Instant Pots have grown considerably in popularity over the past few years, and there’s no questioning why. Not only are they easy to use, but they’re huge time savers in the kitchen. An Instant Pot also means you can ditch your crock pot and save some space in the kitchen.
As of 2023, there are way too many types of Instant Pots available on the market. Choosing the perfect model for your needs can be daunting. What even is the difference between the Instant Pot 11-in-1 and the 7-in-1? It seems this ratio is getting bigger and bigger every year (and it actually is).
Keep reading to learn more about the different Instant Pot models in Canada and how to choose the best Instant Pot for your cooking needs.
Our Top Picks of 2023:
- Best Overall: Instant Pot Pro
- Best For Beginners: Instant Pot Duo
- Best With Air Fryer: Instant Pot Pro Crisp
- Best Customization Options: Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus
- Best For Home Chefs: Instant Pot Ultra
What is an instant pot?
An Instant Pot is a multipurpose kitchen appliance that lets you pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, warm up, steam, make yogurt, and much more. Depending on the model you choose, some Instant Pots can even dehydrate, sanitize, and air fry.
As a multicooker, an Instant Pot essentially eliminates the need for owning multiple kitchen appliances and can allow you to save both time and space in the kitchen.
What is the best Instant Pot in Canada in 2023?
You probably know by now that there are way too many Instant Pots on the market to keep track of. Here are our reviews of the best Instant Pots out there and why we think they’re great.
Instant Pot Duo
Why we like it
- Great for beginners
- Simple but highly effective
- Most affordable option
- Available in 3, 6, or 8 quarts
The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 is the most popular line of Instant Pots available on the market in Canada. It’s perfect for beginners who don’t need more advanced features like dehydrating, air frying, and baking.
In terms of cooking options, the Duo lets you pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, warm, and sterilize. It also has settings for making rice, grains, and yogurt, and for cooking sous vide.
It’s available in 3, 6, or 8 quarts. The only real downside with this model is that its inner pot is not stove top friendly.
Instant Pot Pro
Why we like it
- Preheats faster than the Duo
- Has a sterilizing and cake-making function
- Inner pot has silicone handles & is stovetop-friendly
- Upgraded steam release
The Instant Pot Pro was launched in 2021 and is essentially an upgraded version of the Instant Pot Duo. It features a safer steam release, 28 smart programs, and some design upgrades.
The Pro can do everything that the Duo can, with the addition of sous vide, cake making, and sterilizing. That said, the Pro is more recommended for cooking enthusiasts. For the average home cook, the features and customization options offered by the Pro could be more than needed.
Unlike the Duo, the Instant Pot Pro has a stovetop-friendly inner pot with handles that dont overheat. It also comes with inner pot liners that allow you to cook multiple dishes without having to wash the pot in between. It’s available in 6 or 8 quarts.
Instant Pot Pro Crisp
Why we like it
- Offers the most cooking functions, including air frying
- Inner pot is oven-safe and stovetop friendly
- Upgraded LCD display
If you’re looking for the best Instant Pot with an air fryer, the Instant Pot Crisp is for you. In addition to the standard cooking functions offered by most Instant Pots, it lets you air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, broil, and even proof bread. The Pro Crisp truly takes things to the left level and eliminates the need for several other cooking appliances. The only downside is that it’s only available in 8 quarts and is the priciest Instant Pot on the market.
Instant Pot Ultra
Why we like it
- Has 16 built-in programs and 11 cooking functions
- Gives you greater control over cooking functions
The Instant Pot Ultra series is designed for home chefs who want to take better control of their cooking. As a 10-in-1 Instant Pot, it comes with similar cooking options to the Instant Pot Duo, however, you have much greater control over the settings. While most Instant Pots are designed for simplicity, the Ultra is more for precision cooking. This can be overwhelming for your typical home cook, but if you’re passionate about cooking, the precision it offers is well worth the learning curve.
The Ultra also has a slightly different design, since it lets you change settings using a dial instead of buttons.
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus
Why we like it
- Has 48 preset programs that can be customized
- Great for making soups and stews
- Inner pot has silicone handles & is stovetop-friendly
The Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 10-in-1 is one of the most innovative Instant Pots on the market. The Duo Evo Plus is comparable to the Ultra in terms of its customizable cooking options. However, it takes things to the next level and offers stock pot and sous vide functions.
The Duo Evo Plus also has more smart programs than the Ultra, with 48 presets compared to 16. It also has convenient handles and stovetop-friendly inner pot. It’s available in 6 and 8 quarts.
Which Instant Pot is the best?
Which Instant Pot to get will ultimately depend on the size of your household and your specific cooking needs. If all you need it for is a weekly batch of chickpeas, you’ll be satisfied with the most basic Instant Pot model. However, if you’re looking for an Instant Pot that will replace the need for a slow cooker and an air fryer, you might want to look into more feature-rich models.
Here are the main factors to consider when choosing an Instant Pot:
Size Needed
Size is an important factor when deciding which Instant Pot to buy. An Instant Pot that is too big can lead to food waste, whereas an Instant Pot that’s too small can be limiting. If you’re cooking for yourself or a maximum of 3 people, the smallest-sized instant pot (3 quarts) is more than enough. However, if you’re meal-prepping for the week or feeding a large family, the 6 or 8-quart Instant Pot model will come in handy. While most Instant Pot models are available in 3, 6, or 8 quarts, some are only available in 6 or 8 quarts.
Cooking Needs
As a multicooker, an Instant Pot comes with several preset cooking functions. Some of these include pressure cooking, air frying, steaming, slow cooking, warming up, and sautéing. If you’re looking for an Instant Pot that covers the most cooking options, opt for the Instant Pot Crisp 13-in-1. The Crisp also lets you dehydrate foods, proof bread, and air fry. If that’s not necessary, there is also an 11-in-1 Instant Pot, a 10-in-1 Instant Pot, and a 7-in-1 Instant Pot that offer slightly fewer cooking options. If all you need is a pressure cooker with some occasional other uses, opting for the Instant Pot Duo or Duo Plus models would be sufficient.
Why get an instant pot?
An Instant Pot is a must-have kitchen appliance for many reasons. Here are some of the main reasons why you need an Instant Pot in your life:
- Highly versatile & eliminates the need for other appliances
- Saves you time in the kitchen
- Uses less electricity due to energy efficiency
- Easy and intuitive to use
- Easy to clean with minimal components
- Safe to use thanks to its safety features
