Slow Cooker vs Electric Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot): Which Costs Less to Run?
Low and slow versus hot and fast: two paths to the same braise, hours apart.
Slow Cooker · per month
$2.40
3 uses/week at 1 kWh each · 200 W
Electric Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot) · per month
$2.24
4 uses/week at 0.7 kWh each · 1,000 W
Verdict
The electric pressure cooker usually wins on energy — intense heating for a short time beats gentle heating for eight hours, typically by 30–50% per meal. The slow cooker wins on set-and-forget convenience and gentler textures. Both beat the oven; either is a frugal choice, so pick by cooking style.
Side by side
| Slow Cooker | Electric Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical power | 200 W | 1,000 W |
| Typical usage | 3 uses/week at 1 kWh each | 4 uses/week at 0.7 kWh each |
| Energy per month | 13 kWh | 12 kWh |
| Cost per month (US avg) | $2.40 | $2.24 |
| Cost per year (US avg) | $28.78 | $26.86 |
| Cost per month in Hawaii | $6.77 | $6.32 |
Rates as of May 2026. Adjust the assumptions on each appliance's page: Slow Cooker · Electric Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot).
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to run: a slow cooker or a electric pressure cooker (instant pot)?
At typical usage and the current U.S. average rate (18.4¢/kWh), the electric pressure cooker (instant pot) is cheaper: about $2.24/month versus $2.40/month for the slow cooker — a difference of $0.16 per month.
How much could I save per year by choosing the electric pressure cooker (instant pot)?
About $1.92 per year at typical usage and average rates. In Hawaii (52¢/kWh) the annual gap grows to roughly $5.42.
Do these numbers apply to my state?
The ratio between the two stays the same everywhere, but the dollar gap scales with your rate — from Idaho at 12.4¢/kWh to Hawaii at 52¢/kWh. Open each appliance's page for the exact cost in your state.