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Want hot soup, chili or a tender roast without standing at the stove? The Instant Pot cooks it fast, the Crock-Pot cooks it slow while you’re out. Here is which one to buy.
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Quick Verdict
Instant Pot Duo 6 Qt 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, rice, yogurt & warm, 13 one-touch programs
For most homes, buy the Instant Pot Duo 6 Qt. It does everything a slow cooker does and also pressure cooks, so a beef stew or chili that takes 8 hours in a slow cooker is ready in about an hour (Instant Pot says up to 70% faster than slow cooking). It has 7 functions and 13 one-touch programs, a stainless steel pot you can sear in, and a 4.7-star rating from more than 186,000 Amazon reviews. If you only want set-and-forget meals for a big family and want to spend under $40, get the Crock-Pot 7-Quart instead.
- 7-in-1: pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, rice, yogurt & more
- Dinner up to 70% faster than slow cooking (brand claim)
- Stainless steel pot you can sear in
- 4.7★ from 186,000+ Amazon reviews
- Takes a few minutes to come up to pressure
- More buttons to learn than a Crock-Pot
- 6 qt is smaller than the 7 qt Crock-Pot
Best for: Busy families who want fast weeknight dinners and one appliance for everything.
Skip it if: You only slow cook big batches and want the cheapest option (get the Crock-Pot).
The Problem They Solve
Cold nights call for soup, chili and pot roast, but nobody wants to stand at the stove for hours after work. Both of these do the cooking for you: the Instant Pot fast, the Crock-Pot slow and steady.
Instant Pot vs Crock-Pot at a Glance
| Instant Pot Duo 6 Qt | Crock-Pot 7 Qt | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Fast dinners, all-in-one | Set it and forget it, big batches |
| Cooking | Pressure + slow cook + 5 more | Slow cook (high / low / warm) |
| Speed | Stew in about an hour | 6 to 8 hours |
| Size | 6 quarts | 7 quarts (serves 9+) |
| Pot | Stainless steel (can sear) | Removable stoneware |
| Amazon rating | 4.7★ (186,000+) | 4.6★ (62,000+) |
| Bought last month | 30K+ | 30K+ |
Best Budget Pick: Crock-Pot 7-Quart
Simple, cheap and huge. Add your ingredients in the morning, set it to low, and dinner for 9+ people is ready when you get home. A big roast fits easily.
Check Crock-Pot 7-Quart price on Amazon »
Which One Should You Buy?
Want dinner fast on busy weeknights? Instant Pot Duo.
Want to set it in the morning and come home to dinner, for the lowest price? Crock-Pot 7-Quart.
Want both? The Instant Pot also has a slow-cook mode.
See today’s Instant Pot deal on Amazon »
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can an Instant Pot replace a Crock-Pot?
Yes. The Instant Pot Duo has a slow-cook function, plus pressure cooking and 5 more modes.
Which is better for chili and soup?
Both are great. The Instant Pot makes them in about an hour; the Crock-Pot takes 6 to 8 hours.
Which is bigger?
The Crock-Pot is 7 quarts and serves 9+; the Instant Pot Duo is 6 quarts.
Which is cheaper?
The Crock-Pot 7-Quart costs under $40; the Instant Pot Duo is around $110.