The Instant Pot changed the way millions of UK households cook — but it’s no longer the only game in town. Whether you’re put off by the price, want air frying built in, or simply prefer a different brand, there are now some genuinely excellent alternatives on the market. We’ve rounded up seven of the best multi-cookers available in the UK right now, so you can find the right one for your kitchen and budget.
What to look for in a multi-cooker: Cooking functions you’ll actually use (pressure cook and slow cook cover 90% of everyday needs), capacity matched to your household size (5–6L suits most families of four), dishwasher-safe parts, and a clear control panel. Air frying is a nice bonus but adds bulk and cost — only pay for it if you’ll use it.
At a Glance: Quick Comparison
| Model | Functions | Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 OP350UK | 9 | 6L | Best overall |
| Ninja Foodi MAX SmartLid OL750UK | 15 | 7.5L | Power users & families |
| Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker MC1001UK | 8 | 8L | Slow cooking fans |
| Instant Pot Pro Plus | 10 | 5.7L | Tech-savvy cooks |
| Instant Pot Duo Plus | 9 | 5.7L | Budget-conscious |
| Drew & Cole CleverChef 14-in-1 | 14 | 5L | Best under £70 |
| Crockpot Turbo Express | 6 | 5.6L | Slow cook loyalists |
The 7 Best Multi-Cookers in the UK
1. Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Multi-Cooker OP350UK
The crowd-pleaser that does it all — including crispy finishes
6L Capacity
Air Fry Included
2-Year Guarantee
The Ninja Foodi OP350UK is the multi-cooker that consistently tops UK buyer recommendations — and for good reason. It pressure cooks up to 70% faster than traditional methods, then lets you switch to the crisping lid to finish with a golden, air-fried result in the same pot. That combination of tender inside and crispy outside is something no standard Instant Pot can match without a separate appliance.
The 6L pot comfortably handles a whole chicken, a large batch of chilli, or rice and a main course simultaneously. Controls are clearly labelled and intuitive even if you’ve never used a multi-cooker before. The non-stick pot is dishwasher safe, which makes daily clean-up genuinely easy.
- Pressure cook and air fry in one pot
- Great for families of 4–5
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Strong UK community and recipe support
- Bulky — takes up counter space
- Two lids to switch between and store
2. Ninja Foodi MAX SmartLid OL750UK
One lid. Fifteen functions. Serious cooking power.
7.5L Capacity
Digital Probe
Single SmartLid
Where the standard Foodi has two separate lids, the SmartLid design on the OL750UK combines pressure cooking, steam roasting, and air frying under a single lid — a genuinely clever bit of engineering. The included digital cooking probe takes all the guesswork out of meat, alerting you the moment your joint hits the right internal temperature.
At 7.5L it’s one of the largest multi-cookers available in the UK, making it ideal for households of six or batch-cooking enthusiasts. It cooks 6 portions comfortably, and the steam-and-crisp function is brilliant for getting crackle on a pork joint without a separate oven.
- Single lid — no switching or storing extras
- Digital probe for precision meat cooking
- Huge 7.5L capacity
- 15 cooking functions
- Premium price point
- Very large — needs significant counter space
3. Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker MC1001UK
The slow cooker that also sears, steams and braises
8L Capacity
Oven-Safe Pot
Glass Lid
If you love slow cooking but want more flexibility, the PossibleCooker is a brilliant upgrade. Unlike a standard slow cooker, it lets you sear and sauté before you slow cook — all in the same non-stick pot, saving you washing up. The 8L capacity is generous, and the oven-safe pot means you can move it straight to the hob or oven if needed.
It doesn’t include pressure cooking, which some buyers will miss, but for those who primarily want a better slow cooker with more hob-style control it’s a fantastic option — especially given its competitive price.
- Sear and slow cook in same pot
- Generous 8L capacity
- Oven and hob safe pot
- More affordable than SmartLid models
- No pressure cook function
- No air fry capability
4. Instant Pot Pro Plus 10-in-1
Wi-Fi connected cooking for the tech-savvy kitchen
5.7L Capacity
Wi-Fi Control
NutriBoost
The Pro Plus is Instant Pot’s flagship model and the one that tops most UK “best multi-cooker” lists. Its standout feature is Wi-Fi connectivity, letting you monitor and control cooking from your phone — surprisingly useful for checking on a slow-cooked joint mid-afternoon without going to the kitchen. The NutriBoost function pulses pressure to break down food more thoroughly, which works brilliantly for bone broths and soups.
It functions as a rice cooker, slow cooker, pressure cooker, sous vide, sauté pan, yoghurt maker, steamer, and more. The only notable omission is an air fryer function. If that matters to you, look at the Ninja Foodi range instead.
- App control via Wi-Fi
- NutriBoost for richer broths and soups
- 10 cooking modes
- Well-established recipe community
- No air fry function
- Higher price than most alternatives
5. Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1
The refined classic — now with sous vide and a better display
5.7L Capacity
Sous Vide
Dishwasher Safe Pot
The Duo Plus takes the original Instant Pot formula and refines it — adding sous vide, an improved display, and an auto-sealing lid that removes one of the most common beginner mistakes. If you already know you want an Instant Pot but don’t need Wi-Fi connectivity or the full feature set of the Pro Plus, this hits a sweet spot of capability and value.
The inner pot and pressure cooker lid are dishwasher safe, and the 13 one-touch programmes cover everything from eggs and beans to slow-cooked stews. A solid, proven workhorse for family cooking.
- Auto-sealing lid — great for beginners
- Sous vide function included
- Dishwasher-safe pot and lid
- Good value vs Pro Plus
- No air fry or Wi-Fi
- Can trigger burn warnings with starchy foods
6. Drew & Cole CleverChef 14-in-1
Exceptional value — 14 modes for the price of a slow cooker
5L Capacity
Dishwasher Safe
~£60
For buyers on a tighter budget, the Drew & Cole CleverChef is a genuine surprise. At around £60, it offers 14 cooking modes including steam, stew, soup, roast, rice, slow cook, bake, and sauté — more modes than some models costing three times the price. UK testers have praised its results across casseroles, whole chickens, and even cakes.
The key trade-off is no pressure cooking and no air fry. But for households that primarily want a versatile slow cooker upgrade without a big investment, it delivers outstanding value. The 5L capacity suits households of up to four people comfortably.
- Incredible value at ~£60
- 14 cooking modes
- Compact and easy to store
- Dishwasher-safe pot
- No pressure cook function
- No air fry
- Smaller 5L capacity
7. Crockpot Turbo Express Pressure Multicooker
The trusted slow-cook brand — now with pressure cooking speed
5.6L Capacity
Pressure Cook
Crockpot Heritage
Crockpot has been the gold standard for slow cooking in British kitchens for decades, and the Turbo Express adds pressure cooking to that trusted foundation. It excels at the things Crockpot is known for — long, low, flavour-developing slow cooks — while the pressure cook mode lets you speed things up when time is short.
With just six core functions it’s less complex than the Ninja or Instant Pot options, which is actually a selling point for cooks who find multi-cookers overwhelming. Simple, reliable, and backed by a brand with genuine slow-cook heritage.
- Trusted Crockpot slow-cook performance
- Simple, uncluttered controls
- Pressure cook mode added
- Good mid-range price
- Fewer functions than competitors
- No air fry or sous vide
How to Choose the Right One
For most UK families, the Ninja Foodi OP350UK is the best starting point. It covers pressure cooking, slow cooking, and air frying in one pot, suits 4–5 people comfortably, and has one of the strongest UK recipe communities online.
If you want the ultimate capacity and features, the Ninja Foodi MAX SmartLid OL750UK justifies its premium with a single lid, digital probe, and 7.5L of cooking space — ideal for families of six or batch cookers.
If you mainly slow cook and want an upgrade without the complexity of pressure cooking, the Ninja PossibleCooker or the budget-friendly Drew & Cole CleverChef are both excellent choices.
If you want an Instant Pot specifically but with better features than the original, the Pro Plus (with Wi-Fi) or Duo Plus (with sous vide) are the standout options in the brand’s current UK lineup.
Our Top Pick: Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 OP350UK
For the best balance of capability, ease of use, and everyday practicality, the Ninja Foodi OP350UK comes out on top. The ability to pressure cook and then crisp in the same pot — without swapping appliances — sets it apart from every standard multi-cooker on this list.
If you primarily slow cook and don’t need air frying, the Drew & Cole CleverChef offers remarkable value at around £60. And for larger households who want the full package, the Ninja SmartLid MAX is worth every penny.
Ready to find the best price on any of these multi-cookers? Browse them all on Amazon UK below.
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