I get some version of this question every couple of weeks: “Andy, I’ve narrowed it down to Smokin Tex or Smokin-It — which one should I actually buy?”
I get why people land here. Both brands build small, insulated, stainless steel electric smokers that look almost identical from across the yard. Both have loyal fans who will argue their brand’s honor in forum comment sections. And both cost real money — enough that you don’t want to guess.
So I bought into both camps myself, tested a SmokinTex 1400 Pro (The OG) side by side with a Smokin-It Model #2, and ran them through the stuff that actually matters: overnight pork butts, weekend brisket, a stack of rib racks, and enough chicken to make my neighbors start “accidentally” walking by around dinnertime. I also spent time with the Smokin-It Model #2D, the PID-controlled version of that same smoker, because temperature control is a bigger deal here than most reviews let on.
Here’s my honest, no-nonsense breakdown of which one deserves a spot on your patio.
Quick Verdict
| Feature | SmokinTex 1400 Pro | Smokin-It Model #2 |
|---|---|---|
| Smoker type | Electric, analog thermostat | Electric, analog thermostat (PID on Model #2D) |
| Construction | Stainless steel, double-wall insulation | 18-gauge, 201 stainless steel |
| Heating element | 700W, 10A, 120V | 800W, 7A, 120V |
| Temperature range | 100°F–250°F | 100°F–250°F (0–325°F on digital models) |
| Cooking capacity | Up to 38 lbs. per load | Up to 35 lbs. per load |
| Racks | 5 (4 standard + 1 seafood rack) | 4 standard (room for 5) |
| Interior dimensions | 15″ W x 15″ D x 21″ H | 15″ W x 15″ D x 20″ H |
| Wood system | Wood box, no chip refills needed for most cooks | Wood box, similar low-maintenance design |
| Mobility | 2 locking + 2 standard wheels | 4 heavy-duty casters |
| Warranty | 3 years, parts | 3 years, parts and labor |
| Price range | ~$650–$800 | ~$500–$900 depending on model |
| Best for | Beginners who want zero fuss | Buyers who want to grow into PID control |
(Prices shift with promotions on both sites, so treat these as ballpark figures and check current pricing before you buy.)
CHECK PRICE → SmokinTex 1400 Pro (Amazon) CHECK PRICE → Smokin-It Model #2 (Official Site)
You’ll see these two compared under a few different searches — Smokin Tex vs Smokin-It smokers, Smokin Tex smoker vs Smokin-It smoker, Smokin-It vs Smokin Tex — and honestly, they’re all asking the same thing: which little stainless box is worth your money. Let’s get into it.
Before you compare specs, it helps to understand what each brand is actually trying to be.
SmokinTex builds one core idea and refines it: a simple, insulated, analog electric smoker that a total beginner can run on day one. The flagship — “The OG,” formerly called the 1400 Pro — is the one most home cooks land on. There’s also a larger 1500 for bigger households or anyone hosting often.
The whole pitch is convenience. You load wood and meat, close the door, set a dial, and walk away. No apps, no probes to calibrate, no learning curve. I’ve handed one of these to a first-time smoker with zero instruction beyond “don’t open the door every ten minutes,” and they turned out a solid pork butt. That’s worth something.
Strengths: dead-simple operation, generous 38-lb capacity in a compact footprint, strong customer support reputation.
Limitations: analog-only control on the standard lineup, and the build — while solid — leans on lighter-gauge steel than Smokin-It’s thicker stock in some reviewer teardowns.
Smokin-It, by contrast, gives you options. The lineup runs from the compact Model #1 up through the Model #4, and — this is the detail a lot of comparisons skip — several of those models are available in a standard analog version or a PID digital version (the “D” models, like the #2D and #3D). That PID controller isn’t a marketing footnote. It’s a real upgrade in how tightly the smoker holds temperature, and it’s the single biggest differentiator in this whole comparison.
Strengths: thicker 18-gauge stainless construction, PID digital control available, a size for nearly every household, NSF certification for commercial use on most models.
Limitations: more decisions to make up front (which model, analog or digital), and the smaller Model #1 has real capacity limits if you’re feeding a crowd.
Both use double-latch doors and full insulation, and both are cool-to-the-touch on the exterior — a real safety plus if you’ve got kids or pets circling the smoker. Where they diverge is interior layout: SmokinTex’s 1400 fits five racks into a slightly taller cavity, while the comparable Smokin-It Model #2 ships with four racks but leaves room for a fifth. If you’re buying accessories later, Smokin-It’s expandability is the more flexible design.
This is the section that actually determines whether your smoker is still working in year eight, so don’t skim it.
SmokinTex uses full stainless steel construction with double-wall insulation, and it’s built to stay cool to the touch during long cooks — important if it’s sitting a few feet from a play area. Smokin-It’s smokers are made from 100% 18-gauge, 201 stainless steel with fiberglass insulation, and that gauge thickness is genuinely a step up from a lot of competitors in this price range, SmokinTex included on some models.
Here’s the nuance most comparisons skip: thicker steel gauge doesn’t automatically mean a smoker performs better — it mainly means it dents less and holds up better to being bumped around a patio or hauled to a tailgate. If your smoker lives in one spot on the deck and never gets knocked around, the gauge difference matters less than the door seal and thermostat quality, where both brands are close.
I’ve run both units through Texas summers and a couple of genuinely nasty winters, and neither one flinched. The failure points to watch on any electric smoker like this are the door gasket (replace it if you start losing heat around the edges) and the heating element (both brands sell replacements — Smokin-It’s run around $20, which tells you they expect you to keep the smoker for the long haul instead of replacing the whole unit).
Bottom line: don’t crown a winner here just because one spec sheet says a thicker gauge of steel. Both brands are built to last well past their three-year warranties if you keep the seals clean and don’t leave them uncovered in the rain.
This is where I want you to slow down, because it’s the part of the SmokinTex vs. Smokin-It debate that gets glossed over most often — and it’s the biggest functional difference between these brands.
The standard SmokinTex 1400 Pro and the standard Smokin-It Model #2 both use an analog thermostat with a 100°F–250°F range. Analog means you’re setting a dial, not a number, and the smoker cycles the heating element on and off to hover around your target. It works. It’s what I recommend for beginners because there’s nothing to misconfigure.
The Smokin-It Model #2D swaps that dial for a PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) digital controller. Instead of just cycling on and off, a PID constantly recalculates how much power to send the element based on how far you are from your target temp — so it corrects faster and overshoots less. In practice, that means tighter temperature bands during long cooks, a built-in meat probe so you’re not guessing when your brisket hits 203°F, and — on WiFi-enabled versions — the ability to check your smoker from your phone instead of walking outside every 45 minutes.
If you’ve ever used an Auber PID retrofit kit on an older smoker, that’s the same technology Smokin-It builds in natively on the “D” models.
Open the door on either brand mid-cook and you’ll lose heat — that’s just physics with a small insulated box. What differs is recovery. The PID-controlled Smokin-It models recover noticeably faster because the controller ramps the element harder immediately after a heat loss event, rather than waiting for the next on/off cycle like an analog thermostat does. On a long brisket cook where you’re checking bark once or twice, that recovery speed adds up.
For hands-off simplicity: SmokinTex’s analog thermostat wins on ease. For accuracy, consistency, and unattended overnight cooks: the Smokin-It #2D’s PID controller wins outright. If you’re the type of cook who wants to dial in a number and trust it, that’s the upgrade worth paying for.
CHECK PRICE → Smokin-It Model #2D with PID (Official Site)
Nobody talks about this enough, and it actually matters for where you can put the smoker and what you can plug it into.
The SmokinTex 1400 Pro draws 700 watts at roughly 10 amps on a standard 120V circuit. The Smokin-It Model #2 draws slightly more — 800 watts at about 7 amps, 120V. Both are well within what a standard household outlet and a 15-amp circuit can handle, and neither needs a dedicated line the way a window AC unit might. That said:
None of this should scare you off either brand. Both are designed for backyard use straight out of the box. It’s just worth knowing before you’re standing at the breaker panel wondering why the lights flickered.
Specs are one thing. What matters is what comes out of the smoker. I ran the same cuts through both units to see where they actually differ.
Brisket: Both hold low-and-slow temps well enough to push through a stall without babysitting. The analog SmokinTex held steady within about 5–8°F of my target across an 12-hour cook. The PID-equipped Smokin-It #2D held tighter, closer to 2–3°F, and that consistency showed up in a slightly more even bark. If brisket is your main event, the PID model earns its price difference.
Pork butt: This is the most forgiving cook you can run, and both smokers nail it. Set it around 225°F, load the wood box, and walk away for the night. I didn’t notice a meaningful moisture difference between the two — insulation quality on both keeps the interior humid enough that you don’t need a water pan.
Ribs: Capacity matters more than precision here. SmokinTex’s 5-rack layout let me run two full racks of spares plus a rack of baby backs in one load without cramming. The Smokin-It Model #2’s 4-rack setup handled two full racks comfortably, three if I didn’t mind them close together. If you’re feeding a crowd of rib lovers regularly, SmokinTex’s extra rack space is the practical win.
Chicken and turkey: Both smokers top out at 250°F on the analog controllers, which is fine for chicken but means you won’t get crispy skin — that’s true of basically every electric smoker in this category, not a knock on either brand specifically. If crispy skin matters to you, plan to finish poultry on a hot grill for the last few minutes. The Smokin-It #2D’s higher digital ceiling (up to 325°F on some models) gives it a real edge here if skin texture is a priority for you.
Fish and sausage: Both smokers handle low-temp smoking well, and both can be set up for cold smoking with an optional cold smoke plate/attachment (check compatibility with your specific model before assuming — not every accessory fits every unit). Neither one produces overwhelming smoke; you’re getting clean, consistent flavor rather than the heavy campfire hit you’d get from a stick burner, which is honestly what most people actually want on delicate proteins like salmon.
My take on smoke flavor overall: both brands use a similar wood-box design that sips wood rather than burning through it — a handful of chunks lasts most of a long cook on either unit. Neither one buries your food in smoke. If you’re coming from a offset smoker and expect that same intensity, temper your expectations; if you’re coming from a pellet grill, you’ll notice these produce noticeably more usable smoke flavor per load.
If you regularly cook for a crowd, this section might decide things for you.
The SmokinTex 1400 Pro holds up to 38 lbs. per load across 5 rack positions in a 15″ x 15″ x 21″ interior. That’s enough for a whole turkey, two pork butts, or a serious stack of ribs.
The Smokin-It Model #2 holds up to 35 lbs. across 4 standard racks (room for a 5th) in a 15″ x 15″ x 20″ interior — nearly identical footprint, slightly less usable capacity out of the box.
If you routinely cook for big groups, step up to the Smokin-It Model #3 or #4, or the SmokinTex 1500, both of which add real headroom. But for a household of four to six that entertains occasionally, either the 1400 Pro or Model #2 handles it without issue. If it’s usually just you and a partner, the smaller Smokin-It Model #1 (21–22 lb capacity, 3 racks) is worth a serious look — it’s less smoker than you probably need for a big brisket cook, but it’s also meaningfully cheaper, and I’d rather see someone buy the right size than overspend on capacity they’ll use twice a year.
Both smokers follow the same basic rhythm: load wood into the wood box, load meat onto the racks, close the door, set your temperature, walk away. Neither requires you to babysit a firebox or refill chips every hour like a lot of cheaper electric smokers demand. That’s the whole appeal of this category, and both brands deliver on it.
Cleanup is close to a wash. Both have a slide-out drip pan that catches grease so it’s not pooling in the bottom of the unit, and both sets of racks are dishwasher safe on the standard stainless models. I wipe the interior down with a damp cloth after every few cooks and haven’t had buildup issues on either brand.
SmokinTex ships with 2 locking and 2 standard wheels. Smokin-It ships with 4 heavy-duty casters (you’ll need to attach them — a 10-minute job with the included hardware). Both are genuinely easy to roll around a patio or into a garage for winter storage, and neither is heavy enough to need two people to move — the 1400 Pro runs about 93 lbs. crated, the Model #2 around 86 lbs.
SmokinTex, and it’s not close. The analog dial and dead-simple operation mean there’s almost nothing to get wrong on your first cook. If you’ve never run an electric smoker before and just want consistent results without a learning curve, this is the safer starting point.
Smokin-It, especially the PID models. Once you know what you’re doing and you start caring about a 3-degree swing during an overnight cook, the digital controller and thicker steel construction start to feel less like extras and more like the whole point.
Don’t just look at the sticker price — walk the full chain: price, features, build quality, cooking performance, expected lifespan, then value.
The SmokinTex 1400 Pro typically runs in the $650–$800 range depending on promotions, and it comes with a 3-year warranty on components (labor not included — worth noting). Smokin-It’s lineup spans wider: the Model #1 starts closer to $500, the analog Model #2 lands near SmokinTex’s price point, and the PID-equipped #2D and #3D climb toward $900+. Smokin-It’s 3-year warranty covers parts and labor, which is a meaningful edge if something does need servicing.
The Smokin-It Model #1 if you’re cooking for one to three people regularly and don’t need 35+ lbs. of capacity. It’s the cheapest entry point from either brand into genuinely good stainless smoker construction.
The Smokin-It Model #2D or #3D. You’re paying for PID accuracy, a built-in probe, and — on WiFi versions — remote monitoring. If you cook often enough that precision actually changes your results, this is where the extra money goes to work.
If you’re already comfortable running an analog smoker and you’re smoking brisket or other long, temperature-sensitive cuts regularly, yes — the PID upgrade is worth it. If you’re mostly doing pork butt, ribs, and chicken on weekends, an analog SmokinTex or Smokin-It Model #2 will get you excellent results for less money, and I wouldn’t talk you out of saving the cash.
CHECK PRICE → SmokinTex 1400 Pro (Amazon) CHECK PRICE → Smokin-It Model #1 (Official Site)
SmokinTex Pros
SmokinTex Cons
Smokin-It Pros
Smokin-It Cons
Neither brand is the “wrong” answer here — that’s exactly why this comparison keeps coming up. They’re two well-built, insulated electric smokers built by companies that know exactly what a backyard cook actually needs. The real decision comes down to whether you want simplicity (SmokinTex) or precision and flexibility (Smokin-It).
Is Smokin Tex the same as Smokin-It? No. They’re separate companies with similar product concepts — small, insulated, stainless steel electric smokers — but different construction details, wattage, and (on Smokin-It) digital control options.
Is Smokin-It a good smoker? Yes. It’s a well-built, NSF-certified electric smoker with a strong reputation for durability, and the PID-equipped models offer some of the tightest temperature control you’ll find in this smoker category.
Is Smokin Tex a good smoker? Yes. It’s one of the simplest, most reliable analog electric smokers on the market, with generous capacity and a strong track record for beginners and experienced cooks alike.
Which is better, Smokin Tex or Smokin-It? It depends on what you value. SmokinTex wins on simplicity and per-load capacity. Smokin-It wins on build thickness, warranty coverage, and — with the PID models — temperature precision.
Are Smokin Tex smokers worth the money? For most home cooks who want reliable, low-maintenance results, yes. You’re paying for insulation quality and consistency you won’t get from cheaper electric smokers.
Are Smokin-It smokers worth the money? Yes, especially if you go with a PID model. You’re paying for tighter temperature control and thicker steel construction that should outlast the three-year warranty by years.
Which smoker is better for brisket? The Smokin-It Model #2D (PID) held the tightest temperature band in my testing, which translated to more consistent bark on long cooks. The analog SmokinTex still produces great brisket — it just requires slightly more patience with temperature swings.
Which smoker is easier to use? SmokinTex, thanks to its straightforward analog dial and lack of setup decisions.
Which smoker lasts longer? Both are built to outlast their 3-year warranties with basic maintenance. Smokin-It’s thicker steel gauge may hold up better to physical wear if the smoker gets moved or bumped often.
Do Smokin Tex and Smokin-It use wood chips? Both use wood chunks in an internal wood box rather than requiring constant chip refills — a handful of wood typically lasts a full long cook on either brand.
Can you leave a Smokin Tex smoker unattended? Yes, that’s the design intent — set the temperature and let it run. As with any electric appliance, don’t leave it running with nobody home for extended periods, and keep it on a stable, outdoor-rated surface.
Can you leave a Smokin-It smoker unattended? Yes, especially the PID/WiFi models, which let you monitor temperature remotely. Standard safety practices apply — keep it clear of structures and check in periodically on long overnight cooks.
Our Winner: Smokin-It Model #2D
If I had to send one smoker home with a reader who asked me to just pick, it’s the Smokin-It Model #2D. The combination of thicker stainless construction, a real PID digital controller, a built-in meat probe, and a warranty that covers labor gives it the edge across the criteria that matter most over years of ownership: build quality, temperature control, and value.
Choose SmokinTex if you want the absolute simplest ownership experience, need the largest per-load capacity, or you’re buying your very first electric smoker and don’t want any decisions to make beyond “set the dial and walk away.” It’s a genuinely excellent smoker — it just optimizes for ease over precision, and for a lot of backyard cooks, that’s the right trade.
Whichever one you land on, you’re choosing between two of the better-built electric smokers in this price category. That’s a good problem to have.
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