Instant Pot Pro vs Duo Plus (Why Pro is the Best for Parents)

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Instant Brand pressure cookers are among some of the best in the world. Not only are they powerful, but they are also extremely versatile. Today we’re comparing one of the newest pressure cookers against one of their top-tier models. It’s our Instant Pot Pro vs Duo Plus review. Which one of these is best for your kitchen? You’ll soon find out.

Our Instant Pot Duo Plus vs Pro review will compare these based on customer satisfaction, appliances, smart programs, sizes, and then any other differences we find.

Read on to find out who wins.

What is Instant Pot Pro?

What makes Instant Pot Pro different from other pressure cookers? While every new Instant pressure cooker brings advanced technology and unique features, it can be hard to know which is which unless you’re really paying attention. In general, Pro takes all the best features from previous models and combines them.

Pro features their newest microprocessor, plus it heats up 20% faster and reduces cooking time by as much as 70% when compared to previous models. It also is very quiet compared to other models, and it comes with a safe steam release, EasySeal lid, handles for the inner cooking pot, and much more.

All that, and it’s a great bargain for everything you’re getting. If you want a pressure cooker that truly does it all, then Pro is hard to beat.

Check Price: Instant Pot Pro ->

What is Instant Pot Duo Plus?

The Duo Plus by Instant Pot is a great model that is deemed one of the best for parents. It has a sterilizer feature that, until recently, was difficult to find with these pressure cookers. While it’s great for parents, the truth is that it has tons of features that home cooks will love.

It comes with nine appliances, lots of smart programs, has an EasySeal lid and easy steam release, and one unique feature is that the inner pot is locked in place so it won’t spin. That’s perfect for parents who need to hold the baby in one hand and stir with the other.

Check Price: Instant Pot Duo Plus ->

What Others are Saying

Any product can look good on paper, but how does it stack up when up in the hands of everyday users? We checked the Amazon reviews to see what people were saying about these two models.

Instant Pot Pro Reviews

The Instant Pot Pro Amazon reviews are in, and it comes as no surprise that people love this multicooker. With about 2K reviews and an overall rating of 4.7, this is a beloved new addition to the Instant Brand family.

Many people comment on how much easier this model is to use compared to others, and many are also saying how happy they are that it’s quieter than previous pressure cookers. It seems that many people enjoy everything this has to offer.

Instant Pot Duo Plus Reviews

How do the Instant Pot Duo Plus Amazon reviews compare? Duo Plus has been around longer and has amassed 43K reviews and the same 4.7 rating. As you may expect, many parents have purchased this model and they love how easy it is to use. More than that, they love how quick it is. Whether you’re cooking giant ribs, a whole chicken, or a pile of veggies, the Duo Plus makes short work of them all.

These are glowing reviews for sure, but does it necessarily make the Duo Plus better than Pro? Let’s dive deep into what they both offer to see.

Appliances

Maybe the best thing about these pressure cookers is the ridiculous number of appliances they come with. Yes, you’re technically buying a pressure cooker, but you’re getting so much more than that with your purchase. That’s one of the best things about these models.

So, which has the better appliances? Let’s compare the Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 vs Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1.

Appliances	Instant Pot Pro	Instant Pot Duo Plus
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
Cake Maker	Yes	No
Sterilizer	Yes	Yes
Sous Vide	Yes	Yes

As you can see, they are nearly identical here. The only thing different is that Pro offers a cake maker appliance while Duo Plus doesn’t. Now, as you may have seen from our other reviews, we like to see whether the appliance can be easily replicated.

Some of the appliances can be duplicated with manual settings or other appliances. While the cake maker is great and it easily makes moist and delicious cakes, Duo Plus can do the same with manual features. It’s a little bit harder, but not by much.

So, while Pro wins this battle, it’s only by a small margin. It’s nearly a tie, but that one extra appliance (though easy to replicate) does make it a little better.

Check Price: Instant Pot Pro ->

Instant Pot Duo Plus vs Pro: Smart Programs

Another great thing about Instant Pot is that every model comes loaded with smart programs. These are one-button programs that make it easier to roast chicken, cook rice, and do much more. Not only that, but the microprocessor steps in and ensures your meals are as delicious as possible.

Both of these models come with a microprocessor, but the newest Pro one is more accurate and able to give you even better meals, but both are good.

You also need to consider the number of programs. Duo Plus comes with 15 programs, which is pretty good. However, Pro has it beat with 28 programs. Not only does it offer about double the number of programs, but it also allows you to favorite 5 programs so they are easy to access.

Whether you need to hold a child with one hand or you don’t want to look through the long list of programs, this favorite feature makes the pressure cooker much easier to use in general.

While the two were basically tied with appliances, Pro proves to be much better here.

Check Price: Instant Pot Duo Plus ->

Instant Pot Pro vs Duo Plus: Sizes

You want to make sure you pick the right size pressure cooker for your family. Getting one that’s too small means you won’t have enough room for meals, or you’ll be forced to cook in batches. However, getting one that’s too big means it’ll take up too much counter space and it’s a waste of money.

So, what’s the right size for your needs? Many people consider 3 quart pressure cookers to be good for one or two people, a 6 quart pressure cooker is ideal for a small family, and an 8 quart pressure cooker is great for a large family or anyone who hosts parties.

Let’s see which sizes you can choose between with these two to see if one is better than the other.

Instant Pot Pro Sizes

Instant Pot Pro 6 Quart
Instant Pot Pro 8 Quart

Instant Pot Duo Plus Sizes

Instant Pot Duo Plus 3 Quart
Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Quart
Instant Pot Duo Plus 8 Quart

Duo Plus does offer one more size, but is it one you really want? We found that the most popular Instant Pot size is 6 quart followed by the 8 quart. The 3 quart is good, but it does lack some features found in the larger sizes.

While Duo Plus technically wins with the one extra size, we found that most people get the other two sizes and we don’t think this will make a huge difference for most buyers.

What’s the Difference Between Instant Pot Pro and Duo Plus?

Curious about what’s the difference between Instant Pot Duo Plus and Pro? We found some minor differences along with more significant ones.

We also reviewed Pro against other models, so check these for more info:

Let’s start with the minor ones. Pro features one extra appliance with the cake maker while Duo Plus offers an additional size with the 3 quart model.

The more significant differences are that Pro has handles for the cooking pot, an even better steam release, significantly more smart programs, the ability to favorite five programs, and it heats up 20% faster. One big difference that Duo Plus has going for it is the locked inner pot, which makes it easy to stir with one hand.

While Duo Plus has its advantages and it’s at a slightly better price point, we think that Pro has more features and the newer technology makes it stronger overall.

Final Thoughts

So, who is the winner here? Duo Plus is great and has lots of features. If you’re looking to save money, then this could be the right one for you. If you’re looking to get the fastest and quietest pressure cooker, then Pro is much better and the price is nearly the same.

We recommend the Pro over the Duo Plus, but let us know what you think.