TL;DR
The Kitchn’s Julie Laing named the Instant Pot Duo Plus 8QT Multi-Use Pressure Cooker her best overall Instant Pot in a product review published the day before the source was provided. The review also recommends a 6-quart Duo, a 4-quart RIO Mini and a smart 6-quart Pro Plus for different needs; its prices were listed as accurate at publication.
The Kitchn reviewer Julie Laing has named the Instant Pot Duo Plus 8QT her best overall Instant Pot, citing its range of cooking functions, approachable controls and redesigned steam-release system. The product review, published the day before the source material was provided, also lists three alternatives for shoppers prioritizing lower cost, smaller size or phone-based controls.
Get kitchen staples and gadgets delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Laing’s top pick is the 8-quart Duo Plus, listed at $159.99 when the article was published. The review says it has nine cooking functions, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice, steaming, sautéing, yogurt, sous vide and a cake setting. A dial controls time, temperature and settings, while the display includes a progress bar and cooking instructions.
The review highlights the model’s quieter steam release, with the vent positioned farther from the release switch, and its capacity for meals serving about six to eight people. It says the inner pot, lid and accessories are dishwasher-safe. One drawback identified by the reviewer is that the cooker has no handles for lifting out the hot inner pot. The listed specifications include a 1,200-watt heating element and a one-year limited warranty.
Three other models fill specific roles in the guide: the 6-quart Duo at a listed $109.99 for budget-minded households; the 4-quart RIO Mini at $89.99 for smaller kitchens; and the 6-quart Pro Plus at $229.95 for people seeking smart features and phone control. These are the article’s recommendations, not a claim that every model suits every buyer.
Matching Cooker Size to Household Needs
The recommendations give shoppers a practical way to compare capacity, price and features across a crowded product line. The 8-quart pick is intended for larger batches, while the smaller Duo and RIO Mini may take up less storage space or cost less upfront. The smart model adds remote controls, but at a higher listed price.
Multicookers combine several kitchen functions in one appliance, and the review says they can handle tasks including pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming and rice preparation. That versatility may matter to households short on storage or seeking one cooker for varied recipes. Still, the review does not establish that any model will replace every appliance for every cook, and buyers should match capacity and controls to their own routines.
Products Worth Considering
Cuisinart 8-in-1 Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
Vitamix VX1 Professional-Grade Blender, 64 oz, Black
Ninja Foodi 7-Qt MegaZone FlexBasket Air Fryer, 6-in-1, Black, DZ071
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How the Review Chose Its Picks
The Kitchn article is a product review and buying guide, not a report of a new product launch or a change announced by Instant Pot. Its author, Julie Laing, is described as a writer and editor with more than 25 years of experience; since 2016, her work has focused on original recipes and kitchen tools. The source says she has tested multicookers for decades.
The guide notes that Instant Pot has a broad lineup, with models that add functions such as yogurt making and sous vide. It also discloses that The Kitchn independently selects products and may earn a commission if readers buy through its links. The listed prices were accurate at the time of publication, rather than guaranteed current prices.
““the Duo Plus hits all of the high points at a mid-level price.””
— The Kitchn’s description of the Duo Plus
Prices and Performance Limits
The source supplies publication-time prices, but does not establish whether retailers still charge those amounts. It also does not provide a full account of comparative testing methods, such as how long each cooker took to pressurize or how performance varied across recipes. The recommendations should be read as the reviewer’s judgments, not as independently verified rankings or guarantees of results.
The material provided gives only partial detail about the alternative models, particularly the RIO Mini and Pro Plus. It does not include current availability, retailer-specific pricing, long-term reliability data or a comparison of repair costs. Those details remain outside the report’s confirmed information.
Check Current Prices Before Buying
Readers considering a purchase can compare current retailer listings with the guide’s publication-time prices, then confirm dimensions, capacity and included accessories for the exact model. The article does not announce a follow-up test or a forthcoming Instant Pot release. Its recommendations may be revisited if prices, availability or the product lineup change.
Key Questions
Which Instant Pot does the review rank best overall?
The Kitchn names the Instant Pot Duo Plus 8QT Multi-Use Pressure Cooker its best overall pick, based on its functions, controls and steam-release design.
What were the listed prices?
The article listed the Duo Plus at $159.99, the 6-quart Duo at $109.99, the 4-quart RIO Mini at $89.99 and the Pro Plus at $229.95. The source says prices were accurate at publication; current prices may differ.
Which model does the review recommend for a smaller kitchen?
The guide names the 4-quart RIO Mini as its small-kitchen pick, citing its compact size and range of features.
What drawback does the review identify for the Duo Plus?
The review says the inner cooking pot has no handles, which can make it harder to lift when hot.
Does the article prove the Duo Plus is best for every buyer?
No. It is the reviewer’s best-overall selection. The guide separately recommends models for shoppers who prioritize budget, compact size or smart controls, and it does not claim one cooker fits every household.
Source: thekitchn.com
