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The Best BBQ Temperature Controller

Last updated on June 30, 2020

We looked at the top 8 BBQ Temperature Controllers and dug through the reviews from 58 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best BBQ Temperature Controllers.

Best BBQ Temperature Controller

Our Review Process

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With 63% of Americans frying up their grills monthly, chances are you spend a good deal of time barbecuing. The downside to many grills is their fluctuating temperatures, which can leave meat either unevenly cooked or completely dry. Fortunately, you can purchase a BBQ temperature controller to correct this problem.

When shopping for the best BBQ temperature controller, you need to first make sure that the unit is compatible with your specific grill or smoker. For example, the BBQube TempMaster Automatic Temperature Controller works with Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, Primo, Vision Grill and Akorn Kamado grills. Other controllers come with adapters that allow them to be used with grills that have small, medium and large vents.

Check the BBQ temperature controller’s ease of use. You want to go with a unit that can be installed in minutes, like the LavaLock 35 cfm Variable Speed 4-Probe Automatic BBQ Temperature Controller. This controller is also designed to operate with just one button, so you won’t have to spend a great deal of time trying to figure out how to use it effectively.

Look for a BBQ temperature controller that is able to monitor the internal temperature of your food, as well as control the overall temperature inside the grill. The DigiQ Digital Meat BBQ Temperature Controller not only does this, but it also has a loud beep that will alert you when your meat has reached the perfect level of doneness. That means you’ll enjoy a juicy and tender piece of meat that’s just right.

Consider whether you’d like a BBQ temperature controller that’s more high-tech. The Flame Boss 500-WiFi Smoker BBQ Temperature Controller has an online dashboard with graphs and temperature readings that you can view from your smartphone or tablet. It’s even compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

Our Picks For The Top BBQ Temperature Controllers

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Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Best Overall

DigiQ DX3 Digital Meat BBQ Temperature Controller

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

BBQ Guru

DigiQ Digital Meat BBQ Temperature Controller

If you're looking for a high-tech BBQ temperature controller, this model is an excellent choice. It not only controls the temperature of your grill, but also monitors the internal temperature of your meat. The device even beeps once your food has reached the d...

Overall Take

Eliminates Temperature SwingsThis BBQ temperature controller eliminates temperature swings, so your meat is cooked evenly throughout.

Pros
" Easy to install and use."
Cons
"It does not interface with the internet or smart devices."
 We Also Like

Flame Boss 500-WiFi Smoker BBQ Temperature Controller

Flame Boss

500-WiFi Smoker BBQ Temperature Controller

Outfitted with a variable speed blower, this BBQ temperature controller is able to achieve precise temperature control. It's lightweight and compact, as well as easy to use. In fact, you can monitor the pit from your phone or tablet and give voice commands thr...

Overall Take

Compatible With AlexaThis BBQ temperature controller is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

Pros
" Versatile control options with support for manual, wi-fi controls, and voice controls with Amazon Alexa and Google Home."
Cons
"Just be mindful that if you have a Kamado style smoker then you will need to get the Flame Boss Kamado controller, and not the Universal Flame Boss. I guess it’s not really universal."
 Strong Contender

LavaLock 35 cfm Variable Speed 4-Probe Automatic BBQ Temperature Controller

LavaLock

35 cfm Variable Speed 4-Probe Automatic BBQ Temperature Controller

Whether you have a small, medium or large pit, this BBQ temperature controller has you covered. The unit installs in minutes and operates with the push of a button. It's made using a durable aluminum, while the accessories are constructed from a rust-resistant...

Overall Take

Features Four ProbesAlthough this BBQ temperature controller comes with four probes, it operates with the use of just one button.

Pros
" Compatible with a huge variety of smoker brands and variants, including the Big Green Egg and other Kamado style grills."
Cons
"No mounting system"
 Also Great

pitmasterIQ IQ110 Small Adjustable Kamado Pit Adapter BBQ Temperature Controller

pitmasterIQ

Small Adjustable Kamado Pit Adapter BBQ Temperature Controller

This BBQ temperature controller keeps your meats cooking at a steady temperature of 225 degrees Fahrenheit for as long as 8 hours. The kit comes with everything you need to get started, including an AC power adapter. You'll find this unit is compatible with Bi...

Overall Take

Enjoy Tender and Juicy MeatsWhen you use this BBQ temperature controller, you'll enjoy tender and juice meat that falls right off the bone.

Pros
" Easy to set up and get started within minutes."
Cons
"Made up of plastic"
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Products Considered

We identified the majority of the bbq temperature controllers available to purchase.
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Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Stonewall's BBQ, Smoking Meat Geeks, The Grilling Life, Cooking for Profit, Smoking Meat Forums.

1,930

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 8 BBQ Temperature Controllers and also dug through the reviews from 58 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best BBQ Temperature Controllers.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Overall

DigiQ DX3 Digital Meat BBQ Temperature Controller


Our Expert Score

8.9
14 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.6
75 user reviews

Our Take

If you're looking for a high-tech BBQ temperature controller, this model is an excellent choice. It not only controls the temperature of your grill, but also monitors the internal temperature of your meat. The device even beeps once your food has reached the desired temperature.

What other experts liked

Easy to install and use.
- Seriously Smoked
It features an easy to use menu, clear display, separate fan with an internal damper, cooker temperature probe, and a single food temperature probe.
- Amazing Ribs
Compatibility – The DigiQ has great grill compatibility and should work on almost all smokers.
- Smoked BBQ Source
Offers precise and accurate numbers
- Willy Smoke
It’s a very durable model, and has been proven to be accurate in tests. Its probes are made from platinum RTD, which usually makes for accurate and stable probe readings.
- The Online Grill
Also, BBQ Guru's quality fan system will continuously feed oxygen at a variable speed to maintain the grill and pit temperature, and to make sure that your meat does not burn and remains juicy and tender.
- Stonewall's BBQ
Automatic control of the flow of oxygen into the grill or smoker
- Murray's Falafel
As soon as the food temperature gets close to the temperature you’ve preset, it reduces the intensity of the heat, thereby giving you more time for the removal of the meat.
- Grill Guru
This model is set with a large digital panel that is easy to read. There are clearly marked buttons for your device menu, pit, and food.
- Chef's Resource
The defining feature of this model is its ramp function – once the meat temperature starts reaching the target one, it will automatically slow cooking down, so you get enough time to take it out of the smoker before it...
- Grill&Skill
The DIGIQ DX3 controls the fire by itself, but you can switch to manual control by clicking on the buttons located on the device.
- Kettle Metal BBQ co
The DigiQ DX3 controller comes with an alert system, thus you will know when the food is ready.
- Bee Sights
Functions with a wider selection of grills than other BBQ Expert barbeque temperature level controllers.
- Bacco's Ristorante
DigiQ comes with robust food platinum probes that measure the internal temperature precisely and quickly.
- Cooking for Profit

What other experts didn't like

Control scheme is a bit obnoxious to use, especially when navigating the options menu.
- Seriously Smoked
It does not interface with the internet or smart devices.
- Amazing Ribs
Only support for two probes – You’ve got your pit and your food probe, and no extra capacity.
- Smoked BBQ Source
Fan might blow wide open, if not installed properly
- Willy Smoke
It has an input fan, although it operates automatically and can’t be directly manually controlled by you.
- The Online Grill
The adaptor kit is sold separately
- Murray's Falafel
Hard-to-navigate instruction manual
- Grill Guru
The only real downside is that you are only provided with support for two meat probes.
- Chef's Resource
The price.
- Kettle Metal BBQ co
No storage box for the controller
- Bee Sights
The control plane is a bit ridiculous to utilize, especially when browsing the alternatives menu.
- Bacco's Ristorante
Does not have wireless control
- Cooking for Profit

What to Look For

  • Not all BBQ temperature controllers come with the necessary adapter to be able to use the device with your grill. You may need to purchase an adaptor kit separately.
  • If the BBQ temperature controller doesn’t come with its own storage box, you’ll want to consider purchasing one separately. You want to protect the housing and the probes from dust, dirt and outdoor elements.
  • Check to see whether the BBQ temperature controller has been waterproofed. If not, you won’t be able to use it when the weather turns south.
  • Some BBQ temperature controllers have long cables that can become tangled. You can use binder clips or even hair clips to keep the cables organized.
  • Since most BBQ temperature controllers have meat probes, they will need to be cleaned properly after each use. Fortunately, this is easily accomplished with a rag that has been soaked in soapy dishwater. After the probes have been cleaned of any food, they need to be dried with a lint-free cloth. Never place the controller’s housing in the water, as it will damage the unit and render it unusable.
  • BBQ temperature controllers are available in a wide range of prices. These prices are dependent upon design, accessories and whether or not the device has Wi-Fi capabilities. You’ll find the BBQube TempMaster Automatic Temperature Controller is one of the most affordable models on the market. You’ll pay a moderate price for the DigiQ Digital Meat BBQ Temperature Controller and the LavaLock 35 cfm Variable Speed 4-Probe Automatic BBQ Temperature Controller. The Flame Boss 500-WiFi Smoker BBQ Temperature Controller, however, comes in with a higher price tag, as it is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

More to Explore

  • Out of all of the countries across the globe, Denmark has the most grill enthusiasts. They spend more money on this method of cooking than any other country.
  • The word “barbecue” was first discovered in print in America in the diary of Benjamin Lynde of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1733.
  • Hickory wins out when it comes to the most popular sauce used to marinate and flavor grilled meats.
  • President George Washington once held a barbecue that lasted a total of three days.
  • McDonald’s actually got its start as a barbecue restaurant.
  • Kansas City Barbecue Society judges are prohibited from licking their fingers after tasting and critiquing contestants’ delicious (or not so delicious) dishes.
  • The largest barbecue had a total of 45,252 attendees. It took place on Aug. 18, 2013, in Nuevo Leon, Mexico.