Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker
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.
Bradley Smoker BS611 Original Smoker
The Bradley Smoker BS611 Original stands out for its automated wood-bisquette feeding system that produces consistent, low-and-slow smoke with minimal user intervention, making it a market leader for convenience and repeatable results. Compared to the Masterbuilt and Char-Broil electric models, Bradley's technical advantage is its proprietary smoke delivery for longer unattended cooks, though that premium convenience often comes at a higher purchase price than basic digital electric smokers.
Consistent smoke rhythm
Auto bisquette feeder
Consistent smoke rhythm
Auto bisquette feeder
Review Summary
"Owners of the Bradley BS611 praise its consistent, hands-off smoking and even heat distribution, making it a favorite for smoked meats and fish over extended use. Criticisms focus on the cost of proprietary bisquettes and occasional build-wear after heavy use."
Wood-flavor nostalgia
Automated wood-bisquette feeding gives consistent, controllable smoke output.
Wood-flavor nostalgia
Automated wood-bisquette feeding gives consistent, controllable smoke output.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
The Bradley Smoker BS611 Original stands out for its automated wood-bisquette feeding system that produces consistent, low-and-slow smoke with minimal user intervention, making it a market leader for convenience and repeatable results. Compared to the Masterbuilt and Char-Broil electric models, Bradley's technical advantage is its proprietary smoke delivery for longer unattended cooks, though that premium convenience often comes at a higher purchase price than basic digital electric smokers.
Consistent smoke rhythm
Auto bisquette feeder
Wood-flavor nostalgia
Automated wood-bisquette feeding gives consistent, controllable smoke output.
Convection-style design provides even temperature distribution across racks.
Consistent smoke rhythm
Auto bisquette feeder
Wood-flavor nostalgia
Automated wood-bisquette feeding gives consistent, controllable smoke output.
Convection-style design provides even temperature distribution across racks.
$700-1100 CAD
Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill
The Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill is positioned as the versatile market leader for those who want both smoking and higher-temperature grilling in one unit, using wood pellets and an advanced PID controller to marry flavor and precision. Unlike the strictly electric vertical smokers here, Traeger’s pellet system provides broader temperature range and richer wood-fired flavor—at a higher cost and with more moving parts—making it ideal for buyers who prioritize versatility over the simplicity of plug-and-play electric smokers.
WiFi-enabled control
Versatile pellet heat
WiFi-enabled control
Versatile pellet heat
Review Summary
"The Traeger Pro 575 is frequently lauded as a versatile, easy-to-use pellet grill with excellent flavor, WiFIRE connectivity, and consistent temperature control for long-term smoking and grilling. Some users note occasional temperature swings and mixed experiences with customer service but overall high satisfaction."
Bold wood-fired taste
Wood-pellet fuel with PID-style controller for precise temperature management.
Bold wood-fired taste
Wood-pellet fuel with PID-style controller for precise temperature management.
Tech-Savvy Living
The Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill is positioned as the versatile market leader for those who want both smoking and higher-temperature grilling in one unit, using wood pellets and an advanced PID controller to marry flavor and precision. Unlike the strictly electric vertical smokers here, Traeger’s pellet system provides broader temperature range and richer wood-fired flavor—at a higher cost and with more moving parts—making it ideal for buyers who prioritize versatility over the simplicity of plug-and-play electric smokers.
WiFi-enabled control
Versatile pellet heat
Bold wood-fired taste
Wood-pellet fuel with PID-style controller for precise temperature management.
WiFIRE app/remote control for monitoring and adjusting cooks from your phone.
WiFi-enabled control
Versatile pellet heat
Bold wood-fired taste
Wood-pellet fuel with PID-style controller for precise temperature management.
WiFIRE app/remote control for monitoring and adjusting cooks from your phone.
$900-1200 CAD
Pit Boss Copperhead 5 Series Vertical Smoker
The Pit Boss Copperhead 5 Series Vertical Smoker offers large capacity and a budget-friendly footprint, delivering solid thermal performance and multiple racks for serious batch cooking without breaking the bank. When compared to the Masterbuilt and Char-Broil models, Pit Boss is often chosen for its roomy vertical design and aggressive pricing, while falling short of the automated smoke control of the Bradley or the multi-function capability of the Traeger.
Vertical footprint saver
Budget-friendly powerhouse
Vertical footprint saver
Budget-friendly powerhouse
Review Summary
"The Pit Boss Copperhead 5 Series vertical smoker is valued for its large capacity and solid value, delivering decent smoke performance for trays of meats over time. Users report occasional issues with insulation, uneven temps, and basic build finishes compared with higher-end models."
Deep smoke penetration
Vertical cabinet layout maximizes rack space in a compact footprint.
Deep smoke penetration
Vertical cabinet layout maximizes rack space in a compact footprint.
Time-Saving Convenience
The Pit Boss Copperhead 5 Series Vertical Smoker offers large capacity and a budget-friendly footprint, delivering solid thermal performance and multiple racks for serious batch cooking without breaking the bank. When compared to the Masterbuilt and Char-Broil models, Pit Boss is often chosen for its roomy vertical design and aggressive pricing, while falling short of the automated smoke control of the Bradley or the multi-function capability of the Traeger.
Vertical footprint saver
Budget-friendly powerhouse
Deep smoke penetration
Vertical cabinet layout maximizes rack space in a compact footprint.
Simple digital or analog controls with adjustable shelf positions.
Vertical footprint saver
Budget-friendly powerhouse
Deep smoke penetration
Vertical cabinet layout maximizes rack space in a compact footprint.
Simple digital or analog controls with adjustable shelf positions.
$250-450 CAD
Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker
The Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker is a practical, entry-level electric smoker noted for simple digital controls and reliable construction that make it an attractive low-cost option for newcomers to smoking. It competes with Masterbuilt and Pit Boss on affordability and ease of use, though it typically offers fewer advanced automation features than Bradley’s system and less cooking versatility than pellet models like the Traeger Pro 575.
Simple digital setup
Porcelain-coated racks
Simple digital setup
Porcelain-coated racks
Review Summary
"The Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker is commonly praised for being a budget-friendly, easy-to-use option that produces consistent results for home smokers. Long-term users point out thin walls and weaker smoke intensity compared with pricier units but find it reliable for casual smoking."
Compact backyard hero
Digital thermostat and timer for consistent smoking results in a smaller unit.
Compact backyard hero
Digital thermostat and timer for consistent smoking results in a smaller unit.
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
The Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker is a practical, entry-level electric smoker noted for simple digital controls and reliable construction that make it an attractive low-cost option for newcomers to smoking. It competes with Masterbuilt and Pit Boss on affordability and ease of use, though it typically offers fewer advanced automation features than Bradley’s system and less cooking versatility than pellet models like the Traeger Pro 575.
Simple digital setup
Porcelain-coated racks
Compact backyard hero
Digital thermostat and timer for consistent smoking results in a smaller unit.
Porcelain-coated/gritty-friendly cooking surfaces for easier cleanup.
Simple digital setup
Porcelain-coated racks
Compact backyard hero
Digital thermostat and timer for consistent smoking results in a smaller unit.
Porcelain-coated/gritty-friendly cooking surfaces for easier cleanup.
$300-450 CAD