Electric smokers gained popularity due to their increased performance and ease of use compared to traditional ones. Even more, their design is elevated so that the owner benefits from extra features and convenience. Let’s find out more about the best electric smokers under $300.
Comparison Chart
PIT BOSS 3 Series Digital Vertical Electric Smoker
Char-Broil Digital Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker
Best Electric Smokers Under $300 Reviews
PIT BOSS 3 Series Digital Vertical Electric Smoker
The Pit Boss electric smoker comes with an enhanced design that builds on a traditional smoker’s functionality. It is easy to use and takes two cooking hours for each load.
Review
This product comes with an elevated stand that permits easy loading and unloading. There are multiple positions for the racking system, ensuring that you can smoke different foods at the same time without being limited by the space available. Furthermore, the design is specially engineered so that you can reach lower and higher temperatures, ranging from 100F to 400F.
The product comes with a push-button digital control panel. The LED read-out is easy to use and you can control the temperature to your liking. In terms of portability, the Pit Boss electric smoker has high-quality locking caster wheels, ensuring ease of use. A meat probe is also included, offering great value for money.
The construction of the smoker is double-walled, which ensures a stable temperature throughout the entire cooking process. Another great feature is the large viewing window, which allows you to safely check on the food as it cooks. There is an external access point to the porcelain-coated wood pan.
It is best to use this electric smoker with hardwood pellets. Its high efficiency is attributed to a quick consumption of wood chips. When using pellets, the smoker can cook for up to 2 hours without interruptions. It can be used to cook pizza, bake sweets, and cook vegetables to perfection. The programmable meat probe is excellent to ensure the ideal cook on any meat.
PROS
- Includes a meat probe to monitor internal temperature
- Wide temperature range from 100F to 400F
- Push-button digital control panel
- Has 5 cooking racks of up to 1008 sq inches
CONS
- Wood chips burn very quickly
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Char-Broil Digital Electric Smoker
Char-Broil is a popular brand when it comes to quality, affordable BBQ products. The 17202004 model is no exception to this rule, ensuring the best quality matched with minimal effort from its users.
Review
The digital electric smoker produced by Char-Broil comes with a double-wall construction, which ensures that the insulation is flawless, keeping a stable temperature. The control panel boasts the latest technology, with an easy-to-read blue LED display that is convenient even in low light conditions.
Furthermore, the smoker comes with a removable food thermometer. This recommends it for cooks of all experience levels, ensuring the perfectly cooked dish each time, which can be checked through the large glass door.
The cooking capacity of 725 square inches is spread across four adjustable or removable cooking racks. This provides the capability to cook several foods at the same time, being suitable for both small and large groups of people. The smokebox capacity is also extremely large so that you need to refill it only every 4 to 7 hours. This Char-Broil smoker comes with a warming feature that allows you to keep the food inside until mealtime.
One drawback might be that the instructions are not very clear, so beginners might struggle the first time. For instance, the smoker will not turn on unless you set a target meat temperature for the thermometer or set the time. So, in order to avoid delays, make sure that one of these two parameters is set each time you use it; otherwise, it will not start.
PROS
- Thermometer is provided and is highly accurate
- Double-wall construction with 4 spacious cooking racks
- Refills required only after 4-7 hours of use
- Beautiful finish with a durable glass door
CONS
- Turns on only when time or target temperature are set
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Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt is the ideal product for any skill due to its versatility. Its intuitive control ensures hassle-free cooking in your own backyard. All it takes is plugging in and setting the preferred parameters. It comes with a side wood chip loader for ease of use and maximum safety since you do not need to open the door.
Review
The Masterbuilt electric smoker is a highly affordable unit that comes with all the features you would expect from a premium product. There is a digital panel control for turning it on and off, and it also has intuitive buttons for cooking time and temperature.
The four smoking racks are not only spacious but also coated with chrome for extra durability. The loading system consists of a patented side wood chip, which means that you can safely add more wood chips without having to open the door. On the other hand, the door does not have a window to allow you to check visually on the meat inside.
The temperature inside is controlled by an internal thermostat, ensuring constant smoking. However, due to its perfect insulation, this smoker generates less smoke than other similar offerings. A great feature is the attached water bowl, which adds flavor and ensures that your food remains moist and juicy.
PROS
- Spacious chrome-coated cooking racks for small to large groups
- Fully-insulated body ensures even temperature
- Water bowl adds moisture and flavor to the food
- Wood chip loading system does not require opening the door
CONS
- Does not have a glass door
- Does not generate too much smoke because of insulation
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FINAL VERDICT
All in all, the best electric smokers of this year do not have to cost a fortune. These three models come with all the bells and whistles of premium-priced items but without high price tags. The Char-Broil 17202004 is by far the best choice due to its multiple features and quality performance.
For a smaller budget, the Masterbuilt ensures perfectly cooked food at a highly affordable cost, and it even comes with a water bowl that will keep each dish juicy and moist. These models are a must, so make sure they make it to your shortlist.
