Instant Pot DUO vs LUX – Pressure Cookers Comparison

People have been raving for years about how they love their Instant Pot pressure cookers. Everybody who owns this piece of kitchen equipment claims that they use the Instant Pot more often than any of their other cooking utensils, because it is so versatile and reliable.

For those who have only heard of the Instant Pot just now, or are finally seriously considering getting one, the Instant Pot is a programmable multi-cooker that you place on your countertop for preparing both quick or complicated meals.

It can be used as the following (among others): slow cooker, pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, warmer, sautéing and much more.

The Instant Pot has nine main models (at the time of writing) and each one features different functions. For today, we will compare two popular models: Instant Pot Duo 60 vs Lux 60 V3.

NOTE:

In a previous post we have compared Instant Pot Duo with Duo Plus which are also two similar and popular models in case you want to take a look.

Comparison Table

Let’s first see a side-by-side comparison of the main features of the two models we are discussing in this article:

Main Differences Between Instant Pot Duo and Lux

Some people are unaware that the Instant Pot comes in different models. The problem is most models look similar to each other, so it can be difficult to differentiate between them.

The main obvious difference between the DUO and LUX models seems to be the price with the Duo being a little bit more expensive than the Lux version.

But, if you look a little closer at the description, you will find out that the Duo has 7 functions, hence the 7-in-1 label, while the Lux is a 6-in-one cooker.

What is that elusive function that the Lux is lacking? It is the yogurt-making function. However, the Lux can make cakes and boil eggs which the Duo does not support.

Besides that, there are still some tiny differences between the two models that might be important for you and should be taken into consideration when you finally buy your Instant Pot. Here are some of the main differences between the two:

• Duo can make yogurt while Lux can’t.
• While both have the keep-warm feature, the Lux is designed to keep the food inside it warm for maximum of 10 hours. The Duo on the other hand can keep the food warm for maximum 99 hours and 50 minutes (but I don’t know anyone who will want to keep food warm for 99 hours !!!).
• The Duo has both low and high settings when you use it as a pressure cooker. The Lux only has high pressure setting. Note that High Pressure means 10.2 – 11.6 psi while Low Pressure means 5.8 – 7.2 psi.
• The lid of the Duo model is designed to prevent food splatter and condensation to drip on the counter. The lid of the Lux model doesn’t have this feature.
• Lux can bake cakes and boil eggs while Duo does not support these.

Instant Pot Duo – Brief Review

It was known as the most advanced pressure cooker ever made when it came out. The Duo 60 is probably the most popular model in Instant Pot series. It comes in three different sizes: 3, 6, and 8 quart (with 6 Quart being the most popular size).

Its price point might be on the high end for pressure cookers but its features more than make up for the price. You need to consider that this kitchen cooker can replace 6-7 other kitchen appliances easily.

As mentioned before, it is a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pot, warmer, and yogurt maker. It cooks 70% faster than regular cookers and can cook most recipes with just a touch of a button. It comes with 14 cooking programs so you can make stew, soup, porridge, and so much more.

It is made from high-grade stainless steel and doesn’t have any dangerous chemical coating. It is also fully-sealed, allowing it to cook food efficiently. It also has built in microprocessors that check on the temperature and pressure. Finally, it has certified safety mechanisms to ensure that it works properly each and every time you use it (10 different safety mechanisms).

Some users claim that, because it does not have the automatic steam and pressure release feature, this model tends to overcook vegetables. You might just need to find the perfect cooking time to ensure that your vegetable dishes do not end up soggy and overcooked.

Instant Pot Lux – Brief Review

The Lux model is almost the same as the Duo except it doesn’t have the yogurt making feature but it does cook cakes and can make hard boiled eggs. These cooking options are available on Version 3 of the product (LUX 60 V3).

Moreover, it features the same 3^rd generation microprocessor technology that allows users to cook their food effortlessly and worry-free every time.

You can cook a complete meal with just a press of a few buttons. It is made from the same high-quality stainless steel and food grade 304 with zero chemical coating as the Duo.

This means you do not need to worry about toxins getting into your food when you cook. It also features the fully sealed environment that ensures food retains its flavors, aroma, and nutrients. It is great for cooking healthful meals. Finally, it also has the 10 UL and ULC certified safety mechanisms to eliminate cooking errors.

The Lux is slightly cheaper than the Duo model and it comes also in three different sizes of 3,6,8 Quart.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Looking at the features and functions, we can say that the Duo and the Lux are almost the same. No matter which model you choose, you can be assured that you would be cooking so much better using your new kitchen equipment.

The decision of choosing between the two models would really be based on how much you are willing to spend and what kind of cooking you will be doing using these multi-function cookers.

If your budget is a little limited and you do not really need to produce Yogurt or any of the added features such as the 99 hour keep-warm feature or the “low pressure” cooking, then you can settle for the Instant Pot Lux. It is still such a good buy because it essentially replaces 6 different cooking equipment.

If you have the extra money and would love to have the extra warming time, yogurt making function, and the improved lid design to contain splatter and dripping, then it is better that you get the Instant Pot Duo. Besides, its price difference is not that much compared to Lux.