Outdoor parties are insipid without BBQ. But making BBQ is a hard job. Smoker grills make it easy to make a plenty amount of meat cook. Expensive smoker grills are not always affordable. There are grills with a budget, but fewer of them are up to the mark. Cheap Chinese products do not last long and can be toxic to the food.
As trying different grills and cooking at different parties for more than 2 decades, and I have seen them all. From experience, I have come to a list of 5 grill smokers that are the best smoker grill for the money. Let’s jump into the discussion section.

Editor’s choice: Realcook Vertical 17 Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker
Professional Choice: Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker
Best budget: Char-Broil 12201570-A1 American Gourmet Offset Smoker
Best Premium: Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker
5 Best Smoker Grill For The Money – Picked Your Budget One!
Realcook Vertical 17 Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker
Realcook smoker has a modern design and strong build. It tends to solve all the minor problems that I faced with traditional smokers. The base is strong and stable. The bottom windows make it effortless to add wood or charcoal. Also, the top window helps to know the condition of the cooking.
Different meat and different cooking methods need various temperatures and moisture. Both the moisture valve and temperature gauge helped a lot in this smoker. Moreover, the catch clamp locking made carrying food with comfort and fast. With a price of around 100 dollars, it is one of the best smoker grills.
Features of Realcook charcoal smoker are given below.
Build Quality
Realcook vertical smoker is made of steel. It is strong, and the chance of warping, breaking, and tempering is minor. The weight of the smoker is 18.55 pounds. It is 22 inches long, 17 inches wide, and 35 inches tall—a comfortable height to work.
The base is strong and stable, so working with it will ensure safety and ease.
Because of the premium material, the smoker will last for quite a long time. On the other hand, 453 square inch working space gives a lot of space to cook. Any big chunk of meat will fit effortlessly in the smoker.
The only problem with the build I saw is the paint. The exterior paint comes off, but a good wash solved the problem. As it is on the outside, the chance of getting into your food is low.
Locking system and Handle
The latch locking system securely attaches to the sections. It really helps to move the food from cooking to serving. Whenever the top cover is unnecessary, it quickly becomes a bbq grill. With the cover on, I can smoke, steam, or warm food. The 2-layer design is a clever design for multi-cooking.
This smoker’s handles are normal but effective. With the locking and handle, maneuvering it for transporting or cleaning becomes labor free.
Temperature Gauge and Air valve
Realcook charcoal smoker comes with a built-in thermometer and temperature gauge. It provides the real-time temperature of the cooking. Some cooking method needs low temperature, and some needs high. For this purpose, the smoker becomes very effective.
The Air valve allows you to control the moisture. This helps to control the pressure, smoke, and airflow. You can make your meat juicy or quickly whatever you want.
Access doors and Hanging hooks
The 17-inch smoker has 2 access doors. This feature particularly helped me as I didn’t need to remove the top and refill charcoal. The bottom door allows easy charcoal input. Additionally, the top door allows keeping a watch over the food.
There come 4 hooks with the smoker. You can hand your fish or meat and enjoy even cooked juicy meat.
What We Like
- Strong build, made from steel.
- Stable base and strong legs.
- Latch locking system locks the grill and covers tightly.
- Handle allows easy transportation and cleaning.
- Built-in temperature gauge and air valve.
- 2 access doors for easy refill and track cooking.
Drawback
The black paint comes off after long periods of use.
Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker
The great thing about the royal gourmet smoker grill is it holds a lot of meat. It is quite a large size. The different sections of the large 811 square inches working space consists of different areas for different cooking, grilling, and smoking options. The offset smoker quite helped me with air circulation and refilling.
The unique design has a chrome-plated warming table that keeps the meat warm. The cover securely closes and opens, cooking the food juicy. Also, the temperature gauge sends data on the cooking temperature.
Features, Royel gourmet Charcoal Grill Smoker Offers
Build Quality
It is a strong build that is made out of steel. The base is stable and firm. The charcoal grill is 53.39 inches long, 27.95 inches wide, and 48.82 inches tall. The height is perfect for working without bending your back.
It offers 811 square inches of working space, including 184 square inches of offset smoker, 443 square inches of wire grill, and 184 square inches of the warming plate. This allows easy working and versatile cooking.
Offset smoker
Royal Gourmet CC1830SC has the offset smoker attached. It is a clever solution for multiple purposes. It allows easy charcoal refill and ash removal. Moreover, the air is circulated correctly. The nice design allows sufficient airflow. I noticed a bit of fast heating because of the adequate airflow.
Lid
This smoker lid is great and attaches firmly. The smoke doesn’t run here and there but comes nicely off the chimney. There is a temperature gauge on the lid. It allows you to keep track of the temperature of the cooking. Spring is set with the handles. It protects your hand from burning and gives a solid grip.
Capacity
The 2-level charcoal pan allows better heat control. It can hold massive 4.4 pounds of charcoal. With its large working space, it can hold 20 pounds of meat.
What We Like
- Very durable, made of steel.
- Large 811 square inches of working space.
- Offset smoker for airflow, refill, and ash removal.
- Full lid with temperature gauge.
- Spring handles protect the hand.
- Holds large amounts of charcoal and meat.
Drawback
An extra amount of charcoal prevents the offset smoker’s door from shutting.
Char-Broil 12201570-A1 American Gourmet Offset Smoker
Char-Broil is filled up with many features, but the great thing about this smoker is it is compact. It provides 290 square inches of cooking. With the help of 2 wheels, it is very easy to maneuver. Moreover, the base is stable and solid.
It felt pretty easy to control the temperature with it. The multiple dampers control the airflow. Thus, it helps control the temperature. The offset self keeps your sauce and oil close. Additionally, cleaning this smoker is effortless.
Features, Char Broil American Gourmet Smoker offers
Build Quality
It is solid and heavy. The steel used in it is premium, strong, and durable. It weighs around 38 pounds. A stainless steel-built inner chamber protects your food from any kind of rust and toxin. It is 17.5 inches long, 46.25 inches wide, and 44.75 inches long.
American Gourmet offset smoker’s legs are durable and steady. The offset compartment allows easy refueling and ash removal. Overall, the build quality is handsome, and it will give you a premium experience.
Offset Grill
The offset grill of this smoker comes in handy. The chamber door allows inserting charcoal easily. Ash removal is also quite a labor free. Additionally, you can grill a small amount of meat in it.
Air valve
The dampers give you full control over the airflow. This gives you greater temperature control. So, you can cook faster and cook slowly for a juicy BBQ.
Lid and Handle
Char-Broil 12201570-A1 has a fine lid that covers the grill securely. The temperature gauge displays the current temperature inside. So, you have complete control over your cooking. Two spring handle makes it easy to open the lid, and the chamber also keeps your hand safe from burning.
Wheels
The 2 wheels on the legs allow easy transportation. This feature helped me transport while arranging a party at my neighbor’s yard. It comes in handy as smokers are quite heavy.
What We Like
- Strong build and compact design, made from steel.
- 290 square inches of cooking area.
- Offset grill with a window for easy refuels.
- Dampers for controlling the airflow.
- Secure lid with temperature gauge.
- Wheels for transportation.
Drawback
The paint at the bottom rips and forms bubbles.
Outsunny 48″ Offset Smoker
Outsunny has all the problems solved in a single smoker that annoys many people while smoking meat. It has two compartments and air vents. The wheels allow easy moving, and the grill below keeps all the necessaries close.
Secure lid with temperature gauge keeps track of the temperature. On the other hand, the wooden handle stays cool and gives a classic look. It is the best unique design smoker in the market.
Features, Outsunny Smoker offers
Build Quality
The Outsunny is made from cold-rolled steel. It is durable and rust-proof. The legs are steady, and there is no wobble while working with it. The weight is around 37 pounds. It is 48.75 inches long, 20.75 inches wide, and 41 inches tall.
The smoke chimney keeps the smoke far from your eyes. Moreover, the joints are securely welded. It is built with care, and you will be able to use it in your every BBQ season without any doubt.
Lid and handle
This offset smoker’s lid is quite a tight fit. The smoke only comes from the chimney and saves your eyes. A gauge on the lid gives live data of the temperature inside. So you can cook the slow juicy meat.
The handles are made from wood. It is effective as it stays cool and gives a classic look.
Offset smoker and air vents
The offset smoker provides ease at refueling. It also acts as a mini smoker. The air vents are located on the smoker’s side. They control the airflow and heat the charcoal fast.
Other
A pair of wheels make it very transportable. On the other hand, the grill attached with the legs makes it easy to cook as every necessary can be stored on it. The table attached to the grill makes it easy to work with the meat.
What We Like
- Build from cold steel, durable.
- 2 compartments for smoking.
- Offset smoker allows easy refueling and removal of ash.
- Air vents control the airflow.
- Secure lid with temperature gauge.
- Wheels for easy transportation.
Drawback
A little hard to assemble.
Giantex Outdoor Smoker
Giantex is the only square-shaped smoker on the list. The design is great, and it has additional space for cooking as it is tall. The legs are strong and stable. The two-compartment does cooking and fueling easily.
It has 4 vents to get the ultimate control over temperature and smoke. The paint on this smoker is spray-painted thermal paint. So, like other smokers, the chance of ripping off the paint is low.
Features of Giantex Outdoor Smoker Offers
Build Quality
The outdoor smoker is made from steel. It is well built and durable. The design allows the sheet metal to be strong. Moreover, strong and stable legs make it comfortable to use. The weight of this smoker is 33.4 pounds. It is 17 inches long, 18.5 inches wide, and 40 inches tall.
Capacity and airflow
The tall smoker is great at capacity. It comes with 2 grill nettings that are detachable. So, you can adjust the amount of meat you are cooking. 4 vents make it easy to control the airflow inside and cook your food as you want.
Doors and handles
The 2 door is a simple but effective design. The top door is for food, and the bottom is for charcoal. 2 doors make it really easy to work with. The temperature gauge keeps track of the temperature inside and feeds you live data. Additionally, the handles are galvanized. So they don’t get hot during smoking meat.
What We Like
- Strong build, made from steel.
- 2 doors make it easy to work with.
- 4 air vents control the smoke and airflow.
- Large capacity and temperature gauge.
- Handles are galvanized.
- Easy to use and easy to clean.
Drawback
Moving it needs a little afford.
Buying Guide
It is essential to know the qualities that a good smoker needs. In this section, I will discuss the features that a good smoker must have.
Good Build Quality
It is the point everything needs. If your smoker is made from chine sheet metals, It will start to bend or break while using. It can also cause life-threatening accidents. So go for thick, premium materials like steel and stainless steel. Also, the joints must be up to the mark.
Lid
The cover is an important feature of a smoker. Covering the meat makes it cook faster while consuming less fuel. This is an effective way of cooking. Also, the lid must fit the smoker perfectly. A temperature gauge helps control the temperature, but it is not necessary if you have experience in cooking.
Airflow
The airflow makes the charcoal burn evenly and keeps away the smoke. A smoker must have the ability to control the airflow. Smokers with air vents are great as they can control the air with ease.
Fuel
A good smoker allows the user to fill charcoal easily. On the other hand, removing the ash is also simple. The offset smokers and the doors help a lot in this purpose. Try buying this kind of grill or smoker.
Transportation
Smokers are heavy, and we need to carry them outside from our house as BBQ is often done outdoors. So, the smoker with wheels helps as they cut off the lifting.
Is it Worth Buying Smokers?
Ans: Smokers are great for outdoor cooking. It saves time and also does not create a mess. Moreover, smokers keep the smoke away while cooking, and they are safe to use. So, smokers are definitely worth buying.
Is the Meat Cooked in a Smoker Healthy?
Ans: Yes, meat cooked in a smoker is healthy. Cooking meat by smoking means less use of oil. It cuts the fat. Also, smoking makes the meat iron reach.
Are Wood Pallets Better Than Charcoal?
Ans: Charcoal is better than wooden pallets. Charcoal burns faster with most heat. They are perfect for BBQ, smoking, and grilling. Wooden pallets burn slower, and the heat is less.
Conclusion
The build quality and the features are quite important for a grill smoker. Also, easy carrying and easy fueling are necessary. A good smoker will cook faster and save a lot of charcoal.
The 5 grill smokers listed in this article have all the quality that defines a smoker great. I have used them personally and had quite a good time. You wouldn’t be disappointed to use these. I hope you found this article useful. Thank you.
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Mom’s Son, Loves Mom’s Cooking.
I Review Various Products Related to the Kitchen. I Love experimenting with Knife. I am very much professional in reviewing so that I can recommend you the best products. Of course, blogging is My Hobby.