Title: The Best Instapots 2023 – A Comprehensive Guide to All the Brands, Models and Features
The best Instant Pot offers a multitude of cooking methods, so you never have to worry about avoiding clutter as it can do it all! Instant pots also offer a ton of great features and can help you save time when it comes to cooking. They’re really versatile and can work with a wide range of different dishes.
Multi-cookers are everywhere these days and they’re great for saving time. Unlike regular cooking, you can set your Smart Pot to steam food – it’s quicker than the old-fashioned way of making dinner! So, you can impress your friends and family without slaving over a hot stove.
An Instant Pot is kind of like a kitchen appliance Swiss Army Knife. It can be used to pressure cook, slow cook, saute, make yogurt, and even roast or grill food using an included lid. You might not need any other additional appliances.
You can use an instant pot to cook a variety of dishes like stews, curries, and chilies along with vegetables and rice. One of my favourites uses for an Instant Pot is to boil eggs in it. You also need to know how to clean your Instant Pot so that it functions the way it should.
- Best excellent choice - Instant Pot Pro
- Best Good performance - Instant Pot Max
- Best overall - Instant Pot Smart WiFi 6 Quart Multi-Use Electric Pressure
Nowadays, there are so many brands of Instant Pot in the market. Which one should I buy? There are a few things you need to consider when buying an Instant Pot.
– Capacity: Instant Pot come with different pressure-cooking capacities. If you have a large family, then you need to get a Instant Pot that has higher capacity than 6 quarts.
– Material: The material that your Instant Pot is made of can also affect the durability and quality of your pot. Some people prefer stainless steel while others prefer copper or aluminium pots.
– Features: Some Instant Pot come with features like slow cooking and rice cooking functions which is great if you like to save time in the kitchen and try new recipes often. Some Instant Pot models come with cooking functions and an additional option to make Yogurt and Sterilize, in order to make your life easier.
These pre-programmed functions are just mimicking the different ranges of pressure. You can recreate these manually.
– Price: Despite that, there is a wide range in prices for Instant Pots and it can be difficult to compare them. One doesn’t know if the difference in price is worth the different features, but we can offer some assistance.
Which price is best for you will vary depending on your budget? If you have a personal budget for cooking gear, it is going to determine what price range will be a good fit for you.
– Accessories: Every Instant Pot comes with a cooking trivet, a plastic rice scoop and an instruction manual. You won’t need to buy any other accessories, but you can purchase them separately on Amazon if you want.
We offer a wide range of accessories from glass lids to use with slow cookers to steamer inserts, sealing rings and more.
– Ease of use: It can take some time to wrap your head around catching the lid, using the self-release steam valve and choosing a cooking program for your Instant Pot. The two models are slightly different in terms of features, but they both work well in their own ways.
For example, the Ultra model is more complicated to use whereas the simpler model might suit you better.
– Ease of clean-up: The stainless-steel insert and ring on an Instant Pot are easy to clean. But it’s worth mentioning that there are some Instant Pots that heat up and reach high temperatures more quickly than others, and can be difficult to clean when you’re searing.
– Safety: Instant pots take the guesswork out of pressure cooking, making it safe and easy for home cooks. Though cooking time is fast and easy, it might be a little uncomfortable when releasing the steam since the pot’s lid and the surrounding area gets very high temperatures.
But thankfully you can release steam quickly with all models except for the Ultra.
Which Instant Pot is right for you?
By taking into account food-specific modes, Instant Pot offers enough options to satisfy the needs of every level of cook. If you want to conjure up your own yogurt at home, or if you serve hard-boiled eggs for breakfast, it might be worth purchasing an Instant Pot that does just that.
When it comes to choosing the right size, Instant Pot recommends 3-quart models for singles or couples. For small families of 6 or less, the 6-quart multicooker would probably suffice. If you host larger groups or have a bigger household, we recommend you get the 8-quart model instead.
The Best Instapots in 2023 (Comparison)
- Capacity: 8 Quarts
- Cooking modes: Pressure Cook, Sauté, Slow Cook, Steam, Sous Vide, Warm, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate.
- Number of presets: 14
- Capacity: 6 Quarts
- Cooking modes: Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Saute Pan, Sous Vide, Soup/Broth, and Canning
- Number of presets: 13
- Capacity: 6 Quarts
- Cooking modes: Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Cake Maker, Saute Pan, Steamer, and Warmer
- Number of presets: 13
- Capacity: 6 Quarts
- Cooking modes: Pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice/porridge cooker, yogurt maker, cake maker, egg cooker, sauté/searing, steamer, warmer, and sterilizer
- Number of presets: No information
- Capacity: 5.68 Liters
- Cooking modes: Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté Pan, Yogurt Maker & Warmer
- Number of presets: 11
How we test Instant Pots
In this article, we are going to look at the top five best Instapots available in the market today. We’ve created this list based on our own opinion, research, and customer reviews. We have considered their quality, features, prices and value while narrowing down the best options.
So, here are the top 5 best Instapots:
Our Picks for the Best Instapots in 2023
Best Instapot 7 in 1
The fifth product on our list is the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker. The Instant Pot Duo offers all the standard Instant Pot features and a few different settings for things like homemade yogurt, pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, steaming, and even sous vide cooking.
This should be a top pick for anyone seeking more versatility in their kitchen. This Instant Pot comes in 3, 6 and 8-quart options and can replace seven common kitchen appliances. The inner pot is made from high-quality stainless steel, and it boasts a 3-ply bottom for greater heat distribution.
What’s more, it also includes some much-needed extra functions, including a “delay start” tool and a “keep warm” option for when you don’t have a chance to time everything perfectly.
This enables you to pressure cook on high as well as low, so you will have ultimate control over the cooking temperature of soups and lentils, which prevents them from overcooking.
Another reason the Instant Pot Duo is such a good choice is thanks to its user-friendly add-ons. This model has a large handle on the top that makes it quick and easy to open and close, and there are additional slots on the handle on either side that can be used to raise the lid when the device is not in use.
Even better, the cord’s detachable, which you’ll love if you plan to store your new toy in a cramped cabinet. Finally, the contemporary design of this product includes a full cooking progress bar, dedicated start button, separate pressure and temperature indicators.
It even has dual Fahrenheit and Celsius displays, so you can be sure that every setting is exactly as it should be for whatever recipe you’re following.
Reasons to Buy
Multiple Settings: It offers lots of versatile cooking functions.
EASY TO USE: It gives you exceptional control over your settings.
Precise Temperature Display: It provides accurate display of temperature.
Reasons to Avoid
Difficult to clean: It lacks any nonstick coating, so it can be difficult to clean up if you burn any food.
The Instant Pot Duo is a multi-use appliance that not only makes excellent rice but can replace many other home appliances as well.
Best instapot slow cooker
In fourth place is the Instant Pot Ultra 60. If you’re looking for an Instant Pot device with extreme versatility, this could be the product for you. You can enjoy easy home cooking with the Instant Pot Ultra 60.
This product allows you to cook restaurant-quality food without the usual struggle with double boiling water in a saucepan or placing a pot in the oven. We think it’s perfect for making delicious one-pot dishes like healthy soups and stews at home.
Moreover, this ceramic rice cooker even offers additional features that can help to take your cooking experience to the next level.
You can actually prepare many sweet dishes like tarts, cakes and even yogurt using the 10 different functions available on this appliance, including pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice or oatmeal cooker, yogurt maker, cake maker, egg cooker, sauté, searing, Steaming, heating and sterilizing.
All this and much more can be done at the touch of a button. The Instant Pot Ultra 60 takes the ‘cook’ out of home cooking and turns kitchen time into yours.
Additionally, the appliance features easy-to-use, fully programmable digital controls for things like height adjustment, cooking indicators, and steam release reset buttons.
In addition, the microprocessor monitors pressure and temperature, keeps time, and adjusts heating intensity and duration.
We also appreciate that all components that come into contact with food are made of food-grade 304 stainless steel which is a healthier alternative to utensils with a nonstick coating and is innately very durable.
Lastly, this product comes with a handy steam rack with handles, a recipe booklet, a serving spoon, and a soup spoon.
Reasons to Buy
Very Versatile: It can be used for many types of food.
DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: It has a food-grade steel inner pot.
Cool to Touch: It is safe to touch even while running.
Reasons to Avoid
Unclear Manual: It has a very vague instruction manual.
The Instant Pot Ultra 60 is a useful device that can work well for a wide variety of foods. This is great for people with limited countertop space.
Best Instapot Cooker
The third product on our list is the Instant Pot Smart WiFi 6 Quart Multi-Use Electric Pressure. Instapots are great tools that can save you a lot of time and hassle in the kitchen. This product is one of the first multi-use programmable pressure cookers that can now be controlled and monitored from your mobile devices.
We like this device because it is designed with a large display screen which makes it easy to find the right setting. Also, like the previous product, it has a sturdy stainless steel cooking pot with a capacity of about 6 quarts, which should be enough for most families.
Additionally, with this device, not only will you be able to cook meat faster, but cheap cuts of meat also become more tender with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that very few other cooking methods can replicate. especially in less than one hour.
What’s more, you can now cook beans and lentils without soaking them, making last-minute meal planning more manageable. We found that tough beans like chickpeas and kidney beans can be prepared in about 30 minutes.
Even things that are usually very time-consuming, such as chili or Irish stew, risotto can be prepared in under an hour and in 30 minutes. Plus, with the free Instant Pot app on iOS and Android devices, you get access to hundreds of recipes for any number of dishes to start your culinary adventure.
Lastly, there is no need to move or watch the dish while it is being cooked as you can monitor the progress of your meal with your mobile device.
Reasons to Buy
User Friendly: It is very easy to use.
Rapid Function: It cooks things very fast.
Handy App Feature: It can be controlled and monitored remotely.
Reasons to Avoid
30-Minute Pressurization Time: It takes a while to build up the pressure, so you need to keep that in mind when planning your meals.
The Instant Pot Smart WiFi is a convenient and very effective device for anyone who wants an easy way to cook a variety of meals.
Best instapot 6 qt
The second product on our list is the Instant Pot Max. This 6-quart Max Instapot offers new features and cooking options that we haven’t seen from previous models or competitors. One of the most innovative features of the Instant Pot Max is its ability to reach an internal pressure of 15 pounds per square inch, which Instant Pot says is higher than their previous models.
This high-pressure level enables the Max to cook faster than any Instant Pot before it. Other notable additions include a sous-wide setting that allows the Instant Pot Max to double as a water bath with precisely controlled temperature, a preset mode for home-canned foods, and a hands-on in its lid.
Free valve that automatically adjusts to your preferred method of steam release, a first for the Instant Pot.
You will also like the large LCD control screen, a metal control knob, and glowing labels for the device’s cooking programs on the left and right sides of the control screen. Moreover, the Instant Pot Max has corresponding text labels for eight cooking modes, and its large display is touch-sensitive, making it easy to operate.
In addition, thanks to its NutriBoost technology, this unit speeds up the boiling during the pressure-cooking process to break down food faster, improving the release of nutrients and flavor making soups and broths taste incredibly good.
Lastly, we like that this device has a range of safety features, including automatic steam venting and a lid-lock system, so you can rest easy knowing that it’s safe to leave it unattended.
Reasons to Buy
15 PSI Pressure Function: It has advanced pressing technology.
Seamless LCD Screen: It has a clear display screen.
Safe to use: It has many security features.
Reasons to Avoid
Limited User Manual: The instruction manual is too vague for the number of settings for this device.
The Instant Pot Max is a fast and effective tool for creating highly nutritious meals without the usual hassle.
Best Instapot 11 in 1
Finally, our top Instapot is the Instant Pot Pro. Straight out of the box, with its all-black exterior, this Instant Pot has a more premium look than the others we’ve reviewed so far, but the buttons and display should still look familiar to users of other Instant Pot models.
We found it all very intuitive to use. Buttons on the left side of the display control cooking settings for sautéing, slow cooking, steaming, and sauce videos, with or without a pressure-cooking lid.
To the right of the display are the controls for its air fryer lid. These include Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Broil and Dehydrate. In addition, delay start and warm up are directly below the display, with a control knob below that, with buttons for cancel and start.
It’s all very clear and straightforward, which we appreciate in any device. What’s more, we really like that the pot handles are easy to grip, and they hold up great while cooking. While this may not seem like a big deal, they make it far easier to remove the Instant Pot from the cooker and empty it.
Moreover, this product has a thick flat base, which prevents oil from accumulating so you can fry foods more easily, and the pot is also oven and stovetop-safe, making it more versatile. Additionally, like the others on this list, it has a convenient Steam release function that makes it much safer to use.
Reasons to Buy
Very Well Made: It has a sleek, high-quality look.
User Friendly: It is easy to operate.
Multiple Cooking Applications: It has a range of different functions.
Security Features: It is very secure.
Reasons to Avoid
Tricky to Clean Accessories: It takes a long time to clean because of the extra features like the air fryer and strainer tray.
Overall, we like this product the most as it has a wide range of functions and performs them all perfectly, from frying to rice, from soup to brisket. This is the perfect device.
The Instant Pot Pro is an incredibly versatile tool for busy people who want a quick way to make a huge range of recipes without the need for a dozen different appliances.
Is an Instant Pot really worth it?
There is a lot to love about the Instant Pot, but is it really worth the cost? Time will tell whether this will just be a passing fad or an actual revolution.
While Instant Pots offer a number of different cooking methods, keep in mind that they can’t effectively cook everything. For example, they’re not an option for restaurants that serve pasta, noodles or stir-fry dishes.
While many Countertop Fryers can also be used to air fry, we found that using an Instant Pot for this task was not as good the best Countertop Fryers.
You won’t be able to keep checking on your dish when you use an oven, a hob or a slow cooker, unlike when you use the steamer. Place the pressure cooker or pot on its side and wait for the steam that comes out to reduce.
This should take about 10 minutes. Next, you will need to detach the large, metal lid before using a oven mitt or cloth to grip it and carefully slide it off. Take, for example when the dish is not ready. If this happens, you will need to start cooking again.
Similarly, an Instant Pot can save a lot of time by cooking dishes faster – but not all dishes. With dishes like rice or steaming vegetables the time saving is minimal, which may mean they’re not as worth it as cooking with another technique.
There are a lot of benefits to using an Instant Pot, the main one being the space saving. The pot allows you to replace a few different cooking items with just one. You can also broaden your dishes without having to learn new cooking skills.
Instant Pots vs Ninja Foodi
If you’re in the market for a multi-cooker, there are two big players that you might want to consider: the Instant Pot and the Ninja Foodi. They both have their strengths and weaknesses so it will all come down to what your needs are.
Both brands create a wide variety of kitchen appliances including things like air fryers to argon blenders. Ninja Foodi is an expensive brand. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, try Instant Pot.
You will also find that Ninja Foodi machines are easy to clean due to their non-stick coating. This is in contrast with Instant Pots which require you to scrub for hours before you can finally get rid of all the food.
