Best-Rated Multi-Cookers

See Our Ratings Methodology.

Best-Rated Multi-Cooker 2023

Most Satisfied Customers | Philips & Crock Pot

Philips and Crock Pot were both rated best by Aussie consumers in Canstar Blue’s latest multi-cooker ratings. Philips earned five stars for ease of use, value for money, performance and overall satisfaction, while Crock Pot received five stars for ease of cleaning, performance, features & functionality and overall satisfaction.

Fact Checked Fact Checked

How we rate multi-cookers

Stewing over what to make for dinner? The multi-cooker might be the most helpful sous-chef to have in your kitchen, armed with all the tools of a slow cookerpressure cookerair fryer, electric frying pan, steamer, and more. But what’s the best brand to buy and which should you put a lid on? Canstar Blue compared the top multi-cooker brands on the market to find out.


Canstar Blue surveyed 387 Australians for their feedback on the multi-cooker they have purchased in the last three years.

  • The outcomes reported in these ratings are measured via accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics.

Respondents rate their satisfaction with their multi-cooker brand(s) from zero to ten, where zero is extremely dissatisfied and ten is extremely satisfied. Brand satisfaction was rated by respondents on the following criteria:

  • Overall satisfaction: measures consumer satisfaction with a multi-cooker brand as an individual score NOT a combined total of all criteria.
  • Ease of use: the multi-cooker was simple to use and came with sufficient instructions.
  • Value for money: the price of the multi-cooker was reasonable given the quality of materials and longevity of the appliance.
  • Ease of cleaning: the multi-cooker was easy to clean (i.e. came with detachable parts that could be handwashed or placed in the dishwasher, was able to be cleaned with regular detergent ect.).
  • Design: the design of the multi-cooker was functional (i.e. not oversized, a see through lid, heat proof handles ect.) and aesthetically pleasing.
  • Performance: the multi-cooker was able to perform a variety of cooking functions (i.e. slow cooker, pressure cooker ect) and performed as expected without breaking down or malfunctioning .
  • Features & functionality: the multi-cooker had additional settings and features that improved its performance and functionality (i.e. timer, temperature gauge, keep warm setting ect.).

The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.

  • Overall satisfaction is asked as a specific question and represents an individual measure, not a combined total of all criteria.
  • When we cannot determine a clear winner from the criteria for the Overall satisfaction rating, we will then look at the other criteria measured in the rating.
    • The brand with the highest number of five-star ratings within the supporting criteria will become the five-star recipient in overall satisfaction, and thus win the award. If a clear leader still cannot be determined from the supporting criteria, joint winners will be declared.

Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included, so not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.

• Philips
• Crock Pot
• Breville
• Anko (Kmart)
• ALDI Ambiano

Philips and Crock Pot cooked up a win each, with Philips achieving five stars for ease of use, value for money, performance and overall satisfaction, and Crock Pot five stars for ease of cleaning, performance, features & functionality and overall satisfaction. Breville and Kmart shared a win for ease of use, with the former streaking ahead to also claim a win for design.

Find more detailed information on our ratings methodology.


 

Best multi-cooker brands in Australia

  1. Philips
  2. Crock Pot
  3. Breville
  4. Kmart
  5. ALDI Ambiano
  6. Other multi-cooker brands

Not sure which multi-cooker to buy? Check out our buying guide below.

1. Philips


Philips multi-cooker review

Ratings result

Philips earned five stars for ease of use, value for money, performance and overall satisfaction. It finished on four stars for ease of cleaning, design and features & functionality.

Editor’s notes

The Philips multi-cooker range is simple and straight to the point, much like the features it offers across the line-up. There are currently just two models available (at the time of writing) – the Philips All-In-One Cooker and Philips Viva Collection All-In-One Multi-Cooker.

The XXL All-In-One Cooker is the larger and more powerful of the two, offering an 8L capacity, 1500W worth of power, and 20 pre-set cooking programs. It boasts similar functions to the 6L Viva Collection multi-cooker, such as a keep-warm function for up to 12 hours, in addition to its slightly smaller 1300W output. The Viva multi-cooker also features seven pressure cooking modes, various protection systems, and a ProCeramic+ coating that’s five times more durable than a conventional non-stick coating, according to Philips.

Shop online now

2. Crock Pot


Ratings result

Crock Pot received five stars for ease of cleaning, performance, features & functionality and overall satisfaction. The brand finished on four stars for ease of use, value for money and design.

Editor’s notes

Crock Pot has a few multi-cookers to make mealtime low maintenance, and offers the models in either a 5.7 or 7.6 litre capacity. Each multi-cooker features an easy release lid, up to eight different cooking functions and up to 15 different one touch pre-set programs. Every multi-cooker from Crock Pot claims to be able to cook meals up to 70% faster than a regular pot, which means you can expect anything from veggie risotto to pulled pork in under 60 minutes. As you go up the price chain, prices increase, but they stay reasonable within the multi-cooking range – Crock Pot multi-cookers start at $179 and reach up to $244 for the latest model.

Shop online now

3. Breville


Breville multi-cooker review

Ratings result

Breville rated five stars for ease of use and design, and four stars for value for money, ease of cleaning, performance, features & functionality and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

Breville serves up several versatile electric cookers, with its slow cookers, rice cookers and steamers providing multiple pre-set programs in addition to the brand’s multi-cookers.

The Breville Multi Chef multi-cooker is among the brand’s most budget-friendly options, and includes pre-sets for creating risotto, sautéing, cooking rice, slow cooking and more. It has a 3.7L capacity and fits up to 10 cups of rice, plus contains a non-stick cooking bowl that can double as a serving bowl.

For more flexibility, Breville’s The Multi-Cooker 9-in-1 features 12 automatic programs, 11 cooking pre-sets, and in-built sensors to monitor and automatically control temperature. This comes with a 5L capacity and a similar 10-cup rice capacity.

Shop online now

4. Kmart


Ratings result

Kmart earned five stars for ease of use, and three stars in every other category, including value for money, ease of cleaning, design, performance, features & functionality and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

Kmart’s multi-cooker range (as of time of writing) is currently under some maintenance, with their main model, the 6L 8-in-1 Multicooker now on the clearance shelves. Instead, the budget brand has a 5.8L pressure cooker available, and a number of slow cookers, including a twin slow cooker, for individual meals.

The good news is that you can steam, sear and slow cook in a lot of pressure cookers and some slow cookers, meaning that the versatility of a multi-cooker isn’t out of reach, even if the physical product may be.

Shop online now

5. ALDI Ambiano


ALDI multi-cooker review

Ratings result

ALDI brand Ambiano rated three stars across the board. This included ease of use, value for money, ease of cleaning, design, performance, features & functionality and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

If you’re hoping to snag an affordable multi-cooker from ALDI, you better keep an eye on its Special Buys. Its models are available for a limited time − often sold under the brand name Ambiano, with a thermo cooker also occasionally on sale. These generally cost around $70.
One of the multi-cookers previously included in ALDI’s Special Buys is the 6L Ambiano Multi-Functional Pressure Cooker, which featured 15 pre-sets such as meat, stew, rice, yoghurt, and slow cooking. It also came with a 1000W power output and LCD display.

Shop online now

6. Other multi-cooker brands


Not all multi-cooker brands in the market qualify for our ratings (based on minimum survey sample size), but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth considering. Here are several more brands to check out before making a purchase decision.

  • Sunbeam
  • Russell Hobbs

  • Morphy Richards
  • Kogan

Compare more products featured in our Most Satisfied Customers Awards

Multi-cooker buying guide


What is a multi-cooker?

A multi-cooker is an all-in-one cooking appliance that comes with a variety of pre-set cooking modes such as sauté, sear, grill, slow cook, pressure cook, air fry, steam and bake. Some models can also create yoghurt, jam and porridge. Multi-cookers are also designed to cook food faster compared to other appliances, although cooking times will vary between modes and models.

Our survey revealed more than a third of consumers (38%) bought a multi-cooker to replace several other appliances, including electric frying pans, rice cookers and steamers.

How to choose the best multi-cooker for your kitchen

Multi-cookers come in all shapes and sizes, but often contain many of the same functions such as bake/roast, sear, steam, slow cook and pressure cook. Here are five factors to consider when picking the best model for your home:

  • Capacity: Most multi-cookers offer between six and eight litres of capacity, which is usually fine for two to four people. Although you may need to size up if you’re planning to regularly use it for pressure cooking or cooking an entire roast.
  • Pre-set modes: Common programs include slow cook, fry, steam, sear/sauté, grill and bake/roast. Pressure cook is another standard function, which can sometimes be adjusted to various settings (low, medium and high). Many models also include sous-vide and air fry.
  • Pre-programmed cooking times: Multi-cookers contain timers that may vary between appliances (especially if you’re air frying or baking), so you might spend your first couple of times experimenting with the settings.
  • Easy to clean: Many multi-cookers come with non-stick bowls and dishwasher-safe parts that are usually easy to clean. But cleaning can require a little more elbow grease than you may think, especially if you’ve used the pressure cooker mode (which involves wiping valves and seals). It can also involve taking apart multiple parts.
  • Safety features: Opt for a multi-cooker with multiple locking mechanisms to secure the locking lid, especially if you want to pressure cook. Certain models from Bellini and ALDI have previously been recalled after having a defective lid lock or exploding and causing burns.

Our survey found consumers spend an average of $183 on a new multi-cooker, proving you can still buy a fairly budget-friendly model and have your cooking needs satisfied.

Is a multi-cooker the same as a pressure cooker?

A multi-cooker is different from a pressure cooker because it’s designed to function as several types of benchtop kitchen appliances, such as a slow cooker, oven, steamer and air fryer. Meanwhile, pressure cookers are generally intended to be used one way – that is, as a sealed pot that builds steam pressure in order to cook food quickly.

Pressure cooking is a common pre-set in many multi-cookers. An additional lid is sometimes included with your multi-cooker, which features a steam release valve to let steam escape.

Is a multi-cooker worth it?

A multi-cooker is certainly worth purchasing, especially if you like to use different cooking methods and want to maximize storage space in your kitchen by having just one cooking appliance that does it all, instead of having to contend with multiple. What’s more, half of the people we surveyed (52%) said their multi-cooker made cooking easier and more convenient.

One in three consumers (27%) also admitted they have cooked more since making the purchase, with 33% believing the appliance has helped them achieve a deeper flavour compared to other cooking methods. Only 19% of survey respondents said they didn’t end up using their multi-cooker as much as they thought they would, while 13% wished they bought a different size.

Overall, multi-cookers can be a great addition to the kitchen and we hope our ratings can help you find the right one to satisfy your tummy (and wallet!).

 

Compare Slow Cookers

Meet our consumer experts


Megan Birot: Home & Lifestyle Editor

Megan Birot Canstar Blue Home & Lifestyle Editor

Megan is Canstar Blue’s Home & Lifestyle Editor, leading the team that focuses on consumer products and services, ranging from supermarkets and groceries to home and personal appliances and retail stores. She interprets Canstar Blue’s bespoke research on the thousands of brands that we compare, rate and review, to help shoppers make better purchasing decisions.

Meet the Editorial Team

Samantha Howse: Consumer Research Specialist

Sam Howse Research Specialist

Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.

Meet the Research Team

*Prices are taken from respective retailers and Appliances Online, correct as of April 2023.

Past ratings

Here are the past winners of Canstar Blue’s multi-cookers review:

  • 2022: Philips

 

Related Appliances Articles

Best cheap slow cookers

Cheap Slow Cooker Buying Guide

Nothing beats the feeling of coming home to a slow cooked winter warmer on a freezing winter’s day. Or perhaps the satisfaction of knowing it required minimal prep time, effort and supervision. You just chopped …

– Read more
What you can and can't cook in an air fryer

Air Fryer Cooking Tips: What you can cook in an air fryer

It’s no doubt that air fryers have taken the appliance and cooking worlds by storm. They’re a simple appliance that make preparing meals much easier, but how do you know what you can and can’t …

– Read more
Rice Cookers

Rice Cookers Buying Guide

Cooking rice the traditional way can be a pain. Is it worth buying a new appliance to get that perfect fluffy rice? Canstar Blue reviews rice cookers.

– Read more
Instant Pot vs Crock Pot: Which is best? Review

Instant Pot vs Crock Pot: Which is best? Review

If you’re in the market for a quality multi-cooker, you’ve no doubt heard about Instant Pot and Crock Pot. Both brands have a cult following and are revered for their range of benchtop cookers that …

– Read more

Are Kmart slow cookers any good? Review

Slow cookers are a convenient and easy way to get maximum flavour and create melt-in-your-mouth dishes like fall-off-the-bone barbecue ribs or a deliciously moist sticky date pudding. Fortunately, Kmart’s Anko range offers a few budget-friendly …

– Read more