Every recommendation on Smokers Insider is earned, not bought. This page explains how we research, compare and test BBQ smokers, so you can judge our picks for yourself and trust the advice you are reading.
How we choose what to review
We start with the smokers people are actually buying and asking about: bestsellers, new releases and long-standing community favourites across pellet, offset, electric, kamado, drum and propane cookers. We look at specifications, build quality, cooking area, fuel use and price, and we read owner reviews and barbecue community feedback to find the issues that only appear after months of use.
What we look at
- Temperature control: how steady and accurate the smoker holds its target temperature.
- Build quality: materials, seals, welds, wheels and how the cooker stands up to weather.
- Cooking space and layout: usable grate area, rack spacing and how much food it really fits.
- Ease of use: setup, cleaning, ash and grease management, and how beginner-friendly it is.
- Flavour: smoke quality and how well it produces the bark and tenderness barbecue lovers expect.
- Value for money: what you get for the price compared with similar smokers.
Honest pros and cons
Every review includes both strengths and weaknesses. No smoker is perfect, and a flaw that matters to one cook may not matter to another, so we spell out who each smoker suits — and who should look elsewhere.
No paid placements
Manufacturers and retailers cannot pay for a better score, a higher ranking or a place on our top picks lists. We may earn a commission if you buy through a link on this site, as explained in our Affiliate Disclosure, but that never influences which smokers we recommend. If a smoker does not perform, we say so — even if it is popular.
Corrections policy
Smokers change: models are updated, prices move and new versions replace old ones. When we find an error or a product changes, we correct the article and note the change where it matters. If you spot something wrong, please let us know through our Contact page and we will check it.