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The Best Electric Pressure Cookers prove to be indispensable kitchen companions for those leading busy lives, seeking swift and effortless meal preparation. This culinary marvel goes beyond a single culinary function, elevating convenience and time-saving prowess. Modern incarnations of these kitchen dynamos, often referred to as “multi-cookers,” seamlessly transition between various cooking techniques, encompassing slow cooking, steaming, and sautéing among their impressive repertoire.
Even though the Instant Pot has gotten a lot of fans, many other brands have come out, making people wonder if it is still the best. In order to solve this problem, our Test Kitchen asked product tester Melissa Gray to carefully test the best electric pressure cookers. Melissa carefully looked at all of their features, safety measures, functionality, and total value to make sure that her verdict was accurate and well-informed.
Best Electric Pressure Cookers Comparison Table
Product | Cooking Programs | Capacity | Pressure Release | Additional Features |
---|---|---|---|---|
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus | Multiple | Various sizes | Quick pressure release | Large LCD display, safety features |
Farberware: 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker | Multiple | Generous capacity | Quick pressure release | Intuitive control panel, |
safety features | ||||
Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart | Multiple | 6-quart capacity | Quick pressure release | Included accessories |
Breville Fast Slow Pro Multi | Multiple | Generous capacity | Quick pressure release | Keep warm function, LCD display |
Function Cooker | safety features | |||
CHEF iQ Smart Pressure Cooker | Wide range | Generous capacity | Multiple options | Smart cooking with app connectivity, |
built-in scale, guided cooking |
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus
Specification | Description |
---|---|
Size | Available in various sizes (6-quart, 8-quart, etc.) |
Cooking Programs | Multiple cooking programs for pressure cooking, slow cooking, etc. |
Pressure Levels | Adjustable pressure settings for precise cooking results |
Display | Large LCD display for easy monitoring and control |
Safety Features | Includes lid lock, pressure release valve, and more |
Accessories | Comes with a variety of accessories for versatile cooking |
The Instant Pot (R) Duo Evo Plus has a steam valve cup that spreads steam more evenly than the first model and an inner cooking pot made of stainless steel that locks in place to make turning safer. You can also take out the inner pot and use it on the stove, since it has handles that make it easy to lift and remove. The base of the inner pot has been changed to make it easier to sear, brown, and sauté food.
The panel is Instant Pot’s biggest one yet, so it’s easy to read and use. It comes with 48 presets, including different types of grains for the rice program, seven presets for the slow cooker, and 14 presets for the pressure cooker. Because the settings cook food quickly and evenly, it’s great for people who want a simple dinner without a lot of work. Melissa says, “This is a great model for beginners or any cooks who really want to get the most out of their purchase, and at $120, it’s a great buy!”
The Good
- Wide range of available sizes
- Versatile cooking programs
- Adjustable pressure levels
- User-friendly LCD display
- Comprehensive safety features
The Bad
- May require learning curve for optimal use
Farberware: 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker
Specification | Description |
---|---|
Cooking Programs | Multiple cooking programs for various dishes |
Capacity | Generous capacity for cooking larger meals |
Pressure Release | Quick and easy pressure release mechanism |
Control Panel | Intuitive control panel for easy operation |
Safety Features | Includes safety lid lock and pressure release valve |
This Farberware device has nine pre-set buttons and a huge LED display for customizable cooking at a price that is less than half of what it would cost to purchase an Instant Pot. Every one of the presets has a timer that can be adjusted, and many of them also let you change the temperature.
According to Melissa, “This isn’t the most tech savvy of the models that I tested, but it is definitely a great starter model – especially if you aren’t 100 percent sure if you’d like a multi-cooker.”
The Good
- Versatile cooking programs
- Large cooking capacity
- Convenient pressure release mechanism
- User-friendly control panel
The Bad
- Limited in terms of additional features compared to other models
Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart
Specification | Description |
---|---|
Size | 6-quart capacity for moderate-sized meals |
Cooking Programs | Multiple cooking programs for various cooking needs |
Pressure Levels | Adjustable pressure settings for precise cooking results |
Safety Features | Includes lid lock, pressure release valve, and more |
Accessories | Comes with accessories like steam rack and measuring cup |
In 2021, Instant Pot cut its line of electric pressure cookers down to just five main types. We still think that, for the price, the Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart is the best pick. (Even now, Instant Pot is still making changes to its models, which you can see on its site.) The Duo is very easy to use and does all the basic tasks, like pressure cooking, sautéing, and steaming, as well as (or better than) other types. It comes with a stainless steel pot, like all Instant Pots. Stainless steel pots last longer than nonstick inserts in testing cookers from many other brands.
The Duo has been our top pick since 2016, and we think it’s an even better deal now that it’s been updated in 2021 with features that used to only come with more expensive models, like an auto-sealing ring and an easy steam-release switch. We also know from many years of testing and using the Duo ourselves that it is a reliable, easy-to-use machine that will make meal after meal. Even though you don’t get some of Instant Pot’s newer, more advanced features, like an LCD screen and a design that keeps it from spinning, the Duo is usually the least expensive model that has all the settings most home cooks need.
The Good
- Moderate-sized capacity suitable for most households
- Versatile cooking programs
- Adjustable pressure levels for customized cooking
- Comprehensive safety features
The Bad
- May not be ideal for cooking larger meals
Breville Fast Slow Pro Multi Function Cooker
Specification | Description |
---|---|
Cooking Programs | Multiple cooking programs for a wide range of dishes |
Pressure Release | Quick pressure release mechanism for added convenience |
Keep Warm Function | Keeps cooked food warm until ready to serve |
LCD Display | Easy-to-read LCD display for monitoring and control |
Capacity | Generous cooking capacity for larger meals |
Safety Features | Includes lid lock, pressure release valve, and more |
The Fast Slow Pro is more stylish than most pressure cookers, and it has a lot of cooking settings that you can change. You can set the exact temperature and pressure level (from 1.5 to 12 psi), and you can choose between auto quick, auto pulse, and natural pressure release. It even has an altitude-adjustment tool. Just tell it your current altitude, and it will fine-tune the time and temperature settings to match your boiling point.
There are settings for veggies, rice, soup, meat, meat with bones, chili, stew, dessert, and other things. Among the machines we tried, this one made the most tender pressure-cooked stew. The meat and vegetables were perfectly cooked, and the broth had a lot of color and flavor. And, perhaps best of all, even though it’s a fairly complex machine, users found that the LCD screen and knob controls were easy to understand and use.
The Good
- Diverse cooking programs
- Convenient pressure release mechanism
- Keep warm function for serving flexibility
- User-friendly LCD display
- Generous cooking capacity
- Comprehensive safety features
The Bad
- Higher price point compared to some other models
CHEF iQ Smart Pressure Cooker
Specification | Description |
---|---|
Smart Cooking | Wi-Fi and app connectivity for smart cooking experiences |
Built-in Scale | Integrated scale for precise ingredient measurement |
Guided Cooking | Step-by-step recipe guidance for foolproof cooking |
Pressure Release | Multiple pressure release options for customized cooking |
Cooking Programs | Wide range of cooking programs for versatile meals |
Like other models, the Chef iQ Smart Pressure Cooker can pressure cook, steam, slow cook, sear, sauté, and cook sous vide. It even has a scale built in so you can follow a recipe to the letter. Unlike other models, this one has a feature that makes it stand out and is especially interesting to people who want to learn how to cook at home: it has more than 1,000 presets and access to more than 600 guided recipes and videos that show how to cook. Also, you can use WiFi or Bluetooth on your phone to handle the appliance.
During our test, experts were impressed by how easy it was to follow the step-by-step steps on the LCD screen. During our beef stew tests, the Chef iQ got one of the best pressure scores. It reached pressure in 31 minutes. Compared to other machines, it was easy to clean and put together. Taking the silicon ring off and putting it back on was a pleasure. We wouldn’t mind leaving the sleek matte black design out on our counters.
The Good
- Smart cooking capabilities with app connectivity
- Built-in scale for accurate measurements
- Guided cooking feature for effortless meal preparation
- Flexible pressure release options
- Extensive cooking programs for diverse dishes
The Bad
- Advanced features may require additional setup and learning
FAQs
A: Yes, there are a lot of recipes that are made especially for electric pressure cookers. These recipes take into account how long and how much pressure an electric pressure cooker needs to cook food well. There are often parts for electric pressure cooker recipes in online platforms, cookbooks, and cooking websites.
A: Depending on the type, the way to clean an electric pressure cooker may be different. Most of the time, the inner pot and tools can be taken out and washed with warm soapy water. You can clean the outside with a wet cloth. It’s important to check the notes that came with your electric pressure cooker model to find out how to clean it properly.