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Masterbuilt sells more electric smokers than almost anyone, and its lineup can look confusing at first. There are 30-inch and 40-inch digital models, a Wi-Fi version, analog dial models, and versions with windows, legs, and cover bundles. The names overlap, and the prices sit close together.
If you’ve been reading electric smoker reviews, Masterbuilt shows up again and again because the smokers are affordable, simple, and widely sold. This guide sorts the current lineup by what actually matters: capacity, controls, connectivity, price, and the problems owners report most often. We haven’t tested these smokers ourselves. Everything below comes from the manufacturer’s specs, retailer listings, and patterns in owner feedback.
Quick Answer: For most people, the Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker (around $250 to $300 depending on the version) is the best value. Pick the 710 Wi-Fi Digital Electric Smoker (around $350) if you want app control, the 40-Inch Digital (around $380) for big batches, and the 30-Inch Analog (around $230) if you want the simplest, cheapest option. If you want a sturdier build and will pay more, look at the Smokin-It Model #2.
Masterbuilt Electric Smokers Compared
| Product | Best For | Key Specs | Approx. Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker | Best overall value | 710 square inches, 4 racks, 800 watts, 100 to 275°F, side chip loader | Around $250 (around $280 to $300 with window) | Check price on Amazon |
| Masterbuilt 710 Wi-Fi Digital Electric Smoker | App control | 710 square inches, 4 racks, 100 to 275°F, Wi-Fi app, window, up to 4 probes (1 included) | Around $350 | Check price on Amazon |
| Masterbuilt 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker | Large batches | 970 square inches, 4 racks, about 1,200 watts, 100 to 275°F, side chip loader | Around $380 (around $450 with window and legs) | Check price on Amazon |
| Masterbuilt 30-Inch Analog Electric Smoker | Tightest budget | About 530 square inches, 3 racks, dial control, 100 to 275°F | Around $230 | Check price on Amazon |
| Smokin-It Model #2 | Durable stainless build | Stainless steel, 800 watts, 4 racks, up to 35 pounds of meat, 100 to 250°F | Around $700 to $850 | Check price on Amazon |
| Bradley Digital 4-Rack Smoker | Hands-off smoke for hours | 4 racks, automatic bisquette feeder, 500-watt cooking element, up to 280°F | Around $630 | Check price on Amazon |
Prices change often, and Masterbuilt runs frequent sales. Treat these figures as rough guides and check current prices before you buy.
How We Chose
We started with every electric smoker listed on Masterbuilt’s US website in November 2026 and checked each model’s product page for cooking area, rack count, temperature range, controls, and price. Where Masterbuilt doesn’t publish a spec (wattage is often missing), we used retailer listings and noted it. We also checked which models were in stock, since Masterbuilt’s site showed the base 30-inch digital as sold out at the time of writing while the window version remained available.
Next, we read through large batches of owner reviews at major retailers and long-form reviews from barbecue sites to find patterns, not one-off stories. A single bad unit doesn’t tell you much. The same complaint appearing across hundreds of reviews does. Finally, we picked two non-Masterbuilt alternatives for buyers who care more about durability or unattended smoke than about price.
One note on older models: Masterbuilt’s 40-inch Bluetooth digital smoker, which many older reviews cover, no longer appears in the electric lineup on Masterbuilt’s US site. The 710 Wi-Fi model has effectively replaced it as the connected option.
What Owners Say About Masterbuilt Electric Smokers
Across thousands of retailer reviews, the same themes come up for nearly every Masterbuilt electric model. The base 30-inch digital, for example, holds a rating around 4.4 out of 5 from more than 1,100 reviews at Lowe’s, while the 710 Wi-Fi sits closer to 3.7 out of 5 from nearly 400 reviews, with a noticeable share of one-star ratings.
Common praise
- Easy to use: Owners like setting a temperature and timer and walking away. Many first-time smokers say it was the easiest way to start.
- Good smoke flavor: Reviewers regularly report tender, smoky pork butt, ribs, and jerky.
- Side chip loader: On the digital models, you can add wood chips without opening the door, which keeps heat and smoke inside.
- Space for the price: Four racks in a narrow vertical cabinet hold a lot of food for a small patio footprint.
Recurring complaints
- Heating element and controller failures: The most serious pattern. Some owners report units that never reach the set temperature, stall well below it, or have controls that stop responding, sometimes early in the smoker’s life.
- Temperature swings and sensor accuracy: Owners often find the built-in sensor doesn’t match a separate thermometer, and some long-form reviews found rack temperatures running well above the set point. Plan on using your own probe thermometer.
- Small chip tray: The chip tray holds about 60 to 90 minutes of smoke depending on the model and temperature, so long cooks need regular refills. One detailed review found the 40-inch uses the same size tray as the 30-inch, which means more frequent refills in the bigger cabinet.
- Weak smoke at low temperatures: Some owners say chips smolder poorly at low settings. Masterbuilt’s own manual suggests briefly raising the temperature to 275°F to get the chips going.
- Wi-Fi drops: On the 710, the most common complaint is the app disconnecting during cooks.
- Rust and thin parts: Some owners report rust on racks and grease trays and thin interior panels. A cover and dry storage help.
Bottom line: Masterbuilt smokers deliver a lot for the money, but they’re budget appliances. Buy from a retailer with an easy return policy, test the smoker soon after it arrives, and register the warranty.
Masterbuilt Electric Smoker Reviews by Model
1. Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker: Best Overall Value
This is the classic Masterbuilt digital electric smoker and the one most people should start with. Based on the manufacturer’s specs, it offers 710 square inches across four chrome-coated racks, a 100 to 275°F range, a digital control panel, and the patented side wood chip loader. Retailers list it with an 800-watt element. Masterbuilt also sells it with a window (around $280) and with a window and legs (around $300), which raises the cabinet to a more comfortable working height.
What we like: Strong owner ratings for a budget smoker, simple controls, enough space for two pork butts or several racks of ribs cut in half, and a compact footprint.
Watch out for: Owners report occasional element or controller failures, the base model sits low to the ground, and Masterbuilt’s site showed the base version sold out in November 2026 (the window versions were in stock).
Best for: First-time smoker owners and anyone who wants the most capacity per dollar.
2. Masterbuilt 710 Wi-Fi Digital Electric Smoker: Best for App Control
The 710 Wi-Fi uses the same basic 30-inch cabinet but adds Wi-Fi control through the Masterbuilt app. According to Masterbuilt, you can set temperature and time, watch probe readings, and get alerts from your phone. It has 710 square inches on four racks, a 100 to 275°F range, a door window, a lockable latch, and support for up to four meat probes (one included). Masterbuilt doesn’t list its wattage.
What we like: Remote monitoring from inside the house, a viewing window, and multi-probe support for cooking several cuts at once.
Watch out for: Lower owner ratings than the base 30-inch, with repeated complaints about the app disconnecting, temperature swings, and controller problems. You’re paying about $100 more mainly for connectivity.
Best for: Cooks who want phone alerts during overnight or all-day smokes and have a strong Wi-Fi signal in the backyard.
3. Masterbuilt 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker: Best for Big Batches
The 40-inch model gives you 970 square inches over four racks, based on Masterbuilt’s specs, which is about 37% more space than the 30-inch. It keeps the 100 to 275°F range, digital controls, and side chip loader. Retailer spec listings put its element at about 1,200 watts, which helps it recover heat in a bigger box. Masterbuilt also sells a version with a window and legs (sometimes called the Masterbuilt 970) for around $450.
What we like: Room for whole briskets, multiple pork butts, or big jerky batches, plus a taller cabinet that’s easier to load.
Watch out for: The chip tray is no bigger than the 30-inch’s, so expect more frequent refills. Some owners say it struggles to reach a full 275°F, and it needs more patio space.
Best for: Families, people who cook for gatherings, and anyone who smokes in bulk.
4. Masterbuilt 30-Inch Analog Electric Smoker: Best Budget Pick
The analog model swaps the digital panel for a simple temperature dial. Masterbuilt lists about 530 square inches on three racks, a 100 to 275°F range, a door thermometer, a removable water bowl, and legs. The chip tray sits inside below the bottom rack, so you open the door to add wood. It’s the cheapest current Masterbuilt electric smoker.
What we like: Fewer electronics to fail, a low price, and a raised cabinet height thanks to the included legs.
Watch out for: Dial control means more temperature babysitting, there’s no timer or auto shutoff, and opening the door for chips lets heat and smoke escape. It also has one fewer rack than the digital models.
Best for: Budget buyers and people who prefer simple controls over digital features.
5. Smokin-It Model #2: Best Non-Masterbuilt Upgrade
If Masterbuilt’s reliability complaints worry you, Smokin-It is the alternative owners mention most. The Model #2 uses stainless steel inside and out, fiberglass insulation, an 800-watt element, and a simple dial control. Retailers list four stainless racks, room for up to 35 pounds of meat, and a 100 to 250°F range. It burns small chunks of wood in a smoke box rather than chips, so one load lasts much longer.
What we like: Heavy stainless construction, a reputation for long service life, and fewer electronics to fail.
Watch out for: It costs two to three times as much as a Masterbuilt, tops out at 250°F, has no digital controller or timer, and weighs far more.
Best for: Buyers who want a smoker that lasts many years and don’t need app features.
6. Bradley Digital 4-Rack Smoker: Best for Hands-Off Smoke
Bradley solves the chip tray problem a different way. Its smoke generator automatically feeds compressed wood pucks called bisquettes, and Bradley says the unit can run up to nine hours without refilling wood. Based on Bradley’s specs, it has four racks (each 11 by 13 inches), a 500-watt cooking element, a separate 125-watt smoke element, digital controls, and a maximum of 280°F.
What we like: Truly hands-off smoke for long cooks and separate smoke and heat control, which also helps with cold smoking.
Watch out for: You must buy Bradley bisquettes, which adds ongoing cost, the low-wattage element heats slowly, and Bradley’s own store showed more inventory on the way in November 2026, so check availability.
Best for: Cooks who hate refilling chips and want steady smoke for jerky, fish, and sausage.
Which Masterbuilt Should You Buy?
| If you are… | Buy this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A first-time smoker on a budget | 30-Inch Digital | Best ratings in the lineup, simple digital controls, and four racks |
| Someone who wants to watch the food from inside | 30-Inch Digital with Window | A window for about $30 more, without paying for Wi-Fi |
| A tech fan or overnight smoker | 710 Wi-Fi Digital | App control, alerts, and multi-probe support |
| Cooking for a crowd | 40-Inch Digital | 970 square inches and a more powerful element |
| On the tightest budget | 30-Inch Analog | Lowest price and the fewest electronics |
| Worried about reliability | Smokin-It Model #2 (not Masterbuilt) | Stainless build with a long-life reputation |
Still weighing other brands too? Our guide to the best electric smokers for beginners compares Masterbuilt against the wider market.
Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker
Capacity
The 30-inch models hold plenty for a family of four. Step up to the 40-inch only if you regularly cook for groups, smoke whole briskets, or make large jerky batches. A bigger cabinet takes longer to heat and burns through chips faster.
Digital, analog, or Wi-Fi
Digital models hold a set temperature and shut off on a timer. Analog models need more attention but have fewer parts to fail. Wi-Fi adds convenience, though owners report more connection and controller complaints on the 710 than on the basic digital model.
The 275°F ceiling
Every current Masterbuilt electric smoker tops out at 275°F. That’s fine for low-and-slow pork, beef, and jerky, but poultry skin often turns rubbery. Many owners finish chicken on a hot grill. Whatever you cook, go by internal temperature, not time: the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends 165°F for poultry and 145°F (with a three-minute rest) for whole cuts of pork and beef. See the USDA safe temperature chart.
Wood chips and smoke
Masterbuilt electric smokers burn small wood chips, not chunks or pellets. The side loader on digital models makes refills easy, but you’ll still add chips every hour or so for heavy smoke. Our guide to the best wood chips for electric smokers covers which woods to use and how to get clean smoke from a small tray.
Window and legs
Windows let you check food without opening the door, though owners note they fog up with smoke during long cooks. Legs raise the cabinet so you don’t crouch to reach the bottom rack and chip loader. Both add $30 to $70 depending on the model.
Power and placement
Plug the smoker directly into a grounded outdoor outlet with ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection, as Masterbuilt’s manual calls for a grounded outlet. Avoid long, thin extension cords, which can starve the element. Set the smoker on a level, nonflammable surface away from siding, and use a cover between cooks to slow rust.
Total cost
Budget for a reliable probe thermometer, a cover, and wood chips. Our list of smoker accessories every beginner needs shows which extras are worth it.
Related Guides
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- Electric Smoker vs Charcoal Smoker: Flavor, Effort, and Cost Compared
- How to Make Beef Jerky in a Smoker (Step-by-Step Recipe)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Masterbuilt electric smoker worth it?
For most beginners, yes. Masterbuilt smokers are affordable, easy to use, and produce good smoke flavor according to most owners. The tradeoff is durability: element and controller failures show up often enough in reviews that you should buy from a retailer with a good return policy.
What is the difference between the Masterbuilt 30-inch and 40-inch smokers?
Mainly size and power. The 30-inch digital has 710 square inches and an 800-watt element, while the 40-inch has 970 square inches and an element retailers list at about 1,200 watts. Both run from 100 to 275°F and use the same side chip loader.
Does Masterbuilt still make a Bluetooth electric smoker?
The 40-inch Bluetooth digital model no longer appears in the electric lineup on Masterbuilt’s US website. The 710 Wi-Fi Digital Electric Smoker is the current connected option.
How often do you add wood chips to a Masterbuilt?
Usually every 60 to 90 minutes during the first few hours of a cook, depending on the model and temperature. Many cooks stop adding chips after the first three or four hours, since meat absorbs most of its smoke early.
Why won’t my Masterbuilt reach temperature?
Common causes include a long or thin extension cord, cold or windy weather, a failing heating element, or a faulty controller. Check your power source first, then contact Masterbuilt support if the problem continues, since owners report both element and controller replacements.
Final Verdict
The Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker remains the best pick in the lineup for most people: it has the strongest owner ratings, enough space for family cooks, and the lowest price among the digital models. Choose the 710 Wi-Fi only if app control really matters to you, the 40-inch if you cook for crowds, and the analog if every dollar counts. If you’d rather pay more once for a smoker built to last, the Smokin-It Model #2 is the upgrade to consider.
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