Daily Smoking Grill

Best Grills & Smokers of 2026

Ten picks for every budget and backyard, from a $229 kettle that smokes surprisingly well to a lifetime ceramic kamado. We rank them on how well they hold smoking temperatures, how long they last, how much they cost to run and how easy they are to live with.

Updated September 29, 2026 Prices checked on maker and retailer sites, September 2026

How we pick. We compare published specifications, warranty terms and price, and weigh them against independent reviews and long-term owner feedback. No brand pays for placement. Some links may earn us a commission; that never changes the ranking. Read our disclosure.

Quick picks

Short on time? These are our top choices in one list. Jump to any grill for the details.

New to smoking and on a budget? Start with the Weber Kettle or the Smokey Mountain. Want push-button convenience? Look at the Searwood or the new Traeger Westwood.

  1. 1 Weber Searwood 600Best overall $899
  2. 2 Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18"Best charcoal smoker for the money $419
  3. 3 Weber Original Kettle Premium 22"Best budget grill that also smokes $229
  4. 4 Kamado Joe Classic Joe IIIBest kamado (buy-once splurge) $2,199.99
  5. 5 Traeger WestwoodBest entry-level pellet grill (new for 2026) $699.99
  6. 6 Oklahoma Joe's Bronco Drum SmokerBest drum smoker $499.99
  7. 7 Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800Best charcoal flavor with thermostat control $899.99
  8. 8 Weber Spirit E-325Best gas grill for weeknights $499
  9. 9 Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & SmokerBest for balconies and small spaces from about $290
  10. 10 Oklahoma Joe's Highland ClassicBest budget offset smoker $429.99
Type
Budget

Showing 10 of 10 picks

Pellet grill illustration for the Weber Searwood 600 1 Illustration
$899on sale from $999 list
Check price at Weber

Best for: One grill that smokes low and slow on Sunday and sears steaks on Tuesday.

Best overall

Weber Searwood 600

Pellet grill 9.4/10

Most pellet grills are great smokers and mediocre searers. The Searwood closes that gap: its DirectFlame mode opens the firepot to the whole grate, so it reaches 600°F and puts a real crust on steaks and burgers. Down at 225°F the Rapid React PID controller holds temperature tightly, and the SmokeBoost setting adds a heavier smoke profile for brisket and pork butt. Weber says it preheats in 15 minutes or less, which matters on weeknights.

For smoking: SmokeBoost keeps the fire smoldering at low temps for more smoke flavor than a standard pellet cook.

Cooking area
648 sq in (two levels)
Temperature range
180–600°F
Hopper
20 lb
Connectivity
Wi-Fi + Bluetooth app
Warranty
5 yr cook box, 3 yr electronics
Fuel cost
Low–medium: About $0.45–$1.50 per hour at smoking temps

What we like

  • Sears at up to 600°F across the full grate, not just a small zone
  • Tight PID temperature control and fast preheat
  • Two meat probes and Wi-Fi control included
  • Easy ash and grease cleanup

Watch out for

  • Side shelves cost extra
  • Pellet smoke is milder than charcoal or stick-burner smoke

Money tip: Weber regularly discounts it by around $100. Late summer through Black Friday is the time to watch.

Charcoal bullet smoker illustration for the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18" 2 Illustration
$419list price
Check price at Weber

Best for: Learning real fire management and turning out competition-grade ribs and butts on a budget.

Best charcoal smoker for the money

Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18"

Charcoal bullet smoker 9.2/10

The WSM is the smoker a lot of pitmasters learned on, and it still earns its place. The water pan buffers temperature swings, the porcelain-enameled steel holds heat, and once the three bottom vents are dialed in it will sit at 250°F for hours on one load of charcoal. The 18-inch size fits a full packer brisket (curled slightly) or two pork butts. There is no app and no fan, just charcoal, wood chunks and airflow.

For smoking: Charcoal plus a few wood chunks gives deeper smoke flavor and a better smoke ring than most pellet grills.

Cooking area
481 sq in (two grates)
Fuel
Charcoal + wood chunks
Typical smoking range
225–275°F with vents
Connectivity
None (add a wireless probe)
Warranty
10 yr bowl, lid and center ring
Fuel cost
Low: About $0.40–$0.80 per hour on briquettes

What we like

  • Rock-steady low-and-slow temps once the vents are set
  • Very fuel-efficient: a full ring of charcoal runs 10+ hours
  • Long 10-year warranty on the main shell
  • Small footprint for the capacity

Watch out for

  • Manual fire control has a learning curve
  • The access door is small and can leak a little smoke

Money tip: A $20 bag of charcoal covers several long cooks. Add a $50–$100 wireless thermometer instead of a pricier connected smoker.

Charcoal kettle illustration for the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22" 3 Illustration
$229list price
Check price at Weber

Best for: First-time smokers and anyone who wants one cheap grill that does everything.

Best budget grill that also smokes

Weber Original Kettle Premium 22"

Charcoal kettle 9.0/10

If you want to find out whether smoking is for you without spending much, start here. Set up a charcoal snake (a C-shaped row of briquettes with wood chunks on top) around one side of the kettle and it will hold 225–275°F for five to six hours, long enough for ribs, chicken, pork belly and even a small butt. Push the coals to one side and it becomes a searing grill. The Premium version adds a hinged grate for feeding fuel, a lid thermometer and an enclosed ash catcher.

For smoking: With the snake method a kettle smokes ribs and chicken as well as grills costing three times more.

Cooking area
363 sq in (22-inch grate)
Fuel
Charcoal + wood chunks
Features
Hinged grate, lid thermometer, ash catcher
Connectivity
None
Warranty
10 yr bowl and lid
Fuel cost
Very low: About $0.30–$0.60 per hour using the snake method

What we like

  • Grills, sears and smokes on one small budget
  • Tiny fuel use in snake or two-zone setups
  • Parts and accessories are available everywhere
  • Porcelain bowl and lid last for years

Watch out for

  • Too small for a full packer brisket
  • Long cooks need a refuel and some attention

Money tip: This is the cheapest way into real charcoal smoking. The basic Original Kettle is $149 if you can live without the hinged grate.

Ceramic kamado illustration for the Kamado Joe Classic Joe III 4 Illustration
$2,199.99with cart
Check price at Kamado Joe

Best for: Cooks who want one heirloom-quality cooker for smoking, searing and pizza.

Best kamado (buy-once splurge)

Kamado Joe Classic Joe III

Ceramic kamado 8.9/10

Thick ceramic walls make a kamado the most fuel-efficient cooker on this list: it can smoke for 12 hours or more on one load of lump and barely notices cold or wind. The Classic Joe III adds the SlōRoller insert, which spreads heat and smoke evenly for low-and-slow cooks, plus a three-level Divide & Conquer rack, an air-lift hinge that makes the heavy dome easy to lift, and a top vent that keeps its setting when you open the lid.

For smoking: The SlōRoller insert turns the kamado into a proper smoker with even, circulating heat.

Cooking area
18-inch grate, 3-tier rack system
Temperature range
225–750°F
Fuel
Lump charcoal + wood chunks
Connectivity
None (Kontrol Tower top vent)
Warranty
Limited lifetime on ceramics
Fuel cost
Very low: About $0.30–$0.70 per hour on lump charcoal

What we like

  • Exceptional fuel efficiency and heat retention
  • Hits 750°F for steaks and pizza
  • Holds steady temps in cold weather
  • Lifetime warranty on the ceramic parts

Watch out for

  • Expensive, and very heavy
  • Smaller cooking area than barrel smokers at this price

Money tip: It sips fuel. If the price is too steep, the insulated steel Char-Griller AKORN ($399.99) gives you most of the kamado benefits.

Pellet grill illustration for the Traeger Westwood 5 Illustration
$699.99XL: $799.99
Check price at Traeger

Best for: Busy households that want set-it-and-forget-it smoking with app control.

Best entry-level pellet grill (new for 2026)

Traeger Westwood

Pellet grill 8.8/10

Launched in April 2026, the Westwood brings Traeger's WiFIRE app control to its lowest price yet. You set the temperature like an oven, the digital controller feeds pellets to hold it, and the app lets you watch the pit and the meat probe from anywhere. Traeger says it fits six rib racks or 20 burgers. The trade-off is a 450°F ceiling, so it smokes and roasts beautifully but won't sear like a kettle or the Searwood.

For smoking: Ideal for overnight cooks: the app alerts you when the brisket hits the stall or the hopper runs low.

Cooking area
653 sq in (XL: 823 sq in)
Temperature range
180–450°F
Hopper
18 lb
Connectivity
WiFIRE app control
Warranty
7 yr limited
Fuel cost
Low–medium: About $0.45–$1.50 per hour at smoking temps

What we like

  • App control at an entry-level price
  • Long 7-year warranty
  • Two-tier racks and a modular accessory rail
  • Very easy for beginners

Watch out for

  • Tops out at 450°F, so searing is limited
  • 18 lb hopper needs a refill on very long cooks

Money tip: Budget 40 lb pellet bags (about $0.45/lb) cost less than half as much per pound as Traeger's own 20 lb bags ($1.00/lb). Try a few brands and keep the one your grill likes.

Charcoal drum smoker illustration for the Oklahoma Joe's Bronco Drum Smoker 6 Illustration
$499.99list price
Check price at Oklahoma Joe's

Best for: Ribs, chicken and pork butts with deep smoke flavor and almost no babysitting.

Best drum smoker

Oklahoma Joe's Bronco Drum Smoker

Charcoal drum smoker 8.7/10

Drum smokers cook directly over the coals, so drippings hit the fire and turn into flavorful smoke. The Bronco's airtight body and precise intake keep that fire small and steady: Oklahoma Joe's rates one 8 lb basket of charcoal at 14+ hours. Hang up to nine rib racks on the included hooks or use the grates for a brisket, two whole chickens or pork butts. A separate fuel door lets you add charcoal without lifting the food.

For smoking: Hanging ribs over the coals is the fastest route to that classic, deeply smoky flavor.

Cooking area
284 sq in + 9 meat hooks
Fuel
Up to 8 lb charcoal, 14+ hours
Features
Fuel door, rib hanging kit, split grates
Connectivity
None
Warranty
2 yr
Fuel cost
Very low: About $0.30–$0.60 per hour on briquettes

What we like

  • Extremely fuel-efficient
  • Hanging capacity for up to nine rib racks
  • Simple, stable temperature control
  • Heavy-gauge steel body

Watch out for

  • Grate area is small for big cuts
  • Only a 2-year warranty

Money tip: Among the lowest running costs of any smoker here, and it often drops below list price outside grilling season.

Gravity-fed charcoal smoker illustration for the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 7 Illustration
$899.99list price
Check price at Masterbuilt

Best for: Charcoal lovers who want to set a temperature and walk away.

Best charcoal flavor with thermostat control

Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800

Gravity-fed charcoal smoker 8.5/10

A tall hopper feeds charcoal down into the fire while a digital fan holds the temperature you set, so it cooks like a pellet grill but tastes like charcoal. Masterbuilt says it reaches 225°F in 8 minutes and 700°F in 14, and the 800 comes with a griddle insert and reversible cast-iron grates. The catch is build quality: owners report thinner metal and some quality-control issues, and the warranty is short.

For smoking: Add a few wood chunks to the hopper for a stronger smoke profile than any pellet grill.

Cooking area
800 sq in
Temperature range
225–700°F
Hopper
About 16 lb charcoal, up to 10 hours
Connectivity
App control, up to 4 probes
Warranty
1 yr
Fuel cost
Medium: About $0.60–$1.20 per hour on briquettes

What we like

  • Real charcoal flavor with thermostat control
  • Very fast heat-up and 700°F searing
  • Griddle insert included
  • Big 800 sq in capacity

Watch out for

  • Thinner steel and reported quality-control issues
  • Short 1-year warranty

Money tip: Use briquettes for long smokes and save pricier lump charcoal for high-heat searing.

Gas grill illustration for the Weber Spirit E-325 8 Illustration
$499on sale from $549 list
Check price at Weber

Best for: Fast weeknight dinners, with light smoking from a smoker box.

Best gas grill for weeknights

Weber Spirit E-325

Gas grill 8.4/10

Not every cook needs to be an eight-hour project. For burgers, chops, chicken thighs and vegetables on a Tuesday, gas wins on speed and convenience, and the Spirit E-325 is the best value in Weber's gas range. Two boost burners make a hotter Sear Zone for steaks, the side tables fold down, and the 10-year warranty covers the cookbox and lid. Add a stainless smoker box with wood chips when you want a hint of smoke.

For smoking: A smoker box on the left burner adds light smoke to chicken, salmon and vegetables.

Cooking area
360 sq in primary, 450 total
Burners
3 stainless + Sear Zone boost
Output
31,000 BTU/hr main burners
Connectivity
None
Warranty
10 yr cookbox and lid
Fuel cost
Low per cook: A 20 lb propane tank lasts many weeknight cooks

What we like

  • Heats up fast for quick weeknight dinners
  • Sear Zone for better crust
  • Long 10-year warranty on cookbox and lid
  • Folding side tables for small patios

Watch out for

  • Smoke flavor is light, even with a smoker box
  • Propane tank sold separately

Money tip: Weeknight grilling at home instead of takeout is where most families save the most money.

Electric grill with pellet smoke illustration for the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker 9 Illustration
from about $290list $499.99, often on sale
Check price at Target

Best for: Apartments, balconies and one- or two-person households (check your building rules).

Best for balconies and small spaces

Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker

Electric grill with pellet smoke 8.1/10

Electric heat plus a small pellet smoke box means real wood-fired flavor where charcoal or propane isn't practical. It weighs about 30 lb, needs no assembly, and uses roughly half a cup of pellets for an hour of smoke. It is small, fine for two to four people, and it also air-crisps, which makes it handy for wings. Always confirm what your lease or HOA allows before cooking on a balcony.

For smoking: Genuinely smoky ribs and wings from an appliance that plugs into the wall.

Cooking area
141 sq in
Temperature range
105–500°F
Smoke
About ½ cup of pellets per cook
Functions
Grill, smoke, air crisp, bake, roast, broil, dehydrate
Warranty
1 yr limited
Fuel cost
Very low: Runs on a standard outlet plus a small scoop of pellets

What we like

  • Real wood smoke without charcoal or propane
  • Compact, portable and quick to clean
  • Seven cooking functions

Watch out for

  • Small capacity for families
  • Needs an outdoor outlet

Money tip: Very low running cost, and it replaces a separate air fryer.

Offset smoker illustration for the Oklahoma Joe's Highland Classic 10 Illustration
$429.99list price
Check price at Oklahoma Joe's

Best for: Hands-on cooks who want the classic stick-burner experience on a budget.

Best budget offset smoker

Oklahoma Joe's Highland Classic

Offset smoker 8.0/10

An offset smoker is the most traditional way to cook barbecue: a fire of wood splits burns in the side firebox and its heat and smoke travel across the meat and out the stack. The Highland is the most affordable way into that style, with room for three briskets. It asks a lot of you, though. Expect to add a split every 45–60 minutes and to fine-tune the dampers, and plan on a few cheap upgrades such as gasket tape to seal leaks.

For smoking: Burning real wood splits gives the deepest, most traditional smoke flavor on this list.

Cooking area
879 sq in (616 main + 263 firebox)
Fuel
Wood splits and/or charcoal
Weight
156 lb
Capacity
Up to 3 briskets or 4 pork shoulders
Warranty
2 yr
Fuel cost
Highest: Burns wood splits steadily; best if you can source wood cheaply

What we like

  • Huge capacity for the price
  • Classic stick-burner flavor
  • Firebox doubles as a small direct grill

Watch out for

  • Constant fire tending on long cooks
  • Thinner steel leaks heat and smoke without upgrades
  • Uses the most fuel of any smoker here

Money tip: Wood is often free or cheap if you know a tree service or orchard. Only burn seasoned, untreated hardwood.

Compare all ten side by side

Tap a column heading to sort.

Type Cooking area Fuel cost
1 Weber Searwood 600 Pellet grill $899 648 sq in (two levels) Low–medium 9.4
2 Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18" Charcoal bullet smoker $419 481 sq in (two grates) Low 9.2
3 Weber Original Kettle Premium 22" Charcoal kettle $229 363 sq in (22-inch grate) Very low 9.0
4 Kamado Joe Classic Joe III Ceramic kamado $2,199.99 18-inch grate, 3-tier rack system Very low 8.9
5 Traeger Westwood Pellet grill $699.99 653 sq in (XL: 823 sq in) Low–medium 8.8
6 Oklahoma Joe's Bronco Drum Smoker Charcoal drum smoker $499.99 284 sq in + 9 meat hooks Very low 8.7
7 Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 Gravity-fed charcoal smoker $899.99 800 sq in Medium 8.5
8 Weber Spirit E-325 Gas grill $499 360 sq in primary, 450 total Low per cook 8.4
9 Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker Electric grill with pellet smoke from about $290 141 sq in Very low 8.1
10 Oklahoma Joe's Highland Classic Offset smoker $429.99 879 sq in (616 main + 263 firebox) Highest 8.0

Also worth a look

Great grills that just missed the top ten, or that suit a narrower need.

recteq Deck Boss 900

Pellet grill, $999.99

956 sq in, 180–700°F and a stainless firepot. A strong pick if you cook for crowds and want a pellet grill that also gets hot enough to sear.

Char-Griller AKORN Kamado

Insulated steel kamado, $399.99

Most of the fuel efficiency of a ceramic kamado for a fraction of the price. The compact AKORN Jr. is $199.99.

Weber Performer Smart 22"

Charcoal kettle cart, $599

New for 2026: the classic 22-inch kettle on a work-table cart, with smart temperature control you can check from your phone.

Yoder Loaded Wichita

Offset smoker, from $2,799

Hand-welded quarter-inch steel with a lifetime warranty. Buy it once and hand it down; it holds heat far better than budget offsets.

Buying guide: which type of smoker is right for you?

The type of cooker matters more than the brand. Here's what each style does well, where it falls short, and what it costs to run.

Pellet grills illustration

Pellet grills

Typical price
$500–$3,500
Good at
Push-button convenience, steady temps, app control, easy overnight cooks.
Watch for
Milder smoke flavor; needs electricity; more parts that can fail.
Running cost
About $0.45–$1.50/hr (1–1.5 lb of pellets per hour at smoking temps).
Charcoal bullet and drum smokers illustration

Charcoal bullet and drum smokers

Typical price
$300–$600
Good at
Deep smoke flavor, very low fuel use, simple and durable.
Watch for
Manual vent control; you learn fire management.
Running cost
About $0.30–$0.80/hr on briquettes.
Kamado grills illustration

Kamado grills

Typical price
$400–$3,500
Good at
Best fuel efficiency, 225–750°F range, great in cold weather.
Watch for
Heavy; ceramic models are expensive; smaller capacity.
Running cost
About $0.30–$0.70/hr on lump charcoal.
Offset smokers illustration

Offset smokers

Typical price
$350–$5,000+
Good at
Traditional stick-burner flavor and big capacity.
Watch for
Constant fire tending; cheap ones leak; highest fuel use.
Running cost
Varies with your wood source; the most fuel of any style.
Gravity-fed charcoal illustration

Gravity-fed charcoal

Typical price
$600–$1,800
Good at
Charcoal flavor with thermostat control and high-heat searing.
Watch for
More electronics and more quality-control complaints.
Running cost
About $0.60–$1.20/hr on briquettes.
Gas grills illustration

Gas grills

Typical price
$300–$2,000
Good at
Fastest weeknight cooking; very easy.
Watch for
Little smoke flavor; long smokes use a lot of propane.
Running cost
Low per 20–30 minute cook.

What matters most when you buy a smoker

1. Temperature stability

Good barbecue comes from holding a steady 225–275°F for hours. Pellet grills and gravity-fed smokers use a fan and controller to do it for you. Kamados and bullet smokers do it with insulation and careful vent settings. Thin, leaky offsets make it hardest.

2. Build quality and warranty

Heavier steel and ceramic hold heat better, rust slower and last longer. A long warranty is the maker's own bet on durability: compare Weber's 10-year coverage on kettle bowls with the 1–2 years common on budget smokers.

3. Capacity you'll actually use

A whole packer brisket needs roughly 20 inches of grate length. If you mostly cook for two, a 22-inch kettle or an 18-inch bullet smoker is plenty and uses less fuel than a big barrel.

4. Running cost

Fuel adds up over years of weekends. Charcoal smokers and kamados cost the least to run. Pellet grills cost more, and premium small pellet bags can cost twice as much per pound as 40 lb budget bags. Stick burners use the most fuel unless you can get wood cheaply.

5. When you buy

Grill prices are usually lowest from late summer through Black Friday, when stores clear inventory before winter. Spring is peak demand and the worst time to pay full price. Many of the picks above were discounted when we checked prices in September.

Spend on a thermometer before accessories.

A good instant-read thermometer and a leave-in probe improve every cook more than any fancy grill feature. Built-in lid dials can be off by 25°F or more.

How we rank

Scores are editorial ratings out of 10. We weigh temperature control and smoke quality most heavily (40%), then build quality and warranty (25%), value including running cost (20%) and ease of use and cleanup (15%). We compare manufacturer specifications and pricing, respected independent reviews and patterns in long-term owner feedback. We update this page when prices or models change; the date at the top shows the last review.

Grill and smoker FAQ

What is the best smoker for beginners?

A Weber Original Kettle ($229) or Weber Smokey Mountain ($419) teaches real fire control for little money and makes excellent barbecue. If you want push-button convenience, a pellet grill such as the Traeger Westwood ($699.99) or Weber Searwood 600 ($899 on sale) does the fire management for you.

Should I buy a pellet grill or a charcoal smoker?

Pellet grills are easier: set a temperature and walk away, with app alerts on most models. Charcoal smokers give deeper smoke flavor, cost less to buy and run, and last for years, but they need you to manage the vents. If convenience matters most, go pellet; if flavor and budget matter most, go charcoal.

How much should I spend on a smoker?

Between $229 and $500 buys a charcoal cooker that can turn out excellent barbecue for years. $700–$1,000 buys pellet or gravity-fed convenience. Spend more for heavier steel or ceramic that lasts longer, or for more capacity.

When is the best time to buy a grill?

Prices are usually lowest from late summer through Black Friday, when retailers clear stock before winter. Spring is peak demand and the worst time to pay full price.

Can you smoke meat on a gas grill?

Yes, lightly. Put wood chips in a smoker box over one burner, cook on the other side with that burner off, and keep the lid closed. You'll get some smoke flavor, but far less than a charcoal or pellet smoker.