Why we tested
The Instant Pot category is mature - the original Duo launched nearly a decade ago and has sold in the tens of millions. The question with the Duo Evo Plus is whether the refinements are meaningful improvements to daily use or just incremental spec-sheet upgrades. We specifically wanted to measure whether the new lid mechanism and revised preheat cycle produce a meaningfully different cooking experience.
How we tested
Over eight weeks we cooked more than 40 pressure cooker sessions: chicken stock from bones, beef stew, a pot of dried chickpeas from scratch, pulled pork shoulder, white rice, hard-boiled eggs, whole chicken, and cheesecake. We ran parallel tests against the original Instant Pot Duo 6 qt for direct comparison, measuring preheat time from room temperature, steam-release time, and total session time. We also tested the sauté function for browning aromatics and the slow cooker mode with a 10-hour pork shoulder.
Performance
Preheat to pressure was consistently faster in the Duo Evo Plus. Across 10 identical tests (same liquid volume, same starting temperature), the Evo Plus reached full pressure in an average of 9 minutes 45 seconds compared to 12 minutes 20 seconds in the original Duo - a real improvement that compounds across multiple cooks per week.
Lid mechanism is the most noticeable quality-of-life upgrade. The original Duo requires aligning two arrows and turning the lid with two hands. The Evo Plus lid drops in and twists to lock in one fluid motion, one-handed. Over 40 sessions this was meaningfully less friction, especially when loading a hot pot for a quick return-to-pressure.
Chicken stock from roasted bones (8 hours in the original slow cooker mode) produced a deep, collagen-rich stock that gelled completely when chilled - a reliable test of whether the slow cooker mode holds temperature properly throughout. It did.
Dried chickpeas from scratch at high pressure for 40 minutes (no soaking) produced fully tender chickpeas with intact skins on all four test batches. Zero blowout skins - a better result than we often get from stovetop pressure cookers where heat regulation is manual.
Pulled pork at high pressure for 90 minutes with a natural release produced shreddable, properly cooked shoulder. Internal temperature at 205°F was confirmed with a probe. The sauté function was adequate for browning the pork before pressure - not as aggressive as a screaming-hot cast iron, but sufficient.
Sous vide mode held water at 130°F within ±2-3°F - fine for general protein cooking but not the ±0.5°F accuracy of a dedicated circulator. For chicken and fish it is practical; for precision steak cookery, use a dedicated unit.
Who should buy this
Buy the Duo Evo Plus if you are buying your first Instant Pot in 2026 - the lid and preheat improvements are worth the modest premium over the original Duo. If you already own a working original Duo, the upgrade is not compelling enough to justify the cost. If you want pressure cooking plus air frying in one unit, spend the extra $50 on the Ninja Foodi instead.
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 9-in-1 6 Qt vs. the competition
| Product | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 (original) | Alternative - still a great buy at $80-90 if the lid and preheat speed improvements are not priorities. |
| Ninja Foodi OL601 | Alternative - adds air crisp lid for browning and crisping, costs $50 more, worth it if you want one fewer appliance. |
Full specifications
| Type | Electric Pressure Cooker / Multi-Cooker |
| Capacity | 6 quarts |
| Wattage | 1200 W |
| Dimensions | 13.39 x 12.09 x 12.6 inches |
| Weight | 11.8 lbs |
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Should you buy the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 9-in-1 6 Qt?
The Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus is the version of the Instant Pot that finally got the small things right - the lid seals with a single-motion twist, the preheat phase is 20% faster than the original Duo, and the dial interface is more intuitive than the legacy button grid. If you do not own a pressure cooker yet, this is the one to buy in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Duo Evo Plus and the original Instant Pot Duo?+
The Duo Evo Plus adds a twist-seal lid that closes with one motion, a dial-based control interface replacing the original button grid, a built-in steam release button (no separate venting), and two additional cooking modes including sous vide.
Is the pot compatible with original Instant Pot accessories?+
The 6-quart Duo Evo Plus inner pot is compatible with most 6-quart Instant Pot accessories including steamer baskets, glass lids, and silicone egg molds, though the lid itself is not interchangeable.
📅 Update log
- May 27, 2026Initial review published.
