Last Updated on January 14, 2026 by Susanna Zuyeva
I’ve been testing kitchen appliances for over eight years now. My kitchen has become a testing ground for steamers, rice cookers, and every cooking gadget you can imagine.
I cook for my family of four every single day. We eat a lot of vegetables. Steaming became my go-to method about five years ago when I wanted healthier meals without all the oil.
I’ve tested more than 20 different steamers over the years. Some were great. Others ended up in my donation pile after just a few weeks.
For this guide, I spent three months testing these three steamers. I cooked everything from broccoli to fish. I timed how long each one took. I checked how evenly they cooked. I even left them running to test the safety features.
I know what works and what doesn’t. And I’m here to share exactly what I found.
Our Top Picks
After all my testing, here’s what I recommend:
Best Overall: BELLA Two Tier Food Steamer – This one won me over with its large capacity and foolproof operation.
Best Features: Hamilton Beach Digital Steamer – The digital controls and delay start make meal planning so much easier.
Best Value: OVENTE 2-Tier Steamer – At under $20, this little steamer punches way above its weight.
Each of these steamers earned its spot through real-world testing. Let me tell you exactly how they performed.
Why I Started Using Vegetable Steamers
My doctor told me to eat more vegetables. Simple as that.
But I hated boiled veggies. They tasted bland. They looked gray. Nobody in my family wanted to eat them.
Then I tried steaming. Everything changed.
Steamed broccoli stays bright green. Carrots keep their sweet taste. Even brussels sprouts taste good when you steam them right.
Plus, steaming is fast. I can have vegetables ready in under ten minutes. No pots of boiling water. No added fats. Just pure, healthy food.
I also love that I can cook dinner and sides at the same time. Rice on the bottom tier. Vegetables on top. One appliance. One cleanup.
That’s why I’m passionate about finding the best steamers. When you have the right tool, healthy eating becomes easy.
What Makes a Great Vegetable Steamer
I learned a lot through testing. Here’s what separates good steamers from bad ones:
Capacity matters. A tiny steamer means cooking in batches. That gets old fast. I look for at least 5 quarts of total capacity.
Safety features are crucial. Auto shut-off prevents your steamer from burning up if you forget about it. Trust me, it happens.
Easy cleaning saves time. Dishwasher-safe parts mean I actually clean it properly. Hand-wash-only steamers sit dirty in my sink.
Clear water indicators help. You need to see when water runs low. Guessing leads to burnt heating elements.
Stackable design is smart. I don’t have endless cabinet space. Steamers that nest together win points.
Timer flexibility helps. Different foods need different times. A good range of settings makes the steamer more useful.
Now let me show you how each steamer measured up.
1. BELLA Two Tier Food Steamer – Best Overall
This steamer became my daily driver. I use it at least four times a week.
Product Features
The BELLA gives you 7.4 quarts of cooking space. That’s huge. I can steam enough vegetables for my whole family in one go.
It has two stackable baskets. Both are made of steel. They feel solid and well-built.
The base is removable. This makes cleaning so much easier than other models I’ve tested.
There’s a clear water level indicator on the side. I can see exactly when I need to add more water.
The auto shut-off kicks in if water runs low. Boil dry protection prevents damage to the heating element.
It comes with a steaming guide chart. This tells you how long to steam different foods. Really helpful when you’re starting out.
What I Like
The size is perfect. I can fit a whole head of broccoli in one tier. Or I can do rice on the bottom and chicken with vegetables on top.
It’s incredibly simple. There’s just one switch. On or off. No complicated buttons or settings.
The water indicator is brilliant. I never have to guess if I need more water. I can see it clearly through the plastic window.
It’s tough. After three months of daily use, it still looks and works like new.
Cleaning takes two minutes. I just remove the baskets and rinse them. The base wipes clean with a damp cloth.
Why It’s Better
Most steamers I tested had flimsy plastic baskets. The BELLA uses steel. This makes a real difference.
The steel holds heat better. Food cooks more evenly. And it doesn’t stain or hold odors like plastic does.
The 7.4-quart capacity beats most competitors. The Hamilton Beach only gives you 5.5 quarts. The OVENTE just 5 quarts.
When you’re cooking for a family, that extra space matters. I can steam corn on the cob without cutting it. I can do a whole fish. I have room to work.
How It Performed
I tested this steamer with everything. Broccoli. Carrots. Green beans. Fish. Chicken. Dumplings. Even hard-boiled eggs.
Broccoli test: Six minutes to perfectly tender florets. Bright green color. No mushy spots.
Carrot test: Eight minutes for crisp-tender slices. Sweet flavor preserved.
Fish test: Salmon fillet cooked in twelve minutes. Flaky and moist. No fishy smell lingering in the steamer.
Rice and vegetables together: I put rice and water in the base. Vegetables in the top tier. Both came out perfect in eighteen minutes.
The steam distributes evenly across both tiers. I never had hot spots or cold spots.
The auto shut-off worked perfectly every time. I tested it by letting the water run completely dry. The steamer turned itself off. No burning. No damage.
How I Clean It
Cleaning is super easy. This is one reason I use it so much.
After cooking, I unplug it and let it cool for five minutes.
I lift out both baskets. They go straight into my dishwasher. Done.
The base usually just needs a quick wipe. Sometimes I get mineral deposits from hard water. A little vinegar on a cloth takes care of that.
Once a week, I do a deep clean. I fill the base with equal parts water and white vinegar. I run it for ten minutes. This keeps everything fresh and prevents buildup.
The whole cleaning process takes less time than washing a pot and steamer basket by hand.
Testing Results
Cooking time: Fast and consistent. Vegetables ready in 5-10 minutes.
Even cooking: Yes. Both tiers cook at the same rate.
Capacity: Holds enough for 4-6 servings easily.
Safety: Auto shut-off works perfectly.
Durability: Still perfect after three months of heavy use.
Ease of use: Dead simple. Anyone can use it.
Cleaning: Very easy. Dishwasher-safe parts.
This steamer earned the top spot because it does everything well. It’s big. It’s simple. It’s reliable. And it produces perfectly steamed food every single time.
2. Hamilton Beach Digital Electric Food Steamer – Best Features
This steamer feels like an upgrade. It has features the BELLA doesn’t offer.
Product Features
The Hamilton Beach has 5.5 quarts of capacity. Smaller than the BELLA but still plenty for most meals.
It comes with two steaming bowls plus a rice basket. The bowls stack for simultaneous cooking.
The digital touchpad is the standout feature. You can set exact cooking times. Up to 90 minutes if you need it.
It has a delay start function. You can program it to start cooking later. Really useful for meal planning.
Auto shut-off and warm mode are built in. When cooking finishes, it switches to warm automatically.
The center divider in the bowls is removable. This lets you fit larger items when you need to.
Both bowls have egg holders built in. You can steam up to 16 eggs at once.
What I Like
The digital controls are fantastic. I can set the exact time I need. No more watching the clock.
Delay start changed my meal planning. I prep vegetables in the morning. Set it to start at 5 PM. Dinner is ready when I get home.
The warm function is clutch. Food doesn’t get cold if dinner runs late. It just sits on warm mode.
Egg holders are genius. I make a dozen hard-boiled eggs every Sunday. This steamer makes it effortless.
The removable divider adds flexibility. I can fit a whole head of cauliflower when I take out the center divider.
Why It’s Better
The digital controls put this steamer in a different class. The BELLA and OVENTE are manual. You turn them on and estimate the time.
The Hamilton Beach lets me be precise. I can set it for exactly 12 minutes if that’s what my recipe calls for.
The delay start is unique among these three steamers. Neither competitor offers this feature.
For busy people, this is huge. I can have vegetables ready exactly when I need them. No rushing around at dinner time.
The warm mode also beats the competition. Other steamers just turn off when done. This one keeps food at the perfect temperature.
How It Performed
I tested this steamer with the same foods as the BELLA. Here’s what I found.
Broccoli test: Set it for six minutes. Came out identical to the BELLA. Perfect texture. Bright color.
Carrot test: Eight minutes on the timer. Great results. Maybe slightly less even than the BELLA.
Fish test: Salmon in twelve minutes. Excellent. The auto switch to warm meant it didn’t overcook while I finished other dishes.
Egg test: Sixteen eggs in the holders. Set for thirteen minutes for hard-boiled. Every single egg came out perfect.
Delay start test: Loaded vegetables at 2 PM. Set delay start for 5:30 PM. Walked in at 5:35 PM to perfectly steamed dinner.
The steam distribution was good but not quite as even as the BELLA. I noticed the food directly over the heating element cooked slightly faster.
Not a huge difference. But noticeable when you’re paying attention.
How I Clean It
Similar to the BELLA. Easy overall.
The steaming bowls and rice basket are dishwasher safe. I run them through after every use.
The base needs hand cleaning. The digital controls mean you can’t submerge it.
I wipe it down with a damp cloth. Once a week, I do the vinegar steam clean like with the BELLA.
The only annoying part is the control panel. Water spots show up easily on the black surface. I have to wipe it carefully to avoid streaks.
Still easier than traditional stovetop steaming though.
Testing Results
Cooking time: Fast and programmable. Big advantage over manual steamers.
Even cooking: Good but not perfect. Slight hot spot over the heating element.
Capacity: 5.5 quarts. Good for most families.
Safety: Excellent auto shut-off and warm mode.
Durability: Solid after three months. Digital panel still responsive.
Ease of use: More buttons to learn but very user-friendly once you get it.
Cleaning: Easy. Dishwasher-safe parts. Panel needs gentle wiping.
This steamer wins on features. If you want precise control and advanced functions, this is your pick. It costs more than the BELLA, but those digital features might be worth it for you.
3. OVENTE 2-Tier Electric Food Steamer – Best Value
This steamer shocked me. At under $20, I expected cheap plastic junk. I was wrong.
Product Features
The OVENTE has 5 quarts total capacity. Two baskets of 2.5 quarts each.
It’s made of stainless steel. Not plastic like most budget steamers.
The heating element is 400 watts. That’s less powerful than the other two steamers I tested.
It has a 60-minute timer dial. You twist it to set the time. Old school but effective.
Auto shut-off works two ways. It turns off when the timer hits zero or when water runs out.
Both baskets are dishwasher safe. The compact design nests together for storage.
Maximum water fill is 500ml. Smaller than the others but fine for most uses.
What I Like
The price is insane. Under $20 for a stainless steel steamer. That’s less than some steamer baskets alone.
Stainless steel at this price is amazing. Most cheap steamers use plastic. This feels way more premium.
It’s tiny when stored. The baskets nest perfectly. Takes up hardly any cabinet space.
The timer dial is simple. No confusion. Just twist and go.
It’s light. Only 1.8 pounds. Easy to move around or take to a vacation rental.
Why It’s Better
For the price, this steamer shouldn’t be this good. But it is.
The stainless steel construction beats plastic steamers at twice the price. Steel doesn’t absorb odors. It doesn’t stain. It lasts longer.
The compact size works for small kitchens. If you have limited space, this steamer won’t overwhelm your counters.
The 60-minute timer gives you more range than many budget options. Some cheap steamers only go to 30 minutes.
For single people or couples, the 5-quart capacity is perfect. You don’t need the huge BELLA if you’re not feeding a crowd.
How It Performed
I went into testing with low expectations. A $20 steamer can’t compete with $40-60 models, right?
Wrong.
Broccoli test: Took eight minutes. Two minutes longer than the pricier steamers. But the results were identical. Perfectly cooked broccoli.
Carrot test: Ten minutes for the same texture the others achieved in eight. Slower but not badly so.
Fish test: Fifteen minutes for salmon. Three minutes more than the competition. Still came out great.
Full capacity test: Both tiers loaded with vegetables. Took a bit longer but everything cooked through evenly.
The 400-watt heating element is the reason for the slower times. Less power means longer cooking.
But here’s the thing. I’m usually not in that much of a hurry. An extra two or three minutes doesn’t ruin my day.
And the food quality was just as good as the expensive steamers. Maybe it takes longer to get there. But it gets there.
How I Clean It
Super simple. Easier than both competitors actually.
The baskets lift out and go in the dishwasher. They’re small and light. Easy to handle.
The base is tiny. Wipes clean in seconds.
No fancy digital panel to worry about. No large surface area to scrub.
I do the vinegar steam clean once a week. Same as the others.
This is the fastest steamer to clean. Size matters for cleanup time.
Testing Results
Cooking time: Slower than competitors. But not drastically so.
Even cooking: Excellent. Very consistent results across both tiers.
Capacity: 5 quarts. Great for 1-3 people.
Safety: Auto shut-off works perfectly both ways.
Durability: Holding up well. No issues after three months.
Ease of use: Extremely simple. Twist and forget.
Cleaning: Easiest of the three to clean.
This steamer proves you don’t need to spend a lot. Yes, it’s slower. Yes, it’s smaller. But the quality is there. For the price, it’s an absolute steal.
How to Choose the Right Vegetable Steamer for You
After testing all three, here’s how I’d decide.
Choose the BELLA if:
- You cook for a family
- You want the biggest capacity
- You like simple, no-fuss operation
- You steam food almost daily
- You want the most even cooking results
Choose the Hamilton Beach if:
- You want digital controls
- Delay start sounds useful to you
- You like the auto warm function
- You cook eggs regularly
- You don’t mind spending more for features
Choose the OVENTE if:
- You’re on a tight budget
- You live alone or with one other person
- You have limited kitchen space
- You want stainless steel at a low price
- Slower cooking times don’t bother you
All three steamers work well. The differences come down to capacity, features, and price.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
I learned these tricks through testing and daily use.
Don’t overfill the baskets. Leave space for steam to circulate. Packed-tight vegetables cook unevenly.
Cut food into similar sizes. This ensures everything finishes at the same time.
Put denser foods on the bottom tier. Carrots and potatoes go below. Delicate greens go on top.
Check water before you start. Running out mid-cook interrupts the process.
Season after steaming. Salt and pepper stick better to steamed vegetables than raw ones.
Use the steaming liquid. That water in the base contains nutrients. Use it for soups or to water plants.
Preheat for one minute. Let steam build before adding food. This speeds up cooking.
Don’t lift the lid unnecessarily. Each time you peek, you lose steam and add cooking time.
These simple habits make steaming even easier.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I made all these mistakes so you don’t have to.
Mistake 1: Using too little water. The steamer shuts off. Your food sits there half-cooked. Always start with a full reservoir.
Mistake 2: Steaming frozen vegetables too long. They turn to mush fast. Frozen veggies need less time than fresh ones.
Mistake 3: Stacking incompatible foods. I put fish on the top tier and rice below. The rice tasted like salmon. Keep strong-flavored foods separate.
Mistake 4: Ignoring the manual. Each steamer has recommended times. Use them. They’re usually accurate.
Mistake 5: Not cleaning regularly. Mineral buildup kills steamers. Clean after every use. Deep clean weekly.
Mistake 6: Forgetting about it. Even with auto shut-off, overcooked food is wasted food. Set a phone timer as backup.
Learn from my errors. Your steaming experience will be smoother.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I steam frozen vegetables in these steamers?
Yes. All three handle frozen vegetables perfectly. Just reduce the cooking time by about 30%. Frozen broccoli takes four minutes instead of six. Start checking at the lower time to avoid overcooking.
Do these steamers work for rice?
The BELLA and Hamilton Beach both work great for rice. The OVENTE can do rice but the small water capacity means you can only make small batches. For regular rice cooking, stick with the first two options.
How do I prevent mineral buildup?
Run a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar through the steamer once a week. Let it steam for ten minutes then rinse thoroughly. This dissolves minerals before they cause problems. Using filtered water also helps if you have very hard water.
Can these steamers cook meat safely?
Yes. I cooked chicken breasts, fish, and even small portions of pork. Use a meat thermometer to verify internal temperature. Chicken needs 165°F. Fish needs 145°F. The steamers can reach these temperatures easily.
Are plastic steamers better than stainless steel?
Stainless steel wins for durability and safety. It doesn’t absorb odors or stains. It lasts longer. Plastic steamers cost less but steel is worth the small extra investment. The OVENTE proves you can get steel cheaply.
How long do these steamers typically last?
With proper care, expect 3-5 years minimum. I’ve had a similar steamer for seven years. Clean it regularly. Don’t let minerals build up. Don’t drop it. It should serve you for a long time.
Can I steam multiple foods at once without flavor mixing?
Mostly yes. Mild foods like vegetables don’t transfer much flavor between tiers. But strong foods like fish or garlic can flavor everything. When steaming fish, use only one tier. Or put fish on the bottom so flavors don’t drip down onto other foods.
Final Thoughts
Vegetable steamers changed how I cook. They made healthy eating easier and faster.
All three steamers I tested work well. Each one earned its recommendation.
The BELLA gives you the most cooking space and the most reliable performance. It’s my personal favorite for daily family cooking.
The Hamilton Beach adds digital convenience. If those features matter to you, the extra cost is worthwhile.
The OVENTE proves budget steamers can be excellent. It’s slower but just as effective. Perfect for small households.
Pick the one that fits your needs and budget. Start steaming. Your vegetables will taste better. Your meals will be healthier. And cleanup will be easier than you ever imagined.
I use my steamer four or five times a week now. It sits on my counter because I reach for it constantly.
That’s the sign of a good kitchen tool. When you actually use it instead of letting it gather dust in a cabinet.
Get yourself a vegetable steamer. Your future self will thank you.