Electric vs Pellet Smoker: Which Should You Choose? (October 2026)

On this page (7 sections)

1. Electric vs pellet smoker: what is the main difference?
2. Which one gives you the flavor you want?
3. Which smoker is simpler to operate?
4. How much cooking space do you need?
5. What fuel and setup should you plan for?
6. Which option fits your cooking habits?
7. What should you choose: electric or pellet smoker?

Choose an electric smoker for straightforward wood-chip smoking and a pellet smoker for hardwood-pellet flavor with grill options. In an electric vs pellet smoker comparison, the key difference is how each cooker creates and manages heat and smoke.

Electric smokers use electricity and commonly add wood chips for smoke flavor. Pellet cookers burn compressed hardwood pellets and may combine smoking with grilling, baking or roasting.

The Masterbuilt and EAST OAK are vertical electric smokers. The Traeger Pro 22 is a pellet grill and smoker, while Traeger Signature Blend pellets are fuel for a compatible pellet cooker.

Electric vs pellet smoker: what is the main difference?

An electric smoker uses electric heat and wood chips, while a pellet smoker burns hardwood pellets. Both need a power connection in these examples, so consider the fuel routine as well as the outlet.

The Masterbuilt has digital controls for cooking temperature and time, plus a side wood chip loader. The EAST OAK also has digital controls and a side chip loader, with a built-in meat probe.

The Traeger Pro 22 uses pellets in an 18 lb hopper. Its Digital Pro Controller is designed to manage temperature, and the grill also offers cooking modes beyond smoking.

If you are still deciding what type of smoker is best, start with how much you want to tend the fuel and whether you want a smoker-only cabinet or a grill-and-smoker combination.

Which one gives you the flavor you want?

Choose a pellet smoker for hardwood pellets as the main fuel; choose an electric chip smoker if you prefer adding wood chips to an electric cooker. Neither fuel choice guarantees a specific taste, since wood type and the food you cook both matter.

Traeger Signature Blend combines hickory, maple and cherry hardwoods. That blend is intended for use in pellet grills and smokers, including foods such as beef, poultry, pork, seafood and vegetables.

Electric smokers give you a different routine: add wood chips through the side loader on these Masterbuilt and EAST OAK models. The side access lets you add chips without opening the main cooking door.

For a more detailed comparison with charcoal, see pellet grill vs charcoal grill. If you are choosing between electric heat and a wood fire, our electric smoker vs wood smoker comparison covers that decision.

Which smoker is simpler to operate?

Electric smokers suit cooks who want to set time and temperature on a digital panel; pellet grills add a hopper and pellet supply to manage. Both approaches can reduce the need to tend a charcoal fire.

The Masterbuilt's digital panel controls on, temperature and time. Its fully insulated body is designed to retain heat, and its thermostat controls temperature.

The EAST OAK adds a built-in meat probe that tracks internal temperature. Its controls let you set time and temperature, and it can stop automatically and switch to keep-warm mode when the target time is reached.

The Traeger Pro 22 uses a Digital Pro Controller and an 18 lb hopper. A pellet grill also needs the right pellets available, and you'll need to keep the hopper supplied for the cook.

For the basics, read what a pellet smoker is. If electric is your likely choice, Best Electric Smoker For Beginners can help you compare entry-level features.

How much cooking space do you need?

The EAST OAK lists 725 sq in of cooking area, while the Traeger Pro 22 lists 572 sq in. The Masterbuilt's listed area is 710 cooking sq in, but a vertical cabinet and a grill surface use space differently.

The Masterbuilt's vertical layout has four chrome-coated racks. Its description gives examples of multiple chickens, turkeys, ribs or pork butts, though the actual fit depends on food size and rack arrangement.

The EAST OAK has four removable racks and 725 sq in of cooking area. The Pro 22's 572 sq in suits cooks who want a grill surface as well as a smoker.

Don't compare area alone. A vertical smoker can separate food across shelves, while a pellet grill gives you a horizontal cooking surface for grilling and smoking.

What fuel and setup should you plan for?

Electric smokers need a suitable power connection and wood chips, while pellet cookers need power and hardwood pellets. Check your outdoor space and fuel storage before choosing.

Both electric models here are powered by electricity. The Masterbuilt is corded electric, and the EAST OAK is electric; neither removes the need to place the smoker where its power requirements can be met.

The Traeger Pro 22 is also corded electric, despite burning wood pellets. That means you should plan for both a power connection and a dry place to keep pellets.

The Traeger Signature Blend bag is 18 lb. Its hickory, maple and cherry blend can cover a range of foods, but choose pellets that are compatible with your cooker.

Which option fits your cooking habits?

Pick an electric smoker for chip-based smoking with digital controls; pick a pellet smoker if you also want grill-style cooking. Your usual meals and available room are better guides than the fuel label alone.

Choose the Masterbuilt® 30-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker if you want a vertical cabinet with digital controls and a side chip loader. Its four racks make it a practical match for cooks who often smoke several cuts at once.

Choose the EAST OAK 30" Electric Smoker for Outdoors if you value a built-in meat probe and a larger listed cooking area. The side chip loader allows chip refills without opening the main door.

Choose the Traeger Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill if smoking is only one part of your outdoor cooking. It also supports grilling, baking, roasting, braising and BBQ.

The Traeger Signature Blend Wood Pellets for Pellet are for cooks who already have a compatible pellet grill or smoker. The hickory, maple and cherry blend gives you one fuel option to try across meat, seafood and vegetables.

What should you choose: electric or pellet smoker?

Choose electric if you want a vertical chip smoker with digital temperature and time controls; choose pellets if you want hardwood-pellet fuel and grill functions. The electric vs pellet smoker decision is mostly about cooking style, space and the fuel routine you want to keep.

For a closer look at charcoal versus electric, see charcoal vs electric smoker. If you are considering a Traeger, compare the Traeger Woodridge vs Woodridge Pro to see how another pellet grill choice differs.

Pick the Masterbuilt for a straightforward vertical layout, the EAST OAK for its probe and larger area, or the Traeger Pro 22 when grilling matters alongside smoking.

Frequently asked questions

Is an electric smoker better than a pellet smoker?

An electric smoker may suit you better if you want digital controls and wood-chip flavor in a vertical cabinet. A pellet smoker may fit better if you want hardwood pellets and grill functions alongside smoking.

Compare the exact models for size, cooking area, fuel handling and power needs before choosing.

Does a pellet smoker need electricity?

Many pellet cookers use electricity to run their controls and feed system, so pellet fuel does not mean they are power-free. The Traeger Pro 22 is corded electric and burns wood pellets.

Check the setup instructions for any model you are considering.

Do electric smokers use wood pellets?

The electric smokers in this comparison use wood chips, while the pellet grill burns hardwood pellets. Electric describes the power source or heat control, not necessarily the smoke fuel.

Check each model's fuel type before buying so you have the right supplies.

Can a pellet smoker grill food?

Some pellet smokers also work as grills. The Traeger Pro 22 is described for grilling, smoking, baking, roasting, braising and BBQ, with a temperature range of 180°F to 450°F.

A dedicated electric cabinet smoker may be a better fit if smoking is your main goal.

Which smoker is easier for a beginner?

Either can be manageable for a beginner if its controls and fuel routine suit you. Electric models offer digital time and temperature settings, while a pellet grill adds pellet supply and grill functions to consider.

See our beginner electric smoker guide for a closer look at that style.