Instant Pot 8 Quart Comparison: the Models Side By side
The Instant Pot 8 Quart is a large electric pressure cooker currently made by Instant Pot. Let’s compare the models and features of the eight models available to help you choose which one is right for you.
And one more note: this post contains affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission if you buy through my link. You won’t pay any more if you use this link.
Instant Pot® (the official name, though sometimes called an Instapot) designs each of their electric pressure cookers to be convenient, safe, and dependable. The 8 quart is the largest option for most models, except for this one Instant Pot that is available as a 10 quart. There are eight 8 quart models currently available, each with slight variations that might make you choose one version over the other.
What is the Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker?
For the last few years, Instant Pot has been a hot topic of conversation across social media. And while you may remember your grandmother or mother’s stovetop pressure cooker, this new kitchen appliance brings convinces and safety to this method of cooking. By speeding up the cooking process, your faster meals are more energy-efficient to cook.
There are multiple 8 quart models for you to choose from and Instant Pots recently released its newest model in September 2019.
Instant Pot 8 Quart Models
The 8 quart Instant Pots are available in the core series models along with a few versions. The eight Instant Pot 8 Quart models are:
- Lux 8 Quart
- Duo 8 Quart
- Duo Nova 8 Quart
- Duo Plus 8 Quart
- Ultra 8 Quart
- Duo Evo Plus 8 Quart
- Viva 8 Quart
- Duo Crisp + Air Fryer
- Pro Crisp + Air Fryer
- Pro 8 Quart (new for 2021)
At this time all of the 8 quart models are available in black with stainless steel. For colorful options, check out the 6 quart Instant Pot Models.
Some of the additional models may be exclusive to specific stores. If you’re having trouble finding a model on Amazon, you may want to check out the different home stores or the Instant Pot website directly.
Save kitchen space by combining multiple appliances into one
The Instant Pot combines multiple appliances into one appliance, saving you counter space, storage space, and money. It’s one kitchen appliance you can use for multiple cooking needs and methods.
All of the 8 quart Instant Pot models combine a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steam, sauté pan, and warmer into one. The yogurt maker, sterilizer, cake/egg maker, and ultra programs are available in specific models in different combinations.
Here is a comparison of the appliances combined in the different 8 Quart Instant Pot options:
| Lux | Duo | Duo Nova | Duo Plus | Ultra | Viva | Duo Evo Plus | Duo Crisp + Air Fryer | Pro | |
| Number of Appliances Combined | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 10 |
| Pressure Cooker | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Slow Cooker | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rice Cooker | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Steamer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sauté/Searing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Yogurt Maker | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Sterilizer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||
| Cake/Egg Maker | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Bake* | Yes | ||||||||
| Warmer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ultra | Yes | ||||||||
| Sous Vide | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| Air Fryer | Yes |
* The Bake reference above is a wet-based mode of cooking. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp also includes a baking feature through its air fryer lid.
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer is very different compared to the other electric pressure cookers as it comes with two lids, enabling both wet and dry cooking methods.
Smart Programs available in the 8 Quart Instant Pot
Instant Pot created smart programs based on extensive testing to help the home chef be able to cook with the press of a button. The smart programs are designed to control pressure, heat intensity, temperature, and duration.
Each Instant Pot series has a slightly different combination of smart programs. Many of the smart programs are common across all 8 quart models, with a few programs being specially available in certain models.
| Lux | Duo | Duo Nova | Duo Plus | Ultra | Viva | Duo Evo Plus | Duo Crisp + Air Fryer | |
| Number of Smart Programs | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 10 | |
| Soup/Broth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Meat/Stew | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Bean/Chili | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Sauté | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rice | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Multigrain | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Poultry | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| Porridge | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Yogurt | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Pressure Cook | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Steam | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Keep Warm | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Slow Cook | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Egg | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Cake | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Ultra | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| Sterilize | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||
| Sous Vide | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| Air Fry* | Yes | |||||||
| Roast* | Yes | |||||||
| Bake* | Yes | |||||||
| Broil* | Yes | |||||||
| Dehydrate* | Yes |
The 8 quart Duo Evo plus is an interesting addition to the Instant Pot lineup. While it has 10 one-touch programs, it’s also customizable with 48 preset programs.
* The 8 quart Duo Crisp + Air Fryer comes with fewer pressure cooking smart programs, and 5 air fryer-specific programs.
Instant Pot 8 Quart Dimensions by Model
Here is a quick comparison of the Instant Pot 8 Quart Dimensions for the Lux, Duo, Duo Nova, Duo Plus, Ultra, Viva, Duo Evo Plus models. Model-by-model, the Instant Pot Mini dimensions are fairly close in terms of size and weight.
And one suggestion comes to mind if the overall Instant Pot weight has you nervous. Try lifting it in pieces (i.e. the lid, line, and heating element). Each part will add to the weight.
The Duo Nova 8 Quart weight is as it’s currently provided by Amazon, but it is also noted as the shipping weight. I think the weight below includes the packaging and the actual electric pressure cooker weighs a few pounds less.
| Length | Width | Height | Weight | |
| Lux 8 Quart | 14.5 | 13.2 | 13.5 | 15.4 lbs |
| Duo 8 Quart | 14.8 | 13.2 | 14 | 15.8 lbs |
| Duo Plus 8 Quart | 14.8 | 13.5 | 14.5 | 15.56 lbs |
| Ultra 8 Quart | 14.8 | 14 | 14.5 | 15.7 lbs |
| Viva 8 Quart | 14.8 | 13.3 | 14.2 | 15.57 lbs |
| Duo Nova 8 Quart (Released August 2019) | 14.8 | 13.6 | 14 | 15.6 lbs |
| Duo Evo Plus (Released September 2019) | 14.37 | 13.9 | 14.2 | 15.82 lbs |
| Duo Crisp + Air Fryer* (Released November 2019) | 14.16 | 13.58 | 14.14 | 22.7 lbs |
| Pro Crips + Air Fryer* | 15.35 | 12.57 | 14.78 | 26.1 lbs |
| Pro 8 Quart (Released March 2021) | 14.4 | 13.9 | 14.2 | 20.9 lbs |
* The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer and Pro Crisp + Air Fryer come with two lids, one for pressure cooking and one for air frying. The Air Fryer lid adds about another inch to the height of this model.
A few more comparisons between the Instant Pot models
All Instant Pots come with a minimum of 10 safety features. The Ultra and Duo Nova have an added safety feature related to the automatic sealing and steam release.
With the exception of the Lux 8 quart model, these Instant Pots have 2 pressure levels (high and low). The Lux model only has high-pressure cooking.
All models have their power cord permanently attached. Many of the smaller quart models have a detachable cord.
Most of the 8 Quart models have a 1200 watt heating element with a 120V – 60Hz power supply. The new 8 Quart Duo Evo Plus has a 1400 watt heating element. These specifications are based on the models available for sale in the United States. If you are purchasing outside of the country, double-check the specifications locally available.
The original 8 quart models come with a sealing ring, stainless steel steam rack with handles, rice paddle, soup spoon, measuring cup, condensation collector and recipe booklet.
For the new Duo Nova and Duo Evo Plus, it also comes with two sealing rings. It might not include a rice paddle or soup spoon (FYI as that is not mentioned in the Amazon description).
From an accessories perspective, there are several accessories that are sized to fit the 8 quart models. One thing to note, the Duo Evo Plus has a specialized liner that’s not interchangeable with the other Instant Pots of this size.
One feature many people love is the lid holder (and it’s one that most people find by accident). The handles on the base have a slot in them so that you can insert the lid. This is great if you’re short on counter space to put down a steamy lid. Trying to put a hot lid down after opening can be awkward (from my own experience). With the exception of the Lux, this feature is available in the other models.
Over to you. What other information do you want to know about the Instant Pot 8 Quart models and features?
Above was a quick round-down of the Instant Pot 8 Quart models for sizes and features to help you compares them side-by-side as you make your decision which electric pressure cooker is right for you. What additional information do you need as part of deciding which model and size to buy?
Learn more about the Instant Pot models
curious to understand the bake mode on the duo evo plus… any ideas?
Hey Claire – I just noticed the same the other day when taking a look at the Evo as I’m contemplating an 8 quart to help with massive batch meal prep cooking. My guess on bake is that it will work the same as the cake feature, just with a new name. I haven’t had a chance yet to dig around for any information out there but overall the Evo is interesting given the number of programs.