Instant Pot: Budget Duo vs Premium Crisp?

The Instant Pot Duo Nova is often hailed as the perfect starting point for anyone new to pressure cooking, and for good reason. It builds upon the legacy of the original Duo, arguably the model that catapulted Instant Pot to fame, by refining the user experience and maintaining an attractive price point. Its core strength lies in its simplicity and effectiveness at performing the fundamental tasks it promises: pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming, sautéing, yogurt making, and warming. This 7-in-1 functionality covers a vast range of cooking needs for the average household.

What makes the Duo Nova particularly appealing for those on a budget is that it delivers reliable performance without unnecessary frills. The control panel is intuitive, typically featuring preset buttons for common dishes like soup, meat/stew, beans/chili, poultry, and rice. The ‘Nova’ aspect often refers to the updated lid design, which automatically seals the pressure release valve when you close the lid – a small but significant improvement over older models where users had to remember to manually set the valve to the sealing position. This enhances safety and ease of use, reducing one common point of user error.

In terms of build, you still get the quality stainless steel inner pot that Instant Pot is known for, which is durable, non-reactive, and dishwasher-safe. While it might lack the graphical display or the extensive number of ‘smart programs’ found on higher-end models, the core cooking technology – the ability to reach and maintain pressure accurately for consistent results – is solid. It excels at making fall-apart tender meats, perfectly cooked grains, flavorful broths, and creamy yogurts. It’s a true workhorse designed for efficiency.

Who is the Duo Nova best for? It’s ideal for individuals or families who primarily want the time-saving benefits of pressure cooking and the convenience of slow cooking. If you’re looking to simplify meal prep, cook dried beans quickly, or make large batches of staples, the Duo Nova delivers exceptional value. Its limitation, when compared directly to the Duo Crisp, is the absence of any dry heat cooking functions like air frying, baking, or roasting. If those aren’t priorities, the Duo Nova remains a powerful and economical choice that won’t disappoint.

Enter the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer, the model designed for those who want the best of both worlds: the moist heat magic of pressure cooking and the dry heat crisping power of an air fryer. This appliance significantly expands on the Duo Nova’s capabilities, typically boasting an 11-in-1 functionality by adding air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate functions to the standard pressure cooking suite. The key innovation here is the inclusion of a second, specialized lid – the air fryer lid.

This two-lid system is crucial to understand. You use the standard pressure cooking lid for functions like pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, etc. When you want to air fry, roast, bake, or broil, you swap it out for the heavier air fryer lid, which contains a heating element and fan. This design allows the Duo Crisp to achieve true air frying results – crispy fries, golden chicken wings, roasted vegetables – something the Duo Nova simply cannot do. The convenience of being able to pressure cook chicken and then switch lids to crisp the skin in the same pot is a major selling point.

Beyond the headline air frying feature, the Duo Crisp often includes enhancements over the base Duo models. It might feature more smart programs, potentially a more advanced display, and the ‘EvenCrisp’ technology designed to ensure consistent air frying results. The inner pot is typically the same high-quality stainless steel, but it comes with additional accessories like a multi-level air fryer basket and a broil/dehydrating tray.

However, these extra features come at a cost – both monetary and in terms of counter/storage space. The Duo Crisp is noticeably more expensive than the Duo Nova, placing it firmly in the premium category. The air fryer lid is bulky and needs to be stored somewhere when using the pressure cooking functions (though a protective pad/stand is usually included). For some, managing two lids might feel less streamlined than a single-lid appliance. The question then becomes: how often will you realistically use the air frying functions? If you already own an air fryer you love, the Duo Crisp might be redundant. But if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution to minimize appliance clutter and maximize cooking versatility, the Duo Crisp presents a compelling case. It’s perfect for the home cook who wants ultimate flexibility, loves crispy textures, and is willing to invest more for a do-it-all machine.