Both the Instant Pot and Insignia pressure cooker are popular electric multi-cookers that can pressure cook, slow cook, sear/sauté, and more. However, there are some key differences between these two models that are worth considering if you’re trying to decide which one to purchase.
Cooking Features
The main cooking features of the Instant Pot and Insignia pressure cooker are:
Instant Pot
- Pressure cooking
- Slow cooking
- Rice cooking
- Yogurt making
- Sautéing/searing
- Steaming
- Warming
Insignia
- Pressure cooking
- Slow cooking
- Rice cooking
- Steaming
- Sautéing
- Yogurt making
- Warming
Both appliances offer the core functions of pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, and sautéing. The Instant Pot has a few additional options like yogurt making, steaming, and a “keep warm” setting.
Pressure Cooking
Pressure cooking is the main function people look for in a multi-cooker like these. Here is how the Instant Pot and Insignia models compare:
Pressure Levels
- Instant Pot: High (10.2-11.6 psi) and Low (5.8-7.2 psi) pressure settings
- Insignia: High (10.5-11.5 psi), Low (5.5-6.5 psi), and Custom (1-11.5 psi) pressure settings
The Insignia has more flexibility with the “custom” pressure setting, allowing you to fine-tune pressure from 1 to 11.5 psi.
One-Touch Programs
- Instant Pot: Soup, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Rice, Porridge, Steam, Slow Cook, Keep Warm, Pressure Cook, Sauté
- Insignia: Poultry, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Soup/Broth, Multigrain, Rice, Steam, Slow Cook, Sauté, Yogurt, Pressure Cook
Both have preset programs for common dishes like soup, chicken, rice, etc. The Insignia lacks a porridge setting but adds a yogurt program.
Delay Start
- Instant Pot: Up to 24 hours
- Insignia: Up to 8 hours
The Instant Pot allows you to delay the start of cooking up to 24 hours, while the Insignia only goes up to 8 hours.
Keep Warm
- Instant Pot: Up to 10 hours
- Insignia: Up to 12 hours
The Insignia has a slightly longer 12 hour keep warm function compared to 10 hours on the Instant Pot.
Design
There are some physical design differences between the Instant Pot and Insignia models:
Size
- Instant Pot: 1000W – 12.6 x 12.2 x 11.8 inches
- Insignia: 1000W – 12.75 x 12.75 x 13.31 inches
The Insignia is slightly taller but comparable in size and wattage to the 6 quart Instant Pot.
Display
- Instant Pot: Basic LED display
- Insignia: LCD screen with graphics and icons
The Insignia has a more modern LCD display while the Instant Pot uses a simple LED panel.
Controls
- Instant Pot: Buttons and dial
- Insignia: Buttons and dial
Both use a combination of buttons and a dial for selecting different modes and programming.
Colors
- Instant Pot: Available in several colors like red, teal, white, etc.
- Insignia: Only available in black and stainless steel.
There are more color options available for the Instant Pot line of products.
Accessories
The Instant Pot comes with a few more accessories:
Instant Pot
- Stainless steel inner pot
- Steam rack
- Rice paddle
- Soup spoon
- Measuring cup
- Condensation collector
Insignia
- Stainless steel inner pot
- Steaming tray
- Rice spoon
- Measuring cup
- Condensation collector
The main difference is that the Instant Pot also includes a steam rack and soup spoon.
Programming and Settings
Here is a comparison of the programming options and settings you can adjust on the Instant Pot vs the Insignia:
| Feature | Instant Pot | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure Level Adjustment | High or Low | High, Low, or Custom |
| Temperature Adjustment | High, Less, Normal | High, Less, Low, Normal |
| Delayed Start | Up to 24 hours | Up to 8 hours |
| Keep Warm Time | Up to 10 hours | Up to 12 hours |
| Automatic Keep Warm | Yes | No |
The Insignia model provides more customization over pressure and temperature settings. The Instant Pot has a longer delayed start time and automatic keep warm function.
Safety Features
Safety is critical on any pressure cooker. Here are some of the safety mechanisms built into each model:
Instant Pot
- Overheat protection
- Safety lid lock
- Leak detection
- Anti-blockage vent
- Lid position detection
Insignia
- Overheat protection
- Pressure and temperature limiter
- Anti-clog lid finish
- Safety lid lock
Both have basic safety features like overheat protection and lid locks. Unique to the Instant Pot are leak detection, anti-block vent, and lid position detection for added safety.
Price
The Instant Pot tends to be more expensive than the Insignia model:
| Model | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| 6 Qt Instant Pot Duo | $79.99 |
| 6 Qt Insignia Pressure Cooker | $59.99 |
On average, the Insignia 6 qt pressure cooker costs around $20 less than the comparable Instant Pot model. However, the Instant Pot is often on sale.
Reviews
The Instant Pot ranks higher than the Insignia in customer reviews:
Instant Pot
- Amazon: 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 30,000+ reviews
- Good Housekeeping: 4.5 out of 5 star rating
- Wirecutter: Best Electric Pressure Cooker
Insignia
- Amazon: 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 900+ reviews
- Good Housekeeping: 4 out of 5 star rating
While both have received positive reviews, the Instant Pot is more highly-rated across the board. It’s considered among the best in its category by experts like Good Housekeeping and Wirecutter.
Warranty
The warranty provides an indication of how long each device is designed to last:
Instant Pot
- 1 year limited warranty
Insignia
- 2 year limited warranty
Insignia offers a 2 year warranty compared to just 1 year for the Instant Pot.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Instant Pot is the superior electric pressure cooker overall based on cooking features, accessories, safety mechanisms, reviews and ratings. However, the Insignia model offers more custom programming options and a longer warranty at a lower price point.
The Instant Pot is arguably the more versatile and “smart” appliance with great safety features and proven longevity. But the Insignia pressure cooker is a decent budget-friendly alternative for basic pressure cooking.
Key Instant Pot advantages:
- More cooking program options like yogurt and porridge
- Longer delayed start time up to 24 hours
- More accessories included like steam rack and soup spoon
- Superior safety features like leak detection
- Higher customer ratings and reviews
Key Insignia advantages:
- Custom pressure setting from 1-11.5 psi
- Slightly longer keep warm time
- Cheaper price point
- 2 year warranty vs 1 year for Instant Pot
For most home cooks, the extra features and reliability of the Instant Pot make it worth the slightly higher investment over the Insignia model. But the Insignia is a fine option for anyone who just wants basic pressure cooking on a budget.