Yahoo
Skip to main content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

The best multicookers of 2026, including Instant Pot and Breville

These appliances can practically do it all — from pressure cooking to air frying and everything in between.

Our experts independently review everything we recommend. If you buy through our links, we may earn commission.

An Instant Pot with a Yahoo expert pick badge for 2026
Multicookers can steam, pressure cook and even make yogurt. (Gregory Rec/Getty Images)

As much as we love slow cookers , pressure cookers, yogurt makers, rice cookers and air fryers , we know not everyone has the counter or cabinet space for all of them. That's where a good multicooker comes in: It can handle many of these tasks (and more), making it a smart pick for small kitchens — or for anyone looking to cut down on appliance clutter.

Instant Pot is arguably the biggest name in the multicooker world. That said, other companies, including Breville, also offer impressive models worth considering. To put together this list of the best multicookers, we evaluated each option based on its functions, size and customer reviews. Whether you're cooking chicken breasts, rice, hard-boiled eggs or a cozy pot of stew, there's a multicooker here to make weeknight meals easier and more efficient.

Best multicookers for 2026

Power consumption:1,000 watts | Material:Stainless steel | Capacity:6 quarts | Functionality:Pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté, yogurt maker, food warmer

This No. 1 bestselling model made the Instant Pot brand an internet darling. It's easy to use and has all the basic functions: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté mode and yogurt maker.

The original Instant Pot Duo has over 150,000 five-star Amazon customer reviews, so you know it's a good one. One review said it's a game changer : "If you haven't used an Instant Pot before, you're missing out. It's probably the most versatile kitchen appliance I own, oven/range included. I use it to make everything from eggs and chili to chicken curry and pulled pork. You name it, I've probably made it. ... Overall I think the Instant Pot [is] probably one of the best purchases I've made in the last year. It's actually made it easier and faster for me to cook healthy meals compared to getting takeout. This alone has paid for the Instant Pot 30 times over."

Pros
  • 10-plus safety features
  • 13 one-touch cooking programs
  • Free app with over 2,000 recipes and step-by-step instructions
Cons
  • Some customers say printed manual doesn’t explain features
  • Can be intimidating at first

Power consumption:1,000 watts | Material:Stainless steel | Capacity:8 quarts | Functionality:Pressure cooker, slow cooker, sous vide, sauté pan, rice cooker, sterilizer, yogurt maker, food warmer, cake baker, steamer

The Instant Pot Pro is geared toward multicooker enthusiasts, with 28 customizable programs and five "favorites" buttons that you can assign to frequently cooked meals. The inner pot has handles and is stovetop-friendly.

"I waited a long time to finally get an Instant Pot, and I really like the Pro model," said one five-star Amazon review . "I've used pressure cookers for many years, and the Instant Pot takes a lot of the work out of using the old-style pressure cookers. You don't need to use a higher heat to get up to pressure and then turn down the burner; that's all done in the Instant Pot heat stage. Nor do you have to set a timer for when to stop cooking, that's done in the Instant Pot setup for 'pressure.' Being able to do a quick pressure release is very easy, not possible in the old-style pressure cooker. Basically, you just fill the inner pot, set up the menu, and walk away until it's done."

Pros
  • Easy, quick pressure release
  • 28 customizable programs
  • Stay-cool handles
Cons
  • No printed recipes included (only on app)
  • Smaller veggies may fall through steam rack

Power consumption:1,500 watts | Material:Stainless steel, plastic | Capacity:6 quarts | Functionality:Pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, warmer, canning pot, sous vide, NutriBoost

The Pro Plus has many of the same features as the Pro, but with the addition of Wi-Fi connectivity. The companion app lets you release the steam remotely or program when you want to do it.

"I've loved all of my Instant Pots, but I always like to upgrade when possible," said a happy shopper . "This Pro Plus Smart Instant Pot is OUTSTANDING! It cooks the same as the last two, but the WiFi functionality allows me to vent from my smartphone, turn the pot to warm, set the temperatures, etc. ... If you are looking for an upgrade, this is it!"

Pros
  • Release steam remotely with app plus other remote functions
  • 10 cooking functions
  • Hundreds of recipes with step-by-step instructions
Cons
  • No air fry feature

Power consumption:1,000 watts | Material:Stainless steel, chrome | Capacity:6 quarts | Functionality:Pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté, sous vide, sterilizer, warmer

The Duo Plus has many of the same features as the Duo, but it also can be used for sous vide (temperature-controlled cooking) and as a sterilizer (a shortcut for sterilizing items like baby bottles).

The Duo Plus has plenty of fans as well, with over 42,000 five-star reviews. "This product is my best friend and I would marry it and grow old with it if I could," one review said . "I've put pork loins, potatoes, yellow bundt cakes from boxed cake, rice, corn on the cob (look up INSTANT POT MILK CORN ON THE COB and you will never eat it any other way again!!!) ... I've made pierogies, lasagna, apple dump cake, a whole chicken, bone broth, chicken noodle soup ... and more. This is all in less than a month. I'm eating healthier. Eating out less. Cleanup is easy. The food tastes awesome. The pork loin never dried out after it sat on the serving tray."

Pros
  • Nine functions
  • Improved easy-release venting
  • 15 customizable smart programs
Cons
  • Some reviews note there are no instructions included in the box
  • No steam button

Power consumption:1,500 watts | Material:Stainless steel, plastic | Capacity:8 quarts | Functionality:Pressure cook, steam, slow cook, sous vide, warm, air fry, roast, bake, broil, dehydrate

Want an Instant Pot and an air fryer in one? Then get the Duo Crisp, which comes with an additional air fryer lid. It can also bake, broil and dehydrate.

One reviewer called the Duo Crisp "amazing ": "Engineering perfection personified, this machine is incredible and does all it says it will do. ... Automatically seals when the lid is installed for the pressure cooking function and the push button steam release is a huge improvement from the older Instant Pots. Air Fry lid is sturdy and heats up within 2 minutes for about any heat setting, easy to merely lift off to check what you're cooking then put back on and it immediately starts where it left off. Be sure to preheat before placing your food inside so you can get an accurate estimate as to the time it will take to cook. ... Would give 10 stars if it was an option!"

Pros
  • Uses up to 60% less energy than traditional electric ovens
  • 11 functions, including air frying
  • Large capacity (8 quarts)
Cons
  • The accessories can take up a lot of space
  • Five-minute preheat for air frying

Power consumption:1,100 watts | Material:Stainless steel | Capacity:6 quarts | Functionality:Pressure cooker

A super-stylish pressure cooker, the Breville Fast Slow Pro is feature-rich to boot. It allows you to cook with accurate temperature and pressure control.

"This cooker has been in use for 2 1/2 years," said a happy shopper . "What makes this so useful to me is that once you set it up and close the lid, you no longer need to be in the kitchen. It automatically comes up to pressure, cooks, releases pressure (three different ways), and then keeps food warm. We use it frequently during cooler months for soups and stews. That you can make black bean soup from dry beans without soaking in under two hours is fantastic. It also makes the best, easily peeled, hard-boiled eggs."

Pros
  • 11 settings
  • Slow cook up to 12 hours
  • Three-way safety feature
Cons
  • Curved cooking surface
  • Need screwdriver to remove lid

Factors to consider when choosing a multicooker

Depending on factors like the number of people you're cooking for, certain multicookers will be more suitable. Here's what else to consider:

Advertisement
Advertisement
  • Capacity:Multicookers come in different capacities, typically sized in quarts. For example, the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 comes in three size capacities: 3, 6 or 8 quarts. The capacity you need depends on how much food you need to make, but remember that you can't fill it up to the top. So, if you want to be able to put 6 quarts of food in your multicooker, choose one with an 8-quart capacity.

  • Pressure settings:When using your multicooker as a pressure cooker, you have different setting options, often referred to as pressure levels. A pressure cooker heats food quickly by changing the boiling point of the liquid. Basically, the cooker forces steam into the food, cooking it much quicker than you'd be able to otherwise. Multicookers tend to have two pressure level options: low and high. Low is typically about 10 pounds per square inch (psi) and high is usually about 15 psi. These levels can vary from one multicooker to the next. When using a pressure cooker recipe, check the recommended pressure level.

  • Cook times:Some companies claim their multicooker can cook meals up to 70% faster than traditional methods — a huge time-saver. If you like to slow cook, many multicookers also have that function too. One great thing about multicookers is that you don't need to soak dry beans, lentils or rice, or thaw meat, before cooking. Cooking times depend on food quantity, type and pressure level.

  • Cleaning:Certain multicookers come with dishwasher-safe inserts, lid and inner pots, while others require hand-washing. If you prefer using the dishwasher, double-check that the multicooker you buy has dishwasher-safe parts. 

How we chose the best multicookers

We published our first multicooker review in 2022, and since then, we've researched dozens of models, evaluating factors like capacity, available functions and ease of use. We've paid especially close attention to Instant Pot, refreshing this guide multiple times as new models are released and others go in and out of stock.

Along the way, we also analyzed customer reviews to ensure the multicookers featured here perform well in real-life kitchens, with home cooks of all skill levels.

Multicooker FAQs

Are multicookers worth buying?

You can snag one of these appliances for about $100, so if you're buying a multicooker in place of several appliances like a slow cooker and rice maker, it definitely makes sense. If you're buying a multicooker for only one or two specific functions like yogurt making or pressure cooking, make sure those are cooking tasks you do regularly, otherwise it may not be worth the price — or counter space.

What's the difference between a multicooker and a crockpot?

First off, know that Crock-Pot is a brand name many people use to refer to the generic term for a slow cooker. (It's not unlike using the word Kleenex when referring to facial tissues.) Slow cookers, as their name suggests, are designed to cook food low and slow. Most have limited functions compared to a multicooker — for example, our top-tested slow cooker can cook food on low or high and keep it warm, but that's it. Others can also brown/sauté and steam, but a multicooker can do all these things as well as pressure cook, make yogurt, dehydrate foods, sous vide, bake, cook rice and well, the list goes on!

Advertisement
Advertisement

Update, Jan. 22, 2026: We checked current prices and availability for all products. Our No. 1 multicooker pick remains unchanged.

Mobilize your Website
View Site in Mobile | Classic
Share by: