Buying guide for best pressure cookers
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If you like cooking for guests but dislike the amount of time it takes, you may want to invest in a pressure cooker. Using high-pressure steam, a pressure cooker can prepare tough meats in a matter of minutes. Pressure cookers can also steam vegetables, make soups and stews, cook rice and beans, and even make chili.
With the popularity of this versatile all-in-one machine, there are plenty of different models to choose from. However, before you commit to purchasing a pressure cooker, you should consider the capacity you need and the versatility it offers, which is often apparent by the number of settings available for cooking different meals. Also consider the weight, user-friendliness and durability of this kitchen appliance.
Our top choice is the Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Quart 9-in-1, which has 15 one-touch cooking options and can make up to six servings.
Editors’ picks
Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Quart 9-in-1
Editors’ Favorite
Capacity: 6 qt | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 12.2" D x 13.39" W x 12.99" H | Weight: 12.4 lb | Accessories: Steaming rack, replacement rings, condensation cup
For fast, versatile everyday cooking, the Instant Pot Duo Plus is our editors’ top choice. It’s an upgrade of everything that was great about the original Instant Pot, with updated features and capabilities to get your meals out quicker, safer and easier.
The Instant Pot Duo Plus is a 6-quart rice cooker, which usually translates to food for six people. It’s made primarily of stainless steel, with a food-grade stainless steel inner pot. Aside from pressure cooking, it can be used for sauteeing, cooking rice, steaming, sterilizing, as a slow cooker or even for sous vide. A bright display and multibutton control panel let you set and monitor cooking programs to your heart’s content.
One of the best improvements of the Duo Plus over older Instant Models is its Easy Release steam switch, which is designed to make steam release less of an adventure. Both its inner pot and its lid are dishwasher-safe, too, so cleanup is easier than ever before.
Cosori Pressure Cooker 6-Quart 9-in-1
Great Value
Capacity: 6 qt | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 12.6" D x 13.4" W x 12.5" H | Weight: 11.9 lb | Accessories: Steam rack, ladle, spoon, measuring cup
For half the price of a comparable Instant Pot, this Cosori 6-Quart 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker delivers all the performance and features you need. Its ceramic liner and slanted steam valve set it apart from competitors, too.
The inner pot of the Cosori 9-in-1 is finished in nonstick ceramic. This means food is likely to get stuck after a sautee cycle or pressure cooking and will clean up easier, too. It has nine main functions, including steaming, sauteeing, slow cooking, rice cooking and yogurt making, in addition to pressure cooking. It also has options specifically for porridge and oatmeal or beans and grains. Its front controls are sleek, with a bright display.
Like other updated cookers, the steam lock and release mechanism of the Cosori 9-in-1 makes this sometimes messy task a bit safer. Its steam-release switch is located more than a hand’s width away from the actual release valve. It’s also easy to close with a clear visual marker. We did note that the Cosori isn’t ideal for searing.
Instant Pot Pro 8-Quart 10-in-1
Best for Large Families or Batch Cooking
Capacity: 8 qt | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 14.37" D x 13.9" W x 14.17" H | Weight: 15.8 lb | Accessories: Steam rack, sealing ring
The big fella of the Instant Pot line, the 8-Quart Instant Pot Pro provides extra space for large batches of cooking. Meal preppers and large families will appreciate the capacity and power of this roomy all-in-one appliance.
The Instant Pot Pro isn’t only 2 quarts bigger than other Instant Pot models. It also has a more powerful 1400-watt heating element, allowing it to preheat faster. Its 10 cooking programs encompass the usual, pressure cooking, steaming, rice cooking, sauteeing and so on, but also include baking and sous vide. It has a striking black matte finish.
Controls on the Pro are on a different level than other Instant Pot models. A control knob and big display help you whoosh through the more than two dozen different cooking modes possible. The Pro’s steam release is enhanced to minimize dangerous and unsightly splashes, too.
Instant Pot Rio
Best for Small Kitchens & Households
Capacity: 4 qt | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 12.52" D x 13.82" W x 10.08" H | Weight: 10.9 lb | Accessories: Steam rack
The Instant Pot Rio wins on style, with a trendy matte finish and just enough space to sit neatly in a compact kitchen. The contemporary take on the classic Instant Pot Duo line, it’s well suited for small households looking for fast cooking convenience.
At just over 10 inches high, the 4-quart Rio model is a full 2 inches lower than other Instant Pot models, giving it more head clearance in crowded counters with overhanging shelves. Inside, its steel liner is intentionally designed to resist spinning while stirring or scraping, keeping food where it ought to be.
Its simple, compact front panel displays time left and status and lets you activate one of its seven functions. It covers all the basics of multifunction cookers, including pressure cooking, steaming, sauteeing, rice cooking, slow cooking and yogurt making.
The Rio comes in several colors instead of the expected silver and black. There’s matte black, the dusky rosewater, subtle sea salt and bold eucalyptus, so it competes readily with viral or hypeworthy social media brands. It only makes four servings, but for small households, that’s more than enough.
CHEF iQ Smart Pressure Cooker 6-Quart
Best for App-Guided Cooking
Capacity: 6 qt | Material: Aluminum and plastic | Dimensions: 13" D x 13" W x 13" H | Weight: 10.4 lb | Accessories: Steamer basket, steam rack, extra ring, measuring cup
The CHEF IQ Smart Pressure Cooker is a gadget-lover’s delight. With an integrated scale, large interactive screen and built-in Wi-Fi, it’s designed for the cutting edge of connected cooking and recipe discovery.
It’s hard to escape the impressive, high-quality display on the CHEF IQ cooker, like looking at a smartphone stuck onto a pot, complete with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cloud icons. Those icons are the signs of the CHEF IQ’s top features. It connects wirelessly to the Internet, not just specifically to the CHEF IQ app, but also for maintenance and firmware updates. It even opens its steam release for you at the end of the cooking program.
Another major feature is the CHEF IQ’s built-in scale. No more measuring or guesstimating with cups and spoons: This scale lets you measure precisely in ounces or grams how much of an ingredient you’re putting in a dish. The app has hundreds of guided recipes and thousands of cooking presets as well. Wireless connections means it has more plastic parts than others, but that’s the tradeoff for this level of interactive cooking tech.
Midea 12-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker 8-Quart
Best Budget Pressure Cooker for Families
Capacity: 8 qt | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 14" D x 13.4" W x 14" H | Weight: Unspecified lb | Accessories: Measuring cup, ladle
Value-conscious shoppers, don’t fret. The Midea 12-in-1 8-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker gives you as many functions as top-line models, at a much more attractive price. Whether you just want to cook rice, tenderize stews or go all out with possibilities, the Midea should serve you well.
The Midea 12-in-1 8-quart model stands tall on the counter, so it deserves a space of its own. Its 8-quart capacity makes it great for cooking large batches of rice quickly, as well as its main pressure-cooking and slow-cooking functions. Aside from steaming, sauteeing and the other usuals, its functions include oatmeal and porridge, sauce thickening, and the simple and enticing option that just says CAKE.
Compared to other large-capacity models in our lineup, the Midea has a little less power at 1,200 watts, but that merely puts it in the same league as 6-quart models. A 12-hour timer lets you automate cooking to a large degree as well.
Fissler Vitaquick Premium 8.5-Quart
Best Stovetop Pressure Cooker
Capacity: 8.5 qt | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 18.5" D x 11.4" W x 8.5" H | Weight: 12.6 lb | Accessories: Steamer insert, tripod
Stovetop pressure cookers still have their place in the kitchen, especially one as well-made as the Fissler Vitaquick Premium. It’s a high-end, trustworthy piece of kitchen engineering that builds pressure evenly and quickly.
A stovetop pressure cooker is for anyone who doesn’t need the automation of an electric multifunction pressure cooker. They just want a pressure cooker to sit on their stove and do its essential job. The Fissler Vitaquick Premium is a top-quality choice for this, boasting all-German design and production of polished stainless steel. Comfortable handles easily lock into place for safety, while a sleek steam valve provides excellent control over the steam pressure.
As a stovetop model, the Fissler Vitaquick Pro has only one real function: to bring liquids to a boil and generate pressure. But that function can be used for steaming with its included insert, as well as canning, sterilizing and more. Priced as a premium piece of cookware, it’s the pressure cooker for discerning foodies.
Presto 6-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
Best Budget Stovetop Pressure Cooker
Capacity: 6 qt | Material: Stainless steel and aluminum | Dimensions: 9.12" D x 17.31" W x 8.75" H | Weight: 6.6 lb | Accessories: Pressure regulator, cooking rack
If your family ever had a pressure cooker in the past, before electric ones took over, it probably looked like this Presto 6-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker. This is the stainless steel pressure cooker of old high school home-ec classes, with its bobbling pressure regulator and twist-clamp lid.
The Presto is made out of tri-clad aluminum and stainless steel with the familiar peaked lid. A detachable pressure regulator sits at the peak where the steam valve is. Integral grooves allow the lid to screw into place on the lower pot for the pressure to build. An ergonomically shaped handle allows for comfortable usage, and a helper handle makes it easy to pick up, move and pour.
The Presto comes with an internal cooking rack for steaming or multilevel pressure cooking. It’s easy to keep clean, with the body and lid being dishwasher-safe. The sealing ring and overpressure plug, though, need to be washed by hand.
Our Place Dream Cooker 6-Quart
Best PFAS-Free Pressure Cooker
Capacity: 6 qt | Material: Aluminum, stainless steel | Dimensions: 13.3" D x 12.4" W x 15.2" H | Weight: 12.9 lb | Accessories: Base, lid, condensation collector
The Our Place Dream Cooker is as striking as any craveworthy item from the viral brand. Its nonstick ceramic interior releases food easily, and its elegant control panel is easy to use. It also looks great on the kitchen counter.
The Our Place Dream pressure cooker is a 6-quart cooker with a sleek, elegantly colorful matte finish. Inside, its inner cooking pot is lined with PFAS-free nonstick ceramic for easy food release and cleanup. Its display and control panel shows just what you need and doesn’t confuse you with options. You can cycle through cooking modes and see cooking time without complexity.
With only four major modes, the Our Place Dream is a little limited compared to other electronic pressure cookers. You can steam, saute and keep warm as well as pressure cook, and that’s about it. But the Dream switches automatically to keep-warm mode, so you don’t have to, and automatically releases steam, too, without risking any injury to your hands.
All American Canner Pressure Cooker
Best for Experts
Capacity: 10.5 qt | Material: Aluminum | Dimensions: 10.25" D x 10.25" W x 11.75" H | Weight: 14.8 lb | Accessories: Canning rack
Dedicated home canners and preserve makers are the target audience for the All-American 1930 Canner Pressure Cooker. This commercial-level product is built to stand up to heavy-duty use, with all-metal sealing and a pressure gauge you can’t ignore.
The All American 1930 is a piece of cookware straight out of steampunk. A large protruding mechanical pressure gauge lets you know exactly how much pressure and temperature you’re dealing with. Wingnut clamps keep the cast aluminum lid and body locked together. It offers 5-, 10- and 15-pound weights for pressure regulation, and the seal is pure metal on both sides.
The 1930 canner stovetop pressure cooker is designed for dedicated canners and food preservers, although it can also be used for pressure-cooking meats and stews. It comes with a rack perfect and fits up to eight pint jars or four quart jars. Note that hand-washing is highly recommended.
How we analyzed
We analyzed our picks based on type, features, ease of use, brand reputation and customer feedback. We evaluated each on size and capabilities, noting the number of settings for multicooker models as well as the versatility or specialization of stovetop options. We paid particular attention to steam-release methods and clamping construction to allay safety and injury concerns. We also noted ease of use, whether it be purely mechanical, electronic or wireless.
How pressure cookers work
In a manner somewhat similar to braising, a pressure cooker prepares food using steam that is tightly sealed in a special pot.
- Liquid in the form of water, stock, broth, or even wine is heated in the sealed chamber, which creates steam.
- The airtight seal creates a large amount of pressure inside the pot, which heats the liquid to a high temperature.
- Once the lid is closed, the correct amount of pressure is selected based on the recipe.
- The pot is placed on the stove on very high heat until it reaches the desired pressure. Pressure level is indicated in various ways depending on the cooker; it can be a digital readout or manual gauge.
- When the desired pressure is reached, the heat is lowered to maintain a consistent pressure. It can take up to 10 minutes for a pressure cooker to reach its target temperature.
Expert tip
Avoid using dairy (like creamy sauces) in your pressure cooker. The high heat can cause milk-fat solids to curdle and clump together.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
When cooking is finished — but before the lid is opened — the pressure inside the pot must be released. That process can be done in one of three ways:
Quick release: The steam valve is gently turned so the heat can escape.
Natural release: The heat is turned off, and the pot is allowed to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before lid removal.
Cold-water release: The pressure cooker is placed under running cool water. This is the most dangerous method of pressure release, as steam can escape from vents accidentally left open.
How to BBQ with a pressure cooker
Better taste, better nutrition – faster, easier
Many people eat pressure-cooked food because they believe it’s healthier, tastier, easier, and faster to prepare.
Indeed, a pressure cooker’s combination of steam and pressure speeds up the cooking process while simultaneously preserving key nutrients and vitamins. What’s more, the end results taste great.
Pressure cooker history
First-generation pressure cookers
If you model your kitchen after your grandmother, there’s a pressure cooker that’s just right for you. Generally found at garage sales or on Craigslist, these first-generation pressure cookers require careful monitoring, but they can get the job done perfectly.
The earliest pressure cooker models have a weight on the top of a valve that releases steam during the cooking process. The drawback is that there is no gauge, so everything cooks at the same temperature.
Toward the end of this first generation of pressure cookers, some manufacturers made weights of varying sizes that allowed cooks to monitor the pressure. Cooking time would then be based on the number of long “whistles” that issued from the pressure cooker. For example, when the cooker gave off seven whistles, your pot roast was done.
Second-generation pressure cookers
The second generation of pressure cookers had a built-in gauge that could be adjusted to the desired pressure. Often, these appliances had two or more settings. In many cases, there was no release valve, which meant home cooks had to be extra careful in how they released steam before opening the lid.
Pressure cookers in the '90s and beyond
In the early ‘90s, electric pressure cookers hit the market. These appliances allowed users to regulate both heat and pressure. As technology improved, electric pressure cookers advanced in stages.
Stage one: Market offerings had a manual timer. There was no such thing as a programmable pressure cooker with helpful presets at this time.
Stage two: The market began to offer programmable pressure cookers that included digital timers with delayed cook settings.
Stage three: The market began to offer smart digital functions that enable detailed setting control. Stage three also introduced the multifunctional model which, in addition to offering multiple pressure settings, functions as a rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, and stock pot.
Expert Tip
Don’t overfill the pressure cooker – too many ingredients and/or liquid can cause uneven cooking.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
What to cook in your pressure cooker
While it’s true that you could cook just about anything in a pressure cooker, some foods and recipes lend themselves better than others to this fast, high-heat style of preparation.
Pot roast
Though a good pressure cooker pot roast recipe may require a fair amount of prep work (including browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables), you’ll have a hearty dinner that will no doubt please family and guests after about 45 minutes in an electric pressure cooker. Notably, one of the key benefits of cooking with steam pressure is that it allows users to find success with less expensive (tougher) cuts of meat.
Chili
A bit of advanced prep is required for chili — mostly browning the meat and removing excess fat. But once all ingredients are placed in the pot, the pressure cooker works quickly (in about eight minutes) to create a chili to remember.
Soup or stew
Do you love soup and stew? If you choose, you can use your pressure cooker to kick up a traditional vegetable soup with a little added protein in the form of chicken or, if your tastebuds are watering for it, hearty beef stew. If you’re lucky enough to have a multifunction pressure cooker, you can perform the vegetable and meat sauté work in one pot. Once all the ingredients are in place, cooking time is a quick 15 minutes on high.
Cheesecake
Yes, you can make cheesecake (as well as other desserts) in a pressure cooker. According to many recipes, the cooking is actually done using steam while a springform or other pan is placed on a trivet or makeshift foil lift. The steam surrounds the pan during the 40-minute cooking time.
Safety first
Calamities are bound to happen in any kitchen activity, but the heat and pressure that builds up in a pressure cooker necessitate a number of safety-first rules.
- Make sure the rubber gasket seal is intact. Many manufacturers suggest you replace the rubber gasket annually, but it may be wise to keep a spare on hand. A broken or chipped gasket will prevent the appliance from sealing tightly, which could cause it to open unexpectedly.
- Do not put too much food in the pressure cooker. The heat will cause the food to expand, so don’t fill the inner pot more than half full. Opening the inner pot when it is overflowing with food could lead to severe burns.
- Add enough water. An inadequate amount of water could lead to an imbalance in pressure, which could in turn lead to burnt food.
- Do not fry in your pressure cooker. The heat from too much oil in the pot could damage the valve and other parts of the appliance.
- Be extra careful during steam release and when opening the lid. There is no formal tally of pressure cooking accidents, and with newer digital models, they may be less frequent. Nevertheless, you should always read the directions of your unit before using it. See the aforementioned methods for safe steam release and opening the cooker lid.
- Do not open a pressure cooker while it is operating. Doing so would pose a significant safety hazard. If you must open up the cooking vessel, unplug it first.
Features to look for in a pressure cooker
Capacity
How much food do you want to be able to prepare at once? This is reflected in the number of quarts a unit can hold. Many of the best ones we’ve seen hold around 6 quarts of food, but you can find smaller 2-quart models, extra-large 8-quart models, and many stops in between.
If you’re feeding just yourself and maybe a housemate or two, a 4-quart model may be ideal. If you entertain often and want the ability to prepare large batches of chili, cheesecake, or other pressure-cooked foods, opt for an 8-quart capacity or greater.
Notably, electric pressure cookers often have a larger capacity than their traditional counterparts.
Versatility
Some pressure cookers are basic machines designed for beginners who simply want to saute veggies, sear meats, and prepare stews and a few other types of foods. These machines cost less than the more involved multi-cookers addressed here.
A multi-cooker offers multiple cooking functions. In other words, it can do more than just pressure cook. You may be able to use it as an air fryer, a slow cooker (like a Crock-Pot), a yogurt maker, a rice cooker, and more.
If you’d like a quick example of what we’re talking about here, think of an Instant Pot. A model like the Instant Pot Duo combines seven different functions in one machine. These gadgets cost a bit more than basic pressure cookers, but many people decide that if they’re going to put a new item on their countertop, they’d like it to be something that offers several unique cooking functions.
Materials and appearance
Pressure cookers may be made with an outer housing of stainless steel or aluminum. We advise potential buyers to look for appliances with stay-cool handles, a fingerprint-resistant finish, and if possible, a stay-cool housing.
The inner pot, or chamber, of a pressure cooker is often made of a nonstick material. Nonstick cookware is much easier to clean and is often dishwasher safe. Check the instructions and user manual before you wash your new appliance for the first time.
Many of the most popular pressure cookers today are made of stainless steel with black trim. They may have an LCD screen or a set of buttons for easy operation.
How much do pressure cookers cost?
Under $50
A traditional pressure cooker, generally made of aluminum, can be found in this price range. Generally smaller in capacity — between 8 and 16 cups, in many cases — these pressure cookers have safety features built into the handles and release valves. They lack precise gauges to control the amount of pressure, but they are suitable for small families and those who don’t plan to use the unit on a regular basis.
You might start by looking at the offerings from budget-focused brands like Presto and t-fal.
Under $100
Climbing up the price ladder, we begin to find large electric pressure cookers, some with capacities of more than one gallon. Here you will find stovetop pressure cookers that have the same features as their aluminum counterparts but are made of stainless steel. Closer to the $100 mark, you can find some of the more recognizable names in pressure cookers, such as Cuisinart and Ninja Foodi.
Under $200
For under $200 — and sometimes less than $100 — you can grab yourself a popular Instant Pot that performs other functions beyond pressure cooking, such as sautéing. The price will vary depending on capacity and smart WIFi-based features, such as Bluetooth capability. You can also find great offerings from brands like Cuisinart and Ninja Foodi here.
You might expect to get the benefits of a Crock-Pot or an Instant Pot when you spend this much, especially if you pay upwards of $150 or perhaps more than $200.
FAQ
Q. Why do some pressure cookers come with a trivet, basket, or rack?
A. These accessories increase your ability as a home cook to prepare certain foods. For example, an Instant Pot often comes with a trivet or other type of rack that holds your food above the liquid inside the inner pot. You can use this rack to make delectable ribs, cheesecake, lasagna, and more within the cooking chamber.
Using a trivet essentially allows food to be steamed without being submerged in liquid. You get the benefits of steam cooking without the drawbacks of drenching your food. Many people find their food retains more flavor when prepared this way.
Q. Can I sterilize baby bottles or canning jars with my pressure cooker?
A. Some people use their pressure cookers to sterilize bottles and jars. The high temperature of the steam works well to kill germs and prepare the sterilized vessels for their next use. However, if you decide to use your pressure cooker to sterilize baby bottles, experts recommend that you reserve your appliance for this purpose only.
If you would prefer to reserve your pressure cooker for cooking tasks only, consider investing in a baby bottle sterilizer. These gadgets are inexpensive, highly useful, and make great baby shower gifts.
Expert tip
I wouldn’t recommend using your pressure cooker to make a pie. Dry heat is required to make that crispy flaky crust, so stick to your traditional oven for pies.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
Q. What if I want a plain pressure cooker without added bells and whistles?
A. When shopping, pay attention to which cooking functions are offered by any product you consider. If your goal is strictly to pressure cook food, you’re probably not interested in reading about the best Instant Pot, and you probably don’t want to buy a multi-cooker with air frying or dehydrating capabilities like the Instant Pot Pro.
That’s okay. Just know that the market is saturated with both options: entry-level pressure cookers and multi-cookers with lots of “bells and whistles.”
You’ll be pleased to know that a traditional pressure cooker without the added features costs much less than an Instant Pot and similar appliances. However, it’s worth noting that an Instant Pot isn’t that much more than a pressure cooker, so if you want to try a machine with additional capabilities, that option is open to you.
Q. How can I safely release the pressure from my cooker?
A. Unplug the electric pressure cooker and press the quick-release button or turn the handle for the quick-release valve. The pressure cooker will then release the steam in a safe, controlled manner. When this is done, it will be safe to take the food out of the pressure cooker.
Q. How do I release the pressure from the electric pressure cooker after it’s done cooking?
A. Read your instruction manual first. For an Instant Pot, the manual may instruct you to let the vessel depressurize naturally. But in other cases, there is a valve or quick-release button you must manipulate first.
If you don’t have your user’s manual, you can usually find one online. If you bought your appliance from an online site like Amazon, start there. Amazon usually provides links to user manuals, warranties, and other pertinent information.
Pressure cooker barbecue feast
