(checked 2026-10-10)The listing pools the 6-qt and 8-qt sizes (about 14,200 ratings).
The expert consensus upgrade, with a stovetop-safe pot with handles, a gentler steam release and the fastest pressurizing in Serious Eats' tests. It costs more, its extra modes (bake, sous vide) disappoint, and some Amazon owners report units failing.
Top complaints
- Extra functions underwhelm
Wirecutter's bake test produced uncooked goo after an hour, and its sous vide setting ran low. Serious Eats also found sous vide much less reliable than an immersion circulator.
- Price and mixed cook-time reports
Food Network says it is pricier than other Instant Pots and most presets may go unused. Amazon's summary calls value for money and heat output mixed, and some owners say it takes longer than traditional cookers.
- Still a weak in-pot sear; fiddly to clean
Serious Eats had brisket stick to the not-so-hot pot. Taste of Home says the uncoated insert takes effort to clean, and Tom's Guide found the 2025 Pro a pain to clean.
What owners love
- Handled, stovetop-safe pot
The stainless pot has stay-cool handles, doesn't spin, and works on the stove (including induction) or in the oven up to 450°F.
- Fastest to pressure, gentler release
Serious Eats found it pressurized the fastest of every electric model it tested. Its diffuser cover makes quick release quieter (Wirecutter).
- Clear screen, five sauté levels
Large readable LCD with a dial, savable presets, five sauté temperatures and an extra sealing ring (Wirecutter). Food Network found the lid easier to lock.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Food Network
- You're on a tight budget
- You'd buy it for the sous vide or bake modes
- You only cook occasionally
- Frequent pressure cooking
- Searing on the stove then finishing in the pot
- People who want a quieter, gentler steam release
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Upgrade pick: the Instant Pot most worth the extra money, but its bake and sous vide modes disappoint and it didn't preheat noticeably faster in Wirecutter's timing.
- Serious Eats: Best electric pressure cooker and best Instant Pot (2026): fastest to pressurize with a stovetop-safe handled pot; like all electrics, it sears poorly.
- Taste of Home: Best overall (2024): browned pork well and made a tender roast in about 30 minutes; the uncoated insert takes effort to clean.