7 Best Ninja Indoor Grill Air Fryers: Which Model Fits You?

The IG651 is the one we would buy again. Its powered grill grate lays down proper edge-to-edge grill marks and recovers heat fast when loaded with several steaks, and it preheats in roughly 7 to 10 minutes, turning out chicken, steak and chops consistently. The included probe reads accurately enough for chicken breasts, though we double-check fussy cuts with an instant-read thermometer. The hood fan runs relatively quiet in air-fry mode, while the unit as a whole is loud enough to notice in a small kitchen, with a fan that sounds like a low bathroom exhaust vent. An orange release button pops the grate out for the dishwasher, and the removable fan screen washes clean and cuts smoke noticeably. Durability is mixed on this model, and fan wear is the long-term weak spot on this platform.

The DG551 is the second-generation Foodi Smart XL, and it gives you the same Smart Cook System with a thermometer that the IG651 has for a noticeably lower price. Steaks and air-fried sides cook quickly and evenly, with frozen food reaching a char-grilled finish in under 25 minutes. The nonstick surfaces wipe clean easily, and the grate, crisper basket, and cooking pot are dishwasher safe. Two cautions: the metal grill pieces can chip and break down early on some units, and temperature calibration on the thermometer side is inconsistent, so treat the probe as a guide and confirm doneness yourself on expensive cuts.

The EG201 is the value pick because it is the cheapest of the four air-fry models and still does the core job well. Its 10" x 10" grill leaves a nice sear on steaks and burgers, and turkey burgers, kabobs and stuffed chicken come out juicy. It will trip a smoke alarm unless it sits near a fan or vent, so place it carefully. A removable, washable screen covers the heating element and limits the grease buildup common in many air fryers. The ceramic-coated grates feel heavy and well built, release food easily, and benefit from an occasional hand-wash with the included brush to help the coating last. It has GrillControl settings (Low, Medium, High, Max) instead of a probe, so you judge doneness by eye and by feel.

We do not call the AG301 the budget pick, because it sells for more than the EG201 at typical street prices. What it offers is a straightforward 10" x 10" char-grill grate at 500F with a 4-qt crisper basket, a 6-qt pot, and no broil setting. It produces steakhouse-style sear and stays low on smoke and smell, and chicken thighs finish in about 12 minutes. The air-fry basket is wide and shallow, so food spreads in one layer and crisps well. Think of it as a convection oven with a grill plate: the fan runs continuously and is fairly loud during startup and preheating, while food cooks faster than on a true grill. Preheat takes about 8 minutes, which feels slow, and the rear-hinged lid needs about 4.5 inches of clearance. Carrying the meat to the unit on a plate avoids drips on the counter.

The GR101 Sizzle is a grill and griddle with no air fry, so it earns its place here as the griddle pick rather than as an air fryer. It comes with 14" interchangeable nonstick grill and flat-top plates, reaches 500F, and fits about half a dozen burgers, which is enough to feed four to six people. It heats evenly with no hot spots, and the nonstick plates release food easily and soak clean in a few minutes of warm water, while the perforated mesh lid is detachable and dishwasher-safe. It is low smoke, not smokeless, though the smoke from first use fades afterward. The short cord is the common annoyance, and there are few temperature steps to choose from.

The Sizzle Pro XL (model GX101) is the machine for feeding a crowd. Its 20" interchangeable griddle and grill plates are 40% larger than the GR101's, and Ninja rates it for 10+ burgers or a breakfast spread for 8 to 10 people. It is a griddle and grill only, with no air fry. The temperature range runs from 250F to 500F with ProTemp IQ, the ceramic nonstick coating is PFAS free, and the lid is detachable and ventilated. At about 23 lb it is a serious counter commitment, though the removable plates make cleanup easy. It can smoke when the lid is down, though not in every kitchen.

The GR100 is the earlier release of the GR101 and now sells mainly as refurbished units, so treat it as a legacy model. Its specs mirror the GR101: a 14" nonstick grill plate, 500F, 1450 W and a dishwasher-safe removable mesh lid. It has no air fry and no griddle plate. It grills steaks, chops, fish and vegetables well and produces little smoke on many foods, though it can smoke heavily depending on cooking conditions. We rank it last because it is hard to find new and the GR101 does more.