I hope you love my content. Just so you know, if you buy something through my links, I may get a small share of the sale. This helps me pay for Corrie Cooks' operating costs. Thanks :)

Instant Pot vs Power Pressure Cooker XL

Power pressure cooker XL near Instant Pot

I compare a lot of competing products on this site and today I'm bringing you one of my toughest comparisons for currently available-for-sale electric pressure cookers. So on this post you will find info about the famous Instant Pot line of multi-cookers vs the popular and efficient Power Pressure Cooker XL pressure cookers and how they differ from each other.

Power pressure cooker XL near Instant Pot

First of all, please know that buying the perfect electric pressure cooker to satisfy all of your needs is tough even with deep pockets - there's always something we like and dislike about every model. And even after we got the perfect pressure cooker, we found out a better model just came out the day after.

There are so many models to choose from and they all are slightly different.

Some examples:

  • The Instant Pot line doesn't get any bigger than 8-quarts while there is a 10-quart Power Pressure Cooker XL available.
  • Any Instant Pot DUO, Smart, or Ultra will make yogurt while the PPC XL will not.
  • The IP-LUX is cheaper than the PPC XL and does everything just the same.
  • The Power Pressure Cooker XL is better designed for people that prefer presets programs over manual control
  • The IP-Smart and IP-Ultra give you extreme customization of cooking programs, letting you set any program yourself.
  • If you live at high altitude the Instant Pot Ultra will adjust to your actual altitude for all your cooking.

As you can see none really do everything and of course you always have to weight price into any purchase. Right now if your budget is mid-range then I think your best bet is to buy the Instant Pot Duo or the Duo plus unless you need something bigger than 8-quart pot.

Which Electric Pressure Cooker is the Best?

If you like the Instant Pot....

I tend to recommend the average consumer to steer towards the Instant Pot Duo 6-quart. The DUO line of pressure cookers are the best selling units from all brands across the board. They do just about everything average families need including a few features that aren't as normal such as yogurt making!

In my home I prefer the 6-quart model over the 8-quart model because I only have a family of four so it's enough for us. Moreover, most of the Instant Pot recipes available online are  for the 6-quart model.

If you like the Power Pressure Cooker XL...

If you dislike manual control and want simplicity,  I steer you towards the Power Pressure Cooker XL 6-quart model.

The 6-quart is just more practical and take less space on the kitchen. I prefer getting one 6-quart pressure cooker and one 3-quart pressure cooker for side dishes.

The PPC XL line of pressure cookers really excel at simplifying the cooking experience. You don't do anything manual on the pot, just choose your preset cooking program and walk away. It will also do alternative cooking methods like slow cooking, rice cooking and many more.

Instant Pot Models

The Instant Pot is the bestseller that dominates the electronic pressure cooker market at the present. There are several series of pressure cookers under the brand name of Instant Pot - and new models releasing all the time apparently. These series, in turn, have specific models in them. Each model has a different price, functions, size and target audience. What's the best Instant Pot? It's hard to tell, buy I will try to make it easier to find the RIGHT Instant Pot FOR YOU.

Let's take a look at the prime structure and model-wise features now:

1. The Instant Pot LUX series

The main specifications of the IP-LUX60 are:

  • 14 in built programs.
  • 6.33 Quart volume.
  • Wattage of 1000.

2. The Instant Pot DUO series

There are two main models in the Instant Pot DUO series: DUO60, DUO80. All these three machines have a few things in common:

  • The feature to make yogurt.
  • Dual pressure settings.

The rest of their features are slightly different. The main specifications of them individually are:

The main specifications of the IP-DUO60 are:

  • A volume of 6 quarts.
  • Wattage of 1000.

The main specifications of the IP-DUO80 are:

    • A volume of 8 quarts.
    • A wattage of 1200.

Check Price

3. The Instant Pot Smart

This is a single model series. The Instant Pot Smart is the latest Instant Pot product. Although really expensive, this electrical pressure cooker is one  of the most advanced out there. In fact, the official website describes it as:

The main features of this pot are:
  • It is a million-in-1 multi cooker. An unique product in the realm of pressure cookers till date.
  • Can do everything that Instant Pot pressure cookers have to offer.
  • It operates on a smart app and has an unique display that makes it really easy to use.

4. The Instant Pot DUO PLUS

This is another single model series. The DUO plus has the same specifications as the DUO. In this model, only one new feature has been added. That feature is:

  • A new “sterilize” function in addition to “egg” and “cake” programs.

Check Price


Power Pressure Cooker XL Models

The Power Pressure Cooker XL is a series of three pressure cookers. These pressure cookers are reliable and have amazing reviews.

1. The Power Pressure Cooker XL 6 quart

The main features that the Power Pressure Cooker XL 6 quart provides are:

  • A volume of 6 quarts.
  • A wattage of 1000.

2. The Power Pressure Cooker XL 8 quart

  • A volume of 8 quarts.
  • A wattage of 1300.

4. The Power Pressure Cooker XL 10 quart

  • This one is one of those rare extra-large sized pressure cookers which boast of a volume of 10 quarts.
  • The wattage of this pressure cooker is 1600.

Check Price

Can you use power pressure cooker for canning?

Several sellers claim that the Power Pressure Cooker XL is one of those that can easily be used for canning foods. However, we really advice against that because the USDA has always been against that. If you are looking to can food, it is always the best and safest option to stick to the stove-top canners.

Those aren't too expensive and are always effective as well as certified safe. Why would you risk your health (and life, frankly) to save a few bucks when you are spending so much to get an electronic pressure cooker anyway?]


The Prime differences between the two models

The main differences between the two models are as follows:

  1. The Instant Pot has the yogurt function which the Power Pressure does not.
  2. The Instant Pot has new and upcoming smart models, which the Power Pressure does not.
  3. The Power Pressure has an extra large model of 10 quarts, which the Instant pot does not.
  4. The Instant Pot is slightly more expensive than the Power Pressure.

Note - If you are looking for a large electric pressure cooker then the comparison stops here. The 10-quart PPC XL is the biggest made by either of these two companies.


The Verdict: Which one to choose over the other?

While both of these models are really nice, in specific scenarios, one is better than the other. At the end of the day, you have to keep in mind that the model you choose must fulfill all YOUR needs.

Choose Instant Pot if...

You are looking for a smart model for easy functioning, the new Instant Pot models are the answer.

You are looking for a pressure cooker that can make yogurt, that's the specialty only Instant Pot gives you.

Check Price

Choose Power Pressure Cooker if...

You are looking for an extra large volume of 10 quarts, only Power pressure has that option among these two.

You are looking at it from an economic perspective, you'll also find that the Instant Pot is expensive and thus the Power Pressure Cooker is the ideal choice.

Check Price

21 thoughts on “Instant Pot vs Power Pressure Cooker XL

  1. I have printed out recipes for the insta pot but have the Power Pressure Cooker XL. All instructions are based on the the settings of the insta pot. Is there a conversion chart that will give us the settings for the pressure cooker for these recipes?

  2. I have printed out recipes for the insta pot but have the Power pressure cooker xl. all instructions are based on the the settings of the vista pot. Is there a conversion chart that will give us the settings for the pressure cooker for these recipes?

  3. I was wanted to know,, with the power pressure cooker can you use the slow cooker liners in it when you are using it as such?

    1. When you are using it in slow cooker mode, yes, you can use the liners if you wish. They can be a slightly different shape (more round than oval) so I'm not sure they will fit as well, but it should still work.

  4. I have 2 PPCXL's, get used about 4-5 times/week. Still have my original liners, still look brand new. I learned how to clean non-stick cookware over 30 years ago. I do the same cleaning method in my liners. There is No Scrubbing required. Put boiled water (about 2"), 1/2 cup vinegar, 2 Tbsp. baking soda, squirts of lemon juice. Let sit a while. Then I handwash pots with blue Dawn. Never had to scrub the liner. You can put linersnin dishwasher, but you have to remove them before drying cycle. Or 3 years ago, I saw where someone put the same solution in their pot. Locked on lid, set for 3-5 minutes, let it natural release. Then you just have to rinse everything, and air dry or hand dry. When you use your pot to clean them, all the burnt on food is floating in the pot. No scrubbing needed.

  5. This a perfect comparison between the instant pot and power press cooker, it’s always tricky to choose the right model, I own the instant pot but I think both models are amazing and can fit any cooker lover from big to a small family.

  6. Many people are making vanilla beans with vodka in the instant pot using glass jars with lids. Can the same be done in the power pressure cooker 8 qt xl? Or is there a variation in the usage?

  7. I have the 8 quart Power Cooker Plus, it's great except the non stick inner pot is falling apart and pieces of it float in my food.

    Can I buy the 8 quart Instant Pot replacement inner pot and put it in my Power Cooker Plus, or do I have to go and buy an Instant Pot.

    I wasn't careful enough when I bought the Power Cooker Plus, I hate non stick.

    Thanks a lot for your reply

  8. Hey Corrie ~
    I have the Power Pressure Cooker XL 10 Quart as I have a large family. My question is on cooking times for the 'oh so many' instant pot recipes. Is the time the same? just set it manually? Also, of the many different settings, are they all the same pressure, just different times? Except for the slower cooker, correct?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *