6 Best Automatic Pressure Cookers to Buy in 2026

The Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 stands out as a robust and versatile contender in the automatic pressure cooker market, designed for those seeking expanded functionality beyond the basics. Its 10 cooking programs cover everything from standard pressure and slow cooking to less common tasks like sous vide, sterilizing, and even baking cakes, offering a comprehensive suite for diverse culinary exploration. A key highlight is the upgraded gentle steam release switch, featuring a diffusing cover that significantly reduces noise and prevents splashing, directly addressing a common user frustration with older models. This thoughtful design makes venting pressure a far less jarring experience in the kitchen.

Performance is solid, catering well to busy families or those who prepare meals in advance, thanks to its 6-quart capacity suitable for up to 8 servings. The ability to pressure cook meals up to 70% faster than traditional methods is a major time-saver, while the slow cook function excels for classic comfort food recipes. The inner pot’s tri-ply bottom ensures even heating for effective sautéing and overall consistent cooking results across its many functions. While it handles most tasks admirably, users looking for hyper-specific presets might find the included 28 programs sufficient but not exhaustive compared to some competitors.

Positioned as a premium step up from base models like the Instant Pot Duo, the Instant Pot Pro adds valuable capabilities such as sous vide and a more refined steam release mechanism. While it doesn’t boast the cutting-edge smart features or built-in scale of the CHEF iQ, it offers a substantial increase in functionality and user-friendly design improvements over simpler units. This makes it an ideal choice for the home cook ready to explore more advanced techniques and handle larger batches, providing a strong balance of features and performance.

For those just beginning their journey with automatic pressure cookers, the COSORI 6 qt offers a welcoming and safety-conscious entry point. A standout feature is the safer venting design, which positions the steam release button away from the valve and angles the steam 30° backward, significantly reducing the risk of accidental burns—a thoughtful touch for novices. The easy lid locking mechanism further simplifies operation, ensuring the unit is properly sealed before cooking begins, removing guesswork from a critical safety step.

With a standard 6-quart capacity and 1100W power, this cooker is well-suited for preparing everyday meals for a typical family. The ceramic, hard, nonstick coating on the inner pot is a major advantage for easy cleanup, particularly when cooking sticky foods like oatmeal or rice, and the anti-spin design keeps the pot stable during sautéing. The real-time progress bar on the display provides at-a-glance monitoring, adding another layer of user-friendliness. While it includes 9 core functions, the number of explicit presets is less extensive than some multi-functional rivals.

Comparing it to the Instant Pot Duo, the COSORI emphasizes enhanced safety features specifically targeting new users, such as its unique venting system, which is arguably more intuitive than Instant Pot’s traditional valve. Unlike models focusing on maximum presets like the Midea, the COSORI prioritizes core functionality with a focus on ease of use and safety. Its ceramic nonstick pot offers a different user experience than the stainless steel found in most competitors, appealing to those who prioritize effortless cleanup. It’s a solid, reliable choice for beginners prioritizing safety and simplicity.

The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 is a foundational model in the automatic pressure cooker category, earning its reputation as a budget-friendly powerhouse and reliable kitchen staple. It consolidates seven common kitchen appliances into one, offering essential functions like pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, and sautéing with straightforward ease. The 13 customizable Smart Programs provide convenient one-touch cooking for popular dishes, making it incredibly accessible for daily use without overwhelming complexity.

Performance is consistently solid for its core functions. The 6-quart capacity is perfect for cooking for up to 6 people, making it suitable for most families. The food-grade stainless-steel inner pot with a tri-ply bottom ensures even heating and durability, excelling at tasks like searing meats before pressure cooking. It delivers on the promise of cooking meals up to 70% faster than conventional methods, a significant benefit for busy weeknights. Cleanup is also simplified with fingerprint-resistant stainless steel sides and dishwasher-safe components.

While it provides a reliable set of core functions, the Instant Pot Duo is less feature-rich than more advanced models like the Instant Pot Pro or CHEF iQ. It lacks functions like sous vide or sterilizing (though the title mentions sterilizer, the feature list doesn’t explicitly confirm it as a program) and doesn’t include smart features like a built-in scale or auto pressure release found in premium units. However, its proven track record, intuitive interface, and essential versatility make it an excellent value proposition for those seeking a dependable, no-frills automatic pressure cooker that handles the most common tasks effectively.

Seeking a single appliance to conquer diverse cooking tasks? The Midea 12-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker positions itself as the best for versatility, boasting an impressive array of cooking modes designed to replace multiple kitchen gadgets. With 12 preset functions covering everything from standard pressure cooking and sautéing to specialized programs for oatmeal, soup, rice, bean chili, and yogurt, it offers extensive options for varied meal preparation. This wide range of functions makes it a compelling all-in-one solution for adventurous home cooks.

The cooker features a durable stainless steel inner pot known for promoting even heating and being easy to clean, ensuring consistent results across its many programs. Its 6-quart capacity is well-suited for preparing meals for up to 6 people, fitting the needs of average-sized families. The inclusion of the REALSAFE SYSTEM, a comprehensive 9-in-1 safety protection suite including automatic pressure and temperature control, provides significant peace of mind during operation. It effectively speeds up cooking time, delivering meals up to 70% faster than traditional methods.

Compared to the Instant Pot Duo, the Midea offers a significantly broader range of specific cooking presets, making it more adaptable for various recipes straight out of the box. While it doesn’t reach the 16 presets of the COMFEE’ 8 Quart or offer the advanced smart connectivity of the CHEF iQ, it provides a strong balance of versatility and capacity at a competitive standing within the 6-quart segment. It’s an excellent choice for users who want a wide selection of cooking programs in a standard size without venturing into high-end smart features.

Stepping into the future of kitchen tech, the CHEF iQ Smart Pressure Cooker stands out as the best overall automatic pressure cooker for those who value precision, convenience, and smart features. Its integrated built-in scale allows you to measure ingredients directly in the pot, simplifying prep and ensuring accuracy, while smart sensors calculate the exact liquid needed for perfect results. The automatic pressure release function, offering quick, pulse, or natural options selected via the app or cooker, eliminates the need for manual venting, significantly enhancing safety and ease of use.

Performance is top-tier, supported by deep integration with the CHEF iQ App. This grants access to over 600 guided recipes with step-by-step video instructions and allows you to control and monitor the cooker remotely. The Cooking Calculator provides precise parameters for virtually any ingredient, leveraging over 1000 presets. The 6-quart capacity is standard for family meals, and the ability to receive wireless firmware updates means the cooker continuously improves its cooking algorithms and gains new features over time, a unique benefit in this category.

Positioned at the premium end, the CHEF iQ differentiates itself dramatically from models like the Instant Pot Pro or Midea by incorporating features like the scale and auto release that are absent in traditional multi-cookers. While it shares 10-in-1 functionality with the Instant Pot Pro, its focus is on a highly connected, guided, and automated cooking experience rather than just offering multiple manual modes. It’s the ideal appliance for tech-savvy food enthusiasts who seek unparalleled precision, convenience, and a constantly evolving cooking assistant, justifying its higher investment.

Feeding a crowd just got easier with the COMFEE’ 8 Quart Pressure Cooker, specifically designed as the best automatic pressure cooker for family size. Its generous 8-quart capacity is a significant step up from the standard 6-quart models, making it ideal for cooking large batches for big families, entertaining guests, or efficient meal prepping. This larger size comfortably handles enough food for 6-8 people or yields up to 20 cups of cooked rice.

Beyond its impressive volume, the COMFEE’ offers extensive versatility with 16 programmable preset functions. This wide selection covers a broad range of dishes, from various meats and stews to beans, oatmeal, and yogurt, allowing users to tackle diverse recipes with dedicated settings. The healthy ceramic-coated inner pot provides a non-stick surface for effortless cooking and cleanup, a welcome alternative to stainless steel for many users, while also being durable and non-toxic. Advanced safety features, including lid lock and automatic pressure control, ensure secure operation.

Compared to 6-quart models like the Midea 12-in-1 or Instant Pot Pro, the COMFEE’ primarily competes on its larger capacity and even greater number of specific cooking presets (16 vs 12 or 10). While it lacks the smart connectivity and precision features of the CHEF iQ, it excels in providing ample space and numerous cooking options for high-volume needs. This makes it the top recommendation for users whose main priority is cooking large quantities of food with the convenience of many predefined settings, offering substantial value for its size and functionality.