If you’re looking for a faster way to cook a range of recipes, from rice to beans, a pressure cooker might be the way to do it. These robust appliances are excellent at cooking things rapidly, thanks to their ability to raise the boiling point of the water in the cooker.
However, those with little room to spare might be worried about a pressure cooker taking up too much space in their kitchen. Because we want anyone to enjoy the convenience of a pressure cooker, we’ve gone out and found the best smallest pressure cookers.
Keep reading to learn more about why we picked each pressure cooker.
Best Smallest Pressure Cookers
Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart Pressure Cooker
This is the miniaturized version of the insanely popular Instant Pot Duo. Unlike the Presto, it is easily programmable and has several preset programs.
This one is slightly smaller than the Presto, making it easy to cook for one and even easier to store. If you do not want to lose a lot of counter space, this is a good pick.
It is made from durable stainless steel and has several safety measures. Furthermore, this pressure cooker can help you cook food up to 70% faster than alternative appliances.
Pros
- They are designed to be small enough to fit on crowded countertops.
- It combines the utility of several kitchen appliances into one, including a rice cooker and slow cooker.
- The stainless steel is resistant to fingerprints, so you won’t need to wipe it off constantly.
- Its accessories are dishwasher-safe for an effortless clean.
Cons
- There are some reports of the pressure cooker retaining food odors after use.
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Presto 4-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
This pressure cooker is made from gleaming stainless steel. It is slightly more expensive than aluminum alternatives, but it is worth the money if you prefer stainless steel.
You will have access to tons of great features, such as the helper handle, which makes it easy to open and helps prevent you from burning yourself. It is also totally dishwasher safe and easy to clean.
In addition, it’s simple to use. It doesn’t have many confusing settings to fuss with and automatically maintains the proper cooking pressure.
Pros
- It is made out of tough and long-lasting stainless steel.
- Its built-in handle allows you to grip the pressure cooker without burning yourself.
- It uses a pressure regulator to keep the correct cooking pressure by itself.
Cons
- Some users have reported issues with the handle, such as it not being comfortable to hold and it coming loose after using the pressure cooker.
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Cosori 2-Quart Pressure Cooker
If you want the smallest possible pressure cooker, COSORI is probably the tiniest one you’ll find. This pressure cooker is only 2 quarts and is extremely compact and easy to store.
Its sleek design perfectly complements any kitchen or countertop. Like the Instant Pot, it is easy to program and replaces several other kitchen appliances. It takes a lot of the guesswork out of cooking and makes it a breeze to cook delectable meals.
Pros
- With a 2-quart capacity, this pressure cooker is the second most compact option on this list.
- It combines the functionality of several kitchen appliances into one.
- The inner pot is made from long-lasting food-grade stainless steel.
- It comes with an aluminum base that’s excellent at conducting heat and cooking your food even faster.
Cons
- It can be easy to overfill the pot, as it’s so small.
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Instant Pot Duo Nova Pressure Cooker
We just had to pick the Instant Pot Duo Nova Pressure Cooker because it helps you eliminate the need to buy several appliances. It has the capabilities of a pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauteeing pan, and food warmer.
With all that utility, you can save some of your precious counter space simply by not needing to buy all those other appliances. What’s more, you’ll get a lot of use out of this pressure cooker due to the fact it’s so versatile.
We also love how easy it is to operate this Instant Nova pressure cooker. It has many cooking options that are clearly labeled, so you’ll know which one to pick to cook just about any dish.
If you’re feeling uninspired, Instant Pot even has an iOS and Android app that you can install on your phone to view hundreds of recipes.
Pros
- The straightforward display and buttons make this pressure cooker excellent for beginners.
- Can replace several other appliances, such as a rice cooker and food warmer.
- The lid seals into place during use for your safety.
- You can easily release the steam inside with the push of a button.
- It has a crystal-clear LCD display that’s easy to read and lets you tell at a glance how much time your pressure cooker has left.
Cons
- Some felt the pressure cooker’s cord could be longer.
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HAWKINS Classic 1.5-Liter Aluminum Pressure Cooker
With a 1.5-quart capacity, this Hawkins pressure cooker is about as small as it gets. Of course, if you prefer a slightly larger capacity, there are several different versions to choose from.
This one is perfect for cooking in confined spaces. The Hawkins classic pressure cooker can fit right in, whether it’s a dorm, apartment, or RV.
It includes safety features, too, which protect you while you use it. The lid seals shut tightly, and the handle stays perfectly cool, even while it’s on.
Pros
- It is sold in several different sizes to suit a range of needs.
- The handle will stay cool to the touch during use, preventing you from being burnt.
- It has a gasket that was built to last.
- The mirror-polished aluminum looks attractive.
Cons
- Some owners felt that the 1.5-liter size was too small.
What to Consider When Buying A small pressure cooker
Although the size matters here, especially when you’re looking for a modestly-sized pressure cooker to fit in anywhere, we think you should consider several things. We’d recommend factoring in the following considerations:
- Capacity
- Overall Dimensions
- Material
- Cooking Settings and Functionality
Capacity
Capacity refers to how large the inside of your pressure cooker is. The more room there is on the inside, the more food your pressure cooker can cook at one time.
For most, a larger capacity probably sounds more desirable. Being able to cook tons of food at once can save you time and give you leftovers to reheat later.
Keep in mind that the larger the capacity of your pressure cooker, the bigger it will be overall. In other words, if you’re short on space, you may not want to buy a large capacity pressure cooker.
You can generally find pressure cookers ranging from 1 liter to several liters in capacity. Think carefully about what your needs are.
Overall Dimensions
When looking for a small pressure cooker, one of the most important qualities to consider will be the overall size. You’ll want a modestly sized pressure cooker that can easily store or leave out in-between uses.
The smallest pressure cookers tend to be the ones with a single handle, such as the HAWKINS Classic 1.5-Liter Aluminum Pressure Cooker.
These models naturally tend to have a smaller capacity, leading to smaller outward dimensions. However, with this reduced capacity usually comes a reduced functionality, as they don’t have cooking settings and buttons for you to try out.
You can check the dimensions of each pressure cooker in the product’s description. Make sure you pay attention to the cooker’s functions, however, and decide if it has everything you need it to.
Material
The material your pressure cooker is made out of is important for a couple of reasons. The first reason is simply aesthetic; different materials may look more appealing to you than others.
Stainless steel is probably the most popular material, for instance. It has a smooth, shining appearance that many people like because it works well in the average kitchen.
Beyond looks, though, the material is important to the life expectations for the pressure cooker. Again, this is where stainless steel shines – in more ways than one! It’s remarkably long-lasting and tough.
The drawback to stainless steel is that it can also be more expensive than alternatives, such as aluminum.
Cooking Settings and Functionality
Many pressure cookers help prepare your favorite dishes simply by including a range of settings. Choose a button for the type of food you’re cooking, then allow the pressure cooker to take the guesswork out of the equation.
These settings add some functionality to the pressure cooker, too. Pressure cookers with a broader range of settings could potentially replace other kitchen appliances, like slow and rice cookers.
For that reason, it’s worth thinking about whether or not you’d like your pressure cooker to have additional settings. The drawback is that it can make the cooker cost more initially, but in the long run, it may save you both space and money as you find you don’t need to buy other appliances.
Pressure cooker FAQS
With all the pressure cookers out there to pick, it’s no wonder that quite a few people are left with questions. We’ll answer a few common questions to help you make your decision.
Here are the questions we’ll be looking at:
- Which brand of pressure cookers is the best?
- What is the safest pressure cooker?
- What is the smallest Insta Pot?
Which brand of pressure cookers is the best?
There are tons of pressure cookers today and equally as many brands to choose from. This is why one of the first questions you may have is which brand you should choose.
One of the best companies out there when it comes to pressure cookers is Instant Pot. Their models are typically well-reviewed and multi-functional. The average Instant Pot pressure cooker combines the qualities of rice cookers, slow cookers, and pressure cookers into one convenient appliance.
However, Hawkins is also known for making simple and long-lasting pressure cookers. They tend to have pared-down functions that make them easy to use.
At the end of the day, though, no one brand is necessarily best for every single person. The best brand for you, in particular, will be the one that combines the features you need at a price you can comfortably afford.
What is the safest pressure cooker?
Any good pressure cooker will come with a variety of features designed to keep users safe. The HAWKINS Classic 1.5-Liter Aluminum Pressure Cooker, for instance, has a stay-cool handle that’s created to protect you from burns and a lid that seals shut during use.
Most Instant Pots are designed similarly. You’ll find that they usually have lids that seal automatically and quick release buttons that allow you to safely vent steam.
So if safety is your top priority, consider looking for features like these:
- Tough metal construction, such as stainless steel
- Handles that stay cool during use
- Sealing lid with rubber gasket
- A warranty that covers defects in the product
What is the smallest Insta Pot?
Instant pot makes a variety of pressure cookers that are modestly sized. Furthermore, most of their models are offered in several different sizes, so if you find one you like, you can choose the smallest size in that model.
Generally, Instant Pot’s pressure cookers are available in sizes ranging from 3 to 10 quarts. Their smallest size Instant Pot, which is 3 quarts, is available in a few of their models, including ones we have on this list: the Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart Pressure Cooker.
Wrap up
As you can see, there are quite a few pressure cooker options out there. Even if you don’t have much room in your kitchen, there are still plenty of choices.
Which one is our personal favorite? If we had to choose only one pressure cooker on this list, we’d go with the Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart Pressure Cooker.
It’s true that, with a 3-quart capacity, it may be a little larger than many of the others we included. However, we feel that its abundance of settings helps you make better use of your space by combining the features of several different kitchen appliances into one modestly-sized package.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
