Everyone loves a great home-cooked meal, right? We sure do. It’s more affordable than eating out, and a lot of the time, it’s more delicious too. But even just prepping a meal can take a long time, let alone the actual cooking part. And if you’re cooking for a large family every night, the task is even more daunting. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was an easier way?
Well, there is! And it’s called pressure cooking. With a pressure cooker, all you have to do is throw all of your ingredients in, select the right settings, and let the machine do all of the work for you. Easy, huh? It can streamline a lot of traditional cooking methods, and since the removable parts are usually dishwasher safe, you won’t even spend much time on cleanup! You can make anything with these things, too.
If you’d love to try out pressure cooking for yourself, we approve (and would like to come over for dinner!). Pressure cookers have a lot going on, though. They’ll vary in things like price, capacity, functionality, ease of cleaning, safety features, overall size, and more. And to get the perfect fit, you’ll have to consider every feature. Daunting, huh? That’s why we’re here to help!
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best pressure cookers in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
The Instant Pot Rio 7-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker has a ton of features working in its favour. It’s essentially an upgraded Duo (you’ll see this one later as our budget pick), and it’s got some pretty major upgrades. The inner pot doesn’t move when you stir ingredients, which is a lot more convenient, and the control panel is laid out in a much better way — it’s much easier to use as a result.
The new control panel also has one major bonus feature — a cooking progress monitor. It’ll show you when the machine is reaching the target temperature and pressure, when it’s cooking (and how far along it is), and when it’s keeping warm. Cool, huh? With the Instant Pot app, you’ll also have access to more than 800 recipes to expand your horizons and keep your favourites handy.
One of the only problems you may run into with this option is the limited functionality. With only seven functions, it’s one of the least versatile pressure cookers out there today. You’ll still be able to do a lot with it, but there are more versatile options available. Also, this machine is a bit larger than the average six-quart pressure cooker, so it may require more space than you have to give it.
Overall, the Instant Pot Rio 7-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker is a pretty fantastic choice for any kitchen. It’s very well-rounded, very user-friendly, and very reasonably priced. That’s one heck of a three-pointer, wouldn’t you say?
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers are big fans of the Instant Pot Rio 7-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker. The control panel is incredibly easy to use, and the entire updated design gives it an aesthetically pleasing appearance for their countertops. The progress monitor is a big hit, and they really like that the bowl stays in place while they’re stirring. The functionality of this one is good but could be better.
Buy If…
User-friendliness is your main priority
You’d love easy access to hundreds of recipes
You’ll be stirring and sautéing a lot
You’d like to monitor cooking progress at a glance
Don’t Buy If…
The Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker has a lot of wonderful features to offer. One of our favourite things is the custom programs. If you’ve got some favourite meals that don’t fit one of the presets, you can save them in one of the five available custom slots. When you’re ready to make it again, all you have to do is hit a button and let the machine do its work.
This pressure cooker also has a super sleek matte black design, so it’s perfect for kitchens with limited storage space but plenty of room on the counter. It won’t become an eyesore, we promise. And your counter will be protected with a splash guard during steam release too — hello, mess-free depressurizing! You’ll also love the versatility…10 functions and 28 smart programs!
When it comes to things you won’t like, there isn’t much to mention. The display can feel a bit busy, so if you’re more of a minimalist (or you’re new to pressure cooking and don’t know what you’re doing yet) it might feel a bit overwhelming. Otherwise, the high price tag might be your only cause for concern. But we promise this one is actually worth the extra money.
All in all, the Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker is as close to flawless as a pressure cooker can get. It’s got tons of functionality and smart programs (plus custom slots!), a great design, and impeccable cooking performance. What more could you ask for?
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers have a very high opinion of the Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker. They’d all buy it again in a heartbeat. They’re happy with everything — the range of functionality, the ease of cleaning with dishwasher-safe parts, and especially the custom programs to save their favourite recipes for future use. They recommend it to all of their friends and family.
Buy If…
You’d appreciate a sleek appearance
You want to make everything in your pressure cooker
You’d like to save some favourite recipes for easy remaking later
You’d prefer to avoid the countertop splashing that comes with steam release
Don’t Buy If…
We really like the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker. It’s a well-established machine that’s proven to stand the test of time. It’s got a great capacity for a budget unit, serving up to six people at once, and with seven different functions, you can make a ton of different things in it. The Instant Pot app makes sure you can find a perfect recipe for every craving, too.
If you’re after a user-friendly machine, you won’t find much better than this one, especially at this price point. The control panel is easy to navigate, and all of the settings make perfect sense. Since all of the removable parts are dishwasher safe and the power cord is just under three feet long, you won’t have any trouble finding the right place for it or cleaning up after cooking.
Of course, a budget-friendly option can’t be perfect, and this one does have a couple of shortcomings you should be aware of. First, the timer hits its limit at four hours, so you won’t be able to cook any meals that need more time than that. Also, the 7-in-1 functionality isn’t as versatile as some other machines out there, so that’s something to consider if you want an all-in-one.
Overall, the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker boasts a lot of great features for a really great price. Whether you’re new to pressure cooking or you’re an old pro, this machine will help you achieve culinary perfection with very little management required on your part.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers are very happy with the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker. They love the functionality, the simple control panel, and the easy cleanup process. It cooks meals very reliably, too. One person even refers to it as the culinary Swiss army knife, and that’s a comparison we can’t help but approve of.
Buy If…
You don’t want to remember recipes for anything
Ease of use is priority number one
A budget-friendly price is a must-have
You won’t always be around to start or stop cooking
Don’t Buy If…
The Ninja FD401 Foodi 12-in-1 Deluxe XL Pressure Cooker is a pretty special option. Its main claim to fame is the 12-in-1 functionality (it is our versatile alternative for a reason, after all), but it’s also got a pretty unique insert in the form of a 5-qt crisper basket and matching lid — you’ll be able to perfect all of your dishes, all with the same machine. How’s that for convenience, eh?
We also really like the larger capacity of this option. The main cooking pot can hold eight quarts of food, so it’s the perfect choice for batch prepping or serving large groups of people all at once. The price isn’t bad for its size, either. This one comes with a recipe book too, to help you get started on the right (and delicious) path.
One of the only things that you might not love about this machine is its weight. At 26 lbs, it weighs more than double the average pressure cooker, so if you have to stretch above your head or contort your body to put it away, you might end up feeling the effects of it. The power cord is also a bit short, so if you don’t have easy access to outlets in your kitchen, things might get a bit tricky.
Overall, the Ninja FD401 Foodi 12-in-1 Deluxe XL Pressure Cooker is a pretty amazing option, wouldn’t you agree? Tons of functionality, unique crisping technology, exceptional quality and longevity, and an easy-to-use control panel… there’s not much missing, is there?
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers have tons of positive things to say about the Ninja FD401 Foodi 12-in-1 Deluxe XL Pressure Cooker. Most of them chose it because of its extra versatility, and they have not been disappointed so far. They’ve used it to make everything from yogurt to stew to dehydrated snacks, and it works flawlessly every time. The large capacity is another highlight feature for them.
Buy If…
Versatility is the most important thing
You’ll be cooking large batches of food
You’d like some help getting started with meals
You love to make crispy food
Don’t Buy If…
The Cosori 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker has a lot to offer no matter what your priorities look like. Of course, we love it the most for its safety-conscious design. It brings 12 safety features to the table including overheat protection and an anti-scalding lid, but it also has a special steam release setup that makes the venting process a whole lot less risky for your vulnerable skin.
This machine is great in a ton of other areas as well. When it comes to cooking performance, you’ll get to take advantage of nine reliable functions and a bunch of preset programs for easy start-ups. Plus, it has a cooking progress bar so you always know what step your food is at. Super helpful. All of the parts are dishwasher safe to make cleanup a breeze, too. And you really can’t beat the price!
Honestly, one of the only problems you might run into with this one is the limitation on cooking capacity. This is a six-quart machine, which can serve a maximum of six people depending on what you’re making. If you frequently host larger gatherings or your family is just larger than six, you might want to find an eight-quart or larger pressure cooker instead.
Overall, the Cosori 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker is one of our favourite all-around options this year. It’s especially great if you’re a bit nervous about venturing into pressure cooking, but it’s a great option for seasoned pros as well. It’s got pretty much everything you could want, and all for an awesome price.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers have a lot of wonderful things to say about the Cosori 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, and essentially no bad ones. The safety features give them a lot of peace of mind while they’re using it, and the 9-in-1 functionality makes sure they can cook almost any meal with this one machine. The dishwasher-safe parts are a huge hit, too, as is the affordable price tag.
Buy If…
Safety is your biggest priority
You don’t want to spend too much on a pressure cooker
You aren’t interested in a long clean-up process
You’d like to know what’s going on with your food at a glance
Don’t Buy If…
Some pressure cookers are as affordable as $125, others can cost roughly triple that much. In general, more expensive pressure cookers will have a larger capacity, a more sophisticated control panel, and more safety features.
Every pressure cooker will be multifunctional, but the exact degree will vary model by model. The average machines offer between five and seven different functions, but higher-end options can include up to 10 or even 12. If you want to make every meal in your pressure cooker, you’ll want to look for the maximum number of functions and accessories you can get.
The average pressure cooker will hover around six quarts in size, but you can also find smaller options and much larger options, up to 12 quarts (any larger and you start venturing into commercial territory). Generally, one quart of capacity will serve one person, so you can judge your ideal size accordingly.
Every pressure cooker should come with a wide range of safety features, but some are more well-rounded than others. Your main priorities should be looking for a safe venting system, an anti-scald lid, and overheat/burn protection.
Many pressure cookers will come with dishwasher-safe parts (lid, cooking bowl, etc.), but some will need to be washed by hand. If a quick and low-effort cleanup process is important to you, you’ll want to make sure the pressure cooker you choose has dishwasher-safe components.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.
