Masterbuilt Smoker Grills Compared: Which Model Suits Your Backyard?

Best for
Large cookouts requiring extended charcoal smoking

Best for
Cooks wanting charcoal smoking plus flat-top griddling

Best for
Large backyard gatherings needing charcoal grilling and smoking

The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Smoker Grill is engineered for outdoor cooks who want authentic charcoal flavor without the constant damper adjustments of traditional smokers. Functioning as a high-capacity masterbuilt charcoal smoker grill combo, this unit uses a vertical GravityFed hopper that holds 10 pounds of lump charcoal or 16 pounds of briquettes for up to 8 hours of use. Its digitally controlled fan maintains steady heat, taking the chamber to 225 degrees Fahrenheit in 8 minutes or up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit in 15 minutes. For shoppers evaluating a broader master built smoker setup, the 1050 provides a balanced platform for low-temperature barbecue and high-heat searing.

The cooking chamber provides 1,050 square inches of cooking space, making it easy to prepare food for large gatherings. It includes reversible cast iron grates that offer a wide flat surface for searing steaks or a ridged edge for slow smoking. You can set and monitor cooking temperatures via the digital control panel or remotely through the Masterbuilt mobile app using WiFi connectivity. The exterior features a stainless steel front shelf and side shelf to provide convenient staging space for tools and platters.

This model is ideal for cooks who want one backyard appliance that can smoke briskets overnight and sear burgers the next day. However, if your primary goal is cooking on a griddle without buying extra add-ons, the Gravity Series 800 includes a dedicated flat-top insert in the box.

• Provides 1,050 square inches of cooking space with reversible cast iron grates
• DigitalFan achieves 225°F in 8 minutes and 700°F in 15 minutes
• GravityFed hopper holds 10 pounds of lump charcoal or 16 pounds of briquettes for up to 8 hours
• WiFi connectivity allows app-based temperature adjustment, meat probe tracking, and grill shutdown

The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 Smoker Grill expands on charcoal cooking by integrating flat-top griddling into its design. Alongside its cast iron grill grates and two porcelain-coated smoking racks, the package includes a full flat top griddle insert, providing 800 total square inches of cooking area. The onboard DigitalFan minimizes heat fluctuations by drawing heat from the charcoal hopper into the main cooking chamber, heating the unit to 225 degrees Fahrenheit in 8 minutes, 450 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 minutes, or 700 degrees Fahrenheit in 14 minutes.

Controlling the cooking process is straightforward thanks to the digital panel and smart device connectivity via WiFi or Bluetooth. The charcoal hopper holds 10 pounds of lump charcoal or 16 pounds of briquettes, delivering up to 10 hours of cook time before you need to reload. A built-in temperature gauge and meat probe thermometer allow you to monitor internal meat temperatures accurately throughout long cooks.

The Gravity Series 800 is suited for households that want a multi-use charcoal grill capable of smoking ribs, searing steaks, and griddling pancakes or smash burgers. If your backyard cooking frequently involves catering to larger gatherings that exceed 800 square inches, stepping up to the Gravity Series 1050 or 1150 provides more grate capacity.

• Includes cast iron grill grates, two porcelain-coated smoking racks, and a full flat top griddle insert
• Reaches 225°F in 8 minutes, 450°F in 10 minutes, and 700°F in 14 minutes
• GravityFed hopper provides up to 10 hours of burn time using briquettes or lump charcoal
• Monitored through digital controls or smart device using WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity

Best for
Small patio owners wanting set-and-forget smoking

The Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ is designed for shoppers seeking reliable low-and-slow smoking in a compact vertical format. Powered by an electric heating element, this cabinet smoker eliminates the need to manage charcoal embers or propane tanks. You simply plug the unit into a standard wall outlet, set the digital control panel to your desired cooking time, and choose a temperature up to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. It includes a patented side wood chip loader, allowing you to feed wood chips directly into the burner tray without opening the door and letting heat or smoke escape.

Inside the cabinet, four chrome-coated smoking racks provide 710 square inches of cooking space. According to Masterbuilt, this interior fits up to 7 chickens, 2 turkeys, 4 pork butts, or 4 racks of ribs. A removable water bowl adds moisture while catching rendering drippings, a removable rear grease tray simplifies post-cook maintenance, and an adjustable air damper allows you to fine-tune internal airflow and smoke retention.

This 30-inch unit suits beginners, apartment dwellers, and deck cooks who prioritize straightforward operation and easy cleanup over searing capabilities. When evaluating a masterbuilt gravity series vs electric smoker, remember that this electric cabinet maxes out at 275 degrees Fahrenheit and cannot grill or sear. Cooks who need more vertical room for large holiday turkeys or bigger batches should look at the 40-inch electric model.

• Digital control board manages cook time and temperatures up to 275°F
• Patented side wood chip loader adds smoke flavor without opening the main cabinet door
• Offers 710 square inches of cooking space across four chrome-coated racks
• Includes removable water bowl, rear grease tray, and adjustable air damper

Best for
Off-grid cooks needing high vertical capacity

The Masterbuilt 40-inch ThermoTemp Propane Gas Vertical smoker delivers high-capacity outdoor cooking without requiring an electrical connection. Designed for reliability, the ThermoTemp system utilizes an integrated thermostat that monitors internal heat and automatically adjusts the propane burner flame to maintain your target temperature. You turn the temperature dial to your desired setting up to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and press the push-button ignition to start the flame.

With 960 square inches of cooking area across four chrome-coated racks, this masterbuilt propane vertical smoker handles large food quantities. Masterbuilt specifies capacity for up to 16 chickens, 6 turkeys, 8 pork butts, or 8 racks of ribs. A dedicated wood chip tray sits directly over the gas burner to produce smoke, while a removable water bowl catches grease and keeps meats moist. The adjustable air damper on the cabinet provides manual control over smoke exhaust.

This unit is well-suited for cooks who prepare barbecue away from home, such as at campsites or hunting cabins, or anyone who prefers propane efficiency over electric cords. While it reaches 375 degrees Fahrenheit—higher than typical electric cabinets—it does not provide the 700-degree high-heat capability of Masterbuilt’s charcoal grill combos.

• ThermoTemp thermostat control regulates the propane flame for temperatures up to 375°F
• Push-button ignition lights the burner quickly and reliably
• Generous 960 square inches of cooking area fits up to 16 chickens or 6 turkeys
• Equipped with four chrome-coated racks, wood chip tray, water bowl, and air damper

The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1150 Digital Charcoal is the largest charcoal-fueled model in Masterbuilt’s lineup, built specifically for cooks who cater to big crowds. It features 1,150 square inches of cooking space, giving you ample room to handle briskets, pork shoulders, and sides simultaneously. Its enlarged GravityFed hopper accommodates up to 12 pounds of lump charcoal or 18 pounds of briquettes, supporting up to 15 hours of continuous cooking time without refueling.

The unit features a DigitalFan that regulates airflow to maintain steady temperatures between 225 degrees Fahrenheit for smoking and 700 degrees Fahrenheit for high-heat searing in under 15 minutes. You can adjust temperatures and cook times directly on the digital control board or monitor your cook through the Masterbuilt mobile app. The app also allows you to track up to four meat probes, receive alerts, and browse recipes while you step away from the patio.

The Gravity Series 1150 is the premier pick for pitmasters who want authentic charcoal smoke, massive cooking volume, and hands-off digital convenience for long overnight cooks. However, if your patio space is limited and you do not need 1,150 square inches of grate area, the Gravity Series 800 offers a smaller footprint with an included griddle.

• Provides 1,150 square inches of total cooking space for large family gatherings
• Extended GravityFed hopper holds up to 12 lbs of lump or 18 lbs of briquettes for 15 hours of cook time
• Wide temperature range from 225°F to 700°F reached in under 15 minutes
• WiFi app control supports monitoring up to four meat probes simultaneously

Best for
Batch smoking large quantities with electric convenience

The Masterbuilt 40-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ is designed for cooks who want large batch-smoking capacity combined with the set-and-forget convenience of an electric element. When reviewing masterbilt smoker electric models, this unit stands out for its 970 square inches of internal cooking area spread across four chrome-coated smoking racks. The digital control board allows you to set your target temperature up to 275 degrees Fahrenheit and program cooking times with push-button simplicity.

The cabinet provides enough interior room to smoke up to 16 chickens, 4 turkeys, 8 pork butts, or 8 racks of ribs in a single session. To keep the smoking process efficient, Masterbuilt includes its patented side wood chip loader, allowing you to add wood chips directly to the burner without opening the door and losing heat. The unit also includes a removable water bowl, a rear grease tray for straightforward cleanup, and an adjustable top air damper for smoke management.

This 40-inch masterbuilt electric smoker is ideal for barbecue cooks who want to smoke large volumes of sausage, jerky, or ribs without dealing with charcoal ash or propane refills. Because its temperature is capped at 275 degrees Fahrenheit, it is strictly a low-and-slow smoker and cannot sear or grill like the Gravity Series units.

• Digital control board manages cook time and temperatures up to 275°F
• 970 square inches of cooking space fits up to 16 chickens or 8 racks of ribs
• Patented side wood chip loader maintains internal heat and smoke during refueling
• Includes four chrome-coated racks, removable water bowl, rear grease tray, and air damper