Equipment Review: Best Stovetop Pressure Cookers & Our Testing Winner and Best Buy

A pressure cooker is a modern kitchen's best-kept secret. America's Test Kitchen testing senior editor Lisa McManus explains what to look for when buying a pressure cooker, and reveals which models performed best in our testings.

We tested 8 stovetop pressure cookers to find the best one:
Fissler Vitaquick 8½-Quart Pressure Cooker
Fagor Duo 8-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
Presto 8-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
Tramontina 8-Quart Heavy-Duty Pressure Cooker
Kuhn Rikon Duromatic 8½-Quart Stockpot Pressure Cooker
Fagor Futuro 6-Quart Pressure Cooker
Magefesa Practika Plus Stainless Steel 8-Quart Super Fast Pressure Cooker
WMF Perfect Plus 8½-Quart Pressure Cooker

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Follow us:

I always check with America's Test Kitchen every time I contemplate buying anything for the kitchen . I have never gone wrong yet.

[Matt]

Why cant all product review videos be like this one? Just straight to the point! Well done

[simon]

Short, sharp, to the point. In four minutes I have everything I need to know about pressure cookers.

[bobbulat]

I got myself a Fissler pressure cooker about 4 years ago. The best cooking appliance in my kitchen by a mile

[c_farther]

Fagor isn't what it used to be, sent mine back and got a Presto. Oh my gosh, I am so happy with it. Got the latest one. Customer support was really excellent when I had a question and you can get parts easily. I love the 6 quart, always had the 8 quart but the 6 quart is nice and straight and handles everything I used to put in the 8 quart. p.s. I always spray in the inside before I use it and after it is washed, I put a little olive oil on a paper towel and wipe it shiny. I just needed to share that for some reason.

[TheIkaika]

I love my Kuhn Rikon 7.4 qt pressure cooker. Best pressure cookers on the market and mine is still going strong after 11 years.

[pqvywv]

Still using, and loving my Fissler Vitaquick for 10 years! Great investment.

[jasoncarrie-annbreitkreuz]

Works awesome ... I use it to make beans (pre-soak over night to cook on high for 10 minutes then heat off natural release for 20 minutes)

[allaci]

WOW, no bs, straight to the point, really useful and time saving video, got yourself a subscriber.

[seikibrian]

So, based on ATK's advice, I bought the "Best Buy" Fagor Duo 8-quart when it went on sale for less than $100. I picked it up today, and I can hardly wait to start using it. A quick function test showed everything to be working correctly, and just about fool-proof to operate. I didn't see (or I forgot) that it includes a steamer basket and "trivet" to raise the basket above the water, and I suspect I'll be using that as often as anything else. Thanks ATK.

[c_farther]

I trust this lady; I've taken her advice before. She knows what she is doing and a professional. Wish I would have watched this before. I bought the anotized steel that is suppose to be stick free, but nope, it's not. It was easier to wash my mom's old aluminum and no soaking.

[jeannetteawida]

I got my 6 quart pressure cooker from London drugs and ended up buying the 8 quart as well.The 6 quart was 69.99 but I got it on sale for 49.99.They are the best I have used so far.

[Flexin]

Got the fissler and what a difference over the instant pot!

[markfrank]

Thank you for the review. I was looking to buy one and knew I did not want it occupying the counter full time. I also wanted to use the pot for general non-pressure cooking. I settled on the Fissler which you mentioned came in number one in your test. I so much appreciate the no-nonsense review and element of science used in discussing the importance of achieving and maintaining pressure. This is the third product I've purchased based on your testing, in each case, I have been pleased with my (our) purchase decision. Thank you for the invaluable service. I'm a devoted admirer and would not consider buying something that was not on your list.

[malie]

Six weeks ago I purchased the Duo Fagor pressure cooker based on ATK's recommendation. Got the 10 quart so I have the option of some light canning. Absolutely no regrets other than "why haven't I gotten this sooner?!" ;)

[papapap]

Fagor shut down and the best buy now links to presto. Not sure if amazon is randomly suggesting an alternative or if atk updated the link. Another comment says the new best buy is from Zavor, a rebrand of Fagor.

[rr]

The best pressure cookers are sold in Indian grocery stores and on Amazon. It's called "Prestige" and made of pure heavy stainless steel. I bought myn for $40. It makes "whistling" noises each time pressure is let out. Each dish has a specific number of these "whistles" before you turn off the stove. It is super handy and the quality is fantastic.

[DooWopsU]

My go to press cooker is a Magefesa had it over 35 years and works flawless and also appears
as the safest sealing method in the industry. I tried the electric ones they dont appeal to me.

[ellenbritto]

Thanks for putting so much effort into this video and all the experiments dine before!

[ashokamistic]

In Indian cooking there are many items that needs pressure cooker to be cooked.
Indian used pressure cooker in their kitchen on daily basis.
In this test they have not tested Indian cookers, they will be at the top of the list if tested. Like Hawkins 8L cooker can be used for life time no needs any experience to use.