The 4 Best Instant Pots of 2024, According to Our Tests

Our Favorite Instant Pot

The Instant Pot Duo Plus 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker was immediately our favorite out of all the models we tested. Conquering our cooking tests with ease and precision, this model is functional and affordable. We were impressed by how many purposes it serves and how easy it was to use and clean it. We recommend it to anyone looking to jump into the Instant Pot game.

How We Tested Instant Pots

To find the best Instant Pots, we tested 13 popular models from the brand, ranging in size from 3-quart to 8-quart capacities. Although they all perform the basic task of pressure cooking, each model comes with a variety of unique features, programs, settings, and functions that set it apart from the rest and make it more suited to certain cooking tasks. During our tests, we put each model through its paces to determine which ones performed the best overall.

What We Looked For

To test the pressure cooking performance of each Instant Pot, we first cooked a rice and bean dish to evaluate how well each pot did with cooking an entire meal from start to finish. We observed the sautéing function of each model, as well as the pressurization and venting times. As we progressed through each step of the recipe, we noted how well all the ingredients fit in the pot, how stable the inner pot was, how easy it was to lock the lid properly, and how easy it was to seal and vent the machine while avoiding any burns. Once the meal was done, we also assessed the doneness and texture of the beans and rice.

Next, we cooked a pork shoulder to test out each Instant Pot's searing capabilities, also noting whether the meat came out tender and juicy or tough and dry. Last of all, we assessed how easy each model was to clean, taking note of any dishwasher-safe parts and whether there were any lingering smells or residue in hard-to-reach places. Based on their performance in each of these areas, we weighed each Instant Pot against the others and chose our winners from among the bunch.

What We Learned

Although they're all Instant Pots, you'd be surprised how different each of the brand's electric pressure cookers can be. But based on the performance of each model during our tests, there were some overarching key takeaways that we learned. First, if you have the space, we'd always recommend going for an Instant Pot with a larger volume. Across the board, the 8-quart models we tested generally handled cooking tasks better than their smaller counterparts. That isn't to say that smaller models underperformed, but 8-quarts seems to be the sweet spot for optimal results.

We also wouldn't underestimate the importance of a good sear. We noticed that models that were able to brown meat and onions consistently and evenly yielded better results in the final dish, and this pushed our winners ahead of other models that underperformed in this area. Even if those models had more bells and whistles in terms of features and design, it didn't make up for poor searing capabilities. Overall, Instant Pots are more than just electric pressure cookers — they're essentially a one-stop shop for all your cooking needs. With the right one, you could consolidate several of your kitchen appliances.

Factors to Consider

Pot Size

Touting the availability of 3-, 6-, 8-, and 10-quart models, the Instant Pot offers a range of sizes to consider when shopping. The smallest, at 3 quarts, is ideal for saving counter space in smaller kitchens and homes or making smaller portions, like for 1- or 2-person households. It’s also useful if you’re looking for an Instant Pot to serve a specific, lower-volume purpose — it’s perfect for making yogurt or oatmeal. The Instant Pot is also a useful kitchen tool for winter recipes in particular (all those soups and stews!), so consider how you cook from season to season to determine what size you need. Pro tip: Most Instant Pot cookbooks and recipes will indicate the size they recommend right in the recipe itself.

The 6-quart option is Instant Pot’s most popular size, as it does the job for most home cooks. It’s versatile and not too big, making it the correct size when cooking for three to five people. An 8-quart pot offers enough capacity for larger families or anyone needing a good meal prep tool or who anticipates having leftovers, while the 10-quart is large enough to fit a whole chicken.

Control Panel and Extra Functions

While all Instant Pots have multiple functions, each one has a unique set of options. All of the buttons on the control panel are adjustable when it comes to pressure or cooking time, giving the user autonomy when cooking even though the device accomplishes most of the work on its own. When it comes to more specialized cooking projects, it might be best to evaluate what you plan to use yours for. For example, some have a yogurt-making setting, but is this make-or-break for the appliance you need? Others offer smart capabilities that can be controlled through an app, but if you plan to always be near your Instant Pot, this may not be worth the extra spend either.

Cooking Pot Material

Some Instant Pots, like the Instant Pot Pro 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker that made our Strong Contenders category, feature an extra-thick aluminum layer on the interior. This makes heating faster than a standard model and assists with searing.

Other Instant Pots We Tested

Strong Contenders

Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 6-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker ($150 at Amazon)
The 6-quart Ultra performed well in our cooking tests. However, while it offers 10 presets, the size made it less versatile; we would recommend an 8-quart model for large cuts of meat like roast. Not to mention, it was originally more expensive than our Best Overall, which we'd recommend over the Ultra.

Instant Pot Pro 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker ($150 Amazon)
We liked the design of this Instant Pot, including its steam shield and its insert, which (unlike others we tested) has handles. It also came to pressure about a minute or two faster than most. But we thought it could have been hotter when in sauté mode, and it doesn't include an air fryer. So, again, we consider our Best Overall pick a better value.

Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker ($170 at Amazon)
The Duo Crisp + Air Fryer scores high for versatility. Its presets include dehydrating and sous vide, and you can even use it to proof doughs. We liked that we could control the time and temperature with it, though the steam release took getting used to. Also, as basic as it sounds, we like that it has a "start" button, which makes it more straightforward than most Instant Pots, which begin cooking automatically.

What Didn't Make the List

As we've established, not all Instant Pots are the same. While most met our expectations, there are a few we wouldn't recommend. We didn't like the lid design on the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5-Quart, and we could see how someone might leave it unlocked without realizing it. That said, it displays a "do not open lid" message for caution. We also didn't like the manual release of the pressure valve on the Instant Pot Max 9-in-1 6-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker, and we wouldn't recommend it to those who haven't pressure cooked before. It also took a while to come to pressure.

Our Expertise

• Christa Glennie has been a freelance writer and food editor for nearly 20 years. She is also the author of two cookbooks and specializes in food and drink trends, agriculture, the regional foodways of Western New York, and the restaurant business. Her respect for simplicity and uncluttered counters in the kitchen ultimately fuels a desire to find and own well-designed, multi-purpose, best-in-class kitchen tools.
• For this piece, she analyzed insights and data from our in-house Instant Pot tests, also drawing from her own experience and expertise to curate this list.