Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker vs Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800
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Quick take: The Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker costs $400 less; the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 offers more cooking space (800 vs 710 sq in); the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 reaches a higher max temp (700 vs 275°F).
| Spec | Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker | Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $649 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (12,000) | 4.4★ (3,600) |
| Type | Electric Smoker | Electric Smoker |
| Cooking Area | 710 sq in | 800 sq in |
| Max Temp | 275°F | 700°F |
| Fuel Type | Electric | Wood/Charcoal |
| Build Material | Powder-Coated Steel | Powder-Coated Steel |
| Hopper Capacity | Wood chip tray | 16 lb |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | No | Yes |
| App control | No | Yes |
| Meat probe | Yes | Yes |
| PID controller | Yes | Yes |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 20.5 x 20 x 33 in | 53 x 33 x 50 in |
| Weight | 46 lbs | 146 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Pros & cons
Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker
- ✓It's the most foolproof way to smoke - just set the temp and time digitally, load chips, and walk away; perfect for total beginners
- ✓The patented side wood-chip loader lets you add chips without opening the door and losing heat and smoke
- ✓710 sq in over four racks fits a surprising amount - multiple racks of ribs, several chickens, or pork butts
- ✓The insulated cabinet holds steady low temps reliably, even in cooler weather, with very little fuss
- ✓At ~$250 it's inexpensive and includes a meat probe for monitoring internal temp
- ✓It's electric, so no fire-tending, charcoal, or propane - just plug it into a standard outlet
- ✓It's light at ~46 lbs and compact, easy to store or move on a balcony or small patio
- ✓Cold-smoking cheese and fish is easy at its low minimum temp, expanding what you can make
- ✗It tops out at 275°F, so it can't crisp poultry skin or sear anything - you finish those in an oven or on a grill
- ✗Smoke flavor from chips is milder than charcoal or wood, and purists find it lacks the depth of a real fire
- ✗The cheap chip tray produces inconsistent smoke and many owners add an aftermarket cold-smoke tube for steadier output
- ✗Build quality is budget - the thin door seal, latches, and racks are common early failure points
- ✗The 1-year warranty is short, and the heating element or controller can fail after a couple seasons
- ✗It needs an electrical outlet, limiting where you can place it and making it useless off-grid
- ✗The non-WiFi model has no app, so you check it manually unless you buy the Bluetooth/WiFi version
- ✗The window models can be hard to see through once the glass smoke-coats, and the door doesn't always seal tightly
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800
- ✓It gives you real charcoal flavor with set-and-forget digital convenience - the fan-driven controller holds temp automatically like a pellet grill but burns lump or briquettes
- ✓It's wildly versatile, going from a 225°F low-and-slow smoke to a 700°F sear, and the included griddle insert turns it into a flat-top
- ✓The gravity-fed hopper holds up to ~16 lbs of briquettes for roughly 8+ hours of unattended cooking
- ✓The digital controller and Masterbuilt app let you set and monitor temps and probe alerts from your phone
- ✓It reaches genuine searing temps that pellet grills can't, so steaks and burgers get a real crust
- ✓800 sq in of cooking space plus the griddle option make it a true do-it-all charcoal cooker
- ✓At ~$650 it's a lot of capability and charcoal flavor for the money versus separate grill and smoker
- ✓It heats up fast - charcoal lights and reaches temp quicker than a traditional charcoal smoker
- ✗Reliability is the big knock - the control board, fan, and temperature sensors are known to fail, sometimes within the first year
- ✗The thin sheet-metal body and gaskets leak and wear, so many owners reseal it to hold temps and protect the electronics
- ✗The 1-year warranty is short for a $650 cooker with so many failure-prone electronic parts
- ✗It still needs power for the fan and controller, so it's not a true off-grid charcoal cooker
- ✗Ash and charcoal management is messier than a pellet grill, and the hopper/firebox area needs regular cleaning to run right
- ✗Smoke flavor, while real charcoal, can be lighter than a traditional offset unless you add wood chunks to the hopper or ash bin
- ✗The app and WiFi can be glitchy, dropping the connection mid-cook like many smart grills
- ✗Rain and moisture can wreak havoc on the electronics and charcoal, so it really needs a cover and dry storage