ConsFirst / Sous vide cookers
Sous vide cookers: the downsides, first
App and Wi-Fi trouble comes up for five of the eight sous vide cookers we compared — one top pick has no controls on the device at all, and Anova puts some app features behind a subscription. Clamp complaints come up for four. Here are the most popular sous vide cookers in the US, with their downsides first.
8 models compared12 sources readUpdated October 2026
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All 8 sous vide cookers, ranked
Ranked by test scores, minus how common and serious the complaints are. How we rank
#1
Anova
$$$On-device controlsScore 4.4/5
9%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)2,480 ratings (1-star 7%, 2-star 2%).Good Housekeeping's best overall and Serious Eats' splurge pick: the most powerful and precise Anova, with the best onboard display and a tough build. It is big, heavy and expensive, and Wirecutter and Food & Wine say it's more than most home cooks need.
Subscription: Optional: Wirecutter reports Anova's app costs $2/month or $10/year for wireless control and recipes (it doesn't address the Pro specifically); the onboard controls work without it
Top complaints
- Big, heavy and priceyVery common
Serious Eats calls it one of the biggest, priciest models it tested; Good Housekeeping found it heavy and clunky; Food & Wine and Wirecutter say it's more than most home cooks need.
- Timer is easy to missMentioned often
Good Housekeeping says the timer is extremely quiet and hard to hear (the cooker keeps circulating until you turn it off).
- Mixed views on app and valueMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says some find the controls intuitive and others don't, the app is great for some and a letdown for others, and owners disagree on whether it's worth the money.
What owners love
- Very accurate
Every reading hit the mark in Serious Eats' tests; Good Housekeeping measured it within 0.1 degree; Amazon owners say it keeps a very even temperature.
- Powerful 1,200 W
Heated Serious Eats' bath in 32 minutes and recovered from dips within a couple of minutes; Good Housekeeping found it quick to heat.
- Best display and a tough body
Shows current temperature, target and timer at once (Serious Eats). It's built to survive drops and submersion (Serious Eats), with a durable cord and body (Good Housekeeping).
Skip it if…- You cook for one or two
- You want something compact
- You're on a budget
Good for- Large batches (up to 26 gallons)
- Top accuracy with a full onboard display
- Heavy, frequent use
Scores (tap for why)
- Temperature accuracy5.0
Why 5.0?
Every reading on target (Serious Eats) and within 0.1 degree (Good Housekeeping). - Heat-up speed4.5
Why 4.5?
1,200 W; 32 minutes in Serious Eats' cold-water test (second only to the Joule's 22) and quick in Good Housekeeping's test. - Controls & app4.0
Why 4.0?
Serious Eats' favorite onboard display plus app; the timer is quiet, and Amazon owners are split on the controls and app. - Clamp & size4.0
Why 4.0?
Sturdy, non-slip adjustable clamp fits almost any vessel, but it is one of the biggest and heaviest. - Reliability & noise4.5
Why 4.5?
Built to survive drops and submersion, 2-year warranty, durable cord; only 9% of Amazon ratings are 1-2 stars.
What experts say
- Good Housekeeping: Best overall: heats quickly, holds within 0.1 degree, detachable clamp, durable; quiet timer, heavy.
- Serious Eats: Best splurge: delivered in every category with the most pleasant display; one of the biggest and priciest.
- Food & Wine: Strong contender: more power and capacity, but more than double the price and more than most home cooks need.
- Wirecutter (NYT): No notable advantages over cheaper options for day-to-day home use.
#2
Anova
$$$On-device controlsScore 4.3/5
11%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample: 1,529 ratings (1-star 8%, 2-star 3%).A fast, accurate cooker with a big onboard display that experts rank just behind the Joule Turbo. Wirecutter dropped it as its top pick after Anova put the app's controls behind a subscription, and some owners report Wi-Fi trouble.
Subscription: Optional: Wirecutter says Anova's app costs $2/month or $10/year for wireless control and recipes; the onboard controls work without it
Top complaints
- App features behind a subscriptionVery common
Wirecutter says Anova paywalled its app in mid-2024 ($2/month or $10/year), which it calls unfortunate and anti-consumer; without it you're limited to the physical controls.
- Pairing and Wi-Fi trouble for someMentioned often
Serious Eats had trouble pairing at first and found the app less sleek than Breville's. Amazon's review summary says Wi-Fi is mixed, with some owners unable to connect.
- Quiet alarm; some clamp and noise complaintsMentioned often
Good Housekeeping says the alarm is quiet and occasionally easy to miss. Amazon's summary mentions the plastic clamp breaking for some and mixed reports on noise.
What owners love
- Big, clear onboard display
Serious Eats, Food & Wine and Good Housekeeping like that you can set it up and go with real buttons, without relying on a phone.
- Fast and accurate
Wirecutter timed 13 minutes to 135°F (6.3°/min), one minute behind the Joule Turbo, holding ±0.1 degree with no calibration. Serious Eats never saw its readout mismatch its thermometer.
- Adjustable clamp, quiet, 2-year warranty
The adjustable clamp fit a thick Dutch oven (Serious Eats, Food & Wine); it was quiet (Serious Eats, Good Housekeeping; 49 dB at Wirecutter) and has a 2-year warranty.
Skip it if…- You want free app control
- You need a loud done-alarm
- You have little drawer space
Good for- Cooking without your phone (clear onboard display)
- Fast heating (1,100 W)
- Fitting thick pots (adjustable clamp)
Scores (tap for why)
- Temperature accuracy4.5
Why 4.5?
±0.1 degree with no calibration needed (Wirecutter) and never mismatched in Serious Eats' tests; Food & Wine found it slightly less exact than others (159-160°F at a 160°F setting). - Heat-up speed4.5
Why 4.5?
13 minutes to 135°F, just behind the Joule Turbo (Wirecutter); Good Housekeeping found it quick to heat. - Controls & app4.0
Why 4.0?
Clear onboard display plus an app, but app control needs a subscription, pairing gave Serious Eats trouble, and the alarm is quiet. - Clamp & size4.5
Why 4.5?
Adjustable clamp fits Dutch ovens and tubs; larger and harder to store than the Joule. - Reliability & noise4.0
Why 4.0?
Quiet (49 dB at Wirecutter), durable cord (Good Housekeeping) and a 2-year warranty; some Amazon owners report clamp breakage, and 11% of ratings are 1-2 stars.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best with an onboard display: accurate, quiet and easy without a phone; the app is less polished and it's bulkier than the Joule.
- Food & Wine: Runner-up: easy to control by app or buttons; water read 159-160°F when set to 160°F, slightly less accurate than others.
- Good Housekeeping: Best value: nearly the Pro's power at half the price, quiet and quick to heat; the alarm is easy to miss.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Former top pick, now an alternative if you don't mind paying for the app subscription.
#3
Breville
$$$App-controlledScore 4.2/5
15%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample: 723 ratings (1-star 11%, 2-star 4%). Amazon search shows a Best Seller badge on this listing.The top pick at Serious Eats and Food & Wine: tiny, very fast and accurate, with the best app and a Turbo mode that cuts some cook times. There are no buttons, so you need your phone and Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for every cook, and Wirecutter questions how long the app will be supported.
Subscription: None mentioned by Wirecutter, Serious Eats, Food & Wine or Good Housekeeping, but the Breville+ phone app is the only way to set it
Top complaints
- No controls on the deviceVery common
Every expert lists it: temperature and timer can only be set in the app (there is just an on/off button). Wirecutter says this is why it isn't its top pick, and Amazon's review summary notes owners dislike that the app is the only way to use it.
- Wi-Fi drops and long-term app supportVery common
Amazon's review summary says many owners struggle to connect it to Wi-Fi, and Good Housekeeping testers briefly lost the Wi-Fi connection while cooking. Wirecutter's biggest worry is what happens if Breville stops supporting the app, since it has only a 1-year warranty.
- Narrow clip for thick potsMentioned often
Serious Eats says the standard clip is narrow and hard to attach to thick-walled pots like a Dutch oven unless you buy the Big Clamp accessory; Good Housekeeping found the small clamp slightly less stable.
What owners love
- Fastest heating in tests
Wirecutter timed 12 minutes to 135°F (6.8 degrees per minute), the fastest it tested; Serious Eats measured 22 minutes in its cold-water test, the fastest of its picks.
- Tiny and needs little water
About 12 inches long and 1.85 inches wide (Wirecutter). It runs in about 1.5 inches of water and its magnetic foot stands it up in steel pots, even a Dutch oven (Wirecutter, Serious Eats).
- Best app, with Turbo mode
Wirecutter calls Breville+ the best sous vide app it has tested; Turbo recipes (52 at its writing) cooked a filet in about 30 minutes. Serious Eats had a Turbo steak ready in 41 minutes.
Skip it if…- You want buttons on the device
- Your Wi-Fi is unreliable
- You want a cooker that will work for many years without an app
Good for- The fastest heat-up in tests
- Small drawers and shallow pots (magnetic foot, 1.5 inches of water)
- Guided app recipes and Turbo mode
Scores (tap for why)
- Temperature accuracy4.5
Why 4.5?
Held ±0.2 degree with no calibration needed (Wirecutter); Serious Eats saw no drop when salmon went in. Amazon owners are mixed, with some reporting inaccurate readings. - Heat-up speed5.0
Why 5.0?
Fastest in Wirecutter's test (12 minutes, 6.8°/min) and Serious Eats' (22 minutes). - Controls & app3.5
Why 3.5?
The best app in Wirecutter's and Serious Eats' tests, but no physical controls and some Wi-Fi connection complaints. - Clamp & size4.5
Why 4.5?
Smallest body, magnetic foot and only 1.5 inches of water needed; the standard clip is narrow for thick pots. - Reliability & noise3.5
Why 3.5?
About 50 dB submerged but about 70 dB with a gurgle when the outlet is above water (Wirecutter); Serious Eats found it very quiet. 1-year warranty, uncertain long-term app support, 15% low stars.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best immersion circulator: wicked accurate and fast with an awesome app; no onboard controls and a narrow clip.
- Food & Wine: Best overall: incredibly accurate and versatile with guided recipes, but the app is the only way to set it.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Upgrade pick: smallest, fastest and in many ways the best, but app-only, and long-term support is unclear.
- Good Housekeeping: Best design: compact and quick to heat with an easy app; no controls on the device and brief Wi-Fi drops in testing.
#4
Greater Goods
$$On-device controlsScore 3.6/5
6%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)1,911 ratings (1-star 5%, 2-star 1%); Onyx Black listing.A simple one-dial cooker that Amazon owners rate very highly (only 6% low stars). Serious Eats found it perfectly fine but no better than the Wancle at over double the price, and no expert has measured its speed or accuracy in detail.
Subscription: None: no app or Wi-Fi needed (Amazon listing title)
Top complaints
- Costs more for similar resultsMentioned often
Serious Eats says it was perfectly fine but didn't set itself apart from the Wancle and cost over double the price.
- Heating element failures for a fewOccasional
Amazon's review summary says some owners report the heating element failing after three years of use.
What owners love
- Precise, steady temperature
Amazon's review summary says owners appreciate its precise temperature control and consistently good results.
- Simple one-dial control
Owners like the single-dial interface; the listing says no app or Wi-Fi is needed.
- Quiet and well built
Amazon owners find it well built and quiet during operation.
Skip it if…- You want the cheapest decent cooker
- You want app control
- You want expert-measured performance
Good for- A simple dial, no app
- Quiet operation
- Owners' favorite among no-app models
Scores (tap for why)
- Temperature accuracy3.5
Why 3.5?
Amazon owners praise its precise temperature control; Serious Eats calls it perfectly fine without giving numbers. - Heat-up speed3.5
Why 3.5?
Amazon owners say it brings water up to temperature quickly; no expert timing. - Controls & app3.5
Why 3.5?
Simple one-dial control with no app (Amazon); nothing that stood out to Serious Eats. - Reliability & noise4.0
Why 4.0?
Owners find it well built and quiet, with a few reports of the heating element failing after three years; 6% of ratings are 1-2 stars.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Not a pick: perfectly fine, but no better than the Wancle at over double the price.
#5
Inkbird
$On-device controlsScore 3.5/5
7%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)5,365 ratings (1-star 5%, 2-star 2%). Amazon titles the listing 'NKBIRD WIFI Sous Vide Cooker ISV-100W'.An inexpensive Wi-Fi cooker with buttons that Food & Wine picks for beginners and Wirecutter rates as the quietest it tested (via the near-identical ISV-200W). It heats more slowly than pricier models, its app is less polished, and Wirecutter has privacy questions about it.
Subscription: None: the Amazon listing advertises a free app with 14 preset recipes, and onboard buttons also work
Top complaints
- Slower to heatVery common
Food & Wine says it is less powerful and took longer to reach temperature; the near-identical ISV-200W took 18 minutes to 135°F at Wirecutter. Serious Eats found an Inkbird 1,000 W model painfully slow (model not specified).
- Wi-Fi, app and durability mixedMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says some owners struggle with connectivity and find the app wonky, some report temperature gauge issues, and some say it broke after six uses.
- Bulky; app privacy questionsMentioned often
Wirecutter says the ISV-200W is substantially larger than the Joule Turbo and raises concerns about Inkbird's unclear privacy policy and lack of public security documentation.
What owners love
- Quietest tested
Wirecutter measured the ISV-100W/200W at a mere 39 dB, the quietest in its group; Amazon owners also say it runs quietly.
- Steady temperature
Maintained a constant temperature with little trouble (Food & Wine); the ISV-200W held ±0.2 degree and offers calibration (Wirecutter).
- Buttons plus app, at a low price
Onboard buttons and Wi-Fi control with 14 app presets (Food & Wine); Amazon owners find it well worth the price.
Skip it if…- You want the fastest heat-up
- You worry about app privacy
- You need a compact wand
Good for- A cheap cooker with an app
- Very quiet operation
- Beginners trying sous vide
Scores (tap for why)
- Temperature accuracy4.0
Why 4.0?
Steady in Food & Wine's test; the ISV-200W held ±0.2 degree with calibration available (Wirecutter); some Amazon owners report gauge issues. - Heat-up speed3.0
Why 3.0?
Slower than competitors (Food & Wine); the ISV-200W took 18 minutes to 135°F (Wirecutter). - Controls & app3.5
Why 3.5?
Onboard buttons plus an app with presets; Wirecutter calls Inkbird's app less polished but reliable, and Amazon owners are mixed on the app and Wi-Fi. - Clamp & size3.0
Why 3.0?
About 16 inches long (Food & Wine); Wirecutter says the ISV-200W needs a cabinet or large drawer. - Reliability & noise4.0
Why 4.0?
The quietest Wirecutter tested (39 dB); Amazon durability reports are mixed, but only 7% of ratings are 1-2 stars.
What experts say
- Food & Wine: Best for beginners: easy, steady and cheap, but less powerful, slower, and limited to about 4 gallons.
- Wirecutter (NYT): The ISV-200W is its affordable app-connected alternative; the ISV-100W is nearly identical, goes to 210°F and has presets on its display.
- Serious Eats: Rejected an 'InkBird Precision Sous Vide Cooker' (1,000 W) as slow and unsteady, and the old ISV-101W is no longer available; the ISV-100W itself isn't named.
#6
Wancle
$On-device controlsScore 3.5/5
12%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)1,670 ratings. The listing offers M800A and M800C variants, while Serious Eats calls its tested model the M820, so ratings may be pooled or a different variant (1-star 9%, 2-star 3%).Serious Eats' under-$50 pick surprised testers with accurate, fast results and a 2-year warranty. It feels cheaply made with a loose clamp, and Amazon owners report units failing within months.
Subscription: None: no app or smart features (Serious Eats)
Top complaints
- Feels cheap; some fail earlyVery common
Serious Eats says it felt cheaply made and questions long-term durability; Amazon's review summary says multiple owners report it breaking within four months.
- Loose clampMentioned often
Serious Eats found the clamp a bit loose, though it attached to a Dutch oven and a Cambro without issues.
- Off by a couple of degrees for someMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says some owners report it consistently 2°F off.
What owners love
- Accurate and quick in testing
Serious Eats was shocked: accurate, consistent temperature, 130°F reached in 14 minutes 59 seconds, and salmon on par with pricier machines.
- Long warranty for the price
A 2-year warranty and a 77-194°F range (Serious Eats).
- Easy and quiet
Amazon owners find it easy to use and quiet, with great steaks and good value.
Skip it if…- You want an app or presets
- You want a cooker built to last years
- You need a very secure clamp
Good for- Trying sous vide for very little
- Simple buttons, no app
- Delayed start
Scores (tap for why)
- Temperature accuracy4.0
Why 4.0?
Accurate and consistent in Serious Eats' test; some Amazon owners report it 2°F off. - Heat-up speed4.0
Why 4.0?
14 minutes 59 seconds to 130°F in Serious Eats' test (1,100 W). - Controls & app3.5
Why 3.5?
Simple onboard controls with delayed start but no app or presets; Amazon owners find it easy. - Clamp & size3.0
Why 3.0?
Clamp is a bit loose but held on a Dutch oven and a Cambro. - Reliability & noise3.0
Why 3.0?
Feels cheap, with reports of failure within months, but quiet with a 2-year warranty; 12% of ratings are 1-2 stars.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best under $50: simple, accurate and surprisingly fast; feels cheap and the clamp is a bit loose.
#7
Anova
$$On-device controlsScore 3.5/5
19%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample: 1,077 ratings (1-star 16%, 2-star 3%). The older Nano 2.0 listing (B07C7PW3PC) has about 15,000 ratings but is a different model.A compact, accurate Anova that Serious Eats and Food & Wine pick for value. It heats more slowly than the full-size 3.0, its fixed clamp limits which pots you can use, and 19% of Amazon ratings are 1-2 stars, many citing Wi-Fi and app problems.
Subscription: Optional: Wirecutter says the Nano also needs Anova's app subscription ($2/month or $10/year) for remote control, notifications and recipes; the onboard buttons work without it
Top complaints
- Fixed clamp limits potsVery common
Wirecutter, Serious Eats and Food & Wine all note the clamp isn't adjustable; Serious Eats found it harder to secure to a Dutch oven, and Food & Wine says wide vessels may need a lot of water.
- Wi-Fi and app problemsVery common
Amazon's review summary says many owners have trouble connecting to Wi-Fi and find the app unreliable; Wirecutter notes remote control needs a paid subscription.
- Slower to heat; quiet beepsMentioned often
Its weaker element took 17 minutes to 135°F vs. 13 for the 3.0 (Wirecutter), and about 20% longer in Food & Wine's test. Serious Eats wishes its beeps were louder.
What owners love
- Holds temperature precisely
Serious Eats says it holds a bath without wavering a degree; Food & Wine measured less than one degree of variation; Wirecutter found it as accurate as the 3.0.
- Compact and light
About half a pound lighter than the 3.0 and easier to store (Wirecutter); Food & Wine quotes chef Richard Blais using it for travel.
- Easy app pairing in testing
Serious Eats says the app paired seamlessly every time; it uses the same app and recipes as the 3.0 (Wirecutter).
Skip it if…- You cook in wide or short pots
- You want the fastest heat-up
- You want free app control
Good for- Accurate sous vide on a budget
- Small kitchens or travel
- Buttons plus an optional app
Scores (tap for why)
- Temperature accuracy4.5
Why 4.5?
Held temperature within a degree in Serious Eats' and Food & Wine's tests and matched the 3.0 for Wirecutter; some Amazon owners report fluctuations. - Heat-up speed3.5
Why 3.5?
17 minutes to 135°F at Wirecutter (vs. 13 for the 3.0); 29 minutes in Serious Eats' cold-water test, mid-pack. - Controls & app3.5
Why 3.5?
Onboard buttons and an app that paired easily for Serious Eats, but app control needs a subscription, Amazon owners report Wi-Fi problems, and beeps are quiet. - Clamp & size3.0
Why 3.0?
Fixed clamp and a smaller fill range limit vessels, though it is easy to store. - Reliability & noise3.0
Why 3.0?
2-year warranty (Serious Eats), but 19% of Amazon ratings are 1-2 stars.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best under $100: holds temperature without wavering; fixed clamp and quiet beeps.
- Food & Wine: Best value: precise and easy to set up, but less powerful and the clamp isn't adjustable.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Alternative: as accurate as the 3.0 and a minute faster than the Monoprice, but slower than the 3.0 and needs the app subscription for remote use.
#8
Monoprice
$On-device controlsScore 3.2/5
15%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample: 665 ratings (1-star 11%, 2-star 4%).Wirecutter's top pick: cheap, steady and quiet, with no app to worry about. Serious Eats rejected it as fiddly and unable to reach 190°F, Wirecutter's unit read 1 degree high until calibrated, and 15% of Amazon ratings are 1-2 stars.
Subscription: None: no app or wireless connection (Wirecutter)
Top complaints
- Temperature off out of the box for someVery common
Wirecutter's unit read 1 degree high until calibrated. Serious Eats saw temperature variations and it never reached 190°F. Amazon's review summary says temperature control is mixed.
- Fiddly controlsMentioned often
Serious Eats struggled to set temperature, use the timer and turn it off, and found the toggle wheel frustrating. Amazon owners call the instructions vague.
- Bulky and basic; some failuresMentioned often
About 15 inches long with no low-water alarm or wireless control (Wirecutter). Amazon's summary mentions a loud buzzing for some and units breaking after about a year.
What owners love
- Steady after calibration
Once calibrated, Wirecutter's unit held its bath within ±0.1 degree for two hours, with tender steak, bright carrots and silky eggs.
- Fits many containers
A screw clamp and over 3.5 inches between the min and max lines; it ran fine with 4 quarts of water in a 6-quart tub (Wirecutter).
- Quiet hum, loud alerts
A constant low hum at 48 dB, and beeps loud enough to hear from several rooms away (Wirecutter). Amazon owners say it heats fast and makes great steak.
Skip it if…- You cook vegetables near 190°F
- You want a compact wand
- You won't check calibration with a thermometer
Good for- A low-cost, no-app cooker
- Steaks and eggs at normal sous vide temperatures
- Loud beeps you can hear from other rooms
Scores (tap for why)
- Temperature accuracy3.5
Why 3.5?
±0.1 degree after a +1 degree calibration (Wirecutter), but Serious Eats saw temperature variations and Amazon owners are mixed. - Heat-up speed3.0
Why 3.0?
18 minutes to 135°F (4.55°/min) at Wirecutter; never reached 190°F at Serious Eats; 800 W. - Controls & app3.0
Why 3.0?
Wirecutter found the touch buttons and wheel easy, with loud beeps; Serious Eats found them frustrating. No app. - Clamp & size3.5
Why 3.5?
Screw clamp with a wide 3.5-inch fill range, but a bulky 15-inch body. - Reliability & noise3.0
Why 3.0?
Robust materials, 48 dB hum and a 1-year warranty (Wirecutter); Amazon owners report buzzing and failures after a year, and 15% of ratings are 1-2 stars.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick: affordable, accurate and easy to use; bigger than rivals and read 1 degree high out of the box.
- Serious Eats: Not recommended: complicated interface, frustrating wheel, bulky, and never hit 190°F.
- Food & Wine: Listed under models that didn't make its list (as 'Monoprice Sous Vide Immersion Cooker').