What is the best smoker for a complete beginner?

Reviewers most often steer first-timers toward an electric vertical (set-and-forget temperature) or a cheap charcoal vertical to test the hobby. The Masterbuilt 30-inch digital is repeatedly called the best bang-for-the-buck starter, while the sub-$100 Realcook vertical is described as flimsy but functional enough to learn on. Offsets reward more skill because they require active fire management.