Last Updated on November 28, 2021 by Mark P.
Are you looking for the best Instant Pot? Instant Pots are a convenient way to create your favorite recipes and whether you’re looking for the best price on any Instant Pot or the best deal on a specific Instant Pot model, we’ve reviewed the best of the best Instant Pots on the market right now. See our top picks below.
New & Used Instant Pots for Sale with Pricing
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Instant Pot Overview
Everyone has to eat, right? Eating out is expensive and traditional cooking is time consuming. With Instant Pot, cooking time decreases, recipe variety increases and happiness (plus a full stomach) ensues. Sounds pretty good, I know.
What is Instant Pot?
For those that are unaware, Instant Pot is a brand, as well as a product. They produce electronic multicookers that offer anywhere between six to ten different functions. Among the most common uses for these products are as a Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer and Yogurt Maker.
While these are the most frequently seen, it is just the top of the iceberg for the variety of cooking an Instant Pot can handle. All-in-all, Instant Pot combines the two main steps of putting food on the table, preparation and cooking, into a single step using the same kitchen appliance.
How do Instant Pots work?
Instant Pots rely on an airtight chamber sealing food and all liquids in together and producing steam to keep the food moist. Thanks to steam pressure, the heat is distributed evenly, and thus your food is cooked evenly as well.
Instant Pot vs. Conventional Oven
Compared to conventional ovens and other forms of cooking, an Instant Pot cooks food more evenly because it encloses the food entirely, rather than having to rely on a single source of heat like in an oven or on a grill. With the fully contained cooking area, flavor and nutrients are trapped and most food is even able to maintain its true colors.
How to use your new Instant Pot
As you introduce an Instant Pot to your home, simplicity is key. It will not always have to be this way, but you’re going to want to start slow, steadily increasing the complexity of your recipes as you grow more comfortable and confident with the useful cooking companion. Once you’re able to conquer the basics like rice and soup-based dishes, you can graduate to protein and vegetable-centric options.
The main rationale behind this is to minimize wasted cost. There is a clear learning curve, and if it is your first time using something like this, it’s pretty easy to mess something like beef or chicken up. This leads to wasted money and you’re probably going to end up getting delivery instead—more wasted money.
By starting with something as simple as rice, you have a low-cost meal investment that if messed up, is not a huge deal. Once you are on your way to becoming an Instant Pot pro, you can challenge yourself more freely without the concern of ruining that night’s meal.
How to use the Instant Pot by Instant Pot via YouTube:
What size Instant Pot do you need?
To determine which size Instant Pot is best for you, consider how many people will be eating. A good general rule is that the Instant Pot size is comparable to how many people you’re looking to feed. So, as an example, if you have 6 people eating at your meals, a 6-quart Instant Pot should be sufficient. However, if you live alone and typically don’t cook for more than 1 or 2 people, a 3-quart Instant Pot should suffice.
Instant Pot Reviews
Below we take a look at some of our favorite offerings from Instant Pot. We investigate what makes each model special (and why it found a spot on our list). One thing we know for sure is that putting an Instant Pot in your kitchen is a surefire way to cut down on ordering out and overall kitchen craziness. Who wouldn’t want that?
Here are the best Instant Pots:
1. Best 9-in-1: 8-Quart Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Sterilizer, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer 8 Quart with 15 One-Touch Programs
- Brand: Instant Pot
- UPC: 00853084004798
- Model: Duo Plus 80
- Original Retail: $159.95
- Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
at Amazon
Instant Pot Duo Plus 80 9-in-1 Review
A lot of the names of individual Instant Pots are pretty similar, so always make sure to read carefully. Here we have the Duo Plus, a 9-in-1 pressure cooker. With a few sizes to choose from and more than a dozen one-touch programs, cooking is a breeze.
With the Duo Plus 80 9-in-1, you can replace your slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, egg cooker, something to sauté in, steamer, warmer, sterilizer and cake maker with this single appliance. For the Duo Plus, you have the choice of a 3, 6 or 8-quart version. If you’re looking at the 3-quart version, keep in mind that you will not have the cake or beans/grains program.
One aspect of this cooker that makes it easier to use than most is that each function has its own button. There’s no scrolling through a touchy interface, but rather a simple selection via button. As you get more comfortable with the Duo Plus, your hands will easily gravitate towards your favorite options without as much as a thought and the intuitiveness of the Instant Pot helps you cook your meal perfectly every time.
Notable Features:
- 15 One-Touch Programs
- 8 Quart
- 9-in-1
Uses:
- Pressure Cooker
- Sterilizer
- Slow Cooker
- Rice Cooker
- Steamer
- Sauté
- Egg Cooker
- Yogurt Maker
- Warmer
How to Use the Instant Pot Duo Plus by Instant Pot via YouTube:
See more info and specifications at InstantPot.com.
2. Best 7-in-1: 6-Quart Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, and Warmer with 14 One-Touch Programs and Easy-Seal Lid
- Brand: Instant Pot
- UPC: 00857561008804
- Model: DUONOVA60
- Original Retail: $99.98
- Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
at Amazon
Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 Review
Right off the bat, we looked at the most popular Instant Pot, the Duo Nova, a 7-in-1 cooker. Presented as the best for beginners, this is the most logical place for someone new to pressure cookers to get into this type of cooking. The seven purposes offered by the Duo Nova are as a: pressure cooker, sauté pan, steamer, slow cooker, rice cooker, food warmer, and yogurt maker.
It also comes in four different sizes: 3, 6, 8 and 10-quarts. As a rule of thumb, in most cases, the number of quarts is equal to the number of people it can serve. For instance, the 3-quart version serves three people, the 6-quart version serves six and so on.
Safety is a top priority for Instant Pot, with more than ten UL certified safety features. Gone are the days where a pressure cooker was thought of as a safety hazard, instead replaced by dependability and peace of mind when you “set it and forget it.” Making your life even easier is the fact that the Duo Nova’s internal cooking pot is chemical free and dishwasher safe.
What puts the Duo Nova in a class of its own is the EasySeal lid. The lid seals automatically and steam is released with just a push of a button. By offering this feature, the seal never needs to be broken, thus allowing you to continue cooking without any disruptions.
Notable Features:
- 14 One-Touch Programs
- 6 Quart
- 7-in-1
Uses:
- Pressure Cooker
- Slow Cooker
- Rice Cooker
- Steamer
- Sauté
- Yogurt Maker
- Warmer
Introducing the Instant Pot Duo Nova by Instant Pot via YouTube:
See more info and specifications at InstantPot.com.
3. Best 6-in-1: 6 Quart Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, and Warmer with 12 One-Touch Programs
- Brand: Instant Pot
- UPC: 00853084004408
- Model: LUX60V3
- Original Retail: $79.00
- Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
at Amazon
Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 Review
The Instant Pot Lux is a 6-in-1 cooker, and while it does a lot of the same things on the inside as other Instant Pot models, the main differentiating feature is on the outside. With this model, you have seven color options to choose from whereas with most Instant Pots you don’t have a choice and are left with a standard Black/Silver design. Regardless of color, you’ll have the choice of 3, 6 or 8 quarts.
When people talk about their Lux, the conversation tends to gravitate towards how well it cooks hard-boiled eggs. Worried about having your eggs prepared the exact way you like? Fear not, thanks to three different levels for just this program. Additionally, there are 11 more programs to cover all of your dietary needs.
An added bonus of getting the Lux model is that it comes with a rice paddle, Soup Spoon, measuring cup and condensation collector. While those aren’t the only utensils and accessories you’ll end up using with an Instant Pot, the number of people that had a rice paddle and soup spoon for something this big is likely pretty small.
Notable Features:
- 12 One-Touch Programs
- 6 Quart
- 6-in-1
Uses:
- Pressure Cooker
- Slow Cooker
- Rice Cooker
- Steamer
- Sauté
- Warmer
How to Use Instant Pot as a Pressure Cooker by Instant Pot via YouTube:
See more info and specifications at InstantPot.com.
4. Best Value: 6-Quart Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer with 14 One-Touch Programs
- Brand: Instant Pot
- UPC: 00853084004088
- Model: IP-DUO60
- Original Retail: $99.95
- Rating: 4/5 Stars
at Amazon
Instant Pot IP-Duo60 7-in-1 Review
The Instant Pot Duo60 combines seven appliances into one and is the best-selling model in the United States. These seven are a Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté Pan, Yogurt Maker, and Warmer. It also comes in three different sizes: 3, 6, and 8 quarts.
Yeah, being able to get all your cooking done in one pot is nice, but the benefits do not stop there. With the Duo, cooking time is reduced by two to six times compared to traditional methods, and energy consumption can be reduced by as much as 70%. Time and money, two things we never have enough of, are given back to us thanks to the Duo. Whether it’s enough is a question we can’t answer, but hopefully it’s a start.
Instant Pot has always included various programs with each of their pressure cookers, but what keeps them in the premier category is their willingness to acknowledge deficiencies and work to improve their technology. In fact, the Duo uses a 3rd generation of microprocessor technology which keeps tabs on temperature and time, and adjusts heat and cooking time accordingly.
Considering this is the type of device you can set and forget, it’s of the utmost importance that it regulates itself since you won’t always be there to make minor adjustments if you want the meal to turn out perfect.
Notable Features:
- 14 One-Touch Programs
- 6 Quart
- 7-in-1
Uses:
- Pressure Cooker
- Slow Cooker
- Rice Cooker
- Steamer
- Sauté
- Yogurt Maker
- Warmer
Getting to Know Your New Instant Pot IP-DUO by Instant Pot via YouTube:
See more info and specifications at InstantPot.com.
5. Best Splurge: 8-Quart Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Sterilizer, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Cake Maker, Egg Cooker and Warmer with 16 One-Touch Programs
- Brand: Instant Pot
- UPC: 00853084004576
- Model: Ultra 60
- Original Retail: $149.95
- Rating: 4/5 Stars
at Amazon
Instant Pot Ultra 60 10-in-1 Review
If you’re looking to upgrade to the Instant Pot Ultra, it means that you’ve probably gotten a few years of Instant Pot experience under your belt already and you want to start making more complicated recipes, or you want to branch out from the recipes of others.
The Instant Pot Ultra is a 10-in-1 pressure cooker that comes with 16 one-touch programs, in addition to the ability to completely customize your cooking experience. There’s really not much the Ultra cannot do. It also comes in 3, 6 or 8-quarts.
The Ultra program lets you switch back and forth between pressure and non-pressure cooking, offering even more custom options than ever before (or with any other pressure cooker). The Altitude program offers automatic conversions for temperature and duration based on the amount of food being cooked, taking guesswork out of the equation when you don’t fill the Instant Pot fully.
Just like with your coffee maker, starting the cooking or brewing cycle when you are present doesn’t always work best. If you want to wake up to the smell of fresh coffee and have it steaming first thing when you walk into your kitchen, you need a delayed start feature. Instant Pot adapted this concept, including a 24-hour delay start feature so that dinner will be ready to eat, not prepare, when you get home after a long day of hard work.
Notable Features:
- 16 One-Touch Programs
- 6 Quart
- 10-in-1
Uses:
- Pressure Cooker
- Sterilizer
- Slow Cooker
- Rice Cooker
- Steamer
- Sauté
- Yogurt Maker
- Cake Maker
- Egg Cooker
- Warmer
How to Use the Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 (Pressure Cooking) by Instant Pot via YouTube:
See more info and specifications at InstantPot.com.
Instant Pot Buying Guide
It’s no secret that people are always looking for easier ways to cook. There are rare exceptions, but it’s safe to say that nobody finds coming home after a long day of work and then spending a couple hours in front of a stove attractive—sales numbers back this up. In 2010, only about 300,000 electric pressure cookers were sold in North America. That number grew tenfold over the next five years topping 10 million sold in 2015; a number that is still rising today.
Deciding which Instant Pot is right for you
There are so many Instant Pot variations that it is reckless to pick one just because it was the first you saw. Before you swipe your credit card, take the time to look at all of the features and what you might use them for. If you want to get the best Instant Pot for you, it’s going to take putting in some research and educating yourself about all available options. Below we’ve thrown a couple things together that we think will help you along with deciding what Instant Pot is for you.
Price
Thanks to a wide variety of Instant Pot products, there is also a wide price range. If you’re bargain hunting and think you might get some use out of this type of product, but don’t want to overextend yourself financially, you can get one for less than $80. From there it steadily goes up getting closer to $200 (and sometimes higher). If you plan on going for the top of the price scale, you should also be planning to use the Instant Pot enough so that you’re getting your money’s worth. Some secondary price benefits that live below the surface are that busy parents can prep dinner in just a few minutes, when they might otherwise succumb to takeout. For meal preppers, you can prepare large amounts of food at once, letting you get a full week’s worth of lunch out of one cooking session—no more ordering out at work.
Size
More of a disclaimer than anything else, Instant Pots cannot be filled more than 2/3 full when in use. If you plan on cooking meals for a half dozen people, using a 6-quart Instant Pot isn’t quite feasible. For cooking full racks of ribs and what not, you’re going to need a larger capacity. What I want everyone to do before picking out a size is look up some recipes, watch a few videos, see what you’ll need to cook the food you’ll like and decide based off that.
Functions
Sifting through the descriptions of Instant Pots can get overwhelming quick. Between all the buzzwords, 6-in-1, 7-in-1 and everything else, things start to blend together. To effectively compare the slight differences, we’ve found it useful to make a excel-style chart so you can mark what model offers what features. A secondary list to make when comparing models is to throw price on there, make a list of needs and wants, and begin eliminating options based on level of importance to you.
When you want to know more
The Instant Pot website offers a wealth of knowledge on their products and how to use them effectively. From the basics of common terminology to the nitty gritty of complex recipes, they give you the tools to get the most out of their product. Our favorite information they offer is a complete breakdown of safety features divided by product line. With this, they convincingly dispel any misconceptions that might still exist from older versions of this type of product.
