Types of Instant Pot Multicookers

Instant Pots are safe, easy, versatile multicookers that are mostly based around pressure cooking. They make a whole host of complicated cooking tasks a breeze. Unfortunately, with so many Instant Pots on the market, it can be really overwhelming to choose between them. We’ve dug through the specs so you don’t have to!

In this article, we discuss the different sizes, physical characteristics, cooking capabilities and presets, and even models of Instant Pot on the market today.

How to choose the right Instant Pot size

Nearly all Instant Pot pressure cookers come in one or more standard sizes of 3 quarts, 6 quarts, and/or 8 quarts. The one exception to this is the Duo Nova, which is available in 3, 6, 8, and 10 quarts.

Instant Pot recommends you think of 1 quart as equaling 1 portion, but a lot depends on what you’re cooking, how you’re cooking it, and, you know, whether you’re fond of having seconds or thirds. (We’re not judging.) Generally speaking, though, you might think of Instant Pot’s sizing options this way:

• At roughly 11 inches tall and wide, 3-quart Instant Pots are really quite small. They’re going to be best for individuals and small spaces (think studios and dorms), or for couples who prefer to use an Instant Pot for side dishes instead of main meals.
• With a couple of more inches of room (these tend to be 12-13 inches tall and wide), 6-quart Instant Pots will be good for couples, three-person families, or for individuals who want to meal prep.
• Between 15 and 22 inches from any given angle, 8-quart Instant Pots take up a good bit of space. They’re best for families of four or more and for larger meal prepping.

If you have some space to spare, you’re probably better off getting a 6- or 8-quart Instant Pot. You can always use less of a pressure cooker. You can’t fit more into one than it’s designed to hold.

Types of Instant Pot models

There are many Instant Pot series and models—so many, in fact, that it’s hard to know what you’re looking at. The best thing to pay attention to is what a series’ or model’s specialty is. While most Instant Pots specialize in pressure cooking, some lean more or equally toward air frying, slow cooking, or pressure canning.

Instant Pots focused on pressure cooking

Most Instant Pots are all about pressure cooking. They may do other things, too, but nearly all these devices—with a few notable exceptions—are designed around pressure cooking technology.

Best overall: Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus (2019)

There are lots of pressure-cooking-focused Instant Pots on the market, but the Duo Evo Plus might be the best. Don’t just take our word for it. That’s also the conclusion America’s Test Kitchen came to after a series of rigorous tests they pitted the Duo Evo Plus against numerous other multicookers.

There’s just a lot to love about it, both in terms of its capabilities and design. In tests, it cooked faster than many other multicookers, and its slow cooker was also comparable to standalone slow cookers, something not all Instant Pots (outside of the Aura line) have been able to achieve. It’s lighter, reasonably priced, has a nice display and navigation, and the newer and better stainless steel pot with silicone handle grips is a really nice upgrade.

Overall, the Duo Evo Plus has really nailed the temperature control. For example, in a head-to-head cook-off between an Anova immersion circulator and the Duo Evo Plus, they cooked nearly identically. This is truly a multicooker that may see you recycling other devices.

Best on a budget: Instant Pot Duo Plus (2017)

If you’re on a tight budget, the Duo Plus is a good all-around pressure cooker that also happens to be very affordable. It’s not that different from the classic Duo, though it has a few extra presettings, including one for sterilizing.

The Duo Plus is also very similar to the Ultra (mentioned next) and was released around the same time, but it costs a little less. One area the Duo Plus could be better? Its display and navigation, which isn’t all that different from the Duo’s. If you’re looking for a better display, go with the Ultra or the Duo Evo Plus,

Instant Pot Ultra (2017)

As mentioned above, the Ultra is almost identical to the Duo Plus, and like the Duo Plus, it’s a solid multicooker that has a focus on pressure cooking. While it doesn’t have a sous vide preset, its “Ultra” setting is really just manual programming, which opens up a world of possibilities, including sous vide.

One nice feature that the Ultra has that the Duo Plus lacks? A much nicer, larger display and dial navigation. Is that worth an extra $20-$40? That’s for you to decide.

Best for big families: Instant Pot Duo Nova (2019)

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” seems to be Instant Brands’ approach to several of their newer models of Instant Pot, including the Duo Nova. The Duo Nova is a great pressure cooker that’s very similar to the Duo Plus and Ultra—so similar, in fact, that you might as well go for the very slightly cheaper Duo Plus or the slightly more expensive Ultra for its better display and navigation.

Where the Duo Nova really stands out is that it is the only Instant Pot offered in a 10-quart model. At this size, you can feed a larger family or gathering. Amazingly, the 10-quart only costs $150 in 2021, making it a little cheaper than some 8-quart models of other Instant Pots.

One thing to watch for in the 10-quart model? It only reaches 1440W of power, which is less than some 8-quart models. For most tasks, this

Instant Pot Duo (2013)

As the oldest of the Duo line, the classic Duo is still sold for a reason: it’s a pretty great multicooker. Interestingly, despite being the oldest, it’s not always the cheapest, especially for the 3- and 6-quart models, so pay close attention to that.

Instant Pots with pressure canning capabilities

Pressure canning is a special type of pressure cooking that requires carefully sustained pressure. Right now, there is only one Instant Pot that can safely can food.

Best pressure canner and display: Instant Pot Max (2019)

As a pressure cooker that can maintain 15psi pressure, the Instant Pot Max is the only Instant Pot which can safely perform pressure canning. This is a big deal! To date, only specialized stovetop pressure canners have been able to can food. With the Max, you’re also able to do this—four one-pint jars at a time—but with all the added safety features that make Instant Pots so great.

Outside of pressure canning, the Max can perform the standard Instant Pot cooking tasks, from pressure cooking to slow cooking and sous vide.

Notably, the Max’s display is possibly the best of the Instant Pot displays. Navigable via a dial and touch screen “buttons,” the crisp display text is in turquoise and purple, making it very easy to read.

Instant Pots with air frying capabilities

Instant Brands produces a line of air fryers under its Instant Vortex line, but it’s also tried to bring air frying to its multicookers in a couple of different ways.

Firstly, there are two Instant Pots that have air frying functionality out of the box: the more affordable Duo Crisp and the newer, more expensive Pro Crisp. Both come packaged with two separate styles of lid and inner pot.

The standard lid with its steam release valve is used for pressure cooking and most other tasks, while a taller, dome-shaped lid is used for tasks like air frying, roasting, and dehydrating. Both have a stainless steel inner pot that is ideal for pressure cooking, sous vide, and other common cooking tasks, and a second, nonstick, wire-handled inner pot/basket that is perfect for crisping, roasting, and dehydrating tasks.

You can also turn some typically non-air-frying Instant Pots into air frying multicookers by purchasing a separate air fryer lid/kit.

But are multicookers with air frying capabilities as good as standalone air fryers, including Instant Vortexes? The jury’s out on that. While some do offer glowing reviews, others aren’t as impressed.

Best air frying multicooker: Instant Pot Pro Crisp + Air Fryer (2020)

Retailing at $250 in 2021, the Pro Crisp + Air Fryer is one of Instant Pot’s most expensive models, but then the idea behind it is that you won’t need to buy an air fryer if you get the Pro Crisp. You’ll just need the storage for an extra lid and pot. It does have some nice upgrades from the Duo Crisp, too, such as a better pot/handle design and a much nicer display. But is it really worth $70 more, especially when it’s so much heavier? That’s for you to decide.

Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer (2019)

The Duo Crisp was Instant Pot’s first attempt to bring air frying functionality to one of its multicookers. And clearly it was successful enough to warrant the production of the newer Pro Crisp.

Originally, the Duo Crisp was sold in both 6-quart and 8-quart forms, but many users found the 6-quart model was too small for air frying tasks. For this reason, you’re most likely to find and want the 8-quart Duo Crisp if you plan to use its air frying functionality.

Two major differences between the Duo Crisp and the Pro Crisp? First of all, weight. The Pro Crisp is nearly 4 lbs heavier than the Duo Crisp. When you’re talking about an appliance that weighs over 20 lbs already, that’s not nothing. Where the Pro Crisp has an advantage, however, is with its internal stainless steel pot, which has the nicer silicone-grip handles that the Duo Crisp lacks.

Instant Pots focused on slow cooking

The Instant Pot Aura line is the only series of Instant Pots that entirely removes the pressure cooking feature to instead focus on slow cooking. Like many classic slow cookers, the Aura Instant Pots are oval-shaped and have glass lids you can see through. They come with a “delay start” feature (up to 24 hours) and automatic warming. Both have 1500W of power, ensuring they can reach the high temperatures slow cooking requires.

The main differences between the two models in the Aura line are size (the Pro is larger), internal pot materials, and focus. While the basic Aura focuses on slow cooking and classic Instant Pot multicooker tasks, the Aura Pro is a slow cooker with typical multicooker functionality and a sous vide machine.

Best slow cooking multicooker: Instant Pot Aura

The Aura is, first and foremost, a slow cooker, but it will perform numerous other tasks, including Instant Pot’s typical standbys, such as rice cooking, sautéing, and steaming. With a 6-quart capacity, the Instant Pot Aura is similarly sized to a number of other slow cookers on the market, though may be on the small side when cooking for larger families.

Want to see the Aura in action? Instant Pot has a video of it being used to make chicken curry.

Instant Pot Aura Pro

Released at the same time as the Aura, the Aura Pro is another slow cooker that’s pretty similar to the Aura, with two major differences: it also functions as a sous vide machine, and its internal pot is stainless steel. Beyond that, differences are minor between the two Aura multicookers.

At 8 quarts, the Aura Pro’s capacity is slightly taller and features a larger display panel. Otherwise, with so many similarities, you can see why both appliances are set at similar price points.

So, is the Aura Pro’s sous vide machine worth the extra twenty or so dollars? It’s hard to say. While sous vide may be an attractive option and the stainless steel pot will be better for sautéing, there’s a reason nearly all slow cookers on the market use a ceramic container. Heat is held better in them. Between these two models, really work to figure out what’s important to you.

Instant Pots with “smart” features

Pressure cookers are thought of in terms of generations. As all Instant Pots are electric pressure cookers, they’re considered third-generation cookers. Instant Brands is always hunting for the next best feature, though. Their latest venture is multicooking with mobile connectivity which allows you to operate your pressure cooker / multicooker from a distance or using smart devices, like Amazon’s Alexa devices. Instant Brands considers this smart pressure cooker a “fourth-generation” pressure cooker, but this is really only their marketing.

There is currently only one “smart” Instant Pot, the Smart WiFi.

So, do you want to be on the cutting edge of pressure cooking technology? Maybe, maybe not. While the idea of controlling your pressure cooker from afar may sound appealing, users haven’t much liked the remote control phone app for Instant Pot’s Smart WiFi. On Google Play, the app has a 2.8/5 rating, and it fairs even worse on Apple’s App Store, where the app has received a rating of 2/5. Both Android and iPhone users report numerous connectivity issues.

Bottom line? Wait for Instant Pot to perfect their remote control app before buying this one.

Other Instant Pots

As you might have noticed by now, there are a lot of Instant Pots, and many of them are very similar. This is especially true of Instant Pots that are or were part of exclusive sales deals or other collaborations. These Instant Pots are usually multicookers from the Duo line with very slight rebranding—usually color designs, initially—and occasional minor functional tweaks, like menu changes.

Some of these models are sneakily good deals, while others are overpriced compared to the specs of their better-known cousins above.

Instant Pot Duo Gourmet (current Costco exclusive)

Released in 2020, you can think of the Duo Gourmet as a Costco-exclusive version of the Duo or Duo Plus. They’re all very similar. This one just happens to be sold at Costco, and for a good price.

The one major difference between the Gourmet and the Duo Plus? More preset functions, but this is a bit of a gimmick.

Instant Pot Viva (formerly a QVC exclusive)

Referred to as a “9-in-1” cooker, the Viva is hard to differentiate from other Instant Pots. It offers standard Instant Pot cooking features, with its main claim to fame being its numerous presets—14, to be exact. Look closely and you’ll see it sports a menu that is nearly identical to the Duo Plus’, but has the LED screen of the Duo.

Originally, the Viva was a QVC exclusive and came in multiple colorful designs. Now, you can really only find the standard black/silver design, making it even harder to tell apart from other Instant Pots.

What does stand out about the Viva? Its low price point. Instant Brands managed to pack its most coveted features into one multicooker for less than $100, which is quite a bit cheaper than other Instant Pots, including the Duo Plus, which has the nearly identical menu. When on sale, the 6-quart Viva has cost as little as $50.

If you want the Viva, do note it’s no longer being manufactured, so what’s being sold now is all that’s left of the model.

Instant Pot Lux (formerly a Pioneer Woman collaboration)

The Lux is a good all-around Instant Pot that can perform all the typical Instant Pot functions, from pressure cooking to slow cooking. At the same time, there’s nothing about it that makes it stand out.

Like the Viva, the Lux was originally manufactured with more options. It was sold in several colorful designs as part of a collaboration with The Pioneer Woman, and it had a slightly different menu layout. Biggest change? It originally came in 3-, 6-, and 8-quart capacities, while now you’ll really only find the 6-quart Lux in standard silver and black.

Buyer beware. For what you get in capacity, features, and power, the Instant Pot Lux as it stands today is a little overpriced compared to other comparable Instant Pot models.

Making sense of Instant Pot features

Instant Brands prides itself on creating multipurpose kitchen appliances, and their Instant Pots are definitely that. While most are designed with pressure cooking in mind, all perform numerous other tasks, making these electric pressure cookers true multicookers.

Physical features

Most Instant Pots look very similar, making them hard to tell apart, but they do have several differentiating physical characteristics that are worth your attention.

Displays and indicators

All Instant Pots come with small- to large-sized digital displays which show cooking times and usually some other helpful details, like the stage of cooking the multicooker is currently in. If a clear display is what you’re after, you can’t really beat the Duo Evo Plus, the Max, or the Ultra.

Nearly all models have push buttons. The real question is whether they have dials, which some find easier to use. And if you’re specifically after touch screens, there’s only the Max.

Pot materials and handle grips

The internal pot found in Instant Pot cookers comes in two different materials, nonstick and stainless steel, with the vast majority of Instant Pots employing stainless steel. Both have their pros and cons, so really it comes down to your personal preference and what you’re cooking.

Nothing’s going to stick too much to a nonstick coating, making it easy to clean and ideal for air frying, but also worse for sautéing (which is why Instant Pot doesn’t lean on it much). And cleaning does have to be done by hand.

Instant Pot’s stainless steel pots will be better at sautéing precisely because food sticks to them a little more. (That’s how you get that nice browned edge on meats.) You can wash stainless by hand or throw it in the dishwasher.

One thing to watch for when it comes to pot design is that older Instant Pot models tend to have poor (or no) handle design, making it difficult to lift the internal pot out of the containing frame. Newer models have silicone handle grips that lock the internal pot into place, preventing it from jiggling or spinning while cooking or sautéing. They also make it easy to remove the pot from its container.

Safety features

Instant Pots are very safe. When it comes to their pressure cookers—and nearly all Instant Pots are pressure cookers—they are third-generation electric pressure cookers with numerous safety features.

All Instant Pots come with at least 10 safety features, like automated temperature and pressure controls, overheating protection, and lid locking. In terms of safety, there is no significant difference between Instant Pot models.

Cooking capabilities and smart programming

Instant Brands often uses the number of preset/smart programs available in their multicookers to differentiate between Instant Pot models. As such, you see these multicookers advertised as “8-in-1” or “10-in-1,” etc, machines, but this is very misleading.

Many of the Instant Pot smart programs use similar cooking technologies, and so are barely different features at all. In fact, while some models consider a certain cooking preset to be one feature, other models consider it to be multiple features. For example, sometimes you’ll see a rice/grain cooking preset as one feature, and sometimes you’ll see a rice cooking preset split from the grain cooking preset so Instant Pot can claim to have released two features.

Overall, more presets doesn’t necessarily mean “better” with the Instant Pot. What you should focus on, instead, is finding which general cooking features matter to you.

Pro-tip: Preset programs are less important than you think. Many pressure cooker cookbooks give instructions using custom, manual settings. With some Instant Pot models, this even allows them to perform tasks they have no presets for. This is the case with the Ultra, for example, which has no obvious sous vide functionality, but can be made to sous vide using custom programming.

Pressure cooking

This is the baseline feature of nearly all Instant Pots, and what the rest of the multicooker is generally designed around. When buying an Instant Pot, you get lots of different features, but make no mistake, it’s pressure cooking these devices tend to do best.

If pressure cooking is what you’re after most of all, really any well-rated Instant Pot will fit the bill, so you should mostly focus on the other features you want.

Slow cooking

Pressure cooking is fast. You’ll need to be around to start the cooking process and remove your food when it’s ready. Slow cooking is basically the opposite idea. Set it and let it run while you’re at work, so you can come home to a cooked meal.

In a way, it’s asking a lot of Instant Pot to make a multicooker that’s great at both these tasks, and sure enough, many Instant Pots haven’t been able to sustain the sort of long, lengthy heating processes that make slow cooking what it is. That said, one Instant Pot multicooker has managed it well, and that’s the Duo Evo Plus.

If you’re not interested in buying the Duo Evo Plus, you might want to ask yourself if pressure cooking is really what you’re after. If the answer is no, consider another brand’s slow cooker or even Instant Pot’s Aura line, which removes pressure cooking entirely to focus on slow cooking.

Wet heat cooking (soups, broths, stewing, steaming, rice and porridge cooking)

While some Instant Pots claim to make, say, stews instead of soups or broths, all of these types of cooking are really just wet heat cooking, which is exactly what pressure cookers are good at. This is why so many Instant Pots are also able to slow cook, sous vide, rice cook, steam, and even make yogurt. They function by way of similar principles.

Again, don’t get distracted by presets. Any type of cooking that makes use of wet heat will do relatively well in any Instant Pot.

Dry heat cooking (baking, air frying, broiling, dehydrating)

While several Instant Pots claim to be good at dry heat cooking, including cake baking, these are wet heat cookers at heart, so don’t expect too much. That said, Instant Brands has thrown its hat in the air frying ring. It creates standalone air fryers under its Instant Vortex line, as well as Instant Pots with air frying capabilities.

If you’re after any sort of dry heat cooking in a multicooker, the air-fryer-focused Instant Pots, the Duo Crisp and Pro Crisp, are going to give you better results because they have some fan forced cooking.

Pan frying (searing, sautéing)

Most Instant Pots have a sauté preset, but you’ll get the nicest browning in those that have internal pots made of stainless steel (luckily, most Instant Pots use stainless). Don’t expect nonstick pots to offer you the same sautéing experience.

Sterilizing

A nice preset that not all Instant Pots have is the “Sterilize” preset. However, all Instant Pots can technically sterilize; you’ll just need to manually set steaming temperatures in some. You can learn how to do that here.

Instant Pot quick comparison guide

Just want to see the cold, hard data? Check out our easy-to-read and filter comparison spreadsheet of Instant Pot multicookers. Here’s a preview of it: