Tired of a kitchen counter cluttered with single-use gadgets? Imagine making crispy fried chicken one minute and tender pot roast the next, all with one appliance. That’s the promise of the Pressure Cooker Air Fryer Combo, a kitchen superstar designed to save you space and time. But here’s the catch: with so many models boasting impressive features, how do you pick the one that truly fits your cooking style without becoming another dusty decoration?
Choosing the right combination unit can feel overwhelming. You worry about performance—does the air fryer really crisp up food? Does the pressure cooker function safely and efficiently? These devices promise versatility, but often, one function outshines the other. We understand the frustration of buying a multi-cooker only to find it only does one thing well.
This guide cuts through the marketing noise. We break down what actually matters in these powerful combos. You will learn the key features to look for, understand the differences between popular brands, and discover which model offers the best bang for your buck. Get ready to declutter your cabinets and upgrade your weeknight meals.
Top Pressure Cooker Air Fryer Combo Recommendations
- 11 Cooking Functions: Air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, sterilize, warm, or cook rice with ease.
- Customizable Smart Programs: Tackle every recipe with 15 one-touch options, from hearty soups to decadent desserts.
- Good Food Done Faster: Cook up to 70% faster compared to slow cooking methods.
- EvenCrisp Technology: Achieve the perfect crunch with 95% less oil than traditional deep frying.
- Family-Sized Capacity: The 6-quart capacity is perfect for up to 6 servings—ideal for families, meal prep, and batch cooking.
- 11 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, air fry, slow cook, steam, sauté, sous vide, roast, bake, broil, dehydrate, or simply keep warm, all in one easy appliance.
- Two Lids, Total Flexibility: Includes two removable lids to seamlessly switch between pressure cooking and air frying.
- EvenCrisp Technology: Achieve the perfect crunch with 95% less oil than traditional deep frying.
- Good Food Done Faster: Cook up to 70% faster compared to slow cooking methods.
- Cooking Status at a Glance: Status lights guide you through each stage of the cooking process, so you always know what's going on.
- 11 Cooking Functions: Air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, sterilize, warm, or cook rice with ease.
- Customizable Smart Programs: Tackle every recipe with 11 one-touch options, from hearty soups to decadent desserts.
- Good Food Done Faster: Cook up to 70% faster compared to slow cooking methods.
- EvenCrisp Technology: Achieve the perfect crunch with 95% less oil than traditional deep frying.
- Customizable Air Fry Range: Dial in the perfect crisp with a temperature range of 70°F (21°C) to 450°F (232°C).
- 540 IN I PRESETS: This air fryer and pressure cooker combo comes with 3 removable lids plus deluxe cooking accessories so you can easily pressure cook, air fry, slow cook, grill, sear, sauté and more. In addition, it features 300 one-touch presets and 240 memory slots, making it one of the machines with the most presets worldwide.
- DYNAMIC PRESSURE CONTROL TECH: Nuwave electric pressure cooker employs Dynamic Pressure Control Technology, maxmaking 200 times pressure adjustments to maintain continuous boiling, thus maximizing nutrition and 20% tastier flavor release. With 80kPa max pressure, cooking speed is 70% faster than others.
- TENDER&CRISPY COMBO COOK: Nuwave Duet is designed with Combo Cook functionality, which fulfills your imagination of combining the effects of a pressure cooker and an air fryer. It starts with pressure cooking to lock in the juices, and finishes with air frying for a brown and crispy texture. Combo cooking delivers 101% tenderness and 90% less oil for outstanding results.
- SIMPLE YET PROFESSIONAL: This air fryer combo boasts an intuitive digital display with indicator lights and a 2-in-1 dial control panel, providing easy access to 300+240 one-touch presets. Additionally, it offers 3 Sear modes and 5-stage cooking for maximum customization. Duet values your control over every detail.
- 3-THICKER INNER POT: The pressure cooker inner pot crafted from heavy-duty 18/10 stainless steel, triple-thick, non-coated, easily withstand 6 lbs of friction for 6,000 cycles. Bone-Friendly and Wear-Resistant.
- 13 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, air fry, slow cook, steam, sauté, roast, bake, broil, dehydrate, sous vide, make yogurt, proof bread, or simply keep your meal warm— all in one appliance.
- The Best of Both Worlds: One lid switches effortlessly between pressure cooking, air frying, and more. No attachments needed
- Safe & Easy Steam Release: Activate venting directly from the control panel, and get a clear “OK to Open Lid” message on the large, easy-to-read display.
- EvenCrisp Technology: Achieve the perfect crunch with 95% less oil than traditional deep frying
- Good Food Done Faster: Cook up to 70% faster compared to slow cooking methods
- 13 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, air fry, slow cook, steam, sauté, roast, bake, broil, dehydrate, sous vide, make yogurt, proof bread, or simply keep your meal warm— all in one appliance.
- The Best of Both Worlds: One lid switches effortlessly between pressure cooking, air frying, and more. No attachments needed.
- Smart Guided Cooking: Pair with the Instant Connect App to explore 2,000+ interactive recipes, complete with step-by-step instructions. Monitor progress, adjust settings, or switch functions—all from your phone, in real time.
- Safe & Easy Steam Release: Activate venting directly from the control panel, and get a clear “OK to Open Lid” message on the large, easy-to-read display.
- EvenCrisp Technology: Achieve the perfect crunch with 95% less oil than traditional deep frying.
- 7 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, make rice, yogurt, or simply keep your meal warm—all in one appliance
- Customizable Smart Programs: Tackle every recipe with 13 one-touch options, from hearty soups to decadent cakes
- Safe & Easy Steam Release: The Easy-Release steam switch ensures fast, safe, and simple steam release every time
- Good Food Done Faster: Cook up to 70% faster compared to slow cooking methods
- Pro-Grade Cooking Pot: Crafted from stainless steel (18/8) with a tri-ply bottom—perfect for searing and sautéing like a pro
- 450-in-1 MULTI-FUNCTION COOKER: comes with 3 removable lids for a variety of cooking functions including air fry, pressure cook, combo cook, slow cook, grill, roast, sear, sauté and more. 300 one-touch presets and 150 memory slots make it easy to cook professional meals.
- 6 MINS TO A PERFECT DISH: Nuwave electric pressure cooker employs Dynamic Pressure Control Technology, maxmaking 200 pressure adjustments to maintain continuous boiling, thus maximizing nutrition and 20% tastier flavor release. With 80kPa max pressure, cooking speed is 70% faster than others.
- TENDER&CRISPY COMBO COOK: Start with pressure cooking to lock in the juices, finish with air frying for a brown and crispy texture. Combo cooking delivers 101% tenderness and 90% less oil for outstanding results. It also features a digital temp probe and dual NTC temp sensors, ensuring precise control to guarantee perfect result
- 3-THICKER INNER POT: The pressure cooker inner pot crafted from heavy-duty 18/10 stainless steel, triple-thick, non-coated, easily withstand 6 lbs of friction for 6,000 cycles. Bone-Friendly and Wear-Resistant.
- 6QT FAMILY SIZE: 6 qt. easily serves up to 4-6 people or allows for batch cooking for singles. You can cook a whole 5 lbs chicken or a 6 lbs roast in one go.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Pressure Cooker Air Fryer Combos
A pressure cooker air fryer combo is a kitchen superstar. It does the job of two appliances in one convenient package. This guide helps you pick the best one for your home.
Key Features to Look For
These features make your cooking faster and easier. Always check these first when shopping.
1. Capacity Size
Look at how many people you usually cook for. Combo cookers come in different sizes, often measured in quarts (qt). A 6-quart model works well for small families. Larger families might need 8 quarts or more.
2. Preset Cooking Programs
Good combos have easy buttons for common foods. You want settings for “Pressure Cook,” “Air Fry,” “Sauté,” and “Slow Cook.” More presets mean less guessing for you.
3. Safety Locks and Sensors
Safety is key with pressure cooking. Make sure the appliance has multiple safety mechanisms. These include lid locks and pressure release valves. High-quality models have sensors that stop cooking if something seems wrong.
4. Air Fryer Basket Quality
The air fryer part needs a good basket. Look for a non-stick coating that is easy to clean. The basket should be large enough to hold a decent amount of food for crisping.
Important Materials Matter
The materials used affect how long your cooker lasts and how safe it is.
- Inner Pot: Stainless steel is the best choice. It heats evenly and does not scratch easily. Some cheaper models use aluminum with a coating. Stainless steel lasts longer.
- Exterior Casing: A sturdy exterior, usually plastic or stainless steel, protects the inner parts. Stainless steel looks nicer but might show fingerprints.
- Sealing Ring: This silicone ring creates the airtight seal for pressure cooking. Check reviews to see if replacement rings are easy to find.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all combos perform the same. Small details make a big difference in your cooking quality.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- High Wattage: More watts mean the cooker heats up faster. This saves time when you are trying to get dinner on the table quickly.
- Clear Digital Display: An easy-to-read screen helps you monitor cooking times and settings accurately.
- Dual Lids: The best models come with two separate lids—one for pressure cooking and one for air frying. Switching lids ensures better results for each function.
Factors That Reduce Quality (Watch Outs):
- Poor Insulation: If the outside gets extremely hot during use, it means heat is escaping. Good insulation keeps the outside cooler.
- Hard-to-Clean Parts: If the air fryer lid or heating element is difficult to wipe down, you will avoid using that feature.
- Loud Operation: Some older models make a lot of noise when releasing pressure or running the air fryer fan. Quieter operation improves the user experience.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use your new gadget.
Everyday Use:
If you cook weeknight meals, prioritize speed. The pressure cooking function cooks tough meats like roasts in a fraction of the usual time. You can then switch to the air fryer lid to crisp up the outside quickly.
Specialty Cooking:
If you love baking bread or making yogurt, check for specialized settings. Some advanced models handle these tasks well. For large batches of fried chicken or wings, make sure the air fryer capacity is sufficient.
Remember, a good combo reduces clutter. It allows you to pressure cook a stew and then air fry some homemade fries, all using the same base unit.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Pressure Cooker Air Fryer Combos
Q: Can I use the pressure cooker and air fryer at the same time?
A: No, you cannot use both functions simultaneously. You must use one lid for pressure cooking and the other lid for air frying. You switch between the two functions.
Q: Which lid do I use for regular slow cooking?
A: You typically use the standard pressure cooking lid for slow cooking, but you keep the pressure valve open or use the “Slow Cook” setting which does not pressurize the unit.
Q: Are these combos hard to clean?
A: Cleaning difficulty depends on the model. Pots and baskets are usually dishwasher safe or have non-stick surfaces. The air fryer lid often needs careful wiping because of the heating element.
Q: Do I need two separate lids?
A: Most high-quality combos come with two lids: one for sealing and pressurizing, and one specifically for the air frying function that has the heating element built in.
Q: How much counter space do they take up?
A: They take up about the same space as a large, standard electric pressure cooker. However, you need extra space above the unit to lift off the air fryer lid when it is hot.
Q: Does the air-fried food taste as good as a dedicated air fryer?
A: For most users, the results are very similar. The main difference might be the basket size compared to a very large standalone air fryer.
Q: What is the safest way to release pressure?
A: Always follow the manual. Most units let you choose between Natural Pressure Release (NPR) or Quick Release (QR). QR is fast but releases a loud burst of steam.
Q: Can I use my old Instant Pot accessories in this combo cooker?
A: If the inner pot diameter is the same (e.g., both are 6-quart models), many standard accessories like trivets or steam racks will fit. Check the specific model specifications first.
Q: What is the biggest benefit of buying a combo unit instead of two separate ones?
A: The biggest benefit is saving counter space and storage space. You also save money by buying one appliance instead of two.
Q: How long does it take to preheat the air fryer function?
A: Preheating time varies by wattage, but generally, the air fryer function takes about 3 to 5 minutes to reach the correct temperature before you start the cooking timer.