Best Instant Pots of 2021 – CNET [CNET]

November 9, 2021 Thomas Giboney technology

If you’re wondering how to use an Instant Pot, look no further than our guide to using your Instant Pot. But first, you’ll need to decide which Instant Pot is the best for you and your cooking needs — and that’s another matter altogether. Don’t worry, we can help with that, too.

The popular line of multicookers may have started with one model, but the brand now has an entire fleet of Instant Pot each with its own distinct features, programs, cooking functions and price tags. There are Instant Pots that air fry, others that sous-vide and even multicookers that connect to Wi-Fi to be controlled via a mobile device or smart home integration like Google Home or Amazon Alexa.

It’s true. Over a dozen models exist in the Instant Pot family and that may seem like a lot to sort through especially if it’s your first time buying a multicooker. We’re here to help you figure out the best Instant pot one for your culinary needs. While these handy kitchen cookers all look similar on the outside, they aren’t all created equal. All the Instant Pots will do the basic functions of pressure cooking, slow cooking, warming and sautéing. But from there, different models prove better for different kinds of cooking like precision programs, air frying, yogurt making and even sous-vide cooking.

If you’re looking for an Instant Pot that performs specific food functions such as cooking eggs, making yogurt or even canning fruit, you’ll need to know which models can actually do that. Here are our favorite Instant Pot models and what they do best to help you find the perfect fit. We update this list periodically.

Best overall and for beginners: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1

$70 at Amazon

Best for slow cooking: Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1

$135 at Amazon

Best for air frying: Instant Pot Duo Crisp

$199 at Amazon

Best for an expert user: Instant Pot Pro

$130 at Amazon

Best smart home integration: Instant Pot Smart Wi-Fi

Read our Instant Pot Smart WiFi review.

$150 at Best Buy

Which Instant Pot is right for you?

Food-specific modes and options will be the difference-maker when it comes to picking the best Instant Pot for your cooking needs, or the one you’ll be able to use the most. If you want to venture into making your own yogurt, or if you love hard-boiled eggs, it’s worth it to pay a bit more for an Instant Pot that can do those things.

When it comes to choosing the right size, Instant Pot recommends a 3-quart model for one or two people. Families of six or fewer will likely be happy with the 6-quart multicooker. If you have a large household or host large groups often, consider springing for an 8-quart model.

There are options from other brands, too. We recently reviewed a great Wi-Fi multicooker from ChefIQ. It does more than Instant Pot’s Wi-Fi model and comes with an integrated scale, nonstick pot and helpful iOS or Android app. It costs $200, so if you’re not ready to graduate to a high-end model, Instant Pot’s more affordable options are great for beginners.

If you’re still not sure which model will be the best Instant Pot for your kitchen, take a look at Instant Pot’s product comparison chart or its guide to choosing the right cooker. At the end of the day, all of these models offer the basic pressure cooking and slow cooking modes Instant Pot is known for performing so well.