Get the App
Better experience on mobile
We help you decide if the Instant Pot Duo Crisp is the right buy for your cooking style, kitchen space, and budget.
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is a versatile all-in-one that genuinely helps some households simplify their cooking routine and free up counter space. However, it's not the best choice for everyone — especially those who only want basic pressure cooking or true air frying crispness. Evaluate your eating habits, space, and budget before pulling the trigger.
If you're standing in the kitchen aisle or scrolling online, staring at the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, you're probably wrestling with two big questions: "Do I really need another gadget?" and "Will I actually use all those features?" At around $149, the Duo Crisp isn't the most expensive appliance, but it's also not something you want collecting dust on your counter after a single try.
This guide is here to help you cut through the hype. We'll look at what the Duo Crisp actually does, why people hesitate before buying it, who absolutely loves it, and who would be better off with a simpler — or different — appliance. By the end, you'll know whether it's a smart buy for your kitchen or one you can skip without regret.
Short answer: It's a YES for some, a NO for others, and a "maybe" for a lot of people. Keep reading to find your verdict.
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is a two-lid multi-cooker. The base unit is essentially a classic Instant Pot: it pressure cooks, slow cooks, sautés, steams, makes rice and yogurt, and warms. The second lid is an air fryer lid with a built-in heating element and fan, so the same pot can crisp up foods with little to no oil.
It's made by Instant Brands, a well-known name in the kitchen appliance world. You can buy it at major retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart, and it's frequently on sale. The 6.5-quart version is the most popular because it fits a whole chicken or a large batch of soup, yet still fits under most cabinets when the air fryer lid is attached.
What makes it different from a standard Instant Pot is the ability to air fry, roast, bake, and dehydrate without needing a second bulky machine. That dual functionality is why it's so popular among people who want to declutter their kitchen but still have versatile cooking options.
The number one hesitation around the Duo Crisp is, of course, the price. At around $149, it's more expensive than a basic Instant Pot, which often goes for $79 to $99. You can also buy a dedicated air fryer for $50 to $80, so the Duo Crisp feels like a splurge unless you truly want both functions in one device.
Another frequent worry is the air fryer lid. Unlike a basket-style air fryer, the Duo Crisp's air fryer uses the entire pot as the cooking zone, so food sits in a flat layer on a perforated pan. Some people worry that it won't crisp as well as a dedicated air fryer or that the lid is awkward to store when not in use. There are also concerns about the learning curve: with 10+ functions, will you actually use anything beyond Pressure Cook and Air Fry?
Finally, there's the "fear of regret." Many buyers have owned an Instant Pot before and barely used it after the first few weeks. They don't want to repeat that mistake with a bigger, pricier appliance. Others are considering the Ninja Foodi, the Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven, or simply buying a separate air fryer and keeping their old pressure cooker. All of these alternatives are valid, which makes the decision even harder.
A college student living in a small dorm or shared apartment, cooking for one or two, limited counter space, tight budget.
Budget: $50–$150
Usage: Wants to cook simple meals quickly but may not cook every day.
Why: The Duo Crisp is too large and expensive for someone who only needs to cook small, simple meals. A compact air fryer or a basic Instant Pot is more practical and budget-friendly.
Consider instead: Consider a smaller 3-quart Instant Pot Mini or a budget-friendly air fryer instead.
A parent with two kids, working full-time, who wants quick family dinners and doesn't mind spending a bit more for convenience.
Budget: $150–$250
Usage: Uses the pressure cooker 3-4 times a week and wants to air fry chicken nuggets and vegetables.
Why: The Duo Crisp fits this lifestyle perfectly. It replaces two bulky appliances and helps get dinner on the table fast after a long day. The 6.5-quart capacity is ideal for a family of four.
Someone who owns a standard Instant Pot, a rice cooker, and a toaster oven but never uses any of them consistently. They want to simplify their countertop.
Budget: $150–$300
Usage: Wants one appliance that can do a little bit of everything without cluttering the kitchen.
Why: If you can pass on the old gadgets, the Duo Crisp handles most of their functions in one unit. The convenience of a single pot and a single lid is worth the price.
Someone who loves crispy chicken wings and french fries and already owns a good-quality dedicated air fryer basket style.
Budget: $100–$200
Usage: Air fries several times a week, but rarely pressure cooks.
Why: If air frying is your top priority, the Duo Crisp won't match the even crispness of a dedicated basket air fryer. Stick with your existing air fryer or buy a newer one. The pressure cooker features would be wasted on you.
Consider instead: Consider the Cosori Air Fryer, which delivers excellent crisp results for a similar price.
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is designed for home cooks who want to consolidate appliances and experiment with different cooking styles. Based on customer reviews and expert summaries, it performs well as a pressure cooker and a slow cooker, and the air fryer lid does a decent job for roasting vegetables, reheating leftovers, and cooking smaller batches of crispy food. However, it's not a true replacement for a high-end dedicated air fryer, especially if you crave the crispiness of restaurant-style fries or wings.
Compared to alternatives, the Ninja Foodi is probably the closest competitor. The Foodi also has pressure cook and air fry functions, but it features a more integrated design where the air fryer lid sits directly on the pot and often uses a reversible rack for two-layer cooking. Some users prefer the Foodi's air frying performance, while others choose the Instant Pot because of its larger capacity, lower price, and extensive recipe ecosystem. The Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven is another alternative if you want air frying plus oven functions, but you give up pressure cooking.
For everyday home cooks, the Duo Crisp shines when you plan meals that use both pressure cooking and air frying — like a pressure-cooked whole chicken that finishes under the air fryer lid to crisp the skin. That's a workflow that a regular Instant Pot can't do without an additional lid, and a separate air fryer requires transferring food between two appliances. If that kind of meal prep appeals to you, the Duo Crisp is genuinely convenient. On the other hand, if you mostly use your Instant Pot for beans, rice, and soups, you'll likely never touch the air fryer lid, and you'll have paid for a function you don't need.
Long-term ownership considerations include the number of parts to keep track of: the base pot, two lids, steam rack, air fryer basket tray, and sometimes a sealing ring and silicone accessory. That's more to wash and store than a basic pressure cooker. Replacement parts are available, but they add to the total cost if anything goes wrong. Customer support for Instant Brands has historically been hit or miss, though most units last several years with normal use.
In the current market, the Duo Crisp remains popular because it offers a familiar brand name and a proven multi-cooker platform with the added air fryer ability. Reviews on Amazon show a mix of enthusiastic home cooks and a smaller group of disappointed buyers who found the air fryer lid less effective or the appliance too large. The overall consensus is that if you know you'll use both functions, it's a great value at the sale price, but if you're only buying it because it's trendy, you'll probably regret it.
One final consideration: the Duo Crisp is not a small appliance. If you're in a tiny apartment or have very limited counter space, it may not be the best fit. You have to be willing to store the air fryer lid somewhere accessible or keep the whole unit plugged in full-time. That's a practical decision that affects whether the appliance actually gets used.
This is the subject product itself. It includes the base pressure cooker and a separate air fryer lid, so you get two major appliances in one.
Buy this if you've decided the Duo Crisp is the right fit and you want the official Instant Pot model with a proven track record.
Anyone ready to buy after reading through the pros, cons, and alternatives.
A collapsible silicone steamer basket that fits inside the Duo Crisp pot, perfect for steaming vegetables and fish while pressure cooking.
Adds extra versatility and makes it easy to cook vegetables and full meals in the same pot without mixing flavors.
Owners who plan to use the pressure cooking function regularly and want to make simple steamed sides.
A glass lid that lets you use the Duo Crisp for slow cooking and covered sautéing without pressure.
The glass lid is great for browning, simmering, and watching your food cook. It also works for storing food in the pot in the fridge.
People who use their Duo Crisp as a slow cooker or like to sauté with a covered pot.
A replacement or extra perforated air fryer pan designed specifically for the Duo Crisp, useful if you want a second one or need to replace the original.
Having a second pan is handy when you're air frying in batches or want to cook a main dish and side at the same time without washing the pan first.
Frequent air fryer users who don't want to wait for a pan to be washed.
A cookbook packed with recipes for both pressure cooking and air frying, including many Duo Crisp-approved meals.
If you're new to multi-cooking, this book helps you get past the initial learning curve and explore the full range of functions.
New owners who want recipe inspiration and guidance.
It depends on your cooking habits. If you regularly pressure cook and want air frying in one appliance, yes. If you're only buying it because it's popular or you're not sure you'll use it, wait and think it through.
For many people, yes — especially if you catch it on sale at $129 or lower. The value comes from replacing two or more appliances. But if you rarely air fry, a standard Instant Pot plus a cheap air fryer may be a smarter use of money.
It can do many air-frying tasks like roasting vegetables, reheating leftovers, and making chicken wings crispy. However, dedicated basket-style air fryers generally deliver crispier, more even results for foods like French fries and onion rings. It's a decent replacement but not a perfect one-to-one swap.
The basic functions are easy to learn. The pressure cooking functions use the same presets as a standard Instant Pot, and the air fryer lid just plugs into the base and has a fan and temperature control. Most users feel comfortable after a few tries.
A regular Instant Pot only has pressure cooking, slow cooking, and similar functions. The Duo Crisp includes a second air fryer lid, letting you air fry, roast, broil, and dehydrate. That's the main difference.
Both are excellent multi-cookers. The Ninja Foodi is often praised for better air frying crispness and a more integrated design, but it's usually pricier. The Duo Crisp offers a larger capacity and a more familiar Instant Pot platform. Try to compare sale prices and consider which functions matter most.
If you have the budget and counter space, separate appliances can outperform the Duo Crisp in both pressure cooking and air frying. But if you want to save space and money, the Duo Crisp is a strong compromise. Just be aware that air frying is not quite as crispy as a dedicated unit.
The best time is during major sales like Prime Day, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday, when it often drops below $129. If you need it right away and your budget allows, it's still worth full price, but waiting could save you $20–$40.
Consider your available counter and cabinet space, whether you'll actually use both pressure cooking and air frying, how many people you're cooking for, and whether you already own appliances that do these things. Also budget for optional accessories or a cookbook.
People with limited storage, those who rarely cook or only cook for one, anyone who already owns a dedicated air fryer and a reliable pressure cooker, and shoppers who are only buying it because it's a viral trend. For those people, a simpler appliance is better.
As with any air fryer, there can be a new appliance smell in the first few uses. The instruction manual recommends running a test run with water and vinegar to minimize it. After that, normal cooking shouldn't produce excessive smoke unless you're cooking high-fat foods at high temperatures.
Yes, you can use the air fryer lid to bake in a compatible pan. Some owners make cakes, brownies, and even cookies in it, though you may need to experiment with temperature and time compared to a regular oven.
We hope this guide helped you decide whether Instant Pot Duo Crisp is right for you.
