Instant Pot Viva vs Duo Nova: What’s the same and what’s different
Instant Pot designs each of its electric pressure cookers to be convenient, safe, and dependable. Each Instant Pot model has variations in the features includes that might make you want to choose one over another. Let’s take at the Instant Pot Duo Nova vs Viva side by side to understand what’s the same and what’s different.
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What is the Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker?
Let’s start with a quick overview if you recently heard about the Instant Pot and pressure cooking and wondering about all of the chatter.
An Instant Pot® is a multi-use electric pressure cooker designed to be dependable, convenient, and most importantly safe. Pressure cooking is an energy-efficient meal preparation approach because you cook your food faster.
Specifically, you may be considering if you want to buy the Instant Pot Duo Nova or Viva, and which one is better for your needs. Or maybe how they’re different if you already own an Instant Pot.
The appliances combined in the Instant Pot Viva vs Duo Nova
You’ll save counter and storage space with an Instant Pot because it combines multiple kitchen appliances into one. And as a bonus, you’ll also save some money because one appliance covers multiple cooking methods.
Let’s take a look at the appliances combined in the Instant Pot Viva vs Duo Nova:
| Viva | Duo Nova | |
| Number of Appliances Combined | 9 | 7 |
| Pressure Cooker | Yes | Yes |
| Slow Cooker | Yes | Yes |
| Rice Cooker | Yes | Yes |
| Steam | Yes | |
| Sauté/Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Yogurt Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Warmer | Yes | Yes |
| Cake Maker | Yes | |
| Sous Vide | Yes |
The Viva has a few additional appliances covered compared to the Duo Nova. It includes functions for Sous Vide and cake making. The Duo Nova is also considered a steamer while the other model is not.
Smart Programs available in each model
Instant Pot created smart programs to help the home chef be able to cook with the press of a button. The smart programs, created based on extensive testing, control heat intensity, temperature, pressure, and duration.
Aside from each Instant Pot series having different smart programs, not all of the sizes within a model will have all of the smart programs included. For example, the mini 3 quart models usually have a few fewer programs than its larger 6- and 8-quart siblings have.
| Viva | Duo Nova | |
| Number of Smart Programs | 15 | 14 |
| Soup/Broth | Yes | Yes |
| Meat/Stew | Yes | Yes |
| Bean/Chili | Yes | Yes |
| Cake | Yes | |
| Egg | Yes | |
| Slow Cook | Yes | Yes |
| Sauté | Yes | Yes |
| Rice | Yes | Yes |
| Multigrain | Yes | Yes* |
| Poultry | Yes* | |
| Porridge | Yes | Yes |
| Sous Vide | Yes | |
| Sterlize | Yes | |
| Yogurt | Yes | Yes |
| Pressure Cook | Yes | Yes |
| Steam | Yes | |
| Pasteurize** | Yes | Yes |
| Keep Warm | Yes | Yes |
* The Multigrain and Poultry programs may not be available in the 3-quart versions of Instant Pot Duo Nova because of the smaller front control panel
** The Pasteurizing program is part of the Yogurt Smart Program. When you choose “More”, it will pasteurize milk. Be sure to check the temperature of the heated milk to ensure it reaches the proper temperature.
The updated Viva includes the Cake Setting and egg program. It doesn’t include the steam setting which is commonly suggested for hard-boiled eggs. Consider using the egg program instead.
Which sizes are the Instant Pot Duo Nova and Viva available in?
Instant Pot models are generally available in the core three sizes: 3 quart, 6 quart, and 8 quart. The Instant Pot Duo Nova is available in all three sizes plus an additional larger size. The Instant Pot Viva is currently only available in 6 quart and 8 quart.
If you’re looking for the mini model, you’ll need to choose the Duo Nova or another one that’s available in 3 quarts. Or if you’re looking for something larger, the Duo Nova is also available in 10 quarts!
| Viva | Duo Nova | |
| 3 Quarts | Yes | |
| 6 Quarts | Yes | Yes |
| 8 Quarts | Yes | Yes |
| 10 Quarts | Yes |
What’s the difference between the Instant Pot Duo Nova and Viva?
Looking at the Smart Programs in the Viva and Duo Nova side by side, the Viva has a few additional programs including Cake and Sous Vide. The Duo Nova has the steam and poultry programs, like the classic Duo.
The Viva is available in 2 sizes while the Duo Nova is available in 4 Instant Pot sizes.
The Instant Pot Viva was originally designed based on the classic Duo so they both have the same display and use buttons to select the cooking settings. The Duo Nova has an updated back-lit display.
The updated Instant Pot Viva has an updated auto-seal lid as an added safety feature as does the Duo Nova.
How many times have you forgotten to flip the sealing knob to the wrong position on the other Instant Pot models? I love the auto sealing lid on the Ultra so it’s great to see on both models.
Both the Duo Nova and Viva come with two sealing rings and a trivet/steam rack.
The Viva is also available in a few additional colors and styles. You’ll need to check different stores if you want something other than the traditional stainless steel look.
When it comes to price, keep an eye out for flash sales and deals as you may be able to save money on your purchase. Otherwise per size, the base prices are about the same.
What are your thoughts on the Instant Pot Duo Nova vs Viva?
Whenever you buy a new Instant Pot you need to decide which features and size make the most sense for your needs. With the updated Instant Pot Viva there are a few interesting features that could make it a useful purchase. I don’t know about you, but I am finding the need for more than one Instant Pot in my kitchen.
What about you? What are you looking for in an Instant Pot Viva and Duo Nova? Are you trying to decide which one to buy?
Learn more about the Instant Pot Models
- Compare the Instant Pot Viva vs Duo
- Compare the Instant Pot Duo vs Duo Nova
- Compare the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus vs Duo Nova
