Top 5 Best Instant Pots Reviewed

best instant pots

If you are someone who likes to cook or finds yourself cooking a lot throughout the week, then I’m sure you are always looking for new ways to cook meals, new recipes, and new gadgets that help get your cooking done in a short amount of time. We are all busy, and feeding your family can get tedious. However, with the best instant pots, you can get a number of different foods and meals on the table in a short amount of time with little effort.

This brand has been around for many years and has been creating this one-stop cooking tool for many happy customers. You can accomplish a number of tasks with this gadget. Consider it to be a fast slow cooker.

Anything you would normally cook in a crockpot, you can do in this cooker. You can also utilize different functions for quickly cooking rice, making your own yogurt and so much more.

There are different sizes available. If you are looking for a smaller fast slow cooker that will be used for your family only, you may want to consider a six-liter cooker. If you need a pot for larger meals or get-togethers, you can shop for something bigger in the eight-liter range.

Let’s take a look at the top five instant pots for the upcoming year:

5. Instant Pot DUO Plus 60, 6 Qt 9-in-1

Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App With Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 6 Quart
  • 9-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Pressure cook, slow cook, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, sterilizer...
  • IMPROVED STRESS-FREE VENTING: Intuitive and simple, our improved easy-release steam switch makes releasing steam easier...
  • REALTIME FEEDBACK: The easy-to-read display includes a full cooking progress bar lets you know what stage of the cooking...

This pot is the latest version of the brand’s best selling Instant Pot DUO series. It retains all of the things that people loved about it’s older cousin like the pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, rice cooker, sauté options, yogurt maker and warmer. But the DUO Plus tops all of that with the addition of the Cake, Egg, and Sterilize options.

You can now make quick and easy cakes or make sure you have the perfect hard-boiled eggs – all on top of your famous instant pot beef stew.

Pros

  • Fifteen different smart programs allow you to cook food like soups, stews, meat, poultry, vegetables, rice, yogurt and much more.
  • Your cooking speed is seventy percent faster than traditional cooking methods like the stove or oven.
  • The lining is made of high quality, food-grade stainless steel. This is much safer than other slow cookers that have non-stick or chemically treated linings.
  • You get a variety of accessories with this Instant Pot purchase. Many of these types of units don’t come with anything and you are required to purchase them separately, but with this unit you get a steam rack with handles, soup spoon, measuring cup, recipe book and serving spoon.

Cons

  • There are a number of other accessories that you can use with this pot, but they are sold separately.
  • Some people have complained that it may take a bit more time when cooking with the pressure cooker setting.
  • There is a bit of a learning curve associated with learning the different programming functions.

Click here to buy on Amazon


4. Instant Pot LUX60 V3 6 Qt 6-in-1

Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Sterilizer Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Saute, and Warmer, 6 Quart, 12 One-Touch Programs
  • Cooks fast & saves time: The Instant Pot Duo Multi-Cooker combines 6 Appliances in one: pressure cooker, slow cooker,...
  • Consistently delicious: 12 one-touch smart programs put cooking ribs, soups, beans, rice, poultry, desserts and more on...
  • Easy to clean: Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel lid and components and accessories are dishwasher safe

This is a slightly upgraded model that has, even more, features and options available. If you are someone who has owned one of these cookers in the past and are looking to replace your current model for one reason or another, then you may want to consider upgrading to this LUX version.

In addition to all of the traditional functions and programs that this cooker comes with you will also be able to enjoy a cake and egg cooking program. Twelve smart programs are built in along with programs for using this unit as a slow cooker, rice cooker, sauté cooker, warmer and steamer basket.

Pros

  • This unit is part of the third generation of microprocessing technology, allowing for a delayed start of up to twenty-four hours and as much as 240 minutes of pressure cooking at a time.
  • If you are busy hosting, you can utilize the Keep Warm function that will run continuously for as many as ten hours.
  • Three different temperatures are available depending on what you want to cook.

Cons

  • This is a slightly more expensive mode, but you do get what you pay for. If your concept of the best instant pot is one that has more features, then this is the model for you.
  • Certain features require a warm-up period. For example, you may be able to cook rice in a very short amount of time, but you need to allocate some time for the unit to come up with the appropriate pressure and temperature.
  • If you are in the middle of the cooking process, you cannot easily check the food or add ingredients. Opening the unit can be dangerous due to high temperatures. This is really a set it and forget it kind of appliance.

Click here to buy on Amazon


3. Instant Pot Ultra 6 Qt 10-in-1

Instant Pot Ultra, 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Cake Maker, Egg Cooker, Sauté, and more, Includes App With Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 6 Quart
  • 10-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Pressure cook, slow cook, sous vide, sauté pan, sterilizer, yogurt maker, food warmer, cake...
  • IMPROVED STRESS-FREE VENTING: Intuitive and simple, our improved easy-release steam switch makes releasing steam easier...
  • LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR FAST COOKING: Developed with the latest 3rd generation technology with an embedded microprocessor...

This unit comes with a centralized dial that allows you to be precise with your cooking temperatures and programs. There are also some different features on this unit that many people feel are a necessity. This includes an adjustment for different altitudes, a steam release button and a cooking indication light. You can also use new features to accomplish other tasks like sterilizing, baking, etc.

This simple and affordable unit can replace a number of different appliances in your home. You can toss your crock pot, pressure cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, egg maker and sterilizing machine. This brand really worked out the kinks with this unit and you’ll get all the greatest features available.

Pros

  • This unit is designed to monitor a number of functions to ensure that the temperature remains consistent and that the pressure is at a safe level.
  • Every surface of the unit that comes into contact with your food is made of food grade, 18/8 stainless steel.
  • You get a number of accessories with your purchase including a steamer basket that has safety handles, serving spoon, recipe book and more.

Cons

  • You can only use accessories that are designed to work with this specific cooker. Many people like to shop around for more affordable, generic accessories to save money but you cannot do that with this unit.
  • A few customers reported that the manual is only so helpful if you are trying to learn your pot for the first time. Second-time owners should have no problem.
  • It can take a little bit of practice to use some functions like yogurt making.

Click here to buy on Amazon


2. Instant Pot Smart Bluetooth 6 Qt 7-in-1

Instant Pot Smart Bluetooth 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Sauté, Steamer, and Warmer (Product Discontinued)
  • Instant Pot 7-in-1 Smart electric pressure cooker is a revolutionary kitchen appliance with Bluetooth connectivity, easy...
  • Built with 14 Smart Programs – Soup, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Sauté, Steam, Rice, Porridge, Multigrain,...
  • Healthy, stainless steel (18/8) inner cooking pot made from food grade 304, no chemical coating, 3-ply bottom for even...

This is a top of the line unit that comes with Bluetooth connectivity so you can control your pot from wherever you are in the house. When you are on the go, this is a great feature to utilize. You can also use the free app that is provided to learn new recipes and tips for using your different cooking functions.

You get fourteen different smart programs that include cooking functions for soup, meat, stews, poultry, steaming, rice cooking, grain cooking, yogurt and more. The cooking container itself is made of high quality, food-grade stainless steel and is easy to clean. For messier meals, you simply soak the container for a few hours and then you can clean it or place it in your dishwasher.

Pros

  • You have three different temperature options to choose from along with an automatic warming feature that will keep your food warm if you just can’t get to it yet.
  • This is a small appliance that can replace up to seven of your other small appliances and gadgets which saves you space and time.
  • This is an instant pot that allows you to use all of the traditional functions of this brand but with smart technology included.

Cons

  • Currently, you can only use the app if you have an iPhone.
  • Some people find the new technological features to be a hindrance. They prefer the basic pot functions that have been incorporated into the different models over the years.

Click here to buy on Amazon


1. Elite Platinum 8 Quart 14-in-1

Some people like to add a little bit of color to their kitchen and whether your kitchen is blue or not, this little pop of color can add a little flair to your space in comparison to all of the other stainless steel items you have.

The interior pot is non-stick and can be easily removed and cleaned. You can cook a variety of different food including rice, grains, vegetables, fish, meat, poultry, eggs and more.

Pros

  • A convenient browning function allows you to brown your meats without dirtying another pan which is usually what happens with other slow cookers.
  • You can use a twenty-four-hour delay timer to pre-set your cooking functions and start it later on or when you are sleeping if you want to wake up to a warm breakfast.
  • If the power goes out, the unit will turn back on and resume its cooking time where it left off.

Cons

  • There is a loud beeping noise that will sound when your cooking time is up.
  • There are a number of features that are listed in the manual but there isn’t enough explanation on how to use those functions; like the canning function.
  • When using steaming functions or other functions that need water, you need to have perfect levels of moisture or you will be alerted to a malfunction.

If you are looking for a new cooking tool that will provide you with a healthy cooking surface and fast cooking times, you may want to consider one of these fast slow cooker units. There are a number of different varieties available and depending on what type of cooking or features you are looking for, you can find a unit to fit your lifestyle and your budget. Take a look at the different options online today!

Which Instant Pot  Should You Buy?

After reviewing each of the top 5 Instant Pots, it is clear that the higher the price tag doesn’t always equal better quality. I like to find a middle ground between my budget and what will fit the need of my family.

That is because most products include some of the same features with so many of the Instant Pots being multifunctional. The difference is in the material they are made of and the size.

Another big difference between these products is the ability to utilize Bluetooth technology which I thought was a neat function. My pick for the best Instant pot is Elite Platinum 8 Quart 14-in-1. It is perfect for routine use and is light-weight to store and move easily.

Take a look at all the Instant Pot options closely to determine your price range and scope of use. Compare your favorite Instant Pots and make a pro and con list of your own that best suits your needs.

Final Thoughts on the Best Instant Pot

There are people who are very talented in the kitchen and can seem to whip up an onion soup or one of those recipes involving sweet potatoes without even blinking. But as luck would have it, not everyone can do that, and that’s why many cooking aids have come out in recent years.

This is not to say that relying on instant pot recipes is being lazy or indicative that you can’t even brown ground beef. And by the way, even some people who are well-versed in the kitchen can tell you that they have an instant pot chicken dish that they are proud of.

This means that while using an instant pot pressure cooker is indeed easier than using a conventional high-pressure cooker, it doesn’t necessarily mean that one is lazy or not adept at cooking.

An instant pot is just the same as any cooking appliance that you may have in your kitchen. The only difference is you can do more with it and even replace some of those appliances.

So whether you fancy some instant pot rice meal for lunch or dinner and want to try out some of the instant pot accessories to help you with your cooking, you should go ahead and enjoy that steaming hot meal you just made yourself.

Cooking shouldn’t be hard. And if getting the best instant pot will help you cook more and eat healthier meals, then more people should get one.

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Last update on 2024-03-28 at 18:13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API