The Instant Pot Duo and Duo Plus are both versatile electric pressure cookers, but the Duo Plus offers upgraded features like a brighter display, additional cooking programs, and improved safety functions.
If you’re looking for a more advanced model, the Duo Plus is a better choice, while the Duo remains a reliable and budget-friendly option.
AO Smith Horizontal vs Racold Omnis DG: Quick Decision
If you’re in a hurry and need quick recommendation, here’s our verdict
Go for Instant Pot Duo if you are looking for a budget-friendly, reliable multi-cooker with essential functions. It’s a great option for beginners and small families.
Choose the Instant Pot Duo Plus if you want more cooking options, quieter operation, and an upgraded display. It’s ideal for those who need extra features and enjoy experimenting with different recipes.
Instant Pot Duo vs Duo Plus : Specs Comparison
Feature | Instant Pot Duo | Instant Pot Duo Plus |
Functionality | 7-in-1: Pressure cook, slow cook, rice cooker, steamer, sauté, yogurt maker, warmer | 9-in-1: All Duo features + sterilizer and improved yogurt maker |
Smart Programs | 13 customizable programs | 25 customizable programs |
Capacity | 6 Quarts (5.68 Liters) | 6 Quarts |
Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
Steam Release | Standard | Whisper Quiet |
Display | Basic LED | Large LCD with Cooking Progress Bar |
Weight | 11.8 Pounds | 5.6 Pounds |
Price | $69 | $99 |
Customer Rating | 4.7 stars (102,101 reviews) | 4.4 stars (2,147 reviews) |
What is the main difference between Instant Pot Duo and Duo Plus?
The main difference between Instant Pot Duo and Duo Plus is that the Duo Plus offers 9-in-1 functionality (including a sterilizer and upgraded yogurt maker), 25 smart programs, a large LCD display with a cooking progress bar, and a whisper-quiet steam release, while the Duo has 7-in-1 functionality and 13 smart programs with a basic LED display.
1. Design and Build Quality
✅ Instant Pot Duo: Classic and Functional Design
The Instant Pot Duo features a stainless steel exterior with a fingerprint-resistant finish, giving it a clean and polished look. Its compact design and intuitive control panel make it easy to operate. The basic LED display provides clear information, but it lacks the advanced features found in the Duo Plus. With a 6-quart capacity, it’s ideal for preparing meals for small to medium-sized families.
✅ Instant Pot Duo Plus: Modern Look with Enhanced Display
The Instant Pot Duo Plus takes things a step further with its stainless steel grey finish, adding a modern touch to your kitchen. The biggest improvement is its large LCD display that shows step-by-step cooking instructions and a cooking progress bar, offering real-time updates on the cooking status. This makes it easier to monitor your meals and adjust settings if needed. Additionally, it features a whisper-quiet steam release, making it less noisy compared to the standard Duo.
2. Cooking Functions and Versatility
🍲 Instant Pot Duo: 7-in-1 Multi-Functionality
The Instant Pot Duo offers 7 essential functions:
Pressure cooker
Slow cooker
Rice cooker
Steamer
Sauté pan
Yogurt maker
Food warmer
These functions make the Duo a reliable all-in-one kitchen appliance, perfect for preparing a wide variety of dishes. It includes 13 smart programs that allow you to cook ribs, soups, beans, rice, poultry, yogurt, and desserts with just the press of a button.
🍲 Instant Pot Duo Plus: 9-in-1 Multi-Functionality with Added Features
The Duo Plus offers 9 functions, covering everything the Duo offers, plus:
Sterilizer
An upgraded yogurt maker
With 25 customizable smart programs, the Duo Plus offers more flexibility and control over your cooking process. Whether you’re pressure cooking, slow cooking, or sterilizing baby bottles, this model gives you more options and versatility. The advanced features make it an ideal choice for home chefs who want to experiment with a wider variety of dishes.
3. Smart Programs and One-Touch Cooking
⚡ Instant Pot Duo: Easy One-Touch Cooking
The Duo offers 13 preset smart programs that allow you to prepare popular dishes quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re making soups, rice, or poultry, the pre-programmed settings make cooking foolproof. The one-touch functionality saves time and effort, making it a great option for busy households.
⚡ Instant Pot Duo Plus: More Variety and Customization
The Duo Plus takes one-touch cooking to the next level with 25 customizable smart programs. This means you have more preset options to choose from, giving you greater flexibility when preparing different dishes. Whether you’re making yogurt, steaming vegetables, or sterilizing utensils, the Duo Plus offers a broader range of options to suit your cooking needs.
4. Ease of Use and Cleaning
🧽 Instant Pot Duo: Simple and Convenient
The Instant Pot Duo is designed for ease of use, with a basic LED control panel that makes selecting cooking functions straightforward. The stainless-steel inner pot is dishwasher-safe, making cleanup quick and hassle-free. Its fingerprint-resistant exterior ensures that the appliance remains clean and polished even after repeated use.
🧽 Instant Pot Duo Plus: Intuitive Interface with Progress Bar
The Duo Plus enhances the user experience with its large LCD display that provides step-by-step cooking instructions and a cooking progress bar. This feature helps you monitor the progress of your meal in real time. Like the Duo, it also has a dishwasher-safe lid, inner pot, and accessories, ensuring easy cleanup. The whisper-quiet steam release further enhances the overall cooking experience by minimizing noise.
5. Safety Features
Both models come equipped with over 10 safety features, including:
Overheat protection
Safety-lock lid
Pressure control
Anti-spin design (exclusive to Duo Plus)
The anti-spin design of the Duo Plus ensures that the inner pot stays securely in place while sautéing, providing extra stability during cooking. This added safety feature gives you greater confidence when using the appliance.
6. Capacity and Cooking Performance
🍛 Perfect Size for Families
Both models have a 6-quart capacity, making them ideal for cooking meals for up to 6 people. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or hosting a family dinner, these models can handle a variety of dishes efficiently.
🕒 Fast and Even Cooking
Both the Duo and Duo Plus offer pressure cooking that’s up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods. The tri-ply bottom of the stainless-steel inner pot ensures even heat distribution, delivering consistent results every time.
7. Price and Value for Money
💰 Instant Pot Duo: Affordable and Reliable
Priced at $69, the Duo offers excellent value for money, providing essential multi-cooker functions at an affordable price. It’s a great option for those who want a dependable, budget-friendly appliance that covers all the basics.
💰 Instant Pot Duo Plus: Worth the Upgrade
The Duo Plus, priced at $99, is a more advanced model with additional features such as a larger display, whisper-quiet steam release, and more smart programs. While it’s slightly more expensive, the added benefits justify the higher price for users who want a more versatile cooking experience.