Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Review: Is It Worth Buying?

We judged it on four things: how evenly it cooks stews and rice, how clear the controls are, how easy cleanup is, and how much cupboard space it demands. On those terms the Duo Plus is a dependable weeknight workhorse. If you already own a pressure cooker from our reviews, this is a gentle upgrade rather than a revolution.

This review covers the standard stainless-steel Duo Plus 6-quart, the current V3. Instant Pot also sells a separate WhisperQuiet version with a dial, a quieter push-button steam release, and cake in place of sterilize. Our verdict here applies to the standard unit. The Duo Plus name has covered several bodies over the years, which means older write-ups do not always match what you will buy today.

Capacity, specifications and included accessories

The 6-quart pot handles a family dinner or a batch of beans for meal prep. For pressure cooking, keep food and liquid at or below the 2/3 line, and keep rice and other expanding foods at or below the 1/2 line. A steam rack and spare sealing rings come in the box, and the manufacturer backs the cooker with a 1-year limited warranty for the original purchaser.

The nine functions and differences between versions

The nine functions are pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, sous vide, steam, sterilize, keep warm, rice, and yogurt. The WhisperQuiet version swaps sterilize for cake and carries 25 presets against the standard model's 15.

Pressure cooking and total meal time

Pressure cooking is where the Duo Plus earns its place. Stews, braises, and short ribs finish tender, and in our kitchen it turned chicken breast out juicy as well. The catch is timing: the cooker spends several minutes building pressure before the countdown starts, so a short program does not mean an equally short dinner.

Closed-lid cooking also asks for planning, because you cannot adjust seasoning or liquid mid-cycle. Settle seasoning and liquid before sealing the lid.

Sautéing, rice and slow cooking

Sautéing in the same pot saves washing up, and it works well for onions and a pot of chili. It is not a searing station, though. We tipped a whole batch of cubed stew meat into the pot at once, and the pieces crowded each other. The pot lost its browning heat, so the meat looked pale instead of crusted. Now we brown in small batches, or use a stovetop pan when we want a deeper crust.

Rice, easy-peeling eggs, and tender meat are routine wins for this cooker. Rice texture depends on the grain, water ratio, and program, so expect to adjust the water once. Slow cooking works, although pressure cooking is the faster route to the same tender result.

Yogurt and other model-specific functions

Yogurt is a dependable extra if you make it often, and the sous vide mode is the headline reason to pick the Duo Plus over the basic Duo. Rice, pressure cooking, and sautéing are the everyday workhorses; sous vide and yogurt are the specialty extras.

Setup, display and learning curve

The learning curve is gentle but real. A water test before the first meal helps you see how pressure builds, and it explains why the display waits before it begins counting down. Once that makes sense, the display tells you whether the cooker is heating, pressurizing, or cooking.

Steam release and kitchen space

The Easy-Release switch moves the steam valve without your hand hovering over the vent. The detachable cord leaves less to tuck away, and the lid parks upright in either side handle, which suits either stirring hand. Measure your cupboard before buying, since the body is large.

Cleaning, dishwasher-safe parts and sealing-ring upkeep

The lid and inner pot are dishwasher-safe, and the gasket lifts out easily for washing. Burnt onion and garlic stick to the uncoated steel pot. Crumbs also gather around the lid-latching rim, so give that area a quick wipe after greasy meals.

The sealing ring is the part that needs attention. It holds savory aromas even after washing, so a separate ring for sweet dishes is a smart buy. Replace the ring every 12-18 months, or sooner if it stretches or deforms, and inspect it before every cook. Keep the electrical base dry at all times.

The Duo Plus costs more than the Duo, which sits at the budget end of the family. The current Duo has 13 customizable programs, seven functions, and the same 6-quart size, 1000W power, and Easy-Release switch. It leaves out sous vide and sterilize and has a simpler display. Both carry a 1-year warranty, and neither air fries.

For routine pressure meals, beans, rice, and yogurt, the Duo does the core job and is the sweet spot for most budget-minded cooks. The Duo Plus makes sense if you want sous vide and the extra status information on the display. If you are weighing the two, our Instant Pot Duo vs Duo Plus comparison goes further, and the wider Instant Pot line has other options.

Pick the standard Duo Plus if sous vide or sterilize will earn a place in your routine. Pick the Duo instead if you mostly pressure cook, make rice, and want to spend less. If quiet steam release matters, consider the separate WhisperQuiet version, which swaps sterilize for cake; this review does not cover that model.