Which Instant Pot or multicooker should you choose?

How many litres do you need?

Instant Pot makes multicookers in a few sizes: 3.8 litres (Classic Mini), 5.7 litres (most models), 7.1 litres (Rio XL and the Superior slow cooker) and 7.6 litres (larger Duo, Pro and Duo Crisp models). The number of portions the maker states grows with the size:

• 3.8 litres: up to 4 portions. The Classic Mini is compact and suits one or two people, or a small family.
• 5.7 litres: up to 6 portions. The usual choice for a household of three or four, such as the Classic 5.7 L or the Duo 5.7 L.
• 7.6 litres: up to 8 portions. For bigger families, meal prep or frequent guests, such as the Duo 7.6 L.

A fill limit always applies: when pressure cooking you may only fill the pot to a certain point. Follow the manual. Choose a size up rather than too small, unless space is tight.

Duo, Pro, Plus, Classic or Rio?

The series names differ mainly in extra functions. According to the product names:

• Classic and Duo are the 7-in-1 models: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yoghurt maker and sauté. That is enough for most people.
• Duo Plus (9-in-1) adds sous vide and quieter steam release (Whisper Quiet), as on the Duo Plus 5.7 L.
• Pro (10-in-1) has a stainless steel inner pot, sous vide and five programmable favourites, for example the Pro 5.7 L and the Pro 7.6 L.
• Plus WiFi and Pro WiFi can be controlled with an app, such as the Plus WiFi 5.7 L and the Pro WiFi 5.7 L.
• Rio is another line, including the Rio XL 7.1 L.

If you don't need an app, sous vide or a stainless steel pot, a Classic or Duo goes a long way. If you want a stainless steel inner pot, look at the Pro line.

Duo Crisp: with an air fryer lid

The Duo Crisp has two lids: one for pressure cooking and one for air frying. According to Instant Pot the 5.7 litre version has 11 programs, 6 with the pressure cooker lid and 5 with the air fryer lid. You can braise first and crisp afterwards without buying a separate air fryer. You do get a heavier, bigger appliance: 8.9 kg according to Instant Pot for the 5.7 litre. They are the Duo Crisp 5.7 L and Duo Crisp 7.6 L; the Pro Crisp 7.6 L is the version with two removable lids and sous vide.

If you mostly air fry, a separate air fryer is often handier: it is lighter and has more room. Choose the Duo Crisp if you want one appliance that does both.

Pressure cooking or slow cooking?

When pressure cooking, the lid seals the pot. The pressure makes the food cook at a higher temperature, so it is done sooner. That suits stews, soup, beans and rice. For some models makers state up to 70% faster cooking. Slow cooking does the opposite: hours at a low temperature, handy if you want to start in the morning and eat in the evening.

A multicooker can do both, plus steaming, cooking rice and, on many models, making yoghurt. If you only want to slow cook, a simple slow cooker such as the Superior 7.2 L is enough; it is not a pressure cooker.

Wattage and safety

Instant Pot states 1500 W for the Duo Crisp 5.7 litre; the Pro WiFi 5.7 litre mentions 1200 W in its product name. That power suits an ordinary socket circuit, but don't run a kettle or oven on it at the same time. Use the pot only with its steam release and follow the manual when opening the lid.

Compare prices

On the Instant Pot pages you see all models. For each model you compare the shops side by side. Check the size (5.7 or 7.6 litres) and the colour: every version has its own EAN and so its own price. Cucetta doesn't test the appliances itself; we state what the manufacturer gives.