Pressure Cooker vs Slow Cooker

How they differ

A pressure cooker seals the pot so steam builds pressure, which raises the boiling point and cooks food much faster. Tough cuts, beans and stocks that take hours on the stove can be done in a fraction of the time.

A slow cooker heats food gently over many hours. You add ingredients in the morning and dinner is ready in the evening.

Choose a pressure cooker if…

A pressure cooker suits you if:

• You decide what to cook at the last minute
• You cook dried beans, rice or stock often
• You want one appliance with several functions

Choose a slow cooker if…

A slow cooker suits you if:

• You like to prep in the morning and come home to dinner
• You want the simplest possible controls
• You cook big batches of stews, chili or pulled meat

What about combo cookers?

Combo cookers add air frying to a pressure cooker. They're useful if you want crispy results after pressure cooking and have limited counter space, but they are larger and heavier than single-purpose models.

Size guide

3 quarts suits one or two people, 6 quarts suits most families of up to four, and 7 to 8 quarts suits larger families and batch cooking.