The Best Instant Pot to Buy in 2022: Complete Buying Guide

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is Instant Pot’s combination air fryer and pressure cooker, with a separate lid for each function. If you only need a cooker for one or two or don’t plan to meal prep, then the Instant Pot DUO Mini can save you some money with the same functions and performance, just a smaller quantity. If you want the best option with a good capacity, then the Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Quart is a higher ranking option that offers the same cooking performance that is easier to use. In designing the DUO Nova, Instant Pot took an already user-friendly machine and added a convenient pressure release button. Hi Emily – I have a separate air fryer, so I don’t use the air fryer lid very often. The Duo Crisp does not have the Yogurt function nor some of the other shortcut buttons like rice, brown rice, etc.

It’s a step up from the base model Lux because it cooks at High and Low Pressure. Williams Sonoma has a limited edition line of Star Wars themed Instant Pot Duos. I’m particularly fond of R2D2, though to my disappointment, it doesn’t beep like R2 when you’re cooking. Instant Pot Duo Crisp 8-quart Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer. If you don’t have a lot of space in your kitchen, this 8-quart is two great appliances in one. Seriously, so much food fits in the Instant Pot Duo Nova 10-quart.

Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Thanks to Barbara for this article on choosing an Instant Pot model.

instant pot duo nova

The lid can go in the dishwasher, and it is ergonomically designed to be used by both left-handed and right-handed users. A stainless steel rack is included with the Instant Pot pressure cooker that can also be washed in the dishwasher after your meal is finished. This cooking pot is composed of food-grade stainless steel that’s free of chemical coatings. This particular Instant Pot is a Walmart exclusive, but it’s almost identical to the standard Duo Nova aside from its front panel looking a bit different.

If you don’t yet have an Instant Pot and can possibly swing the extra bucks, the Duo Evo Plus is the one to choose. Supposedly the Duo Evo Plus was designed after collecting user comments and suggestions about what features a new model should have. For most folks, even families, a 6 quart will make a dish that will feed even a pretty large family. Don’t forget the larger the pressure cooker, the longer it will take to come to pressure. The Instant Pot Max has an automatic pressure release feature that you set when you begin cooking.

We’ve always Instant Pot models because the lid can be stored upright in either of the handles on either side of the machine. This allows you to put the lid out of the way, no matter which hand you like to stir with, without setting it down on a potentially dirty countertop. I gave the nod to the Pro Crisp because I prefer the pot, display, and redesigned pressure cooking lid of the Pro Crisp model.

If the yogurt button is a deal-breaker for you, the all-in-one Ultimate Lid is the only air frying pressure cooker that has that option. Keep in mind instant pot duo nova that the Ultimate Lid model is heavier than either the Duo Crisp or the Pro Crisp. I would love to know your recommendation for a 6 qt Instant Pot.

Camping in the backyard is fun and I may just get a 3 qt mini for use going forward. I knew this remodel was upcoming and got a V3 duo plus expressly for this purpose. I did not like it particularly and it’s sauté function is not very hot. If you’re in the market for an 8-quart pressure cooker, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp would be a really great choice.

This gully almost inevitably gathers some crumbs or condensation or whatnot during the stirring and serving process and can be a bit difficult to clean. Additionally, we found many meat-based pressure cooker recipes suggest significantly longer cooking times than Instant Pot suggests for the same cut of meat. In those situations, we generally found Instant Pot’s recommendations to be more on point, with the longer cook times bringing about slightly drier and tougher results.

Even for singles or couples I still think a 6 qt is the best choice for one’s first or only IP. The VAST majority of recipes online or in books are written for 6 qt. Also you may initially THINK you aren’t going to make some of the recipes instant vortex that require a 6 qt but may soon really “get into” pressure cooking and wish you had the 6 quart. The only time I recommend a 3 quart is as a second pressure cooker. There are only two of us and our primary Instant Pot is a 6 quart.