Maybe I didn't read close enough, but I didn't see where you specified "inside" or "outside". If you're in an apartment/condo and don't have an outdoor area, I can't really give any advice other than follow one of the oven-based recommendations given here.
An offset smoker is your most "authentic" option, but those are relatively expensive and most likely don't answer the mail in this case.
Some pellet grills might fall into your idea of inexpensive, and those are low-effort (i.e. they mind their own temps). IMO, you don't get good bark on a pellet grill. Several recommendations for pellet grills have been made in this tread.
If those are too expensive, you can get very comparable results (IMHO) for cheaper with an electric smoker such as
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NQLF9WD/?aaxitk=2ca97771bffbada87153e2642c9c9976A step up from pellets or wood chips like above is lump charcoal. You CAN get a very nice bark using lump charcoal. A Big Green Egg is the standard here, but that probably qualifies as expensive. There are decent off-brands that might fit your price point. BGE's and other kamado smokers are highly versatile, just scour the internet for myriads of recipes. One favorite feature of mine is that you can get a pizza stone, run the temp way up (450-550*) and make very good homemade pizzas!
A compromise solution (gain lower cost, lose pizza making ability) is a gravity fed lump charcoal smoker like
https://www.amazon.com/Masterbuilt%C2%AE-Technology-GravityFedTM-Reversible-MB20041023/dp/B0CN3T6P1B These gravity fed smokers feature automatic temperature control like a pellet grill, but they make real smoke and will give you a Texas quality brisket! (again, IMHO)
