Weber Smokey Mountain 18.5-Inch
A best-in-class classic charcoal vertical smoker known for rock-solid build quality, simple operation, and excellent charcoal smoke flavor; it remains a top pick for purists and those who prioritize taste per dollar. Compared with the more automated pellet and electric vertical smokers in this list, the Weber is more affordable and imparts a purer charcoal profile but requires more hands-on fire management and offers less capacity and digital convenience.
Classic charcoal flavor
Tight temperature control
Classic charcoal flavor
Tight temperature control
Review Summary
"Users praise the Weber Smokey Mountain 18.5-Inch for consistent charcoal flavor, durable construction, and reliable low-and-slow performance; criticisms are mainly limited capacity for big cooks and a learning curve for temperature management."
Smoker legend status
Compact 18.5-inch charcoal smoker with three cooking grates for versatile capacity.
Smoker legend status
Compact 18.5-inch charcoal smoker with three cooking grates for versatile capacity.
Recreational Enjoyment
Aesthetic & Personal Appeal
A best-in-class classic charcoal vertical smoker known for rock-solid build quality, simple operation, and excellent charcoal smoke flavor; it remains a top pick for purists and those who prioritize taste per dollar. Compared with the more automated pellet and electric vertical smokers in this list, the Weber is more affordable and imparts a purer charcoal profile but requires more hands-on fire management and offers less capacity and digital convenience.
Classic charcoal flavor
Tight temperature control
Smoker legend status
Compact 18.5-inch charcoal smoker with three cooking grates for versatile capacity.
Built-in water pan for moisture control and excellent charcoal-driven smoke flavor.
Classic charcoal flavor
Tight temperature control
Smoker legend status
Compact 18.5-inch charcoal smoker with three cooking grates for versatile capacity.
Built-in water pan for moisture control and excellent charcoal-driven smoke flavor.
$400-600 CAD
Pit Boss 3 Series Vertical Pellet Smoker
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.
$800-1,200 CAD
Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-D Wide Body Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker
A wide-body offset charcoal vertical smoker that stands out for its generous cooking space and flexible offset firebox design, giving serious smokers room to handle large racks and varied heat profiles. Technically it delivers authentic charcoal flavor and versatility that the compact Weber can’t match, though it requires more monitoring than pellet or electric smokers and tends to be a more hands-on, budget-friendly option for high-capacity smoking.
Spacious cooking racks
Robust charcoal smoke
Spacious cooking racks
Robust charcoal smoke
Review Summary
"Owners like the Dyna-Glo DGO1890BDC-D wide-body offset for its roomy cooking surface and affordable price, but long-term users cite uneven heat distribution, frequent tuning or mods needed, and middling build quality."
Pitmaster's playground
Wide-body vertical design provides expanded cooking area with adjustable racks.
Pitmaster's playground
Wide-body vertical design provides expanded cooking area with adjustable racks.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
A wide-body offset charcoal vertical smoker that stands out for its generous cooking space and flexible offset firebox design, giving serious smokers room to handle large racks and varied heat profiles. Technically it delivers authentic charcoal flavor and versatility that the compact Weber can’t match, though it requires more monitoring than pellet or electric smokers and tends to be a more hands-on, budget-friendly option for high-capacity smoking.
Spacious cooking racks
Robust charcoal smoke
Pitmaster's playground
Wide-body vertical design provides expanded cooking area with adjustable racks.
Offset charcoal firebox enables classic indirect heat and straightforward fuel management.
Spacious cooking racks
Robust charcoal smoke
Pitmaster's playground
Wide-body vertical design provides expanded cooking area with adjustable racks.
Offset charcoal firebox enables classic indirect heat and straightforward fuel management.
Cuisinart COS-244 Vertical Propane Smoker
A practical and portable vertical propane smoker that heats quickly and requires no electricity, making it ideal for tailgates or locations without power while remaining budget-friendly. Compared to electric and pellet vertical smokers it sacrifices some of the automated temperature control and deep wood-smoke nuance, but it outperforms basic charcoal units for convenience and faster startup at a lower price than many pellet systems.
Quick propane ignition
Compact vertical design
Quick propane ignition
Compact vertical design
Review Summary
"Customers find the Cuisinart COS-244 vertical propane smoker easy to use and portable with decent smoke for the price, though common complaints include inconsistent temperature control, limited capacity, and some durability issues over time."
Heat-on-demand convenience
Propane-fueled vertical smoker heats up quickly and keeps steady temperatures without charcoal.
Heat-on-demand convenience
Propane-fueled vertical smoker heats up quickly and keeps steady temperatures without charcoal.
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
A practical and portable vertical propane smoker that heats quickly and requires no electricity, making it ideal for tailgates or locations without power while remaining budget-friendly. Compared to electric and pellet vertical smokers it sacrifices some of the automated temperature control and deep wood-smoke nuance, but it outperforms basic charcoal units for convenience and faster startup at a lower price than many pellet systems.
Quick propane ignition
Compact vertical design
Heat-on-demand convenience
Propane-fueled vertical smoker heats up quickly and keeps steady temperatures without charcoal.
Multiple chrome-plated cooking racks provide generous smoking space for family meals.
Quick propane ignition
Compact vertical design
Heat-on-demand convenience
Propane-fueled vertical smoker heats up quickly and keeps steady temperatures without charcoal.
Multiple chrome-plated cooking racks provide generous smoking space for family meals.
Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker
A leading digital electric vertical smoker favored for its user-friendly electronic controls, steady temperature regulation, and low-maintenance operation—excellent for beginners and urban users. While it generally produces less intense wood-smoke character than pellet or charcoal options, it delivers consistent results with low running effort and competitive pricing, making it an efficient choice for those prioritizing convenience over traditional smoke complexity.
Plug-and-play smoking
Digital temp control
Plug-and-play smoking
Digital temp control
Review Summary
"Users value the Masterbuilt MB20071117 digital electric smoker for its simple digital controls, steady temps, and beginner-friendly operation; recurring critiques are average materials, occasional door/gasket concerns, and less intense smoke flavor than charcoal or wood units."
Set-and-forget magic
Digital control panel with thermostat and timer allows precise temperature management.
Set-and-forget magic
Digital control panel with thermostat and timer allows precise temperature management.
Tech-Savvy Living
Time-Saving Convenience
Reduced Stress & Anxiety
A leading digital electric vertical smoker favored for its user-friendly electronic controls, steady temperature regulation, and low-maintenance operation—excellent for beginners and urban users. While it generally produces less intense wood-smoke character than pellet or charcoal options, it delivers consistent results with low running effort and competitive pricing, making it an efficient choice for those prioritizing convenience over traditional smoke complexity.
Plug-and-play smoking
Digital temp control
Set-and-forget magic
Digital control panel with thermostat and timer allows precise temperature management.
Porcelain-coated racks and convenient wood-chip loading for easy smoke flavor infusion.
Plug-and-play smoking
Digital temp control
Set-and-forget magic
Digital control panel with thermostat and timer allows precise temperature management.
Porcelain-coated racks and convenient wood-chip loading for easy smoke flavor infusion.