4 Best Egg Cookers, Tested and Reviewed
Cook perfect eggs in no time, every time.
Reviewed by Nicole PapantoniouKitchen Appliances Lab Director
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Eggs are a hot commodity these days, so when you can get your hands on a dozen, cooking them correctly is essential: Boiling eggs for even an extra minute can turn a perfectly-cooked hard-boiled egg into a discolored, overcooked mess. The best egg cookers are ideal for making quick and easy hard and soft-boiled eggs, and some models can make poached eggs, veggie-packed omelets and more. Some can even make grilled cheese or sous vide-style egg bites.
Egg cookers use steam to cook each egg; simply add the correct amount of water (as suggested by the manufacturer) to achieve the desired doneness. The water is added to the cooking plate located at the bottom of the cooker — once the water has evaporated, the eggs are ready.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we recently put eight egg cookers to the test to see which makes eggs to the correct doneness. For each, we evaluated the ease of use, how well each cooker hard boiled eggs at minimum and maximum capacity and poaching ability, along with additional functions and features.
Pros
- Small and compact
- Easy to use
- Makes perfectly-cooked hard-boiled eggs
Cons
- Doesn't perform as well making omelets
Capacity: 10 boiled eggs, 3-egg omelet, 4 poached eggs | Capabilities: Boiling, poaching, omelet | Size: 6.3" x 7.3" x 7.75"
This small-but-mighty egg cooker from Cuisinart makes cooking eggs as easy as the flip of a switch. The stainless-steel model can make boiled eggs, poached eggs and omelets — plus it only stands about eight inches, taking up little space on your countertop and in cabinets. During testing, this cooker made the most consistent hard-boiled eggs, with none overcooked whether it was filled to capacity or cooking a single egg.
Like many of the other cookers on this list, the Cuisinart model uses evaporation to cook and control the cooker. To use the egg cooker, fill the included measuring cup with water (it has markers for desired doneness). Once you flip the switch, a blue light will turn on and once all of the water evaporates, the blue light turns off.
The cooker can make up to 10 boiled eggs and has inserts for making poached eggs and omelets, which all slid right out after cooking. The poached eggs had a firm outside with a soft jammy center, and even though the omelet was slightly overcooked during testing, this cooker was still a top performer overall.
Pros
- Clear and loud alert
- Large capacity
- Doesn't overcook boiled eggs
Cons
- The top lid sometimes misaligns
Capacity: 12 boiled eggs, 7 poached eggs, 3-egg omelet | Capabilities: Boiling, poaching, omelet | Size: 8" x 8" x 9"
This cheap and cheery egg maker from Dash has a large capacity, comes in various colors and even plays music when your eggs are ready. The two-tier egg maker retails for around $25 and can cook a dozen eggs at a time. It was one of the top performers during testing, making perfectly-boiled eggs that were neither over- nor undercooked.
The cooker has an on-and-off switch in the front and comes with a measuring cup so you can add the exact amount of water needed for your dish. It also comes with accessories to make omelets and poached eggs. The inserts were easy to clean since the eggs slid right out.
The Dash cooker made the best omelet out of all the models tested; it was perfectly cooked, bouncy and soft. We did notice a bit more condensation compared to others on the top of the poached eggs after cooking, but that was easily drained off. The best part? The egg maker plays a song when the water has evaporated and the eggs are ready, which is not only fun but loud and clear so you don't overcook your meal. We did find that the lid sometimes misaligns, so double check that the top lid is on correctly when using this cooker.
Hamilton Beach Egg Bites Cooker Plus
Pros
- Can sauté and cook in base
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Doesn't have alerts when cooking is complete
Capacity: 9 boiled eggs, 4 poached eggs, 4 egg bites, 2-egg omelet | Capabilities: Boiling, poaching, omelet, fried egg, scrambled eggs and egg bites | Size: 8.8" x 7.3" x 6.3"
When it comes to versatility, this model from Hamilton Beach is the clear winner: The Egg Bites Cooker Plus can make eggs in more ways than any other model we tested and then some. The square and retro-style cooker has a skillet base that can sauté veggies, make omelets, fry eggs and more.
Like the other cookers, this model comes with a measuring cup so you can add the appropriate amount of water depending on what you’re cooking. It also comes with an egg bite tray that also can be used for poaching and of course it has a tray for boiling eggs. The skillet is just over five inches so there isn’t a ton of room for sautéing and frying, but it does the job when cooking for one.
During testing, we sautéed onions and made an omelet in the skillet. It was easy to use, though it did take a while to cook the onions since the heating sensor cycled on and off. When making poached eggs we found the center to be jam-like but slightly overcooked. When making a single boiled egg the results were perfect, not overcooked at all. We found the same results when boiling at max capacity, all of the eggs were perfectly hard boiled, not overcooked or jammy.
Dash Deluxe Sous Vide Style Egg Bite Maker
Pros
- Easy to use
- Makes egg bites in under 10 minutes
Cons
- No alerts or alarms
Capacity: 4 egg bites, 3-egg omelet | Capabilities: Sous vide egg bites, omelet | Size: 3.9" x 5.5" x 7.9"
Sous vide egg bites are a popular dish found in chain coffee shops and restaurants, but they can also be made at home. The Dash egg bite maker comes with four silicone molds that fit about two scrambled eggs in total. You can add ingredients like cheese and chopped herbs or veggies to add dimension to the breakfast treats. This model also comes with a large mold for cooking one whole egg, ideal for breakfast sandwiches.
During our testing, we found this egg bite maker was simple to use and the end results had a nice, fluffy texture in under 10 minutes. We added the recommended amount of water to the base of the cooker to let the eggs steam, and the bites popped right out of the molds with no issue.
This egg bite maker doesn't have an on/off switch and turns on once plugged in, so be cautious when using it. Once plugged in, the light on top of the cooker will cycle on and off when cooking. It doesn't have an alarm or alert to let you know when it is done so you'll have to watch it closely when making your egg bites.
Other egg cookers we tested
- Nordic Ware Egg Boiler: This egg cooker from Nordic Ware isn't like the rest: It can be used in the microwave! During our first few tests, the eggs were undercooked — even after following the manufacturer's instructions. Since every microwave is different, the results may vary, so it may take a few tries to figure out the best cooking time for your model.
- Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Egg Cooker: This model from Hamilton Beach performed better in some tests than others. When hard boiling one egg, we noticed that the center had a jammy texture, so depending on how you like your eggs, you may want to add a tad bit more water for a longer cooker time. Overall, this machine isn't bad at all, though we did notice the plastic wasn't as durable as other models so be cautious when handling and washing.
- Dash Rapid Egg Cooker: The Rapid Egg Cooker from Dash is a smaller version of our best value pick from the brand. This model doesn't hold as many eggs, with a max capacity of seven, so it is best for those who don't need to cook many at a time. When making poached eggs, the center was perfectly cooked and runny, but the egg white was slightly undercooked. Other than that, the eggs were perfectly hard-boiled when doing both the minimum and maximum capacity tests, and were not overcooked at all.
How we test egg cookers
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we've tested eight egg cookers, using large cage-free brown eggs. We tested each cooker for ease of use, performance and capabilities.
Ease of use: We first read through each cooker's user guide to asses the instructions' clarity. We also noted how easy or difficult the egg cookers were to use and read the controls, and evaluated if they were user-friendly. We then examined other functions like the alerts each cooker makes to see how clear they are when using each device.
Performance: We started by making just one egg in each cooker, cooking each egg according to the manufacturer's recommendations. When finished, we soaked the egg in an ice bath before removing the shell and cutting it in half to record doneness. We noted if the egg was overcooked or undercooked, as well as its texture and consistency.
We then filled the cooker to its maximum capacity, repeating the same steps as before. We noted if the cooker overcooked or undercooked each egg, and checked the texture and consistency of both the white and yolk.
Capabilities: Each cooker has different accessories that allow you to make dishes beyond hard- and soft-boiled eggs, including inserts for omelets and pans for poaching eggs or making egg bites. We analyzed and tested each accessory according to the manufacturer's instructions, and also noted how easy or difficult they were to clean after use.
What to look for when shopping for the best egg cookers
✔️ Size: Some cookers can hold more than others so consider how many eggs you’ll need to cook at a time. If you’re cooking just a few eggs, look for a smaller machine like the Cuisinart Egg Central Egg Cooker, which can cook up to 10 eggs at once and won't take up much real estate in your kitchen. If you need a model that makes more, try the Dash Deluxe Egg Cooker, which can cook a dozen eggs at a time.
✔️ Functions and accessories: Most egg cookers come with accessories to poach eggs and make omelets, but some can do much more than that. If you need a model that is a bit more advanced, the Hamilton Beach Egg Bites Plus can make egg bites, poached eggs and boiled eggs, plus the base acts as a small griddle that can be used to sauté, fry eggs and make omelets.
How to use an egg cooker
Egg cookers are pretty simple to use — just add eggs and water. Each cooker is different so it's important to use the included measuring cup when adding water for your desired doneness. These devices usually only have an on and off button, so you don’t have to worry about temperatures or settings, and the thermal sensor automatically turns the cooker off once the water evaporates.
If you're making hard- or soft-boiled eggs, put the eggs in an ice bath for about five minutes to stop the cooking. Once cooled, peel the egg and enjoy.
We recommend using a slight coating of neutral oil when making omelets, poached eggs or egg bites in your cooker. This will prevent the eggs from sticking when they are done.
How to clean an egg cooker
It's ideal to use filtered water in your egg cooker to prevent mineral buildup and discoloration. With that said, after cooking, you may still experience some residue at the bottom, so it's important to wipe your cooker down with a damp cloth after each use. When it comes to accessories, double check that the pieces in your model are safe to be thrown in the dishwasher.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Raena Loper is a contributing analyst and writer at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has tested everything from food storage containers to food processors and more. Under the supervision of Kitchen Appliances Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou, she conducted the most recent test of eight egg cookers. When she isn't testing products in the Lab, she enjoys her eggs poached with a jam-like center.
Nicole Papantoniou runs the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab and has been testing products and developing recipes since 2013. She oversees testing of all kitchen gadgets and appliances at GH.
Raena Loper (she/her) is a fashion journalist and product analyst based in New Jersey whose work has appeared in Forbes, Good Housekeeping and O, The Oprah Magazine. Raena is a graduate from Montclair State University where she earned a degree in fashion studies as well as gender, sexuality and women's studies. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, cooking BBQ and spending time with family.
Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.
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