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

Buy the Instant Pot Duo 12-Quart if you want the proven, widely supported multicooker with a strong safety record and a huge recipe base. Buy the MegaChef 12-Quart if you want more one-touch presets and a tempered glass lid for slow cooking and serving at the table. Both are large 12-quart electric units aimed at big families and batch cooking. The Duo has far more owner history and third-party accessories; the MegaChef counters with 15 presets and a glass lid, but its 90-day replacement-only warranty is thin next to Instant Pot's one-year coverage.

  • Choose the MegaChef 12-Quart if you want 15 one-touch presets and a tempered glass lid for slow cooking and serving from the same pot.
  • Choose the Instant Pot Duo 12-Quart if you want the better-known multicooker with a longer warranty and a deep library of tested recipes and accessories.

Prices

  • MegaChef 12-Quart Digital 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 Digital 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 XL Digital Pressure Cooker & Electric Multi-Cooker

MegaChef 12-Quart Digital Pressure Cooker

MegaChef 12-Quart XL Digital Pressure Cooker & Electric Multi-Cooker

4.8(12 ratings)
$49.99at NwjkxChecked Nov 2
See all prices and details
Visit Nwjkx
Pros
  • 15 presets cover pressure cook, slow cook, steam, saute, simmer and yogurt
  • Tempered glass lid works for slow cooking and serving
  • Removable stainless steel pot and 360-degree swivel base
  • Large 12-quart capacity for batch cooking and big families
Cons
  • 90-day replacement-only warranty
  • Few owner reviews to judge long-term reliability
  • Not dishwasher-safe pot and trivet per care instructions
  • Needs about 17 inches of vertical clearance
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
  • Well-known multicooker with a long owner track record
  • One-year limited warranty
  • Huge recipe base and third-party accessory support
  • Large 12-quart capacity for batch cooking and big families
Cons
  • No glass lid included for slow cooking or serving
  • Fewer one-touch presets than the MegaChef
  • Large body takes up significant counter space

What separates them

MegaChef 12-Quart Digital Pressure CookerInstant Pot Duo 12-Quart Pressure Cooker
Preset programs15 one-touch presets covering pressure cook, slow cook, steam, saute, simmer and yogurtStandard Duo preset set for pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice, steam, saute and yogurt
LidLocking tempered glass lid includedStandard locking pressure lid; no glass lid in the box
Warranty90-day limited warranty, replacement onlyOne-year limited warranty
Owner track recordSmall review base, about 12 ratingsLong-running model with a large body of owner reviews
Recipe and accessory ecosystemLimited third-party supportLarge library of Instant Pot recipes and add-on accessories
Cooking potRemovable stainless steel inner potRemovable stainless steel inner pot
FootprintAbout 17 x 15 x 17 in, roughly 18.7 lbLarge 12-quart body, similar counter footprint
Safety featuresAutomatic shutoff and keep-warmAutomatic shutoff, keep-warm and established lid-lock safety system

Price history

$131.25$49.99
Nov 2Nov 12
  • MegaChef 12-Quart Digital Pressure Cooker: lowest $49.99 on Nov 2 at Nwjkx; $131.25 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 Digital Pressure Cooker

  • NwjkxNew

    Availability unknown

    $49.99Checked Nov 2
    Visit Nwjkx
  • ArborNew

    Availability unknown

    $103.19Checked Nov 10
    Visit Arbor
  • ShopSimonNew

    Availability unknown

    $129.99Checked Nov 10
    Visit ShopSimon
  • Best BuyNew

    Availability unknown

    $129.99Checked Nov 4
    Visit Best Buy

Also available at

  • CurbGoCheck price at CurbGo
All 23 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 Digital Pressure CookerInstant Pot Duo 12-Quart Pressure Cooker
Body MaterialSteelStainless steel
ColorSilverSilver
Power SourceElectricElectric
Included AccessoriesGlass lidLid, Inner Pot
Multi-Piece SetNoNo (1 pieza)
Safety FeaturesAutomatic shutoff—
TimerYes—
Control DisplayDigital—
Control TypeDigital—
Pot MaterialNon-stick—
Lid MaterialGlass, Tempered glass—
Depth17.00l—
Show all 25 specsShow fewer specs
SpecMegaChef 12-Quart Digital Pressure CookerInstant Pot Duo 12-Quart Pressure Cooker
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 Temperature175 oF—
Power Consumption

What reviewers say

MegaChef 12-Quart Digital Pressure Cooker

  • 4.8 / 512 ratings

Only 12 ratings are in, averaging 4.8 out of 5, so the record is thin. Buyers who rate it well point to the large capacity and the preset programs.

What people mention
  • CapacityPraisedOwners like the 12-quart size for big batches and family meals.
  • PresetsPraisedThe 15 one-touch programs are described as simple to use.
  • SizeCriticisedThe unit is large and heavy, so it needs dedicated counter space and clearance.
  • WarrantyCriticisedThe 90-day replacement-only coverage is short for an appliance this size.

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 a big family?
Both hold 12 quarts, so either handles large batches. The Instant Pot Duo has more owner history at this size, while the MegaChef adds a glass lid that helps for slow-cooker meals and serving.
Which lasts longer?
The Instant Pot Duo has the longer warranty at one year versus 90 days for the MegaChef, and a much larger base of long-term owner reports. That makes the Duo the safer bet on durability.
Is the MegaChef worth stepping up to?
Only if the 15 presets and glass lid matter to you. Otherwise the Duo's warranty and support make it the stronger pick.
Does either work as a slow cooker?
Yes. Both have slow-cook modes. The MegaChef's glass lid is more convenient for slow cooking and serving, while the Duo uses its standard lid.
Can I put the pots in the dishwasher?
The MegaChef care instructions say the cooking pot and trivet are not dishwasher-safe. Instant Pot's stainless inner pot is generally hand-washed, though many owners run it through the dishwasher.
Do both saute?
Yes. Both have a saute function, so you can brown meat or soften onions in the pot before pressure cooking.

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1000 W
—
Supported AccessoriesSealing ring for the lid, Inner bowl—
MaterialStainless Steel—
Capacity12 quarts—