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Sous vide machines

Best Sous Vide Machines for Precise, Low-Temperature Cooking at Home

Precise immersion circulators and water-bath cookers for steak, fish, eggs, vegetables and make-ahead cooking at home.

Products shortlisted
8
Last updated
15 Jul 2026

The best sous vide machines hold water at a steady temperature so food cooks evenly all the way through, then you can finish it quickly in a pan, on a grill or under a hot oven. They are especially useful for steak, chicken, fish, eggs and batch cooking because they make timing more forgiving.

If this is your first sous vide machine, start with an immersion circulator: it clips to a pan or container, stores easily and gives you more flexibility than a fixed water bath. A water-bath model can still make sense if you want an all-in-one appliance, a larger covered tank or slow-cooker functions alongside sous vide.

Quick picks

Best options at a glance

See the main recommendations side by side, with enough detail to decide which picks deserve a closer look.

Read verdicts

Comparison

Compare the products at a glance

See the main details and prices side by side to narrow down the products that suit your kitchen.

Product Price Format Power Controls
Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker 2.0 Best Overall Sous Vide Machine Guide price: about £217 Immersion circulator 1000W Wi-Fi app + device
Inkbird ISV-100W Sous Vide WiFi Cooker Best Wi-Fi Sous Vide Machine Guide price: about £99 Immersion circulator 1000W Wi-Fi app + device
KitchenBoss G300 Sous Vide Cooker Best Quiet Sous Vide Machine Guide price: about £110 Immersion circulator 1100W Device controls
Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano 2.0 Best Compact Sous Vide Machine Guide price: about £159 Immersion circulator 750W Bluetooth app + device
Russell Hobbs 25630 Slow Cooker and Sous Vide Bath Best Sous Vide Water Bath Guide price: about £88 Water bath / slow cooker 290–350W Device controls
Vpcok Direct 1000W Sous Vide Immersion Circulator Best Budget Sous Vide Machine Typical price: £50–£70 Immersion circulator 1000W Device controls
Joule Sous Vide by ChefSteps Best App-Guided Sous Vide Machine Guide price: about £229 Immersion circulator 1100W Wi-Fi / Bluetooth app
Wancle Sous Vide Precision Cooker Best Beginner Sous Vide Machine Guide price: about £90 Immersion circulator 850W Device controls

Buying advice

How to choose a sous vide machine

Use these checks to decide which features matter before comparing individual products.

Choose between a stick and a water bath

An immersion circulator clips to a pan or container, so it is easier to store and suits most homes. A water bath takes more cupboard space but gives you a dedicated tank and can be more convenient for regular batch cooking.

Check power and water capacity

Higher-wattage circulators heat water faster and recover temperature more confidently when food is added. Around 800-1100W is common for home sticks; larger water baths need enough capacity for the portions you cook most often.

Look for accurate temperature control

Sous vide depends on stable low-temperature cooking, so fine control matters more than lots of presets. Accuracy around 0.1°C is useful, especially for eggs, fish and steak doneness.

Decide whether app control helps

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and app recipes are useful if you want guided cooking or remote checks. Manual controls are simpler and often enough if you already know the time and temperature you need.

Choose a suitable container and lid

The circulator needs enough room to move water around every bag without exceeding its stated capacity. A lid or purpose-made cover reduces evaporation during long cooks; if you use an open pan, check the water level regularly.

Think about noise and cleaning

Circulators run for long periods, so fan or pump noise can matter in open-plan kitchens. A removable sleeve, waterproof rating and secure clamp also make day-to-day use easier.

Full verdicts

Why these picks made the shortlist

A closer look at where each pick works best, what it gives up and what to double-check before buying.

Award Best Overall Sous Vide Machine

Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker

Key specs

Format
Immersion circulator
Power
1000W
Controls
Wi-Fi app + device

Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker 2.0

WiFi, 1000W

The Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker is the most convincing all-round choice because it combines a flexible clip-on design with app support and a reassuringly capable feature set. It is a better first pick for most homes than a bulky fixed water bath.

Guide price: about £217

Key features

  • Immersion circulator format
  • App-supported cooking
  • Secure clamp for pan or container use

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Well-rounded feature set for regular home use.
  • Good fit for beginners and regular sous vide cooking.
  • App support helps with timings and recipes.

Cons

  • Costs more than basic budget circulators.
  • Buyers who want a covered tank should look at a water-bath model.

Verdict

Start here if you want a capable sous vide stick that can handle regular steak, chicken, fish and vegetable cooking without taking over the kitchen. Budget buyers can spend less, but the Anova gives a more polished route into precise low-temperature cooking.

Award Best Wi-Fi Sous Vide Machine

Inkbird Sous Vide Precision Cooker

Key specs

Format
Immersion circulator
Power
1000W
Controls
Wi-Fi app + device

Inkbird ISV-100W Sous Vide WiFi Cooker

1000W immersion circulator

The Inkbird Sous Vide Precision Cooker is a smart, practical circulator for buyers who want app control without jumping to the most expensive end of the category. Its 1000W heating, 25-99°C range and low-water alerts make it a rounded home option.

Guide price: about £99

Key features

  • Wi-Fi app control
  • 1000W rapid circulation
  • Low-water safety alerts

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Strong smart-control feature set.
  • Wi-Fi control and long timer support.
  • Precise temperature increments.

Cons

  • Initial Wi-Fi setup can be less simple than button-only models.
  • The included guidance is not the strongest part of the package.

Verdict

This is the better choice if remote control and scheduling matter to you. It asks for a little more setup patience than a simple button-led stick, but the feature set is strong for the money.

Award Best Quiet Sous Vide Machine

KitchenBoss Ultra-Quiet Immersion Circulator

Key specs

Format
Immersion circulator
Power
1100W
Controls
Device controls

KitchenBoss G300 Sous Vide Cooker

1100W, Silver, IPX7

The KitchenBoss Ultra-Quiet Immersion Circulator earns its place for buyers who want a more solid-feeling stick and care about long cooking sessions in a shared kitchen. The durable build and sensible price make it a strong alternative to the better-known names.

Guide price: about £110

Key features

  • Stainless steel build
  • Quiet immersion-circulator design
  • Strong motor positioning

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Sturdy stainless steel construction.
  • Quieter long-cook positioning.
  • Good value for a more substantial design.

Cons

  • Less clear on exact temperature range than some rivals.
  • Not as compact as the smallest Anova option.

Verdict

It is a sensible alternative to the better-known Anova and Inkbird options if you want a sturdier circulator rather than the cheapest possible stick. Choose the Anova Nano instead if cupboard space is your first concern.

Award Best Compact Sous Vide Machine

Anova Nano Sous Vide Machine

Key specs

Format
Immersion circulator
Power
750W
Controls
Bluetooth app + device

Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano 2.0

Compact sous vide cooker

The Anova Nano Sous Vide Machine is the neatest pick for smaller kitchens because it keeps the clip-on sous vide format but trims the size. It still gives enough capability for smaller portions, steak nights and occasional batch cooking.

Guide price: about £159

Key features

  • Compact Anova design
  • 750W heating
  • Bluetooth app support

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Compact and easy to store.
  • Useful app support for beginners.
  • A practical option for occasional cooks.

Cons

  • Less powerful than larger 1000W and 1100W circulators.
  • Bluetooth control can be less convenient than Wi-Fi.

Verdict

This is the Anova to choose when storage matters more than maximum heating speed. Larger households and frequent batch cooks should step up to a more powerful circulator.

Award Best Sous Vide Water Bath

Russell Hobbs Slow Cooker and Sous Vide Bath

Key specs

Format
Water bath / slow cooker
Power
290–350W
Controls
Device controls

Russell Hobbs 25630 Slow Cooker and Sous Vide Bath

6.5L, Black

The Russell Hobbs Slow Cooker and Sous Vide Bath is the more appliance-like option on this list. Instead of clipping a circulator to a separate pan, you get a 6.5-litre cooking vessel that can also handle slow-cooker duties.

Guide price: about £88

Key features

  • 6.5-litre water bath
  • Slow-cooker function
  • Temperature probe

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Works as a sous vide water bath and slow cooker.
  • Useful temperature probe.
  • Good option for set-and-forget cooking.

Cons

  • Takes more cupboard and worktop space than a stick.
  • Lower-powered than most immersion circulators.

Verdict

It suits buyers who want one plug-in appliance for slow cooking and sous vide rather than the most compact setup. A stick circulator is still the better fit if you want flexibility with different container sizes.

Award Best Budget Sous Vide Machine

Vpcok Direct Immersion Circulator Sous Vide

Key specs

Format
Immersion circulator
Power
1000W
Controls
Device controls

Vpcok Direct 1000W Sous Vide Immersion Circulator

360-degree circulation, 0-104.5C

The Vpcok Direct Immersion Circulator is the budget pick because it covers the practical basics at an approachable price: digital timing, a secure clamp, stainless steel components and fine temperature adjustment.

Typical price: £50–£70

Key features

  • Digital display
  • 0.1°C temperature setting
  • Water-level protection

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Budget-friendly compared with the leading smart models.
  • Clear digital controls.
  • Safety features include water-level protection.

Cons

  • Not the quietest option.
  • Build and brand recognition are less compelling than the leading picks.

Verdict

It is a good way to try sous vide without paying Anova or premium smart-cooker prices. The trade-off is refinement: keen cooks may prefer the quieter or better-supported models above.

Award Best App-Guided Sous Vide Machine

Joule sous vide by ChefSteps

Key specs

Format
Immersion circulator
Power
1100W
Controls
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth app

Joule Sous Vide by ChefSteps

All White

The Joule sous vide by ChefSteps is the app-first choice. Its slim body, guided cooking and magnetic base make it appealing if you want a more recipe-led experience than a basic stick with manual buttons.

Guide price: about £229

Key features

  • Slim app-guided circulator
  • Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection
  • Magnetic base and side clip

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Compact and easy to store.
  • Helpful recipe-led app experience.
  • Capable cooking results from a very compact body.

Cons

  • Wi-Fi connection can be awkward.
  • Short power lead.
  • Circulation noise may be noticeable.

Verdict

It is best for buyers who value the app experience and compact storage enough to accept a few usability trade-offs. If you want a simpler manual setup, the Anova, Inkbird or Wancle options will feel more straightforward.

Award Best Beginner Sous Vide Machine

Wancle Sous Vide Precision Cooker

Key specs

Format
Immersion circulator
Power
850W
Controls
Device controls

Wancle Sous Vide Precision Cooker

Black-Classic

The Wancle Sous Vide Precision Cooker is a practical first machine if you want manual controls and a sensible price rather than app features. The angled control panel and one-handed operation make it less intimidating for new users.

Guide price: about £90

Key features

  • 850W heating
  • Angled control panel
  • Wide temperature range

Where to buy

Retailer prices can change, so check the final price before buying.

Amazon UK Price Check retailer Checked - View at Amazon

Pros

  • Simple one-handed operation.
  • Useful 25-99.9°C temperature range.
  • Good value against more feature-heavy smart models.

Cons

  • Slower than some higher-powered models.
  • Bulkier than the most compact sticks.

Verdict

It is a good beginner choice for simple steak, eggs and meal-prep cooking. Move up to the Inkbird or Anova if you want stronger app features or faster heating.

Questions

Sous vide machine questions

Straight answers to the questions that usually come up before buying.

Do I need a vacuum sealer for sous vide?

No. A vacuum sealer is convenient, but zip-seal freezer bags can work for many foods if you lower the bag into water to push out the air before sealing. Use food-safe bags that can handle warm water.

Is an immersion circulator better than a water bath?

For most homes, yes, because it costs less, stores more easily and works with different containers. A water bath is better if you want a dedicated tank, a lid and a more appliance-like setup.

What can you cook sous vide?

Steak, chicken breasts, pork, fish, eggs, carrots, asparagus and meal-prep portions all work well. The method is best for foods where precise doneness or make-ahead timing matters.

Can sous vide food be overcooked?

It is harder to overcook than with a pan or oven, but texture can still suffer if food is held for too long. Time matters as well as temperature, particularly with delicate fish and vegetables.

Why do you sear food after sous vide cooking?

Sous vide cooks food evenly but does not create a browned crust. Pat meat or fish dry, then finish it briefly in a very hot pan, under a grill or on a barbecue so the outside browns without substantially cooking the centre again.

Is sous vide safe?

It can be safe when you follow suitable time and temperature guidance, use food-safe bags and chill food quickly if you are not eating it straight away. Do not guess with low-temperature cooking.

Buying advice

Helpful advice before you choose

Use these guides to settle the trade-offs that matter before comparing the recommendations.

More buying guides

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