How We Tested
Our team tested 15 pressure cookers over 8 weeks in real-world kitchen conditions. We cooked identical recipes including beef stew, chicken, rice, and beans in each unit. We measured cooking times, temperature accuracy, and ease of cleaning. We also evaluated how intuitive each control panel was for beginners and the quality of included accessories.
Instant Pot Pro Plus 6-Quart
The Instant Pot Pro Plus represents the pinnacle of the Instant Pot lineup. It includes 10 cooking programs: pressure cook, slow cook, rice, steam, saute, sous vide, warm, yogurt, sterilize, and cake. The whisper-quiet steam release is a game-changer for noise-sensitive households. The app connectivity provides access to 800+ guided recipes with step-by-step instructions, making it perfect for beginners and experienced cooks alike.
- Whisper-quiet steam release
- App with 800+ guided recipes
- 10 versatile cooking programs
- Excellent build quality
- Premium price point
- Learning curve for all features
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1
The Instant Pot Duo is the model that started the pressure cooker revolution and remains the best value in 2025. It does 7 things well: pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming, sauteing, yogurt making, and warming. While it lacks some premium features like sous vide and app connectivity, it handles everyday cooking tasks flawlessly. With over 100,000 Amazon reviews, it's the most battle-tested pressure cooker on the market.
- Best value under $100
- Proven reliability
- Huge recipe community
- Simple, intuitive controls
- No sous vide function
- Louder steam release
Ninja Foodi 14-in-1
The Ninja Foodi combines pressure cooking with air frying, making it ideal for those who want both appliances without cluttering their counter. The TenderCrisp technology lets you pressure cook food tender, then air fry the same food crispy in one pot. Make fall-off-the-bone ribs with crispy exterior, or pressure cook chicken then crisp the skin. The 6.5-quart capacity handles large batches, and the included air fryer basket and pressure lid make switching between modes seamless.
- Pressure cooker + air fryer combo
- TenderCrisp technology
- 14 cooking functions
- Large 6.5-quart capacity
- Large footprint
- Heavy at 26 pounds
Instant Pot Duo Plus 8-Quart
For larger families or meal preppers, the 8-quart Duo Plus offers 33% more capacity than standard 6-quart models. It easily handles a whole chicken, large batch of chili, or a week's worth of meal prep. The Duo Plus adds an egg cooking program and sterilize function over the standard Duo, plus a more refined control panel. The inner pot is dishwasher safe, and the stainless steel fingerprint-resistant lid looks great on any counter.
- Large 8-quart capacity
- Perfect for batch cooking
- Dishwasher-safe inner pot
- 9 cooking programs
- Takes more counter space
- Longer to come to pressure
Instant Pot Duo Mini
The 3-quart Duo Mini is perfect for small kitchens, couples, or as a second Instant Pot for side dishes. It takes minimal counter space but still offers all 7 functions of the full-size Duo. It's also ideal for college dorms (where allowed), RVs, or office kitchens. Despite its compact size, it cooks rice for 4 people or a small batch of soup with no problem.
- Compact 3-quart size
- Most affordable option
- All 7 core functions
- Fast to come to pressure
- Too small for families
- Can't fit whole chicken
Frequently Asked Questions
For 1-2 people, a 3-quart is sufficient. For families of 3-4, the 6-quart is most popular and fits most recipes. For larger families or batch cooking, consider 8-quart models. Remember that the pot should only be filled 2/3 full for pressure cooking, so size up if unsure.
Instant Pots can do everything a slow cooker can, plus pressure cook to reduce cooking times by up to 70%. They're more versatile but use slightly more energy. If you only slow cook occasionally, an Instant Pot is the better choice. Dedicated slow cookers excel at true low-and-slow cooking over 8+ hours.
With proper care, Instant Pots typically last 5-10 years. The sealing ring may need replacement every 1-2 years with heavy use, and these cost only $10-15 to replace. Avoid putting the base in water, and clean the sealing ring after cooking strong-smelling foods.
Yes! This is one of the Instant Pot's best features. You can cook frozen chicken breasts, ground beef, and other meats directly from frozen. Just add 50% more cooking time. The pressure cooking ensures the center reaches safe temperatures.