The best electric hot pot in NZ overall is the Maxim Teppanyaki Steam Boat Electric Hot Pot, a 5-litre pot with a removable BBQ grill plate that’s stocked by independent AU and NZ retailers, giving it a level of real-world track record most electric hot pots online simply don’t have.
Electric hot pots (also called shabu shabu or steamboat pots) are a niche category dominated by generic imports, so this guide leans on genuine specs and features rather than marketing copy. We compare five current pots spanning single-pot, divided double-flavour, and 2-in-1 grill-and-pot designs, judged on capacity, power and everyday practicality.
Each pick includes a genuine trade-off alongside what it does well — a compact solo pot and a 6.5L double-flavour divider suit very different gatherings. Use the comparison table for a quick overview, then read the full reviews below.
Quick comparison
| Rank | Hot pot | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maxim Teppanyaki Steam Boat Electric Hot Pot | Best overall |
| 2 | TechBear Electric Grill with Hot Pot | Best 2-in-1 grill and hot pot |
| 3 | TechBear Electric Hot Pot with Divider | Best for big groups / double flavour |
| 4 | TechBear Electric Shabu Shabu Pot | Best value standard pot |
| 5 | TechBear Electric Hot Pot with Steamer | Best compact / solo pot |
1. Maxim Teppanyaki Steam Boat Electric Hot Pot – Best overall
The Maxim combines a 5-litre hot pot with a removable 600W BBQ grill plate, so you can run a teppanyaki-style grill and a steamboat pot from the same base, with independent controls for each. At 1350W total power it heats quickly enough for a family-sized steamboat session, and the two-piece design means you can use just the pot, just the grill, or both depending on the occasion.
The trade-off is that it’s a fairly basic single-flavour pot rather than a divided double-flavour design, so if your group wants two different broths at once, you’ll want the divided option below instead. It’s also worth noting this is the more established, independently-stocked pick in this category — genuinely useful if you’d rather buy something with a track record beyond marketplace listings.
Pros
- 2-in-1 design combines a 5L hot pot with a removable 600W BBQ grill
- 1350W total power heats quickly for family-sized sessions
- Independent controls for the pot and grill sections
Cons
- Single-flavour pot, no divider for two different broths at once
- Best suited to small-to-medium gatherings rather than large groups
Key specs: 5L hot pot with removable 600W BBQ grill, 1350W total power, independent controls.
2. TechBear Electric Grill with Hot Pot – Best 2-in-1 grill and hot pot
This is a folding 2-in-1 design that opens out into a Korean BBQ grill on one side and a 4-litre shabu shabu pot on the other, with dual-zone independent temperature control so you can run both at once without one affecting the other. At 2100W it’s the most powerful pot in this lineup, and the 4L capacity is pitched at 2-8 people, making it a genuine option for a mixed grill-and-hot pot night with a group.
The trade-off is size and complexity: a folding grill-plus-pot unit is bulkier to store than a simple single pot, and with two cooking zones there’s more surface area to clean afterwards, even with the separate non-stick components.
Pros
- Folding design genuinely combines Korean BBQ grill and shabu shabu pot in one unit
- Dual-zone independent temperature control for the grill and pot sections
- Powerful 2100W heating, 4L capacity suited to 2-8 people
Cons
- Bulkier to store than a simple single pot
- Two cooking zones mean more surface area to clean
Key specs: Folding 2-in-1 grill and 4L hot pot, 2100W, dual-zone independent temperature control, suits 2-8 people.
3. TechBear Electric Hot Pot with Divider – Best for big groups
At 6.5 litres with a dual-sided divider, this is the largest pot in the lineup and the only one built for two different broths at once — dual knobs give independent temperature control for each side, so a mild broth and a spicy one can run side by side without interference. TechBear rates it for 6-8 people, and the 2100W element is the same high-power rating as the grill combo above.
The trade-off is exactly what you’d expect from the extra capacity: it’s the biggest, heaviest pot here, and a divided design means more surface area and a dividing wall to clean compared with a simple single-flavour pot.
Pros
- Largest capacity here at 6.5L, rated for 6-8 people
- Genuine dual-flavour divider with independent temperature control on each side
- Powerful 2100W heating element
Cons
- Biggest, heaviest pot in the lineup — needs real bench and storage space
- Divided design has more surface area to clean than a single-flavour pot
Key specs: 6.5L double-flavour capacity, dual independent temperature knobs, 2100W, suits 6-8 people.
4. TechBear Electric Shabu Shabu Pot – Best value standard pot
This is a straightforward 5-litre single pot with a sliding lever for temperature control across four settings from keep-warm through to high heat, and a split design that separates the pot from the base for easier cleaning. The non-stick coating is PFOA and BPA-free, and a slightly convex base is designed to spread heat evenly across the whole pot rather than concentrating it in the centre.
The trade-off is that it’s a single-flavour pot without the extra features of the grill combo or divider models — a simple, no-frills hot pot for the price, which is exactly the appeal if you don’t need those extras.
Pros
- Sliding lever gives four clear temperature settings from keep-warm to high heat
- Split design separates the pot from the base for easier cleaning
- PFOA and BPA-free non-stick coating with an even-heating convex base
Cons
- No divider or grill — just a single-flavour pot
- Fewer features than the 2-in-1 or divided models above
Key specs: 5L capacity, 25.8cm diameter, sliding lever with 4 heat settings up to 1500W, removable non-stick pot.
5. TechBear Electric Hot Pot with Steamer – Best compact / solo pot
At 1.6 litres this is by far the smallest pot here, pitched at 2-3 people or a solo hot pot rather than a family gathering, and it doubles as a steamer — useful for cooking eggs, meat or vegetables alongside whatever’s in the pot. The ceramic glaze interior is easy to wipe clean and the two-speed power control (300W/600W) is enough for a small pot without the higher wattage of the bigger models.
The trade-off is obviously capacity: this won’t stretch to a family-sized session, and the lower wattage means it heats more slowly than the 1350-2100W pots above. It’s genuinely aimed at portability — small enough to take on a trip or a picnic rather than living permanently on the kitchen bench.
Pros
- Small and genuinely portable — suited to solo use, trips or picnics
- Doubles as a steamer for eggs, meat or vegetables alongside the pot
- Easy-clean ceramic glaze coating
Cons
- Too small for a family-sized hot pot session
- Lower wattage (300W/600W) heats more slowly than the larger pots
Key specs: 1.6L capacity (1L max fill), 300W/600W two-speed power, ceramic glaze coating, includes steamer.
How to Choose an Electric Hot Pot
Start with group size. A 1.6-2L pot suits one or two people, 4-5L covers a typical family, and 6.5L-plus is worth it if you regularly host bigger groups. If your household can’t agree on one broth, a divided pot with independent temperature zones is worth the extra size and cost.
Check whether you want a dedicated hot pot or a 2-in-1 that also grills — a combo unit is more versatile but takes up more storage space than a single pot. Finally, look at how the pot separates from the base: a split or removable design makes cleaning genuinely easier than a fixed all-in-one unit.
Verdict
The Maxim Teppanyaki Steam Boat is the easiest all-rounder to recommend, pairing a solid 5L pot with a removable grill and the kind of independent retail track record this category rarely has. If you want two broths at once, the divided 6.5L TechBear is worth the extra size; for everyday use without the extras, the standard 5L Shabu Shabu Pot is the better-value pick, and the 1.6L Steamer suits solo or portable use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an electric hot pot and a slow cooker or multi cooker?
An electric hot pot is designed to sit on the table and stay on throughout a meal, with diners cooking raw ingredients in simmering broth as they eat — similar to a fondue setup. A slow cooker or multi cooker is meant to cook a dish through in the kitchen before serving, not to run continuously at the table, and generally isn’t designed for the direct table-side use and easy-clean removable pots that hot pots have.
How much power do I need from an electric hot pot?
For a small pot (1-2L) serving 1-3 people, 300-600W is usually enough. For a family-sized 4-5L pot, look for 1300-1500W so the broth comes back to a simmer quickly after adding ingredients. Larger 6L+ pots for bigger groups often run 2000W or more to keep up with the extra volume.
Can you use an electric hot pot for Korean BBQ or teppanyaki-style grilling as well?
Some models are genuinely 2-in-1, with a removable grill plate or a separate BBQ zone alongside the hot pot section, which lets you grill meat and simmer broth from the same base. A single-purpose hot pot without a grill attachment can’t do this, so check the product specifically if grilling is part of what you want.
Is a divided (double-flavour) hot pot worth the extra cost over a single-pot design?
If everyone in your household is happy with the same broth, a single-flavour pot is simpler to clean and usually cheaper. A divided pot is worth it if you regularly want two different broths running at once — for example a mild broth on one side and a spicy one on the other — since the dividing wall and independent temperature zones keep them from mixing.
How do you clean an electric hot pot?
Most electric hot pots use a split or removable design specifically so the non-stick pot can be lifted off the heating base and washed separately, keeping water away from the electrical components. Always let the pot cool before cleaning, and check the manual for whether the removable pot itself is dishwasher-safe — the base with the heating element and controls should never be submerged.
Are electric hot pots safe to leave running on a table for a whole meal?
Most models include basic safety features like automatic shut-off if the pot runs dry and overheat protection, but they’re still designed for supervised use rather than being left unattended. Keep the pot on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from the table edge, and unplug it once everyone has finished cooking rather than leaving it running unnecessarily.
