Is it worth the price?

We weren’t sure if it was actually going to happen, but the new Instant Pot Max is finally available to buy on Amazon.

As certified members of the Instant Pot cult (er, club) we’re psyched. And with the daily news cycle the way it is, it’s nice to be distracted by a kitchen appliance.

SEE ALSO: Why Instant Pots are the best — we compare all the models

Originally promised for August (the 1st and the 20th were both dates being tossed around — but we also heard June before that), the Instant Pot Max officially blessed the fandom in late November 2018, retailing for a whopping $199.95. Everyone already has a hard enough time distinguishing between the existing Instant Pot models (read up here) — what’s one more? And is it worth that nearly $200 price tag?

Before we get into details, let’s just marvel for a minute:

The Max is currently only available in a 6-quart model and is available for purchase at and .

Its arrival to shelves was a roller coaster in itself, and the public’s opinion on its new features is no different. The additions and upgrades are impressive, but whether they actually measure up to the steep price (or work at all) is what has people talking.

On the outside, this thing’s a beaut: As each Instant Pot model sees an increase in features and price, they also get increasingly better and more futuristic looking. The Max sports an LCD touchscreen (a first for Instant Pot), a control dial similar to the Ultra, more attractive digital colors and more legible numbers, pictures, and icons. The physical upgrades are undoubtedly outstanding — but can they carry the technical shortcomings?

The new cooker replaces 12 appliance functions: Pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, sautéing, steaming, warming, yogurt making, sterilizing, egg cooking, sous vide, and pressure canning, claiming to reach an internal pressure of 15 psi for apparent faster cooking (which we’ve never seen before). It’s also equipped with personalized programming and Instant Pot’s new NutriBoost technology, which reportedly uses a boiling motion to add nutrition and flavor to soups and broths. (Whatever that means.)

The new additions, specifically sous vide, would make the Max unbeatable if they worked — but based on reviews, Instant Pot probably should have spent more time perfecting it. CNET’s review throws major shade at the sous vide feature, mentioning that it failed to reach and hold accurate temperatures (you know, the entire point of sous vide) resulting in undercooked food (though Gear Patrol’s reviewer found the sous vide function pretty handy). Generally speaking, Wired’s review mentions that $200 is just too steep of a price to ask for new functions that are subpar and old functions that haven’t been made better. The canning feature seems to hold its own, and the new automatic pressure release valve is appreciated for its added convenience and safety.

If you don’t critique things for a living and aren’t an overly intense chef, you may easily be able overlook the flaws. It is important to note that two out of its three reviews on Amazon are five stars — so there’s always a chance that more positive opinions will pop up in future customer reviews. Ultimately, you’re not going to know until you try it for yourself.

Who needs the Max: Skilled cooks, people who need to upgrade their current model, and people who can’t live without the latest and great thing. If you’re tired of your current Instant Pot and feel like the limited features are squashing your recipe creativity, the Max’s versatility can seriously widen your horizons — plus, this means you’re already familiar with how Instant Pots work in general, meaning the teched-out Max won’t be intimidating. As for people who just want it because it’s new (slash to make relatives jealous): You do you. If the questionable new functions don’t scare you away, the rest of the Max’s features and its gorgeous aesthetics will make a bomb upgrade to your kitchen.

Who probably doesn’t need the Max: First timers, casual cooks, and people on a budget. The Max is as advanced as they come and delivers bells and whistles that some people just won’t use,  and many could easily manage to go down a few pegs, choose a model with less of a learning curve, and save a few bucks. For intense cooks who aren’t focused on sous vide or pressure canning, the Instant Pot Ultra or the Aura Pro are high-end alternatives that are cheaper and just as capable.

Did Instant Pot have a heavy foot and put it on the market prematurely? Maybe. But, despite complaints and “meh” new functions, you’re at least guaranteed to up your kitchen’s clout. Get the Instant Pot Max for $199.95 (or on sale for $149.95, if you’re lucky) here.