A pot and a folding basket will steam broccoli just fine. An electric steamer earns its counter space when you want to walk away from it: it times itself, watches its own water and shuts off. Stack a few tiers and it can do fish, vegetables and rice for one meal without a pan on the stove.
The question for most buyers is what the food sits on, and how much they trust the timer. Most low-cost steamers use stacked plastic bowls, while a few use steel and glass. We sort them by that, using one tester’s real results where we could find them and listings where we couldn’t.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications, makers’ statements and the independent sources we name. We have not used these products ourselves.
Quick verdict: which food steamer to buy
Buy the Cuisinart Cookfresh Digital Glass Food Steamer if you steam often and have the room. Food Network named it best electric, with evenly tender broccoli. For less, its budget pick is the Hamilton Beach 5.5-quart, but check vegetables early, since the maker’s timing overcooked them in that test.
Five food steamers side by side
One for each kind of cook, with capacities and warranties as listed.
| Steamer | Best for | Size | Warranty | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cuisinart Cookfresh Digital Glass Food SteamerBest overall
|
Frequent steaming | 5 L glass | 3 years | View on Amazon |
| Value and digital controls | 5.5 qt, 2 tiers | 1 year | View on Amazon | |
Hamilton Beach 3-Tier Food Steamer, 9.5 QuartBest for families
|
Family meals | 9.5 qt, 3 tiers | Not stated | View on Amazon |
BUYDEEM G52 Food Steamer, 10.6 QuartBest stainless
|
Steel instead of plastic | 10.6 qt, 2 tiers | Not stated | View on Amazon |
BUYDEEM G553 Food Steamer, 5.3 QuartBest compact steel
|
Small households, fish | 5.3 qt | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacities and warranties are as stated by each maker or listing.
Our picks for the best food steamer
Seven electric countertop steamers. BUYDEEM and OVENTE are the two brands we judge Amazon-first. All were in stock and sold new when we checked. Only three of these appear in the independent review we could read, and we say which.
1. Cuisinart Cookfresh Digital Glass Food Steamer – Watch the Food Through Glass
Food Network’s tester named this its best electric steamer. Broccoli came out bright green and evenly tender using the included timing guide, with only the smallest florets slightly softer, and the water tank never needed refilling. The glass pot lets you see the food the whole time, which is a real help with vegetables, since they go from done to dull quickly.
Cuisinart’s design is unusual. Steam comes from above and surrounds the food rather than jetting up from below, and the 1800-watt element raises steam in 30 seconds from cold, according to the maker. There are five modes, a 60-minute timer, keep warm and a 12-hour delay start, with a separate 1-liter water tank that lifts off for filling. The glass pot goes to the table and into the dishwasher.
The trade-offs are size and weight. Food Network calls it heavier than most, with a large footprint that needs its own storage spot.
Why we like it
- Named best electric steamer by Food Network
- Glass pot shows the food as it cooks
- 1800 watts stated, the highest here
- 3-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | STM-1000 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5 L glass pot |
| Tiers | 1, with flip tray |
| Stated power | 1800 W |
| Timer | 60 min, 12-hour delay |
| Food-contact parts | Glass pot, stainless tray |
| Low-water protection | Alerts; removable tank |
| Warranty | 3-year limited |
Why we recommend it
This suits someone who steams often and has the counter or cabinet room. It has the strongest independent result here for even vegetables.
Skip it if you need two foods kept apart or have little storage, since it has one pot and needs its own spot.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Even broccoli in Food Network’s test
- Fast steam, per Cuisinart
- Dishwasher-safe glass pot
Cons
- Heavy and large
- One cooking level
- Costs more than most, per Food Network
2. Hamilton Beach Digital Food Steamer, 5.5 Quart – Two Tiers, Delay Start, Plain Plastic
Food Network named this its best budget electric steamer, and its review is a useful mix. Frozen dumplings cooked evenly across both tiers in 10 minutes. But broccoli made by the maker’s instructions came out overcooked, mushy and dull, and setup took longer than expected, because the pieces must go together in the right order and don’t lock. So use the timer as a starting point and check your vegetables early.
You get two stackable bowls with a center divider that comes out for larger food, a rice basket, and egg holders for up to 16 eggs, according to Hamilton Beach. A digital touchpad sets the timer and delay start, and it switches to warm when done. The tiers nest for storage.
Why we like it
- Named best budget electric by Food Network
- Removable divider for larger foods
- Delay start and auto switch to warm
- Tiers nest for storage
Key specifications
| Model | 37530A |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5.5 qt |
| Tiers | 2 |
| Stated power | Not stated |
| Timer | Digital, with delay start |
| Food-contact parts | Plastic (Food Network) |
| Low-water protection | Auto shutoff |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
This is the page’s value pick for a household that wants a real digital steamer without the Cuisinart’s size or weight, and doesn’t mind watching the vegetables.
Skip it if you dislike plastic near your food or want a machine that clicks together firmly. Food Network found this one’s parts don’t lock.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Even dumplings in Food Network’s test
- Delay start and keep warm
- Rice basket and egg holders included
Cons
- Broccoli overcooked on maker’s time, per Food Network
- Parts don’t lock
- Plastic construction
3. Hamilton Beach 3-Tier Food Steamer, 9.5 Quart – Three Trays for a Whole Meal
This model adds capacity rather than controls. Three numbered trays stack to 9.5 quarts, so you can steam a protein and two sides or use just one or two trays for smaller meals. Hamilton Beach says it holds up to 24 eggs, and it can make up to 6 cups of cooked rice using its own smaller measuring cup. It runs on 800 watts with a turn timer of up to 60 minutes, then beeps and turns off.
A boil-dry feature shuts it down when the water runs out, and an indicator shows the level while you add water from the left or right. The bowls and trays are described as BPA-free. A different 8.25-quart Hamilton Beach is on our electric tamale steamer page, and this one is the simpler, larger model. The listing states no warranty.
Why we like it
- 9.5 quarts over three trays
- Boil-dry shutoff stated
- Water level indicator, fill from either side
- 800 watts stated
Key specifications
| Model | 37430 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 9.5 qt |
| Tiers | 3 |
| Stated power | 800 W |
| Timer | Turn timer, 60 min |
| Food-contact parts | BPA-free bowls and trays |
| Low-water protection | Boil-dry shutoff |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a family, or someone meal-prepping several things at once, who wants a simple timer instead of a touchpad.
Skip it if you’re cooking for one or two, since it’s a lot of stack to store for a small amount of food.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest stack among the plastic-tray models here
- Simple timer
- Boil-dry protection
Cons
- Warranty not stated
- No keep-warm stated
- No independent review read
4. bella Two-Tier Food Steamer, 7.4 Quart – A Simple Stack That Washes Easily
Food Network tested a bella two-tier among its other electric steamers and said it turned in respectable results, though imprecise control left it behind the competition. That fits what this listing shows: a turn-switch machine rather than a programmable one. It’s a two-tier stack of 7.4 quarts with a removable base and a printed steaming guide. Food Network gave no model number, so we can’t be certain it’s this exact one.
The lids and plastic baskets go in the dishwasher, and a clear indicator shows the water level. Auto shutoff and boil-dry protection turn it off if it runs out of water. The title mentions stainless steel while the feature text describes plastic baskets, so assume the food sits on plastic. Wattage and warranty aren’t stated.
Why we like it
- Respectable results for a bella two-tier, per Food Network
- Baskets and lids are dishwasher safe
- Auto shutoff and boil-dry protection
- Removable base for cleaning
Key specifications
| Model | 13872 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 7.4 qt |
| Tiers | 2 |
| Stated power | Not stated |
| Timer | Turn switch |
| Food-contact parts | Plastic baskets |
| Low-water protection | Auto shutoff, boil-dry |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who wants to steam vegetables and fish a couple of times a week with almost nothing to learn.
Skip it if you steam delicate food often and need precise timing, which is where Food Network found it lacking.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple to run
- Parts are dishwasher safe
- Clear water-level view
Cons
- Imprecise control, per Food Network
- Title and features disagree on materials
- No stated warranty
5. BUYDEEM G52 Food Steamer, 10.6 Quart – Stainless Trays and a UL Line
If you’d rather not steam on plastic, this is the pick. BUYDEEM says all the food-contact parts are 304 stainless steel, with a reinforced glass lid and stainless trays. Its two tiers total 10.6 quarts on a footprint of about 13 by 12 inches, and it’s the only steamer here whose listing mentions UL certification.
You choose from seven preset times between 5 and 60 minutes, and one touch adds two hours of keep warm. If the water drops too low, it pauses and prompts you, and resumes once refilled; an auto shutoff covers it if the water runs out. The maker’s serving guide says one to four people, which seems modest for the volume. We read no independent test of it.
Why we like it
- 304 stainless food-contact parts, per the maker
- UL certified, per the listing
- Pauses and resumes when water is low
- Two-hour keep warm
Key specifications
| Model | G52 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 10.6 qt |
| Tiers | 2 |
| Stated power | Not stated |
| Timer | 7 presets, 5 to 60 min |
| Food-contact parts | 304 stainless, glass lid |
| Low-water protection | Standby and shutoff |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who want steel and glass near their food and have space for a tall machine.
Skip it if you want a warranty stated up front, or if you mostly steam small amounts. The smaller G553 below may fit better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No plastic food-contact parts, per the maker
- Stated certification
- Refill prompt
Cons
- No independent review read
- Warranty not stated
- Height not stated
6. BUYDEEM G553 Food Steamer, 5.3 Quart – Fast Steam, Long Delay Start
The G553 is BUYDEEM’s smaller, stronger-running model at 1500 watts and 5.3 quarts. The maker says it produces steam within a minute and is roomy enough to steam a whole fish with the head and tail on. A stainless tray and glass lid are the food-facing parts it names, and it weighs 9.47 pounds.
The other headline is an 18-hour delay and an 18-hour keep warm. Think hard before using a long delay on anything perishable, and follow the manual on what can wait. The listing also promotes yogurt and slow-cook programs, but its title says stew pots aren’t included, so check what comes in the box if you want those.
Why we like it
- 1500 watts stated
- Steam within a minute, per the maker
- Pauses for low water and shuts off when dry
- Stainless tray and glass lid
Key specifications
| Model | G553 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5.3 qt |
| Tiers | Not stated |
| Stated power | 1500 W |
| Timer | Presets, 18-hour delay |
| Food-contact parts | Stainless tray, glass lid |
| Low-water protection | Pause and shutoff |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits one or two people who want quick steam on steel, with fish as a regular on the menu.
Skip it if you plan to rely on the yogurt or slow-cook programs without first confirming the pots you need.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong stated power
- Lighter than you’d expect at 9.47 pounds
- Dual low-water protection
Cons
- Stew pots not included
- No independent review read
- Warranty not stated
7. OVENTE 2-Tier Stainless Food Steamer, 5 Quart – Low-Key Steel at Low Power
OVENTE’s listing says very little beyond its title, so this rests on a short set of facts: two stacking stainless tiers, 5 quarts, a 60-minute timer, auto shutoff, dishwasher-safe parts and a one-year limited warranty. It’s the only one of the steel models here with a stated warranty.
Note the stated 400 watts, the lowest figure on this page and half the Hamilton Beach 3-tier’s. We’d expect it to take longer to come up to steam, though that’s our reasoning from the number, not something the listing or a reviewer says. We judge it an Amazon-first brand, and we read no independent test.
Why we like it
- Stainless tiers
- One-year limited warranty stated
- Dishwasher-safe, per the listing
- Auto shutoff
Key specifications
| Model | FS62S |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5 qt |
| Tiers | 2 |
| Stated power | 400 W |
| Timer | 60 min |
| Food-contact parts | Stainless, per title |
| Low-water protection | Auto shutoff |
| Warranty | 1 year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits a light user who wants steel trays and a stated warranty, and isn’t in a rush.
Skip it if you steam frequently or want detail before you buy. This listing gives almost none.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Steel tiers
- Warranty stated
- Simple timer
Cons
- Lowest stated power here
- Very thin listing
- Mostly online brand
How to choose an electric vegetable steamer
A few points matter more than the preset list.
What the food touches. Most stacks are plastic, often described as BPA-free. If you’d rather avoid plastic, BUYDEEM and OVENTE sell steel tiers and the Cuisinart cooks in glass. We make no health claim either way; this is about what you want near your dinner and what cleans up well.
Timer trust. Food Network’s test shows why this matters: the same Hamilton Beach that did dumplings well overcooked broccoli at the maker’s suggested time. Treat printed times as a first guess. Start short, then add a minute or two the next time.
Tiers versus one big level. Tiers let you cook two things apart, with stronger-tasting foods kept off the others. In our kitchen sense of it, denser food belongs on the level nearest the steam. One large level, as on the Cuisinart, holds less variety.
Water handling. Look for boil-dry protection, and a way to refill without lifting the stack. The Cuisinart’s separate tank and BUYDEEM’s refill prompt are the most thought-out here. Use the water the maker tells you to use and descale as its manual says.
Storage. Food Network’s complaints about these machines include bulk. Hamilton Beach’s 5.5-quart tiers nest, but the Cuisinart’s glass pot and base take up real room. Measure your cabinet before buying.
Do you need one at all? For a weekly side of vegetables, a folding steamer basket or a bamboo steamer stores small and needs no outlet. For tamales, read our electric tamale steamer guide, since these short tiers aren’t built to stand tamales up.
How we chose these seven food steamers
We looked for electric countertop steamers from named makers that were in plain stock with a new lead offer. We left out steamers already used elsewhere on the site, along with the Oster and Black+Decker models, which were listed as low in stock. We kept rice cookers with steam trays off the page, because our rice cooker steamer guide covers them.
Food Network’s review is the only independent testing we read, and it covers the Cuisinart, the Hamilton Beach 5.5-quart and a bella two-tier. The others rest on their listings. We have not used these steamers ourselves. CPSC records by brand showed nothing on these steamers; a 2023 Sensio recall covers Bella pressure cookers, which is a different product.
Food steamer questions, answered
Is an electric steamer better than a basket in a pot?
It’s easier to leave alone, since it times itself and shuts off. A basket is smaller and just as able to steam vegetables if you watch it.
Can I steam rice in these?
Several say yes. Hamilton Beach includes a rice basket with its 5.5-quart model, and its 3-tier model gives a measure using its own smaller cup. Follow the maker’s chart.
How long do vegetables take?
Follow the maker’s chart, then adjust. In Food Network’s test, one maker’s chart gave good broccoli and another’s left it mushy, so check early the first few times.
Can I cook tamales in one?
Small amounts, sometimes, if they fit under the lid. Most of these tiers look short for that, so a tall pot is the usual tool.
Are the parts dishwasher safe?
Often, but it varies. The Cuisinart’s glass pot, bella’s baskets and lids, and the OVENTE are all listed as dishwasher safe. Check the maker’s manual for the base.
Our final pick for steaming at home
The Cuisinart has the strongest case if you steam often. The Hamilton Beach 5.5-quart gives you much of that for less, if you watch the broccoli. For a stovetop approach, start with our steamer basket guide. And when dinner is someone else’s job, look through the menu and call to order from Julia’s.