Skip to main content
DEAL WATCH: Keurig K-Express | 22% off $69.99

Keurig has changed the face of coffee, and snagging one of these for less than $70 is a solid deal. Read Review

BUY NOW
Kitchen & Cooking

Instant Pot released three new multicookers—here’s what you need to know

How new are their new models?

Instant Pot released three new multicookers—here’s what you need to know Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

If you aren’t one of the many people who were gifted an Instant Pot over the holidays, you might be on the hunt for one, particularly if your new year's resolution involves eating better and cooking more regularly. But how can you know which version is right for you? This fall, the company has added even more multicookers to its dizzyingly large lineup, as well as new products like blenders, air fryers, and toaster ovens.

That’s a lot to take in. To help you make a smart buying decision, we looked at three of the latest multicooker models added to Instant Pot’s popular Duo line. We'll be testing them in-depth against our other favorite multicookers later this year, but for now, here are the features that set these models apart—and which are worth your investment.

Duo Evo Plus

Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

The Duo Evo Plus is the new version of the Duo Plus.

With dozens of smart cooking options and a sous vide function, the 9-in-1 Duo Evo Plus is the most sophisticated of the new Instant Pot multicookers, effectively replacing the Duo Plus in their lineup. With an MSRP of $120 for the 6-quart model, it’s competitive with the Instant Pot Ultra, our current favorite multicooker.

What’s new

  • When you click the lid into place, it automatically seals the pressure valve so you’ll never realize halfway through that you’re not cooking your short ribs under pressure.
  • It has a quick release switch that’s as simple as turning a light off and doesn’t put your hand in any contact with steam.
  • Over the steam release, there’s a cover that reduces spitting and dampens the sound of escaping steam.
  • It has so-called QuickCool technology that works with a QuickCool Tray accessory to release pressure naturally up to 50% faster.
  • The pot has a flat disc bottom, which means it can be used independently on a stovetop.
  • The cooking pot has two side handles with rubberized grips.
  • It has a sous vide function.

First impressions

We love the way the new lid seals automatically and how easy it is to release the pressure. The steam release cover does minimize spitting and the sound of escaping steam, but it is another little part to keep track of.

Presently, the QuickCool Tray is not yet available. We’re not quite sure why you need the QuickCool Technology when you could simply use the quick release switch. When you use it, you have to place ice on the tray, which seems like another chore.

The new flat thick disc bottom will conduct heat more evenly on top of the stove. You’ll find that particularly handy if you have a small kitchen as it means you can also use the pot for boiling pasta, eliminating the need to own and store one more pot.

The new rubberized handles make it much easier to lift the pot after cooking, and they help keep it in place so it doesn’t spin when you’re sautéing veggies or stirring something like risotto.

The sous vide function worked fine, and we see the appeal—it means one less piece of equipment to buy and store. We did, however, find that it took quite a long time to reach the desired temperature for sous vide: 45 minutes with the lid in place as opposed to under 8 minutes with the Joule immersion circulator.

Good to know

Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

We like the Evo's easy-seal lid and sleek front interface.

  • It has a large 3” by 3” blue screen with a lighted bar that, in addition to the cooking time, shows you the cooking progress, so you have an idea where you are in the preheating, cooking, or warming cycle.
  • There are 9 smart cooking programs including Bake, Sous Vide, and Yogurt plus Keep Warm. Within each program there are many options (including Sterilize in the Steam function) so that, in effect, you have many more automatic settings.
  • Once you select your cooking program, you turn a dial to select the options within the program and to select your cooking time. There’s a start button which is an extra step but does let you know definitively that you’ve begun the cooking process—which can be unclear on older models.
  • It comes with an extra sealing ring and a steam rack with long handles.
  • The Evo Duo Plus is currently available in 6- and 8-quart versions.

Bottom line

If you don't already have an Instant Pot, the Duo Evo Plus is a strong contender. We love the way the steam release valve seals automatically and is easy to release quickly. The handles on the pot are a handy upgrade. And if you’re also interested in sous vide cooking, it’s one less additional appliance or gadget that you have to buy.

Duo Nova

Instant Pot Duo Nova
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

If the Duo Nova looks a lot like the Duo you know and love, it's because they're very similar.

The 7-in-1 Duo Nova is an update of the standard, popular Duo model. With an MSRP of just $60 for the 6-quart model, it’s one of the most affordable models offered by Instant Pot.

What’s new

  • The lid automatically seals the pressure valve when you lock it in place.
  • You press a button to release pressure quickly, so your hand is never in contact with steam.

First impressions

Thumbs up to the way the lid seals automatically and how easy it is to release the pressure. There’s not much else that differentiates this model from the Duo.

Good to know

Instant Pot Duo Nova
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

The easy-seal lid is also a highlight on the Duo Nova.

  • It has a blue screen that shows you the remaining cooking time.
  • There are 14 one-touch programs including Yogurt and Keep Warm. You can adjust the cooking time of each and change the pressure level for pressure cooking.
  • An extra sealing ring and a steam rack that can double as a trivet are included.
  • The Duo Nova is currently available in 3-, 6-, and 8-quart versions.

Bottom line

If you have no interest in sous vide cooking and don’t need a surfeit of cooking programs, the Duo Nova might be the model for you. Its abilities to seal the pressure valve automatically and release pressure quickly easily are big bonuses.

Duo SV

Instant Pot Duo SV
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

This sous vide upgrade of the Duo is interesting, but not widely available.

The Duo SV is an 8-in-1 secondary multicooker from Instant Pot that essentially slaps sous vide functionality on the standard Duo. It has an MSRP of $80 and, in the US, it’s only available for purchase at Costco.

What’s new

The sous vide function. Yes, that’s it.

First impressions

If you like to instant cook and sous vide, it’s convenient to be able to do both with one appliance. We did, however, find that it took quite a long time to come up to temperature: close to a half hour as opposed to under 9 minutes with a Joule immersion circulator.

Good to know

  • You have to activate the quick release vent quickly to avoid escaping steam.
  • It has a small blue screen that shows you the remaining cooking time.
  • You get 14 cooking programs including Yogurt and Sous Vide, plus Keep Warm. You can adjust the cooking times of each program and change the pressure level when you’re pressure cooking.
  • You get an extra sealing ring, steam rack, rice paddle, soup lade, and rice measuring cup with the SV.
  • It only comes in a 6-quart version.
  • It’s only available at Costco.

Bottom line

If you want to be able to sous vide in your Instant Pot, the Evo Duo Plus is a better choice than the Duo SV as it’s easier to use. Plus, this model isn’t widely available.

Want to know how the classic Instant Pot models compare to other brands? Check out our roundup of the best multicookers on the market.

Related content

Up next