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Head-to-head · Best Instant Pot

Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker (Sous Vide Capability) vs Instant Pot Vortex Plus 4QT Air Fryer, 6-in-1

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker (Sous Vide Capability) comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about families wanting reliable multicooking without smart features — read the strengths below before deciding.

Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker (Sous Vide Capability)
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Instant Pot
Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker (Sous Vide Capability)
4 sources$139.99as of Aug 1

Weeknight dinners are what the Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker is for, and a 1000-watt heating element backs that up, with a 45-minute pulled pork test making the case for the time savings. HomeCritiQue rated it 3/5 for value and quality, while Lovable Kitchen praised the 10+ safety mechanisms and the tri-ply stainless steel pot. A digital progress bar takes the guesswork out of pressure cooking, and the anti-spin pot design stops the bowl spinning while you saute. Reviewers found it bulky for smaller kitchens, and the electric saute cannot match stovetop sear temperatures. Busy families who need one appliance for several jobs are the fit; solo users and anyone who wants air frying are not.

Strengths
  • — Robust stainless steel pot with anti-spin design that stays locked in place during stirring
  • — Digital progress bar eliminates guessing game of pressure cooking with visual preheating, cooking, and keep warm indicators
  • — Whisper-quiet steam release switch keeps fingers safe from burns and reduces noise disturbance
Watch-outs
  • — Bulky footprint takes up significant cabinet and counter space
  • — Electric sauté mode cannot reach stovetop sear temperatures for browning proteins
$139.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Instant Pot Vortex Plus 4QT Air Fryer, 6-in-1
Ranked #3 in Best Instant Pot
Instant Pot Vortex Plus 4QT Air Fryer, 6-in-1
4 sources1 derived$129.99as of Aug 1

The Instant Vortex Plus is a six-function countertop air fryer, covering air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat and dehydrate, built around a 6-quart basket and a 1500W element. Tom's Guide and TechGearLab both rate it in the mid-4s out of 5 for how much it does for the money and how little cleaning it demands. The preheat is slower than rivals, the basket tray slides out when the food is tipped, and the fan is audible from the next room.

Strengths
  • — Impressive versatility with six preset functions including air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate
  • — Easy to clean with dishwasher-safe parts and a dedicated how-to video on the website
  • — Intuitive digital touch controls combined with a central dial make operation effortless
Watch-outs
  • — Preheat runs about five minutes, slower than several rivals
  • — Inner tray is unlatched and slides out when the basket is tipped
  • — Fan is audible from the next room through longer cycles
$129.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker (Sous Vide Capability)

The Instant Pot Duo Plus stands out with its digital progress bar and anti-spin pot design, features not found in the standard Instant Pot 10-in-1 or Vortex Plus models. While the Pro Plus offers Wi-Fi connectivity that the RIO Wide lacks, it doesn't match the RIO's wider cooking surface or the Vortex Plus's air frying capabilities. Compared to the Pro Plus, it's less bulky but also less feature-rich, making it a solid middle-ground choice for families wanting reliability without smart features.

Instant Pot Vortex Plus 4QT Air Fryer, 6-in-1

The Vortex Plus offers the only air frying capability among all models, making it unique compared to the Duo Plus, Pro Plus, and RIO Wide. While it's more expensive than the standard 10-in-1 and has a longer preheat time, it provides six preset functions and a large 6-quart capacity that the others don't match. Unlike the Pro Plus, it lacks Wi-Fi features but compensates with more versatile cooking options, making it ideal for users wanting a multi-functional appliance with air frying.

Specs side-by-side

SpecInstant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker (Sous Vide Capability)Instant Pot Vortex Plus 4QT Air Fryer, 6-in-1
Capacity6 Quarts6 quarts
Wattage1000 watts1500W
Inner Pot Material18/8 Stainless SteelNon-stick basket and tray
Safety FeaturesOver 10 safety mechanismsAuto-shutoff
FunctionsPressure cook, slow cook, rice cook, steam, sauté, yogurt, warm, sterilize, cakeAir fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, dehydrate
DisplayLCD display with cooking progress indicatorsDigital screen with knob
Dimensions12.2"D x 13.39"W x 12.99"H10.2"D x 13.03"W x 11.02"H
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