You would like to eat healthy and cook fresh every day, but you simply don’t have the time? Then modern pressure cookers might be the solution to your problem. These enable significantly higher boiling temperatures than conventional saucepans, which drastically reduces the preparation time for your food.
By the way, you not only save time but also a lot of energy costs. The advanced pots are also available in many different sizes and offer you a wide range of prices.
To give you an initial overview, we compared 10 best pressure cookers for you and clarify the most important properties of each individual product. Then you will find out in our guide how a pressure cooker actually works, what advantages and disadvantages it offers, and what you should consider when buying such a kitchen utensil.
Top 10 Pressure Cooker – Comparison Table
| Product | Weight | Quart | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Beach 37541 | 11.84 lb | 6 qt | Check Price |
| Instant Pot Ultra | 15.7 lb | 8 qt | Check Price |
| Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 | 11.53 lb | 6 qt | Check Price |
| Cosori Premium 8-in-1 | 17.99 lb | 6 qt | Check Price |
| T-fal Rapid Pro | 12.76 lb | 6 qt | Check Price |
| NutriChef PKPRC66 | 11.2 lb | 5 qt | Check Price |
| Delonghi CKM1641D | 16.64 lb | 6 qt | Check Price |
| Mealthy MultiPot | n/a | 6 qt | Check Price |
| Calphalon Pressure Cooker | 9.60 lbs | 6 qt | Check Price |
| Presto 01781 | 12.00 lbs | 23 qt | Check Price |
10 Best Pressure Cooker Review
Instant Pot Duo Plus 60
If you are a family of three to four people, the Instant Duo Plus 60 offers an ideal capacity and a very satisfactory quality of finish. It is able to replace most of the kitchen appliances.
Our impression
This pressure cooker fits easily on the counter of your kitchen, even if you have a rather limited space. It measures 34 * 31 * 31.8 cm, i.e. 13.39 * 12.2 * 15.52 in, and weighs 5.37 kg, i.e. 11.84 lb. It is neither too large nor too heavy, and can be easily and quickly stored if you feel the need.
The capacity offered is 5.68 L, or 6 Qt. This is the recommended value for three to four people. For three gourmands, the limits will be quickly reached, but four lighter appetites can find their account.
The operation of the machine is very simple: the functions are written down and you can consult the settings made on the blue LCD screen, which is particularly legible thanks to very clear icons. However, the instruction manual provided is confusing: watch the videos available on the Internet instead.
The pressure cooker can be used to prepare eggs, cakes, rice, or as a yogurt maker or slow cooker. It can replace up to 9 devices. Be careful, however: note that the heating time is rather long, and the power of 1000 watts does not provide optimal speed. Preparation time is therefore not eliminated.
You benefit from 15 pre-recorded programs. You have the option of keeping your brew warm, and a delayed start feature is present to relieve you when you are very busy.
Get Instant Pot Duo Plus 60 at Amazon
The product is UL certified, ensuring compliance with North American safety standards. The elements in contact with food, including the lid and the bowl in particular, are made of a specific stainless steel. They can be dishwasher safe if desired. The maintenance is very simple.
What could be improved?
The Instant Pot Duo Plus 60 requires a little preparation and effort on your part, but it does not have a serious defect, apart from a heating time which can seem a little long to the most demanding. This unit is ideal for making your life easier if you are a four person household. It is very robust and easy to handle.
Pros
- The very convincing price-performance ratio
- Versatile
- Very well designed LCD display
Cons
- Notice provided confused
- Slightly long preparation time
Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1
The Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 has been designed with the aim of making life easier for large families, thanks to a large capacity and a large number of possibilities. Thanks to an ingenious design and very nice versatility.
Our impression
Beyond a very marked versatility, the main advantage of this pressure cooker remains its capacity of 7.57 L, or 8 Qt. It can suit a family of six or more: it depends on the greediness of each one above all.
A very good point concerns the grip: it is done entirely thanks to a single button, located under the LCD screen. After a little adjustment, you get used to it: it’s intuitive and simple. On the other hand, we find the screen sometimes too loaded with information, it then becomes necessary to get closer to read it.
However, this is explained by a great freedom of configuration. You can even indicate the altitude you are cooking at, a rare setting ideal for mountaineers. The machine can replace 10 kitchen appliances and has 16 integrated programs, which makes it one of the most versatile on the market.
The product may seem a little more massive than others, with its 37.6 * 35.6 * 36.8 cm for 7.12 kg, which is equivalent to 14.8 * 14.02 * 14.49 in for 15.7 lb. However, this is justified by its large capacity and solidity: stainless steel has been favored. Maintenance is easy, the essentials are dishwasher safe.
As usual, Instant Pot made sure to offer a very secure product. It offers 11 dedicated mechanisms, including leak detection and lid position detection. It is UL and ULC certified. You also benefit from a button for a simplified evacuation of the possible too full of steam.
Get Instant Pot Ultra at Amazon
Finally, if you are tech-savvy, know that this device can be controlled using the Amazon Alexa voice assistant. An application is also available, in which you can find a large number of recipes.
What could be improved?
The Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 8 Qt may be on the budget, but its price-capacity ratio remains excellent. In addition, its numerous features allow you to make it the key tool in your kitchen. It is perfect for large families, and will also appeal to mountaineers thanks to its altitude adjustment function.
Pros
- Good price-capacity ratio
- Very marked versatility
Cons
- Very slightly high price
Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 6 Qt
If you are looking above all for a pressure cooker to simplify your life, which is accessible and above all offers a few essential features, the Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 6 Qt is a good choice for a couple or a small family.
Our impression
First, let’s address a slight defect: the LCD screen, red on black, is less well integrated and less legible than on other pressure cookers. It has a slightly aggressive side to the eyes which is not prohibitive, but can get in the way from time to time.
This product is light and takes up little space. Its dimensions are 33.5 * 31 * 31.8 cm and its weight is 5.23 kg, i.e. 13.19 * 12.2 * 12.52 in and 11.53 lb. Obviously, its capacity is modest, at 5.68 L or 6 Qt: that’s enough for three people, four for the lightest appetites. However, the capacity-price ratio is perfectly fair.
In terms of versatility, you are limited: the device can be used as a slow cooker, pressure cooker, or rice cooker. It has a dedicated feature for cakes and eggs. In all, it replaces a maximum of 6 devices, and offers a limited number of 12 programs.
You still have a few very useful options: keep warm is available until 10 am, and you can also schedule a delayed start up to 24 hours. In addition, accessories are provided, including a rice spoon and a ladle. The design is strong and safe, UL and ULC certified.
Note that in some modes you have the option to adjust the temperature level. You can also control your pressure cooker with Amazon Alexa, and take advantage of the many recipes offered for free on the manufacturer’s application.
What could be improved?
If you’re on a tight budget and see the pressure cooker not as your main appliance but as an add-on when you’re short on time, the Instant Pot Lux-6-in-16 is a perfect match. However, there are slightly more expensive devices that offer more programs and performance.
Pros
- Inexpensive and easy to use
- Solidity and security for the price
Cons
- Limited versatility and efficiency
Cosori Premium 8-in-1
Rather versatile, but simple and sometimes a little slower than its competitors, the Cosori Premium 8-in-1 has been designed to be the safest product possible to use.
Our impression
What strikes immediately with this product is a very smooth and reassuring appearance. And for good reason, it is ETL, FCC and FDA certified and equipped with 10 safety mechanisms that allow you to cook peacefully and avoid any stress. On the other hand, the power of 1000 watts implies an efficiency which remains moderate.
It is suitable for three to four people, offering a capacity of 5.68 L or 6 Qt. For this capacity, it is a rather heavy device, since it weighs 8.16 kg, or 17.99 lb. However it remains compact, at 30.5 * 30.5 * 33.5 cm or 12.01 * 12.01 * 13.19 in.
The general robustness is quite satisfactory: you have a tempered glass cover and a stainless steel vapor carrier. Other accessories are provided: ladle or rice spoon in particular. The manufacturer also offers a very reasonable warranty of 2 years.
The Cosori Premium 8-in-1 can play the role of eight devices, including that of yogurt maker or stove. You can also use it to prepare a fondue. It contains 17 pre-recorded programs, which you can adjust to your liking by changing the pressure, cooking time and temperature.
The criticism that we can make is use that turns out to be quite complex, despite an a priori intuitive layout of the buttons. It takes a lot of fumbling, and the instructions are not clear. It creates frustrations. Keep warm and delay start are present, as well as the display in ° C or ° F.
What could be improved?
Do you have a child at home and want to avoid any risk? The Cosori Premium 8-in-1 has been designed to perfectly meet North American security requirements. It is neither the most efficient pressure cooker nor the easiest to use, but it is the ideal solution if you want to avoid the unexpected.
Pros
- Very reassuring in use
Cons
- Heavy
- Efficiency slightly lower
- Counter-intuitive handling
T-fal Rapid Pro 12-in-1
If you are faced with a lack of space at home or in your kitchen, you can turn to the T-fal Rapid Pro 12-in-1, which aims to replace a very large number of devices.
Our impression
Considering the price generally charged, the versatility is exceptional: you can use the device as a slow cooker, to bake, to heat dishes, to design baby food or as a yogurt maker, among others. In all, these are 12 machines that you can now do without.
However, keep in mind that despite an interesting power of 1100 watts for its capacity of 5.68 L or 6 Qt, the pressure cooker is sometimes slow. In addition, the pressure adjustment is not always optimal: you have to take a helping hand to get really tasty meat and rice.
The product also has the distinction of being quite large. It did not seem very disturbing to us, but can make the purchase less interesting for you: its dimensions are 32.1 * 32.1 * 37.3 cm, or 12.64 * 12.64 * 14.69 in. As for the weight, it is rather low, at 5.79 kg, that is to say 12.76 lb: no bad surprises to report.
It’s a little bit different in terms of quality. This one is quite honest, but a marked setback compared to other pressure cookers: expect a lifespan of less than two years, which makes the value less good than it may seem. It is more electronics that are problematic than stainless steel design.
Finally, the use may seem obscure at first. The buttons are actually quite clear, and the options simple: delayed start and keep warm. But you have to adapt a lot according to your preparations, in a way that is not detailed in the instruction manual and imposes tests and frustrations on you.
What could be improved?
The T-fal Rapid Pro 12-in-1 is a device combining two qualities: it is accessible and versatile. Unfortunately, this goes hand in hand with a manufacturing quality slightly below standards which can make it worthwhile, in our opinion, to invest a few tens of dollars more in a slightly more robust pressure cooker.
Pros
- Compact and versatile
Cons
- Tedious handling
- Disappointing lifespan
NutriChef PKPRC66
Do you need a pressure cooker only to be able to cook faster and eat better as part of a busy professional life? The NutriChef PKPRC66 was thought of as an inexpensive pressure cooker for modest needs, which you can buy online for around $ 100.
Our impression
Let us first discuss what constitutes both the main strength and the major defect of the device: a small capacity. At 4.73 L or 5 Qt, do not expect to cook for more than one to two people, especially with good appetites. It is a product that has been thought to be compact and efficient without further consideration.
It naturally displays dimensions as well as a reduced weight: only 28.4 * 28.4 * 30 cm for 5.08 kg. Which is equivalent to 11.8 * 11.8 * 11.81 in for 11.2 lb. It is by far one of the easiest pressure cookers to store or place on a counter.
The versatility here is very low: beyond cooking your food in different ways and the possibility of baking, do not expect much more. However, the speed is really pleasant: the power is not very marked, at 900 watts, but since the capacity is also quite low, the cooking time is very satisfactory.
In general, comfort is the key advantage of the product. This is particularly true for maintenance: you can go very quickly thanks to the materials chosen for the different elements. The exterior of the machine has a stainless steel coating, and the tub has a Teflon coating. The solidity is correct.
You have all the essential options: keeping warm, delayed start. You can be alerted when your dish is ready thanks to an audible signal. Operation is simple thanks to eight programs. Some adjustments are possible, but we recommend that you use the predefined modes.
Get NutriChef PKPRC66 at Amazon
Finally, the biggest problem with this pressure cooker is a capacity-price ratio which makes it difficult to favor against competitors at similar rates offering a higher capacity. Watch for promotions before you buy.
What could be improved?
The NutriChef PKPRC66 is a pressure cooker that only meets a very specific need. In terms of its capacity, its price makes it quite expensive in the face of slightly slower but much more versatile and configurable competition. It is to be reserved for couples or single people who refuse to take the lead.
Pros
- Quite fast, easy to learn
Cons
- Unattractive capacity-price ratio
Delonghi CKM1641D
The Delonghi CKM1641D is an extremely easy to use device, which requires virtually no effort on your part and knows how to be effective. However, its price is quite high, since you will generally have to count close to $ 230 to hope to obtain it on the various trading platforms.
Our impression
This pressure cooker is one of the most massive products. Indeed, with its dimensions of 31.5 * 46 * 27.5 cm for its weight of 7.55 kg, which is equivalent to 12.4 * 18.11 * 10.83 in for 16.64 lb, we might as well admit it: it can be more cumbersome than the average on your counter, and stores less easily.
Other drawbacks that may make you hesitate is a very limited versatility that is increasingly rare for pressure cookers, especially in this price range: you only get 5 programs. You still have the possibility to adjust the pressure the device is used as a slow cooker
However, this simplicity is good for handling. Here, there are no complicated options to think about at length: the pre-existing settings are the right ones. Everything is done with very clear buttons located on the front of the device, and the LCD display to indicate the time is sober and readable.
Like most models, you can keep warm or schedule a delayed start. Keeping warm is also automatically activated as soon as the cooking is finished, which allows you to get ahead while preventing your dish from cooling down.
The product knows how to be quick, and generally the result is tasty. This is explained by the implementation of a dedicated technology called ExacTemp which allows a fairly impressive cooking finesse. The machine is made of solid stainless steel and the bowl is dishwasher safe.
Get Delonghi CKM1641D at Amazon
The big drawback of this pressure cooker is a really strong price justified by the quality and the simplicity of use, but certainly not by the capacity of 5.68 L, or 6 Qt, and the ultra-thin versatility compared to the competitors.
What could be improved?
The Delonghi CKM1641D is an excellent pressure cooker, but it struggles to find its way among competitors who are often, admittedly, a little longer to learn, but much cheaper, just as efficient, and of identical build quality. . Look for it instead at a discount or during special offers.
Pros
- Very easy handling
Cons
- Very disappointing value for money
- Too limited versatility
Things to consider before buying a pressure cooker
Pressure cookers are there to simplify your daily life. But they can quickly become useless if you do not choose a model well suited to your desires and needs. Here are some parameters you can take into account before making a definite choice on a device.
The number of people in the household
If you’re on your own, you probably don’t need a very expensive pressure cooker: something that is not very versatile but efficient is likely to be more suitable for you. On the other hand, if you plan to acquire a pressure cooker to facilitate the preparation of meals for the whole family, do not hesitate to increase the budget.
Foods to prepare
Pressure cookers have grown in popularity recently in particular because they allow easier and tastier cooking of certain foods, especially rice or certain grains. Today, the majority of models also offer the possibility of baking or preparing meat or fish.
We recommend that you make sure that the device you are targeting is capable of cooking the food you want. One of the most effective techniques to get an idea is to consult the recipes, often made available free of charge by the manufacturers on the Internet or in dedicated applications.
The context of use of the pressure cooker
Do you buy a pressure cooker for one-time use, because you happen to be in a rush? Or, on the contrary, do you want to equip yourself with it to prepare almost all meals, because you are overwhelmed with work or household chores? In the second case, be prepared to spend a little more.
Safety standards
Check, as with all household appliances, that North American electrical standards are met. There are certain labels that attest to this, such as UL or ULC certifications. Try to favor these certified products, whose safety and conformity to the Canadian market are beyond doubt.
The capacity
The capacity of a pressure cooker generally refers to the capacity of its tank and is most often expressed in Quart. A 5 Qt pressure cooker is intended for one to two people, a 6 Qt pressure cooker for three to four people. There are 8 Qt pressure cookers for large families, allowing you to cook a meal for six or more.
Note that this is one of the parameters that most influences the price of the product. Do not hesitate to check, on a model that interests you, if it does not exist in a smaller or larger capacity according to your needs.
The power
Pressure cookers need power to fuel changes in temperature and pressure. It then has a direct impact on the speed of the device. It is most often between 900 watts and 1200 watts. More than the raw value, it is the power-capacity ratio that should really appeal to you.
Versatility
There are two ways to measure the versatility of a pressure cooker. It is first a question of checking how many devices it can replace: the slow cooker and the rice cooker are among the great classics, but some pressure cookers can also act as a yogurt maker for example. This is directly indicated by the manufacturer.
Then you can pay attention to the number of pre-recorded programs available: the more there are, the more it reflects a brand’s desire to make sure that you can cook a wide variety of foods and dishes.
Ease of use and maintenance
The handling differs from one user to another. Some pressure cookers are unfortunately equipped with rather unclear instructions, which sometimes focus too much on the recipes and not enough on the very functioning of the object. Do not hesitate to search online for instruction manuals before purchasing.
Most devices work with buttons, a screen, or both. The ergonomics are then variable. The rule to follow is to favor those that seem visually simple to you. Also make sure that the LCD display is really useful, clear and not overly charged.
Finally, with regard to maintenance, you just have to make sure that the various elements, in particular the basket or the container, are easy to wash. Often they are directly dishwasher safe so no effort is required.
Accessories and recipes
Pressure cookers are sometimes delivered with a rice spoon, a ladle or a measuring cup. If you hesitate between two technically close models and at a similar price, take stock of the accessories included.
When it comes to recipes, these are often incorporated into the instruction manual or a slightly more elaborate cookbook included with your purchase. Some manufacturers also offer them on their website and in applications: we recommend that you simply go and analyze what makes you want!
Weight and dimensions
The goal of a pressure cooker is to replace as many devices as possible while going fast. You should therefore look for it rather compact and light, the ideal being that it fits on your kitchen counter without becoming intrusive. Preferably aim for a device weighing between 5 to 6 kg. For the measurements, it’s up to you to adapt them to your space.
The price
Count at least $ 100 to get an entry-level pressure cooker with a rather modest capacity. Then, from $ 130 to $ 150 you will find models of excellent quality and good capacity. For the best performing models, you have to be ready to spend around $ 230. Don’t hesitate to browse the frequent promotions.
We hope this guide has made you feel more comfortable in choosing your pressure cooker. Remember: asking other web surfers is one of the best ways to get reliable, up-to-date information on each product, and to be able to purchase the device you like beyond our selection.
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