10 Best Instant Pots 2025 in the United States

The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 is a versatile kitchen appliance that combines seven functions including pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming, sautéing, yogurt making, warming, and sterilizing. Its 8-quart capacity is generous, making it well suited for larger families or anyone interested in batch cooking. The stainless steel inner pot with a tri-ply bottom ensures even cooking and durability. It offers 13 smart, customizable cooking programs which simplify preparing different meals with just one touch, saving time and effort.

Safety is a strong point here, with more than 10 safety features like overheat protection and a secure locking lid, which should give peace of mind during use. The user interface uses push buttons and touch controls that are intuitive, even for beginners. Cleaning is convenient as the lid, inner pot, and accessories are dishwasher safe, and the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel exterior helps keep it looking neat.

One minor drawback is that while the appliance offers many preset modes, those looking for very specialized or manual pressure settings might find it somewhat limited. Also, the unit is fairly large and weighs over 10 pounds, so it requires adequate counter space and may not be ideal for very small kitchens. The free companion app with over 800 recipes can be a helpful tool for inspiration and guidance, which is great if you want to try new dishes. This Instant Pot model represents a solid choice for anyone seeking an all-in-one cooker with robust safety, easy cleaning, and user-friendly operation, especially if cooking for multiple people or wanting to streamline meal prep.

The Instant Pot RIO Wide Base is a versatile 7.5-quart multi-cooker suitable for families or anyone preparing large meals. Its standout feature is the wide sauté area, offering more cooking space than a typical 12-inch skillet, which makes browning meats or cooking bigger dishes like a 5-pound chicken or ribs easier. The 7-in-1 functionality includes pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming, sautéing, yogurt making, and warming, providing flexibility for many meal types.

It includes 13 smart recipes that adjust cooking automatically, helping beginners start without guesswork. The whisper-quiet steam release contributes to a less noisy kitchen experience, and safety is enhanced by controlled steam release via a remote button, reducing burn risks. The cooking progress indicator and guided assistant on the display simplify monitoring and following recipes step-by-step, which benefits users seeking a more hands-off approach. Cleaning is convenient thanks to a dishwasher-safe cooking pot and lid, while the heavy-duty stainless steel pot with a tri-ply bottom supports good heat distribution and durability.

On the downside, the Instant Pot RIO is relatively heavy and bulky, which might be difficult for small kitchens or frequent moving. It is not stovetop or oven safe, so some cooking techniques requiring those methods are not possible. Additionally, while the guided display is helpful, users wanting very simple button controls might initially find it a bit more complex. This Instant Pot is ideal for those looking for a large, feature-rich multi-cooker with smart cooking guidance and quiet operation, especially useful for preparing family-sized meals with less hassle.

The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini is a versatile kitchen appliance designed for smaller families, singles, or meal prepping, with a 3-quart capacity that can cook for up to three people. It offers a variety of functions including pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, yogurt making, steaming, sautéing, and food warming, making it a multifunctional tool ideal for a range of cooking needs.

This compact model comes with 13 customizable Smart Programs, allowing for quick, one-touch cooking of various dishes like ribs, soups, and desserts. An attractive feature is the stainless-steel construction with a fingerprint-resistant finish, as well as a dishwasher-safe lid, inner pot, and accessories, ensuring ease of cleaning. The device incorporates over ten safety features, including overheat protection and a safe-locking lid, providing peace of mind during use.

Its small capacity might be a drawback for larger families or those needing to cook in bulk. The user interface with push-button controls is designed to be user-friendly, but some users might find the array of functions overwhelming at first. Nonetheless, the included app with over 1900 recipes is a valuable resource for meal planning and inspiration. Weighing 8.65 pounds and requiring 700 watts of power, this compact and efficient appliance is ideal for those with limited kitchen space but who still want to enjoy a variety of cooking methods.