On the hunt for the best Ninja Air Fryer
Ninja offers three different models of air fryers: the Speedi Rapid Cooker and Air Fryer, the Foodi Basket Air Fryer, and the Air Fryer Max XL. Which one is best for you and your family depends on your specific needs.
Trying to figure out what the difference is between these air friers can be frustrating. Luckily I’ve done the research on these air fryer models and I am here to share my findings in this comparison.
The Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker & Air Fryer
The Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker and Air Fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance with a 6-qt. capacity and 12-in-1 functionality. It combines steam and air fry technology, allowing you to cook a complete, 3-part meal in as little as 15 minutes using just one pot. It is designed to accommodate a family of up to 4 people
With the Rapid Cooker mode, you can quickly create moisture with steam while caramelizing and crisping your food using air fry technology, all within the same pot.
Using the Speedi Meals function, you can prepare an entire meal using just one pot, selecting your preferred base, vegetables, and protein, and have it ready in as little as 15 minutes. This convenient feature simplifies meal preparation and saves you time in the kitchen.
With its 12-in-1 functionality, the Ninja Speedi™ Rapid Cooker & Air Fryer offers a range of cooking modes. These include:
- Speedi Meals
- Steam & Crisp
- Steam & Bake
- Steam
- Proof
- Air Fry
- Bake/Roast
- Broil
- Dehydrate
- Sear/Sauté
- Slowcook
- Sous Vide
The SmartSwitch functionality makes it easy to switch between Rapid Cooker mode and Air Fry mode, providing you with endless cooking possibilities.
Ninja’s Speedi Meal Builder feature provides access to thousands of customizable recipes, allowing you to make use of ingredients that are already available in your fridge or pantry.
The Speedi has a maximum temperature of 450°F.
Cleanup is a breeze with the non-stick pot and crisper tray, both of which are dishwasher-safe. This allows you to enjoy your meal without worrying about the post-cooking mess.
The Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 and 5-in-1 Basket Air Fryer
The Ninja Foodi Basket Air Fryer comes in both a 6-in-1 and a 5-in-1 version. The 6-in-1 comes in both 8 quart and 10 quart variations, while the 5-in-1 has a 6 quart capacity. All come equipped with DualZone Technology, allowing you to cook two different foods simultaneously. This design eliminates the need for back-to-back cooking.
The 6-in-1 comes with an extra function, the Air Broil function. Otherwise, they have same 5-base functions of Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
The 6-in-1 model can get slightly hotter with a maximum temperature of 450°F, while the 5-in-1 model can only get to 400°F
With easy-to-clean nonstick cooking baskets and dishwasher-safe crisper plates, both offer convenience in maintenance.
The Ninja Air Fryer Max XL
The Ninja Air Fryer Max XL is a family-sized 5.5-qt air fryer that offers a fast and easy way to cook favorite foods. It can cook and crisp up to 3 lbs of French fries using little to no oil. With MaxCrisp Technology, it delivers 450 degrees of superheated air. This results in hotter and crispier outcomes with less oil, providing guilt-free fried favorites. It allows air frying with up to 75% less fat than traditional frying methods, as tested against hand-cut, deep-fried French fries. The air fryer comes with an XL 5.5-qt ceramic-coated nonstick basket and crisper plate, providing ample space to fit 3 lbs of French fries or chicken wings. Its functions include Max Crisp, Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate. The ceramic-coated basket is nonstick and dishwasher safe, ensuring easy cleaning. The wide temperature range of 105–450 degrees allows for versatile cooking options.
Similarities between the Ninja Speedi, Foodi Basket Air Fryer, and Air Fryer Max XL
All three models are kitchen appliances designed for cooking and air frying food. They offer nonstick cooking surfaces for easy cleaning. Each model provides a wide temperature range for versatile cooking options, albeit the Ninja Foodi Basket Air Fryer 6-in-1 only gets to 400°F, while the other models get to 450°F.
Differences between the Ninja Speedi, Foodi Basket Air Fryer, and Air Fryer Max XL
The Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker & Air Fryer has a 6-qt. capacity and 12-in-1 functionality, while the Ninja Foodi Basket Air Fryer comes in 6-quart and 10-quart sizes, and the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL has a 5.5-qt. capacity.
The Speedi Rapid Cooker combines steam and air fry technology, while the Ninja Foodi features DualZone Technology for cooking two different foods simultaneously, and the Air Fryer Max XL focuses on air frying.
The Speedi combines steam and air fry technology and allows you to cook complete meals in one pot, while the Ninja Foodi Basket Air Fryer features DualZone Technology for cooking two different foods simultaneously in two independent cooking zones. The Air Fryer Max XL focuses on air frying at one temperature.
I hope you found this overview of the Ninja Speedi, Foodi Basket Air Fryer, and Air Fryer Max XL helpful and it’s made your purchasing decision a little easier. Feel free to leave a comment down below if you have any questions or want to share any of your knowledge about these air frying appliances from Ninja.
If you like Ninja products and enjoyed this overview be sure to check out my review of the Ninja Woodfire Grill and Smoker (and a comparison of the different models) and my review of the Ninja CREAMi (and a comparison of the different models).