Best pellet smoker around $300

[TNJAKE]

ZGrills are a good value, but Pit Boss will send you replacement parts for five years. I'd get the Lexington.

I've heavily used my pit boss for 5 years and only had to replace the hot rod once. Just throwing that out there

 

[stevessmokeshack]

The Chimp wants to run hot and burns cleaner than your typical pellet grill. Great for chicken but it performs closer to a kettle than a pellet burning smoker.

I think you are spot on!