The 6 Best Grills and Smokers of 2026: Smart, Portable, Pellet
The article highlights the top grills and smokers of 2026, emphasizing advancements in smart technology for temperature control and monitoring. It recommends a range of grills, from affordable charcoal models to high-end pellet smokers, based on performance and tech integration. The author also explores ways to upgrade traditional grills with smart accessories for improved cooking precision.
- ▪The Weber Original Kettle Charcoal grill is recommended as the best option for smart upgrades due to its durability and compatibility with digital controllers.
- ▪The Recteq Flagship 1600 Pellet Smoker and Grill is named the best smart pellet smoker, offering advanced temperature control and connectivity.
- ▪The Spider Venom digital temperature controller, priced at $280, allows precise regulation of charcoal grill temperatures within about 30 degrees Fahrenheit of the target.
- ▪The Weber Connect Smart Hub and the new Performer Smart Ring are highlighted as useful smart accessories for enhancing traditional grills.
- ▪The article notes that while smart upgrades improve grilling, they often cost more than the base grill itself.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Matthew KorfhageGearMay 17, 2026 6:33 AMThe Best Grills of 2026: Cook Smarter, Not HarderI grilled, smoked, seared, cleaned, and synced digital temp controllers to find the best grill option for every cookout and tailgate.Courtesy of AmazonCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyThe Grill has changed. The smoker has changed, too. Once governed mostly by feel and experience, the best grills and the best smokers now offer a fair amount of tech to measure and control temperature (think: temperature probes and fans to modulate airflow).
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at WIRED.
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