(checked 2026-10-10)The listing pools the 6-qt and 8-qt WhisperQuiet versions (about 5,200 ratings). The older Duo Plus listing is separate and was not checked.
A mid-priced Instant Pot with a quiet steam release and a few extra modes that testers liked for slow cooking and big batches. Its pot spins or rocks while sautéing, and Amazon owners report units stuck in preheat or breaking within months.
Top complaints
- Stuck in preheat and early failures
Amazon's review summary says owners report durability issues, with units breaking after four months, and the cooker getting stuck in preheat mode for long periods without cooking.
- Inner pot spins or rocks, no handles
Serious Eats found the pot rocked (8-qt) or spun (6-qt) while sautéing and lacks handles. Tom's Guide also lists no handles.
Source: Serious Eats (Instant Pots), Tom's Guide - Uneven beans, slow risotto, weak rice program
Serious Eats found its beans unevenly cooked and risotto took twice as long as the Breville. Tom's Guide says it did well except on the Rice program and needed trial and error.
What owners love
- Great brisket and chili
Serious Eats got outstandingly tender brisket and evenly seared chili beef, with adjustable sauté heat.
- Quiet release, easy cleanup
Tom's Guide praises the quiet steam release and dishwasher cleanup; Amazon owners like the dishwasher-safe stainless bowl.
- Good slow cooker and sous vide
Tom's Guide says it did very well at slow cooking. Serious Eats found it one of two Instant Pots that held close to the sous vide target.
Source: Tom's Guide, Serious Eats (Instant Pots)
- You sauté a lot (pot can spin)
- The Rio does what you need for less
- You want sous vide with temperature control
- Large-batch cooking (8-qt version)
- Replacing a slow cooker
- Quieter steam release
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best large multicooker (8-qt V4) for batch cooking; beans were uneven and risotto slow. Its Instant Pot guide calls it the most user-friendly but notes the pot rocks.
- Tom's Guide: Most versatile Instant Pot: performed well except for rice; cons are no pot handles and settings that need trial and error.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Not recommended over the Rio: only a few extra settings for about $30 more; buy it only on sale.