Best Ninja Air Fryers (Buyer’s Guide)

If you’re on the hunt for a kitchen appliance that can crisp, roast, bake, and even dehydrate, all without drowning your food in oil, welcome to the world of Ninja air fryers.

As someone who’s tested and tinkered with a variety of air fryers over the years (yes, even the ones that promise too much and deliver too little), I can confidently say Ninja is one of the most reliable brands on the market. Whether you’re meal prepping for a big family or whipping up a midnight snack, Ninja has a model that fits.

But with so many choices, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

That’s where this guide comes in.

In this post, we’ll:

• Compare the top 7 Ninja air fryer models
• Explain the different types available
• Help you figure out which one suits your cooking style
• Share tips on what features really matter

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Top 6 Best Ninja Air Fryers (Reviewed & Compared)

1. Ninja Foodi 2-Basket Air Fryer (DZ201)

Overview

This is the game-changer. The Ninja DZ201 made waves with its dual-basket design, which lets you cook two different foods at the same time, with different settings. Perfectly finish wings in one and fries in the other without juggling timers. Check it out here.

Top Features

• DualZone Technology: Independently cook in two zones.
• Smart Finish & Match Cook: Syncs cook times or duplicates settings.
• 6 customizable programs including Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate.

Pros & Cons

Efficient multitasking
Large 8-quart capacity
Bulky on small counters
No built-in thermometer

Who It’s Best For

Busy families, meal preppers, and anyone tired of rotating trays halfway through cooking.

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2. Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro (IG651)

Overview

The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro is a powerful indoor grill and griddle combo designed to bring outdoor grilling results to your kitchen. With 7 cooking functions and a smart thermometer, it excels at grilling, air frying, baking, and more all with precise temperature control and high-heat searing. View details here.

Top Features

• Smart Cook System with built-in thermometer
• 7 versatile cooking functions: Grill, BBQ Griddle, Air Crisp, Bake, Roast, Broil, Dehydrate
• 500°F independently powered grill grate for true char-grilled flavor
• XL capacity fits 6 steaks or 24 hot dogs

Pros & Cons

Outstanding searing and grilling performance
Dual-zone cooking with grill + griddle plates
Bulky for small kitchens
No traditional oven function

Who It’s Best For

Grill enthusiasts and home cooks who want authentic sear marks, year-round grilling, and multi-function cooking in one robust countertop appliance..

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3. Ninja Max XL (AF161)

Overview

If you’re chasing that golden, crispy texture, the Max XL delivers. It’s compact yet powerful, with a 450°F Max Crisp setting that outshines most standard air fryers. Explore it here.

Top Features

• 7 functions including Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate
• Ceramic-coated nonstick basket
• Easy-to-use digital interface

Pros & Cons

Reaches higher temps than competitors
Great for crispy fries, wings, and veggies
Not ideal for large batch cooking
Limited multi-functionality

Who It’s Best For

Single users, couples, or anyone obsessed with the perfect crunch.

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4. Ninja Foodi 8-in-1 Digital Air Fry Oven (SP101)

Overview

This is Ninja’s answer to the classic toaster oven…but better. With 8 cooking functions and a flip-up design that saves counter space, the SP101 is perfect for everyday use. Buy it here.

Top Features

• Air Fry, Bake, Toast, Broil, and more
• Flip-up for storage
• Digital crisp control technology

Pros & Cons

Compact and space-saving
Doubles as a toaster and oven
Narrow interior
Slight learning curve for controls

Who It’s Best For

Apartment dwellers, everyday snackers, and those short on kitchen space.

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5. Ninja Foodi Grill & Air Fryer Combo (AG301)

Overview

Love grilled flavors but hate setting up the outdoor grill? The AG301 brings smokeless indoor grilling and air frying together. It’s a surprisingly powerful unit with a chargrilled finish. Check it out here.

Top Features

• 500°F Cyclonic Grilling
• Smoke Control System
• 4-qt crisper basket and grill grate included

Pros & Cons

Real grill marks and flavor
Less smoke indoors
Heavy lid and cleanup can be involved
Small grill surface

Who It’s Best For

Grill lovers who want year-round BBQ vibes rain or shine.

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6. Ninja 4-Quart Compact Air Fryer (AF101)

Overview

This was my first air fryer, and it still holds a special place in my heart. It’s simple, affordable, and gets the job done for small meals or snacks. Buy it here.

Top Features

• 4 cooking functions: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate
• Lightweight and easy to store
• Ceramic-coated basket

Pros & Cons

Beginner-friendly
Quick and quiet operation
Limited capacity
Fewer presets than other models

Who It’s Best For

Air fryer newbies or small households looking for a no-fuss solution.

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Types of Ninja Air Fryers Explained

Ninja doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Here are the main types:

Basket-Style Air Fryers

These are your traditional air fryers. Compact, efficient, and easy to use. Models like the AF101 and Max XL fall into this category.

Dual-Basket Air Fryers

These are for multitaskers. You can cook two different foods at once without flavor transfer. Perfect for families.

Countertop Ovens

Bigger and more versatile, these models combine air frying with baking, broiling, and more. Think IG651.

Air Fryer Grills

Indoor grilling meets air frying. These are great for steaks, burgers, and grilled veggies without firing up the barbecue.

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How to Choose the Best Ninja Air Fryer for You

Ask yourself these questions:

• How many people are you cooking for?
  A single person might love the AF101. A family of four? Look into the DZ201.
• How much counter space do you have?
  Smaller kitchens might benefit from the SP101 or Max XL.
• Do you want multitasking features?
  The Smart XL Pro goes beyond basic frying.
• Do you prefer analog or digital controls?
  Most Ninjas are digital, but some offer simpler interfaces.

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Key Features to Look For

Cooking Presets

More presets mean more flexibility especially for beginners. Look for models with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, and Dehydrate.

Temperature Range

Higher max temps (like the Max XL‘s 450°F) are great for super-crispy results.

Preheat Time

Some Ninja models heat up in under 60 seconds. Game-changer for weeknight meals.

Easy-to-Clean Design

Nonstick, dishwasher-safe baskets make life so much easier. Trust me, nobody enjoys scrubbing.

Display & Controls

Digital touchscreens offer precision and ease. However, if you’re more analog-inclined, some models keep it simple.

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Final Verdict: Which One Is the Best?

If I had to pick just one? The Ninja Foodi 2-Basket (DZ201) wins for versatility, capacity, and ease of use. But if you’re a power user, the Smart XL Pro (IG651) turns your counter into a full kitchen.

Budget-conscious? The AF101 is your best bet.

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Where to Buy Ninja Air Fryers

You can find most models at:

• Amazon
• Ninja Kitchen’s official website
• Walmart
• Target
• Best Buy

Keep an eye out for bundle deals or seasonal discounts, especially around holidays!

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Conclusion

Ninja air fryers aren’t just trendy. They’re truly transformative in the kitchen. From perfectly crisp wings to roast dinners in under 20 minutes, they save time, cut calories, and simplify cooking.

Ready to upgrade your kitchen?
Check out our top picks above and start cooking smarter with Ninja.