After using each of the Instant Pot models extensively for recipe development, we’re more than thrilled to share our hands-on Instant Pot Review and Instant Pot Comparison with you!! Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker is currently one of the hottest multicooker appliances on the market. With so many different models and sizes, it can be quite confusing to choose which Instant Pot to buy. Thanks to our working relationship with the Instant Pot Company, we get a chance to experiment all the Instant Pot Models and share our Instant Pot Review from first-hand user experience. Let’s find out which is the Best Instant Pot for you! 🙂

1. What is an Instant Pot? Instant Pot is essentially an Electric Pressure Cooker that can pressure cook, slow cook, make yogurt, make rice, make cake, steam, acts as a warmer, and sous vide. *Note: Some features are limited to certain models – further explained in below Instant Pot Review. Best of all: you can set-it-and-forget-it! Don’t worry! They are much safer than old-fashioned pressure cookers. And they do make home cooking much easier & faster. It’s especially awesome for young families and those with hectic lifestyles.

3. Instant Pot Review: Models Pros & Cons Instant Pot Company currently sells 5 Series of Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cookers. All Instant Pots have the same 10 safety features (Ultra has 11 safety features), come with a quality stainless steel inner pot & similar accessories (Smart comes with an extra mini silicone mitts). Instant Pot Models Click on the following links to jump to a specific Instant Pot model. LUX DUO DUO Plus Smart Ultra Instant Pot LUX Review Instant Pot LUX models were one of the first lines of Instant Pot. Models Instant Pot LUX Mini 3 Quart 6-in-1

Instant Pot LUX60 6 Quart 6-in-1

Instant Pot LUX80 8 Quart 6-in-1 Pros Price: Budget-friendly – lowest prices in comparison

Budget-friendly – lowest prices in comparison Features: Has all the basic features & great for everyday cooking

Has all the basic features & great for everyday cooking Sizes: 3 sizes available – 3 Quart, 6 Quart, 8 Quart Cons Cooking Abilities: Can only cook at High Pressure (10.2 – 11.6 psi) Doesn’t have Yogurt Making Program

Design: Ergonomic design is not as user-friendly as higher end models (e.g. Venting Knob, Floating Valve, Lid) Can’t adjust the Cooking Time, Pressure Levels, and Keep Warm Mode after cooking process begins unless you press “Cancel” button



Instant Pot DUO Review Instant Pot DUO models are the most popular & best-selling Instant Pot series. Models Instant Pot DUO Mini 3 Quart 7-in-1

Instant Pot DUO60 6 Quart 7-in-1

Instant Pot DUO80 8 Quart 7-in-1 Pros Cooking Abilities: It can do everything the LUX does – great for everyday cooking Dual Pressure Settings: Can cook at High Pressure (10.2 – 11.6 psi) & Low Pressure (5.8 – 7.2 psi) – provides more versatility (Low Pressure is great for cooking delicate food such as seafood, vegetables, eggs) Yogurt Function: Allows you to make yogurt

Design: Improved ergonomic design (Easier to spot Floating Valve, improved Venting Knob & Lid Handle, additional Lid Fin Holders), more user-friendly compare to LUX models

Sizes: 3 sizes available – 3 Quart, 6 Quart, 8 Quart

3 sizes available – 3 Quart, 6 Quart, 8 Quart Price: Affordable prices Cons Design: Control panel’s design is not as user-friendly & doesn’t show as much info as DUO Plus Can’t adjust the Cooking Time, Pressure Levels, and Keep Warm Mode after cooking process begins unless you press “Cancel” button

Instant Pot DUO Plus Review Instant Pot DUO Plus is an upgraded & more polished version of the most-loved DUO 60 model. Full Instant Pot Review: Instant Pot Duo Plus Model Instant Pot DUO Plus 3 Qt 9-in-1

Instant Pot DUO Plus 6 Quart 9-in-1

Instant Pot DUO Plus 8 Qt 9-in-1 Pros Cooking Abilities: It can do everything the DUO models does. Dual Pressure Settings: Can cook at High Pressure (10.2 – 11.6 psi) & Low Pressure (5.8 – 7.2 psi)) – provides more versatility Yogurt Function: Allows you to make yogurt!

Improved Design: Most user-friendly design of all current Instant Pot models! Allows users to adjust the Cooking Time, Pressure Levels and Keep Warm Mode any time during the cooking process. Indicator for cooking stage (preheat, pressure cook, keep warm) LCD Display Improved stainless steel inner pot markings

Sizes: 3 sizes available – 3 Quart, 6 Quart, 8 Quart Cons Price: Slightly higher than DUO 60 but affordable

Instant Pot Smart Review Instant Pot Smart is the only model allows you to connect your Smart phone & use the Instant Pot App. Models Instant Pot Smart Bluetooth 6 Quart 7-in-1 Pros Cooking Abilities: It can do everything the DUO models does. Dual Pressure Settings: Low Pressure & High Pressure Yogurt Function: Allows you to make yogurt! Customizable temperature setting for advanced users using the mobile app (i.e. Sous Vide) Sous Vide Function: “Poor Man’s” Sous Vide Machine

Updated Design: Easier to spot Floating Valve, improved Venting Knob & Lid Handle, additional Lid Fin Holders LCD Display

Advanced Usage: You can connect your mobile phone with the Instant Pot via Bluetooth & control/monitor through the Instant Pot App You can create recipe scripts to execute and share.

Cons Learning Curve: Slightly bigger learning curve if you’re planning to use the functions and features to full capacity.

Size: Only 1 size available

Only 1 size available Price: Higher price point

Higher price point Bluetooth Connectivity: you won’t be able to connect if you’re too far away from the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Ultra Review Instant Pot Ultra is the newest and most feature-packed model. Full Instant Pot Review:Instant Pot Ultra Models Instant Pot Ultra 3 Qt 10-in-1

Instant Pot Ultra 6 Quart 10-in-1

Instant Pot Ultra 8 Quart 10-in-1 Pros Cooking Abilities: It can do almost everything all other Instant Pot can do. Dual Pressure Settings: Low Pressure & High Pressure Yogurt Function: Allows you to make yogurt! Brand new Ultra Mode + 3 new cooking programs Customizable temperature setting for advanced users (i.e. Can Sous Vide) Sous Vide Function: “Poor Man’s” Sous Vide Machine Altitude adjustment feature

Design: Clean, sleek, modern design with only 2 buttons and a pushable dial Newly designed lid & new Automatic Sealing System (good for those who might forget to seal the knob) + tilted Steam Release Valve (increase safety) Improved stainless steel inner pot markings LCD Display with cooking progress graph (preheat, pressure cook, keep warm) Sizes: 3 sizes available – 3 Quart, 6 Quart, 8 Quart

Cons User-Friendliness: Slightly less user-friendly than other Instant Pot Models (especially for some new users) New pushable dial button design takes longer to navigate and adjust than other Instant Pot Models

Price: Higher price point in comparison

Higher price point in comparison Learning Curve: Slightly bigger learning curve if you’re planning to use the functions and features to full capacity.



5. Instant Pot LUX vs DUO? 5a. Which Instant Pot to Buy – Instant Pot LUX60 vs DUO60? We wholeheartedly recommend the DUO models over the LUX models. Here’s Why We love DUO More Than LUX: Dual Pressure Cooking Mode – You can cook at both High Pressure & Low Pressure with DUO models. This gives you more versatility and flexibility in cooking different types of food.

– You can cook at both High Pressure & Low Pressure with DUO models. This gives you more versatility and flexibility in cooking different types of food. Yogurt Maker – You can easily make homemade yogurt with the DUO models.

– You can easily make homemade yogurt with the DUO models. Better Designs – DUO models have improved ergonomics and design compare to LUX models. It’s easier to handle, open/close the lid, have a better Steam Release Valve, and easier to spot the Floating Valve (to see if the Instant Pot is up to pressure).

– DUO models have improved ergonomics and design compare to LUX models. It’s easier to handle, open/close the lid, have a better Steam Release Valve, and easier to spot the Floating Valve (to see if the Instant Pot is up to pressure). Lid Holder – The two lid holders on the left & right handles will help save some counter-space. For an extra ~$20, we think these features are more than worth it in the long run. 5b. I Won’t Make Homemade Yogurt, Should I Still Buy DUO? Yes! Even if you don’t need to make yogurt. Unless you are really tight on budget or if you’re snatching a super deal for the LUX models. Then, that’s another story. 🙂

6. Is Ultra Worth the Extra Money? It depends. Sleek Design Instant Pot Ultra’s clean, modern, sleek design is definitely a big win against all other Instant Pot models. One thing to mention is since you can only navigate with the Push Dial, it’s slightly less user-friendly & takes more time to set or adjust compare to other Instant Pot models. Some readers told us they had difficulty adjusting from using Instant Pot DUO60 to Instant Pot Ultra, however others mentioned it was easy. Just keep this in mind.

Auto-Sealing System Instant Pot Ultra’s Steam Release Valve automatically seals when you close & secure the Instant Pot lid. So you’ll have one less thing to worry about when cooking with Instant Pot. Yay! Then you release pressure by pressing the Quick Release Button rather than flipping the Steam Release Valve (where the hot stem comes out). This new system makes it safer and less scary, especially for newbies! Since Instant Pot Ultra is currently the only model that has this feature, this feature might be a big win for those who are forgetful in the chaotic kitchen. 😛 Though this design is a huge plus, it does have a downside. At times when the liquid in the Instant Pot is boiling, you may struggle to close the lid because the safety locking mechanism is activated. So you’ll have to manually press down the Quick Release Button for it to close.

Temperature Customization (i.e. Sous Vide) Besides selecting Low, Medium, or High temperature settings, the Instant Pot Ultra allows you to select your own temperature setting in Ultra, Slow Cook, Keep Warm, Yogurt, and Saute Modes. This opens lots of exciting possibilities! If you’re considering buying Instant Pot Ultra so you don’t have to buy a separate Immersion Circulator, you might want to reconsider. You can read more into the reasoning in our full review here. But, if you’re tight on storage space & think it’s not a good idea to “surprise” your spouse for buying 2 gadgets at once, this will do for now. 😉

Our Recommendations: New Instant Pot Users: If you’re a techie who likes to experiment with cooking & enjoys the flexibility of customization, this is an all-around awesome & versatile kitchen gadget to cook with. If not, we’d highly recommend Instant Pot DUO Plus 60 – the most user-friendly Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker. Current Instant Pot Users: If you are looking for a second Instant Pot to interchange or help cook different dishes at the same time, we’d highly recommend Instant Pot DUO Plus 60. But if you’re looking for an upgrade with more advanced usage, Instant Pot Ultra will be a great addition. Buy as a Gift: From the packaging to the sleek clean design, this would make an awesome gift for family and friends who love to cook, experiment, learn new technology & test out new kitchen gadgets. Full Instant Pot Review:Instant Pot Ultra Review

7. Best Instant Pot for New Users Our choices are based on these factors from our Instant Pot Review: Price, Features, User-friendliness, Practicality, Efficiency, Overall Design. #1 Winner: Instant Pot Duo Plus 60 With the newly revamped control panel, the Instant Pot DUO Plus 60 takes the throne of being the most user-friendly and more polished Instant Pot model on the market. It’s not only perfect for new users, but it also makes cooking more efficient for experienced users. For a slight difference in price compare to Instant Pot DUO 60, Instant Pot DUO Plus 60 is easily our recommendation as the Best Instant Pot! Sale Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Sterilizer, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker,... Upgrade from duo: Instant Pot Duo plus is the updated duo. Duo plus upgrades include the...

Cooks fast and saves time: The Instant Pot Duo plus multi-cooker combines 9 Appliances in...

#2 Runner-Up Choice: Instant Pot DUO60 The super popular Instant Pot DUO60 is our runner-up choice. Though the user interface may not be as user-friendly as Instant Pot DUO Plus 60, it can do everything the DUO Plus 60 can do at a slightly lower price point. Afterall, it’s the most popular and loved Instant Pot model that stormed into thousands of homes. Sale Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Sterilizer, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer,... Best selling model: America’s most loved multi cooker, built with the latest 3rd...

Cooks fast and saves time: The Instant Pot Duo multi-cooker combines 7 appliances in one:...

Best for Large Families: Instant Pot DUO80 If you have to cook for a large family, cook in large quantities, or love to host parties & invite friends over, the Instant Pot DUO80 will be the best choice for you. Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Sterilizer, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer,... Best selling model: America’s most loved multi cooker, built with the latest 3rd...

Cooks fast and saves time: The Instant Pot Duo multi-cooker combines 7 appliances in one:...

Most Feature-Rich: Instant Pot Ultra The sleek-looking Instant Pot Ultra may not be the most user-friendly Instant Pot, but it is the most feature-rich Instant Pot on the market that does almost everything all other Instant Pot can do. Since there is already a slight learning curve to pressure cooking, Instant Pot Ultra’s interface & dial button can make things a bit more difficult for some new users. However, if you are not tight on budget, an experienced Instant Pot user, or you are a tech lover who enjoys getting all geeky with your gadgets, you may want to check out the Ultra. Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Sterilizer, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker,... Instant Pot Ultra electric pressure cooker is the next generation in kitchen appliances. A...

New features: altitude adjustment, cooking indicator, and a steam release reset button....