We Still Really Like Instant Pots—Here Are 4 Worth Buying

Instant Pot has become synonymous with a type of electric appliance more correctly known as a "multi-cooker" (a fancy electric pressure cooker with some extra functionality). While we don't think Instant Pots should be considered in a vacuum—plenty of other companies make multi-cookers—it’s worthwhile sorting through the many, many models available. 

We chose 12 Instant Pots that claim to perform nuanced, helpful tasks and replace other kitchen appliances (we did not include special edition colors, floral patterns, Star Wars designs, or the like). Here's a detailed look at the most useful features, which upgrades we found to be worthwhile, which ones failed to add real value, and ultimately which Instant Pots we think are worth buying.

The Winners, at a Glance

The Best Instant Pot

Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 6-Quart Pressure Cooker

$170 $143 at Amazon View on Shop.com

This model came up to pressure quickly, browned food well, and was one of the easiest to use. It has handles on its cooking pot to prevent the pot from spinning as you stir (and make it easy to remove), a control knob, a large digital screen, and a pressure release switch that keeps your hands away from the venting steam.

The Best Budget Instant Pot

Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker V5

$100 at Amazon $14 at Walmart View on Dailysteals.com

If you're willing to sacrifice some cooking and usability features, then this Instant Pot is a good pick and is usually well under $100.

Another Easy-to-Use Instant Pot

Instant Pot Duo Plus 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker V4

View on Amazon $167 at Walmart View on Shop.com

This model is easy to use and sautées like a dream, yielding evenly browned, tender meat and perfectly pressure-cooked food. Like the Instant Pot Pro, it features a sizable digital control panel and a pressure release switch.

The Techiest Instant Pot

Instant Pot Pro Plus Wi-Fi Smart 10-in-1 6-Quart Pressure Cooker

$200 $176 at Amazon $200 at Williams Sonoma $200 at Crate & Barrel

This is the model for people who are committed to the Instant Pot and like smart features. It's WiFi- and app-enabled and has a very sleek digital control panel.

The Tests

• Chili Test: We made a chili recipe designed for a pressure cooker to evaluate the Instant Pots’ browning, sautéeing, and pressure cooking abilities. 
• Brownies Test: Baking in an Instant Pot is a thing, so we made a batch of brownies in each one.
• Sous Vide Test: Many of the Instant Pots we tested had sous vide functions, so we attempted to bring a water bath to temperature and sous vide eggs.
• Usability and Cleanup Tests: Throughout testing, we evaluated how easy the Instant Pots were to use and clean.

What We Learned

What Is an Instant Pot? 

An Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker, sometimes called a multi-cooker. You can use any electric pressure cooker recipe in these machines—you don't need a recipe formulated specifically for an Instant Pot. (Frankly, you can use most regular pressure cooker recipes as well, though you'll have to know a few basic rules of adaptation if the recipe doesn't offer specific instructions.) However, since it takes some time to figure out how to use and navigate the controls of each model, your success with any given recipe will depend on your familiarity with the Instant Pot you own.

Electric multi-cookers usually come with “low” or “high” pressure cooking settings, but these aren't regulated terms. Instant Pots, for example, reach slightly lower PSI (pounds per square inch) compared to "low" and "high" settings on many stovetop pressure cooker models; this won't always affect how a recipe turns out, but it can.

The appeal of electric multi-cookers is twofold. First, they self-regulate their pressure level, meaning you don't have to babysit them and periodically adjust the level of heat produced by the burner, as you do with a stovetop pressure cooker. (Plus, they free up that stovetop burner for other stuff.) Second, as the name indicates, they have other functions: slow cook, sauté, steam, rice/grain, yogurt, and warm. Newer Instant Pot models claim to perform additional functions, like cake-making, air-frying, sous vide, sterilizing, and pressure canning (although we don’t recommend using most electric pressure cookers for canning). What an electric multi-cooker does best is it allows even the novice home cook to set it and forget it and enjoy relatively hands-off cooking with confidence.

What Size Instant Pot Should You Buy? 

Our favorite Instant Pots are eight or six quarts, which we think are the best sizes to get. Either capacity will accommodate (most) any recipe you want to cook and will easily serve four to six people. However, bigger ones can handle less, but smaller ones can't take on more. So if you're on the fence, go with an eight-quart Instant Pot.

All of the Instant Pots Worked Great for Pressure Cooking

We made chili in each Instant Pot, browning meat, sautéeing onions, and pressure cooking on high. All of the Instant Pots produced nearly identical chili with tender pieces of beef in a fraction of the time it’d take on the stovetop. They also seared beef well, developing nice browning. Simply put, pressure cooking is why you should buy an Instant Pot.

The only differences in this test came down to pressurizing time and the cooking pots. The Duo Pro came up to pressure fast—in just five minutes—while the Duo Plus took over six minutes and other models about eight minutes. The Duo Pro also had a cooking pot that could be taken out and used on an electric, induction, or ceramic cooktop. This was a big plus and it felt much more natural than searing inside the other Instant Pots. It also gives you the possibility of cranking the heat even higher than the sear function of the cooker allows.

Was It Worth Baking in the Instant Pots? 

Some Instant Pots have bake or “cake” buttons. If they didn’t, to make the brownies we set them on high pressure for 15 minutes, portioning the batter into seven-inch cake pans. Honestly, we were surprised by how great the brownies were (fudgy and evenly cooked). While we wouldn’t buy an Instant Pot just to bake, we’d make brownies in one again. That said, an Instant Pot is only good for steamed baked goods—they won’t brown and will have a different texture than something baked in an oven. It’s also impossible to make more than one batch at once and to check for doneness (like by inserting a toothpick into the center of a cake) when baking in a pressurized vessel.

Were the Instant Pots Able to Sous Vide? 

Following the lead from our immersion circulator testing, we tested the Instant Pots’ sous vide capability by cooking whole eggs in a water bath set to maintain 167°F for 30 minutes. What you want with sous vide is a steady, controllable water temperature. To confirm that the machines were maintaining the correct temperature, we used an instant-read thermometer to check the water temperature every five minutes. (Note: We had to remove the lid to insert the thermometer, so there was some unintentional heat loss each time.) We also timed how long it took each model to reach the set temperature using a gallon of water.

Ultimately, the Instant Pots took longer to heat than a standalone immersion circulator and they had temperature readings that fluctuated between 0.4 to 2.7°F when we checked multiple spots in the water baths. Accuracy is the name of the sous vide game, so we weren’t thrilled with any temperature difference. The Instant Pots that performed well in this test were the Duo Plus and Pro, which were pretty close to the target temperature of 167°F and produced nicely cooked eggs. Eggs from other models had whites that were too soft or unacceptably undercooked, with loose whites that sloughed off during peeling. If you’re serious about sous vide, we say go with a dedicated immersion circulator. 

Which of the Instant Pots Were Easiest to Use?

Some Instant Pots require you to poke at their valve with a wooden spoon to release steam, while others have pressure release switches. We preferred the switches, which felt safer and easier. Some models also had plastic covers over the steam release—which helped lower the intensity of the hot air blast and redirect steam. 

We really liked models with handles on their cooking pots, like the Duo Pro, which anchored them in their base and prevented them from swirling around when we stirred. Other usability features that stood out were bright digital screens and progress bars on the control panels for monitoring cooking.

One thing we will note is that all Instant Pots are annoying to clean. The pot is easy to scrub, but it’s nearly impossible to get a sponge under the lid locks.

The Criteria: What to Look for in an Instant Pot

The most useful function of an Instant Pot is its ability to pressure cook, so you want to get a model that quickly comes to pressure. Since many pressure cooker recipes start with a searing or sautéing step, it can help to have an Instant Pot with inner pot stability, so the pot doesn’t spin while you’re cooking. You want to know what’s going on inside your machine while you’re cooking, so an easy-to-read progress bar is super helpful. Some additional functions, like being able to use your Instant Pot for not-very-precise sous vide cooking, are sometimes welcome, but others, like yogurt, we don't find particularly useful.

Our Favorite Instant Pots

The Best Instant Pot

Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 6-Quart Pressure Cooker

$170 $143 at Amazon View on Shop.com

What we liked: This model pressurized the quickest and offered the best searing and sautéing experience, with a stable, non-spinning pot. The ability to use the stainless steel inner pot on an electric, induction, or ceramic stovetop was welcome, as it gives the user greater flexibility and control. Releasing the steam was straightforward and safe because of its separate push-button release and the plastic cover around the steam valve. The control panel was easy to navigate with a mixture of buttons and a dial. We also liked the handles on its cooking pot, which made it easier to lift the pot up and out of the Instant Pot's base.

What we didn't like: It’s pretty expensive, and while the sous vide function works, it isn't nearly as reliable as an immersion circulator.

Key Specs

• Capacity: 6 quarts, 8 quarts
• Wattage: 1200 watts
• Weight: 16.12 pounds
• Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sous vide, sauté, rice, sterilize, yogurt, food warmer, cake, and steam
• Warranty: 1 year

The Best Budget Instant Pot

Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker V5

$100 at Amazon $14 at Walmart View on Dailysteals.com

What we liked: The Duo Plus performed very well and was the second-fastest to pressurize. With a start button and an easy-to-read progress bar, it was straightforward to use. With a price tag under $100, this Instant Pot offers the most functionality for the lowest price.

What we didn't like: The inner pot spins while searing or sautéing, which can be pretty annoying, but ultimately it wasn't a deal-breaker since you can stabilize it (albeit awkwardly) with a potholder. Like the Duo Pro, it has sous vide capability, but you’re better off with a more traditional sous vide setup if you need real precision. Its larger footprint also takes up more room on the counter than other models. 

Key Specs

• Capacity: 3 quarts, 6 quarts, 8 quarts
• Wattage: 1000 watts
• Weight: 11.83 pounds
• Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, rice, yogurt, steam, sauté, yogurt, sterilize, and food warmer
• Warranty: 1 year

Another Easy-to-Use Instant Pot

Instant Pot Duo Plus 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker V4

View on Amazon $167 at Walmart View on Shop.com

What we liked: This Instant Pot has clear, intuitive controls (along with a refreshingly informative user’s manual if you want to dive deeper into the appliance’s capabilities), and both a steam release valve and a condensation gatherer that makes dealing with steam safer and less drippy. We appreciated the Duo Plus’ securely nesting inner pot, angled screen for easier viewing, and purpose-built slot for holding the lid. This model is a great performer all around, but it especially shines when it comes to searing; it maintains steady heat and browns food evenly. 

What we didn’t like: We wish the cooking pot itself had handles on it, which would make it easier to pick up.

Key Specs

• Capacity: 6 quarts, 8 quarts
• Wattage: 1200 watts
• Weight: 15.9 pounds
• Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, rice, yogurt, steam, sauté, sterilize, sous vide, and food warmer
• Warranty: 1 year

The Techiest Instant Pot

Instant Pot Pro Plus Wi-Fi Smart 10-in-1 6-Quart Pressure Cooker

$200 $176 at Amazon $200 at Williams Sonoma $200 at Crate & Barrel

What we liked: This smart model has an illuminated touch screen with a user-friendly interface that clearly displays the pot’s status throughout the cooking process. We appreciate that the handles on the inner pot lock it into place while sautéeing, and that steam release is automatic following the cooking cycle, making the Pro Plus Smart feel fuss-free and safe to use from start to finish. We were impressed with the sear from this pot, too.

What we didn’t like: This model might come with a learning curve if you’re new to Instant Pots, and we aren't convinced that using an Instant Pot app is better or more helpful than just manually controlling the multi-cooker.

Key Specs

• Capacity: 6 quarts
• Wattage: 1200 watts
• Weight: 20.6 pounds
• Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, rice, steam, sauté, yogurt, warmer, canning, sous vide, and "NutriBoost"
• Warranty: 1 year

The Competition

• Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 6-quart: This lacked a start button and progress bar; that plus the dangerous-feeling steam release took this one out of the running.
• Instant Pot Max 9-in-1 6-quart: This was one of the most expensive models we tested, and its sous vide function didn’t work adequately. 
• Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 6-quart: This model appears to be now unavailable.
• Instant Pot Smart Wifi 6-Quart Multi-Use Electric Pressure Cooker: This one also took a long time to come to pressure. It didn’t heat any faster while on the sauté setting, either—though it did produce a nice sear once it got there.
• Instant Pot Viva Multi-Use 9-in-1 6-Quart Pressure Cooker: A fussy control panel with limited status info made this pot feel unnecessarily complicated to use.
• Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 8-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker: This one just feels outdated. It has a wide profile, an old-fashioned steam valve (no pressure release switch), and an unhelpful sheet of instructions. It overcooked food, too.
• Instant Pot Duo Mini: Out of curiosity, we tried a smaller Instant Pot. It was the most underpowered of the bunch and we don’t think this size is very useful or versatile. 
• Instant Pot Rio 6-Quart Multicooker: The pressure release switch on this model was closer to the valve, which felt precarious.

FAQs

Is it worth buying an Instant Pot? 

Yes, we do think an Instant Pot is worth it, particularly for pressure cooking. There's a reason it's one of the most popular kitchen appliances out there. Because an Instant Pot is essentially an electric pressure cooker, it allows you to cook things that might take a long time (like dried beans, and tougher cuts of meat) much faster. The extra features—such as the browning/searing function which lets you sauté onions, brown meat, and more—allow you to easily make one-pot meals.

What can I make and use an Instant Pot for? 

We have a collection of Instant Pot-compatible recipes that you can check out here. You can use an Instant Pot to make soups, stews, chiles, one-pot meals, rice, beans, pressure-cooked meat (pulled pork, short ribs, etc), desserts, and more. You can use it to make rice, too (though we still prefer a dedicated rice cooker).

Can I slow cook in an Instant Pot? 

You can, but we don't recommend it. (You can read why here.) Multi-cookers like Instant Pots really excel at pressure cooking and that should be their primary use.

What’s the best way to clean an Instant Pot? 

We recommend scrubbing an Instant Pot's cooking pot with dish soap and warm water after use or placing it in the dishwasher since it's made from stainless steel. To remove stains and marks, Instant Pot recommends using distilled white vinegar, which you can read about here. Instant Pot also has instructions for cleaning things like the sealing ring, lid, and condensation collector.

Are there any multi-cookers better than an Instant Pot? 

Currently, our favorite multi-cooker is the Instant Pot Pro, but in our testing here, we also really liked the Breville Fast Slow Pro Cooker. If you're looking for a multi-cooker that has tons of features and precision pressure settings, the Breville Fast Slow Pro Cooker fits the bill. It's also, however, considerably more expensive than the Instant Pot Pro.

Should I buy an Instant Pot with an air fryer? 

The consensus is no. We tested the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Ultimate Lid which gives the multi-cooker air fryer abilities and found it lacking. It has an exposed heating element that felt unsafe and didn't perform as well as a conventional, standalone air fryer.

Why We’re the Experts

• Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the associate editorial director of Serious Eats. She’s been with the site since 2021 and has been testing gear professionally for more than six years. 
• Katie Leaird is a seasoned cook and went to both culinary and pastry school. She developed and tested recipes at America’s Test Kitchen for five years (after spending a decade in restaurant kitchens throughout the US and Italy).
• Summer Rylander has written several equipment reviews for Serious Eats, including Traeger grills and gas grills. She's been writing for Serious Eats for about three years and for this review helped to add in newly tested models.
• For this review, we tested 12 Instant Pots in total. 
• Serious Eats has long promoted the benefits of stovetop and electric multi-cookers, but we are not Instant Pot evangelists.