A smoked turkey transforms any Thanksgiving or holiday meal from ordinary to extraordinary. The deep, wood-fired flavor, crispy golden-brown skin, and incredibly moist meat make smoking the ultimate way to prepare your holiday bird. Plus, smoking your turkey frees up valuable oven space for sides, casseroles, and pies.
But not every smoker is ideal for turkey. You need sufficient cooking space to fit a whole bird, consistent temperature control for even cooking, and the right fuel type to achieve that perfect smoky flavor. You’ll also want a reliable turkey thermometer to ensure perfect doneness. In this comprehensive guide, we’ve tested and reviewed the best turkey smokers across all fuel types – including charcoal smokers, electric smokers, and pellet grill smokers – to help you find the perfect smoker for turkey that matches your holiday cooking needs.
Whether you prefer the traditional flavor of charcoal, the convenience of electric, or the precision of pellet smokers, we’ve got you covered with options at every experience level.
Quick Roundup List
- Best Overall: Weber 22″ Smokey Mountain Cooker
- Best Electric Smoker: Masterbuilt 40″ Digital Electric
- Best Budget: Cuisinart 30″ Electric Smoker
- Best Pellet Smoker: Z GRILLS 7002C
- Best Value Pellet: Z GRILLS 700D
- Best Compact Pellet: Z GRILLS 600D
- Best Mid-Size Charcoal: Weber 18″ Smokey Mountain
Why Smoke a Turkey for Thanksgiving?
Smoking a turkey offers several advantages over traditional oven roasting. First, it frees up your oven for all those essential side dishes, casseroles, and desserts that make holiday meals complete. Second, the slow cooking process with wood smoke creates an unmatched depth of flavor that simply cannot be replicated in a conventional oven. If you’re looking for faster cooking times, a turkey fryer is another popular option, but smoking delivers superior depth of flavor.
The low and slow cooking method keeps the meat incredibly moist and tender, while the exterior develops that coveted crispy, golden-brown skin. Many experienced pitmasters consider smoked turkey the crown jewel of holiday cooking, and once you taste the difference, you’ll understand why.
Types of Smokers for Turkey
Before diving into our top picks, let’s explore the three main types of smokers that work well for cooking whole turkeys.
Charcoal Smokers
Charcoal smokers deliver the most authentic, traditional smoke flavor. They use charcoal as the primary fuel source, often supplemented with wood chunks for additional smokiness. The Weber Smokey Mountain series represents the gold standard in this category.
These smokers require more hands-on attention to maintain consistent temperature, making them ideal for experienced cooks who enjoy the process. The porcelain-enameled construction retains heat efficiently and resists rust over time.
Electric Smokers
Electric smokers offer the ultimate convenience with digital temperature control and set-it-and-forget-it operation. Simply add wood chips, set your desired cooking temperature, and let the smoker do the work.
They excel at maintaining moisture, which is crucial when smoking turkey to prevent the meat from drying out. Electric smokers are perfect for beginners or anyone who wants delicious smoked turkey without constant monitoring.
Pellet Smokers
Pellet smokers combine the convenience of electric with the genuine wood-fired flavor of traditional smoking. They use compressed hardwood pellets as fuel, automatically fed by an auger system controlled by digital temperature settings.
Modern pellet grills feature PID controllers that maintain precise temperatures within just a few degrees. These versatile grill and smoker combos include WiFi connectivity for remote monitoring and multiple meat probes to track your turkey’s internal temperature perfectly. A pellet grill is an excellent choice as a smoker for turkey because it offers both convenience and authentic wood-fired flavor.
The Best Turkey Smokers for 2025
Weber 22″ Smokey Mountain Cooker – Best Overall
The Weber 22″ Smokey Mountain Cooker has earned its reputation as the go-to charcoal smoker for serious turkey smoking. With 726 square inches of cooking space spread across two grates, you can easily smoke a whole turkey and a ham simultaneously for larger gatherings.
The porcelain-enameled steel construction ensures excellent heat retention and durability that will last for years. The built-in silicone temperature grommet lets you monitor internal smoker temperature accurately, while the aluminum dampers provide precise airflow control for maintaining consistent cooking temperatures.
Highlights
- 726 square inches of cooking space on two grates
- Porcelain-enameled lid, bowl, and center section
- Silicone temperature grommet for accurate monitoring
- Separate fuel door for easy charcoal addition
- Industry-leading 10-year warranty
Customer Reviews
- “I chose Weber because of my years of experience with their charcoal and propane grills. Amazing how long the charcoal briquettes last in this thing and how steady the temperature runs.”
- “I have probably a dozen cooks on this smoker so far and all have turned out well. Perfect for smoking 2 slabs of pork spare ribs with room for more.”
- “The Weber done me proud, didn’t have to faff about with it too much, set it up as per instructions and you can’t go wrong.”
Specifications
- Fuel Type: Charcoal
- Cooking Area: 726 sq in
- Dimensions: 24 x 23 x 48.5 inches
- Material: Porcelain-enameled steel
Masterbuilt 40″ Digital Electric Smoker – Best Electric Smoker
The Masterbuilt 40″ Digital Electric Smoker delivers an impressive 970 square inches of cooking space, making it one of the largest electric smokers available. The vertical design allows smoke and heat to distribute evenly throughout the cooking chamber for consistent results.
What sets Masterbuilt apart is the patented side wood chip loader that lets you add more smoke flavor without opening the main door and losing heat. The digital control panel makes setting your desired time and temperature incredibly simple, perfect for beginners who want reliable results.
Highlights
- 970 square inches of cooking space
- Digital control panel for time and temperature
- Patented side wood chip loader
- Chrome smoking racks
- Set-and-forget operation
Customer Reviews
- “I have purchased this smoker twice. The first one ran great for 3 years. Unboxing and doing the minor assembly required for this smoker is easy.”
- “Keeps temperature close to target range, easy to assemble, wifi feature works great.”
- “We’ve used for all sorts of meats and sides – always works well! Very easy to use.”
Specifications
- Fuel Type: Electric with wood chips
- Cooking Area: 970 sq in
- Dimensions: 20 x 19.9 x 41.3 inches
- Temperature Range: 180-450F
Cuisinart 30″ Electric Smoker – Best Budget
For those seeking an affordable entry into turkey smoking, the Cuisinart 30″ Electric Smoker offers excellent value. With 548 square inches of cooking space across three adjustable racks, there’s plenty of room for a whole turkey and some sides.
The 1500-watt adjustable burner provides precise temperature control from 100F to 400F, easily covering the ideal smoking range. The built-in thermometer on the front door lets you monitor cooking temperature at a glance, while the stainless steel wood chip and water trays make setup and cleanup simple.
Highlights
- 548 sq in cooking area on 3 chrome racks
- Adjustable temperature from 100-400F
- Built-in front thermometer
- Stainless steel trays for easy cleanup
- Dishwasher-safe racks
Customer Reviews
- “One of the best smokers I’ve owned. I’ve owned many smokers, by various makes and models over the years.”
- “Better than Digital Masterbuilt Smoker! So far, this Cuisinart smoker is very similar, however much better.”
- “This smoker is EASY to set up. Just follow the instructions that come with it. Season it first!”
Specifications
- Fuel Type: Electric
- Cooking Area: 548 sq in
- Dimensions: 22 x 19 x 37.5 inches
- Power: 1500 watts
Z GRILLS 7002C – Best Pellet Smoker
The Z GRILLS 7002C represents the pinnacle of pellet smoker technology for turkey smoking. The advanced PID 2.1 controller with LCD screen automatically adjusts fuel and airflow to maintain rock-steady temperatures regardless of outdoor conditions.
With 697 square inches of cooking space and a massive 28-pound pellet hopper, you can smoke for hours without interruption. Two included meat probes let you monitor your turkey’s internal temperature in real-time, taking the guesswork out of achieving perfect doneness.
Highlights
- PID 2.1 technology with LCD screen
- 697 sq in cooking space
- 28 lb pellet hopper for extended cooking
- 2 meat probes included
- Viewable hopper window
- Easy hopper cleanout for pellet changes
Customer Reviews
- “10/10 the best grill/smoker I’ve ever had. I’ve used it to make steaks, burgers, chicken, chops and most recently a 16 hour smoked brisket. Set the temperature and it holds it wonderfully.”
- “First smoker and I love it. Great grill, well built, holds heat and temp like a champ. Easy to clean.”
- “Love this pellet grill, I’ve had it for 3 years. Awesome customer support when I needed warranty help.”
Specifications
- Fuel Type: Wood pellets
- Cooking Area: 697 sq in
- Hopper Capacity: 28 lbs
- Features: LCD screen, meat probes, rain cover
Z GRILLS 700D – Best Value Pellet
The Z GRILLS 700D delivers exceptional value with 700 square inches of cooking space and true 8-in-1 functionality. The sturdy steel construction with high-temperature powder coating ensures years of reliable service.
The PID temperature control system maintains consistent heat for perfect results every time. The uniquely designed bottom cabinet provides ample storage for pellets, tools, and accessories, keeping everything you need within arm’s reach during your cook.
Highlights
- 700 sq in grilling space
- 8-in-1 functionality (smoke, bake, roast, sear, braise, BBQ, char-grill)
- PID smart temperature control
- Bottom cabinet storage
- 3-year warranty
Customer Reviews
- “Killer deal and quality construction. I’m coming from a big green egg; I wanted something that was easier to do long controlled cooks. The Z-grill is a solid buy.”
- “My husband LOVES this pellet smoker. Easy to pour in pellets. Keeps temp well.”
- “I’ve got the grill set at 225 degrees. The actual is 224 degrees. If I can keep it to within +/- 5 degrees, I’m happy.”
Specifications
- Fuel Type: Wood pellets
- Cooking Area: 700 sq in
- Construction: Powder-coated steel
- Warranty: 3 years
Z GRILLS 600D – Best Compact Pellet
The Z GRILLS 600D stands out with its innovative dual heating system. Choose between indirect heating at 180-450F for traditional low-and-slow smoking, or switch to direct flame mode reaching up to 750F for restaurant-quality searing.
The 572 square inch two-tier cooking area (332 sq in main grate plus 240 sq in upper rack) provides ample space for a whole turkey. The advanced PID 3.1 controller maintains temperatures within an impressive 10 degrees of your target setting.
Highlights
- Dual heating system (indirect and direct flame)
- 572 sq in two-tier cooking area
- PID 3.1 temperature control within 10F
- Dual-door storage cabinet
- 11 lb hopper for 12+ hours of smoking
Customer Reviews
- “Temperature control is amazing. Gets up to 465 degrees in about 5-6 min! Stays within 5 degrees. Amazing smoke ring and flavor to ribs.”
- “Great pellet grill for the price. I’ve cooked on this a few times. So far no issues.”
- “After using the unit for about 10 cooks, it has proven to do everything quite well.”
Specifications
- Fuel Type: Wood pellets
- Cooking Area: 572 sq in (332 + 240)
- Temperature Range: 180-450F indirect, up to 750F direct
- Hopper: 11 lbs (12 hours at 180F)
Weber 18″ Smokey Mountain – Best Mid-Size Charcoal
The Weber 18″ Smokey Mountain offers the same legendary quality as its larger sibling in a more compact package. It can accommodate a whole turkey and an entire ham at the same time, making it perfect for medium-sized holiday gatherings.
Made of porcelain-enameled steel with nickel-plated 18.5-inch wide cooking grates, this smoker delivers consistent, reliable performance. The included water pan helps regulate internal temperature and adds moisture to prevent your turkey from drying out.
Highlights
- Fits whole turkey and ham simultaneously
- Porcelain-enameled steel construction
- Two 18.5-inch nickel-plated cooking grates
- Water pan for moisture and temperature control
- 10-year warranty
Customer Reviews
- “I chose Weber because of my years of experience with their charcoal and propane grills. Amazing how long the charcoal briquettes last in this thing and how steady the temperature runs.”
- “Great quality smoker. The WSM offers a set it and forget it cooking experience. Easy to set up, easy to use, the 3 bottom dampers allow for easy temperature control.”
- “Overall, I have never used a smoker that has been so easy to operate and maintain. I should have purchased this one years ago.”
Specifications
- Fuel Type: Charcoal
- Cooking Area: 481 sq in
- Dimensions: 19 x 21 x 41 inches
- Material: Porcelain-enameled steel
Turkey Smoker Buying Guide
Choosing the right smoker for turkey requires considering several key factors. Whether you’re looking at a traditional charcoal smoker, an electric unit, or a pellet grill, here’s what to look for when making your decision.
Cooking Space and Capacity
A whole turkey needs significant cooking space. For most holiday birds in the 12-16 pound range, you’ll want at least 400-500 square inches of cooking area. Larger turkeys over 18 pounds require 600+ square inches.
Vertical smokers like the Weber Smokey Mountain and Masterbuilt Electric maximize cooking space in a smaller footprint. Consider the internal height as well, since whole turkeys need vertical clearance. Many pellet grills require removing the upper rack to accommodate a whole bird. If you also plan to roast turkeys in your oven, a vertical turkey roaster uses a similar upright cooking approach.
Temperature Control
Consistent temperature is crucial for properly smoked turkey. Digital controllers found on electric and pellet smokers make maintaining steady heat virtually effortless. PID technology takes this further by automatically adjusting fuel and airflow to compensate for outdoor temperature changes.
Charcoal smokers require manual temperature control through damper adjustments. While this demands more attention, experienced smokers appreciate the control and authentic cooking experience it provides.
Fuel Type Considerations
Each fuel type offers distinct advantages:
Charcoal delivers the most traditional smoke flavor and allows you to add wood chunks for additional smokiness. It requires more active management but rewards you with unmatched flavor depth.
Electric smokers offer maximum convenience with minimal monitoring. They excel at maintaining moisture and consistent temperature. Add wood chips periodically for smoke flavor.
Pellet grill smokers combine convenience with genuine wood-fired taste. The automated pellet feed maintains steady temperatures while 100% hardwood pellets infuse your turkey with rich, smoky flavor. Many modern pellet grills can also function as outdoor ovens and grills for versatile cooking.
Build Quality and Durability
Look for heavy-gauge steel construction with quality finishes. Porcelain enamel coatings resist rust and withstand high temperatures over many years. Stainless steel components on grates and trays simplify cleaning and last longer.
Check warranty coverage as an indicator of manufacturer confidence. Weber’s 10-year warranty and Z GRILLS’ 3-year coverage demonstrate commitment to quality.
Additional Features
Modern smokers offer helpful extras:
- Meat probes let you monitor internal turkey temperature without opening the lid. If your smoker doesn’t include probes, consider an instant read thermometer for spot checks
- WiFi connectivity enables remote monitoring from your phone
- Storage cabinets keep pellets and tools handy
- Wheels and handles allow easy repositioning
- Side wood chip loaders (on electric smokers) add smoke without losing heat
How to Smoke a Turkey: Essential Tips
Preparation
Start with a completely thawed turkey. Never attempt to smoke a frozen or partially frozen bird. Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity, then pat the entire turkey dry with paper towels.
Consider brining your turkey for 12-24 hours before smoking. A basic brine of salt, sugar, and water dramatically improves moisture retention and flavor. You can make your own or use a quality turkey brine kit for convenience. Alternatively, dry brining with salt rubbed under the skin works well and requires less preparation space.
Apply a generous coating of your favorite dry rub or simply season with salt and pepper. Try our homemade smoked turkey rub for incredible flavor. Let the seasoned turkey rest uncovered in the refrigerator overnight for crispier skin.
Temperature Guidelines
Set your smoker temperature based on your preferred cooking style:
- Low and slow (225-275F): Maximum smoke flavor, longer cooking time (30-40 minutes per pound)
- Higher heat (325-350F): Crispier skin, shorter cooking time (15-20 minutes per pound)
The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165F in the thickest part of the breast and 175-180F in the thighs. Always use a reliable meat thermometer rather than relying on cooking time alone. For a complete walkthrough of the process, check out our turkey smoking guide.
Smoking Time Estimates
Actual smoking time varies based on turkey size, smoker temperature, and outdoor conditions. Use these estimates as a starting point:
- 10-12 lb turkey at 225F: 5-6 hours
- 12-14 lb turkey at 225F: 6-7 hours
- 14-18 lb turkey at 225F: 7-9 hours
- 12-14 lb turkey at 325F: 3-4 hours
Always plan for extra time. It’s better to finish early (you can hold a cooked turkey wrapped in foil in a cooler for 1-2 hours) than to have hungry guests waiting.
Best Woods for Smoking Turkey
Choose milder woods that complement poultry without overpowering it:
- Apple: Mild, slightly sweet flavor – excellent for turkey
- Cherry: Light, fruity smoke with beautiful color
- Pecan: Medium smoke with nutty undertones
- Maple: Subtle sweetness, very mild
- Hickory: Stronger, classic BBQ flavor – use sparingly on poultry
Avoid mesquite for turkey smoking as its intense flavor can overwhelm the delicate meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size smoker do I need for a whole turkey?
For a typical 12-16 pound turkey, you’ll need at least 400-500 square inches of cooking space. Larger turkeys over 18 pounds require 600+ square inches. When choosing a smoker for turkey, vertical smokers are particularly efficient since turkeys need significant vertical clearance, while pellet grills may require removing the upper rack. All the smokers in our guide can accommodate whole turkeys in the 12-20 pound range.
What temperature should I smoke a turkey at?
Most pitmasters recommend smoking turkey at 225-275F for maximum smoke flavor, or 325-350F for crispier skin and shorter cooking time. The most important temperature is the turkey’s internal temperature, which should reach 165F in the breast and 175-180F in the thighs before serving.
How long does it take to smoke a turkey?
At 225F, plan for 30-40 minutes per pound. A 14-pound turkey takes approximately 7-9 hours at this temperature. At 325F, the time drops to 15-20 minutes per pound, or about 3.5-4.5 hours for a 14-pound bird. Always use a meat thermometer rather than time alone to determine doneness.
Can I smoke a turkey in an electric smoker?
Absolutely! Electric smokers are excellent for turkey because they maintain consistent temperatures and retain moisture exceptionally well. Add wood chips every 30-60 minutes for the first few hours to build smoke flavor. The Masterbuilt and Cuisinart electric smokers in our guide both produce delicious smoked turkey.
Do I need to brine a turkey before smoking?
Brining is recommended but not required. A wet or dry brine significantly improves moisture retention and enhances flavor. You can also use a turkey injector to add flavor and moisture directly into the meat. If you choose not to brine, the slower cooking process in a smoker still produces moister results than oven roasting. Using a water pan in your smoker also helps maintain moisture.
What wood pellets are best for smoking turkey?
Fruitwoods like apple and cherry work beautifully with turkey, providing mild, sweet smoke that complements the meat. Pecan and maple are also excellent choices. Avoid mesquite, which can overpower poultry with its intense flavor. Many pitmasters recommend using 100% hardwood pellets without fillers for the cleanest smoke flavor.
Conclusion
The right smoker can transform your Thanksgiving turkey from ordinary to extraordinary. For the best overall experience, the Weber 22″ Smokey Mountain Cooker delivers unmatched charcoal-smoked flavor with legendary durability and ample cooking space for the largest holiday gatherings.
If convenience is your priority, the Masterbuilt 40″ Digital Electric Smoker offers set-and-forget operation with massive capacity. Budget-conscious buyers will find excellent value in the Cuisinart 30″ Electric Smoker.
For those who want the best of both worlds in a smoker for turkey, the Z GRILLS 7002C pellet grill combines automated convenience with genuine wood-fired flavor and advanced temperature control features.
Whichever smoker you choose, the key is starting early, maintaining consistent temperature, and using a reliable meat thermometer. This holiday season, give your guests a turkey they’ll be talking about for years to come.
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