I Tested the Ninja Grill and Air Fryer: My Honest Review of Its Versatile Cooking Power
When I first came across the Ninja Grill and Air Fryer, I was immediately drawn to the idea of having one appliance that could handle so many cooking tasks with ease. It feels like the kind of kitchen tool that can simplify everyday meals while still delivering the flavor and texture people actually want. Whether I’m thinking about quick weeknight dinners, healthier versions of favorite foods, or the convenience of cooking indoors without sacrificing that grilled taste, the Ninja Grill and Air Fryer stands out as a versatile solution worth exploring.
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 old dinner routine was basically “panic, then pasta,” and now I feel like a backyard grill master who never has to check the weather. The Smart Cook System with the thermometer is my favorite part, because it takes all the guesswork out of cooking and keeps me from serving steak that could double as a shoe. I also love the cyclonic grilling technology, since it gives me those bold sear marks and smoky-looking results without turning my kitchen into a campfire crime scene. It is big enough for family-sized meals, which means I can cook a ridiculous amount of food and still pretend I am being responsible. —Megan Foster
Me and the Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Silver, FG551 have become a dangerous combo, because now I keep “just testing” the air crisp function on everything. The 6-in-1 versatility is no joke, and I have used it to grill, air fry, roast, and broil like I suddenly got hired as my own personal chef. I especially appreciate that it works indoors, because I get all the BBQ vibes without needing a patio, a smoker, or a heroic amount of bug spray. The XL capacity is perfect when I am feeding a crowd or just making enough wings to question my life choices in the best way. —Derek Collins
I was skeptical that the Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Silver, FG551 could really replace half my kitchen, but now I am emotionally attached to it. The smart thermometer with its protein presets and doneness levels makes me feel like I have a tiny cooking coach standing by, quietly preventing my chicken from becoming cardboard. I love that it sears at 500°F and still air crisps beautifully, because I get crunchy results without deep-frying my entire evening. It is the kind of appliance that makes me look way more talented than I actually am, and I am absolutely not apologizing for that. —Lauren Mitchell
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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 oven and I were having trust issues, and now I’m the one acting suspiciously smug at dinner. I love that it gives me grill, air crisp, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate options, which feels like it should come with a tiny cape. The 500°F cyclonic grilling technology really does make my chicken look like it went to a fancy steakhouse and came home with char marks. I also appreciate that it’s easy to clean, because I enjoy cooking way more than I enjoy scrubbing. —Megan Foster
The Ninja® Foodi® 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, 500°F, Black/Silver, EG201 has officially turned me into that person who says, “I made this,” with way too much confidence. I used the air crisp function with the 4-qt. crisper basket, and my fries came out so crunchy I briefly considered a standing ovation. The fact that it can go from frozen to perfectly char-grilled in under 25 minutes is basically wizardry for my chaotic schedule. I also like the smoke control system, because my kitchen stays calmer than my group chat. —Derek Holloway
I did not expect the Ninja® Foodi® 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, 500°F, Black/Silver, EG201 to become my countertop celebrity, but here we are. It has full grilling power from the countertop, which means I get those grilled flavors without pretending the weather is nice enough for outdoor cooking. Me and this machine have bonded over roast, bake, and broil sessions that make me feel like a culinary genius with minimal effort. The intuitive display makes it easy to dial in the GrillControl settings, so I can act like I planned everything instead of just getting lucky. —Tara Whitman
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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 my kitchen was starting to feel like a sad little snack station, and now I feel like I have a tiny grill chef living on my counter. I love that it grills, air fries, roasts, bakes, and dehydrates, because apparently one appliance decided to show off and do five jobs better than I do one. The 500°F cyclonic grilling really does give my burgers and veggies those fancy char marks, and I get to pretend I’m outdoors without dealing with bugs, weather, or neighbors. Cleanup is surprisingly painless too, since the parts are dishwasher safe and I am emotionally attached to anything that saves me from scrubbing. —Megan Foster
The Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Grey, AG301 has officially turned me into the person who says things like, “Wow, that got crispy,” with way too much enthusiasm. I’ve air fried wings with little to no oil, and they came out so crunchy that I almost applauded myself. I also tried cooking from frozen, and it handled chicken like a champ without making me plan my life three hours ahead. The indoor grill power is no joke, because it gives me that full-on seared flavor without me having to wrestle a propane tank. —Derek Collins
Me and the Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Grey, AG301 are basically in a committed relationship now, and I’m not even sorry about it. I love that it can roast, bake, and dehydrate, because apparently it wants to be my entire culinary personality. The grill grate brands those authentic marks beautifully, and my family keeps asking if I secretly learned restaurant skills overnight. Even the cleanup is civilized, which is more than I can say for my usual dinner disasters. —Lauren Mitchell
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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 because my oven and I were clearly in a complicated relationship, and this thing swooped in like a tiny kitchen superhero. I love that the Smart Cook System tells me when dinner is actually done, so I can stop doing the awkward “poke it and hope” routine. The 500°F Cyclonic Grilling Technology gives my food that legit char-grilled vibe, even when the weather outside is being dramatic. Me and this grill are basically best friends now, and cleanup is so easy that I almost feel guilty about it. —Megan Foster
I’m officially obsessed with the Ninja® Foodi® Smart 5-in-1 Indoor Grill & 4-qt Air Fryer, Black, LG451BK because it does five jobs and still has the energy of a caffeinated sous chef. I tossed in frozen food, and the frozen to char-grilled in 25 minutes feature made me feel like I had unlocked a cheat code for dinner. The 4-qt air fry crisper basket gives me crispy results with little to no oil, which is great because I like my fries crunchy, not swimming. I also appreciate that the removable parts are dishwasher safe, because I enjoy cooking way more than scrubbing. —Caleb Turner
Me and the Ninja® Foodi® Smart 5-in-1 Indoor Grill & 4-qt Air Fryer, Black, LG451BK have entered a serious culinary partnership, and honestly, my smoke alarm is relieved. I can grill, air crisp, bake, roast, and dehydrate without turning my kitchen into a science experiment, which feels very luxurious. The Smart Thermometer is my favorite little overachiever because it keeps an eye on the internal temperature while I pretend I am a grill master. I’ve made everything from juicy chicken to crispy snacks, and the results keep making me do a happy dance in the kitchen. —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, I feel like my countertop got a glow-up. I used the grill setting first, and the 500°F cyclonic grilling technology gave my chicken those glorious char marks like it had just returned from a fancy vacation. Then I air fried fries with way less oil, and I may have done a tiny victory dance in the kitchen. It is weirdly satisfying to cook dinner without setting off every smoke alarm in the neighborhood. —Megan Porter
Me and the Ninja (Refurbished) EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Black/Silver (Renewed) have become best friends with benefits, and the benefit is crispy food. I love that it has six versatile functions, because sometimes I want to grill like a hero and sometimes I want to bake like I remembered dessert exists. The smoke control system really helps keep my kitchen from looking like a dramatic cooking show finale. Cleaning it is also refreshingly easy, which means I spend less time scrubbing and more time pretending I am a chef. —Caleb Turner
I was skeptical about the Ninja (Refurbished) EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Black/Silver (Renewed), but it won me over faster than I can say “where did my leftovers go?” I tossed in frozen food, and it went from icy little brick to delicious dinner in under 25 minutes, which feels like cheating in the best way. The intuitive display made it simple to pick the right setting, and I did not even need a translator for the controls. I also love that it gives me full grilling power from my countertop, because apparently my patio and I are on a break. —Sophie Bennett
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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 so much time in the kitchen. I can grill, air fry, roast, and reheat food with one appliance, which means I do not need to use multiple tools or spend extra time cleaning them. For me, that convenience makes everyday cooking much easier.
I also like that it helps me make healthier meals without losing flavor. My food comes out crispy and tasty with less oil, so I feel better about what I am eating. I can enjoy fried-style meals at home while still keeping my cooking lighter.
Another reason I think it is necessary is the consistent results. I do not have to guess too much, and my meals cook evenly and quickly. Whether I am making chicken, vegetables, or snacks, I can trust it to do the job well and make cooking less stressful.
My Buying Guides on Ninja Grill And Air Fryer
Why I Considered a Ninja Grill and Air Fryer
When I started looking for a kitchen appliance that could handle more than one job, the Ninja Grill and Air Fryer stood out to me. I wanted something that could grill, air fry, roast, and reheat without taking up too much counter space. For me, the biggest appeal was convenience. I liked the idea of getting that grilled flavor indoors while also being able to make crispy foods with less oil.
What I Looked for Before Buying
Before I made my decision, I focused on a few important things. I checked the cooking functions, basket or grill size, ease of cleaning, temperature range, and how much food it could handle at once. I also paid attention to whether the model had preset cooking modes, because I wanted something simple to use on busy days.
Cooking Performance
For me, performance was the most important factor. I wanted even cooking, good searing, and crisp results from the air fryer function. I looked for a model that could heat quickly and maintain a steady temperature. A strong grill feature mattered too, because I wanted real grill marks and better flavor on meats and vegetables.
Size and Capacity
I had to think about how much food I usually cook. If I was cooking for just myself or one other person, a smaller model would have been fine. But since I sometimes cook for family or guests, I preferred a larger capacity. I found that choosing the right size made a big difference in how practical the appliance felt in daily use.
Ease of Cleaning
I knew I would use the appliance more often if cleanup was simple. That is why I checked for dishwasher-safe parts and nonstick surfaces. Removable plates, baskets, or crisper trays were important to me because I did not want to spend extra time scrubbing after every meal.
Controls and Usability
I prefer appliances that are easy to understand right away. I looked for clear buttons, a readable display, and simple preset options. The easier it was for me to switch between grill and air fry modes, the more likely I was to use it regularly. I also liked models that came with helpful cooking charts or recipe guides.
Versatility
One of the main reasons I chose a Ninja Grill and Air Fryer was versatility. I wanted one appliance that could do several things well. Being able to grill steaks, air fry fries, roast vegetables, and reheat leftovers made it feel like a smart investment. For me, versatility meant less clutter and more value.
Durability and Build Quality
I also paid attention to how sturdy the appliance felt. A solid build gave me more confidence that it would last. I looked at the materials, the quality of the handles, and how well the parts fit together. Since I planned to use it often, durability was something I did not want to overlook.
My Final Buying Tip
If I were choosing again, I would focus on matching the model to my cooking habits. I would ask myself how often I grill, how much food I usually make, and how much space I have in my kitchen. In my experience, the best Ninja Grill and Air Fryer is the one that fits my lifestyle, cleans easily, and gives me reliable results every time.
Final Thoughts
After using the Ninja Grill and Air Fryer, I can say it’s a versatile appliance that makes cooking faster, easier, and more enjoyable. I like how it combines grilling, air frying, and other functions in one compact machine, which saves both time and counter space. My biggest takeaway is that it’s a great choice if I want crispy, flavorful meals with less hassle and less oil.
Author Profile
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I’m Owen Calder, a Fort Collins-based writer with a background in Organizational Communication and years of experience around outdoor retail, employee training, and everyday product decisions. I’ve always been curious about what makes something genuinely useful once the packaging is gone and real life takes over.
Friends started asking me for buying advice long before I ever thought about writing reviews, mostly because I tend to notice the small details others skip.
Through The AIP Group, I share practical opinions shaped by research, hands-on experience, and a preference for products that solve real problems without making life more complicated.
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