Budget Rice Cooker vs Multicooker
The Tefal Cooltouch RK1568 and the Instant Pot Duo 7‑in‑1 are two extremely popular kitchen appliances in the UK — but they serve very different purposes. The Tefal is a simple, budget‑friendly rice cooker designed for basic white rice. The Instant Pot Duo is a full multicooker that can pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sauté, and more.
This comparison breaks down the differences so you can choose the right one for your home.
⭐ Quick Verdict
These two cookers are aimed at different buyers:
- Tefal RK1568 → Best for people who want a cheap, simple rice cooker for everyday white rice.
- Instant Pot Duo → Best for families who want versatility, speed, and multiple cooking functions.
If you want simplicity, choose Tefal. If you want one appliance that does everything, choose Instant Pot Duo.
🔍 Side‑by‑Side Comparison
| Feature | Tefal RK1568 | Instant Pot Duo 7‑in‑1 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Budget rice cooker | Multicooker |
| Capacity | 1.8 L | 3L / 5.7L / 8L |
| Technology | Basic thermostat | Pressure + slow + rice |
| Bowl | Non‑stick | Stainless‑steel pot |
| Modes | Cook / Warm | Pressure, Slow, Rice, Steam, Sauté, Yogurt |
| Rice Quality | Good | Very good |
| Learning Curve | Very easy | Medium |
| Price | Low | Mid‑range |
| Best For | 3–6 people | 3–8 people |
🏆 Rice Quality
Tefal RK1568
Good for everyday white rice. Simple, predictable, and family‑friendly.
Instant Pot Duo
Makes better rice overall, especially using the “Rice” or “Pressure Cook (Low)” settings.
Winner: Instant Pot Duo
⚙️ Versatility
Tefal RK1568
A dedicated rice cooker with only two functions:
- Cook
- Keep Warm
Instant Pot Duo
A full multicooker that replaces:
- A rice cooker
- A slow cooker
- A pressure cooker
- A steamer
- A sauté pan
- A yogurt maker
Winner: Instant Pot Duo (By a huge margin.)
⏱️ Speed
Tefal RK1568
Standard rice‑cooker timings.
Instant Pot Duo
Pressure cooking dramatically reduces cooking times for stews, curries, meats, and even rice.
Winner: Instant Pot Duo
🧱 Build Quality
Tefal RK1568
Lightweight, basic, and functional.
Instant Pot Duo
Stainless‑steel pot, sturdy lid mechanism, built for heavy use.
Winner: Instant Pot Duo
🧼 Ease of Use
Tefal RK1568
Add rice → press button → done. Zero learning curve.
Instant Pot Duo
More buttons, more modes, and a learning curve — but very rewarding once mastered.
Winner: Tefal RK1568 (For absolute simplicity.)
💷 Price & Value
Tefal RK1568
One of the cheapest 1.8 L rice cookers in the UK — unbeatable for families on a budget.
Instant Pot Duo
Exceptional value for versatility — replaces multiple appliances.
Winner:
- Best budget value: Tefal
- Best overall value: Instant Pot Duo
👨👩👧 Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the Tefal RK1568 if you want:
- A cheap, simple rice cooker
- A large 1.8 L capacity
- Basic white rice with no fuss
- A family‑friendly machine
Choose the Instant Pot Duo if you want:
- One appliance that does everything
- Pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, sautéing
- Large capacity (5.7L or 8L)
- Faster meal prep
- A stainless‑steel inner pot
⭐ Final Verdict
The Tefal RK1568 is perfect for families who want a cheap, simple rice cooker for everyday use. The Instant Pot Duo is ideal for households who want versatility, speed, and multiple cooking functions.
Choose based on whether you want simplicity or multi‑function power.
🛒 Buy on Amazon
Tefal RK1568
- TWO SETTING FUNCTION: Choose from Automatic cooking to cook your rice to your standards, before serving, when ready, for rice that keeps warm after cooking thanks to the keep warm function.
- SAFE HANDLING: CoolTouch has a coolwall body that keeps cool during operation. Equipped with nonslip feet for secure placement and a convenient plastic handle allowing you to move or serve from the rice cooker without injury or harm.
- EASY-TO-CLEAN: Non-stick removable bowl that is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and convenience.
- BIG CAPACITY: Comes with 1.8 L food capacity that can serve between 10-20 portions.
- INCLUDED: 1 Measuring cup, 1 Serving spoon and a Steam basket.
Instant Pot Duo
- 13 PROGRAMS: Soup, Broth, Meat, Stew, Bean, Chilli, Slow Cook, Saute, Rice, Porridge, Steam, Yogurt, Keep Warm, Multigrain, Poultry and Pressure Cook— get creative with just one appliance!
- ENERGY-SAVING: Save up to 80% on your energy bill compared to traditional electric ovens—so you can put that extra cash towards the things that really matter!
- TIME-SAVING: Cut cooking time by up to 70% compared to traditional methods when pressure cooking —more time for the things you love and less time spent in the kitchen!
- SET IT & FORGET IT – The Instant Pot Duo remembers your favorite cooking styles and go-to programs, so you can relax and do other things while your meal cooks safely and quickly.
- 5 PORTIONS – With its 5.7L capacity, it’s perfect for whipping up tasty weekday meals, family dinners, or even batch cooking for the week ahead.
Last update on 2026-08-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API