8 Best Ninja Air Fryers of 2026

The Ninja French Door Premier FO101 is a game-changer for home chefs craving a countertop oven that delivers restaurant-quality results without sacrificing convenience. What sets it apart is its 5-quart air fry basket—the largest capacity in any French door model—paired with 450°F Cyclonic Air Technology that ensures crisp, golden results without flipping or rotating food. The one-handed pull dual doors aren’t just sleek—they eliminate the awkward juggling act of opening two separate doors, making it a dream for busy kitchens where speed and ease matter most.

In real-world testing, this oven cooks up to 60% faster than conventional ovens, with a blistering 90-second preheat time that gets meals started in a flash. Whether roasting a whole chicken, baking a 12-inch pizza, or air frying 5 lbs of fries, the heat distribution is remarkably even, thanks to enhanced heat retention over competitors like the Emeril’s model. However, while the 10-in-1 versatility covers nearly every cooking need, the broil function can brown unevenly on thicker cuts if not monitored closely. It’s also bulkier than standard toaster ovens, so it demands more counter space.

Compared to the Ninja DZ201 Foodi DualZone, the FO101 trades dual-basket flexibility for larger single-zone capacity and a more premium French door design. It’s ideal for households that prioritize large-batch cooking and sophisticated aesthetics over simultaneous multi-dish prep. While it lacks a built-in thermometer like the DZ550, its PFAS-free cooking surfaces and dishwasher-safe accessories make it a health-conscious, low-maintenance powerhouse—a strong contender for those who want performance, safety, and style in one bold package.

The Ninja DZ201 Foodi DualZone is a family meal MVP, engineered for households that need two dishes ready at once without compromise. Its dual 4-quart baskets operate independently, allowing you to air fry chicken wings in one basket while reheating fries in the other—no flavor transfer, no timing juggling. The Smart Finish feature is pure brilliance: set different cook times for two foods, and both finish simultaneously, solving the classic dinner-rush dilemma of mismatched meal components.

During testing, the 8-quart total capacity handled a full family dinner with room to spare, crisping 4 lbs of wings to perfection in under 30 minutes. The separate heating zones and cyclonic fans ensure consistent results, even when running both baskets at different temps. The 105°F to 450°F range excels at delicate dehydration tasks like making apple chips, though the baskets lack nonstick durability over time with metal utensil use. It’s also notable that the crisper plates warp slightly after repeated high-heat cycles.

When stacked against the Ninja AF101, the DZ201 offers double the capacity and dual-zone intelligence at a modest price bump, making it a clear upgrade for families. While it doesn’t include a thermometer like the DZ550, it delivers more value for multitaskers who want speed, flexibility, and real-time control. It’s the go-to choice for parents, meal preppers, or anyone who hates waiting for sequential cooking—offering smarter workflow without overcomplicating the interface.

The Ninja AF101 is a compact powerhouse that punches above its weight for singles, couples, or anyone tight on counter space. With a 4-quart ceramic-coated basket, it handles 2 lbs of fries or a small roast with ease, making it perfect for guilt-free snacking using up to 75% less fat than deep frying. Its 105°F to 400°F range supports everything from crispy chicken tenders to homemade beef jerky, and the dehydrate function works surprisingly well for a budget model, producing evenly dried fruit slices.

In daily use, the AF101 proves reliable and straightforward, heating up quickly and delivering consistent results across air fry, roast, and reheat modes. The ceramic nonstick coating resists scratches better than standard coatings, and both the basket and crisper plate are dishwasher-safe—a rare win at this price. However, the lack of a viewing window or internal light means you have to open the basket to check food, disrupting heat flow. It also struggles with large cuts, like a full chicken breast, due to the compact depth.

Compared to the Ninja DZ201, the AF101 sacrifices dual baskets and smart features for affordability and footprint. It’s not built for families, but for college students, small households, or second-unit kitchens, it’s unbeatable. It doesn’t offer the space-saving flip design of the SP151 or the multi-rack cooking of the DT501, but it nails the basics with solid performance and easy cleanup—making it the best entry point into air frying without overspending.

The Ninja Flip SP151 is a revolution in space-saving design, built for apartment dwellers, RV owners, or anyone drowning in countertop clutter. Its flip-up mechanism allows it to tuck vertically against the backsplash, reclaiming 50% of the space a traditional oven occupies—a game-changer for tiny kitchens. Despite its compact stance, it boasts family-sized capacity, roasting 4 lbs of food or baking 6 chicken breasts with infrared heating elements and OvenCrisp Technology that deliver crispy, evenly cooked results in half the time of a full oven.

In performance tests, the 1800 watts of power and 85°F to 450°F range handled everything from perfectly toasted bagels to golden air-fried salmon. The rapid hot air circulation cooks 50% faster than conventional ovens, and the removable crumb tray makes cleanup a breeze. However, the flip hinge feels slightly flimsy under heavy pans, and the interior lighting is dim, making it hard to monitor food without opening the door. Also, large baking sheets can be awkward to insert when the oven is flipped down.

Against the Ninja DT501, the SP151 trades multi-rack cooking and digital smarts for radical space efficiency. It doesn’t offer dual baskets or a thermometer, but it excels where space is premium. For those who value functionality without the footprint, it’s unmatched—delivering full oven performance in a fraction of the area, making it the ultimate hybrid for urban living or minimalist setups.

The Ninja DT501 Prestige Smart XL is a command center for serious home cooks, combining commercial-grade capacity with smart engineering. With 2-level cooking that requires no rotation, it can bake 20 cookies or toast 9 slices at once, and its 8-lb air fry capacity handles whole chickens or large family portions with ease. The Smart Surround Convection system uses a high-velocity rear fan to circulate heat edge-to-edge, eliminating cold spots and delivering crisp, uniform results—a major upgrade over basic countertop ovens.

Real-world testing showed it preheats in just 90 seconds and cooks 30% faster than a full-size convection oven, making weeknight dinners effortless. The digital display handle is a standout: it freezes settings when the door opens, preventing accidental changes, and illuminates optimal rack positions for each function. However, the learning curve is steeper due to the complex interface, and the premium price may deter casual users. It also lacks dual baskets, limiting simultaneous cooking versatility.

Versus the Ninja DZ550, the DT501 offers larger capacity and dual racks but misses the built-in thermometer that ensures perfect doneness. It’s better suited for entertaining or large households than for quick solo meals. For those who want a true oven replacement with air frying superpowers, it’s one of the most capable models—delivering performance, precision, and prestige in a single, powerful unit.

The Ninja DZ550 Foodi DualZone is the pinnacle of smart air frying, designed for cooks who demand precision and convenience. Its integrated Foodi Smart Thermometer is a game-changer, allowing you to probe a roast or chicken and cook to exact doneness—rare, medium, or well-done—without guesswork. Paired with two 5-quart independent baskets, it lets you cook a main and side simultaneously, using Smart Finish to sync completion times or Match Cook to duplicate settings across zones.

In testing, the 10-quart total capacity handled two 6-lb chickens 30% faster than a conventional oven, with crispy skin and juicy interiors every time. The IQ Boost feature intelligently allocates power when cooking large items, ensuring fast, even results. The cyclonic fans and rapid heaters in each zone maintain consistency, though the thermometer storage slot is awkwardly placed, making it easy to misplace. Also, the baskets are heavy when full, which can be cumbersome for some users.

Compared to the DZ201, the DZ550 adds the thermometer and larger capacity, making it worth the upgrade for serious meal prep. While it’s bulkier and pricier than the AF101 or SP151, it delivers unmatched control and flexibility. For families, entertainers, or perfectionists, it’s the most advanced option—offering smart tech, dual-zone power, and foolproof results in one high-performance package.