6 Best Smart Cookers to Buy in 2026

Unleash your inner chef with the Instant Pot Pro Plus, a truly connected cooking powerhouse designed to elevate your kitchen game. This 10-in-1 multi-cooker transcends basic functionality, integrating Wi-Fi connectivity to put control and a vast library of over 1900 smart recipes right at your fingertips via the Instant Brands Connect app. Its premium cookware-grade inner pot with Stay-Cool Silicone Handles is a standout feature, offering the unique ability to move seamlessly from the cooker base to your stovetop for enhanced searing and finishing.

Performance is where the Instant Pot Pro Plus truly shines, boasting 20% higher power than many competitors for quicker pre-heating and superior sauté/sear results. The intuitive touch control panel and one-touch steam release button simplify operation, while the app connectivity allows for stress-free steam release remotely. With a 6-quart capacity, it comfortably serves up to 6 people, making it ideal for family dinners and meal prepping. Its robust suite of safety features provides peace of mind during use.

Compared to the more budget-friendly Instant Pot Duo, the Pro Plus justifies its position with enhanced power, Wi-Fi capabilities, and the versatile stovetop-compatible inner pot. While the CHEF iQ Smart Cooker offers a built-in scale and even more guided recipes, the Instant Pot Pro Plus focuses on superior build quality and cooking performance, particularly for searing. This model is perfect for the modern home cook who values connectivity, versatility, and high-quality construction over sheer number of niche smart features.

The Instant Pot Duo remains a legend in multi-cooking, offering 7-in-1 functionality that simplifies countless kitchen tasks. This model delivers the core Instant Pot experience: pressure cooking up to 70% faster or slow cooking traditional favorites, all within a single pot. Its 13 customizable Smart Programs provide quick, one-touch access to cooking modes for everything from ribs to yogurt, making complex meals approachable for busy households.

Built with a food-grade stainless-steel inner pot featuring a tri-ply bottom for even heating, the Instant Pot Duo performs reliably across its various functions. The 6-quart size is great for growing families or preparing batches for singles, comfortably cooking for up to 6 people. Cleanup is straightforward thanks to finger-print resistant stainless steel sides and dishwasher-safe components. Over 10 built-in safety features ensure secure operation, a crucial aspect for pressure cooking.

While it lacks the Wi-Fi connectivity and premium inner pot of the Instant Pot Pro Plus, the Duo excels in delivering essential multi-cooker performance at a more accessible point. It offers more versatility than dedicated rice cookers like the Buffalo or Aroma models, which focus primarily on grains. The Instant Pot Duo is the ideal choice for value-conscious cooks seeking a reliable, do-it-all appliance without needing advanced smart features or stovetop versatility.

For serious rice aficionados, the Buffalo Titanium Grey IH SMART COOKER presents a compelling, albeit specialized, option. This unit focuses intently on perfecting rice cooking using Induction Heating (IH) technology, which provides precise and even heat distribution for superior grain texture and flavor. Its micro intelligent controller automatically adjusts settings based on rice quantity, ensuring optimal cooking conditions every time while preserving natural nutrition.

The Buffalo cooker stands out with its unique non-coating Buffalo Clad inner pot, renowned for its resistance to oxidation and durability, backed by a lifetime warranty. This contrasts sharply with the coated pots common in many multi-cookers. With a 1.8L capacity, it handles up to 10 cups of uncooked rice, suitable for large families or gatherings. The full IMD touch control panel offers 11 distinct cooking functions, extending its utility beyond just rice to functions like stewing.

Unlike general multi-cookers like the Instant Pot models, this Buffalo unit is a specialist, prioritizing unparalleled rice quality and a premium, non-coated pot. It offers more functions and a larger capacity than the portable CHACEEF Mini Rice Cooker. While it doesn’t boast the broad multi-cooking modes or smart app connectivity of the Instant Pot or CHEF iQ, its IH technology and lifetime-warrantied inner pot make it the definitive choice for those who demand the best possible rice.

The Aroma Housewares AROMA® Professional 20-Cup (Cooked) / 5Qt. Digital Rice Cooker, Steamer, and Slow Cooker Pot with 10 Smart Cooking Modes, Including Sauté-then-Simmer® is designed with large families and entertaining in mind, offering a substantial 5-quart capacity capable of yielding up to 20 cups of cooked rice. Its 10 smart cooking modes cover essential functions like rice, grains, soup, and slow cooking, providing versatility beyond simple rice preparation. The inclusion of Aroma’s unique Sauté-then-Simmer (STS) technology allows for convenient one-pot meal creation, enabling users to sear ingredients before automatically transitioning to simmering.

Practical features enhance usability, such as the 15-hour delay timer for flexible meal scheduling and a programmable slow cooker function that runs up to 10 hours. The removable steam tray adds steaming capability, expanding cooking options. Cleanup is simplified with dishwasher-safe components, including the inner pot and steam vent, and a smooth, non-stick coating prevents food from adhering. Its large size makes it a central appliance for batch cooking.

Compared to the specialized Buffalo IH cooker, the Aroma offers broader functionality (including slow cooking and sautéing) at a significantly more accessible point, though it may not match the Buffalo’s ultimate rice quality or premium pot construction. While it lacks the pressure cooking speed of the Instant Pot Duo, its large capacity and Sauté-then-Simmer feature set it apart for bulk cooking and streamlined one-pot meals. This is the go-to for large households needing a versatile, high-capacity cooker focused on grains and slow cooking.

The CHACEEF Mini Rice Cooker is the ultimate solution for compact living spaces, travel, or single servings, prioritizing portability and simplicity. With a tiny 1.2L capacity, it cooks just 2 cups of uncooked rice, perfectly sized for 1-3 people. Its ultra-portable dimensions make it incredibly easy to store or pack, serving as a dorm room essential or a convenient travel companion.

Despite its small size, this mini cooker offers smart control with 6 cooking functions including white rice, brown rice, porridge, and stew, providing surprising versatility. The 24-hour delay start timer adds convenience, allowing meals to be ready precisely when needed, while the automatic keep-warm function maintains serving temperature. A non-stick inner pot and detachable inner lid ensure easy cleaning, and a one-touch opening lid enhances user-friendliness.

Unlike the large-capacity Aroma or the multi-functional Instant Pot models, the CHACEEF Mini is purpose-built for small-scale cooking and portability. It doesn’t offer the advanced features or speed of larger smart cookers but excels at its core task: providing perfectly cooked small portions of rice and grains on the go. This is the ideal choice for students, solo individuals, travelers, or anyone with limited kitchen space who needs a reliable, simple, and exceptionally portable smart cooker.

The CHEF iQ Smart Pressure Cooker is a technologically advanced kitchen companion designed for the modern foodie seeking precision and guidance. Its headline feature is the integrated built-in scale, allowing users to measure ingredients directly in the pot for simplified prep and cleanup – a genuinely innovative addition. Connecting via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to the CHEF iQ App unlocks access to over 600 guided cooking recipes with step-by-step video instructions, pushing the boundaries of what a multi-cooker can do.

Performance is bolstered by smart sensors that accurately measure ingredients and liquid, ensuring optimal cooking parameters. The automatic pressure release offers enhanced safety and convenience with multiple release methods. With over 1000 presets stored on the cooker and more in the app’s Cooking Calculator, finding precise settings for various ingredients is effortless. The 6-quart capacity is suitable for family-sized meals, and included accessories like the steam rack and basket add further utility. Wireless firmware updates mean the cooker continuously improves over time.

Compared to the Instant Pot Pro Plus, the CHEF iQ distinguishes itself with the built-in scale, extensive guided recipes, and continuous feature updates. While the Instant Pot Pro Plus offers a unique stovetop-safe pot and high searing power, the CHEF iQ focuses on precision, automation, and interactive cooking experiences. This model is best suited for tech-savvy home cooks who appreciate innovative features, precise measurements, and a wealth of guided content to explore new culinary horizons.