Masterbuilt 710 WiFi Digital Electric Smoker vs Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker
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Quick take: The Masterbuilt 710 WiFi Digital Electric Smoker costs $50 less; the Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker offers more cooking space (960 vs 710 sq in); the Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker reaches a higher max temp (375 vs 275°F).
| Spec | Masterbuilt 710 WiFi Digital Electric Smoker | Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$350 | ~$400 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Electric Smoker | Propane Smoker |
| Cooking Area | 710 sq in | 960 sq in |
| Max Temp | 275°F | 375°F |
| Fuel Type | Electric | Propane/Natural Gas |
| Build Material | Insulated Steel with Chrome-Coated Racks and Cast Iron Components | Insulated Steel with Chrome-Coated Racks |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | — | 1 |
| WiFi / App | Yes | No |
| App control | Yes | No |
| Meat probe | Yes | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | No | No |
| Dimensions | 22.3 x 22.9 x 40.6 in | 28.7 x 22.8 x 53 in |
| Weight | — | — |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Pros & cons
Masterbuilt 710 WiFi Digital Electric Smoker
- ✓Real WiFi rather than Bluetooth, so the cook is visible from anywhere with a connection, not just the back yard
- ✓Four-probe support is unusual at this price — enough to monitor a full rack load individually
- ✓Side wood-chip loader is retained, so smoke can be topped up without dropping cabinet temperature
- ✓Narrower 22-inch footprint than the 40-inch model while keeping four full racks, which suits a tight patio or balcony
- ✓Fully insulated body plus thermostatic control holds a set temperature within a few degrees for 12-plus hours unattended
- ✗710 sq in is 260 less than the 40-inch model at the same $350 price — you pay the difference in connectivity, not capacity
- ✗Still capped at 275°F, so skin never crisps and there is no sear stage
- ✗App reliability is the weak point of every connected cabinet in this class; a wired backup thermometer is still worth owning
- ✗1-year warranty, and the controller is the component most likely to fail
- ✗Chip tray gives thinner smoke than charcoal — expect a pale smoke ring compared with a drum or bullet
Masterbuilt 40-Inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker
- ✓The ThermoTemp thermostat regulates the burner automatically — the main reason to pick this over a manual-valve propane cabinet
- ✓375°F ceiling is 100°F above the electric cabinets, which is enough to actually crisp chicken and turkey skin
- ✓Runs off a standard 20 lb propane tank with no electricity, so it works at a campsite, a tailgate or during an outage
- ✓960 sq in over four racks matches the 40-inch electric for capacity
- ✓Fully insulated body plus gas heat recovers temperature far faster than electric after the door is opened
- ✓Side wood-chip loading means the door stays shut through the smoke phase
- ✗Propane cabinets are the least precise of the automated smokers — expect ±25°F swings even with the thermostat
- ✗No probes, no app, no digital readout; the door-mounted dial thermometer is the only feedback
- ✗A 20 lb tank runs roughly 18–24 hours at smoking temperature, so long cooks need a spare tank on hand
- ✗Wind affects the burner more than it affects an electric element — a sheltered spot matters
- ✗1-year warranty, and the gas valve assembly is the usual failure point