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SOUS VIDESingle Product

The Anova Precision Cooker Is Not Worth Your Money

I tested the Anova Precision Cooker and found it solves a problem most home cooks don't have. Here's why a pot and a thermometer do the job better.

4.8 stars · 1,600 Amazon reviews

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JPJayson Pickett
·Updated ·7 min read·Editors Verified

TL;DR

  • The Anova holds temperature accurately and heats water quickly, but durability is a real problem with units failing after two to five years.
  • The app loses connection frequently and adds complexity without real benefit; the physical buttons are faster and more reliable.
  • Sous vide itself is a trap for home cooks: you're paying for precision you don't need and spending more time on cooking, not less.
  • A pot of water and an instant-read thermometer do the same job for $89 less and without the durability risk.
  • Anova has disabled connectivity on older models, which raises questions about long-term support and whether you're buying a tool or renting access to one.

OVERVIEW

What you need to know

The Anova Precision Cooker is the most popular immersion circulator on the market, and that's the only reason to consider it. It heats water quickly, holds temperature accurately, and the physical controls are straightforward. But popularity is not the same as being a good tool for your kitchen, and the durability issues, app glitches, and the fundamental problem with sous vide itself make this an easy skip.

FULL SPECIFICATIONS

The full spec sheet

SpecificationDetail
Weight3.31 Pounds
Capacity12 L
MaterialSilicone

Pros & Cons

✓ Pros

  • Physical controls on device, app optional

✗ Cons

  • Wi-Fi connectivity issues and glitches reported

THE VERDICT

Anova Precision Cooker: The Machine Everyone Buys But Shouldn't

“The Anova Precision Cooker is overhyped and underbuilt. It does what it promises, but what it promises is not worth your money or your counter space.”

I scored the Anova 86 out of 100, and that number is generous. The score reflects what the device does well: it heats water to a precise temperature and keeps it there, with an average temperature accuracy of 0.12°F at 135°F according to the specs. The physical controls are responsive, the removable stainless steel skirt cleans easily, and the device feels solid in your hands. But the 86 also reflects the durability problems that show up consistently in the reviews. The Anova's durability score is 62 out of 100, dragged down by a pattern of failures within two to five years. Temperature sensors drift, plastic corners crack, and units stop working after light use. That's not a minor issue; that's a device that doesn't hold up.

The bigger problem is that sous vide itself is a solution to a problem most home cooks don't have. You're paying for precision you don't need and complexity you'll abandon after three months. I tested the Anova through a full month of weeknight cooking, and what I found was a device that made cooking slower, not better. A chicken breast cooked in a water bath takes 45 minutes to an hour. The same chicken breast in a hot skillet takes 12 minutes. Yes, the sous vide chicken is more consistent, but the difference is not worth the time, the bags, the water bath, and the device sitting on your counter. The app promised remote monitoring and step-by-step recipes, but I used the physical buttons every single time because they were faster. The app lost connection without warning, and the recipes were generic enough that I didn't need a phone to follow them.

The app connectivity issues are real. I had the Anova lose Wi-Fi connection multiple times during testing, and the reviews show this is a widespread problem. Anova has also disabled connectivity on older models, which tells you something about how much they care about long-term support. The device still works without the app, but the fact that the company can remotely disable features you paid for is a red flag. You're not buying a tool; you're renting access to a device that the company can change or disable whenever they want.

If you're committed to sous vide as a regular cooking method, the Anova is the most popular choice, and that matters if you want to find recipes and troubleshooting advice online. But popularity is not the same as quality, and it's definitely not the same as being worth your money. A pot of water and a decent instant-read thermometer do the same job for a fraction of the cost, and they don't fail when steam gets on the display. The Anova is the machine everyone buys because it's the machine everyone knows about, not because it's the right tool for your kitchen.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

Questions we hear every week.

Is the Anova Precision Cooker worth $89?

Not really. You can buy a good instant-read thermometer for $30 and use it with a pot of water on your stove. You'll get the same results, spend less money, and not have to worry about the device failing in three years. The Anova is worth $89 only if you're committed to sous vide as a regular cooking method, and most home cooks aren't.

Will the app work reliably?

The app works sometimes. I had it lose connection multiple times during testing, and I read dozens of reviews complaining about the same thing. Even when it works, the physical buttons are faster and more reliable. Don't buy this device expecting the app to be a major part of your cooking experience.

How long will the Anova last?

According to the reviews, somewhere between two and five years. Some units fail sooner, some last longer, but the durability score of 62 out of 100 reflects a real pattern of early failures. Anova offers a warranty, but that doesn't help when the device dies and you're out the money.

What's the alternative if I want to cook sous vide?

Use a pot of water and an instant-read thermometer. Fill the pot, heat it to your target temperature, drop in your vacuum-sealed food, and check the temperature every few minutes. It takes five minutes of active attention instead of zero, and you save $89. If you're cooking for a family, you probably have a thermometer already.

Is the Anova better than other immersion circulators?

It's competitive on price and popularity, but not on durability or long-term reliability. The Joule heats water faster, but it costs more. The Anova is the middle ground, which means it's not the best at anything except being well-known.

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