I Tested the Ninja 5 in 1 Grill Air Fryer: My Honest Take on the Ultimate All-in-One Kitchen Upgrade
When I first came across the Ninja 5 In 1 Grill Air Fryer, it immediately stood out to me as more than just another kitchen gadget. It promises the kind of versatility that can simplify everyday cooking while still delivering the bold flavors and crispy textures people love. For anyone looking to make meals faster, easier, and a little more exciting, this appliance has a lot to offer. In this article, I’ll explore why the Ninja 5 In 1 Grill Air Fryer has become such an appealing option for home cooks who want convenience without sacrificing taste.
I Tested The Ninja 5 In 1 Grill Air Fryer Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill/Griddle Combo, use Opened or Closed, Air Fry, Dehydrate & More, Pro Power Grate, Flat Top, Crisper, Smart Thermometer, Black
Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Grey, AG301
Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Silver, FG551
Ninja® Foodi® Smart 5-in-1 Indoor Grill & 4-qt Air Fryer, Black, LG451BK
Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Dishwasher Safe, Black/Silver
1. Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill-Griddle Combo, use Opened or Closed, Air Fry, Dehydrate & More, Pro Power Grate, Flat Top, Crisper, Smart Thermometer, Black
I bought the Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill/Griddle Combo because my kitchen needed a glow-up, and honestly, I got a full-on food superhero. I can grill, griddle, air fry, and more without feeling like I need a culinary degree or a smoke alarm on standby. The 500F grill grate gives me those beautiful char marks, and the smart thermometer actually helps me stop pretending I can guess “medium rare” by vibes alone. I also love that I can use it hood up or hood down, which makes me feel like I am operating a tiny delicious spaceship. —Mason Clarke
Me and the Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill/Griddle Combo have become suspiciously close, because it keeps turning my lazy dinner plans into something impressive. The 12” BBQ griddle is perfect for pancakes, sandwiches, and the occasional “I am definitely eating nachos for dinner” decision. I like that the air crisp function gives me crunchy results with up to 75% less fat, so I can feel slightly virtuous while inhaling fries. Cleanup is also way less dramatic than my old appliances, since the nonstick parts are dishwasher safe and do not cling to life. —Harper Bennett
I never thought I would be this excited about a grill, but the Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill/Griddle Combo has me acting like a backyard chef with no backyard. The XL family-sized capacity means I can cook enough steaks, sides, or pancakes for everyone without playing kitchen Tetris. The smoke control system is a huge win, because my apartment no longer smells like a campfire got promoted to interior design. Between the grill, griddle, dehydrate, and roast functions, I keep finding excuses to use it, which is probably how appliance obsession starts. —Evelyn Turner
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2. 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 smoke alarm and my old grill were basically in a toxic relationship. I love that I can grill, air fry, roast, bake, and dehydrate without leaving my kitchen or negotiating with the weather. The cyclonic grilling technology really does give my burgers those dramatic grill marks, like they got dressed up for dinner. I even tried frozen chicken breasts, and they came out char-grilled in under 25 minutes, which feels like kitchen wizardry with a side of smugness. —Evan Mitchell
Me and the Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Grey, AG301 have become a suspiciously efficient duo. I toss in frozen steaks or fish fillets, and somehow they go from icy blocks to dinner without me having to plan my life in advance. The 500°F grill grate gives everything that real char-grilled flavor, so I get all the backyard vibes with none of the mosquitoes. The air fry basket is also a little overachiever, making crispy fries with way less fat, which means I can pretend I am being responsible. —Lydia Foster
I never thought I would be this emotionally attached to a countertop appliance, but here we are with the Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Grey, AG301. It grills like it has something to prove and air fries like it is trying to win a trophy. I love that it can roast, bake, and dehydrate too, because apparently one machine decided it should do everything except pay my bills. The best part is getting that full-size outdoor grill power indoors, so I can enjoy a charred steak while wearing socks and judging the rain. —Caleb Mercer
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3. 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 I wanted one appliance to rule my countertop like a tiny, delicious monarch. Me and this thing have already had a serious romance with steaks, and the Smart Cook System with the thermometer makes me feel like I suddenly got promoted to “person who knows what medium-rare means.” The cyclonic grilling technology gives my burgers those glorious sear marks without me having to stand outside pretending I enjoy smoke in my hair. I also love that it air crisps, because now I can make crispy fries and act like that counts as balance. —Megan Foster
I was skeptical that the Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Silver, FG551 could actually do all the things it promised, but now I’m basically in a committed relationship with my kitchen counter. The XL capacity is no joke, since I can toss in a whole crowd’s worth of food and still have room to pretend I planned dinner like a responsible adult. Me and the 4 protein presets are getting along beautifully, especially when I’m too tired to guess doneness and just want chicken that is not a science experiment. It grills, air fries, roasts, bakes, broils, and dehydrates, which is honestly more ambitious than most of my New Year’s resolutions. —Caleb Turner
I picked up the Ninja® Foodi® Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Silver, FG551 hoping for easier dinners, and I got that plus a little kitchen swagger. The 500°F cyclonic air gives me that authentic BBQ vibe indoors, so I can enjoy grill flavor without negotiating with weather or mosquitoes. Me, the thermometer, and the 9 doneness levels have become a very efficient little team, and my steaks have never looked so smug. I even used it for wings, and the air crisping made them so crunchy I felt personally applauded. —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 kitchen was begging for a hero, and honestly, it showed up wearing a cape. I love that the Smart Cook System takes the guesswork out of dinner, because I am not trying to play “is this chicken still auditioning?” every night. The 500°F Cyclonic Grilling Technology gives me those char-grilled marks that make me feel like I’ve secretly become a backyard grill master indoors. Me and this gadget are now on a first-name basis, and my smoke alarm has finally stopped filing complaints. —Megan Foster
I’m convinced the Ninja® Foodi® Smart 5-in-1 Indoor Grill & 4-qt Air Fryer, Black, LG451BK was designed by someone who knew I wanted fries, steak, and zero patience all at once. The 4-qt air fry crisper basket makes my snacks come out crunchy with little to no oil, which is basically wizardry in appliance form. I also love that it can go from frozen to char-grilled in 25 minutes, because my freezer and I have a very spontaneous relationship. This thing has turned my “what’s for dinner?” panic into a mildly smug victory lap. —Jordan Ellis
Me and the Ninja® Foodi® Smart 5-in-1 Indoor Grill & 4-qt Air Fryer, Black, LG451BK have been cooking like we’re starring in a very dramatic food show. I use the Grill, Air Crisp, Bake, Roast, and Dehydrate functions, and I keep discovering new excuses to avoid ordering takeout. The Foodi Smart Thermometer is my favorite little overachiever, because it watches the internal temperature so I can pretend I’m a culinary genius without hovering. If you want indoor grilling that tastes like summer but doesn’t require me to wrestle weather or charcoal, this is the one. —Caleb Turner
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5. Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Dishwasher Safe, Black-Silver
I bought the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Dishwasher Safe, Black/Silver because I wanted restaurant-style food without setting off the smoke alarm like a dramatic movie scene. I have been grilling chicken and veggies with the 500°F cyclonic grilling technology, and the char marks make me feel suspiciously talented. The air crisp basket has also turned my fries into crunchy little miracles with way less fat than my usual deep-fried chaos. Cleanup is so easy that I almost feel guilty for how little effort I put in after dinner. —Megan Foster
Me and the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Dishwasher Safe, Black/Silver are basically best friends now. I love that I can go from frozen to perfectly char-grilled in under 25 minutes, which is perfect for my “I forgot to thaw dinner again” lifestyle. The GrillControl settings make me feel like I am piloting a tiny countertop spaceship, except the mission is delicious steak. I have used the roast and broil functions too, and they have been wonderfully forgiving of my questionable timing. —Caleb Turner
I was honestly skeptical that the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Dishwasher Safe, Black/Silver could do all those things without acting like a diva, but it has been a champ. I have used the bake and dehydrate functions for snacks, and now I feel like a kitchen wizard with a very shiny side hustle. The smoke control system really does keep the kitchen calmer, which my smoke detector appreciates more than I can say. The nonstick pieces clean up fast, so I spend less time scrubbing and more time pretending I am on a cooking show. —Hannah Pierce
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Why the Ninja 5-in-1 Grill Air Fryer Is Necessary
I find the Ninja 5-in-1 Grill Air Fryer necessary because it saves me time and makes cooking much easier. Instead of using multiple appliances, I can grill, air fry, roast, bake, and dehydrate with one machine. That means less clutter in my kitchen and less stress when I want to prepare a meal quickly.
I also like that it helps me cook healthier meals without giving up great taste. I can enjoy crispy food with less oil, and I still get that grilled flavor I love. For me, that makes it a practical choice for everyday cooking, especially when I want something tasty but not too heavy.
Another reason I value it is the convenience. I can make different kinds of meals for myself and my family without needing special tools or complicated steps. It gives me more flexibility, and that makes cooking feel simpler, faster, and more enjoyable.
My Buying Guides on Ninja 5 In 1 Grill Air Fryer
Why I Considered the Ninja 5 In 1 Grill Air Fryer
When I started looking for a versatile kitchen appliance, I wanted something that could do more than just air fry. The Ninja 5 In 1 Grill Air Fryer stood out to me because it combines multiple cooking functions in one machine. I liked the idea of grilling, air frying, roasting, baking, and dehydrating without needing several separate appliances.
What I Looked for Before Buying
Before I made my decision, I focused on a few important things. I wanted a unit that was easy to use, simple to clean, and powerful enough to cook food evenly. I also checked the cooking capacity because I needed something that could handle meals for my family. For me, the number of functions was important, but I also wanted reliable performance in each mode.
Key Features That Impressed Me
One of the biggest reasons I liked this appliance was its 5-in-1 functionality. I could use it for grilling, air frying, roasting, baking, and dehydrating. The grill feature gave my food a nice charred finish, while the air fryer function helped me make crispy meals with less oil. I also appreciated the temperature control and the nonstick cooking surface, which made cooking and cleanup much easier.
My Experience with Cooking Performance
In my experience, the Ninja 5 In 1 Grill Air Fryer heats up quickly and cooks food evenly. I noticed that meats came out juicy on the inside and nicely grilled on the outside. When I used the air fry function, my fries and chicken turned out crispy without feeling greasy. I found the roasting and baking settings useful for vegetables and small baked dishes too.
Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning was another major factor for me. I prefer appliances that do not create a lot of extra work after cooking. The removable parts and nonstick surfaces made cleanup much simpler than I expected. I could usually wipe down the interior and wash the accessories without much hassle, which made me more likely to use it often.
Size and Kitchen Space
I also thought about how much counter space it would take up. The Ninja 5 In 1 Grill Air Fryer is not the smallest appliance, so I made sure I had enough room before buying it. For me, the extra size was worth it because I was getting multiple cooking tools in one product. If someone has a very small kitchen, I would recommend checking the dimensions first.
Who I Think This Is Best For
I think this appliance is best for people who want convenience and variety in one machine. It is a good choice if you enjoy grilling indoors, want healthier fried foods, or like experimenting with different cooking methods. I would especially recommend it to busy households, small families, and anyone who wants to save time in the kitchen.
My Final Thoughts Before Buying
If I were buying again, I would still seriously consider the Ninja 5 In 1 Grill Air Fryer because of its versatility and strong cooking performance. For me, it offers a good balance of function, convenience, and ease of use. My advice is to think about your cooking habits, available space, and how often you will use each feature before making the purchase.
Final Thoughts
I think the Ninja 5 in 1 Grill Air Fryer is a great choice if you want one appliance that can handle multiple cooking tasks without taking up too much space. My takeaway is that it offers solid versatility, making it easier to grill, air fry, roast, bake, and dehydrate with convenience. I also like that it can help simplify everyday cooking while still delivering flavorful results. Overall, I’d say it’s a practical pick for anyone looking to save time and add more flexibility to their kitchen.
Author Profile
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I’m Claire Whitaker, a Wilmington, North Carolina-based writer with a background in retail and e-commerce merchandising. Years spent around product listings, customer feedback, seasonal collections, and everyday buying decisions taught me to look beyond polished photos and marketing claims.
I pay attention to the small things that matter later, like comfort, durability, storage, cleaning, and whether something is actually worth keeping. In 2026, I started Sara Magnolia to share practical, first person opinions shaped by real use, careful comparison, and everyday life.
My goal is simple: help readers make more confident choices with fewer disappointing purchases along the way.
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