If you want a dedicated smoker for your barbecue, you need to get the best vertical smoker. A vertical smoker is any type of smoker that is oriented in a vertical direction, and this makes them great if you want to save a bit of space on your deck or patio. A smoker is a must for anyone who wants to master the art of barbecue and backyard cooking. If you want to learn more about these great smokers, read our vertical smoker reviews and ratings.

The 5 Top Vertical Smokers

Best Choice
Our Score 10 Out of 10
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Premium Pick
Our Score 10 Out of 10
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Best Value
Our Score 6 Out of 10
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Runner Up
Our Score 8 Out of 10
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Honorable Mention
Our Score 8 Out of 10
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* Ratings are determined using our specialized rating system.

When it comes to any sort of online purchase, there are countless options to choose from, and it can be difficult to tell which ones are worth the money. Fortunately, we’ve already done all the research and testing and have found the best options. Keep reading for our reviews of the top five best vertical smokers.

Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Vertical Smoker

Our Score 10 out of 10
Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker, 30 inch, Black
Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker, 30 inch, Black amazon.com Check price

Digital panel controls on/off, cooking temperature and time
Four chrome-coated smoking racks
Patented side wood chip loading system allows you to add wood chips without opening door
Thermostat-temp...

The Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Vertical Smoker is one of the best vertical smoker options because it has a digital panel that allows you to control the smoker. It gives you the ability to turn the smoker on and off, change the temperature, and time. This provides you with most even and consistent smoking possible for your food. It has a unique loading system that is on the side of the smoker. You are able to add wood chips without ever opening the door.

This smoker is great no matter your smoker skill level—even if you are a beginner, this smoker is simple to use. You do not need charcoal or propane to fuel it because it is completely electric. This smoker has a fully insulated body that gives you superior heat retention.

Pros
  • Comes with four chrome-coated smoking racks
  • Amazing amount of features for the price
  • Digital panel is convenient for controlling the smoker
  • The temperature may not be accurate to what the screen displays
Cons
  • The temperature may not be accurate to what the screen displays

Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 22-inch Vertical Smoker

Our Score 10 out of 10
Weber 22-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker, Charcoal Smoker
Weber 22-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker, Charcoal Smoker amazon.com Check price

Your purchase includes: One Weber 22-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker, Charcoal Smoker + Cover
Item overall dimensions: 23" W x 24" D x 48.5" H. Item weight: 68 lbs
Cooking Grid Dimensions 21 1/2 X 21 1...

The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 22-inch Vertical Smoker is one of the best vertical smoker options because the lid, bowl and center section are made completely out of porcelain enamel. It retains heat but will not rust or peel, so you can feel safe using it to cook your food. The silicone temperature grommet monitors the temperature of your smoker and displays it on the thermometer on the lid. You can easily change the temperature in the smoker by adjusting the dampers.

The legs of the smoker are rust-resistant, and the cooking grates are plated in steel. The fuel door comes off so that you can easily add charcoal or wood while smoking your food. You can create up to 726 square inches of cooking space inside this smoker by adjusting the grates inside, so you can cook enough food for block party.

Pros
  • Includes two cooking grates
  • Comes in three sizes
  • Easy-to-understand, interactive instructions
  • The smoker is heavy at just about 70 pounds
Cons
  • The smoker is heavy at just about 70 pounds

Masterbuilt B20070210 MES 35B Electric Vertical Smoker

Our Score 6 out of 10
Masterbuilt MB20070210 Analog Electric Smoker with 3 Smoking Racks, 30 inch, Black
Masterbuilt MB20070210 Analog Electric Smoker with 3 Smoking Racks, 30 inch, Black amazon.com Check price

Built-in temperature gauge
Temperature control is easy with analog dial
Wood chip tray slides out for easy ash removal
Three chrome-coated smoking racks
1,500-watt heating element for even, consist...

The Masterbuilt B20070210 MES 35B Electric Vertical Smoker is one of the best vertical smoker options for you because it has an easy-to-use dial temperature settings for expert control. The air damper is adjustable to give you optimal smoke control, and The heating element in the smoker is 1,500 watts for the most even and consistent smoking

This Masterbuilt upright smoker has a removable water bowl, which gives your food moisture and full flavor. It also contains trays for wood chips that slide out for easy ash removal. The smoker gives you front access to the grease tray, which catches all excess food drippings. This smoker gives you a large area to cook up to three whole chickens at a time.

Pros
  • Comes with three chrome-coated smoking racks
  • Incredibly simple to use
  • Affordable
  • Internal temperatures tend to fluctuate with each use
Cons
  • Internal temperatures tend to fluctuate with each use

Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical Charcoal Smoker

Our Score 8 out of 10
Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical 18" Charcoal Smoker
Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical 18" Charcoal Smoker amazon.com Check price

Two 18" stainless steel racks provide 510 square inches of cooking space
Porcelain enamel water bowl. Dimensions- 22 L x 24 W x 43 H inches
Top and bottom vents provide a dual air vent system
Latch...

The Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical Charcoal Smoker is one of the best vertical smoker options because it is perfect for smoking all types of food from cheese to meat and vegetables. The smoker comes with two 18-inch racks that are stainless steel that gives you 510 square inches of space available on which you can cook.

The Cuisinart COS Vertical Smoker has many safety features in place such as a latching base and a vertically hinged door so you can feel comfortable using this smoker. The water bowl is made from a porcelain enamel. The latching base makes it easy to assemble and disassemble this smoker for cleaning or storage.

Pros
  • Affordable price
  • The dual air vent system has vents on top and bottom
  • Comes in two sizes
  • Does not seem to hold temperature well
Cons
  • Does not seem to hold temperature well

Dyna-Glo Signature Series Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker

Our Score 8 out of 10
Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D Heavy-Duty Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker & Grill
Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D Heavy-Duty Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker & Grill amazon.com Check price

Features five chrome-plated cooking grates and a total cooking space of 1382 square inches
Heavy-Gauge Steel Body Construction. The temperature gauge features a smoke zone which indicates the ideal...

The Dyna-Glo Signature Series Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker is one of the best upright smoker options because it is extremely versatile. It comes complete with a smoker to cook your meat low and slow to soak in all the flavor. It also has a grill to control the flame on your burgers for your next cookout. It also contains sausage hooks to give you the ultimate flexibility. The charcoal grate is offset, which allows you easy access to the ash to dispose of it.

The body of the Dyna Glow is constructed from a heavy gauge steel. The temperature controls feature a zone where the smoker remains at an ideal temperature to provide smoke flavor to any food. Burning yourself on the handle isn’t an issue because no matter how high the inside of the smoker becomes, the spring handle remains cool to the touch. It has a total cooking space of 1382 square inches and comes with five cooking grates that are plated in chrome.

Pros
  • Comes with oversized steel wheels for improved mobility
  • Allows for cooking with no direct heat on the food
  • Huge amount of cooking space
  • Really heavy, weighing in around 125 pounds
Cons
  • Really heavy, weighing in around 125 pounds

Features to Consider for the Best Vertical Smoker

When you are shopping for the best vertical smoker and reading vertical smoker reviews, you should understand as much as you can about vertical smokers. There are some features that you want to have and should pay attention to when making your selection. Make sure to consider these features:

Cost

While the cost of a smoker should not be the only factor to which you pay attention, it should be one of them. You want to make sure you can afford whatever smoker you choose to purchase. You should also consider how often you will use the smoker. If you are not planning on using it much or you are a beginner, you might want to choose one that is more affordably priced. A vertical water smoker tends to be the most affordable smoker on the market. This type of smoker is good for barbecue.

Fuel

There are many smokers available today, and there are different benefits for different types. These smokers have different fuel types, including charcoal, wood, propane, and electricity, and they have different designs like upright and horizontal. Charcoal and wood smokers are more traditional and the original way to smoke, and they give your food a smokier flavor when cooking. Some of the more affordable smokers are charcoal, but they can also be some of the most expensive, too. Electric smokers are convenient and simple to use, and they often have computers controlling them.

However, you lose some of the flavor that charcoal or wood gives you. Propane smokers heat fast and are easier to use than electric because there are no computers. Upright pellet smokers are a hybrid of wood and electricity, and they give you the convenience of electric but the flavor of wood.

Which one you opt for is purely up to personal opinion. You may be the kind of person who values convenience and thinks an electric smoker is the best, or you may love the taste that a charcoal smoker gives the food. Either way, there is no right or wrong way to decide this factor.

Size

Many think the bigger the smoker than the better it is to cook food. In reality, a small smoker can cook enough food to feed at least 15 people. The biggest ones are for professional caterers, so you probably do not need one of those. You do need to think about how much food you want to cook before you make your selection. The smoker typically tells you how much food you can cook in it, and when cooking for people, you tend to need about one pound of raw meat per person. However, this can vary depending on the type of meat and how bony it is.

Versatility

When searching for a vertical pellet smoker, you want one that can be versatile for you. While some smokers are also grills, most aren’t when it comes to upright smokers. If this is something that may deter you, you may want to look into reverse flow smokers or offset smokers instead. Vertical smokers can also be versatile in the fuel they use. While some models will only use one type of fuel, such propane-powered smokers, others can use a variety of different fuel types.

Benefits of Using Vertical Smokers

When you are considering your options for the best vertical smoker, there are many benefits of which you should be aware.

Many electric smokers allow you to set it and forget, so there is no need to hang out over a hot grill. They have a really large cooking space so you are able to cook for large groups. You are also able to cook a variety of different foods at the same time, and the vertical construction of the smoker means that it does not take up much space.

You do not need to have a lot of experience to use and smoke food and have great results. Vertical smokers usually have a faster cook time and use fuel more efficiently. They are also portable, either because they are small and lightweight, or because they have wheels. Vertical smokers tend to have many inexpensive options, as well as options that do not need electricity. Many vertical smokers have special features like a side door that allows you to access fuel and water easily.

Precautions of Using Vertical Smokers

While purchasing a vertical smoker can have a lot of benefits, there are also some downsides of which you should be aware. It is good to know about the negatives and positives of an item before you purchase it.

Even though smokers tend to have a large interior, if you purchase a smaller one, you may have difficulty cooking larger cuts of meat. If you plan to cook ribs, you need a smoker that has a hook or else you’ll have to cut them into segments.

Typically, a smoker is a smoker and not a grill, so you will not be able to use your smoker as a grill. If you want something that will both smoke and grill your food, you will need to purchase a smoker grill instead. While cooking your meat, it may also be challenging for you to rotate it while it is in the smoker. If the smoker does not have two doors, it may be difficult to add fuel, and you may also have to move the food around to be able to add additional fuel.

Conclusion

We got to look at a bunch of great smokers for this review, but for us, the Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Vertical Smoker is the best vertical smoker. We loved its digital panel and all the control it gave us over the cooking and the convenience of the side loading system. It is so nice to just open a latch and slide some wood chips inside without any hassle. We definitely recommend this upright smoker to anyone who is interested in purchasing one.

We hope these vertical smoking reviews have been helpful for you!

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