Instant Pot Plus 9‑in‑1 5.7L Review: a solid all‑rounder with WiFi that’s nice but not essential

I’ve been using the Instant Pot Plus 9‑in‑1 (the 5.7L WiFi version) for a few weeks, mainly for weeknight dinners and weekend batch cooking. I already knew the Instant Pot brand before this, so I wasn’t coming in blind. I wanted something that could pressure cook stews, do rice properly, and handle the odd slow cook or yoghurt without me having three different appliances on the counter. This model promises all of that plus app control, which sounded handy on paper.

In practice, it’s a pretty solid all‑in‑one cooker with a few quirks. It absolutely cuts cooking time compared to a normal pot on the hob or the oven. Beef stews in under 30 minutes pressure time, chickpeas cooked from dry without babysitting them, that sort of thing. It’s not magic, but it does what it says for the most part. Where it’s less convincing is the “smart” side and some reliability questions, judging from other owners’ reviews and the 3.8/5 average rating.

From a day‑to‑day point of view, it’s the kind of product you either end up using all the time or it goes back in the cupboard. For me, it has stayed out on the counter because it’s convenient enough: throw stuff in, hit pressure cook, done. But I don’t use all 9 modes, and the WiFi/app part is more of a bonus than a real need. If you’re expecting the app to cook for you or fix your recipes, that’s not what this is.

Overall, I’d say it’s good for people who actually cook several times a week and want to save time and energy. If you already own a working pressure cooker or an older Instant Pot that you like, this one is more of a side‑grade with nicer looks and WiFi rather than a huge step up. It’s not perfect, but it gets a lot of everyday jobs done with less hassle than using the oven or multiple pans.

On value, I’d say this model sits in the “good but not unbeatable” zone. It’s usually priced higher than basic electric pressure cookers and also higher than Instant Pot’s own simpler models, mainly because of the WiFi and the polished design. If you’re going to use it several times a week for pressure cooking, rice, and batch cooking, you’ll probably feel you got your money’s worth after a few months, especially with the energy savings compared to running an oven for hours.

Where the value is less clear is if you already own a working Instant Pot or another pressure cooker. The jump from a non‑smart model to this WiFi model is not huge in day‑to‑day cooking. The app is convenient but not essential, and some reviewers even said the premium price didn’t feel justified because they rarely touch the smart features. If you’re on a tight budget and just want reliable pressure cooking, a cheaper non‑WiFi model or even a decent no‑name cooker might give you 80–90% of the same results.

You also have to factor in the 3.8/5 rating and the reports of faulty units. That doesn’t kill the product, but it does mean there’s a slightly higher risk of hassle (returns, replacements) compared to a rock‑solid 4.5+ rated product. On the flip side, it’s currently ranked #1 in Electric Pressure Cookers on Amazon, which suggests plenty of people are still happy with it overall.

So, in plain terms: the value is good if you catch it on sale or if you really want the Instant brand plus WiFi, and only “okay” at full price if you don’t care about the app. If you’re the type to buy a gadget and leave it in a cupboard, don’t bother – it will be a waste. If you cook a lot of stews, curries, beans, rice, and soups and you like batch cooking, you’ll probably get decent long‑term value out of it, as long as you get a unit that works properly from the start.

Design‑wise, this Instant Pot is one of the nicer looking multi‑cookers I’ve had on my counter. The brushed stainless steel and black matte finish give it a clean, modern look. It doesn’t scream “cheap plastic slow cooker”, which is a plus if it’s living on the worktop. The footprint is about 33 x 35 cm and 32.5 cm high, so it does take space, but not more than other 5–6L pressure cookers I’ve used. If your kitchen is already crowded, you’ll feel it, but it’s not ridiculous.

The control panel is digital with push buttons. It’s fairly clear: each function has its dedicated button, plus time and temperature controls. The multi‑lingual message bar is handy if you’re not comfortable with English, and the messages are simple enough (preheating, cooking, keep warm, etc.). Compared to some older Instant Pot models, the interface feels a bit more polished and less cluttered with tiny icons. You don’t need to read the manual every time, which is good.

The lid is a classic outer pressure lid with a locking mechanism and steam release. It feels safe, but like all pressure cookers, you need to get used to the valve and the sealing ring. The ring can be a bit fiddly to remove and re-seat at first, but you get the hang of it after a few uses. One nice touch: the stainless steel inner pot has handles, which makes it easier to lift out when it’s full of hot stew or soup. That’s one of those small design details that you notice only when you go back to a pot without handles.

On the downside, the WiFi/smart angle feels a bit like style over substance. It’s cool to show friends you can see the cooking progress on your phone, but after the first week, I was mostly pressing buttons on the unit as usual. The app is OK, but doesn’t replace actually being there to sauté onions or check seasoning. Also, based on some reviews, there have been units dead on arrival or stuck on preheating, which raises questions about quality control on this specific smart model. So yes, it looks good and the design is practical overall, but the “Plus WiFi” part isn’t as big a deal in daily life as the marketing suggests.

The build quality is pretty solid for the price range, but you can tell it’s still a mass‑produced appliance. The outer shell is stainless steel with a matte finish, which feels more robust than full plastic models. It doesn’t flex or creak when you move it around. The inner pot is stainless steel as well, and that’s a big plus for me. No non‑stick coating to scratch or peel, and it handles metal utensils without drama. The pot’s handles feel sturdy and make it much easier to lift when it’s full of hot liquid.

The lid and locking mechanism feel safe, but they are mostly plastic on the outside. The pressure valve and the silicone sealing ring are standard Instant Pot parts, so replacements are easy to find if they wear out or start retaining smells. The sealing ring will absorb smells over time – that’s normal with this kind of silicone – so if you do yoghurt and curry in the same week, you might want a second ring.

Weight‑wise, at 5.9 kg, it feels reassuringly heavy without being a pain to move. The included steam rack is basic but functional. There aren’t any premium accessories in the box; if you want steaming baskets, extra pots, or a glass lid, you’ll have to buy them separately, like some users did. That’s a bit of a downside if you expected a full kit, but at least the base materials (steel pot, rack) are solid.

One concern is that, despite the decent materials, there seem to be some quality control issues on this specific smart model. Reports of units dead on arrival or stuck in preheat don’t point to bad steel or plastic, but to electronics and sensors. So physically, it feels well built enough for normal home use, but there is a small risk you’ll need a replacement if you’re unlucky. Once you get a working unit, though, there’s nothing in the materials that feels overly fragile or cheap for a daily‑use cooker.

In terms of pure performance, this cooker does what you expect from an Instant Pot. Pressure cooking is where it shines. Beef or lamb stews that would normally simmer for 2–3 hours in a pot are done in around 30–45 minutes total (preheat + pressure time). One user mentioned doing stews in about 22 minutes of pressure time, and that matches my experience: you can get very tender meat pretty quickly. Soups are also quick – under 10 minutes of pressure for simple vegetable soups, plus a few minutes for preheating.

The sauté mode is strong enough to brown meat and soften onions properly. It’s not as powerful as a dedicated frying pan on a gas hob, but it gets the job done and saves washing an extra pan. Rice mode is fine once you dial in your own ratios; I found I had to tweak the water a bit compared to my dedicated rice cooker, but once set, it’s consistent. The keep warm function holds food hot for a long time without drying it out too much, which is handy if people eat at different times.

Now, the issues. Some users have reported problems reaching pressure, with the unit stuck on preheating or giving warnings about food sticking, even with enough liquid. I haven’t had constant trouble, but I did notice that if you don’t deglaze properly after sautéing, it’s more sensitive than some cheaper models. Also, one reviewer said their unit was faulty and never actually switched to pressure cooking, which lines up with the 3.8/5 rating – clearly not everyone is getting a smooth experience.

Overall, the performance is good but not flawless. When it works as it should, it’s fast and reliable and definitely saves time and energy compared to the oven. But it’s a bit picky about liquid levels and deglazing, and the fact that some units arrive faulty or fail early is something to keep in mind. If you’re comfortable troubleshooting a bit and reading the manual, it’s fine. If you want something that just works out of the box every time, you might find it slightly frustrating at first.

On paper, this thing is packed: 9 functions (pressure cook, slow cook, rice, sauté, steam, yoghurt, sous vide, food warmer, steriliser), 5.7L capacity (about 6 portions), and WiFi control via the Instant Connect app. Power is 1000W, which is pretty standard for this size. The inner pot is stainless steel with handles, dishwasher safe, and the unit weighs about 5.9 kg. It’s not tiny, but it’s not a monster either. It comes with the base, the pressure lid, stainless steel pot, and a steam rack – that’s it. No extra fancy accessories in the box.

In daily use, I mostly stick to a few modes: Pressure Cook, Sauté, Rice, and occasionally Steam. Those are the ones that actually save me time. The yoghurt and sous vide modes are there, but honestly, if you’re not already doing yoghurt or sous vide, this product won’t magically turn you into that person. It’s nice that it can sterilise baby bottles and jars, though – that’s one of those quiet features you don’t think about until you need it.

The app side: you can see the remaining time, get notifications, and in theory launch or adjust programs. It works, but you still end up going to the machine to add ingredients, close the lid properly, check the valve, etc. So the app is more of a remote display and reminder than a real control centre. One reviewer summed it up pretty well: after the novelty, you mostly still use the buttons on the unit.

Overall, from a pure feature list, it’s well equipped but not revolutionary. It’s a pressure cooker first, with some extra modes tacked on. If you buy it mainly for pressure cooking, steaming, and rice, you’ll use it a lot. If you’re buying it for WiFi and to play with all 9 modes, you might realise pretty fast that you only use 3–4 of them regularly. It’s good to have the options, but they’re not all life‑changing.

From a practical point of view, this Instant Pot does replace several appliances if you actually use it regularly. In my case, it has mostly replaced: a basic slow cooker, a separate rice cooker, and a lot of oven stews. For stews, curries, soups, and beans, it’s effective: food comes out tender, evenly cooked, and the flavours develop well because it’s sealed under pressure. One user mentioned “intense curries”, and I’d agree – not mind‑blowing, but definitely better than a quick pan cook.

The slow cook function is fine but not mind‑blowing. It works, but if you already own a good dedicated slow cooker, you won’t suddenly feel like this is miles ahead. For yoghurt, it does the job if you follow a proper recipe and keep an eye on temperatures, but that’s more about technique than the machine. The steriliser mode is genuinely handy if you have baby bottles or jars to sterilise; it’s basically a pressure cycle tuned for that, and it saves boiling water on the hob.

Where it’s less effective is in the whole “9‑in‑1 does everything” promise. Sous vide, for example, works, but it’s not as convenient as a slim stick circulator in a separate tub, especially if you want to do big batches. The WiFi/app doesn’t make it more effective at cooking; it’s just a monitoring tool. A few people, including me, ended up using the physical buttons for 90% of things and checking the app occasionally out of curiosity.

So if we’re honest: it’s very effective as a pressure cooker and general one‑pot cooker, decent as a slow cooker and rice cooker, and more of a “nice to have” for yoghurt, sous vide, and sterilising. It won’t magically turn you into a gourmet chef, but it will make basic home cooking faster and a bit easier, which for most people is what matters. If you expect it to perfectly replace every single dedicated appliance, you might find it a bit oversold. If you just want to cut down on pots and pans and get dinner on the table faster, it does the job.