Ninja AF140 vs AF181 Which One Cooks Better At Home

Trying to decide between the Ninja AF141 and AF181? I know how confusing it gets. These two air fryers look similar, cost about the same, and both come from Ninja’s popular Air Fryer Pro series.

But here’s the thing. One has 4 functions while the other has 6. And that’s just the start of the differences.

Hey, welcome back to Mr. Kitchen Adviser. Today we’re reviewing and comparing two different Ninja indoor grills head to head. We bought the older one about a year ago, maybe a bit longer. The other is the newest model, which isn’t even available in Canada yet.

The surprising part? From what we can see, they’re currently the same price.

I’ve tested both models extensively. In this comparison, I’ll show you exactly which one makes sense for your kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for two or feeding a family of five, by the end of this post, you’ll know which Ninja air fryer to buy.

The Ninja AF141 Air Fryer is the smaller sibling in this comparison. It’s a compact countertop cooker that costs around $99 to $129, depending on sales. It holds 5 quarts of food.

Who it’s for: Couples, small households, or anyone with limited counter space who wants guilt-free fried foods without a lot of fuss.

Key highlights:

• 5-quart capacity (perfect for 1-2 people or single-serve cooking)
• 4 cooking modes: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate
• Max temperature of 400°F
• Ceramic-coated basket with nonstick surface
• 1750 watts power for fast heating
• Dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleanup

My first impression: When I unboxed the AF141, I was surprised by how compact it felt. It doesn’t take up much counter space. The digital display screen is clear and simple. The basket slides in and out smoothly. The whole thing feels sturdy for the price.

This is a space saver for sure. If you live in a small apartment, this model won’t crowd your counter. According to Ninja’s official website, their Pro series air fryers are designed specifically to save counter space while maintaining family-sized capacity.

The Ninja AF181 Air Fryer Pro XL is the bigger, more versatile option in the Ninja Pro series air fryers lineup. It typically sells for $129 to $159. It has a 6.5-quart capacity basket.

Who it’s for: Families of 3-5 people, batch cookers, or anyone who wants more cooking modes and the ability to handle larger portions.

Key highlights:

• 6.5-quart capacity (family size air fryer for 3-5 people)
• 6 cooking modes: Max Crisp, Air Fry, Air Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate
• Max Crisp Technology reaches 450°F max temperature
• Same ceramic-coated, nonstick crisper plate
• 1750 watts of power
• Digital interface with touchscreen controls

My first impression: The AF181 is noticeably taller and a bit bulkier. But once I started cooking, I immediately appreciated the extra space.

The Max Crisp function caught my attention right away. It hits 450°F, which is 50 degrees hotter than the AF141. That extra heat makes frozen foods incredibly crispy.

What It Is: The AF141 is Ninja’s entry-level Pro model from the AF100 series comparison lineup. It’s designed for people who want the core air frying functions without extra bells and whistles.

Think of it as the straightforward, no-nonsense option for healthy cooking.

Key Features I Tested:

• 5-quart capacity – Fits about 2 pounds of french fries or 4-5 chicken breasts
• 1750 watts power – Same heating element as the AF181
• Digital display screen – Simple touchscreen controls with preset buttons
• Programmable timer – Up to 60 minutes of cooking time
• Automatic shutoff – Safety feature that turns off when cooking is done
• Dishwasher-safe parts – Both the basket and nonstick crisper plate can go in the dishwasher

My Testing Experience: I used the AF141 daily for two weeks. I cooked frozen french fries, chicken wings, roasted vegetables, and even tried dehydrating fruit.

The Air Fry function worked beautifully. Fries came out crispy in about 15 minutes. Chicken wings had that satisfying crunch without any oil. This is what I call guilt-free frying at its best. If you want to dive deeper into the AF141’s performance, check out my detailed Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 review.

The 5-quart size was perfect for my partner and me. We could fit two chicken breasts or a decent batch of fries without overcrowding. However, when I tried to cook for four people, I had to do two batches. That added time.

Pros I Discovered:

• Super easy to use right out of the box
• Takes up minimal counter space (only 14.8″ deep)
• Cleaning is a breeze with little to no oil residue
• Quieter than I expected during operation
• Great price point for what you get
• Convection cooking works perfectly for healthy cooking

Cons I Found:

• Limited to 400°F max (some recipes call for higher heat)
• No Bake function or Max Crisp function
• Smaller capacity means batch cooking for families
• Only 4 preset modes (missing some versatility)

Best For: The AF141 is ideal if you’re cooking for 1-2 people regularly. It’s perfect for couples or small households. If you live in a small apartment, this compact air fryer won’t crowd your counter.

It’s also great if you’re new to oil-free cooking and want something simple.

What It Is: The AF181 is Ninja’s upgraded Pro XL model from the Ninja Foodi lineup. It has everything the AF141 offers, plus two extra cooking functions and a larger basket.

This is the model SharkNinja pushes for families and people who cook more frequently.

Key Features I Tested:

• 6.5-quart capacity – About 30% more interior space than the AF141
• Max Crisp Technology – Reaches 450°F for extra-crispy results with superheated air
• 6 cooking modes – Max Crisp, Air Fry, Air Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate
• 1750 watts – Same power as AF141
• Digital controls – Slightly more buttons due to extra modes
• Dishwasher-safe components – Easy cleanup just like the smaller model

My Testing Experience: I tested the AF181 alongside the AF141 for a direct side-by-side comparison. The extra 1.5 quarts of space made a huge difference when cooking for more than two people.

I could fit six chicken thighs comfortably. Or a full pound of roasted vegetables without stacking. That’s the beauty of the larger volume.

The Max Crisp function impressed me the most. When I used it for frozen chicken wings, they came out noticeably crispier than the AF141’s results at 400°F. The texture was closer to deep-fried wings. The Bake function was also handy for things like small batches of cookies or reheating pizza.

Pros I Discovered:

• Significantly more cooking space for families
• Max Crisp function delivers restaurant-quality crispiness
• Bake mode adds versatility (great for desserts)
• Can handle batch cooking without multiple rounds
• Still fits on most standard countertops
• Frozen to crispy feature works incredibly well

Cons I Found:

• Takes up more vertical space (12″ tall vs 10.4″)
• About $30-$50 more expensive than AF141
• Extra functions might be overkill for casual users
• Slightly bulkier to store if not kept on counter
• The countertop footprint is a bit larger

Best For: The AF181 makes sense if you’re cooking for 3 or more people regularly. It’s perfect for family-sized portions. If you want the flexibility of extra cooking modes, this is your winner.

It’s also worth it if you love ultra-crispy results on frozen foods.

Before diving into cooking performance, I wanted to test something most reviews skip. How long do these actually take to heat up? And how loud are they?

We’ve already preheated the newer grill and it’s telling us to add the food. It took three minutes to preheat. We turned it off because we wanted to compare the sound levels separately.

So Jamie is running a decibel test on his phone. With the unit off, the reading is low. And once we started it back up and let it heat, the decibel level was basically the same as the older grill.

The preheat time was also almost identical. About three minutes on both when using the air fry mode.

But here’s something interesting. While cooking, we also timed how long each grill took to preheat in grill mode. The newer one finished in 9 minutes and 59 seconds. The older one took 11 minutes and 33 seconds. Close, but slightly different.

Air fryer noise level reality: Both models operate at similar decibel levels. They’re about as loud as a microwave running. Not silent, but not annoyingly loud either. You can still have a conversation in the kitchen.

Takeaway: Both models preheat fast (around 3 minutes for air frying). Neither is annoyingly loud. You won’t notice a real difference in daily use.

Winner: AF181 (for families), AF141 (for counter space)

The AF181 holds 6.5 quarts versus the AF141’s 5 quarts. That’s about 30% more food per batch. Let me break down what that means in real cooking terms.

Real-world capacity:

• AF141: 2 pounds of french fries or 4-5 chicken breasts

• AF181: 3 pounds of french fries or 6-7 chicken breasts

If you’re cooking for one or two people, the AF141’s size is actually an advantage. It heats up faster and doesn’t waste energy heating empty space. The Ninja 5-quart vs 6.5-quart difference might not matter to you.

But if you’ve got three or more mouths to feed, the AF181 saves you from doing multiple batches. That’s a huge time saver for busy families. For more options, explore our complete air fryer collection to see which models work best for different household sizes.

Counter space reality: The AF181 measures 14.9″ D x 11.3″ W x 12.0″ H. It’s 1.6 inches taller than the AF141 at 10.4″ H.

If you have upper cabinets or limited vertical clearance, measure before buying. This is important for small kitchens.

Takeaway: Choose based on how many people you’re feeding regularly, not just occasionally. The portion size matters more than you think.

Once both were heated again, we decided to start with something simple. Frozen french fries.

We split a bag of frozen fries and cooked them for ten minutes.

When we checked, the fries in the older grill were a bit uneven. Why? Because the batch was small and stuck together. The fries in the newer grill looked a little more consistent. But overall both did a good job. In ten minutes, the results were very similar.

This test proved something important. Both air fryers handle frozen foods well. But portion size matters. With smaller batches, food can stick together and cook unevenly.

The AF181’s larger basket gives you more room to spread things out. That means better air circulation. And that means more even browning and texture.

Pro tip: Don’t overcrowd either basket. Leave space between food pieces for the best crispy leftovers and frozen to crispy results.

Winner: AF181 (versatility wins)

The difference between Ninja Pro and Pro XL comes down to cooking modes.

AF141 has 4 modes:

• Air Fry
• Roast
• Reheat
• Dehydrate

AF181 has 6 modes:

• Max Crisp
• Air Fry
• Air Roast
• Bake
• Reheat
• Dehydrate

What you’re missing with the AF141:

• Max Crisp – The 450°F superheated mode that makes frozen foods extra crispy
• Bake function – For cookies, small cakes, or reheating pizza properly

Next up were frozen pre-battered wings. We counted nine good-sized wings for each side. Once both grills finished preheating, we spread the wings out. We cooked them for fourteen minutes.

After ten minutes, one side was already done because the batch was small. These wings, a “southern style” brand, always crisp up nicely. The results were consistently cooked on both grills.

During my testing, I used different cooking modes constantly. The Max Crisp Technology made a noticeable difference. Frozen chicken nuggets and frozen foods like tater tots came out significantly crispier at 450°F compared to 400°F.

The Bake function was surprisingly useful too. I made small batches of chocolate chip cookies. I also reheated leftover pizza. Both turned out better than using the Air Fry setting.

Takeaway: If you mostly cook fresh or frozen proteins and veggies, the AF141’s 4 modes are enough. But if you want more cooking versatility, the AF181’s extra modes are worth the upgrade. Is the Ninja AF181 worth the upgrade? If you use Bake and Max Crisp regularly, yes.

After removing the wings, we cleaned out the pans. We switched to grilling boneless, skinless chicken breasts using the Ninja temperature probe.

We plugged in the probes and selected the preset for chicken. It cooks to an internal temperature of about 170°F. One chicken breast was slightly thicker than the other. But since the probe measures internal temperature, it shouldn’t matter.

The newer grill finished first. The chicken looked great.

But when we checked with our own probe, the internal temperature was 197°F. That’s about 27 degrees hotter than what the Ninja probe was showing. The second piece of chicken was closer but still about 13 degrees off.

We’ve seen the Ninja probes be off by as much as 30 degrees before, so this wasn’t surprising.

Important note for food safety: If you’re using the built-in temperature probe on either model, I strongly recommend checking with your own meat thermometer.

The Ninja probes can be off by 10-30 degrees. That could lead to overcooked or undercooked food. This is a shortcoming of both models.

Winner: AF181 (by 50 degrees)

Both models use 1750 watts of power. They have the same high-speed fan system for convection cooking. But the AF181 reaches 450°F max temperature with its Max Crisp function. The AF141 tops out at 400°F.

Why this matters for crispiness: Higher heat means faster Maillard reaction. That’s the browning and crisping process that makes food delicious.

When I cooked frozen french fries in both units, the AF181’s fries were golden and crispy in 12 minutes. The AF141 took 15 minutes. And it didn’t get quite as crispy.

For most everyday cooking, 400°F is plenty. But if you love that restaurant-quality crunch on frozen foods, the extra 50 degrees makes a real difference. The Air Crisp technology works better at higher temps.

Preheat time comparison:

• Air Fry mode: 3 minutes (both models)
• Grill mode: AF181 in 9:59, AF141 in 11:33

Takeaway: The temperature difference only matters if you’re chasing maximum crispiness or cooking a lot of frozen foods. For regular healthy cooking, both work great.

Next, we grilled burgers. We used eight frozen sirloin patties, four in each grill.

In Canada, burgers at restaurants must be cooked well-done. But in the U.S. you can choose your doneness. These were cooked well-done as usual.

The burgers looked great. We dressed a couple simply with ketchup and mustard. We tried one from each grill. The results were identical.

They were good burgers. Better than pan-fried. But they didn’t taste like burgers cooked on a real gas or charcoal grill.

However, for someone who doesn’t have access to a barbecue, lives in a small apartment, or needs a smoke-free option, these grills work very well.

This is the honest truth about air fryers. They make food crispy and delicious. But they won’t replicate outdoor grilling flavor. You know what I mean?

If you’re looking for a convenient, smokeless way to cook indoors, both models deliver. Just manage your expectations. These are countertop cookers, not outdoor grills.

Winner: Tie (both are easy, with one caveat)

Both air fryers have ceramic-coated, nonstick baskets and crisper plates. Both are dishwasher-safe parts.

While waiting for our tests, we checked the grill grates. The grills are identical. And cleaning them is a pain because of all the nooks and crannies. Even though they’re dishwasher safe.

The dishwasher helps, but it doesn’t clean every tiny corner.

In my testing, I usually just rinsed the basket under hot water. Then wiped it down. The ceramic coating doesn’t hold onto grease like some cheaper air fryers do. That’s what makes these easy to clean air fryers.

One small difference: The AF181’s larger basket has slightly more surface area to clean. But it’s not a significant difference. Maybe an extra 30 seconds of scrubbing.

Pro tip for maintenance: Wipe down the heating element inside the main unit every few weeks. Grease buildup can affect performance over time. This keeps your air fryer working like new. For detailed cleaning instructions, check Ninja’s customer support page for specific care tips.

Takeaway: Cleaning is equally easy on both models. Those nooks and crannies require a bit of extra attention. But this shouldn’t be a deciding factor between the two.

Winner: Depends on your needs

Let’s talk about the price difference AF141 vs AF181.

The AF141 typically costs $99-$129. The AF181 typically costs $129-$159.

That’s a $30-$50 difference depending on sales.

Value breakdown: For that extra $30-$50, you get:

• 30% more cooking capacity (1.5 extra quarts)
• Two additional cooking functions (Max Crisp and Bake)
• Higher maximum temperature (450°F vs 400°F)

Is the Ninja AF181 worth it?

If you’re feeding 3+ people or love crispy frozen foods, absolutely. The extra capacity alone saves time by reducing batch cooking. That’s valuable for busy families.

But if you’re cooking for one or two people and mostly use basic air frying, save the money. Get the AF141. You won’t miss the extra features.

Where to buy consideration: Both are available at major retailers. Watch for sales. I’ve seen the AF181 drop to $119 during holiday sales. That makes the price difference negligible.

Takeaway: The AF181 offers better value per dollar if you’ll actually use the extra space and functions. Otherwise, the AF141 is the smarter buy for budget-conscious shoppers.

So, the big question. Which grill should you buy?

The answer is simple. They look slightly different on the outside. The buttons are different. But the grills, baskets, and internal mechanics are the same.

From my extensive testing, the core Air Crisp technology is identical. Both use the same 1750-watt heating element. The same ceramic basket coating. The same high-speed fan for convection cooking.

The real differences come down to:

• Capacity (5-quart vs 6.5-quart)
• Temperature range (400°F vs 450°F)
• Extra cooking modes (4 vs 6)

Buy whichever one is on sale or cheapest if you’re only using basic air frying functions. Why? Because there’s no meaningful difference in core performance between them for everyday cooking.

My honest opinion after weeks of testing: If you’re choosing between these two for simple tasks like chicken wings, french fries, or roasted vegetables, go with the cheaper option. The Ninja AF141 vs AF181 comparison really comes down to capacity and specialty functions.

Choose the Ninja AF141 if:

• You’re cooking for 1-2 people regularly or doing single-serve portions
• Counter space is tight in your kitchen (it’s a real space saver)
• You want to save $30-$50 and don’t need extra functions
• You’re new to oil-free cooking and want something simple
• You prioritize a compact air fryer for couples over extra features

Choose the Ninja AF181 if:

• You’re feeding 3 or more people on a regular basis
• You love ultra-crispy frozen foods and want that 450°F Max Crisp
• You’ll use the Bake function for desserts or reheating pizza
• You don’t want to do multiple batches when cooking for groups
• You want a best air fryer for family of 4 cooking needs

My Personal Pick: If I had to choose just one, I’d go with the AF181. The extra $40 is worth it for the bigger basket and Max Crisp function.

Even though I’m only cooking for two most nights, I love having the flexibility to cook for guests. No multiple rounds. No waiting. Just one batch and done.

That said, if you’re on a tight budget or truly cooking for one or two people 100% of the time, the AF141 is a fantastic value. You’re not missing out on core air frying quality.

The Bottom Line: In the Ninja AF141 vs AF181 review, both are excellent air fryers. Same build quality. Easy cleaning. Reliable performance.

Choose based on household size and whether you value the extra cooking modes. You can’t go wrong with either one from the Ninja Pro series air fryers lineup.

Which Ninja air fryer is better for a family of 4?

The AF181 is the better choice for families. The 6.5-quart capacity can handle dinner for four people in one batch. The AF141’s 5-quart basket would require cooking in rounds. That adds time and hassle.

Is the Max Crisp function worth the extra money?

If you cook a lot of frozen foods like fries, nuggets, or wings, yes. The 450°F temperature makes a noticeable difference in crispiness and texture. But if you mostly cook fresh foods, it’s not essential. You can skip it.

Can both models dehydrate fruit?

Yes, both the AF141 and AF181 have a Dehydrate function. It works well for dehydrated fruit like apple chips, banana slices, and jerky. The AF181’s larger capacity lets you dehydrate bigger batches at once.

How loud are these air fryers during operation?

Both models operate at similar noise levels. About the same as a microwave running. They’re not silent, but they’re not annoyingly loud either. You can still have a conversation in the kitchen while they’re running.

Do I need to preheat these air fryers?

For best results, yes. Both models preheat in about 3 minutes for air frying mode. That’s super fast. Preheating helps food cook more evenly and get crispier. Always follow the user manual instructions.

What’s the difference between Ninja AF141 and AF181?

The AF181 has 1.5 more quarts of capacity (6.5 vs 5). It has two extra cooking functions (Max Crisp and Bake). It reaches 450°F instead of 400°F. Otherwise, they’re very similar in build quality, performance, and the similarities between them are significant.

Are these good for healthy cooking?

Absolutely. Both models let you cook with little to no oil. That’s what makes them perfect for guilt-free frying. You get crispy results without the calories and fat of deep frying. Great for diet-conscious people.

Which one is easier to clean daily?

Both take about 2 minutes to clean. Just rinse with soap and water. The ceramic-coated basket is nonstick, so food doesn’t stick. Both have dishwasher-safe parts for convenience.