If you are a fan of smoked recipes like jerkies, slow-smoked barbecues and smoked ham, investing on a smoker is a wise move. An electric smoker is an even better purchase as it tends to be easier to manage and cooks cleaner than other types of smokers.
However, many of us are daunted on purchasing this device. For me, the biggest reason for the hesitation of some is due to the price. Most of the electric smokers today ranges from $500 to $1000.
Fortunately, you don’t have to break your bank account just to get these devices. You should know that there is the best electric smoker under 200 that can perform well like just its high-end counterpart. These particular units may not have flashy features. But they are really worth investing in!
My first electric smoker is within the entry-level category. And for the years that I had used it, I never encountered any troubles with it. Through this experience, I can say that it is a misconception that inexpensive smokers are no good. You just have to know how to choose the right units and varieties. Trust me: there are several inexpensive electric smokers on the market today that come with unbelievable efficiency and performance.
Would you like to know my recommendations? Read on!
Best Electric Smoker Under 200: Top 6 Options
The following electric smokers that I listed here are among the most reputable units on the market today. They have different designs, features, and build. But overall, they are quite known for their capability to produce evenly cooked smoked products. I got the opportunity to test these smokers by myself. You could check out what I have found out from each of them in their respective reviews.
#1. Best Overall: Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker
Whether you’re a certified pitmaster or a newbie smoker, this Masterbuilt digital electric smoker is sure to catch your fancy. From its black matte-finished, heat-retaining fully-insulated body, to its shiny chrome-coated smoking racks, it’s a thing of beauty that is sure to gather compliments from guests when in use in your backyard. It’s smoking capabilities are supplemented by state-of-the-art technology such as a digital control panel that regulates its cooking temperature and time to ensure even and consistent cooking. Also among its more notable bells and whistles are its side wood chip loading system so you won’t have to open the smoker just to add wood chips, an air damper to help you control the amount of smoke, a water bowl that will help add in moisture and flavor as well as a wood chip tray to help you take out the ash after cooking.
PROS
- digital control
- easy cleanup
- easy wood chip loading
CONS
- some units may have paint chipping
#2. Best Budget Friendly Electric Smoker- Landmann USA Smoky Mountain Electric Smoker
If you are still quite tight on budget, you might want to turn onto this electric smoker. The Landmann USA Smoky Mountain Electric Smoker offers great value for the limited price. It has a three-in-one tray that houses the wood chip box and water pan. There is also a grease catching tray integrated on the tray, making it a multi-purpose item.One of the most ergonomic features of this device is its double wall door. It allows you to peek easily inside to monitor the smoking without bending your back too much. It also features portability, as its iron side handles enable you to move it anywhere you want. Since it has a 443 square inch of cooking surface, you can guarantee that it can cater large servings, too.
The Landmann USA Smoky Mountain Electric Smoker features an external temperature controller. You can use this accessory so that you can control and maintain the optimal temperature for your smoking. Specifically, the heat that this device can emit ranges around 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 260 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range is already ideal for common smoking recipes.
PROS
- Portable design
- Rugged and durable construction
- Adequate cooking space
- Viewable door
- Convenient temperature control
CONS
- Consumes too much power
- The length of its legs is too short
#3. Runner Up: Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker
Did you know smoking meat dates back to the paleolithic era as a means of preserving them? Well, this analog electric smoker makes that tedious but ultimately rewarding task of smoking meat so much easier. This Charboil Analog Electric Smoker is a dream with its spacious cooking space spread across three chrome-plated grates in a well-insulated chamber, making this ideal for cooking for large groups. For ease of use, the water tray, grease cup and wood chip tray are all front-accessed. A door-mounted temperature gauge helps in regulating heat for optimal cooking.
PROS
- includes one-year warranty
- large cooking capacity
- door-mounted temperature gauge
CONS
- build material may be easily dented
#4. Best Indoor: Presto 6013 Slow Cooker Indoor Electric Smoker
While you would usually picture smokers as these huge contraptions that hold vast quantities of meat while cooking in great outdoors, sometimes you just want to chomp your way into great-tasting smoked meat without going through a big production number or going outside. Well, this Presto 6013 Slow Cooker Indoor Electric Smoker lets you do just that! It can smoke your meats – hot, cold or a combination of both – while sitting on your kitchen counter. It also doubles as a slow cooker! So whether you want to enjoy a smoked ham or a pulled pork for dinner, you can do that with this smoker-slash-slow cooker
PROS
- works indoors
- portable
- dual-purpose
CONS
- small capacity
#5. Best Large Capacity: Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker with Adjustable Temperature Control
Some people just want to cook for a battalion, and this device is perfect for that! Imagine filling its three chrome-coated smoking racks with your favorite meats. Its fully adjustable and removable digital controller, integrated thermometer, heat-retaining insulated body and latch system help you manage the meat-smoking process to come up with optimal results. Whether you want to do smoked barbecues, firewood grilling, drying or even steaming, this unit can get the job done!
PROS
- large capacity
- multi-use
- transportable
CONS
- may not reach high temperatures
#6. Best Starter: Smokehouse Products Little Chief Front Load Smoker
If you’re a newbie at smoking meats and have no patience for assembly and other complications, this Little Chief Front Loader Electric Smoker would be right up your alley! It’s just so easy to use: you can start using it as soon as it comes out of the box. It even comes with a recipe/instruction booklet and 1.75-pound bag of Chips n’ Chunks hickory flavor wood fuel! With its embossed aluminum construction, easy slide chrome-plated grills and a large capacity flavor fuel pan, it makes smoking meats easy! Start your meat-smoking journey with this little number.
PROS
- easy to use
- safety certifications
CONS
- may have durability issues
How to Choose an Electric Smoker
It is not just enough that you know the best names when it comes to electric smokers. There is also a need for you to know what makes them the “cream of the crop” and what makes these devices tick.
Electric smokers may have the same function, but they are not really similar. Most of the models that you can see on the market today vary in design, features, and sizes. Considering these aspects, the choosing process might become difficult, especially for those that are clueless about what to get.
If you want to become a wise consumer, take my advice: learn these products down to their cores. I have a short but comprehensive guide below that will teach the ropes of electric smokers. Let’s get started!
Cooking Space
Electric smokers vary in sizes and you will have many options to choose from in terms of size. However, take it from me: it would be more practical if you will get an electric smoker that has an appropriate cooking space that matches your need. Always remember that the larger the smoker is, the costlier it becomes. I have learned that lesson the hard way. Of course, there is no need for you to follow that same mistake that I did.
If you expect to feed a lot of people, investing on large smokers is best. Vast cooking surfaces allow you to smoke all your food in one sitting. It maximizes the potential of the device without using too much electricity or wood chips. You should also for larger units if you intend to use them for commercial purposes.
For smaller applications like camping and outdoor smoking, compact and portable devices are the best choice. They won’t burden with their weight and size. However, you can still guarantee that they can still smoke your items efficiently!
Control
Electric smokers provide more control than to their traditional counterparts. Specifically, the smoker should come with a thermostat that allows you to adjust and maintain the ideal temperature of the smoker. If possible, a smoker that you choose must have a temperature setting so that you can either lower or increase the heat freely.
It would also be great if there is a temperature gauge attached to the door of the electric smoker. This component removes the need for you to guess the internal temperature of the device.
Design
Since the electric smoker will be used on outdoor applications, it should be durable and rugged. The entire structure should be rigid enough to withstand external detriments. The body should not be easily scratched or dented. Of course, those electric smokers that come with double walls are expected to be sturdy. They also have amplified heating efficiency.
One of the most ignored aspects of a smoker is its legs. These parts hold the entire structure in one piece. Therefore, it should have an ergonomic design that ensures balance and stability. Otherwise, the device would be rendered wobbly. There is a good chance that it could stumble, especially when breezed by strong wind gusts.
Take note that an electric smoker should have handles on their side so that you can transport them easily. Meanwhile, its door should have a magnetic latch system, too. You don’t want the smoke to leak out from the device. That’s a waste of heat and power. Fortunately, a foolproof door can keep this from happening.
Lastly, it is essential that the electric smoker has an air damper. It would enable the moisture to escape, which allows an optimal smoking process.
Final Verdict
Among all the items I featured, the Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker produces the best smoking performance. It’s impressively built with its matte finishing. Meanwhile, it has a spacious cooking surface that can cater large servings.
This electric smoker offers maximum control to its users. With its thermostat and temperature gauge, you can definitely oversee the entire cooking process! It is also notable that this device has moderate power consumption. Because of these feats, the Masterbuilt MB20071117 is indeed the best electric smoker under 200.
Of course, you should still try all the options I have listed here. You might want something else for your smoker. One of them can certainly meet your requirements!
Do you have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Just shoot them in the box below. I will try to answer them for you!
Last update on 2022-09-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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