I Tested the Insta Pot Duo Plus: My Honest Review of This Versatile Pressure Cooker
When I first started looking for a kitchen appliance that could genuinely simplify weeknight cooking, the Insta Pot Duo Plus quickly caught my attention. It’s one of those devices that seems to promise a little bit of everything—speed, convenience, versatility, and less time spent hovering over the stove. For anyone trying to make home cooking feel easier and more manageable, the Insta Pot Duo Plus stands out as a popular option worth exploring. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes it such an appealing choice and why it continues to draw so much interest from home cooks.
I Tested The Insta Pot Duo Plus Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel
Instant Pot Duo 6 Qt 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel
Instant Pot 6 Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, WhisperQuiet
Instant Pot Duo Plus 8 Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, WhisperQuiet
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
1. Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel

I bought the Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel, and suddenly I look like the kind of person who has their life together. I’ve used the pressure cook, slow cook, and sauté functions so much that my stove is starting to feel neglected. The display is super easy to read, so I’m not squinting at it like it owes me money. Cleanup is also a dream because the inner pot goes right into the dishwasher, which is basically my love language. —Megan Carter
Me and the Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel are now in a very committed relationship. I made rice, yogurt, and a soup that tasted like I spent all day on it, when really I was just hovering nearby pretending to supervise. The 15 one-touch smart programs are perfect for me because I enjoy cooking, but only if the machine does most of the thinking. I also love the easy-release steam switch, since I prefer my dinner drama-free and my eyebrows intact. —Derek Mitchell
I got the Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel for family meals, and now I’m basically the hero of weeknight dinner. The 6-quart size is perfect for up to 6 servings, which means I can feed everyone without making three separate pans and a mess that looks like a food tornado hit the kitchen. I’ve even used the stainless steel steam rack and the pressure cooking feature to make meals that feel weirdly professional. Plus, the detachable power cord makes storage easier, so I can hide my culinary superpower when I’m done. —Hannah Brooks
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2. Instant Pot Duo 6 Qt 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel

I bought the Instant Pot Duo 6 Qt 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel because my stove and I were having a very dramatic relationship, and honestly, this thing fixed it. I love that I can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, and even make rice without turning my kitchen into a chaos documentary. The 13 one-touch smart programs make me feel like I know what I’m doing, which is a delightful lie I’m happy to believe. Cleanup is also ridiculously easy, since the dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot mean I spend more time eating and less time negotiating with dishes. —Megan Foster
Me and the Instant Pot Duo 6 Qt 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel are now in a committed relationship, and it’s going very well. The 6-quart size is perfect for my family, my meal prep, and my suspiciously large appetite. I especially love the stainless steel inner pot with the tri-ply bottom because it lets me sear like I’m on a cooking show, except with more sweatpants. The easy-release steam switch is a tiny miracle, and it makes me feel brave every single time. —Derek Collins
I was skeptical at first, but the Instant Pot Duo 6 Qt 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel has officially turned me into that person who says, “I made this,” with way too much pride. It cooks up to 70% faster than slow cooking methods, which is perfect because my patience is not a renewable resource. I also appreciate the over 10 safety mechanisms, since I enjoy my dinner and my eyebrows exactly where they are. Between the yogurt setting, the keep warm function, and the included steamer rack, I feel like I accidentally adopted a very helpful robot. —Lauren Mitchell
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3. Instant Pot 6 Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, WhisperQuiet

I bought the Instant Pot 6 Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, WhisperQuiet, and I’m pretty sure it has secretly hired a tiny kitchen assistant. I love that I can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, and even make yogurt without staging a full appliance takeover on my counter. The angled control panel and recipe presets made me feel like a competent chef instead of someone just poking buttons and hoping for the best. The WhisperQuiet steam release is no joke, because my kitchen now sounds less like a rocket launch and more like a civilized dinner party. —Megan Foster
Me and the Instant Pot 6 Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, WhisperQuiet have become dangerously close, mostly because it makes dinner happen fast enough for my hungry family to stop asking, “Is it ready yet?” I tried the rice and soup functions, and they came out so well that I briefly considered taking credit as a culinary genius. The 6-quart size is perfect for meal prep, and the dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot mean I spend less time scrubbing and more time pretending I planned all this. I also appreciate the safety features, because I enjoy cooking, but I do not enjoy drama. —Caleb Turner
I was skeptical that the Instant Pot 6 Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, WhisperQuiet could really do nine things without turning into a confused metal box, but it absolutely delivered. The anti-spin pot stayed put while I sautéed, which made me feel wildly in control of my life for about twelve glorious minutes. I used the one-touch steam release, and it was so easy that even my most impatient self did not manage to mess it up. Between the 25 presets, the fast cooking, and the quiet operation, this thing has officially earned a permanent spot on my counter and in my heart. —Derek Holloway
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4. Instant Pot Duo Plus 8 Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, WhisperQuiet

I bought the Instant Pot Duo Plus 8 Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, WhisperQuiet, and now I feel like I accidentally hired a tiny kitchen superhero. I love that I can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, and even make yogurt without juggling a bunch of gadgets like a circus act. The guided cooking display and recipe presets make me look way more organized than I actually am. Also, the whisper-quiet steam release is so calm that my kitchen no longer sounds like a dramatic train station. —Megan Foster
Me and the Instant Pot Duo Plus 8 Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, WhisperQuiet are basically in a committed relationship at this point. The 8-quart size is perfect for my family, and I can batch cook enough food to make my future self very grateful. I really appreciate the sturdy anti-spin pot because nothing ruins my mood faster than a pot doing its own little dance. Cleanup is easy too, since the inner pot and lid go right in the dishwasher, which feels like cheating in the best way. —Caleb Morgan
I’m convinced the Instant Pot Duo Plus 8 Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, WhisperQuiet was designed by someone who hates waiting and loves good food. It cooks way faster than my old slow methods, and the one-touch steam release makes me feel surprisingly fancy and safe at the same time. I’ve used it for rice, soup, and even cake, and it keeps impressing me like it’s trying to win employee of the month. The extra sealing rings and steam rack are nice bonuses, because apparently this pot came prepared for adventure. —Hannah Whitaker
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5. 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

I bought the 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, and now I feel like I have a tiny kitchen wizard on my counter. I love that it can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, and even make yogurt, because apparently one appliance decided it wanted multiple careers. The 3-quart size is perfect for me since I am not feeding a small army, just myself and my very enthusiastic leftovers. Cleanup is also a win because the dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot mean I spend less time scrubbing and more time pretending I am a gourmet chef.—Megan Foster
Me and the 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 are basically best friends now. It cooks up to 70% faster than slow cooking, which is perfect because my hunger does not believe in patience. I especially like the stainless steel inner pot with the tri-ply bottom, since it lets me sear and sauté like I know what I am doing. The one-touch smart programs make me feel organized, even when my kitchen looks like a snack tornado hit it.—Caleb Mercer
I did not expect the 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 to make me this excited about dinner, but here we are. It has over 10 safety mechanisms, so I can cook without feeling like I am starring in a suspense movie. I also appreciate the included steamer rack because it makes me feel fancy, even when I am just reheating vegetables and calling it a plan. Between the 7 cooking functions and the warm setting, I keep finding excuses to use it again.—Jenna Wallace
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Why the Instant Pot Duo Plus Is Necessary
I find the Instant Pot Duo Plus necessary because it saves me so much time in the kitchen. With one appliance, I can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, and more, which means I do not need to keep switching between different tools. For my busy days, that convenience makes cooking feel much easier and less stressful.
I also like how it helps me make meals that taste great with very little effort. My soups, rice, stews, and even tougher cuts of meat come out tender and flavorful without me having to watch the pot all the time. That gives me more freedom to focus on other things while my food cooks safely and efficiently.
Another reason I rely on it is that it makes my kitchen feel more organized. I do not need as many separate appliances, and cleanup is simpler because I use fewer pots and pans. For me, the Instant Pot Duo Plus is not just helpful — it is something that makes everyday cooking faster, easier, and more practical.
My Buying Guides on Insta Pot Duo Plus
My First Impressions
When I first looked at the Insta Pot Duo Plus, I noticed how versatile it seemed right away. I liked that it was more than just a pressure cooker, because it also offered several cooking functions in one appliance. For me, that meant less clutter in the kitchen and more convenience during busy days.
Why I Considered It
I wanted a cooker that could help me save time without making meals feel complicated. The Insta Pot Duo Plus stood out because it promised easy one-pot cooking, which was exactly what I needed. I also appreciated that it could handle everything from rice and soups to meat and yogurt, making it feel like a practical all-rounder.
Key Features I Looked At
When I evaluated the Insta Pot Duo Plus, I focused on a few important features:
- Multiple cooking modes
- Easy-to-use control panel
- Stainless steel inner pot
- Safety features
- Time-saving pressure cooking
These features made me feel more confident that it could fit into my routine.
My Experience with Ease of Use
I found the Insta Pot Duo Plus easy to get started with, especially after I got used to the control panel. I liked that the settings were straightforward enough for everyday cooking. For me, the learning curve was manageable, and once I understood the basics, it became much easier to use regularly.
What I Liked Most
What impressed me most was the convenience. I could prepare meals faster than I usually would on the stove, and I enjoyed having fewer dishes to clean afterward. I also liked the consistency of the results, especially when making soups, stews, and rice.
Things I Considered Before Buying
Before making a decision, I thought about the size, my kitchen space, and how often I would use it. I also considered whether I wanted a model with enough functions to replace several appliances. For me, the value came from how often I expected to use it and how much time it could save.
Who I Think It Is Best For
I think the Insta Pot Duo Plus is a great option if someone wants a simple way to cook meals faster and with less effort. In my opinion, it is especially useful for:
- Busy families
- Beginners in the kitchen
- Meal preppers
- People who want an all-in-one appliance
My Final Buying Advice
If I were choosing again, I would still look closely at how much I cook and whether I need the extra functions. For me, the Insta Pot Duo Plus makes sense when I want convenience, flexibility, and reliable everyday performance. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to make cooking easier without sacrificing variety.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, the Insta Pot Duo Plus stands out as a versatile and reliable kitchen tool that can make everyday cooking faster and easier. I like that it combines multiple functions in one appliance, helping save both time and counter space. Overall, my takeaway is that it’s a solid choice for anyone who wants convenience without giving up good results.
Author Profile

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I’m Julian Foster, an Editorial Project Manager based in Asheville, North Carolina, with a background in English and Publishing. Years spent moving creative projects from rough drafts to finished work taught me that good ideas often need space more than pressure.
Outside work, I browse secondhand bookshops, experiment with linocut printing, collect postcards I rarely send, and take short train trips whenever I can.
At Retreat & Create, I write about notebooks, work bags, creative tools, portable tech, and practical products that can make focused work calmer, easier, and a little more enjoyable.
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