The 7 Best Pressure Cookers for 2023, According to Experts

We consulted industry experts to evaluate the best pressure cookers based on cooking style, safety, storage, and ease of use, keeping in mind various levels of experience . The consensus: the Instant Pot Pro Pressure Cooker is the overall best choice for home cooks. Whether you are entertaining, cooking for one, or feeding a family, you’ll find a handful of reliable options on the market. Continue reading to find the best pressure cooker for your needs.

Like kitchen magicians, pressure cookers can turn tough cuts of meat tender in stews, bubble broth for pho in a flash, caramelize onions easily, and more, reducing your cooking and clean-up time. These appliances use moisture, heat, and pressure to cook food in a fraction of the time of conventional cooking methods. Pre-programmed settings and built-in safety features take the guesswork out of cooking and provide consistency.

Best Overall

Instant Pot Pro 8-Quart 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker

4.5

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Pros: Set it and forget that it’s even cooking thanks to 11 safety features, including a new model update to steam value release. It also shows real-time cooking progress.

Cons: It takes up a lot of space on the counter and wherever you store it. The sous vide function can be inconsistent.

Equipped with 28 smart program settings for specific pressure levels and cook times, the Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure and Slow Cooker gives you greater control over your cooking while taking care of the work for you. You also have the option to control cook times manually through “natural” or “quick” steam release. Plus, Instant Brands improved this new model’s steam value release button for safety during the quick-release mode. Other safety features protect from overheating, though it’s important to maintain proper liquid levels and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

In fact, this multi-cooker boasts a total of 11 safety features and five programmable settings for your favorite go-to meals. Its presets are perfect for soups, stews, and meats. The sauté function allows you to brown meats and toast spices in the pot before pressure cooking. Clean-up is easy with a dishwasher-safe lid, removable inner pot, and accessories. This 8-quart model can cook for a crowd or carry you through weekday meal prep.

“Many things that can be made in a slow cooker can be made fast in a pressure cooker: stews, beans, and bone broth,” says cookbook author and food writer Andrea Nguyen. “I adore the cooker for noodle soup broth – hello pho! – and vegetable stock. It’s fantastic for quickly cooking beets. I never roast them anymore! I also regularly use my Instant Pot multi-cooker for yogurt.”

Price at time of publish: $190

• Capacity: 8 quarts
• Dimensions: 14.4 x 13.9 x 14.2 inches
• Weight: 21.2 pounds
• Presets: Pressure cook, slow cook, sous vide, sauté, sterilize, make yogurt, warm food, bake cake, and steam

Best Value

Presto 6-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker

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Pros: This stovetop pressure cooker can go in the dishwasher and is fully immersible in water for quick cooling. A side handle makes it easy to transport.

Cons: This basic model requires more oversight while cooking, and it doesn’t have pre-programmable features or presets.

If you would prefer a no-frills stovetop pressure cooker that’s still spacious enough for larger cuts of meat, the reliable Presto 6-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker offers quality and function for a great price. Durable scratch-resistant stainless steel allows for even heating and cooking and can be used on a regular or induction stovetop. It includes a safety cover lock that reduces steam before you open it, and you can immerse this dishwasher-safe model for quick cooling. It comes with a convenient rubber side handle for easy transport, and it has a cooking rack insert so you can prepare several foods at once. Its streamlined design also means it’s especially simple to use.

“I love my Presto 6-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker. It’s easy to use, easy to clean, and saves me so much time on some of my favorite foods,” says chef and food stylist Tasha Powell. “Also, this product has a legacy in my family, as my mom made stews with this product while I was growing up.”

Price at time of publish: $80

• Capacity: 6 quarts
• Dimensions: 17.31 x 9.12 x 8.75 inches
• Weight: 5.32 pounds
• Presets: None

Best for Experienced Cooks

Breville Fast Slow Pro Cooker

4.5

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Pros: This appliance weds style and smarts for a premium cooking experience. Choose from a number of settings on an easy-to-read LCD display.

Cons: Our most expensive pick, it’s more of an investment than beginner cooks will want to make. It also takes up more space than other 6-quart models.

Breville’s sophisticated brushed stainless steel pressure cooker boasts 11 preset cooking functions and several bonus features, from sous vide mode to built-in sensors that automatically adjust time and temperature settings. Whether you choose presets through its interactive LCD panel or custom settings for more precise control, your meals will come together quickly and consistently delicious. With its slow setting, this multi-cooker can function like a traditional crockpot, yet it also lets you sear and brown right in the removable cooking vessel.

Its safety system includes a locking lid, a hands-free steam release valve, and an additional safety valve. A wide, wrap-around container keeps countertops clean from cooking liquids. The keep-warm function turns on automatically when the time is up. Even during cooking, the handles are cool to touch.

Price at time of publish: $278

• Capacity: 6 quarts
• Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 13 inches
• Weight: 14 pounds
• Presets: Pressure cook, slow cook, steam, reduce, sauté, warm, roast, and bake

Best Splurge

Mepra 1950 Stove Top Pressure Cooker

Food52

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Pros: This elegant Italian pressure cooker is easy to use and clean, oven safe, and suitable for all stove typres.

Cons: It requires more oversight when you’re cooking, and it lacks presets.

This ultra sleek, Italian-made stainless steel pressure cooker would make a seamless addition to any design-forward kitchen. The Mepra Pressure Cooker 1950 has the added function of being oven safe up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s compatible with gas, induction, and electric stovetops. While you sacrifice the bells and whistles associated with modern electronic multi-cookers, you gain an eye-catching design that can go from stove to table.

“Pressure cookers are typically used for cooking items quickly, such as short ribs or oxtails. I use it mostly for braised items,” says chef Ryan Rondeno.

Price at time of publish: $400

• Capacity: 7.4 quarts
• Dimensions: 9 x 8.75 inches
• Weights: 6.9 pounds
• Presets: None

Best with Air Fryer

Instant Pot Pro Crisp & Air Fryer 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer

4.7

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Pros: Use this appliance to finish slow- or pressure-cooked food with a crisp exterior. It replaces multiple appliances.

Cons: With two lids, it takes up a lot of counter and storage space, and it’s relatively heavy.

A built-in air fryer gives the Instant Pot Pro Crisp XL 8 Quart an edge over other models. This powerful, user-friendly multi-cooker lets you broil, bake, roast, toast, sauté, sous vide, dehydrate, steam, slow cook, and more. Swapping its lid transforms it into the air fryer. Its crisper technology and 8-quart capacity are ideal for large meal prep and entertaining. A dual frying function browns and crisps the exterior of food, enhancing its look and taste. Its five programmable settings let you save your own special recipe presets.

Accessories such as a multi-use steam rack, a multi-level air fryer basket with a dehydrating and broiling tray, and a heat-resistant protective pad and storage cover are valuable bonuses. Removable parts are dishwasher safe. This multi-cooker will become a fast favorite if you’re an appliance minimalist.

Price at time of publish: $270

• Capacity: 8 quarts
• Dimensions: 15.35 x 12.57 x 14.78 inches
• Weight: 26.2 pounds
• Presets: Pressure cook, sauté, steam, slow cook, sous vide, warm, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate

Best Stovetop

T-Fal Clipso Pressure Cooker

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Pros: Sturdy plastic handles don’t get hot, and its steam valve release is easy and safe to use with one hand.

Cons: It needs supervision while cooking. Pressure issues can result without enough liquid.

Holding just over 6 quarts, the T-fal Clipso Pressure Cooker makes a reliable mid-range option for batch cooking and feeding a crowd. If you want to forgo the fancier functions of multi-cookers, you’ll find this streamlined pressure cooker easy to use, clean, and store. It includes a steam basket and stand for more cooking options. The inner encapsulated base heats evenly and is compatible with any cooktop, including induction. It automatically shifts to keep cooked food warm. Comfortable side handle grips, a steam release valve that requires just one hand, and an automatic locking function improve the safety of this appliance.

Price at time of publish: $120

• Capacity: 6.3 quarts
• Dimensions: 14.47 x 11.35 x 8.89 inches
• Weight: 7.7 pounds
• Presets: None

Best for Large Servings

Yedi 9-in-1 Instant Programmable Pressure Cooker

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Pros: It has the capacity to cook large servings, but you can also use its accessories to cook smaller dishes, including two at once.

Cons: Error messages are not uncommon, and troubleshooting will likely require calling customer service.

Whether you’re planning a gathering, feeding a family, or preparing meals to eat all week, Yedi’s 9-in-1 Instant Programmable Pressure Cooker handles big-batch recipes with ease. New recipes are uploaded weekly to the Yedi app, which you can download at no cost. Like other multi-cookers, this option allows you to pressure cook, slow cook, saute, steam, cook rice, make cakes, and keep food warm. It also has a customizable function. Accessories like cheet sheets and steaming trivets make your cooking experience even easier; its stainless steel steaming basket, for example, lets you cook two dishes at once.

Price at time of publish: $90

• Capacity: 8 quarts
• Dimensions: 14.8 x 13.5 x 14.5 inches
• Weight: 18.8 pounds
• Presets: Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, make cake, pasteurize, make yogurt, cook rice, and warm