Price on writing: £130 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Wattage: 1200 watts | Capacity: 5.7L (also available in 7.6L) | Pre-sets: 28 | Cooking functions: Pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yoghurt maker, sauté, sous vide, bake, steam, warm, and sterilise | Accessories included: Steam rack, stainless steel pot, sealing ring (spare) | Dimensions: ‎36.58 x 35.31 x 36.07 cm | Dishwasher safe: Not specified

What we love

• 10 built-in functions
• Good capacity for families
• Great value

What to know

• Some didn't receive instructions
• No air fryer function

What Mumsnet users say

"Instant pot. I love it for making yogurt, macaroni and cheese, risotto, stock and so much more that I haven't yet tried. It's fab." (Brand tried and tested by Mumsnet user buckeejit)

"I love my Instant Pot. Rarely use it in summer because it’s too hot here from May to early October but from then on it gets used multiple times a week. I love that you can start a ragu by sautéing the soffritto then adding the meat and then the tomatoes before pressure cooking it. No other pots and pans needed unlike a traditional slow cooker. One pot wonders are a staple in our house!" (Brand vetted by Mumsnet user LadyCampanulaTottington)

Our verdict 

The Instant Pot Pro is a versatile multi-cooker that offers a range of cooking functions beyond just a traditional pressure cooker or slow cooker. With a choice of capacities - 5.7L is ideal for up to six servings, and 7.6L is best for serving up to eight - you can choose the right size to suit your family. It offers an impressive 10 built-in functions, allowing you to use the steamer, sous vide, and food warmer features, plus much more, at the touch of a button. 

With over 1,400 five-star ratings on Amazon, it's not hard to see why this gadget has also been awarded our title of the overall best Instant Pot model too. It's thrilled users - one reviewer even declared that it has “everything I need in one product!” It’s worth noting, however, that some users reported it didn’t come with instructions, which made using the machine the first time a bit tricky. And, while there is an app you can download with recipes, we think a physical cookbook with some recipes would be a nice touch to include, but you can pick them up fairly cheap on Amazon, so it’s not too much of an expense if you want to buy one alongside the machine. 

Overall, with its combination of convenience and versatility, the Instant Pot Pro is a great option for those looking to streamline their cooking routine. The downside is it doesn't have an air fryer setting, something to bear in mind if that's on your list of must-have features. 

Price on writing: £70 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Wattage: 860 watts | Capacity: 5L | Pre-sets: 17 | Cooking functions: Steam, stew, soup, roast, poach, bread rise, bake, fish sauté, rice, pasta, slow cook high or low, yoghurt | Accessories included: Steamer tray, measuring cup, rice spoon and recipe book | Dimensions: ‎24D x 31W x 23H centimetres | Dishwasher safe: Yes

What we love 

• Great value
• Versatile with 14 different modes
• Compact and sleek design

What to know

• Does not have a pressure cooker mode
• Non-stick coating can become scratched easily
• Some users didn’t receive the additional accessories

What Mumsnet users say

"I use this one, I couldn't do without it. It roasts, slow cooks, simmers, bakes cakes, bread etc. and it's a doddle to clean. I don't use my cooker at all." (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user TopShelf)

Our verdict

If you’re looking for a multi-cooker under £100, the Drew&Cole CleverChef is currently a budget-friendly £70 and includes a whopping 14 modes - pretty impressive for the price tag we think. It’s been receiving rave reviews from customers on Amazon too - users praise its versatility as a standout feature. It doesn’t offer a pressure cooker mode like other multi-cookers though, so that is one downside.

We love how compact it is. A lot of multi-cookers tend to be quite bulky but this is well suited to a smaller kitchen while still having enough capacity for around four to five people. However, some customers have reported that the non-stick coating on the inner pot can become scratched easily, reducing its effectiveness over time. The multi-cooker should come with a cookbook, measuring cup and rice spoon, but quite a few users noted that this was missing in the packaging, but was swiftly resolved when they contacted the customer service team.

All in all, we think this is an excellent value buy, and the slow cooking function is particularly great.

Read next: Upgrade family mealtimes with the best recipe boxes, including options for vegetarians and vegans

Price on writing: £230 | Buy now from Ninja

Key specs

Wattage: 1460 watts | Capacity: 6L | Pre-sets: None (nine functions) | Cooking functions: Pressure cook, air fry, slow cook, steam, bake/roast, sear/sauté, grill, yoghurt and dehydrate | Accessories included: Reversible rack, Cook & Crisp Basket | Dimensions: ‎ 32 x 43 x 36cm | Dishwasher safe: Yes

What we love

• Has an air fryer function
• Fantastic results
• Plenty of useful functions to try

What to know

• Expensive
• Bulky

What Mumsnet users say

"We have the Ninja Foodi. I think it's the 9-in-1. We love it. Use it daily, even if it's for silly things like par-baked rolls or bake-at-home croissants for breakfast. Generally use it for the pressure cooker, air fry or bake function." (Recommended by Mumsnet user Toomanylosthours)

"I have the 9-in-1 Foodi and use it several times a day too. It’s big (it takes up a lot of counter space in my tiny kitchen) and a bit noisy, but I still love it." (Vetted by Mumsnet user DavidSPumpkins)

Our verdict

What sets the Ninja Foodi apart from other models on our list is its ability to air fry, along with offering other functions like pressure cook and slow cook. While it doesn't come cheap, the best air fryer models will likely set you back around £100+, so even though it's expensive you're getting a lot for your money. Mumsnet users certainly rate the Ninja brand too - you'd struggle to find a multi-cooker or air fryer thread on the forums that doesn't recommend the brand. 

While there are other Ninja options that offer more functions (one model even had 15 functions!), we think this cheaper model has a great selection of features for everyday use, and you won't be buying a machine with gimmicky settings that largely go unused. The results are great too - think perfectly crispy chips and tantalising casseroles.

Aside from cost, the only other downside is the size. It's a bulky machine that takes up lots of space, but if you have the ability to store it, it would make a great addition to your kitchen.

Read next: Indulge with our pick of the best deep fat fryer - it'll take your DIY takeaways to the next level

Price on writing: £126 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Wattage: 1400 watts | Capacity: 5.6L | Pre-sets: 14 | Cooking functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, steamer, sous vide, brown, bake, rice, yoghurt, keep warm | Accessories included: Stirring spoon, sous vide rack and steaming rack | Dimensions: ‎ 344mm x 308mm x 340mm | Dishwasher safe: Yes

What we love 

• Reduces cooking time by 40% with Turbo mode
• Versatile cooking functions including pressure cooking, slow cooking, and baking
• Simple to use
• Easy to clean

What to know

• Bulky
• Not the best at steaming vegetables or cooking rice
• Doesn’t include an air fryer

What Mumsnet users say

"I have a Crock Pot Turbo Express, along with a microwave they’re the dream team!" (Vetted by Mumsnet user Marmite27)

Our verdict

The Crock-Pot CSC062 Turbo Express Pressure Multicooker is an adaptable appliance that promises to make mealtimes easier. The standout feature - as referenced in the name - is the ‘Turbo’ mode, which Crock-Pot says reduces cooking time by 40% versus using the regular high pressure setting. It’s a bold claim but according to reviewers it works, with many praising this feature and how quickly and effectively it cooked chillies, curries, casseroles, soup and more. One reviewer even called this setting "genius".

Additionally, users have praised the ease of use and the wide range of cooking functions offered by this appliance, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, baking, and more. However, some customers have reported that it’s not the best at steaming vegetables or cooking rice with ease and it doesn’t include a built-in air fryer, so if those are the main features you’re looking for in a multi-cooker, you may want to go for something different. Another thing to note is that it’s easy to clean thanks to the dishwasher-safe pot - something that busy parents will be thrilled to hear.

It also can feed around six people, ideal for big families or if you're wanting to batch cook dishes ready for storing in your best Tupperware or lunch box.

Price on writing: £140 | Buy now from John Lewis

Key specs

Wattage: 1100 watts | Capacity: 6L | Pre-sets: 14 | Cooking functions: Soup, stock, meat, stew, steam, sauté, legumes, rice/grains, risotto, yoghurt, reduce, sous vide, pressure cook and slow cook | Accessories included: Stainless steel cooking bowl, trivet | Dimensions: ‎ H34.3 x W34.8 x D32.3 cm | Dishwasher safe: Yes

What we love

• Sleek and stylish design with brushed stainless steel finish
• Delivers great results
• Easy to use
• 14 functions

What to know

• Poor instruction manual
• Limited recipe options from Sage
• Difficult to read control pad

What Mumsnet users say

"I have a Sage Fast and Slow and use it principally as a pressure cooker/rice cooker/steamer. It is great and I highly recommend it. It won't act as an air fryer, but it is used frequently so is left out on the counter and is easy to clean." (Rated by Mumsnet user Mominatrix)

Our verdict

Sleek and stylish, the Sage the Fast Slow GO Brushed Stainless Steel Slow Cooker is a winner when it comes to design; the brushed stainless steel finish is popular with reviewers and adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen. This high-quality appliance excels particularly on the pressure cook, slow cook and rice cook modes, with reviewers praising their tasty results, including casseroles, ragus, and risottos.

It’s hard to find a downside to this multi-cooker once it’s up and running, but a few users did report that the instruction manual was poor, and they’d like more recipes (there are a few downloadable ones from Sage online), plus a few found the control pad was difficult to read. Despite these drawbacks, the Fast Slow GO remains a popular choice due to its ease of use and superb results. If you are looking for a multi-cooker that will simplify your cooking and look pleasing on your kitchen countertop, it’s definitely worth considering this device.

Read next: The best George Foreman grill for families

Price on writing: £89 | Buy now from Very

Key specs

Wattage: 750 watts | Capacity: 6.5L | Pre-sets: 8 | Cooking functions: Sear, roast, sous vide, slow cook, steam, rice, boil and keep warm | Accessories included: None specified | Dimensions: ‎ 299mm x 244mm x 458mm | Dishwasher safe: Yes

What we love 

• More energy efficient than a conventional oven
• Produces great results
• Good value
• Simple and straightforward interface

What to know

• Lead could be longer
• Doesn't have a pressure cooking setting
• Buttons feature icons instead of text (though this may be a design plus)

What Mumsnet users say

"I've just bought the Russell Hobbs 8-in-1 cooker and I love it. Cooks rice to perfection. I can roast, boil, steam, sear, keep warm and slow cook etc. And it can go straight to the table to serve and go in the dishwasher. Also twice the capacity of my old slow cooker." (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user pogostickplastique)

Our verdict

With the cost of living crisis, most of us are becoming more conscious of energy usage in everyday life and are looking for ways to be more efficient around the home, whether that's batch cooking and dishing up leftovers into a bento box, or cutting down on using the oven. The Russell Hobbs Good to Go Multi Cooker is a versatile kitchen appliance that claims to be 59% more energy efficient than a conventional oven (when compared to roasting a whole chicken at 190 degrees). Reviewers are certainly thrilled with it, with one declaring it’s “the best thing since sliced bread”, and many others praising its ease of use. It features a simple, straightforward interface with a clear display, although the buttons feature icons rather than text, so you’ll just have to check which each one is first, but this should be fairly intuitive. 

On the downside, the lead could do with being a little longer and it doesn’t have a pressure cooking setting like a lot of models. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Russell Hobbs Good to Go Multi Cooker is a solid choice for those looking for a highly-rated convenient and versatile cooking appliance that doesn’t cost the earth.

Price on writing: £65 | Buy now from Lakeland

Key specs

Wattage: 400 watts | Capacity: 1.4L (working capacity) | Pre-sets: 8 | Cooking functions: Rice, quick cook, slow cook, cake, yoghurt, quinoa, oatmeal | Accessories included: Rice spoon and measuring cup | Dimensions: ‎ 23.5 x 28 x 20cm | Dishwasher safe: No

What we love

• Compact size, perfect for limited kitchen space
• Lightweight and easy to carry
• Eight programmes capable of performing various cooking tasks
• Easy to use for all skill levels

What to know

• Functionality limited by its size
• Rice cooking feature has been reported to take a long time
• Not great for large families

Our verdict

Small but mighty, the Lakeland Mini Multi Cooker is a compact kitchen appliance that promises to be a game-changer for your cooking experience. With its dinky size, it is perfect for those who have limited kitchen space or live in a flat or house where counter space is at a premium. It’s also ideal if you struggle carrying and moving larger models; at 2.7kg it’s the lightest option on our list. Despite its small size, it has eight programmes and is capable of performing various cooking tasks including slow cooking and baking.

Its size does limit its functionality somewhat though, and some users found that the rice cooking feature didn’t match their expectations and took longer than expected. However, in early 2022, Lakeland stated that the rice to water ratio in the instructions was incorrect and was to be updated; they recommend using one cup of rice to two cups of water instead.

Overall, customers who have used the Lakeland Mini Multi Cooker are impressed with its performance and ease of use for the price. The simple, straightforward display with clear controls makes it easy to use, even for those who are not confident in the kitchen. We think it’s ideal if you’re cooking for one or two people.

Read next: Want to upgrade your lunches? We've carefully selected the best sandwich toaster for delicious toasties every time

Price on writing: £119 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Wattage: 1600 watts | Capacity: 6L | Pre-sets: 25 | Cooking functions: Pressure cook (3 levels), slow cook (3 levels), brown (7 levels), simmer (3 levels), steam (3 levels), bake | Accessories included: Measuring cup, spatula, steam basket, trivet, recipe booklet | Dimensions: ‎ 28 x 30 x 30cm | Dishwasher safe: No

What we love

• Good value
• 25 one-touch cooking programs
• Includes a baby food mode
• Easy to use with straightforward controls

What to know

• Takes time to heat up and reach the right pressure
• Attached lid may make cleaning difficult

Our verdict

Another great value option that comes in at just over £100, the Tefal All-in-One CY505 Pressure Cooker has an impressive 25 pre-set, one-touch cooking programmes that can whip up a variety of culinary delights, whether you want to pressure cook, slow cook, simmer, steam, or more. What’s more, to make family life even easier it even has a ‘baby food’ mode which is ideal for parents. 

Many reviewers rave about how easy it is to use, with straightforward controls and preset cooking programs that make meal preparation a breeze. The stainless steel design is also a highlight, with users praising its durability. A few did report that it takes quite a bit of time to heat up and get to the right pressure, but most found that it’s a great time-saver in the kitchen. The biggest issues users seemed to face is with the lid; it’s attached to the pot which could make cleaning difficult and it tended to hold the smells of food. Overall though, this is a high-quality and reliable pressure cooker that can simplify meal preparation and save time in the kitchen.