Updated on July 10, 2023
This comparison is certified 100% impartial and follows our selection process.
SEB ClipsoMinut' Duo P4705101
This model has the particularity of being able to be used as a pressure cooker (under pressure) and as a stewpot (without pressure). Its practical lid can be opened with just one hand.
The main advantage of this pressure cooker is its dual function. Indeed, it is capable of cooking food with and without pressure in its 5 L tank. To select the cooking mode, simply place the discharge valve in front of the associated pictogram. We also noted the presence of a 100-recipe booklet (to be completed with the Smart&Tasty app) and a stainless steel steam basket. What also sets it apart from the competition is its non-stick coating, which means you can cook a variety of foods without worrying about them sticking to the bottom of the bowl. During our tests, we noticed that there was space dedicated to a minutor, but that this has to be purchased separately. With it, you can set a cooking time that starts when there’s enough pressure in the pressure cooker. It then beeps loudly to let you know when it’s time to turn off the heat. We also appreciated the practical, one-handed handle. Nevertheless, we found its cleaning a little restrictive, even though the bowl can be placed in the dishwasher.
The different pressure cookers we tested.
We started by measuring and weighing them.
We noted the presence of accessories.
We cooked potatoes and carrots to check their efficiency.
Monix Quick M560001
With its easy-to-turn valve to facilitate steam extraction without having to hold it down, this 4 L pressure cooker offers the best value for money in this selection.
During our tests, we immediately noticed that opening this pressure cooker wasn’t the most straightforward of tasks. In fact, you have to push a button forward, then slide the top of the handle to the right to get it out of the mechanism sealing the lid. But this has the advantage of making the lid tightly sealed, and we didn’t notice any steam escaping around the edges. Another advantage of this model is that it can cook at 2 pressure levels. To set the pressure, simply turn the discharge valve to the desired level. This is also where we released the pressure, without having to hold down a button as is sometimes the case in this price range. Although there are no accessories in the box, the user manual does provide a list of foods and the appropriate cooking time according to the pressure level used (for example, carrots and potatoes should be cooked for 5 minutes on the second level). This timing must start from the moment you begin to hear steam escaping from the valve (and the pressure is thus reached). In our case, it took just 13 minutes 30 in all to cook our potatoes and carrots.
SEB Nutricook+ P4220705
This pressure cooker includes 4 different cooking times to best suit your preparations. So, combined with its timer, it warns you when to lower the heat, then turn it off.
With its timer, stainless steel steam basket, recipes and measuring cup, this 6 L model for 4 to 6 people is the Rolls-Royce of pressure cookers. In addition to all its accessories, its main selling point is its 4 different programming settings which, combined with the timer, allow you to carry out part of the cooking on low heat once the right pressure level has been reached, and then on low heat to save energy. The timer rings once to ask you to turn down the heat, then a second time to switch off the hob, and a final ring at the end of total cooking. However, during our tests, we noted that the pressurization time can take a while (17 minutes 36 on gas for us). Added to this is the cooking time you program and the passive time remaining preset according to the program used (4 minutes for vegetables, for example), which can make cooking very slow in our opinion. It’s therefore important to calculate the cooking times to be indicated on the timer, after deducting the passive time. Ultimately, this slightly more complex operation and its more complicated maintenance don’t allow it to take first place in this comparison.
SEB ClipsoMinut' Perfect+ Violet P4624800
Benefiting from fold-down handles, this model is more practical to store, but also to use thanks to the presence of its timer. This is activated only when the pressure is reached.
Like all the other SEB models in this selection, you can supplement the recipe booklet in this pressure cooker’s box with the 300 recipes in the Smart& Tasty application (also available under the name “Seb, recipes and more…”). During our tests, we noticed that the timer on this 7.5 L pressure cooker was a little less advanced than that on the Nutricook+, but that it did the job amply. It clips on next to the valve, and its sensor is positioned just above the steam outlet. So, when the pressure inside the vat is right, it tells you when it’s time to start counting down, so you can turn down the heat. And it beeps a second time at the end of cooking. We found that SEB timers were loud enough to let you go about your business without having to stay in the room to hear it. When preparing carrots and potatoes, the 5 minutes of cooking time after pressurization were sufficient. We also appreciated its space-saving fold-down handles and stainless steel steam basket.
Our selection
Our choice, Best mid-range Meilleur pas cher Best top-of-the-range Mid-range alternative SEB ClipsoMinut' Duo P4705101 Monix Quick M560001 SEB Nutricook+ P4220705 SEB ClipsoMinut' Perfect+ Violet P4624800 This model has the particularity of being able to be used as a pressure cooker (under pressure) and as a stewpot (without pressure). Its practical lid can be opened with just one hand. With its easy-to-turn valve to facilitate steam extraction without having to hold it down, this 4 L pressure cooker offers the best value for money in this selection. This pressure cooker includes 4 different cooking times to best suit your preparations. So, combined with its timer, it warns you when to lower the heat, then turn it off. Benefiting from fold-down handles, this model is more practical to store, but also to use thanks to the presence of its timer. This is activated only when the pressure is reached. £ 141.79 on Amazon £ 69.14 on Amazon £ 195.67 on Amazon £ 175.69 on Amazon
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How did we test?
To test the pressure cookers, we began by measuring them(length with handles, outside diameter, height with and without lid) and weighing(with their lids). Next, we noted the presence of accessories (measuring cup, steam basket, timer, recipe booklet) and any graduations in the pressure cookers’ bodies.
Next, we cooked potatoes and carrots (350 g of this mixture with 1 L of cold water) in each of them to check their efficiency applying the cooking times recommended in the user manuals. It quickly became apparent that they were all effective for cooking these foods. We therefore focused on their practicality (ergonomics, ease of opening/closing the lid, etc.).
How to choose your pressure cooker?
Also known as “cocotte-minute®” (at SEB), pressure pot or pressure pan, the pressure cooker is an excellent choice for quickly preparing meals under high pressure. Nevertheless, comparing the different models is not always easy, as the offer is so varied.
To help you make your choice, we’ve pinned a few important features to consider before buying a pressure cooker:
- The capacity: it generally ranges from 2 to 6 L and is to be chosen according to the number of place settings. For example, a volume of 4 L is suitable for 2 to 3 people. If indicated, consider its useful capacity (the actual capacity of the bowl) rather than the volume of the entire appliance.
- Plate compatibility:not all materials are compatible with all types of hob. To avoid unpleasant surprises, simply note that stainless steel is compatible with all hobs, and that induction requires a steel metal base to concentrate the magnetic fields.
- The bowl material: it can be Teflon, stainless steel or ceramic. The quality of the non-stick coating is important to enjoy healthy cooking without too much added fat, as well as for the durability of the appliance. Most brands choose stainless steel for its ease of maintenance, durability and because this material presents no risk of transfer with food.
- Safety features: to avoid any risk of scalding, most models come with a series of safety features preventing the lid from opening until pressure is released, or allowing steam to be released gently. It’s a good idea, however, to check whether they are actually present on the appliance of your dreams before any purchase.
- Maintenance: your pressure cooker must be easy to maintain. In many cases, the bowl is dishwasher-safe, but the lid is not.
To remain consistent in our selection, we’ve established our price ranges by the liter. Products with larger capacities are therefore part of higher ranges, and their price doesn’t just reflect a larger capacity.
Other pressure cookers we recommend
Monix Presto M911001 (€67.50 at time of publication): An inexpensive alternative that’s a little less practical. In practical terms, this 4L model is very similar to the Quick model from the same brand. It opens in the same way, by pushing the button forward and sliding the lid handle to the side. However, during our tests, we found that having to manually hold down the little green button on the top of the lid wasn’t the most practical (and could be quite time-consuming). Despite this, it was pretty quick to reach the right pressure level (7 minutes 40), enabling us to cook our carrots and potatoes in under 13 minutes (compared with a minimum of 20 minutes with SEB models). In short, it’s a good ally for cooking in record time, but it’s a little less practical.
Other pressure cookers tested
Amazon Basics 111604OA960 (€58.97 at time of publication): This pressure cooker quickly let steam out through its valve while cooking. While this didn’t impact the proper cooking of our potatoes and carrots, we do have a reservation for the longer cooking of other foods.
SEB Cocotte Authentique P0531100 (€119.18 at time of publication): Long touted as the must-have pressure cooker in our selection, its hands-on test nevertheless revealed to us that it lets steam escape from all sides. What’s more, you have to assemble the handles yourself on arrival, and the large star-shaped screws require the use of a less common screwdriver.
