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
$2.45
3 uses/week at 1 kWh each · 200 W
Electric Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot) · per month
$2.29
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) | $2.45 | $2.29 |
| Cost per year (US avg) | $29.41 | $27.45 |
| Cost per month in Hawaii | $6.07 | $5.67 |
Rates as of April 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 (18.8¢/kWh), the electric pressure cooker (instant pot) is cheaper: about $2.29/month versus $2.45/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 $1.96 per year at typical usage and average rates. In Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh) the annual gap grows to roughly $4.86.
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 North Dakota at 12.4¢/kWh to Hawaii at 46.6¢/kWh. Open each appliance's page for the exact cost in your state.