Best sous vide circulators

Why it ranks here. Anova made the home sous vide market in 2014 and still has the most owners, the most recipes and the most accessories. It ranks first for the Pro, which has dials and heats fast. The warning is the split: ten-year-old units run on, while some newer 3.0 and Nano units die in two years, one of them scalding its owner.

'I've had my Anova for 9 years and it continues to perform flawlessly'↗, says one owner. Another has had his 'since the 2014 Kickstarter'↗: 'Set temp with dial. Turn on. Walk away'↗. A current fan says 'the Anova Pro is still the one to beat'↗ for 'on-device controls and display'↗, and 'you don't need the app at all'↗. The other column is grim. One owner's two units each lasted 'a little over 2 years'↗, and the second, mid-cook, 'instantly felt hot'↗ and scalded his hand. Another's 'went bad during a 24 hour cook. Ruined a lot of food'↗, its replacement did the same, and support 'were snarky and rude to me'↗. A ten-year owner of both brands sees 'a decline in quality'↗ since Electrolux bought Anova and now recommends Inkbird. Some app features are behind a subscription.

“I bought one and it went bad during a 24 hour cook. Ruined a lot of food. It was replaced under warranty. I was cooking a lot for groups and needed another one. So I bought another one. That one went bad, ruining another big batch of food. When I reached out to support, they were snarky and rude to me. 67% failure rate and bad service. So I bought a polyscience and it’s been fantastic. ” — Reddit comment · u/bajajoaquin · r/sousvide · 2026-08-20

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• I’ve owned two of them now. Initially I had a cheapo Amazon sous vide that lasted just as long as the Anovas. 1st Anova had board failure. Screen wouldn’t turn on. Just about 2 years. 2nd Anova lasted until this spring. Again a little over 2 years. I was cooking a chuck roast at 136 and I went to check the timer by pressing the button. It instantly felt hot. I grabbed the top base of the unit and it scalded my hand.

  Reddit post · u/treemanmi · r/sousvide · 2026-06-18 · read the original ↗

• I’ve had an Anova since the 2014 Kickstarter. Bluetooth never worked but I honestly don’t understand why connectivity is needed at all. Set temp with dial. Turn on. Walk away.

  Reddit comment · u/dylans-alias · r/sousvide · 2026-08-20 · read the original ↗

• I’ve had my Anova for 9 years and it continues to perform flawlessly.

  Reddit comment · u/Steven1789 · r/sousvide · 2026-08-20 · read the original ↗

• I bought one and it went bad during a 24 hour cook. Ruined a lot of food. It was replaced under warranty. I was cooking a lot for groups and needed another one. So I bought another one. That one went bad, ruining another big batch of food. When I reached out to support, they were snarky and rude to me. 67% failure rate and bad service. So I bought a polyscience and it’s been fantastic.

  Reddit comment · u/bajajoaquin · r/sousvide · 2026-08-20 · read the original ↗

• It’s accurate. It’s reliable. And it has controls on its face so doesn’t require an app.

  Reddit comment · u/weedywet · r/sousvide · 2026-09-03 · read the original ↗

• Anova sold out to Electrolux almost 10 years ago. Joule was bought by Breville. There's been a decline in quality in both those brands - I own both. It's harder to make a reco these days as these 2 used to be the easy call. I generally recommend Inkbird.

  Reddit comment · u/TN31415 · r/sousvide · 2026-09-02 · read the original ↗

• Got it connected to my phone app and had it heating my first pot of water, which it got up to 130 degrees no problem. Then I went to prep my steak and get it into the pot, when I realized the display was dark. Went to the app, and it showed I lost connection. Entire unit was just dead

  Reddit post · u/oingerboinger · r/sousvide · 2026-06-22 · read the original ↗

• Personal opinion, but the Anova Pro is still the one to beat. It has on-device controls and display, and it heats up faster than anything besides the Joule Turbo. Yes, Anova wants to gatekeep the app, but guess what, you don't need the app at all.

  Reddit comment · u/erwos · r/sousvide · 2026-08-31 · read the original ↗

• You made such a great video that you convinced me to buy it yesterday and receive it today! I'm a big fan of your channel for a long time! Keep it up, congratulations!!!

  YouTube comment · @franhdeze · 2018-07-11 · watch the original ↗

• I just got a new Anova to replace one that I had for eight years. We loved our original Anova and so far the new one has been working great. Quiet and easy to use without an app. We don’t subscribe to anything.

  Reddit comment · u/Kentwomagnod · r/sousvide · 2026-07-02 · read the original ↗

Why it ranks here. The Joule is small, silent and the fastest heater here, and day-one units from 2016 still work. It ranks second because it has no buttons at all. Everything goes through an app that Breville once left unupdated for years, and one owner went through four units.

'It barely makes any noise at all'↗, says a Joule Turbo owner, who 'can't even hear it if there's anything else happening in the kitchen'↗. Another paid '$142 for mine during Amazon's Prime Day'↗, and it 'Performed flawlessly'↗. 'I have a day one Joule that works flawlessly. Purchased back in 2016'↗, says a third. An Anova owner says 'My Anova just takes way too long to heat up compared to the Joule'↗. The app is the fight. 'the Joule REQUIRES the app for all functions, fuck that noise'↗, says one refusenik; another notes that if Breville stops updating the app, 'which Breville did, for multiple years'↗, 'it's basically bricked'↗. One owner woke 'to 106* water, and no circulation'↗ after a disconnect. And one 'replaced 4 manufacturer defective Joules'↗ before Breville offered only 'a 25% discount on a new one'↗. He bought an Inkbird.

“I have the Breville Joule Turbo, and I’ve used it quite a bit since getting it back in February. I also paid $25 for the 3 year extended warranty, just in case. It barely makes any noise at all, and in fact I can’t even hear it if there’s anything else happening in the kitchen (talking, music, vent hood, etc.).” — Reddit comment · u/Dry_Button3132 · r/sousvide · 2026-07-02

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• I have the Breville Joule Turbo, and I’ve used it quite a bit since getting it back in February. I also paid $25 for the 3 year extended warranty, just in case. It barely makes any noise at all, and in fact I can’t even hear it if there’s anything else happening in the kitchen (talking, music, vent hood, etc.).

  Reddit comment · u/Dry_Button3132 · r/sousvide · 2026-07-02 · read the original ↗

• Ditto. Can attest that unit is almost noiseless. I paid $142 for mine during Amazon’s Prime Day thing so no complaints there either. Performed flawlessly and the phone controls are very easy to use.

  Reddit comment · u/Binspin63 · r/sousvide · 2026-07-02 · read the original ↗

• I have a day one Joule that works flawlessly. Purchased back in 2016. Now just realizing it's 10 years old!

  Reddit comment · u/Toastbuns · r/sousvide · 2026-09-03 · read the original ↗

• Same here. It’s a workhorse. My Anova just takes way too long to heat up compared to the Joule.

  Reddit comment · u/boo_urns1224 · r/sousvide · 2026-09-03 · read the original ↗

• If the company decides to just stop updating their app (which Breville did, for multiple years) it’s basically bricked

  Reddit comment · u/LaTosca · r/sousvide · 2026-07-02 · read the original ↗

• Conversely the Joule REQUIRES the app for all functions, fuck that noise.

  Reddit comment · u/Blog_Pope · r/sousvide · 2026-08-25 · read the original ↗

• I was an early Joule buyer (Breville today) and there’s no question that it’s good and reliable but worth what Breville charges? Not to me. When my Joule died I choose an Anova model and it died while in warranty.

  Reddit comment · u/davidwb45133 · r/sousvide · 2026-08-23 · read the original ↗

• I love my Inkbird. I replaced 4 manufacturer defective Joules... My Joules had problem after problem. 3 were replaced by Breville. When the last one had a fatal error with the app...the manufacturer refused to replace it for a 4th time. They only wanted to offer me a 25% discount on a new one.

  Reddit comment · u/speppers69 · r/sousvide · 2026-08-21 · read the original ↗

• Erin, my concern/issue is that my joule keeps “disconnecting” and the circulator turns off 🥺 The convenience of a long SV cook is not having to eyeball it the entire time... I have a bottom round in the bath right now, went to sleep last night and woke up to 106* water, and no circulation.

  YouTube comment · @michaelvitale4029 · 2018-04-14 · watch the original ↗

• I love my Joule, no issues and the phone thing is actually very convenient. Makes legit no noise, in my opinion.

  Reddit comment · u/aculyamgooby2 · r/sousvide · 2026-07-05 · read the original ↗

Why it ranks here. The Inkbird is what people buy after their Anova or Joule dies: $60 to $100, quiet, accurate to a few hundredths of a degree, with buttons and an optional app. It ranks third only because it is the newcomer. Its owners are at four years, some running theirs around the clock.

'my Ink Bird ran 24/7 365 for years and it was stellar'↗, says a carnivore who cooked at 134 degrees for almost four years: 'Even after years the temp was still correct'↗. A new owner found it 'so EXTREMELY quiet'↗ he worried the fan was broken, and measured '.02 C +- variance'↗. An owner of both says 'my Inkbird kicks ass. It's quieter and seems to heat up faster too'↗ than his old Anova. One whose Anova 'Died completely after 18 months'↗ has 'had zero problems'↗ in three years with the Inkbird. One owner's maths: two ISV-200Ws cost $50 less than one Joule Turbo, and 'if one unit fails, the other takes over'↗. The quirk: on some units 'the display temp does not match the actual water temp'↗, fixed with an offset, after which it holds 'with 0 fluctuations'↗. Buying direct from Inkbird was cheaper for one owner, with no tariff.

“I had the Ink Bird 200W in the USA for almost 4 years I am Carnivore so I always had tougher meats as well as Chuck Eye and Rib Eye steak 🥩 I cooked at 134° , my Ink Bird ran 24/7 365 for years and it was stellar Even after years the temp was still correct” — YouTube comment · Racer704 · 2023-05-20

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• If I was buying today I'd get an Inkbird. Annova is a crappy company and Brevile is easy over priced.

  Reddit comment · u/tetlee · r/sousvide · 2026-07-02 · read the original ↗

• I had the Ink Bird 200W in the USA for almost 4 years I am Carnivore so I always had tougher meats as well as Chuck Eye and Rib Eye steak 🥩 I cooked at 134° , my Ink Bird ran 24/7 365 for years and it was stellar Even after years the temp was still correct

  YouTube comment · Racer704 · 2023-05-20 · watch the original ↗

• I just got the isv 200w , and the thing is so EXTREMELY quiet , i started getting worried somethings wrong with the fan 🤣 .. incredible product and even more incredible price .. insane actually how good it is for 70-80 usd .. quite precise as well , i measured it .02 C +- variance

  YouTube comment · @IytrrvItru · 2023-05-20 · watch the original ↗

• Only problem that I've had with it is temperature calibration. Use a probe thermometer in the water. While it keeps temperature great. But every time I use it...the display temp does not match the actual water temp... Once the temperature in the water with the probe is where I want it...it will hold for more than 48 hours running with 0 fluctuations.

  Reddit comment · u/speppers69 · r/sousvide · 2026-08-21 · read the original ↗

• I have both, an old Anova that still works (but no remote connectivity), and a newer Inkbird (bought 3 years ago for $62) with WIFI connectivity. I gotta say, my Inkbird kicks ass. It's quieter and seems to heat up faster too.

  Reddit comment · u/JimGerm · r/sousvide · 2026-08-20 · read the original ↗

• The Inkbird ISV-200W is $100 on Amazon, meaning you can buy TWO units for $50 *less* than a single Breville Turbo & run them in parallel in one container! ... This means that if one unit fails, the other takes over (you simply set both to the same temperature).

  Reddit comment · u/kaidomac · r/sousvide · 2026-08-06 · read the original ↗

• Side note: Bought the inkbird direct on their site and it was $95. Came from the factory in under a week, no tariff bill!

  Reddit comment · u/mounstahbites · r/sousvide · 2026-08-22 · read the original ↗

• First one I bought was an Anova. Seemed like every other time I tried to start it complained of low water though water was at the max line... Died completely after 18 months. Replaced with Inkbird and have had zero problems. Three years of its service and it is still going strong.

  Reddit comment · u/OozeNAahz · r/sousvide · 2026-08-20 · read the original ↗

• Just bought the ISV-200 for about $58. I'm just getting into sous vide. Great review.

  YouTube comment · @brandonbuckley7237 · 2023-05-20 · watch the original ↗

• So far the inkbird is accurate as I've ran some test after running for almost 24hrs and very easy to use epacially with the wifi connection.

  Reddit post · u/United_Bird_5327 · r/sousvide · 2026-08-22 · read the original ↗

Why it ranks here. The Accu Slim is the Instant Pot company's circulator: a dial, no app, tight temperature control, and often $30 on sale. It ranks fourth because its 800 watts heat slowly and it shuts itself off after four hours, which catches long cooks.

'I've had the instant pot accu slim for 7 years in December and it still works as intended'↗, says one owner. Another has owned two Anovas and this: 'Each Anova bricked within about a year, the Instant sv still works 3 years in'↗. It is a common Christmas gift for first-timers, and one reviewer's tutorial showed 'you can use regular freezer bags instead of the expensive sealing bags'↗. A benchmark test found '0.2°F fluctuation at both low (140°F) and high (183.9°F) temperature settings'↗, but it 'requires 29 minutes to reach target temperature from room temperature'↗ and seven from hot tap water. The four-hour auto shutoff is the thing to know before an overnight cook.

“I've owned 2 Anovas and an Instant brand sous vide devices. I also use the sv function integrated in my Instant Pot DuoCrisp multifunction device. Each Anova bricked within about a year, the Instant sv still works 3 years in, and the DuoCrisp has become my go-to for sv because of its versatility.” — Reddit comment · u/PrairieGrrl5263 · r/sousvide · 2026-07-02

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• I've had the instant pot accu slim for 7 years in December and it still works as intended.

  Reddit comment · u/SeraxOfTolos · r/sousvide · 2026-09-02 · read the original ↗

• I've owned 2 Anovas and an Instant brand sous vide devices. I also use the sv function integrated in my Instant Pot DuoCrisp multifunction device. Each Anova bricked within about a year, the Instant sv still works 3 years in, and the DuoCrisp has become my go-to for sv because of its versatility.

  Reddit comment · u/PrairieGrrl5263 · r/sousvide · 2026-07-02 · read the original ↗

• Thanks for the tutorial! I have some ribeye cooking right now with the Instant Pot Accuslim sous vide cooker that my husband got me for Christmas! I can’t wait to taste our steaks in 1.5 hours! It’s torture waiting now!

  YouTube comment · @caitlynwu1332 · 2020-01-04 · watch the original ↗

• This was my Christmas gift too! Can’t wait to try it!

  YouTube comment · @crystalnoe5625 · 2020-01-04 · watch the original ↗

• Very complete explanation for using this product. Nice to see you can use regular freezer bags instead of the expensive sealing bags. Great review.👍😋🥩

  YouTube comment · @gerrymichlin3207 · 2020-01-04 · watch the original ↗

• In benchmark testing, it demonstrated 0.2°F fluctuation at both low (140°F) and high (183.9°F) temperature settings... requires 29 minutes to reach target temperature from room temperature and 7 minutes from hot tap water... Testing measured 51 dB adjacent to the unit and 50 dB from 12 inches away.

  Blog post · amazingfoodmadeeasy.com review · 2024-01-01 · read the original ↗

Why it ranks here. The Monoprice is the $35 to $60 circulator people name next to the Inkbird when they are done paying Anova prices, and one owner's has lasted eight years. It ranks last because there are few long-term owners on the record and its controls are fiddly.

'My Monoprice "I'll get a cheap one to see if I use it" Strata Home has lasted like 8 years'↗, says one owner. The 1100-watt model is discontinued, but the 800 and 900-watt ones 'seems the same overall build quality'↗. Another's advice: 'Get a monoprice for $60 and be happy. ANOVA is overpriced and overrated'↗. Buyer reviews call it 'fantastic for the price'↗, with the one recurring gripe that 'Its a pain to set the temperature and the time'↗. Beyond that, the record is thin; it has a fraction of the owners the other four have.

“My Monoprice "I'll get a cheap one to see if I use it" Strata Home has lasted like 8 years. 1100w is discontinued but they have a 900 or 800 that seems the same overall build quality.” — Reddit comment · u/KoburaCape · r/sousvide · 2026-08-20

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• My Monoprice "I'll get a cheap one to see if I use it" Strata Home has lasted like 8 years. 1100w is discontinued but they have a 900 or 800 that seems the same overall build quality.

  Reddit comment · u/KoburaCape · r/sousvide · 2026-08-20 · read the original ↗

• Get a monoprice for $60 and be happy. ANOVA is overpriced and overrated.

  Reddit comment · u/albacore_futures · r/sousvide · 2026-08-20 · read the original ↗

• fantastic for the price

  other · eBay reviewer (via search aggregation) · 2025-01-01 · read the original ↗

• Its a pain to set the temperature and the time

  other · eBay reviewer (via search aggregation) · 2025-01-01 · read the original ↗