Offset vs Vertical Smokers: 6 Top 2025 Models You Might Not Know About

When you’re serious about BBQ, your smoker choice affects everything: the flavor, how you cook, and how much you need to manage the fire. Often, top-tier smokers aren’t available at your local big-box store. Some pitmasters prefer the tradition of an offset smoker. Others like the convenience of a modern pellet unit. Some want the thermal efficiency and moisture control of a vertical cabinet smoker.

In this updated guide, we compare six of the best smokers available today.

These smokers include top options in offset, gravity-fed, water, pellet, and drum styles. There’s something here for every skill level, cooking style, and budget.

Smoker Comparison: Top Models Side-by-Side

1. Myron Mixon BARQ 3600 Gen 3.0 – Wood Pellet Smoker

• Fuel: Wood Pellets
• Capacity: 3600 sq. in.
• Insulated: ✅
• Control: Digital PID Controller
• Ease of Use: ★★★★★ (Set-it-and-forget-it)
• Best For: Large events, commercial cooks, competition teams

Why Buy It?
This smoker is built for volume and consistency. It’s the Cadillac of pellet smokers: high-tech, very reliable, and made for serious cooks who need to produce a lot of food.

2. G2 Fatboy – Backwoods Vertical Charcoal Water Smoker

• Fuel: Charcoal + Water Pan
• Capacity: 1452 sq. in.
• Insulated: ✅
• Control: Manual Air Vents
• Ease of Use: ★★★★☆ (Traditional feel)
• Best For: Hardcore BBQ fans and competition practice

Why Buy It?
This classic vertical water smoker makes brisket and ribs incredibly moist. It’s great for long, steady cooks with very little temperature change.

3. Insulated Charcoal Gravity Smoker – Old Country BBQ Pits

• Fuel: Gravity-fed charcoal
• Capacity: 1800 sq. in.
• Insulated: ✅
• Control: Manual Dampers
• Ease of Use: ★★★★☆ (Some tending required)
• Best For: Pitmasters who appreciate hands-on fire control

Why Buy It?
This model combines gravity-fed charcoal with heavy steel construction. It burns fuel efficiently and gives you classic flavor, but doesn’t require as much attention as an offset smoker.

4. Smokin Brothers Inferno Pellet Smoker

• Fuel: Wood Pellets
• Capacity: 1734 sq. in.
• Insulated: ✅
• Control: Digital PID + WiFi
• Ease of Use: ★★★★★
• Best For: Backyard cooks who want tech + performance

Why Buy It?
This smoker is tough, innovative, and ready for competitions. You can monitor it live, control it remotely, and count on steady temperatures, which is perfect for busy cooks.

5. Gateway Charcoal Drum Smoker® SIZZLE 55G

• Fuel: Charcoal
• Capacity: 1650 sq. in.
• Insulated: ❌
• Control: Manual airflow
• Ease of Use: ★★★★☆
• Best For: Fast cooks, high-heat searing, compact patios

Why Buy It?
Drum smokers are known for their speed and great flavor. The 55G is perfect for cooking ribs and chicken quickly, and it fits well on small patios.

6. Old Country BBQ Pit G2 24×48 Offset Smoker

• Fuel: Wood + Charcoal
• Capacity: 1,765+ sq. in. on dual slide-out racks
• Insulated: 🔥 Firebox only (triple-layer insulated)
• Control: Classic offset airflow management
• Ease of Use: ★★★★☆ (Beginner-friendly for an offset)
• Best For: Traditionalists, brisket purists, and anyone who wants true offset flavor with modern thermal efficiency

Why Buy It?
The G2 24×48 is a larger, more advanced version of the original Old Country G2. It’s made for pitmasters who want true stick-burner flavor without having to watch the fire constantly. If you want the classic taste of an offset smoker, with rich blue smoke, traditional fire control, and great bark, the G2 24×48 delivers. It uses less fuel, holds heat better, and is built to last longer than the truck it came home in.

Which Smoker Should You Choose?

If you want this… → Choose this…

True Texas Offset Flavor + Heavy Steel - Old Country G2 24×48 Offset Smoker

Set-and-Forget Convenience + High Tech - Myron Mixon BARQ 3600 or Smokin Brothers Inferno

Classic Smokehouse Moisture + Water Pan Cooking - Backwoods G2 Fatboy

Efficient Charcoal Burns + Traditional Fire Control - Old Country Gravity Smoker

Fast, Portable, High-Heat Cooking - Gateway Drum SIZZLE 55G

Feeding Large Crowds or Competitions - Myron Mixon BARQ 3600

Best for Small Patios / Tight Spaces - Gateway 55G or Smokin Brothers Inferno

Final Thoughts

There’s no wrong choice here. The best smoker is the one that fits your style.
If you want real offset wood flavor, the Old Country G2 24×48 is now one of the toughest and best-performing stick-burners out there. For hands-off cooking, pick a pellet smoker, like the Myron Mixon BARQ 3600. For moisture and classic competition flavor, try a vertical smoker, Backwoods G2 Fatboy . If you want speed, go with a drum. Gateway Drum SIZZLE 55G  If you’re looking for something different, check out the Fire Goddess Smoker Collection. Sizes from the small Gateway GO2 and Backwoods Little Chubby to the huge Backwoods Whole Hog XL and Smokin Brothers Commercial Big Red Trailer.

No matter which smoker you choose, investing in a quality model means better flavor, more control, and weekends you’ll be excited about.