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Instant Pot Comparison and Comparison Chart

This Instant Pot Comparison and Instant Pot comparison chart has been updated as of September 2019!  Over the past year or so, the popularity of the Instant Pot, often also mistakenly referred to as the Instapot or Insta Pot, has skyrocketed.  It was the must have kitchen item for Christmas last year, and will undoubtedly be sought after even more in 2019.

Instant Pot also released new models last year, so we have a side by side comparison of Instant Pot models for you.  Even the most basic of them can do many things. Much more than any standard pressure cooker can!

Looking for Instant Pot recipes? Check our recipe index here:  Instant Pot Recipes.  Also, join our Facebook group to share your recipes and find new ones!

Read on for all you need to know for Instant Po Lux vs. Instant Pot Duo or Instant Pot Duo vs. Instant Pot Max or vs. Duo Crisp etc! 

Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Instant Pot Comparison and Review

The Instant Pot is a multi-functional pressure cooker.  It is not only a pressure cooker, it also has additional features and works as a slow cooker, rice maker, yogurt maker, and egg cooker.  It can also be used for sauteing and browning, steaming, warming, and sterilizing. You can even make cake in some models. Thus, you can replace a number of other kitchen appliances with it, making it great for students and people with limited kitchen space.  As a pressure cooker, it can cook quickly, and allows a person to make recipes fast that would normally take all day to cook. That makes it great for busy families as well.  It is the best pressure cooker available on Amazon.com.

instant-pot-comparison

With controlled cooking cycles, the Instant Pot cooks food in a completely sealed environment, which keeps food nutritious and good tasting. The Instant Pot is also energy efficient. It is designed to not exceed needed temperatures and to use less water than would be used with traditional cooking or steaming.

The Instant Pot is available on most models in multiple  sizes; 3 quart, 6 quart, and 8 quart. I have a 6 quart one, and it is perfect for my family of two and would work fine for up to 4 or even 6. But if you have more than 4 people in your family, or if you like to cook in large quantities and then freeze, I recommend that you purchase an 8 quart pot.

Easy to Use

The Instant Pot is incredibly easy to use. The controls and settings are as simple as pushing the correct button. The time shows how many minutes are left. The manual is easy to read and understand.

Instant Pot Safety

Pressure cookers can seem scary at first. But the Instant Pot is much safer than old-style pressure cookers. It is designed with safety in mind.  A magnetic sensor ensures that the lid is positioned properly. The lid includes a a safety lock that prevents it from opening while under pressure,  and there is a pressure regulator that keeps the pressure within safe limits. It has smart detection features to check for any steam leakage.  As further safety controls, excess pressure protection technology sends any excess pressure to an internal chamber. If electric current or pressure exceeds the safety limits, a fuse cuts off the power.

 Key Features

Before moving on to the models and detailed instant pot review, let’s take a look at key features:

  • Easy to Read and Use Control Panel
  • Up to 16 built-in programs such as include soup, meat/stew, yogurt, porridge, rice, eggs, cake and more.
  • 24 hrs Delay Start Timer
  • Multi-Functional Pressure Cooker
  • 3 ply stainless steel pot
  • 3 Temperature settings for Saute and Slow Cooking
  • Automatic keep-warm settings
  • Energy efficient
  • Multiple built-in safety mechanisms

The Instant Pot Duo Plus and Ultra add additional features such as:

  • Altitude adjustment (Ultra)
  • Cake, Egg and Sterilize Controls (also on the 6 and 8 Qt. Lux V3)
  • Easy cooking program selection with a dial mechanism
  • Cooking process indicator (Ultra)
  • Steam release reset button for both continuous and pulse steam release
  • Custom programming to remember you favorite settings (also available on the Duo Plus).

The New Instant Pot Max adds the following features for comparison: 

  • Sous Vide Function
  • Canning Function
  • Touch Screen
  • Auto Steam Release Control
  • Unlimited programs

However, the canning feature is not USDA approved at this time (please be careful about trying to can in your Instant Pot and d not try it at all in other models) and the Sous Vide is reportedly buggy in terms of holding the correct temperature.

The Smart InstaPot adds bluetooth control. I have removed this model from the chart though because the wifi on it is supposedly not very functional and  I suspect it will soon be an outdated model.

The Duo Crisp

The Duo Crisp adds an air fryer lid.  It also has the sous vide function. This is a great feature if you do not already have an air fryer. But it removes the yogurt and rice presets. You can likely still do yogurt though using the slow cook function. See my full Instant Pot Duo Crisp review for more information.

A Key Note about Instant Pot Features

Often those preset become rather meaningless because they are simply a matter of presets.  For example, you can make eggs or cake in the Instant Pot without an egg or cake setting.  Yogurt, however, is a bit different because it is not done under pressure. A model with that setting is nice to have if you wish to make yogurt.   Slow cook models might be able to do yogurt under that setting.

See the Instant Pot Models and Buy an Instant Pot

Instant Pot Lux
Instant Pot Duo
Instant Pot Duo Plus
Instant Pot Duo Nova
Instant Pot Duo Crisp
Instant Pot Ultra
Instantt Pot Max

Below is a comparison of the key features on each model.

Instant Pot Comparison Chart

Go here if you are on desktop for a larger screen desktop version of the chart.

Lux V3 Duo Duo Plus Duo Nova Duo Crisp Ultra Max
Instant Pot Lux Instant Pot Duo Instant Pot Duo Plus Instant Pot Duo Nova Instant Pot Duo Crisp Instant Pot Max
Pressure Cooker
Slow Cooker
Rice Cooker
Steamer
Sauteing/Browning
Warmer
Yogurt Maker
Egg Cooker Only on 6 and 8 Qt
Cake Maker Only on 6 and 8 Qt
Sterilizer
Custom Programming
Cooking Progress Indicator
Altitude Adjustment
Sous Vide
Home Pressure Canning Yes, but not USDA approved for canning
Air Fry Lid
Auto Touch Steam Control No, but advertises "smart steam release"
Touch Screen
Preset Temperatures 7 12 13 12 11 21 Unlimited (using smart programs)
Built In Programs 12 on 6 Qt, 10 on 3 and 8 Qt 11 on 3 Qt, 14 on 6 and 8 Qt. 15 14 11 16 Unlimited smart built in programs
Pressure cooking time Up to 4 hours Up to 4 hours Up to 4 hours Up to 4 hours Up to 4 hours, 24 hours for slow cook Up to 6 hours Up to 8 hours
Safety Features 10 10 10 10 10 11 13
Sizes 3, 6, 8 Qt. 3, 6, 8 Qt. 3 ,6, 8 Qt. 3, 6, 8 Qt. 8 Qt. 3, 6, 8 Qt. 6 Qt.
Price

 

 

Choosing the Best Instant Pot Model: Instant Pot Model Comparison

Choosing the best Instant Pot model and size is ultimately a choice based on your personal needs.  For those who will only use it as a pressure cooker, slow, cooker, and rice maker, which are the main uses for most people, the LUX is sufficient and the most affordable.  However, if you want to make yogurt, or use other advanced features, the Duo and Duo Plus are the best values. The Instant Pot Duo Plus is also the best selling kitchen appliance on Amazon.

If you live at altitude, then the Ultra is the recommended choice because of its altitude adjustment feature.   Tech savvy folks might like the Smart because of its Bluetooth connectivity, but it also removes some features and only comes in the 6 quart size.  Those who want extra features and a touch screen will like the Max.

Ultimately my top recommendation for the most features at the best value is the Duo Plus. But the Duo is fine as well and often found on sale.  

If you want the addition of air frying and don’t mind not having yogurt setting, I recommend the Duo Crisp.

Choosing the Best Instant Pot Size

A key when choosing size is to think up. Each Instant Pot cannot be filled full, as there needs to be room at the top when cooking under pressure. Thus, sizing up is usually a good idea. The 6 quart is the best size for a small family, and the 8 quart is recommended for a family of more than four.  Singles might get by with a three quart size, but I suspect that many would soon want to move up in size.

Instant Pot Cooking  is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. 

 

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