Updated October 2026 · 5 vertical smokers, no paid placements
More racks, less patio. These are the five vertical pellet smokers we'd look at for ribs, jerky and big batches, ranked on the rating each product page shows, with what each listing actually states.
See the ranking
Our top pickPit Boss Navigator 6-Series Vertical9.2/10. The one we'd start with.See current price
The crowd favouriteFomazi Vertical Pellet Smoker, 616 sq in buyer reviews, 6.5/10. Plenty of owners to learn from.$349.99 on Sep 30, 2026, may have changed
Room for a crowdMaison Backyards Smoker, Waterproof Cover616 sq in stated, 6.5/10. The biggest stated grill among the rest.$339.99 on Sep 30, 2026, may have changedWant the racks and just one name? Start with the Pit Boss Navigator 6-Series Vertical; the other four are simpler cabinets, rated on their listings.
Also available as: 3-Series Vertical (1,118 sq in)
Best for: big-batch smoking for parties and freezer stocking
The catch: No buyer reviews on the listing yet: rated from its documented specs only.
Best for: jerky, sausages and ribs on stacked racks
The catch: No outlet, no smoke: the fan, the igniter and the auger all run on power.
Best for: smoking more food in less patio space
The catch: Ash builds up in the fire pot: plan a quick vacuum every few cooks.
Best for: wood-fired cooking at home
The catch: No buyer reviews on the listing yet: rated from its documented specs only.
Best for: weekend cooks with real smoke
The catch: No buyer reviews on the listing yet: rated from its documented specs only.
Product images: Amazon listings
All 5 on one screen. Tap a column header to sort by what matters for your patio.
| Pit Boss Navigator 6-Series Vertical | Pit Boss | 9.2 | See current price | 2,224 sq in | 75 lb | Yes, stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Fomazi Vertical Pellet Smoker, 616 sq in | Fomazi | 6.5 | $349.99† | 616 sq in | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Maison Backyards Smoker, Waterproof Cover | Maison Backyards | 6.5 | $339.99† | 616 sq in | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Maison Backyards 4-Rack Vertical Smoker | Maison Backyards | 6.5 | $369.99† | 616 sq in | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Maison Backyards Vertical Smoker, 616 sq in | Maison Backyards | 6.5 | $349.99† | 616 sq in | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
† Prices as of Sep 30, 2026; they may have changed. The button always shows today's price.
This list follows the rating each product page shows: the review-based rating where buyer reviews were captured, otherwise a spec-based rating from the documented listing (key specs, build and warranty, listing completeness). The highest rating wins.
The numbers do most of the work, and our editors make the final call on how the grills stack up against each other. A commission never moves a rating or a rank.
Our pick is the Pit Boss Navigator 6-Series Vertical, at 9.2/10 (excellent). Its listing states 2,224 sq in of cooking area and a 75 lb hopper. Close behind: the Fomazi Vertical Pellet Smoker, 616 sq in at 6.5/10.
We consider 8 complete vertical pellet smokers, rated on buyer reviews where they exist and on the documented listing otherwise. They are ordered by the rating shown on each product page: the review-based rating where buyer reviews were captured, otherwise a spec-based rating from the documented listing, and our editors make the final call on how the smokers compare.
Each price is the one we recorded on Sep 30, 2026, and it may have changed since. Grill prices move with the season and the big sale weekends, so the button always opens the exact listing with today's price and seller.
A vertical smoker stacks several racks in a tall cabinet, which suits ribs, jerky and big batches of low-and-slow food. A barrel pellet grill gives you one wide grate that also handles grilling and searing. Our other rankings cover the barrel grills.