Instant Pot Duo Vs Instant Pot Duo Plus: Which Is Better?
Both are solid multicookers; Duo is simple and reliable, Duo Plus adds settings and polish.
I remember trying to shave an hour off dinner prep and ending up debating Instant Pot Duo vs Instant Pot Duo Plus in my kitchen. Both machines save time and hands-on work. The Instant Pot Duo is the straightforward workhorse, while the Instant Pot Duo Plus adds a few smart options and a cleaner display. I tested both side-by-side to see which suits busy cooks, small families, and tinkering home chefs. I’ll share practical notes from those tests to help you decide which fits your routine and budget.
Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure…
10 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sous vide, sauté, sterilize, cook yogurt and rice, bake, steam, or simply keep warm, all in one easy…
Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1…
9 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, sous vide, steam, sterilize, keep warm, make rice and yogurt—all in one appliance Customizable Smart Programs: Tackle…
Is Instant Pot Duo Good?
Yes — the Instant Pot Duo is a reliable all-rounder. It’s great for people who want fast, consistent meals without fuss. I found it hits pressure and cooks evenly for soups, beans, and ribs. For most weeknight cooks, the Duo’s program set covers what you need: pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, rice, and yogurt. It’s the model I reached for when I needed something predictable and fast. If you want a simple, durable electric pressure cooker that doesn’t overwhelm you with extras, the Duo is a clear fit.
I used the Instant Pot Duo to batch-cook chicken and rice for lunches for a month. The timing was repeatable and my rice came out fluffy every time. Another time, when I hurriedly fed a cold family, the Duo’s sauté-to-pressure routine got a stew on the table in under an hour. Those small wins made me trust it as a kitchen staple. In the Instant Pot Duo vs Instant Pot Duo Plus discussion, the Duo wins on simplicity and reliability for everyday cooks.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- 7-in-1 functionality: pressure cook, slow cook, rice, sauté, steam, yogurt, keep-warm
- Simple pre-set buttons for common foods and cooking modes
- Manual pressure control with reliable sealing and float valve
- Stainless steel inner pot with dishwasher-safe lid components
- Multiple size options (3, 6, 8 quarts) for different households
What I Like
- Consistent results for rice, beans, and stews in repeated testing
- Easy to use — presets remove guesswork for busy nights
- Quick heat-up and pressure build — saves real time
- Durable build that handled heavy weekly use without problems
- Good value for core multicooker features
What Could Be Better
- Basic display and smaller text can feel dated
- Fewer advanced programs than Duo Plus (no altitude adjust)
- Some presets are not customizable beyond high/low pressure
My Recommendation
If you want a dependable, cost-effective multicooker for regular meals, choose the Duo. Good stock availability and solid value.| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Busy weeknight cooks | Simple presets and fast pressure cycles |
| Budget-conscious buyers | Core features at lower price |
| First-time electric pressure cooker users | Low learning curve and reliable results |
Is Instant Pot Duo Plus Good?
It depends — the Instant Pot Duo Plus is ideal if you want extra control and convenience. The Duo Plus keeps the Duo’s strengths but adds more pre-sets, a brighter control panel, and features like cake and sterilize modes. In my tests, the extra programs mattered when I tried yogurt, sous-vide-style warm settings, and delicate rice. If you like button variety and small quality-of-life improvements, the Duo Plus is worth the extra spend.
I used the Instant Pot Duo Plus to try a few things I’d avoided with the Duo: homemade yogurt, sterilizing baby bottles, and a simple cheesecake. The Plus’s finer control and extra programs made those tasks easier. In the ongoing Instant Pot Duo vs Instant Pot Duo Plus comparison in my kitchen, the Duo Plus felt more versatile for occasional specialty tasks while still delivering dependable everyday cooking.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- 9-in-1 functionality with extra modes like cake and sterilize
- Improved display and more pre-set options
- Progress indicator and adjustable keep-warm
- Better control for yogurt and delicate recipes
- Stainless steel inner pot and dishwasher-safe parts
What I Like
- More presets make specialty cooking less intimidating
- Smoother display and clearer status messages
- Sterilize and cake functions are genuinely useful
- Little extras reduce babysitting for long recipes
- Still simple enough for daily use
What Could Be Better
- Higher price than the Duo for mostly small improvements
- Extra presets are helpful but not essential for all users
- Some users may never use the specialty modes
My Recommendation
Choose Duo Plus if you want extra presets and a nicer interface for small extra cost.| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Home cooks experimenting with more recipes | Extra modes for yogurt, cake, sterilize |
| Families with varied needs | More presets and clearer display aid flexibility |
| People who like gadget upgrades | Improved UI and minor convenience features |
Instant Pot Duo vs Instant Pot Duo Plus: Side-by-Side Test
I compared Instant Pot Duo vs Instant Pot Duo Plus on core tasks. Below are practical, hands-on results from multiple cooks. This direct look highlights where each machine shines in real kitchens.
Cooking Functions: Which One Does More?
Both models cover the basics, but Duo Plus adds a few niche modes.| Feature | Instant Pot Duo | Instant Pot Duo Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure cook | Yes | Yes |
| Slow cook | Yes | Yes |
| Yogurt | Yes | Yes |
| Cake / Sterilize | No | Yes |
Display & Controls: Which Is Easier to Use?
The Duo is simple. The Duo Plus shows more info and feels clearer.| Control | Instant Pot Duo | Instant Pot Duo Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Button layout | Basic & clear | More options, clearer labels |
| Display clarity | Dimmer, simple | Brighter, progress indicators |
| Custom options | Limited | More adjustable presets |
Inner Pot Design & Cleanup
Both use stainless steel pots, easy to clean and durable.| Aspect | Instant Pot Duo | Instant Pot Duo Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes (inner pot) | Yes (inner pot) |
| Seals & lid parts | Removable, dishwasher safe | Removable, dishwasher safe |
| Extra accessories | Basic | Basic |
Safety Features
Both models include core safety features expected in modern electric pressure cookers.| Safety | Instant Pot Duo | Instant Pot Duo Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Safety lock | Yes | Yes |
| Pressure release valve | Standard | Standard |
| Auto shutoff & thermal fuse | Yes | Yes |
| Leak detection | Basic | Basic |
Speed & Results
Both are fast; minor differences come from presets.| Metric | Instant Pot Duo | Instant Pot Duo Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Time to pressure | Fast | Fast |
| Consistency | High | High |
| Preset accuracy | Good | Better for delicate tasks |
| Overall cook time | Comparable | Comparable |
Ease of Use
Both are straightforward; Duo is simpler and faster to learn.| Usability | Instant Pot Duo | Instant Pot Duo Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Learning curve | Low | Low-to-moderate |
| One-touch cooking | Yes | Yes |
| Customization | Limited | More options |
| Maintenance | Easy | Easy |
Value for Money
Duo gives strong core value while Duo Plus costs more for extras.| Value | Instant Pot Duo | Instant Pot Duo Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Features per dollar | High | Good |
| Long-term usefulness | Very high | High if you use extras |
| Resale/brand support | Strong | Strong |
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
If you want a no-fuss, dependable cooker that covers the essentials, buy the Instant Pot Duo. It’s the better choice for first-timers and budget-minded cooks who want reliable results. For those who enjoy experimenting with yogurt, cake, or sterilize modes, and want a nicer display, the Instant Pot Duo Plus is the smarter pick. In short: Duo for simplicity and value; Duo Plus for extra features and polish.
Both models perform well, and your choice should come down to whether the Duo Plus’s extra presets and UI improvements match your cooking habits and justify the higher price.
