: The large cooking area, along with the amount of versatility offered by this smoker, certainly makes it the best smoker on a budget. What makes this smoker even more outstanding is its built-in easy-to-use thermometer. 
• Pros: 
  • Value For Money Smoker
  • Thermometer With Stainless Steel Lid
  • Huge Cooking Space
  • Top-Rated On Amazon.com
• Cons:
  • Doesn’t Offer A Water Pan
  • Is Not Easily Portable
• What’s New?  

This latest model of a smoker from Dyna-Glo offers a total cooking area of 1,890 square feet, 6 height adjustable cooking grates that can hold up food up to 25 lbs per grate, and a charcoal chamber that is porcelain enabled.

• Why You Should Buy It? 

You should buy the Dyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical Offset Charcoal Chamber because this charcoal smoker brings a lot of versatility to the table, offers good performance, and a great cooking experience when outdoors. The smoker can also accommodate various types and sizes of food.

2. Char-Broil 17202004 Digital Electric Smoker, Deluxe, Silver

• Description: 

• Brand: Char-Broil
• Model Name: Deluxe
• Power Source: Corded Electric
• Colour: Silver

• Outer Material: Stainless Steel, Glass
• Item Weight: 50.2 Pounds
• Item Dimensions: 16.5 x 18.1 x 32.5 Inches 
• Inner Material: Stainless Steel
• Fuel Type: Electric

• Performance: Char-Broil is another popular brand that has been offering reliable performance smokers since the 1940s. This smoker has four smoking racks to offer its owners the best electric smoker performance. 
• Comparison:  This Char-Broil electric deluxe smoker is quite easy to use and comes with a tremendous set of heat settings and control panels as compared to other smokers on the list. The large buttons of its control panel with display add more clarity to it.
• Usage: In terms of usage, this electric smoker from Char-Broil makes an ideal choice for grilling, outdoor smoking, and cooking. This digital electric smoker also enables a cooking enthusiast to cook a large variety of food items for a large or small group.
• Pros: 
  • Locks In Smoke And Heat Incredibly Well
  • Comes With An Advanced Control Panel 
  • It offers Great Digital Controls
  • Removable Food Thermometer
  • High Capacity Grease Tray
• Cons:
  • Less Portability
  • Small Cooking Area
• What’s New?  

This Char-Broil smoker also offers some optional accessories, such as a heavy-duty cover made from polyester that comes with a weather-resistant finishing. This is a great additional accessory that all cooking enthusiasts love.

• Why You Should Buy It?

You should buy the Char-Broil deluxe digital electric smoker because it offers an outstanding collection of features such as an insulated double-wall construction, stainless steel latch for a seal that is smoke tight, and a glass door for viewing the food items inside.

3. Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Jr. Portable Kamado Charcoal Grill, Red

• Description: 

• Brand: Char-Griller
• Model Name: N/A
• Power Source: N/A
• Color: Red

• Outer Material: Alloy Steel
• Item Weight: 33 Pounds
• Item Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 26 Inches 
• Inner Material: Alloy Steel
• Fuel Type: Charcoal

• Performance: Although Char-Griller is a newer company, the phenomenal performance offered by its budget-friendly smokers makes it a good choice indeed. The heavy-duty construction of this best smoker on a budget helps in offering maximum heat retention and durability.
• Comparison: As compared to other smokers on our list, this charcoal smoker from Char-Griller standouts because of its great portability, best-in-class features, heavy-duty construction, precise temperature control features, and heat retention capacity.
• Usage: In terms of usage, this smoker from Char-Griller enables its owner to grill on the go. With this smoker by your side, you can cook well not only in your home’s backyard but also while you are camping. Cleaning up after grilling is also made easy with the easily removable dump ash pan.
• Pros: 
  • Perfect Travel Companion
  • Uses Less Charcoal
  • Supports Slow & Low Cooking 
  • Durable Portable Outdoor Grill
• Cons:
  • Cooking Surface Is Small
  • Cooking Racks Of Ribs Is Hard
• What’s New?  

Char-Griller AKORN Kamado charcoal grill is certainly one of its best models and makes a suitable smoker in an affordable budget. This little guy is easy to assemble, can grill and smoke, and also comes with a top vent.

• Why You Should Buy It? 

You should buy the Char-Griller smoker because it is well-priced, suitable for beginners and experienced grillers alike, well-built, offers some great features, and can produce delicious food at low temperatures while smoking

4. Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill

• Description: 

• Brand: Weber
• Model Name: N/A
• Power Source: N/A
• Colour: Black

• Outer Material: Alloy Steel
• Item Weight: 1.5 Kilograms
• Item Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 39.5 Inches 
• Inner Material: Alloy Steel
• Fuel Type: Charcoal

• Performance: Cooking with this charcoal smoker from Weber Grill is certainly a pleasure. From offering many convenient features to the ability to cook almost anything, there is so much to love about this budget smoker.
• Comparison: As compared to other budget smokers on the list, this Weber Grill smoker is a classic kettle-style grill smoker perfect for backyard barbecues and a lot more. This classic-style smoker comes with temperature control vents and also offers ample room to roast large items.
• Usage: In terms of usage, this Weber Original Kettle smoker is easier to operate compared to the other charcoal grills out there. Loading charcoal is also quite easy as the smoker has plenty of rooms that enable the creation of different heat zones for cooking food on the grill.
• Pros: 
  • 22 Gauge Steel Construction
  • Adjustable Dampers On Top & Bottom
  • Offers Greater Portability Than Gas Grills
  • 200 To 700 Degree Temperatures
• Cons:
  • Cooking Rib Racks Is Harder
  • Cooking Surface Is Small
• What’s New?  

The Weber Original Kettle 22” model is a lot easier to assemble than the 26” model. The smaller size makes this model fairly straightforward to assemble. In simple words, the 22” inch model is easier to put together than the 26” model.

• Why You Should Buy It? 

You should buy the Weber Original Kettle 22” because it is the best charcoal grill in the budget for most people. The classic griller and smoker will easily outperform other cooking grills with easy. This budget smoker is also very easy to assemble and quite user-friendly at the same time.

5. Smokehouse Products Big Chief Electric Smoker

• Description: 

• Brand: Smokehouse
• Model Name: Big Chef Front Load
• Power Source: Wood
• Colour: Silver

• Outer Material: Stainless Steel
• Item Weight: 17.57 Pounds
• Item Dimensions: 12 x 18 x 24.5 Inches 
• Inner Material: Stainless Steel
• Fuel Type: Electric

• Performance: The Smokehouse Products Big Chief Electric Smoker is one unique smoker offering phenomenal cooking performance and experience. The front loading and top loading feature of this model enables it in delivering an absolutely versatile performance.
• Comparison: Compared to other electric smokers on our list, the Smokehouse Products Big Chief Electric Smoker resembles a metal box with shelves. You can do a lot of stuff from ribs to steaks when you have this big smoker by your side.
• Usage: In terms of usage, the Smokehouse Products Big Chief Electric Smoker is a good choice if you love versatility when cooking. You can make a wide range of food recipes, even cookies, with this electric smoker’s help. 
• Pros: 
  • Premium Smoke Ventilation
  • Consistent Low-Temperature Settings
  • Easy To Use
  • Smokes Up To 50lbs
• Cons:
  • Bulky & Not Very Portable
  • Non-Adjustable Heating Elements
• What’s New?  

The Big Chief Smoker is the bigger version of The Little Chief Smoker. While the Little Chief Smoker was introduced first, the Big Chief Smoker is definitely the most popular one. Be it Anglers or Chefs, both the models are equally phenomenal in their own dimensions.

• Why You Should Buy It? 

You should buy the Smokehouse Products Big Chief Smoker because this smoker offers a lot of space to cook almost anything and everything. The smoker offers five racks that can used for smoking and grilling equally well. You can smoke up to 50lbs of food at a time with this best smoker in budget.

6. Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24″ Vertical Smoker

• Description: 

• Brand: Camp Chef
• Model Name: N/A
• Power Source: Corded Electric
• Colour: Black

• Outer Material: Stainless Steel
• Item Weight: 75 Pounds
• Item Dimensions: 30.5 x 25 x 17 Inches 
• Inner Material: Stainless Steel
• Fuel Type: Gas

• Performance: Another great smoker that deserves mention on the list is certainly the Camp Chef Smoke Vault Vertical Smoker. This budget-friendly smoker makes a highly durable smoker and comes with a heavy steel gauge. Chefs looking for optimal slow and low heat cooking should surely go for this smoker.
• Comparison: As compared to other smokers on our review list, this Camp Chef Smoke Vault Vertical Smoker makes one of the best budget propane smokers out there. The durable smoker is made from very heavy steel gauge and offers four racks suitable for cooking almost anything.
• Usage: In terms of usage, the Camp Chef Smoke Vault Vertical Smoker is great for cooking burgers to even briskets. The smoker also comes with a jerky rack that has been infused with a tasty smoke flavour. This flavor is the favorite choice of most jerky smokers. 
• Pros: 
  • Offers A Jerky Rack
  • Removable Porcelain Base Tray
  • Comes With 3 Adjustable Damper Valves
  • Maximum Heat Control With Protected Burner Drum
• Cons:
  • Warranty Offered Is Not Up To Mark
  • Portability Is A Hassle
• What’s New?  

The Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24” Vertical Smoker offers much more cooking space in comparison to the Camp Chef Smoke Vault 18” Vertical Smoker. The overall weight of the first one is 75lbs while the latter weighs 65lbs.

• Why You Should Buy It? 

You should buy the Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24” Vertical Smoker if you are a budget-minded griller who has been looking for the best gas smoker. This propane smoker is certainly a good buy because of the variety of foods you can cook in the most hassle-free way with it.

FAQs

1. Is buying a smoker worth it?

It is likely that you will appreciate the taste of a smoker if you’re a connoisseur. The smoke flavor penetrates the food more thoroughly in a smoker than it does on a grill thanks to the lower temperatures in the smoker.

2. Which is better food or pellet smoker?

A pellet smoker is a great option for those looking for consistency, convenience, and decent results. Smoking chunks, however, are recommended if you want to achieve an authentic smoking experience and the best flavour in a more traditional smoker.

3. Is wood smoker or electric smoker better?

A wood smoker offers better flavor than an electric smoker. Consequently, the food tastes better because more flavourful compounds are released from the wood.