When I told my colleagues I was writing this article, the first thing they said was, “Wait, what even is a multicooker?“.
Think of it as a gadget that replaces multiple appliances and cooks food faster than your stovetop or oven (so retro, right?). Multicookers are designed for the chaos of modern life, because in between juggling life, work and kids, who has time to spend hours in the kitchen? Not me.
Now let’s set the record straight – not all multicookers are created equal. Some, like the overachieving Ninja Combi, combine the best of an oven, air fryer and stovetop into one sleek unit, even allowing you to cook multiple components of your meal simultaneously. Other multicookers are pressure cooker-slow cooker hybrids, meaning that at the touch of a button, you can cook risotto, steam or sauté vegetables, reduce sauce, sous vide meat, bake dessert, and even whip up yoghurt.
While multicookers differ in features, they all excel in cooking healthy meals quickly and more efficiently than traditional methods, intensifying flavour and locking in nutrients while using little to no oil. As they replace the need for multiple appliances, multicookers also save on valuable bench space (not all of us have the luxury of a kitchen island or scullery). Plus, their energy efficiency can reduce your power bill.
To help you find the perfect model, we’ve rounded up some of the best multicookers in New Zealand, considering features, ease of use, and value for money. But don’t wait too long – multicookers are so popular that some models we wanted to feature were sold out, with no restock date in sight.
2025’s top multicookers
- Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker, $599, (here’s why)
- Breville The Fast Slow Pro Multi Cooker, $385.77 (here’s why)
- Crock-Pot Express XL Multi Cooker, $278.47 (here’s why)
The best multicookers NZ
Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker
$599 at Ninja
Best for: Cooking multiple elements of a meal at the same time
The Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker is a multitasking powerhouse that allows you to prepare gourmet meals for the whole family in half the time of a traditional oven. This multicooker handles it all, whether you’re crisping fish fillets, steaming veggies, or baking a cake.
Its standout feature is the ability to cook multiple meal elements simultaneously using combi-cooking modes, ensuring perfectly cooked proteins, veggies, and grain, all at the same time. It might sound too good to be true, but trust me, I had the chance to test the Ninja multicooker firsthand. Read my full review for everything you need to know.
Endorsed by Australian celebrity chef Matt Moran, he best highlights the benefits of the Ninja Combi by saying:
“Most fast meals involve a compromise – either in texture or flavour. But the Combi’s combination of steam and convection means you can cook quickly without drying anything out. For example, pork belly on the top tray with broccolini and rice on the bottom pan all finish perfectly at the same time in just 30 minutes. That’s real efficiency.”
While we’re obsessed with the Ninja Combi’s air fry and dough-rising functions, if you want a multicooker that includes a pressure cook mode, the Ninja Foodi SmartLid Multi Cooker is another standout pick.
Cooking functions:
- Combi Cooker: Combi Meals, Combi Crisp, Combi Bake, rice/pasta, steam, prove
- Air Fry/Hob: Grill, air fry, bake, reheat, slow cook, sear/sauté, pizza, toast
Capacity: 12.5L (feeds up to 8 people)
Size: 39W x 37D x 33.2H cm
Colour: Sea Salt Grey
Accessories included: Deep pan, bake tray, crisper plate, recipe book
Key features:
- Cooks up to 50% faster than a wall oven
- Dishwasher-safe components for easy cleanup
- 2-year warranty
Breville The Fast Slow Pro Multi Cooker
Best for: Precision cooking with minimal effort
This pressure cooker-slow cooker hybrid adapts to your schedule and culinary needs. For time-poor cooks, the pressure cooker modes deliver melt-in-your-mouth meals like pulled pork and creamy risotto in record time. However, if you have more time to spare, opt for the slow cooker modes for a traditional cooking experience.
Conveniently, you can sauté, brown and pre-cook ingredients directly in the multicooker’s 6-litre bowl, which also doubles as a serving dish.
The multicooker’s hands-free steam release lets you pressure cook without the stress of constant monitoring, and the dual sensors monitor and adjust temperature and pressure as necessary. At the same time, the display shows real-time updates for effortless operation. And when you’re done, the dishwasher-safe bowl ensures quick and easy cleanup.
Cooking functions:
- Pressure cook settings: Rice, risotto, potatoes, stock, soup, legumes, casserole, pot roast, lamb shanks, bolognese, pudding, custom
- High/low slow cook settings: Stock, soup, legumes, casserole, pot roast, lamb shanks, bolognese, pudding, custom
- Other: Reduce, sear, sauté, steam, auto keep warm
Capacity: 6L
Size: 34.8W x 32.3D x 34.3H cm
Colour: Brushed stainless steel
Accessories included: Stainless steamer basket, stainless rack, recipe book
Key features:
- LCD display for ease of use
- Auto steam release setting for pressure cooking to eliminate overcooking
- Dishwasher-safe components
- Non-stick removable cooking bowl
- Countdown timer
- 1-year warranty
Crock-Pot Express XL Multi Cooker
$278.47 at MightyApe
Best for: Simple, one-touch cooking
Acquiring the rights to the first-ever slow cooker and rebranding it as the iconic Crock-Pot, today, the brand has evolved to meet modern cooking needs, including its iteration of the multicooker.
The Express XL allows you to pressure cook, slow cook, brown/sear, sauté, simmer, boil, and steam. Easy one-touch meal options include meat/stew, beans/chilli, poultry, soup, rice/grains, and even dessert.
The 7.6L capacity is perfect for feeding families or flatmates, while the auto keep-warm feature ensures your food stays ready to serve. The intuitive digital controls and pressure cooking safety features make cooking stress-free.
Pro tip: Use the additional glass lid to observe non-pressure cooking functions in real time. This includes slow cook, brown/sear, sauté, boil, simmer, yoghurt, and keep warm.
Cooking functions:
- Pressure cook: Manual pressure, meat/stew, beans/chilli, rice/grains, yoghurt, poultry, dessert, soup, steam
- Other: Slow cook, yoghurt, brown/sear, sauté, boil, simmer
Capacity: 7.6L
Colour: Dark stainless steel finish
Accessories included: Glass lid, serving spoons, metal steaming rack
Key features:
- Dishwasher-safe non-stick cooking pot
- Additional glass lid for non-pressure cooking functions
Available at:
Russell Hobbs 11-in-1 Digital Multicooker
Best for: Beginner cooks looking for a budget-friendly multicooker
This affordable Russell Hobbs Multicooker’s 6 litre capacity feeds the whole family, while its 11 pre-programmed functions allow you to pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, bake, and even make yoghurt.
If this is your first time using a multicooker or pressure cooker, these 25 savoury and sweet recipes are specifically designed for the Russell Hobbs model to guide you on your way.
Cooking functions:
- Pressure cooking programs: soup/curry, pot roast, white rice, brown rice, risotto, steam, bake
- Non-pressure programs: slow cook, sauté, yogurt, auto-keep warm function
Capacity: 6L
Colour: Matte Black
Accessories included: Trivet, serving spoon, rice measuring cup, recipes in user manual
Key features:
- Dishwasher-safe non-stick bowl
- Locking lid for safety
- 2-year warranty
Available at:
Philips Viva Collection All-in-One Multicooker
Best for: Meal preppers wanting a durable, long-lasting multicooker
A meal prepper’s dream, this Philips multicooker’s 8-litre capacity is ideal for batch cooking. Even better, it has 12-hour keep warm and reheat modes to ensure your meals are ready whenever you are.
Built to last, the multicooker features a durable, anti-scratch coating and the option to purchase spare parts like stainless steel bowls, pressure valves and rubber seals, making it a long-term investment.
Fun fact: Philiips multicookers have a dedicated fan base of 12.6k members and counting – join the Philips All-In-One Cooker Community Facebook group for endless meal inspiration and user support.
Cooking functions:
- Pressure cook: Steam, soup, rice, risotto, chicken/duck, beef/lamb, beans, manual
- Multicook: Sauté/sear, slow cook, stew, bake, yogurt, jam, sauce thickening, hot pot)
- Other: Keep warm, reheat
Capacity: 8L
Colour: Silver
Accessories included: Measuring cup, non-stick inner pot, steaming tray/basket
Key features:
- 25% faster pre-heat time
- 2-year warranty
Tefal Home Chef Smart Multicooker
Best for Set-and-forget meals for busy households
Whip up a hearty beef stew or sous vide salmon with this time-saving Tefal multicooker. Saving up to 80% cooking time, the appliance’s 15 pre-set functions include slow cook, steam, and even sauce thickening, ensuring every meal is a masterpiece.
Ideal for busy families on different schedules, the delayed start function and automatic keep-warm features are practical for late arrivals, while removable parts are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. Plus, the multicooker comes with a measuring cup, rice spatula, soup spoon and steam trivet, so you’re ready to cook right out of the box.
Cooking functions:
- Multicook programs: Slow cook (low/high), sauté/sear, sous vide, bake, sauce thickening, DIY
- Pressure cook programs: quick rice, porridge/congee, beef/lamb, chicken/duck, soup, steam, abalone (small/big), keep warm, pre-set timer
Capacity: 6L
Size: 38.5D x 37.5W x 39.2H cm
Colour: Black
Accessories included: Measuring cup, rice spatula, soup spoon, steam trivet
Key features:
- Cooks up to 80% faster
- Dishwasher-safe components
What does a multicooker do?
The best multicookers combine the functions of multiple gadgets in one. Depending on your chosen model, a multicooker can act as a slow cooker, pressure cooker, steamer, sauté pan, and even an air fryer.
What recipes can I make in a multicooker?
Depending on your multicooker’s features, you can prepare soups, stews, curries, risottos, bake cakes, or make yoghurt. Most multicookers include suggested recipes, making it easy to try new dishes. However, if you’re not looking to experiment in the kitchen, a multicooker is still a great solution for cooking your favourite meals faster than traditional methods.
Is it worth buying a multicooker?
A multicooker is for you if you want to save time and space (perhaps you have a small kitchenette or live in an apartment) while simplifying your cooking routine.
For flavourful meals, look for multicookers with pressure cooking and slow cooking features. If healthy eating is your priority, multicookers with pressure cooking and steaming functions are a great way to retain nutrients. Further, just like air fryers, most multicookers allow for low or no-oil cooking, making meals healthier without compromising taste.
Will Tran, Senior Product Manager at Ninja, highlights the rising popularity of multicookers, stating, “Multicookers are becoming a kitchen essential in Australian and New Zealand households, driven by a growing demand for convenience, versatility, and healthier home cooking.” He adds, “They’re helping busy families and individuals save time without compromising on flavour. We’ve seen strong growth in the category as more people look for smarter, more efficient ways to cook at home.”
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