Is the Anova Precision Cooker 3.0 Worth It?
Based on tests by America's Test Kitchen (Jun 2025). How we score
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Amazon prices as of Sep 29, 9:38 PM EDT (details)
Why
America's Test Kitchen rates the Anova 3.0 Recommended: sturdy and well made, and "we could set the time and temperature either manually, on the machine itself, or using an app." But "It heated water quickly and usually quite accurately—on a few occasions, the temperature was off by about a degree," and its app "automatically starts a cook the moment water has reached its temperature and doesn't alert you when food is done or water levels are low." ATK's Best Buy, the Yedi Infinity, rated as well or better on every test and costs much less. ATK's winner, the Breville Joule Turbo, beat it too.
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Anova
Infinity Sous Vide
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen's Best Buy, praised for "its dead-on accuracy; its solid construction; its speed," powerful circulation and quiet running. The flaw: "The control panel display of this 14.5-inch-tall device points straight up, making it nearly impossible for a shorter tester to see, set, and check without standing on a step stool," and "there's no app to use instead." It comes with reusable bags and a small hand pump. It rated higher than the Anova for accuracy and speed. ATK didn't test long-term durability; 1-year replacement warranty.
| Criterion | Anova | Yedi |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Accuracy | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Sturdiness | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Speed | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Ease of use | 2/3 | 2.5/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Sous Vide Machines (updated June 24, 2025)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Sous Vide Machines (updated June 24, 2025)
Joule Turbo Sous Vide
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen's winner, top-rated on every test: it "heats water quickly and to exactly the temperature we selected every time," ATK calls it durable, and at 12 inches it's "still lightweight and easy to store". The catch: "With no controls on the unit itself, you must rely on its app to program time and temperature," though "its app is one of the best we've used." Its turbo mode works only with a small set of Breville presets. Its Amazon price moves a lot between sales.
| Criterion | Anova | Breville Joule Turbo |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Accuracy | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Sturdiness | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Speed | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Ease of use | 2/3 | 3/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Sous Vide Machines (updated June 24, 2025)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Sous Vide Machines (updated June 24, 2025)
Common questions
Anova or Joule?
America's Test Kitchen made the Breville Joule Turbo its winner; it rated higher than the Anova Precision Cooker 3.0 for accuracy, speed and ease of use. The Anova has controls on the unit; the Joule works only through its app.
Does the Anova 3.0 work without the app?
Yes. America's Test Kitchen could set time and temperature on the machine itself or in the app.
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Sous Vide Machines (updated June 24, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
