When it comes to countertop pressure cooking, the Instant Pot cannot be beaten. Besides pressure cooking, they include a variety of cooking functions, making them incredibly versatile in cooking nutritious and healthy food.
Here is our Recommended Instant Pot Model
The Instant Pot lineup of multi-cookers includes eight different current models (without counting LUX v2). Selecting the right one is a challenge as they often include many of the same features.
Before choosing one of these appliances, you should compare their features. To help you out, here is a closer look at what you get with each option.
Table of Contents
1) Instant Pot LUX 60 V3
The Instant Pot LUX 60 (V3) is the newest version of one of the original Instant Pot models. The LUX was the second Instant Pot and is now considered the budget option. It is the most affordable model and contains the fewest features from the rest.
- Cooks fast & saves time: The Instant Pot Duo Multi-Cooker combines 6 Appliances in one: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer and warmer – and cooks up to 70% faster
- Consistently delicious: 12 one-touch smart programs put cooking ribs, soups, beans, rice, poultry, desserts and more on autopilot – with tasty results
- Easy to clean: Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel lid and components and accessories are dishwasher safe
Last update on 2021-10-21 at 19:56 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The original Instant Pot LUX 60 is a 6-in-1 multi cooker. It can slow cook, pressure cook, make rice, steam, sauté, and keep warm. All other Instant Pots contain at least these six functions on top of any other features that they provide.
The V3 is the latest version of the Instant Pot LUX and includes the third-generation microprocessor. This newer microprocessor increases the maximum cooking time to 240 minutes and the delay start to 24 hours.
Besides increasing the cooking time and delay start, the V3 adds the cake and egg cooking functions, making it an 8-in-1 cooker. These options were previously only available in the higher-end models.
The display panel is also larger compared to the previous LUX mode, making it easier to view the current settings.
2) Instant Pot DUO 60
The Instant Pot DUO 60 is the most popular model. It was released after the original Instant Pot LUX and added the yogurt function, making it a 7-in-1 multi cooker. Here are the main features.
- 7-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Pressure cook, slow cook, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan and food warmer.
- QUICK ONE-TOUCH COOKING: 13 customizable Smart Programs for pressure cooking ribs, soups, beans, rice, poultry, yogurt, desserts and more.
- COOK FAST OR SLOW: Pressure cook delicious one-pot meals up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods or slow cook your favorite traditional recipes – just like grandma used to make.
Last update on 2021-10-21 at 19:42 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Besides the addition of the yogurt function, several other changes were made for this model. The DUO includes two different pressure settings – high and low. The design of the DUO also allows you to hang the lid on the side of the pot instead of placing it on your counter.
With the DUO, Instant Pot also started to increase the number of smart programs added to the Instant Pots. The smart programs are preset settings for the base cooking functions. You can choose from soup/broth, bean/chili, meat/stew, sauté/simmer, rice, porridge, steam, slow cook, and more.
The Instant Pot DUO 60 is a step up from the LUX. Both options take up about the same amount of space but the Instant Pot DUO adds more smart programs and the yogurt function.
3) Instant Pot Nova Plus
The Instant Pot Nova Plus was designed as a Costco-exclusive product and includes all seven functions found on the Instant Pot DUO. The biggest difference between these two models is the display. Other features include:
- 9-in-1 multi cooker
- 1000 watts power
- Heat indicates heating and cooking are in progress.
- Pressure Cook indicates the Pressure Cook option has been selected.
- Keep Warm advises your Instant Pot is still on and food is warm.
Last update on 2021-10-21 at 15:21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
With the Instant Pot Nova Plus, you get an updated display that looks very similar to the display on the DUO Plus. In fact, the Nova Plus is basically the same product as the DUO Plus with the cooking functions of the regular DUO.
The updated display is larger and easier to read. It is also surrounded by additional smart buttons and cooking functions. You get 14 one-touch smart programs, which is two more than the DUO.
4) Instant Pot DUO Plus 60
The Instant Pot DUO Plus 60 is an update of the Instant Pot DUO 60 and we believe is the best value-for-money from all models. It includes everything offered with the previous model with a few updates. Here is an overview of the DUO Plus 60:
- SIMPLE, STRESS-FREE VENTING with an intuitive steam release switch that automatically resets when lid is closed
- 9-IN-1 APPLIANCES pressure cooker, slow cooker, sauté pan, rice cooker, yogurt maker, seamer, food warmer, sous vide and sterilizer
- QUICK ONE-TOUCH COOKING with 15 customizable Smart Programs: pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, soup, broth, cake, egg, rice, bean, grain, porridge, oatmeal, sterilize, yogurt and sous vide
Last update on 2021-10-21 at 19:56 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The main update is a new display. The LCD screen is larger compared to the DUO. It also includes more smart programs.
You get 15 different smart programs and several new cooking functions. These new options include egg, cake, and sterilize. The sterilize feature allows you to sterilize utensils, baby bottles, and other items.
With the third-generation microprocessor used in the latest Instant Pots, these options are now available in most models.
5) Instant Pot VIVA 60
The Instant Pot VIVA 60 was initially released as an exclusive product for QVC. It is a 9-in-1 multi-cooker that combines features from other Instant Pot models, such as:
- 9-in-1 multi cooker
- 1000 watts power
- 15 preset programs: Soup, Meat/Stew, Chili, Cake, Egg, Slow Cook, Saute, Rice, Multigrain, Steam, Sterilize, Porridge, Warm, Yogurt, and Pressure Cook
- Multiple safety mechanisms
The design is closest to the popular Instant Pot DUO. It includes the same display with a couple of extra functions. With the Instant Pot VIVA 60, you get the seven cooking functions offered with the Instant Pot DUO. The added functions include preset options for cooking eggs and cakes.
You get 15 different smart programs with the Instant Pot VIVA 60. These are the same smart programs found on the Instant Pot DUO.
6) Instant Pot ULTRA 60
With the Instant Pot ULTRA 60, users get complete control over the appliance. Take a closer look at its top features:
- Instant Pot Ultra-electric pressure cooker is the next generation in kitchen appliances. A central dial with a simple turn and press provides added precision in program selection and adjustment
- New features: Altitude adjustment, cooking indicator, and a steam release reset button. The ultra button for custom programming. The new features include sterilize, cake and egg programs
- Replaces 10 common kitchen appliances: Pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice/porridge cooker, yogurt maker, cake maker, egg cooker, sauté/searing, steamer, warmer, and sterilizer
Last update on 2021-10-21 at 14:56 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It includes the main cooking functions created for the Instant Pot lineup of products including slow cook, pressure cook, rice, warm, sauté, porridge, yogurt, and multi-grain.
The biggest update is the creation of a new custom cooking mode. The ULTRA mode allows you to set the pressure level, cooking time, delay timer, and keep warm setting. You can also set the temperature.
With the ULTRA mode, you can choose any temperature between 104 and 208 degrees Fahrenheit. The pot can even store your custom settings.
Another update is the new display panel. The Instant Pot ULTRA 60 removed the large buttons and replaced them with a spin dial. The spin dial is used for selecting cooking programs and adjusting the temperature.
The ULTRA also adds an altitude adjustment. If you live in a region with a high altitude, this adjustment feature makes it easier to follow recipes.
7) Instant Pot Smart WiFi
The Instant Pot Smart WiFi gives you the ability to control the appliance via a mobile app on your tablet or smartphone. Here are its specs:
- Cooks fast and saves time: The Instant Pot Smart Wifi combines 8 kitchen appliances in one: Pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, cake maker, Saute pan, steamer, and warmer
- Consistently delicious: 13 1-touch smart programs put cooking ribs, soups, beans, rice, poultry, yogurt, desserts and more on autopilot – with tasty results
- Connected for ease of use: Compatible with Alexa and wifi - control your Instant Pot Smart Wifi in the palm of your hand with the Instant Pot app or through voice with Alexa. Includes access to 1,000 plus pre-programmed recipes and verify cooking progress, share cooker access with family, and receive alerts on your mobile device
Last update on 2021-10-21 at 20:28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Instant Pot Smart WiFi includes the standard cooking functions and smart programs. You get eight different cooking modes and 15 smart programs. However, you also have endless options with the custom scripts.
With the Instant Pot Smart WiFi, you can use cooking scripts to use custom settings. The scripts let you specify the cooking temperature, time, delay, and keep warm, similarly to the Instant Pot ULTRA. You can also set multiple cooking sequences.
For example, you may pressure cook for a set amount of time, slow cook for a specified amount of time, and then keep warm for a set number of minutes.
You can write your own scripts or download them from the Internet. With this feature, the Smart WiFi provides endless cooking functions.
8) Instant Pot MAX
The Instant Pot MAX is one of the newest models in the Instant Pot lineup. It includes a large display and the spin dial, similarly to the Instant Pot ULTRA. You can also set custom temperatures, cooking times, and pressure levels. Here are the main details:
- Sustained 15psi, not only cooks food faster, you can now do home pressure canning;
- Large touch screen makes programming seamless, you can set time, temperature, pressure level, delay start and Warm;
- Nutriboost technology works by creating a boiling motion during pressure cook to break down food, adding nutrition, flavor, and taste to soups and bone broth;
Last update on 2021-10-21 at 19:56 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Instant Pot MAX is the only Instant Pot model that allows you to use 15psi for pressure cooking. All previous models had a max pressure level of 11.6psi when using the “high” setting.
The 15psi option is called the “MAX” pressure setting and lets you follow stovetop pressure cooking recipes without any modification. With the new pressure setting and the custom settings, this is the most versatile Instant Pot available.
This newer Instant Pot also has an automated pressure release. The automated pressure release eliminates the hassle of the manual pressure release. With the manual release, you need to use caution to avoid allowing the steam to scald your skin.
With the Instant Pot MAX, you also get a touchscreen display. Instead of pressing buttons that crowd the LCD screen, you simply press buttons. It also includes the spin dial for setting the temperature.
Closing Words
In the end, Instant Pot has a wide selection of appliances to suit any kitchen. When comparing these products, remember to focus on the features that they provide.
The Instant Pot LUX is the most basic option, providing six different cooking functions. The Instant Pot ULTRA, Smart WiFi, and MAX are the only ones that allow you to set specific cooking temperatures.
In out opinion, the best models in the product series are the Instant Pot DUO Plus and ULTRA. The first one is value-for-money while the second one has the best features and best feedback from customers.
Think about how you plan to use the cooker and whether you want more control over the settings. No matter which option you choose, you are sure to get a reliable countertop pressure cooker.
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