Welcome to our Top 10 Best Multi-Cookers Under $100. We at TechChef have reviewed and compared a vast number of cheap multi-cookers. After deep analyzes we have picked the 10 which represent the best value for your money. We are constantly updating this page so you can always find the best bang for your buck. To every product on this list there is a full in-depth review which will give you more information and details about that specific smart-cooker, just click “Read Review”, right above the Rating.
Average Features
Most multi-cookers under this budget already include a wide set of interesting features. The most important to take into consideration are:
- Preset cooking modes, which allow you to quickly start cooking a meal with just the press of a button, great for beginners. The most common functions are: slow-cooking, brown / sauté, steam, rice cooking and warmer. The vast majority of products on our under $100 list feature many more.
- Adjustable settings. It is normal for products within this price range to feature adjustable temperature and time. And although some even have adjustable pressure, a few have very disfunctional settings. We only picked multi-cookers which have adjustable settings.
- Delayed Cooking. A function that allows you to program the time it starts automatically cooking.
- Automatic Warmer. A function that automatically turns on once its finished cooking. Thus, preventing the food from getting cold and ensuring it is always warm and ready for eating. Most on our list include this.
- 700W to 1200W Heating Elements. A heating element converts electricity into heat, it’s what produces the hot temperature the specific meal requires. The average watts for under $100 smart-cookers is somewhere between 700 to 1200W. However, some have more powerful heating elements.
Average Design & Material
There are mainly five types of materials used to build these multi-cookers, and these are:
- ABS Plastic. A lightweight and medium-strenght material. Cheap to produce and is used regularly in the control panel and some accessories.
- Stainless Steel. A strong and anti-corrosion material. It’s very durable and ideal for these kind of kitchen appliances.
- Aluminium / Aluminium Alloy. Strong and flexible. «
- Ceramic. Strong and durable, great for preserving flavours. It is a non-metallic material, a good choice for inner pots.
- Copper. Resistant and very high termal.
You’ll find a big diversity of materials in this list, we have only picked durable products with an average lifespan of 3+ years.
Average Ease of Use
Pratically all the listed products come with instruction manuals and we even included the .pdf downloads (of the product manual) in some reviews to better help you. In this list you will find smart-cookers ideal for beginners and others that are more suitable for non-first-time users. All of them are dishwasher-safe so therefore easy to clean. Most have smart functions, great for beginners, that allow them to start cooking with just the push of a button.
If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment on the respective review’ page.
10Gourmia GMC780
Gourmia GMC780
Gourmia GMC780 is for those who prioritize feature versatility. It features 18 cooking modes, which give you a wide range of meals you can cook, including chocolate, stir-fry, pizza, cake, meat & grill, among many other useful functions. It has a strong heating element with 1500W. However, there is a negative aspect about GMC780, it is not a product to be used on a daily basis. Why? It’s not durable. If you use it daily, even with a proper maintenance, it won’t last more then a year. On the other hand, if you only need a multi-cooker to use ocasionally, it will do the job perfectly.
Amazon.ca - Feature-Rich.
- Extra Accessories.
- 1500W Heating Element.
- Durability.
- Shallow inner pot.
- Ease of Use.
9Magic Mill 5-in-1
Magic Mill 5-in-1
Magic Mill is mainly a slow-cooker. It does have 4 other functions but they don’t perform as great as slow-cooking or brown & sauté. In fact, the steam function should be avoided. Despite this, it is a durable product that will surely last more then 3 years and is simple to use. The inner pot has a 6qt capacity thus being able to serve a small family easily. If you are looking for a slow-cooker that also browns, you will be very pleased with Magic Mill; don’t buy it for its steaming feature. Besides all this, it is also easy to carry around, a good fit for travelling, especially in a caravan.
- Slow-Cooking.
- Durability.
- Ease of Use.
- Handle on the lid is bare metal (gets hot).
- Price.
8Aroma ARC 232
Aroma ARC 232
Aroma RC 232 is the best fit for travellers and holidays. If you like to camp, own a caravan or travelling the world ARC 232 is a great multi-cooker to have. Besides being lightweight and small – 8.5 x 7.5 inches (21.6 x 19.1 cm) – it covers all the important food preparations you will need to have on the go (white and brown rice, pasta, omelette, oatmeal and soup). The inner pot has a 5-cup capacity, great for 1 to 3 people. After preparing the meal it will automatically switch on the Keep-Warm function, ensuring your food doesn’t get cold.
| Price history for Aroma ARC-232 Multicooker, Black | |
|---|---|
Latest updates:
|
|
- 6 meals.
- Portable design.
- 200W Heating Element.
- Plastic handle.
- No settings.
7Crock-Pot 5-in-1
Crock-Pot 5-in-1
Crock-Pot 5-in-1 is one of everyone’s favorite- the famous Crock-Pot. It is one of the most recognized multi-use cookers in the market and widely popular in small to medium households. It serves an average of 5 people and is capable of preparing a wide set of meals such as Mac N Cheese, Meatballs, Beef & Broccoli, Beef Stew, Pork Chops, Soup, among many other recipes. It’s easy to clean and is made of stainless steel (therefore durable). The slow-cooking feature is not the best on this list but gets the job done. It replaces 5 kitchen appliances.
| Price history for Crock-Pot 6-Quart 5-in-1 Multi-Cooker with Non-Stick Inner Pot, Stainless Steel | |
|---|---|
Latest updates:
|
|
- One Appliance, 5 ways to cook.
- Capacity to serve an average of 7 people.
- Digital LCD is intuitive and simple.
- Dishwasher-safe inner pot, rack, and glass lid.
- Stainless Steel.
- Slow Cooking feature is not as efficient as other same price multicookers.
- Panel buttons have a small gap around them that can accumulate grime over time.
- Price Tag is a bit high.
6NutriChef PKPC35
NutriChef PKPC35
NutriChef PKPC35 is a versatile multi-cooker made for the long-run. It combines a wide range of cooking modes, an intuitive control panel with LCD display and a great design. It can prepare pratically any kind of dish, incluing “Sous Vide”. It can even make yogurt. PKPC35 makes use of a powerful 1500W heating element, an above average heating element if we consider other same-price smart-cookers. You can choose from 9 cooking functions and adjust the time and temperature according to the recipe. Unfortunately, a minor negative aspect of this product is the absence of a recipe book. However, there are some NutriChef recipes online for you to try, including Chicken Tortilla Soup and Pork Pozole.
| Price history for NutriChef PKPC35 Preset Cooking Functions with Sous Vide Mode Digital Multi-Cooker, Medium, Silver | |
|---|---|
Latest updates:
|
|
- Ideal for “Sous Vide” cooking.
- Great design & material.
- 1500W Heating Element.
- No recipe book.
5T-fal RK705851
T-fal RK705851
T-fal RK705851 specializes in cooking rice but also performs greatly in a wide variety of different tasks. In fact, it has 10 automatic functions that include soup, grains, oatmeal, slow-cook, among others. The “Keep Warm” function will automatically turn-on after it’s done cooking, ensuring the food remains warm. Its inner pot has a 5L (1o cup) capacity and is very well built, with 5 2.0mm thickness layers and a ceramic coating. It’s a very popular product among families with younger children as it can quickly prepare soups, oatmeals, yogurt and baby food.
| Price history for T-fal RK705851 10-In-1 Rice and Multicooker with 10 Automatic Functions and Delayed Timer, 10-Cup, White | |
|---|---|
Latest updates:
|
|
- 10 Automatic Cooking Programs.
- Ceramic coating inner pot.
- Price.
- 600W heating element.
4Instant Pot Duo Mini
Instant Pot Duo Mini
Instant Pot Duo Mini is manufactured by America’s most famous multi-cooker company Instant Pot. It is a highly reliable product that excels in features (11 smart programs), durability (stainless steel) and price. It is one of the very few kitchen appliances that has earned the “Best Price” here on TechChef. It is designed with 10 certified safety measures, a great fit for first-time owners. The inner pot has a 3qt capacity, therefore it’s not suitable for large families, it’s great however for single-person households and offices. We highly recommend this product.
| Price history for Instant Pot Duo Mini 3 Qt 7-in-1 Multi- Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer | |
|---|---|
Latest updates:
|
|
- 7-in-1.
- 10 Safety Features.
- Stainless Steel.
- Best Price.
- A bit of a Learning Curve.
3Instant Pot Duo60
Instant Pot Duo60
Instant Pot Duo60 is one of the most bought multi-cookers ever in the market. It has been a must-have in american and european households since its release. It is one of the most recent product releases by the renowned brand Instant Pot. There’s almost nothing it can’t facilitate with 14 smart programs(1) made to make your life easier. It is designed around 10 UL certified safety measures that truly enhance the cooking experience. It comes with a wide variety of extra accessories and a free app with over 300 delicious recipes. The inner pot is built with stainless steel and Duo60 overall is built to last many years. It’s available in different sizes, pick the one which best fits your needs (3qt, 6qt or 8qt).
(1): Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Sauté/Searing, Steam, Rice, Porridge, Multigrain, Slow Cook, Keep-Warm, Yogurt, Pasteurize & Pressure Cook.
| Price history for Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer (Packaging May Vary) | |
|---|---|
Latest updates:
|
|
- 7 Ways to Cook.
- 14 Smart Programs.
- 10 Safety Features.
- 1000W Heating Element.
- Stainless Steel.
- Great Price.
- A bit of a Learning Curve.
2Cosori 6 Premium
Cosori 6 Premium
Cosori 6 Premium is Instant Pot’s main competitor and in some ways a slight improvement. Cosori 6 is the most versatile multi-cooker under $100, it has 17 smart programs(1), start cooking a wide range of different meals with a quick click. Adjust temperature (6 pressure levels), time and temperature and prep the meal according to the recipe requirements (or adapt to your own cooking knowledge). It includes a wide set of useful accessories and a free app with +300 amazing recipes. It is also ETL, CETL and FDA Approved thanks to 10 safety measures. Cosori 6 will last for years to come due to its well designed and manufactured structure. The inner pot is made of stainless steel and is available in two different sizes: 6qt and 8qt. TechChef highly recommends this product if you love Instant Pot but want even more smart programs. It is also slightly cheaper since Cosori brand isn’t as big in the market yet.
(1): Soup, Meat/Stew, Beans/Chili, Poultry, Sauté/Searing, White Rice, Brown Rice, Steam Vegetables, Steam Potatoes, Multigrain, Slow Cook, Keep-Warm, Yogurt, Pasteurize, Pressure Cook, Reheat, Hot Pot and Pasta/Boil.
| Price history for COSORI 6 Qt Premium 8-in-1 Programmable Multi-Cooker (Pressure Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Warmer, Etc.), 1000W, Includes Glass Lid, Sealing Ring and Recipe Book | |
|---|---|
Latest updates:
|
|
- 8-in-1.
- 17 Smart Programs.
- 10 Safety Features.
- Includes Tempered Glass Lid.
- Amazing Price.
- Learning curve.
- A bit noisy.
1GoWISE USA GW22703 / GW22700
GoWISE USA GW22703 / GW22700
GoWISE USA GW22703 and GW22700 are the latest additions to the smart-cooker market. They include all the latest tecnhology combined with a perfect design. It rightfully deserves our number one spot, although Instant Pot Duo60 and Cosori 6 Premium are also great alternatives, it is hard to pick one from the three. But why did we pick these two GoWISE USA multi-cookers? Mainly because if we balance the positive and negative aspects, the quality~price ratio outranks the other items on this list.
Very versatile with 12 cooking presets (smart programs)(1), dual lock safety system, pressure release, adjustable settings and 7 safety mechanisms. The inner pot is made of aluminum alloy and ceramic coating, it is available in 3 different sizes: 6qt, 8qt and 10qt.
(1): Rice/Risotto, Multigrain, Porridge, Meat/Stew, Poultry, Seafood, Veggies, Bean/Chili, Canning, Yogurt, Egg Maker, and Steam.
NOTE: It’s important to highlight the Top3 products on this list are very similiar in terms of quality, there is no going wrong with any of them. Everything comes down to personal preference and budget. We picked GoWISE USA because they do pratically everything what Instant Pot and Cosori products do, but for a slightly more affordable price.
- 12 Cooking Presets.
- Durability.
- Dual Lock Safety System.
- Pressure Release Button.
- Adjustable Settings.
- 7+ built-in Safety Mechanisms.
- Price.
- No recipe book.