This is our shortlist of the grills and smokers worth watching when Black Friday (November 27, 2026) and Cyber Monday (November 30, 2026) arrive — 10 research-led picks across pellet, charcoal, offset, electric and propane, each checked against its maker’s current product page and the CPSC recall database in September 2026, plus an honest guide to telling a genuine deal from a fake one.
This guide works a little differently from a typical “deals” page. We don’t quote live prices or count down to a sale. Instead we tell you honestly which grills and smokers are worth watching for when the sales start, what separates a real deal from a marketing wrapper, and the buying considerations that matter however deep the discount runs. Think of it as the shopping list to have ready before the sales hit, drawn from the picks in our individual grill and smoker guides. Here’s how we choose.
Our top picks at a glance
- Best overall: Weber Searwood 600
- Best for searing: Pit Boss Sportsman 850
- Best overall charcoal smoker: Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18″
- Best easiest gift: Masterbuilt 30″ Digital Electric Smoker
- Best set-and-forget charcoal: Pit Barrel Cooker 18.5″ Classic Premiere
- Best for leveling up: Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Classic Offset
- Best big-capacity offset: Char-Griller Grand Champ Offset Smoker (model 8250)
- Best buy-once splurge: Yoder Loaded Wichita
- Best dual-door propane: Dyna-Glo 36″ Dual-Door LP
- Best simple propane gift: Masterbuilt Two-Door 30″ Propane Smoker
When do Black Friday grill and smoker deals typically start?
Black Friday falls on November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday on November 30, 2026. Check each retailer’s own announced sale dates, and judge each listing on its own price history rather than on the calendar.
How to spot a genuine deal (not just a red banner)
A few honest signals separate a real deal from a marketing wrapper:
Check the price history, not just the “was” price on the tag. Where a price-tracking tool covers the exact listing, its history can show whether the price has genuinely moved to a new low, or whether the “original” price rose shortly before the “sale” began.
Ignore manufactured pressure. If a listing shows an on-page timer that quietly resets, a scarcity banner that never changes, or a daily-deal badge that reappears the next morning, treat it as marketing, not as evidence of a genuine low.
Match the exact model number. A familiar name can cover more than one variant, so check the model number and what’s in the box before you compare prices.
Watch for bundle padding and “compare-at” games. A cover, a tool set or a bag of pellets thrown in can make a markdown look bigger than it is, and check how the retailer defines any “compare at” figure.
Check the seller, not just the price. Look at who is actually selling the listing, whether they’re an authorized seller for the brand, and whether the manufacturer warranty and the return terms apply to that purchase.
Weigh the whole picture. A grill with free shipping, a strong manufacturer warranty and a clear return window at a modest markdown can be a better buy than a deeper discount on a model with a weak warranty or restrictive return terms — worth checking before any holiday purchase.
Remember last year’s model. When a maker updates a model, compare the exact specs of the outgoing and new versions; the outgoing one can be worth checking in a sale.
What to look for, whatever you’re buying
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or buying a grill or smoker as a gift, a few fundamentals hold across every category below.
Fuel type and how hands-on the cook wants to be. Check each model’s control type on its maker’s page before you buy, and match the fuel to the person, not just the price.
Cooking area versus footprint. A bigger number isn’t automatically better — check it’ll actually fit the patio or balcony it’s headed for, and that the household cooks enough to fill it.
Temperature range and control. Compare the temperature range and how it’s controlled (a PID pellet controller, a digital electric panel, a water pan on a charcoal smoker).
Warranty and brand support. Check the warranty terms and parts support for the exact model before you buy; a deeper discount is worth less if the maker’s support is weak.
Price bands, not price promises. We show qualitative price bands (our ladder: under $50 · $50–150 · $150–300 · $300–700 · $700–1,500 · $1,500+) rather than numbers that go stale the moment a sale starts or ends — tap through to check the current price yourself.
The 10 best grills & smokers to watch in the sales for 2026
Each pick was checked against its maker’s current product page and the CPSC recall database in September 2026; earlier picks we couldn’t confirm that way came off the list rather than being swapped for anything unverified. Ranked loosely by cooker type, but every entry names exactly who it’s for — skip to the fuel type and price band that fits your list.
Transparency first: This guide contains affiliate links. If we’re enrolled in an affiliate program, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it never affects how we research or rank. Read our full affiliate disclosure policy.
1. Weber Searwood 600
What it is: Weber’s pellet grill built around what Weber calls a full-grate sear zone and DirectFlame™ cooking.
Best for: the splurge (for yourself or as a gift) for someone who wants to smoke, sear and roast on one pellet grill.
Why we rate it: Weber lists a 180–600°F range, a full-grate sear zone, a Rapid React™ PID controller and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity with the Weber Connect™ app, fed from a 20 lb hopper.
Watch-outs: it’s one of the pricier picks here, and Weber lists it at about 125 lb, so plan where it will live.
Pellet · 648 sq in total (420 main + 228 upper) · 180–600°F · 20 lb hopper · Wi-Fi + Bluetooth · $700–1,500
2. Pit Boss Sportsman 850
What it is: an 8-in-1 pellet grill with a Flame Broiler™ lever for direct-flame searing.
Best for: the cook who wants sear marks and low-and-slow smoking from one pellet grill.
Why we rate it: Pit Boss lists 849 sq in of cooking space, a 21 lb hopper, a 180–500°F range, Wi-Fi + Bluetooth connectivity, and a Flame Broiler lever it rates for a direct-flame sear up to 1,000°F, backed by a 5-year warranty.
Watch-outs: it sits in the same price band as the Searwood, so compare the two on the features you’ll actually use; Pit Boss includes one meat probe.
Pellet · 849 sq in · 180–500°F (Flame Broiler sear to 1,000°F) · 21 lb hopper · Wi-Fi + Bluetooth · $700–1,500
3. Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18″
What it is: a charcoal smoker with a water pan that Weber says helps regulate the temperature.
Best for: gifting a first “real” smoker to someone willing to learn a little charcoal fire management.
Why we rate it: Weber lists two cooking grates (481 sq in in total), four adjustable dampers, a built-in lid thermometer, and a porcelain-enameled lid, bowl and center section that it says won’t rust or peel, with a 10-year no-rust-through/burn-through warranty on those parts.
Watch-outs: budget a little time to learn a chimney and the four dampers before the first cook.
Charcoal · 481 sq in / 2 grates · water pan + built-in thermometer · $300–700
4. Masterbuilt 30″ Digital Electric Smoker (MB20071117)
What it is: an insulated plug-in cabinet: set the cooking time and temperature on the digital panel.
Best for: an easy smoker to give as a gift: plug it in and cook, with Masterbuilt’s patented side wood-chip loader so no one has to open the door to add chips.
Why we rate it: Masterbuilt lists 710 sq in over four chrome-coated racks, a 100–275°F range, a removable water bowl and rear grease tray, and a fully insulated body.
Watch-outs: it tops out at 275°F, so it suits low-and-slow smoking rather than high-heat cooking (Masterbuilt lists a 100–275°F range), and it’s a plug-in model, so check the manual’s power-supply and placement guidance.
Electric · 710 sq in / 4 racks · digital, 100–275°F · side chip loader · $150–300
5. Pit Barrel Cooker 18.5″ Classic Premiere
What it is: an 18.5-inch charcoal drum supplied with hanging hooks, hanging rods and a charcoal basket — built around what Pit Barrel calls its 360° All-Round Heat Dynamics™.
Best for: charcoal flavor with very little fire management; Pit Barrel pitches it as set-it-and-forget-it cooking.
Why we rate it: it ships with 8 stainless steel hooks, 2 steel hanging rods, a charcoal basket, a standard grill grate and a 3-point stand, plus an attachable ash pan and a dual-tier heat shield.
Watch-outs: hanging meat is a different technique from grate smoking, so read Pit Barrel’s own guidance before the first cook.
Charcoal drum · 18.5″ · 8 hooks + 2 rods + grill grate included · $300–700
6. Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Classic Offset (24203001)
What it is: a traditional horizontal offset smoker with a side firebox, burning charcoal and hardwood splits or chunks.
Best for: the cook who’s comfortable with a bullet or kettle and wants to try hands-on, wood-fired offset cooking without jumping straight to a heavy-steel pit.
Why we rate it: Oklahoma Joe’s lists 616 sq in on the main grate plus a 263 sq in firebox grate (879 sq in in total), adjustable firebox and smokestack dampers, porcelain-coated wire grates, a removable firebox ash pan and heavy-gauge steel construction, with a 2-year warranty on all parts.
Watch-outs: fire management is the whole point; at 156 lb it also needs a settled spot. Oklahoma Joe’s sells a separate Highland Reverse Flow model; this pick is the Classic.
Charcoal/wood · 879 sq in (616 main + 263 firebox) · heavy-gauge steel · traditional offset · $300–700
7. Char-Griller Grand Champ Offset Smoker (model 8250)
What it is: an offset smoker with what Char-Griller calls a Side Fire Box attachment for Texas-style offset smoking.
Best for: someone who wants one big charcoal cooker for both grilling and offset smoking, and doesn’t mind managing a traditional side-firebox layout.
Why we rate it: Char-Griller lists 1,200 sq in in total (780 primary), an insulated grill body, dual damper controls and heavy-duty steel construction, with a heat range up to 400°F.
Watch-outs: Char-Griller lists it at 254 lb, so it’s heavy to position once it’s home.
Charcoal · 1,200 sq in (780 primary) · up to 400°F · insulated body · 254 lb · $700–1,500
8. Yoder Loaded Wichita
What it is: an offset smoker built in Kansas from 1/4-inch steel.
Best for: the serious cook on your list (or yourself) who’s ready for a heavy-steel, long-term offset.
Why we rate it: Yoder lists 1,628 sq in of cooking surface, a 1/4-inch steel cooking chamber, 304 stainless steel cooking grates, a heat management plate, dual door temperature gauges and an integrated probe port.
Watch-outs: Yoder lists a dealer locator on its own site, and Amazon may not carry it; Yoder lists it at 704 lb, and the price is a serious, deliberate commitment.
Charcoal/wood · 1,628 sq in · 1/4″ steel · 304 stainless grates · heat management plate · $1,500+
9. Dyna-Glo 36″ Dual-Door LP (DGY784BDP)
What it is: a propane cabinet smoker with a dual-door design that Dyna-Glo says minimizes heat loss when you open it for food, water or wood chips.
Best for: the gas cook who wants a roomy cabinet with easy wood-chip and water top-ups.
Why we rate it: Dyna-Glo lists 784 sq in over four height-adjustable grates, a 15,000 BTU cast-iron burner, electronic pulse ignition, a heavy-gauge porcelain-enameled wood chip box and water bowl, and a stainless gauge with a “Smoke Zone” marker.
Watch-outs: as with any propane smoker, leak-check the connections and never run it indoors or in an enclosed space.
Propane · 784 sq in / 4 grates · 15,000 BTU cast-iron burner · electronic pulse ignition + dual door · $300–700
10. Masterbuilt Two-Door 30″ Propane Smoker (MB20051311)
What it is: a vertical propane smoker with push-button ignition, a temperature dial and a two-door design.
Best for: simple gas smoking for someone who’s already comfortable with a propane grill.
Why we rate it: Masterbuilt lists 730 sq in of cooking space, a 15,400 BTU stainless steel burner, push-button ignition, a lockable door latch and a fully insulated body.
Watch-outs: leak-check the propane connection and never run it indoors or in an enclosed space; Masterbuilt’s warranty is 1 year.
Propane · 730 sq in · 15,400 BTU burner · push-button ignition · two-door · $150–300
Grills & smokers compared
A side-by-side of the headline numbers. We show qualitative price bands (our ladder: under $50 · $50–150 · $150–300 · $300–700 · $700–1,500 · $1,500+) rather than figures that go stale the moment a sale starts or ends — tap through to check the current price yourself.
| Model | Fuel | Best for | Cook area | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weber Searwood 600 | Pellet | Overall | 648 sq in | $700–1,500 |
| Pit Boss Sportsman 850 | Pellet | Searing | 849 sq in | $700–1,500 |
| Weber Smokey Mountain 18″ | Charcoal | Overall charcoal | 481 sq in | $300–700 |
| Masterbuilt 30″ Digital Electric | Electric | Easiest gift | 710 sq in | $150–300 |
| Pit Barrel Cooker 18.5″ Classic Premiere | Charcoal | Set-and-forget | 8 hooks + grill grate | $300–700 |
| Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Classic | Charcoal/wood | Leveling up | 879 sq in | $300–700 |
| Char-Griller Grand Champ (8250) | Charcoal | Big capacity | 1,200 sq in | $700–1,500 |
| Yoder Loaded Wichita | Charcoal/wood | Buy-once splurge | 1,628 sq in | $1,500+ |
| Dyna-Glo Dual-Door LP | Propane | Dual-door propane | 784 sq in | $300–700 |
| Masterbuilt Two-Door 30″ | Propane | Simple propane | 730 sq in | $150–300 |
Specs are the manufacturers’ own published figures, checked in September 2026; always confirm current details and availability with the manufacturer or retailer before buying.
Frequently asked questions
When do Black Friday grill and smoker deals typically start?
Black Friday falls on November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday on November 30, 2026. Check each retailer’s own announced sale dates.
How can I tell if a “deal” is genuine?
Compare the listed price against that exact listing’s price history, where a tracker covers it, rather than the “was” price on the tag. Treat timers that reset and banners that never change as marketing, and check who the seller is and whether the manufacturer warranty and return terms apply to that listing.
Is Black Friday actually the best time to buy a grill or smoker?
Whenever you shop, compare that exact model’s price history the way we describe above rather than trusting a red banner.
Should I just wait for spring instead?
Not necessarily. If you want to be set up for Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026), buy early enough to receive, assemble and season it before then; Black Friday (November 27) suits a December or holiday-gift purchase. If you’re in no hurry, tracking the exact model’s price into the spring is a reasonable alternative.
Is a “last year’s model” a good deal, or should I always buy the newest version?
It can be. Check the published specifications of the two exact versions before paying extra for the newer one.
Do grills and smokers actually go on sale on Amazon, or mostly at brand stores?
Several makers on this list, including Weber, publish prices on their own sites, so it’s worth checking the brand’s own store as well as Amazon. Most of our product buttons link to Amazon; a few link to the maker’s own product page instead.
What should I check before buying a grill or smoker as a gift?
Match the fuel type to how hands-on the recipient wants to be, check that there’s room to actually put it — offsets and cabinet smokers need real patio space — and confirm whether it arrives assembled, or budget assembly time if it’s a holiday-morning gift. A gift receipt is also wise: fuel preferences and sizing are surprisingly personal.
Is anything on this list under an active safety recall?
We checked each of the 10 models above against the CPSC recall database in September 2026 and found no recall covering any of them. Three 2026 CPSC recalls do cover metal wire-bristle grill brushes — Weber (February, about 3.2 million), Nexgrill (March, about 10.2 million) and Cuisinart (July, expanded in August to about 3.6 million and all Cuisinart-brand wire-bristle brushes), about 17 million brushes across the three notices (our sum of the recalled units each notice lists) — but none of them covers the grills or smokers featured here; a wire brush is a cleaning accessory, not a cooker. Always double-check the exact model and batch against the CPSC’s site before buying any secondhand or older unit.
Related guides
Want the full picture behind these picks? See our complete guides to the best pellet grill & smoker combos, the best smokers for beginners, the best offset smokers, and the best vertical & propane smokers. New to charcoal? Our how to start a charcoal grill guide covers chimney starters and safe lighting. Want something small enough to tailgate or take camping instead? See our best small & portable gas grills guide. Shopping specifically for a pellet grill? See our dedicated Black Friday pellet grill deals guide, our Black Friday gas grill & Weber deals guide if a gas grill is on your list, or our Black Friday pizza oven & Ooni deals guide if a pizza oven is on your list, for a deeper look at those categories. If a kamado grill is on your list instead, see our best kamado grills guide. Buying a grill or smoker as a gift? Round it out with one of our best instant-read meat thermometers, a grill cover to protect it, and a jar from our best BBQ rubs & seasonings guide.
How we choose
We don’t run a testing lab, and we never fake “as tested.” The picks in this guide are drawn from our individual grill and smoker buying guides, which are built from manufacturer specifications and third-party editorial reviews. For this deals hub, we checked each pick against its maker’s current product page and screened every model against the CPSC recall database in September 2026 — a product being a good cooker isn’t enough if it’s no longer sold or has been recalled since we first covered it. We use qualitative price bands instead of prices that go stale, and we never track live discounts, run on-page timers, or claim a sale is about to expire. Read more on the How We Choose page.
Sources
Manufacturer product pages, checked September 2026: Weber (Searwood 600, Smokey Mountain Cooker 18″), Pit Boss (Sportsman 850), Masterbuilt (30″ Digital Electric Smoker MB20071117, Two-Door 30″ Propane Smoker MB20051311), Pit Barrel Cooker Co. (18.5″ Classic Premiere), Oklahoma Joe’s (Highland Classic 24203001), Char-Griller (Grand Champ Offset Smoker, model 8250), Yoder Smokers (Loaded Wichita), Dyna-Glo / GHP Group (36″ Dual-Door LP DGY784BDP). Safety screening: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall database and recall notices 26-282 (Weber), 26-339 (Nexgrill) and 26-717 (Conair/Cuisinart). Confirm current pricing, availability and recall status with the manufacturer or retailer before buying.