Weber SmokeFire EX4
Weber SmokeFire EX4 earns a best-in-class spot for backyard smokers by combining Weber’s high-end build quality with the convenience and precise temperature control of a pellet system, making it ideal for garden cooks who want consistent low-and-slow smoke and grill searing in one unit. Compared with the other models on this list it trades a higher sticker price for stronger integration, broader accessory support and typically crisper searing performance, which many home chefs accept as good long-term value for garden entertaining.
Hardwood flavor
App-savvy showoff
Hardwood flavor
App-savvy showoff
Review Summary
"Users like its solid build, excellent searing and flavor, and convenient smart features, but many report reliability issues with electronics and temperature control after extended use."
Quick sear
Dual-level cooking grates with a large cooking area for simultaneous smoking and searing.
Quick sear
Dual-level cooking grates with a large cooking area for simultaneous smoking and searing.
Time-Saving Convenience
Aesthetic & Personal Appeal
Weber SmokeFire EX4 earns a best-in-class spot for backyard smokers by combining Weber’s high-end build quality with the convenience and precise temperature control of a pellet system, making it ideal for garden cooks who want consistent low-and-slow smoke and grill searing in one unit. Compared with the other models on this list it trades a higher sticker price for stronger integration, broader accessory support and typically crisper searing performance, which many home chefs accept as good long-term value for garden entertaining.
Hardwood flavor
App-savvy showoff
Quick sear
Dual-level cooking grates with a large cooking area for simultaneous smoking and searing.
Digital controller with wide temperature range for low-and-slow smoking and high-heat searing.
Hardwood flavor
App-savvy showoff
Quick sear
Dual-level cooking grates with a large cooking area for simultaneous smoking and searing.
Digital controller with wide temperature range for low-and-slow smoking and high-heat searing.
Traeger Pro 575
The Traeger Pro 575 is a market-leading pellet smoker that made pellet grilling mainstream through reliable performance, an intuitive control layout and an active owner ecosystem, positioning it as a practical choice for garden smokers who want great results with minimal fuss. It generally costs less than premium competitors like Weber while delivering very similar smoking versatility, although it sacrifices some of the higher-end searing punch and heavy-duty construction of the top-tier units.
Bold smoke profile
WiFIRE easy
Bold smoke profile
WiFIRE easy
Review Summary
"Owners praise consistent smoke output, an easy-to-use app and generally reliable temperature control for long cooks; a minority note occasional temperature swings and limited smoke intensity."
Weeknight hero
WiFIRE-enabled controller and app integration for remote temperature monitoring and control.
Weeknight hero
WiFIRE-enabled controller and app integration for remote temperature monitoring and control.
Time-Saving Convenience
The Traeger Pro 575 is a market-leading pellet smoker that made pellet grilling mainstream through reliable performance, an intuitive control layout and an active owner ecosystem, positioning it as a practical choice for garden smokers who want great results with minimal fuss. It generally costs less than premium competitors like Weber while delivering very similar smoking versatility, although it sacrifices some of the higher-end searing punch and heavy-duty construction of the top-tier units.
Bold smoke profile
WiFIRE easy
Weeknight hero
WiFIRE-enabled controller and app integration for remote temperature monitoring and control.
Around 575 sq in cooking area suitable for medium backyard gatherings.
Bold smoke profile
WiFIRE easy
Weeknight hero
WiFIRE-enabled controller and app integration for remote temperature monitoring and control.
Around 575 sq in cooking area suitable for medium backyard gatherings.
Big Green Egg Large
The Big Green Egg Large is the go-to kamado-style cooker for garden smokers who prioritize charcoal flavor, extreme heat retention and long lifespan; its ceramic design produces exceptional low-and-slow smoke as well as superior searing. While more manual to operate than pellet systems, its unmatched thermal efficiency and resale value make it financially attractive over many seasons compared with pellet and gas alternatives on this list.
Kamado mastery
Charcoal soul
Kamado mastery
Charcoal soul
Review Summary
"Long-term owners rave about exceptional heat retention, versatility for smoking and searing, and long-lasting durability, though it comes with a learning curve and premium price."
Iconic green
Thick ceramic construction retains heat and moisture for ultra-stable low-temperature smoking and high-temp searing.
Iconic green
Thick ceramic construction retains heat and moisture for ultra-stable low-temperature smoking and high-temp searing.
Aesthetic & Personal Appeal
The Big Green Egg Large is the go-to kamado-style cooker for garden smokers who prioritize charcoal flavor, extreme heat retention and long lifespan; its ceramic design produces exceptional low-and-slow smoke as well as superior searing. While more manual to operate than pellet systems, its unmatched thermal efficiency and resale value make it financially attractive over many seasons compared with pellet and gas alternatives on this list.
Kamado mastery
Charcoal soul
Iconic green
Thick ceramic construction retains heat and moisture for ultra-stable low-temperature smoking and high-temp searing.
Extremely versatile — functions as a smoker, grill, oven and pizza oven in a compact footprint ideal for gardens.
Kamado mastery
Charcoal soul
Iconic green
Thick ceramic construction retains heat and moisture for ultra-stable low-temperature smoking and high-temp searing.
Extremely versatile — functions as a smoker, grill, oven and pizza oven in a compact footprint ideal for gardens.
$1,200-1,900 CAD
Broil King Regal Pellet 500
The Broil King Regal Pellet 500 stands out as a value-oriented Pellet grill that pairs solid stainless construction with flexible cooking zones, offering a roomy cooking area for garden gatherings without the premium price of some rivals. Technically competitive with other pellet units here, it frequently undercuts Weber and Traeger on cost-per-square-foot of cooking space and is a strong choice for buyers seeking a balance of performance and budget.
Stainless muscle
Set-and-forget
Stainless muscle
Set-and-forget
Review Summary
"Reviewers appreciate the Regal Pellet 500's sturdy build, strong searing capability and value for money, but some report controller quirks and higher pellet consumption on long smokes."
Flare-free peace
Spacious cooking area with digital pellet controller for precise temperature management.
Flare-free peace
Spacious cooking area with digital pellet controller for precise temperature management.
Time-Saving Convenience
Increased Safety & Security
The Broil King Regal Pellet 500 stands out as a value-oriented Pellet grill that pairs solid stainless construction with flexible cooking zones, offering a roomy cooking area for garden gatherings without the premium price of some rivals. Technically competitive with other pellet units here, it frequently undercuts Weber and Traeger on cost-per-square-foot of cooking space and is a strong choice for buyers seeking a balance of performance and budget.
Stainless muscle
Set-and-forget
Flare-free peace
Spacious cooking area with digital pellet controller for precise temperature management.
Robust steel construction and heat management system built to handle regular backyard smoking.
Stainless muscle
Set-and-forget
Flare-free peace
Spacious cooking area with digital pellet controller for precise temperature management.
Robust steel construction and heat management system built to handle regular backyard smoking.
Napoleon Prestige PRO 500
The Napoleon Prestige PRO 500 is a premium gas grill that appeals to garden cooks who want near-instant heat, reliable ignition and multi-function capability (including optional smoker accessories) without the fuel handling of charcoal or pellets. It won’t replicate the deep smoke character of dedicated pellet or kamado smokers, but its lower operational complexity and potentially lower running cost on natural gas make it a compelling companion for mixed-use garden cooking.
Infrared sear
Sleek stainless
Infrared sear
Sleek stainless
Review Summary
"Users report excellent build quality, powerful burners and reliable performance with useful features; drawbacks cited are the higher cost and its large footprint for smaller gardens."
Quick-ignite champion
High-output stainless-steel burners with an infrared Sizzle Zone for intense searing performance.
Quick-ignite champion
High-output stainless-steel burners with an infrared Sizzle Zone for intense searing performance.
Aesthetic & Personal Appeal
Time-Saving Convenience
The Napoleon Prestige PRO 500 is a premium gas grill that appeals to garden cooks who want near-instant heat, reliable ignition and multi-function capability (including optional smoker accessories) without the fuel handling of charcoal or pellets. It won’t replicate the deep smoke character of dedicated pellet or kamado smokers, but its lower operational complexity and potentially lower running cost on natural gas make it a compelling companion for mixed-use garden cooking.
Infrared sear
Sleek stainless
Quick-ignite champion
High-output stainless-steel burners with an infrared Sizzle Zone for intense searing performance.
Option for a smoker tray/accessory to introduce wood-chip smoke flavor while using gas heat.
Infrared sear
Sleek stainless
Quick-ignite champion
High-output stainless-steel burners with an infrared Sizzle Zone for intense searing performance.
Option for a smoker tray/accessory to introduce wood-chip smoke flavor while using gas heat.
$2,200-3,300 CAD