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The best Instant Pots for most kitchens
The Instant Pot Duo Plus wins for its clear display, flexible settings and easy-to-use safety features, while the Duo saves money.
| Best overall | Best value | Cheapest that's still good | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Quart | Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6-Quart | Instant Pot Rio Mini 4-Quart Multi-Cooker |
| Price | about $140 | about $110 | about $70 |
| Why | Good Housekeeping names it best overall, and its brighter display and adjustable settings make it easier to use than the basic Duo. It adds useful programs without the cost and complexity of a connected cooker. | Good Housekeeping names the Duo its best value, and it covers the essential cooking modes for less than the Duo Plus. Its rice performance stood out in the lab tests. | Tom’s Guide calls the Rio Mini its budget pick and found it a capable compact cooker with seven cooking functions. Its smaller capacity and lower price make it a reasonable option for singles or couples. |
| Good to know | It costs more than the standard Duo for features some cooks may rarely use. | Natural pressure release took more than 35 minutes in Good Housekeeping’s test. | It preheats slowly and manual steam release can be loud. |
| See on Amazon | See on Amazon | See on Amazon |
picture by AIGood Housekeeping names it best overall, and its brighter display and adjustable settings make it easier to use than the basic Duo. It adds useful programs without the cost and complexity of a connected cooker.
Good to know: It costs more than the standard Duo for features some cooks may rarely use.
See on Amazonpicture by AIGood Housekeeping names the Duo its best value, and it covers the essential cooking modes for less than the Duo Plus. Its rice performance stood out in the lab tests.
Good to know: Natural pressure release took more than 35 minutes in Good Housekeeping’s test.
See on Amazonpicture by AITom’s Guide calls the Rio Mini its budget pick and found it a capable compact cooker with seven cooking functions. Its smaller capacity and lower price make it a reasonable option for singles or couples.
Good to know: It preheats slowly and manual steam release can be loud.
See on AmazonDanilli may earn a small commission from Amazon when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Product pictures are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.
What matters
A 6-quart pot suits many households, while smaller models take less space but make fewer portions. Compare ease of use, pressure-release controls and the cooking features you’ll actually use.
Who this is for
Choose the Duo Plus for a versatile everyday cooker; the Duo for a lower-cost workhorse. The 4-quart Rio Mini is better for one or two people with limited space.
The picks, one by one
Best overall: Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Quart
Good Housekeeping names it best overall, and its brighter display and adjustable settings make it easier to use than the basic Duo. It adds useful programs without the cost and complexity of a connected cooker. It offers 25 customizable programs and pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, rice, yogurt and sous vide, among other functions. Good Housekeeping liked being able to change time and pressure while cooking. The anti-spin pot helps when sautéing, and the lid and inner pot are dishwasher-safe. Skip it if you only need basic pressure cooking and would rather save the difference.
Good to know: It costs more than the standard Duo for features some cooks may rarely use.
See on AmazonBest value: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6-Quart
Good Housekeeping names the Duo its best value, and it covers the essential cooking modes for less than the Duo Plus. Its rice performance stood out in the lab tests. The Duo pressure cooks, slow cooks, steams, sautés, makes rice and yogurt, and keeps food warm. Good Housekeeping found that it produced tender rice that wasn’t mushy. It has high and low pressure settings and a stainless-steel inner pot. It’s a sensible pick if you don’t need the Plus model’s extra programs or display upgrades.
Good to know: Natural pressure release took more than 35 minutes in Good Housekeeping’s test.
See on AmazonCheapest that's still good: Instant Pot Rio Mini 4-Quart Multi-Cooker
Tom’s Guide calls the Rio Mini its budget pick and found it a capable compact cooker with seven cooking functions. Its smaller capacity and lower price make it a reasonable option for singles or couples. It pressure cooks, slow cooks, sautés, steams, cooks rice and yogurt, and keeps food warm. Tom’s Guide measured about 17 minutes to preheat in its tests and found the cooker notably loud during steam release. The 4-quart size takes less counter space than a full-size cooker. Skip it if you regularly cook for a family or want quiet, quick preheating.
Good to know: It preheats slowly and manual steam release can be loud.
See on AmazonHow we chose
Good Housekeeping tested eight Instant Pots over time, measuring pressure and release times and cooking stew and rice while assessing usability. Tom’s Guide tested the Rio Mini, including its preheating time, and noted its noise during steam release. Danilli read the reviews and tests listed below and compared current prices; it does not take money from brands to pick a product.
Sources
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Written with Danilli's AI from the sources above and refreshed about once a month; prices change, check Amazon for today's price. Danilli may earn a small commission from Amazon when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Product pictures are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.