Ninja Air Fryers Compared: Double Stack, Dual Zone, FlexDrawer and CRISPi

Ninja currently offers more than a dozen air fryers in its own shop. The principle is the same for all: a heating element heats the air, a fan circulates it. The differences lie in the design, and that determines what you can prepare in it and how much space the device needs. This overview is based on manufacturer information as of September 2026 and published test reports.

Current product lines at a glance

• MAX PRO (AF180EU): one drawer with 6.2 l, 2000 W. According to Ninja suitable for up to four people, with 28 cm width, 36 cm depth and 30.5 cm height quite compact.
• Dual Zone (DZ300EU): two drawers side by side with 3.8 l each, 2470 W.
• MAX Dual Zone (DZ400EU) and DualZone XL (DZ901EU, DZ950EU): two drawers side by side, 9.5 l combined, 2470 W. The DualZone XL has a PFAS-free coating and a temperature range of 40 to 240 °C.
• Double Stack (SL300EU) and Double Stack XL (SL400EU, SL451EU): two drawers stacked on top of each other with 3.8 l or 4.75 l each, 2470 W. With insert racks you cook on four levels.
• FlexDrawer (AF550EU) and Foodi FlexDrawer (AF500EU): one wide drawer with 6.6 l or 10.4 l, which can be divided into two zones with a divider.
• CRISPi 4-in-1 (FN101EU), CRISPi PRO (AS101EU) and CRISPi DualZone (DD102EU): glass cooking containers that also serve for serving and storage.

The well-known Foodi MAX Dual Zone (AF400EU) is no longer in the Ninja shop, but is still widely available in retail. With 9.5 l, two drawers and six functions, it is essentially the same as the current MAX Dual Zone.

Capacity: reading litres correctly

The litre specification is the total volume. With two drawers, each has only half, and a large roasting chicken must fit in one of them. Ninja provides concrete examples: each drawer of the Dual Zone (DZ300EU) fits up to 1 kg of fries or a 1.6 kg chicken, with the MAX Dual Zone (DZ400EU) up to 1.4 kg of fries or 2 kg chicken.

The manufacturer's serving suggestions are rather generous. Crispiness only works if air can circulate, and full baskets need shaking more often. As a rough guide:

• One to two people: 6.2 l with one drawer or a CRISPi.
• Three to four people: 6.6 l FlexDrawer or 7.6 l with two zones.
• Five or more: 9.5 l or the 10.4 l Foodi FlexDrawer.

One zone, two zones or flexible

Two separate zones are the biggest advantage over simple air fryers. You set your own function, temperature and time for each drawer. SYNC ensures that main course and side dish are ready at the same time, MATCH applies the same settings to both sides.

The downside of classic dual drawers: each drawer is narrow, a wide baking dish won't fit. This is where the FlexDrawer shines. Without the divider, it becomes one large zone, and according to Ninja, a family-size lasagne fits in the 10.4-litre model.

The Double Stack stacks two drawers on top of each other and doubles the surface area with insert racks. However, a test report on the Double Stack XL also mentions drawbacks: food browns unevenly, needs to be turned more often and takes longer than in older Ninja models. With the rack inserted, you have less access to food on the lower level.

Space requirements

• Double Stack: according to Ninja 25 to 30 percent narrower than the Foodi MAX Dual Zone and at 38.5 cm height flat enough to fit under wall cabinets. On the other hand, according to test reports it is deeper, and exhaust air comes out the back, so the device needs clearance from the wall.
• Two drawers side by side: require the most width on the work surface.
• MAX PRO and CRISPi: the most compact solutions. With the CRISPi, the heating unit and glass container can be stacked into each other for storage.

Functions: what you really need

Most models offer six programmes: air frying, Max Crisp at 240 °C, roasting, baking, reheating and drying. The Foodi FlexDrawer can also proof dough, the CRISPi DualZone has eight functions including keep warm.

Two points are worth looking at more closely:

• Temperature: The CRISPi 4-in-1 only heats air to 185 °C and has four functions. For particularly crispy frozen items, the 240 °C of the other models are an advantage.
• Thermometer: Double Stack XL SL451EU and DualZone XL DZ950EU have a meat thermometer that tells you when meat or fish is done. This is worthwhile if you often prepare steak, roasts or salmon.

Cleaning and material

With most models, drawers and grid inserts are dishwasher safe according to Ninja. With the DualZone XL, Ninja only explicitly mentions this for the grid inserts, the drawers are described as easy to clean. The racks of the Double Stack are additional parts that need washing.

The CRISPi models use PFAS-free glass containers where you can see the food while it cooks and which can go into the fridge or freezer with a lid. However, glass is more sensitive to impact than a coated metal drawer.

Power consumption

Rated power ranges from 1700 W for the CRISPi 4-in-1 via 2470 W for most dual-zone devices to 2860 W for the CRISPi DualZone. This describes maximum power draw, not consumption: once the temperature is reached, the device only heats as needed.

Compared to a conventional oven, an air fryer saves energy especially with small and medium amounts. If multiple batches are needed, the advantage shrinks. Ninja's claims like "up to 55 percent faster than an oven" are based on their own measurements with fish fingers and sausages and represent rather the best case.

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