Ninja Air Fryer Comparison: Which Is Right For You?
By: Sean
Content Writer
15 min read
In search of your first air fryer, upgrading to a new model, or just adding one to your kitchen collection? The air fryer market has become increasingly crowded, with so many options to choose from that things can quickly feel confusing. That's why we're crafting this Ninja air fryer comparison. Some can double as toaster ovens, others have baskets with a handle, and others look completely unique ... but they all share one goal. They're made to bring you healthy, crispy foods. Ninja does so with unique designs that are definitely worth taking a look at, no matter how you love to cook. Every model in this Ninja air fryer comparison can crisp up chicken, make beautiful fries, add colorful veggies as a side to your dinner and more. Explore our collection below and find the perfect pick from Ninja at Abt.
As our best-selling air fryer at Abt, the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 stands out in our comparison because it has one of the most classic designs. With a pull-out basket, single handle and easy-to-use display, this pick makes air frying as easy and classic as it could possibly be. The Pro model features a five-quart capacity for extra-large entrees and sides. Get creative and crisp up your favorites. It's easy to clean thanks to the removable basket, and it's compact enough to easily fit beneath a cabinet. In our Ninja air fryer comparison, this one might be the best introduction to the cooking process, and a good choice for someone who needs something simple.
A Glass Air Fryer Designed for Food Storage
Next up in our Ninja air fryer comparison is the Crispi! This glass air fryer is popular for a few different reasons. One, it looks great on the countertop. Two, it lets you get a great look at what's going on inside your air fryer while it's doing its job. Three, it's a great choice for anyone hoping to stay away from non-stick surfaces as well as forever chemicals like PFAS and PTFE. The Ninja Crispi is an incredibly convenient cooker in our Ninja air fryer comparison. The cooking element (the PowerPod) comes from overhead and attaches to the glass container. There are four different modes: Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry and Recrisp, making this a mighty yet easy-to-use countertop appliance. And the TempWare glass containers are easy to store. It has the power to heat up to 450°F and thanks to the small and large containers, can make multiple dishes at different sizes. Each glass container comes with a BPA-free lid that fits over the top, making storage as simple as possible. This is true next-gen convenience.
Larger, more stable, and made to live on the countertop: that's the Ninja Crispi Pro 6-in-1. With a 6 quart container (as well as a smaller 2.5 quart container for making sides and smaller meals), the Ninja Crispi Pro is made to tackle big jobs. This pick can make larger meals like whole chickens and roasts, but it's designed fundamentally differently from its predecessor. Where the Ninja Crispi is a portable model with a cooker (the PowerPod) that attaches to the top, the Pro model features a fixed base that's designed to stay in one place. If you liked the portability aspect of the Crispi, you might be wondering ... what makes this Ninja air fryer so pro? Here's the big thing: precise temperature control. With the regular Crispi, you could use preset modes. But with the Crispi Pro, uou can set the temperature between 80 and 450°F to match your recipe. It still retains one of the best aspects of the Crispi, too: the portable containers. Just slip a cover over the cooking container and you can store it easily.
An XL Two-Basket Cooker
Meet the Ninja DoubleStack XL 2-Basket 10-Qt. Air Fryer, a multi-purpose countertop appliance that's ready to cook a full meal for the entire family all at once. In our Ninja air fryer comparison, it's rare that you'll find a two-in-one. That being said, the brand knows that folks need a machine that can do it all. That's where the DoubleStack XL 2-Basket 10-Qt. Air Fryer steps in. It features two roomy baskets with space for 10 quarts of food altogether, like a side of crisped-up veggies paired with a whole chicken. But what's even more impressive is that the DoubleStack features two shelves that divide each basket in half ... and that gives you four spaces for food. Make four different types of wings for game day, or enjoy crafting recipes for picky eaters that are hard to cook for. And thanks to the dual timer and double temperature controls, you can stay on top of everything, or set it and forget it. In our Ninja air fryer comparison, this model gains extra points for storage, too. It's short enough to fit underneath most cabinets.
This pick looks a bit more like a classic toaster oven. That's not uncommon for many air fryers, and in our Ninja air fryer comparison, the Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer is one of the most dynamic picks you'll find. It's called the Flip for a reason; when you aren't using it, it flips up for vertical storage, giving you extra space. And when it's time to cook, move it back down to cook your favorites with a little help from OvenCrisp technology's infrared heat and air circulation. This model may not have as much room for foods like whole chickens and roasts, but it can bring the perfect crispiness to wings, fries, veggies and more. It does double as a toaster oven, too: You'll be able to perfectly brown bagels, breads and smaller loaves. When you flip this air fryer away, it takes up 50% less counter space than competitors, making this two-in-one model a great choice for small homes in our Ninja air fryer comparison.
The Double Stack Oven/Air Fryer Duo
If you're on the hunt for an air fryer that does double duty as a toaster oven, this final member of our Ninja air fryer comparison takes the cake. This is a multipurpose small kitchen appliance: the Ninja Double Stack XL Countertop Oven and Air Fryer with Pro Cook System. The Pro Cook system ensures that your foods reach the proper doneness level, while Auto Temp Detect Intelligence keeps an eye on the internal temperatures and changes them as needed. The 12-in-one functionality makes this one of the most flexible air fryers on the roster, with capabilities like bake, broil, reheat, bagel, convection bake, pizza, air roast, dehydrate and more. This is another extra-large cooker in our Ninja air fryer comparison collection, with the ability to heat six pounds of food at once.
Hoping to see some of the specs comparing these five air fryers? We've broken down some of the most important details for you below to help you choose which one's right for you.
Air Fryer Model
Capacity
Temperature Range
Special Features
Toaster Oven?
Functions
Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1
5 qts.
Up to 400°F
Easy Cleanup, Budget-Friendly, Includes Crisper Plate
No
Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate
Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System
4 qts. & 6 cups
22°F - 450°F
Glass Body, Portability, Easy Storage
No
Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry, & Recrisp
Ninja Crispi Pro 6-in-1 Countertop Glass Air Fryer Cooking System
6 qts., 4 qts, & 2.5 qts.
80°F - 450°F
Glass Body, Extra Large, Easy Storage Dishes
No
Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry, Roast, Recrispt & Rehydrate
Ninja DoubleStack XL 2-Basket 10-Qt. Air Fryer
10 qts.
300°F - 450°F
Two Drawers, XL Capacity, Includes Stacked Meal Racks
No
Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate
Ninja Flip Toaster Oven and Air Fryer
4 lbs.
85°F - 450° F
Flips Up, Infrared Heating, Air Fryer/Toaster Oven Combo
Yes
Air Fry, Air Roast, Broil, Bake, Pizza, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate
Ninja Double Stack XL Countertop Oven and Air Fryer with Pro Cook System
6 lbs.
200°F - 400°F
Two Compartments, XL Capacity, Air Fryer/Toaster Oven Combo
Yes
Bake, Broil, Reheat, Keep Warm, Toast, Bagel, Air Fry, Convection Bake, Pizza, Air Roast, Whole Roast, and Dehydrate
Which Ninja Air Fryer is Right For You?
Each of these countertop heavyweights is different from the next, and they're all powerful cookers. So which pick in our Ninja air fryer comparison is the right choice for you? Well, let's break it down, because they truly are all different.
If you're looking for a large, flexible air fryer that can feed the family, almost all of these will get the job done, though something like the DoubleStack XL 2-Basket air fryer might be your best choice. Bigger families might prefer the Double Stack XL Countertop Oven and Air Fryer, too. It's large enough to roast a whole chicken in the main compartment, and can make sides or desserts in the space above thanks to its extra functions. If you want something that saves the most space possible, the Flip is the best choice for you. When it's not being used, it folds away to take up only half of its footprint. The Ninja Crispi is a unique cooker, though, and great for anyone who wants to take recipes with them—it's easy to clip a top on the glass Ninja Crispi container and bring leftovers with you. The Ninja Crispi Pro is the perfect upgrade to that classic favorite and lives comfortably on the countertop. But the most popular pick in our Ninja air fryer comparison is the simplest one: the first on our list, the Pro 4-in-1. The classic air fryer has room for everything, it's easy to clean, and it's not too expensive, making it a great choice if you are looking for a classic air fryer. That being said, it's hard to make a bad choice with any of these appliances.
If you're having a hard time choosing, our specialists are here to help. Call us at 800-860-3577 or come see us and our small kitchen appliances in our Gourmet Shop in the Abt Atrium. We're happy to help you find what you're looking for. And if you're hoping to learn more before you buy, read up with our Learn Center's air fryer buying guide.
Ninja Air Fryer Comparison FAQs
That depends on the Ninja air fryer. Some baskets can be washed right in the dishwasher, while others need to be soaked. For toaster ovens, hand-wash crumb trays, baskets and racks using warm soapy water and non-abrasive sponges or cleaners.
Most of the brand's air fryers don't have a preheat function. Instead, you'll need to play it by ear a bit. Choose your recipe's temperature, then let it warm up for 3-5 minutes to become preheated. If yours has a preheat setting, use that instead.
That depends on the model you're using and what you're trying to cook. Most air fryers will have a few different settings, but air fry will always be on the list. Heat the unit for a few minutes, choose your function and your temperture, then press start. Depending on what you're making, it could be a good idea to flip (or shake) your foods halfway through the cool.
Some Ninja air fryer baskets can go in the dishwasher, like for the classic Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1.