Let’s do an Instant Pot Comparison! Wondering which Instant Pot to buy? We are breaking down each Instant Pot to find out which is the best fit for your cooking situation.
Did you know there are numerous versions? We are doing an Instant Pot comparison, a head-to-head competition to help you find the BEST Instant Pot electric pressure cooker for you.
Instant Pot Comparison
Before you go buy your’s (or your second, or third – we don’t judge!) – let’s give a look at each of the various types of electric pressure cookers that the Instant Pot brand has released to help determine which one is best suited for you!
Which Instant Pot Should I Buy?
The OPTIONS – omg, analysis paralysis will set in but this is an investment. So let’s get this Instant Pot comparison show on the road and help you decide which Instant Pot you should buy.
We’ve had our’s IP for the last 6 months and named it our favorite tech kitchen gadget. If you are in the market – you may be trying to determine which Instant Pot is best. Since each different version offers various features, the best Instant Pot varies from person to person.

Let’s Compare Instant Pots
Here is a snap shot of each model. Let’s do an Instant Pot comparison to see what each version offers so that you are well informed and know which would work best for your family.
Instant Pot Duo
The Instant Pot Duo is the best-selling electric pressure cooker. It comes in an array of sizes to meet your needs and also offers 7 kitchen appliances in one! (Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Marker and Warmer)
Instant Pot DUO60
The Instant Pot 6 quart is probably the most popular pot in the line. It it big enough to serve a family of 4-6 people. Personally, I think the Instant Pot Duo60 offers the most bang for yoru buck!
Instant Pot DUO Features:
Features for the Instant Pot DUO include 14 smart programs that will cook your food at a push of a button.
The Duo also offers an automatic keep warm function, keeping your food warm automatically for up to 10 hours.
You can also use the manual keep warm option and keep your food warm, manually for up to 99 hours and 50 minutes! Here are the smart programs:
- Soup
- Meat/Stew
- Bean/Chili
- Poultry,
- Sauté/Simmer
- Rice
- Multigrain
- Porridge
- Steam
- Slow Cook
- Keep Warm
- Yogurt
- Manual
- Pressure Cook
Available Sizes:
The IP Duo comes in 4 sizes and you can find them named as such:
Let’s do an Instant Pot compare of the DUO 6 and the DUO 6 plus.
Instant Pot Model IP-DUO 60 v3 & Instant Pot Duo 8 Plus
The latest IP in the line of electric pressure cookers is the Instant Pot DUO 60 Plus and DUO 8 Plus
Currently the Instant Pot DUO 6 Plus is ranked the #1 Best Seller in Pressure Cookers on Amazon.
- The Instant Pot DUO 60 Plus holds 6 quarts.
- The Instant Pot DUO 8 Plus cooks 8 quarts.
This model features more custom options and improves your cooking usability with a large attractive blue LCD screen.
Replaces Kitchen Appliances
DUO Plus will replace 9 common kitchen appliances:
- Pressure Cooker
- Slow Cooker
- Rice Cooker
- Yogurt Maker
- Egg Cooker
- Sauté
- Steamer
- Warmer
- Sterilizer
- Makes cake too!
The Instant Pot DUO Plus features 15 microprocessor programs, allowing you to achieve the perfect meal every time (or at least, that’s the hope!)
Parts and Cleaning
All components in contact with food are food grade 304 (18/8) Stainless steel including the lid, the inner pot with 3-ply bottom and steam rack with handles. They are easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
Safety
The IP DUO Plus is UL certified with 10 proven safety mechanisms gives you peace of mind. Highly energy efficient, this kitchen friendly cooker emits no steam when cooking, contains all smells and automates your cooking.
Instant Pot 3 Quart
Maybe you don’t need to cook for ALL THE PEOPLE. If you are cooking for just 2-3 people, the Instant Pot 3 quart is the option for you!
Here’s a little more about the Instant Pot 3 Quart or also known as the Instant Pot Duo Mini.
- The Instant Pot 3 quart is ideal for single servings, side dishes
- Makes a great second pot for cooking 2 things at once
- Perfect size for camping or an RV
- Up to 24 hour delay start
- Since it is smaller, it will pressurize faster
- Offers 7 common kitchen appliances in 1
- Pressure Cooker
- Slow Cooker
- Rice Cooker
- Steamer
- Saute
- Yogurt Maker
- Warmer
- Will cook up to 6 cups of uncooked rice (12 cups cooked)
- Check out our Instant Pot Rice post and learn how to cook rice in the IP!
Instant Pot LUX 60 and Lux 60 V3
The LUX 60 is the IP that I own. It’s a great kitchen gadget, though I do think for my second Instant Pot (yes, I’ll be purchasing another!) – I will be purchasing either the Ultra 60 or the DUO 60 Plus.
The reason? I want the ability to cook on both high and low when pressure cooking.
Things to Know About the LUX 60 and V3
- 6 Quart / 1000 W
- High Pressure Only (10.2 – 11.6 psi)
- Automatic Keep Warm: up to 10 hours. Manual Keep Warm up to 10 hours
- Slow Cooker: 0.5 – 20 hours at 3 Temperatures
- Saute: up to 30 minutes at 3 Temperatures
What the LUX 60 offers that the other versions don’t include is up to 240 minutes of pressure cooking time as opposed to 120 minutes.

LUX 60 vs LUX 60 V3 – Instant Pot Comparison
Here is an Instant Pot comparison of the LUX 60 is the older version, the LUX 60 V3 came in out in 2017.
What differs between the LUX 60 vs LUX 60 V3 is the V3 offers the added value of the egg and cake functionality.
Instant Pot Bluetooth Electric Pressure Cooker – IP-Smart
Next we have the smart Instant Pot. This Instant Pot IP-Smart Bluetooth-enabled multifunctional pressure cooker, stainless steel I must add offers the mother load As we do our Instant Pot compare – this is the most fancy of all IPs.
For the kitchen tech gadget junkie, we have just the Instant Pot for you. It’s bluetooth enabled. That’s right, there is an app for your IP!
This smart electric pressure cooker is going to offer you all the features of the IP-DUO with the added benefit of the IP app that allows you to control your device from wherever. Though, unfortunately – the app will NOT fill your pot with liquids, place that meal into the device remotely.
Smart IP Features
Here are the features of the Smart IP:
- You can program and monitor your IP cooking with the free IP app. Expand functionality by upgrading the free app and adding other recipe apps
- The Instant Pot app is available for Android and iOS.
- Multi-Functional fully-programmable, combining the benefits of a pressure cooker
- 14 built-in smart programs, dual pressure (both high and low), automatic keep-warm and 3 temperatures for saute, slow cook and keep-warm
- Ul and ULC certified with 10 proven safety mechanisms; highly energy efficient and kitchen friendly
- Accessories includes: stainless steel steam rack with handle, silicone mini mitts & manual.
Reviews
While overall on Amazon the reviews are high for the bluetooth enabled Instant Pot, there are a few that I do think are worth noting.
All-in-all reading thru all of the good and bad reviews, people say this is the DUO with the added bluetooth option. Will you actually use the bluetooth option? That’s up to you, but from what others say – most of the time you won’t so maybe worth saving your money and purchasing the DUO instead. Just food for thought.
The Smart Pot itself is a very good instrument. However, the bluetooth app is close to worthless.
I bought a smart pot in 2015 and stopped using the app due to its unreliability. I recommend saving $80 and getting the Instant Pot IP-DUO60.
I had purchased the Smart Pot in June 2015. I checked with Instant Pot in February 2017 as I was thinking of purchasing a second instant pot.
I was told that there were no improvements or upgrades to the bluetooth app since June 2015. As a result, I bought the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 instead. The Instant Pot IP-DUO60 is the same as the Smart Pot, $80 cheaper, and without the bluetooth and its app.
Best Instant Pot
All-in-all if you do not have an Instant Pot – any of the above will work just fine. Which IP model is best?
I know for me and my second Instant Pot purchase, I’m planning on going with the IP DUO-80 PLUS. It features all of the features that I want (I really want to make yogurt!) and we have 4 growing kids. We meal prep so making the additional food will help us with making enough food for multiple meals.
Buying a Second Instant Pot for Sides
With 2 pots, I will be able to meal prep in no time. While I can cook 2 different items at once in 1 pot (using a steamer basket) – what I want it is the second for those meals that really require 2 pots. Plus, as I mentioned meal prep. When I can get my Sunday Meal Prep on – my family’s week goes SO much better!
If you are buying a second Instant Pot for sides, I recommend the 3 quart as it is perfect for cooking side dishes!
There is our Instant Pot comparison of each version of IP that is currently available.
- View all of our Instant Pot posts
Do you have an Instant Pot? Which Instant is best for you??
Instant Pot Comparison is part of the Digital Mom Blog series of Instant Pot Recipes