# Air Fryer vs Instant Pot: Which Appliance Wins?
Two of the most popular kitchen appliances of the past decade are the air fryer and the Instant Pot. Both promise to revolutionise the way you cook, save you time, and deliver restaurant-quality results at home. But if you can only choose one -- or you're trying to decide which to buy first -- how do you know which is right for you?
In this guide, we put the air fryer and the Instant Pot head-to-head across every major category: cooking methods, speed, versatility, ease of use, and value for money. Whether you're a busy parent, a meal-prep enthusiast, or simply someone who wants to cook smarter, this comparison will help you make the right call.
For a broader look at how air fryers stack up against other appliances, check out our air fryer reviews and buying guide.
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What Is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a compact countertop appliance that uses rapid hot air circulation to cook food. It mimics the results of deep frying -- crispy, golden exteriors -- but with little to no oil. Most models operate at temperatures between 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) and 400 degrees F (204 degrees C), making them ideal for everything from frozen chips to roast chicken.
Air fryers are beloved for their speed and simplicity. You load the basket, set the temperature and timer, and the appliance does the rest. Cleanup is generally straightforward, with most baskets being dishwasher-safe.
Popular air fryer uses include: - Frozen foods (chips, nuggets, spring rolls) - Roasted vegetables - Chicken wings, thighs, and breasts - Reheating leftovers - Baking muffins, cakes, and bread - Dehydrating fruits and herbs
For recipe inspiration, browse our recipes section.
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What Is an Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is a multi-cooker that combines the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, saute pan, and yoghurt maker in one device. It uses steam and pressure to cook food rapidly -- a pot of dried beans that would normally take hours on the stovetop can be ready in under 30 minutes.
Instant Pots are particularly popular for batch cooking, soups, stews, curries, and braised meats. They excel at transforming tough, cheap cuts of meat into tender, flavourful dishes with minimal effort.
Popular Instant Pot uses include: - Soups, stews, and curries - Braised meats (pulled pork, beef brisket, lamb shanks) - Rice and grains - Dried beans and legumes - Steamed vegetables and dumplings - Cheesecakes and desserts
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Cooking Methods
This is the most fundamental difference between the two appliances.
Air fryer: Uses dry heat and convection. It circulates hot air at high speed around the food, creating a crispy, browned exterior similar to frying or roasting. It cannot add moisture to food -- in fact, it removes it, which is why it's so good at crisping.
Instant Pot: Uses wet heat and pressure. It traps steam inside a sealed pot, raising the internal pressure and cooking food faster than conventional methods. It's excellent at tenderising and infusing flavour, but it cannot crisp or brown food (unless you use the saute function first).
In short: if you want crispy, the air fryer wins. If you want tender and saucy, the Instant Pot wins.
Speed
Both appliances are faster than conventional cooking, but in different ways.
Air fryer: Preheats in 2-3 minutes and cooks most foods in 10-25 minutes. Chicken wings at 400°F (204°C) take about 20 minutes. Frozen chips at 380°F (193°C) take around 15 minutes. It's genuinely fast for everyday meals.
Instant Pot: Takes 10-15 minutes to come to pressure before cooking even begins, then cooks quickly under pressure. A whole chicken might take 25 minutes under pressure, but with the pressure build and release time, the total is closer to 50 minutes. For slow-cooked dishes, it's much faster than a traditional slow cooker -- but it's not as quick as an air fryer for simple meals.
Winner for speed: Air fryer, for most everyday cooking tasks.
Versatility
Air fryer: Handles a wide range of cooking tasks -- frying, roasting, baking, grilling, dehydrating, and reheating. Some models include rotisserie functions or multiple racks. However, it cannot make soups, stews, or anything liquid-based.
Instant Pot: Arguably more versatile in terms of cooking methods. It can pressure cook, slow cook, saute, steam, make rice, and even ferment yoghurt. It handles liquid-based dishes that an air fryer simply cannot.
Winner for versatility: Instant Pot, by a narrow margin -- though the air fryer covers more everyday cooking scenarios for most households.
Ease of Use
Air fryer: Extremely simple. Set the temperature, set the timer, press start. Most people are comfortable using an air fryer within minutes of unboxing it. The learning curve is minimal.
Instant Pot: Has a steeper learning curve. Understanding pressure cooking, knowing when to use natural release vs. quick release, and managing liquid ratios can be intimidating for beginners. That said, once you've mastered the basics, it becomes second nature.
Winner for ease of use: Air fryer.
Cleanup
Air fryer: The basket and tray are usually dishwasher-safe. Wipe down the interior with a damp cloth. Cleanup takes 5 minutes or less. For tips on keeping your appliance in top shape, see our guide on cleaning air fryer accessories.
Instant Pot: The inner pot is dishwasher-safe, but the lid, sealing ring, and steam release valve all need separate cleaning. The sealing ring can absorb odours over time and may need replacing. Cleanup is more involved than an air fryer.
Winner for cleanup: Air fryer.
Size and Footprint
Air fryer: Ranges from compact 2-3 litre models (ideal for one or two people) to large 10+ litre oven-style units. Most standard basket models have a moderate footprint -- roughly the size of a large toaster.
Instant Pot: Available in 3, 6, and 8 litre sizes. The 6 litre model is the most popular and has a similar footprint to a mid-size air fryer, though it's taller.
Both appliances are countertop-friendly, but if bench space is limited, you'll want to measure carefully. Check our buying guide for size recommendations based on household size.
Price
In Australia, both appliances span a wide price range.
Air fryers: Entry-level models start around $50-$80 AUD. Mid-range quality models (like the Ninja Dual Zone or Philips series) sit between $150-$300 AUD. Premium models can exceed $400 AUD.
Instant Pot: The popular Duo series typically retails for $120-$200 AUD. The more advanced Pro Plus or Ultra models can reach $250-$350 AUD.
For budget-conscious shoppers, both appliances offer solid options under $150 AUD. See our compare models page for current pricing.
Winner for price: Roughly equal -- both have accessible entry points.
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Which Is Better for Meal Prep?
Both appliances shine for meal prep, but in different ways.
The Instant Pot is a meal-prep powerhouse for batch cooking. You can make a massive pot of chicken soup, a week's worth of rice, or a big batch of pulled pork with minimal hands-on time. Set it and walk away -- it's ideal for Sunday meal prep sessions.
The air fryer is better for cooking individual components quickly throughout the week. Roast a tray of vegetables in 15 minutes, crisp up some chicken thighs in 20 minutes, or reheat last night's leftovers in 5 minutes without them going soggy.
For serious meal preppers, having both appliances is the ultimate setup. But if you had to choose one, the Instant Pot edges ahead for large-batch cooking.
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Which Is Healthier?
Both appliances support healthier cooking compared to traditional frying or slow-simmering in fat-heavy sauces.
Air fryer: Uses little to no oil, significantly reducing fat and calorie content compared to deep frying. Cooking at high heat can also reduce cooking time, preserving more nutrients in vegetables.
Instant Pot: Pressure cooking retains more water-soluble vitamins than boiling, since food cooks faster and in a sealed environment. It's also great for cooking legumes and whole grains -- staples of a healthy diet.
Neither appliance is inherently "healthier" -- it depends on what you cook and how. Both support nutritious eating when used thoughtfully.
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Which Should You Buy First?
Here's a simple guide based on your cooking style:
Choose an air fryer if you: - Cook for one or two people most nights - Love crispy food (chips, chicken, vegetables) - Want something quick and easy with minimal cleanup - Reheat leftovers frequently - Are new to kitchen appliances and want something simple - Have limited bench space and want a compact option
Choose an Instant Pot if you: - Cook for a family or batch cook regularly - Love soups, stews, curries, and braised meats - Want to cook dried beans and legumes without soaking overnight - Enjoy slow-cooked flavours but don't have hours to wait - Are comfortable with a slightly steeper learning curve
Buy both if you: - Cook a wide variety of meals - Want maximum flexibility in the kitchen - Have the bench space and budget
Many Australian households that own both appliances use the Instant Pot for the main dish (a curry, stew, or braised meat) and the air fryer for sides (crispy vegetables, chips, or bread rolls). Together, they cover virtually every cooking scenario.
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Can You Use Them Together?
Absolutely -- and this is where the magic happens. A classic combination:
- Instant Pot: Pressure cook a whole chicken for 25 minutes until the meat is tender and juicy.
- Air fryer: Transfer the chicken to the air fryer at 400°F (204°C) for 8-10 minutes to crisp up the skin.
The result? Perfectly cooked, fall-off-the-bone chicken with crackling-crispy skin -- something neither appliance could achieve alone.
Similarly, you can pressure cook a batch of chickpeas in the Instant Pot, then toss them in the air fryer with olive oil and spices for crispy roasted chickpeas in minutes.
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Our Recommendation
For most Australian households, we recommend starting with an air fryer. It's simpler to use, faster for everyday meals, easier to clean, and covers the widest range of common cooking tasks. If you're cooking for a family or you love batch cooking soups and stews, add an Instant Pot to your kitchen arsenal.
Not sure which air fryer to buy? Our buying guide covers the best models for every budget and household size, and our compare models page lets you see them side by side.
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Final Verdict
| Category | Air Fryer | Instant Pot |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking method | Dry heat, crispy results | Wet heat, tender results |
| Speed | Fast for most meals | Slower (pressure build time) |
| Versatility | Great for most everyday tasks | Better for liquid-based dishes |
| Ease of use | Very simple | Steeper learning curve |
| Cleanup | Quick and easy | More components to clean |
| Meal prep | Good for quick components | Better for large batches |
| Price | Similar range | Similar range |
Both appliances are genuinely excellent and have earned their place in modern kitchens. The right choice depends entirely on how you cook and what you eat most often. If you're still unsure, browse our blog for more comparisons, tips, and recipes to help you decide.
