Most people use multicookers for their pressure cooker settings, but the list of Instant Pot uses is much longer and includes a few surprising tricks you might not guess it can do. Most multicookers (including Instant Pot) have options for cooking rice, yogurt, grains, and chili, as well as functions for slow-cooking, browning, and sautéing. Thanks to the pressure-cook function, a lot of simple kitchen tasks are much faster—for example, cooking chicken breast in an Instant Pot takes just minutes, even if your chicken is still frozen. When selecting a multicooker, Instant Pot or otherwise, keep in mind which features are the most important to you and which ones you think you’ll use the most.
Some multi-cookers offer up to 15 functions and this versatility not only saves on workspace by reducing the need for multiple appliances, it also could save you money – a key factor that we considered when testing and reviewing.
While the number of functions vary and is often reflected in the price, most multi-cookers combine a good mix of modern and traditional settings.
If you’re looking for a healthier way to achieve the familiar taste and textures of traditionally fried foods, certain multi-cookers can be a step up from the best air fryers. Others take away the anxiety of stove-top pressure cookers by automating the pressure build and release, so you still get the conveniently quick, food tenderising effect but even more so.
There are lots of ways that multi-functional cooking appliances make cooking easier, but we specifically looked at those that offer slow cooking, sear/sauté and pressure cooking at their core, with rice cooking, roasting, baking, dehydrating, dough-proving and other functions as useful additions.
Whether you’re cooking on a budget, looking to streamline your energy usage or simply want to create some space in a busy kitchen, we’ve brought you our tried and tested picks of the best multi-cookers currently available on the market.
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Do you get confused when new appliances come onto the market? Well, this particular appliance not only carries out multiple functions but also comes disguised under many names.
To name a few multi-cooker, pressure cookers, multi-function cookers, and even one-pot cookers.
What Can a Multi-Cooker Do? A multi-cooker carries out the cooking functions of many appliances all within the one electric appliance. It is a slow cooker, rice cooker, pressure cooker, electric pot, steamer, fryer, air-fryer, dehydrator, yogurt maker, and breadmaker.
Spoiler alert “I got one” and I believe a multi-purpose cooker can satisfy everyone’s needs as we all like to prepare different dishes.
A multi-cooker is something-in-1. I say this because this appliance can literally replace so many different meal preparation appliances.
The cooker arrives with various functions and settings that are pre-programmed.
To use one of these cookers is really as easy as choosing a recipe, buying the ingredients, preparing ingredients, popping them in the cooker as per the recipe, and choosing the right program.
You will then be notified when the meal is ready if you are not around it will turn itself on to the keep warm mode. The keep-warm mode can stay on for up to 12 hours in some cookers.
After you get the hang of the pre-programmed recipe combinations you can then move on to program your own favorite recipes into the appliance. You know the ones that we all tend to cook all the time.
The best multi cookers give you the freedom to cook a vast variety of meals all from the same pot. They’re incredibly easy to use and, if you have to work in a small kitchen, give you the freedom to experiment without requiring multiple appliances. With prices starting from as little as £35, they’re a brilliantly affordable addition to any chef’s toolset.
Multi cookers are often seen as a jack-of-all-trades appliance. While that’s still true to some extent, nowadays many of the best multi cookers are highly capable in their own right. Some even specialise in certain cooking methods, which is great if you have a preference towards one type of meal.
If you already have an idea of what you want, our at a glance list below will take you straight to retailers for our favourites. Alternatively, you can scroll down to find mini reviews of all the multi cookers we’ve tested. New to the world of multi cooking? We’ve put together a handy guide below to talk you through some of things you should consider before buying.
Best multi cookers
All of the best multi cookers will have preset functions for slow cooking, baking and either rice or steaming. Some multi cookers, such as the Instant Pot and Tefal All-In-One, can also pressure cook. These are a good option if you cook a lot of meat joints and want to achieve slow cooker-style tenderness, but don’t have time to wait around.
READ NEXT: Our pick of the best slow cookers
If healthy cooking is on your list of must-haves, a multi cooker with an air frying function may come in handy. The Ninja Foodi does just that, as well as all of the usual functions, so you can make stews, soups, pressure-cooked meats and crispy chips all with the same appliance. The only issue is that this versatility comes at a price: at around £200, you could potentially buy a cheaper multi cooker and separate air fryer for less.
What size multi cooker should I buy?
This depends entirely on the size of your household. If you’re cooking for one to two people, then anything from 1.4l upwards should be just fine. For families of four to five, we’d suggest nothing smaller than 4l. If you cook for a crowd regularly or are seriously into batch cooking, then we’d suggest a 6-7l multi cooker.
How much should I spend?
When it comes to multi cookers, pricier certainly doesn’t always equal better. Though many of them have the same basic functions, these appliances can be quite varied at times, so we’d suggest deciding what you need the most (slow cooking, air frying, pressure cooking) and choosing a model that excels in that area.
If you want something that simply slow cooks and makes rice, then a budget cooker around the £30-£40 mark is probably more than enough for what you need. However, if you can take advantage of the extra functions, we’d always suggest spending as much as you can.
Anywhere between £60-£100 will get you something decent and probably have enough variety. If you really want to experiment, then it may be worth spending even more on a model with specialist functions and more adjustability.
READ NEXT: Best pressure cookers for super-speedy meals
With one of the best multi-cookers, you’ll have access to an array of cooking functions right at your fingertips. These cookers are incredible value for money, with up to 14 cooking settings available in one unit, and offer versatility for those who need space-saving appliance solutions.
Often combining pressure cooking with modes for slow cooking, baking, steaming, and even air frying, these multi-cookers really can change the way you use your kitchen. If you’re a keen chef, you’ll be sure to take advantage of all of the ability they have to offer.
That’s exactly what we’ve done, with a panel of expert reviewers weighing in on how well these multi-cookers can replace rice cookers, the best slow cookers, and debating if they can oust the best air fryers from your kitchen.
Below are our top picks of the best multi-cookers on the market, with budget-friendly models for under £100 alongside more expensive options, if you’re looking to invest a little more.
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(Image credit: Instant Pot)
The best multi-cooker overall
Specifications
5.7 L or 8 L
28 pre-set cooking programs
Pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sauté, bake, sous vide, yogurt, rice/ grain
Stainless steel pot, steam rack, spare sealing ring
Reasons to buy
Silicone cooking pot handles
Safe and easy steam release
Free recipe app makes it easy to adapt to
Reasons to avoid
The pot isn’t non-stick
The Instant Pot Pro has a sleek black exterior and is fully loaded with presets and cooking functions to take centre stage in your kitchen. We appreciated how compact the 5.7 litre model we tested was, but it also comes with an 8 litre pot for larger families. Something that can put people off pressure cooking is the steam vent release. This lets out high-pressure steam, which can splutter depending on the machine you’re using. We had no such issues with the Instant Pot Pro though, thanks to the switch to the side of the valve which means you can keep your distance.
We made tasty brown rice in just 30 minutes, and were left with fluffy separated grains. The slow cooking mode was also impressive, but it’s worth noting that with all multi-cookers they will retain liquid better than a regular slow cooker, so reduce the amount of stock you’re using to get the same result you’re used to with your slow cooker.
Everything, even the lid, can go straight in the dishwasher, which we were thrilled with. Especially because the pot isn’t non-stick, it’s nice to know there won’t be any need for scrubbing.
Read our full Instant Pot Pro review.
(Image credit: Ninja)
The best multi-cooker for in-built air frying
Pressure, steam, slow cook, yogurt, sear/ sauté, air crisp, grill, bake/ roast, dehydrate
Non-stick cooking pot
Hinged crisping lid can’t be removed
The air frying lid (which is known as the tendercrisp lid) is hinged to the side of the cooker, so when you use the pressure lid you need to allow room for the crisp lid to stand upright. This can make it tricky to fit the Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Multi-Cooker OP350UK under kitchen counters. The air frying is actually really good, though. We were able to make an entire roast chicken by pressure cooking and then air frying it, and the potato wedges it made were even and crispy.
We enjoyed the non-stick cooking pot, but it can swivel around slightly when stirring because the pot isn’t held into place with handles like the Instant Pot Pro. The bottom of the pot is also slightly curved, which made it tricky to add oil to the pot without it gathering at the sides. Cleaning is a breeze, and the handles on the side make this a storage-friendly multi-cooker.
Read our full Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 review.
(Image credit: Sage)
The best multi-cooker for easy presets
Pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sauté/ sear, sous vide, reduce
Stainless steel cooking bowl, stainless steel trivet
Pre-sets work on pressure or slow cook
Handles make it very portable
Cooking bowl can’t go in dishwasher
Sage’s latest multi cooker, the Sage Fast Slow Go, is a great alternative to the fascia of many multi-cookers. The images make it more attractive, but also easier to get to grips with. You can choose between pressure and slow cooking for many of the presets, and it can also be used to steam, sous vide, and reduce.
The hinged lid is unusual, and not our favourite. It can be removed, but the process is quite fiddly. We do like that the pressure cook mode releases the valve hands-free, which means you won’t need to worry about any splattering hot water.
We made a very delicious risotto in just 18 minutes using the Sage Fast Slow Go, and it required no stirring. Another dish we tried was a chickpea curry using dried chickpeas on the legume setting. This was a big win, and while we’re not usually fans of using dried chickpeas, this machine may have converted us for how easy the process was.
Buy Sage The Fast Slow Go, £169.95, at sageappliances.com (opens in new tab)
Read our full Sage The Fast Slow Go review.
(Image credit: Magimix )
The best multi-cooker for premium design
3.5 L metal bowl, 3.6 L food processor bowl
13 automatic programmes + 1 expert manual programme
Steam, soup, blend, chop, bread, and more
Universal blade, Steamer basket & tray, Whisk, Heat-resistant spatula, three-layer food processor, 2 slicing discs, 2 grading discs
Easy to clean
Food processor and cooking attachment
Completely hands-free cooking
It’s a very expensive choice
The Magimix Cook Expert brings an alternative take on multi-cooking, with an attachment to put even the best food processor out of a job, and a cooking bowl with blades attached at the bottom which can whiz through soup or stews with ease. You can use the presets for soup (chunky or smooth), blending, frozen desserts, and even kneading dough, or even freestyle on the manual cooking mode to make your own recipes.
We really enjoyed how immersive the Magimix Cook Expert experience is. You can join online groups to get tips on new recipes to try, and it’s amazing to see how many different things people make in their Cook Expert. This includes mulled wine, porridge, even custard. The blades at the bottom can be removed, but it’s best not to do this when you’ve just finished cooking and they’re hot, so the grooved spatula is needed to get ingredients out of the bottom of the cooking pot. It’s a bit fiddly when cooking dishes like porridge or mashed potato.
None of the other multi-cookers we tried had blades attached, so while you can use the steam insert or use the Magimix Cook Expert as one of the best soup makers, you will also enjoy being able to set the blades on a slow mode to use them to stir rice or veggies while they cook from the bottom of the cooking pot. Cleaning is very easy, because everything is dishwasher-safe.
Read our full Magimix Cook Expert review.
(Image credit: Tefal)
The best multi-cooker for under £100
Pressure, steam, slow cook, simmer, brown, bake, baby food, oatmeal, rice
Measuring cup, spatula, steam basket, trivet, recipe booklet
24-hour keep warm function
Recipe book included
Great for rice
No obvious start button
If you want the best multi-cooker for under £100, the Tefal CY505E40 is a great choice. We really loved the control panel, which made it easy to pick the right mode for you, and there’s a lot this multi-cooker can do. It made delicious, fluffy rice, the likes of which we’d expect from one of the best rice cookers. We also really enjoyed the recipe book included, which made it easier to get used to using the Tefal CY505E40.
The compact design of the Tefal CY505E40 will be a winner in smaller kitchens, but again, the lid is hinged. Using the browning program before switching on the pressure cooking mode was useful for getting the most flavour out of a delicious beef stew, and the whole process was pretty low-effort.
One issue we had was the lack of an obvious start button. Instead there’s an icon, which you’ll need to find in the control manual, but it does make getting started a little trickier. Cleaning was easy. The non-stick coating of the cooking pot was appreciated, especially from Tefal, who makes some of the best non-stick frying pans. It can’t go in the dishwasher though.
Read our full Tefal CY505E40 review.
(Image credit: Crockpot )
The best multi-cooker for cooking meat
Pressure, steam, slow cook, brown, bake, rice, yoghurt
Stirring spoon, steaming rack and sous vide rack
Makes 6+ functions
Makes great stew
Separate pressure release dial
Not great for steaming veggies
The Crockpot Turbo Express Electric Pressure Cooker made delicious stews. We were able to brown the meat first before switching over to slow cook or pressure cooking mode and leaving it to cook. The turbo settings There are presets for rice, beans, stew, meat, and ever desserts, as well as manual settings to let you get stuck in.
Steaming was a little tricky, as was cooking rice, but this is a multi-cooker that you’ll enjoy after an initial adjustment period. It’s also well-priced, and great for generous portions. The steam vent is once again distinguished from the pressure switch, so you won’t have to worry about splatters with this multi-cooker. It’s got a non-stick pot, but it’s not dishwasher-safe.
Read our full Crockpot Turbo Express Electric Pressure Cooker review.
Instant Pot Parts and Pieces
When you start using your Instant Pot, it helps to know your way around the individual parts and pieces. Plus, if something breaks, it’s usually simpler (and cheaper) to replace an individual part than your entire multicooker.
Gasket: This is the circular piece of rubber that runs around the top of your pressure cooker. It might seem relatively unimportant, but it serves a crucial role. The gasket is what creates the secure seal during cooking, allowing pressure to build inside. The gasket can sometimes shrink or become deformed after being exposed to high heat over many uses, so if you’re having trouble with pressure-cooking, it’s worth taking a close look at your cooker’s gasket. Along with a few other handy Instant Pot accessories, we’d recommend having an extra gasket or two on hand if you’re doing a lot of pressure-cooking.
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Pressure Valve: The pressure valve is a crucial piece because it’s one of the parts that helps seal your cooker so pressure can build; you can also use it to quick-release pressure. Make sure the valve is closed when you’re pressure-cooking; if it’s open, pressure won’t build inside the cooker and your food won’t cook. When the cooking time is up, the cooker will depressurize on its own, which is called a “natural release.” But if your recipe calls for it, you can open the valve as soon as the cook time is up, quick-releasing the pressure and letting out a rush of steam. While a quick-release can be a time-saver for many recipes, it’s not a good idea to use it for liquid recipes like soup because some of the liquid can get sucked up through the pressure valve. If you decide to use a quick-release, make sure to keep your hands and face away from the steam—use a wooden spoon or other utensil with a long handle to push the valve open, making sure you don’t burn yourself in the process.
Programmable Settings: This is where the magic happens. Though it might be tricky to get the hang of programming your Instant Pot at first, reading the instructions from the manufacturer—and getting a little practice—will help you figure it out in no time. While the Instant Pot is pretty smart, it won’t be able to tell how many ingredients are in the pot or whether they’re fresh or frozen. So while the “Poultry” button might come in handy at times, be sure to adjust the preset cooking time as needed to match your recipe.
Removable Pot Liner: The removable pot inside your multicooker is what makes cleanup so easy. Liners can be stainless steel or nonstick, and some are dishwasher-safe. All of the cooking happens inside this pot, so it should be your main focus when cleaning up after cooking. If the liner is not dishwasher-safe, wash it in hot, soapy water, along with all of the removable parts (including the lid and any removable parts on the lid, the steam catcher, and the gasket, as described in the manufacturer’s manual).
Air fryers vs multi-cookers
There’s a lot of crossover in functionality between air fryers and multi-cookers, but there are some differences that set them apart. Some multi-cookers can offer air frying within their roster of functions, but additional settings, such as pressure cooking and sous vide, extend their usefulness even further.
While air fryers are generally versatile gadgets with cooking presets that go beyond basic functionality, they tend to be more limited to convention-cooking technology. We’ve included a handful of air fryer multi-cookers above to help you explore the best options out there.
Multi-cooker recipes and reviews
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 reviewOur best ever slow cooker recipesSlow cooker Christmas recipesSlow cooker mince recipesKids’ slow cooker recipesVegan slow cooker recipesSlow cooker curry recipesSlow cooker chicken recipesCheap cuts of meat: how to get the most out of themLemony prawn and pea pressure cooker risottoChicken and mushroomsBeef and vegetable casseroleSlow cooker bolognese
Best slow cookersBest pressure cookersBest rice cookersBest food processorsBest non-stick frying pansBest casserole dishesBest saucepans
Multi-Cooker Benefits
Multicookers replace a number of kitchen appliances such as slow cookers and rice cookers. They are generally compact and easy to store. So compact in fact can use them anywhere.
Holiday homes, RV, anywhere you have a power outlet, you are ready to go. The clean-up is kept to a minimum because you are not using a number of pots and pans. The units themselves are easy to clean.
They are safe to use, are programmable, and can be left alone while the cooking process takes place.
Depending on the size of your multi cooker you can prepare meals for a large number of people. Just about any meal you can think of you can prepare in a multi-cooker.
Related read what can you use instead of a pressure cooker?
How to Use an Instant Pot
- Take a quick look at all the parts of your pressure cooker. Make sure the gasket is soft, flexible, and crack-free (check out our guide to parts and pieces, below). Snap it into place as directed in the manual. Make sure the pressure valve is in place and free of debris.
- Using it is optional, but most cookers, including the Instant Pot, have a built-in browning function, which is crucial if you want your meats to have rich, caramelized flavor. Add oil, set the browning function, and allow the cooker to heat up. Brown meat in batches to prevent the cooker from cooling down and steaming the meat instead of browning it. Just as when you cook on your stove top, don’t overcrowd the pot. You can skip this step for cooking veggies and grains, but for meat it’ll add more flavor to your finished meal.
- When cooking meat, once it’s browned add the remaining ingredients (or as directed in your recipe). For recipes without meat, just add the ingredients to the pot after double-checking the parts. Lock the lid into place and adjust the pressure valve to the closed position. Select the setting and time. The digital display will show when the cooker has gotten up to pressure (this usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes) and the actual cooking time has started to count down.
A day in the life of a Multi-Cooker!
Let’s start with breakfast you will be able to freshly cook oatmeal or another breakfast favorite overnight using the time delay setting.
Mid-morning you can bake bread, cakes, scones maybe a dessert.
Then on to lunch, on the weekends the possibilities are endless anything from risottos, soups, stews, casseroles, salads, and beyond. If you are home during the week for lunch this appliance will reheat a meal for you.
Alternatively, prepare something quick and healthy. If you prepared a delicious meal the night before chances are you are going to be taking leftovers to work – how good is that?
Come home to dinner already prepared such as pot roasts, potatoes, steamed vegetables quick clean, and then you can prepare a dessert. If you are late home or not ready to eat use keep warm and reheat settings are right there to be used.
You will be blown away by the desserts and cakes you can prepare in a multi-cooker.
Overnight you can either prepare breakfast for the next morning or maybe a big batch of yogurt!
CHECK OUT the Ninja
How to Use an Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker
One advantage of cooking with an Instant Pot and other electric multicookers is that they can take the place of a few other countertop appliances. For example, you can say goodbye to your slow cooker and rice cooker, because the Instant Pot can take over both of those tasks. But since the Instant Pot is a pressure cooker first, there are a few changes you need to make when you use it to slow-cook. First and foremost, slow cookers allow some steam to escape as they cook, so make sure the pressure valve is open when you’re slow-cooking in your Instant Pot—the lid will still be locked, but this will let some steam out as your recipe cooks. You can also buy a glass lid for your Instant Pot that works just like a slow cooker lid and that will also release steam while you’re slow-cooking.
The Instant Pot has three temperature settings you can use in slow-cook mode, while most slow cookers just have “high” and”low.” The Instant Pot temperatures are”less,””normal,” and”more,” and they don’t match up exactly with slow cooker temperatures. In general, the”low” setting on the Instant Pot matches more closely with “keep warm” on a slow cooker;”medium” is a better choice for slow cooker recipes that call for “low” temperature; and you can use “more” for high-temperature slow cooker recipes.
What Can You Save With a Multi-Cooker?
The savings you can achieve with a multi-cooker is one of the best features of owning one of these appliances they include space, energy, time, and of course money!
Space
The space you save with a multi-cooker is awesome. You can remove a number of appliances and just have one cooker. This frees up so much space in your kitchen you will truly feel liberated.
These cookers are also handy for any number of other spaces. Such as college dorms, offices, RVs, holiday apartments, holiday cabins, small apartments, and tiny homes.
In fact anywhere with an outlet.
Energy
Energy savings – the traditional kitchen stove/oven uses ten times more energy than a multi-cooker. Throw into the mix the other appliances you would use to prepare some meals as well as the extra hot water for washing up.
Time
Due to the fact that after preparation the multi-cooker cooks automatically. So the time saved in the kitchen is fantastic. Think of all the other things you could be enjoying.
Money
Not only will you not have to purchase a kitchen appliance to prepare certain foods you won’t have to replace existing appliances. This is a huge money saver.
Combine this with the amount of money you will save on food by preparing nutritious meals that provide leftovers for lunches or meals for the freezer. You will be well in front financially.
Convenience and Safety
The convenience comes with the fact that you can leave the cooker to prepare the meal. Safety comes into play because when the multi-cooker has completed its programmed task it will automatically turn off.
Some cookers will even alert you to the end of cook time. If you do not respond the cooker will revert to the keep warm setting until you are ready to serve.
How did we review the best multi-cookers?
(Image credit: Future PLC)
As more multi-cookers continue to hit the market, we’ll be reviewing to continuously update this guide with the top options on the market, in line with our commitment to how we test products at Ideal Home.
Millie is the Head of Reviews for Ideal Home, working to ensure that the products we feature have been thoroughly tested before we recommend them to you. Previously Small Appliance and Cookware Editor, she remains our go-to expert for all things related to kitchen appliances.
She’s constantly reviewing the latest and greatest releases and has tested an array of multi-cookers on the market in order to tell you exactly what you need to know about them.
From this list, she’s had hands-on experience with the Magimix Cook Expert
Freelance Writer & Home Economist
Helen is a regular contributor to Ideal Home, reviewing appliances to let us know what they’re worth. She lives in a village in Buckinghamshire and reviewed the Instant Pot Pro, the Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 and the Sage the Fast Go Slow from this list from our own kitchen, which is in a 17th century cottage with unnervingly low beams that make her glad to be short. She tested them by using them to cook all sorts of everyday foods for herself and her husband and was allowed to keep them after the review, to see how they fare in the long run.
How to choose the best multi-cooker
(Image credit: TBC)
If you’re looking for the best multi-cooker to make stews and speed up cooking times, you’ll be safe with an entry-level model. Most multi-cookers can pressure cook, so you’ll be able to enjoy cooking all types of meat and pulses with a range of functions to brown and then cook your dish. However, not all multi-cookers come with an air fryer in-built. Adding an air fryer into the equation will let you switch from pressure cooking to air frying, which will crisp up the skin of your chicken or make your roasties in minutes.
Cleaning and Care
Cleaning is easy just empty the cooker clean the cooking pot and any steamer inserts you may have used. They simply wipe down the whole appliance with a damp cloth.
These cookers do not retain any odors from meals prepared. Cleaning and care are a breeze.
Which was the most energy-efficient multi-cooker we tested?
Of the models tested, we found the Amazon Basics 23-in-1 multi-cooker and the Instant Pot Duo Evo 10-in-1 multi-cooker to be the most energy efficient. It cost 3.91p to run both multi-cookers on a high pressure-cook setting for 30 minutes, using a tariff of 31.8p/kWh.
Drew & Cole’s Pressure King Pro 5.7L 12-in-1 came a close second, costing 3.97p to pressure cook on high for 30 minutes (based on 31.8p/kWh).
Are multi-cookers energy efficient?
Multi-cookers vary in their energy efficiency depending on their size and the function selected. But it is possible to calculate how much energy it will use, which in turn will help you work out the cost and impact it’ll have on your bills.
Take the appliance’s wattage and multiply it by the gadget’s hours of use per day, then divide the total by 1000. The result will be the appliance’s daily kilowatt-hour (kWh).
The cost per kilowatt-hour will vary depending on your energy tariff and area. If you have a smart meter installed at home, you’ll be able to see the cost per use during cooking without having to calculate it.
Cooking Rice in an Instant Pot
Cooking rice in your Instant Pot is super easy, not to mention a time-saver. It actually works for all kinds of whole grains. One of the biggest advantages is that you don’t have to monitor rice, quinoa, bulgur, or any other grain you cook in your Instant Pot—just set it and forget it until the time’s up. For white rice, add 1-1/2 cups water to your Instant Pot for every cup of uncooked rice, and pressure-cook 5 minutes. For brown rice, use 1 cup water for each cup of rice, and pressure-cook 20 minutes. For wild rice, use 2 cups water for each cup of rice, and pressure-cook 20 minutes. You can quick-release the pressure once the cook time is up for all three varieties. And while rice may have its own button on the Instant Pot, it’s not the only grain you can cook in there—quinoa, oats, farro, and barley are just a few of the other grains you can pressure-cook in an Instant Pot.
Get the recipe: Gruyère Risotto with Arugula Gremolata
How we tested multi-cookers
The more functions an appliance has, the more testing that’s warranted to ensure everything works the way it should. We tested the functions we deemed essential for everyday cooking and most useful to have under one lid: pressure cook, air fry/crisp, slow cook, rice, bake, grill, roast, sear and sauté functions, along with combi steam-air fry and combi-air fry options, if available.
To test pressure cooking, we adapted BBC Good Food’s beef and vegetable casserole recipe, reducing liquid quantities by half and adding flour for thickening towards the end of cooking. Slow cooker chicken korma is an excellent indicator of flavour infusion and highlights a model’s ability to tenderise but not overcook meat. The aromas also linger, which makes a good test of how easy it is to clean each multi-cooker. For baking functions, we used a gluten-free lemon drizzle cake to indicate an evenly baked cake without burning across the top, sides or bottom.
We looked for flavour-packed casseroles and kormas with tender meat and no bitterness from hot spots or burnt bits on the bottom. We also expected grilled aubergine to be juicy and tender; halloumi to show defined grill lines without being burnt; air-fried chips to be fluffy on the inside with a crisp outer; and combi-cooked salmon to be tender and juicy.
Were the functions easy to find and select? Does the multi-cooker update you on the cooking progress of its ingredients? Are manual elements, such as pressure release valves, safe and easy to open?
The price of the multi-cooker had to feel right for the versatility of its functions and quality of food it produced.
Does the lid hold onto strong aromas? Can sealing rims be removed for easy cleaning? How easy it is to clean the inner bowls can depend on whether they offer a non-stick coating.
No one wants to buy a pricey new appliance only for it to break six months down the line. Multi-cookers usually consist of one large inner bowl that sits inside an outer with a lid – we looked for a good fit. Accompanying accessories, such as rice stirrers, grill racks and crisper baskets also had to be robust enough to stand the test of time.
Is the multi-cooker covered by a fair warranty and is there guidance on how to recycle it at the end of its life? Is the packaging excessive or recyclable? Where was the multi-cooker made? Is it economical to use?
The best multi cookers to buy
With similar styling to the Instant Pot, Tefal’s impressively affordable all-in-one cooker excels in a lot of areas. We’re particularly fond of its pressure cook and steaming functions, but it also does a whole host of other things including slow cooking, rice steaming, baking and browning. Rather unusually, this multi cooker also has its own one-touch function for warming and preparing baby food, which is very neat.
If you’re looking for an Instant Pot clone that’s a bit more affordable, this is a good option. The 6l capacity is enough to accommodate a small family whether you’re cooking rice, curry, soups or stews. Better still, the inner bowl is dishwasher safe, making it relatively easy to clean.
Key specs – Capacity: 6l; Dimensions: 28 x 30 x 30cm (WDH); Accessories: Steam basket, trivet, measuring cup, spatula; Dishwasher safe bowl: Yes; Guarantee: 2 years
The best multi cooker for pressure cooking
This cult classic is loved by many home cooks due to its versatility. We really like it as a pressure cooker and it makes exceptional rice, too. Other functions include steaming, sautéing, warming, slow cooking and yoghurt making. Capacity-wise, it’s about the same size as the Ninja Foodi, but it’s far more affordable.
The Instant Pot has more than enough functions for the everyday home cook and does all of them pretty well for the price. There are cheaper options on this list but they don’t deliver such consistent results, so if you can stretch to it, this offers an almost perfect balance between performance and price.
Key specs – Capacity: 5.7l; Dimensions: 31 x 34 x 31.7cm (WDH); Accessories: None; Dishwasher safe bowl: Yes; Guarantee: Not specified
Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi Cooker
Though it isn’t Ninja’s most expensive model (that honour goes to the Ninja Foodi MAX 15-in-1), the Foodi 11-in-1 does come at a premium price. However, if you’re willing to spend that little bit extra, you’ll get your hands on a high-quality, versatile multi-cooker.
While it might be on the large side, the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 is aesthetically pleasing and well designed, with a clear and readable digital display and easy to use controls. You can switch between three modes – pressure cooking, air frying and steaming – as well as 11 different cooking functions. These include classic functions such as slow cooking, air frying, and roasting, as well as two new “combi-steam” functions, which combine steaming with baking or air frying for fluffier bakes and juicier, more tender meats.
In testing, it performed admirably in a number of areas but was particularly impressive when pressure cooking and steaming. It’s also much simpler to use than previous models, as the newly designed MultiLid doesn’t need to be changed out when switching between its three main modes. This cleverly designed lid, combined with impressive functionality make the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 one of the simplest, yet most feature-packed multi cookers available.
Read our full Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi Cooker review.
Key specs – Capacity: 6l; Dimensions: 41cm x 39cm x 40cm (HWD); Accessories: 6L cooking pot, crisp basket, reversible rack; Dishwasher safe pot: Yes; Guarantee: 1 year
Best multi cooker for fast meals
Marrying style, versatility and convenience, the Ninja Speedi is the first real game changer we’ve seen in the rapid cooking space in some time. Underneath its aesthetically pleasing powder-blue finish and bevelled edges the Speedi houses a versatile multi cooker with air frying, slow cooking, grilling, sauteing, baking, roasting, dehydrating, steaming and combi-steam abilities.
While very impressive, the Speedi isn’t quite perfect: the rapid cooker’s saute setting didn’t quite match the fierce heat of our hob and sadly, this model lacks any pressure cooking functionality. If the latter happens to be a dealbreaker for you, then you may be better off opting for something like the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1. Otherwise, the Ninja Speedi is a multi-cooking option whose convenience and versatility are hard to match.
Read our full Ninja Speedi review
Key specs – Capacity: 5.7L; Dimensions: 31cm x 33cm x 35cm (HWD); Accessories: Adjustable grill plate, cooking pot; Dishwasher safe parts: Yes; Guarantee: 1 year
The best multi cooker for slow cooking
We love the temperature and timer controls: the digital display allows you to quickly and easily set your preferred temperature and cook time, something most of the cheaper options on this list are missing. It’s disappointing that there’s no set function for rice, though.
Key specs – Capacity: 5.6l; Dimensions: 46 x 34 x 28.2cm (WDH); Accessories: Roasting rack, measuring cup; Dishwasher safe bowl: Yes; Guarantee: Not specified
Lakeland Mini Multi Cooker
Whether you’re a student or you’ve just got a tiny kitchen, this multi cooker ticks all the right boxes. Much like the Instant Pot, this dinky cooker excels at making rice, but we also got great results when baking a cake and slow-cooking a stew for two in it. The delay start time and keep warm functions are also a godsend.
Alongside multiple rice options, cake baking and slow cooking, you can also make oatmeal, quinoa and yoghurt in it. Due to its size and price there isn’t a steamer basket or option to adjust temperature settings. That’s frustrating, but we didn’t find the latter affected the quality of our stew at all.
Key specs – Capacity: 1.4l; Dimensions (WDH): 23.5 x 28 x 20cm; Accessories: Measuring cup, plastic spatula; Dishwasher safe bowl: No; Guarantee: 3 years, if bought via Lakeland.
Is a Multi-Cooker Healthy?
Multi-cookers are absolutely healthy. I ask you what is not healthy about preparing your own meals from fresh meat and produce. The only alternative I see is pre-packaged fake food or takeaway.
So yes I believe that any meal you meals you prepare is healthier than the fast options out there.
What Can a Multi-Cooker Do?
Using a multi-cooker you will be able to make 1000’s different meals. If it can be cooked this appliance will be able to do it for you. They use less oil or fat lubricants to cook with so you are already winning by consuming fewer calories.
The multi-cookers come complete with steaming racks that stack inside the cooking pot. This feature enables you to prepare the main dish and any accompaniments you may want with the meal such as vegetables.
Once you get the hang of using your appliance you will soon be enjoying the benefits of nutritious hearty food prepared from fresh ingredients.
In our busy lives, this has to be a big benefit knowing that you can prepare quick healthy food while not being tied to the kitchen for hours on end.
- Size: If you’re cooking for a crowd, you’ll find the bigger the better, but there are mini ones for smaller households, too. Some models can stand quite tall if they have hinged lids, which is something to take into consideration if you have low kitchen cupboards.
- Functionality: There’s little point paying for functions that you’re unlikely to use but do consider those that excite you. Multi-cookers are excellent gadgets for introducing new ways of cooking to your everyday meals and completely mitigate the need to buy and store multiple appliances. They can also be one of the more efficient ways to save rather than buying two or more large and expensive appliances.
- Extra attachments: Look out for additional perks such as dishwasher-safe inner bowls and accessories. Models such as the Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 multi-cooker offer a separate lid for pressure cooking, which would require additional storage when using other functions. With its newer 15-in-1 model (featured above), Ninja is leading the way with its combination steam and convection cooking modes, designed to lock in ingredients’ moisture and flavour while still crisping the outside.
Best multi-cookers at a glance
- Best overall multi-cooker: Crockpot Turbo Express 14-in-1 pressure multi-cooker, £125.99
- Best rice cooker for top-end multi-cookers: Sage the Fast Slow Go multi-cooker, £144
- Best value multi-cooker: Pressure King Pro 5.7L 12-in-1 Digital pressure cooker, £89.99
- Best large multi-cooker: Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid, £200
- Best multi-cooker for pressure cooking: Tefal Turbo Cuisine Multi pressure cooker, £129
- Best air fryer multi-cooker: Ninja Foodi MAX 15-in-1 SmartLid 7.5L multi-cooker, £319.99
- Best multi-cooker for intuitive controls: Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus multi-cooker, £99.99
- Best multi-cooker for versatility: Amazon Basics 23-in-1 Multi Purpose, £80.78
- Best budget multi-cooker: Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Multi-Use pressure cooker, £168.29
- Best multi-cooker rice cooker: Tefal All-in-One pressure cooker, £119
Jump to section
Crockpot Turbo Express 14-in-1 pressure multi-cooker
Best overall multi-cooker
- Versatile with 14 functions
- 5.6L capacity for cooking for 6 or more
- Dishwasher-safe removable non-stick bowl
- Turbo function for cooking food 40% faster
- Bowl spins in its base during stirring
- Ambiguous start and stop coding for function alerts
Cost during test: n/a
The slow-cooker function created a richly-infused chicken korma with tender meat. It automatically jumped to ‘keep warm’ mode after the cooking time had ended – very handy. Notifications signalling the cooking progress meant we were always in the know if ingredients needed a stir. Our overall favourite multi-cooker.
Sage the Fast Slow Go multi-cooker
Best rice cooker for top-end multi-cookers
- Stylish
- Large digital touchscreen
- Versatile 14 functions
If you’re looking for a do-it-all multi-cooker to keep out on the countertop, this is the one for you. The stylish brushed stainless-steel design gives this model a contemporary feel that forgives greasy fingermarks. This cooker focuses on slow and pressure cooking functions, and is equipped with a pressure release safety valve and locking lid.
Its ability to cook grains, such as risotto, from the preset function produced very creamy results without all the usual effort of standing and stirring. Stocks, stews, yogurt and more are part of its push-button interface, clearly labelled with words and icons. Sous vide cooking is also possible with this model, allowing you to achieve consistent, quality results. Read our full Sage the Fast Slow Go review.
Pressure King Pro 5. 7L 12-in-1 Digital pressure cooker
Best value multi-cooker
Created with GIMP
- Attractive design
- Good value for under £100
- Lightweight for the size
- Automatic keep-warm function
- Intuitive controls
- Has a handle for easy lifting
- Unable to adjust time and temperature for sautéing
- Steam valve is close to pressure release switch
Cost during test: 3.97p
This Drew & Cole multi-cooker impressed us from the off – it has a polished steel exterior, lightweight ceramic pot, robust plastic lid and a detachable power cord. Among its 12 functions are traditional settings including steam, sauté, and stew, plus extra presets for dishes such as soup, chilli and curry. There’s also a steamer basket that slots neatly inside, elevated from the base of the pot so you can steam veggies as you cook other dishes underneath.
Navigating the control panel is a breeze and we were also impressed by how easy it is to pick up and move the cooker around, made even simpler by the handle on the lid. This cooker performed well in testing too, producing tender, flavoursome meat in our beef stew and a thick, creamy chicken korma. Read our full Pressure King Pro Multi Pressure Cooker review.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid
Best large multi-cooker
- Clear LCD display
- Impressive safety features
- Easy-to-use temperature dial
- Reliable lock function for pressure cooking
- Large capacity
- Lid works for all cooking programmes
- More expensive to run
- Mostly non-recyclable packaging
- Couldn’t access the instruction manual
- Sauce caught on the base of the pot
Cost during test: 5.05p
Instant Pot is synonymous with multi-cookers, but this sizeable model extends its usefulness with an additional air fryer function, ideal for making crispy chips using little to no oil.
Best for large households or batch cooking, it’s equipped with a large 6.2-litre pot and a single lid that’s suitable for all 13 functions, which include grill, roast, pressure cook, slow cook, and dehydrate. There’s also a sous-vide preset, designed for cooking juicy, tender meat dishes in just 30 minutes.
Preheating took an unusually long time when pressure-cooking our beef stew – an issue we didn’t have using the slow cooker setting. This Instant Pot was also the most expensive to run in the most recent tests. The results were promising though, and even though the meat was overdone by around five minutes, the vegetables had the soft but slight bite we were looking for. Read our full Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid review.
Tefal Turbo Cuisine multi pressure cooker
Best multi-cooker for pressure cooking
- Large central button for pressure release
- Sleek design
- Bright, clear display
- Easy to clean
- Long warranty
- A lot of non-recyclable packaging
- Took a long time to preheat on slow-cook setting
- Difficult to identify some icons without the manual
Cost during test: 4.38p
Sporting a brushed plastic finish and sleek rounded edges, this Tefal model is an excellent choice for medium-sized households. It’s a weighty piece of kit but has two wide handles for easy lifting, plus silicone feet that keep it steady on the worktop.
A simple turn of the dial allows you to switch between presets including stew, soup, sauté, steam, bake, slow cook, rice, yogurt, bread rise and porridge. Sous vide is also an option, and you can find tips to help you achieve perfect results in the instruction manual.
Releasing pressure is an uncomplicated affair thanks to the large, central release button. The slow cook function was somewhat successful too – it was stuck on preheat for almost an hour before kicking into cook mode, but eventually produced a fragrant chicken korma with a thick, creamy sauce. Read our full Tefal Turbo Cuisine multi-cooker review.
Ninja Foodi MAX 15-in-1 SmartLid 7. 5L multi cooker
Best air fryer multi-cooker
- Single lid for all 15 functions
- Integrated digital cooking probe
- Clear buttons and notifications mid cook
- Large countertop footprint
- Tall
- Expensive
- Higher wattage than most
Ninja was one of the first brands to incorporate air frying functions into its multi-cookers and has been a front-runner when it comes to originality. Its newest model ditches the old two-lid design in favour of a single-lift lid with a sliding lock that doubles as a mode selector. It also offers more functions than any other multi-cooker on the market at the time of testing.
Pressure cook, air fry, grill, bake, dehydrate, prove, sear/sauté, steam, slow cook and yogurt functions are all selectable, along with five combi steam-meal options. The large 7.5L capacity makes it ideal for cooking a generous six portions at one time.
When prepping our beef stew, the sear/sauté function was the most effective at softening and caramelising the ingredients of all the models we tested, rendering all the fat and giving a good colour.
The hinged lid proved tricky to clean free of aromas after cooking strongly fragrant dishes, but there is guidance in the manual for a cleaning function.
Instant Pot Duo Evo 10-in-1 pressure cooker
Best multi-cooker for intuitive controls
- Wide silicone handles around the pot
- Bright, clear display
- Extra seal ring for sweet dishes
- Automatic seal lock when you put on the lid
- Adjustable temperature for sautéing
- Takes a long time to preheat
- Pot rotates when stirring
- A lot of non-recyclable packaging
Cost during test: 3.91p
What immediately sets the Duo Evo multi-cooker apart from other Instant Pot models is its impressively large screen, which is bright and simple to master. Functions span from traditional presets such as pressure cook, slow cook, steam and sauté, to extras including bake, rice/grain, and yogurt. The sous vide setting allows you to precisely control the water temperature.
Inside the box is a 5.7L stainless steel pot with easy-to-grip handles, a steam rack, condensation collector, and two seal rings: one for savoury dishes and the other for sweet ones. Times and temperatures can be controlled using the dial, and the lid automatically locks into the seal position when you fix it into place, which saves time and hassle. Read our full Instant Pot Evo Plus 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker review.
Amazon Basics 23-in-1 multi-cooker
Best multi-cooker for versatility
- Huge range of functions
- Clear control panel
- Cheaper to run
- Large, deep cooking pot
- Excessive plastic packaging
- Can’t adjust times or temperatures for presets
- Have to lean across cooker to release pressure
Most multi-cookers are sizeable so they have to earn their spot on the counter in terms of usefulness. This is no bother for Amazon’s 23-in-1 model, which offers a huge range of functions, from meat, poultry and veg to white rice, beans, congee, chilli and broth – not to mention steam, sauté and slow cook.
It runs quietly, and while you can’t adjust the times or temperatures on the presets, using the manual setting is a simple task. Releasing the pressure can feel a little risky as you have to lean across the appliance to flip the switch – we used a wooden spoon to maintain a safer distance.
Keeping it clean is easy though, and you can even pop the cooking pot in the dishwasher. Read our full Amazon Basics 23-in-1 multi-cooker review.
Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Multi-Use pressure cooker
Best budget multi-cooker
- 10 functions
- Customisable settings
- Vocal notifications
- Silicone-coated handle for safely removing pot
- Progress indicator a little unclear
- Instructions a little sparse
This model comes equipped with 10 settings, including five customisable ‘favourites’, gearing it nicely towards adventurous cooks or those looking for an upgrade. The instruction manual emphasises the pressure cooking function, which is helpful if you’re a first-timer.
One nifty feature we particularly loved was the heatproof handles for holding the bowl steady while stirring and safely lifting it up and out. Read our full Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Multi-Use pressure cooker review.
Tefal All-in-One pressure cooker
Best multi-cooker rice cooker
- Condensation collector built in
- 6L capacity cooks up to 12 cups of rice
- Delayed start ability
The size and variety offered by this Tefal multi-cooker makes it a great option for families. The baby food preset is something we’ve not seen on any other models tested before or since, alongside rice and porridge recipe functions. The useful staples of ‘delayed start’ and ‘keep warm’ functions are also on offer.
The specific setting for boiling rice produced fluffy grains without the usual sogginess that comes from trapped condensation, thanks to the clever drip collector.
The digital control panel proved simple to use with cooking time and temperature adjustable to your preferences. A recipe booklet is included along with a measuring cup, spatula, steam basket and trivet. Read our full Tefal All-in-One pressure cooker review.
Other multi-cookers we’ve reviewed and rate highly:
- Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 review, £80.96
- Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Multi-cooker OP350UK review, £229.99
- Crockpot Express 12-in-1 multi-cooker review, £99
Factors to Consider When Buying a Multicooker
Buying a new multicooker can be overwhelming because there are so many different models on the market, and each has a variety of functions. There are also a lot of different options from the Instant Pot brand alone, including different functions and models with touch screens. Here are a few factors to consider when buying a multicooker:
Pressure Options: Make sure to find a cooker with high- and low-pressure options. Though you’ll probably use high pressure the most, low pressure is useful for delicate foods like fish and veggies.
Size: Most of our multicooker recipes call for a 6-quart cooker, but there are smaller and larger options if you’re cooking for one or two or if you need to feed a crowd.
Watts: This feature is all about convenience and saving time. The higher the wattage, the hotter the cooking element, which means cookers with a high wattage will come up to pressure faster than those with a low wattage.
Inner Removable Liner: Most multicookers have a removable liner that makes cleanup quick. Decide if you prefer a stainless-steel or nonstick liner and be sure to find out if the removable liner is dishwasher-safe.
Delayed Start: Some cookers include the option to preset the start time. If you want your cooker to start cooking a short time after you leave the house, this may be a helpful setting.
Final Thoughts – What Can a Multi-Cooker Do?
I believe the main confusion with getting answers on what certain appliances claim to do or which appliance they replace is because not all of the multi-cookers do the same job.
Some are advertised as 7-in-1 others 8-in-1 and others are still 9-in-1. The numbers 7, 8, and 9 do not necessarily mean the number of appliances they replace. It’s also about the functions, settings, and programs as well.
So as with any other purchase, you make doing a little bit of homework upfront will almost always give you what you are searching for.
I can guarantee you will be swapping various recipes for dishes you would probably never consider making with your family and friends in no time.
Life is just easier if you use your multicooker to its maximum capabilities, you will not be sorry you purchased one of these appliances.
If you want to know more about these amazing cookers, as well as, some of the best brands. The brands include Instant Pot, Crock-Pot, Cosori, T-Fal, Breville, Fagor, KitchenAid, and Gourmia.
So why not head over and check my extensive report on the best multi-cookers by clicking here.
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