Instant Pot Duo Plus: 4.6★ Multi-Cooker for $99 — Worth It?

Overview

Meet the Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker — a stainless-steel, 6-quart kitchen all-rounder that combines pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice making, steaming, sautéing, yogurt-making, warming and even sterilizing in one countertop unit. Priced around $99.99 with an average buyer rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, it targets home cooks who want to streamline appliances without sacrificing versatility. If you have limited counter space, like batch cooking, or want an easier route to weeknight dinners and yogurt, this model lands squarely in your wheelhouse.

Product imagery typically shows a glossy stainless-steel exterior, the removable inner pot, a control-panel view, and lifestyle shots of steamy soups or rice steaming — helpful visuals that underline its multifunction use and family-friendly capacity.

Key Features & Highlights

• 9-in-1 functionality — Pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice maker, steamer, sauté, yogurt maker, warmer, sterilizer and more, which reduces the need for multiple single-use gadgets.
• 6-quart capacity — Roomy enough for families of 3–5 or for batch-cooking staples like soups, beans, and roasts.
• Stainless-steel inner pot — Durable surface that resists scratching and stands up better to high-heat sautéing than some nonstick liners.
• Recipe app included — Access to 800+ recipes through the app provides step-by-step ideas for beginners and inspiration for experienced cooks.
• Space-saver — Replaces multiple appliances to free up cabinet and counter real estate.

A Nice Fit for You If…

• You want one appliance to handle weeknight roasts, rice, and yogurt without extra clutter.
• You’re feeding a small family or prepping meals for the week (6-quart is a practical batch size).
• You like apps and guided recipes to expand your repertoire quickly.
• You live in a small kitchen, apartment, or dorm and need multi-function value.
• You enjoy pressure-cooker speed but still want slow-cooking and sauté capability in the same unit.
• You need occasional sterilizing for baby bottles, jars, or small kitchen tools.
• You’re looking for an affordable multicooker that beats buying several single-purpose devices.

Real-Life Use Cases

Weeknight dinner rush: Toss ingredients into the liner, select pressure cook or sauté, and expect tender stews or pulled pork without babysitting the stove. The pressure function dramatically cuts cooking time for dried beans and tough cuts of meat.

Meal prep and batch cooking: Make a big pot of chili or rice, portion it into containers, and use the warming function to keep portions ready for grab-and-go lunches.

Breakfast and snacks: Overnight steel-cut oats, yogurt, or steamed eggs can be made on a schedule using the preset modes—handy for consistent results without extra appliances.

Small household tasks: The sterlizer mode adds utility outside of food prep, useful for sanitizing baby bottles or small jars after canning sessions.

Experience & Feedback

In daily use, the Instant Pot Duo Plus is designed to be an accessible, user-friendly kitchen hub. The stainless-steel exterior feels solid and cleans up with a quick wipe; the inner pot’s metal finish handles sautéing heat confidently and avoids the scratching issues common with flimsy nonstick liners. Owners commonly report that the control panel’s presets remove guesswork and make operation straightforward for cooks at any level.

Setup is typically straightforward: plug in, place the insert, and choose a function. Expect a learning curve around pressure-release timing and the sealing ring — steam release produces the familiar hissing sound of pressure appliances and is normal. The unit has some weight to it (6-quart models are not featherlight), so it’s more of a countertop resident than a grab-and-go item; however, it stores in a cabinet without taking up an entire shelf.

Cleaning is practical: wiping the exterior and rinsing the inner pot is quick, while the lid and sealing components can require extra attention to prevent lingering food odors — a common micro-friction with multicookers. Durability feels dependable thanks to the stainless materials, and most owners appreciate how the 9-in-1 functionality replaces multiple gadgets and simplifies kitchen routines.

Pros & Cons

• Bold versatility: Nine cooking modes replace several single-use appliances.
• Family-friendly size: 6-quart capacity suits small-to-medium households and meal prep.
• Recipe support: App with 800+ recipes helps beginners and fuels menu ideas.
• Durable finish: Stainless-steel inner pot stands up to sautéing and high heat.
• Great value: Multi-function performance at around $99.99 is competitive.
• Steam noise: Pressure release is loud and produces noticeable hissing — normal but not whisper-quiet.
• Sealing maintenance: The silicone sealing ring may hold smells and needs occasional cleaning or swapping.
• Counter footprint: Bulky compared with single pans; best for a semi-permanent countertop spot.

Comparative Advantages

Against single-purpose rice cookers, slow cookers or yogurt makers, the Instant Pot Duo Plus offers clear space and cost savings by consolidating functions. Compared with many lower-end multicookers, its stainless-steel inner pot and inclusion of a sterilizer setting expand practical uses. The bundled app with 800+ recipes is a valuable differentiator for shoppers who want guided meals and inspiration rather than hunting for recipes online.

Audience Fit

This model is ideal for busy families, apartment dwellers, and anyone who wants to consolidate kitchen gear without losing functionality. It’s also a solid pick for recipe-driven cooks who will use the app to try varied dishes. Skip this unit if you need a tiny 3-quart cooker for solo use or prefer ultralight, portable gear for travel — the 6-quart Instant Pot is intended as a staple appliance, not a travel companion.

FAQs

What size household is the 6-quart model good for?

Expect comfortable meal portions for 3–5 people or convenient batch-cooking for two with leftovers.

Does it replace other kitchen gadgets?

Yes — it functions as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice maker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, warmer and sterilizer.

Is the inner pot stainless steel?

Yes; the product is described as stainless steel, which resists scratching and handles higher heat tasks like sautéing.

Are recipes included?

The cooker includes access to an app with over 800 recipes to guide meal ideas and settings.

Is it noisy?

Pressure cooking produces venting noise and hissing during steam release — typical for this appliance category.

Final Verdict

For under $100, the Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 is a compelling multicooker that balances price, capacity, and versatility. It’s a practical kitchen workhorse for families and meal-preppers who want to consolidate appliances, learn new recipes via an included app, and get reliably quick results from pressure cooking or slow-simmered comfort foods. Be prepared for the usual pressure-cooker quirks — steam noise and occasional sealing-ring maintenance — but if counter real estate, budget, and multifunction convenience matter, this model delivers strong value.

How It Stacks Up

The Instant Pot Duo Plus 9‑in‑1 (6 qt) sits squarely in the mid‑range multicooker market: feature‑rich, family‑sized, and competitively priced for everything-it-does value. It’s a good all‑rounder — pressure cook, slow cook, rice, steam, sauté, yogurt and sterilize — with an easy app/recipe ecosystem. If you prioritize versatility and a proven brand at a reasonable price, it’s hard to beat.

• Instant Pot Duo (7‑in‑1) — Slightly more budget‑friendly and simpler (fewer presets). Standout: familiar, reliable basics for pressure cooking and slow cooking. Downside: fewer specialty functions and fewer presets than the Duo Plus. Best for buyers who want core multicooker functions without paying for extra modes.
• Ninja Foodi 9‑in‑1 (Pressure Cooker + Air Fryer) — Positioned above the Duo Plus on price and functionality. Standout: built‑in air‑crisp/air‑fry capability for finishing and crisping foods. Downside: bulkier and pricier, with a steeper learning curve. In practice it’s better if you want one machine to pressure‑cook and deliver a crispy finish without a separate air fryer.
• Instant Pot Ultra — Comparable to slightly pricier than the Duo Plus, but aimed at power users. Standout: more granular controls, custom programs and a dial interface for precision. Downside: extra complexity that casual cooks may not use. Most buyers report it’s ideal if you want fine control over pressure, temp and time for advanced recipes.
• Crock‑Pot Express/Crock‑Pot Multi‑Cooker — Budget option below the Duo Plus. Standout: straightforward slow cooking and pressure functions at a lower price point. Downside: fewer advanced presets, app support, and accessory options. Practical for slow‑cooker fans or buyers buying their first electric pressure cooker on a tight budget.

Who should buy the Duo Plus: households wanting a reliable, mid‑priced all‑in‑one that covers most cooking tasks (pressure, rice, yogurt, steaming) without complexity. Who should consider an alternative: choose the Ninja Foodi if you need built‑in air‑frying/crisping, the Instant Pot Ultra if you want advanced controls and customization, or the Crock‑Pot/standard Duo if you’re shopping strictly for a lower‑cost, simpler option.