The 6 Best Pressure Cookers Of 2022
Michael Dechev/Shutterstock By Gene Gerrard/Updated: March 29, 2022 4:19 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The pressure cooker was invented in the mid-17th century by French physicist Denis Papin, and he called it alternately a Steam Digestor or a Papin Digester because of his invention’s ability to cook bones so they were “soft as cheese” (via Condé Nast Traveler). Leap ahead a couple of hundred years, and the Digester — renamed the pressure cooker — transformed cooking worldwide. The stovetop pressure cooker pretty much stayed the same but earned some notoriety for exploding and launching food to the ceiling, as in this famous clip from “I Love Lucy.”
In 2010, though, the pressure cooker was reengineered as an electric appliance when software engineer Robert Wang created the Instant Pot (per NBC News). Wang combined a pressure cooker with a rice cooker and a slow cooker and transformed the simple pressure cooker into a multi-cooker. The Instant Pot became a sensation, and still is, thanks to Wang’s frequent updates to his original model. In the wake of the Instant Pot’s success, many brand-name appliance manufacturers have hopped on the pressure cooker bandwagon, and although Instant Pot is still number one, we’ve found several worthy competitors that have upped their game to try to push Instant Pot off its top spot.
How we selected products
BearFotos/Shutterstock
Our recommendations for the best pressure cooker are based on several criteria. First, we researched user reviews because many are honest appraisals of a pressure cooker’s capabilities, ease of use, and overall performance. Negative reviews were also helpful to determine whether the technological improvements actually made the pressure cooker better, or in some cases, worse. We also considered media reviews that were based on actual testing of pressure cookers with a broad range of recipes that showed both their range of functions and their limitations.
Smart pressure cookers are on the rise, and we were skeptical that these were just pricey gimmicks. But from all of the information we gathered, pressure cookers that were integrated with an app were impressive and certainly could appeal to both new and seasoned cooks alike. There are many copycats out there, but we chose six of the best pressure cookers that are popular and are made by reputable brands.
The 6 Best Pressure Cookers Of 2022
Michael Dechev/Shutterstock
By Gene Gerrard/Updated: March 29, 2022 4:19 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The pressure cooker was invented in the mid-17th century by French physicist Denis Papin, and he called it alternately a Steam Digestor or a Papin Digester because of his invention’s ability to cook bones so they were “soft as cheese” (via Condé Nast Traveler). Leap ahead a couple of hundred years, and the Digester — renamed the pressure cooker — transformed cooking worldwide. The stovetop pressure cooker pretty much stayed the same but earned some notoriety for exploding and launching food to the ceiling, as in this famous clip from “I Love Lucy.”
In 2010, though, the pressure cooker was reengineered as an electric appliance when software engineer Robert Wang created the Instant Pot (per NBC News). Wang combined a pressure cooker with a rice cooker and a slow cooker and transformed the simple pressure cooker into a multi-cooker. The Instant Pot became a sensation, and still is, thanks to Wang’s frequent updates to his original model. In the wake of the Instant Pot’s success, many brand-name appliance manufacturers have hopped on the pressure cooker bandwagon, and although Instant Pot is still number one, we’ve found several worthy competitors that have upped their game to try to push Instant Pot off its top spot.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
In 2010, though, the pressure cooker was reengineered as an electric appliance when software engineer Robert Wang created the Instant Pot (per NBC News). Wang combined a pressure cooker with a rice cooker and a slow cooker and transformed the simple pressure cooker into a multi-cooker. The Instant Pot became a sensation, and still is, thanks to Wang’s frequent updates to his original model. In the wake of the Instant Pot’s success, many brand-name appliance manufacturers have hopped on the pressure cooker bandwagon, and although Instant Pot is still number one, we’ve found several worthy competitors that have upped their game to try to push Instant Pot off its top spot.
How we selected products
BearFotos/Shutterstock
Our recommendations for the best pressure cooker are based on several criteria. First, we researched user reviews because many are honest appraisals of a pressure cooker’s capabilities, ease of use, and overall performance. Negative reviews were also helpful to determine whether the technological improvements actually made the pressure cooker better, or in some cases, worse. We also considered media reviews that were based on actual testing of pressure cookers with a broad range of recipes that showed both their range of functions and their limitations.
Smart pressure cookers are on the rise, and we were skeptical that these were just pricey gimmicks. But from all of the information we gathered, pressure cookers that were integrated with an app were impressive and certainly could appeal to both new and seasoned cooks alike. There are many copycats out there, but we chose six of the best pressure cookers that are popular and are made by reputable brands.
Smart pressure cookers are on the rise, and we were skeptical that these were just pricey gimmicks. But from all of the information we gathered, pressure cookers that were integrated with an app were impressive and certainly could appeal to both new and seasoned cooks alike. There are many copycats out there, but we chose six of the best pressure cookers that are popular and are made by reputable brands.
Best overall pressure cooker: Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1
Instant
If you want to try your hand at sous-vide cooking, the IP Pro has also added a new program for that as well. The IP Pro is available in 6 quarts and 8 quarts, and as YouTuber Night Time Mommy says, “they’ve added all of the best features and put them into one pot.”
Best air fryer pressure cooker: Ninja Foodi Deluxe
Ninja
Another function that makes the Ninja Foodi different from its competition is that it can broil a steak or caramelize baby back ribs as though you’d just tossed them on the grill. There’s no denying that Ninja Foodi Deluxe will take up some valuable countertop real estate in your kitchen, but a smaller 6.5-quart version is also available.
Best affordable pressure cooker: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1
It’s true that you’ll never get crispy chicken skin from the Duo, but it will be the tenderest, juiciest bird you ever ate. Many first-timers are confused by the cooking times of recipes that don’t account for the 10 minutes or so that it takes for the IP to come to pressure. But once you get over your beginners’ Instant Pot mistakes, this little droid will absolutely change the way you cook. This “starter” Instant Pot is also incredibly affordable, and during certain times of the year, it’s marked down to almost bargain-basement levels.
Best luxury pressure cooker: Breville Fast Slow Pro
Breville
The Fast Slow Pro has a few fantastic features — like adjustment for high-altitude cooking, a super-secure locking system, and hands-off steam release — that really make this pressure cooker a standout. Yes, it’s pricey, but Hip Pressure Cooking calls the Breville Fast Slow Pro a game-changer, and we agree.
Best smart pressure cooker: CHEF iQ
CHEF iQ
Another remarkable feature is CHEF iQ’s built-in scale, which completely eliminates measuring out ingredients with measuring cups and spoons. For example, if a recipe calls for two cups of flour, you can add it gradually to the CHEF iQ, and it will alert you when you’ve hit the mark. With all of these features, is it any wonder that this reviewer from In The Know prefers the CHEF iQ to the Instant Pot?
Best stovetop pressure cooker: T-fal Clipso
T-fal
The feature that most people love is the one-hand system for opening and closing the lid. As one YouTuber demonstrates, it’s so effortless he can do it with a single finger. Another bonus is that the T-fal Clipso is dishwasher safe. So if you’ve cooked something especially sticky, there’s no need to soak and scrub; simply pop it into the dishwasher with the pots-and-pans setting. The T-fal Clipso is also great for canning, and if you’re just starting to can fruits and veggies, this pressure cooker is recommended for beginners.
