INKBIRD sous vide machines deserve your attention. I’ve tested a lot of immersion circulators, and it’s hard to argue against the value INKBIRD offers with its series of sous vide machines.
These are highly capable machines backed by a reputable company. If you’re looking to get into sous vide cooking, the INKBIRD is a great option. The INKBIRD ISV-200W is my best value pick amongst ALL sous vide machines.
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Best Value
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4.7
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4.2
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- Fantastic value - fully featured and affordable
- Impressively quiet - quietest sous vide we've tested
- Does not support 5Ghz WiFi (not an issue for most people)
- Fantastic value - fully featured and affordable
- Impressively quiet
- Does not support 5Ghz WiFi (not an issue for most people)
- Too big to fit in a kitchen drawer
There are a handful of key dimensions I look at when testing and using sous vide cookers. Those key dimensions are: power, noise, features and accuracy.
We examine both INKBIRD sous vide machines along these dimensions below, along with specs and other useful information:
Table of Contents
My Video Review of the INKBIRD Sous Vide Machine Series
Below you can view my rather in depth initial review of the INKBIRD series of sous vide machines. I compare the INKBIRD machines against each other and vs the much more costly 1000W Anova Precision Cooker in a series of tests.
INKBIRD ISV-200W: Our Best Value pick among all sous vide machines
Power
At 1000W of power, this is plenty of power for home kitchens. Consumer sous vide machines generally range from 800-1100W. Only Anova and Breville Joule make 1100W machines that are WiFi enabled and they cost many multiples of what the INKBIRD sous vide machines cost.
When you think about power, there are two considerations: (1) how quickly your water heats to your target temperature and (2) how much water your sous vide machine can heat consistently.
In my tests, 1000W machines take roughly ten minutes longer to heat water to target temperature than 1100W. There are a lot of variables at play, but this is good estimate to bring to life what 1000W vs 1100W means in real terms.
The INKBIRD ISV-200W is capable of heating up to 20 liters of water (5 gallons+) of water to your desired temperature, which is a good amount for home use.
About the only thing you’re going to have trouble cooking with 20 liters of capacity is a pretty large whole brisket.
Bottom line: INKBIRD ISV-200W has plenty of power for your needs, unless you plan to cook something like a large (15-20lb) whole brisket.
If you would like the capacity to cook a large whole brisket sous vide, the Breville Joule series, Anova Pro, or buying two INKBIRD ISV-200Ws are good options. I’d also recommend Väeske Large Sous Vide Container with Lid and Insulating Sleeve.
Noise
For me, noise is a big differentiator when it comes to sous vide machines. And it doesn’t stop at how loud it is, but the tone of the noise also really does matter.
The INKBIRD ISV-200W is the quietest sous vide machine I’ve ever tested. My sound meter registered 39 dBA vs 49 for the Joule and 55 for the Anova Precision Cooker 3.0, both of which cost multiples of INKBIRD sous vide machines.
Frankly, 39 dBA is what the ambient noise is in my kitchen measures with no sous vide machine running (hum of fridge, etc.), so the actual noise level is most likely well below 39 dBA! The INKBIRD was quieter than the ambient noise in my kitchen. You won’t even know it’s on.
Bottom line: I’m simply amazed at how quiet the INKBIRD ISV-200W is. It’s the quietest machine I’ve ever tested. Noise levels measured below the ambient noise level in my kitchen.
Features
WiFi is the biggest feature to watch for when looking at budget sous vide machines. The fact that all INKBIRD sous vide machines are WiFi capable is rather unusual for their price point.
Do note, the supported WiFi is 2.4GHz and not 5GHz. If you are in the small minority that use the 5GHz spectrum at home, you almost certainly have the option to switch 2.4GHz on your router. 2.4GHz is the more far reaching of the two spectrums.
Bottom Line: INKBIRD sous vide machines can be controlled remotely via WiFi, which is unique at this price point.
Accuracy
We look at accuracy in two ways. First, how precisely you can set the temperature of the sous vide machine. And secondly, how close a temperature the sous vide machine displays relative to the independently measured temperature.
With regard to the precision with which you can set the INKBIRD ISV-200W, you are limited to whole Fahrenheit degrees. This is not precise relative to other cookers, but it’s not something we would stress over. How often do you see recipes calling for temperatures set to tenths of a degree?
However, you can set Celsius to the tenth of a degree, which leaves me scratching my head. This can be used as a work around if you want more precision. It isn’t difficult to toggle between Fahrenheit and Celsius on the machine, but don’t look at me when it comes to converting between the two on the fly.
The ISV-200W passed our independent test for the accuracy of the temperature reading on the immersion circulator. Do note, you have the ability to calibrate the temperature on the INKBIRD ISV-200W.
Bottom Line: You can’t easily dial things in beyond whole degrees Fahrenheit, which isn’t something I’m concerned about.
Other Notes
The INKBIRD ISV-200W isn’t the smallest sous vide machine, but it fits in my kitchen drawer just fine.
INKBIRD sous vide machines are covered by a one year warranty. INKBIRD is a highly reputed company with many business lines away from sous vide. This leads me to believe you can count on INKBIRD to stand by their warranty.
The ISV-200W is the second generation of sous vide machine from INKBIRD, launched in 2022.
You can find the INKBIRD ISV-200W manual here.
- Powerful yet quiet cooker - 1000W
- WiFi capable (2.4Ghz)
- 1 year warranty
- Fantastic value - fully featured and affordable
- Impressively quiet - quietest sous vide we've tested
- Does not support 5Ghz WiFi (not an issue for most people)
INKBIRD Sous Vide Specs vs Comparable Anova
| INKBIRD SOUS VIDE COOKERS | ISV-200W | ISV-100W | Anova Precision Cooker (AN500-US00) |
|---|---|---|---|
| List Price | $87.99 | $87.99 | $219.00 |
| Height | 15.4″ | 16.1″ | 12.8″ |
| Power Wattage | 1000 Watts | 1000 Watts | 1000 Watts |
| Temperature Range | 32˚-194˚F (0˚-90˚C) | 77˚-210˚F (25˚-99˚C) | 32˚-197˚F (0˚-92˚C) |
| Wireless Connectivity | WiFi | WiFi | WiFi |
| Capacity | 20 Liters | 15 Liters | 18 Liters |
| Weight | 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) | 3.9 lbs (1.8 kg) | 2.0 lbs (0.9 kg) |
| Durable Materials | Plastic & Stainless Steel | Plastic & Stainless Steel | Plastic & Stainless Steel |
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Best Value
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4.7
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4.2
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4.6
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INKBIRD ISV-100W vs ISV-200W
To begin, we would strongly advise purchasing the the ISV-200W, given they have the same list price. However, if you found a killer deal on the INKBIRD ISV-100W, I totally get it and applaud you for doing the homework.
Besides the all-encompassing benefits of purchasing second generation technology versus first generation technology, the primary upgrades on the ISV-200W are the following:
Temperature Range
The temperature range on the ISV-200W is a lot more useful than that of the ISV-100W.
The temperature range on the INKBIRD ISV-200W is 32˚-194˚F (0˚-90˚C) vs 77˚-210˚F (25˚-99˚C) on the ISV-100W.
You’re not going to get any use from your sous vide above 194 degrees Fahrenheit. Frankly, you’re bags will likely be compromised at any higher temperature.
You will get use out of your sous vide below 77 degrees Fahrenheit. One example of where I use my sous vide below 77˚F is for thawing food.
The temperature range has been made much more useful with the INKBIRD ISV-200W.
Capacity
The ISV-200W capacity was increased to 20 Liters from the 15 Liters of the INKBIRD ISV-100W. That 5 Liters is pretty meaningful if you’re trying to sous vide ribs or something of that sort.
Size
The INKBIRD ISV-200W is less bulky than the ISV-100W. It weighs about 20% less at 3.1lbs and is just under an inch shorter and has a lesser width. The ISV-200W fits in my kitchen drawer; the ISV-100W does not.
Other
The display on the ISV-200W is marginally larger and is backlit orange rather than blue.
INKBIRD ISV-100W
The INKBIRD ISV-100W is the first generation of sous vide machine from INKBIRD, launched in 2019.
- Powerful yet quiet cooker - 1000W
- WiFi capable (2.4Ghz)
- 1 year warranty
- Fantastic value - fully featured and affordable
- Impressively quiet
- Does not support 5Ghz WiFi (not an issue for most people)
- Too big to fit in a kitchen drawer
Power
At 1000W of power, the ISV-100W has plenty of power for home kitchens.
When you think about power, consider the effects on both how quickly your water heats to your target temperature and how much water your sous vide machine can heat to a constant temperature.
To frame your thinking, I’d estimate 1000W machine will take roughly ten minutes longer to heat water to your desired temperature than an 1100W machine. In most cases, you can probably bridge that gap by using a lid on your sous vide container.
The INKBIRD ISV-100W is capable of heating up to 15 liters of water to your desired temperature, which isn’t great. It’ll do just fine when you’re cooking for up to 6 people, but beyond that will be a stretch.
Bottom line: INKBIRD ISV-100W is best suited to cook for parties of 6 or less.
Noise
Noise is what you will sense directly and immediately when it comes to sous vide machines.
Like the INKBIRD ISV-200W, the ISV-100W is a very quiet sous vide machine. My noise meter didn’t change readings when the sous vide machine was turned on, implying that it added no ambient noise to my kitchen. Rather amazing!
Bottom line: I’m simply amazed at how quiet the INKBIRD ISV-100W is.
Features
WiFi is the biggest feature to watch for when looking at budget sous vide machines. INKBIRD incorporated WiFi into their sous vide machines from the beginning, which started with the INKBIRD ISV-100W.
One thing to be aware of is that the WiFi capability is limited to 2.4GHz, and does not support 5GHz.
Bottom Line: The ISV-100W can be controlled remotely via WiFi, which is unique at this price point.
Accuracy
As stated earlier, we look at accuracy in two ways: (1) with what level of precision you can set the target temperature of the sous vide circulator. And (2), how accurate the temperature reading on the sous vide machine is compared to our independent reading.
On point one, like the ISV-200W, the ISV-100W is limited to whole Fahrenheit degrees. Relative to other cookers, this is not very precise. But again, it’s not something we would stress over.
However, you can set Celsius to the tenth of a degree, which can be used as a work around to get more precision.
On point two, the ISV-100W passed our independent test for the accuracy of the temperature reading on the immersion circulator.
Bottom Line: You can’t easily dial things in beyond whole degrees Fahrenheit, which doesn’t concern me.
Other Notes
The INKBIRD ISV-100W is fairly bulky and will not fit in my kitchen drawer, unlike the ISV-200W.
INKBIRD sous vide machines are covered by a one year warranty. I believe you can count on INKBIRD to stand by their warranty.
You can find the INKBIRD ISV-100W manual here.
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Best Value
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4.7
|
4.2
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|
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- Fantastic value - fully featured and affordable
- Impressively quiet - quietest sous vide we've tested
- Does not support 5Ghz WiFi (not an issue for most people)
- Fantastic value - fully featured and affordable
- Impressively quiet
- Does not support 5Ghz WiFi (not an issue for most people)
- Too big to fit in a kitchen drawer
Click here for our list of best sous vide machines. You can find our best sous vide starter kits here. We hope we can be a resource to you going forward!
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