Thinking about buying an electric pressure cooker, but are not sure which Instant Pot sizes are available? Let’s a take a quick look at the sizes available and in which IP models.
There are 3 primary Instant Pot sizes for you to choose from: 3 quart, 6 quart, and 8 quart. There is also a 5 quart model, which is an earlier size that still has some availability. The most common, and most popular of the 3 sizes is the 6 quart model.
Instant Pot Sizes by Models
For the main Instant Pot series models, they are available in each of the 3 sizes (3 quart, 6 quart, and 8 quart). There are a few Instant Pot models that are currently only available in the 6 quart models (Max, Nova Plus, Smart).
| 3 Quart | 6 Quart | 8 Quart | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant Pot Lux | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Intant Pot Duo | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Instant Pot Duo Plus | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Instant Pot Ultra | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Instant Pot Viva | Yes* | Yes | Yes |
| Instant Pot Max | Yes | ||
| Instant Pot Nova Plus | Yes | ||
| Instant Pot Smart Wifi | Yes |
* Note, as I saw noted in a few places the Smart Bluetooth was discontinued, I removed it from the comparison.
Instant Pot 3 Quart Models
The 3 quart Instant Pot is available in 4 models. You may also see this size referred to as the Instant Pot Mini. The 3 quart models include:
- Instant Pot Lux Mini
- Instant Pot Duo Mini
- Instant Pot Duo Plus Mini
- Instant Pot Ultra Mini
There is a Viva 3 quart is listed on the Instant Pot website, but I haven’t found where it’s available for sale yet.
Instant Pot 6 Quart Models
The 6 Quart Instant Pot Similar to the 3 quart models, the Instant Pot 6 quart is available in the core series models along with a few additional versions. The 6 quart models include:
- Lux 6 Quart
- Duo 6 Quart
- Duo Plus 6 Quart
- Ultra 6 Quart
- Max
- Nova Plus
- Smart (WiFi)
The Instant Pot is generally available in black with stainless steel. There are a few special color options for the Lux and Viva 6 quart models. The Lux is available in a Pioneer Woman series and the Viva has 3 additional colors to choose from.
And for some of the additional models, they are exclusive to specific stores, such as the Nova Plus at Costco.
Instant Pot 8 Quart Models
The largest of the Instant Pot sizes, the 8 quart Instant Pots are available in the main series models. The five options available for the 8 quart include:
- Lux 8 Quart
- Duo 8 Quart
- Duo Plus 8 Quart
- Ultra 8 Quart
- Viva 8 Quart
Choose the Instant Pot Size and model that works for you
Fortunately, there are multiple sizes and models for you to choose from, depending on how many people you usually cook for, how you plan to use it, how much space you have available, and how much you want to spend.
The 6 quart model is the most commonly recommended size to choose as it gives a greater range of flexibility, most recipes are written for the 6 quart, and has a wider range of accessories available.
I personally went with a 3 quart model to start because I have limited kitchen storage space (including in the freezer), and I am generally only cooking for 1.
One thing to note about the smaller 3 quart models, they don’t usually have all of the smart programs available in the larger 6 quart sizes. For example, if you want the Cake Smart Program, you’ll need a 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot.
Choose the best size that works for you. Don’t worry, many people expand their collection of Instant Pots over time. And you usually can cook using more than 1 Instant Pot at the same time.
Over to you. What other questions do you have about the Instant Pot sizes?
Have you chosen your first Instant Pot or are you in the market for another one? What are you focusing on when making your decision?
Need help comparing the models? Check out the following:
Check out our following Instant Pot comparisons to help you choose between the models available.
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