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MegaChef 12 Quart Pressure Cooker vs Instant Pot Duo 12-Quart Pressure Cooker

Buy the Instant Pot Duo 12-Quart if you want a proven, well-documented 12-quart multicooker with strong safety hardware and a huge recipe base. Buy the MegaChef 12 Quart if a tempered glass lid and a non-stick inner pot matter more to you than a track record. The MegaChef's 15 presets and 9.5-hour slow cook look good on paper, but its listed specs conflict on wattage and its max temperature of 175°F is far below what pressure cooking needs, which is a real red flag. Instant Pot owners consistently report years of daily use; MegaChef's 4.3 from 76 ratings is a much thinner record.

  • Choose the MegaChef 12 Quart if you want a glass lid for watching food cook and a non-stick pot you can wipe clean, and you mainly plan to slow cook and steam.
  • Choose the Instant Pot Duo 12-Quart if you want a pressure cooker with a long, well-reviewed track record and documented pressure-cooking performance.

Prices

  • MegaChef 12 Quart Pressure Cooker: $49.99 at Nwjkx (last seen Nov 2)
  • Instant Pot Duo 12-Quart Pressure Cooker: $60.00 at NS Liquidations (last seen Nov 11)
  • Difference: the MegaChef 12 Quart Pressure Cooker is $10.01 cheaper than the Instant Pot Duo 12-Quart Pressure Cooker at the latest prices (Nov 2 and Nov 11)
MegaChef
Megachef 12 Quart Pressure Cooker

MegaChef 12 Quart Pressure Cooker

Megachef 12 Quart Pressure Cooker

4.3(76 ratings)
$49.99at NwjkxChecked Nov 2
See all prices and details
Visit Nwjkx
Pros
  • Glass lid lets you watch food without opening the pot
  • Non-stick pot wipes clean and releases food easily
  • 15 presets and a 9.5-hour slow cook mode
  • Large 12-quart capacity for big batches
Cons
  • Specs conflict on wattage and list a max temperature too low for real pressure cooking
  • Glass lid is not a pressure lid
  • Non-stick pot is not dishwasher-safe and can scratch
  • Thin review base of 76 ratings
Instant Pot
Instant Pot Duo 12-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Duo 12-Quart Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Duo 12-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker

$60.00at NS LiquidationsChecked 5 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit NS Liquidations
Pros
  • Long, well-documented record for pressure cooking
  • Stainless steel inner pot is dishwasher-safe and won't scratch
  • Full set of safety systems
  • Widely available parts, seals and recipes
Cons
  • No glass lid for monitoring
  • Fewer one-touch presets than the MegaChef
  • Stainless pot needs more oil to prevent sticking

What separates them

MegaChef 12 Quart Pressure CookerInstant Pot Duo 12-Quart Pressure Cooker
Brand track recordMegaChef is a small house brand with 76 ratings at 4.3Instant Pot is the category leader with a large, long-running owner base
Pressure performanceListed max temperature of 175°F, below pressure-cooking range, and wattage stated as both 1000W and 1500W/1600WDesigned and rated for full 15 psi-class pressure cooking
LidTempered glass lid for monitoring; glass is not a pressure lidLocking pressure lid with steam release
Inner potNon-stick coated pot, not dishwasher-safeStainless steel inner pot, dishwasher-safe
Presets15 one-touch menu buttonsStandard Duo preset set covering the common modes
Slow cookUp to 9.5 hoursSlow cook mode included, shorter maximum
FunctionsPressure cook, slow cook, steam, saute, simmer, yogurtPressure cook, slow cook, steam, saute, rice, yogurt and more
SafetyAutomatic shutoff listedMultiple redundant safety systems standard on Duo models

Price history

$129.99$49.99
Nov 2Nov 12
  • MegaChef 12 Quart Pressure Cooker: lowest $49.99 on Nov 2 at Nwjkx; $129.99 on Nov 12.
  • Instant Pot Duo 12-Quart Pressure Cooker: lowest $60.00 on Nov 12 at NS Liquidations.

Prices at every store

MegaChef 12 Quart Pressure Cooker

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $129.99Free shippingChecked 48 min ago
    Visit Walmart
  • Shop SimonNew

    In stock

    $129.99+ $4.95 shippingChecked 48 min ago
    Visit Shop Simon
  • NwjkxNew

    Availability unknown

    $49.99Checked Nov 2
    Visit Nwjkx
  • Best BuyNew

    Availability unknown

    $129.99Checked Nov 4
    Visit Best Buy

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 19 stores and price history →

Instant Pot Duo 12-Quart Pressure Cooker

  • NS LiquidationsNew

    In stock

    $60.00Checked 5 h ago
    Visit NS Liquidations
Prices and history →

Specs compared

SpecMegaChef 12 Quart Pressure CookerInstant Pot Duo 12-Quart Pressure Cooker
colorMulticolorSilver
Body MaterialSteelStainless steel
Power SourceElectricElectric
Included AccessoriesGlass lidLid, Inner Pot
Multi-Piece SetNoNo (1 pieza)
size12 Qt.—
Safety FeaturesAutomatic shutoff—
TimerYes—
Control DisplayDigital—
Control TypeDigital—
Pot MaterialNon-stick—
Lid MaterialGlass, Tempered glass—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecMegaChef 12 Quart Pressure CookerInstant Pot Duo 12-Quart Pressure Cooker
Depth17.00l—
Height17.00h—
Width15.00w—
Heating TechnologyElectric—
Handle MaterialAluminum—
Lid TypeTempered glass lid—
ShapeRound (17" diameter)—
StyleClassic, Casual—
Care InstructionsNot dishwasher-safe (Cooking Pot and Trivet)—
Max Temperature

What reviewers say

MegaChef 12 Quart Pressure Cooker

  • 4.3 / 576 ratings

Rated 4.3 out of 5 from 76 ratings, buyers generally find it a roomy, easy-to-use cooker for the money. Complaints center on its size and on the glass lid.

What people mention
  • CapacityPraisedOwners like the 12-quart pot for big batches and family meals.
  • Ease of usePraisedThe 15 one-touch presets are seen as simple to operate.
  • SizeCriticisedIt is large and heavy, taking up counter and cabinet space.
  • LidMixedThe tempered glass lid helps monitoring but is not a locking pressure lid.

Instant Pot Duo 12-Quart Pressure Cooker

Owners of the 12-quart Duo tend to be batch cooks who value the volume and the familiar Instant Pot controls. Common complaints are its footprint, its weight when full and slower heat-up than smaller Duos.

What people mention
  • CapacityPraisedOwners say the 12-quart pot handles big batches of stock, chili and whole birds that smaller cookers cannot.
  • Size and storageCriticisedReviewers complain it is bulky and takes up a lot of counter and cabinet space.
  • WeightCriticisedOwners note it is heavy and awkward to lift and carry when full.
  • Heat-up timeMixedSome say it takes longer to come to pressure than smaller Instant Pots, though most accept it for the volume.

Questions and answers

Which is better for pressure cooking?
The Instant Pot Duo. It is built and rated for full pressure cooking, while the MegaChef's listed max temperature of 175°F is below the range pressure cooking requires.
Which has the better inner pot?
It depends on preference. The MegaChef's non-stick pot is easier to clean but scratches and is not dishwasher-safe. The Duo's stainless pot is dishwasher-safe and more durable.
Is the MegaChef's glass lid safe for pressure cooking?
No. A tempered glass lid is for slow cooking, steaming and serving, not for pressurized cooking. Use the pressure lid for pressure modes.
Which lasts longer?
The Instant Pot Duo has the stronger record. Owners report years of use, and seals and parts are easy to replace. The MegaChef has far fewer owner reports to judge by.
Is the MegaChef worth stepping up to?
Only if the glass lid and non-stick pot are must-haves and you mostly slow cook or steam. For pressure cooking, the Duo is the safer pick.
Which is easier to clean?
The MegaChef's non-stick pot wipes clean fastest, but it must be hand-washed. The Duo's stainless pot can go in the dishwasher.

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175 oF
—
Power Consumption1000 W—
Supported AccessoriesSealing ring for the lid, Inner bowl—
Capacity12 quart (XL)—
Wattage1600W—
Voltage120V / 60Hz—
Presets15 one-touch menu buttons—
FunctionsPressure cook, slow cook, steam, saute, simmer,…—
Slow cookUp to 9.5 hours—
Pressure-cook timerUp to 99 minutes—
Cooking potRemovable stainless steel—
LidTempered glass, locking—
ControlsProgrammable timer, keep-warm, auto shut-off—
Base360-degree swivel—
Weight18.70 lbs—
Power (W)1600—
No. of Programs15—
Multi Cooker FunctionsStew, Rice, Slow Cooking, Dessert, Pasta, Sauté…—
Third-party CertificationsUL Listed—