Instant Pot Duo Nova vs Duo (Which is Better?)

I'm a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Want to know the difference between the Instant Pot Duo Nova vs Duo? We just looked it over and our Instant Pot Duo Nova reviews found some notable differences between the two, but is the upgrade worth it? If you’re new to the Instant Pot family, then the Duo Nova 6 qt or any other size is great for your kitchen. However, if you’re considering an upgrade from Duo to Duo Nova, then read on to see if the differences are large enough to warrant the cost. If you want to learn more about the Duo Nova, then read our 5 Reasons you Need the Instant Pot Duo Nova article.

What is the Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker?

If you’re completely new to Instant Pot and electric pressure cookers in general, then let’s introduce the whole topic and get you up to speed.

Instant Pot is the premier electric pressure cooker and multicooker that combines the convenience of several kitchen appliances into one. While pressure cooking is their main function and this helps you produce deep, rich flavors in a fraction of the time, these are also highly versatile kitchen gadgets that can cook rice, cake, ribs, and so much more.

There are other brands out there (we even compared them in our Best Pressure Cooker: Instant Pot vs Ninja Foodi vs Crock-Pot article, be sure to check that out!), but Instant Pot consistently ranks at the top.

Maybe you already own an Instant Pot Duo (or one of their other various models) and you’re curious why their newest Duo Nova is so special. Or, maybe you’re curious about getting your first electric pressure cooker and want the newest model out there.

Keep going and see what separates these two.

Appliances, Appliances, and More Appliances

Every Instant Pot model combines several appliances into one. This saves you power, counter space, and it’s just convenient. No more digging out the slow cooker, rice cooker, etc. Just push a button and it’s ready for you.

Speaking of different appliances, are you curious about the difference between pressure cookers and slow cookers? Read our recent article on it: Pressure Cookers vs Slow Cookers vs Crock Pot.

Let’s compare the two side by side and see which has more appliances in the Instant Pot Duo Nova vs Duo:

Appliance	Instant Pot Duo Nova	Instant Pot Duo
Pressure Cooker	Yes	Yes
Steamer	Yes	Yes
Rice Cooker	Yes	Yes
Slow Cooker	Yes	Yes
Warmer	Yes	Yes
Yogurt Maker	Yes	Yes
Saute/Searing	Yes	Yes

Both of them have the same appliances. Not much of a difference yet. Let’s keep going and see if there’s something else that differentiates them. If you are curious about a model with even more appliances, then consider checking out our recent review: Instant Pot Duo Nova vs Duo Evo Plus. You might also want to check out Instant Pot Duo Nova vs Duo Plus.

Instant Pot Duo vs Duo Nova: Smart Programs

Another hallmark of Instant Pot is their smart programs. There is a small but smart microprocessor in every Instant Pot that ensures the home chef is creating their best food he or she can. These control temperature, heat, pressure, and time and cook your food to perfection.

While every Instant Pot has smart programs, each model and size has their differences. For example, the Instant Pot 3 qt models usually have fewer smart programs than 6qt and 8qt models. If you’re curious about other brands and how this stands up, then check our article Ninja Foodi Deluxe XL vs Instant Pot Duo Nova.

Let’s compare Duo vs Duo Nova smart programs to see which is better here.

Smart Programs	Instant Pot Duo Nova	Instant Pot Duo
Soup/Broth	Yes	Yes
Bean/Chili	Yes	Yes
Meat/Stew	Yes	Yes
Rice	Yes	Yes
Multigrain	Yes	Yes
Saute	Yes	Yes
Poultry	Yes	Yes
Yogurt	Yes	Yes
Porridge	Yes	Yes
Steam	Yes	Yes
Pressure Cook	Yes	Yes
Keep Warm	Yes	Yes
Slow Cook	Yes	Yes
Pasteurize	No	Yes

These are based on the Instant Pot 6qt and 8qt sizes. Some of these features might be absent in the Instant Pot Duo Nova 3qt and Nova 3qt models.

While neither has a cake setting, you can easily make cakes manually. But, if you really wanted a cake setting, we did a review of the best pressure cookers for cake.

The two pressure cookers are close here, but surprisingly the older Duo model has one extra smart feature. Given, pasteurize is a fairly uncommon feature for people to use, but it’s still notable nonetheless.

Instant Pot Duo Nova vs Duo: Sizes

This might be the biggest difference between them (pun intended). Most Instant Pots, including the Duo, come in 3qt, 6qt, and 8qt sizes. Our Instant Pot Duo Nova reviews revealed that there is a new size available with the Duo Nova model. Now you can get a 10qt model, which is ideal for large families.

If you want one of the largest pressure cookers, then the Duo Nova might be right for you.

What’s the Difference Between the Duo Nova and Duo?

Side by side, these two are similar in terms of appliances and smart programs (outside of the pasteurize feature). However, the Duo Nova has an updated display much like the Duo Plus and Duo Ultra. One big update is the Duo Nova comes with an auto sealing lid. This is an enhanced safety feature, and you want as much safety as possible when pressure cooking.

By the way, we’ve done a whole series on Instant Pot Duo Nova versus the other models. Why don’t you check out some of the other articles in this series?

Many home chefs have forgotten to properly turn the sealing knob before cooking. That can be a big problem. That’s why Instant Pot is transforming all their models to have this feature. It’s safer and ensures your food cooks properly.

What’s new with the Duo Nova model? Another update is the Duo Nova comes with two sealing rings, measuring cup, and steam rack. This gives you even more accessories than the Duo.

Price wise the two are nearly identical. The Duo is less expensive, but both are affordable and the extra accessories and self-sealing lid makes the Duo Nova a better deal overall.

Final Thoughts

The biggest difference with Instant Pot Duo Nova vs Duo is the size. They both come in 3, 6, and 8qt sizes, but the Instant Pot Duo Nova 10qt is the only model to come in this massive size. Aside from that, the Duo Nova comes with two sealing rings and the self-sealing lid. The Duo does have an extra smart function for pasteurizing and that might be enough to tip the scales for some people.

The truth is that both are fantastic. If you’re in the market for a new pressure cooker, then both are good but the Duo Nova is a little better. However, if you want to spend a little less or need to pasteurize things, then the Duo might be better for you.