By Boniface Muriuki. Last updated on 1st March, 2025
If you feel like you spend too much time in the kitchen, then it’s time to consider purchasing either an instant pot or a ninja foodi. The crucial kitchenware will reduce your cooking time by at least 50%!
Wondering which of the two is ideal for your kitchen?
Well, this article compares the features of the two pots. It gives an in-depth analysis of how to use them, the prices, and unique features that will undoubtedly help you to make an informed buying decision.
I implore you to read through the article and compare the features of each pot with your respective kitchen needs.
Instant Pot vs Ninja Foodi – Why You Need Them
The versatility of both pots has endeared them to many users. These pots can help you undertake various cooking activities using a single pot and in record time.
In summary, the pots are one-fits-all kitchen gadgets that can perform the following functions:
- Slow cook
- Pressure cook
- Steam
- Broil
- Bake/roast
- Sauté/sear
Instant Pot vs Ninja Foodi – A Comprehensive Analysis
What is an Instant Pot?
An instant pot is a multi-functional pressure cooker that can cook a lot of meals ranging from roasts to chicken to desserts. Even better, these appliances use much less time than most other cooking appliances.
They have different characteristics, each one uniquely designated to help you in accomplishing specific activity, such as air frying, steaming, searing, broiling, and baking.
How Does an Instant Pot Work?
Instant pots are a brand of electric pressure cookers. They work by creating heat under a tight seal, so the temperature is much higher than the boiling point of water and the steam can’t escape.
The steam cooks food much more quickly than traditional stovetop or oven cooking.
Instant Pots Pros and Cons
Instant Pot Pros
Have you found yourself forgetting to remove your meat from the freezer to prepare for dinner? Or even ordering pizza due to time shortage?
Well, that shouldn’t worry you anymore!
With an instant pot, you can cook your frozen meat without having to do a quick thaw in the microwave. Even more impressive, you can cook all your types of meat like your chicken, pork, or beef from a frozen state and still get tasty food within a reasonable time.
These unique pots have the potential of saving up to 70% of your energy. They reach temperatures above boiling, and the higher the temperature, the faster the food will cook.
With an instant pot, one-pot meals are possible. You can insert dishes that are microwave-safe into the instant pot and layer foods to be cooked all at once.
Removing hot steam can be quite scary, especially when it’s your first time. But instant pots make it easy for you.
Most instant pots have an easy release that’s located away from the steam pot. This ensures you’ll never suffer from the hand burns even if you don’t use any protection or wear a glove.
Instant Pots Cons
An instant pot is an electronic appliance, and depending on which type you have there can be technical problems and error messages.
Other issues you might experience include: sealing issues, venting issues, delayed timer issues, and liquids spewing up out of the steam vent.
Also, you need steam to cook your food. Unfortunately, if you don’t pay attention to setting the vent properly, this slows your cooking time. This is because the steam escapes rather than build up inside.
With an instant pot, dairy curdles under pressure. So make sure you remember to add milk or cream after the recipe has been cooked under pressure.
3 Best Instant Pots to Consider
1. Instant Pot Smart Blue Tooth 6 Qt 7-in-1
With the instant pot smart blue tooth, you’ll have more options as well as the ability to write your cooking programs for personal recipes.
The smart cooker appliance also comes equipped with 10 safety mechanisms to help detect and prevent dangerous errors. This means they are safe to use and can work optimally for years.
Additionally, this instant pot comes fitted with three temperature level settings (normal, less, and more), thus foods can be held at the desired temperature until serving time.
The smart instant pot also features a Bluetooth function that allows users to monitor the cooking progress from any smartphone.
To make this easier, you must download the free smart pop app, which can control every function of the pot.
2.Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1
The instant pot ultra-electric pressure cooker is the next generation of the instant pot family.
It has an ultra-button known as the instant pot’s sous vide cooking feature.
The button allows users to set a specific low temperature between 104F and 208F and then cook at the temperature in a near-vacuum.
The instant pot ultra-also comes fitted with an LED display. Although it takes a little time to get used to it around the panel, the dial always offers easy access and adjustability.
Unlike the duo, lux, or smart series, the instant pot ultra adds vacuum and custom temperature capabilities which are very helpful.
The device also features an auto sealing valve, a larger screen, extra cooking programs, an altitude, a cooking indicator, and a steam- release reset button.
3. Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker
The instant pot ultra 10-in-1 comes with the following functions: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice/porridge, yogurt, cakes, egg cooker, sauté/searing, steam, warm, sterilize.
It is highly advanced and replaces many common kitchen appliances.
The device also features integrated processors that monitor heat and pressure to ensure your food is being cooked properly.
The appliance comes fitted with an easy-to-use center dial that allows you to select between different functions.
What is a Ninja Foodi?
A ninja foodi is a pressure cooker and air fryer that can also be used as an oven, steamer, roaster, dehydrator, and slow cooker.
The appliance has a 6.5qt pressure cooker along with a 4qt cook and crisp basket for the tender-crisp (air fryer option).
How Does a Ninja Foodi Work?
The ninja foodi comes fitted with an air fryer lid that permanently stays on but opens up on the side when pressure cooking.
When using the electric pressure cooker function, you pop on the pressure cooker lid that has venting and sealing capability.
The appliance also comes fitted with a wire trivet for which the handles reverse so you can pressure cook multiple meals at the same time.
Ninja Foodi Pros
With a ninja foodi, you can pressure cook your food item like French fries and then crisp them immediately.
This can also work well with a meal like chicken: you can pressure cook to make it tender, and then tender-crisp it so that the skin gets crispy.
The device comes packaged with plenty of easy to follow instructions including a ninja foodi cookbook with a variety of recipes.
Additionally, the user interface of this appliance is easy to use and has easy-to-understand buttons. All the pieces that come fitted in a ninja foodi pro are easy to clean.
With a ninja foodi pro you can be able to cook 2 things at the same time. This is because the device has a large cooking capacity.
The ninja foodi pro will replace the counter space for 2 kitchen devices, the air fryer, and an instant pot.
Ninja Foodi Cons
The ninja foodi is a large appliance, therefore not fit for small kitchens. This is because the device takes up a good amount of your counter space.
The instant pot lid and trivet need extra storage.
The delicate crisp fryer takes slightly longer to cook food.
The appliance is also a pressure cooker, thus the device can’t have air circulating all around the food on the sides and bottom. The air circulation only comes from the top.
4 Best Food Ninja Cookers
1. Ninja Foodi Tender Crisp Pressure Cooker
The ninja foodi tender-crisp pressure cooker comes with 7 functions which include: steaming, slow cook, pressure cooker, sear/sauté, air crisp, bake/roast, and broil.
This appliance is powerful and ensures your meat and veggies are crispy and tasty. The device comes packaged with accessories like a non-stick pot and a crisp basket.
The ninja foodi tender-crisp can cook 5lb chicken or 3lbs of fries at the same time. This cooks fast and delicious meals.
2. Ninja OS301 Foodi 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer with Nesting Broil Rack, 6.5-Quart Capacity, and a Stainless Finish
This Ninja Foodi is a best seller in Amazon! It features 10 unique functions which include: pressure cook, air crisp/fry, sear/sauté, steam, broil, and yogurt, dehydrate, slow cook.
The ninja foodi deluxe is a large pressure cooker that can cook for your whole family. The appliance holds a maximum of 8qt. and comes fitted with a deluxe rack to pack lots of food.
The device is fitted with a tender-crisp lid that ensures that all your meals will be crispy and delicious.
The appliance is strong that even frozen foods will be finished within 20 minutes of cooking.
3. Ninja Foodi 7-In-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker
The small pressure cooker comes with all the functions you are looking for.
The functions include pressure cooker, air fry/crisp, steam, slow cook, yogurt, sear/sauté, and bake/roast.
The ninja foodi 7-in-1 pressure cooker comes fitted with a crisping lid that makes meat, chicken, veggies, and other ingredients super crispy.
The appliance features a 5qt nonstick pot which is easy to clean and also dishwasher safe.
4. Ninja Foodi OP305 6.5-qt
The ninja foodi 6.5 qt comes packaged with tender-crisp technology.
The appliance can perform multiple functions like air crisp, sear/sauté, bake, broil, steam, slow cook and dehydrate.
The ninja foodi also packaged with a 45 plus recipe book to guide you in enjoying different recipes in your cooking.
The appliance features a 1 year VIP warranty and a 90-day money-back guarantee. The device also comes fitted with a 4-qt cook and a crisp basket and a reversible rack.
Instant Pot vs Ninja Foodi – What are the Differences?
One of the key differences between the product features is that the instant pot crisp adds a sous-vide function and the ninja foodie deluxe XL adds a yogurt feature.
The ninja foodi pot has a non-stick coating while the instant pot does not have a non-stick coating.
The ninja foodi comes with 2 lids, steamer/air fryer rack, and air fryer basket while the instant pot comes with only 1 lid and a trivet.
With a ninja foodi, you have more buttons to press, must turn on, and push start after setting temperature and time. While the instant pot automatically starts after setting temperature and time.
The ninja foodi’s pot and crisp basket are ceramic coated while the instant inner pot comes with stainless steel material.
While the ninja foodi boasts dual pressure levels, high and low. Five stovetop temperature settings and customizable programming.
The instant pot on the other hand beats the ninja foodi as it comes with a touchscreen control panel from which you can set time, temperature, and pressure level. The device also comes with three pressure levels low, high, and maximum.
Instant Pot vs Ninja Foodi – Which is Better?
When making your purchase decision, always bear in mind that both appliances come with functions that the other devices do not have.
If you want to change the way you cook meat, then the ninja foodi is the way to go. The ninja foodi’s air fryer and crisping abilities are a selling point that can’t be ignored.
Ninja foodi is also known for innovation and their pressure cookers have tons of features. You also get lots of accessories which are amazing to use.
On the other hand, instant pot takes the lead when it comes to tasty dishes like soups, dips, and rice. The devices also come with unique features like cake making, pressure canning, and sous vide.
As such, no matter which appliance you choose, they will both produce tasty and delicious food that’s evenly and perfectly cooked.
Give them a try and get to know why a large number of pf people love pressure cooking. It’s easier, tastier, and faster than conventional cooking.
If you’re wondering what the differences between an instant pot and pressure cooker are, then you should check out this article.
Instant Pot vs Ninja Foodi- The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for ways to quicken your food prep, then you should invest in an instant pot or ninja foodi. Both appliances have exceptional cooking abilities that’ll certainly revolutionize your cooking.
But what exactly are the instant pot vs ninja foodi differences?
Well, the differences between the two are minimal. As such, which one you settle for will highly depend on your preferences.
Nevertheless, this article has analyzed the features of each one of them critically. If you want an in-depth analysis of instant pot vs ninja foodi, then read on.
You’ll get all the tips that you need before you step out to shop!
