Instant Pot vs Air Fryer: Which Kitchen Gadget Do You Need?
Here's the thing — both of these appliances are wildly popular, and for good reason. But they do completely different jobs. An Instant Pot is basically a pressure cooker that also slow cooks, steams rice, and makes soups. An air fryer is a tiny convection oven that makes crispy food with barely any oil. They're not really competitors. They're more like coworkers. So which one should you get first? That depends on how you actually cook. If you're a meal-prepper who loves stews, soups, and dump-and-go dinners, the Instant Pot is your best friend. If you're reheating leftovers, making frozen food taste way better, or just want crispy fries without the guilt, the air fryer wins. And honestly? Most people end up owning both eventually. We've picked the best options on each side so you can figure out which one to grab first — or go ahead and get both if you've got the counter space.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Key Pros | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 (6-Qt) Electric Pressure Cooker | Instant-Pot | Replaces 7 kitchen appliances | Buy on Amazon |
| Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Quart | Instant-Pot | Nine cooking functions in one | Buy on Amazon |
| Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker 6 Quart | Pressure-Cooker | 10 cooking functions replace multiple appliances | Buy on Amazon |
| COSORI Air Fryer Pro LE 5-Qt | Air-Fryer | 9 preset cooking functions | Buy on Amazon |
| COSORI Pro Gen 2 Air Fryer 5.8QT | Air-Fryer | 13 one-touch presets cover most cooking needs | Buy on Amazon |
| Ninja AF101 Air Fryer 4 Quart | Air-Fryer | Crisps food with significantly less oil | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Look at Each Product
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 (6-Qt) Electric Pressure Cooker
7-in-1 multi-cooker replaces pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and warmer. 6-quart capacity feeds up to 6 people. Over 13 customizable smart programs. Stainless steel inner pot is dishwasher safe.
- Replaces 7 kitchen appliances
- 13 smart programs
- Very popular with huge recipe community
- Dishwasher-safe inner pot
- Learning curve for pressure cooking
- Takes up counter space
Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Quart
Nine-in-one multi-cooker replaces your pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and more. Whisper-Quiet steam release lets you depressurize without startling the whole household. Over 125K ratings and a cult following make this the most trusted instant pot on Amazon.
- Nine cooking functions in one
- Quiet steam release
- Massive community with free recipes
- Dishwasher-safe inner pot
- Learning curve for pressure cooking
- Large footprint on counter
Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker 6 Quart
The most versatile Instant Pot yet, combining pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, saute pan, sous vide, yogurt maker, sterilizer, warmer, and cake maker in one appliance. The improved steam release switch and whisper-quiet operation address common complaints from earlier models. Access over 800 recipes through the companion app.
- 10 cooking functions replace multiple appliances
- Whisper-quiet steam release
- Extensive recipe library via app
- Learning curve for pressure cooking beginners
- Inner pot is not dishwasher safe for all functions
COSORI Air Fryer Pro LE 5-Qt
5-quart capacity air fryer with 9 one-touch cooking functions. Shake reminder for even cooking results. Dishwasher-safe basket for easy cleanup. Cooks food with up to 85% less oil than traditional frying.
- 9 preset cooking functions
- Dishwasher-safe basket
- Compact 5-qt size
- Shake reminder feature
- Small for large families
- No window to see food
COSORI Pro Gen 2 Air Fryer 5.8QT
A sleek countertop air fryer with 13 one-touch cooking functions and a generous 5.8-quart detachable square basket that fits a whole chicken. Access over 100 paper liner templates and 1100 online recipes through the companion app. The dishwasher-safe basket and improved heating element deliver crispy results with up to 85% less oil.
- 13 one-touch presets cover most cooking needs
- Large 5.8QT basket fits family-size portions
- Dishwasher-safe basket for easy cleanup
- Takes up significant counter space
- Can be loud during operation
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer 4 Quart
The Ninja AF101 air fryer circulates superheated air to crisp food with up to 75 percent less fat than traditional frying. Its 4-quart ceramic-coated basket accommodates two pounds of fries and is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. Four cooking programs cover air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate functions.
- Crisps food with significantly less oil
- Dishwasher-safe ceramic basket simplifies cleanup
- Compact size suits small kitchens and apartments
- 4-quart capacity is tight for families of four or more
- No digital display, analog dial only
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an air fryer replace an Instant Pot?
Not really. They do totally different things. An air fryer makes food crispy — think fries, chicken wings, roasted veggies. An Instant Pot pressure cooks, so it's great for soups, stews, beans, and anything that normally takes hours. You can't make a pot roast in an air fryer, and you can't get crispy fries out of an Instant Pot.
Which one is better for a beginner cook?
The air fryer has a shorter learning curve. Toss food in, set the temp, done. The Instant Pot takes a bit more practice because pressure cooking feels intimidating at first — especially the whole natural release vs. quick release thing. But once you get it, the Instant Pot opens up way more meal options.
Is it worth getting an Instant Pot that also air fries?
The combo units exist, but honestly they're not great at either job. The air fryer lid is small and doesn't crisp as well as a dedicated air fryer. You're better off getting a standalone of whichever one you'll use more, then adding the other later.
How much counter space do these take up?
About the same, honestly. A 6-quart Instant Pot and a 5-quart air fryer both have a similar footprint. The Instant Pot is a bit taller. If counter space is tight, pick one and store it in a cabinet when you're not using it — the Ninja 4-quart air fryer is the most compact option here.