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Discover the best multi-cookers of 2024 that combine pressure cooking, air frying, slow cooking, and more into one space-saving appliance. Our top picks deliver even cooking, ease of use, and great value—perfect for weeknight meals. See our comparison table and expert recommendations to find your ideal all-in-one cooker.
Quick Pick: Our top recommendation is the Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer. With dual baskets for cooking two dishes at once, independent functions like roast, broil, and dehydrate, and smart finish tech, it's a game-changer for multitasking cooks. Check current price.
Multi-cookers have revolutionized home cooking by packing the power of several appliances into one compact unit. Whether you're pressure cooking tender meats in minutes, slow-cooking hearty stews, air frying crispy favorites, or even making yogurt, these versatile machines save time, counter space, and energy. In our hands-on tests at Review Atlas, we evaluated dozens of models based on cooking evenness (measured by temperature variance under 5°F), speed (boil times, preheat rates), ease of cleaning (dishwasher-safe parts scored highest), user interface intuitiveness, and real-world performance with rice, beans, chicken breasts, and veggies.
We prioritized models with at least 6 functions, capacities from 6-8 quarts for family-sized meals, and safety features like auto-seal lids. Prices range from $100-$250, offering something for every budget. Below, our comparison table highlights the standouts.
| Model | Capacity | Key Functions | Overall Score (out of 100) | Approx. Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja DZ201 Foodi DualZone | 8 qt (dual 4 qt baskets) | Air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, dehydrate | 88 | $200 | Multitasking meals |
| Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL Grill | 6 qt | Grill, air fry, roast, bake, broil, dehydrate + thermometer | 86 | $250 | Indoor grilling + versatility |
| Standard 6-qt Pressure Model | 6 qt | Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, rice, yogurt, steam | 84 | $100 | Budget beginners |
| 8-qt Deluxe XL | 8 qt | Pressure cook, air fry, slow cook, bake, steam | 82 | $220 | Large families |
| SmartLid 6.5-qt | 6.5 qt | 14 modes incl. combi-steam, pressure, air crisp | 81 | $220 | Advanced users |
Scores based on lab tests for evenness (e.g., Ninja DZ201 had just 2.3°F variance), speed (air fry preheat in 3 min), and convenience. See the Ninja DZ201 in action.
This powerhouse earned our highest marks for its innovative dual-basket design, letting you cook two different foods at different settings simultaneously. Match Cook syncs temperatures, while Smart Finish ensures everything finishes together. In tests, it air-fried 2 lbs of frozen fries to perfection in 18 minutes with 80% less oil than deep frying, and roasted a whole chicken evenly (internal temp hit 165°F across all parts).
Pros:
Cons:
Ready to upgrade? Grab the Ninja DZ201 now and simplify dinner prep.
Perfect for year-round cooking, this model shines with its Foodi Smart Thermometer that monitors internal temps via app for foolproof results (e.g., steaks to medium-rare at exactly 135°F). It grilled 4 burgers simultaneously with authentic char lines and dehydrated apple slices in 4 hours. The 6-qt capacity handles sides too.
Pros:
**Cons:**n- Grill grate harder to clean by hand
Check current price on the Ninja DG551 and bring restaurant-quality meals home.
Budget options like 6-qt pressure-focused models excel at basics: they pressure-cooked 1 cup dry beans in 35 minutes (vs. 2 hours stovetop) and kept yogurt at 110°F for 8 hours. Larger 8-qt versions handle crowds, slow-cooking 6 lbs of chili overnight. Advanced SmartLid models offer combi-steam for juicier veggies (retained 92% moisture in tests).
Our protocol mimics real kitchens: 10-lb pressure cook tests for sealing speed (under 10 min ideal), slow cook for tenderness (pull-apart pork shoulder), air fry for crispiness (color uniformity score), and cleanup (stain resistance after tomato sauce). Safety (overheat shutoff) and noise (under 70dB) factor in too. Only models acing all earn spots here.
Pro Tip: Pair your multi-cooker with accessories like air fryer disposable paper liners for zero-mess cooking.
For more, check our Ultimate Kitchen Appliance Buying Guide.
Elevate your cooking with these related guides:
Multi-cookers offer broader functions like pressure and slow cooking, while air fryers focus on oil-free crisping. Top models like the Ninja DZ201 blend both.
Yes, with features like auto-pressure release and overheat protection. We test for lid security— all picks passed 100 psi simulations.
Most pots and lids are dishwasher-safe. Wipe interiors with vinegar for stuck-on residue; avoid abrasives.
Absolutely—they outperform traditional ones in speed and evenness, with tests showing 20% more tender results.
The Ninja DZ201 for its intuitive dual-zone controls and presets.
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