8 Best Smokers for Brisket (October 2026)
The best smokers for brisket include the Weber Smokey Mountain 22-Inch for classic charcoal cooking, the Oklahoma Joe's Highland Offset Smoker for traditional offset cooking, and the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 for digital charcoal control.
On this page (6 sections)
The best smoker for brisket for most backyard cooks is the Weber Smokey Mountain 22-Inch, a charcoal cooker with two grates and adjustable dampers. Pick the Oklahoma Joe's Highland if you want a traditional offset, or the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 if digital temperature control matters most.
A whole brisket needs room to sit without being forced against the sides or stacked over another cut. Fuel and fire control also matter because brisket cooks low and slow for hours.
For a wider view of smoker styles, see our guide to electric, charcoal and propane smokers. Our smoker picks by cooking job covers other uses, and the offset smoker guide looks at traditional side-firebox designs.
Our picks at a glance
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Best for traditional offset cookingOklahoma Joe's Highland Offset Smoker
8.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
- 4
Check itDyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical Offset Smoker
Best for multi-rack charcoal cooks - 5
Check itDyna-Glo 36-Inch Vertical LP Gas Smoker
Best for propane-fired vertical smoking - 6
Check itBradley 6-Rack Electric Smoker
Best for set-and-manage electric smoking - 7
Check itMasterbuilt 710 WiFi Digital Smoker
Best for remote electric controls - 8
Check itMasterbuilt 40 Digital Electric Smoker
Best for large electric batches
How we chose these brisket smokers
We compared fuel type, cooking layout, temperature controls and features that affect adding fuel or checking food during a long cook. The scores reflect those specs and features against what brisket cooks need.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. A large cooking area can help with batches, but it does not guarantee a whole brisket fits on one grate, so check the grate layout for your planned cut.
| Product | Best for | Fuel | Cooking layout | Temperature control | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weber Smokey Mountain 22-Inch | classic charcoal cooking | Charcoal | Two cooking grates | Adjustable dampers; temperature grommet | 8.8 |
| Oklahoma Joe's Highland Offset Smoker | traditional offset cooking | Charcoal and hardwood splits or chunks | 616 sq in main grate; 263 sq in firebox grate | Adjustable firebox and smokestack dampers | 8.6 |
| Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 | digital charcoal control | Charcoal | Digital panel or smart device; DigitalFan | 8.2 | |
| Dyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical Offset Smoker | multi-rack charcoal cooks | Charcoal | Adjustable flue; built-in thermometer | 8.0 | |
| Dyna-Glo 36-Inch Vertical LP Gas Smoker | propane-fired vertical smoking | Propane | Large control dial; sliding air dampers | 7.8 | |
| Bradley 6-Rack Electric Smoker | set-and-manage electric smoking | Electric | Six racks, each 11 x 13 in | Digital smoker; detailed control range unconfirmed | 7.6 |
| Masterbuilt 710 WiFi Digital Smoker | remote electric controls | Electric | Digital panel and app; 100°F to 275°F | 7.3 | |
| Masterbuilt 40 Digital Electric Smoker | large electric batches | Electric | Digital controls up to 275°F | 7.0 |
The best smokers for brisket by cooking style
The Weber leads for a straightforward charcoal layout, while the Highland is the pick for offset fire management. The remaining smokers trade fire tending for digital, propane or electric controls.
Weber Smokey Mountain 22-Inch: Best for classic charcoal cooking
- Charcoal fuel
- Two cooking grates
- Adjustable dampers
- Temperature grommet
Two grates provide room for smoking two large items at once. Adjustable dampers let you control the temperature while the grommet accommodates a separate temperature probe.
Pros
- Two cooking grates
- Adjustable dampers
- Fuel door makes adding charcoal or wood easier
Cons
- Requires managing a charcoal fire
- No cooking-area measurement provided
The Weber Smokey Mountain 22-Inch suits cooks who want a dedicated charcoal smoker rather than a grill and smoker in one. Its two cooking grates provide room for two large items at once, useful when brisket shares the cook with another cut.
Adjustable dampers let you control the smoker's temperature, and a silicone grommet allows you to monitor internal temperature with a probe. The large aluminum fuel door comes off to make adding charcoal or wood easier during the cook.
This design still asks you to manage charcoal and airflow. The specs don't give a cooking-area measurement, so compare the grate diameter with your brisket before buying.
Choose it for charcoal cooking with two grates and simple damper control. If you want a side firebox and room for several briskets, consider the Highland below.
Oklahoma Joe's Highland Offset Smoker: Best for traditional offset cooking
- Charcoal and hardwood fuel
- 616 sq in main grate
- 263 sq in firebox grate
- Adjustable dampers
The horizontal offset design uses indirect heat and gives you a main grate sized for up to 3 briskets. Its side firebox door lets you add fuel without opening the cooking chamber.
Pros
- Main grate sized for up to 3 briskets
- Firebox grate for grilling
- Removable ash pan
Cons
- 168 lb weight requires a planned place to keep it
- Live-fire cooking calls for active fuel management
The Oklahoma Joe's Highland is the clearest choice here for traditional offset cooking. Its 616 sq in main grate is sized for up to 3 briskets, and a separate 263 sq in firebox grate can handle wings or burgers.
Adjustable dampers on the firebox and smokestack help regulate airflow. The side firebox door gives access for adding fuel and stoking the fire without opening the main cooking chamber.
The removable ash pan helps with cleanup after the cook. Its 168 lb weight and 59 in width mean you should plan a permanent patio spot with enough room to work around it.
Choose the Highland if you want an offset layout and expect to cook for a crowd. The tradeoff is active live-fire management, including charcoal and hardwood splits or chunks.
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800: Best for digital charcoal control
- Charcoal fuel
- Digital temperature and time controls
- WiFi and Bluetooth control
- 800 sq in total cooking area
Digital controls set temperature and cook time, while a fan helps maintain temperature. The 800 also includes a griddle insert and cast iron grill grates for other cooking jobs.
Pros
- Digital temperature and time controls
- WiFi and Bluetooth control
- Griddle insert and grill grates included
Cons
- 204.2 lb weight makes placement a commitment
- Combines smoker, grill and griddle functions in one unit
The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 suits brisket cooks who want charcoal flavor with digital controls. Set temperature and cook time from the panel or a smart device, while the DigitalFan helps minimize temperature swings.
It has 800 sq in of total cooking area, including two porcelain-coated smoking racks, plus cast iron grill grates and a flat-top griddle insert. Masterbuilt says it reaches 225°F in 8 minutes, but fast heat-up is mainly useful for grilling and doesn't replace steady control during a long brisket cook.
The smoker weighs 204.2 lb, so placement deserves thought before setup. Choose it if you want one charcoal appliance for smoking, grilling and griddle cooking.
Dyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical Offset Smoker: Best for multi-rack charcoal cooks
- Charcoal fuel
- Six adjustable grates
- 1,890 sq in total cooking space
- Adjustable smokestack flue
Six adjustable grates and a large stated cooking area suit cooks preparing brisket alongside other foods. Its vertical offset layout keeps direct heat away from the food.
Pros
- Six height-adjustable grates
- Large total cooking area
- Removable ash pan
Cons
- Requires charcoal fire tending
- Large cabinet needs room for setup and access
The Dyna-Glo Wide Body gives you a vertical charcoal layout with six height-adjustable grates and 1,890 sq in of total cooking space. It suits cooks who want to smoke brisket alongside several other foods.
Its offset design keeps direct heat away from the food, while an adjustable smokestack flue gives you another way to manage heat and smoke. The built-in thermometer includes a marked smoke zone, and the removable ash pan helps with ash cleanup.
The wide cabinet requires more room than a compact vertical smoker. Check the grate size against your brisket because total cooking area across six levels doesn't show how much room one cut gets.
Dyna-Glo 36-Inch Vertical LP Gas Smoker: Best for propane-fired vertical smoking
- Propane fuel
- 784 sq in cooking space
- Four adjustable racks
- Push-button ignition
A cast iron burner and push-button ignition make propane the heat source, while four adjustable racks provide space for different food sizes. The double-door design helps limit temperature loss when accessing food or adding water and wood chips.
Pros
- Push-button ignition
- Four adjustable racks
- Double-door design
Cons
- Propane cookers need a fuel supply
- No brisket capacity figure provided
The Dyna-Glo 36-Inch Vertical LP Gas Smoker is a propane option for cooks who want burner heat instead of a charcoal fire. Its four adjustable racks offer 784 sq in of cooking space, with a push-button ignition and large control dial.
A double-door design helps limit heat loss when you access food or add water and wood chips. Sliding air dampers give you another way to control cooking heat and smoke.
The available data doesn't give a brisket capacity figure, so measure the rack space before choosing it for a whole packer brisket. Choose this model when propane convenience and a vertical footprint matter more than a traditional charcoal fire.
Bradley 6-Rack Electric Smoker: Best for set-and-manage electric smoking
- Electric fuel
- Six racks
- Stainless steel interior
- Bradley says it can smoke up to 9 hours
Six racks give you room to arrange food across a vertical cabinet. Bradley says its smoker can run for up to 9 hours before bisquette refilling.
Pros
- Six racks
- Stainless steel interior
- Smoke diffuser system
Cons
- Electric setup needs an outdoor power source
- Brisket fit depends on rack dimensions
Bradley's 6-Rack Electric Smoker suits cooks who want an electric cabinet with multiple rack levels. Each rack measures 11 x 13 in, so check those dimensions carefully if you plan to cook a whole brisket rather than smaller portions.
Bradley says its bisquette system can provide up to 9 hours of smoke before refilling. The stainless steel interior and smoke diffuser system are aimed at easier cleaning and smoke flow.
This model needs an outdoor power source and uses a specific fuel system. Choose it for a controlled electric setup and flexible rack space, but verify that your brisket can fit on the racks as you plan to arrange them.
Masterbuilt 710 WiFi Digital Smoker: Best for remote electric controls
- Electric fuel
- 711 sq in cooking space
- WiFi control
- Four racks
App control lets you set temperature and time, receive alerts and monitor a meat probe. The side wood chip loader adds smoke flavor without opening the door.
Pros
- WiFi app control
- Temperature settings from 100°F to 275°F
- Side wood chip loader
Cons
- Four racks may limit how you place a large brisket
- Requires an outdoor power source
The Masterbuilt 710 WiFi Digital Smoker offers app control in an electric vertical cabinet. Set temperature from 100°F to 275°F, set cooking time, receive alerts and monitor a meat probe through the app.
Its 711 sq in cooking area is spread across four chrome-coated racks. The side wood chip loader lets you add smoke flavor without opening the door, which can help you avoid interrupting the cook to reload chips.
The rack layout may limit how you position a large brisket. Choose it if remote controls and a compact electric setup matter more than a wide, single-level grate.
Masterbuilt 40 Digital Electric Smoker: Best for large electric batches
- Electric fuel
- 970 sq in cooking space
- Four racks
- Side wood chip loader
The 970 sq in cooking area suits larger batches, and the side wood chip loader lets you add smoke without opening the door. A window gives you a way to monitor food during a cook.
Pros
- Largest stated cooking area in this group
- Side wood chip loader
- Window for monitoring food
Cons
- 72.1 lb weight takes space to place and move
- Requires an outdoor power source
The Masterbuilt 40 Digital Electric Smoker has the largest stated cooking area here at 970 sq in, arranged across four racks. That makes it a practical candidate for larger batches, though rack dimensions still determine whether a whole brisket fits flat.
Digital controls set cooking time and temperature up to 275°F. A side wood chip loader adds smoke without opening the door, and a window lets you monitor food during the cook.
At 72.1 lb and 50 in high, this cabinet needs a planned spot with room for its door and ventilation. Choose it for electric cooking space and batch capacity, not for portability.
What matters most when choosing a brisket smoker?
The best smoker for brisket combines a grate that fits your cut with controls suited to the way you cook. Compare the cooking surface, fuel routine and access points before focusing on total capacity.
A whole brisket may be too long for a narrow rack even when a smoker has several levels. Measure the grate and consider whether you will trim the brisket or use a rack designed to fit a smaller footprint.
Think about fuel access during a long cook, too. The Weber's removable fuel door and Highland's side firebox door both let you add fuel without opening the main cooking chamber.
Is charcoal, propane or electric better for brisket?
Charcoal and offset smokers suit cooks who want to tend a live fire, while propane and electric models use burner or digital controls. Your preferred routine matters as much as the flavor style.
The Weber and Highland use charcoal, and the Highland also calls for hardwood splits or chunks. For more about the offset method, see our walkthrough for using an offset smoker.
Propane models use a burner, while electric smokers need an outdoor power source and use wood chips or Bradley bisquettes for smoke. If you're weighing fuel styles, our charcoal vs electric smoker comparison explains the main tradeoffs.
How much cooking space does brisket need?
A brisket smoker needs enough usable grate space for the cut to lie flat with room around it. Total square inches across multiple racks can be misleading if one rack is narrow or shallow.
The Highland provides the clearest capacity detail here, with a main grate sized for up to 3 briskets. The Weber gives you two grates for two large items, but its listed specs don't provide grate dimensions, so check the actual fit before buying.
For a single brisket, prioritize the size of one cooking surface over the smoker's total area. If you cook multiple cuts or sides at the same time, compare the number and spacing of racks as well.
Which smoker should you choose for brisket?
Choose the Weber Smokey Mountain if charcoal, two grates and adjustable dampers fit your backyard routine. Choose the Highland for offset cooking and a main grate sized for multiple briskets, or the Gravity Series 800 for digital control with charcoal.
If you prefer a vertical cabinet, the Dyna-Glo Wide Body offers six grates, while the electric Masterbuilt 40 gives you 970 sq in across four racks. Compare the grate dimensions with your brisket, then read our best charcoal smokers guide for more live-fire options.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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1
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2
Best for traditional offset cooking
Oklahoma Joe's Highland Offset Smoker
8.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Frequently asked questions
What type of smoker is best for brisket?
A charcoal smoker is a strong fit if you want to manage a live fire and choose between vertical or offset cooking. Electric and propane smokers suit cooks who prefer digital or burner controls.
The best match depends on how much fuel tending you want to do and how much cooking space you need.
How much smoker space do you need for a brisket?
Check the usable grate dimensions against the brisket you plan to cook. The Highland's main grate is sized for up to 3 briskets, while the Weber has two grates but no area measurement in its specs.
A large total area alone does not show whether one whole brisket will fit flat.
Is an offset smoker good for brisket?
Yes. An offset smoker cooks with indirect heat from a side firebox, which is a traditional setup for low-and-slow barbecue.
The Highland has adjustable dampers to help regulate airflow and a side door for adding fuel, but it still calls for managing charcoal and hardwood during a long cook.
Can an electric smoker cook brisket?
Yes, an electric smoker can cook brisket if the cooking area and rack layout fit your cut. The Masterbuilt 40 offers 970 sq in across four racks, while the Bradley has six smaller racks.
Check rack dimensions and power access before choosing an electric cabinet.
What should you check before buying a brisket smoker?
Compare fuel type, grate layout, temperature controls and where the smoker will sit. Charcoal and offset models require fuel management, while electric smokers need a suitable outdoor power source.
Measure the cooking grates and available patio space before choosing a large cabinet or offset cooker.
