Instant pot has taken the kitchen appliance market by storm in the past few years, and with so many cooking functions, an enormous amount of free Stew recipes available online and a cultic allegianceMaybe you're ready to see what all the fuss is about and get one yourself. There are a staggering 17 models in the Instant Pot range, and we're here to help you figure out the best one for your cooking needs.
While these devices all look similar on the outside, not all Instant Pots are created equal. Different models are better for different types of cooking, whether you're using it as a slow cooker, steamer, or frying. If you're looking for an instant pot that will perform certain food functions like boiling eggs, making yogurt, or even canning fruit, you need to know which models can actually do it. Here are our favorite instant pot models that will get meals on the table in no time.
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The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 is the company's most popular range for a reason. It has seven cooking functions: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, roast, yogurt maker and warmer. You can purchase the duo in three sizes: 3-quart ($ 71), 6-quart ($ 80), and 8-quart ($ 99).
It is the cheapest model for yogurt and poultry programs, as well as the option of high or low pressure cooking.
Programs include: Rice, beans / chili, poultry, meat / stew, multigrain, porridge, soup / broth, steam, manual or pressure cooking
What it doesn't have: Cake, Sterilize, Egg, Ultra and Canned Food
Lowest price to date (8 qt.): $ 49 on Amazon as of November 28, 2019.
Tyler Lizenby / CNET
Contrary to its name, the Lux V3 series is the most basic instant pot when it comes to cooking functions and the best instant pot on a budget. It includes a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, roast, steamer, and warmer. You can purchase it in 3 quart ($ 49), 6 quart ($ 79), and 8 quart ($ 110) sizes.
With the Lux, you can cook food under high pressure for up to four hours and keep meals warm manually or automatically for up to 10 hours. However, there is no low pressure option for this cooking model. It's also the only model without a lid holder (those handy slots in the left and right handles that can keep your lid upright).
While the Lux is a basic model, if you're on a budget, there are tons of ways to make simple recipe dishes, from beef stew to instant pot chicken to beans and potatoes.
Programs include: Rice, meat / stew, multigrain, soup / broth, steam, manual or pressure cooking, porridge, cake and egg
What it doesn't have: Sterilize, Ultra, Canned Food, Beans / Chilli and Poultry
Lowest price so far (8 qt.): $ 55 on Amazon (November 15, 2019). Read our Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 V3 Review.
Instant pot
The Ultra series offers upgrades over the previous models. You can cook delicious high and low pressure recipe dishes for up to six hours, two hours longer than the Lux and Duo series. Available in $ 120 3-quart, $ 150 6-quart, and $ 180 8-quart sizes, it's the best instant pot for slow cooking.
The name Ultra comes from the added option to fine-tune parameters like temperature. You can set the temperature to a degree from 104 to 208 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also enter specific values for the cooking time, pressure level and delay time.
Programs include: Rice, beans / chilli, meat / stew, multigrain, porridge, soup / broth, cake, sterilize, steam, egg, manual or pressure cooking and ultra
Which it doesn't to have: Poultry and canned food
Lowest price to date (8 qt.): $ 95 on Amazon as of November 28, 2019.
Tyler Lizenby / CNET
You may remember the first intelligent Instant Pot, the Instant Pot Smart, which was powered via Bluetooth. The company discontinued this model and replaced it with the $ 150 Instant Pot smart Wi-Fi.
This technically advanced multicooker connects to your phone's Instant Pot control panel app, which allows you to remotely monitor your stove, customize recipes and receive notifications. Instant Pot Smart Wi-Fi can also be controlled using voice commands via Alexa and Google Assistant. It is important to note that this model is only available in a 6 liter size. If this doesn't suit you, it may not be the best instant pot for your cooking needs.
Programs include: Rice, beans / chilli, meat / stew, multigrain, porridge, soup / broth, cake, steam, egg and manual or pressure cooking
Which it doesn't to have: Poultry, canned, ultra and sterilize
Lowest price to date (6 qt.): $ 90 on Amazon as of November 26, 2018. Read our Instant Pot Smart WiFi Review.
Instant Pot Smart Wifi connects your pressure cooker
Which one is best for you
Food-specific modes and options are the deciding factor when it comes to choosing the best instant pot for your cooking needs or the one that you can use most often. If you're daring to make your own yogurt, or if you love hard-boiled eggs, it's worth paying a little extra for an Instant Pot that can do these things.
When choosing the right size, Instant Pot recommends a 3 liter model for one or two people. Families with six or fewer people will likely be satisfied with the 6 liter multicooker. If you have a large household or frequent large groups, consider an 8 liter model.
There are options from other brands too. We recently gave a great review ChefIQ's Wi-Fi multicooker. It offers more than the Instant Pot Wi-Fi model and has built-in scales, a non-stick pot and a helpful iOS or Android app. It costs $ 200. So if you're not ready to get a high-end model, Instant Pot's cheaper options are great for beginners.
If you're still not sure which model is the best Instant Pot for your kitchen, check out Instant Pot's product comparison chart or our guide to choosing the right cooker. Ultimately, all of these models offer the basic pressure cook and slow cook modes. Instant Pot is known for working so well.
