You’ve probably heard the hype surrounding the Instant Pot and would like to know the best Instant Pot in 2023.
In this article, I will give you a buyer’s guide to help you decide which Instant Pot is the best bet for you based on your needs.
Instant Pot is a brand of electric, multi-cookers that have taken the market by storm judging by the over 10 million units that have been sold over a 10-year period.
In fact, there are now over 17 different Instant Pots if you count the models and pot sizes. This has led to countless recipes being created and a huge, cult-like following who just love the Instant Pot.
After hours of extensive research and testing, I have compiled my top 5 list of instant pots that you can enjoy and rely on in 2021.
In case you are in a hurry here is my Top pick for you based on Price, Size, Quality, Reliability, Features, and value for money: Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker (Check current Price on Amazon)
Here are the top instant pots:
1.Instant Pot Duo 7 in 1
[amazon box=”B07RCNHTLS”]
This is the most popular Instant Pot model on the market. The Duo has 7 different functions. It can make yogurt, warm food, pressure cook, slow cook, steam, saute and is also a rice cooker.
The Duo comes in 3 different sizes namely the 3-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart. If you want an everyday multi cooker for use in the kitchen on a day to day basis, the 6-quart would be the best option to go for as is an ideal size for preparing most family meals.
You may find that the Instant Pot is so efficient that you will want to get a second one so that you can use one for the main dish and the other for the side dishes.
In this event, you will want to get a 3-quart IP Duo because side dishes will generally be smaller. When you have 2 Instant Pots, it will be much faster to prepare meals because you won’t have to wait till you finish cooking to start preparing the other part of your meal.
If you are entertaining or have a really large family, then the 8 quarts will be the best option to go for. One of the differences between the 3, besides the size, is that the 8 quart comes with the power cable attached whereas the 3 and 6 quarts come with detachable power cords.
It is therefore important to make sure that the power cables on the smaller pots are plugged in securely on both ends.
It is a very common problem amongst new Instant Pot users who go online saying their Instant Pot is plugged in but won’t work.
Over and above the 7 functions, the Instant Pot Duo also has different programs or pre-sets which include rice, bean/chili, poultry, meat/stew, multigrain, porridge, soup/broth, steam, manual or pressure cooking.
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2. Instant Pot Lux 6 in 1
[amazon box=”B01MFEBQH1″]
The Instant Pot Lux models are the most affordable Instant Pots and do not come with the yogurt function. Just like the Duo model, the Lux also comes in 3-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart models.
In the Lux V3, the cake and egg programs were introduced which were not there in the earlier versions. In the Lux V3, you are able to pressure cook for 4 hours and heat food for up to 10 hours.
The Lux, however, does not have the low-pressure option. It also does not include the lid holders which you can find on the duo.
It can perform all the other functions of the Duo except to make yogurt. The Lux has 7 different functions which include the ability to warm food, pressure cook, slow cook, steam, saute and is also a rice cooker.
It also comes with programs which are: Rice, Meat/Stew, Multigrain, Soup/Broth, Steam, Manual or Pressure Cooking, Porridge, Cake and Egg The cake function on the Instant Pot is not the best especially if you use the recipe book that comes with your Instant Pot.
In fact, if you want to get the best recipes, you’ll get some of the best recipes online from regular users of the Instant Pot.
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3. Instant Pot Ultra 10 in 1
[amazon box=”B06Y1MP2PY”]
Besides having a radically different look when compared to the Lux and Duo models, the IP Ultra introduced some significant changes to the Instant Pot including the ability to cook high- or low- pressure dishes in 6 hours which is a 2-hour improvement on the other 2 models.
Instead of having buttons like in the other models, the IP Ultra 10 has a bigger display panel and a control knob.
As in the other 2 models, it comes in the 3-quart, 6-quart and 8-quart size designed to cater to different needs. One of the coolest features on the IP 10 Ultra is the ability to control the temperature to the degree.
The temperature range is 104 to 208 degrees Fahrenheit. You also have the ability to specifically choose coking time, pressure level and delay time.
It comes with the following programs: Rice, Bean/Chili, Meat/Stew, Multigrain, Porridge, Soup/Broth, Cake, Sterilize, Steam, Egg, Manual or Pressure Cooking, and Ultra silent.
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4. Instant Pot Smart WiFi
[amazon box=”B0777XQ4S8″]
With just about everything going tech these days, Instant Pot has not lagged behind in this area. They were the first and to date, only multi-cooker company to introduce a Bluetooth powered pot.
They have since discontinued that model and now introduced the WiFi version. At present, it is still the only cooker that allows you to connect and monitor it remotely using an app.
If you are tech-savvy, then this is for you and it will fit right into a smart home. The IP Smart WiFi integrates with a mobile app that allows you to monitor your cooker remotely as well as customize recipes.
Unfortunately, it only comes in the 6-quart size option. The Programs on the IP Smart WiFi include Rice, Bean/Chili, Meat/Stew, Multigrain, Porridge, Soup/Broth, Cake, Steam, Egg, and Manual or Pressure Cooking
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Which is the Best Instant Pot for you in 2021?
So which Instant Pot would be the best for you? That comes down to a number of factors and that’s what we will address next. The first determining factor would be the overall functionality.
What would you be using your Instant Pot for on a daily basis?
The IP Duo is the most popular but you may not necessarily need the yogurt function which is the major difference between the Duo and the cheaper Lux.
You also get a cool lid holder that you do not get on the Lux which gives an added element of convenience. The other determining factor would have to be the number of people that you are catering for.
If you are single or a couple, the 3-quart size is more than adequate. An exception to this rule is if you want to cook whole chickens, turkeys or other big food portions.
The 3-quart version would not be ideal for that purpose. For a family of 3 to 6 people, the 6-quart version is the best option.
This is a major reason why the 6- quart size of just about all their models is the most popular. As already mentioned before in this article, it’s a good idea to buy a combination of the 3-quart and 6-quart versions of the Instant Pot.
This allows for greater convenience because you can have both running at the same time and not have to wait for one food to cook, finish, clean the pot then prepare the next dish.
If you have a family larger than 6 people or you cook for large groups of people often, then the 8- quart Instant Pot is what you want to look for.
This is very handy when you are cooking a whole chicken, turkey, ribs and other large food items. You will definitely need it at the next birthday party or Thanksgiving dinner If you want more features and more control.
The 10 in 1 Ultra will give you that and if you are the tech-savvy type or want to show off to your friends by controlling your cooker from another room or from the office at work, then definitely go for the Instant Pot Smart Wi-Fi.
Final Words on the top instant pot in 2021
I hope this article has helped inform you enough to be able to make the best decision suited to your needs as far as the Instant Pot is concerned.
Please leave your comments below as well as questions you would like us to answer about the Instant Pot.