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 Best Pressure Cookers Right Now
- Top Pick: Instant Pot Rio 7-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker
- Upgrade Pick: Instant Pot Pro Plus Wi-Fi Smart 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker
- Premium Pick: Breville BPR680BSS Fast Slow GO Pressure Cooker
- Budget Pick: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
- Safety-Conscious Alternative: Cosori 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
Our Top Pick for The Best Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot Rio 7-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker Review
What We Think of the Instant Pot Rio 7-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker
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
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Instant Pot Rio 7-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker
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.
Instant Pot Rio 7-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker Pros and Cons
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…
- You’d prefer a ton of cooking functions and/or inserts
- You’re tight on storage space
Instant Pot Rio 7-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker Specifications
- Dimensions: 15” x 15” x 14.5”
- Weight: 12 lbs
- Colour: Black
- Capacity: 6 qt
- Functions: 7
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
Our Upgrade Pick
Instant Pot Pro Plus Wi-Fi Smart 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker Review
What We Think of the Instant Pot Pro Plus Wi-Fi Smart 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker
The Instant Pot Pro Plus Wi-Fi Smart 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker is easy to fall in love with. One of the reasons for that is its versatility. With 10 built-in functions for simplicity and an app that provides more than 2,000 recipes (with step-by-step instructions), you’ll never run out of new meals to try. Plus, the cooking pot can be used on the stovetop and in the oven for searing or finishing touches!
The smart features are another compelling reason to choose this option. Not only can you adjust settings, but you can also choose a steam release method without going hands-on. We love that for you. You’ll also appreciate the NutriBoost technology. It pulses to make sure your ingredients are mixing fully, and the flavour pops every time.
The only potential reason you won’t love this pressure cooker is if you need to work in really large batches. This one is only 6 quarts. As long as that capacity will work well for your family, you’ll have nothing to dislike about this option.
All in all, the Instant Pot Pro Plus Wi-Fi Smart 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker is an easy favourite for us, and we think it’ll be one for you, too. No matter what you want to cook in it, or how often you want to use it, it’ll always be a top performer in your kitchen.
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 4.5/5
- Price: 4/5
- Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Instant Pot Pro Plus Wi-Fi Smart 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker
Reviewers are raving about the Instant Pot Pro Plus Wi-Fi Smart 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker. It’s so convenient for them to adjust settings from their smartphones, and the control panel is easy to use when they need to be hands-on. Every meal comes out perfectly, and the interactive, step-by-step recipes make new dishes feel familiar. They are all so glad they chose this pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Pro Plus Wi-Fi Smart 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- You’d love an easy way to find and create new recipes
- You’re looking for the best flavour you can get out of your food
- Smart features are a priority for you
- You want a versatile cooking pot
Don’t Buy If…
- You need to cook in really large batches
Instant Pot Pro Plus Wi-Fi Smart 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker Specifications
- Dimensions: 13” x 13.2” x 12.7”
- Weight: 15.5 lbs
- Colour: Black and silver
- Capacity: 6 qt
- Functions: 10
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Our Premium Pick
Breville BPR680BSS Fast Slow GO Pressure Cooker Review
What We Think of the Breville BPR680BSS Fast Slow GO Pressure Cooker
There are tons of features to love about the Breville BPR680BSS Fast Slow GO Pressure Cooker. One of our favourites is the control panel style. Instead of a display screen that you need to scroll through, all 14 functions are laid out as individual buttons with icons. Not only is this much easier and faster to use, but it looks cute! (And yes, you read that right, there are 14 functions!)
This pressure cooker is also really easy to clean, which we love. It has a ring that catches condensation instead of pouring it all over your counter, and dishwasher-safe parts mean you don’t need to wash anything by hand! With a 24-hour delay start timer and up to 6 hours of a keep-warm setting, your food will always be ready and waiting, no matter what your schedule looks like.
There are only a couple of reasons why this pressure cooker might not be your perfect fit. First, it has an average capacity, not a giant one, so if you like to cook in extra-large batches, you’ll need a larger pressure cooker. Second, this countertop hero doesn’t come with any smart features, so everything needs to be done by hand. Hopefully, these things aren’t dealbreakers for you.
Overall, we’re very impressed by what the Breville BPR680BSS Fast Slow GO Pressure Cooker has to offer. Whether your priority is versatility, ease of use, or safety, this option will make you happy. It exceeds every expectation!
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 5/5
- Price: 4/5
- Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Breville BPR680BSS Fast Slow GO Pressure Cooker
Reviewers have very good things to say about the Breville BPR680BSS Fast Slow GO Pressure Cooker. They love the icons on the buttons so they don’t have to think about what function they’re choosing, and the versatility really comes in handy for families that like to try new things. The delay-start and keep-warm settings also make cooking a breeze for busy individuals. They highly recommend this one.
Breville BPR680BSS Fast Slow GO Pressure Cooker Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- You take safety seriously
- You need a pressure cooker that can easily work around your schedule
- Simple cleaning is a priority
- You’re looking for really user-friendly programs
Don’t Buy If…
- You need an extra-large capacity
- You’re looking for smart features
Breville BPR680BSS Fast Slow GO Pressure Cooker Specifications
- Dimensions: 12.3” x 13.6” x 13.1”
- Weight: 14.7 lbs
- Colour: Silver and black
- Capacity: 6.3 qt
- Functions: 14
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
Our Budget Pick
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker Review
What We Think of the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
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
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
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.
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker Pros and Cons
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…
- Versatility is really important to you
- You want to pressure-cook meals that take longer than 4 hours
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker Specifications
- Dimensions: 13.4” x 12.2” x 12.5”
- Weight: 11.8 lbs
- Colour: Black and silver
- Capacity: 6 qt
- Functions: 7
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Power Cord Length: 35”
- Warranty: 1 year
Our Safety-Conscious Alternative
Cosori 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker Review
What We Think of the Cosori 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
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
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Cosori 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
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.
Cosori 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker Pros and Cons
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…
- You need to serve extra-large groups a lot
Cosori 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker Specifications
- Dimensions: 13.4” x 12.6” x 12.5”
- Weight: 11.9 lbs
- Colour: Black and silver
- Capacity: 6 qt
- Functions: 9
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Warranty: 2 years
How to Properly Choose Your Pressure Cooker
Price
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.
Functions
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.
Capacity
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.
Safety Features
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.
Dishwasher-Safe Parts
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.