If you spend a lot of time RV-ing around the country, camping in the wilderness, or love a tailgate as much as the next man and want to be able to serve up some delicious food while you’re at it, then getting a portable smoker is the way forward.
Portable smokers are the real deal and they work just as well as their full-sized cousins that you’d keep in your back yard, it’s just that these ones can go on the road with you.
Now, not all portable smokers are made equal and there are tons on the market to choose from, so how do you make sure you get a good one? By doing a load of research, oh wait, we have done that for you.
At A Glance: Our Top 3 Portable Smokers
Join us as we take a dive into some of the top smokers on the market so you can leave the article knowing which one is the best portable smoker that suits your budget.
![]() | Best Propane Smoker
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![]() | Best Charcoal Smoker
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![]() | Best On A Budget
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The Masterbuilt MB20050116 MPS 20B Patio-2-Portable Propane Smoker is an awesome portable smoker that you can take anywhere.
The small dimensions and light weight of this portable smoker make it super easy to drop into the trunk of your car or in your RV and hit the road with the ability to make some delicious smoked meals.
The smoker is built from powder-coated steel and comes with two chrome steel smoking racks meaning it’s pretty much as durable as they come. You might want to give it some cushioning in the trunk on a bumpy road but this thing is going to last.
It’s simple and easy to use with a built-in temperature gauge, push-button ignition, adjustable temperature knob, plus it’s easy to clean too.
You’ll find a good amount of cooking space inside but you may find it takes time to get to know the smoker and find the exact taste you’re looking for.
It runs on propane which is convenient but only on the 1lb cans which do run out quickly, so be sure to have a good stock on them around.
The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Charcoal Smoker is another amazing portable smoker that delivers meat full of flavor that just falls tenderly off the bone when done.
The best thing about this smoker is that it runs on charcoal which I think adds a ton of flavor to whatever you are cooking, far more than electric or propane in my experience.
This portable smoker is made from powder-coated steel and it arrives un-assembled so you’re going to have to put it together. It’s not hard and it’s a good way to learn about your smoker too.
Once built it’s pretty small and light which is great for portability. You can easily take this smoker anywhere you want it to go in your car.
When you have your charcoal going you can choose to use it as a grill or a smoker. There are adjustable air vents on the sides which allow you to adjust the temperature and it runs at around 190°F when it’s in full swing, which is ideal for a long smoke.
The cooking area is pretty solid and is spread across two levels, one thing to note is that it’s a little small for big cuts of meat, so smaller is better with this smoker.
Otherwise, it’s a super affordable smoker that is durable and delivers amazing tastes too.
If you’re looking for a portable electric smoker for your RV then the Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker is the portable smoker for you as it’s about as pro and convenient as they get.
Being an electric smoker, please be aware that you will need a 120-volt outlet to run it, and if you have that then you are in for a treat as it makes some amazing tasting smoker meat.
The outer shell of this portable smoker is built from stainless steel and the walls are double insulated for a full smoking experience.
It’s incredibly easy to use thanks to the thermostat temperature control and comes with 3″ diameter rubber casters, 3 removable shelves, and has space for 4 shelves total. This means you can smoke around 20 lbs of meat in one go, wow!
From a portability perspective, this smoker is good and bad. It’s compact and it has wheels which make moving it around very easy until you have to lift it, which means lifting 60lbs of weight, so it is a tad heavy.
If you can handle lifting it and have a 120-volt power outlet for it in your RV then the last thing you need to get over is the price. This is not the most affordable portable smoker out there but it is a great one.
Another excellent portable smoker to take on the road is the Char-Griller E6714 AKORN Jr. Portable Kamado Charcoal Grill.
This portable smoker also works as a grill so wherever you are, you can smoke in the day and bbq at night.
It’s durably made from powder-coated steel and its insulated design makes it excellent at smoking as it retains all the juices and it’s super fuel-efficient too. This means you get loads of flavor for way less charcoal.
At just 20.5 x 21.5 x 25 inches in size and weighing in at 37 lbs, it’s a very portable smoker that will slide into the trunk of most cars with ease.
But, being smaller means it has a limited cooking area of 153 square inches which is something to bear in mind.
It arrives unassembled but putting it together is quick and easy, and so it using it. The adjustable dual dampers and thermometer mean you can control your temperature and when you’re done, the ashtray makes cleaning super fast too.
To top it all off, this portable smoker is also very affordable especially considering the high-quality build and great tastes it creates.
If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind playing around with a smoker a but to get the flavor you want then the Cuisinart COS-116 Vertical Smoker is a great choice for you.
It’s an incredibly affordable portable smoker coming in at under 100$ and it’s not bad at its job either, plus it works as a grill and smoker too.
Made from powder-coated steel, it’s a pretty durable smoker and the small dimensions and low weight make it very portable too.
Inside you’ll find two smoking platforms at different levels meaning you can smoke anything from vegetables to cheese and a whole chicken.
Using it is easy, just light up the charcoal and get it to the temperature you want, and from there it holds the temperature quite well. But it’s not that fuel-efficient, so you will need to add charcoal after around 4 hours or so.
It comes with a porcelain enamel water bowl and two 16″ stainless steel racks that provide 402 square inches of cooking so there is more than enough cooking space.
Once you’re done, cleaning it is easy thanks to the removable ashtray at the bottom.
The main issue with it is the lack of insulation which means you’ll need to check the internal temperature of your meat and maybe add an hour or two to ensure it’s finished.
The Traeger Grills Ranger Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker is a great portable smoker if you have access to a 120-volt outlet when you’re out in the wilderness, which means having an RV or a serviced campsite.
This portable smoker is durably built from powder-coated steel and it comes with porcelain-coated grill grates which provide excellent flavor whether you’re using it as a grill or a smoker, yes it does both!
The small dimensions and I mean small at just 20 x 21 x 13 inches make this a highly portable grill but since it runs on electricity, it does weigh quite a bit at 60 lbs or so, making it hard to lift and move around.
Using this portable smoker couldn’t be easier as it comes with a timer and a temperature gauge that is controlled on a thermostat, plus with a max temperature of 450ᵒF, you can smoke anything on there.
The main issue with this portable smoker though, outside of the weight and needing a 120-volt outlet is that the cooking area is pretty small and it’s super expensive too.
Oklahoma Joe’s 19402088 Rambler Portable Charcoal Grill is another awesome portable smoker that also works as a grill and boy does it make some delicious smoked everything.
It’s built from thick gauge steel with makes it tough as nails and very well insulated to trap in the heat for fuel efficiency and all the delicious moisture to make sure whatever you smoke is tender and yummy as can be.
Inside you’ll find a height-adjustable charcoal tray that allows you to cook fast or long and slow, and the cast-iron grates make it easy to cook too. You’ll also find a professional-grade thermometer on the top so you can always monitor the temperature inside for the perfect smoke.
There are also large air dampers so you can control the air intake to the max and thus ensure your cooking temperature holds.
You’ll find this portable smoker is a little heavy at 48 lbs but with 540 square inches of cooking space and the great insulation, a few extra lbs to carry is nothing to worry about.
Smokers are generally quite big and heavy pieces of cooking equipment, so finding a portable one that is good at smoking is a bit of an art. You will need to be able to fit it in your car, lift it into the car, and it needs to have enough space for both the fuel and the food you want to smoke.
My advice is, don’t let weight and dimensions govern your decision, make sure it’s a good smoker before considering them, and then choose a good smoker that’s portable enough for you.
The last thing anyone needs when they’re out camping or tailgating is fiddling with a smoker instead of enjoying themselves. Be sure to pick a smoker that is quick and easy to set up, use, and clean once you’re done.
When you smoke something you’re normally smoking it at around 250 Fahrenheit which is cold for an over and it means smoking anything takes hours. If your smoker can go up to 350 then you can do things a little faster which might be beneficial out in the wilderness.
As you will have noticed from the portable smokers featured, some run on electricity, others on propane, and some on charcoal. Make sure you pick the most convenient fuel source for your needs and I’d recommend charcoal for flavor but that’s me.
The best portable smoker featured in the article that runs on propane is the Masterbuilt MB20050116 MPS 20B Patio-2-Portable Propane Smoker. Built from powder-coated steel this smoker is super durable and it’s super portable being lightweight and compact too.
Using this smoker is super easy thanks to the push-button ignition, and to make life even easier you can adjust the temperature with a knob and monitor it on the gauge. There is also ample cook space with two racks for smoking anything you fancy.
The best portable smoker that runs on charcoal is the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Charcoal Smoker. This smoker creates amazing tasting smoked meat/fish while still being super light and portable so you can take it anywhere.
It’s durably made from powder-coated steel, super easy to use since it runs on charcoal, and quick and easy to clean too.
The best portable smoker, if you’re shopping on a budget, is the Realcook Vertical Steel Charcoal Smoker. This smoker is affordable, durable, and feature-filled to ensure your smoked meat/fish tastes great every time.
You can see the temperature on the gauge, adjust the vents to add or remove heat and use the two access doors to check on your food or add charcoal. It also works as a grill or just as a firepit with its modular design and being lightweight and small it’s super portable for use on the road.