Instant Pot Viva vs Duo Evo Plus: 5 differences compared side by side
Instant Pot designs each of its electric pressure cookers to be convenient, dependable, and safe. In 2019 the company released two models including the Duo Evo Plus. Each Instant Pot model has some variations that might make you want to choose one over another.
And between these two models and the occasional promotions, it may be difficult to choose. Let’s take a look at the Instant Pot Viva vs Duo Evo Plus side by side.
The 5 differences between the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus and Viva include:
- Different inner liners that are not interchangeable
- The Viva has more smart programs but the Duo Evo Plus has 48 presets
- The control panels are different between the two models
- The Duo Evo Plus has a defused steam release feature
- The Viva will typically cost less
And one quick note about the Duo Evo Plus: It was discontinued in 2021. You may still be able to find them online but the newer model is the Pro and you may be interested in taking a look at the Duo and Pro compared instead.
Dig deeper into the comparison between the two models to look at the appliances combined, smart programs included, and other relevant stats.
And one more note: this post contains affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission if you buy through my link. You won’t pay any more if you use this link.
What is the Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker?
An Instant Pot® is a smart multi-use electric pressure cooker designed to be dependable, convenient, and safe. One of the most important things to look for in a pressure cooker is safety. Each Instant Pot has at least 10 safety mechanisms built in.
It’s also an energy-efficient kitchen appliance as you’ll cook your meals up to 70% faster and use energy. And you won’t heat up your kitchen in the summer either like you would with your oven.
The Viva and Duo Evo Plus are just two of the many models the company sells. The Viva was released to additional stores in 2019 and the Duo Evo Plus is their most innovative version introduced in 2019.
Specifically, you may be considering the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus vs Viva and trying to figure out which one is better. Or maybe how they’re different if you already own another Instant Pot.
What is the difference between the Duo Evo Plus and Viva?
The Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus is the most innovative electric pressure cooker version they’ve released to date. And the Instant Pot Viva includes a lot of their core pressure cooker features and programs. Here’s a look at the key differences between the two models.
Different inner liners that are not interchangeable
The Duo Evo Plus includes a redesigned inner liner featuring two exciting changes that make it exciting.
The new inner liner is easier to lift out of the base. It has heat-resistant handles so you can easily grab the hot pot in the new design. Trying to lift a hot pot by a rim can be a challenge at time, especially if you cooked something heavy.
This new inner pot has a stove-top friendly flat bottom. One of the common questions and complaints is the existing liner can’t be used on the stove. You may have read a story or two about someone using the original liner on the stove, warping it.
The new design does mean the liners are not interchangeable between different Instant Pot models. Besides the Pro Crisp, none of the other models to date have the updated liner. If you have another Instant Pot as the same size if you decide to buy a Duo Evo Plus, you’ll need to buy a separate inner liner to have extras.
The Viva has more smart programs but the Duo Evo Plus has 48 presets
If you’re looking at the smart programs side by side to help you decide, you’ll notice the Duo Evo Plus has fewer smart program buttons. But it actually has more cooking features with additional presets and customization options.
The Viva has 15 cooking programs and technically 16 programs with “Pasteurize” included as part of the Yogurt program.
The control panels are different between the two models
The Viva has a traditional LCD control panel with push buttons to choose your cooking settings. You’ll see a similar control panel on the Lux and Duo models.
The Duo Evo Plus has a control panel similar to the Ultra. It is a backlit display with a combination of buttons and a turn dial. You select your smart program with a button. Then you’ll choose between the presets and make further cooking setting adjustments using the turn dial. And as with the Ultra, don’t forget to press the start button to actually begin the cooking process.
The Viva automatically starts cooking after a few seconds of pushing the program buttons.
The Duo Evo Plus has a defused steam release feature
If you’ve ever seen a quick release at full blast, it’s quite a thing to watch. And potentially risk a steamy ceiling. In addition to the new cooking liner, the new Duo Evo Plus lid has two interesting features.
First, it has a defused steam release so you can do a quick release without worrying about spraying your ceiling with steam. The new lid also helps your Instant Pot cool faster. This means the natural steam release will be quicker.
Both models have an easy steam release button and auto-sealing lid so you don’t forget to do that before starting a cooking program.
The Viva will typically cost less
Depending on your budget, the Viva will typically cost less than the Duo Evo Plus at the same quart size as the newer model has more features. Keep an eye out for flash sales and deals. You never know when you’ll be able to save money on purchase, even with the newer feature-rich models.
The Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus and Viva compared side-by-side
To go deeper on each model, here are the appliances combined included smart programs, and available sizes compared side-by-side. Aside from looking at a summary of the differences, looking at each element in detail can be helpful to your decision-making process.
The appliances combined in each model
Each Instant Pot combines multiple kitchen appliances into one, saving space on your counters and in your cabinets. And of course, you save money by having one appliance to cover multiple cooking methods.
Let’s take a look at the appliances combined in the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus vs Viva:
| Kitchen Appliance | Viva | Duo Evo Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Appliances Combined | 9-in-1 | 10-in-1 |
| Pressure Cooker | Yes | Yes |
| Slow Cooker | Yes | Yes |
| Rice Cooker | Yes | Yes |
| Steamer | Yes | |
| Sauté/Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Yogurt Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Sous Vide | Yes | Yes |
| Warmer | Yes | Yes |
| Cake Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Pot | Yes | Yes |
The new Duo Evo Plus combines a few more appliances into one Instant Pot compared to the Viva. With the Duo Evo Plus you’ll also have a stockpot with the upgrade inner liner and a steamer.
Smart Programs included in the Viva and Duo Evo Plus
Instant Pot created smart programs to help the home chef be able to cook with the press of a button. The smart programs were created based on extensive testing, control heat intensity, temperature, pressure, and duration.
One thing to highlight with the Duo Evo Plus is the number of included smart programs is a bit deceiving. The Duo Evo Plus has a large number of presets to further control time and temperature. So while chili isn’t a stand-alone smart program, it is a preset program within both the Pressure Cook and Slow Cook functions. For chili, you can then cook it with and without pressure.
| Smart Program | Viva | Duo Evo Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Smart Programs | 16 | 10 |
| Soup/Broth | Yes | |
| Meat/Stew | Yes | |
| Bean/Chili | Yes | |
| Cake | Yes | |
| Egg | Yes | |
| Sauté | Yes | Yes |
| Rice | Yes | Yes |
| Multigrain | Yes | |
| Porridge | Yes | |
| Yogurt | Yes | Yes |
| Pressure Cook | Yes | Yes |
| Steam | Yes | |
| Sterilize | Yes | |
| Keep Warm | Yes | Yes |
| Slow Cook | Yes | Yes |
| Pasteurize* | Yes | Yes |
| Bake | Yes | |
| Sous Vide | Yes | Yes |
* Pasteurize is a program that’s included in the Yogurt Smart Program
Which sizes the Duo Evo Plus and Viva available in?
Both the Viva and Duo Evo Plus are available in 6 quarts and 8 quart options.
The core Instant Pot models are generally available in the three main sizes: 3 quart, 6 quart, and 8 quart. There is one model available in a 10 quart size.
| Size | Viva | Duo Evo Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Quarts | Yes | Yes |
| 8 Quarts | Yes | Yes |
If you’re looking for a mini 3 quart or the larger 10 quart model you’ll need to check out the other Instant Pot models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have additional questions about the Viva and Duo Evo Plus? Check out these frequently asked questions for more information.
What comes with Instant Pot Viva?
The Instant Pot Viva comes with 2 silicone sealing rings and a trivet/steam rack. The extra sealing ring is a great addition because you can use one ring for cooking savory dishes and one for sweets. The silicone ring can become infused with the flavors and smells of what you cook, especially garlic and onion. No one wants a garlic-flavored cheesecake so having an extra ring or two is helpful.
How many quarts is the Instant Pot Viva?
The Instant Pot Viva is available in 6 and 8 quart sizes. It is not currently available as a 3 quart mini or 10 quart size. You may need to check different stores depending on the 6 or 8 quart Viva you’re specifically looking for.
Does Instant Pot Viva have Bluetooth?
No, the Instant Pot Viva does not have Bluetooth. There was a previous Instant Pot model called the Smart Bluetooth that had the feature available, but has since been discontinued.
What does duo mean in Instant Pot?
Duo means the Instant Pot has two pressure cooking levels: low and high. Most Instant Pot models, with the exception of the Lux have both high and low-pressure cooking options.
What are your thoughts on the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus vs Viva?
Whenever you buy a new Instant Pot you need to decide which features and size make the most sense for your needs, along with your budget. When there are promotions running on multiple models it can be difficult to decide between two Instant Pots. Or if you have an older model, sometimes a good deal could mean it’s worth considering an upgrade.
The Viva has a lot of the great core pressure cooking features the company offers. The Duo Evo Plus is the company’s most innovative model to date. The defused steam release on the Duo Evo Plus along with an upgraded quick cool lid are great features.
If you spend any time in the Facebook groups, you’ll notice most people find room in their kitchen for another Instant Pot. An extra pressure cooker helps you prepare multiple dishes at the same. Having multiple sizes allows you to cook a side dish in addition to your main meal. Or you can also batch cook for the week in a larger Instant Pot if you like to do meal prep.
What about you? What are you looking for in an Instant Pot Viva vs Duo Evo Plus? Are you trying to decide which one to buy?
