It took awhile to get here, of course. It was way back in 2010 when Instant Brands, Inc. released its first model of the Instant Pot — and the company has consistently worked to improve each subsequent model in the areas of functionality, safety and ease-of-use. In order to pick out the product that best fits your needs, you’ll want to thoroughly compare models and prices.
Not sure which Instant Pot model is right for you? Here’s a rundown of the features and pricing of some of the more popular models to help you decide:
1. Duo 7-in-1: Most Popular
6-quart: $89.99
8-quart: $121.98
Overall features and performance are two factors that have made the Duo 7-in-1 one of the best-selling Instant Pot models. It can effectively replace seven kitchen appliances — your pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, saute pan, yogurt maker and food warmer — hence the name.
Even though the Duo has one or two fewer cooking programs — namely the cake and egg program — than other, more expensive models, users can easily consult the included cooking chart or cookbook and set high or low manual pressure-cooking settings instead.
For less money, you can pick up a Lux 6-in-1 (V3), although it has fewer smart programs than the Duo 7-in-1 and no low-pressure cooking or any yogurt-making features. In addition, this model fails to feature a lid holder, which might or might not be a dealbreaker. If eggs are your go-to, however, the Lux beats out the Duo by including eggs as one of its smart programs. A cake program is also included, but poultry and beans/chili programs aren’t a part of it.
3. Duo Plus 9-in-1: Best Bang for Your Buck
6-quart: $119.95
8-quart: $139.95
Depending on your needs, if you’re trying to decide between the Duo Plus 7-in-1 and the 9-in-1, this newer model might be the perfect pick. It features two additional features: a cake maker and sterilizer. The sterilizer function is helpful for pasteurizing milk and sterilizing baby bottles, jars and utensils, as well as some types of canning. The only thing this model lacks that the Duo 7-in-1 has is a poultry program setting.
The Ultra 10-in-1 does everything the 9-in-1 does and more. It has the most built-in smart programs out of the models reviewed here, due to its Ultra program. The Ultra program allows users to customize programming for both pressure and non-pressure cooking. Plus the 10-in-1 features an altitude adjustment to eliminate guesswork and provide a more accurate cooking time.
Quick Instant Pot Recipes to Try
You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can prepare these popular Instant Pot recipes — and you might even already have the ingredients on hand because all three recipes have just three ingredients.
1. Chicken Tacos
This recipe from Bake. Eat. Repeat. requires three ingredients: boneless, skinless chicken breasts; your favorite salsa and taco seasoning. Chicken breasts can be fresh or frozen — frozen just increases cooking time by a few minutes.
Averie Cooks offers this three-ingredient creamy, cheesy dip recipe for your Instant Pot, which calls for ground Italian sausage, cream cheese and Rotel tomatoes. Adjust for your taste by using mild or hot Italian sausage and original or hot Rotel tomatoes.
3. The Creamiest Steel-Cut Oats
The goal of Oh She Glows was to create the creamiest bowl of steel-cut oatmeal with minimal ingredients: steel-cut oats, water and light coconut milk. For a little extra goodness, add fruit, nuts or maple syrup.
