A decent multi-cooker no longer costs a fortune: the eight models here range from £22.99 to £99.99, and several punch well above their price. Whether you're batch-cooking for a family or squeezing a 6-litre pot into a compact UK kitchen, there's a realistic option at every budget point below £100.
What to look for
01Wattage and cooking speed on UK 240V mains
Most multi-cookers in this price bracket run between 500W and 1,500W on the UK's 240V supply. A higher wattage matters most when you're pressure-cooking or searing: the Morphy Richards 560007 draws 1,350W, which is enough to bring a 6.5-litre pot to pressure quickly and hold a proper sear without the temperature dropping when you add cold meat. The Trendi electric cooker tops the list at 1,500W but lacks a pressure-cooking function, so that wattage goes into surface heat rather than speed. At the other end, the Salter 3-tier steamer runs at just 500W, which is fine for gentle steaming but means you'll wait longer. As a rule of thumb, aim for at least 1,000W if you want to pressure-cook or fry; 500-700W is acceptable for steamers and slow cookers where speed is less critical.
02Capacity: matching pot size to your household
The most common sizes in this category are 6 litres and 6. 5 litres, which comfortably feed four to six people. The Morphy Richards and Midea both offer 6-litre-plus pots, suitable for batch cooking a full curry or a large stew. The Tower pressure cooker is listed as 6L/22cm, a useful reminder that the diameter matters too: a 22cm pot fits neatly on most UK worktops and inside standard 600mm base-unit cupboards. If you're cooking for one or two, the Salter 3-tier steamer's 3-litre total capacity (split across three baskets) is more practical and takes up far less counter space. The Drew&Cole CleverChef is marketed for five portions, which sits in the middle ground. Avoid buying more capacity than you need: a half-filled pressure cooker is less efficient and can affect cooking times.
03Number of functions: useful versus marketing padding
The Drew&Cole CleverChef claims 14 functions; the Morphy Richards claims 10. In practice, many of those functions overlap (sauté and fry are nearly identical) or are rarely used (yogurt-making appears on the Midea and Bertelin). Focus on the three or four modes you'll actually use: pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, and steam cover the vast majority of weeknight cooking. If you live in a hard-water area such as London or the South East, a steamer with a removable, descalable water reservoir (like the Salter) is easier to maintain than a multi-cooker where the heating element is harder to access. A dishwasher-safe inner pot, as found on the Morphy Richards and Midea, is a genuine time-saver rather than a gimmick.
04Price history and value: when to buy
Prices in this category move significantly. The Morphy Richards 560007 is currently £99.99 but dropped to £69.00 within the last 90 days, a saving of £30.99. The Drew&Cole CleverChef has a 90-day low of just £9.99 against a current price of £65.00, suggesting it goes on deep sale periodically. The Midea 9-in-1 is currently £79.99 but hit a 90-day low of £32.00, so patience pays off if you're not in a hurry. The Tower pressure cooker sits at £40.24 now, down from a 90-day high of £45.62. If you're shopping on Amazon UK, adding these to a wish list and checking back around bank holidays or sale events is a straightforward way to save. The Camp4 adaptor at £11.99 has held a flat price throughout, so no timing strategy is needed there.
Our top picks
Best for family batch cooking with multiple functionsMorphy Richards Multifunction 10-in-1 Food Multicooker
At £99.99 (down to £69.00 within the last 90 days), the Morphy Richards 560007 offers a 6.5-litre aluminium non-stick pot, 10 cooking modes including fry, roast, steam, and slow cook, and a 1,350W element that handles a proper sear. The LED control panel is clear and the pot is dishwasher-safe, which matters when you're cooking a full batch of chilli for six.
Best budget pressure cooker for everyday useTower 6L/22cm Pressure Cooker with Steamer
The Tower T80244 is a straightforward 6-litre, 22cm stainless-steel pressure cooker with a steamer basket, currently £40.24 against a 90-day high of £45.62. It does one job well: pressure cooking cuts braising times dramatically, and the included steamer basket adds versatility. Stainless steel holds up better than non-stick in hard-water areas where limescale can degrade coatings.
Best for versatile cooking including bread and soupDrew&Cole CleverChef 14-in-1 Multi Cooker
The Drew&Cole CleverChef lists 14 functions including bread maker and soup maker, which most rivals at this price skip entirely. Currently £65.00, it has a 90-day low of £9.99, indicating it goes on heavy sale. If you want a single appliance to replace a bread machine, slow cooker, and steamer, this is the most function-dense option under £100.
Best compact steamer for one or two peopleSalter 3-Tier Food Steamer
At £22.99, the Salter 3-tier steamer is the most affordable pick here and draws just 500W, keeping running costs low. Its 3-litre capacity across three baskets lets you cook a protein, vegetables, and eggs simultaneously, and the 8-egg capacity is a specific, practical feature. A 60-minute timer adds basic automation. For a single person or couple in a small flat with limited worktop space, this is a far more sensible buy than a 6.5-litre multi-cooker that would sit half-empty most evenings.
Frequently asked
What is the best multi-cooker under £100 in the UK?
The Morphy Richards 560007 is the strongest all-round option under £100. It offers a 6.5-litre pot, 10 cooking functions, a 1,350W element for proper searing, and a dishwasher-safe non-stick pot. For a tighter budget, the Tower T80244 pressure cooker at around £40 is a reliable, no-frills alternative.
Is a multi-cooker worth buying for a small UK kitchen?
Yes, provided you choose the right size. A 6-litre multi-cooker with a 22cm diameter, such as the Tower T80244, fits within a standard 600mm UK base-unit cupboard when not in use. If worktop space is very limited, a compact steamer like the Salter 3-tier (3-litre, 500W) takes up far less room. The key question is whether the multi-cooker genuinely replaces two or three appliances you already own. If it does, it earns its counter space; if you'd still keep a separate slow cooker and steamer, the saving is less clear.
How many watts does a multi-cooker need to be effective in the UK?
On the UK's 240V supply, aim for at least 1,000W if you want to pressure-cook or sear. The Morphy Richards 560007 runs at 1,350W and the Trendi electric cooker at 1,500W, both sufficient for high-heat cooking. For slow cooking or steaming, 500-700W is adequate and cheaper to run. A lower-wattage model used for pressure cooking will take longer to reach pressure and may struggle to maintain a proper sear temperature when cold ingredients are added.
Are multi-cooker inner pots dishwasher safe?
Not all of them. The Morphy Richards 560007 and Midea 9-in-1 both explicitly list dishwasher-safe inner pots, which is a genuine convenience for everyday use. The Tower T80244 is stainless steel and generally safe to wash in a dishwasher, though checking the manufacturer's instructions is always advisable. Non-stick coatings can degrade faster in dishwashers over time, particularly in hard-water areas like London or the South East where limescale deposits are common. Hand-washing with a soft cloth extends the life of any non-stick surface.
Can a multi-cooker replace a slow cooker?
In most cases, yes. The Morphy Richards 560007, Drew&Cole CleverChef, Midea 9-in-1, and Bertelin Digi Cooker all include a dedicated slow-cook function. The advantage of a multi-cooker over a standalone slow cooker is that you can sauté onions and brown meat in the same pot before switching to slow-cook mode, saving on washing up. A dedicated slow cooker is typically cheaper (often under £25) and simpler to use, so if slow cooking is the only function you need, a standalone model may be a better buy.