What to Look for in an Air Fryer
Before picking a model, it helps to know what actually matters: capacity (how many people you’re cooking for), number of functions (just air frying, or also baking, roasting, dehydrating), basket type (traditional nonstick basket vs. glass container vs. dual-zone baskets), and counter space (some models are countertop-permanent, others fold away).
Ninja Crispi Pro Glass Air Fryer (AS101CY)
— Best for Families & Non-Toxic Cooking
Key Features
1800 watts of power, a 6-qt and a 2.5-qt PFAS-free, PTFE-free, BPA-free borosilicate glass container, six functions (Max Crisp, Air Fry, Bake/Proof, Roast, Recrisp, Dehydrate), and a modular stainless-steel base that fits multiple container sizes.
Design & Build Quality
The glass containers are thermal-shock resistant, going straight from freezer to air fryer without cracking, and the fixed heat-safe feet let you set it directly on granite, quartz, marble, or laminate counters without a trivet.
Ease of Use & Cleaning
Everything — glass containers, crisper plates, and lids — is dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe. Reviewers note a small learning curve when first loading the container onto the base, but say it becomes effortless once you get the hang of it.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Non-toxic glass construction, powerful 1800W motor, can cook a 7.5-lb whole chicken, snap-lock lids double as meal-prep storage.
Cons: Bowls don’t nest together for storage, so you’ll need cabinet space for both containers separately; capacity can feel small for very large families.
Our honest take: This is the standout pick if avoiding plastic/nonstick chemicals is a priority — reviewers consistently praise how fast it cooks and how easy the glass is to clean, even after years of daily use.
Ninja Foodi DZ201 DualZone (8-Qt, 2-Basket)
— Best for Cooking Two Dishes at Once
Key Features
Two independent 4-quart baskets, each with its own cyclonic fan and rapid heater, six functions (Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate), Smart Finish (syncs two different foods to finish together), and Match Cook (mirrors settings across both baskets for full 8-qt capacity).
Design & Build Quality
A wide temperature range of 105°F–450°F and a sturdy dual-basket housing built for daily, heavy use.
Ease of Use & Cleaning
Baskets and crisper plates are dishwasher safe. Reviewers consistently describe the controls as simple — pick a function, set time and temperature per basket, and let Smart Finish handle the timing.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Solves the “one dish gets cold while the other cooks” problem, 8-qt combined capacity is great for bigger families, extremely high customer rating (4.8 stars). Cons: Larger footprint on the counter than single-basket models; two baskets mean two things to clean instead of one.
Our honest take: This is the most popular model in the lineup for good reason — reviewers with busy households repeatedly say it’s become their most-used kitchen appliance, especially for getting mismatched meals ready at the same time.
Ninja Crispi Pod-Style Glass Air Fryer (FN101GY)
— Best Compact Pick for Small Households
Key Features
A portable “PowerPod” design with a 4-qt and a 6-cup PFAS-free glass container, four functions (Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry, Recrisp), and a container adapter so one pod works with both container sizes.
Design & Build Quality
The pod nests inside the glass containers for compact, cabinet-friendly storage — no separate drawer or counter space needed when not in use.
Ease of Use & Cleaning
The 6-cup container can crisp a personal meal in as little as 7 minutes. All components are dishwasher safe, and reviewers highlight how easy the glass is to wipe clean even after high-heat cooking.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Most compact and storage-friendly model in the lineup, works well for single or double portions, glass lets you monitor food while it cooks.
Cons: Not designed for large-batch cooking or big cuts of meat — reviewers note it’s better suited to sides, proteins for 1–2 people, and reheating rather than whole family meals.
Our honest take: If counter and cabinet space are tight, this is the easiest model to live with day to day — reviewers who cook for one or two people say it’s replaced their oven for most everyday meals.
Ninja Air Fryer Pro (AF141, 5-Qt)
Best for Simple Everyday Air Frying
Key Features
1750 watts, a 5-qt nonstick basket and crisper plate, four functions (Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate), and up to 75% less fat than traditional deep frying.
Design & Build Quality
A straightforward single-basket design with a space-saving footprint, fitting up to 4 lbs of fries or 5 lbs of chicken wings.
Ease of Use & Cleaning
Both the basket and crisper plate are nonstick, making cleanup quick. Reviewers describe the controls as simple with no learning curve, making it a solid pick for first-time air fryer buyers.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Straightforward and beginner-friendly, heats up fast, good capacity for small-to-medium families, nonstick basket wipes clean easily.
Cons: Fewer functions than the other models on this list (no baking or proofing modes); some users note it runs a little loud during cooking.
Our honest take: This is the easiest model to recommend if you just want a reliable, no-fuss air fryer without extra features you won’t use — reviewers consistently call it one of the best everyday kitchen appliances they own.
Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer (SP151)
— Best All-in-One Replacement
Key Features
8-in-1 functionality (Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Pizza, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate), OvenCrisp Technology combining infrared heat with circulating air, and a flip-up-and-away design that reclaims up to 50% of counter space when not in use.
Design & Build Quality
XL capacity fits a 12″ pizza, 6 slices of toast, or 6 chicken breasts, with a wide 85°F–450°F temperature range across six infrared heating elements.
Ease of Use & Cleaning
A removable crumb tray and accessible heating elements make cleaning straightforward. Several reviewers recommend parchment liners for the air fry basket and foil on the tray underneath for even easier cleanup.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Replaces multiple appliances (toaster, oven, air fryer) in one unit, flip-away design saves real counter space, very fast preheat and cooking times.
Cons: The toast setting runs lighter than some traditional toasters, so bread lovers may need to experiment with settings; largest footprint of all five models when in use.
Our honest take: If you’re short on kitchen appliances and counter space, this is the most versatile option on the list — reviewers who switched from a full-size oven say it’s cut their cooking time significantly for weeknight meals.
Quick Comparison Table
Which One Should You Buy?
Best for Families:
Ninja Foodi DZ201 DualZone — the two independent baskets are unmatched for getting mismatched dishes done at the same time.
Best for Small Kitchens:
Ninja Crispi (FN101GY) — its compact, nesting pod design takes up the least space.
Best for Health-Conscious Cooking:
Ninja Crispi Pro (AS101CY) — non-toxic glass construction with no nonstick coatings.
Best for First-Time Buyers:
Ninja Air Fryer Pro (AF141) — simple, reliable, and easy to learn.
Best All-in-One:
Ninja Flip Toaster Oven (SP151) — replaces several appliances in a single unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Ninja air fryers dishwasher safe? Yes, across all five models the baskets, crisper plates, and (for the glass models) containers and lids are dishwasher safe.
Which Ninja air fryer is best for a large family? The Ninja Foodi DZ201 DualZone, with its 8-qt combined capacity and two independent baskets, is best suited for larger households or families with different meal preferences.
Which Ninja air fryer takes up the least space? The Ninja Crispi (FN101GY) pod-style system is the most compact, nesting inside its own containers for storage. The Ninja Flip Toaster Oven also saves counter space by flipping upright when not in use.
Do glass air fryer containers crack easily? Reviewers report the CleanCrisp borosilicate glass used in the Crispi and Crispi Pro is thermal-shock resistant and holds up well under normal use, including freezer-to-air-fryer transitions.
Which Ninja air fryer is the best value? For most everyday households, the Ninja Foodi DZ201 offers the strongest balance of capacity, functionality, and customer satisfaction, though the Air Fryer Pro (AF141) is a great lower-complexity option if you just want straightforward air frying.
Final Thoughts
All five of these Ninja models are well-reviewed and reliable, but they’re built for slightly different kitchens and cooking styles. If you’re feeding a family with different tastes, the DualZone is hard to beat. If counter space or avoiding plastics matters most, the Crispi line is the better fit. And if you want one appliance to replace several, the Flip Toaster Oven is the most versatile pick on this list.