Vertical smokers hold a height advantage when it comes to smoking meat. Given that heat rises, it’s pretty easy to see why these smokers are so popular.
If you wonder how you can pick the best vertical smokers, this list contains various smokers you can use for your household. All of them are vertical, so don’t expect them to occupy ample space. This list also contains everything from electric to pellet smokers.
Check out my suggestions below.
Top 7 Vertical Smokers Comparison Table
| Picture | Vertical Smoker List | Why I Like It | Weight (pounds) | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Bradley Smoker Digital 6 Rack Smoker | Best overall in terms of quality | 60.5 | 4.1 |
  | Dyna-Glo Bluetooth Electric Smoker | Incredible technology features | 73.8 | 3.9 |
  | Realcook Charcoal BBQ Smoker Grill | Best flexible smoker | 35.2 | 4.4 |
  | LANDMANN MCO Smoky Mountain Electric Smoker | Most cost-effective options | 33 | 4.4 |
  | Giantex Vertical Charcoal Smoker | Best for beginners | 33.5 | 4.1 |
  | Masterbuilt Propane Smoker | Most trusted brands | 75.9 | 4.1 |
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Best Overall
Bradley Smoker BTDS108P Digital 6 Rack Smoker
With a focus on quality, Bradley Smoker is well-built and easy to use. It has an automatic wood chips feeder, meaning no refill is required for up to 8 hours.
The Highest Quality Material
The Bradley Smoker BTDS108P Digital 6 Rack Smoker is my vote for the best overall smoker. The reason for this comes from a focus on the quality of design. The smoker’s material is stainless steel with a powder coating on the interior. As a result, it seals well and is easy to maintain temperature.
Also, a thoughtful design means that wood chips are quickly loaded along the left side. That means the system will typically handle an entire eight-hour smoking process with less time worrying about wood level. Most of the time, you return to reload the water in this electric smoker.
Easy To Use, Easy To Clean
The powder coating makes it pretty easy to clean. The wood chip loader on the side makes it just as easy to use. Please wait for it to cool down and use that time to wipe out the inside.
With four separate cooking grates, you can easily remove them for cleaning. This also allows you to control the height of items, as this cooker is very adjustable with the cooking rack.
Tested For Quality
The internal temperature is effortless to handle. Combine that with quality and thoughtful design, and you can easily see why this is one of the most popular smokers on this list.
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Best Tech Features
Dyna-Glo DGU732SDE-D Bluetooth Electric Smoker
With ample internal space, Dyna-Glo is great for feeding a small army. With a built-in digital thermometer, you can check the meat without opening the smoker.
Easy to Check Meat Temperature
As a Bluetooth digital electric smoker, the Dyna-Glo DGU732SDE-D Bluetooth Electric Smoker holds a unique slot on this list. At an affordable price, given the Bluetooth features, this smoker is an excellent option for those who prefer convenience.
The included digital thermometers mean you don’t have to open the smoker to check the meat, allowing consistency.
Amazing Internal Space
At 732 square inches, this smoker can hold a considerable amount of food. This smoker can handle it if you want to throw a party. There are larger smokers, so you might look elsewhere if you need something to feed a small army.
A Little Bit More to Fret Over
The bottom drawer does not have the auto-load feature that the Bradley smoker we mentioned earlier has. As a result, it is slightly less convenient, meaning you will have to track things a bit more closely.
You won’t have to disturb the meat to load the chips. While it does require a bit more attention, it is far from what we would call inconvenient.
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Most Flexible Smoker
Realcook Charcoal BBQ Smoker Grill
As a flexible smoker, Realcook is both a smoker and a grill. With a bottom vent, it can maintain a steady temperature.
Incredibly Flexible
Vertical smokers like the Realcook Charcoal BBQ Smoker Grill prioritize the ability to do almost anything. You can convert it into one grill, two grills, or a tall smoker. Whatever you plan on using it for, this one can bake, braise, smoke, and roast food with the best of them.
Bottom Vent Design
The bottom vent design ensures you can release the heat at whatever level you need. It also provides that as this smoker ages, it isn’t going to remove too much heat. With a substantial capacity of 650 square inches, you won’t have the same issues that other top-vent smokers generally have with a quicker heat release up top.
Built-in Temperature Readings
The negative side of having a bottom-mounted vent is that the temperature up top can be a bit high. With this in mind, it might take some time to compare it to other vertical smokers. This still holds a firm title as one of the best smokers available.
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Best Budget
LANDMANN MCO 32954 Smoky Mountain Electric Smoker
A smoker on the budget but still providing quality, a viewing window, and easy to clean. With space efficiency in mind, it includes a combo tray for wood chip box, water pan, and grease pan.
Most available smokers are somewhere in the $300 to $400 range. LANDMANN MCO understands this might be a problem, so it has released a line of smokers below the $200 price range. Despite this limit, you wouldn’t be able to tell it based on the quality of this item.
The design is not digital, so the LANDMANN MCO 32954 Smoky Mountain Electric Smoker is based on an older method of a charcoal smoker. It also cannot be converted into a grill like other items on this list.
Regardless, it wins when it comes to the quality of thoughtful construction. You can also look inside with the convenient available window.
With 1500 watts, this has more than enough cooking power to compete with the most expensive options. However, that control is through a dial alongside this corded-electric smoker. As a result, you feel like you lose control of the temperature.
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Best Beginner Smoker
Giantex Vertical Charcoal Smoker
No frills smoker with ample cooking space, built-in thermometer, and iron construction. It is sturdy and easy to maneuver with the side handles.
You feel that Giantex is a company named for producing big smokers. With a double-door feature and a sizable charcoal basin, their vertical charcoal offering significantly contributes to simple smokers. Just don’t expect it to do anything unique with technology, so there is no digital scale.
Giantex Vertical Charcoal Smoker is incredibly simple when compared to others who look like they try too hard. If you always thought new smoker designs have done too much, Giantex might be what you want.
Despite what the advertisements may make you believe, there are smokers with a much larger capacity. Still, this one will easily handle your large family or a small block party.
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Most Trusted Brands
Masterbuilt MB20050716 Propane Smoker
With its sleek design, Masterbuilt is a trusted smoker. It has a safety shut-off valve giving you a safe smoking experience every time.
Masterbuilt is at the top of various lists for the best smokers. The reason? Masterbuilt has been doing it for quite a while. Its sleek and thoughtful designs make it easy to see why it has continued to dominate lists.
The reason the Masterbuilt MB20050716 Propane Smoker doesn’t have a higher point on this list is twofold: First, propane fuel sources offer the option of wood chips, but they are reliant on a fuel source that is harder to acquire. Second, Masterbuit has a lot of negative user reviews due to a lack of response.
There is no doubt that Masterbuilt creates a fantastic product. But it isn’t entirely up to the best of the best. Overall, it’s excellent for those looking for a trusted brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vertical or Horizontal Smoker Better?
A vertical smoker has two different significant advantages over other kinds of smokers:
- First, a vertical smoke typically holds much more meat than other standard smokers. For example, off-set grill-sized smokers are much larger but contain less cooking surface due to their style choice.
- Second, heat rises in vertical smokers. They are typically better at building up to more significant temperatures, especially in the smoker’s higher spots.
Are Vertical Pellet Smokers Any Good?
Wood pellets are particularly good at providing a change in flavor from wood —different wood pellets for other recipes. For instance, hickory wood enhances the flavor of sweeter foods.
Check out my smoked turkey recipe if you want ideas on what to make with your smoker.
How Often Do You Load Wood Chips in a Vertical Smoker?
The number one digital option automatically loads wood chunks every so often to keep the levels up. As a result, some of the options here vary for the wood chips required.
Whether they are pellets or chips, a single cup will last up to four or five hours. If you have a larger container, some people combine charcoal and wood to make everything last a bit longer.
Can You Grill in a Vertical Smoker?
You can only grill in a vertical smoker if it reaches 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This opens up the same temperature levels that one would expect in a grill.
What if My Wood Pellet / Wood Chip Container is Smoking?
That means there is probably too much ash located in your wood pellet container. At this point, you should stop smoking and see about cleaning out your vertical smoker.
Check to see if there is any ash blockage or you have too much wood. Either way, there should be plenty of room for airflow.
How do You Keep Meat Moist While Smoking?
If you are afraid your meat may dry out during the smoking process, you can do one of three things:
- Brining your food applies soaks it in a flavor combination so that the inside of it may retain moisture. It would help if you still had the exterior dry to get the crisp outside.
- A water tray includes many electric smokers to account for dry surfaces. Just be sure to stop filling it with water as you reach the end if you are looking for a crisp outside.
- Covering your meat in tin foil allows you to retain the juices in a metal container. Some people only do this for a few hours of a smoking session. Also, this is more common with ribs and brisket.
What If My Smoker Isn’t Working?
At this point, you will want to check if your smoker is under warranty. Some purchases on third-party websites will not be under warranty, so buy from accredited websites if you can. You will possibly need proof of the warranty.
If it isn’t under warranty, you can contact the manufacturer to see if they offer service options. They may connect you with a local retailer.
If you need some help diagnosing your smoker, check out this video:
Conclusion
The Bradley Smoker BTDS108P Digital 6 Rack Smoker is my selection for the best vertical smoker. I chose this as my favorite smoker because of its focus on build quality. With a stainless steel epoxy coating, the longevity of this item is incredibly impressive. Include a digital reader with an easy wood-loading feature, and you have an amazing combination of convenience and quality.
If you want something with a bit more smart features or something simpler, I’ve got a vertical smoker here for any occasion. Whatever you need, any smoker on this list can help you get started.
