Choosing between the Instant Pot Duo and Duo Plus can be challenging, as both are versatile multi-cookers with numerous functions. Your decision largely depends on your cooking needs, household size, and desired features.

In this comparison, we’ll examine key aspects like capacity, functions, ease of use, and additional features to help you make an informed choice suitable for small households or larger families.

At a Glance

BEST COMPACT OPTION
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini Electric Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini Electric Pressure Cooker

  • Capacity: 3 Quarts
  • Functions: 7
  • Material: Stainless Steel
BEST FOR FAMILY SIZE
Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker

Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker

  • Capacity: 6 Quarts
  • Functions: 9
  • Power: 1000W
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes Free App with over 1900 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 3 Quart

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes Free App with over 1900 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 3 Quart

7 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, make rice, yogurt, or simply keep your meal warm—all...

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Instant Pot Duo vs Instant Pot Duo Plus: Full Breakdown

Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker, Pressure Cooker, Slow Cook, Rice Maker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App with Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 6 Quarts

Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker, Pressure Cooker, Slow Cook, Rice Maker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App with Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 6 Quarts

9 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, sous vide, steam, sterilize, keep warm, make rice and yogurt—all...

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini Electric Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini Electric Pressure Cooker
OUR VERDICT
Ideal for Small Households or Side Dishes
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The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini is perfect for those with limited space or cooking for 1-2 people. Its 3-quart capacity and 7 cooking functions make it a versatile yet compact appliance.

Pros:

  • Space-saving design
  • Multiple cooking functions
  • Dishwasher-safe components
  • Pro-grade stainless steel pot

Cons:

  • Limited capacity for larger families
  • Fewer smart programs
  • No sous vide or extra features

Best for: Small households, side dishes, quick meals

Not ideal for: Large families or those needing advanced features

Capacity:
3 Quarts
Functions:
7-in-1
Material:
Stainless Steel
Power:
700W
App:
Includes free recipe app
Dimensions:
11.4 x 9.4 x 9.4 inches

Bottom line: Compact yet capable, perfect for small kitchens and quick meals.

Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker

Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker
OUR VERDICT
More Versatile for Larger Families
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The Instant Pot Duo Plus offers a larger 6-quart capacity and additional features like sous vide and more smart programs, making it suitable for bigger households or those wanting more cooking options.

Pros:

  • Larger capacity
  • 15 smart programs
  • Includes sous vide
  • Easy-to-read display

Cons:

  • Heavier and bulkier
  • Slightly more expensive
  • More complex for beginners

Best for: Large families, diverse recipes, advanced cooking

Not ideal for: Small households or limited kitchen space

Capacity:
6 Quarts
Functions:
9-in-1
Material:
Stainless Steel
Power:
1000W
App:
Includes recipe app with 800+ recipes
Display:
Intuitive digital interface

Bottom line: A versatile, larger-capacity cooker suited for busy families and advanced cooks.

FeatureInstant Pot DuoInstant Pot Duo Plus
Capacity3 Quarts6 Quarts
Number of functions7-in-19-in-1
Smart programs11 programs15 programs
Additional featuresBasic, no sous videIncludes sous vide
MaterialStainless SteelStainless Steel
App supportOver 1900 recipesOver 800 recipes

The Verdict

For small households or quick, simple meals, the Instant Pot Duo Mini is ideal. Those seeking more functions, larger capacity, and advanced features should opt for the Instant Pot Duo Plus.

Choosing the Right Instant Pot

The decision largely depends on your household size and cooking needs. If you have limited space or cook for one or two, the Duo Mini offers great value. For larger families or those wanting extra features like sous vide, the Duo Plus is the better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Instant Pot is better for small kitchens?

The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini is more suitable due to its compact size and 3-quart capacity.

Does the Duo Plus have more smart programs?

Yes, the Duo Plus offers 15 smart programs compared to 11 on the Duo Mini.

Can I use the Duo Plus for sous vide cooking?

Yes, the Duo Plus includes a sous vide function, which the Duo Mini does not offer.

Is cleaning easier on either model?

Both models have dishwasher-safe parts, but the smaller size of the Duo Mini makes cleanup quicker.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publishing.

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