Buying Guide · Instant Pots
Instant Pot vs Slow Cooker: Which One Do You Actually Need?
Both promise effortless, hands-off cooking. But they work completely differently — and each has situations where it clearly wins. Here's how to choose.
Quick Verdict
- →Get an Instant Pot if you want one appliance that does it all — pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, and more. It replaces the slow cooker and several others.
- →Get a slow cooker if you want to set a meal going in the morning and have it ready when you get home — with zero supervision required and a lower price tag.
- →If you already have one: the Instant Pot makes the slow cooker redundant. If you have neither, start with the Instant Pot.
| Instant Pot Duo | Slow Cooker | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$80 | ~$30–$60 |
| Cook time (stew) | 35 minutes | 6–8 hours |
| Supervision needed | Minimal | Zero |
| Functions | 7-in-1 | 1 (slow cook) |
| Can sauté | Yes | No |
| Yogurt making | Yes | No |
| Simplicity | Moderate learning curve | Extremely simple |
| Leave home safely | Not recommended | Yes |
The Biggest Difference: Speed
A beef stew that takes 8 hours in a slow cooker takes 35 minutes in an Instant Pot. Dried beans that need overnight soaking plus 2 hours of simmering take 30 minutes from dry in an Instant Pot. If time matters to you, the Instant Pot wins every time.
The Slow Cooker's Edge: True Set-and-Forget
The one thing a slow cooker genuinely beats an Instant Pot at: you can leave the house safely while it cooks. Throw in your ingredients at 8am, leave for work, come home at 6pm to a ready meal. The Instant Pot isn't recommended for unattended use over many hours.
Does the Instant Pot Replace a Slow Cooker?
Yes — the Instant Pot Duo has a built-in slow cook function. It's not quite identical in results (some chefs prefer the slow cooker's gentler, more consistent heat for certain dishes), but for 95% of slow cooker recipes, the Instant Pot works perfectly and gives you pressure cooking on top.
Our Top Instant Pot Pick
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1, 6QT
~$79.99 • The best-selling model worldwide