Choosing An Instant Pot - Which Instant Pot is Right for you? + Video

Ready to make the jump with pressure cooking? Or simply looking to add to your Instant Pot collection? Use my reviews to aid you in choosing an Instant Pot to fit your needs.

Why You Should Trust My Instant Pot Reviews

• Cookbook Author: I've written 5 Instant Pot Cookbooks that have been authorized by Instant Pot.
• Efficient: That's the only way I know how to do things in the kitchen. Who has time to waste when you're trying to get food on the table? I'm known for my ruthless efficiency and use the pot in pot cooking method every chance I get.
• Gadget geek!: I'm a self-proclaimed food tech enthusiast and have been known to purchase (and review) just about any kitchen appliance I can get my hands on.

Four Questions To Help You Decide

1. How many people are you cooking for?
2. Do you like leftovers?
3. Are you a control freak?
4. What do you cook most often?

Before I start listing all of the pros and cons of some of the most popular models of Instant Pots, let me say, I think there are too many to choose from. I'm all about improving one of my favorite kitchen gadgets, but a lot of them offer very similar functionality with very limited improvements.

Instant Pot Mini

Pros

• Great for small families.
• Makes the perfect portion for side dishes and desserts.
• Small footprint.
• Great for travel, hotels, and dorm rooms.

Cons

• No leftovers can be made in the Instant Pot Mini.
• Requires smaller pans when using the pot in pot method.
• Some recipes need adjusting since most are calculated for 6 quart Instant Pots.

Instant Pot Mini : Would I Buy It?

Yes, if you're wanting to make side dishes, desserts, and save a little money this is the perfect Instant Pot for you. The buttons are a little dated, but it still gets the job done.

Instant Pot LUX 6 Quart

Pros

• Inexpensive compared to some of the other models of electric pressure cookers.
• The basic model, so no special buttons or functions to learn.
• Great size for 4 person families.
• Good for leftover for families smaller than 4 people.

Cons

• No pin to show when the pot is under pressure.
• Fewer custom options than other Instant Pots (no Yogurt button).

Instant Pot Lux 6 Quart: Would I Buy It?

No. The technology is very dated and there aren't many presets. Also, the lack of safety feature pin makes it more dangerous for children to use.

Instant Pot LUX 8 Quart

Pros

• The same perks as the LUX 6 quart but feeds more people.
• Great for leftovers, meal prep, or freezing later in souper cubes.

Cons

• Takes up a lot of counter space.
• Takes more time to come to pressure.
• Most recipes are written for 6 quart pressure cookers, so you may need to add more water to avoid a burn notice.
• Trivet included in the packaging is missing handles. Making it hard to remove additional pans when you're using the pot in pot method.

Instant Pot Lux 8 Quart: Would I Buy It?

No. Again, the technology and presets are dated. The size is larger than most recipes are written for, and there is no pressure detecting pin for safety.

Instant Pot DUO 6 Quart

Pros

• Multiple settings for different cooking options.
• Generous cooking capacity for families and leftovers.
• Has a pin as a safety mechanism to show you when your pot is under pressure.
• Comes with a larger trivet with handles. Making for easier pot in pot cooking.

Cons

• More expensive. If you're just cooking the basics, no need to spend the extra money.
• Larger footprint than the mini duo.

Instant Pot Duo 6 Quart: Would I Buy It?

Yes. This is great for the average user with simple presets. The price is affordable and the footprint isn't too large.

Instant Pot DUO 8 Quart

Pros

• Same advantages as the Duo 6 quart.
• Makes more food at once.
• Allows for more pot in pot options.
• Great if you want leftovers, freezer meals, or to meal prep.

Cons

• Larger footprint.
• More expensive than the lux or the Instant Pot Mini.
• Most recipes are created for a 6 quart pot, so you may need to adjust water or cooking time.

Instant Pot Duo 8 Quart: Would I Buy It?

Yes. The presets are easy to learn and use. It's affordable and great for larger families. It's a more affordable option for those that need more cooking space on a budget.

Instant Pot Bluetooth 6 Quart

Pros

• Customizable presets to allow you to cook multiple different dishes (including a yogurt button).
• Comes with a trivet with handles, a measuring cup, mixing spoon, and silicone mitts.

Cons

• Discontinued Instant Pot app allowing you access to recipes (but that's ok, I have hundreds of Instant Pot recipes in my cookbooks)
• More buttons, dials, and presets to learn.
• More functions may cause technical difficulties and need repair/replacement.

Instant Pot Bluetooth 6 Quart: Would I Buy It?

No. The range that this offers for remote control isn't worth the extra cost.

Also, the app that offers recipes has been discontinued, so it doesn't offer any additional support for meal prep.

Instant Pot Ultra 6 Quart

Pros

• A valve that doesn't allow you to accidentally leave the pressure valve open when cooking.
• Large, easy to read digital display.

Cons

• The nob. It's not as easy to use as you would think. There's a lot of pushing and pressing to select which function you want.
• Multiple functions to learn.
• Expensive. More expensive than a LUX or DUO for mostly the same functionality.

Instant Pot 6 Quart: Would I Buy It?

Yes. This is my favorite pressure cooker. I use it for most of my recipe testing because of how easy it is to use and how versatile it lets me be with my cooking functions.

Instant Pot Duo Plus

Pros

• Comes in three different sizes to choose from. (3 quart, 6 quart, and 8 quart)
• Has 9 preset options
• Comes with the ability to sterilize
• Easy to read digital panel

Cons

• A large variety of functions can make it difficult for the beginner Instant Pot user to use

Would I Buy It?

Yes, I would. It offers a good amount of functionality with a few added luxuries and is easy to use.

Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus

Pros

• Has a sous vide option
• Automatically seals the pressure valve when you lock the lid into place
• Has a cover that reduces the amount of excess moisture and noise the steam makes when releasing
• Comes with 9 one touch settings
• Easy to read digital panel with a turn knob to increase and decrease time and temperature
• Has a inner pot with a flat bottom for stove top cooking as well

Cons

• Only comes with two size options. The 6 quart and 8 quart.
• A large variety of functions can make it difficult for the beginner Instant Pot user to use

Would I Buy This?

Yes, the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus is a great option if you're looking for a pressure cooker and are interested in cooking with the sous vide method without purchasing a sous vide stick.

Instant Pot Duo Nova

Pros

• Automatically seals the pressure valve when you lock the lid into place
• Easy to read digital panel
• 14 one touch programs
• Comes in three different size options, 3 quart, 6 quart, and 8 quart

Cons

• Very similar to the Instant Pot Duo

Would I Buy This?

For me, this is a pass. The most beneficial thing this model offers is a flat bottom on the inner pot so you can use it on your stovetop. Unless you plan on using your liner to cook other things on your stovetop, or to keep dishes warm while you pop a separate liner in your pot to cook a new dish, this isn't really helpful.

Instant Pot Viva

Pros

• Comes with the same one touch programs as the Duo with the additional options to sterilize, plus additional cake and egg functions.
• Comes in a variety of colors

Cons

• Basically the same model as the Instant Pot Duo with 3 additional functions. If these aren't functions you would normally use, it's not worth the additional investment over the Duo.

Would I Buy This?

Unless you're wanting a model that matches your kitchen, this doesn't seem like a worthy upgrade for me. Especially with the decorative Instant Pot wraps that are available now.

Instant Pot Duo SV

Pros

• Offers the perks of pressure cooking and sous vide

Cons

• Very similar to the Instant Pot Duo
• Only comes in one size option, the 6 quart.
• Takes quite a while to come to pressure with the Sous Vide option, but that is to be expected with that cooking style.

Would I Buy This?

Probably not. If you already have a Instant Pot Duo or newer model, it makes more sense to buy a Sous Video Stick to supplement the pot you already have. Plus, it's not easy to find on shelves or online.

Instant Pot Smart Wifi

Pros

• You can start or check in on the cooking time from any location
• Same classic functionality of the Instant Pot Duo Plus
• Easy to read digital panel

Cons

• If you aren't impressed by the ability to adjust cooking functions remotely, or prefer the time in your kitchen, this might not be the model for you.

Would I Buy This?

As someone that loves the art of cooking and rarely leaves my house, I can't see a time I would use this functionality. However, if you're a busy parent on the go, or work a lot of hours, this may be a good option for you.

Choosing An Instant Pot: Which Pot Would I Recommend?

Well, can I say all of them? I say this in jest because most sane people wouldn't buy that many pressure cookers. But they're all great.

It all depends on how many people you have to feed, what you're making, and how much money you are willing to spend.

Choosing The Right Instant Pot Guide

Here's a graphic that will help you decide which Instant Pot is right for you, based on how many you cook for, and how you like to cook.

That being said, since we eat small portions and generally don't enjoy leftovers, we prefer our Mini Duo. But I also use my 6 quart Ultra for pot in pot cooking when I make some of my favorite dishes or soups to freeze for later.

So many models, so many sizes, choices, how do you know which Instant Pot is right for you? Whether you go with the LUX, or the Ultra, , the 6 quart or depends on how you plan to cook, and for how many people you cook, and whether or not you like leftovers.

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Don't forget to check out my other Best-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!

Indian Instant Pot, Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy, Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot.

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Originally Published December 12, 2020