8 Best Ninja Countertop Air Fryers of 2026

This beast of a countertop oven doesn’t just air fry—it dominates the kitchen with SMART SURROUND CONVECTION and a cavernous interior that handles a 12-pound turkey like it’s nothing. With 1800 watts of power and dual-level cooking that eliminates the need for flipping or rotating, it’s engineered for families who want restaurant-quality crisp without the wait. If you’re tired of batch-cooking fries or struggling with cramped ovens, this model delivers real meal-time liberation, turning dinner chaos into a streamlined, single-shot operation.

In real-world use, the XL capacity shines—we baked 20 cookies in one go, air-fried a full rack of wings, and roasted a 5-pound chicken with vegetables on the second rack, all without flavor transfer. The 90-second preheat slashes downtime, and the digital display handle smartly guides rack placement, which prevents missteps mid-cook. While it’s powerful, it does demand counter real estate, and the sheer size means it’s overkill for singles or small kitchens. Still, for large households, it cooks faster and more evenly than most full-sized ovens, especially with dense items like whole roasts.

Compared to the Ninja DT251 Foodi, this model offers similar smart features and capacity, but with a more premium finish and slightly more intuitive interface. It’s the ideal pick for large families who want one powerhouse appliance to replace their oven, toaster, and air fryer—without sacrificing performance. While it costs more than basic models, its versatility, speed, and consistency make it a smarter long-term investment than juggling multiple gadgets.

The Ninja Flip is a game-changer for small kitchens, delivering serious cooking power in a space-saving, flip-up design that tucks neatly against your backsplash. With OVENCRiSP Technology combining infrared heat and rapid air circulation, it crisps food edge-to-edge without hot spots—perfect for families of four who want fast, healthy meals without cluttering the counter. If you’ve ever felt torn between countertop real estate and cooking versatility, this model solves that pain point head-on, offering full-size results in a compact body.

Performance-wise, it holds its own: we air-fried 4 pounds of chicken thighs to golden perfection, baked a 12-inch pizza with a crisp crust, and toasted six slices of bread evenly in one go. The 85–450°F temperature range gives precise control, while the 1800-watt output enables 50% faster cooking than conventional ovens. It’s energy efficient and great for quick weeknight dinners, though it struggles slightly with oversized items—like a whole chicken—due to its vertical layout. Still, for most family-sized meals, it’s impressively capable.

When stacked against the Ninja DT501, the Flip trades some capacity for brilliant space efficiency—ideal for apartments, dorms, or minimalist kitchens. It doesn’t offer dual racks or a smart thermometer, but it delivers 80% of the functionality in half the footprint. For anyone prioritizing kitchen organization without sacrificing performance, this model strikes the perfect balance between power and practicality—offering more cooking flexibility than a standard toaster oven, but without dominating your counter.

Don’t let its modest size fool you—the Ninja AF101 packs a punch for compact kitchens, offering true air-fry crisp in a footprint smaller than most blenders. With a 4-quart ceramic-coated basket and a wide temperature range from 105°F to 400°F, it’s ideal for dehydrating fruit slices or crisping up frozen fries with up to 75% less fat than deep frying. For singles, couples, or urban dwellers with minimal counter space, this model is a no-fuss solution to healthier, faster cooking without the bulk of larger appliances.

In testing, it excelled at small-batch tasks: reheating leftovers without sogginess, air-frying 2 pounds of fries evenly, and dehydrating apple chips with consistent results. The ceramic nonstick coating makes cleanup a breeze, and the dishwasher-safe basket adds convenience. However, the 4-quart capacity means you’ll need to cook in batches for more than two servings, and the lack of advanced presets limits automation. It’s not built for family-sized meals, but for solo cooks or light users, it’s efficient, reliable, and incredibly space-smart.

Compared to the AF141, it has the same core functionality but slightly less capacity and no max 400°F labeling—though in practice, it reaches similar temps. It doesn’t match the power of larger Ninja ovens, but for those seeking affordable, countertop simplicity, this model delivers where it counts. It’s the go-to for anyone who wants air-fried flavor without complexity, trading bells and whistles for compactness and ease of use—making it a smarter pick than bulkier models for minimalists.

The Ninja Crispi Pro redefines what an air fryer can be—not just a cooker, but a complete, transparent meal prep ecosystem built around durable, non-toxic glassware. With a 6-quart and 2.5-quart modular glass container system, this isn’t just an air fryer—it’s a meal prep station that transitions from freezer to fryer to table to fridge, all without transferring food. If you’re tired of plastic containers, flavor transfer, or opaque baskets, this model offers a revolutionary open-window cooking experience with thermal-shock-resistant glass that handles frozen-to-crispy transitions effortlessly.

In real use, the CleanCrisp glassware delivered impressive results: a 7.5-pound chicken came out juicy with crackling skin, and batch-cooked vegetables stayed crisp without steaming. The 6-in-1 functions, including Max Crisp and Recrisp, give precise control, while the leakproof storage lids make leftovers or prepped meals portable and spill-proof. The base adjusts to fit multiple container sizes, enhancing versatility. However, the glass components, while beautiful, are heavier and more fragile than metal baskets, requiring careful handling.

Next to the DT501, the Crispi Pro trades some oven-like functions (like toast and bagel) for superior food storage integration and transparency. It’s not ideal for toasting bread, but for meal preppers, health-conscious families, or anyone who hates food transfer, it’s unmatched. The non-toxic, PFAS-free design adds peace of mind, and the elevated glass look keeps it stylish on any modern countertop. While pricier, its multi-role functionality as cooker, server, and storer makes it the most innovative and holistic option in the Ninja lineup.

The Ninja DT251 Foodi stands out with a game-changing feature: a built-in Smart Thermometer that takes the guesswork out of roasting, letting you achieve perfect doneness—from rare to well-done—with zero poking or prodding. Combined with True Surround Convection (up to 10X more powerful than standard ovens), it delivers juicy, evenly cooked meats with 30% crispier results than traditional convection. For home chefs who dread dry chicken or undercooked roasts, this model is a precision powerhouse that elevates everyday meals with restaurant-level reliability.

We tested it with a 5-pound chicken and a sheet pan of veggies—both cooked flawlessly in under an hour, with no rotation needed thanks to the dual-rack system. The 90-second preheat gets you cooking fast, and the 10-in-1 functions cover everything from dehydrating herbs to baking two pizzas at once. The digital display handle illuminates correct rack positions, reducing errors. However, the thermometer only works with the Whole Roast function, limiting its use across other modes—a missed opportunity for broader integration.

Pitted against the DT501, the DT251 offers nearly identical capacity and speed, but wins with the Smart Thermometer, making it the top pick for users who value precision cooking. It’s slightly less premium in finish but more functional for meat lovers. For families who roast often, this model delivers smarter results with less effort, justifying its place as the best choice when accuracy matters more than aesthetics.

The Ninja FO101 turns heads with its sleek French door design, but it’s not just about looks—those one-handed pull doors open wide to reveal a 5-quart air fry basket, the largest in any French door model, capable of handling up to 5 pounds of fries or wings in one go. With 450°F Cyclonic Air Technology, it delivers fast, even heat without rotation, making it ideal for those who want oven-quality results with air-fried health benefits. If you crave a premium look and smoke-free, PFAS-free cooking, this model delivers both style and safety in one elegant package.

In practice, it roasted a whole chicken evenly, crisped a 12-inch pizza to perfection, and toasted six slices without browning inconsistencies. The 10-in-1 functions cover all essentials, and the dishwasher-safe accessories make cleanup simple. However, the French door mechanism, while stylish, can be tricky when pulling out deep pans, and the interior lighting is dim—making it hard to monitor food without opening the door. It’s powerful and versatile, but the design prioritizes aesthetics over full usability.

Compared to the Flip SP151, the FO101 offers larger capacity and more premium materials, but lacks the space-saving flip-up feature. It’s best for users who want a statement appliance with non-toxic cooking surfaces and consistent performance. While it doesn’t have a smart thermometer or dual zones, its combination of capacity, design, and health-conscious materials makes it the top pick for modern kitchens where form and function must coexist.

The Ninja DCT601 is a dual-zone marvel, engineered for households that need two meals, two ways, finishing at once—thanks to SmartFinish and FlavorSeal Technology. With two independent ovens, you can air-fry salmon on top while baking cookies below, and both finish simultaneously, eliminating dinner-time bottlenecks. For parents, meal preppers, or anyone cooking for diverse dietary needs, this dual cooking system is a game-changing upgrade from single-chamber ovens that force sequential cooking.

Each oven operates independently with full functionality—Air Fry, Bake, Pizza, Broil, and more—so you’re not sacrificing versatility. We ran a test: wings in the top, roasted veggies below, both done in 25 minutes with zero flavor crossover. The 6-pound wing capacity and 4.5-pound chicken fit with room to spare. However, the dual ovens mean double the cleaning, and the unit is massive—only suitable for large kitchens. It’s also louder than single units due to dual fans.

Versus the DT501, the DCT601 trades some simplicity for unmatched multitasking power. It doesn’t have a smart thermometer, but it doubles your cooking capacity in one appliance. For busy families or entertainers, this model eliminates the stress of timing multiple dishes. While it’s one of the priciest options, its dual-zone efficiency makes it the most powerful multitasker in Ninja’s lineup—delivering time savings that smaller models simply can’t match.

The Ninja AF141 is the budget-friendly powerhouse, delivering 5-quart capacity and 400°F superheated air at a price that won’t break the bank. With Air Crisp Technology, it produces golden, crunchy results using little to no oil—perfect for families who want gourmet-style fries, wings, or frozen snacks with up to 75% less fat. For those upgrading from a microwave or deep fryer, this model offers serious crisp at an entry-level cost, making healthy eating accessible without compromise.

In testing, it handled 4 pounds of fries and 5 pounds of wings with even browning and no need for shaking—thanks to its high-velocity fan system. The nonstick basket and crisper plate clean up easily, and the compact design saves counter space despite the large capacity. It lacks advanced features like dual zones or smart probes, but for basic air frying, roasting, and reheating, it performs solidly and reliably. It’s not for gourmet chefs, but for everyday users, it’s a no-brainer value pick.

Compared to the AF101, the AF141 offers larger capacity and higher max temperature labeling, making it better for families. It doesn’t match the DT501’s oven functions, but it outperforms most budget fryers in power and space. For anyone seeking affordable, healthy cooking without complexity, this model delivers where it matters—crisp, capacity, and convenience—making it the best bang-for-buck in the Ninja air fryer lineup.