I’ve Smoked Meat for 30 Years. This Space-Saving Smoker Won Me Over

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The Pit Boss DX 4-Series can smoke five briskets or 12 racks of ribs at once, yet its vertical design won't take over your entire patio. After decades of smoking meat on traditional drum and offset cookers, I'm increasingly convinced that's one of the most underrated advantages in barbecue.

Vertical smokers give you a lot of cooking space without a sprawling footprint, but capacity alone isn't enough. I want an insulated chamber that holds temperature when the weather turns cold, precise controls for long overnight cooks, and enough fuel capacity that I'm not constantly topping off the hopper—the Pit Boss DX 4-Series checks those boxes.

I tested Pit Boss's more expensive Navigator 3 last year and came away impressed. The new DX 4-Series delivers many of the same advantages at a lower price, making it increasingly difficult to justify spending more on a vertical pellet smoker.

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Why Pit Boss DX 4-Series Is the Best Vertical Smoker of 2026

I tested Pit Boss's more expensive vertical Navigator 3 smoker last year—the first I tried after 30 years of using drum and offset grills. While I'm a purist and love to spend hours tending to a wood or charcoal fire, that sleek space saver won me over after a few drama-free cooks and was my top pick in the category. This year, the brand released the Pit Boss DX 4-Series , which gives you the same great smoking capabilities at a cheaper price point.

Vertical smokers are the unsung workhorses of the backyard barbecue world—compact footprint, massive capacity, and a cooking style that keeps meat surrounded by smoke on all sides rather than just beneath it. The DX does all of that and adds a level of connectivity and control that makes it hard to justify spending more. The 1,300 square inches of cooking space across five adjustable porcelain-coated racks can hold six whole chickens, five briskets, or 12 racks of ribs loaded simultaneously. A 65-pound pellet hopper keeps long cooks running without constant refilling, and the insulated cooking chamber holds temperature impressively well even in cold weather.

The WiFi and Bluetooth PID control board dials in temperature from 130 to 420°F in 5-degree increments, and the large front window lets you check on your cook without cracking the door and shedding precious heat. A 200-watt rapid igniter gets things going fast, and automatic startup and cooldown cycles handle the tedious parts so you don't have to.

Pit Boss DX 4-Series Pros & Cons

Pros

• Massive 1,300-square-inch cooking capacity

• Five adjustable racks provide flexible cooking configurations

• Holds up to five briskets or 12 racks of ribs

• 65-pound hopper is excellent for long cooks

• Compact vertical design saves patio space

• Insulated chamber retains heat well in cold weather

• WiFi and Bluetooth remote monitoring

• PID controller adjusts temperature in 5-degree increments

• 130–420°F temperature range

• Front window lets you check food without opening the door

• Automatic startup and cooldown simplify operation

• Strong value compared with premium vertical smokers

Cons

• Vertical design isn't suited to grilling or searing

• Large 65-pound hopper adds bulk when fully loaded

• Five racks can require rearranging for especially large cuts

• Front window will require regular cleaning to remain useful

• Pellet operation lacks the hands-on fire management some barbecue purists prefer

Is the Pit Boss DX 4-Series Worth Buying?

Yes, particularly if you regularly smoke for a crowd but don't want a massive offset taking over your patio. The Pit Boss DX 4-Series packs 1,300 square inches of cooking space across five adjustable racks into a relatively compact vertical footprint, with enough room for five briskets, six whole chickens, or 12 racks of ribs at once.

It's also remarkably hands-off. The 65-pound hopper provides plenty of fuel for long cooks, while the PID controller, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and automatic startup and cooldown cycles eliminate much of the babysitting associated with traditional smoking. I was also impressed by how well the insulated chamber maintained temperature in colder weather.

If you love tending a charcoal or wood fire, a pellet smoker won't replace that experience. But after three decades of cooking primarily on drums and offsets, I've come around to the advantages of a good vertical pellet smoker. The DX 4-Series offers the capacity and control I want from a more expensive machine without forcing you to pay for features that don't improve the food. For anyone who wants to smoke a lot of meat with relatively little fuss, it's an excellent value.

Pit Boss DX 4-Series Specs

• Cooking Area:1,300 sq. in.

• Temperature Range:130°F–420°F

• Fuel:Pellets

• Hopper Capacity:65 lbs.

• Connectivity:Bluetooth and WiFi with digital temperature control and integrated meat probe

• Warranty:5 years, limited

$599 at Lowes

Why You Should Trust Me

I've been a gear editor, gear reviewer, and outdoor writer at multiple publications for over 20 years. I am the Gear Editor at Men's Journal and I've tested and reviewed everything from coolers and grills to e-bikes and flashlights. My first attempt at smoking was with a Weber Smokey Mountain that was a Christmas present. Of course I had to try it right away, which ended up being on a deck in the middle of a snowstorm in Brooklyn—it didn't go well. Since then I've graduated to smoking whole pigs and grilling on everything from a beach campfire to smart pellet grills in my backyard.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Sep 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the Gear section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.