Smart cookers have witnessed a sharp rise in popularity over recent years. Now, there are several best smart cookers you can buy in 2024.
These intelligent gadgets can help you with many cooking tasks while reducing energy consumption. The best smart cookers allow you to pressure cook, slow cook, bake, steam, and air fry various meals on the same machine.
Having several appliances compressed into one nifty gadget means you will save space and money you would have spent on several kitchen appliances.
If you are the curious type, you can now experiment without requiring several appliances. And with prices starting at $50, smart cookers are a brilliant addition to your home.
If you are ready to explore the world of smart cooking, go through this handy guide, which includes the best smart cookers in 2024.
The Best Smart Cookers You Can Buy in 2024
Please check below for some of the top smart cookers you can add to your kitchen toolset.
1. Instant Pot Pro
The Instant Pot Pro is one of the best smart cookers you can buy in 2024. This smart cooker has a stylish, compact design and comes fully loaded with 28 cooking functions and several presets to get you started.
It sets out to combine the functions of ten kitchen gadgets.
Likes
- Offers a wide variety of cooking methods.
- Comes with five one-touch settings.
- Its inner pot is compatible with all stovetop types.
Dislikes
- Its steam rack might not work well for vegetables.
- It doesn’t offer any cooking charts or recipe books.
2. Ninja Foodi Max 15-in-1 SmartLit Multi-Cooker
This Ninja model added broiling/grilling, dehydrating, and air frying to the impressive list of cooking functions present in other models.
It even allows you to add steam while air-frying, which you can enhance further by pairing it with an internal thermometer to deliver a perfect steak.
But that is not the only food you can cook with Ninja Foodi Max. It can cook several other dishes, ranging from fries to beef.
Likes
- Offers numerous cooking methods.
- It is an 8-quart machine so that it can serve a larger family.
- Comes with built-in temperature control for perfect meals.
Dislikes
- It is slightly more expensive than most smart cookers on the market.
- It doesn’t have presets for some dishes.
3. Chef iQ Smart Cooker
This intelligent cooker also belongs to the category of the best smart cookers you can buy in 2024. It is easy to set up and has a nice screen for easy setting.
While Chef iQ has buttons for some cooking functions, its full-color screen allows you to choose precise cooking options. For example, you can program your cooker to cook beans in a specific way.
Besides this, the three-pressure release feature is also an excellent add-on.
Likes
- It comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection capabilities.
- Has an app that provides more than 1,000 interactive recipes.
- It is easy to set up.
- Its full-color screen has over 300 preset programs.
Dislikes
- It doesn’t cook some specific dishes well.
4. Crock-Pot Turbo Express
This multi-cooker is suitable for large families due to its capacity and performance. With its easy-to-use preset functions, you can produce excellent dishes.
Its biggest strength is the slow cooking function. It also has impressive baking, steaming, sautéing, and roasting capabilities.
Another impressive feature is the temperature control, which you can adjust from the full-screen display. The only sad thing about this model is that it doesn’t have a set function for rice.
Likes
- It is one of the most affordable smart cookers.
- It cooks a wide variety of delicious dishes.
- Its settings are easier to master.
Dislikes
- It lacks a steam basket.
- It has a cooking pot that is a hassle to slide in and out of.
5. Instant Pot Duo Crisp & Air Fryer
This model comes with most of the Instant Pot’s known abilities, such as slow cooking, pressure cooking, air frying, and steaming. The air-frying function can also bake and roast.
And being a large-capacity smart cooker, you can use it to prepare meals for several mouths. Unfortunately, the cooking pot is not non-sticky, so you will likely use much energy while cleaning.
Likes
- It is easy to use.
- Offer impressive cooking functions.
- It has a large capacity; it is an 8-quart cooker, but a 6-quart version is also available.
Dislikes
- It doesn’t have a non-stick pot.
- It lacks steaming accessories as standard.
6. Breville the Fast Slow Pro
This smart cooker is sometimes referred to as Sage the Fast Slow Pro (for UK users), is a neatly finished multi-cooker with a compact design and a brushed stainless exterior.
The cooker offers up to six cooking methods. In addition to this, you can choose from a wide variety of presets for meals, such as risotto, rice, and stew.
Its controllable temperature feature ensures your meal cooks perfectly. The only challenge you may have while using this smart cooker is the inflexible hinged lid.
Likes
- It is compact and stylish.
- Offers up to six cooking functions.
- It is easy to use.
Dislikes
- It comes with a hinged lid, which requires a screwdriver to remove.
- It can’t cook in small quantities.
7. Lakeland Mini Multi Cooker
This model is an excellent addition for those looking for a basic multi-cooker. The Lakeland Mini Multi Cooker comes with the bare essentials, and it is a favorite option for pressure cooking and slow cooking.
Just be careful not to increase the portion size, as your food may overflow when cooking.
Likes
- Compact and small.
- It is one of the smallest and most basic smart cookers, suitable for a single person.
- Very simple to use.
Dislikes
- It offers limited cooking options.
- Food can overflow if the cooker is too full.
8. Instant Pot Duo V2
The model is one of the best smart cookers you can buy in 2024. Essentially, it is an entry-level smart cooker from Instant Pot and is as effective as the other models from this brand.
With this model, you can slow cook, pressure cook, steam, or even make yogurt. And you will be doing so more affordably.
Likes
- It is compact and lightweight.
- Straightforward to use
- Offers a good array of cooking techniques.
Dislikes
- It is not as fast as the Instant Pot Pro.
- Its inner pot doesn’t work with the stove.
9. Magimix Cook Expert
The Magimix Cook Expert offers a fresh approach to multi-cooking with its food processor attachment. It also has a cooking bowl with blades fitted at the bottom of the pot to let you prepare the best stew.
You can even use presets for blending, soup, and desserts. And if you are curious, you can use the manual mode to prepare your recipes.
Likes
- Offers completely hands-free cooking.
- Easy to clean.
- Comes with a cooking attachment and a food processor.
Dislikes
- It is an expensive appliance.
10. Tefal CY505E40 All-in-One Multi-Cooker
It is the best mid-range smart cooker, with a similar design to the Instant Pot. We were particularly impressed by Tefal’s impressive steaming and pressure cooking functions.
Interestingly, this cooker has a one-touch function for preparing and warming baby food. And it can also do a host of other cooking functions, including baking and browning.
This model is excellent for those looking for an affordable alternative to the Instant Pot.
Likes
- It is very affordable.
- Comes with a baby food preparation function.
- Easy to use and clean.
Dislikes
- It lacks the air-frying feature found in other models.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can achieve a lot with a smart cooker. Most smart cookers by popular brands such as Instant Pot and Ninja can slow cook, pressure cook, cook rice, keep food warm, and sauté. Some advanced models can also air fry, sous vide, and make yogurt, among other uses.
Experts recommend starting with smaller smart cookers and graduating to more sophisticated ones as you become more comfortable using them. For instance, you can start with a 6-quart/5.7-liter cooker, which can feed between three and seven people.
After that, you can upgrade to an 8-quart or 7.5-liter model, depending on your needs. A smaller cooker like the 3-quart or 3-liter model can be sufficient if you are alone, but these small and often basic smart cookers can limit what you can achieve with them.
Nonstick inner pots are easier to clean by hand and are less likely to get stuck in grime. The only challenge with them is that you can easily scratch the nonstick coating. On the other hand, stainless steel pots are safe and heat more evenly. They are also dishwasher-safe. Sadly, they tend to develop hard-to-remove debris on the bottom of the pot.
Regarding smart cookers, higher prices don’t always equal better quality. Some of them may even have the same features but be priced differently. But it would help if you based your decision mainly on price. We suggest giving more priority to your needs. Do you need a smart cooker for pressure cooking, slow cooking, or air frying?
Suppose you are in the market for a simple, smart cooker, set aside around $50–$60. But if you can take advantage of the nice features of some smart cooker models, we recommend spending anywhere between $80 and $120. Of course, some high-end models will cost much more than this figure.
Wrap-Up
While several smart cookers are available today, the sleek models with multiple functions are definitely the best smart cookers you can buy in 2024.
They help you access an array of cooking functions while decluttering your kitchen. Given their excellent versatility and range of functions, some of the above smart cookers are pricier than your ordinary multi-cooker.
But the quality, intelligence, and endless possibilities you get make them worth every penny.
Also Read: 15 Best Smart Home Products In 2024
