The Instant Pot Vortex Plus offers strong versatility with its six-in-one functionality and user-friendly interface, according to GearLab's review. While it delivers solid cooking performance and is easy to clean, reviewers noted a slight off-putting taste in some foods and a longer preheat time. The large six-quart capacity is appreciated for batch cooking, though the appliance is priced higher than average. This makes it ideal for those seeking a multi-functional kitchen appliance but may not suit budget-conscious buyers or those wanting faster prep times. Tom's Guide and RTINGS.com also highlighted its ease of use and cleaning, though the basket design issues were noted as a minor inconvenience.
Strengths
- +Impressive versatility with six preset functions including air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate
- +Easy to clean with dishwasher-safe parts and a dedicated how-to video on the website
- +Intuitive digital touch controls combined with a central dial make operation effortless
- +Large six-quart capacity allows for preparing larger meals or bigger batches
Watch-outs
- −Higher price point compared to average air fryers
- −Longer 5-minute preheat time than competitors
- −Basket tray tends to slide out during dumping, requiring extra care
How it compares
The Vortex Plus offers the only air frying capability among all models, making it unique compared to the Duo Plus, Pro Plus, and RIO Wide. While it's more expensive than the standard 10-in-1 and has a longer preheat time, it provides six preset functions and a large 6-quart capacity that the others don't match. Unlike the Pro Plus, it lacks Wi-Fi features but compensates with more versatile cooking options, making it ideal for users wanting a multi-functional appliance with air frying.
Who this is for
At a glance: users wanting air frying and multi-function versatility.
Why you’d buy the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 4QT Air Fryer, 6-in-1
- Impressive versatility with six preset functions including air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate.
- Easy to clean with dishwasher-safe parts and a dedicated how-to video on the website.
- Intuitive digital touch controls combined with a central dial make operation effortless.
Why you’d skip it
- Higher price point compared to average air fryers.
- Longer 5-minute preheat time than competitors.
- Basket tray tends to slide out during dumping, requiring extra care.
Rating sources
“The Instant Pot Vortex Plus ClearCook impressed our Lab pros with its bells and whistles at a budget price.”
Our 4.3 score is the average of these published ratings. Ratings marked * were derived from the reviewer’s written analysis or video transcript — the publisher didn’t print an explicit numeric score, so we inferred one from their own words. Click through to verify. More about methodology.
