Busy schedules, long commutes, forgetting to plan and competing family events and activities conspire against all of us when trying to plan good, tasty and healthy meals. Primarily, preparation and cooking time is limited. Enter the instant pots, a new twist on an old technology.
People remember their mother breaking out the old-fashioned pressure cooker to cook beans or stews quickly and efficiently. Well, the instant pots are a variation of that. Instant pot pressure cookers are stand-alone appliances that have multiple modes and are programmable.
Many recipe cook times can be decreased by up to 70 percent.Plus the ability to double as a warmer, sterilizer, steamer, rice cooker, saute pan, yogurt maker, egg cooker, cake maker and canning helper, dependent on the specific appliance make and model, make this one of the most versatile appliances you can have in your kitchen.
The Best Instant Pots: Comparison Table
[amazon box=”B01MFEBQH1,B06Y1YD5W7,B00FLYWNYQ,B01NBKTPTS,B075CYMYK6,B000MPA044,B071VCMK97,B07HYHT5Z5,B07C944DCG,B06VV9M11N” template=”table”]
How We Reviewed
We reviewed these instant pots based on price, capacity, use modes, construction and features specific to each make and model.
Overall Price Range
The price range of the instant pots reviewed here range from around $56 to $100 and that price range reflects differences in capacity, cooking options, modes of operation and other available features including overall quality and warranty duration.
What We Reviewed
- Instant Pot LUX60V3 V3 6 Qt 6-in-1 Multi-Use
- Instant Pot Duo Mini 3 Qt 7-in-1 Multi- Use
- Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use
- Instant Pot DUO Plus 60, 6 Qt 9-in-1 Multi- Use
- Instant Pot DUO Plus 3 Qt 9-in-1 Multi- Use
- Cuisinart CPC-600 6 Quart 1000 Watt Electric Pressure Cooker
- Instant Pot LUX80 8 Qt 6-in-1 Multi- Use
- Tayama TMC-60XL 6 Quart 8 in 1 Multi Function
- Instant Pot Lux 6 Qt Red 6-in-1 Muti-Use
- COSORI 7-in-1 6 Qt Electric Pressure Cooker
Review of The Best Instant Pots Under $100
Instant Pot LUX60V3 V3 6 Qt 6-in-1 Multi-Use
[amazon box=”B01MFEBQH1″ rating=”4.5″]
Features:
Constructed from 304 stainless steel, this instant pot features 6 different use modes including pressure cooker, steamer, warmer, saute, rice cooker and slow cooker. The internal microprocessor allows you to program for a 24-hour delay, up to 240 minutes of pressure cooking or warm and hold for up to 10 hours.
The interior stainless steel is all food grade with no artificial or chemical coatings and has a triple-layered bottom for even cooking temperatures.
The pressure cooking mode can reduce many cooking times by up to 70 percent. The 6 quarts of capacity gives you the ability to prepare larger meals for growing families. The power supply is 120v and the highest power usage is 1000 watts.
PROS
- 6-quart capacity
- 6 operating modes
- Programmable
- Stainless-steel interior
- 24-hour delay
CONS
- No yogurt mode
Price
$
Warranty
1 Year
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B01MFEBQH1″ value=”button”]
Instant Pot Duo Mini 3 Qt 7-in-1 Multi- Use
[amazon box=”B06Y1YD5W7″ rating=”4.5″]
Features:
All stainless steel 3-quart interior with automatic pressure cook programs, plus 3 slow cook settings along with saute, rice cooking and yogurt making settings make this a great instant pot for singles or smaller families. The lid and cooking pot are dishwasher safe so cleanup is fast and easy. The smaller size of this unit lends itself well to travel situations, RVs, dorms, hotel rooms and more.
The power supply is 120v and 700 watts of power at maximum settings.
PROS
- Small and compact
- Stainless steel interior
- Yogurt making capability
CONS
- The small size can be both an asset and a liability because of smaller capacity for meals involving over 3 or 4 people
Price
$$
Warranty
1 Year
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B06Y1YD5W7″ value=”button”]
Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use
[amazon box=”B00FLYWNYQ” rating=”4.5″]
Features:
This 6-quart instant pot comes with numerous features and some nice extras including a recipe book, measuring cup, steam rack and rice paddle. There are 14 smart programs in the microprocessor for cooking various soups, meats, stews, chili and other dishes.
The interior is 304 stainless steel with three layers for even cooking and heating. There are 7 modes of use which are warmer, pressure cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, saute, rice cooker and slow cooker.
PROS
- 6-quart capacity
- 7 modes of use
- Stainless steel interior
- 14 smart program modes
- Yogurt making mode
CONS
- Higher price than some other 6-quart models
Price
$$
Warranty
1 Year
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B00FLYWNYQ” value=”button”]
Instant Pot DUO Plus 60, 6 Qt 9-in-1 Multi- Use
[amazon box=”B01NBKTPTS” rating=”4.5″]
Features:
This model has a beautiful LCD screen and 9 different use modes which include pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, saute, egg cooker, sterilizer, warmer and steamer. 15 different microprocessor programs make cooking easy and take away the guesswork. The interior is 304 stainless steel with 3 layer bottom for better and more even heating.
This unit comes with a steam rack, serving spoon, soup spoon, measuring cup and recipe book. 10 safety features built in give you extra confidence and peace of mind.
PROS
- Stainless steel interior
- 6-quart capacity
- 15 program modes
- Yogurt maker
- Egg cooker
- 10 safety features
CONS
- More expensive than some 6-quart models but with additional features
Price
$$
Warranty
1 Year
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B01NBKTPTS” value=”button”]
Instant Pot DUO Plus 3 Qt 9-in-1 Multi- Use
[amazon box=”B075CYMYK6″ rating=”4.5″]
Features:
10 safety features, a stainless steel interior and 9 use modes make this 3-quart instant pot very flexible and easy to use. The 9 use modes include pressure cooker, warmer, yogurt maker, sterilizer, steamer, slow cooker, rice cooker, egg cooker and saute.
There are 13 smart programs to cook different dishes such as stews, chili, soup and porridge. There are 10 different safety mechanisms internal to the cooker and the stainless steel cooking area seals in all the flavor.
This unit comes with a steam rack, serving spoon, soup spoon, measuring cup and recipe book and has a 24-hour delay, automatic start, and keep warm programmability. This unit is good for smaller families or singles and couples.
PROS
- 9 use modes
- 13 smart programs
- 10 safety features
- Stainless steel interior
CONS
- Small 3-quart capacity
Price
$$
Warranty
1 Year
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B075CYMYK6″ value=”button”]
Cuisinart CPC-600 6 Quart 1000 Watt Electric Pressure Cooker
[amazon box=”B000MPA044″ rating=”4.5″]
Features:
6-quart capacity with simple push button controls, digital display with 5 use mode settings which include pressure cooking, simmering, sauteing, warming and browning. The internal nonstick cooking pot is dishwasher safe and comes with a 3-year warranty.
PROS
- 6-quart capacity
- Dish washer safe cooking pot
- 3 year warranty
- Simple push button controls
CONS
- No programmable cooking selections
Price
$$
Warranty
3 Years
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B000MPA044″ value=”button”]
Instant Pot LUX80 8 Qt 6-in-1 Multi- Use
[amazon box=”B071VCMK97″ rating=”4.5″]
Features:
Instant pot with 8 quarts of capacity great for big families. There are 6 use modes like pressure cooker, slow cooker saute, rice cooker, warmer and steamer.
The exterior is brushed stainless steel and fingerprint resistant, 24-hour delay start, automatic start and keep warm mode of up to 10 hours with 3 temperature settings in saute and slow cook give you lots of flexibility.
The pressure cooker can be programmed to go for up to 240 continuous minutes. The interior is 304 food-grade stainless steel for even heating and sealing to keep all the flavor in.
PROS
- 6-quart capacity for big families
- 6 use modes
- Stainless steel interior
- Brushed stainless exterior
CONS
- Not as many features as other models
Price
$$
Warranty
3 Years
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B071VCMK97″ value=”button”]
Tayama TMC-60XL 6 Quart 8 in 1 Multi Function
[amazon box=”B07HYHT5Z5″ rating=”4.5″]
Features:
Tayama boasts this unit has flavor infusion technology to trap super heated steam and force liquid and moisture into your food.
This model has a digital display and a safe-lock lid with 8 different mode uses which are pressure cooker, canning, steamer, warmer, slow cooker, rice cooker and more. There is an automatic keep warm mode
PROS
- Flavor infusion technology
- 8 use modes
- Automatic keep warm mode
- Safe lock lid
- Sturdy handle
CONS
- Fewer settings and options than other models
Price
$$
Warranty
1 Year
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B07HYHT5Z5″ value=”button”]
Instant Pot Lux 6 Qt Red 6-in-1 Muti-Use
[amazon box=”B07C944DCG” rating=”4.5″]
Features:
This instant pot has an egg and cake cooking mode plus 6 others which include pressure cooker, rice cooker, saute, slow cooker, warmer and steamer. Also there are 12 smart built-in programs to cook dishes like soup, stew, rice and others.
The keep warm feature can be set for up to 10 hours and the pressure cook setting can be programmed for up to 240 minutes. 304 food-grade stainless steel inner cooking pot with 3 layer bottom for even heating keeps everything fully sealed to keep all the flavor right there.
PROS
- 6-quart capacity
- Cake and egg use modes
- 6 use modes
- Stainless steel interior
- 10 hour keep warm mode
CONS
- Fewer program modes than some other models
Price
$$
Warranty
1 Year
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B07C944DCG” value=”button”]
COSORI 7-in-1 6 Qt Electric Pressure Cooker
[amazon box=”B06VV9M11N” rating=”4.5″]
Features:
6-quart capacity instant pot with 7 use modes including pressure cooker, warmer, slow cooker, saute, yogurt maker, steamer and rice cooker. This unit has 6 separate pressure settings for greater flexibility in your cooking and recipes.
The programmable settings allow for a 24 hour delay, automatic start, 24-hour keep warm mode and 14 other selections for various recipes. 304 food-grade stainless steel has no chemical coatings with 3 bottom layers to ensure even heating and cooking.
This unit has a tempered glass lid, spare seal, steaming rack, recipe book, measuring cup and rice spoon as added accessories. There are 9 internal safety mechanisms plus a pressure release button to add to confidence and safety. A 1-year warranty plus a 1-year free extension give this unit plenty of value.
PROS
- Stainless steel interior
- 6-quart capacity
- 6 pressure settings
- 1-year warranty plus 1 year free extension
- Yogurt maker
- 24-hour keep warm mode
- 9 internal features
CONS
- Still looking for one
Price
$$
Warranty
2 Years
Where to Buy
[amazon fields=”B06VV9M11N” value=”button”]
Product FAQ
1. What Is an Instant Pot?
An instant pot is a stand-alone programmable pressure cooker with multiple selectable options such as time, pressure, delay start and others. Additionally, each instant pot has several additional cooking modes or settings for canning, steaming, cooking rice, sterilizing and making yogurt.
2. How Does an Instant Pot Cook Food Faster?
Food cooks faster because the water and moisture, when under pressure, do not boil until higher temperatures are reached. These higher temperatures significantly reduce cooking times.
3. What Are Some Modes Besides Pressure Cooking?
Each brand and model varies but sterilizing, steaming, warming, slow cooking, yogurt making, canning and more are available depending on the make and model.
The Verdict
All of the instant pots reviewed here allow singles, couples or families to save time and effort in cooking meals in a way that allows for more healthy meals. But in trying to decide which is the best, we settled on the Cosori 7 in 1 6 Quart Pressure Cooker.
[amazon box=”B06VV9M11N” rating=”4.5″]
First, the flexibility of this product is greater than the others. It is the only one with 6 separate pressure settings which allows for many more options in cooking and recipes. The 6 quart capacity is good for everything from singles to mid-size families.
The stainless-steel interior is durable and tough and the 7 different use functions make this unit adaptable and it has the yogurt making feature which is nice. The 9 internal safety features give you confidence and peace of mind while the 1-year warranty with free 1-year extension lets you know the manufacturer has confidence in its own product.
This unit hits the mid-range in price of the instant pots reviewed here so there is plenty of value in this make and model.