The best Ninja air fryers of 2024, for easy, healthy meals

We've tested all of Ninja's best air fryers to help you decide which one is right for you, and here's our Head of Shopping's expert ranking

Compilation image of three of the best Ninja air fryers for healthier eating
(Image credit: Future)
Recent updates

Last updated 07/02/2024: Ninja has recently introduced a range of new and exciting air fryers, but we don't want to recommend them until we've fully vetted each model in our own test kitchen. The models we are currently reviewing include the brand's latest double-stacked model, announced at the beginning of February, as well as the FlexDrawer and the Max AF160. 

Best Ninja air fryer 2024: Jump Menu

The list in brief ↴
1. Best overall: Ninja Foodi Dual Zone AF300UK
2. Best multipurpose: Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill
3. Best budget: Ninja Air Fryer AF100UK
4. Best for families: Ninja Foodi Max AF400UK
5. Best small: Ninja Foodi Max AF160
6. Best versatile: Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid
7. Best speedy: Triumph True Shape Sensation
How we test
How to choose

Choosing the best Ninja air fryer will depend on what you're looking for, and the budget you're working with. There's no denying that Ninja makes some of the very best air fryers on the market, so in truth, you can't go far wrong when you opt for one of the brand's innovative and powerful fryers for your home. 

The woman&home team has been testing air fryers for years. We even have our own test kitchen where we develop the recipes you can read in our magazine, which means we've tested these Ninja air fryers rigorously and side-by-side to compare which one is best. 

Although you can find cheaper air fryers out there, we do think you can't go wrong with a Ninja fryer if you want the best of the best. After all, for something you'll likely be using daily (in our case, twice a day!) you will really notice the difference in the quality and durability of these machines. But which is the best Ninja air fryer in 2024? We've rounded up the best picks in our buying guide along with some handy advice so you can establish which is most suitable for your needs. 

Our top 6 Ninja air fryers

The best Ninja air fryers, as tested by our experts

Why you can trust Woman & Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The best Ninja air fryer

Testing chips and hash browns in the Ninja air frryer

(Image credit: Future)

1. Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer - AF300UK

Best overall Ninja air fryer

Specifications

RRP: £219.99
Capacity: 7.6l in total
Weight: 8.2kg
Size (HxWxD): 31.5cm x 38cm x 26.5cm
How many cooking functions?: Six: max crisp, roast, bake, reheat, dehydrate and air fry.
Warranty/guarantee: 2 years

Reasons to buy

+
Great range of cooking options including max crisp for quickly crisping foods such as chips 
+
Dual cooking functionality, each drawer can be used on a different setting and temp, ideal for cooking two things simultaneously 
+
The non-stick surface make the drawers easy to wipe clean

Reasons to avoid

-
The fan noise is louder than others when using both drawers together
-
Large and bulky
-
Smaller capacity that the Ninja Max Dual Zone Air Fryer
-
One of the most pricey models 

Due to its range of cooking modes, ease of use, and general versatility, the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer is a worthy winner that ticks all our boxes. It promises dual functionality, meaning its two drawers can be used to cook two different food types, in two different ways, at the same time. Even more impressively, the air fryer promises to have both ready at the same time, meaning neither gets cold. 

We tested this AF300 by using 'bake' mode to heat up a pie on one side and 'air fry' mode for chips on the other. The results were perfect: the pie was golden and piping hot, while the chips were crispy on the outside and soft within. And best of all, it was just so quick: from start to finish, everything took less than 20 minutes.

We also tested the 'max crisp' function by cooking frozen chips. In less than 10 mins they were, cooked to perfection It is not possible to adjust the temperature when using the 'max crisp' function, so the enclosed recipe brochure was handy for getting the timings right. It also offers plenty of food for thought if you're all out of dinner ideas. We've got our eyes firmly on the halloumi fries recipe if you were wondering.

There were some small downsides: it is quite loud, although we imagine the noise will quickly disappear into the background once you get used to it. It also set our fire alarm off twice the first time we used it, presumably due to the heat it was expelling. However, some ventilation—either through the kitchen fan or a window—should fix that issue.

The best multipurpose Ninja air fryer

2. Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer AG551UK (UK only)

Best multipurpose Ninja air fryer

Specifications

RRP: £269.99
Capacity: 7.6l in total
Weight: 10.18kg
Size (HxWxD): 27cm x 39cm x 41cm
How many cooking functions?: Six: air fry, bake, roast, reheat, dehydrate and grill.
Warranty/guarantee: 2 years

Reasons to buy

+
Ideal for cooking for up to six people
+
Great range of cooking functions
+
Quick and easy for cooking meat of fish
+
The removable splatter grill makes cleaning after cooking foods that splatter easy

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavy and cumbersome to move
-
A wider but shallower cooking area

We tested this air fryer by cooking a chicken breast, salmon fillets, and reheating lasagne (not all at once, we should add), and the results were consistently great. As the homemade lasagne was already cooked we utilized the 'reheat' setting (and even when it didn't look quite crispy and golden enough, a few more minutes revived it). 

To test the grill setting we cooked salmon fillets. We were dubious that a cooking time of six-eight mins, as recommended in as the handy guide that comes in the box wouldn't be sufficient. But as you can see from the images above it worked perfectly: the 'grill' mode produced fish that was juicy, tender, and flaky, in just six minutes flat. Cooking a chicken breast using the built-in thermometer was another revelation. When the thermometer is inserted the Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer automatically calculates the cooking time based on what you are cooking. Like with the salmon, the chicken was succulent and cooked to perfection. 

The squat shape means this model excels when cooking 'flatter' foods, such as chicken breasts and steaks, however, it's worth noting that this machine can't quite be used in the same way as other Ninja air fryers. We thought about trying to roast a large chicken in it, for example, but quickly realized that it wouldn't fit under the lid. 

What it lacks in height, however, it more than makes up for in width and depth, as it can hold up to six portions worth of meat, fish, and poultry. On that note, it's also incredibly heavy, especially when the iron grill is inside. It weight 10.18kg, so if you're looking for a lighter-weight air fryer that can be moved around the kitchen, you might want to consider another Ninja model.

The best budget Ninja air fryer

Ninja Air Fryer AF100UK drawer

(Image credit: Future)

3. Ninja Air Fryer AF100UK

Best budget Ninja air fryer

Specifications

RRP: £149.99
Capacity: 3.8l in total
Weight: 5.2kg
Size (HxWxD): 36cm x 25cm x 32cm
How many cooking functions?: Four: air fry, roast, reheat and dehydrate
Warranty/guarantee: 2 years

Reasons to buy

+
Cheapest Ninja price point
+
Perfectly sized for compact kitchens
+
Lightweight and easy to move

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited functions compared to other models
-
Smaller sized cooking basket

We loved the smooth curves of the AF100's upright design, with its taller-than-wide dimensions making it a great choice for anyone who doesn't have much countertop room. The instruction manual was easy-to-follow and the set-up couldn't have been simpler. 

We tested it with fries from the freezer and were impressed by how quick and simple the whole process was. Cooked using 'air fry' mode, the AF100 blasted the fries at 180°C for about 15 minutes, which resulted in perfectly crispy potatoes. It's worth being aware that the greater the number of fries you'll be cooking, the longer the cooking time. 

We later tested it with a chicken breast and roasted vegetables; while the chicken was cooked to perfection, we underestimated the power of the air fryer and the vegetables ended up being charred rather than roasted, but this was largely down to our misplaced skepticism that it could roast the veg as quickly as it suggested.  

It's worth remembering that the cooking time of a Ninja air fryer is around half that of a conventional oven, so do be sure to check the guidelines to ensure you don't accidentally burn food.

Find out more in our Ninja Air Fryer AF100UK review

Best Ninja air fryer for a large family

Testing the Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer AF400UK

Testing the Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer in our w&h test kitchen

(Image credit: Future)

4. Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer AF400UK

Best Ninja air fryer for a large family

Specifications

RRP: £249.99
Capacity: 9.5l in total
Weight: 8.8kg
Size (HxWxD): 32.5cm x 41.5cm x 27cm
How many cooking functions?: Six: max crisp, roast, bake, reheat, dehydrate and air fry
Warranty/guarantee: 2 years

Reasons to buy

+
Handy for cooking multiple food types at once
+
Huge capacity makes it great for batch cooking or big families
+
Wide range of cooking modes

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavy and space-hogging

This machine also gives you the choice to decide whether you want both baskets to operate with the same cooking function at the same time, meaning you can opt to 'sync' or 'match' them. 'Match' is ideal if you need to cook a huge amount of something (for example, if you're cooking a pasta bake for a large group of people), while 'sync' gives you the freedom to cook two different food types in two different ways at the same time. 

We tested this with a breakfast-time meal of fresh sausages and bacon (which we cooked on the 'air fry' setting), paired with frozen hash browns (which we cooked on 'max crisp'). It couldn't have been easier—or more delicious—and also resulted in a lot less washing-up than it would have if we'd cooked in a conventional oven. Altogether, they took about 10 minutes to cook but probably would have been ready a minute or two quicker if you were less fussy about having crunchier hash browns.

The best Ninja air fryer for a small kitchen

Testing the NINJA AIR FRYER MAX AF160UK by cooking a frozen croissant

Rose testing the Ninja Air Fryer MAX AF160UK in our w&h test kitchen

(Image credit: Future)

5. Ninja Air Fryer MAX AF160UK

Best Ninja air fryer for a small kitchen

Specifications

RRP: £149.99
Capacity: 5.2l in total
Weight: 5.2kg
Size (HxWxD): 36cm x 25cm x 32cm
How many cooking functions?: Six: air fry, roast, bake, reheat, dehydrate and max crisp
Warranty/guarantee: 1 year

Reasons to buy

+
Wide range of cooking options
+
Great for smaller kitchens as tall rather than wide
+
Lightweight, so easy to move around

Reasons to avoid

-
Smaller capacity than some other models

The Ninja Air Fryer MAX AF160 is made for smaller homes. With its upright design, it requires less countertop space than some of the other models on this list but can still comfortably feed a family.

We tested it on homemade fish and chips and it was delicious: the breaded fish was crispy and flaky, while the chips were perfectly golden. We did this with the 'max crisp' mode, which is specifically geared towards freezer food and circulates air of 240°C around the fryer.

We also experimented with the other modes: the 'reheat' function brought a slice of pepperoni pizza sizzling back to life, though the results were more or less on a par with what you'd get if you had popped it on the microwave. We also tried the MAX AF160 out on some frozen breakfast pastries (pain au chocolat, if you're wondering, air fried for about eight minutes), and they were cooked with an even finish and a melt-in-the-middle center. They did need a moment or two to 'sit' and cool down before eating, though. 

The best versatile Ninja air fryer

Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multicook

(Image credit: Ninja)

6. Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multicooker

Best multifunctional Ninja air fryer

Specifications

RRP: £299.99
Capacity: 6L in total
Weight: 10.9kg
Size (HxWxD): 33cm x 35cm x 36cm
How many cooking functions?: 11: Pressure, Steam Air Fry, Steam Bake, Air Fry, Grill, Bake, Dehydrate, Sear/Saute, Steam, Slow Cook, Yogurt
Warranty/guarantee: 1 Year

Reasons to buy

+
Great range of 11 functions
+
Simple to use
+
Easy to clean with dishwasher-friendly accessories 
+
Decent capacity

Reasons to avoid

-
Takes up a lot of space 
-
Considerable investment

We love air frying for the great texture it can give foods, and this one worked a charm on the mound of thick-cut chips and breadcrumbed fish fillets we cooked in it. Those spuds came out with golden, crunchy jackets on and fluffy middles, while the fish was plump and flaky underneath its browned, crumbly crust. We comfortably cooked a meal for three in the air-fry basket, rustled up a jacket potato in as little as 45 minutes, and brought a day-old baguette back to life in no time (a quick splash of water and just 4 minutes on 200C reinstated both its crustiness and warm, soft center). 

We found the accessories (a pot, air frying basket, and removable rack) helped us to really use this multicooker to its potential, and it was with a sigh of relief we learned they can all be flung in the dishwasher safely, too. 

You might think that having 11 functions would make this piece of gear tricky to use, but we found the controls easy to get the hang of – there’s a slider, dial, and arrow keys for selecting function, temperature, and cooking time – and there’s a clear digital display, too. We loved that the lid is attached by a hinge and that it opens to the side to keep your hand away from any steam or heat that’s built up inside. 

We can’t pretend this hunk of a small appliance didn’t take up considerable amounts of space on our countertop, but it works hard enough to justify the sacrifice. 

Find out more in our full Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multicooker review

The best Ninja air fryer for speedy cooking

7. Ninja Speedi 10-in-1 Rapid Cooker and Air Fryer

Best for cooking an entire meal

Specifications

RRP: £249.99
Capacity: 5.7L
Weight: 6.5kg
Size (HxWxD): 31 x 33 x 35
How many cooking functions?: 10 functions: Speedi Meals, Steam Air Fry, Steam Bake, Steam, Grill, Air Fry, Bake/Roast, Dehydrate, Sear/Sauté, Slow Cook
Warranty/guarantee: 2 Years

Reasons to buy

+
Modern look
+
Versatile and able to cook multiple foods at once
+
Quick and easy to cook an entire meal for four
+
Air fryer steam setting great for cooking meat without the risk of drying out
+
Quick cooking, a 1.6kg chicken is ready in 40 mins

Reasons to avoid

-
Lid opens upwards meaning there needs to be ample space under cupboards
-
It's a little confusing to use at first 
-
Pricey, it's one of the most expensive Ninja models

We were really excited to try this new air fryer from Ninja as it encapsulates many of the best features from the other air fryers that we tested. Like the Ninja Foodi Max Health Grill & Air Fryer the cooking space is large, but it's also deep. A 1.6kg chicken would fit easily.

Similar to the Dual Zone Air Fryer it is possible to cook two or three different foods simultaneously, ideal if you want to cook multiple things at once. There is ample space to cook an entire meal for four people. The display is also bright and easy to read like the one on the Smartlid Multicooker. Also like the Smartlid Multicooker this air fryers can be used for steaming as well as slow-cooking meals such as stews. But this model does not have a pressure cooking function.

The Speedi is also easy to move, it weighs slightly more than the Ninja Air Fryer Max, so would be a good model if you plan on storing it out of sight. Although it is rather bulky and takes up a lot of space. As with all of Ninja models that we have tested, cleaning is easy as the cooking pot and tray are removable and dishwasher safe.

How we tested the best Ninja air fryers

As with all kitchenware products we test, from the best kitchen gadgets to the best induction pans, we tried out these Ninja air fryers in our test kitchen to see how they performed in an everyday environment.

During testing, the factors we assessed included:

  • How well they performed: In order to assess the performance of each Ninja air fryer fairly we cooked in each. Typically when testing air fryers we cook the same thing, usually chips, to compare the cooking ability. However as these air fryers all come from the same brand we looked for a testing method that would utilized the capability of each model. For example when testing the Ninja Foodi Max Health Grill we used the built in thermometer and the chicken setting to cook a chicken breast and when trying out the Max Dual Zone Air Fryer which has two baskets that can be set to different temperatures we used both drawers on different setting to cook bacon and hashbrowns. We felt this would be a more sensible comparison for air fryers with so many functions. We considered how successful each feature was by assessing how evenly the food cooked by looking at the colour and comparing the texture and crispness.
  • The design: We took into account the look and feel of each air fryer as well as considering the functionality of the design. We were most impressed with good quality and sturdy designs that would stand up to regular use. We thought about the size and weight of each air fryer to evaluate how useable it would be day to day.
  • Ease of use: To test the ease of use we read the instructions before jumping into using each air fryer. We found in general they were all simplistic to use, however we found some models to be more intuitive that others. We were impressed by models with a clear interface that was easy to engage with. 
  • Ease of care: We assessed how easy each model was to clean and maintain. Those models with dishwasher safe removable parts and easily wipe clean surfaces scored highest in this category.
  • Overall value for money: With all of the above taken into consideration we looked at the price tag to make our final judgement. For multifunctional models we considered if the additional settings were practical and worth paying extra for. We also looked at the capacity to price ratio when comparing the Ninja Foodi air fryers. 
Millie Fender Author Image
Millie Fender

Before joining us as Head of Shopping, Millie oversaw all of the reviews across Future's lifestyle vertical. This means she's tested dozens of air fryers over the years, many of them in her own home, and she can compare top brands and models head-to-head from her own experience. 

How to choose the best Ninja air fryer for you

There are several factors to consider when deciding which Ninja air fryer is the perfect fit for your lifestyle. These include:

  • Size: Consider how much room the air fryer requires, and where will you store it in your kitchen? If your kitchen is lacking in countertop space a space a smaller model Ninja Air Fryer AF100UK might be perfect. If you are planning on storing the air fryer in a cupboard when not in use it's worth also thinking about the weight.
  • Volume: How much food do you anticipate cooking in your air fryer? If you're hoping to use it for almost every aspect of your evening meal you might prefer a design with multiple drawers or a model such as the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker 6L OL550UK that can cook multiple foods simultaneously.
  • Functions: Are there specific cooking functions you're looking for, or are you more influenced by other factors? Each Ninja air fryer offers different cooking modes, meaning you need to check the model you've got your eye on meets your needs. Models with multiple functionality typically cost more, weight more and take up more space. 

"I love my Ninja dual zone Air Fryer, it's absolutely changed how I cook and I hardly ever put the oven on," says Jen Bedloe,  w&h's Food Director. "I cook for a family of four and can use two drawers to make a meal for the family, or just use one drawer for something quick like reheating pizza, or a jacket potato. The air fryer is so easy to use and has different functions, so I hardly need to refer to the cooking instruction booklet.  Would highly recommend it."

Of course, like any appliance, air fryers require careful maintenance. However, if you've ever wondered how to clean an air fryer, Ninja couldn't make it easier. Dishwasher-friendly by design, the drawers, and plates of Ninja air fryers are typically non-stick thanks to a PTFE coating, meaning even accidentally burnt-on food is easy to deal with. 

Which Ninja air fryer is the biggest?

With a total capacity of 9.5L, the Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer AF400UK is the biggest. It boasts two 4.75L drawers, meaning that you can cook your whole meal in one go, with minimal fuss. Each drawer can be programmed to cook with a different function, meaning you could roast and dehydrate at the same time, for example. 

If you're looking for the Ninja air fryer with the biggest single compartment capacity, the Ninja Air Fryer MAX AF160UK is a great choice. With its 5.2L drawer, it can comfortably rustle up everything from a roast chicken dinner to a burger and fries.

Rose Fooks

Rose Fooks is the Deputy Food Editor at woman&home. Rose completed a degree in Art at Goldsmiths University before beginning her career in the restaurant industry as a commis chef at The Delaunay in 2015. She then worked at Zedel and went on to become part of the team that opened Islington’s popular Bellanger restaurant. 


To hone her patissier skills, Rose joined the Diplome de Patisserie and Culinary Management course at Le Cordon Bleu. She ran a food market in Islington and cooked for a catering company that used only surplus food to supply events, before finding her way into publishing and food styling.

With contributions from