Today, affordable, compact immersion circulator cookers…
…or sous vide cooker…
…are making sous vide, a water bath style…
…of cooking popular among restaurant chefs, more accessible to home cooks.
A stick is placed into a pot of water to heat the water…
…to a certain temperature and keep that temperature…
…while circulating the water so there are no hot or cold spots.
The result? Evenly cooked food that never reaches a degree higher…
…than the water temperature.
Sous vide cooking has the advantage of not being able to overcook anything.
In this style of cooking, things are done slowly and steadily.
It may take several hours for a steak to cook in a sous vide pot…
…versus a few minutes on a grill…
…but your patience will be rewarded with perfectly cooked proteins.
For sous vide cooking, you only need a pot (we recommend a solid Dutch oven)…
…plastic freezer bags to seal the food…
…and an immersion circulator to heat and circulate the water.
Additionally, if you want an all-in-one solution…
…there are tank-style sous vide machines…
…so you don’t need another container for cooking.
The vacuum sealer is recommended if you plan…
…to get really into this style of cooking…
…since it removes all air from around the food…
…and creates a heat seal to close the plastic packaging…
…but it is not essential for everyone.
There are a variety of choices when it comes to sous vide cookers these days…
…from WiFi and Bluetooth to a wide temperature range…
…(which opens up your cooking options).
You can find basic models that may be better for beginners…
…as well as high-end models if you plan to use sous vide cooking regularly.
For your convenience, we rounded up and tested several models.
Before we move into next section, let’s hear Donna’s story…
Sous vide is a method I used to make steak tender and flavorful.
In recent weeks, however, my sous vide machine has been broken, so I’m sad.
So, I look it up online on Amazon because I’m thinking about purchasing a new one.
In the process of searching, I discover a better sous vide machine and order it.
Making another perfect meal with a sous vide machine is on my to-do list.
Also, we have an article about what is sous vide cooker…
…to learn more about it.
Here are the best sous vide cookers to try out a new style of cooking…
Our Top Picks for Sous Vide Cooker
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Anova Culinary AN500-US00 Sous Vide Precision Cooker (WiFi), 1000 Watts | Anova App Included, Black and Silver | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Breville CS20001 Joule Sous Vide, White Polycarbonate | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano | Bluetooth | 750W | Anova App Included | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Tribest SV-101 Sousvant Sous Vide Circulator Machine, Stainless Steel | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | Instant Pot Accu Slim Sous Vide, Precision Cooker and Immersion Circulator with digital touchscreen display, Silver (Accu SSV800) | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
Let’s go through them one by one…
Anova Culinary AN500-US00 Sous Vide Precision Cooker
- Perfect results every time: Never over or under cook your food again. The Anova Precision Cooker circulates water at the exact temperature required for perfectly cooked meals, no matter whats on your menu. Use the Anova app to access thousands of free recipes and monitor your cook from anywhere via your smartphone.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
These days, appliances are getting smarter and more connected…
…and the sous vide cooker is a prime example.
You can set, change, and monitor your cooking…
…via a smartphone via Bluetooth and WiFi…
…which is great when you’re cooking a sous vide meal…
…that might take several days.
However, smart cooking doesn’t end there.
To keep the food cold until it’s time to start heating…
…use ice in the water bath to delay the start of cooking.
Anova sous vide starts cooking if the water temperature rises…
…above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so the food is never held at an unsafe temperature.
We tested a similar, now-discontinued model…
…and were impressed with how well the Anova maintained temperature…
…especially when cooking steak (“to medium-rare perfection”) and pork chops.
It takes a long time for the device to warm water.
AN500-US00 offers more power, faster heat-up times…
…and improved WiFi connectivity in a smaller and more durable package.
By setting push notifications on your smartphone…
…you’ll always know what’s happening with the cooker…
…and you can control the time and temperature from your phone…
…without having to touch any buttons.
It comes with recipes and suggested cooking times…
…but you can also set your own time and temperature.
All of this is incredibly user-friendly.
Pros:
- Manually controlled
- App with recipes from top chefs
- Reliable and efficient
- Simple to clean
Cons:
- Large and bulky
- Slow to heat water
- App can be buggy
Breville Joule Sous Vide
- Smallest, sleekest sous vide tool available at just 11 inches tall and 1.1 pounds, with streamlined white body and finishes.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
ChefSteps, a company acquired by Breville in 2016…
…first introduced the Joule in 2016.
There are many great features in this sous vide cooker.
At just 11 inches tall, it is one of the smallest on the market…
…so it can fit into a kitchen drawer for storage.
It has a magnetic base and a side clip…
…so it can be placed in a wide variety of containers…
…with as little as 1.5 inches of water in the pot.
It can handle up to 10 gallons of water on the other end of the scale.
During our reviewer’s time with the Joule…
…we found the device to be intuitive and quick.
How quick? In less than 12 minutes, it heated a stockpot of water…
…to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Due to its precise temperature control…
…even if you leave your food in the water bath for longer than you need to…
…it is highly unlikely that it will overcook.
To set and control this, you’ll need a mobile app for Android or Apple.
Additionally, it works with Amazon Alexa for voice control and feedback.
For the Joule to work, you’ll need a smartphone…
…(or other device) with an app installed.
Pros:
- Compact size
- Attractive, minimalist aesthetic
- Powerful and quick to preheat
Cons:
- Can only be controlled via the app
- Expensive
“If you want to explore the exciting world of sous vide cooking, but don’t have much counter space or time to learn a complex cooking process, this machine will get you sous vide-ing like a pro in no time at all.”
Sousvideguy.com
Keep reading…
Anova Culinary Precision Cooker Nano
- PERFECT RESULTS EVERY TIME: Never over or undercook your food again. The Anova Precision Cooker Nano sous vide (pronounced “sue-veed”) circulates water at the exact temperature required for perfectly cooked meals, no matter whats on your menu. Use the Anova App to access thousands of free recipes and monitor your cook from your phone via Bluetooth.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
While most of the options on this list are fairly compact…
…our “Best Overall” pick is incredibly sleek, at 12.8 inches tall…
…and 2.2 inches in diameter.
We were blown away by how perfectly the Anova Nano…
…cooked a wide range of meats, from steaks and pork tenderloin…
…to skinless and boneless chicken.
The price is also lower, but you lose WiFi and some power.
It took about 30 minutes for the Nano to heat a large pot of water…
…to 130 degrees Fahrenheit in our tests.
The Bluetooth connection allows you to connect to your phone…
…and access the brand’s app, and our tester really enjoyed being able to set…
…and monitor the cooking time remotely.
We did not like the fixed clamp…
…which limits the size pot that can be used (the original clamp is adjustable).
Pros:
- Precise temperature control
- Quiet operation
- Space-saving design
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- The clamp isn’t adjustable
- It takes a long time for the water to heat up
- Does not come with a bag
Go on…
Tribest Sousvant Sous Vide Cooker
- GOURMET-RESTAURANT RESULTS: Cook like a pro from your homes comfort by bringing an intense flavor and luscious textures to even the simplest of recipes and slow-cook for tender vegetables and meat
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This all-in-one sous vide cooker is easy to set up and use…
…and you can use any sous vide recipe you want with its precise temperature controls.
As opposed to some sous vide setups that look as though they just left a lab…
…this appliance looks like a standard countertop kitchen appliance.
You can watch the food as it cooks in the clear cooking carafe…
…and it’s easy to fill, empties, and cleans. Customers love how well it cooks chicken (not dry) and steaks (perfectly medium-rare).
A 1,000-watt circulation system heats the water quickly…
…and keeps it within 0.1 degrees of your desired temperature.
You can separate small packets of food on the removable rack…
…or take it out to cook larger portions.
There is no automatic shutdown on this timer because it shows elapsed cooking time.
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Removable cooking carafe
- Heats water quickly
Cons:
- Doesn’t shut off automatically after cook time is done
Last, but not least…
Instant Pot Accu Slim Sous Vide Precision Cooker & Immersion Circulator
- Creates quality dishes: ACCU slim sous vide immersion circulator prepares high end restaurant quality dishes at home, turning home cooks into gourmet chefs
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The company behind the well-known pressure cooker…
…also developed an immersion circulator for sous vide cooking.
The instant pot can be used with this (but it is not necessary)…
…and it is small and affordable.
Due to its affordability, you do lose some features found on other models…
…such as WiFi connectivity and remote control.
We, however, found the interface easily readable, the temperature was accurate…
…and the slimness was a real asset for those with limited space.
With perfect results, we cooked steak and boneless skinless chicken breasts…
…for chicken salad. However, the sky is really the limit here.
We were also able to make crème fraîche (cooking it for 24 hours at 96 degrees)…
…crème brûlée in canning jars (“the custard came out silky smooth”), and even pickles.
Pros:
- Well-known brand
- Affordable price
- Temperature is accurate
Cons:
- No remote control
- Beeps are quiet
- No recipes included
Sum Up!
By using a sous-vide machine, we can cook our foods in water…
…and then seal the container so air cannot get in or out.
As a result, your food is evenly heated throughout…
…yet its natural juices are preserved.
The result? Whenever you cook, it always turns out perfect!
Conclusion
We selected the Anova Precision Cooker WIFI 2nd Gen as our top choice…
…because of its reliable, consistent performance…
…particularly when it comes to cooking meat.
Additionally, it has both Bluetooth and WiFi.
We recommend the Breville Joule Sous Vide…
…if you’d prefer something a little more compact.
It has a sleek design, is easy to use, and is attractive.
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Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
