Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid Review: Would Owners Buy It Again?
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this review was made: We did not test this multi-cooker in person. This verdict is based on our analysis of four hands-on expert reviews and the owner comments we could find, all listed at the end of this article. We found no long-term durability study, and say so below. Our method.
Excellent pressure cooker, merely decent air fryer
Every expert review we read praised the Ultimate Lid's main idea: one lid with a removable pressure insert instead of two separate lids, plus button-controlled steam release and clear on-screen prompts. Pressure cooking was easy and reliable. Air frying was the weak spot: TechRadar's fries were less crisp than a standalone air fryer, Reviewed found fried chicken crisp on top but pale underneath, and Expert Reviews' chicken skin was less crisp than an oven's. It is also big and heavy, and the stainless pot sticks. Buy it if pressure cooking comes first and you have the counter space; if crisping is your priority, a dedicated air fryer does it better.
Check current price on Amazon → Prices and availability change often, so we don't list them here.Buy it again if you…
- mainly pressure cook, slow cook and sauté, with occasional air frying
- want one appliance and one lid instead of a pressure cooker plus a separate air fryer
- cook for a family or a crowd
- are nervous about pressure cooking and want on-screen guidance
Skip it if you…
- want air-fryer-level crispness every time
- have a small kitchen or limited cupboard space
- cook for one or two people
- want true one-pot meals that pressure cook and crisp without washing in between
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid is a 6.5-quart multi-cooker with 13 functions, including pressure cooking, air frying, slow cooking, sous vide, yogurt and dehydrating. Unlike the original Duo Crisp, which came with two separate lids, it has one lid with a detachable pressure insert that clicks in for pressure functions and comes out for air frying.
We read hands-on tests from TechRadar, Reviewed, Expert Reviews and Instant Pot Eats, plus owner comments. Long-term reliability data is thin, so we flag where the evidence runs out.
What owners say, at a glance
Bars show our editorial summary of how consistently owners praise or complain about each area across all sources — not a lab measurement.
The key specs
| Capacity | 6.5 qt stainless steel pot (only one size) |
|---|---|
| Functions | 13, including pressure cook, air fry, slow cook, sous vide, yogurt, dehydrate, bake, broil and proof |
| Power | 1500 W, 77 to 400°F range (Instant Pot Eats) |
| Steam release | Natural, pulse or quick, chosen by button rather than a manual valve |
| Delay start | Up to 24 hours |
| Size | About 15.5 x 15.4 x 13.4 in |
What reviewers love
What reviewers complain about
How it holds up over time
We found no rigorous long-term test of the Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid. Expert reviews cover weeks of use, not years. One reviewer received a faulty unit out of the box, and one owner commenter struggled to refit the lid insert, but we found no pattern of widespread failures. Treat durability as unproven rather than poor.
Tips from reviewers and owners
- Flip food halfway when air frying, since the machine does not prompt you and the underside browns less.
- Soak the pot after browning to loosen stuck-on bits before washing.
- Expect a longer first preheat, as Instant Pot Eats saw about 20 minutes on first use and about 10 after that.
- Mind the hot element when the pressure insert is removed.
Pros and cons
What owners love
- Single lid with a removable pressure insert
- Easy, guided pressure cooking with button steam release
- 13 functions in one appliance
- Large 6.5 qt pot suits families
- Dishwasher-safe parts
What owners complain about
- Air frying less crisp and less even than a dedicated air fryer
- Stainless pot is not non-stick
- Big and heavy to store
- Sparse printed instructions
- Exposed heating element when the insert is removed
Other options owners compare
These are multi-cookers often weighed against the Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid.
| Model | Type | Consider it if… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant Pot Duo Crisp Ultimate Lid (this review) | Pressure cooker + air fryer, one lid | You mostly pressure cook and want occasional air frying | See on Amazon |
| Ninja HyperHeat 9-in-1 | Pressure cooker + air fryer | Crisping matters more to you; Reviewed preferred a Ninja combo for air-fried results | See on Amazon |
| Instant Pot Pro 6 Qt | Pressure cooker only | You do not need air frying and want a smaller, simpler pot | See on Amazon |
Want one pot that pressure cooks and air fries?
Check the current price and availability on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
Does it really use only one lid?
Yes. The lid has a detachable pressure insert that clicks in for pressure functions and comes out for air frying, roasting and similar modes.
Is it as good as a standalone air fryer?
Not in the expert tests we read. Results were good but less crisp and less even than dedicated air fryers.
Is the pot non-stick?
No. It is stainless steel, and reviewers found food can stick during browning.
Is it good for small households?
Expert Reviews thought it is probably too large for solo users or couples.
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Sources we analyzed
- TechRadar: Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid review — cooking tests, noise, specs, pros and cons
- Reviewed: Instant Pot Duo Crisp Ultimate Lid review — uneven air frying, failed yogurt, C6 error, cleaning
- Expert Reviews: Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid review — air frying and pressure cooking tests, size
- Instant Pot Eats: Duo Crisp Ultimate Lid review — specs, preheat times, exposed element, owner comments
Figures reflect each source as of October 13, 2026 and may change. We summarize owner feedback in our own words and do not reproduce retailer reviews.