The word multicooker now covers two different machines. One is the Instant Pot kind: a sealed electric pressure cooker that also slow cooks, steams and sautés. The other has no pressure at all, and is really a strong slow cooker with searing and rice programs. Both get called all in one cookers, and the listings don’t always make the difference clear.
That difference is the first thing to settle, since dried pinto beans in an hour need pressure and a low, slow chile verde doesn’t. This guide sorts eight machines by that line, using America’s Test Kitchen’s multicooker review where it covers them and the listings where it doesn’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 multi cooker to buy
Buy the Instant Pot Pro 8-Quart. America’s Test Kitchen rated it its favorite, for excellent pressure cooking, searing and steam release, though it couldn’t slow-cook large cuts well. If long, slow cooking matters more to you, the GreenPan Elite is a slow cooker first, with browning built in, but it has no pressure mode and rests on its listing.
Five multi cookers by what they do best
The comparison shows whether each one pressure cooks, which is the first question to answer.
| Multi cooker | Best for | Capacity | Pressure cooks | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Instant Pot Pro 8-Quart MulticookerBest overall
|
Pressure cooking first | 8 qt | Yes | View on Amazon |
Instant Pot Dual Action Multi-CookerBest for a main and a side
|
Main and side together | 4 qt + 2 qt | Main pot | View on Amazon |
Ninja MultiPot XL 12-in-1 MulticookerBest for big batches without pressure
|
Crowds, no pressure needed | 7.5 qt + 2 x 3.3 qt | No | View on Amazon |
Nuwave Duet Pressure Cooker and Air FryerBest with air frying
|
Pressure plus crisping | 6 qt | Yes | View on Amazon |
GreenPan Elite 14-in-1 Multi-Cooker, 6 QuartBest for slow cooking
|
Slow cooking and browning | 6 qt | No | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Functions and capacities are as stated by each maker or listing.
Our picks for the best multi cooker
Eight machines, five that pressure cook and three that don’t. If you want a plain pressure cooker and nothing else, or ATK’s Best Buy, start with our pressure cooker guide. All picks here were in stock and sold new when we checked.
1. Instant Pot Pro 8-Quart Multicooker – The Independent Test Winner
America’s Test Kitchen rated this its favorite multicooker in its May 2025 review, and its notes are specific. The flat-bottomed pot allows even searing, the release switch keeps your hand away from the steam, the interface is easy to navigate, and you can turn off keep warm so food doesn’t keep cooking. Pressure cooking, rice, sautéing, yogurt and steaming were all rated excellent.
ATK also says plainly what it doesn’t do. It couldn’t slow-cook large cuts of meat well. Its bake function uses steam, so it suits cheesecake and little else, and with no fan it can’t do true sous vide even though sous vide is on the function list. ATK calls 8 quarts the best size for most home cooks. The listing gives 1400 watts, ten functions and 28 programs, and says it is UL and ULC listed. An extra sealing ring and a steamer are included.
Our stainless pressure cooker page has the 6-quart of this same model. We list the 8-quart here because that’s the size ATK’s winner came in, and because it suits a pot of beans or pozole with room to spare.
Why we like it
- ATK’s favorite in its May 2025 review
- Flat pot sears evenly, per ATK
- Steam release switch keeps your hand clear
- UL and ULC listed, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 113-0044-01 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 8 qt |
| Pressure cooks | Yes |
| Stated functions | 10 |
| Inner pot | Stainless steel |
| Stated power | 1400 W |
| Controls | Display, release switch |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits most households who mainly want to pressure cook, which ATK’s reader poll found is how 93 percent of its respondents use theirs.
Skip it if slow cooking is your main reason for buying. ATK found it weak there, and a dedicated slow cooker or a non-pressure multicooker below will do better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Top rating from ATK
- Stainless pot
- Dishwasher-safe lid and pot, per the listing
Cons
- Weak at slow-cooking large cuts, per ATK
- Sous vide and bake are limited
- Large for small kitchens
2. Instant Pot Dual Action Multi-Cooker – Two Pots That Finish Together
This is a newer idea from Instant Pot: a 4-quart main pot that pressure cooks, slow cooks, sautés, steams and keeps warm, beside a 2-quart side pot for rice, grains and vegetables. A timer staggers the cook times so that both pots finish together, according to the maker. That suits a pot of carnitas with a pan of rice next to it, without a second burner going.
The listing says it makes up to four servings, so it’s a small-household machine despite having two pots. It gives one dial and a display, 10 languages, a stainless steam rack, and a one-year warranty. Instant Pot footnotes the coating claim: no intentionally added PFAS on the cooking surfaces. We read no independent test of this model; ATK’s review predates it.
Why we like it
- Separate 4-qt and 2-qt pots
- Staggered timer finishes both together, per the maker
- One dial and a display
- One-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 140-0102-02B |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 4 qt plus 2 qt |
| Pressure cooks | Main pot |
| Stated functions | 8 |
| Inner pot | Stainless or nonstick, per listing |
| Stated power | Not stated |
| Controls | Dial and display |
| Warranty | 1 year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits a couple or a small family who always want a main and a side at the same time.
Skip it if you make big batches. A 4-quart pot won’t hold a full pot of pozole.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Cooks a main and a side together
- Simple dial control
- Rack and paddle included
Cons
- Up to four servings only
- No independent review read
- More parts to wash
3. Ninja MultiPot XL 12-in-1 Multicooker – Three Pots, No Pressure Function
The MultiPot XL has a 1500-watt base and three swappable pots: one 7.5-quart, and two 3.3-quart pots that sit side by side and cook at different temperatures. Its 12 functions include slow cook, sear, bake, steam, sous vide, rice, pasta, stir fry, hot pot and shallow fry. Pressure cooking is not on the list. That makes it a different class of machine from the Instant Pots above.
Ninja says the ceramic cooking surface is made without PFAS, PTFE and PFOA, the pots are oven safe to 500°F, and the small pots nest inside the big one. It has a fairly new release date, so there’s little track record yet; we read no independent test, and its performance claims compare it only with one Crock-Pot model. The color is unusual because that was the one in plain stock when we checked.
CPSC’s 2025 SharkNinja recall covers Ninja Foodi OP300 Series pressure cookers. That is a different product line, and this machine doesn’t pressure cook, but if you own one of those, check the notice on cpsc.gov.
Why we like it
- 7.5-qt pot plus two 3.3-qt pots
- Cooks two dishes at different temperatures
- Ceramic surface made without PFAS, per Ninja
- Oven safe to 500°F, per Ninja
Key specifications
| Model | MZ1001PU3 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 7.5 qt or 3.3 qt x 2 |
| Pressure cooks | No |
| Stated functions | 12 |
| Inner pot | Ceramic nonstick |
| Stated power | 1500 W |
| Controls | Not detailed |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits people who slow cook, sear and feed a crowd, and who don’t care about pressure.
Skip it if fast beans and stews are your goal. It has no pressure function, and ATK prefers plain stainless to nonstick for long-term durability.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most flexible pot set here
- Goes from cooker to oven
- Pots nest for storage
Cons
- No pressure cooking
- Coated pots, which ATK says won’t last forever
- New model with little track record
4. Nuwave Duet Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer – Three Lids, One Stainless Pot
Nuwave’s Duet swaps three removable lids to move between pressure cooking, air frying and grilling, in a 6-quart machine with a thick 18/10 stainless inner pot. Its combo mode pressure cooks and then air fries, which is the kitchen use that makes this kind of machine interesting: tender carnitas, then crisp edges without moving the meat.
The title’s 450-in-1 count is marketing. What’s useful is the plain list: pressure cook, air fry, slow cook, grill, sear and sauté, plus about 80 kPa of stated maximum pressure. Extra lids need storage space, and the accessories add to that. We read no independent test of it, and the listing doesn’t state wattage or warranty.
Why we like it
- Pressure cook and air fry in one pot
- 18/10 stainless inner pot, uncoated
- Combo mode runs one after the other
- Three removable lids
Key specifications
| Model | Duet Deluxe |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 qt |
| Pressure cooks | Yes |
| Stated functions | Listed as 450 presets |
| Inner pot | 18/10 stainless |
| Stated power | Not stated |
| Controls | Dial and display |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone with no separate air fryer who likes the idea of one pot for both jobs.
Skip it if you’re short on storage, because three lids and several accessories have to live somewhere.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Uncoated stainless pot
- Crisping without a second appliance
- Large preset list
Cons
- Bulky lids
- No independent review read
- Inflated function count
5. Our Place Dream Cooker, 6 Quart – Good Pressure, Weak Slow Cooking
ATK rated the Dream Cooker Recommended with Reservations. Its pressure cooking was good, with perfectly cooked beef stew and soft baked beans, and the light tan interior made browning easy to watch. It struggled with slow cooking, though, leaving stew meat tough and vegetables undercooked after eight hours.
ATK also found that its minimal panel has dim white text that’s hard to read from an angle, and that rapid release meant holding the steam button for over 60 seconds. It questioned how long the coating would last too. Our Place sells it as a 4-in-1 with a ceramic-coated pot made without PFAS, auto steam release and nine safety features. Its listing is one of the few here honest about how few functions it has.
Why we like it
- Good pressure cooking in ATK’s test
- Light interior shows browning
- Short, clear function list
- Ceramic pot made without PFAS, per the maker
Key specifications
| Model | APL.MCK.ESN.STM |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 qt |
| Pressure cooks | Yes |
| Stated functions | 4 |
| Inner pot | Ceramic nonstick |
| Stated power | Not stated |
| Controls | Touch panel |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a buyer who wants a simple pressure cooker with a light-colored pot, and who won’t use the slow-cook mode much.
Skip it if you need a panel that’s easy to read at a glance, or a coating you won’t have to worry about.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good pressure results, per ATK
- Simple to understand
- Light-colored pot
Cons
- Weak slow cooking, per ATK
- Dim panel, per ATK
- Coating durability questioned, per ATK
6. CHEF iQ Smart Cooker, 6 Quart – Guided Recipes and a Built-In Scale
The CHEF iQ is the one to look at if you’d like a machine to walk you through dinner. It has a built-in scale, automatic steam release with quick, pulse and natural modes, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and an app with hundreds of guided recipes. A rack and steam basket are included.
ATK rated it Recommended with Reservations. It liked the bright display, the handy knob and back button, and a 10-second countdown with beeps before steam release, and it performed well at pressure cooking. But setup took almost 30 minutes because it needs an app, an account, Wi-Fi and an update. Slow-cooking results were mixed, and the dark pot was hard to see into and ran hotter than expected.
Why we like it
- Built-in scale measures ingredients
- Automatic steam release
- Countdown with beeps before release, per ATK
- Good at pressure cooking, per ATK
Key specifications
| Model | RJ40-6-WIFI |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 qt |
| Pressure cooks | Yes |
| Stated functions | 10 |
| Inner pot | Not stated |
| Stated power | Not stated |
| Controls | Knob, display, app |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a new cook who wants step-by-step help and is comfortable with an app on the counter.
Skip it if you dislike setting up accounts for kitchen tools. ATK’s setup took almost half an hour.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Scale and guided recipes
- Multiple release modes
- Clear display, per ATK
Cons
- Long setup, per ATK
- Mixed slow cooking, per ATK
- Dark pot, hard to see into
7. GreenPan Elite 14-in-1 Multi-Cooker, 6 Quart – Slow Cooker That Browns in the Pot
GreenPan titles this as a slow cooker first, and that’s the honest way to read it. It has no pressure function; it’s a slow cooker with sear, sauté, steam, bake and rice programs. You brown the meat directly in the pot and then let it go, which saves a pan for dishes like chile verde.
The hard-anodized pot has GreenPan’s ceramic nonstick coating, which the maker says is metal-utensil safe, and the pot, lid and steamer are dishwasher safe. GreenPan says 6 quarts holds 5 to 6 pounds of pork shoulder or 8 to 10 chicken thighs. We read no independent test. If slow cooking is the whole point, our slow cooker guide covers more options. Coated pots don’t last forever, as ATK notes, so it’s fair to weigh that.
Why we like it
- Brown and sear in the slow-cook pot
- Stainless steamer included
- 14 presets on a large display
- Pot, lid and steamer are dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | CC009984-001 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 qt |
| Pressure cooks | No |
| Stated functions | 14 presets |
| Inner pot | Ceramic-coated hard-anodized |
| Stated power | Not stated |
| Controls | LCD, one-touch |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who wants the long, low cooking that ATK says the top pressure models do poorly, with sear and steam available.
Skip it if you want pressure cooking in one box, because this has none.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Browning without a second pan
- Steamer included
- Maker says metal utensils are fine
Cons
- No pressure cooking
- Coated pot
- No independent review read
8. BLACK+DECKER 7-Quart Digital Multicooker – A Plain Pot That Goes in the Dishwasher
BLACK+DECKER’s 7-quart has seven functions: slow cook, steam or boil, roast, sear or sauté, rice, sous vide and keep warm. It doesn’t pressure cook. Its main selling point is cleanup. The maker says the pot and lid are fully submersible and go straight in the dishwasher, and it claims the PFAS-free ceramic coating is eight times more durable, though the listing doesn’t say compared to what, so we give that no weight.
There are cool-touch handles, a digital display for setting temperature, and a steaming and roasting rack. The listing doesn’t give wattage or a warranty term, and we read no independent test. CPSC’s Black+Decker recalls we found are for garment steamers, tools and other products, not this.
Why we like it
- 7-quart pot
- Pot and lid are dishwasher safe, per the maker
- Rack included
- Cool-touch handles
Key specifications
| Model | MCD900BBDX |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 7 qt |
| Pressure cooks | No |
| Stated functions | 7 |
| Inner pot | Ceramic nonstick |
| Stated power | Not stated |
| Controls | Digital display |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a household that wants a big pot for stews and rice without pressure and without much washing up.
Skip it if you need to know the warranty before you buy. This listing doesn’t state one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy cleaning, per the maker
- Family-size pot
- Sous vide listed
Cons
- No pressure cooking
- Coating claim has no comparison
- Thin details on power and warranty
How to choose an all in one cooker
Function counts tell you very little, as a 450-in-1 title shows. These points tell you more.
Pressure or not. ATK calls pressure cooking the most important function, and 93 percent of its poll respondents mainly use theirs that way. If you want beans, barbacoa and stews fast, buy a model that pressure cooks. If you mainly want long, low cooking and searing, a non-pressure machine may suit you better.
Slow cooking is the weak spot. ATK’s winner struggled to slow-cook large cuts, and two others left meat tough or vegetables underdone. Treat slow cook on a pressure model as a bonus. If it’s your main use, consider a separate slow cooker or a rice and slow cooker combo.
Size. ATK says 8 quarts is the best size for most home cooks, since it handles big and small meals. It suggests 6 quarts if you want to save money or have limited storage. Mini and dual-pot models suit one to four servings only.
Pot material. ATK prefers plain stainless steel because it’s much more durable than nonstick coatings, which it says won’t last forever. Stainless may take more scrubbing, a minor issue in its view. Many of the non-pressure machines here use ceramic coatings, so factor in that wear.
Controls and release. A pressure cooker vents very hot steam, so a release switch or an automatic release is more than a convenience. ATK praises designs that keep your hand away, and it marks down dim panels and buttons you must hold.
Accessories and parts. Sealing rings wear and hold odors, so check that replacements are easy to get. Our Instant Pot accessories guide covers the most common ones.
How we chose these eight multi cookers
We looked for machines from named makers, in plain stock with a new lead offer, and we avoided every exact product already on our pressure cooker, slow cooker and rice cooker pages. The Instant Pot Pro 8-quart is the same model as a 6-quart on our stainless page, in a different size. We left out listings from brands we couldn’t place, and a bella whose listing gave two different capacities.
America’s Test Kitchen’s May 2025 review is our main independent source. It covers three of these picks: the Instant Pot Pro, the Our Place and the CHEF iQ. The Dual Action, MultiPot XL, Nuwave, GreenPan and BLACK+DECKER rest on their listings. We have not used these machines ourselves. We checked CPSC records by brand and name the recalls that could confuse a buyer.
Multi cooker questions, answered
Is a multi cooker the same as a pressure cooker?
Not always. Many are electric pressure cookers with extra modes, but some, such as the Ninja MultiPot XL and GreenPan Elite on this page, have no pressure function in their stated lists. Check the function list.
Can a multi cooker replace a slow cooker?
Sometimes, with limits. ATK found pressure models often weak at slow cooking, especially large cuts. A non-pressure machine built around slow cooking is the safer bet if you do it often.
What size should I buy?
ATK suggests 8 quarts for most cooks, or 6 quarts for tight storage or a smaller budget. Remember that a pressure cooker can’t be filled to the brim, as your manual will explain.
Is stainless or nonstick better?
ATK prefers stainless for durability. Nonstick and ceramic release food more easily at first but wear over time. We make no health claim on either; we only repeat what each maker says about its coating.
Can it make rice and beans?
Yes, most state both. ATK rated the Instant Pot Pro’s rice excellent. For rice alone, a dedicated rice cooker is often simpler.
Our final pick for one-pot cooking
The Instant Pot Pro 8-quart is the clearest recommendation here because a detailed independent test backs it, including what it doesn’t do well. Our pressure cooker guide has simpler and stovetop options. And when you’d rather not cook at all tonight, see the menu and call to order from Julia’s.