Head-to-head · Best Instant Pot

Instant Pot RIO Wide 7.5 qt 7-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker 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 RIO Wide 7.5 qt 7-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker and Instant Pot Vortex Plus 4QT Air Fryer, 6-in-1 score essentially the same (4.3 vs 4.3). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Ranked #4 in Best Instant Pot

Instant Pot RIO Wide 7.5 qt 7-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker

4.3

2 sources1 derived$140as of Aug 1

A wider 7.5-quart pot lets the Instant Pot Rio Wide take standard kitchen pans, and it comes with 13 smart cooking programs. Tom's Guide praised the 70% faster cooking and 60% energy savings, and reviewer Thas highlighted how well the tri-ply stainless steel inner pot distributes heat. Critics found it bulkier than other models and noted the missing air frying, app connectivity, and customizable presets. Families who want fast cooking across a range of dishes will like it; anyone after smart home integration or specialized functions will not.

Strengths

— Wider cooking pot allows more surface area for sautéing and fits standard kitchen pans like 9-inch cake pans
— 13 customizable smart cooking programs with a cooking progress bar and easy steam-release switch
— Stainless steel inner pot with tri-ply bottom for even heat distribution and better sautéing results

Watch-outs

— Larger and heavier than other models, taking up more counter and cabinet space
— Inner pot is wider and takes up more space in the dishwasher
— Lacks air fryer function, crisp lid option, WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity, and app control

$140 · Buy at instantpot.com Full review →

Ranked #3 in Best Instant Pot

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

4.3

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 Amazon Full 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 RIO Wide 7.5 qt 7-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker

The RIO Wide excels with its wider pot that accommodates standard kitchen pans, a feature not available in the Vortex Plus or Duo Plus. Unlike the Pro Plus, it doesn't offer Wi-Fi connectivity, but it provides better sautéing surface area and faster cooking times than the standard 10-in-1 model. However, it's bulkier than the Vortex Plus and lacks the air frying function that makes the Vortex Plus more versatile for users wanting multiple cooking methods.

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

Spec	Instant Pot RIO Wide 7.5 qt 7-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker	Instant Pot Vortex Plus 4QT Air Fryer, 6-in-1
Capacity	7.5 quarts	6 quarts
Wattage	1200W	1500W
Inner Pot Material	Stainless steel with tri-ply bottom	Non-stick basket and tray
Safety Features	10+ proven safety features	Auto-shutoff
Functions	7-in-1 (pressure cook, slow cook, rice, steam, sauté, yogurt, keep warm)	Air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, dehydrate
Display	step-by-step cooking guidance	Digital screen with knob
Dimensions	—	10.2"D x 13.03"W x 11.02"H

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