Why you'll love it: The
Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker has a state-of-the-art app that offers versatility in sous vide cooking.
In the world of sous vide machines, the Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker and the ChefSteps Joule are in a class of their own. When it comes to which of our top two picks are better, it’s really a toss-up. We gave the Joule the edge because it has a higher wattage and smaller size. But, the Anova Culinary model can be used manually without an app in case you want to put your smartphone away.
The unit attaches to your container via a ring clip. This allows you to adjust the depth of the circulator to fit the container. The Anova has a temperature range of 32 to 211.5 degrees Fahrenheit, a timer that runs up to 99 hours, and it can heat up to five gallons of water. This product is backed by a one-year or 5,000 hours of operation warranty.
The Wirecutter tested the Wi-Fi compatible Anova Precision Cooker and recommended it as the best sous vide machine available. The reviewers appreciated how the clip mount could be attached to containers of various sizes, and the unit ran quietly. They also liked that the addition of Wi-Fi didn’t keep them tethered to the kitchen.
Gizmodo reviewed the 800-watt Precision Cooker. The reviewer liked the compact size, easy-to-read display, and he found the resulting meals to be juicy, tender, and cooked perfectly. However, he was turned off by how hard it was to use the timer, and the app didn’t have much functionality. However, the review was written three years ago, and Anova Culinary has continued to make improvements to the app.
There are more than 3,000 positive reviews of the Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker on Amazon. The most helpful reviewer, Espresso Fan, shared a story of buying the most inexpensive cut of steak, chuck under blade steak, which is known for being tough. After 19 hours at 149 degrees Fahrenheit, the steak turned out melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
One buyer was turned off by an app update over a year ago that allegedly required users to link their Facebook account. However, Anova Culinary’s Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff Shannon McClenaghan told Business Insider that the company does not and never has required a Facebook account to log in for any of its products.
Another buyer found the steam produced by heating the water can cause the Anova to malfunction.
Pros: Second smallest option on our list, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible, works with a variety of containers
Cons: Some dislike using it without a smartphone
Buy the Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker on Amazon for $119 (originally $149)
Read our Anova Nano Sous Vide review