The Best Sous Vide
Full results from testing 7 top products are in our Product Comparison Table and Analysis & Test Results sections.
Best Overall Sous Vide Machine
Anova Culinary Precision Cooker 3.0
The Anova Culinary Precision Cooker 3.0 is an easy-to-use, efficient, and reliable sous vide machine. It provides fast and accurate heating that can be tuned to the 10th of a degree and heats 9.5 quarts of water to 147°F in 36 minutes, a time that was only beaten by the Breville Joule Turbo at 32 minutes. Additionally, it circulates the contents of a 9.5-quart container in a remarkable 10 seconds flat, ensuring a stable cooking temp. The power and precision reduce prep time and result in a more stable cook, which was evident in our cooking test, where it provided a stunning egg that perfectly met our expectations. Plus, this sous vide is exceptionally user-friendly, which our team appreciated. One tester noted that the machine “sends a notification once the water is heated and when the timer is done, so you don’t have to stay in the kitchen the whole time.” The adjustable clamp allows for it to be used on nearly any cooking vessel, and the interface is as intuitive as it gets whether you use the device controls or the smartphone app, which is loaded with recipes and fun cooking ideas.
| Time to heat to 147 F | 36 min |
|---|---|
| Max Temp setting | 91.7 C | 197.0 F |
| Clamp/Mounts | Adjustable screw clamp |
| Heating Degree per Minute | -16.28 C | 2.69 F |
| Wattage | 1100 W |
Our only issue with the Anova Culinary Precision Cooker 3.0 is that the cooking timer automatically starts when the device reaches the set temperature. Lesley, our lead tester for sous vides, shared that “if you aren’t standing in the kitchen, you have to go back and reset the timer because you put the food in once it has reached that temperature.” It’s a minor inconvenience in an otherwise well-designed machine. The smartphone app connectivity is great, but if you’re looking for even more smart features and a quicker cook for certain recipes, the Breville Joule Turbo might be more your speed. Also, the Anova Culinary Precision Cooker Nano 3.0 offers a lot of the same functionality as the flagship model but in a more compact and less expensive package.
Read more: Anova Culinary Precision Cooker 3.0 review
Budget-Friendly with an App
Anova Culinary Precision Cooker Nano 3.0
If you don’t need a full-sized sous vide machine, consider a smaller device like the Anova Culinary Precision Cooker Nano 3.0. This sous vide can keep temperatures perfectly stable (with less than a 10th of a degree of deviation) for over an hour, which is comparable to pricier machines like the Anova Culinary Precision Cooker 3.0 and the Inkbird WiFi Cooker ISV-100W. It is simple, intuitive, and features outstanding temperature control. Our lead tester said that this model is a “good entry-level device for beginners that is affordable and accurate.” Though it doesn’t circulate as fast as some models, it still only took 48 seconds to fully circulate a 9.5-quart container during our test. We also love the smart features available through the Anova Culinary app. You can discover many recipes to make from pre-programmed instructions or create your own in this app and save them to use for future meals.
| Time to heat to 147 F | 47 min |
|---|---|
| Max Temp setting | 91.7 C | 197.0 F |
| Clamp/Mounts | Fixed screw clamp |
| Heating Degree per Minute | -16.66 C | 2.01 F |
| Wattage | 850 W |
The heating unit of the Anova Nano is smaller and less powerful than some larger models such as the Greater Goods Precision Cooker, so it initially takes longer to heat up, though it has increased in power from the previous 750-watt version. It can also take a little time to overcome the addition of food and return to temperature. If you’re shopping on a slightly tighter budget and still want a premium sous vide that excels at holding temperatures, then you’ll find this unit is a great choice. Bear in mind that it requires some patience and willingness to preheat your water beforehand, and in our tests, it was among the loudest when in operation; one person in our office thought “that someone was laying on their car horn or a car alarm was going off in the distance.” If you don’t have time to wait but still want a compact sous vide, the Breville Joule Turbo is the one to get — you can enjoy fast heat times and turbo recipes that cook faster, though you’ll be paying more for it.
Read more: Anova Culinary Precision Cooker Nano 3.0 review
Inexpensive with Excellent Circulation
Greater Goods Precision Cooker
The Greater Goods Precision Cooker is a very user-friendly option at a steal of a price. It has a large LCD screen that is easy to read, even from across the room. The large dial, which controls the cook time and temperature, “is super accurate and really easy to use,” and our tester likes that it spins without a hitch, making it easy to adjust. The circulation is efficient, resulting in a 39-minute heat time to reach 147 degrees, which is on par with the Inkbird WiFi Cooker ISV-100W. The large screw clamp is sturdy and reliable, making it easy to clip to any tub, Tupperware, or pot, and the sleek design is a crowd-pleaser. As the name suggests, this sous vide is also extremely quiet, so those especially affected by noise will appreciate this appliance. And our testers appreciate the “nice soft-touch plastic” and adjustable clamp.
| Time to heat to 147 F | 39 min |
|---|---|
| Max Temp setting | 95 C | 203.0 F |
| Clamp/Mounts | Adjustable screw clamp |
| Heating Degree per Minute | -16.37 C | 2.54 F |
| Wattage | 1100 W |
The Greater Goods has a slightly less reliable temperature compared to our other top performers, such as the Anova Culinary Precision Cooker 3.0. That said, the margin of error is still less than one degree, which is pretty insignificant regarding the overall quality of the experience. Additionally, our tester made sure to note that “this device must be in water (and running) to set time and temp.” This is somewhat inconvenient, but it does not affect the outcome of the food you’re making. If you want a super quiet, budget-friendly sous vide, the Greater Goods is a prime choice. But if you don’t mind spending a few dollars more and want to control your sous vide from your smartphone, the Anova Culinary Precision Cooker Nano 3.0 is where it’s at.
Read more: Greater Goods Precision Cooker review
Compact and Powerful with Smart Features
Breville Joule Turbo
The Breville Joule Turbo is the most compact and lightweight sous vide we tested, yet its 1100 watts is just as powerful as the larger models like the KitchenBoss G320 and can cook food even faster. During our temperature tests, the Joule turbo took just 32 minutes to reach 147 degrees in a 9.5-quart container, placing it towards the top of the pack. It has a unique turbo mode feature that our testers say “can cut down the typical sous vide cooking time” when you cook one of the 34 provided turbo recipes. It’s high-tech yet highly intuitive. The companion smartphone app contains guided recipes, simple controls, and impressive smart functionality — it even connects to Google Voice Assistant and Alexa so you can control your sous vide with vocal commands. The overall design is stylish enough for any kitchen. What’s more, the magnetic base improves the practicality of the device, enabling the sous vide to securely stand upright in a flat pot or container made of an appropriate metal without the need for a clip or clamp.
| Time to heat to 147 F | 32 min |
|---|---|
| Max Temp setting | 91.9 C | 197.4 F |
| Clamp/Mounts | Removable Clip |
| Heating Degree per Minute | -16.11 C | 3.00 F |
| Wattage | 1100 W |
The Joule Turbo’s design has a sleek form, but in some aspects, we think it takes priority over function. To control it, you must use a smartphone. Though the app is amazing, we still would like to see manual controls on the sous vide machine itself, and our testers mentioned that they “docked 1 point for lack of manual controls.” Similarly, the turbo feature is a useful and convenient bonus, but it cannot be used outside of the provided turbo recipes, and the faster initial heat time only saves you 5-7 minutes compared to machines like the Anova Culinary Precision Cooker 3.0 or the Inkbird WiFi Cooker ISV-100W. At the end of the day, it’s an incredible device with outstanding features and solid temperature control. If you want the sous vide with the best tech, the Joule Turbo is the one to get. But for a more well-rounded device that isn’t as expensive, the Anova Culinary Precision Cooker 3.0 is the best option.
Read more: Breville Joule Turbo review
Product Comparison Table
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How We Tested
All in all, we have purchased and tested a total of 18 sous vide machines that were subjected to more than 17 individual tests to assess their performance. We split our testing process into four weighted metrics — Temperature, Circulation, Ease of Use, and Cooking — each composed of different side-by-side tests. We used calibrated lab-grade thermometers and temperature loggers for our thermal accuracy tests. The most important rating is the temperature, which corresponds to 40% of the overall score. We used lab-grade equipment to measure and compare the temperature accuracy of each product. This rating is informed by two specific tests comprised of time to heat (50% of the rating) and temperature accuracy (50%). This review also utilizes research and observations from multiple testers to round out our information and compare each competitor’s performance.
We spent dozens of hours making all sorts of things under vacuum, pushing the limits of what you can cook in a hot water bath in our side-by-side temperature tests. We also used dye to visually assess how well each immersion circulator circulates. To rank and compare each product’s circulation capabilities, we designed a custom dye-injecting apparatus so we could watch the fluid move. Additionally, we examined the convenience and ease of use for each appliance, which involved testing each individual attachment style, looking for the one that provided the most user-friendly and intuitive experience, and trying out any connected smart features. We also convened a panel of judges to try out each machine to decide the easiest and most intuitive to use. Finally, we cooked individual eggs at a set temperature and length of time, then cracked them on a plate to evaluate their texture and consistency.
Our testing of sous vides is divided across four rating metrics:
- Temperature tests (40% of overall score weighting)
- Circulation tests (25% weighting)
- Ease of use tests (25% weighting)
- Cooking tests (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Our sous vide testing team is led by Lesley Robinson and Michelle Powell. Lesley is a Food Science graduate of California Polytechnic State University with extensive experience as a quality assurance and food safety professional. Her discerning palate and keen eye for detail served her well for over a decade in the food and supplement industry. Michelle has over ten years of professional culinary experience, ranging from managing an artisanal bakery to competing in latte art competitions. Most importantly, she brings a no-nonsense attitude towards kitchen appliances that don’t work as they should.
How to Pick the Best Sous Vide for You
When choosing a sous vide, consider what using it in your kitchen will be like. This is as important as comparing the numbers — perhaps moreso. How you interact with it, how long it takes to cook food, and how easily you can store it will all affect your overall dinner-making experience.
Interface
The style of interface directly impacts how you interact with a sous vide. Some sous vide machines, such as the Great Goods Precision Cooker, combine analog controls with LCD screens, while other models, like the Anova Culinary Precision Cooker 3.0, feature touch-screen displays. You can even find sous vides, like the Breville Joule Turbo, that have done away with manual controls altogether and require the use of a smartphone app to operate. Decide which type of control setup you prefer. Doing so will whittle down the available options to those you’ll enjoy using the most.
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