In recent years, multi-cookers have taken the UK market by storm, revolutionising how people cook and simplifying meal preparation in countless households.
But figuring out the best multi cooker to buy for your needs and budget is overwhelming, to say the least.
The primary purpose of this blog post is to provide a comprehensive guide to the best multi-cookers available in the UK market.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click a link and subsequently make a purchase, I will earn a commission.
In A Rush? These Are My Top 3 Picks:
- Ninja Foodi Max 15-in-1 – Best for large capacity and versatility
- Instant Pot Duo Crisp – Best mid-range capacity and budget
- Drew & Cole CleverChef 14-in-1 – Best budget buy
Want to know more about these multi-cookers and read longer reviews? Carry on reading!
Why Buy A Multi-Cooker?
The benefits of owning a multi-cooker are numerous.
They offer unparalleled convenience, allowing you to prepare a wide variety of dishes with minimal effort.
Multi-cookers often come with preset cooking programs, making it easy for even the most novice home cooks to create delicious, restaurant-quality meals.
Their energy-efficient design means you’ll save on electricity bills while reducing your carbon footprint.
These versatile kitchen appliances combine the functions of several cooking devices, such as pressure cookers, slow cookers, rice cookers, steamers, and more, into one compact unit.
By consolidating multiple tasks into a single appliance, multi-cookers save time, effort, and space in your kitchen.
Why I Wrote This Multi-Cooker Guide
I understand that selecting the perfect multi-cooker can be daunting, given the vast choice of options and features.
To make your decision easier, I have meticulously researched and compiled a list of the top models, taking into account factors such as capacity, functionality, ease of use, safety, and price.
I also mention which multi-cookers I have bought, tested and currently use.
In the following sections, I provide a detailed buying guide, discussing key factors to consider when purchasing a multi-cooker.
I share my top picks for multi-cookers in the UK, complete with descriptions of their key features, pros and cons, and price range.
Finally, I provide tips on where to buy your new multi-cooker and explore some crucial factors to consider before making your final decision.
My goal is to help you find the ideal multi-cooker to suit your specific needs, preferences, and budget, ensuring you can enjoy the countless benefits these innovative appliances offer.
Multi-Cooker Buying Guide
I will list and explain the features of each multi-cooker I review, but consider the following factors when buying a multi-cooker.
Capacity
The capacity of a multi-cooker is important, as it determines the amount of food you can prepare in one go.
Think about your household size and how much food you usually cook.
Smaller capacities, around 3-4 litres, are suitable for individuals or small families. In comparison, larger capacities, 6 litres or more, are ideal for bigger families or those who like to batch cook and freeze meals for later.
Functionality and Features
Consider the functions and features you need in a multi-cooker. Basic models often come with essential features like pressure cooking, slow cooking, and sautéing.
More advanced models may offer additional functions like air frying, sous vide, or yoghurt making.
Look for a multi-cooker with preset cooking programs, adjustable pressure settings, and the ability to customise cooking times and temperatures to suit your preferences and recipe requirements.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
A user-friendly multi-cooker will make your life much easier. Look for models with intuitive controls, clear displays, and easy-to-navigate menus.
Additionally, opt for a multi-cooker with a removable, dishwasher-safe inner pot and lid for hassle-free cleaning. Non-stick coatings can also help prevent food from sticking and make cleaning a breeze.
Safety Features
Safety is paramount when dealing with appliances that generate high pressure and heat. Ensure your chosen multi-cooker has multiple safety features, such as a locking lid, pressure release valve, and overheat protection. Most models also come with a safety feature that prevents the device from opening if there is still pressure inside.
Price and Warranty
Multi-cookers come in a wide range of prices, so it’s essential to consider your budget. Consider the product’s long-term value and look for a multi-cooker that offers a good balance of features and price. Additionally, check the warranty offered by the manufacturer to ensure you’re covered in case of any defects or issues.
Popular Multi-Cooker Brands In The UK
Ninja Kitchen
Known for their innovative and user-friendly kitchen appliances, Ninja offers multi-cookers with unique features, such as the Foodi range, which combines pressure cooking and air frying capabilities.
Instant Pot
Instant Pot, a leading brand in the multi-cooker market, offers various models with various functions and capacities, including their popular Duo and Pro series.
Crock-Pot
As a well-established brand in slow cooking, Crock-Pot has expanded its product range to include multi-cookers that offer versatile cooking options and reliable performance.
Tefal
Tefal is a popular brand for cookware and small appliances, and their multi-cookers, like the Cook4Me series, are known for their ease of use and efficient cooking capabilities.
Drew & Cole
Drew & Cole offers a popular budget option for a multi-cooker that combines quality, functionality, and affordability, making them a popular choice for UK consumers.
What Are The Best Multi Cookers?
Ninja Foodi Multi Cookers
If you are looking for a multi-cooker that truly does do it all, then one from the Ninja Foodi range is a great option.
The Ninja Foodi multi-cookers feature the same benefits as most other multi-cookers but also include crisping technology, which is one area that many other multi-cookers don’t offer.
Crisping up meals is the main function that has let down multi-cookers for some people. If getting a crispy skin on your chicken or roasted veg is important, then make sure you get one that includes this option, like the Ninja Foodi Multi Cooker.
You can finish your meal with a few minutes in the oven using other multi-cookers, but with the Ninja Foodi, you don’t need to.
The Ninja Foodi comes in five models that all incorporate the main features of the multicooker, including being able to pressure cook, air crisp, slow cook, steam, bake, saute and roast. But there is a difference in size and price between the five models.
1. Ninja Foodi Max 15-in-1
- Cooking Functions: 15
- Capacity: 7.5L
- Serving Size: Up to 6
- Weight: 11.7 kg
- Dimensions: H:36 x W:35 x D:36
- Programs: 1. Pressure 2. Steam Meals 3. Steam Air Fry 4. Steam Roast 5. Steam Bake 6. Steam Bread 7. Air Fry 8. Grill 9. Bake 10. Dehydrate 11. Prove 12. Sear/Saute 13. Steam 14. Slow Cook 15. Yoghurt Keep Warm
The Ninja 15-in-1 Multi Cooker is the latest model in the Ninja range. It’s an innovative and versatile kitchen appliance that offers a wide range of cooking options.
Pros of the Ninja 15-in-1
Versatility: The Ninja 15-in-1 Multi Cooker truly lives up to its name by offering 15 different cooking functions, enabling you to easily prepare a wide range of dishes. From pressure cooking and slow cooking to air frying and baking, this appliance really does have it all.
TenderCrisp™ technology: This unique feature sets the Ninja 15-in-1 Multi Cooker apart from its competitors. TenderCrisp™ technology allows you to pressure cook your food to lock in juices, then finish with a crispy, golden finish using the air frying function. This results in tender, perfectly cooked dishes with a delicious crispy exterior.
User-friendly: The digital control panel is intuitive and easy to navigate, with preset cooking programs that take the guesswork out of cooking. I found this interface the easiest out of all the models I’ve tested.
High-quality construction: The Ninja 15-in-1 Multi Cooker is built with durable materials, ensuring that it can withstand regular use and last for years. Plus, the 7.5 litre non-stick cooking pot is dishwasher-safe for hassle-free cleaning.
Automatic quick release: you can set the 15-in-1 to perform a quick release at the end of the pressure cooking time. This is probably one of my favourite features of the 15-in-1 – why? Well, I really didn’t enjoy manually releasing the pressure on the other multi-cookers I’ve used.
Cons of the Ninja 15-in-1
Price: The Ninja 15-in-1 Multi Cooker is priced at the higher end of the multi-cooker market, which may not suit everyone’s budget.
Size: With a 7.5-litre capacity, this multi-cooker may be too large for smaller kitchens or individuals with limited storage space.
Where to Buy The Ninja 15-in-1:
The Ninja 15-in-1 can be bought from all the usual retailers. I always start by checking with Ninja Kitchen for special offers and payment plans. I then compare it with places like Amazon to get the best deal.
Instant Pot Multi-Cookers
The Instant Pot is an old favourite among multi-cooker users. This was one of the originals to hit our kitchens and started the trend of multi-cookers.
Instant Pot is a renowned brand in the UK, offering a range of high-quality and versatile multi-cookers that have become a staple in many British households.
Known for their user-friendly interfaces and reliability, Instant Pot multi-cookers consolidate multiple cooking functions into one appliance, making them an indispensable tool for busy families and individuals seeking to simplify meal preparation.
With models that cater to various needs and preferences, Instant Pot has solidified its position as a leading brand in the multi-cooker market.
In the UK, Instant Pot provides several models, including the best-selling Duo 7-in-1, the upgraded Duo Plus 9-in-1, the Duo Crisp + Air Fryer with an added air frying function, the premium Ultra 10-in-1.
These multi-cookers come in different capacities, allowing customers to choose the perfect size for their household. Each model boasts a range of cooking functions, such as pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, sautéing, and more, with some models offering additional features like air frying or custom programming.
2. Instant Pot Duo Crisp
- Cooking Functions: 11
- Capacity: 5.7L (also available in 8L)
- Serving Size: Up to 6
- Weight: 10.1 kg
- Dimensions: H:34.5 x W:34.5 x D:35.5 cm
- Programs: 1. Pressure cooker 2. Sauté pan 3. Steamer 4. Slow Cooker 5. Sous Vide 6. Food Warmer 7. Air Fryer 8. Roast 9. Bake 10. Grill and 11. Dehydrate
Tefal Multi Cooker
The Tefal Multi Cooker is a great choice for families. As well as being a more budget friendly option, it also has all the usual features and attributes you would expect from a multi cooker, coming with 25 preset functions to help you cook a variety of meals and dishes with just the press of a button.
This multi cooker calls itself an all in one cooker for a reason – there is very little you can’t cook in this multi cooker. From baby food to rice, stews and even full roast dinners this multi cooker can handle it all.
This is a product that has been well designed with the average family in mind including features such as a hinged lid so you can add ingredients without creating a mess.
If you aren’t convinced yet, take a look at all of the features that this multi cooker boasts.
Tefal Multi Cooker Features
- 25 one touch programs so you can cook almost any meal with ease.
- Manual cook function to set up your own program.
- Recipe booklet included in the box.
- Slow cook, pressure cook, steam, brown and bake.
- Pressure safety release options.
- Easy to clean – you can just put the cooking pot section into the dishwasher.
- Fits perfectly into most kitchens, with a sleek chrome and black design.
Crockpot Express
Busy working parents have been using Crockpot slow cookers for years.
The well known brand has branched out to create a multi cooker that does so much more than slow cook. Perfect for those who trust this well known company.
This is a slightly smaller multi cooker than most with a 5.6 litre cooking pot instead of a 6 litre – but this shouldn’t make too much difference to a family meal.
It comes with a set of one press button options that covers most of the main functions that you will need including meat, stew, rice, poultry, soup and even yoghurt.
This multi cooker doesn’t contain quite as many cooking options as other multi cookers, but it can pressure cook, slow cook, steam and brown, which should cover most cooking styles you will need.
- Quick and easy cooking. You can cook a whole chicken in around thirty minutes.
- You can choose from four main methods of cooking including pressure and slow cooking, steaming and browning.
- Comes with a manual function for you to set your own programs.
- The non stick bowl is designed to be easy to clean.
- Can cook meals up to 70% faster than with traditional cooking methods.
- The lid will stay locked when the multi cooker is pressurised for safety.
- Contains an auto keep warm feature and a timer.
The Clever Chef
The Clever Chef is another multi cooker made by Drew & Cole. This one is advertised as an intelligent digital multi cooker – but what does that mean and how is it different?
The intelligence with this multi cooker comes from the digital display and the intelligent programming which helps you to take the guesswork out of cooking. This is useful, especially if you are new to multi cookers.
The Clever Chef Comes in one model option, but in two different colour designs. You can choose between sleek black, or contemporary aluminium.
Both of these have the same 14 in one cooking options, and contain a variety of preprogrammed meals, recipes and cooking styles for you to choose from.
- 14 cooking styles to choose from including slow cook, stew, steam, poach, bake, roast, cook rice and even make yoghurt.
- This multi cooker comes with 17 preset recipe options perfectly programmed to make cooking as easy as possible for you.
- It also includes a manual mode for you to set up your own cooking program.
- Includes a steamer tray to make the perfect veggies and cook fish to perfection.
- Contains a keep warm function and a timer for you to set when you want the meal to be cooked.
Jeanne Nutt
Tuesday 9th of February 2021
About 40+years ago I had a brilliant multi cooker called miracle maid, they came from America and I am serious thinking about getting another one but they are second hand as they don't make them anymore.