Set the dial, add chips, walk away. That is why electric smokers keep winning over charcoal for people who want brisket on a Tuesday without babysitting a fire. Here is what each tier gets you, what the specs leave out, and which numbers to compare.
What Separates An Analog Smoker From A Digital One?
Analog models run on a dial thermostat and a built-in temperature gauge; digital models add on/off, temperature, and time controls you set to the degree. That is the dividing line in this lineup — everything else scales with it.
Digital models give you repeatable numbers instead of guesswork, which matters most on long cooks where a 25-degree drift changes finish time. They also list a 100–275°F range explicitly, a side wood-chip loader so you can add chips without dumping heat out the main door, and water bowls and grease trays for moisture and cleanup.
Nobody needs an app to smoke a chicken. But if you want to run errands during a six-hour cook, the MB20070924 at $349.99 is the model that lets you.
How Much Cooking Space Does Each Model Really Give You?
Rack area decides whether you cook one brisket or four, and the lineup breaks into three sizes: roughly 530, 710, and 970 square inches. Compare that number, not the exterior footprint.
| Model | Rack Area & Controls | Price |
|---|---|---|
| MB20077618 | 2 racks, analog thermostat, 1,800W | $129.99 |
| MB20075826 | 530 sq. in., 3 racks, analog, 100–275°F | $264.98 sale ($279.98 regular) |
| MB20071322 | 710 sq. in., 4 racks, digital, window | $279.99 |
| MB20070421 | 710 sq. in., 4 racks, digital, legs | $299.99 |
| MB20070924 | 710 sq. in., 4 racks, Wi-Fi, probe included | $349.99 |
| MB20072918 | 970 sq. in., 4 racks, digital | $379.99 |
| MB20070122 | 970 sq. in., 4 racks, digital, window and legs | $449.99 |
Capacity claims are manufacturer figures and shift with food size and rack arrangement: a 970-square-inch 40-inch unit lists up to eight pork butts; the two-rack analog lists two. Measure your patio first — the 40-inch models run over 50 inches tall with legs, plus clearance for the door swing.
Is A Wi-Fi Smoker Worth The Extra Money?
Only if remote monitoring is what stands between you and using the smoker. That is genuinely useful for overnight cooks. The product pages do not spell out app OS requirements, so confirm compatibility in the model-specific manual. If you will be home anyway, the $279.99 MB20071322 does the same cooking with a window instead of a phone.
Still weighing electric against other fuel types? Our tested barbecue machine picks for home cooks compare the options side by side.
What Do The Specs Leave Out?
Listings confirm heating elements, controls, chip loading, water bowls, and grease trays — but not electrical-circuit requirements or full safety procedures. Two gaps matter. First, the 1,800-watt element needs a circuit that can carry it; check your outlet and breaker rather than assuming a standard kitchen circuit handles a long cook. Second, none of these pages publish operating manuals or regional availability, so treat them as US-market listings.
Which One Should You Buy?
- Occasional smoker, tight budget: the $129.99 analog two-rack. Dial, chips, done.
- Repeatable temperatures: the $279.99 digital with window — the value sweet spot.
- Overnight or away-from-home cooks: the $349.99 Wi-Fi model with included probe.
- Feeding a crowd: a 970-square-inch 40-inch unit, from $379.99 up.
Skip the app upcharge if you will be nearby. Skip the 40-inch if your patio is small. Everything in between is a rack-area decision.
FAQs
Do electric smokers need wood chips or pellets?
Wood chips. Every model here uses a removable chip tray or side chip loader, and the heating element ignites the chips to produce smoke. Pellets belong to a different smoker type. The side loader on digital models lets you add chips without opening the main door and losing heat.
Can an electric smoker run in cold weather?
It can, but expect longer cook times and more heat loss against wind. Masterbuilt’s listings publish no cold-weather ratings, so plan extra time and shield the unit from wind rather than trusting an exact temperature guarantee.
What temperature range do these smokers hold?
That covers low-and-slow smoking for ribs, brisket, poultry, and pork butt. It does not reach grilling or searing temperatures, so treat an electric smoker as a smoker only.
References & Sources
- Masterbuilt. “Smokers” Source for all model numbers, prices, rack areas, temperature ranges, and capacity claims.
- Masterbuilt. “40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker” Product page for the MB20072918, including its 970-square-inch rack area and price.
- Masterbuilt. “Explore Smokers” Overview of Masterbuilt’s smoker categories and control types.