Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 vs Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1: Which Should You Buy? (UK 2026)
🍲 Products Compared
📊 Specs Comparison
| Feature | Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 | Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.99 | $104.67 |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Cooking Modes | 9-in-1 (incl. steriliser, egg & cake) | 7-in-1 (pressure, slow cook, rice, yogurt, steam, sauté, warm) |
| Display | Blue LCD with cooking progress bar | LED display |
| Wattage/Power | 1,000W | 1,000W |
| Capacity | 5.7L (6 quarts) | 5.7L (6 quarts) |
| Warranty | 1-year limited | 1-year limited |
* Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker
- * Steriliser mode handles baby bottles, jam jars, and utensils, a genuinely useful extra for parents and home canners
- * Blue LCD display with a cooking progress bar makes it far easier to monitor cook stages at a glance
- * Touch controls with dedicated cake and egg presets reduce guesswork for less experienced cooks
- * Easy-release steam valve is safer and less fiddly than the standard vent on older Instant Pot models
- ❌ $35 more than the Duo 7-in-1 for marginal real-world gains, pressure-cooking results are virtually identical across both models
- ❌ Stainless steel pot without a non-stick coating can scorch thick sauces and pasta dishes if liquid levels are not carefully managed
* Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
- * Highest-rated Instant Pot on Amazon UK at 4.7 stars, more owners recommend it despite its lower price point
- * $35 cheaper than the Duo Plus with identical pressure-cooking and slow-cooking results for everyday meals
- * Push-button controls have a shallower learning curve, easier for first-time pressure cooker users than touch-panel interfaces
- * Proven long-term reliability backed by a loyal UK customer base and the widest range of community recipes and guides
- ❌ No steriliser mode and no dedicated cake or egg presets, a genuine limitation if you regularly need those specific programmes
- ❌ Basic LED display gives less cooking feedback than the Duo Plus's LCD, particularly when following multi-stage or timed recipes
📝 User Reviews
Amazon UK buyers consistently describe the Duo 7-in-1 as the appliance that permanently replaced their slow cooker, rice cooker, and steamer in one go, with many noting it still performs reliably after years of daily use. The Duo Plus draws praise for its cleaner interface and clearer screen, though a recurring theme in reviews is that the steriliser and cake modes rarely get used after the novelty wears off.
🏆 Verdict
For most UK households, the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 is the smarter buy, its core cooking performance matches the Duo Plus exactly, and its marginally higher star rating reflects genuine long-term owner satisfaction rather than a spec deficit. The Duo Plus earns its $35 premium only if you will actively and regularly use the steriliser (for baby bottles, glass jars, or medical equipment) or want the LCD display for more complex multi-stage cooking.
Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 best for parents sterilising baby bottles, home preservers, and cooks who want an LCD display with dedicated egg and cake programmes. Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 best for first-time pressure cooker buyers, budget-conscious households, and anyone who wants proven, no-fuss one-pot cooking at a lower price.
❓ FAQs
Can both work as a proper slow cooker?
Both have a slow cook mode, but neither fully replicates a traditional Crock-Pot because they heat from the bottom rather than wrapping warmth around the pot. Use the 'Less' heat setting and add a splash more liquid than your recipe calls for, results are very close to a dedicated slow cooker for stews, casseroles, and pulled pork.
Is the Duo Plus worth $35 more than the Duo 7-in-1?
For most cooks, no. The pressure-cooking and slow-cooking performance is identical between the two models. The Duo Plus justifies its premium if you regularly sterilise baby equipment or glass jars, or if you will genuinely use the cake and egg presets rather than treat them as occasional novelties.
What can the 9-in-1 Duo Plus do that the 7-in-1 cannot?
The Duo Plus adds three extra programmes: a steriliser (ideal for baby bottles, utensils, and jam jars), a dedicated egg mode, and a cake bake setting. It also has a blue LCD screen that displays a cooking progress bar, giving you more at-a-glance feedback during longer cooks compared to the simpler LED readout on the Duo 7-in-1.