The Best Instant Pots of 2023, Tested by Experts
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The Best Instant Pots of 2023, Tested by Experts
These top-of-the-line models can do so much more than pressure cook.
While Instant Pot is just one brand of electric pressure cooker, it has practically become synonymous with the appliance. The company offers a lineup of over a dozen easy-to-use products that go far beyond pressure cooking: They can slow-cook, steam, sauté, make rice and more (some can even air-fry!). Recipes using the Instant Pot churn out hearty cuts of meat, creamy risotto and rich soups faster and easier than traditional cooking methods. But out of all their models, which is the best Instant Pot to buy?
To answer that question, the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab put pressure cookers to the test. Since 2010, we have tested over 50 different pressure cookers, multi-cookers and slow cookers, including many different Instant Pots. We evaluate these multi-cookers for how well they pressure cook and slow cook a standard beef stew recipe, especially compared to traditional slow cookers like the Crock Pot. We also evaluate their ability to evenly brown meat and make rice, as well as their ease of use, testing how easy the machines are to program and whether or not the controls are intuitive.
These are the best Instant Pots you can buy, according to our testing.
Our top picks:
Best Overall Instant Pot
Instant Pot Duo Plus
Best Value Instant Pot
Instant Pot Duo
Best Versatile Instant Pot
Instant Pot Pro
Best Instant Pot With Air Fryer
Instant Pot Duo Crisp Ultimate
Best Instant Pot With Smart Features
Instant Pot Pro Plus
Read more about how we evaluate Instant Pots and other multi-cookers in our Lab — and learn how to shop for your appliance — at the end of this guide. We also weigh in on some of the most frequently asked questions about Instant Pots.
Instant Pot Duo Plus
Instant Pot Duo Plus
Pros
- Additional settings including cake
- Large, easy-to-read display
Cons
| Pressure levels | High and low |
|---|---|
| Pre-programmed settings | 25 |
| Sizes available | 6- and 8-quart versions |
The Instant Pot Duo may be the brand’s overall best-seller (more on why below), but we selected the upgraded Instant Pot Duo Plus as our top pick. It offers everything that the bestselling Duo does — and then some — without much additional cost. In addition to the settings offered by the basic Duo, this souped-up model also has settings for more delicate foods like cakes and eggs. Another key feature of the Duo Plus is the upgraded display: It’s bigger and has brighter LED backlighting than the Duo. So if you ever find yourself straining to see the readouts on your appliances (like in the middle of the night when you’re heating up a bottle), look no further.
The Duo Plus also lets you edit the cooking time and pressure level while the machine’s in use (versus the Duo, which forces you to cancel the cooking program to change settings). It also gives you the option to silence its alarms. Other conveniences include a “whisper quiet” steam release, an anti-spin design so the inner pot won’t move around while you’re sautéing and 25 customizable smart programs with step-by-step instructions to help guide beginners through a variety of recipes.
Instant Pot Duo
Instant Pot Duo
Pros
- Pressure cooks on low and high for more control
- Detachable cord
Cons
- Took a long time to release pressure naturally
| Pressure levels | High and low |
|---|---|
| Pre-programmed settings | 13 |
| Sizes available | 3-, 6- and 8-qt. versions |
The Duo offers all of the standard Instant Pot features with an extra setting for making homemade yogurt. It comes in 3-, 6-, and 8-quart options and claims to replace seven common kitchen appliances including a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, skillet, steamer, yogurt maker and warmer. The inner pot is made of stainless steel, and it boasts a three-ply bottom for even heat distribution.
It also features a “delay start” tool and a “keep warm” function. There are two pressure cook settings (low and high), so you’ll have more control over the cooking temperature of delicate foods like soups and lentils, which may ultimately prevent them from overcooking into mushy oblivion. In our tests, the Duo was one of the only models that made rice that was well-cooked and tender rather than mushy.
Another reason we love the Duo is that, despite the lower price point, you get all of the same great user-friendly features other machines have like a large handle on top that makes opening and closing it quick and easy and extra slots on both side handles that can be used to prop up the lid when it’s not in use. It also has a detachable cord, which you’ll love if you’re planning on storing your new toy in a tight cabinet. The one downside is that it did take a long time for the pressure to release naturally.
Instant Pot Pro
Instant Pot Pro
Pros
- Extra-thick cooking pot for faster, more efficient heating
- Stainless steel cooking pot has silicone handles for easy transport
Cons
| Pressure levels | High and low |
|---|---|
| Pre-programmed settings | 10 |
| Sizes available | 6- and 8-quart versions |
If you’re looking for an Instant Pot with more advanced settings and some nice-to-have bells and whistles, check out the Pro. This version of the beloved multi-cooker has 10 pre-programmed functions including pressure cook, slow cook, steam and sous vide, among others. This model, which offers two pressure levels (low and high), also gives you the option to pre-program five of your own recipes — perfect if you have a go-to beef stew or chicken fajita recipe you cook often. Perhaps one of its biggest claims to fame, though, is the upgraded inner pot. It has an extra-thick 3.5mm aluminum layer for faster, more efficient heating. It’s also compatible with electric, ceramic and induction cooktops, as well as ovens up to 450º F. (Just note: It’s not nonstick.) The pot also has silicone handles, so picking up a hot pot is easier and safer.
In our testing, we found the Pro came to pressure quicker than most other models in just 27 minutes. It was slow to release pressure naturally, but the quick-release button sped things up, allowing the device to release pressure in just over four minutes. This version of the Instant Pot also has a stainless steel base that our testers said was super simple to clean — stuck-on food wiped off effortlessly.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp Ultimate
Instant Pot Duo Crisp Ultimate
Pros
- Built-in air fryer
- Easy to read LCD display
Cons
| Pressure levels | High and low |
|---|---|
| Pre-programmed settings | 12 |
| Sizes available | 6.5 quarts |
Appliances can add bulk to your countertop, so you can save some of that precious real estate by combining an air fryer and an Instant Pot with the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Ultimate. While it may be one of the most expensive models on offer, it’s certainly the most functional (and likely cheaper than buying two separate appliances).
This 6.5-quart model works 13 different ways: as a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, food warmer, roaster, mini oven, broiler, dehydrator, yogurt maker, sous vide and bread proofer.
Switching between the different cooking methods is seamless — just pressure cook your ingredients, take out the lid’s inner stainless steel cover to reveal the air frying unit, air fry your ingredients, and then enjoy. What’s more, the appliance offers step-by-step cooking instructions on a large LCD display to eliminate guesswork. Cleaning is easy, too. We like that the protective inner cover keeps the air frying element clean and safe from splashes during pressure cooking and the cooking pot, steaming/air frying rack and pressure cooking cover are all dishwasher safe.
Instant Pot Pro Plus
Instant Pot Pro Plus
Pros
- Program settings and release steam via the app
- Gives you access to more than 800 recipes
Cons
| Pressure levels | Max, high and low |
|---|---|
| Pre-programmed settings | 10 |
| Sizes available | 6 quarts |
If you love the latest and greatest tech for all of the convenience it affords, don’t sleep on the Instant Pot Pro Plus. It’s a fully connected multi-cooker that can be controlled wirelessly via a compatible smartphone app. You’ll get access to a robust catalog of more than 800 recipes; just select the one you want and then follow on-screen prompts to walk through the entire process from start to finish. You can also release steam via the app or program a quick or delayed steam release at the end of a cooking program.
The inner pot included in this model is a step above the more basic Instant Pot Duo too. It’s stovetop-safe and induction-compatible, plus dishwasher-safe for quicker cleanup. (The pressure cooking rack and pressure-cooking lid are also dishwasher-safe.)
What is an Instant Pot?
Instant Pot is a specific brand of multi-cookers. The brand sells over a dozen models with varying capabilities, but the main function of them all is pressure cooking. The air-tight environment of a pressure cooker subjects food to high-temperature steam, which cooks almost everything in significantly less time than stovetop or oven-based methods. For example, pork shoulder cooks in 40 minutes instead of 4 hours, chicken soup can be made in a half hour and dried beans can be prepared from start to finish on a weeknight (no soaking required!). The Instant Pot also makes pressure cooking much easier and safer. They’re a huge improvement over the hissing, stovetop pots of centuries past. Simply plug them in, click a few buttons and you’re cooking.
How we test Instant Pots
When the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab assess multi-cookers, including Instant Pots, we put each to the test in a variety of ways. We check overall functionality by filling the device with water to ⅔ capacity, then activating the high setting and setting a timer. We watch and listen — once the cooker comes to pressure, we note the time. Then, we maintain pressure for 15 minutes and release the pressure, timing how long it takes for the pressure to drop.
Next, we get cooking. We mix all of the ingredients for beef stew in the pressure cooker, cover, record how long the pot takes to come to pressure, cook for 20 minutes and record how long the pot takes to release pressure. Then, we evaluate the final product: Is the beef tender? How were the veggies cooked? What’s the overall flavor like?
Finally, we cook a batch of rice in each device, combining all of the ingredients in the multi-cooker and cooking according to the manufacturer’s instructions. We then evaluate the rice: What’s the texture like? Is any rice stuck to the bottom of the cooker?
We also consider ease of use, evaluating each product for how intuitive and clear the controls are, how many settings are offered, how simple cleaning is and the clarity of the owner’s manual.
What to consider when shopping for an Instant Pot
✔️ Control panel: All Instant Pots have relatively large control panels. It makes sense, given how multi-functional these kitchen gadgets are. But while they’re all rather comprehensive, the more sophisticated models offer sleeker control panels that include features like a dial to click through varying cooking functions and added guidance like “OK to open lid.”
✔️ Cooking pot: Though all Instant Pots have a stainless-steel (18/8) inner pot with a tri-ply bottom for sautéing, more advanced models have additional benefits. The Instant Pot Pro comes with an added layer of extra-thick 3.5mm aluminum for faster, more efficient heating, while the Instant Pot Pro Plus has an inner pot that’s stovetop-safe and induction-compatible.
✔️ Pressure levels: Some models have only one pressure option: high. Others have two settings to choose from: high and low. And still others have a “max” pressure level. High is perfectly suitable for most recipes, while low is good for slower cooking or foods you want to make more tender over a longer period of time like beef stew, or delicate items like rice, fish and even cakes. Machines with the extra-high pressure level will yield the fastest results and also excel at making a delicious, concentrated bone broth.
✔️ Functions: While all Instant Pots are multi-cookers with impressive functionality, the breadth depends on which model you select. Some do all the more basic tasks — pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sauté, etc. — while others have even more impressive cooking prowess doubling as sous vide, air fry and dehydrating machines.
✔️ Size: There are three different sizes of Instant Pot: 3 quarts, 6 quarts and 8 quarts. The most popular — and the one favored by our Lab and test kitchen pros — is the 6-quart option. It’s big enough for a decently-sized batch of stew or protein, but it won’t overtake your counter.
Which Instant Pot is the best?
The best Instant Pot is the one that has all of the features you need. The brand currently manufactures five different models with varying features and functionality: the original Duo, the updated Rio, the advanced Pro, the air-frying Crisp and the smart, app-controlled Pro Plus. In general, the Instant Pot Duo seems to be the most popular, because it offers excellent value — it’s the most affordable model but still cooks seven ways and has basic, intuitive controls.
The Instant Pot Rio is the newest model, featuring a modern design and more cooking area compared to the Duo Plus. We look forward to trying it in our next round of testing.
What’s the best size Instant Pot?
Our Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab evaluates 6-quart models because we think it’s the most practical option. It’s big enough for a decent-size batch of chicken soup or chili, but it doesn’t hog too much counter space. That being said, the 8-quart model is great for large families or for those who love to meal prep.
How do you clean an Instant Pot?
Wash all removable parts, such as the inner cooking pot (which is usually dishwasher-safe), steam release valve and sealing ring, with soap and warm water. Use a soft-bristled brush to get into all the crevices. If your Instant Pot has a condensation collector, empty and rinse it after every use. Clean the exterior and control panel with a soft, barely damp cloth, then wipe down the power cord.
Looking for a deep clean? Check out our comprehensive guide on how to clean an Instant Pot.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Nicole Papantoniou, the director of the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, has been testing kitchen appliances professionally since 2013. She originally wrote this story and oversaw GH’s most recent round of testing of multicooker testing in August 2022.
Samantha MacAvoy is the Assistant Food Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she has tested and tasted dozens of Instant Pot recipes and conducted several kitchen appliance reviews, including latte machines, knife sharpeners, dinnerware sets and more.
Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.
Samantha (she/her) is an Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she writes about tasty recipes, must-try food products and top-tested secrets for home cooking success. She has taste-tasted hundreds of products and recipes since joining GH in 2020 (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.