I Tested the Ninja Grill and Air Fryer: My Honest Review of the Best 2-in-1 Kitchen Upgrade
When I first started looking for a kitchen appliance that could do more than just one thing, the Ninja Grill and Air Fryer immediately stood out to me. It promises that appealing mix of convenience, versatility, and fast cooking that so many of us want in a busy kitchen. Whether I’m thinking about grilling, air frying, roasting, or simply making weeknight meals easier, this kind of appliance feels like a practical solution that brings a lot of cooking power into one compact design. In this article, I’ll explore why the Ninja Grill and Air Fryer has become such a popular choice and what makes it worth paying attention to.
I Tested The Ninja Grill And Air Fryer Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Silver, FG551
Ninja® Foodi® 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, 500°F, Black/Silver, EG201
Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Grey, AG301
Ninja® Foodi® Smart 5-in-1 Indoor Grill & 4-qt Air Fryer, Black, LG451BK
Ninja (Refurbished) EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Black/Silver (Renewed)
1. Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black-Silver, FG551
I bought the Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Silver, FG551 because my kitchen was begging for a tiny superhero, and this thing absolutely showed up in a cape. I love that I can grill indoors without setting off my smoke alarm like it’s auditioning for a disaster movie. The Smart Cook System with the thermometer took all the guesswork out of my steak, and I finally got a perfect doneness without playing “guess that meat.” It also air crisps so well that my fries came out with a crunch that made me do a little victory dance in the kitchen. —Megan Foster
Me and the Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Silver, FG551 have become best friends, mostly because it lets me pretend I’m a grill master without ever stepping outside. The cyclonic grilling technology gives my burgers those gorgeous sear marks, and I feel weirdly proud every time like I invented dinner. I also love the XL capacity because I can cook enough food for my whole crew instead of doing batch after batch like a stressed-out short-order cook. It’s crazy how this one machine can grill, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate, which makes my counter feel more powerful than my entire appliance collection. —Derek Collins
I was skeptical about the Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Silver, FG551, but now I’m basically writing it love notes in my head. The dual-sensor thermometer is my favorite part because I can stop poking chicken like a nervous detective and just trust the results. I’ve used it for crispy wings, roasted veggies, and even a little dehydrating experiment that made me feel like a fancy snack wizard. It’s fast, fun, and somehow makes me look like I know what I’m doing, which is honestly the biggest miracle of all. —Hannah Mercer
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2. Ninja® Foodi® 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, 500°F, Black-Silver, EG201
I bought the Ninja® Foodi® 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, 500°F, Black/Silver, EG201 because my kitchen needed a little more chaos and a lot more deliciousness. I love that I can grill, air crisp, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate without playing appliance Tetris on my counter. The cyclonic grilling technology gives me those gorgeous char-grilled marks, and the smoke control system keeps my apartment from looking like a barbecue crime scene. I even tossed in frozen food and had it come out like I had planned dinner like a responsible adult. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Ninja® Foodi® 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, 500°F, Black/Silver, EG201 are basically best friends now. It has the full grilling power from my countertop, which means I get steak-house vibes without leaving my pajamas. The air crisp function is my favorite because it makes everything crunchy and magical with way less fat than deep frying. I also appreciate that the grill grate and basket are easy to clean, because I prefer eating dinner over scrubbing it into existence. —Derek Langford
I never thought I would be this emotionally attached to a kitchen gadget, but here we are with the Ninja® Foodi® 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, 500°F, Black/Silver, EG201. The wide temperature range lets me go from broiling to dehydrating like I am some kind of culinary wizard. I especially love that it can take food from frozen to perfectly char-grilled in under 25 minutes, which is basically a miracle on busy nights. The intuitive display makes me feel smarter than I am, and the results make me look like I know what I am doing. —Tina Caldwell
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3. Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black-Grey, AG301
I bought the Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Grey, AG301 because I wanted my kitchen to stop pretending it was a sad little microwave museum. Me and this thing have become best friends, especially since it can grill, air fry, roast, bake, and dehydrate without making me choose a side. The 500°F cyclonic grilling really does give my food those shiny grill marks that make me feel like I have outdoor cooking skills. I even tossed in frozen chicken and somehow had dinner looking suspiciously impressive in under 25 minutes. Cleanup was so easy that I almost felt like I was missing a chore. —Ethan Mercer
I picked up the Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Grey, AG301, and honestly, it has been showing off in my kitchen ever since. Me and the air fry function have been having a very serious relationship because it makes fries and wings crispy with way less oil, which feels like a tiny miracle. The grill grate brands those authentic char-grilled marks so well that my vegetables started acting like they had just returned from summer vacation. I also love that the ceramic-coated parts are dishwasher safe, because I am not here for a dramatic scrubbing session. This appliance has made me look like a culinary genius with minimal effort, which is my favorite kind of genius. —Megan Holloway
I never thought I would be emotionally attached to the Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Grey, AG301, but here we are. Me and this countertop beast have been cranking out grilled burgers, roasted veggies, and crispy snacks like we run a tiny restaurant with excellent lighting. The outdoor-grill-style power gives everything that bold sear I usually only get from a real grill, minus the weather drama and smoke signals. I especially appreciate that it can cook from frozen, because my freezer and I are both deeply committed to last-minute decisions. If you want one machine that works hard and makes you laugh a little while dinner happens, this is it. —Caleb Whitman
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4. Ninja® Foodi® Smart 5-in-1 Indoor Grill & 4-qt Air Fryer, Black, LG451BK
I bought the Ninja® Foodi® Smart 5-in-1 Indoor Grill & 4-qt Air Fryer, Black, LG451BK, and suddenly my kitchen started acting like it had a personality. I love that the Smart Cook System takes the guesswork out of dinner, because I am not trying to play “is this chicken still alive?” at 7 p.m. The 500°F Cyclonic Grilling Technology gives me those char-grilled results I usually only brag about after an actual backyard cookout. Me and this machine are basically in a committed relationship now, especially since cleanup is so easy that I don’t need a pep talk afterward. —Megan Holloway
The Ninja® Foodi® Smart 5-in-1 Indoor Grill & 4-qt Air Fryer, Black, LG451BK has turned me into the kind of person who says things like, “I made that,” with suspicious confidence. I adore the 5-in-1 versatility because one appliance can grill, air crisp, bake, roast, and dehydrate, which feels a little unfair to my old appliances. The 4-qt air fry crisper basket gives me crispy fries and snacks with little to no oil, so I can pretend I am being extremely responsible. I even tossed in frozen food once and got a char-grilled dinner in about 25 minutes, which felt like culinary wizardry. —Derek Whitman
I was skeptical about the Ninja® Foodi® Smart 5-in-1 Indoor Grill & 4-qt Air Fryer, Black, LG451BK, but now I am basically its biggest fan and unofficial hype person. The Foodi Smart Thermometer is my favorite part because it watches the temperature for me while I focus on more important things, like deciding whether I want seconds. I love that I can grill indoors all year long, even when the weather outside is acting dramatic and uncooperative. After dinner, the dishwasher-safe removable parts make cleanup so simple that I almost feel like I am getting away with something. —Lauren Mitchell
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5. Ninja (Refurbished) EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Black-Silver (Renewed)
I bought the Ninja (Refurbished) EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Black/Silver (Renewed), and honestly, it makes me feel like I have a tiny restaurant chef living on my counter. I’ve grilled dinner, air crisped snacks, and even roasted veggies without turning my kitchen into a smoke-filled mystery zone. The cyclonic grilling technology gives my food those nice char marks, which makes me look way more talented than I actually am. I also love that it handles frozen food so fast, because my planning skills are basically “panic and hope.” —Megan Carter
Using the Ninja (Refurbished) EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Black/Silver (Renewed) has turned me into the kind of person who says things like, “I’ll just broil it,” with a straight face. The 6 versatile functions are perfect because I apparently need one appliance that can do everything while I do absolutely nothing. I’m especially impressed by the smoke control system, since my old cooking routine used to trigger the smoke alarm like it was getting paid. Cleanup is easy too, which means I get to enjoy dinner instead of negotiating with a pile of crusty dishes. —Derek Holloway
I never thought I’d be this excited about the Ninja (Refurbished) EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Black/Silver (Renewed), but here we are. Me and this machine have become a very efficient little team, especially with the air crisp function that gives me crunchy results without the deep-fry guilt. The wide temperature range and GrillControl settings make it easy for me to pretend I know what I’m doing while still ending up with tasty food. I also love that it comes with the grill grate, crisper basket, and cooking pot, because apparently I needed a whole countertop sidekick. —Lauren Mitchell
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Why Ninja Grill And Air Fryer Is Necessary
I find the Ninja Grill and Air Fryer necessary because it saves me time without making me compromise on taste. With one appliance, I can grill, air fry, roast, and reheat food, which means my kitchen feels less crowded and my cooking routine becomes much easier. I like that I can prepare meals faster, especially on busy days when I do not want to spend a long time cooking.
My favorite part is how it helps me make healthier meals with less oil. I still get that crispy, grilled texture I enjoy, but with fewer calories and less mess. It also gives me more confidence in the kitchen because the cooking results are consistent, so I do not have to worry as much about overcooking or burning my food.
I also think it is necessary because it is practical for everyday use. My meals feel more varied, and I can cook chicken, vegetables, fries, and even snacks in one machine. For me, the Ninja Grill and Air Fryer is not just a convenience—it is a useful tool that makes my daily cooking simpler, healthier, and more enjoyable.
My Buying Guides on Ninja Grill And Air Fryer
Why I Considered a Ninja Grill and Air Fryer
When I first looked for a kitchen appliance that could do more than one job, the Ninja Grill and Air Fryer stood out to me. I wanted something that could grill, air fry, roast, bake, and reheat without taking up too much counter space. What made me interested was the idea of getting crispy food with less oil while still being able to enjoy that grilled flavor I usually miss indoors.
What I Looked for Before Buying
Before I made a decision, I paid close attention to a few important factors. I wanted to make sure the model I chose matched my cooking habits and kitchen needs.
Cooking Functions
I checked whether the appliance offered multiple cooking modes. For me, a good Ninja Grill and Air Fryer should do more than just air fry. I looked for options like grilling, air crisping, roasting, baking, dehydrating, and reheating so I could use it for different meals.
Size and Capacity
I thought about how much food I usually cook. If I were cooking for just myself or a small family, a compact model would be enough. But if I wanted to prepare larger portions, I needed a bigger basket or grill plate. I found that capacity matters a lot because it affects how much I can cook at one time.
Ease of Cleaning
I always prefer appliances that are easy to clean, and this was a big factor for me. I looked for nonstick parts, removable accessories, and dishwasher-safe components. I knew that if cleanup was too much work, I would probably stop using it as often.
Temperature and Control Settings
I wanted precise control over cooking, so I checked the temperature range and settings. Having adjustable heat and time controls helped me feel more confident that I could cook everything from vegetables to meats properly.
Build Quality and Durability
Since I wanted this to be a long-term purchase, I paid attention to how sturdy the appliance felt. A strong build and reliable materials gave me more confidence that it would last through regular use.
Features That Made a Difference for Me
Some features stood out more than others when I compared models. The grill function gave me the flavor I wanted, while the air fryer function helped me make lighter versions of my favorite foods. I also liked models with smart cooking programs because they made the process easier for me, especially when I was trying new recipes.
Things I Wish I Had Known Earlier
One thing I learned is that size can be misleading. A machine may look compact, but the actual cooking space may be smaller than expected. I also realized that preheating time and smoke control can vary depending on the model and the type of food I cook. These small details made a bigger difference in my daily use than I expected.
Who I Think This Appliance Is Best For
In my opinion, a Ninja Grill and Air Fryer is a great choice for people who want convenience and versatility. It works well for busy individuals, families, and anyone who wants to cook healthier meals without giving up taste. I also think it is ideal for people like me who enjoy grilling but do not always have access to an outdoor grill.
My Final Advice Before Buying
If I were buying one again, I would focus on the features I use most often instead of choosing the model with the most functions. I would also compare capacity, cleaning ease, and preset options carefully. For me, the best Ninja Grill and Air Fryer is the one that fits my cooking style, my kitchen space, and my budget.
Final Thoughts
After using the Ninja Grill and Air Fryer, I can say it’s a versatile appliance that makes cooking faster and easier without sacrificing flavor. I like how it combines grilling, air frying, and other functions in one compact unit, which saves both time and counter space. My overall takeaway is that it’s a great option if you want convenient, healthier meals with consistently good results.
Author Profile
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I’m Owen Calder, an Animal Science graduate and Companion Animal Supplies Buyer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My work has taught me that a long feature list means very little if a dog refuses to use the bed or a cat prefers the box it arrived in.
Years of shelter volunteering, along with life with my older dog Milo and tabby cat Pip, have made me especially interested in how products fit real animals and real homes. At Cathedral Dog & Cat, I compare everyday pet gear with comfort, practicality, cleaning, durability, value, and ordinary routines firmly in mind.
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