Instant Vortex vs. Instant Omni Comparison
How do you go about choosing which Instant air fryer to get? Instant Vortex vs. Instant Omni? How about Vortex Plus vs. Omni Plus? Let this Instant Vortex and Instant Omni comparison and comparison chart help! Instant pot sure has been putting out a lot of appliances lately so helpfully this can get you up to speed on the Instant air fryer ovens.
For the full, long reviews, see my Instant Vortex Plus Review and Instant Omni Review. For a comparison of Instant Pots, See my Instant Pot Comparison Chart. You can also find information on the Instant Appliances page. You can also see my post on Instant Vortex Accessories.
Update: Instant now also has an 8 Qt. Instant Pot pressure cooker with an air fryer lid. This is a great option if you do not already have a pressure cooker or if you have a smaller one and want an 8 Qt. pot. Learn more here: Instant Pot Duo Crisp Review.
Read on for all you need to know about the Instant Vortex v. Instant Omni!
Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Instant Vortex vs. Vortex Plus
The Vortex line of Instant air fryers have several large differences between the base Vortex model and the Vortex Plus. The Vortex is a 4 in 1 appliance that is a basket style air fryer. If all you want to do is basic air frying, it will suit your needs, but the Vortex plus adds a lot of good features.
The Instant Vortex Plus is an oven style air fryer with 7 in 1 features (which are basically presets) that includes a rotisserie and a rotating rotisserie basket. Those features allow you to use the Vortex Plus for a lot more things than the base Vortex Model.
Buy the Vortex Plus at Macy’s. or Buy it at Walmart. or Buy it at Kohl’s.
Buy the Vortex at Macy’s. or Buy it at Walmart. or Buy it at Kohl’s.
You can also get a stainless steel Version of the Instant Vortex 6 Qt at Kohl’s. Buy it here.
The Instant Vortex Pro
The Vortex Pro is the same as the Vortex Plus, but adds delayed start, toasting levels (but you most likely still have to turn the bread), and bread proofing. It also has a stainless steel front.
Learn more here: Instant Vortex Pro Reviews and and Information.
Right not it is just at Crate and Barrel.
Instant Vortex v. Instant Omni
Then, there is the Instant Omni. The Omni is billed as primarily a toaster oven, but it is an excellent air fryer as well and has 7 in 1 features. It is much larger than the Vortex and Vortex Plus and also has a rotisserie, but lacks the rotating rotisserie basket.
Key differences between the Vortex Plus and the Omni are:
- Omni does not have Teflon, Vortex Plus has Teflon.
- Omni lacks a rotating basket, Vortex Plus has the rotating basket.
- Door on Omni does not remove for cleaning but it does have a removable crumb tray. Vortex Plus has a drip tray and removable door.
- Omni is significantly larger than the Vortex Plus.
- Omni heats to 450, Vortex Plus to 400.
- Omni takes longer to preheat.
- Omni has bottom heating elements for toasting without turning. The Vortex Plus has top only heating.
Instant Omni v. Omni Plus
The Instant Omni Plus is now avaialbe at Kohl’s, Williams Sonoma and Macy’s. It adds two more presets for proofing bread and for slow cooking. It also adds sleek buttons for the presets. There are also now reports that it has an automatic keep warm mode when the timer ends, which is not a feature on the Omni.
Otherwise, the Instant Omni Plus it is the same as the Omni. Really the only key difference is that the proof bread preset can take the temperature down to 70 degrees and that keep warm feature is rather nice. But you can always manually set a temperature and time for keeping food warm in the Omni.
Note: If you use Kohl’s new buyer discount you can usually get 20% off online for the Omni Plus. Note that their site seems to have a couple pictures of the Omni instead of the Plus with their listing in error.
Buy the Omni Plus at Kohl’s. or Buy it at Macy’s.
Which Instant Air Fryer Should You Buy?
Deciding between the models is, of course, a matter of personal preference to some extent. But my pick in terms of best value is the Vortex Plus. It has a lot of great features, and I adore using the rotating basket. It preheats quicker than the Instant Omni and it takes up much less counter space. It can also often be found on sale.
However, because the Vortex Plus is not super big, larger families might find it insufficient in size. In that case the Omni is a great choice.
Should you choose the Omni Plus? In my opinion the Omni is sufficient. The presets simply add touch button preset function and temperatures. Unless you really want to proof bread at 70 degrees (15 degrees lower than the Omni goes) you can do everything the same with the Omni that you can with Omni Plus.
Need to see the features side by side? Use this Instant Air Fryer comparison chart!
Instant Vortex v. Instant Omni Comparison Chart
Go here if on desktop for a full screen desktop version of the chart.
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Omni plus now offered at kohls for $199.00 with a 20% coupon code so only $169.59
I’m interested in your recipes.
Does Instant sell a rotating basket separately for the Omni/Omni Plus?
Hi! No they do not have a rotating basket for the Omni. However, this third party rotisserie basket reportedly works with the Omni: https://amzn.to/2zchYuh (affiliate link to Amazon)
Do you know of anything on amazon that would for the omni for shiskabo
Do you mean such as skewers that would fit it? I think any short version ones will fit the Omni. It is very hard to find ones that fit the Vortex.
Can the omni/omni plus handle a chicken larger than 4lbs?
Technically it is limited to 4 pounds. I have gone up to a bit over five before though in the Omni by trussing it tightly and removing the wings. You can also try doing a bigger bird on a tray instead of on the rotisserie.
Can you purchase a replacement rack for the Instant Omni 9 in 1? I have looked everywhere for one that will fit the inside dimensions. I can’t even find a phone number to call anyone.