A charcoal smoker holds low, steady heat for hours, with food sitting above a fire bowl and a water pan. Most home models are vertical “bullets” with two stacked grates, while barrel styles lay the grates side by side and add hooks for hanging meat. The details worth comparing are grate size, how many vents you get and whether a thermometer is built in.
The six smokers below run from a 14-inch Weber to an 18.5-inch barrel from VEVOR. Sizes, weights and features come from each product’s listing page, and the maker’s wording is described as the maker’s own. We have not used these smokers ourselves, so we cannot speak to how evenly they hold heat.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Grate diameter | Sets how much food fits on each level |
| Vents and dampers | Airflow is how you steer the temperature |
| Thermometer | A lid gauge or grommet saves guessing |
| Water pan | Adds moisture and acts as a heat buffer in bullet designs |
| Weight and footprint | Lighter units move easily; heavy ones sit steadier |
Specs at a Glance
| Smoker | Style | Size and weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics 16 inch | Vertical, 2 layers | 20.6 x 16.8 x 31.2 in; 7.26 kg | Built-in thermometer; adjustable air supply |
| Weber Smokey Mountain 18″ | Vertical bullet | 19 x 21 x 41 in; 39.1 lb | Two 18.5 in grates; water pan; thermometer |
| Weber Smokey Mountain 14″ | Vertical bullet | 14.7 x 14.7 x 31.4 in; 23 lb | Two grates; silicone thermometer grommet |
| Char-Broil Bullet 16″ | Vertical bullet | 21.1 x 21.75 x 39.1 in; 20 lb | 388 sq in; water pan; ash pan |
| VINGLI 18 inch | Vertical, 3 layers | 18.9 x 18.9 x 31.5 in; 12 lb | Built-in thermometer; two doors |
| VEVOR 18.5″ barrel | Barrel | 18.9 x 22.2 x 34.3 in; 37.9 lb | Two 16.7 in grates; hanging rod; 6 hooks |
The 6 Best Charcoal Smokers
1. Amazon Basics 16 Inch Vertical Charcoal Smoker
A two-layer vertical smoker with a built-in thermometer, an adjustable air supply and porcelain-enameled water and charcoal pans. The listing gives its outer size as 20.6 by 16.8 by 31.2 inches and a locking system for the lid. One table lists a “cooking surface area” of 16.8 square inches, which looks like a width rather than an area, so we ignore it.
Suits: a compact first smoker. Strengths: thermometer and air control included. Weaknesses: the cooking area figure is unclear. Skip it if you need a verified grate area.
View Amazon Basics 16 inch vertical charcoal smoker on Amazon
2. Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch
The full-size Weber bullet: a porcelain-enameled steel body, two 18.5-inch cooking grates, a water pan, a thermometer and individual vents on the bowl and lid. The maker says it can hold a whole turkey and an entire ham at the same time. It stands 41 inches tall and weighs 39.1 pounds.
Suits: larger cooks with two big items. Strengths: two wide grates and vents on both bowl and lid. Weaknesses: the heaviest vertical here. Skip it if you want something light to carry.
View Weber Smokey Mountain 18 inch charcoal smoker on Amazon
3. Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 14-Inch
A smaller Weber with two cooking grates, a silicone temperature grommet for a probe, adjustable dampers and a removable fuel door that makes adding charcoal and wood easier mid-cook. It measures 14.7 inches across and 31.4 inches high and weighs 23 pounds.
Suits: small households and patios. Strengths: small footprint; fuel door. Weaknesses: the listing does not state grate diameter. Skip it if you cook for crowds.
View Weber Smokey Mountain 14 inch charcoal smoker on Amazon
4. Char-Broil Bullet Charcoal Smoker 16-Inch
A 16-inch bullet with 388 square inches of cooking space, two porcelain-coated grates, a water pan, an ash pan, an air control system, a lid-mounted temperature gauge and dual carry handles. The listing gives 21.1 by 21.75 by 39.1 inches and 20 pounds.
Suits: a mid-size bullet with an ash pan. Strengths: stated cooking area; carry handles. Weaknesses: outer size looks large next to its 16-inch name. Skip it if space is tight.
View Char-Broil 16 inch bullet charcoal smoker on Amazon
5. VINGLI 18 Inch Multi-Layer Charcoal Smoker Grill
A three-layer round smoker whose bottom layer can serve as a fire pit, with a built-in thermometer, an adjustable air outlet on the lid and two doors for checking food. It measures 18.9 by 18.9 by 31.5 inches and weighs 12 pounds, and the listing says assembly takes about 30 minutes.
Suits: flexible smoking and grilling in a light body. Strengths: two doors; light weight. Weaknesses: the listing wording is loose on grate size. Skip it if you want exact grate dimensions.
View VINGLI 18 inch charcoal smoker grill on Amazon
6. VEVOR 18.5″ Barrel Charcoal Smoker Grill
A barrel-style smoker with two 16.7-inch grilling grates, a hanging rod with six stainless steel hooks and a thermometer. The maker describes four uses: single or double-layer grilling, dual-layer smoking with the lid closed, and hanging long cuts. It measures 18.9 by 22.2 by 34.3 inches and weighs 37.9 pounds.
Suits: hanging meat or grilling too. Strengths: grates, rod and hooks included. Weaknesses: heavy. Skip it if you prefer a vertical bullet.
View VEVOR 18.5 inch barrel charcoal smoker on Amazon
Setup Tips
- Set the smoker on level, non-flammable ground, away from walls and overhangs.
- Light the charcoal in a chimney starter, then add it to the fire bowl.
- Fill the water pan before you start if your model has one.
- Use a separate probe thermometer for the food itself.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Opening the lid often and losing heat.
- Opening every vent fully and chasing the temperature.
- Ignoring the maker’s own first-use instructions.
- Emptying ash while it is still warm.
Charcoal Smoker FAQ
Bullet or barrel?
Bullets stack grates over one fire and use a water pan; barrels spread the food out and often allow grilling too. Choose by how you like to cook.
How much space do I need?
Compare the grate diameter and height in the specs table with the spot where it will sit, leaving room around it.
The Short Version
For a full-size classic, the Weber 18-inch. For a smaller footprint, the Weber 14-inch. For a stated cooking area, the Char-Broil 16-inch. For a simple thermometer model, the Amazon Basics. For a light 3-layer unit, the VINGLI. For hanging meat, the VEVOR barrel.
