Having been using two WSM 18’s to compete in KCBS backyard competitions in 
the Mid Atlantic with a bunch trophies and plaques to sho for it! A lot of people that start smoking with charcoal water smokers start with inferior brands do to the cheaper cost. By going with these cheaper brands they get frustrated because they are to hard to control the temp and they end up hating there experience! 
Yes the WSM’s are more expensive but they are worth the cost. Weber design these for proper airflow control so that they are pretty much set it and forget it. I was one of those people who got frustrated using other brands and am glad I made the switch. The WSM 
has restored my passion for smoked meat and that is why I now compete!