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The best Instant Pots and multicookers, in plain English

A multicooker is a pressure cooker (it cooks fast with trapped steam) that also slow cooks and makes rice. We read hands-on tests and boiled them down: which Instant Pot to get and when a fancier one is worth it.

  • Last reviewed October 20, 2026
  • 5 multicookers
  • 6 expert reviews read

We didn't test these ourselves. We read reviews from experts who test products hands-on, then summed up where they agree and where they don't. Every source is linked. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Our top pick in each group. Tap one to jump to the details.

Best for most people Instant Pot Duo Plus (6 qt) $100–$130 Easy, reliable and does almost everything. See details Best for searing Instant Pot Pro (6 or 8 qt) $130–$190 Flat pot that browns meat evenly. See details Best guided cooking CHEF iQ Smart Pressure Cooker $150–$200 Step-by-step recipes and a built-in scale. See details

Before you buy: 3 quick checks

Size and features matter more than the number of presets.

Pick a size

6 quarts feeds a family of four. A 3-quart is great for one or two people, and 8 quarts suits big families and batch cooking.

It's not instant

Pressure cooking needs time to build up and release pressure. A 'quick' stew still takes about an hour in total, but it's mostly hands-off.

Release steam safely

Keep your hands and face away from the steam vent, and follow the manual for releasing pressure. Never force the lid open.

Compare at a glance

On a phone, swipe the table sideways to see every column.

MulticookerBest forTypical priceSizeFunctions
1. Instant Pot Duo Plus (6 qt) Best for most people $100–$1306 quarts (also 3 and 8)9 functions
2. Instant Pot Pro (6 or 8 qt) Best for searing $130–$1906 or 8 quarts10 functions
3. Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart (6 qt) Best smart $170–$2206 quarts10 functions plus app
4. CHEF iQ Smart Pressure Cooker Best guided cooking $150–$2006 quartsMany presets plus app
5. Breville the Fast Slow Pro Best premium $280–$3306 quartsPressure and slow cook

The 5 best multicookers, explained

Best overall first. Prices are typical ranges, not live prices, so check Amazon for today's price.

#1Best for most people

Instant Pot Duo Plus (6 qt)

  • 6 quarts (also 3 and 8)
  • 9 functions
  • Quieter, safer steam release

$100–$130typical price

The easy, do-it-all Instant Pot that most testers recommend. Reviewed names it the best pressure cooker for most people, TechGearLab the best overall, and Tom's Guide the most versatile Instant Pot.

What testers liked

  • Excellent cooking results.
  • Guided cooking and 9 functions, including slow cook, rice and yogurt.
  • Parts clean up in the dishwasher.

Common complaints

  • No handles on the inner pot.
  • Settings take some trial and error, and it's tall for some shelves.

Skip it if: You want to sear meat a lot. The Instant Pot Pro's flat-bottom pot browns better.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (3)

Summed up from Reviewed, TechGearLab, Tom's Guide.

#2Best for searing

Instant Pot Pro (6 or 8 qt)

  • 6 or 8 quarts
  • 10 functions
  • Inner pot works on the stove

$130–$190typical price

A step-up Instant Pot with a flat-bottomed pot that browns meat evenly and has handles. America's Test Kitchen names the 8-quart the best multicooker, and Taste of Home picks the 6-quart as the best pressure cooker overall.

What testers liked

  • Sears evenly, so stews taste richer.
  • Silicone handles let you lift out the pot.
  • Easy, safer switch for releasing steam.

Common complaints

  • The stainless pot isn't nonstick, so cleanup takes more effort.
  • A weak slow cooker, and baking is limited to steamy dishes like cheesecake.

Skip it if: Slow cooking is your main use. A dedicated slow cooker does it better.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from America's Test Kitchen, Taste of Home.

#3Best smart

Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart (6 qt)

  • 6 quarts
  • 10 functions plus app
  • Control and release steam from your phone

$170–$220typical price

An Instant Pot you can control from a phone app, including releasing steam from across the room. Forbes Vetted names it the best Instant Pot overall, and Tom's Guide picks it as the best smart model.

What testers liked

  • Reliable and intuitive.
  • Release steam from the app, away from the hot vent.
  • Heats up quickly, with silicone pot handles.

Common complaints

  • Hard-to-clean spots.
  • Fewer presets than some models, and only one size.

Skip it if: You don't want an app. The Duo Plus or Pro does the cooking just as well.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from Forbes Vetted, Tom's Guide.

#4Best guided cooking

CHEF iQ Smart Pressure Cooker

  • 6 quarts
  • Many presets plus app
  • Built-in scale

$150–$200typical price

A smart pressure cooker with a built-in scale and an app that walks you through each recipe step by step. Reviewed names it the best value, and Taste of Home picks it for tech fans.

What testers liked

  • Step-by-step guided recipes.
  • Built-in scale weighs ingredients right in the pot.
  • Comes with accessories for rice, yogurt and more.

Common complaints

  • You need a smartphone to get the most out of it.
  • Pricier than a basic Instant Pot.

Skip it if: You'd rather not use a phone while cooking.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from Reviewed, Taste of Home.

#5Best premium

Breville the Fast Slow Pro

  • 6 quarts
  • Pressure and slow cook
  • Releases steam automatically

$280–$330typical price

A premium multicooker that releases steam on its own and sears meat well. TechGearLab calls it the runner-up for best overall, and America's Test Kitchen recommends it with reservations.

What testers liked

  • Automatic steam release.
  • Great results with meat, rice, stew and beans.
  • Good at both pressure and slow cooking.

Common complaints

  • Very expensive.
  • The attached lid stands upright, gets in the way and is tedious to clean.

Skip it if: You're on a budget. The Instant Pot Duo Plus cooks nearly as well for a third of the price.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from TechGearLab, America's Test Kitchen.

How we pick

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