Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
Best BudgetInstant Pot Pro 10-in-1 6-Quart Pressure Cooker
Best OverallPrice
$90-$110
$120-$170
Summary
The #1 bestseller on Amazon with over 100,000 reviews averaging 4.7 stars, the Duo delivers reliable pressure cooking, slow cooking, and rice at under $110. CNET, Good Housekeeping, and Epicurious all recommend it as the best entry-level pick.
The fastest-pressurizing electric multicooker in testing, with 10 functions, a WhisperQuiet steam release, and a handled inner pot that works on any cooktop. Serious Eats and CNET both name it their top pick for experts.
Pros
- Amazon's #1 bestseller with 4.7-star average from 100,000+ reviews
- 7 functions: pressure cook, slow cook, rice, steam, sauté, yogurt, keep warm
- High and low pressure settings for more control over delicate foods
- Detachable cord makes cabinet storage easier
- Lightest model tested at 11.8 lbs — easy to move around
- Pressurized faster than any other model in Serious Eats testing
- Handled stainless steel inner pot works on electric, ceramic, and induction cooktops
- WhisperQuiet steam release with diffusing cover for safe venting
- 28 pre-programmed settings including sous vide, sterilize, and cake
- 5 customizable programmable presets for your own recipes
Cons
- Slow natural pressure release compared to other models
- Steam release valve must be turned by hand, risking hot steam on fingers
- Inner pot lacks heat-safe handles
- No cake, sterilize, or egg settings
- Sous vide function is less reliable than a dedicated immersion circulator
- Natural pressure release is slower than some competing models
- More expensive than the base Duo or Duo Plus
Our take
The Duo is the pressure cooker that converted millions of people — and for good reason. It's not flashy, but it cooks beans, stews, and rice reliably, and at under $110 it's the easiest recommendation to make.
If you're buying one pressure cooker to do everything — sear, braise, slow cook, sous vide — the Instant Pot Pro is the one. It pressurizes faster than any other model tested and the silicone-handled inner pot is a genuinely useful upgrade over the base Duo.
Buy
