Best Pressure Cookers and Multi-Cookers of 2024

Multi-cookers like the Instant Pot have genuinely transformed home cooking by reducing braised meats from 4 hours to 40 minutes and dried beans from overnight soaking to table-ready in 30 minutes. When a single appliance can replace 7 others, the value proposition is hard to argue with.

Testing Multi-Cookers

We cooked identical recipes in each appliance — beef stew, chicken tikka masala, risotto, and cheesecake — to compare performance across pressure cooking, slow cooking, and sauté functions.

Best Multi-Cookers of 2024

#1 Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 — Best Overall Value

The Instant Pot Duo remains our top pick for its perfect combination of functionality, reliability, and price. Seven cooking functions in one pot, with a massive community of recipes and support online.

• Pressure cooker, slow cooker, sauté, rice cooker
• Yogurt maker and food warmer
• Available in 3, 6, and 8-quart sizes
• Built-in safety mechanisms
• 1-year warranty

#2 Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 — Best with Air Fryer

The Ninja Foodi uniquely combines pressure cooking and air frying in one appliance. TenderCrisp Technology lets you braise and then crisp in the same pot — perfect for chicken wings and roasted vegetables.

What Can You Cook in a Multi-Cooker?

• Soups and stews in 20-30 minutes
• Whole chicken in 25 minutes
• Hard-boiled eggs in 5 minutes
• Dried beans without soaking (20-30 min)
• Cheesecake and yogurt
• Rice and grains perfectly every time

Choosing the Right Size

A 3-quart is ideal for 1-2 people. A 6-quart handles most families of 4-6. An 8-quart is best for meal prep, large gatherings, or batch cooking. When in doubt, size up — a larger pot can cook smaller amounts, but not vice versa.