Best Instant Pot Comparison Guide
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Which is the best Instant Pot for you?
Are you ready to save time, money and eat well with high-quality meals that don’t require stewing over a hot pot all day?
Awesome! Then Instant Pot is just right for you!
So I’m breaking down which Instant Pot is best for you with an Instant Pot comparison.
Plus, you’ll have my Instant appliance guide to help you choose the best products for delicious convenience cooking and easy magical meals in minutes!
First, what is an Instant Pot?
Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker that works faster than your typical cooking appliance.
As a result, food that used to take hours to prepare has turned into magical meals in minutes with an Instant Pot pressure cooker!
It slow cooks, sautés, makes rice, steams vegetables, and cooks chicken, meat, and other food items. It also has soup and yogurt maker settings, and you can even make cakes and bread from scratch in it!
How do electric pressure cookers work?
An Instant Pot is an innovative electric pressure cooker.
Electric pressure cookers create a highly pressurized environment by mixing heat and steam to cook food instantly.
Even though Instant Pot is a relatively new brand, the pressure cooker has been around since the 1700s!
What can you cook in an Instant Pot?
Instant Pot pressure cooking is a much healthier way to prepare:
- meats
- chicken
- fish
- seafood
- rice
- grains
- vegetables
- beans
- chili
- soups
- stews
- yogurt
- porridge
- cake
- bread
- Plus more!
Does the Instant Pot destroy nutrients in your food while cooking?
Instant Pot pressure cooker shorter cooking times lend to better preservation of vitamins and minerals while intensifying each recipe’s flavors and enhancing the taste and texture. Yum!
Why is everyone obsessed with the Instant Pot?
Instant Pot bakes in under an hour and cooks whole chicken dinners in under 30 minutes!
Instant Pot makes braised meats easy for keto diet-folks.
And vegans and vegetarians love Instant Pot for its 4-minute vegetables!
Even dry beans that typically need overnight soaking are cooked in approximately 20 minutes for dishes like chili and hummus thanks to Instant Pot’s smart programs.
What are the Instant Pot smart programs?
Depending on the Instant Pot model you choose, there are smart programs with pre-programmed cooking times for the food you’re making.
You simply place the ingredients in the pot and press a button to cook!
Which features are included on all models?
The smart settings on all Instant Pot pressure cooker models include:
- soup/broth
- meat/stew
- bean/chili
- poultry
- rice
- multigrain
- porridge
- steam
Why choose an Instant Pot over another multi cooker?
Because Instant Pot not only comes with pre-set smart programming but also multiple cook settings – all in one pot!
These space-saving counter top, one-pot, multi cook settings include:
- slow cook
- sauté
- yogurt
- keep warm
- delay start
- and of course, the most popular – pressure cook!
Instant Pot Duo is the model that started the pressure cooker product craze and has all of the above-listed smart programs and settings.
Which Instant Pot size is right for you?
There are various Instant Pot sizes to accommodate any family – even cooking for one or two!
Each recipe that I share here on The Soul Food Pot allows you to use the dynamic recipe card to adjust the ingredients to make more or less of a given recipe!
Trying to decide which Instant Pot to get?
Check out all the available Instant Pot sizes from the 3 qt.-size for meals for one or two. All the way up to the 10 qt. pot!
- Small Instant Pot 3 quart size is HERE.
- Standard-size Instant Pot 6 quart size is HERE.
- Large Instant Pot 8 quart size is HERE.
- X-large Instant Pot 10 quart size is HERE.
What sets the Instant Pot Duo Nova apart from the Duo?
While Instant Pot Duo is the one that started it all, its next-generation upgrade, Duo Nova, is precisely the same – except for one innovative feature…
With Instant Pot Duo Nova, the valve sealing and positioning are automatically done for you when pressure cooking! (Sweet!)
What’s the difference between Instant Pot quick release and natural release?
Natural release is probably the topic covered the most when it comes to Instant Pot cooking!
Next to the question – “Should the Instant Pot valve be up or down?” (The answer is HERE, btw!)
Natural release vs. quick release is the next question I answer the most.
A natural release will happen when you keep the food locked in the Instant Pot after the cooking time has elapsed.
Then, the pressure will naturally release from the Instant Pot on its own.
To prompt a manual, quick pressure release, position the pressure valve down for Instant Pot Duo. Or press the pressure button for models Duo Nova and beyond.
Is Instant Pot easy to clean?
Instant Pot is super easy to clean!
Next to making delicious meals in a matter of minutes, I love that Instant Pot clean-up involves only one stainless steel pot. Just soap and dish wash – no specialty cleaners needed.
You should also clean your Instant Pot lid by rinsing it in the sink.
After enough heavenly suppers, your Instant Pot will begin to secure a food smell and possibly some food stains.
Wash the lid by running it underwater, and you can actually remove and even replace the lid’s silicone ring!
Can you air fry in an Instant Pot?
Yep! You can now air fry in the Instant Pot by replacing the Instant Pot lid with the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid!
(And you thought I was kidding about one-pot straight to plate!)
You simply add the Air Fryer Lid to start or finish a meal with a beloved air fryer crisp!
Instant Pot also makes air fryer appliances that do not pressure cook. Like their super popular Vortex Air Fryer and my personal favorite, the Omni Plus toaster oven and air fryer.
How long have you had your Instant Pot?
I do 90% of my cooking with Instant Pot, and I’ve been cooking this way for about 2 years.
I love how this cooking method allows for quick and easy homemade meals for my busy household. One-pot… straight to plate!
Today, I have four Instant Pots (and counting)!
One Duo Nova and three Duos (the original stainless steel, Mickey Mouse, and The Pioneer Woman).
I also have the Air Fryer Lid, the Omni Plus toaster oven and air fryer, and the Instant Ace Blender.
Love your Instant Pot but wish you had another for side dishes?
Pro tip: If you’re obsessed with Instant Pot cooking like so many more home cooks and me, you can enjoy cooking meals with multiple pots simultaneously!
Or, for smaller portions, try the PIP: pot-in-pot cooking technique. (Find more Instant Pot terms and tips HERE).
Where can you find the best Instant Pot recipes?
While Instant Pot shares some recipes on their site, you can always count on The Soul Food Pot for the best soul food, southern recipes and Caribbean cuisine.
Save time, money and eat well with high-quality meals that don’t require stewing over a hot pot all day!
Learn to cook with heart and soul!
Recipes from The Soul Food Pot are Instant Pot quick and easy for delicious meals combined with flavorful seasonings!
You can also find easy Instant Pot recipes in my Facebook group, Club Instant Pot.
A fun and free community for Instant Pot support, trusted recipes, and cool dinner ideas!
Learn more about Club Instant Pot –> HERE.
The Instant Pot’s ability to perform multiple appliance functions in one completely changed the slow cooker game, but why stop there?!
I’ve curated and listed the latest Instant Pot appliances and my personal kitchen favorites for you to instantly shop for convenience cooking!
Best Instant Pot appliances for convenience cooking
Instant Pot Duo Multi-Use Pressure Cooker
Easy to use, easy to clean, fast, versatile, and convenient, the Instant Pot Duo is the one that started it all! Use it to pressure cook quick and healthy meals, or slow cook traditional recipes – both with Instant Pot’s smart cooking programs guiding the way. Redefine cooking and enjoy quick and easy meals anywhere, any time.
Instant Pot Duo Nova Multi-Use Pressure Cooker
Easy to use, easy to clean, fast, versatile, and convenient, with the same features as the original Instant Pot Duo (above). With one exception – the Duo Nova Multi-Use Pressure Cooker shines bright because of its valve sealing and positioning that are automatically done for you when pressure cooking! (Sweet!) Redefine cooking and enjoy quick and easy meals anywhere, any time.
Instant Pot Max 6-quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker
The Instant Pot Max raises the bar for electric pressure cookers everywhere and reaches a whopping 15 PSI. Not only is it easy, versatile, quick, and convenient, this powerhouse multicooker is your answer to stress-free mealtime, your total home canning solution, and much more.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer 8-quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer is fast, versatile, and convenient, with 2 innovative, removable lids to help you to cook and crisp your favorite meals all in one pot. All it takes is cook, switch, crisp!
What extras and accessories can you buy for an Instant Pot?
Want Instant Pot accessories for more convenience cooking?
I gotchu with favorites like the Instant baking sling, the perfect-sized inner pot Bundt cake pan, and the spring foam pan for cheesecake recipes!
Check out my curated list of Instant Pot accessories below.
What do you think about this best Instant Pot comparison guide?
If you like this guide, then you’ll love these best Southern food Instant Pot recipes for beginners HERE.
Leave a 5-star rating and a comment below, and share your finished Instant Pot recipe pictures HERE in the Facebook group!
Best Instant Pot helpful guides
Best Southern Cooking Instant Pot Recipes For Beginners
Join The Group – Club Instant Pot
Equipment
- Instant Pot Sizes
- Small - Instant Pot 3 quart
- Standard-size - Instant Pot 6 quart
- Large - Instant Pot 8 quart
- X-large - Instant Pot 10 quart
Ingredients
- 1 Instant Pot appliance
Instructions
What can you cook in an Instant Pot pressure cooker?
- meats
- chicken
- seafood
- rice
- grains
- vegetables
- beans
- chili
- soups
- stews
- yogurt
- porridge
- cake
- bread
- Plus more!
Which smart-program features are included on all Instant Pot pressure cooker models?
- soup/broth
- meat/stew
- bean/chili
- poultry
- rice
- multigrain
- porridge
- steam
Multiple cook settings – all in one pot!
- slow cook
- sauté
- yogurt
- keep warm
- delay start
- and of course, the most popular – pressure cook!
Video
Notes
Best Instant Pot appliances for convenience cooking
Use this guide for info and ease in purchasing your next Instant Pot appliance! Simply click to compare and shop!
Instant Pot Duo Multi-Use Pressure Cooker
Easy to use, easy to clean, fast, versatile, and convenient, the Instant Pot Duo is the one that started it all! Use it to pressure cook quick and healthy meals, or slow cook traditional recipes – both with Instant Pot’s smart cooking programs guiding the way. Redefine cooking and enjoy quick and easy meals anywhere, any time.Instant Pot Duo Nova Multi-Use Pressure Cooker
Easy to use, easy to clean, fast, versatile, and convenient, with the same features as the original Instant Pot Duo (above). With one exception - the Duo Nova Multi-Use Pressure Cooker shines bright because of its valve sealing and positioning that are automatically done for you when pressure cooking! (Sweet!) Redefine cooking and enjoy quick and easy meals anywhere, any time.
Instant Pot Max 6-quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker
The Instant Pot Max raises the bar for electric pressure cookers everywhere and reaches a whopping 15 PSI. Not only is it easy, versatile, quick, and convenient, this powerhouse multicooker is your answer to stress-free mealtime, your total home canning solution, and much more. Shop Instant Pot Max HERE!
Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer 8-quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer is fast, versatile, and convenient, with 2 innovative, removable lids to help you to cook and crisp your favorite meals all in one pot. All it takes is cook, switch, crisp! Shop Duo Crisp HERE!