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What is the best instant pot


The Best Instant Pots to Buy in 2022

We updated this article in September 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Our original top-rated picks, selected by the Kitchen Appliances Lab, remain the same.

If you’re thinking of jumping on the Instant Pot bandwagon but feel intimidated by the number of multi-cooker models they offer, we don't blame you. While most Instant Pots are similar in terms of size options and wattage, the built-in heat and pressure levels — along with the smart program settings — vary from model to model.

Luckily, the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliance and Innovation Lab is here to help parse through those differences so you can find the best option for your household. (Our experts have tested more than 40 different pressure cookers and multi-cookers and slow cookers, including many different Instant Pots. ) We evaluate these multi-cookers for how well they pressure cook and slow cook a beef stew. We also evaluate their ability to evenly brown meat and make rice, including how quickly they came up to pressure and released pressure both quickly and naturally. We check each multi-cooker's ease of use, including how intuitive and easy-to-read the controls are, the variety of settings offered, how easy it is to clean the cooking insert, and the clarity of the owner's manual.

Our top picks:

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What's the best size Instant Pot?

Note that throughout our Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab’s testing, we evaluated models in the 6-quart size. We think the 6-quart Instant Pot is the most practical option because it’s big enough for a decent-size batch of chicken soup or chili without hogging too much counter space. That being said, the 8-quart model is great for large families or for those who love to meal prep.

Best Overall Instant Pot

Instant Pot Duo

Best Overall Instant Pot

Instant Pot Duo

$100 at Amazon

Credit: Instant Pot
Pros
Cons

A #1 bestseller on Amazon, the Duo offers all of the standard Instant Pot features with an extra setting for making homemade yogurt. It's the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab's top pick — it comes in 3-, 6-, and 8-quart options and claims to replace seven common kitchen appliances, including a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, sauté, steamer, yogurt maker, and warmer. The inner pot is made of stainless steel, and it boasts a 3-ply bottom for even heat distribution.

It also features the essential added features: a "delay start" tool and a "keep warm" function. It also lets you pressure cook on low (in addition to high), so you’ll have more control over the cooking temperature of soups and lentils, which may ultimately prevent them from overcooking into mushy oblivion.

Another reason we love the Duo so much is for its user-friendly add-ons. It has a large handle on top that makes opening and closing it quick and easy, and the extra slots on both side handles can be used to prop up the lid when it's not in use. Plus the cord's detachable, which you'll love if you're planning on storing your new toy in a tight cabinet.

Best Instant Pot for Beginners

Instant Pot Duo Nova

Best Instant Pot for Beginners

Instant Pot Duo Nova

$100 at Amazon

Credit: Instant Pot
Pros

The Duo Nova is an easy-to-use multi-cooker that pressure cooks, sautés, steams, slow cooks, makes rice, warms food, and makes yogurt. This updated model has an updated lid, like most of their newer models, which has a steam release valve that automatically seals, eliminating one manual step, and a pressure release button (instead of a knob), so you can keep your fingers safer.

This model has one-touch Smart Programs for 13 dishes, including soup, poultry, beans, rice and more, helping you achieve the perfect meal without much effort. Plus, it will save you tons of time (hours, really) when cooking dishes like chili, stew or hearty cuts of meat.

Best Instant Pot for Parents

Instant Pot Duo Plus

Best Instant Pot for Parents

Instant Pot Duo Plus

$130 at Amazon

This model offers everything that the bestselling Duo does, plus settings for making cakes, eggs, and sterilizing. With the sterilize program, you can pasteurize milk, and sterilize baby bottles, jars, and utensils. Another key feature of the Duo Plus is the upgraded display: It’s bigger, bluer, and has brighter LED backlighting than the Duo. So if you ever find yourself straining to read the graphics on your appliances (like, say, in the middle of the night when you're heating up a bottle), look no further.

The Duo Plus also lets you edit the cook time and pressure level while the machine's in use (versus the Duo, which forces you to cancel the cooking program to change settings), and gives you the option to silence its alarms.

Best Instant Pot for Advanced Cooks

Instant Pot Ultra

Best Instant Pot for Advanced Cooks

Instant Pot Ultra

$140 at Amazon

Credit: Instant Pot
Pros
Cons

With endless options for customization, the Ultra is packed with extra features for the home chef who loves to experiment. It offers 21 pre-set temperature options, more than any other Instant Pot model on our list. The Ultra even lets you adjust for altitude, which takes the guesswork out of recipe conversion to provide a more precise cooking time.

Unlike other Instant Pots that only have button controls, this one’s smooth dial also makes programming a breeze. You can pressure cook for up to 6 hours (2 hours longer than the Duo Plus). Last but not least, this one has a steam release reset button for safety.

Best Smart Instant Pot

Instant Pot Smart WiFi

Best Smart Instant Pot

Instant Pot Smart WiFi

Now 49% Off

$76 at Best Buy

Credit: instant pot

This is the Tesla of Instant Pots. The Smart WiFi multi-cooker has many of the extras that other Instant Pot models offer along with the addition of WiFi connectivity, which allows you to set, monitor, and control your cooking from virtually anywhere. It also comes with more than 750 pre-programmed recipes that you can peruse via the Instant Pot app.

When your dish is nearly done, you’ll receive an alert on your smartphone and can even send your recipes and cooking results to your family. Cooking function-wise, this 8-in-1 model is more similar to the Duo or Duo Plus (rather than the Ultra), though it does have three different "keep warm" temperature settings.

The Best Instant Pot Accessories

Now for the fun part: Dressing up your new multi-cooker.

Instant Pot Ceramic Non-Stick Interior Coated Inner Cooking Pot

$25 at Amazon

Credit: .

Instant Pots come with a stainless steel inner cooking pot, but if you're partial to cooking with nonstick pots and pans, you may want to snag one of these inserts as well. It's ceramic-coated nonstick exterior cleans up beautifully and can go in the dishwasher and the oven (up to 680°F).

Instant Pot Silicone Steam Rack

$22 at Amazon

Credit: .

This handy steamer rack features stay-cool arms that can easily (and safely) be lifted out of your Instant Pot after a high-temp steaming session. Because you can stack up to three on top of one another inside the pot, they're lifesavers when making steaming batches of delicate foods like fish or dumplings.

Instant Pot Silicone Springform Cake Pan

$15 at Amazon

Credit: .

If you're thinking of making cheesecake or other types of cake in your Instant Pot, consider buying one of these silicone springform cake pans. It helps prevent your cake from sticking to the interior of the pot, and thanks to the tempered glass base, you can prepare, cut, and serve your dessert on the same surface.

Where can I find the best Instant Pot recipes?

Good Housekeeping Instant Pot® Cookbook

Good Housekeeping Instant Pot® Cookbook

Now 50% Off

$8 at Amazon

If you need recipe inspo for all the fuss-free meals you can make in your new Instant Pot, check out Good Housekeeping's Instant Pot Cookbook. In addition to a primer filled with all the how-to info you’ll need to know, it features 60 delicious dishes, including Weeknight Tuscan Ragu, Vegan Black Bean Soup, Spicy Sesame Rice Bowls, and Korean Pork Lettuce Wraps.

Betty Gold

Betty Gold is an experienced food writer and editor who worked at Good Housekeeping from 2013 to 2019. As the former Senior Editor & Product Analyst in the Kitchen Appliances Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, she tested and wrote about pretty much every type of cooking tool and food-related item on the market. 

This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Best Instant Pot of 2022

In this article:

While many thought it was a trend, the Instant Pot is obviously here to stay. If you haven't adopted one for yourself, then Instant Pot cooking is something you need to get into right now. You don't need skill or any cooking knowledge to work with an Instant Pot to make delicious soups, chilis and even pulled pork for taco night. The effort you'll need is in picking the right one for you. That's why we've tested a number of different models to find out which is the best Instant Pot.

The popular line of multicookers started with one model, and now the brand has an entire fleet of Instant Pots: Over a dozen models exist. There are Instant Pots made especially for Star Wars fanatics. There are Instant Pots that air fry, others that sous-vide and even multicookers that connect to Wi-Fi to be controlled via a mobile device or smart home integration like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Most come in three sizes -- 3, 6 and 8 quarts -- each with distinct features, programs, cooking functions and price tags.

In terms of size, the 6-quart models are the most popular for families and perfect if you're cooking for three to five people. For a single person or even a couple, you could easily get away with a 3-quart and save a few bucks while you're at it. If you're making food for a large group on the regular, you might consider the larger 8-quart cooker.

There are even Instant Pots made especially for Star Wars fanatics.

Williams Sonoma

These handy kitchen cookers look similar on the outside, and they will all do the basic functions of pressure cooking, slow cooking, warming and sautéing. If you're looking for an Instant Pot that performs specific food functions such as cooking eggs, making yogurt or even canning fruit, you'll need to know which models can do that. Different models prove better for different kinds of cooking like precision programs, air frying, yogurt making and sous-vide cooking.

We're here to help you figure out the best Instant Pot for your culinary needs. Here are our favorite Instant Pot models to help you find the perfect fit. We update this list periodically.

Read more: Does the Instant Pot Kill Nutrients In Your Food?

Best Instant Pots

Instant Pot via Amazon

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1

Best overall and for beginners

The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 is the company's most popular series and for good reason. It's super simple to operate and comes with seven versatile cooking functions: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté, yogurt maker and warmer. You can buy the Duo in three sizes: 3-quart ($68), 6-quart ($89) and 8-quart ($99). 

It's also the most affordable model with yogurt and poultry programs as well as the option to pressure cook on high or low. 

Programs included: Rice, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Meat/Stew, Multigrain, Porridge, Soup/Broth, Steam, Manual or Pressure Cooking 

What it doesn't have: Cake, Sterilize, Egg and Canning

$95 at Walmart

$80 at Amazon

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Instant Pot

Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1

Best for slow cooking

The Ultra series offers upgrades from the previous models. You can cook delicious dishes like Instant Pot chicken breasts, mac and cheese or mashed potatoes with high and low pressure for up to 6 hours, which is 2 hours more than the Lux and Duo series. It's available in 3-quart ($99), 6-quart ($125) and 8-quart ($160) sizes. It's the best Instant Pot for slow cooking. 

The Ultra name comes from the added option to fine-tune parameters like temperature. You can specify temperature to a single degree from 104 to 208 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also dial in specific values for cooking time, pressure level and delay time. 

Programs included: Rice, Bean/Chili, Meat/Stew, Multigrain, Porridge, Soup/Broth, Cake, Sterilize, Steam, Egg, Manual or Pressure Cooking, and Ultra

What it doesn't have: Poultry and Canning

$140 at Amazon

Instant Pot

Instant Pot Pro

Best for air frying

The Instant Pot Pro is one of the more advanced models in the line, so it might not be the best choice for your first Instant Pot pressure cooker. That said, it's still easy to operate with just a few more features like adjustable custom cooking programs and a precision temperature dial. The Pro also features a sous-vide cooking function -- low and slow water bath -- along with 28 other cooking programs. 

This model has easy-grip handles on the inner pot, a large LCD display, an upgraded steam-release valve and an auto-sealing lid. The 6-quart Pro is $130 while the 8-quart version will cost you $150.

Programs included: Pressure cook, Slow, Sous vide, Sauté, Sterilize, Yogurt, Warmer, Cake and Steamer

What it doesn't have: Air fry, Roast and Egg

$130 at Amazon

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Tyler Lizenby/CNET

You may remember the first smart Instant Pot, the Instant Pot Smart, which was powered by Bluetooth. The company discontinued that model and replaced it with the $150 Instant Pot Smart Wi-Fi. 

This tech-forward multicooker connects to your phone's Instant Pot control panel app for remote monitoring of your cooker, Instant Pot recipe customization and notifications. Instant Pot Smart Wi-Fi is also controllable via voice commands through both Alexa and Google Assistant. It's important to note that this model is only available in a 6-quart size, so if that's not a good fit for you, it may not be the best Instant Pot for your cooking needs. 

Programs included: Rice, Bean/Chili, Meat/Stew, Multigrain, Porridge, Soup/Broth, Cake, Steam, Egg and Manual or Pressure Cooking

What it doesn't have: Poultry, Canning, Ultra and Sterilize

Read our Instant Pot Smart WiFi review.

 

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How to choose an Instant Pot


Food-specific modes and options will make the difference when it comes to picking the best Instant Pot for your cooking needs. If you want to venture into making your own yogurt, or if you love hard-boiled eggs, it's worth it to pay a bit more for an Instant Pot model that can do those things. 

When it comes to choosing the right size, Instant Pot recommends a 3-quart model for one or two people. Families of six or fewer will likely be happy with the 6-quart multicooker. If you have a large household or host large groups often, consider springing for an 8-quart model. 

There are options from other brands, too. We recently reviewed a great Wi-Fi multicooker from ChefIQ. It does more than Instant Pot's Wi-Fi model and comes with an integrated scale, nonstick pot and helpful iOS or Android app. It costs $200, so if you're not ready to graduate to a high-end model, Instant Pot's more affordable options are great for beginners. 

If you're still not sure which model will be the best Instant Pot for your kitchen, take a look at Instant Pot's product comparison chart or its guide to choosing the right cooker. At the end of the day, all of these models offer the basic pressure cooking and slow cooking modes Instant Pot is known for performing so well.

Read more: 9 Instant Pot Accessories for 2022 

How to make tasty pots of rice in your new Instant Pot

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Use only the best kitchen gear 


The 6 Best Instant Pots for Every Family

We include items that we think are good for our readers. If you make a purchase through the links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here is our process.

Best Instant Pots at a Glance

Instant Pots are a popular kitchen appliance designed to simplify food preparation by combining many functions and features in one device.

In addition to working as a pressure cooker, many instant pots can be used to make yogurt, cook rice, dry fruits and vegetables, and steam, fry, bake, fry, and air fry foods.

However, with so many products to choose from, figuring out which instant pot is right for you can be tricky.

The products included in this article have been selected based on the following criteria:

  • Features. Each product offers many different cooking functions.
  • Customer feedback. Products have mostly positive customer reviews.
  • Security. Products are equipped with safety features to prevent injury.
  • Cost. Each product provides good value for money.
  • Check. All products included have been tested for compliance with drink-drink business standards.

Here are 6 of the best instant pots.

Price Note

General dollar sign price ranges ($ to $$$) are listed below. One dollar sign means the product is fairly affordable, while three dollar signs indicate a higher cost.

Typically, prices range from $80 to $250, although this may vary depending on where you shop.

Pricing Guide

  • $ = less than $ 100 USA
  • $ = 100-200 US dollars
  • $ $ = more than 200 US dollars

Drink-Drink chooses the best quick preparations

The best total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total total as

Instant Pot Duo 6 Quart Multi-Function Pressure Cooker

Price: $

Instant Pot Duo with seven unique features is a great choice for beginner cooks and pressure cookers alike.

In addition to working as a pressure cooker, it can steam, slow cook and fry food, cook rice and yogurt, and keep food warm. In addition, it has 13 customizable smart programs, making it easy to cook soup, meat, porridge and more.

It is available in 3 sizes from 3 to 8 quarts (2.8-7.6 liters) and is more affordable than many other models on the market.

However, be aware that while the Instant Pot is designed with several built-in safety features, the company has been involved in several lawsuits regarding injuries caused by steam or pressurized lid opening.

multifunctional INSTANT POT Duo ambulance at 6 liters at first glance

Advantages

  • offers 7 built -in functions and 13 smart programs
  • available in 3 sizes
  • Available
  • Functions
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Most Versatile

Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker 8 Liter Deluxe XL

Price: $$

If you're looking for an instant pot that can do it all, check out the Ninja Foodi Deluxe.

With nine unique functions, this high-tech pressure cooker can be used as an airfryer and even steam, slow cook, sauté, braise, bake, fry, fry and dehydrate foods. It even works as a yogurt maker.

With a capacity of up to 8 quarts (7.6 liters), this is a great choice for families and large households.

Although a bit more expensive than some other instant pots, the Ninja Foodie Deluxe can be a compact and affordable alternative to buying multiple units individually.

Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 8-Quart Deluxe XL Pressure Cooker at a Glance

Benefits

Potential shortcomings

Best available

PRESTO 6-quarter electric surveillance PLUS

9000 $ 9000 $

This inexpensive instant pot offers many features to help you cook a variety of delicious meals and save you time in the kitchen.

It allows you to choose between high or low pressure and can slow cook, brown and sear foods.

In addition, it has a capacity of up to 6 quarts (5.7 L), making enough servings for couples or small families.

Please note that while this instant bank may be a good option for beginners, those looking for more advanced features may opt for a higher level model.

Presto 6 Quart Plus 9 programmable electric pressure cooker review0065

advantages