Best Multi-Cookers
13 products ranked across 97 cited reviews, videos and discussions · Updated 18 Aug 2026
On the stierproducts multi-cookers board, Instant Pot Rio (6-Quart) ranks #1 in S tier, ahead of Instant Pot Pro (6-Quart) (#2, S tier) and Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 (6-Quart) (#3, A tier). The board ranks 13 multi-cookers from S (best) to F (avoid), last researched 18 Aug 2026, drawing on 97 cited reviews, videos and discussions. Placed in the bottom tiers as ones to avoid: Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid (6.5-Quart), Zavor LUX LCD (6-Quart), CHEF iQ Smart Cooker (6-Quart), and 2 others.
What moved on this board
18 tier changes recorded between 22 Jul 2026 and 14 Sept 2026. The 5 most recent are below.
- 25 Jul 2026 Instant Pot Rio Wide Plus (7.5-Quart) moved up from C to B. 2 more research games. 1 source added.
- 25 Jul 2026 Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 (6-Quart) moved down from S to A. 3 more research games. 3 sources added, 2 removed.
- 25 Jul 2026 Instant Pot Pro (6-Quart) moved up from A to S. 3 more research games. 3 sources added, 3 removed.
- 25 Jul 2026 Instant Pot Rio (6-Quart) moved up from A to S. 3 more research games. 3 sources added, 1 removed.
- 25 Jul 2026 CHEF iQ Smart Cooker (6-Quart) moved down from C to D. 2 sources removed.
Each line shows what else changed at the same publish. It is not a statement of cause.
Frequently asked questions
Instant Pot Rio (6-Quart) sits at #1 in the S tier of our consolidated board, ranked across independent research runs over 97 cited reviews, videos and discussions. Wirecutter's current favorite, and its simplicity is a durability strategy: fewer modes and no connectivity means fewer failure modes over a decade of ownership.
Instant Pot Pro (6-Quart) ranks #2 (S tier). The best hardware in the class with the longest current recommendation streak at Serious Eats and TechRadar, and no software dependency to decay - the safest multi-year bet in the category.
Our research places Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid (6.5-Quart), Zavor LUX LCD (6-Quart), CHEF iQ Smart Cooker (6-Quart), Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart (6-Quart), Crock-Pot Express Crock Multi-Cooker (6-Quart) in the bottom tiers (D/F). Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid (6.5-Quart): Genuine one-appliance convenience on the proven Duo platform, but the lid's extra heating element and moving parts add failure surface - buy it for the air frying, not as a pure pressure cooker.
More in Kitchen
Cite this board as stierproducts, “Best Multi-Cookers”, 18 Aug 2026. Free to quote with attribution and a link (terms).
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