Grills & smokers · owner-verdict comparison

Meater Plus vs Weber Smokey Mountain 18: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Weber Smokey Mountain 18: 76% of 339 owners recommend it, vs 53% of 155 for the Meater Plus.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Meater Plus

53%of 155 owners recommend
53% recommend · 13% neutral · 34% don't
Owners praise
  • Often accurate internal temp readings
  • Fully wireless, no trailing probe wires
  • Good app with cook graphs
Owners complain about
  • Frequent connectivity drops
  • Limited wireless range
  • Ambient temp readings often off
Full owner report →

Weber Smokey Mountain 18

76%of 339 owners recommend
76% recommend · 12% neutral · 12% don't
Owners praise
  • Easy to use, forgiving, and beginner-friendly
  • Holds steady temperature for hours, nearly set-and-forget
  • Solidly built and lasts for many years
Owners complain about
  • Too small to fit large briskets or full racks of ribs without trimming
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Meater Plus if
  • ✓Oven and rotisserie cooks who keep the base close
  • ✓Data-loving cooks who want per-cook graphs
  • ✓Grillers who stay within short range of the cooker
Skip it if
  • Anyone needing long, reliable wireless range
  • Cooks working with thin cuts of meat
Get the Weber Smokey Mountain 18 if
  • ✓First-time smokers wanting an easy, forgiving charcoal smoker
  • ✓Backyard cooks feeding a family of four
  • ✓Cooks wanting rock-solid temps for long overnight cooks
  • ✓Buyers prioritizing durability and simplicity over gadgets
Skip it if
  • Cooks doing full untrimmed briskets or big-batch ribs
  • Anyone needing more capacity (step up to the 22")

What Meater Plus owners say

“The only thing g that counts is the center temperature which you can accurately measure with a meat thermometer. I use a Meater plus”
— winehaze on Reddit
“The MEATER really is a great tool. It does what is says which is everything.”
— @jonathanrobertson3406 on YouTube
“Constant trouble with this thing. Says not close enough when phone, probe, and dock are all right next to each other. Getting ready to just throw this thing out!”
— @cassandratheisen6865 on YouTube

What Weber Smokey Mountain 18 owners say

“the 18 is an engineering masterpiece for several reasons”
— @Hoosier-Dave on YouTube
“Best $40 I've spent”
— @chriscooper1657 on YouTube
“I usually find a slight acrid taste to the food so I'll give this approach a try (assuming cleaner smoke).”
— @ants7075 on YouTube

Meater Plus vs Weber Smokey Mountain 18: frequently asked questions

Is the Meater Plus or the Weber Smokey Mountain 18 better?

Real owners lean toward the Weber Smokey Mountain 18: 76% of 339 owners recommend it, vs 53% of 155 for the Meater Plus.

Who should get the Meater Plus?

Owners point the Meater Plus at oven and rotisserie cooks who keep the base close, and data-loving cooks who want per-cook graphs.

Who should get the Weber Smokey Mountain 18?

Owners point the Weber Smokey Mountain 18 at first-time smokers wanting an easy, forgiving charcoal smoker, and backyard cooks feeding a family of four.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Meater Plus is frequent connectivity drops. For the Weber Smokey Mountain 18, it's too small to fit large briskets or full racks of ribs without trimming.