When thinking about the kitchen essentials that you simply have to have in your home, you’d probably list a fridge, an oven, a stovetop, a microwave But, in recent years, there’s another appliance that’s worth adding to the list: The Instapot
Cooking at home can prove to be a struggle for most households. Not only do you have to make time to get into the kitchen, healthy meals usually require substantial work to prepare, cook, and serve. That leaves most people to eating out, ordering in, or choosing quick-grab foods instead.
The problem? These options are less than ideal when it comes to cost and nutrition. That’s why the Instapot has taken off as a complete solution for cooking meals at home. As the name implies, the Instapot isn’t going to take up hours of your time. It’s a “Set it and forget it” cooking method that allows you to make healthy and delicious meals at home without slaving over a hot stove.
Table of Contents
InstaPot Comparison

- Lux
- Pressure Cooker: ✔
- Slow Cooker: ✔
- Rice Cooker: ✔
- Sauté/Browning: ✔
- Steamer: ✔
- Warmer: ✔
- Yogurt Maker: ✖
- Sterilizer: ✖
- Egg Cooker ✖
- Cake Maker: ✖
- Sizes: 3, 6, 8Qt.
- 1000 Pre-Programmed Recipes: ✖

- Duo
- Pressure Cooker: ✔
- Slow Cooker: ✔
- Rice Cooker: ✔
- Sauté/Browning: ✔
- Steamer: ✔
- Warmer: ✔
- Yogurt Maker: ✔
- Sterilizer: ✖
- Egg Cooker ✖
- Cake Maker: ✖
- Sizes: 3, 6, 8Qt.
- 1000 Pre-Programmed Recipes: ✖

- Duo Plus
- Pressure Cooker: ✔
- Slow Cooker: ✔
- Rice Cooker: ✔
- Sauté/Browning: ✔
- Steamer: ✔
- Warmer: ✔
- Yogurt Maker: ✔
- Sterilizer: ✖
- Egg Cooker ✖
- Cake Maker: ✖
- Sizes: 3, 6, 8Qt.
- 1000 Pre-Programmed Recipes: ✖

- Smart Wifi
- Pressure Cooker: ✔
- Slow Cooker: ✔
- Rice Cooker: ✔
- Sauté/Browning: ✔
- Steamer: ✔
- Warmer: ✔
- Yogurt Maker: ✔
- Sterilizer: ✖
- Egg Cooker ✖
- Cake Maker: ✔
- Sizes: 6Qt.
- 1000 Pre-Programmed Recipes: ✖

- Ultra
- Pressure Cooker: ✔
- Slow Cooker: ✔
- Rice Cooker: ✔
- Sauté/Browning: ✔
- Steamer: ✔
- Warmer: ✔
- Yogurt Maker: ✔
- Sterilizer: ✖
- Egg Cooker ✖
- Cake Maker: ✔
- Sizes: 3, 6, 8Qt.
- 1000 Pre-Programmed Recipes: ✔

- Max
- Pressure Cooker: ✔
- Slow Cooker: ✔
- Rice Cooker: ✔
- Sauté/Browning: ✔
- Steamer: ✔
- Warmer: ✔
- Yogurt Maker: ✔
- Sterilizer: ✔
- Egg Cooker ✔
- Cake Maker: ✔
- Sizes: 6Qt.
- 1000 Pre-Programmed Recipes: ✖
The Instapot is a versatile cooking appliance that’s a must-have for everyone’s kitchen. Not only will it save you time with easy, tasty, and good-for-you recipes, you’ll also save money because you’ll find yourself eating out less and enjoying your own home cooked foods more.
But, how do you choose the right Instant Pot for you? In this article, we’re going to reveal the best Instapots on the market today so that you can make the right decision for your family and enjoy cooking at home again. Let’s review!
Lux Series
Available in 3, 6, and 8 quart, the Lux Series Instapot is a reliable and affordable choice. Measuring in at 700, 1000, and 1200 watts (respectively), the Lux Series is able to offer you all the power and convenience you want in a space-saving package.
The Lux Series Instapots function as 6-in-1 programmable cookers, combining a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, searing pan, and warmer all into one easy-to-use unit.
The 3-quart model features ten built-in smart programs, including: Pressure Cook, Keep Warm, Meat/Stew, Soup/Broth, Sauté, Porridge, Steam, Egg, Rice and Slow Cook. Meanwhile, the 6 and 8-quart models feature 12 built-in smart programs, with Multigrain and Cake being the two additional.
Click Here To Check Lux Price & Reviews On Amazon
You can also set up customisations for the built-in programs, designing up to 3 customisations per mode (“Less”, “More” and “Normal”). It’s a must-have appliance that you’ll find yourself going to use all the time.
Duo Series
Also coming in 3, 6, and 8-quart format, the Duo Series of Instant Pots allow you to enjoy a wide range of features with the durability and reliability expected from the Instapot name. The Duo Series is consider a 7-in-1 since it offers you seven different features in one unit.
These features include Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice/Porridge Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Sauté/Searing, Steamer, and Warmer. This puts seven commonly used kitchen appliances all into one conveniently accessible unit.
Click Here To Check Duo Prices & Reviews On Amazon
The Duo Series also comes equipped with a cord rack so that you can wrap up its cable when you’re not using the appliance and keep it tucked safely out of your way until you are ready to use the unit again. If you’re looking to purchase a Duo Series instant pot, the 6 and 8-quart options are considered ideal for main dishes with the 3-quart option being perfect for side dishes.
Duo Plus
If you are looking for even more features in Instapots than the previous two models, the Duo Plus series probably has what you are looking for. The Duo Plus series is a multi-function smart cooker like the other Instant Pots, but it offers 9 functions in one compared to 6 or 7.
The Duo Plus series Instapots combines nine commonly used kitchen appliances into one convenient unit, offering you a Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice/Porridge Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Cake/Egg Maker, Sauté/Searing pan, Steamer, Sterilizer and a Warmer all at once. This makes preparing, cooking, and serving your foods a breeze.
Click Here To Check Duo Plus Prices & Reviews On Amazon
The Duo Plus is also very easy to use thanks to the large blue LCD display that allows you to adjust cooking settings, pressure levels, turn the warmer on/off, and control all other features of your Instant Pot without any headache or hassle.
Smart Bluetooth
Do you want greater levels of control over your cooking? Do you want to be able to control things from an easy-to-use, intuitive app rather than having to flip through a thousand settings on a tiny LCD screen? Then the Smart Bluetooth Instant Pot is the right choice for you and your kitchen!
Once you have your Instant Pot all set up, the Smart Bluetooth Instapot will be able to be connected to your smartphone (Android or iOS). Just install the official app and connect to your cooker via Bluetooth, and you’ll be ready to start cooking!
Click Here To Check Smart Bluetooth Prices & Reviews On Amazon
The great thing about the Smart Bluetooth Instapot is that you can actually write recipe scripts for your Instapot so that all the cook settings are programmed directly into the unit. This allows you to achieve the perfect cooked dish each and every time, without the hassle.
Ultra Series
Looking to clean your one-trick-pony kitchen appliances off your counter? The Ultra Series Instant Pot might be the right choice for you. Combining 10 of your most used appliances into one convenient unit, the Instapot Ultra Series offers you a Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Sauté/Searing pan, Steamer, Steriliser, and Warmer all in one.
And, this Instapot offers an additional feature, which is a completely new, innovative program called the Ultra. With the Ultra program, you’re able to gain immense control over your pressure and non-pressure cooking settings.
Click Here To Check Ultra Series Prices & Reviews On Amazon
The control panel on the Ultra series Instant Pot features a large, blue LCD display that makes selecting your cooking options easy. Whether you’re an avid home chef or an up-and-coming occasional cook, this unit gives you greater control over your cooking so you can achieve precise flavours and levels of doneness in all your foods.
InstaPot Features
As you can tell from the different models we have just discussed, an Instant Pot will come with as few as six and as many as ten features. All Instapots have some things standard, though including:
● Pressure cooker: Cook things quickly with a fully functional pressure cooker.
● Slow cooker: Let things cook over a few hours or even overnight with a slow cook recipe. Perfect for stews!
● Rice cooker: Get fresh, homemade rice that tastes better than the restaurant.
● Steamer: Steam your favorite foods, including vegetables for a tasty dish.
● Searing pan: Sear and sauté until your heart’s content with this handy built-in feature!
● Warmer: This is a very important feature. Once your food is done cooking, turn on the warmer to keep it hot until it’s ready to be served.
With the Instapot, cooking and cooking in bulk are made quick and simple. From slow cook recipes that you can put on and let cook all day or overnight to pressure cooker recipes that will be ready in a flash, the Instapot is an awesome way to prepare your favorite dishes at home.
If you’re looking for additional features, check out the other Instapot series discussed above.
Which InstaPot Model is Best for You?
When it comes to choosing an Instapot, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by just how many choices you have. Fear not! There is an Instapot model that’s right for you.
Some people choose the Lux series if they don’t need the added features of the other models, and that is a perfectly sound decision. Don’t feel pressured to upgrade if you don’t think you’ll use the extra features of other models offered. Sometimes, the Lux is all you need!
Most people end up somewhere in the middle, though, choosing a Duo or Duo Plus model that offers them a few more features. You should read through the features of each model and do a comparison to figure out which one has the features you’ll use the most. If you love the ability to make your own delicious Yogurt or Cake, you probably want to opt for a Instapot model with added features.
And, if you’re a tech savvy individual or just want a bigger display to work with, the Smart Bluetooth model is certainly worth considering. It’s also great for home cooks since you can program in your very own recipes, along with any recipes you find online.
Which Size Is Best for You?
When it comes to size, you’ll notice you can choose between 3-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart. The 3-quart size is best for side dishes, and that makes it an awesome addition to your larger Instant pot. However, if you’re just going to get one Instapot, definitely opt for the 6-quart or 8-quart model.
If you are planning on cooking large amounts of food, whether for meal prep or a holiday, it may be best to opt for the larger 8-Quart model. On the other hand, if you’re just going to use the Instapot for nightly dinners, the 6-quart model may be all you need to enjoy the features the Instant Pot name has to offer you and your kitchen.
Of course, if you just want to try out the Instant Pot for yourself before committing to a bigger purchase, you might even want to start with the 3-quart model so you can give it a sort of “mini test run” before opting for something bigger. Later on, when you decide that you want a bigger Instant Pot, this little model will still be in frequent use to prepare all your favorite side dishes and small meals.
Why Should You Buy an Instant Pot?
The better question is: Why wouldn’t you buy an Instant Pot? Instapots are extremely versatile and can replace a number of your home appliances with just one unit. This makes them super convenient and well-worth the money, but here’s a complete list of reasons in case you aren’t convinced:
Quick and Convenient
Definitely the convenience of an instant pot is its number one benefit! You’ll no longer have to spend hours in the kitchen or pull out half a dozen different appliances in order to cook up a good meal.
This quickness and convenience of Instapots will also help encourage you to start cooking at home more often, and you’ll actually enjoy the process since there’s less to clean up and so much less to do. The InstaPot does most of the work for you.
Healthier Meals
Everybody wants to eat healthier, but it’s tough to do when you come home after a long day of work and then still have to go into the kitchen to prepare a good meal. Most people end up opting for fast food or a restaurant rather than cooking things themselves just due to the sheer amount of time it normally takes.
With an Instant Pot, you’ll quickly gather a collection of delicious recipes that can be thrown together in a snap and enjoyed in no time at all. The Warmer keeps things warm for seconds and the single-pot process makes cleanup a breeze!
Stainless Steel Interior
Do away with cheap home appliances that get dirty, scratched up, and break far too soon. The Instant Pot is a durable appliance that you’ll find yourself using time and time again! The stainless steel interior of Instapot is easy to clean up and resistant to damage, which means you can cook all your favorite meals without a second thought with your Instapot.
The stainless steel interior also looks great and it’s easy to tell when it needs a good scrubbing. With proper care, you can keep your Instant Pot looking like new for years to come without any worry of it breaking or cracking like glass or ceramic would.
Multi-Use
This is a huge benefit of the Instant Pot! Now you can finally clear off your counters and reclaim the space in your kitchen by doing away with all the single-use appliances that you don’t use nearly enough to justify keeping. Once these appliances have been combined into one easy unit, you’ll find yourself going into the kitchen much more often and actually enjoying the cooking process.
The instant pot is going to soon become the most powerful and most frequently used appliance in your entire kitchen because Instapot has more than 6 features wrapped into one easy to use, easy to clean unit!
Replaces a Slow Cooker
Ever wanted to come home to a hot meal without having to worry about slaving in the kitchen? The Slow Cook function on your Instant Pot is going to be a dream come true.
A traditional slow cooker is heavy, hard to store, and usually doesn’t get used enough to justify keeping it out all the time. Plus, they wear out quickly. With the Instant Pot slow cooker, you’ll have a multifunctional appliance that’s durable, reliable, and will be in near constant use due to all its features.
This means you can load it up with a recipe, turn it to the slow cooking function, and let it simmer while you take care of the other things you need to do. When you come back to it, you’ll be met with a delicious and ready to eat meal.
Saves Time
The Instant Pot will save you time in the kitchen because you’ll no longer be working with multiple appliances to try and cook a nice meal. The Instant Pot will help you save time while cooking your food, keeping it warm, and even cleaning up after the fact.
Cleaning up your Instant Pot is a fast, single-step process because you have only dirtied one dish! No more scrubbing plates, pans, and pots after spending all that time making a delicious homemade meal. The Instant Pot will have you in-and-out of the kitchen within minutes.
Energy Efficient
The Instant Pot is a modern appliance and, as such, is very energy efficient. It’s not your grandma’s slow cooker–it’s better! The Instant Pot is designed to use as little energy as possible while cooking things as quickly, evenly, and perfectly as possible. It does so by using completely updated, modern wiring and heating elements that will make it much more efficient than other kitchen appliances you may come across.
When not in use, there is an easy OFF button so that it won’t be sucking in power like other appliances do (we’re looking at you, microwave)!
Easy to Clean
As we touched on above, you are going to absolutely love just how quick and easy it is to clean up your Instant Pot after cooking up a meal. Not only can you combine all your ingredients right inside the pot on most occasions, you can serve directly out of the pot very effectively thanks to the warming function and convenient handles.
On top of all that, the stainless steel interior makes cleanup a breeze. Just grab your sponge and quickly wash it out before putting the pot back on your counter for easy storage and easy access next time you want to use it.
Programmable
Like coming up with your own recipes? Live at a high altitude? Do you make alterations to the recipes you cook? All these things make you the ideal candidate for the Instant Pot’s programmable feature.
Not only will you be able to add “Less”, “More”, and “Normal” variations for each of the functions on your Instant Pot, you can also program the Smart Bluetooth series by writing recipe scripts and sending them directly to the unit. This makes cooking the perfect meal easy every single time. Once you have determined the right doneness settings for your tastes, just program them in and next time it will be a one-click process.
Good Value for the Money
Buying multiple appliances in one will obviously save you money, but that’s not the only thing that makes your Instant Pot a great value for the money. Your Instant Pot is also going to be highly durable, energy efficient, and very reliable.
This means you can depend on your Instant Pot to cook food quickly, evenly, and as perfectly as possible time and time again. That means less food waste, less time, and so much more. All of this equates to a fantastic value for the price tag.
High Safety Standards
The Instant Pot comes standard with multiple safety features that will prevent accidents and keep your Instant Pot in good working order. These safety features will help keep the Instapot in perfect condition whether you are using a pressure or non-pressure cooking setting.
By preventing accidents with your Instant Pot, you can have peace of mind every time you turn it on. Plus, these settings will automatically be active from the moment you first turn your Instant Pot on–there is absolutely no setup needed!
Conclusion
There you have it: All questions you’ve had about an Instapot should be answered! Now You know what is an instant pot? what options you have? What are the Top 5 best Instapots and recipes? and why you should want to get one? So, now you may’ve ask… what’s the next step?
The next step is taking the advice given above and choosing the best InstaPot model and size that’s right for you. You don’t necessarily need the biggest or most expensive model, and that’s what’s great about the Instant Pot: Every single one offers immense value.
So, take a few minutes to think about what you cook now and what you aspire to cook in the future, and then go and throw all those old appliances away that your new Instant Pot will replace. It will be the most convenient, fun, and efficient decision you ever make regarding your kitchen appliances and cooking habits!
With your new Instant Pot, the next step will be to begin collecting your favourite Instapot cookbooks available to you. Whether you choose to eat stews and steamed veggies or yogurts and cake, the multi-function instant pot will have you cooking all sorts of new dishes and trying healthy, delicious meals every night of the week.
Once you try an Instant Pot, you’ll never want to go back to a single-use appliance ever again. Your microwave might even begin to fall out of fashion when you have all of these fresh and fast cooking methods available to you, so give one Instapot a try today!
Last Updated On – October 15, 2020