Best Pressure Cookers
Ever want to make a pot roast but didn’t have the time? Pressure cookers can make roasting, frying, and boiling your food a whole lot faster. Enhanced pressure in the chamber condenses air and speeds up the cooking process by a considerable margin, so there won’t be any more need to wait on the crockpot.
To help you get into your first (or next) pressure cooker, we’ve put together our top options for pressure cookers and canners out of the many options on the market today by comparing features, quality, and more to uncover which is the best pressure cooker for you.
Top 10 Pressure Cookers
- Smart programs make it easy to cook specific meals, soups, grains, and more
- Microprocessor manages time, temperature, pressure, and adjusts without ever touching all automatically
- One touch controls great for commonly-cooked meals
- Comes with a 1-year limited warranty
- Included rack and basket allow for steamed foods
- Ten presets allow for one-touch cooking of common meals
- Quick warm functionality keeps cooked meals ready for hours
- Includes a 1-year limited warranty
- Included rack makes it easy to cook two meals at once
- Heat resistant handle prevents scalding and burns
- 19 presets cover almost all dish types
- Comes with a 1-year limited warranty
- Color LCD clearly convey the cooking mode
- Custom cook setting allows you to save specific meals
- Removable lid simple to clean and maintain
- Includes a 1-year limited warranty
- High-pressure range is the highest on our list
- Large capacity great for full meals
- Pop-up pressure indicator gives clear reading on your foods’ status
- Comes with an extended 12-year warranty
- Detailed control panel shows clear graphs, symbols, and icons to convey cooking
- Red float shows you when pressure is reached
- Included steamer basket allows for cooking two meals at once
- Includes a 1-year warranty
- Light indicators clearly show cooking mode
- Dedicated settings for browning, simmering, and sautéing
- Bright, large LED timer
- Comes with a 3-year limited warranty
- Variable control valve allows for cooking at 10 or 15 PSI
- Riveted handles allow for easy maneuvering in the kitchen
- Comes in a durable, all-steel build
- Includes a 2-year warranty
- 16 presets allow for specific meal cooking at the push of a button
- Delay feature allows you to cook overnight or when meals have defrosted
- 6 custom program slots allow for the saving of preferred meals
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
- 3 PSI settings allow for total control over food pressure
- Design allows for pressure canning and cooking
- 5-point security system and heavy gauge body allows for safe operation
- Includes a lifetime limited warranty
The Instant Pot DUO60 gets high praise for its ease of use and simple features that come in a relatively affordable package. If you’re cooking something simple, such as rice or stew, all you’ll need to do is hit the corresponding button and let the Instant Pot do the rest. Need something more specific? You can adjust the pressure, delay the start of the cooker, and be confident that your meal is going to be ready right when you need it to be.
We greatly appreciate the ease of use here, which seems to be one of the biggest selling points on this cooker. Aside from a lack of custom programs, the Instant Pot DUO60 is capable, affordable, and certainly worth considering.
Pros
- Popular food presets
- Delay start feature
- Adjustable pressure controls
- Great design
- Simple to use
Cons
- No custom programming
While the exterior of this pressure cooker may seem strikingly similar to the Instant Pot, there are a few different features that help the GoWISE GW22620 stand out from the crowd. This model comes with a host of accessories, including a rice scooper, steam rack, and basket to make sure you’re reading for any type of meal. Instead of using different menu screens, the focus on buttons makes this GoWISE ready to go with just one or two presses.
We like the simple warming feature, which seems perfectly situated for keeping roasts ready to eat for hours. Slow cooking and a delayed start feature round out some of our favorite aspects of this GoWISE product, but we must admit the lack of programmability is somewhat frustrating. Still, the GoWISE is good for those who need a no-frills cooker that’s one of the most affordable (and functional) on the market today.
Pros
- Great included accessories
- Easy access touch controls
- Bright display
- Affordable
- Cool-touch handles
Cons
- No custom programming
- Not very adjustable
Built like a tank, the Mueller Pro Series 10-in-1 is certainly more rugged in appearance than most on our list. While looks can be deceiving, we’re pleased to report that this Mueller model lives up to expectations. Offering 19 smart programs across a myriad of different food products, this pressure cooker blew us away by the sheer number of easy-to-access options available. The simple display is focused on telling you only what you need to know, and while more detailed would be preferable to some, we greatly appreciate the focus on minimalism here.
This Mueller product also generates no steam and runs silently. It can be a hard product to find a good price, but provided you do, we think there’s a whole lot to love for many years to come.
Pros
- Lots of program options
- Delay start feature
- Great included attachments
- No steam leaking
- Durable
Cons
- Expensive
- Somewhat difficult to adjust
The Breville BPR700BSS stands out from the rest with a premium, all stainless steel design and a focus on accessibility. This pressure cooker offers a considerable amount of adjustability and programming settings. The bright display changes colors depending upon what the cooker is doing, so you can check to see if your meal is ready with just a simple glance.
Also available on the screen is the ability to program in your favorite settings, which can get quite precise depending upon the time, temperature, and pressure you’re looking for. It’s a handy feature that not many products have. The focus on design and durability, though, does seem to come with its higher price. Still, if you need an all-in-one product and you don’t mind dropping a little bit of extra money this could be one of the most precise and controllable pressure cookers we’ve seen thus far.
Pros
- Bright, intuitive display
- Custom programmable setting
- Removable cooking bowl
- Durable
- Precise pressure adjustment
Cons
- Expensive
- Can be slow to pressurize
As the first stove top pressure cooker on our list, the Presto 01781 sets the bar high for a cooker that can hold high amounts of food at quite a high capacity as well. This is a pressure cooker that doubles as a pressure canner, which can be valuable to many who enjoy or need to can at home. Aside from the extra feature, this Presto cooker offers a clear way to see exactly how pressurized the interior of the cooker is—something you don’t see very often in many cookers.
While it’s formidable and certainly durable, the Presto pressure cooker will suffer from the same drawbacks that all stove top pressure cookers do. At twelve pounds, for instance, the high capacity may make this a bit of a back-breaker to lug around. Still, for those willing or those who prefer to use a stove top option, the Presto 01781 is one of the biggest and best options to choose.
Pros
- Large capacity
- Clear pressure indicator
- Durable
- Large pressure range
- Versatile
Cons
- No programming or settings
- Heavy and bulky
Coming in as another mid-range pressure cooker in an already-tight market, the Mealthy MultiPot 9-in-1 pulls a few tricks out to try to stand out from the crowd. It comes with interior attachments and accessories as well as an iPhone app, silicone mitts, and ladle, so you’ll pretty much have everything you need to cook right out of the box.
Otherwise, all of your favorite features can be found here, from easy-to-use, one-button controls and customizable presets to a delayed start and keep warm option. While this cooker seemed to struggle to hold pressure more so than several others, the Mealthy MuliPot 9-in-1 is a great option for most homes and makes for an excellent gift as well.
Pros
- Great included accessories and attachments
- Intuitive controls
- Durable
- Customizable presets
Cons
- Can struggle to hold pressure
- Pressure release is somewhat loose
Coming in at the lower end of cost, the Cuisinart CPC-600 competes with the GoWISE cooker as one of the best for budget seekers who just need a product that works. It features a simple three-button control scheme that allows users to cycle between popular cooking styles, such as simmering or browning. You can also choose between low and high pressure depending upon the style of meal you’re cooking. It is worth mentioning that this pressure cooker tends to struggle to get to the highest pressures, so you may need to adjust your recipes accordingly to compensate.
We appreciate the durable design and clear timer, although we could have used with a few more buttons or intuitive control. Regardless, given the price and the compact size, this Cuisinart cooker is great for a no-frills, dedicated cooking experience.
Pros
- Several settings for different cooking styles
- Cool touch handles
- Large display timer
- Affordable
- Durable
Cons
- Unintuitive controls
- Lackluster display
- Low top pressure
Moving back into stove top pressure cookers, the T-fal 7114000441 is eerily reminiscent of the classic cooker style that many are moving away from. What this cooker proves, though, is that if it isn’t broke, you don’t need to fix it. This model is a simple stove top option with a secure locking lid to make sure that loading and cooking remain easy and safe. The real star of the show here, though, is the variable control valve that allows homeowners to cook at either 10 or 15 PSI. Since most recipes call for for 15 PSI when pressure cooking, this can make it easy to ensure you’re cooking specifically to instructions.
At a bit over six quarts, you’re not getting the extra space commonly associated with stove top options. Nevertheless, you are getting an affordable classic cooker that won’t be shorting out or beeping at you anytime soon.
Pros
- Affordable
- Variable pressure settings
- Durable
- Easy pressure release
- Easy-locking lid
Cons
- No programming or settings
- Comparatively on the smaller side
The COSORI 8-in-1 CP016-PC cooker is affordably-priced, highly adjustable, and one of the largest electric options on the market. This is an eight-quart pressure cooker, which provides ample room for larger family pot roasts or soups. You can confidently rely on 16 smart programs to get the job done, no matter if it’s pasta, rice, meat, or even yogurt sitting in your cooker. And if the presets aren’t enough, you can easily program six different cooking styles to ensure that you only need to push one button to get the meal you desire.
We greatly appreciate the premium features built into a cooker at this price point, but it does seem that the versatility is a bit of a double-edged sword, as some report issues with programming glitches and bugs. If you aren’t scared off by the occasional technical hiccup, though, this is a great low-cost option with a high reward.
Pros
- Larger capacity
- Highly versatile
- Customizable presets
- Variable pressure control
- Lots of program options
Cons
- Can be buggy/glitchy
- Programming can be unintuitive
The T-fal 711400511 is another stove top option that doubles as a canner and looks more like a commercial brewer than a cooker. Aesthetics aside, this product is massive, adjustable, and going to last through quite a number of pot roasts.
This pressure cooker is certainly the heaviest and bulkiest stove top pressure cooker on our list, but it offsets the issue with a 22-quart capacity and variable pressure valve that allows for three pressure settings. Plus, the top-mounted pressure indicator will keep you up to speed on what’s going on with your food continuously. Cooking racks are also included, which is helpful for steaming or canning if you should ever need to. It’s a bit on the higher end for a stove top option, but given the quality and the versatility you’ll get out of this model, we’re confident it will more than pay for itself over time.
Pros
- High capacity
- Durable
- Variable pressure settings
- Great included accessories
- Great warranty
Cons
- No programming or settings
- Somewhat expensive
- Heavy/bulky
Comparison Chart
| FEATURES | Instant Pot DUO60 | GoWISE GW22620 | Mueller Pro Series 10-in-1 | Breville BPR700BSS | Presto 01781 |
| Category | Electric | Electric | Stove Top | Electric | Stove Top |
| Capacity | 6 Quarts | 6 Quarts | 6 Quarts | 6 Quarts | 23 Quarts |
| PSI Range | ~ 12 PSI | ~ 13 PSI | ~ 8 PSI | ~ 12 PSI | 20 PSI |
| Weight | 11.8 lbs | 15.6 lbs | 2.2 lbs | 14 lbs | 12 lbs |
| Dimensions | 13.4 X 12.2 X 12.5 | 13 X 13 X 16.5 | 15 X 13.2 X 13 | 12.5 X 13.5 X 14 | 15.4 X 15.1 X 14.8 |
| FEATURES | Mealthy MultiPot 9-in-1 | Cuisinart CPC-600 | T-fal 7114000441 | COSORI 8-in-1 CP016-PC | T-fal 7114000511 |
| Category | Electric | Electric | Stove Top | Electric | Stove Top |
| Capacity | 6 Quarts | 6 Quarts | 6.3 Quarts | 8 Quarts | 22 Quarts |
| PSI Range | ~ 12 PSI | ~ 10 PSI | 10 or 15 PSI | ~ 11 PSI | 5, 10, 15 PSI |
| Weight | 15.95 lbs | 12.57 lbs | 9.24 lbs | 15 lbs | 14.77 lbs |
| Dimensions | 13 X 12.5 X 12.2 | 12.2 X 12.2 X 13.2 | 18.1 X 11.5 X 10.5 | 12 X 12 X 13.2 | 19.3 X 15.4 X 16.3 |
| Features | Sharp KC-860U Plasmacluster |
|---|---|
| Category | Electric |
| Capacity | 6 Quarts |
| PSI Range | ~ 12 PSI |
| Weight | 11.8 lbs |
| Dimensions | 13 X 12.5 X 12.2 |
| Features | GoWISE GW22620 |
|---|---|
| Category | Electric |
| Capacity | 6 Quarts |
| PSI Range | ~ 13 PSI |
| Weight | 15.6 lbs |
| Dimensions | 13 X 13 X 16.5 |
| Features | Mueller Pro Series 10-in-1 |
|---|---|
| Category | Stove Top |
| Capacity | 6 Quarts |
| PSI Range | ~ 8 PSI |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs |
| Dimensions | 15 X 13.2 X 13 |
| Features | Breville BPR700BSS |
|---|---|
| Category | Electric |
| Capacity | 6 Quarts |
| PSI Range | ~ 12 PSI |
| Weight | 14 lbs |
| Dimensions | 12.5 X 13.5 X 14 |
| Features | Presto 01781 |
|---|---|
| Category | Stove Top |
| Capacity | 23 Quarts |
| PSI Range | ~ 20 PSI |
| Weight | 12 lbs |
| Dimensions | 15.4 X 15.1 X 14.8 |
| Features | Mealthy MultiPot 9-in-1 |
|---|---|
| Category | Electric |
| Capacity | 6 Quarts |
| PSI Range | ~ 12 PSI |
| Weight | 15.95 lbs |
| Dimensions | 13 X 12.5 X 12.2 |
| Features | Cuisinart CPC-600 |
|---|---|
| Category | Electric |
| Capacity | 6 Quarts |
| PSI Range | ~ 10 PSI |
| Weight | 12.57 lbs |
| Dimensions | 12.2 X 12.2 X 13.2 |
| Features | T-fal 7114000441 |
|---|---|
| Category | Stove Top |
| Capacity | 6.3 Quarts |
| PSI Range | ~ 10 or 15 PSI |
| Weight | 9.24 lbs |
| Dimensions | 18.1 X 11.5 X 10.5 |
| Features | COSORI 8-in-1 CP016-PC |
|---|---|
| Category | Electric |
| Capacity | 8 Quarts |
| PSI Range | ~ 11 PSI |
| Weight | 15 lbs |
| Dimensions | 12 X 12 X 13.2 |
| Features | T-fal 7114000511 |
|---|---|
| Category | Stove Top |
| Capacity | 22 Quarts |
| PSI Range | ~ 5, 10, 15 PSI |
| Weight | 14.77 lbs |
| Dimensions | 19.3 X 15.4 X 16.3 |
Pressure Cookers Buyer’s Guide
The pressure cookers on our list range fairly widely in offerings, so if you’ve never purchased a pressure cooker before, it may be confusing to know what’s going to be important for your recipes and your cooking style. We recommend considering the following before heading to checkout to ensure that your prospective pressure cooker is going to have all of the features and specifications you need to make the perfect meal each time.
Going Electric?
The first and most important consideration you need to make when it comes to purchasing a pressure cooker is the matter of electric and stove top options. Electric pressure cookers are quickly becoming some of the most popular options on the market because they provide a convenience that stove top options just can’t match. Specific settings for specific foods, as well as easy controls at the press of a button, means that you don’t need to lift, check on, or watch your food cook nearly as often.
That doesn’t mean that you need to skip over all of the great stove top options on our list. Stove top pressure cookers are often cheaper but are equally durable and are able to hold and maintain higher pressures and a broader range than their electric cousins. Pressure control and readings will be far clearer on stove top pressure cookers, which may or may not double as pressure canners as well.
For a quick understanding of what you can expect to love (and hate) about each, consider the following:
| Pros | Cons | |
| Electric Pressure Cookers |
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| Stove Top Pressure Cookers |
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Capacity & Range
The range and capability of a pressure cooker is also going to be important—even when that range isn’t directly stated.
We’ve worked hard to give you a general range of pressures that each of the cookers on our list is capable of producing, but for some the range is variable. Not all pressure cookers and nearly no electric pressure cookers are able to give you an exact reading of the internal pressure in PSI. This can pose a problem when cooking recipes either designed for a high or specific PSI in mind.
The higher the PSI, the faster food will generally cook. And when it comes to pressure cookers, bigger may be better indeed. Larger pressure cookers often determine how high your PSI range will be and will allow you to fit more portions of food inside of the unit.
Typically, capacity and range will move together, but outliers will always exist. Likewise, if you’re looking for a broad range and high PSI capability, a stove top pressure cooker may be one of your only options.
Weight & Dimensions
The weight and the dimensions of your pressure cooker are also going to be valuable metrics to keep in mind. Pressure cookers are not often used in everyday cooking situations, so if you struggle with having enough space in your home, a more portable pressure cooker could be more valuable than the alternative.
The weight also plays an important factor in stove top pressure cookers. Far more so than electric pressure cookers, stove top options will be lifted often during cooking. While pressure cookers need to be durable given the pressures they are under, going for a lighter or electric model may be better on your back after the cooker has been loaded with the food you plan to cook.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a pressure canner and a pressure cooker?
Pressure canners and pressure cookers are often used interchangeably to describe certain types of stove top pressure cookers. And while there is a difference, much one the time, one can be switched out for another.
Pressure canners are designed for canning foods, are rated for higher pressures, and are often more precise on their pressure than many pressure cookers, which may only use markings such as “low” or “high” to inform homeowners of the pressure. Pressure canners also tend to hold their pressure longer but take longer to heat and cool. Generally speaking, canners can double as cookers, but not the other way around, so be sure that the product you’re looking into is capable of the features you’re looking for before purchasing.
How many PSI is too many to safely operate a pressure cooker?
Each pressure cooker is different, so there’s no one PSI that’s safe for all pressure cookers. That’s why we’ve taken the time to differentiate the PSI range on each of the cookers on our list. There are a few trends we can note, however, to help give you a clear guide.
For electric pressure cookers, the total PSI range is usually lower. This is due to the design as well as the difference in how the food is cooked and pressurized. Anything over 12-15 PSI shouldn’t be possible or attempted with most models.
For stove top cookers, your range is considerably higher. For pressure cookers, you’ll often get up to 20 PSI, while pressure canners (which may or may not also double as cookers) can get near 30. The maximum PSI on any of the pressure cookers on our list is 20.
Whatever you do, never exceed the PSI limit as stated in the manual of your pressure cooker. Doing so is highly dangerous, as the product is not designed to handle the increased pressure and may run the risk of rapidly decompressing or exploding.
How do I safely remove the pressure from my pressure cooker?
Every pressure cooker is built differently, so there’s no one definitive way to depressurize your cooker as well as the meal inside. Almost every pressure cooker, though, is going to have a pressure release value. This could be located either on the top or near the top on the sides of the cooker and if often marked or color-coded red. Be sure to check with your pressure cooker’s manual for complete instructions and to accurately find your pressure cooker’s release valve.
In any case, you’ll want to carefully open the value while being mindful of your fingertips near the hot fumes. This is sometimes labeled as “venting” or something similar on electric pressure cookers. Just be sure never to open a pressure cooker until you are sure that the pressure has been released.
Opening a pressurized pressure cooker could lead to fumes, food, and other materials shooting out of the top of the lid and potentially causing scalding, burns, and other injuries. Always follow the instructions provided by your manual, and be mindful of the dangers of pressurized containers.
Final Thoughts
These ten pressure cookers could easily handle rice, roasts, stews, and other meals, but we know you want just the right one for your kitchen. If you’re not sure what sort of pressure cooker you want or are wondering if an electric or stove top option is going to be right for you, we strongly recommend you go through our Buyer’s Guide to help you feel more confident in your decision.
A few final thoughts from us, though: the Instant Pot DUO60 is one of the most beloved and recommended pressure cookers for a reason: the balance of features, range, and value is simply too good to beat, and it remains the best overall option.
For budget-seekers, the GoWISE GW22620 still offers a great electric solution with formidable features for half of the price. If you’re more interested in the range of stove top options, the T-fal products on our list may be preferable to some more advanced cooks who aren’t as reliant on programs and features.
In any case, a good pressure cooker is a must-have for new and old cooks alike. Be sure to experiment around, try out some new recipes, and get the most of your new pressure cooker.
