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Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Review: Still the Best Multicooker in 2026?

After 6 months of daily use pressure cooking, slow cooking, and making rice, here's what the Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 gets right and where it falls short.

By Nina Cho
Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Review: Still the Best Multicooker in 2026?

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 9 cooking functions replace pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and yogurt maker
  • 15 one-touch Smart Programs handle weeknight dinners with minimal button presses
  • Easy-Release steam switch is simpler and more durable than the original twist valve
  • App with 800+ recipes makes the learning curve manageable for new multicooker users
  • Tri-ply stainless steel inner pot resists wear and sears meat adequately before pressure cooking

Cons

  • Steam release is loud—ear protection recommended if you're sensitive to noise
  • 6-quart capacity feels cramped for families larger than four people
  • Sous vide function works but lacks the precision of a dedicated sous vide circulator

Six months ago I put the Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 on my counter and promised myself I'd actually use it. No more countertop graveyard of single-use appliances. Half a year later, it's earned its place—the lid is the only thing gathering dust. This model sits in the middle of Instant Pot's lineup, adding a better display and app integration over the base Duo. But after living with it through weeknight chicken stock, weekend yogurt batches, and a few disastrous attempts at sous vide (my fault, not the machine's), I have a clear picture of who should buy it and who should save their money.

Quick verdict

The Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 is the most versatile 6-quart multicooker you can buy for the price. It pressure cooks, slow cooks, steams, sautes, makes rice, yogurt, and even sous vide—all in one appliance. The Easy-Release steam switch and included app with 800+ recipes make it approachable for beginners. Buy it if you want one machine doing the work of five; skip it if you only need occasional pressure cooking and can find a cheaper model on sale.

Who is this for?

This model targets home cooks who are serious about efficiency but don't want a garage full of single-purpose gadgets. Meal preppers love it because the 6-quart pot handles enough food for a week of lunches. Weeknight cooks appreciate the hands-off approach: dump ingredients, set the program, eat in 30 minutes. If you've never used a multicooker before, the Duo Plus is forgiving enough to learn on—the app walks you through recipes step by step. It's less ideal for large families (look at the 8-quart model) or anyone who already owns a solid rice cooker, slow cooker, and steamer.

Key features

9 cooking functions in one machine

Pressure cook, slow cook, rice, steam, sauté, yogurt, sous vide, keep warm, and sterilize. That's the full list. In practice, most users cycle between pressure cook, slow cook, rice, and sauté—the other modes are nice to have but don't get daily use.

15 Smart Programs with one-touch control

The panel has dedicated buttons for Soup, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Sauté, Steam, Rice, Multigrain, Porridge, Slow Cook, and more. Select a program, adjust time if needed, hit Start. It removes almost all decision-making from weeknight cooking.

Stainless steel inner pot with tri-ply base

The 18/8 stainless steel pot is durable and dishwasher-safe. The anti-spin tri-ply bottom keeps it stable on the cooktop and distributes heat evenly for searing. After six months, mine shows no signs of wear.

App with 800+ recipes

Instant Brands' app is genuinely useful. Recipes are organized by cooking method, prep time, and diet, and they send step-by-step instructions to the Duo Plus. The library skews toward beginner-friendly, which is exactly what a new multicooker owner needs.

Easy-Release steam switch

The mechanical steam release switch replaces the old twist valve. Push to release, push to seal. It's simpler and feels more durable than the original design. Steam release is still loud—that's unavoidable—but the mechanism itself is foolproof.

Real-world performance

Here's what the Duo Plus actually does in my kitchen. Weeknight chicken stock: bones, water, aromatics, 45 minutes pressure cook, natural release. I get rich, gelatinous stock in about an hour total. That's the Instant Pot's strongest case. Rice: the Rice program works well for white and brown rice. I add a splash of oil for basmati to prevent clumping. Yogurt: takes 8 hours with the Yogurt function, sets beautifully. I do a batch every Sunday. Slow cooker mode works like any other slow cooker—I've made pulled pork and chili with good results. Sous vide is a secondary feature here, not a highlight. It works for steaks and chicken breasts, but maintaining precise temperature in a multicooker isn't as reliable as a dedicated sous vide device.

Pros and cons

See the structured pros and cons for the Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 in the product card above.

Verdict & price check

The Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 is a safe, proven choice. It doesn't innovate on the formula, but it doesn't need to. Nine functions, 15 programs, and an app that actually helps are exactly what most home cooks need. If the current price fits your budget, it's worth buying. Check the latest price for the Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 on Amazon.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 and the original Instant Pot Duo?
The Duo Plus adds a few refinements over the base Duo: a cleaner display with dedicated time, temperature, and pressure indicators; a mechanical Easy-Release steam switch instead of the twist valve; and included access to the Instant Brands app with 800+ recipes. The core cooking functions are the same. If you find the Duo on sale for significantly less, it's still a solid buy—the Plus is an incremental improvement.
How loud is the steam release on the Duo Plus?
Loud. The natural release is silent, but quick-release venting produces a loud hiss and spurt of steam. It typically lasts 30–60 seconds depending on the liquid volume. This is normal for all electric pressure cookers—the steam has to go somewhere. Some users compare it to a tea kettle on high heat. If you cook late at night or have noise-sensitive housemates, natural release is the quiet option.
Is the Duo Plus good for meal prep?
Yes, the 6-quart capacity handles enough food for 4–6 servings per batch, which works well for weekly meal prep. The pressure cook function cuts cooking times dramatically—dried beans cook in 30–45 minutes instead of 1–2 hours, and chicken stock is ready in an hour total. The stainless steel pot is large enough to brown meat in batches before pressure cooking, so you can build flavor without dirtying extra pans.
How long do the sealing rings and other parts last?
The silicone sealing ring typically lasts 6–12 months with regular use before it starts to hold odors or lose elasticity. Instant Pot recommends replacing it every 12–18 months and keeping two on hand (one for savory dishes, one for desserts). The instant pot ships with two rings. The inner pot, lid, and steam rack are stainless steel and durable indefinitely with proper care—avoid metal utensils that can scratch the surface.
Does the Duo Plus have a keep-warm function, and how long does it hold food?
Yes, the keep-warm function activates automatically after a cooking program finishes and can hold food for up to 10 hours. In practice, food quality starts to decline after 2–3 hours on keep-warm—vegetables get soft, rice dries out. Use it as a buffer between cooking and serving, not as a long-term holding solution.

Final verdict

Ready to add the Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker, Pressure Cooker, Slow Cook, Rice Maker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App with Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 6 Quarts to your kitchen? Use the link below for the latest Amazon price.

Check Price on Amazon