We know this—the more fresh veggies we eat, the better for our health. But while raw is good, sometimes you just want to bite into a hot, steamed plate of something, don’t you? This is when a good steamer basket comes in handy.


A steamer basket's sole purpose is simple: sit above simmering water in a pot. So, you have to wonder, are the new innovative features updated models boast of, really necessary? Could these fancy flourishes be superfluous? Count on America’s Test Kitchen to come up with the answer. They gathered six baskets to test. First, a description of each, then the Test Kitchen’s conclusion.

Joyce Chen 3-Piece Steamer Set: Joyce Chen's slogan is "eastern cookware for the western kitchen." Her focus on providing high-quality kitchen products with Asian flair shows up in her 12-inch bamboo steamer. Its two tiers enable you to steam twice as much at the same time as a traditional steamer. Denser vegetables (carrots, potatoes, cauliflower) are placed on the lower level where the steam is more direct, and the upper levels are perfect for items that cook quicker (broccoli, zucchini, and asparagus). You can find it on amazon.com for $21.99.


Norpro Deluxe Double Steamer: Use as a tier steamer or push its button to release and use as two separate steamers. Small top steamer expands from 4.75" (12cm) to 8" (20cm) while the larger bottom steamer expands from 6" (15cm) to 10" (25.5cm). Hand washing is recommended. See it online for around $19.


OXO Good Grips Pop-Up Steamer: A simple press on the handle pops it up for added length, making it easy and safe to insert and remove the Steamer. Press the handle again to lock it down for compact storage. For extra reach, a fork can be inserted into the handle. The feet on the Steamer fold for storage and open up to 1 ¾-inch so plenty of water can be used for steaming. Simply unscrew the handle when the entire basket is needed for steaming large items like fish fillets. It ranges from $13 to $25, depending on the model and where you shop (online).


Progressive Bamboo 3-Piece Steamer Basket: Natural flavors and nutrients are retained by steaming vegetables in bamboo steamer baskets. While these baskets are ideal for steaming vegetables and seafood, they can also be used to serve pastries and bread. It’s around 10.5-inches diameter and sells for about $15.


Progressive Easy Reach Steamer Basket: Uniquely designed steamer post extends from 3 to 6.5 tall. The longer post allows food to be piled high and still keep knob within easy reach. 1.5-inch legs keep foods high above boiling water. It’s made of stainless steel and nylon. One reviewer said that after one use, one of the legs fell off and because it couldn’t be fixed, he had to toss it and buy another product. All other reviews have been very positive about this—folks loved being able to pile the veggies HIGH. It can be found online for about $7.


Trudeau 0998004 Silicone Vegetable Steamer with Handles: The steamer is useful for its ability to bend and shape to conform to a wide variety of pots and pans. This flexible steamer features interlocking handles for ease of handling and convenient storage. The silicone vegetable steamer is heat resistant up to 482 degrees F. The tripod of silicone feet are sturdy and scratch resistant. The steamer is both dishwasher and microwave safe. You can also find this online, for about $11.


While all these steamers had their good points, there were a few drawbacks as well. For instance, silicone doesn’t conduct heat all that well. Testers felt the OXO model and the Norpro double-decker didn’t justify their prices.

In the final analysis, the $7 Progressive Easy Reach Steamer Basket was the popular favorite (even with the one negative review from a verified purchaser). So yes, simple is still the best. Its price as well as the extended handle won folks over. But then, bamboo steamers have been around (and used around the world) for generations for good reason as well. So ultimately, it’s back to personal choice.


The bottom line, though? Good equipment tends to make for a better finished product. And when it comes to eating our health-protecting veggies, the more we eat the better—so the finished product needs to be terrific! A good, but SIMPLE steamer is just the ticket for this.