10 best BBQ smoker grills for your 2024 summer cookouts

Guaranteed to tantalise your taste buds, we're excited to share a favourite outdoor cooking trend – the best smoker grill. If your BBQ grill isn't quite as exciting anymore, then we suggest shaking things up a little with a smoker. This method uses smouldering wood chips or smoky charcoal to give your alfresco food tons of flavour that'll have your mouth watering. Luckily, we've got some advice from Modern Gardens contributor Jill Morgan on how to pick the best smoke grills for your summer cookout.

A smoker is your must-have garden accessory for giving your meat, fish, and veg some pizzazz. Super alfresco, the smoke from burning wood is channelled into the container where your precious BBQ food is cooking. The smoke gives your meal even more flavour to contend with. Smoker grills come in many different shapes and sizes, says Jill, and "vary from components that can be added to existing charcoal or gas barbecue, to stand-alone smoking cabinets."

Jill adds that the longer your meal is "exposed to the smoke, the stronger the flavour," so there's plenty of wiggle-room to experiment with your outdoor dining, not to mention plenty of enjoyment. As a smoker grill can come in many forms, costs vary considerably, meaning there are smokers for all households at many price points. Luckily, you can try this fun way to cook relatively cheaply. If you thought the smokiness of a charcoal grill was amazing, just wait…

If you're looking for the perfect smoker grill to suit your lifestyle, it's easy to choose something that won't fit your skill level or household needs. After all, you don't want to pick a tricky smoker if you're a novice. Luckily, we've made it easier – as we cover different types of smokers and explain their uses, advantages, and disadvantages down below.

Best smoker grills

How we chose the best smoker grills

All of these smoker grills have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the build quality, features and affordability in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching smoker grills to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.

Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.

The different types of smoker grills explained

Offset

First, we have the offset variation. Trickier to use, this type of smoker grill is best for experienced barbeque enthusiasts. What sets them apart from the rest is the firebox set to the side of the smoking chamber, which moves the heat and smoke away from your meat. Supposedly, this makes it possible to manage cooking temperatures a little easier.

Advantages: Offset grills provide better smoke and heat distribution for your cookout, often capable of using multiple fuel types, also. They can come in vertical or horizontal varieties depending on preference and space on your patio. Plus, the cooking chamber is generally larger, so more food.

Disadvantages: They can be a bulky and pricey option.

Kamado smokers

At Modern Gardens, we're a fan of Kamado grills, and they have become quite popular in recent years. Shaped like an egg and made from a thick ceramic, they're said to retain heat well. Their smoker counterparts are often smaller and far more portable BBQs. That being said, they're still heavier than other options out there. They're versatile smokers too, as you can use them as a BBQ and grill.

Advantages: Kamado smokes are versatile – giving you plenty of options to cook your grub – and better insulated than most. They use wood lump charcoal and offer portability.

Disadvantages: They can be often heavy and expensive, too.

Electric smokers

Electric smokers use electricity – as expected – to cook your food. They're far easier to manage than charcoal and gas smokers but may lack that desired smoky flavour. Wood chips can be added to enhance this. They're often phone-compatible, too.

Advantages: Not only are electric smokers notoriously easy to use, but they're easy to clean and, generally, cheaper to run. Here, with your digital options, you can get a wider (and more stable) range of temperatures for cooking.

Disadvantages: Requires electricity to operate, which can be a task in the garden. Plus, the smoky flavour isn't as powerful as its charcoal counterpart.

Pellet smokers

Pellet smokers (also referred to as wood fire smokers) have finally hit the mainstream, using small wooden pellets instead of charcoal. For this, the pellets are loaded into a pellet hopper, which will likely be to the side. Then, the pellets transfer to the cooking chamber to be heated. This method is perfect for slow-cooking meats such as ribs and brisket.

Advantages: Capable of smoking for many hours, pellet smokers are primed for slow-cooking meat for tenderness. Not only that but it's said to be healthier than charcoal and easy for beginners.

Disadvantages: These smokers could take up a lot of space on your patio.

Charcoal smokers

Coming in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, charcoal smoking is old and reliable – as it provides that traditional smoky flavour that we're all craving. From offset smokers to Kamado grills to drum variations, charcoal comes with a wide price margin – so it can suit all budgets.

Advantages: Charcoal offers a range of grills at all prices. So, you can get that traditional, smoky taste that charcoal seems to be good at producing. It's easy to get your hands on the fuel, too.

Disadvantages: However, charcoal smokers can be trickier to clean and use.

Gas smokers

Next, we have gas smokers, which use propane gas as the primary fuel source. Propane is way easier to use than charcoal, so it's ideal for those barbecue enthusiasts who aren't experienced. Often, gas smokers are easier to clean and maintain temperature-wise. However, the smokiness may not be the same. You can supplement this with wood chips, though.

Advantages: Gas smokers are easier to keep clean and control the temperature, making them handy for beginners. Plus, they're often more portable and cheaper to operate than others.

Disadvantages: You will need a propane tank, and the flavour is not smoky in the traditional sense.

Vertical smokers

Or why not consider something vertical? They're also known as box, cabinet or offset horizontal smokers. This variation is composed of stacked grilling grates, where the heat and smoke flow upwards, making the top of the grill the smokiest area. Regardless, it still provides even heat and smokiness throughout. You can even set up sausage hooks here.

Advantages: Vertical smokers offer a better distribution of heat and smoke. As well as this, you can use either wood or charcoal to fuel them. For this, the optimal smoke zone is at the top.

Disadvantages: Often, they're heavier than others - so they're usually bulky and less portable.

Kettle smokers

Though they're smaller than most charcoal barbecues, kettle grills are affordable, useful and good for those who lack room in their outdoor space. However, they're not smokers in the traditional sense but can be used as such if done correctly. As a result, they're inconsistent. Simply grab a stovetop smoker and let the wood do its work.

Advantages: They're easier to use, cheaper to buy and cook all types of food. Plus, fuel is easy to come by.

Disadvantages: On the other hand, kettle grills may fluctuate more temperature-wise and are less easy to clean.

Cold smokers

Cold smoking uses low heat and smoke to infuse the food with that good smoky taste we all know and love. It does not cook meat. Thanks to Jill, we discuss cold smoking a little more below our round-up.

Advantages: Perfect for smoked meats and fish, providing an extra smoky taste and preservation.

Disadvantages: This method does not cook meat and needs plenty of preparation.

Stovetop smokers

For a low-cost option or for first-timers, we recommend something stovetop. These can come as a smoker box, which is plonked onto your gas or charcoal barbecues. But, this will only work if your grill has a tight-fitting lid to keep all the smoke in, says Jill. Add wood to this box and place it directly on the coals. This is an affordable option. Or it can come as a stovetop tray-style box complete with a sturdy fuel tray, drip tray and wire rack, which will seal in the flavours.

Advantages: These are compact, portable and affordable options, ideal for beginners. Not only that, but they also maintain a lower, even cooking temperature that'll smoke your food well.

Disadvantages: They are less impressive than our other picks – and smaller, too.

What to read next:

Essential BBQ tools you need to become a grill master

Best fire pit tables for a cosy and contemporary garden

The ultimate guide to the best BBQ food

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Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Modern Gardens Magazine, an all-rounder. When she’s not writing about houseplants, she’s tending to her own growing collection…