6 Best Ninja Foodi Grill Air Fryer Combos 2026

This 2nd-gen powerhouse redefines indoor grilling with its Smart Cook System and precision Foodi Smart Thermometer, making it a game-changer for cooks who demand restaurant-quality steaks without leaving the kitchen. With 500°F cyclonic air and an equally hot grill grate, it delivers char-grilled marks and deep searing that mimics outdoor BBQ—perfect for urban dwellers or anyone tired of smoke-choked apartments. The 6-in-1 versatility covers everything from crispy air-fried wings to slow-dehydrated jerky, eliminating the need for multiple appliances while tackling the biggest pain point: inconsistent doneness.

In real-world testing, the Ninja DG551 shines when cooking thick ribeyes or frozen chicken breasts—thanks to its 1760 watts of power and intelligent heat distribution, meals go from freezer to table in under 25 minutes with zero pre-defrosting. The 4-qt crisper basket handles sides like roasted Brussels sprouts while the grill grate sears mains, though larger families may find the capacity tight for full dinner spreads. Smoke is impressively minimal, even during high-heat searing, thanks to the cool-air zone and splatter shield, though ventilation still helps during extended use.

Compared to the original AG301, this model builds on its legacy with smarter tech and a sleeker design, but it’s the integration of the Smart Thermometer that sets it apart—offering a level of precision the FG551 lacks despite similar features. It’s ideal for tech-forward home chefs who value consistency and ease over raw size, striking a balance between automation and control. While the IG651 offers a griddle and more cooking space, this one delivers smarter protein cooking with better feedback than any other in the lineup except the Pro series.

The original Ninja Foodi Grill remains a standout budget pick, not because it does everything, but because it nails the essentials with bold, flame-kissed flavor and cyclonic 500°F heat that transforms weeknight dinners into something special. It’s the go-to for those who want outdoor-style searing without the hassle of charcoal or gas—perfect for renters or anyone craving smoky, charred results indoors. With up to 75% less fat than deep frying, it also appeals to health-conscious users who refuse to sacrifice crunch.

During testing, the AG301 proved reliable across steaks, burgers, and frozen fries, delivering consistent crispiness and juicy interiors thanks to its powerful heating element and 6-qt cooking pot. The 10″x10″ grill grate fits four decent-sized steaks, making it suitable for small families, though overcrowding leads to uneven marks. While it lacks a built-in thermometer, experienced cooks will appreciate the intuitive heat control and rapid transition from frozen to crispy in under 25 minutes. However, heavy smoke can escape during fatty meat sessions if the splatter shield isn’t positioned correctly, so proper setup matters.

Against the newer DG551, this model trades smart features for simplicity and affordability, making it a strong contender for minimalists or first-time users who just want great-tasting grilled food fast. It doesn’t offer dehydrate or roast presets with the same finesse, but for pure grilling and air frying performance, it holds its own. When compared to the EG201, it offers earlier tech at a lower cost but misses out on modern touches like enhanced displays or smart integration.

Meet the most versatile Ninja yet—the IG651 isn’t just a grill, it’s a complete countertop kitchen with a 12-inch flat top griddle that unlocks breakfasts, stir-fries, and loaded nachos no other model can handle. Its independently powered 500°F grill grate delivers edge-to-edge searing that outperforms earlier models, while the ability to cook hood-up or hood-down gives you total control over crisping, melting, or charring. This dual-mode flexibility solves the classic indoor grill dilemma: do you want open-flame intensity or enclosed convection speed? With this, you get both.

Real-world use reveals how transformative the griddle-grate interlock system is—imagine searing burgers on the grill side while frying onions on the flat top, all under one hood with even heat distribution and zero cold spots. The Smart Thermometer ensures steaks hit the exact doneness level, while the 7-in-1 functions extend to dehydrating fruit leather or baking small pizzas. It handles large volumes with ease—6 steaks or 6 pancakes at once—but the footprint is substantial, so it’s best for kitchens with ample counter space. Despite the smoke control system, heavy grease splatter during bacon runs still requires vigilance.

Stacked against the DG551, this model adds true multi-surface cooking with the griddle, making it the best overall choice for families or meal preppers who cook diverse dishes daily. While pricier than the AG301 or EG201, it outclasses them in power, precision, and culinary range. It’s the only Ninja grill that truly replaces a stovetop burner and oven combo, offering broader functionality than any other Foodi—especially when compared to single-purpose air fryers or basic grills.

The FG551 stands out as the gold standard for smart grilling, combining Ninja’s signature cyclonic 500°F technology with a dual-sensor Smart Thermometer that takes the stress out of cooking proteins to perfection. Whether you’re searing a ribeye to medium-rare or air-crisping chicken thighs, the system removes guesswork with 9 doneness levels across 4 protein presets, making it ideal for home chefs who hate undercooked chicken or dry salmon. Its XL capacity fits up to 24 hot dogs or 6 steaks, solving the problem of feeding a crowd without batch cooking.

In daily use, the FG551 impresses with its consistent heat retention and smoke-minimizing design, allowing for intense grilling even in small kitchens. The 4-qt crisper basket produces golden fries and wings with remarkable crisp, while the temperature-controlled grill grate prevents flare-ups during fatty meat sessions. However, without IQ Boost or dual baskets, it can’t match the DZ302 when cooking multiple dishes simultaneously. Still, for single-meal focus with maximum flavor, it delivers restaurant-grade sear marks and juiciness that rival the DG551, even if the exterior design feels slightly dated.

Compared to the EG201, this model offers superior smart features and thermometer accuracy, justifying its position as the best pick for precision cooking. It doesn’t have the griddle of the IG651 or the dual zones of the DZ302, but for someone who prioritizes perfectly cooked meat and foolproof settings, it’s unmatched. When weighed against other 6-in-1 models, it delivers the best blend of intelligence, capacity, and grilling performance without unnecessary complexity.

If you’ve ever waited impatiently for fries to finish before starting chicken, the DZ302 DualZone Air Fryer is your game-changing solution—its two independent 5-qt baskets let you cook two foods, two ways, at once, eliminating the bottleneck of single-basket models. With Smart Finish technology, both zones synchronize cook times so your salmon and veggies land perfectly together, even if they started at different temps. This isn’t just convenience—it’s a meal prep revolution for busy households or anyone tired of lukewarm sides.

Testing revealed how powerful IQ Boost really is: a whole 6-lb chicken roasted alongside seasoned potatoes in record time, with no rotation or flipping needed. The separate heating zones and cyclonic fans ensure no flavor transfer and crisp results across both baskets, whether you’re air-frying wings and broccoli or dehydrating herbs while baking small muffins. However, the max 450°F temperature limits true grilling capability, so you won’t get those deep char marks like on the IG651 or DG551. It’s also not a grill, so steak lovers should look elsewhere.

Against the FG551, this model sacrifices grilling power for unmatched multitasking, making it ideal for families, entertainers, or batch cooks who value efficiency over sear. While it can’t replicate outdoor grill flavor, it outperforms every other Ninja in simultaneous cooking and speed, especially when compared to single-basket units. It delivers broader meal flexibility than any other Foodi, even if it doesn’t char or smoke like a true grill.

The EG201 is the sweet spot between value and performance, offering all the core benefits of the original Foodi Grill in a refreshed 2nd-gen body that feels more modern and intuitive. With 500°F cyclonic grilling, it delivers bold sear marks and smoky flavor indoors, making it perfect for apartment dwellers or anyone without outdoor space. The GrillControl dial—with Low, Medium, High, and Max settings—makes it easy to manage heat without diving into menus, a win for users who prefer hands-on cooking over automation.

In practice, the EG201 handles everything from frozen chicken tenders to roasted veggies with consistent, crispy results, and the 6-qt cooking pot provides more room than most for stews or larger batches. The 10″x10″ grill grate fits four burgers comfortably, though six steaks feel cramped. It lacks the Smart Thermometer of the FG551 or DG551, so doneness relies on timing and touch—fine for experienced cooks but risky for beginners. Smoke control works well for lean meats, but fatty cuts like bacon require nearby ventilation.

Compared to the AG301, this model offers a slightly updated interface and improved aesthetics, but the real upgrade is in usability, not power. It’s less advanced than the IG651 or FG551 but more capable than entry-level air fryers. For someone stepping up from a basic model, it delivers the ideal balance of function, ease, and price, offering more versatility than the original without the premium cost of smart features.