The best steamer pot is the All-Clad Specialty 5-Quart. Its perforated insert steams evenly, and it’s oven safe to 600°F.
We compared seven steamer pots by capacity, tiers, base and price, using only the specs each brand lists. For pasta-focused inserts, see our multipot guide. Prices, ratings and review counts may change.
Below you’ll find our top picks, a comparison table, detailed reviews, a buying guide and answers to common questions.
Top 3 Steamer Pots
All-Clad Specialty 5-Quart Stainless Steel Steamer Pot with Lid
SUNHOUSE 5.5-Quart 2-Tier Stainless Steel Steamer Pot
Oster Sangerfield 3-Quart Dutch Oven with Steamer BasketSteamer Pots Compared
| Image | Product | Key Specs | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. All-Clad Specialty 5-Quart Stainless Steel Steamer Pot with Lid Best Overall | 5 qt heavy-gauge stainless steel · Perforated steamer insert; tall curved sides | 4.7/5 788 reviews | Check Price |
| 2. SUNHOUSE 5.5-Quart 2-Tier Stainless Steel Steamer Pot Best Two-Tier | 5.5 qt steamer basket over a 3.8 qt stockpot · Tri-ply encapsulated base; induction compatible | 4.5/5 2,131 reviews | Check Price |
| 3. Oster Sangerfield 3-Quart Dutch Oven with Steamer Basket Best Budget | 3 qt stainless steel pot with fitted steamer basket · 8.5-inch diameter | 4.4/5 17,843 reviews | Check Price |
 | 4. Kenmore Broadway 16-Quart Stock Pot with Steamer Insert Best Large | 16 qt enamel-on-steel pot · Stainless steel steamer insert and lid | 4.6/5 1,330 reviews | Check Price |
 | 5. LCPUD 5-Quart 2-Tier Stainless Steel Steamer Pot Best Value Two-Tier | 5 qt 18/8 stainless steel · Bottom pot, steamer tier and vented lid | 4.3/5 1,245 reviews | Check Price |
 | 6. CHEFBEE 3.2-Quart Stainless Steel Steamer Pot with Basket Best Small | 3.2 qt stainless steel with steamer basket · Tri-ply bottom (aluminum core) | 4.6/5 302 reviews | Check Price |
 | 7. Joyce Chen 10-Inch Two-Tier Stainless Steel Steamer with Wok Ring Best for Woks | 10-inch 304 stainless steel, two tiers · Glass lid with oversized knob | 4.4/5 43 reviews | Check Price |
Oster Dutch Oven with Steamer Basket 3-Quart - Sangerfield Stainless Steel, Stovetop Steamer for Vegetables, Rice & Tamales, Dishwasher Safe
1. All-Clad Specialty 5-Quart Stainless Steel Steamer Pot with Lid – Best Overall
All-Clad Specialty Cookware 5Qt Stainless Steel Steamer Pot with lid
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 from 788 reviews
Pros
Cons
The All-Clad Specialty 5-Quart is the best steamer pot for most kitchens, at about $130 with 4.7 stars from 788 Amazon reviews. Its perforated insert lets steam travel evenly through vegetables, fish and dumplings.
The heavy-gauge stainless body holds its shape, works on induction and is oven and broiler safe to 600°F. The base pot doubles as a 5-quart soup pot.
Key features
Perforated insert. Even steaming.
600°F. Oven and broiler safe.
Induction. Any stove.
What it’s like to own
It’s built to last for years of daily use.
It’s pricier than two-tier sets.
Best for: Serious cooks.
May not fit: Budget shoppers.
2. SUNHOUSE 5.5-Quart 2-Tier Stainless Steel Steamer Pot – Best Two-Tier
SUNHOUSE 5.5 QT Stainless Steel Steamer Pot for Cooking with Glass Lid
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 from 2,131 reviews
Pros
Cons
The SUNHOUSE 5.5-Quart is the best two-tier steamer pot, at about $50 with a 4.5-star rating. Its 2,131 Amazon reviews appear to be shared with the smaller 3.1-quart version.
The deep basket fits broccoli heads, corn, crab legs and bao, while soup simmers in the 3.8-quart base. Its tri-ply base works on induction.
Key features
Deep basket. Big foods fit.
Tri-ply base. Even heat.
Two pieces. Use separately.
What it’s like to own
It feeds four to six people.
Its reviews are shared across sizes.
Best for: Families.
May not fit: Steel-lid fans.
3. Oster Sangerfield 3-Quart Dutch Oven with Steamer Basket – Best Budget
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 from 17,843 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Oster Sangerfield 3-Quart with Steamer Basket is the best budget steamer pot, at about $27 with 4.4 stars from 17,843 Amazon reviews. The fitted basket steams vegetables while rice simmers below.
Its 8.5-inch size suits apartments and small households, and it’s oven safe to 400°F.
Key features
About $27. Budget.
17,800+ reviews. Most reviewed.
Compact. Easy storage.
What it’s like to own
It’s great for reheating tamales without drying them out.
It’s too small for families.
Best for: Small households.
May not fit: Big batches.
4. Kenmore Broadway 16-Quart Stock Pot with Steamer Insert – Best Large
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 from 1,330 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Kenmore Broadway 16-Quart is the best large steamer pot, at about $60 with 4.6 stars from 1,330 Amazon reviews. Its stainless insert steams tamales, lobster, mussels, clams and corn on the cob.
The enamel-on-steel pot has a blue exterior and large handles for lifting when full.
Key features
16 qt. Crowd size.
About $60. Value.
Big handles. Easy lifting.
What it’s like to own
It’s ideal for seafood boils and holidays.
Enamel can chip if banged.
Best for: Crowds.
May not fit: Small kitchens.
5. LCPUD 5-Quart 2-Tier Stainless Steel Steamer Pot – Best Value Two-Tier
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 from 1,245 reviews
Pros
Cons
The LCPUD 5-Quart 2-Tier is the best value two-tier steamer pot, at about $30 with 4.3 stars from 1,245 Amazon reviews. It includes a base pot, one steamer tier and a vented lid.
It’s sized for three to five people but isn’t compatible with induction.
Key features
About $30. Value.
Two tiers. Steam and boil.
18/8 steel. No coating.
What it’s like to own
It’s a cheaper alternative to SUNHOUSE.
It won’t work on induction.
Best for: Budget families.
May not fit: Induction kitchens.
6. CHEFBEE 3.2-Quart Stainless Steel Steamer Pot with Basket – Best Small
3.2QT Stainless Steel Steamer for Cooking with Food Steamer Basket
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 from 302 reviews
Pros
Cons
The CHEFBEE 3.2-Quart is the best small steamer pot, at about $25 with 4.6 stars from 302 Amazon reviews. Its basket steams vegetables, reheats tortillas and doubles as a strainer.
A tri-ply bottom with an aluminum core heats quickly and evenly.
Key features
Tri-ply bottom. Fast heat.
Multi-use basket. Steam or strain.
About $25. Budget.
What it’s like to own
It suits couples and small kitchens.
It’s from a newer brand.
Best for: Couples.
May not fit: Families.
7. Joyce Chen 10-Inch Two-Tier Stainless Steel Steamer with Wok Ring – Best for Woks
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 from 43 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Joyce Chen 10-Inch Two-Tier Steamer is the best steamer for wok cooks, at about $45 with 4.4 stars from 43 Amazon reviews. Its adapter ring sets the two tiers over a wok or pan.
It’s made of 304 stainless steel with a glass lid, and it’s dishwasher safe.
Key features
Wok ring. Fits woks and pans.
Two tiers. Dumplings and fish.
304 steel. Durable.
What it’s like to own
It’s great for dumplings and bao.
It doesn’t include a base pot.
Best for: Wok owners.
May not fit: No-wok kitchens.
How to Choose a Steamer Pot
Capacity
3-quart pots suit one or two people and reheating.
5–5.5 quarts feed a family, and 16 quarts handles lobster, corn and tamales.
Tiers
Single-insert pots like All-Clad are simple and durable.
Two-tier sets like SUNHOUSE and LCPUD steam two foods at once or simmer soup below.
Base
Tri-ply or encapsulated bases heat evenly and usually work on induction.
LCPUD and Kenmore aren’t listed for induction.
Material
Stainless steel doesn’t react with food and lasts for years.
Enamel-on-steel pots look nice but can chip.
Lid
Glass lids let you check food without releasing steam.
Stainless lids are tougher and oven safe at higher temperatures.
Steaming tips
Keep water below the basket and add more if it runs low.
Line the basket with parchment for dumplings and fish.
FAQ
What is the best steamer pot?
The All-Clad Specialty 5-Quart is our top pick for build quality and even steaming.
What size steamer pot do I need?
About 5 quarts suits most families.
Can I steam tamales in a steamer pot?
Yes. Larger pots like the Kenmore 16-quart are best for big batches.
Do steamer pots work on induction?
Many do, including All-Clad, SUNHOUSE and CHEFBEE.
How much water goes in a steamer pot?
Usually 1–2 inches, below the basket.
Can I use a steamer pot as a regular pot?
Yes. The base works for soup, pasta and stew.
Final Verdict
The All-Clad Specialty 5-Quart is the best steamer pot overall.
Choose SUNHOUSE for two tiers, Kenmore for crowds or Joyce Chen for woks.
On a budget, the Oster 3-quart costs about $27.
Quick picks:
- Best overall: All-Clad 5 qt
- Best two-tier: SUNHOUSE 5.5 qt
- Best budget: Oster 3 qt
- Best large: Kenmore 16 qt
- Best for woks: Joyce Chen 10″
Related buying guides: Best Multipots · Best Pasta Pots · Best Stock Pots
