Instant Pot Duo vs Duo Nova: 4 differences & How to choose Instant Pots are electric pressure cookers designed to be convenient, safe, and dependable. In August 2019 the company released a new Instant Pot series, the Duo Nova. Each Instant Pot model has variations that can make it difficult to choose between them. To help you decide, here’s a quick rundown of the key difference between the company’s classic and best for beginners models in a side by side review of the Instant Pot Nova Duo vs Duo. The way an Instant Pot works is through the magic of a high-pressure wet environment. Learn how we create the most in-depth and scientific tech reviews on our About page. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. Unfortunately, the lamp was damaged, but the company was incredibly responsive and refunded my money. I bought a different lamp from them previously, and everything went smoothly. This may sound nit-picky, but the styrofoam they use gets everywhere; best to open the boxes outside. For each category, we’ll let you know the strengths and weaknesses of both products and which one we think performed best during our testing. This Instant Pot Duo vs Duo Nova article pits two of the brand’s latest and greatest cookers against one another. By the end, you’ll hopefully have a good idea about which cooker is going to be the best for you and your lifestyle. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support our work. As we mentioned above, Instant Pots are a learning curve and they can be quite confusing when you first start using them. The Duo Nova is actually one of the simplest Instant Pot products to use, which is definitely a big benefit. Despite the Instant Pot Duo Nova and the Instant Pot Duo sharing many features and benefits, there is a range of differences that make them both unique. They’re not overly expensive but they’re not cheap either, so it’s definitely a benefit to have an extra one included in the package. One of the biggest upgrades on the Instant Pot Duo Nova over the Duo is the inclusion of an automatic seal and steam release valve. The Instant Pot Duo does not have these features and instead relies on more traditional, manual seals. This is especially true if you’re cooking for a family and need something that is going to be big enough for all the hungry mouths in your house. Conversely, there’s no point buying a more expensive, larger capacity pressure cooker if it’s just for one or two people. If you’re looking for the Cake Setting or egg program, neither of these models have that feature at any quart size. Don’t worry as you can still make hard-boiled eggs using the steam button and cakes using the pressure cook button. All you need to do is adjust the time based on the recipe you’re following. If you’re trying to decide between the Instant Pot Duo vs Duo Nova here is a side by side comparison of the key differences between the two electric pressure cooker models. If you have some time, you can let the gadget release steam over the course of a few minutes. If you need to take a look at the food right way, you can opt for the quick release button which lets out the pressure and steam right away in a safe manner. Keep in mind that the Instant Pot Duo Nova 3-quart size doesn’t have the poultry or multigrain smart programs, while the other sizes do. If you only need a cooker for one or two or don't plan to meal prep, then the Instant Pot DUO Mini can save you some money with the same functions and performance, just a smaller quantity. If you want the best option with a good capacity, then the Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Quart is a higher ranking option that offers the same cooking performance that is easier to use. From a price perspective, the cost of each model is generally similar when you look at each quart-size side by side. Be sure to keep an eye out for deals and flash sales to save money on your purchase. As the number-one selling electric multi-cooker in the US, Instant Pot is a brand that stands out in this area for its intuitive design and versatile offering. If you type multi-cooker into Google however, you’ll find a host of well-respected brands who are also adding stylish pressure and multi-cookers to their collections. We also had great luck prepping various grains, including rice and quinoa, in the DUO Nova.