I would venture to say that the order of authenticity (SP) goes like this
Wood burners
Make your own or store bought lump charcoal
Charcoal briquettes of a high quality (some may say that there is no high quality)
LP and or NG
Electric
I am an electric man all the way!
Why?
Set It and Forget It!
No fuel to worry about, logs to split, charcoal to contend with, LP tanks to swap and so on. Maintaining the temp is automatic. And for about $70 bucks the Lowes down the road has the Brinkman electric bullet (Some assembly required) After the charcoal unit, I think that this is the cheapest store bought unit that there is and a great way to at least get a taste for smoking.
If money were no object and I was buying just for home use I would go with one of the semi commercial to commercial electric smokers out there. I figure that cooking at home for the family is a domestic task and I have a thousand other things to be doing. Thus, the smoker is just like an oven, Stick the food in and with minimal fuss it does its thing.
Now if you ar gonna make a party of it, then wood is where it is at. Playing with fire is a past time of its own.
What you choose (and most choose more than one it seems) depends on your comfort level, pocket book and personal taste. I wont knock any method that creates great food! Well, if I do knock it, keep in mind that it is all in good fun!