Finding the right air fryer isn’t always about choosing the one with the most features. Sometimes, it’s about deciding whether those extra features are actually useful in everyday cooking. That’s exactly what I wanted to find out while comparing the Instant Pot Vortex vs Vortex Plus.
At first glance, these two 6-quart air fryers look very similar. They share the same family-sized capacity, 1700-watt heating system, and Instant Pot’s EvenCrisp Technology for crispy food with little oil. But after cooking everything from fries and chicken wings to vegetables and baked treats, I realized the Vortex Plus offers several quality-of-life improvements that make daily cooking even easier.
If you’re debating whether the Vortex Plus is worth spending a little more on, here’s my experience using both models.
The Key Difference Between Instant Pot Vortex vs Vortex Plus
The biggest difference between the Instant Pot Vortex and the Instant Pot Vortex Plus is the number of cooking functions and convenience features.
The Instant Pot Vortex is a 4-in-1 air fryer that focuses on the essentials with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, and Reheat functions. It’s simple, straightforward, and ideal if you mainly air fry everyday foods.
The Instant Pot Vortex Plus expands those capabilities with 6 cooking functions, adding Broil and Dehydrate, while also including a ClearCook viewing window, OdorErase air filtration, and customizable cooking presets for greater convenience.
If you simply want an affordable air fryer, the Vortex is an excellent choice. If you appreciate extra cooking options and smarter features, the Vortex Plus is the better investment.
Instant Pot Vortex vs Vortex Plus Comparison Table
| Feature | Instant Pot Vortex | Instant Pot Vortex Plus |
| Capacity | 6 Quart | 6 Quart |
| Wattage | 1700W | 1700W |
| Cooking Functions | 4 | 6 |
| Air Fry | ✔ | ✔ |
| Roast | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bake | ✔ | ✔ |
| Reheat | ✔ | ✔ |
| Broil | ✘ | ✔ |
| Dehydrate | ✘ | ✔ |
| Temperature Range | 120°F–400°F | Up to 400°F |
| EvenCrisp Technology | ✔ | ✔ |
| Viewing Window | ✘ | ✔ ClearCook |
| OdorErase Filter | ✘ | ✔ |
| Custom Presets | Basic One-Touch | 6 Custom Presets |
| Dishwasher Safe | ✔ | ✔ |
| Best For | Everyday air frying | Versatile cooking |
| Check Latest Price on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Although the specifications are similar, cooking with these two air fryers revealed several practical differences. Both produced crispy food with very little oil, but the Vortex Plus made the cooking process noticeably more convenient.
My Take on the Design:
From the outside, both air fryers have a clean and modern look that fits nicely on most kitchen countertops.
The Instant Pot Vortex keeps things simple. Its touchscreen is responsive, the basket slides in smoothly, and the controls are easy enough that I didn’t need to read the manual before cooking my first batch of fries.
The Vortex Plus, however, immediately feels like the more refined model.
The biggest difference is the ClearCook viewing window. I honestly didn’t expect to use it much, but after a few meals it became one of my favorite features. I could quickly check the color of chicken wings or roasted vegetables without pulling out the basket and losing heat.
The second feature I appreciated was the OdorErase filter. Air fryers naturally circulate cooking smells, especially with foods like fish or bacon. The Vortex Plus noticeably reduced lingering odors compared to the standard Vortex.
Both air fryers are well built, but the Vortex Plus includes several thoughtful upgrades that improve the overall experience.
- 4 Cooking Functions: Air fry, bake, roast, or reheat with little to no preheating time, all in one easy appliance
- Adjustable Temperature: Dial it in from 120 to 400°F (49 to 205°C) for perfectly crispy, golden, or gooey results—your call
- 6 Cooking Functions: Air fry, bake, roast, broil, dehydrate or reheat with little to no preheating time, all in one easy appliance
- Adjustable Temperature: Dial it in from 95 to 400°F (35 to 205°C) for perfectly crispy, golden, or gooey results—your call
My Experience Using Both:
I prepared many of the same meals in both air fryers, including frozen fries, chicken breasts, salmon, vegetables, mozzarella sticks, cookies, and leftover pizza.
The Instant Pot Vortex handled all of those recipes very well. The EvenCrisp Technology delivered evenly browned food with crispy exteriors and moist interiors.
The touchscreen is simple, making it an excellent option for beginners or anyone upgrading from a traditional oven.
The Vortex Plus cooked equally well, but I found myself interacting with it less during cooking.
Instead of opening the basket to check progress, I simply looked through the ClearCook window. That small difference helped maintain cooking temperatures and reduced unnecessary interruptions.
I also liked being able to save my favorite cooking settings. Since I cook frozen fries and chicken tenders regularly, having custom presets saved me from adjusting time and temperature every single time.
Performance was similar, but convenience clearly favored the Vortex Plus.
Which Functions Matter Most?
The Instant Pot Vortex focuses on the four cooking functions that most people use every day:
- Air Fry
- Roast
- Bake
- Reheat
For many households, that’s all you’ll ever need.
The Instant Pot Vortex Plus builds on that foundation by adding:
- Broil
- Dehydrate
I used the Broil function for finishing casseroles and melting cheese over sandwiches, and it worked surprisingly well.
The Dehydrate mode also proved useful for homemade fruit snacks and beef jerky. While I don’t dehydrate food every week, it’s a feature I appreciated having available.
Beyond the extra cooking modes, the customizable presets made the Plus model feel more personal. Once I saved my favorite settings, preparing common meals became almost effortless.
If your cooking habits extend beyond basic air frying, those extra functions are genuinely useful rather than just marketing features.
Cleaning and Maintenance:
Cleanup was quick with both air fryers.
The Instant Pot Vortex has a non-stick basket that releases food easily, and most residue rinsed away without much effort. For greasy foods like wings or bacon, I simply placed the basket in the dishwasher.
The Vortex Plus is equally easy to clean. The dishwasher-safe basket and tray simplify cleanup, while the viewing window only required an occasional wipe after cooking foods that splattered.
The only additional maintenance is replacing the OdorErase filter periodically, but I considered that a fair trade-off for a fresher-smelling kitchen.
Overall, I found both air fryers easy to maintain.
Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer
- 4 Cooking Functions: Air fry, bake, roast, or reheat with little to no preheating time, all in one easy appliance
- Adjustable Temperature: Dial it in from 120 to 400°F (49 to 205°C) for perfectly crispy, golden, or gooey results—your call
Pros:
- Affordable compared to the Plus model
- Excellent air frying performance
- Easy-to-use touchscreen
- Family-sized 6-quart basket
- EvenCrisp Technology delivers crispy food
- Dishwasher-safe basket
Cons:
- Only four cooking functions
- No ClearCook viewing window
- No odor filtration
- No customizable presets
Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer
- 6 Cooking Functions: Air fry, bake, roast, broil, dehydrate or reheat with little to no preheating time, all in one easy appliance
- Adjustable Temperature: Dial it in from 95 to 400°F (35 to 205°C) for perfectly crispy, golden, or gooey results—your call
Pros:
- Six cooking functions
- ClearCook viewing window is extremely useful
- OdorErase filter reduces lingering smells
- Six customizable cooking presets
- Broil and Dehydrate modes add versatility
- Easy-to-clean dishwasher-safe basket
Cons:
- Usually costs more than the standard Vortex
- Odor filters eventually need replacement
- Slightly more features than casual users may need
Instant Pot Vortex vs Vortex Plus: My Recommendation
After using both models, I think the decision comes down to how often you use your air fryer.
The Instant Pot Vortex is a fantastic option if you mainly cook frozen foods, vegetables, chicken, or everyday family meals. It performs exactly as you’d expect from a quality air fryer and keeps things simple.
The Instant Pot Vortex Plus, however, improves the overall cooking experience with several features I genuinely found useful. The viewing window reduced unnecessary basket checks, the odor filter kept my kitchen smelling fresher, and the extra cooking functions made it more versatile for recipes beyond standard air frying.
My final recommendation
- Buy the Instant Pot Vortex if you’re looking for a dependable, budget-friendly air fryer that covers all the essentials.
- Buy the Instant Pot Vortex Plus if you want additional cooking functions, better convenience, and smarter everyday features.
If I were buying one today, I’d choose the Instant Pot Vortex Plus. The cooking performance is equally impressive, but the added convenience of the ClearCook window, OdorErase technology, customizable presets, and extra cooking modes makes it feel like the more complete air fryer for long-term use.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Is the Instant Pot Vortex Plus worth the extra money?
Yes, if you’ll use the additional features. The ClearCook window, OdorErase filter, Broil, Dehydrate functions, and custom presets make everyday cooking noticeably more convenient.
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Do both air fryers cook food equally well?
Yes. Both use Instant Pot’s EvenCrisp Technology and produce crispy, evenly cooked food with up to 95% less oil than traditional deep frying.
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Does the Instant Pot Vortex have a viewing window?
No. Only the Vortex Plus includes the ClearCook viewing window, allowing you to monitor food without opening the basket.
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Which model is easier for beginners?
The standard Instant Pot Vortex is slightly simpler because it offers fewer cooking modes, making it an excellent choice for first-time air fryer users.
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Which one would I personally buy?
I’d buy the Instant Pot Vortex Plus. While the standard Vortex delivers excellent cooking performance, the extra features – especially the ClearCook window, OdorErase filter, Broil, and Dehydrate functions – made it more enjoyable and convenient to use every day.
