The Pit Boss Austin XL is the market-leading pellet alternative in this set, trading hands-on wood management for programmable temperature control, consistent results, and a very large cooking area that suits frequent large cooks. For users who prioritize convenience and tight temperature regulation over manual smoke craft, it reduces labor and fuel-variability costs versus charcoal or wood-only offsets, though purists may prefer the direct wood flavor and tactile control of the Oklahoma Joe's and Broil King units.
Set-and-forget genius
Digital temp wizard
Set-and-forget genius
Digital temp wizard
Review Summary
"Pit Boss Austin XL owners value the large capacity and easy pellet-fired operation, but some long-term reviewers report controller inconsistencies, hot spots and grease-management issues."
Thousand-inch feast
Digital pellet controller automates fuel feed for steady low-and-slow temperatures.
Thousand-inch feast
Digital pellet controller automates fuel feed for steady low-and-slow temperatures.
Time-Saving Convenience
Tech-Savvy Living
Recreational Enjoyment
The Pit Boss Austin XL is the market-leading pellet alternative in this set, trading hands-on wood management for programmable temperature control, consistent results, and a very large cooking area that suits frequent large cooks. For users who prioritize convenience and tight temperature regulation over manual smoke craft, it reduces labor and fuel-variability costs versus charcoal or wood-only offsets, though purists may prefer the direct wood flavor and tactile control of the Oklahoma Joe's and Broil King units.
Set-and-forget genius
Digital temp wizard
Thousand-inch feast
Digital pellet controller automates fuel feed for steady low-and-slow temperatures.
Approximately 1,000 sq in cooking surface offers extensive capacity for big gatherings.
Set-and-forget genius
Digital temp wizard
Thousand-inch feast
Digital pellet controller automates fuel feed for steady low-and-slow temperatures.
Approximately 1,000 sq in cooking surface offers extensive capacity for big gatherings.
A market leader among vertical pellet smokers thanks to its large capacity, reliable auger-driven pellet feed, and precise digital controls that deliver consistent temps and convenient set-and-forget cooking. Financially it sits above simple charcoal or propane units but offers better automation and deeper wood-fired flavor than electric models, making it a strong choice for users who want smoke complexity without constant tending.
Automated pellet feed
Wide temp range
Automated pellet feed
Wide temp range
Review Summary
"Buyers appreciate the Pit Boss 3 Series Vertical Pellet Smoker for its value, pellet convenience, and large cooking area, but many report temperature swings, occasional electronics hiccups, and smoke flavor that’s milder than charcoal models."
Feeds hungry crowds
Digital pellet controller maintains set temperature for long, consistent cooks.
Feeds hungry crowds
Digital pellet controller maintains set temperature for long, consistent cooks.
Tech-Savvy Living
Recreational Enjoyment
A market leader among vertical pellet smokers thanks to its large capacity, reliable auger-driven pellet feed, and precise digital controls that deliver consistent temps and convenient set-and-forget cooking. Financially it sits above simple charcoal or propane units but offers better automation and deeper wood-fired flavor than electric models, making it a strong choice for users who want smoke complexity without constant tending.
Automated pellet feed
Wide temp range
Feeds hungry crowds
Digital pellet controller maintains set temperature for long, consistent cooks.
Vertical chamber with multiple racks maximizes cooking capacity for large batches.
Automated pellet feed
Wide temp range
Feeds hungry crowds
Digital pellet controller maintains set temperature for long, consistent cooks.
Vertical chamber with multiple racks maximizes cooking capacity for large batches.
The Traeger Pro 575 is a market leader for pellet smokers because it balances reliable Wi‑Fi temperature control, consistent smoke flavor, and a user-friendly ecosystem — making it an easy pick for everyday grilling and low‑and‑slow smoking. Compared with the value-oriented Pit Boss and the feature-heavy Camp Chef, the Pro 575 trades fewer bells and whistles for proven connectivity and strong brand support, while offering better app-driven convenience than Broil King and more consistent pellet management than Weber’s searing-focused SmokeFire EX4.
Consistent smoke
WiFi control
Consistent smoke
WiFi control
Review Summary
"Users praise the Traeger Pro 575 for consistent, easy-to-use smoking with reliable WiFIRE connectivity and good flavor results; some report occasional controller or build-quality issues and steady pellet consumption. Overall it’s seen as a dependable mid-range pellet smoker for regular home use."
Pellet flavor fiesta
WiFIRE app control for remote monitoring, scheduling and presets.
Pellet flavor fiesta
WiFIRE app control for remote monitoring, scheduling and presets.
Tech-Savvy Living
Recreational Enjoyment
The Traeger Pro 575 is a market leader for pellet smokers because it balances reliable Wi‑Fi temperature control, consistent smoke flavor, and a user-friendly ecosystem — making it an easy pick for everyday grilling and low‑and‑slow smoking. Compared with the value-oriented Pit Boss and the feature-heavy Camp Chef, the Pro 575 trades fewer bells and whistles for proven connectivity and strong brand support, while offering better app-driven convenience than Broil King and more consistent pellet management than Weber’s searing-focused SmokeFire EX4.
Consistent smoke
WiFi control
Pellet flavor fiesta
WiFIRE app control for remote monitoring, scheduling and presets.
575 sq in cooking area suitable for families and weekend cooks.
Consistent smoke
WiFi control
Pellet flavor fiesta
WiFIRE app control for remote monitoring, scheduling and presets.
575 sq in cooking area suitable for families and weekend cooks.
The Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker is a best-in-class electric smoker for value-minded backyard cooks, offering a roomy cooking chamber, intuitive digital controls, and dependable temperature stability that undercut pricier competitors. Compared with the Bradley and Traeger units on this list, Masterbuilt delivers similar smoke capacity and ease of use at a lower price point, while offering more straightforward electric operation than pellet-based models like the Traeger Pro 575.
Digital precision — geeky
Generous rack space
Digital precision — geeky
Generous rack space
Review Summary
"Users appreciate the Masterbuilt MB20071117 for its affordability, large capacity, and straightforward digital controls, with many reporting reliable results for brisket and ribs. Common long-term complaints are mild temperature fluctuations and less intense smoke flavor compared with propane or pellet smokers."
Plug-and-play smoking
Digital temperature control for consistent low-and-slow smoking.
Plug-and-play smoking
Digital temperature control for consistent low-and-slow smoking.
Tech-Savvy Living
The Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker is a best-in-class electric smoker for value-minded backyard cooks, offering a roomy cooking chamber, intuitive digital controls, and dependable temperature stability that undercut pricier competitors. Compared with the Bradley and Traeger units on this list, Masterbuilt delivers similar smoke capacity and ease of use at a lower price point, while offering more straightforward electric operation than pellet-based models like the Traeger Pro 575.
Digital precision — geeky
Generous rack space
Plug-and-play smoking
Digital temperature control for consistent low-and-slow smoking.
Multiple chrome-coated racks offer flexible cooking capacity.
Digital precision — geeky
Generous rack space
Plug-and-play smoking
Digital temperature control for consistent low-and-slow smoking.
Multiple chrome-coated racks offer flexible cooking capacity.
The Broil King Keg 5000 is the market-leading steel-bodied alternative for buyers who want a kamado-style cooker with quicker heat-up times, lighter weight, and a lower entry price than ceramic models. Financially attractive for cost-conscious shoppers and easier to maintain, it concedes some ceramic heat retention to Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, and Primo but offers durable construction and portability advantages over Vision's lower-cost units.
Iron-clad sear
Steel-body rugged
Iron-clad sear
Steel-body rugged
Review Summary
"Users appreciate the Broil King Keg 5000 for delivering true kamado performance at a lower price with fast heat-up times, though opinions are mixed on long-term corrosion resistance and fit/finish. Common complaints include occasional uneven parts quality and less accessory ecosystem than ceramic brands."
Sizzles with swagger
Steel kamado-style construction with durable cast-iron charcoal grate
Sizzles with swagger
Steel kamado-style construction with durable cast-iron charcoal grate
Aesthetic & Personal Appeal
Recreational Enjoyment
The Broil King Keg 5000 is the market-leading steel-bodied alternative for buyers who want a kamado-style cooker with quicker heat-up times, lighter weight, and a lower entry price than ceramic models. Financially attractive for cost-conscious shoppers and easier to maintain, it concedes some ceramic heat retention to Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, and Primo but offers durable construction and portability advantages over Vision's lower-cost units.
Iron-clad sear
Steel-body rugged
Sizzles with swagger
Steel kamado-style construction with durable cast-iron charcoal grate
Built-in dampers and vents for precise temperature adjustment
Iron-clad sear
Steel-body rugged
Sizzles with swagger
Steel kamado-style construction with durable cast-iron charcoal grate
Built-in dampers and vents for precise temperature adjustment
The Oklahoma Joe's Bronco Drum Smoker sits squarely in the value-plus segment, combining a more finished build and user-friendly features than DIY 55-gallon drums while remaining more affordable than boutique drum designs. It offers a pragmatic balance between the Gateway's raw capacity and the Hunsaker's precision—delivering solid out-of-the-box performance for the price, though many owners perform small mods to approach the temperature control of top-tier models.
Budget ruggedness
Solid-steel guts
Budget ruggedness
Solid-steel guts
Review Summary
"Buyers appreciate the Bronco for its low price and decent smoke output, but frequently report thin metal, paint and rust issues, and uneven temperature control. Good as an inexpensive starter, less so for long-term durability."
Cowboy-ready smoke
Compact drum footprint that still offers multiple cooking grates for versatile capacity.
Cowboy-ready smoke
Compact drum footprint that still offers multiple cooking grates for versatile capacity.
Aesthetic & Personal Appeal
Recreational Enjoyment
The Oklahoma Joe's Bronco Drum Smoker sits squarely in the value-plus segment, combining a more finished build and user-friendly features than DIY 55-gallon drums while remaining more affordable than boutique drum designs. It offers a pragmatic balance between the Gateway's raw capacity and the Hunsaker's precision—delivering solid out-of-the-box performance for the price, though many owners perform small mods to approach the temperature control of top-tier models.
Budget ruggedness
Solid-steel guts
Cowboy-ready smoke
Compact drum footprint that still offers multiple cooking grates for versatile capacity.
Vertical charcoal basket with adjustable damper provides reliable temp control for low-and-slow smoking.
Budget ruggedness
Solid-steel guts
Cowboy-ready smoke
Compact drum footprint that still offers multiple cooking grates for versatile capacity.
Vertical charcoal basket with adjustable damper provides reliable temp control for low-and-slow smoking.
The Pit Boss Grills 77550 5.5 Pellet Smoker combines versatility with performance, featuring an advanced pellet system that allows for both smoking and grilling. What sets it apart is its ability to reach high temperatures for searing, making it more versatile than traditional cabinet smokers. Its larger cooking space also accommodates more food at once, which is beneficial for gatherings, placing it ahead of others in terms of cooking capacity and flexibility.
Versatile wood use
Perfectly smoked dishes
Versatile wood use
Perfectly smoked dishes
Review Summary
"Pit Boss Grills 77550 is favored for its versatility and solid build, allowing users to cook various types of food with great results."
Feast for the senses!
Digital control with Wi-Fi capability
Feast for the senses!
Digital control with Wi-Fi capability
The Pit Boss Grills 77550 5.5 Pellet Smoker combines versatility with performance, featuring an advanced pellet system that allows for both smoking and grilling. What sets it apart is its ability to reach high temperatures for searing, making it more versatile than traditional cabinet smokers. Its larger cooking space also accommodates more food at once, which is beneficial for gatherings, placing it ahead of others in terms of cooking capacity and flexibility.
Versatile wood use
Perfectly smoked dishes
Feast for the senses!
Digital control with Wi-Fi capability
Pellet grill versatility
Versatile wood use
Perfectly smoked dishes
Feast for the senses!
Digital control with Wi-Fi capability
Pellet grill versatility