Some pressure cookers operate at just one pressure, while others allow you to choose between two or even three different pressure options for cooking. In general, stovetop pressure cookers can cook at higher pressures than electric models. However, new technology has made electric models even more versatile, allowing you to choose a wide range of temperatures and settings. Donna Currieis a cookbook author, as well as a writer and product tester for The Spruce Eats, specializing in all the latest kitchen gadgets. Danielle Centoni, who personally tested three of the pressure cookers on this list, is a James Beard Award-winning food writer who has authored five cookbooks and contributed recipe testing for even more. I like the fact that you can do a whole meal in one pan as you can sauté and then slow cook. I've started to use the pressure cooking setting more and more - it makes excellent rice for example."(Vetted by Mumsnet user QueenofLouisiana) Our verdict

Most range from 3L to 6L, with the larger models being suitable for batch-cooking and meals for up to six people. Smaller, 3L cookers are better suited for one to two people. Another thing to note is that even small pressure cookers can be bulky and come with additional accessories, so make sure you have room to store larger models before you buy. How much should I spend? The Ninja Foodi Max doesn't have presets with defined temperatures and times for different dishes, as Instant Pots do. Instead, you'll need to refer to the cooking charts that come bundled with the multi-cooker and we found these to be comprehensive and very helpful.

1. Best overall pressure cooker: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

Stovetop pressure cookers tend to have fewer features and functions than their electric counterparts, but they are typically less expensive. With the lid off or not sealed onto the pot, the stovetop pressure cooker can function just like any other pot you own to simmer sauces, boil water, or make soup. I've got a Lagostina stovetop pressure cooker. Very easy to use and good safety features.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user HardasSnails) Our verdict Here's a classic Instant Pot model for you, with seven programs for pressure cooking, rice, slow cooking, yogurt, steaming, sautéing, and keeping food warm (plus 13 customizable programs). For manual cooking, choose from two levels of pressure, three sauté temperatures, or three slow-cook temperatures. If you don't want to start cooking right away or want the device to start up while you're out for the day, it features a delay-cook setting that can be set up to 24 hours in advance, so you can have dinner on the table exactly when you want it. The controls are easy to navigate, and the dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot are easy to clean. With such a wide array of models available when it comes to Instant Pots and multi-cookers, choosing the right one for you can be confusing.

While you can dive even deeper into how to clean an Instant Pot, you should also take a look at all the different things you can cook in them. There are all sorts of signature dishes as well as the ability to simplify easy recipes even more. Don’t believe us? Take a look at our guide on how to cook hard-boiled eggs in an Instant Pot. It’s easy, fast, and a great example of how an Instant Pot can make something that’s relatively simple even easier and hassle-free. On test, as well as excelling at steak, we were also impressed by the Ninja Foodi Max's ability to perfectly cook a variety of dishes, from beef chili to fries. The large capacity is ideal for those that have several mouths to feed, although the multi-cooker is bulky and takes up a lot of space on a countertop. This makes them far more energy efficient than other ways of cooking. The least energy-efficient pressure cooker we tested costs around 13p an hour to use, whereas an oven costs roughly 30p an hour. Are pressure cookers healthy? While it’s not particularly cheap, especially for its smaller capacity, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid is one of the most versatile Instant options out there. To start, it has thirteen cooking functions on tap, including air frying and bread proofing. And, it does a wonderful job with most of them as well, though its steam function can be a bit too intense for some ingredients.You can opt for a stainless steel pressure cooker, if you’re looking for a cooker that has a classy finish, is easy to maintain, and is extremely durable. If you have an induction stove at home, then an induction pressure cooker is your best friend. You also need to consider the shape of the cooker while purchasing one according to your cooking habits and style. The key benefit overall is the speed, so pressure cookers are best for cutting down cooking times. Large potatoes, for example, can be perfectly pressure cooked in as little as eight minutes. Electric pressure cookers tend to have more features, and they can be easier to use since they don't require manually timing your cooking. You also don’t need to turn the heat off when cooking is done since the cooker does that for you. Many electric pressure cookers can sear food, simmer, steam, and slow cook, making them versatile appliances. While in a conventional pan, food is cooked by boiling, a pressure cooker uses a different method. Its tight-fitting lid allows steam to build up under pressure, pushing heat into the food. This reduces the cooking time, which preserves more of the food’s nutrition and requires less energy. In general, though, browning food first is an additional step that’s worth the effort, since it adds depth of flavor to whatever you’re cooking. Then, make sure to add enough liquid like water or broth to allow the pressure cooker to heat, build steam and create pressure. Typically, ​​pressure cookers require somewhere between ½ to 1 cup of water, but be sure to consult your owner’s manual and the recipe. It’s important to note: While you need enough liquid, you don’t want to go overboard. A pressure cooker should never be more than two-thirds full since you need to leave enough room for steam to build.

INDUCTION SUITABLE - Unlike the aluminium versions, our stainless steel pressure cooker is suitable for ALL hob types, including induction. We've tested stove-top and electric pressure cookers from bestselling brands, such as Instant-Pot, Ninja, Prestige, Tefal, Tower and more. We've found three Best Buys, one of which also earned our Great Value recommendation. And the overall best pressure cooker from our tests might surprise you. The best pressure cookers The inner pot can be used on the stovetop to sear food before cooking, too, and has handles, so you can take the pot straight to the table. On top of that, the steam release switch is one of the easiest and safest steam release methods we’ve used when testing the pressure cook function on a multi-cooker and the steam valve has a cover to reduce splashes and noise too. We love these top-of-the-range stovetop pressure cookers from Swiss brand, Kuhn Rikon, available in a four- and eight-litre capacity. However, if you’re looking to save space in your kitchen by replacing several gadgets with just one, or you are looking to broaden the repertoire of dishes you cook, without having to research and learn new cooking skills, an Instant Pot will more than prove useful. What's the best size instant pot?

For more recipes, offers and inspiration…

The fact that you can just set it off and leave it is, IMO, the best thing about it and a total gift to parents. I don't do anything adventurous with mine, just one pot meals, or cooking up rice, polenta etc. Wouldn't want to be without it now though."(Tried and tested by Mumsnet user BessAndCress) When using a pressure cooker, safety is of the utmost concern — remember, a pressure cooker works due to pent-up steam, which can pose a safety hazard if handled improperly. Always consult and familiarize yourself with the owner’s manual of your particular model before cooking.

With six preset settings - including pressure cooking, slow cooking, searing and sautéing - and dual sensors that keep an eye on your ingredients, adjusting temperature and pressure to suit, this multi-cooker is a little more expensive than the average pressure cooker, but more than makes up for the price tag thanks to its huge versatility and space-saving qualities.

We’ve seen consistent, excellent results from cooking with Pressure Cookers, and we know that you will too. If you're feeling inspired to try a new method or two, why not browse our comprehensive range below? This multicooker from Cuisinart goes up to 15 psi and won top scores in our slow cooker test, making the most tender beef stew out of all other multi-cookers. Experts loved how simple it was to use — the large LCD screen makes it easy to read each function and the clearly labeled buttons are lit making everything easy to see. The timer allows you to see exactly how much more cooking time remains before completion and once finished, a new stopwatch will start showing the time that the food has remained in the cooker. When coming to pressure, progress bars appear on the screen to let you know what stage the machine has reached. The same will happen when it is releasing pressure — bars will lessen until all pressure is released. Electric pressure cookers work automatically. Simply set to your desired programme and your cooker will do the rest. Timers mean that they are a great option if you wish the food to be prepared for when you get home. Which brand of pressure cooker is best? Regular Mumsnet visitors will know that one of the most recommended products on our forums is the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker (and has been for years). As you might expect, the larger and more feature-heavy appliances from Instant Pot and Ninja Foodi are more expensive, but generally speaking, Ninja models are normally more expensive.