Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6-Quart
Best 2-in-1 with Air FryerInstant Pot Duo Plus 6-Quart
Best OverallPrice
$160-$230
$107-$140
Summary
A separate air fryer lid transforms this into a superconvection air fryer that rivals standalone units — CNET says results rival their favorite dedicated air fryers. One appliance replaces two, and it still does all the standard Instant Pot pressure cooking.
The Duo Plus is the sweet spot between simplicity and features — it adds cake, egg, and sterilize settings over the base Duo, plus a bigger LED display and mid-cook adjustments. Good Housekeeping named it their top pick after testing eight models.
Pros
- Separate air fryer lid delivers superconvection results that rival standalone air fryers per CNET testing
- 11 cooking functions including pressure cook, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate
- Sturdy stainless steel inner cooking pot
- Available in 6- or 8-quart capacity
- Replaces two appliances for less than buying both separately
- Adds cake, egg, and sterilize settings over the base Duo model
- Larger, brighter LED display is easier to read than competitors
- Can edit cooking time and pressure level while machine is running
- 25 customizable smart programs with step-by-step instructions for beginners
- Anti-spin inner pot design prevents rocking during sauté
Cons
- Two separate lids to store and manage
- Missing canning, sterilize, poultry, and egg settings
- More expensive than standard Instant Pot models
- More expensive than the base Instant Pot Duo
- WhisperQuiet steam release still makes some noise in real-world use
- Natural pressure release takes longer than some competing models
Our take
If counter space is tight and you want both an Instant Pot and an air fryer, the Duo Crisp is the obvious answer. The air frying lid is genuinely good — not a compromise — and the pressure cooking side is solid.
If you're buying your first Instant Pot or replacing an old one, get the Duo Plus. It does everything the bestselling Duo does but lets you tweak settings mid-cook — a small thing that makes a huge difference when you're learning.
Buy
