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Nothing beats a summer barbecue.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that summertime barbecue season means grilling only. It's also the perfect time to hook up the electric smoker. Sure, smoking may not be Kitchen Skills: 101 knowledge, but with the right tools, it's not nearly as complicated as you may think—and it's certainly an excellent way to add complexity and flavor to any meal. If you're new to using electric smokers, we have plenty of guides, including everything you need to know for smoking meat and the best meats to smoke. But, smokers aren't just for meat—they can be used for almost any ingredient, from corn (case in point, this smoked corn on the cob) to salmon (smoked and cured salmon with orange zest, anyone?).

To get you going, we've rounded up the best electric smokers on the market. And, make sure to also check out our picks for the best meat thermometers and the best wood chips for smoking meat.

We pored over reviews and asked grilling expert Robyn Lindar of GrillGirl for advice while putting together this list. From small to large and digital to analog, we included a variety of electric smokers to fit a wide range of lifestyles and needs. We looked for electric smokers that aren't just well-reviewed, but also have important features like hefty insulation and temperature controls or thermometers, in addition to special features like windows to watch your food (impatiently) while it cooks, or the ability to connect to a smartphone app. Whatever you want, we've got the best pick for you. Now, let's get smoking.

You can't go wrong with the insulated, double-walled Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker. The large glass door allows you to monitor the cooking process, which keeps smoke and heat from escaping. It also has a 725-square-inch capacity with four adjustable and removable racks.

"I wrote my cookbook about electric smoking on a Masterbuilt, they are the best in the electric smokers as far as I'm concerned," said Robyn Lindar, publisher and editor-in-chief of Grill Girl. The fully-insulated Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker features a patented wood chip loading system, a thermostat for temperature control, and four smoking racks.

The Cuisinart Electric Smoker has 548 square inches of cooking space divided among three stainless-steel racks. It's capable of reaching temperatures of 100°F to 400°F with its 1500-watt heating coil, and the temperature can easily be adjusted with a dial-style thermostat. "I used this smoker for the first time in 17°F weather, and I've gotta say it got to temp quickly and stayed there thanks to the insulated body, which I would consider a huge selling point with a unit like this," said one reviewer.

The Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker has an insulated cooking chamber and temperature gauge, along with an aluminized steel water pan that keeps meat moist. And, the three chrome-plated cooking grates provide 544 square inches of cooking space. "This little electric smoker is so incredibly easy to use that it’s a life changer," said one reviewer, who likes its portability and how easy it is to clean.

With a double-walled insulated carbon-steel construction, the Bradley electric smoker is made to last. It has a large 573-square-inch capacity and four racks, in addition to a hopper that holds up to nine hours-worth of Wood Smoking Bisquettes, which come n a variety of flavors. "The cabinet is light and generously sized, with sturdy wire trays inside," said one reviewer. "The smoke generator works perfectly, and cycles a new bisquette onto the burner every 20 minutes."

When it comes to smoking, Grill Girl's Robyn Lindar is also a big fan of pellet grills, which can be used to smoke, grill, and even bake foods just like an oven. While traditional electric smokers use wood chips, pellet grills utilize wood pellets to conduct heat and smoke.

"I recommend Green Mountain Grills if you want to get into smoking with push-button simplicity," she said, adding that the machine also offers traditional grill features. This pellet grill has windows so you can keep an eye on your meal while it's cooking, in addition to the ability to connect to a smartphone app.