ConsFirst / Electric pressure cookers
Electric pressure cookers: the downsides, first
Instant Pot-style multicookers mostly cook well; owners' complaints are about lids, inner pots, searing and units that fail. Here are the most popular models in the US, with their downsides first.
8 models compared16 sources readUpdated October 2026
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All 8 electric pressure cookers, ranked
Ranked by test scores, minus how common and serious the complaints are. How we rank
#1
Ninja
$$Pressure cooker6.5 qtScore 4.0/5
6%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (about 445 ratings), shared across color variants (PC201SP, PC201GY).A new, streamlined Ninja that Serious Eats found sears deeply and is easier to use than an Instant Pot, but its ceramic-coated pot raises durability questions and it has little track record yet.
Top complaints
- Ceramic-coated pot durabilityMentioned often
Serious Eats says the ceramic-lined pot is easier to clean than stainless but poses durability concerns, and you can't use metal utensils.
- Limited track recordOccasional
It has only about 445 Amazon ratings, and Serious Eats is the only major expert test found, so long-term reliability is unknown.
What owners love
- Deep sear, strong pressure cooking
Serious Eats says it seared meat deeply and pressure cooked with the best, turning rock-hard beans tender. Amazon owners praise its cooking speed and sautéing.
- Streamlined controls
A control knob, clearly labeled buttons and a progress bar make it simpler than an Instant Pot's cluttered interface (Serious Eats).
- Safe venting, easy cleaning
A handle on the lid lets you vent safely, and the coated pot is easy to clean (Serious Eats).
Skip it if…- You use metal utensils
- You want a proven multi-year track record
- You want an uncoated stainless pot
Good for- Beginners put off by Instant Pot's busy panel
- Searing and browning in the pot
- Easy cleanup
Scores (tap for why)
- Pressure cooking4.5
Why 4.5?
Pressure cooked with the best and seared deeply (Serious Eats); Amazon owners praise its cooking speed. - Versatility3.5
Why 3.5?
9 functions including sear, slow cook, steam and sous vide (Amazon listing); there is no expert test of the extra modes. - Ease of use4.5
Why 4.5?
Serious Eats' beginner-friendly pick for its knob, labels, progress bar and lid-handle venting. - Easy cleaning4.5
Why 4.5?
The ceramic-lined pot is easier to clean than stainless (Serious Eats). - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
Serious Eats flags coating durability; there is too little owner history to judge reliability.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best beginner-friendly electric pressure cooker (2026): easy to use and clean, with a deep sear; the ceramic pot raises durability concerns.
#2
Instant
$$Pressure cooker6 qtScore 4.0/5
9%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)The listing pools the 6-qt and 8-qt sizes (about 14,200 ratings).The expert consensus upgrade, with a stovetop-safe pot with handles, a gentler steam release and the fastest pressurizing in Serious Eats' tests. It costs more, its extra modes (bake, sous vide) disappoint, and some Amazon owners report units failing.
Top complaints
- Extra functions underwhelmVery common
Wirecutter's bake test produced uncooked goo after an hour, and its sous vide setting ran low. Serious Eats also found sous vide much less reliable than an immersion circulator.
- Price and mixed cook-time reportsMentioned often
Food Network says it is pricier than other Instant Pots and most presets may go unused. Amazon's summary calls value for money and heat output mixed, and some owners say it takes longer than traditional cookers.
- Still a weak in-pot sear; fiddly to cleanMentioned often
Serious Eats had brisket stick to the not-so-hot pot. Taste of Home says the uncoated insert takes effort to clean, and Tom's Guide found the 2025 Pro a pain to clean.
What owners love
- Handled, stovetop-safe pot
The stainless pot has stay-cool handles, doesn't spin, and works on the stove (including induction) or in the oven up to 450°F.
- Fastest to pressure, gentler release
Serious Eats found it pressurized the fastest of every electric model it tested. Its diffuser cover makes quick release quieter (Wirecutter).
- Clear screen, five sauté levels
Large readable LCD with a dial, savable presets, five sauté temperatures and an extra sealing ring (Wirecutter). Food Network found the lid easier to lock.
Skip it if…- You're on a tight budget
- You'd buy it for the sous vide or bake modes
- You only cook occasionally
Good for- Frequent pressure cooking
- Searing on the stove then finishing in the pot
- People who want a quieter, gentler steam release
Scores (tap for why)
- Pressure cooking4.5
Why 4.5?
Fastest to pressurize in Serious Eats' tests and tender results, but Wirecutter's timing showed no real speed advantage and some Amazon owners find it slow. - Versatility4.5
Why 4.5?
10 functions plus a stovetop- and oven-safe pot; the bake and sous vide modes are weak. - Ease of use4.5
Why 4.5?
Intuitive LCD and dial, pot handles, easier lid and gentle release (Wirecutter, Serious Eats, Food Network). - Easy cleaning3.0
Why 3.0?
Taste of Home says the uncoated pot takes effort; Tom's Guide found the 2025 Pro a pain to clean. Wirecutter says the lid is dishwasher-safe. - Durability3.5
Why 3.5?
Stainless pot and extra sealing ring, with a 1-year warranty. Amazon 1-2 star share is 9%, higher than the Duo's.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Upgrade pick: the Instant Pot most worth the extra money, but its bake and sous vide modes disappoint and it didn't preheat noticeably faster in Wirecutter's timing.
- Serious Eats: Best electric pressure cooker and best Instant Pot (2026): fastest to pressurize with a stovetop-safe handled pot; like all electrics, it sears poorly.
- Taste of Home: Best overall (2024): browned pork well and made a tender roast in about 30 minutes; the uncoated insert takes effort to clean.
#3
Instant
$$Pressure cooker6 qtScore 3.7/5
8%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)The listing pools the 6-qt and 4-qt (Rio Mini) sizes; about 6,960 ratings.Wirecutter's and Tom's Guide's top pick: a simple, affordable Instant Pot with a durable stainless pot. The trade-offs are no pot handles, a lot of buttons, and some owners reporting slow pressurizing or units failing after about 18 months.
Top complaints
- Slow to pressurize, and some units failMentioned often
Amazon's review summary calls heating speed and durability mixed: some owners say it takes over an hour to come up to pressure, and some say it broke after about 18 months. Wirecutter timed about 14.5 minutes to pressurize a pot of beans, and Tom's Guide lists the preheat time not counting toward the cook time as a con.
- No handles on the inner potVery common
Tom's Guide and Serious Eats both note that the inner pot has no handles, so you have to wait for it to cool before lifting it out. Wirecutter says the rubber stoppers hold the pot still less well than the Pro's handles.
- Busy panel, heavy hot lid, weak searingMentioned often
Wirecutter calls the array of buttons visually overwhelming and says the nearly 2.5-lb metal lid gets hot. Like all electric cookers it can't sear as well as a stovetop. Tom's Guide found the icon-only labels hard to decipher at first.
What owners love
- Core functions done well
Wirecutter says it pressure cooks, sautés and steams as well as or better than competing models. Tom's Guide steamed vegetables, cooked rice and soup, and boiled eggs with ease.
- Safer, simpler steam release
The lid auto-seals and has a quick-release switch. Wirecutter also likes the start button, progress bar and three sauté levels.
- Durable stainless pot and spare parts
The uncoated stainless steel pot should outlast nonstick inserts, and replacement parts are readily available (Wirecutter). Amazon owners say it cleans up easily.
Skip it if…- You want a pot with handles or a stovetop-safe insert
- You need a low-pressure setting
- You want an air-fryer lid later
Good for- First-time pressure cooker owners
- Families of 3-5
- Beans, stews and rice on weeknights
Scores (tap for why)
- Pressure cooking4.0
Why 4.0?
Wirecutter says it pressure cooks as well as pricier Instant Pots. Some Amazon owners report slow pressurizing. - Versatility3.5
Why 3.5?
7 functions (pressure, slow cook, sauté, steam, rice, yogurt, warm) but high pressure only and no air-fryer lid compatibility (Wirecutter). - Ease of use4.0
Why 4.0?
Wirecutter found it intuitive with a start button and progress bar; Tom's Guide found the icons confusing at first. No pot handles. - Easy cleaning3.5
Why 3.5?
Wirecutter calls it one of the easier cookers to clean but notes the rim crevice traps gunk and the sealing ring holds smells. - Durability3.5
Why 3.5?
Stainless pot and available spare parts (Wirecutter), but durability is mixed on Amazon, with some units failing after about 18 months. 1-year warranty.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick (updated Feb 2026): the best performance for the price and easy to use and clean. Its flaws are hard-to-clean crevices, lots of buttons, a heavy hot lid, weak searing and high pressure only.
- Tom's Guide: Best overall Instant Pot (May 2026): affordable, versatile and easy to clean; cons are preheat time not counted in the cook time and no pot handles.
- Serious Eats (Instant Pots): Prefers the 7.5-qt Rio Wide as its budget pick and says the 6-qt Rio offered less versatility and value.
#4
Breville
$$$Pressure cooker6 qtScore 3.8/5
11%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (about 1,070 ratings).The precision pick, with pressure adjustable from 1.5 to 12 psi, dual sensors and excellent risotto and beans. It costs about twice an Instant Pot Pro, has a small coated pot without handles, and its lid can be tricky to seal.
Top complaints
- Lid alignment and sealingVery common
Serious Eats found the lid surprisingly frustrating to align because the safety pin must be lined up manually. Amazon's summary says multiple owners report sealing problems. Food Network, by contrast, found the lid easy.
- Expensive, with a coated pot and no handlesVery common
Wirecutter says it costs about twice the Instant Pot Pro and has a nonstick-coated pot without handles. Food Network lists the high price as its con.
- Small pot, slow sauté and release, mixed durabilityMentioned often
Serious Eats notes a 7-inch pot, a sauté function that shut off, slow chorizo browning and slower steam release. Amazon's summary calls durability mixed, with some units breaking after about 15 months.
What owners love
- Most precise pressure control
Serious Eats says it allows the most specific psi of any model tested (1.5-12 psi) and was the most accurate, with sensors in both the base and the lid.
- Excellent risotto and beans
Serious Eats got perfectly creamy risotto and well-textured beans. Food Network got tender chickpeas, though the rice at the bottom slightly overcooked.
- Intuitive screen, solid build
Food Network calls the interface super intuitive and the stainless body solid and well built. Wirecutter liked the interface and altitude adjustment.
Skip it if…- You're price-sensitive
- You prefer an uncoated stainless pot
- You want a pot with handles
Good for- Cooks who want exact pressure control
- Risotto and beans
- Automatic steam release
Scores (tap for why)
- Pressure cooking5.0
Why 5.0?
The most precise and accurate pressure control and the best risotto in Serious Eats' tests. - Versatility4.0
Why 4.0?
Fine pressure control, slow cook, automatic release options and altitude adjust; the pot is not stovetop-safe. - Ease of use3.5
Why 3.5?
Intuitive screen (Food Network, Wirecutter), but the lid is hard to align (Serious Eats) and owners report sealing issues. - Easy cleaning3.5
Why 3.5?
Ceramic-coated pot (Serious Eats); ease of cleaning is a listed Amazon review aspect. Experts didn't assess cleaning in detail. - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
Solid stainless body (Food Network), but the coated pot will wear (Wirecutter's general view of nonstick) and Amazon durability is mixed.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best for control freaks: the most accurate and adjustable cooker tested; cons are a tricky lid, a small pot, a sauté that shut off and slow steam release.
- Food Network: Best splurge: intuitive and well built; the high price is the main drawback.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Not a pick: nice interface and altitude adjust, but about twice the price of the Instant Pot Pro, with a coated, handleless pot.
#5
Instant
$$Pressure cooker6 qtScore 3.6/5
4%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)About 186,000 ratings on a long-running listing that likely spans several Duo generations and sizes.The best-selling classic, with about 186,000 Amazon ratings and a reputation for lasting years, but it lacks the start button, progress bar and easy lid of newer models, and Serious Eats dropped it partly for its steam release.
Top complaints
- Lid can be hard to lock; no on/off buttonMentioned often
Food Network's only listed cons are a lid that can be difficult to lock and no on/off button. Wirecutter notes the Duo starts automatically once you choose a program.
- Dated controls and steam releaseMentioned often
Serious Eats left it out because it lacks a start button and progress bar and its steam release felt dangerous. Wirecutter says the newer Rio's panel is more intuitive.
- Occasional failures (lid errors, melting)Occasional
A few 1-star Walmart reviews on the Duo listing describe a sudden 'Lid' error that couldn't be fixed and plastic on the base melting after a few uses. That Walmart listing also mixes in reviews of other Instant Pot models.
What owners love
- Reliable all-round results
Food Network's best overall: fluffy rice, moist chicken and hummus-ready chickpeas. Amazon shoppers praise its 'set and forget' ease and quick cooking.
- Long-lasting
Wirecutter says many people, including staffers, have used their Duo for years and still love it.
- Low pressure and air-fryer lid option
Unlike the Rio, the Duo has a low-pressure setting and is compatible with Instant's air-fryer lid (Wirecutter).
Skip it if…- You want a progress bar and start button
- Steam release makes you nervous
- You want a pot with handles
Good for- Following the many recipes written for the Duo
- People who want a low-pressure setting
- Adding an air-fryer lid later
Scores (tap for why)
- Pressure cooking4.0
Why 4.0?
Food Network: tender chicken and chickpeas and fluffy rice. Wirecutter says it handles basic functions like the Rio. - Versatility3.5
Why 3.5?
7 functions plus low and high pressure and air-fryer lid compatibility. - Ease of use3.0
Why 3.0?
Easy interface per Food Network, but the lid is hard to lock, there is no start button or progress bar, and the steam release felt unsafe to Serious Eats. - Easy cleaning3.5
Why 3.5?
Dishwasher-safe insert (Food Network); ease of cleaning is a praised aspect on Amazon. Serious Eats says all Instant Pot lids are annoying to clean. - Durability4.0
Why 4.0?
Wirecutter cites years of reliable use; Amazon 1-2 star share is low (4%). There are isolated Walmart reports of failures.
What experts say
- Food Network: Best overall (Feb 2025): performed very well in every test; cons are a lid that can be hard to lock and no on/off button.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Former top pick, still recommended if you want low pressure; long-lasting, though it lacks the Rio's improvements.
- Serious Eats (Instant Pots): Not recommended: no start button or progress bar, and a dangerous-feeling steam release.
#6
Instant
$$Pressure cooker6 qtScore 3.5/5
11%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)The listing pools the 6-qt and 8-qt WhisperQuiet versions (about 5,200 ratings). The older Duo Plus listing is separate and was not checked.A mid-priced Instant Pot with a quiet steam release and a few extra modes that testers liked for slow cooking and big batches. Its pot spins or rocks while sautéing, and Amazon owners report units stuck in preheat or breaking within months.
Top complaints
- Stuck in preheat and early failuresVery common
Amazon's review summary says owners report durability issues, with units breaking after four months, and the cooker getting stuck in preheat mode for long periods without cooking.
- Inner pot spins or rocks, no handlesVery common
Serious Eats found the pot rocked (8-qt) or spun (6-qt) while sautéing and lacks handles. Tom's Guide also lists no handles.
- Uneven beans, slow risotto, weak rice programMentioned often
Serious Eats found its beans unevenly cooked and risotto took twice as long as the Breville. Tom's Guide says it did well except on the Rice program and needed trial and error.
What owners love
- Great brisket and chili
Serious Eats got outstandingly tender brisket and evenly seared chili beef, with adjustable sauté heat.
- Quiet release, easy cleanup
Tom's Guide praises the quiet steam release and dishwasher cleanup; Amazon owners like the dishwasher-safe stainless bowl.
- Good slow cooker and sous vide
Tom's Guide says it did very well at slow cooking. Serious Eats found it one of two Instant Pots that held close to the sous vide target.
Skip it if…- You sauté a lot (pot can spin)
- The Rio does what you need for less
- You want sous vide with temperature control
Good for- Large-batch cooking (8-qt version)
- Replacing a slow cooker
- Quieter steam release
Scores (tap for why)
- Pressure cooking3.5
Why 3.5?
Excellent brisket but uneven beans and slow risotto (Serious Eats); Amazon owners report it getting stuck in preheat. - Versatility4.0
Why 4.0?
9 functions including sous vide and cake; good slow cooking (Tom's Guide) and decent sous vide (Serious Eats). - Ease of use3.5
Why 3.5?
Serious Eats calls it user-friendly with push-button heat control, but the pot rocks or spins and has no handles. - Easy cleaning4.0
Why 4.0?
Dishwasher cleanup praised by Tom's Guide and Amazon owners. - Durability2.5
Why 2.5?
Durability is a named Amazon complaint (units breaking after about four months), and its 1-2 star share is 11%.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best large multicooker (8-qt V4) for batch cooking; beans were uneven and risotto slow. Its Instant Pot guide calls it the most user-friendly but notes the pot rocks.
- Tom's Guide: Most versatile Instant Pot: performed well except for rice; cons are no pot handles and settings that need trial and error.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Not recommended over the Rio: only a few extra settings for about $30 more; buy it only on sale.
#7
CHEF iQ
$$Pressure cooker6 qtScore 3.3/5
13%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)An app-guided smart cooker with a built-in scale that testers say pressure cooks well, but its nonstick pot sears weakly and Amazon owners report connectivity drops and units that stop working.
Top complaints
- Stops working, poor durabilityVery common
Amazon's review summary says some owners report it stopping working and breaking after just a couple of uses. Its 1-2 star share is 13%.
- App and connectivity hasslesVery common
Amazon owners report it can't connect over Bluetooth. Food Network says the tech can be confusing, and Taste of Home says it can only be operated with a smartphone and connectivity.
- Weak sear from the nonstick potMentioned often
Taste of Home says the nonstick insert produced a weaker sear than testers wanted.
What owners love
- Good pressure cooking
Food Network says it performed well in all its tests; Taste of Home says it did well at pressure cooking, slow cooking and yogurt.
- Guided recipes and a built-in scale
The app walks you through recipes step by step, and the built-in scale suggests settings and times (Food Network, Taste of Home). Amazon owners like the recipe videos.
- Lots of accessories
Comes with a steamer basket, oven mitts, rice spoon, ladle and measuring cup (Taste of Home).
Skip it if…- You don't want to depend on an app
- You want a strong in-pot sear
- Reliability is your top priority
Good for- Following step-by-step recipes on your phone
- Weighing ingredients in the pot
- Tech-comfortable cooks
Scores (tap for why)
- Pressure cooking4.0
Why 4.0?
Food Network and Taste of Home both report good pressure-cooking results. - Versatility4.0
Why 4.0?
10 functions, app presets and a built-in scale; searing is weak. - Ease of use3.0
Why 3.0?
Guided recipes help, but the tech can be confusing and connectivity is mixed on Amazon. - Durability2.0
Why 2.0?
Amazon owners report units that stop working or break quickly; 13% of ratings are 1-2 stars.
What experts say
- Food Network: Best smart cooker: the smartest model tested and good at pressure cooking; the tech can confuse some people, and it's pricey.
- Taste of Home: Best for tech fanatics (2024): app-guided cooking and a built-in scale; the nonstick insert sears weakly and it needs a smartphone.
#8
Instant
$$$Pressure cooker + air fryer6.5 qtScore 2.8/5
28%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)About 2,030 ratings. A separate Wi-Fi version listing (B0CHL9G36H) was not included.One lid that pressure cooks and air fries sounds convenient, but experts found the air frying mediocre and awkward, and Amazon owners report lids sticking and parts breaking, with the worst low-star share here.
Top complaints
- Lid sticks, parts breakVery common
Amazon's summary says the lid gets stuck and won't open properly, parts break during use, and owners find it not worth the money. Wirecutter worried about its non-removable sealing ring and reports of the lid jamming.
- Mediocre, awkward air fryingVery common
Serious Eats had a quarter of the fries and a third of the Brussels sprouts fall off the loose rack, with no easy way to shake food. Wirecutter calls it unremarkable as an air fryer, and Tom's Guide says it doesn't perform like a typical air fryer. Amazon owners say the air fryer side doesn't work well.
- Huge, heavy, exposed heating elementMentioned often
Serious Eats measured 24 lb and 23 inches tall with the lid open, and disliked the exposed heating element pointing at you when you stir. Wirecutter says the hinged lid makes countertop placement tricky.
What owners love
- Pressure side works reliably
Amazon's summary says the pressure cooking side works reliably.
- Cook-then-crisp in one pot
Wirecutter says it is convenient for cooking then browning dishes. Tom's Guide suggests steaming then roasting a chicken or crisping pasta tops.
- Dishwasher-safe parts
The inner pot, air fryer rack and inner pressure cover are dishwasher-safe (Serious Eats).
Skip it if…- Air frying matters to you
- You have little counter or overhead space
- You want proven durability
Good for- One-pot meals you pressure cook then brown
- Kitchens with room for only one big appliance
- Occasional air frying
Scores (tap for why)
- Pressure cooking3.5
Why 3.5?
Amazon owners say pressure cooking works reliably, but Wirecutter says it lacks some staple Instant Pot presets. - Versatility4.0
Why 4.0?
13 functions including air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate and sous vide, though experts rate the air frying only decent. - Ease of use2.0
Why 2.0?
Awkward rack and stirring, a falling inner cover, a bulky hinged lid, and lid-sticking reports. - Easy cleaning3.0
Why 3.0?
Main parts are dishwasher-safe, but Wirecutter notes the sealing ring is not removable. - Durability1.5
Why 1.5?
28% of Amazon ratings are 1-2 stars, with parts breaking and lids jamming; Wirecutter shares durability worries.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Too expensive for what it does: missing staple presets, an unremarkable air fryer, a tricky hinged lid, and durability worries.
- Serious Eats: Air fries decently but less conveniently than a basket fryer; the exposed heating element is a safety concern. Get a standalone air fryer instead.
- Tom's Guide: Also tested: worth considering for steam-then-roast dishes, but lifting out the basket is a nightmare.