Sous vide immersion circulators have settled into two clear camps: WiFi-connected sticks with app control for hands-off cooking, and simpler budget models aimed at anyone who just wants consistent results without the extras. This guide compares five UK-available sticks across temperature stability, warm-up speed, noise and app reliability.
Our top picks at a glance
Best overall: Anova Precision Cooker 3.0 – about £199. The most consistent stick on test, holding water temperature within 0.1°C over long cooks.
Best budget: Inkbird ISV-100W – about £81. Comfortably under £100 with genuinely usable stability (±0.2°C).
Best premium: Breville Joule Turbo – about £249. The smallest and quietest stick here, with a Turbo mode that meaningfully cuts warm-up time.
Why temperature stability matters less than you think
Manufacturers compete hard on decimal-point stability claims, but for most home cooking this matters far less than it sounds. Where stability genuinely earns its keep is on long cooks: a 6-hour pork shoulder will drift further from target on a less stable unit over that time.
At a glance: the sous vide sticks compared
Model | Wattage | Stability | Noise | Price (UK) |
Anova Precision Cooker 3.0 | 1100W | ±0.1°C | Quiet | about £199 |
Inkbird ISV-100W | 1000W | ±0.2°C | Moderate | about £81 |
Breville Joule Turbo | 1100W | ±0.15°C | 37dB (quietest) | about £249 |
Anova Precision Cooker Nano 3.0 | 800W | ±0.2°C | Quiet | about £129 |
Wancle 1100W IPX7 Sous Vide | 1100W | ±0.5°C | 47dB (loudest) | about £90 |
1. Anova Precision Cooker 3.0 – Best overall
The most dependable stick on this list. Its 1100W element brings a 12-litre bath from a 16°C cold tap to 56°C in around 14 minutes, and once at temperature it holds within 0.1°C for hours. At around £199, occasionally available closer to £179 during promotions.
2. Inkbird ISV-100W – Best budget
Undercuts most of the competition on price while still delivering stability close enough to the premium options to be a non-issue for most home cooks. UK pricing sits at around £81, though it regularly dips to £65-£70 during sales.
3. Breville Joule Turbo – Best premium
Roughly 60% smaller by volume than the Anova, the quietest stick tested at 37dB, and its Turbo mode shaves around 25% off warm-up and recovery time on thicker cuts. It’s app-only, with no physical buttons. At around £249.
4. Anova Precision Cooker Nano 3.0 – Best compact secondary stick
An 800W element and WiFi app control, replacing the previous Bluetooth-only Nano generation. Slower to heat than the full-size 3.0, and performs best in a 6-8 litre container. UK pricing is approximately £129.
5. Wancle 1100W IPX7 Sous Vide – Not recommended
The value-focused outlier, and the weakest performer across every metric tested. Stability trails the rest of the field at ±0.5°C, it’s the loudest unit here, and warm-up is the slowest of the five. At around £90, it isn’t meaningfully cheaper than the better-performing Inkbird, making it hard to recommend.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy a multi cooker with a sous vide function instead of a dedicated stick?
A multi cooker with a sous vide setting is reasonable for anyone short on space, but dedicated sticks generally hold temperature more precisely.
What container should I use?
A 12-litre container is a common choice for anything beyond single-portion cooking. Smaller circulators such as the Nano 3.0 suit 6-8 litre containers.
Is it safe to leave a sous vide stick unattended?
Modern circulators are designed for long, unattended cooks. Standard kitchen precautions apply.
How much water and energy does sous vide cooking use?
A 12-litre bath is typical for a family-sized cook; ongoing energy use is fairly low compared with an oven held at a similar temperature.
Does it matter if a stick uses WiFi or Bluetooth?
WiFi-enabled sticks can be monitored and adjusted remotely; Bluetooth-only models require the phone to stay within range.
What temperature should vegetables be cooked at?
Firmer vegetables generally need higher temperatures than meat or fish, typically in the 83-85°C range.
