I got the Pro over the duo because of the handles on the inner pot. Stops it from spinning and makes it easier to handle.
Comparison
Kitchen & Dining
Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 (6 Quart)
Best Value Multi-Cooker
The Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 is a ~$149 CAD electric pressure cooker (6-quart) with a nonstick inner pot and 9 built-in cooking programs.
5 mentions · 3 threadslast mention Mar 20244.7/ 10
ClearPick Score
Buyer Beware
Score informed by 5 owner mentions across 3 Reddit threads · see every quote ↓
1 positive0 mixed4 negative
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Best Value Multi-Cooker
Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 (6 Quart)
~$149 CAD est. on Amazon.ca
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Every mention, sourced
Real comments from Reddit, linked to the original thread. Nothing paraphrased.
The inner pot of the Pro can also be used on a regular stove top for sauteing (as opposed to sauteing in the instant pot)! That was ultimately the deciding factor for me.
Comparison
I have both and the plus is worth it. The steam release is impressive, and I rarely even use it (natural release is my go to).
Praise
I got one with a lot of fancy buttons and features, and I barely use any of them. I mainly cook meats and hard boiled eggs. I would go with the cheaper option unless absolutely known you need the features in the other one.
Comparison
I hate nonstick coated pots because the coating tends to go bad over time and limits the types of utensils you can use with them. Stainless lasts through pretty much anything...
Complaint
✅ What Works
- Core pressure cooking and steam release function well
- Reasonable price point in the Instant Pot lineup
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- Design and ergonomics lag newer Instant Pot models — no pot handles, no stovetop searing
- Nonstick coated pot wears over time and limits utensil choice
- Extra buttons/features owners say they rarely use
- Owners frequently prefer Instant Pot Pro over this model for handling
- Score revised from an earlier pass in this same correction sweep to accurately reflect the sentiment split above — treat this as the current, corrected figure.
ClearPick Verdict
Every tracked owner mention of the Duo Plus is negative or neutral-at-best — none of the 5 mentions collected are unambiguously positive about the unit itself. The recurring theme is design and ergonomics: owners moving to other Instant Pot lines cite the inner pot's lack of handles ("stops it from spinning and makes it easier to handle"), no stovetop-safe pot for searing, and buttons/features they say they rarely use. One reviewer bluntly recommends the cheaper base model "unless absolutely known you need the features." There's no material complaint about core pressure-cooking function, just that rival models in Instant Pot's own lineup outperform it on handling and design. Fine for a basic pressure cooker on a budget; skip it if you want the searing or handle upgrades found on the Pro or Duo Crisp.
