Instant Pots are the ultimate kitchen gadgets for busy home cooks who want to make delicious meals in a fraction of the time. These versatile devices can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, rice, yogurt, and more, with just a touch of a button. But with so many models and features to choose from, how do you find the best Instant Pot for your needs?

We tested 13 different models of Instant Pots and evaluated them based on six criteria: design, ease of use, performance, ease of cleaning, versatility, and value. We also considered the latest trends, updates, and news in the Instant Pot world as of February 19, 2024. Here are our top picks for the best Instant Pots of 2024.

Best Instant Pot Overall: Instant Pot Pro Plus 6-Quart Smart Multi-Cooker

This model is the best overall option for most buyers, as it offers reliability, efficiency, and intuitiveness. It has 10 functions, including a new feature called NutriBoost that creates a boiling motion during pressure cooking to add nutrition and flavor to soups and broths. It also has Wi-Fi connectivity and app-enabled perks, such as hundreds of recipes, remote control, and voice command. It has added safety features, such as a steam release switch and a pressure indicator. It has a stainless-steel pot and lid that are easy to clean and dishwasher-safe. It costs $200 and comes with a one-year warranty.

Some of the benefits of this model are:

• It can cook food up to 70% faster than conventional methods, saving you time and energy.
• It can make perfect sous vide dishes, such as steak, salmon, eggs, and vegetables, without the need for a separate device or plastic bags.
• It can connect to your smartphone or smart speaker, allowing you to monitor and control the cooking process from anywhere.
• It can access the Instant Pot app, which has over 1,000 recipes, tips, videos, and community support.

Best Upgrade Instant Pot: Instant Pot Pro Crisp And Air Fryer 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker And Air Fryer

This model is the best upgrade option for those who want to take their Instant Pot game to the next level. It has all the features of the Pro Plus model, plus an air fryer lid that can crisp, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate. It has two separate cooking chambers, one for pressure cooking and one for air frying, that can be used interchangeably. It has 11 functions, including a new feature called Smart Programs that automatically adjusts the time and temperature for optimal results. It has a large capacity of 8 quarts, making it ideal for big families or batch cooking. It costs $172 and comes with a one-year warranty.

Some of the benefits of this model are:

• It can make crispy and healthy dishes, such as chicken wings, fries, onion rings, and nuggets, with up to 95% less oil than deep frying.
• It can cook two dishes at once, such as a roast and potatoes, or a cake and a casserole, saving you time and space.
• It can customize the cooking settings, such as the airflow, temperature, and time, to suit your preferences and recipes.
• It can store the air fryer lid on the base when not in use, reducing clutter and hassle.

Best Value Instant Pot: Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker, V5

This model is the best value option for those who want to spend less than $100. It is the original and most popular Instant Pot model, with over 150,000 positive reviews on Amazon. It has seven functions, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, yogurt making, steaming, sautéing, and warming. It has 14 preset programs, such as soup, meat, beans, poultry, and porridge. It has a simple and user-friendly design, with a large display and easy-to-use buttons. It has a stainless-steel pot and lid that are easy to clean and dishwasher-safe. It costs $138 and comes with a one-year warranty.

Some of the benefits of this model are:

• It can replace seven common kitchen appliances, saving you money and space.
• It can cook a variety of dishes, from soups and stews to cakes and cheesecakes, with minimal effort and supervision.
• It can keep your food warm for up to 10 hours, ensuring you always have a hot meal ready.
• It can make homemade yogurt, which is healthier and cheaper than store-bought ones.

Other Instant Pots We Tested

In addition to the three models above, we also tested these seven models that have some unique features and functions. Here is a brief overview of each model and how they compare to our top picks.

• Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker: This model has nine functions, including a new feature called EasySeal that automatically seals the lid when pressure cooking. It also has a new inner pot with handles and a flat bottom that can be used on the stovetop. It has 48 customizable programs, such as cake, eggs, rice, and sterilize. It costs $120 and comes with a one-year warranty.
• Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker: This model has seven functions, similar to the Duo model, but with a new feature called Smart Lid that automatically seals the lid and releases the steam when pressure cooking. It also has a new display that shows the progress and status of the cooking process. It has 13 preset programs, such as soup, meat, beans, and poultry. It costs $100 and comes with a one-year warranty.
• Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker with Air Fryer Lid: This model has 11 functions, similar to the Pro Crisp model, but with a different air fryer lid that has a heating element and a fan. It also has a different inner pot that has a nonstick coating and a ceramic base. It has 10 preset programs, such as roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate. It costs $180 and comes with a one-year warranty.
• Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker: This model has 10 functions, similar to the Pro Plus model, but with a new feature called Ultra that allows you to customize the cooking parameters, such as the pressure level, temperature, and time. It also has a new display that shows a graph of the cooking progress and a dial that lets you adjust the settings. It has 16 preset programs, such as soup, meat, beans, and cake. It costs $150 and comes with a one-year warranty.
• Instant Pot Max 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker: This model has nine functions, similar to the Duo Evo Plus model, but with a new feature called Max that allows you to cook at a higher pressure level of 15 psi, which is the same as stovetop pressure cookers. It also has a new feature called NutriBoost that creates a boiling motion during pressure cooking to add nutrition and flavor to soups and broths. It has 13 preset programs, such as soup, meat, beans, and rice. It costs $150 and comes with a one-year warranty.
• Instant Pot Smart Wi-Fi 8-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker: This model has eight functions, similar to the Duo model, but with Wi-Fi connectivity and app-enabled perks, such as hundreds of recipes, remote control, and voice command. It also has a new display that shows the Wi-Fi status and a button that lets you access the app. It has 13 preset programs, such as soup, meat, beans, and poultry. It costs $150 and comes with a one-year warranty.
• Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker: This model has six functions, similar to the Duo model, but without the yogurt-making function. It also has a different display that shows the pressure level and the cooking time. It has 12 preset programs, such as soup, meat, rice, and porridge. It costs $80 and comes with a one-year warranty.

Conclusion

Instant Pots are amazing devices that can make your cooking easier, faster, and more delicious. Whether you are looking for the best overall, the best upgrade, or the best value, there is an Instant Pot model that suits your needs and budget. We hope this article helped you find the best Instant Pot of 2024 for you. Happy cooking!

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