The 6 Best Instant Pots You Can Buy In 2024
Which one is right for you?
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What do chef Carla Hall, actress Busy Philipps, country star Trisha Yearwood, and millions of Americans have in common? They’re all proud owners of an Instant Pot!
Despite only making its debut in 2009, it’s safe to say the Instant Pot isn’t just a fad; it’s here to stay. In fact, these multi-cookers have such a cult following that they're frequently at the top of shoppers' must-have lists during the year’s biggest sales, like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday. And for good reason—after all, what other countertop appliance can do the work of five or more kitchen gadgets while convincing beginner home cooks to leave the comfort zone of their food delivery apps and takeout menu drawers?
It should come as no surprise that the best multi-cooker to buy is an Instant Pot. But with so many options available, even a seasoned owner can get confused. While most Instant Pots have the same wattage, they diverge in terms of their built-in pressure and heat levels, not to mention their smart settings. Many home cooks opt for the most popular 6-quart options, but there are also 3-, 8-, and 10-quart sizes available. Then there’s the wide range of models, from Instant’s most popular option, the Duo 7-in-1, to their newest line, the Pro series, which made its debut in 2021. And on top of that, there are many discontinued models and sizes that may have rendered your current smart kitchen set-up obsolete.
So you'll have to make a choice, but don’t cave under all that pressure just yet. Using our expertise in all things cooking—and the assistance of the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute and its Director of the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, Nicole Papantoniou—we’ve rounded up five recommendations for the cheapest, smartest, and easiest-to-use Instant Pots. We also have plenty of advice to help you determine which Instant Pot is best for you.
Need some inspo to take your “set it and forget it” meals to the next level? Check out our recommendations for the best Instant Pot recipes and our favorite Instant Pot cookbooks.
Our top picks
Our Top Picks
How We Picked These Products
To determine which Instant Pots are the best of the bunch, we turned to our friends at the Good Housekeeping Institute, who have tested nearly every multi-cooker on the market, including the full suite of Instant Pots. Their team of on-staff experts—which includes all types: product development experts! trained cooks! engineers! data analysts! registered dietitians!—rigorously put everyday products to the test (and then more and more tests) in their New York City labs to determine which ones you can trust.
From evaluating their ability to evenly brown meat and make rice to determining how quickly they came up to and released pressure, these Kitchen Tech Experts put over 15 multicooker models through rigorous testing to determine their overall performance, ease of use, cleanability, and additional features and settings. After reviewing their findings and sitting down with Papantoniou to discuss the pros and cons of each model, we’ve determined that these are the best Instant Pots you can buy in 2023.
Pros
- Whisper-quiet steam release
Cons
At just a slightly higher price point than the bestselling Duo, the Instant Pot Duo Plus offers more electronic controls for little extra cost, according to Papantoniou. Compared to the Duo, it has two extra cooking modes part of its 9-in-1 functionality including sous vide and cake, in addition to 25 customizable smart programs.
| Sizes | 6- and 8-quart versions |
Pros
- Cooking pot has silicone handles for easy grip
- Easy to clean
- Comes to pressure quickly
Cons
- The natural pressure release is slow
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current pressure cooker or are looking for a model with advanced features, the Instant Pot Pro is the right choice. In addition to its 10-in-1 functionality you also have the ability to program five custom settings.
What makes the Instant Pot Pro unique and a step above the rest is its inner pot with silicone handles. Made of cookware-grade stainless steel with a thick aluminum layer, it not only heats fast, but is also compatible with electric, ceramic, and induction cooktops, and can even be placed in ovens up to 450 degrees. The easy-to-grip silicone handles make carrying simple and comfortable, and according to the Good Housekeeping Institute, the stainless steel pot was easy to clean.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute’s testing this model was one of the highest scoring for coming to pressure taking only 27 minutes to pressurize. It didn’t perform as quickly during the natural pressure release test (which can actually be a good thing if you’re looking for the most flavorful and tender food), but using the quick release button, it was able to release pressure in just over four minutes.
| Sizes | 6- and 8-quart versions |
Pros
- Has pressure release button
- Available in three sizes
- User-friendly
Cons
- More basic features
- No LCD screen
Looking to just dip your toe into the waters of Instant Pot ownership? There’s no better choice than the Instant Pot Duo, which is as easy to use and clean as it is convenient. While it lacks some of the other, fancier functions found in pricier models, we think the Instant Pot Duo is a great value, especially if you’re an IP newbie.
“The Duo V5 would be best for beginners,” Papantoniou said, citing its plethora of user-friendly design details like the Easy-Release switch that releases pressure with the touch of a button. This can make a huge difference if you’re uncomfortable with the idea of manually releasing your pot’s pressure. Plus, this model offers over 10 safety features, including a safe-locking lid and overheat protection. Of the models the Good Housekeeping Institute tested, it was also one of the few that made well-cooked rice that wasn’t mushy.
| Sizes | 3-, 6-, and 8-quart versions |
Instant Pot Duo Crisp
Pros
- Can air fry
Cons
- Has two lids
If you’re looking for an Instant Pot that can also air fry, but don’t want to break the bank, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp is a great option. It has 11 cooking functions including pressure cook, dehydrate, air fry, and food warmer.
This model comes with two removable lids—one for pressure cooking and one for air frying. While this may take up more space than the Duo Crisp Ultimate, it’s more affordable. The stainless steel cooking pot has a try-ply bottom and anti-spin design for stability while sauteing.
| Sizes | 6- and 8-quart version |
Instant Pot Duo Crisp Ultimate
Pros
- Has pressure release button
- LCD display
Cons
- Only available in one size
- Pricey
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp Ultimate is, well, the ultimate Instant Pot air and fryer powerhouse. A step up from the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, this model features just one lid, versus the two that the Duo Crisp has—which means it takes up less kitchen space.The lid has a removable cover that’s used when pressure cooking and removed when air frying, according to Papantoniou. “It basically eliminates the need to store your air fryer lid elsewhere, said Papantoniou. “It’s all contained in one unit.”
It also has 13 cooking functions including pressure cooking, air frying, sous vide, roaster, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan, food warmer, mini oven, broiler, and bread proofing. On the control panel you’ll find a release button for There’s also a release button whisper-quiet steam release. You’ll also get status messages so you know when to open and close the lid.
| Sizes | 6.5-quart version |
Pros
- Wirelessly operatre via app
- Access to over 800 recipes
Cons
- Only available in one size
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line pressure cooker that also has smart features, look no further than the Instant Pot Pro Plus. It can be wirelessly operated and controlled from your phone via the Instant Brands Connect app. The app will also walk you through, step by step, over 800 recipes.
Similar to the Instant Pot Pro, the Pro Plus has a stainless steel and aluminum inner cooking pot that allows for fast, even heating. It also can be used on the stove, induction cooktops, or in the oven.
| Sizes | 6-quart version |
Should I buy a slow cooker or a multi-cooker?
Slow cookers have been a go-to countertop appliances for decades. But thanks to innovative tools like the Instant Pot and air fryers, many home chefs are branching out when it comes to outfitting their kitchens with the latest and greatest innovations. Which begs the question: Is it worth getting an Instant Pot?
"The biggest thing about slow cooking versus an Instant Pot is that a slow cooker is typically oval shaped and can accommodate a large roast, so they’re really good for large chunks of meat that you’re trying to break down and make tender," said Papantoniou. "Instant Pots are multi-cookers, and typically have a slow cooker function. The round vessel allows for a small chicken, but you’ll probably have to trim a larger roast to make it fit."
Furthermore, she explained that the primary difference between the two lies in the seal. "Slow cooker lids don’t seal the way pressure cooker lids seal, so they allow steam to escape," while "in a pressure cooker, it’s more of an airtight environment and that’s what causes things to cook quickly. The slow cooker function on an Instant Pot is designed to allow steam to escape through the vent, but it’s still a more airtight environment."
A common misconception is that Instant Pots are just fancy electric pressure cookers, but that’s not (entirely) true. Multi-cookers and pressure cookers are similar, but where they differ is that a pressure cooker can only be used for pressure cooking, whereas a multi-cooker has a bunch of bonus features besides pressure cooking. In fact, the main appeal of the Instant Pot is that it essentially serves as a bunch of appliances and tools in one. You can bake everything from peanut butter explosion cakes to a hearty breakfast casserole in some multi-cookers!
These added features can save you some valuable kitchen real estate, but it also means they tend to be bulkier—a key factor to consider if you have a small space. What you look for in a multi-cooker depends entirely on your needs. After all, while air frying capabilities may be convenient, this added feature may not be necessary for someone who already owns an air fryer.
Multi-cookers can do a lot, but there are some functions that slow cookers can do better, such as tenderizing large cuts of meat and offering more control when it comes to dishes like beef stew. That being said, there are some areas in which Instant Pots excel as well, such as making rice, cheesecake, and even yogurt.
During testing, Papantoniou said the Good Housekeeping Institute found that the two types of cookers performed similarly. “People think that pressure cookers with slow cooker functions tend to dry out, but in our more recent [Instant Pot] road tests, we did not find that to be the case.” So if functionality is more important to you than performance, it really comes down to what you’ll be cooking (and how much).
What size Instant Pot do I need?
For the average home cook who likes their leftovers or a family of four, you shouldn’t need more or less than a 6-quart Instant Pot. “The 6-quarts are best," advised Papantoniou. "They’re a good entry point and amongst the most popular size.”
However, an 8-quart model is a solid choice, too, if you live in a larger household, frequently use your multicooker for parties and potlucks, or if you want to use it for meal prep. On the flip side, if you’re just cooking for yourself or live in a smaller space and don’t mind possibly having to make multiple batches (thank goodness for spare cooking pots), you can probably get away with a 3-quart model.
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