Masterbuilt 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker vs Pit Boss 42-Inch Digital Vertical Smoker with Wi-Fi
vs
Quick take: The Masterbuilt 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker costs $50 less; the Pit Boss 42-Inch Digital Vertical Smoker with Wi-Fi offers more cooking space (1,320 vs 970 sq in); the Pit Boss 42-Inch Digital Vertical Smoker with Wi-Fi reaches a higher max temp (300 vs 275°F).
| Spec | Masterbuilt 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker | Pit Boss 42-Inch Digital Vertical Smoker with Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$350 | ~$400 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Electric Smoker | Electric Smoker |
| Cooking Area | 970 sq in | 1320 sq in |
| Max Temp | 275°F | 300°F |
| Fuel Type | Electric | Electric |
| Build Material | Insulated Steel with Chrome-Coated Racks | Steel with Porcelain-Coated Racks |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | No | Yes |
| App control | No | Yes |
| Meat probe | Yes | Yes |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | No | No |
| Dimensions | 25.6 x 19.9 x 41.3 in | — |
| Weight | — | — |
| Warranty | 1 year | 3 years |
Pros & cons
Masterbuilt 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker
- ✓970 sq in over four racks is roughly double the 30-inch model — eight pork butts or sixteen chickens in one load
- ✓The patented side wood-chip loader adds chips without opening the door, so the cabinet does not dump heat every 45 minutes
- ✓Thermostatic control down to 100°F makes it genuinely usable for sausage, jerky and fish, which charcoal smokers struggle to hold
- ✓Fully insulated body means cold-weather performance is far better than an uninsulated bullet or drum
- ✓Plug-in operation — no fuel to buy, no ash to clean, no fire to manage
- ✗275°F ceiling means no crisp poultry skin and no searing; anything needing 300°F-plus has to finish in an oven or on a grill
- ✗Electric element smoke is thin — the smoke ring and bark are noticeably lighter than charcoal or a stick burner produces
- ✗1-year warranty is the shortest in this comparison set
- ✗Chip tray needs reloading roughly every 45–60 minutes for the first few hours; a cold-smoke attachment is a separate purchase
- ✗Needs a dedicated 120V outlet within reach and is not usable where there is no power
Pit Boss 42-Inch Digital Vertical Smoker with Wi-Fi
- ✓1,320 sq in for $400 is the best capacity-per-dollar of any electric cabinet in this set
- ✓300°F ceiling is above Masterbuilt's 275°F, which makes poultry noticeably less rubbery
- ✓The 100°F floor covers cold-ish work — jerky, sausage, nuts, cheese in cool weather
- ✓WiFi plus Bluetooth with an included probe at a price where most competitors are still analog
- ✓3-year warranty is triple Masterbuilt's 1-year on comparable cabinets
- ✓1,650-watt element recovers cabinet temperature faster after a door opening than lower-wattage rivals
- ✗Pit Boss's own page is inconsistent about rack count — the spec block says four, the feature copy says six; confirm before buying for a specific load
- ✗Still an electric element, so the smoke ring and bark are lighter than charcoal or pellets produce
- ✗No searing and no high-heat finish at 300°F
- ✗Chip tray needs topping up through the smoke phase; there is no automated fuel feed
- ✗Dimensions and weight are unpublished and a 42-inch cabinet is tall — check clearance under a patio cover