The Best Cheap Sous Vide Cooker
Above-average ratings, below-average prices, no fake reviews.
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Sous vide is a method of cooking that translates to “under vacuum” in French. There are different styles of sous vide cooking, but they all have one thing in common: Food is slow-cooked underwater. If prepared properly, foods that are easy-to-overcook (like eggs, chicken and steak) are brought to a high-enough temperature to kill bacteria, yet they remain tender and moist.
(Some adventurous home chefs use an air fryer to finish sous vide meat.)
The most popular sous vide cookers are immersion circulators. These joystick-like devices control the temperature and flow of water within a pot. But, before food can be cooked, it must be sealed in an airtight container.
Many sous vide enthusiasts use vacuum-sealed plastic bags (or evacuated Ziploc bags) as a disposable cooking pouch. Reusable silicone bags are another option; however, they must be cleaned and sterilized after each use to prevent bacterial contamination. On the other hand, using glass jars or Pyrex dishes is a way to avoid synthetics altogether.
Is sous vide safe? There isn’t much research on how microbes respond to low cooking-temperatures or whether heated plastic bags can release toxic chemicals into food, which is strange, because scientists have concluded that sous vide produces meat with “increased tenderness and better appearance.”
How Much Does a Sous Vide Cooker Cost?
A good sous vide cooker (with verified, above-average reviews) costs approximately $75, according to a 12-month analysis of price trends. Those same immersion circulators cost around $53 while on sale: an average discount of 29%. This data also suggests that Amazon is the best place to buy a sous vide cooker online.
Here are the best inexpensive sous vide cookers for the money:
Methodology for Selecting Products
I use data science to discover above-average products that are selling for below-average prices. To find sous vide cookers with below-average prices, I first assemble a list of candidates, then organize those products by their 12-month average sale price, determine the median value and then exclude any machine with a price above the mid-point.
To find immersion circulators with above-average reviews, I measure the relationship between 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 star ratings and flag outliers that fall outside of a normal statistical distribution. I also discount paid, sponsored and unverified reviews as well as unhelpful review behaviors from verified customers. Models with an average adjusted rating of less than 3.9 out of 5 are excluded; in the end, fewer than 15% of the analyzed products remain.
Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano (AN400-US00)
Good Value: $93 | Great Deal: $64
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This budget sous vide cooker is compact and lightweight, according to several online customers. Many reviewers say that Anova’s Bluetooth controls are unreliable (and prefer manual settings); others say that it takes a long time to heat water. A few customers expressed concerns about long-term durability.
Emeril Lagasse Sous Vide Cooker (SVD 45010 BK)
Good Value: $85 | Great Deal: $70
Emeril’s sous vide cooker is simple, effective and it comes with a convenient case, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say the temperature is hard to adjust; others say the instructions are poor.
Monoprice 800W Sous Vide Immersion Cooker
Good Value: $68 | Great Deal: $44
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This sous-vide cooker is quiet, it heats up quickly and it regulates water temperature well, according to several online customers. Some reviewers found this cooker’s instructions to be confusing; others complained of a buzzing sound. Most were happy to have a manual cooker without WiFi.
Instant Pot SSV800 Accu Slim Sous Vide Immersion Circulator
Good Value: $79 | Great Deal: $55
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Instant Pot’s immersion circulator is well-packaged and has accurate temperature controls, according to several online customers. Some reviewers wish this sous vide cooker heated water more quickly; others say the clamp is flimsy. A few customers say the light-grey text in the instruction manual is hard to read.
Wancle (SVC001) Sous Vide Cooker
Good Value: $85 | Great Deal: $60
Wancle’s sous vide cooker is well-built and easy to use, according to several online customers. Many reviewers (even happy ones) say the time and temperature controls are too sensitive and that the instructions are poor. Some customers appreciate that this cooker is not a smart/WiFi appliance.
Zing Sous Vide (Original Sous°V) Precision Cooker
Good Value: $112 | Great Deal: $90
Zing’s sous vide cooker is easy to use and easy to clean, according to several online customers. Some reviewers wish that this unit heated up more quickly; others wish that it had a pressure cooker function.
HadinEEon Sous Vide Immersion Circulator (SV268)
Good Value: $63 | Great Deal: $55
HadinEEon’s budget sous vide circulator is accurate, easy to store and it makes perfect food, according to several online customers. Many reviewers wish that this unit included a recipe book and more detailed instructions (especially with regard to on/off settings); others say that the spring clip is weak.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Cyber Monday.
Fityou 1100W Sous Vide Cooker
Good Value: $70 | Great Deal: $60
This inexpensive sous vide wand heats up quickly, runs quietly and it circulates water forcefully, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say that the thermostat is off by one or two degrees.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.
About the Author: John DeFeo specializes in the analysis of online customer reviews. He was formerly the head of editorial insights for Tom’s Guide.
