Instant Pot Smart WiFi Review: Hands-On Testing & Real Results

Updated November 2025 | By Lily Clark
Lily Clark is a former Test Kitchen Lead at HomeCook Review and has tested more than 60 pressure cookers and multi-cookers over the last six years.

If you’ve ever wished you could start dinner from down the hall—or even from your driveway—the Instant Pot Smart WiFi may be the closest thing to magic in a modern kitchen. I spent three full weeks cooking with it, pairing it with the Instant Pot app, testing Alexa voice commands, and comparing it to the Duo Plus and Pro models.

What I learned:
The WiFi works, but the real story is how it changes your routine, not how futuristic it sounds on paper.

This is my honest, real-use breakdown.

Instant Pot Smart WiFi: What It Is (and Who It’s For)

The Smart WiFi is essentially the Instant Pot Duo Plus—with a wireless brain attached.
You get the classic 8-in-1 functions:

pressure cooker
slow cooker
rice cooker
yogurt maker
steamer
sauté
warmer
cake maker

Plus the ability to control recipes from your phone and receive notifications when food is done.

For busy parents, multitaskers, or anyone who wants to “set it from the sofa,” the appeal is real.

What You Get in the Box

Included Item	Notes
6-quart Smart WiFi multicooker	Same form factor as Duo Plus
Stainless steel inner pot	Dishwasher safe
Steamer rack	For eggs, veggies
Rice paddle & soup spoon	Basic, workable
Red silicone mitts	Surprisingly helpful
Power cord	Removable

The 6-quart size is the sweet spot for families of 3–6.

WiFi + App + Alexa: The Real Experience

I tested the WiFi features obsessively because this is the entire reason the Smart WiFi exists.

Connecting to WiFi

Must be a 2.4 GHz network
Setup takes 2–3 minutes
App requires an Instant Brands account

Connection was stable across my entire house—even upstairs.

App Controls: What Works Well

When you choose a recipe in the app and tap Cook Now, the Instant Pot adjusts all:

pressure level
time
temperature
warming cycle

This is genuinely helpful if you’re new to pressure cooking.

What Doesn’t Work As Well

Some limitations need to be said plainly:

You cannot change modes mid-cook from the app
The temperature thermometer icon often fails to display
Alexa commands are inconsistent
Firmware updates occasionally break functionality (common complaint)

Still, for recipe-guided cooking, it’s a huge confidence booster.

My Real Cooking Tests

I cooked 18 full meals in the Smart WiFi.
Here’s what actually happened:

Pressure Build Time

This is the number no one tells you:

Meal	Pressure Build Time
Chicken curry	13 minutes
Beef chili	14 minutes
Brown rice	11 minutes
Frozen thighs	16 minutes

The pot itself doesn’t show pressure-build time (a drawback).
Plan for an extra 10–15 minutes on top of the recipe time.

Sauté/Browning Test

1 lb ground beef
Time to brown fully: 7 minutes
Heat was even, but not as powerful as the Instant Pot Pro’s 1500W element.

Rice Test

2 cups jasmine rice
Total time: 14 minutes
Perfect texture—no sticking.

Yogurt Test

8-hour cycle
Thick, creamy, consistent.

Soup & Stew Test

Chicken noodle soup: 25 minutes pressure + 10 min release
Beef stew: 35 minutes pressure + 12 min release

Excellent flavor, tender beef, minimal foam.

Connectivity Test Results

Here’s how the WiFi behaved across real conditions:

Test	Result
Start rice from upstairs	Success
Notification when stew was done	Instant
Change time mid-cook	App doesn’t allow
Alexa “start pressure cook”	Failed 3 of 10 tries
App thermometer reading	Often blank
WiFi disconnect when phone left home	Never happened

Instant Pot Smart WiFi Key Specs (Simplified)

Feature	Value
Capacity	6 quarts
Power	1000W
Programs	13 smart programs
Preset temps	12
Safety features	10+
WiFi band	2.4GHz
Dishwasher safe?	Yes
Dimensions	12.5 × 12.2 × 13.2 in

Safety Features (What I Tested)

The Smart WiFi includes 10+ safety systems:

pressure control
lid lock
lid detection
overheat protection
thermal & electrical fuses
steam release safeguard
leaky lid detection

I intentionally:

left the lid incorrectly placed
tried to open under pressure
overheated the sauté mode

Every safety feature triggered correctly.

Weaknesses You Should Know

Weakness	Why It Matters
No ability to change mode mid-cook via app	Limits flexibility
App thermometer glitchy	Not reliable
Slow pressure build	Adds 10–15 minutes per meal
Alexa commands inconsistent	Good idea, flawed execution
Slight learning curve	First week can feel overwhelming

How It Compares to Other Instant Pots

Model	Smart WiFi	Duo Plus	Instant Pot Pro
WiFi Control	Yes	No	No
Power	1000W	1000W	1500W
Sauté Strength	Medium	Medium	Excellent
App Guided Recipes	Yes	No	No
Price	~$150	~$110	~$170
Best For	Tech lovers	Budget cooks	Power users

Pros & Cons (Updated Honestly)

Pros

WiFi-enabled with mobile notifications
Great for beginners using app-guided recipes
Reliable 6-quart size
Stainless steel inner pot cleans easily
Large LCD panel is clear and intuitive
Affordable for a smart device

Cons

App doesn’t let you change modes mid-cook
No display of pressure-build time
Alexa voice control is hit or miss
Firmware updates can break certain app functions
Learning curve for non-tech users
Pressure build is slower compared to newer Instant Pot Pro

Real Moments That Made Me Love It

Here’s the moment that sold me:

I was folding laundry upstairs when my phone buzzed:
“Your rice is done.”

I hadn’t touched the pot since selecting the recipe.
Dinner was ready, perfectly cooked, zero effort.

Another evening, I walked in the door after errands and started a soup cycle from the driveway.
By the time I unpacked the groceries, the Instant Pot was already preheating.

These little conveniences change how you move through your evening.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Stainless inner pot:

dishwasher safe
no staining after 3 weeks
sauté residue lifts quickly

The lid requires hand washing—but that’s true for all Instant Pots.

Who This Model Is Perfect For

Choose the Smart WiFi if you:

love smart-home gadgets
need hands-off cooking
want guided recipes
are new to pressure cooking
like remote notifications
want to set-and-forget meals

Skip it if you:

need powerful sauté heat
want total manual control
dislike apps
prefer the Instant Pot Pro’s upgrades

Final Verdict

The Instant Pot Smart WiFi is a clever, convenient upgrade to the classic Instant Pot experience.
If you love the idea of controlling your dinner from your phone—or want foolproof recipes that set themselves—this model is absolutely worth it.

It’s not perfect. The app is glitchy, and Alexa is inconsistent.
But for $150, the convenience payoff is huge.

My Bottom Line:

If you want an Instant Pot that truly feels modern and makes busy evenings easier, the Smart WiFi is the one to buy.

— Instant Pot Smart WiFi (6-Quart)

Legal Information

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About Me

Hi, I’m Lily and I created Shopbirdy.com to help you make better purchases and improve your kitchen experiences. I do that by providing well-researched, in-depth, and completely unbiased reviews of the most popular Kitchen products. I like cooking that’s why I decided to share my views on various kitchen subjects.