10 Best Pressure Cookers

The Instant Pot 80 Duo is a versatile electric pressure cooker with a generous 8-litre capacity, making it well suited for large families or meal prepping for the week. Its stainless steel construction ensures durability and food safety, while the 1200-watt power allows it to cook meals up to 70% faster than traditional methods. With 13 one-touch smart programmes, including options for soup, meat, rice, and even yoghurt, it offers a wide range of cooking styles without needing manual adjustments. The cooker remembers your preferred settings, which adds convenience for frequent use.

Safety-wise, it includes important features like auto shutoff and a secure locking lid, which help prevent accidents during cooking. Cleaning is made easier thanks to dishwasher-safe parts and its stainless steel finish that resists stains. On the downside, at around 7.2 kg and fairly large dimensions, it might require significant countertop or storage space, which could be a consideration for smaller kitchens. Also, while it has preset programmes, it lacks multiple pressure levels that some other models offer for more precise control.

This Instant Pot is well suited for busy households wanting a reliable, easy-to-use pressure cooker that also doubles as a multi-function cooker, though those seeking a more compact size or advanced pressure settings might prefer other models.

The Ninja Foodi MAX 15-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker is a versatile choice for those who appreciate multifunctionality in their kitchen appliances. With a substantial 7.5-liter capacity, it is well-suited for families, as it can cook up to six portions. This makes it ideal for preparing meals like a 3kg roast or a sizeable batch of French fries. Made from stainless steel and plastic, it combines durability with a sleek design that fits modern kitchens. Its primary strength lies in its diverse cooking functions, including pressure cooking, air frying, and slow cooking, among others. The inclusion of a Digital Cooking Probe is a smart feature, removing the guesswork by monitoring food temperature for optimal results.

Safety is also a priority here, with the SmartLid ensuring safe pressure cooking. However, given its 15.08 kg weight, it might be cumbersome for frequent repositioning or storage if counter space is limited. Cleaning is made easier with its design, but the size might pose a challenge in smaller sinks. The energy-saving feature is appealing, offering up to 60% savings compared to conventional ovens, which is beneficial for the environmentally conscious or those wanting to cut energy costs.

While the touch controls provide user-friendly operation, some may find the multitude of functions overwhelming initially. High ratings of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 6,600 reviews indicate strong consumer satisfaction. Given its broad functionality and sizable capacity, this multi-cooker is ideal for busy households looking to streamline meal preparation without sacrificing variety.

The Instant Pot XL 7.1L is a versatile 7-in-1 electric multicooker that works well for families or anyone who enjoys batch cooking, thanks to its large 7.1-litre capacity which can comfortably handle up to eight portions. The stainless steel inner pot is durable, safe for cooking, and dishwasher safe, making cleanup straightforward. This model offers multiple cooking functions, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, sautéing, and even yogurt making, which adds to its convenience and value as a kitchen all-rounder.

In terms of safety, the Instant Pot is designed with an easy-seal locking lid and a steam release switch, giving peace of mind during pressure cooking. The control panel is touch-based with push buttons and includes four customisable preset buttons for quick access to favourite recipes, making it user-friendly even for those new to electric cookers. The wide base and lower profile design help with even cooking and easier stirring, which is a thoughtful touch.

This Instant Pot is well suited for busy households looking to save time and energy with a reliable, multi-use appliance that’s straightforward to operate and clean. Its safety features and sizeable capacity make it a solid choice, though its bulk and weight of nearly 8kg, along with a fairly large footprint of about 41.5cm wide, may require adequate kitchen space.