7 Best Multi-Cookers To Buy in 2020
Multi-cookers are great because of their ability to cook pretty much anything and everything in different styles. With a multi-cooker, you no longer need to keep a dozen different appliances on your worktops. It cooks food for you just the way you like it, and with less fuss, as you simply throw the ingredients in, press a button, and you’re good to go.
They’re convenient and versatile, which is super important when your hunger cravings are calling. Speaking of which, all this food talk is making us hungry, so let’s get stuck into the best multi-cookers.
From our research, the current best multi-cookers are:
- Luby Multi-Cooker
- Instant Pot Duo
- Comfee’ Multi-Cooker
- Comfee’ Asian-Style Multi-Cooker
- Ninja Auto-iQ Multi-Cooker
- Hamilton Beach Digital Multi-Cooker
- Chefman Oval Multi-Function Cooker
1. Best Overall: Luby Multi-Cooker
We all want our kitchen appliances to look good, as well as being super convenient. This multi-cooker does exactly that, looking smart and elegant in its glossy red finish. Choosing a glamorous kitchen appliance improves the overall look of your kitchen, which this one does in spades.
The knob control is easy to use, allowing for easy transition between the required program. This combines well with the LED, which tracks cooking progress and features a handy countdown timer.
With a 24-hour delay timer, you can pop everything into the cooker and delay the cooking until you’re ready. It also has an adjustable time range for enhanced cooking flexibility.
The multi-cooker is a great choice for families between four and six since it has a 6-quart capacity.
Pros
- Removable lid, making for easy access and easy cleaning.
- 16 built-in programs.
- User-friendly for the left and right-handed.
- Safety exhaust valve.
Cons
- Insert pan may need changing after lots of use due to poor quality.
2. Most Popular: Instant Pot Duo
This particular multi-cooker is incredibly popular, which we feel is due to the various styles and sizes. They range from 3-quart to 8-quart, making this range perfect to suit your needs. Our focus, however, is on the 6-quart Duo multi-cooker.
Cooking up to 70 percent faster than it would take on the stovetop, this multi-cooker is sure to save you plenty of time. It combines seven different appliances into one, allowing you to:
- Sautè.
- Pressure cook.
- Slow cook.
- Make yogurt.
- Cook rice.
- Steam.
- Warm food.
With 14 smart programs built-in, you can be cooking ribs, beans, soups, and more on autopilot, all at the quick touch of a button.
Even better, you can download an app specifically designed for this multi-cooker, which gives you access to hundreds of easy-to-make recipes.
Pros
- Stainless steel lid is fingerprint-resistant, making cleaning easier.
- LED has a countdown timer.
- Overheat-protection safety feature.
- Delay start by up to 24 hours.
Cons
- Reports of technical issues with the pressure valve.
- Customer service isn’t very helpful in dealing with problems.
3. Best Value: Comfee’ Multi-Cooker
If you don’t have experience with a multi-cooker and are wanting something a little cheaper to start with, then have a look at this one. It’s very affordable; however, quality isn’t compromised, making it excellent value for money.
It has 12 different settings, which allow you to cook the likes of rice, pasta, soup, and oatmeal perfectly every time. It also lets you sautè, steam, and slow-cook your food. A unique DIY setting also allows you to create different meals and have some fun with your multi-cooker.
User-friendly, it’s designed to be simple to use. Settings can be selected at the touch of a button, and the LED screen lets you check on the progress of your food.
This multi-cooker keeps food warm for up to 12 or 24 hours, making it ideal for busy families. Simply select the setting that suits your needs, so you can have food ready for when you’re home from work.
Pros
- Delay timer setting.
- Sleek and rounded body design.
- Cool-touch handles.
- Inner cooking pot is dishwasher-safe.
Cons
- Lid isn’t removable.
- Takes a little while to heat up.
4. Most Compact: Comfee’ Asian-Style Multi-Cooker
Most multi-cookers have the same tall, upright shape; however, this one has a low and compact design that makes it easier to store it away. Even if you choose to keep it out on the worktop, it won’t take up too much valuable space, either.
It has 17 built-in cooking programs, letting you cook the perfect pasta, rice, and stew, and make cake and yogurt, as examples. Other settings include being able to sautè, steam and slow-cook with this multi-cooker.
The digital control panel makes selecting the program easy, and a timer will pop up on the LED screen so you can see how long remains.
You have lots of mealtime flexibility as you can keep food warm for up to 12 hours, and you can also delay food from cooking for up to 24 hours.
Finally, this model features a non-stick lining, so food comes out easily every time, leaving no scraps behind. This is also a great feature so you don’t have to scrub inside after each use.
Pros
- Steam valve is removable for easy cleaning.
- BPA-free plastic.
- One-year warranty.
Cons
- Difficult to clean as lid doesn’t come completely off.
5. Most Versatile: Ninja Auto-iQ Multi-Cooker
Clever technology on this multi-cooker gives you lots of versatility in the kitchen with only one appliance, particularly the Auto-iQ feature. It allows you to choose from multiple recipes and cooking techniques, to ensure mealtimes are always interesting.
With over an impressive 80 pre-programmed recipes, every day, you’ll be able to cook something new. This is great for beginners who are looking to expand their food intake and discover new recipes. Gone will be the days of sitting around and thinking of what to make for dinner. Infuse, bake, and make meals in under 30 minutes.
The digital control system is split into two sections to make it easy for you to use. On the left, you can use the Auto-iQ feature, where you can choose from the different recipes. On the right, either bake, steam or slow-cook your own recipes. You can also use the special stovetop feature that allows you to sear and fry food.
You can keep an eye on the temperature of the multi-cooker and cooking time remaining via the LED screen.
Pros
- Auto stay-warm feature.
- Cookbook included.
- Non-stick pot.
Cons
- Bulky and takes up a lot of space.
- Heavy to move.
6. Best for Smaller Families: Hamilton Beach Digital Multi-Cooker
This multi-cooker is smaller than most, at 4.5-quart capacity, and allows you to cook a good hearty meal for the whole family without having lots of food leftover. Incidentally, most cookers are over a 5-quart capacity.
It’s a versatile machine and allows you to sear, sautè, slow cook, steam, cook rice, and prepare hot cereals. It has 14 pre-programmed settings, including those for soup and sushi, so you can get cooking faster without manual input.
A dual-purpose basket is included for rinsing and steaming rice, which will help to prevent clumping while cooking. You’ll also be able to cook rice while steaming vegetables at the same time, to get meals prepared even faster, even with its small capacity.
Pros
- Easy to clean.
- Low and high settings for slow cooking.
Cons
- Lid isn’t removable.
- Auto-warm feature isn’t very effective.
7. Best for Larger Families: Chefman Oval Multi-Function Cooker
This extra-large multi-cooker is great when you have a large household of up to eight people — it has a spacious 8-quart capacity.
It comes with lots of accessories, including measuring and condensation cups, rice and soup spoons, and a basket, so you have everything you need to feed the entire family.
With 18 settings, you’ll be able to cook your favorite meals in your favorite ways, all within one machine. Choose to slow cook, sear, sautè, or pressure cook easily at the touch of a button.
The digital control panel is easy to use, and the large LED screen allows you to clearly see the different settings, as well as the usual countdown timer.
Pros
- Pot has measurement marks.
- Recipe book included.
- Convenient keep-warm and delayed-start features.
Cons
- Difficult to clean.
- Heavy.
Conclusion
Our favorite is the Luby Multi-Cooker, and we feel it’ll be a great addition to any kitchen.
Its removable lid makes cleaning even easier and gives you better access as you’re dishing up dinner. It can be open one-handed to check on the food, and this can be done from either side.
It has plenty of different cooking settings, so you can explore different techniques and try out new foods easily.
The LED is easy to read, and the controls are simple to understand. It really helps to take the stress out of mealtimes.
