5 Best Electric Pressure Cookers review

For those who can't decide between a pressure cooker and a slow cooker, the latter has been the safer bet. After all, you're not locked inside a small space with high pressure (no pun intended). With that said, electric multi-cookers take away the danger by heating food evenly at controlled temperatures. Plus, they're pretty much plug-and-play appliances that give you the best pressure cooking and slow cooking options. Most of us are familiar with electric pressure cookers, but did you know that they're also called multi-cookers? That's because this single appliance acts as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice maker, steamer, yogurt maker, browning, and more.

You can even use them to sauté or brown food before you set it for a specific program (like slow cooking). If you want an appliance that does many things, this is a good buy!

How We Assessed and Evaluated These Electric Multi-Cookers

We checked out best-selling multi-cookers on Amazon, looked at the features of each product (specifically their capacities, lids, valves, pressure settings, cooking functions, heating elements), and read what people have to say about them. We also reached out to customer service departments and product manufacturers to gather more info on the appliances and how they can benefit you (plus which recipes and accessories to use).

Stovetop or Electric? Do You Have a Choice?

While the stovetop pressure cooker still makes cooking certain dishes easy, you have to monitor the process closely to avoid overcooking your food. With the electric pressure cooker, you just have to program the appliance and let it do its thing. This makes it easier for novice cooks to get dinner on the table because it doesn't require much babysitting. As for timing, there isn't a big difference between these two appliances. The stovetop cooker might take five to 10 minutes longer since you don't have the benefit of pressurized steam.

Also, some stovetop pressure cookers might not be as "smart" as their electric counterparts because you have to keep an eye on them and adjust the heat level accordingly. On the other hand, most electrical multi-cookers automatically switch from high to low pressure, or vice versa. All things considered, the stovetop version isn't as convenient or easy to use. Regardless of which appliance you choose, don't overfill it with food because there needs to be room for steam to form.

In this article, we have reviewed the 5 best electric pressure cookers from different brands for you so that you can choose wisely from them.

Best 5 Pressures cookers: Our top 5 picks

Best Overall Electric Pressure Cooker: Instant Pot Duo

The Instant Pot Duo performs well in the kitchen. This is thanks to its stainless steel cooking pot, which has a 3-ply bottom that evens out heat distribution for more efficient cooking. It uses an embedded heating element and heavy-duty insulated seal, which regulate pressure and temperature levels inside the cooker automatically. 

There are 10 built-in safety mechanisms in an electric pressure cooker. So, there is little chance that you will get hurt when using electric pressure cookers.

Uneven cooking can be a real pain with some appliances and sometimes even the most careful of cooks find themselves serving up less than perfect fare after a frustrating session in the kitchen. Not so with pressure cookers! They eliminate the guesswork and cook food evenly every time.

The Best Electric Pressure Cooker Reviews

Now that you are aware of what to look for when buying an electric pressure cooker, let us see some of the best options available in the market.

1. Instant Pot DUO Plus 60 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6Qt/1000W

The Instant Pot DUO Plus 60 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Qt 9-in-1 is one of the top choices when it comes to purchasing an electric pressure cooker. Here are some of its features: 

Size: The Instant Pot DUO has a capacity of 6 quarts10001000WW

 

Instant Pot is a well-known brand for manufacturing kitchen appliances and they have been rated as the number 1 best seller on Amazon.com for electric pressure cookers since 2013. Thus, you can buy this model without any hesitation. It has a 12-in-1 functionality- functions as a slow cooker, rice /porridge maker.

Programmable: The Instant Pot DUO Plus 60 Electric Pressure Cooker is programmable and has 14 built-in smart programs which detect the pressure levels in the cooker automatically for perfectly cooked food every time. It also features three temperatures in one pot for sautéing, slow cooking, and keeping food warm.

The pot itself is made from stainless steel and aluminum with a stay-cool side handle. InstantPot IP-DUO60 is Amazon's choice. This means you can buy this product with the utmost confidence on Amazon.com. You will be eligible for free shipping and Amazon Prime™ which means you can access all benefits of Amazon.com. The product is eligible for FREE shipping on orders over $49

It has a 12-in-1 functionality – functions as a slow cooker, rice/porridge maker, sauté/sear, yogurt maker, cake maker, egg cooker, weight loss soup maker, etc.

Feature-rich: The Instant Pot DUO Plus 60 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Qt 9-in-1 has all the features that you would look for in an electric pressure cooker. It has a delayed start, keeps warm, automatic keep-warm, etc.

Power: The Instant Pot DUO Plus 60 Electric Pressure Cooker uses 120 V AC, 60 Hz, and consumes 1000W of power. 

Safety: The lid of this electric pressure cooker locks securely with the help of Stainless Steel Micro-fused Safety Mechanisms. 

Price: The Instant Pot DUO Plus 60 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Qt 9-in-1 is one of the most affordable electric pressure cookers available in the market.

2. Best Value for Money: Farberware Programmable Digital Pressure Cooker

The Farberware Programmable Digital Pressure Cooker features LED touchpad controls for ease of use. It has a 6L stainless steel cooking pot, 3-ply bottom with an aluminum sandwich, cool-touch handles, and an automatic keep-warm setting that provides you the convenience of one-pot cooking. Farberware is one of the top brands in kitchen appliances.

Here are some notable features of this electric pressure cooker:

Size: The Farberware Programmable Digital Pressure Cooker has a capacity of 6 quarts.

Programmable: The Farberware Programmable Digital Pressure Cooker is programmable and has 16 built-in smart programs which detect the pressure levels in the cooker automatically for perfectly cooked food every time. It also features three temperatures in one pot for sautéing, slow cooking, and keeping food warm. 

The pot pad itself is made from stainless steel and aluminum – with a stay-cool side handle. 

Feature-rich: The Farberware Programmable Digital Pressure Cooker also has a 24-hour delay start feature, steam release reset button, etc.

Power: The Farberware Programmable Digital Pressure Cooker uses 120 V AC, 60 Hz, and consumes 1050W of power. 

Safety: The lid of this electric pressure cooker locks securely with the help of Stainless Steel Micro-fused Safety Mechanisms. 

Price: The Farberware Programmable Digital Pressure Cooker is one of the most affordable and cheapest electric pressure cookers in the market. It is also backed by a 1-year limited warranty.

The Farberware Programmable Digital Pressure Cooker is designed for modern and busy individuals who care about their time and want to prepare delicious and healthy food in a matter of minutes. 

Here are some notable features of this electric pressure cooker: 

Size: The Farberware Programmable Digital Pressure Cooker has a capacity of 6 qt. 

Programmable: The Farberware Programmable Digital Pressure Cooker features 3 cooking programs which include Stew/Soup, Brown/Saute, and Rice. 

Temperature Settings: Whereas most electric pressure cookers have only high and low heat settings, the Farber

 

3. Best Electric Pressure Cooker for Advanced Cooks: Instant Pot Ultra

The Instant Pot ULTRA is an upgraded version of the DUO which has multi-functional capabilities other than pressure cooking. It can be used as a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, warmer, and many more. The Instant Pot ULTRA features a sleek and elegant design to match well with your modern kitchen counter. The Ultra also has a 24-hour delay start, 3 temperatures in one pot for sautéing/searing, slow cooking and keeping food warm, etc.

Here are some notable features of this electric pressure cooker: 

Size: The Instant Pot ULTRA has a capacity of 6 qt. 

Multi-Function: The Instant Pot ULTRA can be used as Rice Cooker, Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Steamer, and Warmer, etc.

Cooking Programs: The Instant Pot ULTRA could be programmed to cook food automatically by the time you set it. 

Heating Element: There are (12) different power levels for browning, simmering, and slow cooking. 

Temperature Control: The Instant Pot ULTRA has an intelligent program that adjusts the heating intensity and duration by cooking progress. 

Keep Warm Feature: This electric pressure cooker has an automatic keep-warm system that keeps the cooked food warm until you are ready to serve. 

Safety: The Instant Pot ULTRA is designed with the latest UL and ULC certified Food Grade 304, 18/8 Stainless Steel. It features a 3-ply bottom stainless steel cooking pot for even heat distribution. UL Certification ensures safe usage. 

Price: The Instant Pot ULTRA is one of the most expensive electric pressure cookers in the market with a price tag of over $160. 

4. Best Electric Pressure Cooker for Beginners: Power Pressure Cooker XL

The Power Pressure Cooker XL is an upgraded version of the Power Pressure Cooker and it is way much bigger than the Power Pressure Cooker. The Power Pressure Cooker XL has a capacity of 8 qt and it is perfect for families of more than 4 members.

This electric pressure cooker is specially designed for beginners and amateurs. It features 14 built-in smart programs which detect the appropriate pressure level automatically by each program. Using the Power Pressure Cooker XL is way easier than using conventional cookers.

Here are some notable features of this electric pressure cooker:

Programmable: The Power Pressure Cooker XL features 14 built-in smart programs which detect the appropriate pressure level automatically by each program. 

Size: The Power Pressure Cooker XL has a capacity of 8 qt. 

Safety: UL Certified to UL Standard 1044 and ULC certified as well as comes with a removable anti-block shield, an inner lid filter, an automatic pressure regulator, and more.

Price: The Power Pressure Cooker XL has the cheapest price tag among its competitors in the market. It is currently priced at $89.99 (4 qt) and $129.99 (8 qt).

5. Best Electric Pressure Cooker for Slow Cooking/Reheat: Crock-Pot Multi-Use Express Crock Programmable Slow Cooker

The Crock-pot Multi-Use Express Crock Programmable Slow Cooker has a very affordable price tag with a capacity of 6 qt. It is also multi-functional as it can be used as a pressure cooker, browning/sauté pan and slow cooker.

Here are some notable features of this electric pressure cooker: 

Size: The Crock-pot Multi-Use Express Crock Programmable Slow Cooker has a capacity of 6 qt. 

Programmable: This electric pressure cooker features 3 cooking programs which include Pressure Cook, Brown/Saute, and Slow Cook. 

Heat Settings: The Crock-pot Multi-Use Express Crock Programmable Slow Cooker has an automatic Keep Warm feature that automatically switches to a Stay Warm setting once the cooking is completed. 

Trivet: The Crock-pot Multi-Use Express Crock Programmable Slow Cooker comes with a removable trivet which you could use to steam your food while it’s being slow-cooked.

Price: The Crock-pot Multi-Use Express Crock Programmable Slow Cooker is currently priced at $59.95 (6 qt).

Types of Electric Pressure Cooker

There are several types of electric pressure cookers available in the market. They include:

Manual Pressure Cooker: It has a lid, steam release valves, and other components which are all manual. 

Digital Pressure Cooker: These types of electric pressure cookers automatically regulate temperature and pressure so that cooking is completed without any hassle.

Programmable Pressure Cooker: In these, pressure and temperature can be programmed so that cooking is completed without any manual interference. 

Non-Programmable Pressure Cooker: These types of electric pressure cookers have fixed settings for regulating time and temperature so that food gets cooked perfectly.

Features to Check in an Electric Pressure Cooker

The following is a list of factors to consider when purchasing an electric pressure cooker. To make sure you get the best value for your money, check the following features of the electric pressure cooker before buying it:

Size 

A pressure cooker comes in different capacities. Thus, check how much food you can cook in one go and choose accordingly.

Safety Mechanisms 

Safety is a prime concern when dealing with appliances such as pressure cookers. Check for the number and types of safety features in the electric pressure cooker you are buying.

Price

Decide on a budget and then compare prices of different models available in the market before zeroing in on one.

Warranty 

Check if there is a manufacturer's or seller's warranty for at least a year so that you can replace it in case any damage occurs.

Customer service

Check online reviews to learn more about the performance of the electric pressure cooker and its customer service.

Dinner is not far away with an electric pressure cooker; meal preparation has become very easy now. Store all your recipes in an app on your mobile phone, set timer, speed up cook time twice or even more than that - all this is possible with the best electric pressure cooker.

 

Conclusion

The best electric pressure cooker in the market is the Instant Pot Duo. No wonder why it's highly recommended by well-known chefs all over the world. The Instant Pot Duo has a very affordable price tag, comes with 11 smart programs and an inner cooking pot made of stainless steel to prevent contamination from BPA.

However, if you have a huge family to feed, the Instant Pot Duo might not be enough for your cooking needs. This is why you should consider buying a bigger electric pressure cooker such as the Instant Pot Ultra, which has a capacity of 8 qt and comes with 14 smart programs.

If you want an electric pressure cooker that perfectly cooks your food evenly and can also brown your meat, the Instant Pot Ultra is definitely what you're looking for. 

I met with a tight budget, you might want to go for the Power Pressure Cooker XL. Although it doesn't have an LCD screen and only has 3 cooking programs, it still cooks your food very well and does not take up too much of your space.

The best slow cooker/electric pressure cooker combo in the market is the Crock-Pot Multi-Use Express Crock Programmable Slow Cooker. This unit can also be used as a browning pan and a steamer, which makes it very useful when cooking.

If you're looking for an electric pressure cooker with a large capacity and 14 smart programs, you can never go wrong with the Instant Pot Ultra. However, if you're on a tight budget and looking for an electric pressure cooker that cooks your meals very well at a low price tag, we recommend going for the Power Pressure Cooker X.