Last week, Ninja launched its first automatic espresso machine — the Ninja AutoBarista Pro. It offers a menu of 13 customizable drinks, with hot and cold brewing and automatic milk frothing. However, it's also much more expensive than the company's previous flagship coffee maker, the Ninja Luxe Café. Not sure which one is right for you? I'm here to sketch out the key differences between the two, so you can make the best choice. I'd also recommend taking a look at TechRadar's complete guide to the best coffee makers, so you can weigh up your options from other brands, such as De'Longhi, Breville, KitchenAid and Philips.

Price and availability

• Ninja Luxe Café Premier: $599.99 / £549.99 / AU$799.99
• Ninja Luxe Café Pro: $749.99 / £699.99 (about AU$1,040)
• Ninja AutoBarista Pro: $949.99 / £899.99 (about AU$1,320)

There are two Ninja Luxe Café models, one of which costs considerably more than the other. The original Ninja Luxe Café launched in June 2024, and was followed a few months later by the Luxe Café Pro, which has a lever on the side for tamping down your coffee grounds, plus extra coffee- and milk-frothing options.

To differentiate between this new machine and the original, the company renamed the original coffee maker the Ninja Luxe Café Premier.

The Ninja Luxe Café Premier has a list price of $599.99 / £549.99 / AU$799.99, while the Ninja Luxe Café Pro is $749.99 / £699.99. That works out at approximately AU$1,040, but at the time of writing the Ninja Luxe Café Pro isn't available in Australia.

Now that they're a couple of years old, you'll often find both models at a discount, particularly during sales events like Amazon Prime Day — Amazon just confirmed its next Prime Day event for June 23-26 — and Black Friday.

The Ninja AutoBarista Pro was released in May 2026, priced at $949.99 / £899.99. That's about AU$1,320, but again, this machine isn't yet sold in Australia. At the time of writing (June 2026) the AutoBarista Pro is brand new, so it hasn't received any price cuts yet. You'll find today's best deals on all three coffee makers below.

Features

• Ninja AutoBarista Pro brews coffee at the press of a button
• Ninja Luxe Café requires you to get a bit more hands-on
• Both steam milk automatically, but you need to pour it yourself

The Ninja Luxe Café is a semi-automatic coffee maker, while the Ninja AutoBarista Pro is fully automatic. Both take whole beans and let you make coffee with no prior experience, but the Luxe Café is a little more hands-on.

The Ninja Luxe Café grinds your coffee into a portafilter, which you then move under the brewing group (the part of the machine that dispenses hot, pressurized water). With the AutoBarista Pro, the entire brewing process happens inside the machine, so you only have to press a button and wait for your drink to be dispensed.

The Ninja AutoBarista Pro has two bean hoppers, so you can switch between coffee types on the fly (particularly handy if, like me, you prefer to drink decaf in the afternoon), whereas the Ninja Luxe Café only has one.

Both machines have steel burr grinders. The Ninja Luxe Café has 25 grind settings, while the AutoBarista Pro has 50 settings, giving you more control over the rate at which your coffee is extracted — and therefore the final flavor. Both machines guide you to help achieve the optimal grind size for your chosen coffee, but the AutoBarista Pro takes into account extra factors such as the age of the beans, tweaking the settings accordingly.

Both machines are capable of brewing espresso and drip coffee (which is quite unusual), as well as cold-brewed coffee. Both can also produce creamy foamed milk for lattes and cappuccinos, with different texture settings. Alternatively, you can raise the steam wand of either machine a few degrees and steam milk manually.

Neither coffee maker will dispense milk into your cup; whether you use the auto foaming function or use the steam wand manually, you'll need to pour it in yourself. This is particularly unusual for a fully automatic coffee maker, but has the advantage that you can experiment with pouring latte art.

Maintenance

• Both machines are designed for easy cleaning
• AutoBarista Pro has a fan to keep components cool and dry
• Both have user-friendly descaling programs

Fully automatic coffee makers usually take more effort to maintain than semi-automatic models because of the heat, moisture, and coffee grounds inside the case, but all of the AutoBarista Pro's removable components are dishwasher-safe, and there's a fan inside to keep everything cool and dry (something I've never seen before on a coffee machine).

The Ninja Luxe Café is also easy to keep clean; just wash the portafilter and basket, clean the drip tray, purge and wipe down the steam wand, and flush the group set with hot water to keep it fresh.

Conclusion

• Ninja Luxe Café for price
• Ninja AutoBarista Pro for convenience

If price is the most important factor, then you can't go wrong with the Ninja Luxe Café. It's an excellent coffee maker that gives you far more features than many other models in the same price range. Personally I'd choose the Premier model rather than the Pro. Although the tamping lever is a nice addition that's satisfying to use, and means you're never in contact with loose coffee grounds, tamping coffee by hand isn't hard and I don't think it's worth an extra $150 / £150.

If time is more valuable to you, and you want a machine that can brew your coffee while you tackle other tasks, the Ninja AutoBarista Pro is a better choice, handling the whole process for you. It's also easier to keep clean and hygienic than most automatic coffee makers, so you won't have to sacrifice time later in the day washing components by hand and drying the interior.

Capsule coffee makers get a bad rap, but if you choose the right machine and the right pods, you can enjoy genuinely delicious espresso drinks at home in two minutes flat. I'm TechRadar's resident coffee expert, and I've put together a list of the top four capsule machines I recommend if you need your coffee in a hurry.

When picking a capsule coffee maker, it's important to consider not only the price of the machine itself, but also the ongoing cost of the pods, as some brands are much more expensive than others, and unless you pick one that takes Nespresso Original style capsules (the ones shaped like a top hat), you'll be tied into a specific brand. More on that shortly.

Also take a look at the types of pods available for each machine. Some will include lots of fancy flavors, while others will just give you different espresso beans and roasts.

Finally, consider how easily you'll be able to recycle the pods. Capsules made of aluminum are much easier to process and will be more widely accepted than ones made from plastic, or a combination of materials.

Nespresso

Ninja Prestige DualBrew System

I test over a dozen coffee makers every year here at TechRadar, and the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System (known as the Ninja Espresso and Coffee Maker Barista System in the US) is one of the most versatile I've ever used. If you're an omnivorous coffee fan who loves both filter and espresso, it's a great option (albeit a little large).

On one side you have a fully-featured drip coffee maker, complete with timer (ideal for busy mornings), a large glass carafe, a drip-stop valve, and a smart hotplate that keeps your brew warm without stewing it. There's even a flip-down drip tray behind the carafe so you can brew directly into your travel mug in the morning.

On the right, you have a capsule espresso machine, which uses Nespresso Original capsules and can brew in various different sizes. Nestlé no longer owns the patent on this style of pod, so you can get them anywhere; I used the DualBrew System with pods of fresh decaf from one of my local coffee roasters, and it was almost as good as brewing with beans.

The milk whisk around the back of the machine isn't as good as using a proper steam wand (it whips in air, but doesn't heat the milk) but the rest of this capsule coffee maker is so good, I wouldn't dock it points for that. You could always pick up a standalone milk frother like the Philips Baristina Milk Frother or Smeg Mini Milk Frother if you're a latte-lover.

Read our full Ninja Prestige DualBrew System review

Keurig

Keurig K-Mini Mate

Keurig is one of the biggest names in capsule coffee makers in the US, and the K-Mini Mate (a US-exclusive model) is its smallest machine to date. It's slim enough to fit into even the tiniest kitchen (and tuck into a cupboard when not in use), but still generates enough pressure to extract full-bodied, tasty coffee from K-Cup pods.

When we tested the K-Mini Mate, we were pleasantly surprised by how rich its coffee tasted, even though it took less than two minutes to prepare from start to sip. It's very reasonably priced as well, and although it has a list price of around $90, it's often on sale for as little as $60.

This is really a coffee maker for one person, and you'll need to refill the water tank between drinks if you're brewing for a group, which can be a hassle. We also noticed some splashing as the coffee poured into our cup, but not enough to be a serious issue. If you like the sound of the various coffees and roasts available in K-Cup form, this could be the machine for you.

Read our full Keurig K-Mini Mate review

Lavazza

Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg

Lavazza is known for its great quality coffee, and Smeg for its iconic retro-style designs. Put them both together and you get a cute little capsule coffee maker that looks fabulous and brews a superb espresso in two minutes flat.

This is one of the more expensive coffee makers in this roundup, but the Lavazza A Modo Mio pods are much cheaper than some other brands. Lavazza doesn't offer fancy flavors like cinnamon bun or gingerbread — just a good selection of different beans and roasts for you to experiment with.

For me, the biggest downside of this cute little coffee maker is the fact that the pods are harder to recycle than K-Cups or Nespresso pods. Although they are compostable, they can only be processed at specialized facilities, which are relatively rare.

Read our full Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg review

Tassimo

Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly

Capsule coffee makers are always easy to use, but the Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly is even simpler than most thanks to its orange 'maintenance disc', which makes backwashing the machine effortless, keeping it clean and hygienic.

That's particularly important because unlike most coffee pod machines, the Finesse Friendly can create rich foam using pods of long-life milk. You can get plain milk for regular cappuccinos and lattes, or capsules of flavored milk designed to pair with a particular coffee capsule (like cinnamon roll latte, for example). I'm not usually a great fan of flavored coffee capsules, but Tassimo pods are genuinely tasty, and not overwhelmingly sweet.

The Finesse Friendly is cheap too, and is often discounted to £49.99 (about $70 / AU$100). The downside is that the capsules can be quite expensive, particularly for drinks that require two pods (one for coffee and one for milk). It still works out cheaper than an elaborate takeout habit, but bear in mind that this machine isn't currently available outside Europe.

Read our full Bosch Tassimo Finesse Friendly review

This week was a big one for software as we got official (and unofficial) teases for the next iteration of Android and iOS.

We also heard that the seemingly ill-fated Trump Phone might actually be coming after all, though we wouldn't be surprised if it gets delayed again by the time you're reading this.

Before you catch up with this week’s tech news, why not test yourself on last week’s seven biggest tech stories to see how well you were paying attention? Take the quiz below.

7. The Trump phone has landed?

Last week, we highlighted reports that the Trump Phone looked to have cemented itself in the vaporware category — with its new terms of service suggesting that a device may never actually ship, and that preorders don’t guarantee you a product. That now seems to have changed as the company announced "Phones start shipping this week!!!”

Now, until devices are in the hands of the people who bought one you’ll forgive us for remaining skeptical — the device’s release date has been shifted a few times now, and some people with preorders have been told shipping deadlines previously that have then been missed.

We write ICYMI on Friday, so it’s very possible that by the time you read this on Saturday morning, the Trump phone situation will have shifted yet again, but hopefully, this is the end of the Trump Phone saga. Though we can’t shake the feeling, this might merely be the close of act one.

• Read the full story: The long-promised Trump Mobile Phone is slated to arrive in consumers' hands this week

6. Philips made TV immersion cheaper

Smart lighting doesn’t just come with added convenience; it can also be a home entertainment immersion booster with gadgets like the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K — though if you’re after something more budget-friendly, Philips just debuted a non-Hue sync box.

The Philips Smart Lighting HDMI Sync Box 2.1 comes in two sizes — one for 55 to 65-inch TVs, and one for 75 to 85-inch TVs — and, instead of working with the HUE system, it integrates with WiZ-branded tech.

At under half the launch cost, this lightning solution could be perfect for the more budget-conscious amongst you who still want the immersion factor offered by TV sync tech once it starts rolling out in June.

• Read the full-story: Sync your lights with your TV for a lot less cash

5. Claude cracked a crypto wallet

A Bitcoin owner who believed he had permanently lost access to nearly $400,000 worth of cryptocurrency says Anthropic’s Claude AI helped recover the funds after more than a decade. The user had originally bought 5 Bitcoin when the cryptocurrency was worth around $250 each, but later changed the wallet password while in college and forgot it. After years of failed attempts — including trying trillions of password combinations — the owner uploaded files from an old computer into Claude as a final attempt.

It was able to locate an older wallet backup file that existed before the password change happened. Combined with an old mnemonic phrase the user had recently rediscovered, the recovered wallet file finally allowed access to the Bitcoin again.

• Read the full story: Claude AI helped a Bitcoin owner recover nearly $400,000

4. The Insta 360 Go 3S went Retro

This week, we saw the wackiest camera kit of 2026 so far: a Retro bundle of the Go 3S.

The action cam is ideal for when you need something tiny — it can slot in just about any small space, much easier than its rivals — but this kit makes it resemble an old Polaroid. You’ll get a viewfinder dock to help you compose shots (it doubles as a selfie mirror), but no LCD screen.

If you want a more modern feel and easier composition, the camera can still be paired with a smartphone via the Insta360 app.

The Go 3S Retro Bundle costs $300 / £279 / AU$470 for the 64GB version or $320 / £299 / AU$500 for the 128GB version. The latter feels like the obvious pick — you'll want as much internal storage as you can get because there's no card slot.

• Read the full-story: Insta360 reveals one of the wackiest camera kits for 2026

3. Ninja’s Slushi got twice as nice

What’s better than one Ninja Slushi? How about two side-by-side so that you can make dual-flavored, multicolored iced drinks at home? This week, Ninja released the Slushi Twist, which makes two different types of slush at the same time, then dispenses them in an attractive swirled pattern. Having two freezing chambers means it has a much larger capacity than the original Slushi, making it perfect for parties.

The Slushi Twist is on sale now in the US for $399.99, and although we don’t have international release dates yet, I’m sure it won’t be too long before it’s available worldwide. It certainly proved popular, and the first batch of stock sold out within hours. Don’t worry, though, you can sign up on Ninja’s website to be notified when more arrive.

• Read the full-story: Ninja doubles the freezing fun with the new Ninja Slushi Twist

2. iOS 27 was teased

Siri 2.0 has been a long (long!) time coming, but Apple’s revamped voice assistant finally looks set to debut in iOS 27 – and this week, we got a better idea of what it might actually look like.

According to Bloomberg’s resident Apple tipster Mark Gurman, Siri 2.0 will largely live within the Dynamic Island and display transparent results cards in response to your queries. If you need to go deeper into a query, you’ll be able to swipe that results card to bring up an iMessage-like chat interface, and there will also be a dedicated Siri app, where you can access your conversation history or upload images and documents.

Other rumored iOS 27 features include an updated, AI-powered Spotlight Search tool and a redesigned Image Playground app, so it sounds like Apple could finally be about to take its seat at the AI table.

• Read the full-story: Siri 2.0 could arrive with iOS 27

1. Android 17 was showcased

Just a week before Google I/O kicks off, the Android team dedicated an entire show to debuting new features set to drop with Android 17, a boatload of Gemini integrations, and an entirely new platform.

In terms of Android 17 is set to bring a lot, including a new take on curbing screen time and easing phone addiction called Pause Point. Rather than just locking you out of an app, it might show photos or suggest a breathing exercise. There's also an easy way to film screen recordings with your own talking head in the corner, which might be really handy for content creators.

Gemini Intelligence is set to make AI even more useful and helpful across a whole barrage of tasks, and honestly, it sounds pretty close to what Apple promised with Apple Intelligence. This new suite of AI functionality that's integrated at the system level of the OS will also be found on forthcoming Googlebooks. Essentially, these new laptops run a combination of Android and ChromeOS. And while this is a ton, it's likely we'll hear even more about it at Google I/O.

• Read the full-story: 7 best Android 17 upgrades announced at The Android Show

• The new Ninja Slushi Twist is two Slushis in one for making mixed drinks
• 144oz total capacity is nearly the same as the Ninja Slushi Max
• The price is $399; international prices to be confirmed

One of my favorite kitchen appliances is the Ninja Slushi, which makes ice-cold drinks and goes down a treat with kids and friends alike. Mine was in constant use last summer, and while I love it, there's always room for improvement: it would be even better if it could mix its drinks — and that's exactly what the newest model can do.

The new Ninja Slushi Twist was inspired by gadget hackers who put two normal Slushis together to create a master mixer. Instead of one cylinder, the Twist has two, with what Ninja calls Dual SlushAssist Technology (I don't know if folks at the company keep a straight face when calling it that) to sense what's in each one and adjust settings to deliver the perfect balance of ingredients. The result is two flavors in a single drink, mixed in a fun way.

You can do that manually, of course. But the Ninja is more precise, and looks a bit mad-scientisty too. So that's nice.

Ninja Slushi Twist and Slushi XL: how much, and when you can get them

If you don't want to mix drinks that particular day, having two chambers means it has a generous 144oz capacity, which is just shy of the 150oz of the Ninja Slushi Max. The big capacity means more time hanging out and less time making drinks.

We reviewed the original Slushi and liked it a lot — the TechRadar review of the Ninja Slushi is what persuaded me that I needed one in my life and on my countertop.

The Ninja Slushi Twist will be available from May 15th. Expect to pay $399.99 for the Twist in the US, which compares to $369.99 for the Slushi Max; we'll update you with prices in the UK and Australia when we've got them.

I’ve tested a lot of personal blenders and smoothie-makers here at TechRadar, including some super compact models that pack a real fruit-blending punch, but after using the new Ninja BlendBoss, I have a new favorite.

The BlendBoss was launched in the US late last year, and arrived here in the UK this week. Our US-based kitchen tech writer Karen Freeman has already given her verdict, awarding it an impressive four and a half stars out of five, but I was keen to try the funky-looking new appliance for myself now that it’s available on my side of the Atlantic.

The first thing you’ll notice about the BlendBoss is its unusual shape, a departure from most of our best blenders list. Its base, which contains its motor, is a flattened ball shape (or an oblate spheroid if you want to get technical), while its blending jug takes the form of a travel cup with a large carry handle. You can drink directly from the lid, or sip from the chunky straw provided (which has a soft silicone end to make sure you get every last drop from the bottom of the cup — a clever idea.

Lifting the BlendBoss out of its box, I was surprised just how much its base weighs. According to my kitchen scale, it’s 1.7kg (not including the plug), which is easily heavier than any other personal blender I’ve used to date. That makes sense when you check the specs, though. Whereas most of its smoothie-making rivals have a 800 or 1,000-watt motor, the BlendBoss’s base is packing a mighty 1,200 watts.

The weight helps keep the blender steady on your kitchen counter, too — aided by a set of three suction cups that hold it firmly in place. Got a wooden or textured counter that won’t give an airtight seal? No problem — the BlendBoss also has textured silicone between the suction cups for grip. That base isn’t going anywhere.

To really put the ‘smooth’ in ‘smoothie’, the blender comes with a guide telling you which order to add your ingredients for best results: liquid (at least 180ml), then dry or sticky ingredients like seeds or nut butter, fresh fruit and veg, yogurt, ice or anything frozen, and finally leafy greens.

To put it through its paces, I started off with a good dose of almond milk, with a scoop of vanilla protein powder, a tablespoon of chia seeds, a whole banana, two tablespoons of natural Greek yogurt, a handful of frozen berries (including several frozen together in a clump), and a handful of spinach leaves. I was particularly interested to see how the BlendBoss would fare with the seeds; I’ve tested some smoothie-makers recently that can tackle blackcurrant pips, but chia seeds are so tiny they could pose a real problem if not soaked first,

The BlendBoss has a handy preset for smoothies (Smoothie IQ), so I hit this button once and let it get to work. The blend cycle was thorough, with a couple of short pulses followed by a couple of longer ones. It’s one of the louder blenders I’ve tested, but if you’re not using ice or frozen ingredients then it won’t be quite so noisy.

Sipping my finished concoction, I found that I needn’t have worried about the chia seeds; the BlendBoss had pulverised them to oblivion, along with the seeds from my frozen berry mix. The clump of frozen fruit hadn’t been an issue either, and unlike some of my experiences with other blenders, there were no stray chunks of icy strawberry to worry about.,

So the BlendBoss had proved its ability to handle tiny ingredients. What about something bigger? I recently purchased a spiralizer for my stand mixer, which removes the core from your chosen fruit or vegetable while it slices. It works well on carrots, but at the end of the process you’re left with a hard stick of unspiralized carrot to deal with. I’ve been keeping them in the fridge for soup, but they seemed like an ideal challenge for the BlendBoss.

All blended drinks need a certain amount of liquid, so I started with 180ml of apple juice. I then added a carrot core (snapped in half) and half a conference pear for some more sweetness. I finished it off with the obligatory handful of spinach (mostly to ensure my creation turned out green rather than an unappetizing shade of beige).

It took about 10 seconds for the carrot to catch on the blender’s blades (I could see its orange form poking through the swirling mix of apple and pear), but once it hit them, it was instantly and effortlessly pulverised.

Once again, the resulting drink was extremely smooth. With other blenders I’ve often felt the need to peel conference pears to avoid the skin giving my juice a slightly gritty texture, but that wasn’t the case here. Once I was finished, cleanup was a breeze. Everything except the base can be washed with warm, soapy water, and all traces of smoothie will wash right off.

Having blended half the contents of my fridge’s salad drawer, I’m thoroughly impressed, and already considering more possibilities. Blended iced coffee has to be next on the list, and maybe even frozen spinach (though not together).

We’ll be making a video of the BlendBoss in action very soon so you can see how well this mighty smoothie-maker performs for yourself.

Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker: one-minute review

With the Ninja name comes an expectation of quality. From air fryers and coffee machines to blenders and ice cream makers, Ninja kitchen appliances are among the most popular on the market – with several of their products topping our buying guides lists. The Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker MC1101UK offers the level of quality you’d expect while combining the power of multiple appliances into one compact package. This multicooker offers the capabilities of a rice cooker, slow cooker, steamer, and hob in one appliance, helping reduce your need for kitchen storage space and the amount of washing up after a meal.

The PossibleCooker offers eight main functions: sear/sauté, slow cook, white rice, brown rice, pasta (without drainage), porridge, steam, and keep warm. During our testing, we found results were consistently excellent. The 6L cooking pot offers plenty of space, while the appliance itself isn’t as bulky as you might imagine. And, thanks to a thorough user manual and clear markings inside the pot, it’s easy to ensure your liquid-to-oat/rice ratio is accurate with every cook.

While this multicooker will likely become a firm favourite in your household, it’s not flawless. Some cooking functions, like rice cooking, take longer than they maybe would on the hob, though the results are worth the wait. And while using the appliance is straightforward, its small digital display is quite basic, indicating a preheating function only via symbols and offering no timer for rice cooking functions.

We also found that the non-stick coating on the inside of the pot began chipping away within a week of testing, despite carefully following the cleaning instructions. Ninja says the cooking pot and lid are dishwasher-safe, but we’d recommend handwashing where possible, especially as it’s easy to do even with stubborn residue.

Overall, for £119.99 ($129.99 / AU$249.99 for non-UK models), the Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker is an excellent value multicooker for households big and small who want more efficiency in the kitchen.

Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker: price and availability

• MC1101UK model costs £119.99 at Ninja UK
• MC1101 model available for $129.99 in US, and AU$249.99 in Australia
• Available at third-party retailers like Amazon, John Lewis, and Staples
• Regular discounts at Ninja and third-party retailers

The Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker MC1101UK (which is the model I tested here) retails for £119.99 at Ninja UK, while non-MC1101UK models are available in the US and Australia for $129.99 and AU$249.99, respectively.

This means it’s more affordable than some of the top picks in our best instant cookers list, including the Instant Pot Pro ($129.99/ £149.99) and the Instant Pot Duo Crisp ($229.99/ £229.99), but just slightly more than the likes of the Instant Pot Duo Plus ($119.99/ £99.99).

Considering the quality of the results, the pot’s 6L capacity, and the functions on offer, we believe it‘s excellent value for money. Especially when you consider what buying a dedicated rice cooker, steamer, and slow cooker would cost combined.

What’s more, we regularly see discounts on this appliance at Ninja and third-party retailers, so keep an eye out for these to pick it up for even less.

• Value score: 5/5

Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker: specifications

Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker: design

• 6L capacity cooking pot
• Fairly compact and quiet
• Minimal effort needed to clean
• Non-stick coating on pot can easily come off
• Digital display can be confusing

Out of the box, the Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker MC1101UK comes with a silver main unit (with a black control panel), a 6L midnight blue cooking pot, a glass lid, a rice cup, a rice spoon, and a steam rack, plus a thorough user manual and recipe booklet.

Immediately, we were surprised by how compact the appliance is, given its capacity. When assembled, the PossibleCooker takes up less than one kitchen counter space, making it a great choice for those with fewer storage options or a smaller kitchen work surface.

On the main unit is a fairly straightforward control panel, listing the eight cooking functions on the left, beside a small digital display. On the right-hand side are arrow buttons for function, time, and temperature, alongside a start/stop button.

The cooking pot has a black non-stick coating inside, with clear lines indicating where to fill up to with water for white rice, brown rice, and oats, corresponding to the number of cups you’ve added. The included recipe booklet provides more thorough instructions on this in its grain and pasta chart, which covers a variety of rice types (and certain pasta), alongside handy cooking tips. So, if, like me, you struggle to get your ratios right, keep it near. This recipe manual also offers guidelines for commonly slow-cooked meats and steamed vegetables, plus some recipes to get you started. We did, however, find the recipes weren’t as flavoursome as they sound, and some of the instructions aren’t particularly clear.

Using the Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker is straightforward, but we highly advise reading the user manual first to understand how each cooking function works. Though the advice given in the manual can sometimes contradict the recipe book: for example, in the manual it advises to keep the lid on during cooking, while the recipe book recommends removing it after boiling.

To use the appliance, turn it on, use the function buttons to navigate to the relevant function, and then (where applicable) adjust the temperature and timing settings before pressing start. Some functions kick in straight away, while others have a preheat period. This preheat period is indicated by progress symbols (lines) in the display window, but the user manual doesn’t make the preheating process particularly clear, or how long it will last. For searing/sauteéing, these progress symbols are followed by the instruction to add food, but for other functions, this isn’t the case. After several uses, we got to grips with this feature, but it can be confusing initially.

When running, the PossibleCooker is quiet, but lets out a loud beep when cooking is complete. The appliance has markers indicating which parts will get hot during the process (and not to touch with bare hands), and the user manual makes it clear, too. So, if you’ve got little ones, we advise moving it away from the edge of your counter and ideally positioning it near or under an extractor fan (it gets steamy).

After letting the appliance cool down, the main unit can be wiped down with a cloth, and you can hand-wash the cooking pot with ease – though avoid using anything abrasive on its non-stick coat. However, despite carefully following the instructions, the coat began to chip off around the rim of the pot, possibly due to wear from the lid, within a week. So, while Ninja claims the pot is dishwasher safe, we advise (as we do with any non-stick coated appliance) to only hand-wash for longevity.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker: performance

• Eight cooking functions, including rice and slow cooking
• High quality results across all modes…
• But expect a wait for some products
• Medium slow cook temperature would be beneficial

We started our testing of the Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker MC1101UK by using its white rice function. Cooking perfect rice every time is no mean feat, and this reviewer regularly gets the ratios wrong. Fortunately, the rice chart made it easy. We added two cups of long-grain white rice to the cooking pot and filled it with water to the corresponding mark.

It’s initially a bit unclear whether the appliance is on. Following the progress symbols, the display doesn’t show anything, so you’re left in the dark about how long the rice will actually take to cook. On average, it can take around 30 to 40 minutes to cook this amount of rice. We, however, waited slightly longer.. The result was perfectly fluffy rice, but it took around 40 to 50 minutes. We will caveat, however, that you can expect this wait with some other rice cookers.

We had the same results with brown rice, which has its own function. This time, we tried the Cajun Dirty Rice recipe from the booklet, which first requires you to cook 360g of brown rice (two cups) using the corresponding function. The booklet suggests this will take approximately 50 to 60 minutes, but we found it took 75 minutes altogether. Brown rice typically takes longer to cook than white, and you may wait longer than the booklet suggests, but the result was perfectly cooked grains once again. Well worth the wait, as long as you expect it. If speed is your priority, though, this may not be the appliance for you.

The Cajun Dirty Rice recipe allowed us to test efficiency and the multi-functionality of the PossibleCooker. After removing the rice, we easily cleaned out the inside of the pot with a cloth, ensuring it was dry before the next use. When you use more than one function of this multicooker for a recipe, expect extra waiting times for the pot to cool enough to be cleaned. Fortunately, the pot was quickly washed up, and I selected the sauté function (which requires a preheat) for the next section: browning off pork and beef mince.

The cooking pot essentially acts as a pot or pan on a hob when this function is selected, though the controls only let you select High, Medium, or Low temperature (giving you less control over the heat). It works a treat, though, and the digital display shows how long the pot has been heated for, so you can easily keep track of your timings. After cooking my minced meat, followed by my veg, I added stock and brought the pot to the boil before folding in the brown rice. The recipe itself was a bit flavourless, but the result was perfectly cooked rice, meat, and veg.

This multifunctionality is also useful when slow-cooking. Rather than the abundance of pots and pans I usually use for my go-to beef stew recipe, we were able to soften the veg in the pot using the sautée function before adding liquid and beef. After four hours at High temperature, we were thoroughly pleased with the results: the beef was tender, the vegetables soft but not mushy, and the sauce reduced and flavoursome without being watery or congealed.

We had similar results with a Beef Tinga recipe, a Ninja recipe accessed via the QR code on the appliance’s box. This one didn’t require using the sautée function, but allowed us to test the slow cooking function’s capabilities on the Low temperature setting. After adding all the ingredients to the pot and setting the time to eight hours, the meat was melt-in-your-mouth, but the recipe was (again) a bit bland. Our main takeaway here is that the functionality of the appliance is great, but maybe use it for your own recipes.

The steaming and pasta functions are perhaps the only ones that we had a couple of issues with. Following Ninja’s guidelines, we chose to steam 200g of Tenderstem broccoli. The guidelines tell you the amount of water to add to the pot. You then place the provided steaming rack inside the pot and place the broccoli in a single layer across it before placing the lid on top. The digital display, again, showed the progress bar indicating preheating, but it’s not entirely clear what the appliance is doing at that time. Building up its steam?

Either way, this heating time isn’t taken into account when you set your timer. So, for example, we set our timer for eight minutes as recommended, but the preheating/presteaming process wasn’t accounted for in those eight minutes, so you may need to account for that when cooking. We also found water bubbled around the lid of the pot during steaming, with a little water coming out the top. Overall, the broccoli was steamed well: with a slight crunch but not too floppy. It may have been easier to steam it the old-fashioned way, however.

Pasta, too, offered mixed results. The guidelines in the recipe book recommend the amount of water to add for the weight of pasta you’re using (the lines in the pot don’t apply to this). The booklet advises adding the pasta first, followed by the water, and then select the function. The pasta function seems to work more like the rice function, not giving you control over (or insight into) temperature or time, but telling you when it’s done.

The draw of the pasta function is that it allows you to cook pasta without needing to drain the water, but the time it takes almost makes it not worth it. After preheating for about six to nine minutes, it’s meant to take around 18 to 20 minutes to cook (again, it’s unclear if preheating is taken into account), but the appliance didn’t beep for over 22 minutes, at which point we stopped the cooking because the pasta was starting to make a skin on the bottom of the pot. While the timings were questionable, and the skin gross, the actual resulting pasta was perfectly al dente. And, in fairness, we didn’t have to drain any water.

Overall, the Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker's results are excellent, but you may need to wait a little longer than you expect from some cooking functions – and spend some time getting used to its quirks.

• Performance score: 5/5

Should you buy the Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker?

Buy it if

Don't buy it if

Ninja is the biggest name in air fryers, and for good reason – its compact cookers deliver consistently great results, and there's a huge variety to choose from. Whether you're cooking fries for one or preparing a family-sized Christmas dinner, there's a Ninja air fryer for you. The only problem is deciding which one to buy – and that's where I come in.

I'm TechRadar's kitchens expert, testing dozens of small appliances every year, and after hours of cooking and kilos of fries, I've put together this definitive list of the three Ninja air fryers I'd recommend to my own friends and family. There's something here for every household, and here at TechRadar we've put each one through a thorough battery of tests to make sure they can air fry, roast, bake, and reheat just as well as Ninja claims.

However many people you're cooking for, and whatever size kitchen you're working with, read on to find out which Ninja air fryer is best for you.

Best for families

Ninja Double Stack

If you're looking around your kitchen and wondering whether you even have room for an air fryer, the Ninja Double Stack is the one for you. It has two drawers, giving you enough space to cook a full family-sized meal – but rather than sitting side-by-side, they're one on top of the other with a control panel on the side, meaning this air fryer has a considerably smaller footprint than a conventional two-drawer option. It's a design that's often copied, but (in my opinion) never bettered.

The Double Stack offers six cooking modes (air fry, max crisp, roast, bake, dehydrate and reheat) and all are winners, During our cooking tests, fries and chicken wings turned out perfectly without any additional oil, and we found there was no perceptible transfer of heat between the two drawers, even when they were set to very different temperatures.

We tested the Sync and Match cooking modes by preparing an assortment of tapas dishes that would usually require careful management to accommodate their different cooking times and temperatures, and the Double Stack handled them with ease, ensuring they were all ready at the same time and cooked to perfection.

The disadvantage of the two-tier design is that there's no removable divider between the two drawers like there is in some traditional-style air fryers, so you can't cook one large item like a chicken. Instead, you're restricted to two smaller portions, but when you're cooking a full meal with protein and sides, that's exactly what you need.

Read our full Ninja Double Stack review

Best compact

Ninja Crispi

The Crispi is an unusual air fryer, designed to be carried around rather than tethered to your kitchen counter. It consists of a set of resealable glass containers that hold your food until it's ready to cook, and a 'PowerPod' lid that contains the heating element and fan that will heat it up. It's particularly well-suited to reheating and crisping up leftovers at lunchtime, but as we discovered in our tests, it's also great for cooking small meals from scratch.

It has four cooking modes – air fry, reheat, bake, and max crisp – and although we wouldn't really recommend it for baking (the Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer below is much better for cakes and bread), the other settings didn't let us down.

There is a bit of a learning curve to cooking fresh vegetables with the Crispi – they need just the barest spritz of oil and cook surprisingly fast – but once you've got the knack you'll be able to enjoy delicious veg anywhere with an electrical outlet. Diced sweet potatoes turned out particularly well, and we were able to use the max crisp setting to crisp up the leftovers later in the day.

Convenience foods like nuggets, protein waffles and veggie tots all turned out brilliantly without any extra oil at all, as did frozen fries. Panko-crusted tofu was another winner too, with the Crispi proving surprisingly versatile.

If you're a frequent traveller, have a particularly small kitchen, or just enjoy a hot lunch at work, the Crispi is the Ninja air fryer for you.

Read our full Ninja Crispi review

Best multi-function

Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer

This super-versatile Ninja air fryer doesn't just fry – it can also grill, bake, dehydrate, and roast, and does them all extremely well. During our tests we found it particularly good at cooking meat thanks to its temperature probe, which helps ensure your food is properly heated all the way through without drying out. We've never had such good steak from an air fryer.

It has a generous 5.7-liter cooking capacity, but is surprisingly compact and didn't dominate our test kitchen like some other fryers we've tested. You get two ceramic-coated plates that slide into the cooking pot, a grill plate, and a crisper plate, which should serve all your dinner-making needs.

It's operated using a bright digital display paired with large control buttons that are easy to use even when you're in a rush to get a meal on the table. The screen will also show your food's internal temperature when you're using the probe, as well as a countdown of resting time once it's finished cooking. It's all very useful and well thought-out.

Not only does it cook meat, fries and vegetables to perfection, this is one of the few air fryers we've tested that does an excellent job baking bread and cakes. Our garlic and parsley flatbreads cooked to perfection in just a few minutes, and it could easily replace a conventional oven if you're only an occasional baker.

It's relatively pricey for an air fryer, with a list price of £199.99 (roughly $250 / AU$420), but now that it's been around for a few months you can often find it for a discount. This particular Ninja air fryer is only available in the UK, but if you're in the US or Australia the Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill is almost identical.

Read our full Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer review

• Ninja has released an extra-large version of the glass Ninja Crispi air fryer
• The Ninja Crispi Pro has six cooking modes and a maximum capacity of 6qt
• It's available to buy now in the US for $279.99 (about £210 / AU$430)

The Ninja Crispi is one of the best air fryers we've tested this year at TechRadar, and now an XL version is available for cooking even larger meals. The Ninja Crispi Pro has the same basic design as the original portable Crispi, but a much larger capacity

The original Crispi is Ninja's smallest air fryer, and is compact enough to cook your lunch at the office, at an Airbnb, or anywhere you have access to an electrical outlet. The Crispi Pro takes that design and scales it up. So you can keep it on your kitchen counter and use it to cook Thanksgiving dinner for the whole family (not just crisp up the tasty leftovers).

Like the classic Crispi, the Crispi Pro consists of a set of glass containers with resealable lids, which you can use to store or marinate your food before cooking, and to serve it once it's ready. Whereas the original Crispi has a lid containing the fan and heating element (known as the PowerPod), the Crispi Pro also has a base that sits on your work surface. When it's time to fry, simply slide the glass dish into place and use the digital controls on the front to pick a program.

Frying without strings

The Ninja Crispi Pro has six cooking modes (two more than the original Crispi): air fry, bake, roast, dehydrate, max crisp, and re-crisp. It comes with two cooking containers – 2.5qt and 6qt – and an additional 4qt dish is available to buy separately if you need something in between.

It's available to buy now direct from Ninja for $279.99 (about £210 / AU$430), and comes in four colors: cyberspace (dark blue), ash gray, bone, and rose quartz. It's currently only available in the US, but I wouldn't be surprised if it launches in the UK before Christmas, so you might want to start thinking about your turkey and sprouts.

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With its drip coffee pitcher on one side, Nespresso machine on the other, and a milk-foaming arm that can spring from the side, the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System is a pretty odd-looking machine, but after a week of testing it's become my new best friend in the morning.

I love the meditative process of making espresso – grinding the beans, tamping them down, pulling the shot of espresso, foaming the milk, then trying to achieve the perfect pour – but not first thing in the morning. I'm neither a night owl nor a lark, and prying myself out of bed is always a challenge (even with the Philips Hue Play Wall Washer offering a simulated sunrise to make the experience less jarring).

That's where Ninja's new machine comes in. Whether I want my first coffee of the day in drip or espresso format, this is the quickest and easiest way to get it brewed and into my sluggish system.

Drip coffee is always an easy option first thing, particularly when your machine has a timer so you can prep everything the night before. The DualBrew System offers exactly that, and it's refreshingly easy to use. When you power the machine on for the first time, you'll be prompted to set the current time by turning the dial on the front. Prime the machine by running it without coffee, as described in the quick-start manual, and you're ready to brew.

The machine is packed with thoughtful touches that make getting started a breeze. For example, for drip coffee, you'll find a two-ended measuring scoop clipped into the left-hand side of the machine, which is labelled with rough estimates for how much coffee you should use for different brew sizes and strengths. If you use whole beans you'll probably find it easiest to weigh them before grinding instead, but for anyone using pre-ground coffee it's a very nice touch.

Rather than an insulated carafe, this machine has a glass jug with a hotplate underneath to keep your brew warm. An insulated pitcher is better for the flavor of your coffee (keeping it on a hotplate too long can affect the taste), but the glass has the obvious advantage of letting you see how much of your brew is left. It also has a certain old-school appeal, being the type of pitcher you'd get in a diner.

(Ninja sells a version with an insulated jug for a few extra dollars in the US, but this doesn't currently seem to be available here in the UK.)

If (unlike me) you only want a modest amount of drip coffee first thing, you can set the machine to brew a single cup, and raise the drip tray accordingly. It's a nice touch, and means you don't have to wash both your pitcher and coffee mug if you're brewing for one.

Another feature I particularly like is the drip-stop function, which closes off the filter basket when the machine has finished brewing so you don't end up with errant drops of coffee landing on the hotplate when you take the carafe away.

What if you prefer your morning coffee short and strong? Well, the right-hand side of the machine houses a Nespresso machine that can brew in three sizes, with a drip tray that you can move up and down to accommodate different sized cups. To move it, just unhook it and replace it in a different set of holes.

The machine would have a more premium feel if you could slide the tray up and down instead, but that's a minor quibble. It gets the job done, and the tray has a ring of grippy silicone on top to prevent your cup sliding, which is a nice touch.

The machine takes Nespresso Original capsules – the ones shaped like a top hat – so I picked up a pack from a local coffee roaster to try it out. (Pro tip: Nestlé no longer owns the patent to this type of capsule, and an increasing number of speciality indie roasters are getting in on the action. Take a look – the choice is amazing and it tastes so much better than the pods you can get in a supermarket.)

Load your pod sideways into the top of the machine (it'll only fit one way), press down the lid, then use the buttons or dial to select your drink size and press 'Start brewing'. The Dual-Brew System will pre-heat the appropriate amount of water, emit a slightly strange whine as it pierces the capsule and forces water through, and your drink will be ready a few seconds later.

Lift the lid of the pod-container up, and the used capsule will drop into a bin to be emptied later, just like with any other Nespresso machine. Groundbreaking? No, but it's very convenient to have right there beside the drip brewer, and it does its job well without adding another appliance to your kitchen counter.

Finally we have the milk frother, which is nice to have, but not the same as a steam wand. It's basically just a little whisk that's activated by pressing a button on top; it doesn't heat your milk, so you'll need to microwave that first if you want to make a hot cappuccino or latte. Helpfully, Ninja has provided a 'recipe guide' on the side of the machine, which lists how long you'll need to microwave and then whisk your milk for various drinks.

The frother might not look super stylish, but it's handy and can be tucked away when not in use. Just be careful to use it while standing to the left of the machine. Ninja warns against reaching over a hot part of the machine to reach the frother, and it's good advice.

A real steam wand would work better, but would require a boiler and pump that this machine simply doesn't have. If you want to steam your milk and create proper microfoam, take a look at the Ninja Luxe Café instead, which will fit the bill better.

I'm currently in the process of writing my full review of the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System, but so far it's making a very good impression. Check back soon to see whether it can earn a place in my roundups of the best drip coffee makers and best Nespresso machines.

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Ninja is the biggest name in air fryers, and for good reason – it makes many of the best air fryers around – but there are so many models to choose from, you might be struggling to know where to begin.

That's where I come in. I'm TechRadar's kitchen appliance expert, and I've had my hands on a lot of air fryers over the last few years. Each time I put them through the same battery of tests, I prepare fries, chicken, vegetables, and muffins to see how well each one performs against its rivals and which ones produce the most consistent cooking results.

After extensive trials, and bucketloads of fries, these are my three top recommended Ninja air fryers that you can buy right now. There's something for every size kitchen and all appetites, so there should be one that suits you. Happy cooking!

Ninja Crispi

The little Crispi is one of Ninja's most unusual air fryers – and one of the best. Most air fryers are designed to be confined to your kitchen, and Crispi is made for use on the move, and really comes into its own if you're at work or college.

Whereas most Ninja air fryers have drawers, the Crispi opts for reusable glass containers that you use to store your food until you're ready to start cooking (just like regular Tupperware). Stash them in the fridge until lunch time rolls around, then clip the PowerPod lid on top and let the hot air flow. No more soggy leftovers or having to face the horror of a communal microwave.

In our tests, the air fryer, max crisp, and reheat modes all worked very well. Our vegetables cooked particularly well, turning out perfect with just a tiny spritz of oil. It's surprisingly quick, too. Veggie nuggets, falafel balls, and protein waffles "turned out wonderful and crisp on the outside, tender on the inside", and didn't require any extra oil at all.

It's not the best-looking appliance I've ever seen, but that doesn't really matter since it's not going to be hanging around on your kitchen counter for any length of time. It's portable and practical, and that's what matters. You'll be the envy of the office.

Read our full Ninja Crispi review

Ninja Double Stack XL

The Double Stack XL took the prize for best air fryer in last year's TechRadar Choice Awards, and it remains one of Ninja's top models thanks to its two-tier design that lets you cook as much food as a standard twin-drawer fryer, but with a much smaller footprint. Need even more cooking space? Each of its drawers comes with an extra rack, so you can cook two items in each one.

It's not just a thoughtfully-designed fryer, either – in our tests, it delivered consistently great results, helping us prepare crisp fries, tender chicken, and tender salmon with barely any effort, and in a fraction of the time they'd take in the oven.

It doesn't have as many cooking modes as some air fryers we've tested over the years, but it has all the essentials covered (air fry, max crisp, roast, bake, dehydrate, and reheat) and you can customize each one by holding the time and temperature buttons together for a moment, then making your changes.

You can use a different cooking profile for each drawer, and we noticed barely any transfer of heat between the two when they were set to vastly different temperatures. Its baskets are dishwasher-safe too, which is always welcome (we've spent far too much time scrubbing air fryer components after cooking chicken wings).

You won't be able to fit a pizza inside (for that, you'll need a fryer with one large drawer and a removable divider), but for all your other everyday air-frying needs, the Ninja Double Stack XL is hard to beat.

Read our full Ninja Double Stack XL review

Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer

The 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer is one of Ninja's priciest models, but it's also one of the best, and even if you're not usually confident in the kitchen, it'll soon have you air frying, grilling, roasting, and even baking like a pro.

During testing, we made good use of its temperature probe, which lets you quickly check the internal temperature of meat and fish, so you can be certain that your dish is properly cooked without being overdone.

It worked particularly well with frozen foods, and we were able to prepare perfect sticky, smoky BBQ chicken fillets from frozen in just 25 minutes. Fries and veggies turned out nicely following the directions in the manual, and we were particularly impressed by how well the Ninja 5-in-1 can bake. We've had a lot of sad experiences trying to make muffins and cake in air fryers, but this is a rare exception to the rule.

We wish that its cooking pot had a handle, which would make it easier to shake our fries for even cooking. However, the biggest downside of the Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer is that, at the time of writing, it's only available in the UK. If you live elsewhere, consider the Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer as an alternative for indoor grilling.

Read our full Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer review

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• The Ninja Luxe Café comes in two new colors: Trace Blue and Gunmetal Gray
• Trace Blue has proved particularly popular, and has already sold out
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The Ninja Luxe Café is one of the best coffee makers we've tested in recent months, and it just got even better with two limited edition soft colorways to add a touch of class to your kitchen.

The Ninja Luxe Café is an unusual coffee maker, capable of making espresso, filter coffee, and cold-brew – and doing all three well (see our full Ninja Luxe Café review for more details). It was available in a sharp stainless steel finish when it launched last year, and now you can also pick it up in a subtle hue called Trace Blue, and a darker shade called Gunmetal Gray.

The two new colors are available in the US, but Trace Blue has proved particularly popular and is currently sold out in Ninja's online store, but Gunmetal Gray is still in stock, and you can register for email updates to be informed when Trace Blue is back.

These new shades follow a bigger trend for kitchen appliances in soft, muted colors rather than the usual black and silver. For example, Breville recently gave its best espresso machine, the Barista Touch Impress, a new look in shades of cream, navy, and olive green with brass accents.

Meanwhile, KitchenAid toned down its coffee makers with a creamy colorway called Porcelain White, and unveiled the Design Series Evergreen stand mixer with a matt green body and walnut wood bowl.

Tidy tamping

The designers at Ninja have been busy, and earlier this month the company unveiled a new version of the Luxe Café with a lever-operated tamping system that takes the effort and skill out of pressing ground coffee into the perfect puck.

The system also makes coffee-brewing tidier, because there's no need to move a portafilter full of loose grounds and risk spilling them on your kitchen counter.

The Ninja Luxe Café Pro is available now from Ninja for $749.99 / £699.99 (about AU$1,200).

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The Ninja Luxe Café made a splash when it launched last year, earning a place in our roundup of the best coffee makers. Not only does it make brewing consistently great espresso a piece of cake, it can also produce excellent filter coffee, and make cold-brew that tastes almost as smooth as coffee steeped overnight in the fridge.

It's impressive stuff, but now there's a new version of the Luxe Café that makes your life even easier. Once the machine has ground your fresh coffee beans, you no longer need to remove the portafilter handle from the machine and tamp them down yourself. Instead, you can leave the handle in place and simply pull down a lever to apply just the right amount of even pressure, creating a perfect puck with no risk of spillage.

It's a smart design feature, but it does make the Luxe Café Pro more expensive and a little bulkier than the standard machine. We're here to help you weigh up the pros and cons, and choose the best espresso machine for you.

Ninja Luxe Café vs Ninja Luxe Café Pro: specs

Ninja Luxe Café vs Ninja Luxe Café Pro: price

As you'd expect, the Ninja Luxe Café Pro is more expensive than the standard Ninja Luxe Café. The Ninja Luxe Café has a list price of $549.99 / £549.99 (about AU$850), and is currently available for a discount on Ninja's website.

The Ninja Luxe Café Pro is significantly more expensive, listed at $699.99 / £699.99 (about AU$1,100). It launched very recently, so we're not expecting to see any discounts for several months. You'll find today's best deals on both coffee makers below.

The Ninja Luxe Café went on sale in the US several months before the UK, and it looks like UK coffee-lovers will have to wait for the Ninja Luxe Café Pro as well. Although the higher-end machine is featured on Ninja's UK website, it's currently listed as 'out of stock', and it's not currently available at any other UK retailers either.

Although Ninja does operate in Australia, neither of the Luxe Café coffee machines is available to buy there at the time of writing.

Ninja Luxe Café vs Ninja Luxe Café Pro: design

The most obvious difference between these two coffee makers is the large handle on the side of the Ninja Luxe Café Pro, which is absent from the original machine.

The Pro edition is also slightly larger and heavier, but the difference is minimal. The Ninja Luxe Café Pro is about half an inch taller and deeper, and a quarter of an inch wider. It's also 8oz heavier, which isn't enough to make a practical difference. If you choose the Ninja Luxe Café Pro, just make sure there's enough space to the left of the machine for you to reach the tamping lever.

Ninja Luxe Café vs Ninja Luxe Café Pro: features

When it comes to features, the biggest difference between these two coffee makers is that the Ninja Luxe Café Pro has a lever-operated tamping system that compresses your ground coffee evenly without the risk of spilling freshly ground coffee (something our reviewer Danielle Abraham sometimes experienced when testing the original machine).

The Ninja Luxe Café Pro also offers more drink presets than the original version of the coffee maker. The original Ninja Luxe Café offers four espresso styles, four coffee styles, seven drink sizes, and four milk froth presets, whereas the Ninja Luxe Café Pro gives you 13 espresso styles, four coffee styles, seven drink sizes, and five froth presets.

The number of drink presets probably won't be enough to sway your decision one way or the other, but it's interesting to note that the upgraded tamper isn't the only difference.

Otherwise, both machines have a smart dosing system with a scale to help you grind the right amount of coffee into the filter basket, assistance with choosing the best grind size, and an automatic milk texturizing system (which can also be used manually).

You can also use both machines to brew filter coffee, and to make refreshing cold brew (which is much faster than infusing in the fridge overnight).

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• The Ninja Luxe Café Pro is an new version of Ninja's popular coffee maker
• It has a lever-operated tamper to apply even pressure and prevent mess
• It's considerably more expensive than the original Ninja Luxe Café

Ninja has launched a new version of its best coffee maker, the Ninja Luxe Café, with a lever-operated tamping system that takes the guesswork out of creating a perfectly compressed puck of espresso.

The Ninja Luxe Café is one of the best espresso machines we've tested, and our reviewer awarded it four and a half stars out of five thanks to its smart design, guided weight-based dosing system, handy suggested grind sizes, and very reasonable price.

The new Ninja Luxe Café Pro goes one step further, taking the guesswork and mess out of tamping your coffee as well. With the new machine, there's no need to move a portafilter full of loose grounds and risk spilling them all over your work surface.

Instead, you leave it in place under the grinder and pull down a manual lever to compress it into a perfect puck.

Pro features, pro price

This extra feature does increase the price quite considerably though; the Ninja Luxe Café Pro has a list price of $699.99 / £699.99 (about AU$1,100) compared to $549.99 / £549.99 (about AU$850) for the original model without the tamping lever.

That's a relatively high price, even for one of the best coffee makers, but the Ninja Luxe Café doesn't just brew espresso. It's a multi-functional machine that can also prepare tasty filter coffee, plus refreshing cold brew in a fraction of the time it would take to infuse the traditional way.

At the time of writing, the Ninja Luxe Café pro is available direct from Ninja in the US, but is out of stock in the UK.

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Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer: one-minute review

Ninja is a trusted (and arguably the biggest) name in the air fryer market for a reason. Several of the brand's products feature in our best air fryers roundup, thanks to their top-tier performance, but that high quality comes with a premium (sometimes eye-watering) price tag. The Ninja 5-in-1 Grill & Air Fryer EG351UK, too, comes with a premium price tag, but one that's somewhat more affordable than its siblings while offering the same top-grade quality we've come to expect from Ninja. If your air fryer budget maxes out at £200 (roughly $250 / AU$450), this just sneaks in there.

It's still not cheap, but for that price you get a top-notch air fryer and indoor grill that offers pretty consistent results across its five cooking functions. The Ninja 5-in-1 Grill & Air Fryer makes baking, grilling (even from frozen), air frying, dehydrating, and roasting easy, though you may need to use some trial and error with certain foods and functions to get optimal results.

The included user manual and inspiration booklet are helpful, with notes on nearly any question you may have, but the food guidelines can be a bit optimistic at times. This isn't necessarily a deal-breaker but means you should keep a close eye on your food as you get to grips with it, as I had some issues with uneven cooking over overdone foods on the outside with the air fryer function. Thanks to the probe attachment, however, you have several avenues to check when your meat or fish is cooked, giving you some peace of mind.

The issues I had mostly arose with air frying foods and were exacerbated by the 5.7-liter cooking pot's lack of a handle, which made shaking foods like fries and vegetables for even cooking tricky. However, the other cooking functions offered impressive results, delivering perfectly baked muffins, delicious flatbreads and succulent chicken.

Perhaps my biggest issue with the Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer, however, is how much cleaning it requires for maintenance – and how tough it is to keep the appliance and its various attachments (particularly the splatter guard) clean, despite following the included instructions. That's something which could potentially cause further issues with performance over time.

Aside from this, the Ninja 5-in-1 Grill & Air Fryer is a solid air fryer for those who regularly grill and air fry their foods, combining the two in one appliance. If you haven't the space for a BBQ, it offers the same delicious results, with considerably less smoke, and is easy to use for seasoned air fryer users and newbies.

Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer: price and availability

• Price: £199.99 (roughly $262 / AU$419)
• This model is available in the UK, but not US or Australia
• Available from Ninja and third-party retailers

The Ninja 5-in-1 Grill & Air Fryer has a premium price tag of £199.99 (roughly $262 / AU$419), meaning it's one of the more affordable options if you have your heart set on a Ninja. It costs slightly less than the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone Air Fryer and considerably less than the Ninja Double Oven and Ninja Combi Multi-Cooker, so if you're after Ninja quality under the £200 mark, it's a great choice.

While this air fryer is on the pricier side, considering it packs in five cooking functions, including the ability to grill, with solid results, it's worth the price tag for those who plan to utilize its various functions. There's also a two-year guarantee included for those who register with Ninja, giving you extra peace of mind.

You can buy this air fryer from Ninja or third-party retailers like Amazon and Argos, with the latter likely to offer discounts during sales periods like Black Friday. You'll find today's best prices below. Unfortunately, this model isn't currently available in the US or Australia.

• Value score: 4/5

Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer: specifications

Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer: design

• Modern black and steel-brushed design
• Thermometer probe for meat
• High-maintenance cleaning
• No handle for shaking

The Ninja 5-in-1 Grill & Air Fryer comes in a black and steel-brushed finish, with its top opening upward (like most grills) to reveal its 5.7L cooking pot inside. In the box, you get two ceramic-coated plates that slot easily into the cooking pot, a grill plate for grilling foods, and a crisper plate for most other cooking functions. On the front is a digital display, with its cooking functions clearly shown below and sizable buttons to adjust its settings.

Despite its capacity, this air fryer isn't as physically intrusive in my kitchen as others I've reviewed. It still takes up a decent chunk of counter room, making it potentially less suited for smaller kitchens but much easier to home than the Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Steam Air Fryer, for example.

This air fryer is about the right size for a household of four, depending on what you plan to cook, with plenty of room for veggies and smaller items on the crisper plate and the grill plate easily fitting four chicken breasts or burgers. However, when it comes to larger items, like a whole chicken, for example, you may have some difficulty. While the Ninja website claims the appliance can fit a 1.4kg whole chicken in the cooking pot, the crisping plate is recommended for roasting, but this means the chicken needs to be smaller, about 1kg.

Fortunately, I was able to use the included thermometer probe to check my chicken was definitely cooked. The probe jack connects to the appliance, with the other end inserted into the thickest part of your meat, and allows you to set the meat type you're cooking (and desired doneness for relevant meats).

The appliance then displays your food's internal temperature and desired temperature and tells you when it reaches that temperature. This is usually a few degrees off the actual temperature the meat should be, as the air fryer tells you to rest the meat and counts down the resting time, too. The guidance on this is pretty thorough in the user manual – and on pretty much everything, in fact – and meant my meat always (internally, at least) was cooked to perfection.

That thorough user manual also comes with instructions on how to clean the air fryer and its attachments – a pretty high-maintenance affair. Ninja recommends hand washing the plates and splatter guard, understandably, after each use. The company even provides you with a cleaning brush with a scraper to help. While handwashing the cooking pot and crisping plate is pretty painless, I found cleaning the ceramic-coated grill plate and splatter guard a challenge (even with the included brush). Tough residue eventually came off the grill plate's many crevices with some elbow grease and soaking, but despite following the instructions and cleaning the splatter guard after every cook, during my week of testing, more and more grease built up on it.

I thoroughly cleaned it after each cook and even followed the deep cleaning instructions, boiling it in a pot, but that tough grease did not come off, and some had even made its way behind the splatter guard. The instructions mostly focus on cleaning the detachable parts rather than the appliance itself, so I tried wiping it off with a cloth to no avail. The problem is that while the Ninja 5-in-1 Grill & Air Fryer is largely smokeless, the tough grease started to cause more smoke, and I could not get it off following the included instructions. Over time, this could become a larger issue. So, for optimal performance, you need to be very thorough in your cleaning of each nook and cranny.

This isn't the only design issue I had with this appliance. In addition to its high-level maintenance, the Ninja 5-in-1 Grill & Air Fryer lacks a handle for its cooking pot, making shaking foods more difficult. Many competitors offer a heat-proof handle to grab, so you can easily shake veggies, chips, and other food items, but the Ninja 5-in-1 only has slightly protruding edges on its cooking pot for this, meaning you need to pick up the whole pot and shake it. This is tricky because you need to lift the 5.7L pot and try and shake its contents evenly, but also because those contents are hot. It's an addition that could have made air-frying certain foods much more convenient.

• Design score: 4/5

Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer: performance

• Air frying results are inconsistent
• Baking, dehydrating, roasting, and grilling are excellent
• Great recipes in inspiration booklet
• Quality-of-life features like automatic preheat function

The Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer has five cooking functions: grilling, air frying, baking, dehydrating, and roasting.

The grill feature is by far the highlight, with the included inspiration booklet offering recipes to help you utilize the feature, alongside tips and recipes for marinades, seasonings, and more. To kick off my testing, I tried one of the booklet's kickstarter recipes: barbecue chicken breasts.

The recipe required frozen chicken breasts, with the cooking time set to take about 25 minutes, which I was a bit skeptical about. However, after 25 minutes and several bastings, I had perfectly cooked BBQ chicken fillets that were sticky and smoky on the outside but succulent inside. This doesn't account for the seven-minute preheat time, with the appliance automatically preheating on most functions. If you're in the no-preheat club, have no fear, as there's a button to skip this if you want to.

Burgers provided the same consistent results, but when the appliance chirped to let me know to flip the burgers halfway through cooking, it didn't give me much time to do so as the time continued to tick on. Frustratingly, this meant the cooking time ended, and the resting timer began, but the burgers weren't done, and I had to reprogram the grill to finish them off as I couldn't easily add on a few extra minutes. To ensure they were cooked, I inserted the probe and set the function to beef and 'medium well', which allowed me to save my food.

While I usually have a control chicken wing rub I use for tests, I decided to use the Everyday Spice rub laid out in Ninja's booklet. After following the booklet's advice of waiting 30 minutes before grilling and checking the food guidelines, I added my wings to the grill. While I followed the recommended time and temperature Ninja gave for chicken wings, mine came out quite overdone on the outside but perfectly cooked and tasty inside.

Again, when cooking any meats in this appliance, I highly recommend utilizing the probe more than the food time guidelines, as it's a safety net if your food appears to be overdone on the outside, but you don't want to pull it out in case it's not cooked inside.

It's not just meats this grill provides solid results for, either. Following another of Ninja's recipes, I made flatbreads for the first time and cooked them to perfection, each taking only two minutes on the preheated grill.

These high-quality results were pretty consistent across the appliance's functions, as I perfectly dehydrated my leftover flatbread parsley in four hours, baked tasty lemon and blueberry muffins, and roasted my aforementioned harissa chicken with (relative) ease, so it was juicy inside and slightly crispy outside.

The only issue I had with the Ninja 5-in-1 Grill & Air Fryer's performance was its air fryer function. I will caveat this by saying a lot of air fryers require some experimentation for optimal results, and food guidelines are helpful but not always 100% accurate. Ninja acknowledges this in a way, noting in its air-frying food guidelines section that its times are a guide, and you need to adjust to your preference, check your food frequently, and shake or toss it. I kept this in mind when testing carrots, courgettes, frozen fries, and fresh fries, and regularly checked on and shook my with some overdone and some underdone. For example, many of my carrots had burnt edges and were almost roasted after roughly 15 minutes, while others were underdone.

Considering this is a premium air fryer, these results were disappointing, especially after the brilliant results of the other functions. Like many air fryers, it may take some trial and error to get optimal results with this function, but if you want an appliance that air fries consistently well off the bat, this may not be the appliance for you.

• Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer?

Buy it if

Don't buy it if

Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer: also consider

Not certain that the Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer is right for you? Here are two other options you might like to consider.

How I tested the Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer?

I used the Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer for a week, cooking a wide variety of foods including fries, chicken wings, fresh vegetables, and muffins. I tested all the air fryer's various modes and cleaned the air fryer in line with the instructions provided in the manual. For more details, see how we test.

First reviewed March 2025.

• Ninja has launched an extra-large version of its Sizzle Pro indoor grill
• It's large enough to cook family meals and is non-stick for easy cleaning
• It's available in the US for $199.99 but isn't currently sold elsewhere

Ninja has released a new indoor grill with an extra-large cooking area that's big enough to cook up to 10 burgers at once so that you and your guests can all eat together, or so you can prepare whole family meals.

Ninja is well known for making some of the best air fryers you can buy, but it's also no slouch when it comes to hybrid cookers and indoor electric grills. The new Ninja Sizzle Pro XL is a super-sized version of the original Sizzle Pro, with a 20-inch griddle that gives you enough space to cook a whole stack of pancakes for a family of four or prepare a huge batch of fried rice for a quick weekday dinner.

You can cook with the lid up or down, depending on whether you want to create char-grilled flavor when cooking meat or lock in moisture when preparing fish and vegetables.

When you're done, the non-stick ceramic plates are a piece of cake to clean, and you can remove the ventilated lid for hand-washing. No more awkward scrubbing.

License to grill

The Ninja Sizzle Pro XL is available now direct from Ninja for $199.99. That's approximately £160 / AU$330, but the grill is currently only available in the US, and I expect it's likely to stay that way since the original Sizzle Pro isn't available in other countries either.

If you can't get your hands on the Sizzle Pro XL, take a look at the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL, which adds a smoky flavor to your food using a small portion of woodchips, and earned a full five stars from our reviewer thanks to its extra large capacity and smart thermostat for temperature control.

You might also like

• The Ninja Blast Max is so powerful it can obliterate frozen strawberries and even make kale smoothies delicious
• Ninja's latest coffee machine takes away one of the biggest hassles of being a barista – and it's awesome
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Ninja Blast Max: one-minute review

The Ninja Blast Max is an updated version of the company’s portable smoothie blender, with a more powerful motor and upgraded blades – and it works brilliantly. The Max is more expensive then the original Ninja Blast, but the price difference is easily justified by the improvement in performance.

Unlike every other personal blender I’ve tested to date, the Ninja Blast Max transforms difficult, fibrous ingredients such as kale into a silky smoothie with just a single blending cycle, leaving behind no unpleasant fragments. In my time using the blender, I didn't experience any problems with ingredients becoming stuck to the sides of the cup and missing the blades either, which is unusual for a blender this size.

The Max fared equally well when it came to blending large frozen berries, which usually prove too much of a challenge for portable smoothie makers. The blender’s "crush" setting is made for tackling ice cubes, but works equally well for rock-hard frozen fruit, pulverizing it to slushie consistency within a minute.

The blender cup is easy to detach from the charging base, enabling you to sip your smoothie on the move, or take your protein shake to the gym. It fits into a typical cupholder or the side pocket of a backpack, and has a robust silicone carry handle. The only downside is that it isn't insulated to keep your creations cold. If Ninja could add a second, insulated cup to the package alongside the first, it would be pretty much perfect.

Ninja Blast Max: price and availability

• Available in US and Europe
• List price $89.99/£89.99 (about AU$140)
• About the same price as Nutribullet Flip

The Ninja Blast Max launched in September 2024. It’s available direct from Ninja, and from third-party retailers such as Amazon for $89.99/£89.99. That’s about AU$140, but at the time of writing it isn’t for sale in Australia.

That’s a significant price increase from the original Ninja Blast, which had a list price of $59.99 / £49.99 / AU$79.99; but it’s understandable considering the upgraded motor, blades, and battery.

The Blast Max is roughly the same as the Nutribullet Flip, which is a more direct competitor, and is priced at $99.99 (about £80 / AU$150). The Ninja Blast Max definitely delivers more blending power than the Flip, delivering more bang for your buck.

• Value score: 5/5

Ninja Blast Max: design

• Cup is easy to remove from the charging base and carry
• Simple to keep clean
• No leaks when blending, or carrying the cup

The Ninja Blast Max has two components: the base, which contains the battery and motor, and a removable cup with the blade unit at the bottom and a flip-top lid on top. The sip lid also has a silicone handle for easy and comfortable carrying. The cup easily tucked into the side pocket of my backpack, and will fit in most standard cupholders, too.

The base unit has a charging port at the back, with a rubber cover to protect against dust and splashes (although you should never immerse the base in water, and always remove the cup before cleaning).

The base has an attractive ombre finish, and is available in seven color options: Sea Glass, Ivory Cream, Dusty Pink, Gray, Silver, Lavender, and Navy (although not all retailers will stock all seven).

It has a central power button, with a green light that blinks during charging, and controls for three settings: Crush (for ice), Blend, and Smoothie.

The cup has a slightly tapered shape, becoming narrower at the bottom to encourage ingredients to fall onto the blades, but not so narrow that anything becomes stuck. The instructions explain that you can gently shake the blender to dislodge any pieces of fruit or veg that escape the blades, but during my tests I didn’t find this necessary.

The cup has a maximum fill line positioned at the 15.8oz / 450ml mark. That’s the same as the Nutribullet Flip, but the Ninja Blast Max’s removable base means it’s much lighter to carry. The lid creates an extra tight seal when you’re on the move, and I never noticed any leaking when I was blending or carrying it.

The Ninja Blast Max is very easy to keep clean. Like most portable blenders, all you have to do is add some water to the cup with a squirt of dish soap, run a brief blending cycle, then rinse the cup and lid thoroughly and allow them to dry. You can also wash the cup and lid by hand when they need cleaning more thoroughly.

The only downside is that, unlike the Nutribullet Flip, the Ninja Blast Max doesn’t have an insulated cup to keep your creations chilled on the move.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Ninja Blast Max: performance

• Excellent at blending tough vegetables such as kale
• "Crush" mode is great for ice and frozen ingredients
• Ingredients don't become stuck in cup and miss the blades

The Ninja Blast Max is the most powerful personal blender I’ve tested, capable of turning even tricky ingredients into a creamy smoothie.

After charging the blender for a few hours until the light on the front remained a steady green, I started off by making TechRadar’s test recipe – Nutribullet’s Banana Kale Blueberry Freeze.

Its ingredients are simple enough, but the kale usually presents a big challenge for small blenders, which tend to leave shreds of leaf intact. I loaded up the banana, kale, blueberries and almond milk, then hit the button for the blender’s Smoothie mode. This runs a series of pulses, which pulverizes the ingredients then allows them to settle before hitting them with the blades again.

The results were extremely impressive. Usually I have to run a portable blender for at least two cycles to create something smooth enough to drink, and even then I usually find scraps of kale sticking to my teeth. That wasn’t the case with the Ninja Blast Max, which blended everything together into a tasty and silky smooth drink (even if the color wasn't terribly appealing).

Frozen berries are another tough challenge for a portable blender, and defeated the Nutribullet Flip when I tested it last year. It took two full blending cycles to turn frozen forest fruits into something drinkable, so I was curious to see how the souped-up Ninja Blast Max would fare.

I decided to make a shake using a scoop of vanilla protein powder, oat milk, and a handful of large frozen strawberries, which are the fruits that seem to defeat most blenders. I used the Ninja Blast Max’s Crush setting, which is designed for tackling ice.

Blending the frozen fruit was quite loud, briefly reaching 85dB during pulses (about the same as a standard jug blender, or heavy traffic), but the noise was only brief and became quieter as each pulse of the Blast Max pulverized the strawberries. The blender has a tendency to move about slightly when blending tough ingredients, but it wasn't in any danger of falling over.

Once the cycle was over, I had a delicious pink concoction, with no pieces of unblended berry, and a much nicer texture than a typical protein shake. Again, the drink was silky smooth, with no graininess.

I also tested the blender’s ice-crushing abilities, using it to prepare a blended coffee drink. As with all personal blenders, you need to add a minimum amount of liquid before you can crush ice. For this test, I used barista-standard caramel plant milk, with a double shot of espresso.

Again, I used the Crush setting, and I could hear the ice being shattered even faster than the fruit with each pulse. The resulting blended iced coffee looked as good as anything you might get from a coffee shop, with a nice layer of foam on top and no chunks of unblended ice crystals.

You could also make an excellent espresso martini in the same way if you don’t have access to a cocktail shaker.

• Performance score: 5/5

Should you buy the Ninja Blast Max?

Buy it if

Don't buy it if

Ninja Blast Max: also consider

If you’re not sure whether the Ninja Blast Max is the right blender for you, here are two other options to think about.

How I tested the Ninja Blast Max

I used the Ninja Blast Max for a week, making recipes including TechRadar’s standard banana, blueberry, and kale smoothie, which we make with all the personal blenders we test.

I used the blender to tackle ingredients I knew to be particularly tough, including large frozen berries and ice, making sure to select the most appropriate blend setting each time.

I measured the volume of the blender during use with a decibel meter app on my phone.

For more details, see how we test, review, and rate products at TechRadar.

First reviewed April 2025.

Bean-to-cup coffee machines take a lot of the effort out of brewing a good-tasting espresso. The best espresso machines can often provide help with tamping, time how long it takes to extract a double shot, and even help you steam milk for the optimal texture and temperature.

However, when it comes to choosing how to grind the beans, even the best coffee makers usually leave you to your own devices, offering a numbered dial on the bean hopper, and the most basic instructions. That isn't great, because picking the correct grind size (known as "dialling in" the grinder) is one of the trickiest parts of making a well-balanced espresso. Getting it right can often be a case of much trial and error, and potentially waste a lot of coffee beans.

Well, not anymore, with Ninja's latest coffee maker, the Ninja Luxe Café, which I got to check out at a recent event in London. It's an all-in-one machine that can brew filter and cold brew coffee, and what impressed me most was its espresso function. Unlike almost all other bean-to-cup coffee machines, it handles the hard work of dialling in for you, and even adjusts grind settings on-the-fly throughout the day. As a trained barista, let me tell you, that's a big deal.

So why does grind size matter?

At its heart, making coffee is pretty simple: dissolving some of the chemical compounds from roasted coffee beans in water. However, some of those compounds dissolve more readily than others, and getting a good-tasting drink relies on extracting just the right ones. That's where it gets complicated.

Sour-tasting compounds (those that make your mouth water, sometimes in an unpleasant way) dissolve fastest. You want some of those, but if your coffee is only in contact with water for a short time, that's all you'll taste. In addition, your coffee will feel "thin" in your mouth, without much flavour.

Next, you have the chemicals that give your coffee a sweet flavor. You want plenty of these, so your coffee needs to be exposed to water for long enough to extract these – but not much longer.

That's because, finally, the coffee beans release bitter compounds. If the water is in contact with the coffee grounds for a long time, you'll end up with too many of these, and you'll end up with a drink that tastes nasty and leaves your mouth feeling dry.

To achieve the sweet spot and achieve a well-rounded flavor, pulling a double shot of espresso should take around 28 seconds. So how do you achieve that?

You do it by adjusting the grind size. If your coffee beans are ground coarsely, water will pass through them relatively quickly, reducing the contact time and extracting fewer flavor compounds. Grind them more finely, and it will take longer for water to find its way out. Plus, there will also be a larger surface area with which water will make contact, dissolving more flavor compounds from the beans.

That sounds simple in principle, but there are a lot of factors that can throw a spanner in the works, and there isn't one ideal grind size that will work for everything.

For example, how long it takes to pull a shot varies on the bean type (robusta or arabica) and variety, how it's roasted, and how old it is. For example, coffee beans lose carbon dioxide over time, which leads to faster extraction. So, the longer you've had them, the finer you'll need to grind them.

To make matters even more complicated, environmental factors such as temperature and humidity can affect how your beans behave, and if you've been using your coffee grinder a lot, it will start to heat up, which will also impact the results. Good luck if you're working by an open window, or under an AC unit.

To cut a long story short, it's complicated, so having a machine that can do it for you is an enormous time-saver.

How the Ninja Luxe Café does it

When you're dialling in a coffee machine yourself, you'll start by picking a grind size close to what you think will be correct, then seeing how long it takes to pull an espresso – and that's pretty much what the Ninja Luxe Café does.

It begins with a moderate grind size, then extracts a double shot and times how long it takes. If it happens to be the ideal time, then it recommends you go ahead and stick with it. If it takes too long, the machine moves the grinder burrs a little further apart to make the grind size coarser, then timing another shot. If the water runs through too fast, it will move the grinder burrs closer together for a finer grind.

Of course, this is great; but what impressed me the most is that the machine will also carry out adjustments throughout the day to make sure your coffee tastes consistently good, no matter when you have a cup.

Consistency is the gold standard in coffee-making, but as your beans age, their properties will change and the grind size will need adjusting to compensate. The Ninja Luxe Café will do that for you.

That means you can brew your morning cup of coffee, have another at lunch, then make espresso martinis for friends in the evening using the same beans without worrying about your brew starting to taste off. I'll certainly drink to that.

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• The Ninja Creami Swirl soft-serve machine is available to buy now for $349
• It's expected to sell out after videos of influencers were given early access
• It's only available in the US for now, but an international launch is likely later

After much teasing, the long-awaited Ninja Creami Swirl soft-serve ice cream maker is finally on sale. A handful of influencers got their hands on the machine early, using it to whip up sorbets and frozen protein desserts in TikTok videos, and now you can get your hands on one too.

The Ninja Creami Swirl is an updated version of the original Ninja Creami, with a new soft-serve dispenser and a menu of extra presets including frozen custard, fruit whip, swirled frozen yogurt, regular soft-serve ice cream, and 'lite' ice cream. You can still make scoopable desserts like sorbet as well, and the new recipes mean you can now prepare 16 different treats on your kitchen counter.

The Creami Swirl is available to buy now direct from Ninja for $349 (about £280 / AU$560 – we're expecting it to launch outside the US later this year), and should be in stock at other US retailers within the next couple of months. According to Ninja it's likely to sell out, but the company says it will continue to restock it when it does.

Our kitchen appliance expert Karen Freeman is testing the Creami Swirl for TechRadar, and we'll be sharing her full review very soon,

A Creami alternative

As mentioned, the Ninja Creami Swirl is currently only available in the US, leaving ice cream lovers in other countries looking sadly at their empty waffle cones. The soft-serve machine is likely to launch elsewhere later in the year, but if you can't wait that long then don't worry, there are other options.

If you live in the UK, for example, the Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker is a great alternative, and is currently discounted from £200 to just £150. It doesn't have as many preset dessert options as the Creami Swirl, but will let you make ice cream, gelato, sorbet, slushies, granita, and frozen yogurt – and it has containers for toppings, and a 'keep warm' plate for melting sauces.

I'm testing the Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker in my own kitchen right now, and Karen and I will be comparing notes to help you decide whether you should grab one yourself, or hold out for a Creami.

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Ninja is one of the biggest names in air fryers, and if you're looking for a two-drawer model, the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone and Ninja Double Stack should both be on your shortlist. If you're struggling to choose between the two, we're here to summarize all the key differences so you can make the right choice.

The most obvious difference between these two top-rated air fryers is the arrangement of their baskets (horizontal for the Foodi Max and vertical for the Double Stack), but it doesn't end there. After putting both air fryers through extensive testing in our kitchen, we found a significant difference in how the two perform when cooking one particularly common food.

First, a word on naming and sizes. The original Ninja Double Stack air fryer was released in April 2024 and has a capacity of 8.3qt / 9.5l. We tested this version in our Ninja Double Stack review. In the US and UK, this specific model is known as the Ninja Double Stack XL, while it's the Ninja Double Stack XXL in Australia.

Ninja later released a smaller version of the air fryer, with a capacity of 6.7qt / 7.6l. In the US and UK, this is called the Ninja Double Stack, and in Australia, it is called the Ninja Double Stack XL.

The Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone air fryer has a capacity of 8.3qt / 9.5l, so we'll be comparing it to the larger of the two Double Stack models. Now, on with the details...

Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone vs Ninja Double Stack: price

• The two air fryers were similar prices at launch
• Both are still about the same price in the US and UK
• The Double Stack is now significantly more expensive in Australia

The exact price you'll pay for each of these air fryers depends on where you live. When they launched, the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone had a list price of £229.99 / $219.99 / AU$449.99, and the Ninja Double Stack XL had a list price of $229.99 / £269.99 / AU$449.99.

Both air fryers have now been available for a while, and discounts are often available on both models. At the time of writing, you can pick up the Foodi Max for about $170 / £190 / AU$240 and the Ninja Double Stack XL for roughly $200 / £210 / AU$390. In other words, there's little difference in price in the US and the UK, but in Australia, the Ninja Double Stack XL is significantly more expensive.

If you've already decided, you'll find today's best deals on the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone and Ninja Double Stack XL below. Otherwise, keep reading for more details.

Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone vs Ninja Double Stack: features

• Ninja Double Stack is narrower and taller, but also deeper
• Double Stack includes racks for cooking food in up to four layers
• Both air fryers have the same selection of cooking modes

The key difference between these two air fryers is their footprint. The Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone measures 13.9 x 12.8 x 17.1 inches / 32.5 x 41.5 x 27cm (h x w x d), while the Ninja Double Stack XL is 15.1 x 11 x 18.5 inches / 38.5 x 28 x 47cm. That might not sound like much, but the Double Stack's narrower build makes a real difference to how it sits on your kitchen counter. It's worth noting, however, that it's considerably deeper than the Foodi Max from front to back, so it's worth measuring your workspace to see how each one will fit.

As we mentioned earlier, both the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone and the Ninja Double Stack XL have a capacity of 8.3qt / 9.5l, and both have separate drawers, so you can't cook a single large item like a whole chicken or a pizza. Some large-capacity air fryers have a large drawer with a removable divider so you can cook something bigger or two smaller sides, but that's not the case here. The drawers and crisper plates for both fryers are dishwasher-safe as well.

The Ninja Double Stack XL lets you cook food in more layers thanks to a pair of stainless steel racks - one for each drawer. This means you can cook four different types of food or simply arrange your fries or nuggets so air can circulate around them more evenly.

In other respects, the two models are very similar. Both air fryers have six cooking modes (air fry, max crisp, roast, bake, and dehydrate) and operate at 2,470W. Both have a timer, and you can sync the two drawers to finish cooking different foods simultaneously. Both of the air fryers have a maximum temperature of 464ºF / 240C.

Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone vs Ninja Double Stack: performance

• Both air fryers produced succulent chicken wings
• Fries were more evenly browned in the Double Stack
• Neither showed noticeable heat leakage between baskets

After putting both air fryers through their paces, we were generally more impressed with the performance of the Ninja Double Stack. Both are excellent air fryers, but our results with the Double Stack were more even and consistent than those produced by the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone.

Both air fryers excelled when it came to cooking chicken wings, which turned out crisp and golden on the outside and succulent and juicy inside. However, they weren't so evenly matched when it came to browning fries. Ones cooked using the Foodi Max Dual Zone were noticeably less consistent in color, with some looking pale and others almost burnt, despite our best efforts to shake them up regularly during cooking as recommended in the instructions.

Fries cooked using the Ninja Double Stack were much more consistent in color. Those towards the back were fractionally darker, but we don't think you'd really notice the difference in everyday use.

Other foods cooked well, and unlike some other air fryers, neither of these Ninja models showed signs of heat leakage between the two baskets.

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Ninja, maker of some of the best air fryers, has unveiled a new machine that lets you cook and reheat food anywhere with a power outlet. The Ninja Crispi (following the same naming convention as the Foodi, Slushi, and Creami) is a portable air-fryer that will allow you to cook golden nuggets and fries in your kitchen, at your desk, or anywhere else you can plug it in.

The Crispi cooking system comprises a set of specially designed glass containers, with a Power Pod that snaps onto the top. Once attached, the Power Pod detects the size of the container (4qt or 6qt) and begins circulating super-heated air to cook the food within.

Each glass container also has a reusable lid, so you can take your prepared food or leftovers ready to crisp up at lunchtime. No more soggy microwaved meals or plastic boxes. Once you're done, the whole system stacks together to take up minimal space in your kitchen cupboard.

The world's your kitchen

The Crispi has four cooking modes (max crisp, bake, air fry and re-crisp), and according to Ninja, it can handle anything from light snacks through to a 4lb chicken. Bear in mind that it doesn't have an odor-absorbing filter, so preparing a roast at your desk might make you quite unpopular unless you're willing to share.

The Crispi is available to order now for $159.99 (about £120 / AU$230) direct from Ninja, and will be stocked at large US stores later this fall. Looking for something more conventional? Our roundup of the best air fryers is full of options if you'd rather confine cooking to your kitchen.

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Ninja Luxe Café: two-minute review

The Ninja Luxe Café is a three-in-one bean-to-cup coffee machine that makes espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew. With its grind size suggestions based on the type of drink, a weight-based dosage system, and an automatic milk frother, much of the guesswork when it comes to perfecting your brew is taken out of the equation It’s perfect for novices who are just beginning to dip their toes in the espresso world. But the real question is, does the Ninja Luxe Café actually deliver on its claim? And I’m happy to report that, for the most part, it does.

Ninja has been in the small kitchen gadget game for a while now, with a range of pod and drip coffee machines including the Ninja DualBrew Pro, but the Luxe Café is its first foray into bean-to-cup espresso machines - a field that's currently dominated by brands like Breville and De’Longhi. In fact, the Luxe Café goes head to head with one of Breville’s most popular semi-automatic espresso machines, the Breville the Barista Express - and in my opinion, it comes out ahead thanks to the lower price tag, foolproof espresso system, and ability to also brew drip coffee.

As soon as I took the Ninja Luxe Café out of its packaging, it looked and felt like a far more expensive machine. Though bulky, its sleek stainless steel body with black accents fit right into my kitchen. Given all that’s happening on this coffee maker, with its wealth of features and massive display, it’s a little intimidating at first but surprisingly easy to master.

The range of tools (like a funnel that does a decent job at keeping grinds in the filter and Luxe basket for quad shots and coffee brews) are nice inclusions, and Ninja has added a space to store these tools and more when not in use. Talk about convenience. However, it’s missing a hot water line for americanos, tea, and other beverages, I wish one could’ve been incorporated in some way.

The Ninja Luxe Café looks the part of a quality bean-to-cup machine, and luckily, it performs just as great. The grind size suggestions and weight-based dosage system were a huge boon, ensuring I had the perfect espresso pull every time with a lovely golden crema and strong, smooth taste. On the coffee side, the hot coffee and cold brew turned out great with minimal effort, as I never needed to measure out the proper amount of ground coffee or determine the proper grind size. However, the four different coffee settings were a bit gimmicky and unnecessary. A cold brew and classic coffee would’ve been fine.

When I wanted to make a latte, cappuccino, or flat white, the automatic milk frother settings almost always worked with my 2% milk, creating a lovely microfoam with no skill needed. Unfortunately, the frother didn’t perform as well with oat milk, not a major surprise, as this is the case with many plant-based milks. A cold foam setting is also available but didn’t work with either of my milks.

There is, however, a manual option that you can enable by leaving the wand up, selecting 'steamed milk'. and holding 'start froth' for three seconds. This will give you full control over the texture and temperature of your milk, letting you adjust your technique on the fly whether you're using dairy or a plant-based alternative.

Overall, if you’re a beginner who wants a quality, great value espresso machine that makes it easy to pull the perfect shot, the Ninja Luxe Café is for you. Even experienced at-home baristas will appreciate the excellent results this machine delivers. And it’s hard to beat the bonus of brewing tasty classic coffee and cold brew too.

Ninja Luxe Café review: price and availability

• List price: $499.99 (about £400 / AU$750)
• Launch date: June 2024
• Availability: US

The Ninja Luxe Café’s launch price was $499.99 (about £400 / AU$750), and at the time of writing it is only available in the US. It can be purchased directly from the manufacturer's website, or from third-party retailers including Best Buy and Amazon. This bean-to-cup machine was only recently released, don’t expect to find any major discounts for at least a few months.

Sitting right at a mid-range price point in the wider market, the Ninja Luxe Café’s versatility, solid performance, ease of use, and stunning build quality punch far above its weight. I would’ve expected this machine to cost far more, and it’s sure to give the ever-popular Breville The Barista Express a run for its money, especially since Breville’s offering costs $200 more and does less.

• Value for money score: 5 out of 5

Ninja Luxe Café review: specs

Ninja Luxe Café review: design

• Stunning, sturdy build
• Massive display
• Helpful storage features
• Lacks hot water line

Besides one glaring omission, I have almost no notes on the design of the Ninja Luxe Café. Like any bean-to-cup machine, it’s definitely not compact and takes up a good chunk of counter space and just fits under my kitchen cabinets, measuring 12.99 x 13.39 x 14.57in / 330 x 340 x 370mm (L x W x H). That’s just a little bit bigger than the most recent semi-automatic espresso machine I’ve been using, the Casabrews 5700Pro. At least Ninja’s offering is extremely versatile, making the most of that extra space it takes up. Weighing 25.73lb / 11.67kg, it’s also quite heavy, so I tried to move it around as little as possible.

As soon as I removed the Ninja Luxe Café from the box, I was struck by its sleekness, offering a stainless steel finish with black accents. Even the packaging for the tools oozed elegance. It was far nicer than I expected considering the reasonable price tag. It truly looks and feels like something that should be twice that price. Each component was sturdy and built to last.

Setting up this bean-to-cup machine was on par with others I tested, taking me just over 20 minutes to have my first shot of espresso ready to go. However, the Luxe Café is unique, as it calibrates itself, so you don’t need to experiment with different grind sizes for a great espresso pull. The hardness of your water is even taken into account, helping to perfect the extraction. If you’ve never used an at home espresso machine before, it’s a little overwhelming initially. A few instructional videos and an instruction book were helpful in navigating the Luxe Café.

After it was put together, I played around with the design features. Ninja thought of almost everything. The accessory storage was probably my favorite, as it’s a rarity on espresso machines. It drives me crazy to have components lying around waiting to be lost. A handy little door on the side of the machine opens up, letting you store a few cleaning tools, along with the double and Luxe baskets for the portafilter. The opposite side of the machine houses the tamper and funnel – which helps prevent grinds from getting everywhere while grinding – for ultra-easy access.

On top of the machine sits the removable bean hopper/grinder with a UV-protective lid to keep the beans fresher longer with an easy-to-use dial for adjusting grind size on the side, while around the back is a removable 70oz water reservoir. The water reservoir doesn’t appear to have any major filter, or the option to add one – a slight disappointment – and isn’t the easiest to reach given the location at the back of the machine under my cabinets. That’s not dissimilar to other coffee makers. Still, it holds a good amount of water. I refilled it only a couple of times per week after making about three beverages a day.

All the action happens at the front of the machine, and its most striking feature is the massive display running almost its entire width. The display lacks touch control, but a wealth of buttons and a couple of knobs made navigating relatively simple after familiarizing myself with the system.

Above the grinder, the display informs you of the current and recommended grind sizes based on the type of brew. Red warnings will even light up if the funnel, hopper, or portafiler aren’t installed or the coffee beans are out. It’s honestly pretty foolproof.

The center of the display right above the group head, which securely holds the portafilter during brewing, is where the type of brew is selected. On the espresso side, double, quad, and cold-press options are available, and the coffee side features a classic, rich, over-ice, and cold brew setting, along with various size options. Also at the center is the progress bar – a handy little tool that informs how far along in grinding, brewing, or milk frothing you are. Similar to the red warnings on the grinding side of the display, a rinse notification will display when the group head needs a quick clean.

Finally, above the frother are the milk frothing settings. Unlike many semi-automatic brewers, this one lets you select foam levels and milk type: dairy or plant-based. I only had to add the milk to the jug with an integrated whisk and place it in its designated location with the steam wand inserted. The jug even has size markings inside and outside, so you get the proper milk levels. The steam wand automatically purges after frothing, though a 'purge' button is available. This side of the display also indicates when the water reservoir needs to be filled.

At the base of the Ninja Luxe Café is the main drip tray and a separate center drip tray. It felt unnecessarily complicated being two components. However, having a separate center drip tray makes it possible to use larger travel mugs. On the side of the main drip tray is a tiny indicator, letting you know when it’s full and needs emptying. I had to empty it every few days of use. Beyond the removable center drip tray, another sturdy adjustable cup tray can be set at different levels, depending on the vessel – a handy addition that prevents splashing.

It truly seems that Ninja thought of everything when crafting the Luxe Café, except for a water line. I love having a hot water option to make an americano, tea, or other warm beverage. Integrating one into the steam wand or elsewhere would’ve brought the machine near perfection level in terms of design. Instead, I relied on a kettle, something I never had to do with my usual espresso machine.

As for the accessories, the portafilter also doubles as a brewer for the coffee settings on the machine. It comes with two baskets: double and Luxe. When using the coffee settings or brewing a quad shot, the Luxe basket must be installed. Like most portafilters, it’s a bit of a struggle to swap baskets, but that ensures they remain securely in place when dumping grinds. Unfortunately, it costs extra for the knock box to remove the grinds. Luckily, the grinds come out relatively easy with just a few whacks against the garbage can.

Beyond the portafilter, many of the other accessories deal with maintenance. A descaling powder, a cleaning disc, a cleaning brush, and a couple of cleaning tablets ensure the machine remains in tip-top shape.

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Ninja Luxe Café review: performance

• Handy grind size suggestions and automatic weight-based dosage
• Consistently great espresso pulls and coffee brews
• Quick and easy to use

The Ninja Luxe Café is far easier to master than other semi-automatic espresso machines; even novices should figure it out quickly. That’s, in large part, thanks to the machine’s ability to automatically suggest grind sizes based on the type of drink brewed, the weight-based dosage system for the perfect amount of grinds depending on the drink, and the hands-free frother to dial in the ideal amount of microfoam.

Admittedly, the whole system is a little overwhelming initially, especially the large display and various controls. But, after a couple of brews, I had it down to a science and had to do far less experimenting with grind size than usual to pull the perfect espresso shot, wasting less pricey coffee beans and time. Regular coffee always requires less effort for a solid brew, and this machine delivered a great classic cup of joe on the first try.

Seven different types of brews are available with Ninja Luxe Café. On the espresso side is a double, quad, and cold-pressed extraction, while coffee can be brewed classic, rich, over-ice, and cold brew. I tested out every setting to see how each stacked up.

I started with the double espresso shot, my most used setting over the testing period. Installing the double basket on the portafilter required a little muscle while the funnel easily latches on top. Inserting the portafilter into the grinder will automatically adjust the brew setting options based on the installed basket. With the double basket, only a double or cold-pressed extraction was available. Turning the large main knob lets you select the setting. If the funnel isn’t on when the portafilter is inserted into the grinder, a warning will pop up – I forgot to use it many times.

The machine then tells you the ideal grind size for the espresso pull, and you can adjust to the suggested grind size using a knob on the side of the machine. I adjusted accordingly and started the grind. The progress bar at the center of the display let me know how far along in the process I was.

After grinding, it was time to brew. I used the tamper with the funnel still attached to level the freshly ground coffee. It did a successful job of keeping the grinds in the basket most of the time, but on several occasions, a good deal of grinds managed to escape. This usually happened when the basket was extremely full, or I inserted the tamper too fast.

Placing the portafilter securely into the group head takes some effort, and I usually had to hold the body of the coffee maker to prevent the whole setup from moving. From there, I moved the handy little adjustable cup tray to fit my mug and pressed the large center knob to begin the brew, watching the progress bar begin to flash. Less than a minute later, a beep indicated that my double-shot espresso was ready. The whole process is quiet too, averaging about 60dB, so you don’t need to worry about waking others in the household for an early morning caffeine fix.

The espresso shot had a thick golden crema that could briefly hold a small sprinkling of granulated sugar before falling through. The crema then reformed after; a tell-tale sign of great pull. Its taste was equally wonderful, rich, and smooth with a slight acidity.

Without fail, each espresso pull after my initial yielded similar results, including the quad shot and cold-pressed extraction. However, the cold-pressed extraction only reached about 80°F compared to the 120°F for the other two espresso shot settings. It also took slightly longer to brew at 2.5 minutes but was perfect for my iced lattes and prevented ice melt. Of course, results will also vary based on the type of coffee beans used. I stuck with quality beans from Stumptown and Groundwork during my testing.

Brewing coffee follows a similar process, although the larger Luxe basket will always be installed and there’s no need to use the tamper. The grind sizes for all the coffee brews were significantly larger than the espresso, and there are various brew size options from six oz to 18 oz. The Ninja Luxe Café automatically adjusts the amount of beans it grinds based on the brew size and weight. It’s honestly hard to beat the convenience of not needing to measure out anything ever.

The coffee brews took longer than the espresso pulls, at around three to six minutes, depending on the setting and size. The results were consistently flavorful with just a slight bitterness, never watered down which was one of my fears. However, if you asked me to differentiate between the 'rich' and 'classic' settings, I wouldn’t be able to. Each tasted great and had a temperature of around 160°F. The same goes for the 'over-ice' and 'cold brew'. Both settings brewed the coffee at a lower temperature around 100°F, but I couldn’t tell you the difference between the two. The Ninja DualBrew Pro I reviewed in 2023 had similar setting options and results. It all just seems sort of gimmicky on an otherwise awesome machine.

Beyond brewing espresso and coffee, the Ninja Luxe Café offers a hands-free milk frother for those coffeehouse-style drinks at home. It’s sometimes a struggle to get the perfect microfoam from a steam wand, and this takes all the guesswork away. The milk jug has an integrated whisk, and when combined with a steam wand on the machine, frothing was easier than ever. I could even choose between four presets: steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth, and cold foam.

I tested all the froth presets with both 2% milk and oat milk. With 2% milk, the frothing settings worked just as expected (for the most part). The steamed milk yielded little foam just warming the milk, the thin froth had a nice bit of microfoam ideal for latte art and flat whites, while the thick froth had a nice fluffy foam on top that lasted the entire time I drank my cappuccino. Unfortunately, the oat milk struggled to form much of a microfoam, even on the thick froth setting. But these results aren’t uncommon for plant-based milks, so I don’t fully fault the machine. I also failed to create a cold foam, as heavy cream is required for that setting.

If you're comfortable frothing your milk the traditional way, you can switch the steam wand to manual mode instead. This will give you more flexibility, letting you adjust your technique to suit plant and dairy milks.

When it comes to maintenance, the Luxe Café attempts to keep things as simple as possible. Besides rinsing the portafilter, emptying the drip tray, and wiping down the machine, there isn’t much hands-on cleaning that needs to be done. Even after several weeks of use, the machine looked is good as new besides a few splashes of coffee on the front panel and grinds in the drip tray.

Occasionally, the coffee maker's internals will need a thorough cleaning, but the most you will have to do is either fill the water reservoir with a descaling solution or insert the cleaning disc and tablet into the portafilter, and press a few buttons after. It’s all very manageable.

Overall, the Ninja Luxe Café delivered on its promises of uncomplicating espresso. It consistently created quality espresso and made things simpler by intuitively dosing and providing the correct grind level for the perfect pull, something you’d be hard-pressed to find on other semi-automatic espresso machines at this price point. The milk frother made it possible to create some near-coffeehouse-level lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites at home, which in the long run could end up saving you a ton of money. Plus, it's a nice bonus to get delicious regular and iced coffee brews from the same machine — a feature you don’t see in most mid-range bean-to-cup offerings.

• Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Ninja Luxe Café?

Buy it if

Don't buy it if

Ninja Luxe Café: also consider

If you're not sure about the Ninja Luxe Café, here are a couple of other options to think about

How I tested the Ninja Luxe Café

I used the Ninja Luxe Café for several weeks at home, making two to three coffee drinks per day using high quality Stumtown and Groundwork coffee beans. During testing, I noted flavors, consistency, temperature, time to brew, and noise levels. Beyond drinking the espresso and coffee black, I tried the different milk frother presets with both dairy and plant-based milk, observing the foam levels and differences between settings. In the end, I tested almost every setting on the bean-to-cup machine and observed how it held up to usage.

Ninja Slushi: two-minute review

Frozen drink connoisseurs rejoice - the Ninja Slushi is here. Even the best blenders, tend to create watered-down beverages full of ice chunks, but this machine aims to deliver your favorite frozen drinks, from milkshakes to spiked slushies, at the perfect temperature, with an ideal texture, in under 60 minutes. That’s thanks to RapidChill Technology, which uses an evaporator, auger, and motor to continuously rotate the liquid while chilling. But does this kitchen gadget deliver on these promises? For the most part, yes.

Ninja has been in the small appliance game for a while and is known for creating quality, mid-range products from coffee makers to air fryers. However, the Slushi is a completely new and unique product from the brand, paving its own path. In fact, there’s really nothing like it on the market. Sure, there are a few at-home slushie machines, but none come close to the Slushi’s versatility, making this device worth the higher price tag.

It’s even poised for the same viral popularity as the Ninja Creami; at the time of writing, the Slushi is sold out. But Is the Ninja Slushi worth the hype? Yes, as long as you love a frozen drink and set your expectations accordingly.

This slushie machine is a bit heavy and tall, but surprisingly easy to use with a straightforward control panel featuring presets that automatically set the optimal temperature. The five presets are slush, spiked slush, frappe, milkshake, and frozen juice. Some recipes are as simple as pouring a juice or soda into the vessel and watching the machine turn your drink into slush in as little as 15 minutes, all while staying whisper quiet.

I managed to test out most of the Ninja Slushi’s presets to varying results. The machine produced the best consistency using tropical juice in the frozen juice setting, and Coke in slush mode, with both beverages ready to drink in under 20 minutes. Making those drinks thicker using the temperature controls on the panel was also simple.

However, when testing the frappe mode, my drink came out extremely frothy, and the strawberry daiquiri on the spiked slush mode was too liquid, even after adjusting the temperature to the coolest setting.

Though there were some slight texture issues, the drinks were delicious and never watered down like the ones made in blenders tend to be. Clean-up afterward is less hassle than you'd expect, too. A rinse cycle does a great job of removing stuck-on residue, and most components are easily removable and dishwasher-safe.

The Ninja Slushi is a solid machine that’s especially well-suited for those who love to entertain, as it’s capable of making up to 64oz of frozen drinks that will remain frozen for up to 12 hours, and has an easy-pour handle for guests to serve themselves. However, given the high $299.99 (about £240 / AU$470) price tag, it’s only worth the investment for those who adore a variety of frozen drinks and plan to use this kitchen gadget regularly.

Ninja Slushi review: price and availability

• List price: $299.99 / AU$499.99 (about £240)
• Launch date: July 2024; February 2025 in Australia
• Availability: Select markets, including US and Australia

The Ninja Slushi retails for $299.99 / AU$499.99 (about £240) and initially was only available in the US. As of February 2025, it's also now available in Australia. However, it’s currently sold out. It’s possible to join a waitlist on the Ninja website to be notified when the machine is back in stock. Given this product is brand new and extremely popular, don’t expect to see any major discounts on the Ninja Slushi for a few months to a year.

Slushie machines are few and far between. When comparing the Ninja Slushi to others on the market, nothing beats its versatility and ease of use. The Slushi is in a category all its own, and the high price tag reflects the uniqueness of this kitchen gadget. Since the build quality is solid and the machine delivers on the promise of producing less watered-down frozen drinks quickly, it’s good value for money. However, I would only invest in this machine if you love frozen beverages and plan to use it regularly.

Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Ninja Slushi review: specs

Ninja Slushi review: design

• Heavy and tall build
• Sleek, simple design that highlights drinks
• Straightforward control panel

The Ninja Slushi resembles a smaller version of the slushie machines you see at the movie theater or convenience store. It’s still a hulking device that takes up a good amount of space, weighing 24.25lb / 11kg and measuring 16.28 x 6.52 x 16.92in / 414 x 166 x 430mm (L x W x H).

The narrow design allows it to squeeze between other appliances. My biggest issue was height, as the Slushi failed to fit under my kitchen cabinets. That led to lots of rearranging of kitchen gadgets. Given its size and weight, the Slushi isn’t something you’ll want to move often. At least the power cord reached a long way, which was necessary for my final placement.

Assembling the Ninja Slushi was an absolute breeze. Out of the box, it came almost fully assembled. The two-part drip tray was the only component not attached. There's a handy notch on the side panel to slot the drip tray when you store the machine, ensuring it doesn’t get lost.

Before the first use, I washed the vessel and auger. The evaporator needs to be wiped down, as it’s not removable. That process was fairly simple, and the machine comes covered in stickers and has multiple instruction booklets to help you along while removing different components.

Once it's set up, the Ninja Slushi looks awesome, and is definitely a conversation piece when you have friends over. The arctic blue and gray coloring is simple and stylish, while the clear vessel for frozen beverages looks especially flashy with colorful, fruity drinks inside. It’s mesmerizing watching the evaporator and auger do their thing, creating and spinning the slush.

Most of the machine’s components are plastic, but feel sturdy. However, the vessel, which can hold up to 64oz / 1.9L of slush, seems a little flimsy and could crack if accidentally dropped during cleaning. I also would have loved a metal handle for pouring, but the one included feels solid enough to last several years.

The Ninja Slushi’s control panel is straightforward. There are five presets to choose from when making a drink: slush, spiked slush, frappe, milkshake, and frozen juice. After selecting a preset, the machine will begin the cooling process with a small LED illuminating the selection. A beep indicates that the beverage has reached the desired temperature (each option sets the optimal temperature for your drink of choice).

On the opposite side of the presets is the temperature control with easy-to-press up and down arrow buttons to adjust the preset temperature. The LEDs indicate the current set temperature, and will blink as the beverage cools to the set temperature. Blinking will stop and the LEDs will remain lit when that temperature is achieved. It’s
super simple and took me less than a minute to figure out how the control panel worked.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Ninja Slushi review: performance

• Easy to create frozen drinks quickly
• Not always the best drink consistency
• Quiet operation

The Ninja Slushi may be one of the easiest kitchen appliances to master, as it mainly involves pressing a couple of buttons and letting the machine do its thing. Sure, I had to mix up a few beverages before pouring them into the vessel, and occasionally tap the temperature control for the proper slush consistency, but that’s it. Never needing to deal with ice makes life so much easier.

Out of the five different drink presets available, I tested four. My first drink was a tropical juice slush. It just involved pouring juice straight from the carton into the vessel. There’s a 16oz / 473ml minimum for liquids, and it’s well-marked on the vessel. The inability to make smaller portions is a slight annoyance, but you can leave the machine on for up to 12 hours – plenty of time to finish the frozen beverage.

Since I was drinking the tropical juice slush alone, I only filled the drink to the minimum mark. After turning on the machine and pressing the Frozen Juice preset, the Ninja Slushi’s auger attached to the motor immediately began to spin. Thanks to the Whisperchill compressor, the machine only hit about 55dB while in use. The noise level is consistent and around the same level as an electric fan. I found it quickly became a barely noticeable background sound.

After about seven minutes, I noticed the drink getting thicker, and after 15 minutes it beeped and the temperature control LED stopped flashing, indicating the drink was finished. Ninja was right on the money, stating you could have a frozen drink in under 15 minutes.

Immediately after finishing, I poured myself a glass of frozen juice. As I pulled the handle towards me, the beverage started to come out, but it didn’t dispense smoothly, coming out in clumps. Still, the drink itself had a lovely consistency but melted rather quickly. With the RapidChill technology that allows the machine to forgo ice, my tropical frozen juice wasn’t watered down in the slightest, maintaining a rich, tangy flavor.

I tested the machine further using the temperature control panel to make the beverage thicker. It worked like a charm, with the consistency getting chunkier in under 10 minutes. I also let the drink just spin for about four hours. Even after all that time, it tasted the same with a similar texture. Just be prepared for the machine itself to get a little warm

Beyond the frozen juice setting, I was hyped to try the frappe mode, as I love these blended coffee beverages. To make it, I followed a recipe in the instruction manual. Around 25 minutes after pressing the frappe preset, the drink was finished. Unfortunately, when I poured it out, it was excessively frothy. Still delicious, but almost my entire glass was filled with foam. That’s not the ideal situation when trying to get your caffeine fix, but not having it become a watery, tasteless drink after melting was a huge boon.

Using the spiked slush preset also had its own issues, as the drink would come out too liquid, even on the coolest setting. It was also ready surprisingly fast, at under 25 minutes, when the drink was estimated to take closer to 45 minutes. That could be due to the alcohol content, as the recipe for the strawberry daiquiri I created called for a tiny amount of rum (a third of a cup to served between four and six people), so I added more. However, the machine alerts you when too much alcohol is in the vessel, and that didn’t happen. Maybe pre-mixed alcoholic beverages or wine slushies would’ve worked a little better. The drink still tasted great and had some slushiness to enjoy.

Similar to alcohol, a low sugar warning goes off when the minimum sugar levels aren’t met. It’s an easy fix, as you can add sugar, syrups, and honey to meet the requirements. Just don’t expect to be drinking low-calorie beverages, as artificial sweeteners and sugar-free substitutes will not meet the recommended sugar minimum.

Another slight qualm with the machine was the martini glass for the daiquiri didn’t fit under the spout when the drip tray was installed, leading to drips on the tabletop when I was pouring. Also, at one point, I didn’t have the removable shroud attached to the spout, and the slush splashed everywhere, so don’t make that mistake.

For my final frozen beverage, I made a Coke slush using the slush preset. After about 20 minutes, this soda slush yielded the best results of the bunch with a great consistency that took me straight back to my childhood of getting slushies from the machine at the movie theater.

Even if the results weren’t always perfect when making my different beverages, the Ninja Slushi achieved what it promised, creating a less watered-down frozen drink quickly. Sure, the texture wasn’t always ideal, but I was never left with the random ice chunks you’d get from a blender. Some of the machine’s problems could have been human error; more experimenting could’ve yielded better results.

Cleaning the Ninja Slushi was easier than it looked. The machine runs a rinse cycle after finishing the frozen drink, which does a solid initial clean, helping to remove any sticky residue from the components. After that, a bail handle lets you remove the vessel, auger, and drip tray for a more thorough cleaning. I had some issues with dripping upon removal, but tipping the vessel upwards helped alleviate the problem. The condensation catch also needs to be dumped and rinsed.

If you’re hand washing the vessel, it’s a bit of a pain to get in all the nooks and crannies, but it didn’t take me more than two minutes to clean. The auger and drip tray took less time. Most components are dishwasher safe, but note that the motor base and evaporator need to be wiped down by hand. Other than cleaning, no regular maintenance is required on the Ninja Slushi.

Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Ninja Slushi?

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How I tested the Ninja Slushi

I tested the Ninja Slushi for a couple of weeks, making various frozen beverages in the machine for myself and a few friends. I used four out of the five presets available: slush, spiked slush, frappe, and frozen juice. Beyond observing the texture and taste of the different slushies, I used a decibel reader on my phone to measure the noise levels.

First reviewed August 2024

Ninja has launched a new three-in-one coffee maker that makes precisely-measured espresso, cold brew, and drip coffee. The Ninja Luxe Café also has grinder with 25 settings, a scale for weighing out the perfect dose of coffee for your preferred brew an automatic milk frother and whisk to get exactly the right texture for your drink.

The espresso option lets you choose your preferred strength and temperature, with double and quadruple shot settings for those mornings when you need an extra kick to get you started.

The drip coffee option can brew 6-18oz coffee hot or cold, and for the summer, the machine can also make cold-pressed espresso shots (useful for an espresso martini, or espresso and tonic). Cold pressing doesn't extract the same flavors as using hot water, and (like cold brewing) generally produces a less acidic, more mellow tasting drink.

If you're not confident wielding a steam wand, there's also a hands-free froth system that combines steaming and whisking to get exactly the right texture. You can use dairy or plant milk, and take your pick from steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth, and cold foam. The only thing it won't do is pour the latte art for you.

The Ninja Luxe Café is available to buy direct from Ninja for $499.99, making it a more affordable alternative to multi-function coffee machines like the all-singing, all-dancing Jura Z10 (albeit without the Wi-Fi connectivity). The Luxe Café will soon be on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target too.

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• US: View DoubleStack Air Fryer at Ninja

Ninja Double Stack air fryer: two-minute review

The Ninja Double Stack air fryer demonstrates once again that the brand is king of convection cooking, offering blazing cooking speeds in a clever form factor that serves to address the needs of smaller households and keen cooks the world over. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best air fryers I’ve ever used – and I’ve used a fair few at this point.

Shopping for the perfect air fryer can leave you feeling a bit like Goldilocks, and especially if counter space is at a premium in your kitchen. A two-drawer model like the Instant Vortex 9-quart Air Fryer with VersaZone technology might be perfect for the number of mouths you typically have to feed, but these are typically behemoths. Alternatively, you could opt for one of the best small air fryers, but then these often have a meager, sometimes single-portion only capacity.

It’s been my perennial issue as a single-person household that regularly has guests. My kitchen is fairly compact, so I've been incredibly limited for space when I’ve tested larger models like the Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Dual Air Fryer. That’s why since I learned about the Ninja Double Stack air fryer – styled as the DoubleStack in the US – I’ve been itching to get my hands on it.

As the name suggests, the Ninja Double Stack air fryer stacks its two cooking drawers stop one another instead of side by side, as we tend to see in dual-basket air fryers. Instead of a top- or front-mounted dashboard, a small panel juts out to the right side of the device, hosting all the functions and controls you’ll need to operate the Double Stack. Plus, Ninja has even thrown in two extra racks, which can be slotted in above the main crisper plate, giving you bonus surface area to cook with – though the grill spacing makes these far better for larger food items.

Just like other products in the Ninja line, I saw great results from the Double Stack air fryer, from delicious fluffy fries to perfectly crispy chicken and succulent salmon. It should be no surprise, but I was concerned before trying the device that the cooking quality may have been compromised by the new design. Thankfully, there were no cooking compromises that I could detect. The only real down-side is the price, which is on the high side for a dual-basket air fryer – but for those who need to protect their precious counter space, it's well worth the extra cost. Here's my full review.

Ninja Double Stack air fryer review: price & availability

• List price: XL (8.3qt / 9.5L): $229.99 / £269.99 / AU$479
• Availability: UK, US, Australia and other markets

At time of writing, the Ninja Double Stack was available in the UK and US, but was released in Australia in October 2024. In its XL 8.3qt / 9.5L capacity, it has a list price of $229.99 / £269.99 / AU$479. There should also be a standard, 6.7qt / 7.6L model to go alongside the XL model reviewed here, but since the devices were first announced earlier this year, we haven't heard anything about it.

The Double Stack XL is a fair bit more expensive than comparable double-drawer air fryers like the Instant Vortex 9-quart air fryer, which costs $199.95 / £199.99 / AU$399, but for the price difference, you get an as of writing one-of-a-kind device offering superior performance and maximum air frying potential.

It comes with two non-stick, dishwasher-safe drawers and crisper plates, two stainless steel racks and a recipe guide.

• Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Ninja Double Stack air fryer specs

Ninja Double Stack air fryer review: design

• Space-efficient design, with two drawers stacked vertically
• Side-mounted dashboard
• Two extra stainless steel racks doubles the cooking space

For anyone with a smaller kitchen or who prefers a more compact setup, the Ninja Double Stack is a revelation. It’s the first air fryer to stack two drawers vertically to optimize counter space, and the inclusion of its two stainless steel racks doubles the surface area available for cooking. The air fryer is available in one colorway; a sophisticated slate gray shell, with ridged silver handles. It’s simple and subtle, and I personally prefer that to the glossy black cladding many air fryers opt for.

To account for those who might have lower-hanging cabinets, the controls for the Double Stack are mounted to the right of the air fryer, which does add 2in / 5cm to the overall width. However, it’s fairly unobtrusive, and unless you plan on having the right side of the air fryer flush to the wall shouldn’t pose a problem (reminder that you should be leaving at least 5 inches of space around an air fryer if you don’t want to make one of the biggest mistakes of air fryer cooking).

The side panel offers all the usual Ninja air fryer features. There’s a screen at the top which shows the timer for each drawer as well as the temperature setting. Beneath are numbered buttons to individually control each drawer, as well as a list of the six presets for air frying, roasting, max crisp, reheating, baking and dehydrating. Each setting has a light indicator next to it to show which mode is currently selected, and you can tweak the settings using the temperature and time buttons in tandem with the roller dial. Lastly, you’ll find the Double Stack Pro, Sync and Match buttons above the power and stop / start buttons.

Its two dishwasher-friendly 5qt / 4.75L baskets have individual handles, so you can fully manage each drawer independently. However, if you’re using the two stainless steel trays on top of the base crisper plates, it might be a little more annoying to flip and adjust your food mid-cooking cycle. Ninja has made efforts to ease this slight drawback by adding handles to the trays, making them nice and easy to quickly remove.

It’s worth noting that the back of the baskets each have a grate with fairly large holes, so it’s not suitable for cooking high volumes of liquid – we recommend against cooking these kinds of dishes in an air fryer instead of one of the best instant pots, regardless, but some users do like to break convention. These holes also mean that if you shake particularly oily, batter-laden or otherwise messy foods, some liquid may splash behind the baskets onto the back of the air fryer. It’s a very small issue judging by my testing so far, so long as you keep on top of cleaning the Double Stack.

• Design score: 5 out of 5

Ninja Double Stack air fryer review: performance

• Same fantastic performance as other Ninja air fryers
• Perfectly crisp chicken wings and fluffy fries
• Time and effort-saving Sync and Match settings

Before I tested the Ninja Double Stack air fryer, I was a little dubious about how its performance would hold up against other Ninja models I’ve tested. Surely, there would be a compromise to vertically stacking the drawers, otherwise, it would have been done far sooner, right?

Thankfully that doesn’t seem to be the case with the Double Stack. Everything I cooked came out just as good as I’d expected, with perfectly crispy chicken wings without the need for a drop of oil, and gorgeous fluffy fries with the perfect amount of bite. There was a small degree of unevenness; fries towards the back of the basket cooked ever so slightly faster than the front, but it was to such a small degree I don’t think most users would notice.

The Double Stack offers six cooking modes – Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, and Reheat – all of which work just as well as in other Ninja air fryers. The different modes all have different temperature and time limits, but the Double Stack can reach temperatures of 450F / 240C and cook for up to an hour. It doesn’t require pre-heating, meaning you can get straight to cooking.

Food cooked on the stainless steel trays seems to fare just as well, though you do lose the benefit of the crisp trays’ surface area. For some foods, that’s a benefit; you don’t always want foods to cook via contact as well as convection, which was definitely the case for the chicken wings I cooked across both types of trays.

You’ll also have to think about the overall temperature setting of each basket and put foods with like-for-like cooking times and temperatures in each basket, or open up the trays to add in food later. This can be slightly annoying at times; I had to strategically plan how I cooked four tapas dishes to make sure I’d optimized both the strengths and weaknesses of both types of tray, as well as the cooking times and temperatures of each dish. It’d still opt for this rather than heating up a whole oven, though.

In case you’re new to the world of Ninja air fryers, it’s worth highlighting the Sync and Match cooking modes, which work to ensure your food all comes out at the same time. Simply select your cooking mode, set your time and, if you’re synchronizing the two baskets, select the cooking times for each, and you’re all set.

Unlike other dual-drawer models I’ve tested, including Ninja’s Instant Vortex 9-quart air fryer, there’s virtually no heat leakage between the two trays, which is excellent news if you’re working with very precise foods or just don’t want to waste energy by passively heating two areas when you only need one.

On the down-side, you can’t cook larger foods like pizzas or whole chickens in the Double Stack like you can in wider air fryers with larger cooking cavities. It’s the natural trade-off with its smaller footprint, and there are plenty of options that do cater to that need, if that's your priority. While Ninja claims the XL model I tested can feed eight people, I’d say that’s a little ambitious unless you’re padding out the meal with non-air fryer foods too.

• Performance score: 5 out of 5

Should I buy the Ninja Double Stack air fryer?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Ninja Double Stack air fryer: alternatives to consider

How I tested the Ninja Double Stack air fryer

• I used the Ninja Double Stack air fryer for two weeks
• I used it to cook all of my meals, including chicken wings, fries and salmon
• I also tested the different cooking functions

I used the Ninja Double Stack air fryer as my main countertop cooker for two weeks, using it to cook everything from fries to chicken wings, salmon and even cauliflower cheese. I evaluated how each food item cooked across all four trays, using different settings to see how well each function performed. I assessed how succulent meat and fish were after cooking against how well the outside crisped, as well as the evenness of the browning, and how well fries managed to retain their internal fluffiness while still achieving crispy skin.

In addition to the cooking, I evaluated how easy maintenance was; is it easy to clean the baskets and trays both with and without a dishwasher, are there any extra considerations for cleaning, and how easy is the device to actually operate.

I’ve been testing air fryers for two years, and in that time I’ve tried everything from premium to affordable, single-serve to full family models. This experience combined with my love of food and cooking help to inform my findings in every review.

Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL: two-minute review

Ninja’s near-relentless mission to become king of all appliances continues with the launch of the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL, its first smart Woodfire offering huge capacity and the same delicious flavors. 

We loved the Ninja Woodfire, scoring it a perfect five stars in our review. Nevertheless, on a personal level, I’d remained largely unconvinced by Ninja’s outdoor cookers – until now. Adding smart features such as the app-connected thermostat and a higher capacity for catering to larger groups, the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL stands to make a grill master out of me yet. 

Delivering delicious smoky flavors, convenient smart cooking features, and fantastic ease of use, there’s very little to complain about with the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL BBQ Grill and Smoker. If I’m nitpicking, I’d say the hefty ‎40.2lb /18.3kg weight warrants the inclusion of the Ninja Woodfire stand, especially if you have a wooden table as I do and are concerned about it buckling; but that might have driven up the price enough to discourage prospective grillmasters, so I understand the logic. 

At 16.1 x 22.4 x 20.1in / ‎41 x 57 x 51cm, it’s a little larger than the 13.4 x 18.1in x 18.1in / 34 x 46 x 46cm  (h x w x d) standard Woodfire model, and enough so to offer 30% greater capacity according to Ninja. In practice, it offers some (much-needed) headroom, plus space for another portion or two of food – which, in my opinion, is more than enough to justify the meager $ / £50 / AU$ price difference. In addition, there’s the included smart thermostat, which can connect with the Ninja app to ensure perfect results every time. 

With that logic in mind, I’d go as far as to say the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL BBQ Grill and Smoker is far more than a capacity upgrade to the original model. It might not quite qualify as a next-generation device, but it iterates enough upon the success of the original to stand on its own four feet. 

Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL review: price & availability

• List price: $449 / £499
• Available in the US and UK, no confirmation on AU release

Available for $449 / £499 directly from Ninja US and Ninja UK, as well as third-party retailers such as Amazon, the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL is a fairly pricey purchase, coming in at around double the cost of a standard, basic BBQ – but you get a whole lot more for that price. 

It arrives with a sample pack of robust blend pellets, plus a pack of all-around blend wood pellets, which you can purchase separately for $32 / £30 for two 2lbs / 900g bags. Also included is the Ninja smart thermostat, which you can buy separately for $19.95 / £19.99, as well as a pellet scoop, a crisper basket, the grill plate, and the grease tray. 

There are a few further accessories you might need, however. The Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL is water resistant to IPX4, but to keep it in good condition if storing outdoors, you’ll want the waterproof cover that costs an additional $25 / £25. 

While the outdoor cooker’s underside is heat-safe and won’t damage surfaces, it’s a fairly heavy piece of kit, so you might prefer to shell out for Ninja’s collapsible grill stand, too, which will set you back a further $150 / £130.

If you want the full assortment of accessories, there are a variety of bundles available through both Ninja and Amazon. 

Considering the original Woodfire sold for $370 / £350 at launch in 2023 and now is available for $399 / £399, the relatively slim price difference between the original and the new XL version makes for a compelling argument to spend a little more for a whole lot more.

• Value score: 4.5 out of 5

Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL specifications

Design

• Bigger capacity than the original
• Handy smart thermostat storage tray
• IPX4 water-resistant for rainy days

It’s pretty hard to make a BBQ, grill and smoker multicooker look sexy, but Ninja has certainly tried – and to great effect. Available in an attractive blue colorway, it’s a fairly robust device, weighing 40.2lbs/ 18.3kg and measuring 16.1 x 22.4 x 20.1in / ‎41 x 57 x 51cm.

One of the biggest design departures from the original Woodfire is the layout of the control panel, which has been entirely revamped. From left to right, you’ll find the seven cooking functions (Grill, Smoker, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Air Crisp, and Broil), which can be easily navigated using the Mode button, as well as the Woodfire Flavor button to the left, the LCD panel and temperature/time controls in the center, and the control dial, start/stop and thermometer buttons to the right. This offers a significant improvement over the original model, which we found difficult to navigate for our original review. 

Above the control panel is the lid handle, which stays cool even after longer cooking periods. A surprising omission, given the increased weight of the Pro Connect XL, is the handles – meaning it’s a little more difficult to maneuver than the original Woodfire. Thankfully, however, there are still small grips on either side to help you lift and maneuver the Woodfire Pro Connect XL. On the right-hand side of the device, you’ll find the wood pellet tray, and underneath the control panel is a slot that houses the smart thermostat when it isn’t in use.

One of the biggest drawbacks of the entire Woodfire product line is that none of the accessories are dishwasher-safe. This isn’t too much of an issue when it comes to the grill and grease tray, which are relatively easy to clean by hand; but the crisper basket is quite a chore to clean off after use. At least all of the accessories are non-stick, but due to the increased size of the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL, they’re just a little too large to soak in the sink.

Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL review: performance

• Delicious, smoky flavors
• Very easy to use
• Smart thermometer app pairing and features work well

As someone who isn’t really a fan of a BBQ, I was pleasantly surprised by how consistently and deliciously well the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL performed on-test. In terms of its cooking capabilities, it’s as successful as the original Woodfire; both smoked and unsmoked dishes were bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection. 

It’s easier than ever to smoke your meals with the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL. Simply throw in one level scoop of pellets, preheat the grill, and you’re set to throw on whatever you’re cooking. For my test, I tried chicken, ribs and asparagus with the robust blend wood pellets, using the smart thermostat to primarily test the internal temperature of the chicken. Following Ninja’s instructions, I set the Pro Connect XL to cook for one hour at 275°F / 135°C. 

Both the ribs and chicken cooked faster than the app had suggested, but it’s worth noting both were pretty lean to begin with. Regardless, the speed with which Ninja’s Woodfire cookers can work while still creating delicious food is incredibly impressive.

The results overall were spectacular. Enriched with smooth yet smoky flavors, the wood pellets had clearly done a fantastic job of imparting flavor to the meat. I loved that I barely had to interact with the cooker, freeing me up to speak with guests, tidy up the kitchen, or even file my taxes. 

I turned my food halfway through for this test, given it was a whole (albeit small) chicken we were cooking. For the next meal, I made chicken wings, where I didn’t see as much benefit from the flavor when left unturned – which is pretty similar to my experience with the original model. 

Even the non-smoke-enhanced cook settings work fantastically, netting me some deliciously grilled burgers, immaculately air-fried potato wedges, and crispy asparagus full of flavor – and moisture. We tried and enjoyed baking brownies in the previous model, and while I wouldn’t normally bake in my garden, having the ability to do so is useful if only for the Pro Connect’s app controls.  

If you opt to use the Woodfire technology for non-smoking settings, you really don’t need to use the recommended level scoop of wood pellets; better to be conservative with these fairly pricey pellets and opt for a half-scoop instead.

While the Woodfire Pro Connect XL is undoubtedly larger than the original, it’s nowhere near big enough to cater for larger groups. In terms of branding, Ninja would have been more accurate with “large”, since there’s nothing extra about this smart cooker when you’re feeding more than six people. 

All in all, the Woodfire Pro Connect XL is a spectacular addition to any patio, porch or plot, offering impressive (albeit sometimes unnecessary) versatility, fantastic flavor, and blistering cooking speeds.

Should I buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

How I tested the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL BBQ Grill and smoker

• I used the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL BBQ Grill and Smoker to cook a variety of meals over several weeks
• I tested all of its different cooking functions on vegetables, meat and fish
• I used the smart thermostat and app to test the functionality

I put the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL BBQ Grill and smoker through its paces by cooking a variety of different meals over the course of my three-week testing period – including chicken, ribs, salmon, pepper, asparagus and beans. 

I tried all of the different settings, including the Woodfire mode where appropriate, and used both of the sample flavor packs that came with the device. I compared the results to my previous experience with standard BBQs as well as the original Ninja Woodfire, evaluating how well it delivered on flavor and ease of use.

While I’m no grill master, I’ve been cooking on BBQs during the rare bouts of summer sun in the UK for years, and I’ve also tried a host of electric cookers, both indoors and outdoors during that time. 

Update: we've had a chance to properly test this product – head to our Ninja Double Stack air fryer review to find out what we thought. 

SharkNinja has revealed a whole bunch of new products for the UK and Europe including a new air fryer and combi multi-cooker, which it hopes can sit up there with the best air fryers around.

The revelations came at an EMEA Forum event, where some 20 new Shark and Ninja products were shown off – we’ll give you all the highlights here.

Top of the list for us is the new Ninja Double Stack Air Fryer (above), where the selling point is the ability to cook double the food without eating into your kitchen worktop space as much.

By using removable racks, you get four layers of cooking in the two drawer compartments which are stacked on top of each other, with DualZone tech giving you the ability to cook for up to eight people, Ninja notes.

So, it’s possible to cook up to four different foods at the same time, and there’s the same ability to sync foods to finish simultaneously as with existing Ninja devices.

There are two different sized models of Double Stack Air Fryers, namely the SL300 with a 7.6L capacity, and the SL400 with a 9.5L capacity (above). The drawers also benefit from a non-stick ceramic coating, and there are six different modes of cooking: Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate.

We don’t have pricing for the Ninja Double Stack Air Fryer yet, or for any of the products unveiled here, for that matter – hopefully details will follow soon enough.

Another big launch is the new Ninja Combi 12-in-1 Multi-Cooker which is an all-in-one oven and air fryer that’s again capable of preparing meals for up to eight people.

The key points here are cooking healthier meals with greater convenience and speed, with Ninja’s Air Fry tech reducing fat content by up to 75%, we’re told. You can cook up to 50% faster than a conventional oven, and it’s possible to use frozen ingredients straight out of the freezer, with no defrosting required.

There are 12 cooking settings, as the 12-in-1 name suggests: Combi Meals, Combi Crisp, Combi Bake, Prove, Rice/Pasta, Steam, Grill, Air Fry, Bake, Reheat, Sear/Sauté, and Slow Cook.

With a 12.5L capacity and a two-level design, you can cook a main dish and two sides at the same time, and there are other useful perks like a keep warm function.

Full steam ahead

Moving to Shark products, a definite point of interest is a revamped Steam & Scrub mop with Steam Blaster Technology, the latter being a powerful blast of steam to deal with tougher spots of dirt and stains on the floor.

The Steam & Scrub with Steam Blaster also has LED lights, so you won’t miss any smaller marks that might otherwise fly under the radar, and the mop is detergent-free, yet removes 99.9% of bacteria according to Shark’s testing.

Back to Ninja, then, for a further revelation: the new Ninja Thirsti Drink System. This is a device in a Sodastream vein, allowing you to make your own carbonated drinks with different flavors and the ability to choose how strong those flavors taste.

There’s a bunch of Thirsti Flavor Pods to choose from, and the flexibility to create over a thousand drink combinations in total. On the health side of the equation, there’s no added sugar, natural colors, and real fruit is used (with vitamins added in some cases, such as a Revive Flavor Pod with zinc and vitamin C).

Like ice cream? Then you’ll be pleased to hear that the Ninja CREAMi now has a Deluxe version, with four new functions. In total, you get 10 one-touch options on this machine, namely: Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet, Light Ice Cream, Milkshake, Frappe, Slushi, Frozen Yogurt, Frozen Drink, and Mix-Ins.

What’s more, Ninja notes that the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe boasts 50% larger Max Tubs to allow for bigger frozen treats for the family.

Smart grilling

Ninja has also improved its grill with the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker, which is 30% bigger than the original model. This is a smart grill, too, with an app that allows for remote cooking and gives you real-time notifications on how it’s all going.

The Ninja FrostVault Cooler is another of the entirely new products here, and this cooler is split into two sections. The DryZone drawer is capable of keeping food at refrigerator temperatures (under 4.5 degrees) for up to five days, and the cold FrostVault can keep ice from melting for the same period of time. It also doubles as a seat for camping trips, to boot.

Finally, another innovation Ninja has cooked up is the ProChef Connected Thermometer. This hooks up via Bluetooth to your phone, and pipes cooking updates to the Pro Connect app. The thermometer can withstand temperatures of 370 degrees, so there’s no worry of it melting in the oven, and it offers a battery life of 30 hours.

It’s also worth noting that the Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro is now coming to the UK (it was out in the US already). This is a smart blender capable of sensing the ingredients it’s dealing with and adjusting its power and speed of the blades appropriately. Nifty.

We'll update this story as soon as we get pricing and release date for all of the products from SharkNinja. Until then, our dreams of a Double Stack Air Fryer will have to wait.

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One-minute review

The Ninja Blast is Ninja’s first portable blender, but it packs much the same punch as we’ve come to expect from the minds behind some of the best blenders you can buy. It’s stylish, it’s compact, and most importantly it makes quick work of smoothies.

Portable blenders make a fantastic addition to smaller household’s kitchens, and they’re perfect for putting in your gym bag as an easy way to guzzle down some nutrients post-workout, and the Ninja Blast is laser-focused on meeting these specific needs. 

The blender is immensely portable thanks to its to-go lid, handle, lightweight design and two extra caps – one to cover the blades and one to screw onto the bottom of the main blending chamber for when you’re out and about and don’t want to carry the heavy base.

It’s entirely cordless, and with a full battery can blend 10-15 times before it needs to be charged via the supplied USB-C cable, which takes approximately two hours. 

Design-wise, the Ninja Blast sports a stylish, slightly retro feel. From its colorways to the ribbed edges of its jar, it oozes both fun and sophistication, which is great for when you’re taking it on the road. The base sports a square start / stop button surrounded by an LED indicator, which will let you know the progress of your blend as well as any other status indicators you might need, such as when the blades are jammed or the blender is running low on power. 

There are no speed settings; every blend lasts for 30 seconds (unless you choose to stop it early), and while this does make it supremely easy to operate, it can be a little irritating when you’re certain the job’s not quite done. Thankfully, much of the time, one cycle is all you’ll need for effortless and consistent smoothies.

The main jar and the lid are both dishwasher-friendly, but it’s also very easy to clean the blades and vessel by simply adding some water and a drop of dish soap and running a 30-second cycle.

Now onto the drawbacks. As it’s a portable blender, it’s got to be light and easy to carry, and this comes at the expense of capacity, which is just 18oz / 510ml. At a push, you can make two smaller smoothie portions, but generally speaking this is a blender that’s best suited to single servings, though it’s worth noting this is a larger capacity than most personal and portable blenders offer. 

It’s powerful enough to handle most fibrous ingredients, but if you try to pack in your fruits and vegetables too tightly the Ninja Blast will get jammed, which happened to me more than once with harder ingredients like carrots. The Blast makes a good effort with ice, and can at the very least break cubes down a fair amount, but the results are far from even. 

All in all, though, this is a brilliant little blender that does what it’s designed to do very well.

Ninja Blast review: price and availability

• List price: $59.99 / £49.99 / AU$99.99

The Ninja Blast launched in 2023 and costs $59.99 / £49.99 / AU$99.99, which is fairly affordable for a portable blender this capable - by way of comparison, the Smeg Personal Blender sells for $169.95 / £109.95. It’s available directly from Ninja’s online store, as well as through retailers including Amazon, Target in the US, and Very in the UK. 

It arrives neatly packaged in a cylindrical cardboard box with the base, a sip lid with a built-in handle, and vessel as well as a USB-C cable and two caps, one to cover the blades when they’re not in use, and the other to seal the bottom of the vessel when you want to take your smoothie on-the-go.

It’s available in three colorways; Denim Blue, Black, Cranberry, Forest Green, Passion Fruit and White (at the time of writing, only Denim Blue is available in the UK.)

• Value score: 4.5/5

Ninja Blast review: specifications

Ninja Blast review: design and features

• Lightweight, stylish and portable design
• 18.0oz / 532ml capacity is sizeable for a portable blender
• To-go lid with flip-open cap and built-in handle

Standing at 10.6 x 3.5 x 3.3 inches/ 27 x 9 x 8.5cm (H x W x L) with its base attached, the Ninja Blast is a petite and stylish addition to your kitchen or your gym bag. It’s lightweight at just 2.4lbs / 1.09kg, making it easy to carry, too.

The Ninja Blast features a screw-on to-go lid not unlike a sippy-cup, with a see-through pop-open cap and a built-in handle for when you’re out and about. Below the lid is a 18.0oz / 532ml vessel, with bevels on the inside which Ninja claims are intended to create a vortex and draw ingredients down onto the blades. On the front of the vessel are measurement indicators all the way up to the max fill line of 16oz / 455ml. Both the lid and vessel are dishwasher safe.

Moving down to the base, there are six non-removable blades, meaning cleaning can be a little tricky, especially considering that the base isn’t fully waterproof. On the front is the sole control for the Ninja Blast: a square stop-start button, surrounded by an LED light which illuminates purple to indicate the progress of the blend cycle, and in a variety of other colors to communicate the status of the blender. The USB-C charging port is on the rear of the motor unit, and there are rubber feet on its underside to prevent the blender from slipping on surfaces.

Our review unit came with two screw-on caps, one for the base of the vessel and one to cover the blades; however, user reviews have indicated that certain models and regions don’t include these.

• Design score: 4/5

Ninja Blast review: performance

• Handles most fibrous fruits with ease
• Struggles a little with frozen fruits and ice cubes
• Gets stuck if the ingredients are too large

The Ninja Blast is operated by pressing the start / stop button on the base to begin its 30-second blend cycle. For a personal and portable blender, it’s pretty powerful; on a par with others we’ve been impressed with at TechRadar like the Smeg Personal Blender. 

I tried several different recipes to test the Ninja Blast’s moxy, and it performed consistently well, albeit, as can be expected, never quite as well as a traditional countertop blender might. 

First up, I tried a personal favorite recipe of mine for when I’m feeling under the weather: carrots, an orange, water, honey and turmeric. Here’s where I encountered my first hurdle: hard veggies. I’d cut the carrot into batons, and they got drawn right down to the blades and almost immediately jammed them. I removed them and cut them down to size further, and after ample poking and prodding managed to blend the mix down to a relatively smooth blend with two 30-second cycles. It was still a little bitty in places, but enjoyable to drink nonetheless.

Up next was our standardized TechRadar test: banana, spinach, greek yogurt, apple juice and pineapple chunks. I had to blend this one twice too, and there was one solitary pineapple piece that wasn’t broken down even then, but overall it was a decently smooth blend. Small pieces of spinach leaves were still visible, but they were small and evenly sized.

Lastly, I wanted to try a dryer, thicker blend, so I opted for a mix of frozen berries, cocoa powder, peanut butter and kefir with a dash of oat milk. As I expected, this was a bit of a struggle for the Ninja Blast; it got stuck a few times, and required two and a bit full cycles with some fierce shaking in between to break down the ingredients. However, the results were silky smooth and delicious. 

Despite Ninja’s assertion that the Blast is more than capable of crushing ice, there are three major caveats here. First, due to the shape, size and capacity of the vessel, it’s pretty hard to fit in more than a couple of cubes. Second, with the above in mind, it’s sometimes hard for the cubes to actually reach the blades at first, so you end up using multiple cycles and shaking the blender around a fair bit. Lastly, even when you’ve overcome the aforementioned hurdles, you then have to contend with an uneven blend that never really manages to sort itself out. If you add a small amount of water (up to the recommended liquid line on the front of the vessel) the process becomes a lot easier.

It’s nice and easy to clean the Ninja blast – you simply put a drop or two of dish soap into the vessel and turn on a 30-second clean cycle. You’ll probably need to rinse the vessel again, and clean the lid by hand; alternatively, both of these components are dishwasher safe. 

Considering that you have to cut ingredients down to a fairly small size if you don’t want to run the 30-second cycle twice, the battery often didn’t quite last as long as I’d hoped, making only 5-6 smoothies instead of the 10 suggested by the battery’s promised 10-cycle capacity. Thankfully, it’s quick to charge, taking just two hours. 

• Performance score: 4/5

Should I buy the Ninja Blast?

Buy it if...

Don’t buy it if...

Also consider...

If you’re not sure about the Ninja Blast, here are a couple of other options to consider...

How I tested the Ninja Blast

• I used the Ninja Blast for two weeks and made smoothies most days
• I tried a variety of recipes and ingredients
• I drained the battery and recharged it multiple times

I used the Ninja Blast as my main blender for two weeks, using it to make a variety of recipes with various ingredients. These ingredients included fibrous foods like spinach, kale, and pineapples, powdery and thick substances like flaxseed, protein powder, and nut butters, as well as hard ingredients such as carrots and ice. 

I tried putting in ingredients of various sizes to test how powerful the motor was and identify how easily it became blocked, and strained my smoothies to see how successfully the blades mixed and pulverized the ingredients.

I’ve used a variety of blenders, and compared my experience with the Ninja Blast to using countertop devices, as well as TechRadar’s reviews of comparable models. 

Read more about how we test.

[First reviewed Novembers 2023]

Now here's a clash of the titans: in one corner we have Ninja, part of the giant SharkNinja home tech empire, and in the other we have Instant Brands, creator of the legendary and genuinely wonderful Instant Pot. Both firms make a wide range of air fryers, both as dedicated devices and as multi-function cookers. 

But which has the best air fryers when you want to make some fries, blacken some salmon or reheat takeout?

Both brands offer multiple models for multiple kinds of cooking. The simplest air fryers are single-basket cylinders, ideal for relatively small and straightforward frying and reheating. More advanced models have twin drawers so you can cook two things at the same time at different temperatures – something Ninja pioneered and Instant imitated – or double them up to get twice the cooking capacity.

Where things get complicated is when you move into the brands' multi-cookers. Both firms make toaster ovens that also air fry and multi-cookers that can air fry too. 

Some of those solutions are more elegant than others. Instant Brands offers a variation of the Instant Pot with a swappable lid that turns it into an air fryer; it works well, but the lid is one more thing to store. The similar Ultimate Lid model is more streamlined, with a removable section in the non-removable lid instead. 

We're here to guide you so you can choose the best brand or model for your air frying needs.

Instant vs Ninja: product range and price

Both companies offer a very wide range of air fryers with a similarly wide range of prices. And both discount heavily and frequently, so we'd recommend waiting for deals such as Black Friday air fryer deals if a particular model is currently selling at the full recommended retail price.

Ninja's air fryers are in three product lines: Foodi, Speedi, and Combi. The Foodi options are the cheapest ones, with even the 6-in-1 smart 10-qt 2-basket air fryer coming in at a very reasonable $129.99; the most expensive Combi, the Combi Ultimate Chef's package, is a 14-in-1 multi cooker with pans and accessories included and currently costs $299.95.

Instant Brands' cheapest air fryer, on the other hand, is the Instant Vortex Mini, a 2-qt air fryer with a price of just $59.99. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5qt with Ultimate Lid, which transforms the device from an Instant Pot multi cooker to a dedicated air fryer, is $199.95. And the Instant Omni Plus 18L Air Fryer Toaster Oven is $249.95.

Instant vs Ninja: design and features

Both air fryer brands offer three kinds of air fryer: dedicated air fryers, multi-cookers that can air fry, and countertop ovens that can air fry. Both Ninja and Instant also offer large capacity air fryers with configurable baskets: Ninja's MegaZone models enable you to choose between one giant 7-qt basket or two 3.5-qt ones while Instant's VersaZone goes bigger with one 9-qt or two 4.5-qt baskets.

The designs of each kind of air fryer will differ because of their differing functions. For example, an Instant Pot with air frying capability will look rather like Darth Vader's dustbin or R2-D2 wearing a nice hat (Instant has leaned into this in the past with Star Wars-themed cookers) and will take up a comparatively large amount of space; a dedicated air fryer from either brand will be much smaller, slimmer and streamlined-looking. And despite both brands' best efforts, toaster oven-based air fryers will be big and bulky – although both brands make good use of light and dark materials to make them look less large.

One obvious difference between Instant and Ninja air fryers is that Instant is increasingly putting windows into its standard air fryers, enabling you to see what's inside without opening it up and interrupting the airflow. Whether that's worth having is a good question, as you'll need to pull out the drawer to shake your fries mid-cook anyway. But it certainly looks good.

Both brands' user interfaces are simple and straightforward to use with clear controls and easy access to presets.

Instant vs Ninja: performance

In terms of pure air frying, you'll get the best results from either a dedicated air fryer or a device that can become one, such as the Instant Pot with Ultimate Lid. That's because air fryers are all about airflow, and dedicated devices can focus entirely on that without having to worry about also making room for roasting. 

Toaster ovens that also air fry tend to be less impressive because they have much larger internal capacities compared to the size of their fans. Their multi-cooking skills make them much more convenient, but the trade-off is that they don't air fry quite so well.

That means the comparison here isn't really between brands, but between shapes. A cylindrical or semi-cylindrical air fryer such as a Ninja Air Fryer Max or Instant Vortex Slim will produce great results and is exceptionally easy to clean but doesn't have the range of cooking options of more complex models. A double oven that can air fry, such as the Ninja Double Oven, is harder to clean and isn't quite as impressive as an air fryer – but it's capable of cooking more food in many more ways.

Instant vs Ninja: other considerations

It's worth thinking about cleaning when you're considering an air fryer. 

Basket-based air fryers are by far the easiest ones to clean thanks to their removable baskets and overall simplicity. And Instant Pots or Ninja Speedis with air frying capabilities are simple too, as their basket/tray and bowls are dishwasher safe. 

Toaster oven models are tougher to clean because of course you can't stick an oven in the dishwasher or under the faucet; models with mesh trays for air frying are prone to grease and other bits and pieces falling to the bottom of the oven and getting burnt on.

There's a large elephant in this particular kitchen: at the time of writing, Instant Brands is in Chapter 11 administration in order to restructure its finances. The goal with Chapter 11 is for the firm to emerge in better shape and ready for the future, but it does mean there's a risk that it won't – and in the long term that could affect things like warranty service and parts availability. 

On that basis it may be wise to buy any Instant product with a credit card that has purchase protection benefits on the account, just in case.

Instant vs Ninja: which is best for you?

At the time of writing, we think the best air fryer for most people is an Instant one: the Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1. It manages the tricky task of offering large capacity without compromising on frying performance. But for frozen foods our pick is a Ninja, the Air Fryer Max. Its Ultra Crisp feature does a great job of making frozen food taste fresh. 

For multi-cooker models, it's a draw there too. We love the Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid: the combination of Instant Pot and air fryer means it's one of the hardest-working appliances in our kitchen. But for ovens, we really rate the Ninja Double Oven for its many cooking options.

With so many different models to choose from, and so many different cooking options between them, when it comes to actually picking an air fryer the difficulty isn't so much choosing between Instant and Ninja but between air fryer types, capacities and flexibility. 

If all that choice is giving you a headache, check out our constantly updated guide to the best air fryers for every kind of kitchen and every kind of cooking. 

You might also like

• 5 air fryer sides to elevate any meal
• 5 air fryer desserts that you need to try now
• Are air fryers toxic? We weigh up the facts

I attended a launch event for the Ninja Woodfire on Wednesday March 1 and, from what I have seen so far, have felt more than satisfied with the culinary offerings on the table. It’s a first (ever) for the brand as it ventures outside to give customers the opportunity to cook their favorite foods in a not-so-dissimilar manner that they're used to.

It's an outdoor cooking appliance that I think is most definitely tipped to be the best air fryer for outdoors, since air frying is just one of its seven settings that it's capable of achieving under the hood. It doesn't take up much more room (if any) than your fave counter-top appliance either so it's one that even the smallest yards can make room for.

During my time with the Ninja Woodfire I tucked into cuisines from Italy, America and Australia, indulging in smoked tear-and-share garlic bread, grilled corn-on-the-cob, and air fried courgette and sweetcorn fritters (my favorite). 

These three settings (smoke, grill, and air fry) were the only settings being shown to us, yet the electric BBQ grill and smoker can also roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate. Depending on the foods you're cooking, you can opt for the most suitable setting by turning the dial on the control panel.

I caught up with the Ninja Woodfire brand ambassador, Gino D'Acampo, who spoke highly about it and shared with me that he has tried all but one of the settings…

Gino's blind spot is the Dehydrate setting, but he mentioned that he's going to be trying it this weekend on a piece of smoked salmon, so I'll keep a look out for his verdict, but what he did rave about is a smoked boiled egg – the jury's out on this one for me.

The control panel, which is located at the front of the product, also houses the timer and temperature settings plus the smoke fire button, which can change the taste sensation of the foods on 'smoke'. Pellets can be added to a pull-out type drawer to the side of the hood. These pellets burn cleanly and leave very little ash to tidy. 

Ninja sells two types of these pellets: Robust Blend and All-Purpose Blend. The Robust is a mix of Hickory, Cherry, Maple and Oak to recreate that rich, classic BBQ flavour, and the All-Purpose is a concoction of Cherry, Maple and Oak for a balanced, mild and sweet flavour. They're available to buy from the Ninja website, along with a ton of other accessories such as a grill pellet scoop, grill plate, and stand.

The Ninja Woodfire can be left outdoors all year round, the company says, but if you want to give it that little bit extra protection, there is a cover that you can buy from the Ninja US   and Ninja UK site, which I think would be well worth getting for $20 / £29.99.

What you do get for the $369.60 / £349.99 price of the Ninja Woodfire, is the machine, a pellet starter pack (both blends), pellet scoop, crisper basket, and chef-created recipe guide to help you get cooking. 

Our US readers could also benefit from the Ninja Woodfire Pro Outdoor Grill with Built-in Thermometer and Premium Package for $459.60 which has the grill cover, veggie tray and roasting trays included, or you can get it in a deep red hue for no extra cost.

I'm looking forward to getting 'hands-on' myself with the Ninja Woodfire but if you've heard enough already, the Ninja Woodfire is available to buy right now on both sides of the pond (there's no word on an Australian launch currently) and it's already selling fast.

I recently attended the unveiling of the Ninja Speedi at the brand's (very cool) new office in London. It’s due to launch in the UK sometime this week but for our US readers, it’s already available for you to buy.

I’m writing this all down for you to read because this is a revolutionary home appliance. One that can cook you a meal in 15 minutes. You can use a variety of ingredients; from meats and cheeses to veg and rice, and put them all into the same pot.

It’s the first small appliance to launch after the success of some of the best air fryers I’ve ever seen. The Ninja Speedi is sure to disrupt our countertop and the way we do dinner. But what’s it really capable of?

When I saw the Ninja Speedi in action, pasta, broccoli and crème fraiche was added into the pot. Water was then added. At this point I didn’t know what to expect. The Cook & Crisp tray was then added and four crumb coated chicken breasts were placed on top. The lid was put down, some buttons were pressed and the timer started counting down from 15 minutes.

My time watching this particular demo was then up, and we had to move on to another demo within a few minutes. However, I had plated up some halloumi and veg skewers with coconut rice from an earlier demonstration and, oh my, it was delicious.

The Ninja Speedi has a total of 10 cooking functions, with a SmartSwitch that can be used to flip between Rapid Cooker mode and Air Fry / Hob Mode. Yep - air frying is one of the cooking functions, along with Speedi Meals, Steam Air Fry, Steam Bake, Steam, Grill, Air Fry, Bake/Roast, Dehydrate, Sear/Sauté and Slow Cook. 

You can cook three parts of your main meal according to the specs, and even roast a 1.6kg chicken. I’ve been equally impressed to see that the 5.7L cooking pot (and Cook & Crisp tray) is non stick and all parts are dishwasher safe.

This is certainly an example of SharkNinja innovation at its best and I’m looking forward to reviewing it. If you can't wait to read my review about it and you just know that you want to buy already, our US readers can get hold of it from the Ninja site for $199.99 whereas our UK readers can be notified once it comes in to stock (priced at £249.99).

TechRadar is headed to Berlin for IFA 2022, which runs from September 2-6. It's one of the biggest tech expos of the year, and alongside global brands like Samsung and LG, who make everything from laptops to TVs as well as devices for the home, smart home and appliance specialists like SharkNinja and Ring will be showing off their wares.

From a Homes point of view, we're expecting exciting new product launches and new category announcements. We're also looking forward to seeing, and getting hands-on with, the latest innovations at the various show-arounds and live product demos.

We're still finalizing our itinerary for event, but we've already pinned down a few key brands that we'll be meeting with. Here's who – and what – we're looking forward to seeing.

Who are we looking forward to seeing at IFA Berlin 2022?

Arçelik

The global home appliances manufacturer, Arçelik, will be showcasing innovations from across their 12 brands, which include Grundig and Beko. Company CEO Hakan Bulgurlu will give a keynote speech on Friday, the first day of the convention, where he'll focus on the climate crisis and his vision for addressing such challenges. 

We're particularly excited to see new water efficiency solutions from Beko, which may drive real change in homes around the world. We're also keen to hear about innovations for small appliances, such as vacuum cleaners, coffee machines, and hairdryers.

SharkNinja

The makers of Ninja blenders and Shark vacuum cleaners are going to be launching a new category and a new product. As fans of the Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer and the Shark Bagless Cylinder Pet Vacuum CZ250UKT, we can't wait to see what the next offering from the company might be.

Ring

Famous for their video doorbells, such as the Ring Doorbell Pro 2 and Video Doorbell 4, the Ring company is one of the go-to brands for smart home security. It has been some time since the May 2021 Doorbell 4 release, the latest in their current product lineup, so we think there might be a new product launched at the convention.

Samsung

Everyone is familiar with this tech and appliance juggernaut, the makers of many different types of products including phones, TVs, robot vacuum cleaners, and washing machines. 

We recently covered the Samsung Bespoke Jet so we're looking forward to (hopefully) hearing more about their home appliance lineup. We suspect any innovation they present will help us live more connected lives.

Anyone else?

We're alsoexcited to meet up with the likes of AEG, Swan and Yale to hear about what they've been working on and their innovative plans for the future. There will be a good mix here of large appliances, such as washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers, and small appliances, such as fans, air fryers, and smart home locks.

Prior to IFA 2022, on August 31, the Smart Home League event is scheduled to take place. Also in Berlin, this event will be held on the rooftop terrace in one of the city's hottest neighborhoods. We can't wait to hear from tado°, Yale, Philips Hue, and the CSA.

What are we most looking forward to at IFA?

Aside from getting our hair styled with SharkNinja on Friday, September 1, we're looking forward to seeing the latest innovations.

If we're in a position to try out any products than that'll be equally great, so we can then report back and perhaps even call it in to review at home.

How long will we be at IFA for?

The event is officially open from September 2-6 but we (our Homes Editor) will be there from August 31-September 3 to attend press events and test as many products as possible.

Whether you're making a morning smoothie, blitzing a soup straight from the pan or crushing ice for frozen margaritas, a good blender quickly earns its place on the kitchen counter. The tricky part isn't deciding whether you need one, it's working out which one is actually worth your money.

That's where we come in. Our reviewers have spent hours testing blenders from brands including Ninja, Vitamix, Nutribullet and KitchenAid, making everything from fibrous green smoothies to nut butter and frozen drinks to find out which machines genuinely deliver. We don't just look at power on paper, either. We check how smooth the results are, how loud each blender is, how easy it is to clean and whether we'd actually want to use it every day.

Whether you're after a compact personal blender for post-gym smoothies or a full-size jug blender that can tackle family-sized batches of soup, we've found the models worth buying and the ones we'd skip.

Not sure if you need a blender at all? A blender is the better choice for liquids such as smoothies, soups and sauces, while today's best food processors excel at chopping, slicing and mixing thicker ingredients. If you're still unsure, we've explained the differences below. Otherwise, let's find the right blender for your kitchen.

Meet the expert

The best blenders

The best blender overall

If you're looking for an ultra-capable, versatile, all-rounder, the Braun TriForce (or PowerBlend 9 in the UK and Australia) is the best blender for you. After testing, it quickly became Victoria, one of our regular reviewers, go-to blender. It excels at the basics, offering quick and efficient blending of a wide range of ingredients, partly thanks to an unusual triangular jug shape that funnels the mixture down towards the blades, leaving little if any stuck to the sides.

It's also extremely customizable, with six presets (and three texture settings for each), plus 10 manual speed options. On test, we found all of the presets delivered the consistency we wanted, creating smooth smoothies, consistently textured hummus, and effectively crushed ice. The presets stray away from the standard offerings to more unusual, but very welcome, additions like a Hot Soup mode and Chop function.

While it can be a little noisy on higher settings, it's worth it for the speed and power on offer. The 2L just is generous, so if you want something a little more compact, check out our #2 pick instead.

Read our full Braun TriForce / PowerBlend 9 blender review

The best medium capacity blender

If our #1 pick is a little big, check out the Breville Fresh and the Furious (known as Sage the Fresh and Furious in the UK). This blender combines the brand's sleek styling with power to create a compact blender that's effective and easy to use. It's also more affordable than other models the brand offers, although the base is made from plastic rather than metal. The 1.6-quart /1.5-liter jug is smaller than most other Breville blenders, and smaller than the 2-liter capacity of the Braun TriForce #1.

On test, this blender performed well across the board. It was able to liquidize pineapple and leafy spinach into a completely smooth and lightly aerated drink, with no bits, as well as crush ice, chop nuts, and emulsify eggs and oil into mayonnaise, with no issues.

We found a slight amount of leakage when the blender was filled to maximum capacity, but this was only in the well of the lid and not enough to be a serious concern. If you need a general-purpose jug blender for a wide range of kitchen needs, the Fresh and Furious is an excellent choice.

Read our full Breville the Fresh and Furious review

The best small blender

Beast's blenders are designed with the health-conscious crowd in mind, and with three blending vessels included, the 850 Plus is ideal for whipping up shakes, smoothies, and salad dressings. It's not the most powerful model in Beast's range (that would be the Mega 1200 Plus), but in my tests it proved more than a match for tough ingredients like chunky frozen strawberries and handfuls of fibrous veg.

Unlike some similarly sized blenders, the 850 Plus doesn't run from a battery, and therefore can't be used on the move. You do, however, get a choice of lids for carrying your creations, including one made for drinking from, and one that you can poke a straw through for mess-free sipping. You get two reusable straws bundled with the blender, along with two cleaning brushes.

All three blending vessels have ridged sides, which according to Beast Health work to produce 'internal turbulence'. I certainly can't argue with the results, though ingredients (particularly sticky ones like peanut butter) have a tendency to get stuck on them. Thankfully though, all the blending vessels and lids are dishwasher-safe, so it's never much of a problem. Just put them on the top rack and they come out spotless.

Read our full Beast Mighty 850 Plus review

The best smoothie maker

Like the Beast Mighty 850 Plus above, the Ninja BlendBoss is a personal blender that's designed to be used in the kitchen, with a cup that detaches so you can take your creations to work, the gym, or anywhere else. It blends your ingredients directly inside a Stanley-style cup with a large handle for easy carrying, which fits into most car cup holders.

It's an unusual-looking blender with a large, heavy base shaped like a swashed sphere (an oblate spheroid, if you want to get technical). This houses a 1,400-watt motor, which is more powerful than any other smoothie-maker I've tested to date, and can send the blades spinning at up to 20,000rpm.

In practice, that means it makes light work of even the toughest, smallest, and hardest ingredients, turning vegetables, seeds, and frozen fruit into silky drinks in moments. There are three different drink programs to choose from, which use different blending patterns to ensure everything is totally smooth; just pick one, press the button, and wait.

To prevent the blender dancing across your countertop while that mighty motor does its thing, Ninja has equipped the BlendBoss with three suction cups underneath, plus textured silicone to ensure it stays firmly in place.

An unusual-looking blender that comes in a wide range of fun colors and will handle virtually any ingredient you can throw at it. Just bear in mind that you can't adjust it to blend on the move as you can with a rechargeable smoothie-maker, so you'll need to prepare your drinks in advance.

Read our full Ninja BlendBoss review

The best stick blender

Stick blenders (also called hand blenders or immersion blenders) are very convenient for making soups and sauces because they don't require you to pour hot ingredients between pans and pitchers. However, they can be uncomfortable to use, particularly if you have to hold down a hard button to keep the blade running.

That's not the case with the Bosch ErgoMaster Series 6, which has a curved body that's comfortable to hold, and a large trigger-style control that you can pull with your whole hand. It's a clever design that's particularly well suited to anyone with limited strength or mobility in their hands.

During my tests the standard blender foot worked extremely well, turning cooked ingredients into smooth vegetable soup in a couple of minutes. The only drawback was that the body of the blender had a tendency to get rather warm, though the soft-touch grip never became hot.

In addition to the blending foot, the ErgoMaster Series 6 also comes with a mini chopper attachment with two blades (one for small ingredients and another for ice), plus a balloon whisk. I found the chopper's 'universal blade' great for herbs, nuts, onions, and cheese (though cheese must be cut into small cubes first) and the balloon whisk was even better than my regular hand mixer for whipping egg whites into stiff peaks.

The only accessory that didn't blow me away was the ice blade. According to the manual, this should have chopped a handful of ice cubes in just a few seconds, but even after a full minute, my ice was a very uneven slush.

If you're not planning to dice much ice, though, this is an excellent stick blender that's super easy and comfortable to use.

Pssst, if you are looking for a cheaper alternative to a stick blender, scroll down to our also tested section.

Read our full Bosch ErgoMaster Series 6 review

The best blender for ice

The Smeg Professional Blender delivered the best crushed ice of any blender we've tested, turning cubes into even and smooth snow that's perfect for margaritas or slushies. The design is slimline and ultra-stylish, with a more grown-up, minimalist look you might expect from this brand. There's a good range of blending options – nine speeds, four presets (including ice), plus pulse, and even an Auto Clean option. On test, we found these presets very effective, although we were less impressed with the results in manual mode; these could be hit-and-miss.

It sits in the premium price bracket, and although the performance is solid, it's really aimed at style-conscious buyers. If you want a more heavy-duty blender, you'd be better off with with the Breville the Super Q (#6) or, if you're getting really serious, the Vitamix A3500 (#7).

Read our full Smeg Professional Blender review

The best professional blender

The Vitamix A3500 blender means serious business and made light work of combining ingredients in our tests without leaving any chunks behind. We used it to create deliciously smooth smoothies, as it can quickly blitz ice cubes too. This Vitamix blender has an impressive 10 variable speed settings, a pulse function, and five programs with predefined speeds and durations for everything from smoothies to dips and spreads. There's even a programmable timer to set the blender to work and automatically switch it off once the timer is up.

However, the A3500 is quite bulky, so consider this if you're short on space. It's heavy and the most expensive blender we've tested, with a price tag that's double and, in some cases, triple that of other blenders on this list.

Read our full Vitamix A3500 review

The best food processor combo

If you're buying appliances for your very first kitchen, or you're just short of space, the Nutribullet Triple Prep System is a great option. It consists of a base containing a 1,500W motor, with a full-size blending jug, single-portion smoothie maker, and food processor so you get three appliances in one.

Nutribullet hasn't skimped on quality here, and during our testing all three components performed as well as a standalone appliance. The jug blender was excellent for hummus and mayonnaise (though we found it best for large servings), the blending cup made light work of even tough smoothie ingredients, and the food processor was ideal for veggies and cheese.

You don't get all the discs and blades you would with a top-end food processor (there's no dough mixer, for example), but all the basics are covered well. (If you're a serious home chef, take a look at our full guide to the best food processors for some premium options.)

Read our full Nutribullet Triple Prep System review

We also tested

We test new kitchen appliances from big brands every month here on TechRadar. Here are some of the ones that didn't quite make our shortlist:

FAQs

How to choose the best blender for you

When selecting the best blender for you, start by identifying the type of blender you need. Jug blenders have a blade inside the plastic or glass receptacle, which spins when connected to the motor in the base units. As a result, they can blend in large quantities but the downside is that they are also usually bulky.

Smoothie blenders, also known as personal blenders, come with a small plastic cup rather than a jug. Fill the cup with your ingredients, then attach the blade, flip the cup upside down and connect to the base. When the ingredients are blended to your liking, remove from the base, unscrew the blade, and screw on a to-go lid, then take your drink with you.

Finally, there are also immersion blenders to consider. These are really useful for soup, where you can blend your soup in the pot instead of having to pour it into a separate blending appliance. Often referred to as hand blenders or stick blenders, immersion blenders are designed to be inserted into a saucepan or container of ingredients you want to puree. These compact appliances should be swirled around in the liquid while the blade spins to ensure it’s blended uniformly – but you need to be careful if you don't want soup shooting everywhere. For more advice on this, it would be worth taking a look at our jug blenders vs immersion blenders guide.

Things to look for in a blender

• Auto shut-off for safety
• BPA-free or glass jug
• Measurements on the jug
• Drip-free pouring spout
• Capacity of jug (counter top) / tumbler (portable)
• No. of speed and power settings
• Non-slip feet
• Available accessories

How we test blenders

To compare each blender, we’ve spent hours in the kitchen preparing bowlfuls of mayonnaise, and blending pineapple, spinach, and Greek yogurt into a smoothie. As well as assessing how smooth the sauce and smoothie are, we’re also looking for ingredients that are well-combined without any curdling and whether there is residue trapped under the blade or if the elements have leaked from the base lid during blending.

We also evaluate how finely and evenly the blenders chop ice and nuts and compare how easy they are to use. Finally, for each model, we rate how loud they are, how durable and easy to clean the body and parts are, and the valuable accessories they come with, such as a tamper for moving ingredients closer to the blade, extra jugs, or containers, and recipe booklets for inspiration.

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One-minute review  

Ninja is known for making some of the best blenders on the market, whether that’s full-size models with a pitcher, or personal cup-style blenders for making smoothies and shakes to go. The brand also offers innovative multifunctional blenders that double as food processors.

The model on review here has a different name depending on where you live: 

US: Ninja Foodi Power Blender & Processor System with Smoothie Bowl Maker and Nutrient Extractor

UK: Ninja Foodi Power Nutri Blender 3-in-1 with Smart Torque & Auto-iQ

AU: Ninja Food Power Blender and Processor System

It arrives with a large pitcher that can be used with a menacing crushing and chopping blade assembly, or with the dough blade assembly attached, it can mix up cookie or bread doughs. Also included is a cup with a to-go lid, plus a blade for making smoothies and shakes. And, for those who might not have heard, smoothie bowls are the new smoothies – and with this model’s power nutri bowl, also known as the smoothie bowl maker in the US, you can blend up these notoriously tricky-to-blend treats in no time.

Offering 10 speeds for blitzing, alongside six auto-blending programs, this is a versatile appliance that will really earn its place in your kitchen. In our tests it excelled at virtually every task we threw at it, plus it proved easy to use and assemble. If you like blending up hard-to-mix recipes such as smoothie bowls or nut butters, then this gadget will be a no-brainer. But unlike most blenders, it can mix up dough too, making it a great multipurpose option for keen cooks.

Ninja Foodi Power Blender & Processor System price and availability

•  List price:  £169.99/ $199.99 / AU$329.99 

The Ninja Foodi Power Nutri Blender 3-in-1 with Smart Torque & Auto-iQ is known as the Ninja Foodi Power Blender & Processor System with Smoothie Bowl Maker and Nutrient Extractor in the US, or the Ninja Food Power Blender and Processor System in Australia. In all three locations, you can purchase the model direct from Ninja.

On the face of it this is a pricey blender, but it delivers plenty of functionality for the price, offering far more than your average blender. In addition, if anything breaks or you want to add a second smoothie cup, all the accessories are available to purchase separately from Ninja.

Ninja Foodi Power Blender & Processor System: design

•  BPA-free plastic pitcher 
•  Can mix up to 3.5 cups/ 0.9 liters of cookie dough 
•  Good range of blending speeds 

This Ninja Foodi Power Blender comes with a large 72oz/ 2.1-liter plastic pitcher, whose locking lid features a pouring spout that can be accessed via its own flip-up lid. The pitcher can be used with either the plastic dough blade or the total crushing and chopping blade that features six blades at differing heights for maximum effect.

There’s a 24oz/ 700ml cup for smoothies or shakes, whose lid has a drinking spout for drinks on-the-go. The blade used in the smoothie cup is the same one that fits the smaller power nutri bowl, also known as the smoothie bowl maker in the US. This unique attachment has a built-in tamper that’s operated by manually twisting the top continuously as it blends, making it very effective at blending hard and frozen ingredients without becoming stuck or missing food items.

With the large pitcher attached, the blender measures 14.17 x 8.43 x 8.19 inches/ 37 x 21.4 x 21.8cm (h x w x d). In terms of storage, you’ll need to keep in mind that there are two additional cups and a dough blade for which you’ll need to find space. The plastic pitcher is relatively lightweight, weighing 3.1lbs / 1.4kg including the chopping blade and lid.

There are 10 manual speeds to choose from, with the large central dial allowing you to gradually turn up the speed. There’s a pulse button, too, plus six pre-set blending programs for different foods – known as Auto-iQ programs. In the UK, the Auto-iQ programs are Powermix, Blend, Crush, Mix, Puree and Chop. On the US and Australian models, the names are slightly different: Extract, Smoothie, Bowl, Spread, Chop and Dough. Essentially, though, these programs work in the same way.

All parts are dishwasher friendly, so cleaning up is easy. And if you don’t have a dishwasher, then simply add water and dishwashing liquid to the pitcher or cups, blending it to release the worst of the residue, before giving it a final clean by hand. A brush included in the box makes the dangerous task of cleaning the blades less daunting.

Ninja Foodi Power Blender & Processor System: performance

• Powerful blender
• Copes well with heavy dough mix for bread
• Effortlessly crushes ice

This multipurpose blender can perform numerous tasks, so we ran a few additional tests over our usual selection for testing blenders, to ensure we covered most things. First up was crushing ice in the main pitcher. This was a breeze for the six sharp blades on the Ninja, with the blender taking just 10 seconds to completely crush six ice cubes.

Next up we used the Chop auto program to blitz some hazelnuts. This is a short five-second program, which you can run several times, allowing you to make the decision on how finely chopped you want the contents. Unfortunately, though, it didn’t work very well for nuts. After pressing start on the program a whopping 25 times, there remained lots of big chunks of hazelnut. So we tried again using speed one on the manual settings. Running the blender for one minute, the results were better; however, the chopped nuts were still uneven in size with some quite chunky bits. That said, most blenders struggle to chop nuts evenly.

Chopping diced beef using the Chop program was far more effective. We ran the program five times, for a total of 40 seconds of chopping, and it resulted in the perfect ground beef texture. Bread dough was also successfully mixed in the blender, with the dough blade bringing together the ingredients into a dough with ease. There was a degree of wobbling during the process, but the feet on the suction cup kept the blender firmly rooted to the counter, even as the dough combined into a heavy mixture.

We made a smoothie to go in the cup provided using the Blend program (UK model), with the 55-second program liquidizing the spinach, pineapple, yogurt, apple juice and banana into a smooth, thick, and slightly pulpy smoothie. There were a few tiny specs of spinach visible; but, overall, the drink was of a good texture. Note, though, that we didn’t find the lid as comfortable to drink from as some others we’ve tried.

One of our standard tests involves making mayo in a blender pitcher – but, here, as we tipped in the egg yolks and vinegar, we could see that the lowest blade wasn’t low enough to combine the contents of the mixture. Undeterred, we started the Ninja on its slowest speed and poured oil through the spout of the lid. Eventually, as the level rose, the blade started mixing – and, to our surprise, the ingredients did emulsify into a thick, creamy mayo in under two minutes.

After decanting the mayo, we added water and dishwashing liquid to the pitcher and used the Mix/ Bowl program to clean it and the blade. This successfully cleaned off the worst of the grease, but some water did manage to escape from the lid while the program was running. We suspect this was as a result of us adding too much dishwashing liquid, which created too much foam. Once clean, however, we did a further test to check for leaking by filling up the pitcher with water up to the Max liquid line and running the blender. Thankfully, this time no liquid leaked out.

Our last test involved making a smoothie bowl. We followed guidance in the included recipe book, which stated adding almond milk to the Liquid fill line, thereafter filling to the Max fill line with frozen berries, adding a spoonful of peanut butter for good measure. Once in position on the base, we selected the 30-second Mix program (Bowl program on US/ Australia models) and, as instructed, we twisted the paddle at the top continuously for the full length of the program. After only 30 seconds, we were mightily impressed with the smooth, thick frozen smoothie the Ninja had produced, ready to be spooned into a bowl and covered with tasty toppings.

Running a noise meter through most tests, the loudest we recorded the Ninja at was 86dB while chopping hazelnuts, ice and blending a smoothie. It was quietest when chopping beef at 79dB.

Should I buy the Ninja Foodi Power Blender & Processor System?

Buy it if… 

Don’t buy it if… 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: May 2022

One-minute review

Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer: one-minut review

Ninja is the kitchen appliance brand that just seems to be going from strength to strength. Not only is it known for making some of the best multi-cookers and air fryers around, but it’s continually innovating, producing numerous multipurpose appliances such as its blenders that double as food processors.

The Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer is known as the Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill in the US or the Ninja Foodi Airgrill in Australia. Like many air fryers, it offers other cooking functions in addition to air frying. These include bake, roast and dehydrate, but it’s the grill function that sets it apart from the rest. It allows you to chargrill foods, but a smoke-control system means you can do it indoors without setting off your smoke alarm. It’s like having an outdoor grill or barbecue in your kitchen.

It comes with a cooking pot, crisper basket and grill plate, all of which are non-stick and dishwasher-safe; but not all can be stored inside the appliance at the same time. When measured in quarts or liters, the air fry basket isn’t huge. However, it feels generously sized thanks to its wide and shallow design, which means food can be spread out for better results.

On test we were impressed with the air frying and grilling results, but there’s no denying this is a chunky appliance that demands a lot of countertop space - especially when compared to slightly less bulky competitors likes some of the best air fryers we’ve seen. As such, it isn’t ideal for smaller kitchens. However, it’s worth it if you’ll get a lot of use out of the grill function; otherwise, you may as well plump for one of Ninjas standard air fryers instead.

The Ninja Double Stack is a great option if you want to cook more food without taking up a lot of space on your counter, and it took the prize for best air fryer in the 2024 TechRadar Choice Awards. If you want the smoky flavor of food cooked on a BBQ, without the mess, the Ninja Woodfire is well worth investigating. It uses wood pellets (available in different types) to create an authentic BBQ flavor, and can be used indoors or out, provided there's a power outlet within reach.

Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer: price and availability

• List price: £199.99 / $229.99 / AU$399.99

As mentioned above, the Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer is known as the Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill in the US or the Ninja Foodi Airgrill in Australia. You can buy it direct from Ninja and the price is similar to Ninja's other large-capacity air fryers. However, with this model you also get the ability to grill indoors as well as bake, dehydrate and roast.

Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer: design

• Intuitive control panel
• Auto preheat
• Dishwasher-safe parts

This Ninja grill and air fryer was chunkier than we were expecting, measuring 11 x 14 x 17 inches/ 26 x 35.6 x 45cm (h x w x d). In addition, the configuration of the hinged lid means it requires a fair bit of clearance around the rear to allow it to open fully. Not being able to push it to the back of the countertop only contributes to the unit feeling bigger than it is. Of course, you can push it back when it isn’t in use, but it still demands a good chunk of counter space.

The main cooking pot has a 6-quart/ 5.7-liter capacity, and if you’re air frying then you’ll need to insert the crisper basket, which knocks down the capacity to 4 quarts/ 3.8 liters. For grilling, there’s a heavy grill plate that sits inside the main cooking pot. Everything is dishwasher-friendly, but those without such an appliance needn’t worry since a stiff brush is also provided to help with cleaning the grill plate by hand. If you want to store the Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer away in a cupboard, you’ll need space not only for the appliance itself, but also either the grill plate or the crisper basket, since both items can’t be stored inside the unit at the same time.

The control panel is easily accessible at the front of the appliance and is simple to use. For grilling, you can choose one of four heat levels. The air fryer can be set at temperatures between 300-450oF / 150-240oC; for roasting, the temperature range is 250-500oF / 120-260oC; or you can bake at 250-400oF / 120-210oC. The dehydrate function uses lower temperatures between 105-195oF / 40-90oC, but requires longer cook times. The screen combined with straightforward arrow buttons to adjust time and temperature mean there’s no complicated setup. The Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer even preheats automatically, informing you when it’s hot enough to add your food. It doesn’t remind you to shake or stir when air frying, however.

A quick-start guide as well as a recipe book with cooking charts offers plenty of guidance on time and temperature selections for common foods. Although note that there are very few suggestions for the roast and bake functions, so these will require some trial and error.

Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer: performance

• Plenty of space to spread out food when air frying
• Bar marks from grill are curved not straight
• Foods cook and brown evenly

Using this air fryer is slightly different to a standard air fryer with a pull-out basket. Instead, the crisper basket here drops into the appliance; you access food by lifting the top lid. The set-up is no better or worse than other air fryers, but it’s a bit trickier to shake food mid-cooking, since you’ll have to lift out the hot crisper basket in order to do so.

To test out the air fry function, we cooked up a batch of frozen thick-cut fries. We set the temperature to 360oF / 180oC, allowing the cooker to preheat with the crisper basket inside. This took just three minutes. Once hot, the Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer prompted us to add the food and automatically started the countdown timer on closing the lid. There’s no reminder to shake or turn food during air frying, but we checked it half way through, lifting out the basket with oven gloves to give the fries a shake. After 20 minutes, the resulting fries were crisp, golden and perfectly cooked. Not only did they taste great, but they cooked faster than the 28 minutes they would have taken in an oven.

Next, we air-fried chicken wings, and we were impressed that there was enough space in the basket to hold seven wings side-by-side – you could easily fit more in, if you piled them on top of each other. Before air frying, we coated the wings in ½ tbsp oil and preheated the air fryer to 400oF / 200oC. We turned the wings after 10 minutes, and 15 minutes later they were cooked through with beautifully golden crisp skin and moist tender meat.

For our third test, we assessed the Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer’s ability to cook raw hand-cut fries. As per the advice in the air fry chart, we soaked the raw fries in cold water for 30 minutes then dried them thoroughly. We coated them in 1tbsp oil and preheated the air fryer to 400oF / 200oC. The cooking chart advises 23-26 minutes, and we gave them a shake following 10 and 15 minutes of cooking. We removed them after 18 minutes because they were cooked and golden brown. The insides were fluffy and the crisping and browning on the outsides of the fried was pretty even.

The ability to grill is a core function of this air fryer, so we tried it out by grilling two beef burgers. We followed the suggestion in the grill chart and set it on high for 6 minutes. The grill is slower to preheat – it takes around 8 minutes – and you have to make sure the grill plate is inside, so it’s hot when the food is added. Once preheated, we added the burgers and then turned them after 3 minutes of cooking. We were impressed with the minimal amount of smoke and cooking smells emitted by the Ninja. The burgers were nicely cooked with charred lines on the outside, but the shape of the bars on the grill plate means the markings on the burgers were curved as opposed to the traditional straight marks you’d expect.

Cleaning the cooking pot and basket is easy thanks to the non-stick coating, or you can pop it in the dishwasher. The grill plate is a little more fiddly to wash by hand, but it’s made easier by using the brush that’s supplied by Ninja.

The air fryer didn’t go louder than 55dB on our noise meter; the grill was slightly noisier, but still only reached 58dB – which isn’t too loud at all.

Should you buy the Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: May 2022

One-minute review

Air fryers have been around since 2010 and their popularity continues to grow as more and more people discover that these countertop appliances can cook, crisp and brown foods so fast that your oven feels unbearably slow in comparison. Ninja is known for making some of the best blenders and Instant Pot alternatives, but you can also look to this brand for some of the best air fryers.

Ninja offers two types of air fryer, its dual-zone models have two separate cooking compartments and a larger capacity. Whereas the Ninja Air Fryer Max AF160 (known as the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL in the US) has just one cooking basket and is Ninja's most premium single zone air fryer. 

It’s certainly pricier than other air fryers of this size available from rival brands, but it can do much more than producing tasty healthier versions of classic fried foods. It’s got six functions (seven on the US model), in addition to air frying it can be used to bake, roast and even dehydrate foods making it a versatile appliance.

It’s a neat compact air fryer that still boasts a 5.2 litre / 5.5-quart capacity so there’s enough space for four portions of fries or even for a whole chicken. It works like most air fryers, by efficiently circulating very hot air in a small space, cooking foods 50% faster than fan ovens to create crisp results that require up to 75% less fat than traditional frying.

On test we found it easy to use, it was able to create impressively crisp results in a short time and is a great choice if you’re looking to switch out fried foods for a healthier alternative.

Ninja Air Fryer Max AF160 price and availability

• List price: £149.99/ $159.99 / AU$349.99

The Ninja Air Fryer Max AF160, which as we’ve already mentioned is known as the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL in the US, is available through Ninja’s website as well as Amazon and will set you back £149.99/ $159.99 / AU$349.99.

This isn’t the cheapest air fryer from Ninja, the Ninja Air Fryer AF100, which is known as the AF101 in the US, is the least expensive model offered by Ninja at £129.99 / $119.99 but it doesn’t have Bake or Max Crisp settings and it’s not available in Australia.

Design

• 5.2 litre / 5.5 quart capacity
• Small footprint
• 6 cooking functions (7 in the US)

We’re not suggesting the Ninja Air Fryer Max is a small appliance, but as air fryers go, this one doesn’t take up much counter space, but it is tall. It measures 36 x 25 x 32cm / 14.8 x 11 x 14 inches (h x w x d). And if you’d rather tuck it out of sight in a cupboard, at 5.2 kg / 11.7 pounds it’s light enough for most people to move easily.

The ceramic-coated cooking basket comes with a removable ceramic-coated crisper plate, this raises food off the bottom of the basket, allowing air to circulate and excess fat to drip away. Both are non-stick and can be cleaned in the dishwasher. The basket is equipped with a large chunky handle to pull it out, which is also useful for giving your food a shake mid-cook.

The simple control panel features a digital display to count down the cooking time. Each cooking function can be selected by pressing the corresponding button and there are additional buttons to adjust the default time and temperature settings as well as a start/ stop button and a power button. There are six cooking functions to choose from on the UK and Australia models, these are; Max Crisp, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate. The US model comes with a seventh function, which is Air Broil.

The air fry function can be set for up to 60 minutes at a maximum of 210 C  / 410 F while the more powerful Max Crisp function heats at a set temperature of 240 C  / 450 F for a maximum of 30 minutes. There are no predefined settings for your favourite foods, but you get a Quick Start Guide in the box which includes time and temperature suggestions as well as oil quantities for lots of foods as well as 20 recipes to try. However, we’d like to see more cooking advice given for the Roast and Bake functions as the guide is lacking this info.

Performance

• Cook time pauses when the basket is removed
• Quiet
• crisper plate allows excess fat to drain away

There’s no set-up required and with a simple intuitive control panel and lots of cook times provided, it’s easy to get going with the Ninja Air Fryer Max AF160 even if you’re an air frying novice.

The manual suggests preheating the air fryer for three minutes to get the best results, so before adding food we set the timer to three minutes and let it preheat. This process isn’t annoying, but it would be great if Ninja could incorporate a preheat setting to make it simpler.

Using the Quick Start Guide we figured out an air fry time of 20 minutes for our hand-cut chunky fries. The guide advises between 0.5Tbsp to 3Tbsp oil, so we opted for 1.5Tbsp which is more than required by some other air fryer brands, but at the end of cooking over 0.5Tbsp had drained into the bottom of the basket, leaving less than 1Tbsp on the fries.

We gave the fries a shake three times during cooking, but you do have to remember to do this as the air fryer doesn’t prompt you. The finished fries were golden, crisped and fluffy inside, but we could have shaved a minute or two off the cook time as some were a little overdone, having said that it was a pleasingly fast result to go from raw potato to cooked fries in just 20 minutes.

Frozen steak cut fries cooked to perfection on the Max Crisp setting and despite the bag giving a cook time of 26 to 28 minutes, they took just 12.5 minutes which is less than half the time they would take in an oven. We did preheat the air fryer for three minutes first and had to give them a shake a couple of times, but the result was impressively crisp fries with soft fluffy centers.

When cooking chicken wings we reduced the suggested cook time, due to our portion being much smaller than the amount suggested in the guide. In the end, they took 12 minutes and we chose not to add the 1 tbsp oil that Ninja suggested, this allowed fat inside the wings to drain away for a healthier option. We turned the wings twice during cooking and they developed a crisp skin while staying moist and succulent inside.

The hottest temperature we recorded on the outside of the air fryer was 50 C / 122 F  but the handle and control panel stayed cool. The air frying process was quiet, registering just 50dB on our noise meter, making it one of the quietest air fryers we’ve tested to date, and the equivalent sound level of general chatter at home and completely acceptable.

Nothing stuck to the basket or the crisper plate during our testing and both washed well in the dishwasher, although they aren’t too tricky to wash by hand either.

Should I buy the Ninja Air Fryer Max AF160?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: December 2021

• Check out these great air fryer deals

One-minute review

Ninja is a brand known for its affordable blenders, offering a range of models that give rivals from manufacturers such as Nutribullet and Vitamix a run for their money. The company launched its first design in 2013, and has since expanded its range of kitchen gadgets to include some of the best air fryers and multi-cookers to rival the iconic Instant Pot. 

Now it’s dipping its toe into the world of ice cream makers with the Ninja Creami (also known as the Ice Cream Maker NC300UK in the UK). However, the thing to note is that Ninja’s model works in a slightly different way to the majority of ice cream makers already on the market. 

Freeze-first ice cream makers feature a double-walled bowl that has gel coolant sandwiched in-between. To make ice cream in such machines, the bowl must be frozen for at least 24 hours before the ice cream base is prepared and churned by the ice cream maker. Alternatively, self-freezing ice cream makers freeze the mixture as it’s churned, using a built-in compressor so that there’s no need to freeze the bowl first.  

Ninja’s Ice Cream Maker employs neither of these techniques, however. Instead, it requires you to make and freeze the ice cream base in the dessert tubs that come bundled with the ice cream maker for 24 hours. Then a two-blade paddle uses downward force to work its way all the way through the tub of ice cream, shaving and smoothing the mixture to break down the ice crystals. This results in a soft, creamy, super-smooth frozen dessert.  

The Ninja’s capacity of 473ml / 1-pint of ice cream is smaller than many freeze-first ice cream makers. However, where it trumps those models is its ability to create creamy desserts using dairy and sugar substitutes. 

At $199.99 / £199.99, the Ninja Ice Cream Maker NC300 is an expensive kitchen appliance that takes up a lot of space, plus it’s noisy to boot. However, if you’re a fan of frozen sweet treats, then the creaminess and smoothness of the desserts it creates more than makes up for the initial outlay.

Ninja Ice Cream Maker NC300 price and availability

• List price: $199.99 / £199.99

The Ninja Ice Cream Maker NC300, or the Ninja Creami NC301 in the US, is priced at $199.99 / £199.99. It’s available from Ninja direct, as well as from online retailers including Amazon. However, it’s currently out of stock in the US, although Ninja says supplies will be available soon. 

The Ninja Ice Cream Maker NC300 comes in at a similar price to compressor-style ice cream makers, such as those from Cuisinart. However, it still requires the same level of planning as freeze-first ice cream makers. 

Design

• Includes three 473 ml / 1-pint dessert tubs
• Seven different programs
• Dishwasher-safe accessories

The Ninja Ice Cream Maker NC300 is a bulky kitchen appliance, measuring 40.5 x 16.5 x 27cm / 15.95 x 12.07 x 6.52 inches (h x w x d) and weighs in at 6.4kg / 14.1lb. The subtle grey design features glossy black accents, which are sure to suit most kitchen decor. 

The ice cream maker comes with three plastic 473 ml / 1-pint dessert tubs and lids into which sweet treat bases should be frozen. These are then inserted into the outer bowl to be churned; the lid with a two-blade paddle attaches to the top, scraping and folding the contents.

The ice cream maker has two motors, one to spin the paddle and another to apply downward pressure to break up the ice crystals quickly. 

There are six presets that allow you to prepare everything from traditional and low-calorie ice cream, to gelato, sorbets, smoothie bowls and even milkshakes. An additional program enables chocolate, nuts, sweets and cookie chunks to be evenly distributed through the ice cream, for those who like their sweet treats textured with surprises. 

All of the removable components are dishwasher safe, making for easy clean-up, too. 

Performance

• Creates creamy smooth desserts
• Requires base to be frozen for 24 hours first
• Extremely loud in use

We were super-impressed with the Ninja Ice Cream Maker for making frozen desserts. We made a traditional ice cream, gelato, with an egg custard and cream base, fruit sorbet and dairy-free ice cream that included a sugar substitute to keep the calories low. The resulting four frozen desserts were rich and creamy, with the ice cream and gelato being extremely smooth, free of any ice crystals. 

As mentioned, you’ll need to make the ice cream base and freeze it in one of the included dessert tubs for 24 hours first. This is a little fiddly: you need to ensure the liquid is frozen level; not at an angle. Unfortunately, if you don’t get this right then you’ll need to throw out the base and start again, as the ice cream maker won’t be able to provide a consistent churn. 

Succeed, however, and it’s quick and simple to turn the frozen content full of ice crystals into a smooth and tasty dessert. Just remove the lid from the dessert tub and insert it into the outer bowl, attach the paddle to the lid and and connect it to the outer bowl. Everything locks together with a satisfying click, after which you’re ready to select one of the seven dessert programs that include ice cream, gelato, sorbet, light ice cream, smoothie bowls and even milkshakes. 

There are seven to choose from, lasting between one and two minutes, with the paddle churning the liquid until it’s smooth. There’s also a handy ‘mix-in’ function that enables you to add chocolate, nuts, sweets and cookie chunks to your ice cream once it’s been prepared. However, we found you need to burrow a 4cm / 1.6 in core in the dessert that you fill with the items you want to be mixed-in to the sweet treat. Ninja recommends a spoon, but we found an apple corer proved far more successful here. This was time-consuming, but the mix-in program itself only took a minute to evenly distribute 45g / 1.6oz of chocolate chips though our vanilla ice cream.

We were also impressed with the dairy-free ice cream created in the machine. While the frozen desert wasn’t entirely free of ice crystals, they were extremely small and few and far between – which isn’t something we’ve ever been able to achieve in other ice cream makers. 

Note, however, that this ice cream maker is extremely noisy in use. Our decibel meter registered a maximum of 88.4dB when making sorbet, which is the equivalent of using a vacuum cleaner such as the Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins & Flexology from Ninja’s sister brand Shark. Although considering the maximum program length is only 2.5 minutes, we didn’t find it too much of a chore to sit through. 

Should I buy the Ninja Ice Cream Maker NC300?

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First reviewed: November 2021

When it comes to getting more fruit and vegetables in our diet, smoothies are taking over. More than half of us enjoyed a refreshing and nutritious treat last year (and that number is set to increase in the near future). One of the best blenders is a must, not just for smoothies but for a range of other culinary prep such as sauces, soup and even crushing ice and milling nuts. 

They're two of the biggest names in the blending market right now but how do you decide between Ninja vs Nutribullet? Both offer an array of full-size jug blenders and personal cup style blenders, also known as smoothie makers and if you’re thinking of buying a blender, it makes sense to consider these brands. 

However, it can be hard to decide which is best suited to you, so we’ve tested a range of devices from both brands to give you the low-down.

Ninja vs Nutribullet: Best deals

Read on to find out just how these blending brand compare – or, if you know which model you want, check out the best prices right now for both products below:  

Ninja vs Nutribullet: Range

Both Ninja and Nutribullet are known for making some of the best personal cup blenders. Ninja offers three personal blenders in the US and Australia, in the UK there are four models to choose from. 

The specific models vary by country but the top-of-the-range Ninja Foodi Smoothie Bowl Maker and Nutrient Extractor (known as the Ninja Foodi Power Nutri Blender 2-in-1 with Smart Torque & Auto-iQ in the UK and the Ninja Foodi Power Nutri Duo in Australia) is the one of the designs available in all three countries. In addition to standard smoothies it’s designed with the power to pulverize nuts and seeds into smooth nut butters and create thick, spoonable smoothie bowls that don’t require extra liquid to blend thoroughly.

In addition to the personal cup blenders Ninja has seven full size blenders (although only five of these are available in Australia and just four in the UK). They range from simple jug blenders to multi-purpose kitchen systems that incorporate food processors, soup makers, personal blending cups and smoothie bowl accessories. With various combinations of accessories, Ninja blenders allow you to combine two or three appliances in one, saving space and money and the variety offered means there’s something for everyone in this range.

Nutribullet has a larger selection of personal blenders than what’s on offer from Ninja, with six models available in the US, while UK customers can choose between seven and if you’re in Australia there are a whopping ten different versions. 

On the face of it most Nutribullets look very similar, with the range consisting of different wattage levels at different prices and of course different combinations of cups included. However, some models require you to push down on the cup to activate the blender while others automatically start once the cup is attached, or you can opt for one with a control panel that allows you to choose a blend speed. 

The Nutribullet RX available in the UK and the US can heat as well as blend, so you can create tasty hot soups. Or there’s the innovative Nutribullet Balance available in the UK that has built in scales and can connect to an app to give you nutrition information for your smoothie. And for smoothies anywhere, there's the cordless Nutribullet Go.

The Nutribullet range of full-size blenders isn’t quite so extensive, US customers can choose between four models, in the UK there are just two, or if you’re in Australia there are three. The differences between each of the models include differences in the wattage, control interface and whether or not personal blending cups are included in the bundle. Read our review of the Nutribullet Blender Combo here.

Ninja vs Nutribullet: Price

If you’re after a full-size jug blender, a Nutribullet blender with no accessories will set you back $109.99/ £99.99 (not available in Australia) and for that, you’ll get an easy-to-use no-fuss blender with a large 64oz/ 1.6-liter pitcher. 

For a similar model that includes personal blending cups, you can expect to pay $149.99/ £149.99/ AU$229.99 for the Nutribullet Blender Combo. Or for the top-of-the-range blender (which isn’t available in the UK) you’re looking at $189.99/ AU$299.95 and this buys you the powerful 1500W Nutribullet Smart Touch Blender Combo with a touchscreen display, intelligent programs, and two personal cups for easy on-the-go drinks.

The most basic Ninja full-size jug blender in the UK and Australia is the BN750 which is called the Ninja Professional Plus Blender Duo in Australia and the Ninja 2-in-1 Blender with Auto IQ in the UK. 

It’s equipped with a large 74 oz / 2.1 liter jug as well as a 25 oz / 700ml personal cup, one-touch controls, and 1200W of blending power, it’ll set you back £129.99/ AU$249.99. In the US the cheapest Ninja blender is the $99.99 Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-IQ, it’s got a sizable 72 oz  / 2.1 liter pitcher and 1400W of blending power.

Other Ninja blenders include the Ninja Foodi Blender and Soup Maker which is called the Ninja Foodi Cold and Hot Blender in the US and costs $159.99/ £149.99 (not available in Australia). This versatile blender can also make smooth and chunky soups. Or for $199.99/ £199.99 you can combine a full-size blender with a personal blender and food processor with the Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor with Auto-IQ which is called in the Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System with Auto-IQ in the US (again this model isn’t available in Australia).

For personal blenders the Nutribullet 600 Series (known as the Nutribullet 600W Personal Blender in the US) is the most basic and lowest power Nutribullet model that’s available worldwide, it costs just $79.99/ £69.99/ AU$89.95. The most powerful Nutribullet available is the Nutribullet 1200 Series (known as the Nutribullet Pro 1200 in Australia but not available in the US) which comes in at £119.99/ AU$149. The most powerful of the standard range in the US is the Nutribullet Pro 1000 and it’s $99.99. As mentioned above, innovative models include the Nutribullet Rx which can make hot soup as well as smoothies for $179.99/ £139.99 or the UK only Nutribullet Balance for £149.99.

Ninja personal blenders start at $69.99 in the US for the Ninja Nutri-Blender Plus or £49.99/ AU$159.99 for the UK Nutri Ninja Blender & Smoothie Maker (known as the Ninja Pro Blender in Australia). Both models are 900W and come with two cups. 

At the other end of the scale is the aforementioned top-of-the-range Ninja Foodi Smoothie Bowl Maker and Nutrient Extractor (known as the Ninja Foodi Power Nutri Blender 2-in-1 with Smart Torque & Auto-iQ in the UK and the Ninja Foodi Power Nutri Duo in Australia) which will set you back $119.99/ £99.99/ AU$249.99 but has the power to make nut butter and thicker smoothie bowls.

Ninja vs Nutribullet: Features

When it comes to power, both brands offer full size blenders at a range of power levels to suit all needs. Nutribullet offers models with up to 1500W power in Australia and the US or 1200W in the UK. Ninjas' highest power full size blenders are different in every country, you can get a 1200W model in the UK, but in the US they go up to 1400W and 1500W in Australia.

On the whole, Ninja offers a more varied and versatile range of full-size blenders incorporating other appliances like soup makers and food processors to make them multi-purpose. Whereas the Nutribullet models are more of your regular style of blender. Additionally the Ninja blenders typically come with larger 72oz/ 2.1 liter pitchers, Nutribullet pitchers tend to be around 64 oz/ 1.8 liter. And based on the models we’ve reviewed, the Ninja full size blenders feel more robust than the Nutribullet models.

In terms of personal blenders, both brands offer a range of power levels and there’s not a huge difference between them. They both offer a range of different size cups available to purchase separately. 

In terms of innovation, each brand is pushing the boundaries in a different way. As mentioned above, Ninja has developed a personal blender that’s designed specifically to cope well with thick mixtures. It can make smoothie bowls, paté and even nut butters which are recipes most other personal blenders wouldn’t cope well with. 

Whereas Nutribullet has developed a personal blender that can heat up ingredients to produce soup. And although it’s only available in the UK the Nutribullet Balance takes away the need for weighing scales when measuring out your smoothie ingredients, plus if you’re counting calories or macros, it’ll make life easier when you connect to the app for nutrition information.

Ninja vs Nutribullet: Verdict

Both brands offer a great range of blending appliances that are well-equipped to pulverize soups and smoothies into lump-free liquids. Ninja full-size blenders are packed with features and accessories that make them the best option for multi-purpose models and Nutribullet has a good selection of simple easy-to-use blenders.

Price-wise there’s not much in it, both brands offer affordable options of full-size as well as personal blenders. Nutribullet has the largest range of personal blenders to choose from, making it easier to find the perfect model to suit your requirements.

• Prefer coffee to smoothies? Check out the best coffee makers you can buy right now

One-minute review

Ninja is a brand that prides itself in its ability to continually innovate and come up with solutions to some of your biggest kitchen frustrations. It’s already a go-to brand for some of the best Instant Pot alternatives, but its new range of SmartLid multi-cookers has taken the already versatile kitchen appliance to the next level.

The Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker is known as the Ninja Foodi 14-in-1 6.5 quart Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer with SmartLid in the US. The two models are very similar, but the US model has additional proof and sous vide functions and comes with a cook and crisp plate instead of a basket.

The slider on the lid has three positions, each one unlocking different functions, so it’s always correctly sealed for the cooking function you’re using, it couldn’t be simpler. And not content with the innovative new lid, Ninja has also introduced new combination steam functions that mean you can steam and crisp at the same time for the juiciest results.

This model is the smallest in the range, but at 6 litre / 6.5 quart it’ll still be big enough for four-person households. And while it’s still an expensive multi-cooker, it’s cheaper than the most premium model in this range, but it does lack the meat probe and the automatic steam release as well as some of the cooking functions that you get with the top-of-the-range model in the Ninja SmartLid multi-cooker line-up. 

It’s a great multi-cooker that produced excellent results during testing, it’s very easy to use and really would suit most people looking for a multi-cooker that can also air fry and bake, but if you’re on a budget there are less expensive options so long as you’re happy to switch lids.

Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker price and availability

•  List price: £229.99 / $279.99 

As we mentioned above the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker is known as the Ninja Foodi 14-in-1 6.5 quart Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer with SmartLid in the US, and it’ll set you back £229.99 / $279.99. It’s available from the Ninja Kitchen website in both the US and the UK. 

This is the smallest and least expensive of the innovative SmartLid range of multi-cookers from Ninja. However, it is still an expensive option. The Ninja Foodi Max 15-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker, which is known as the Ninja Foodi 14-in-1 8-qt. Smart XL Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer with SmartLid in the US, is the most expensive model in the line-up at £299.99 / $349.99. 

Design

• One lid for all functions
• Simple interface
• Large footprint

It might be the smallest multi-cooker in the range but the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker isn’t exactly petite. It measures 33 x 35 x 36cm  /13.07 x 14.21 x 15.39 inches (h x w x d) and at 10.9kg / 24 lb it’s not light either, so you won’t want to move it in and out of a cupboard every day.

This SmartLid range from Ninja utilizes a slider on the lid with three positions, and it allows you to select cooking functions based on the position of the slider. This ensures the lid is always correctly locked or unlocked for the function you’re using.

The UK model has 11 cooking functions: pressure, steam air fry, steam bake, air fry, grill, bake, dehydrate, sear/ sauté, steam, slow cook and yogurt. The US model has all of the same cooking functions plus proof and sous vide.

The removable cooking pot has a non-stick coating to make it easy to clean but it’s also dishwasher safe. The other accessories are also dishwasher safe and include a reversible rack and a Cook & Crisp basket in the UK or Cook & Crisp plate in the US.

We found the menus and settings very intuitive to use. It doesn’t have preset programs for different foods or meals, but instead comes with a recipe booklet that includes cooking charts detailing how best to cook all of your favorite foods.

Performance

• New combi steam functions
• Crisps well
• Easy to clean

We used several different cooking methods and made some delicious meals with this easy-to-use appliance.

We started off by making chunky fries using the air fry function. One of the great things about this multi-cooker is that it comes with lots of cooking charts giving advice on times and settings, so we followed the suggestion for chunky fries and set it for 22 minutes. During cooking, we turned and stirred the fries three times to help with browning. At the end of the 22 minutes, we added an additional three minutes to increase the browning to our liking which gave us deliciously crisp fries with fluffy centers.

To steam broccoli, we again followed the advice in the cooking chart, adding water to the pot and putting our broccoli florets on the reversible rack. The rack is fine for chunky veg but won’t work for smaller pieces as they’ll fall through. We set it to steam for six minutes, there was a seven-minute preheat but after the 13 minute total cook time, the broccoli was perfectly cooked and al dente. During cooking, steam vents out of the back of the appliance so it’s best to be near a cooker hood or window, if you place it under a shelf or wall cupboard you’ll get condensation collecting from all the steam.

Cooking brown basmati rice to the perfect texture was easy. The cooking chart didn’t let us down, giving the perfect time for pressure-cooked rice, but you may need to experiment if you want to make more or less than the suggested quantity. Setting it to pressure cook on high was easy, it preheated for seven and a half minutes, then cooked for a further seven minutes. The chart suggests a delayed pressure release so we left it for 10 minutes before flicking the valve into the vent position which quickly released any remaining steam. The 25 minute cook time is only slightly longer than cooking it on the stove, but the results were perfect and it’s nice not to have to watch over it.

We utilised the pressure cooker again to make a Thai red curry, browning chicken legs first using the sauté function. The base of the pot isn’t flat, and we noticed that all of the oil settles around the outer edges, meaning we had to place the chicken at the edges to ensure it was fried in the oil. This was probably the biggest downside while using this appliance. That said, the chicken browned well and it’s not too much of a problem if you keep moving and stirring your ingredients. 

Once the rest of the curry ingredients were in the pot, we set it to pressure cook on high for 20 minutes. The preheat was nine minutes and at the end of cooking, we flicked the pressure release valve to the vent position which took three and half minutes and registered 77dB on our decibel meter, which is equivalent to the sound a car traveling at 65mph makes. 

The pressure release is easy but does involve putting your hands near the area where the steam is released, you can make this safer by using tongs to move the valve. The chicken was beautifully cooked and fell off the bone at the end of cooking.

To make a slow-cooked chili we used the sauté function again to brown the beef and vegetables before setting it to slow cook on high for six hours. The chili thickened up significantly during cooking, giving us a rich and tasty dinner for very little effort.

Finally, we had a go with the new steam air fry function which claims to crisp foods as well as steam to keep them moist and succulent. Following the suggestions in the cooking chart, we added water to the pot and placed two skin-on chicken breasts onto the rack. The steam preheat took six minutes and then it started counting down our 20 minute cook time. 

Like when using the steam only function it emits lots of steam from the vent at the back and the noise level is similar to air frying. The sides of the lid reached 45 C  /113 F, which is the hottest temperature we recorded on the exterior of this appliance during any of our tests, for the most part it stays cool enough to touch. At the end of cooking the chicken was moist and succulent on the inside but with very crisp golden skin on top, an excellent result.

Should I buy the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker?

Buy it if...

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• Check out these great air fryer deals

One-minute review

Ninja offers some of the best Instant Pot alternatives on the market, and despite having only launched its first multicooker with air frying capabilities in 2018, Ninja has continued to innovate and now come up with a whole new design that’s more convenient than ever.

The Ninja Foodi Max 15-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker is known as the Ninja Foodi 14-in-1 8-qt. Smart XL Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer with SmartLid in the US and, to confuse matters more, it's called the Ninja Foodi Smartlid 14-in-1 7.5L Multi Cooker in Australia. All three versions differ slightly in terms of the functions on offer but for the most part, they’re the same.

One of the biggest new features that stands out is the SmartLid, which comes with a built-in thermometer so you can monitor the temperature of meats and fish and adjust it to automatically produce anything from rare to well-done results.

The UK model has 15 functions while the US and Australian models have 14, with all three offering the typical culinary options such as pressure cook, slow cook, and steam as well as air fry and bake. However, for the first time, there’s also an option to combine steam and browning for crisp foods that stay juicy on the inside. 

With all these features, this new Ninja multi-cooker offers far more than even the most premium model available from Instant Pot. It’s a top-performing multi-cooker that excelled in our tests. The large capacity makes it perfect for bigger households, but everyone should be able to cook up a storm in this innovative appliance.

Ninja Foodi Max 15-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker price and availability

•   List price: £299.99 / $349.99 / AU$549

The Ninja Foodi Max SmartLid Multi-Cooker retails for $349.99 / £299.99 / AU$549. It’s available from the Ninja Kitchen website in the US, the UK and Australia. 

It’s the most expensive multicooker we’ve reviewed to date but it’s also the most advanced and innovative model, not only from Ninja but across the board. It’s worth noting that there are a couple of smaller models in this range that are less expensive, check out our review of the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker (known as the Ninja Foodi 14-in-1 6.5qt. Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer with SmartLid in the US) which lacks some of the features seen in this model but still has some and is less expensive.

Design

• Automatic steam release
• Built-in temperature probe
• Dishwasher safe accessories

There are plenty of things to love about the Ninja Foodi Max 15-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker but the size and weight isn’t one of them. It measures 36 x 35 x 36cm / 14.25 x 14.21 x 15.39 inches (h x w x d) although this chunky size can be forgiven somewhat due to the large cooking capacity. The 7.5 litre / 8-quart cooking pot allows plenty of space for large recipes and batch cooking. At 11.7kg / 25.8 lb you won’t want to move it too regularly, so it’s best if you can find a permanent space for it on the countertop.

In addition to the main cooking pot, it comes with a two-tier reversible cooking rack and a crisping basket, all of which are dishwasher safe. The cooking pot is non-stick which makes it easy to clean even if you don’t have a dishwasher. There’s a digital cooking probe stored in a little compartment on the side, ready to be put to use when needed. Once the probe is plugged into the lid you can choose either the beef, pork, lamb, fish, or chicken preset and then also choose from nine levels of cooking which range from rare up to well done, allowing the cooker to create the perfect results for you. But if you prefer a more hands-on approach, there’s a manual setting that allows you to choose your target temperature.

It’s super easy to use thanks to three automatic steam release settings when pressure cooking. This makes the steam release process completely hands-free which is a dream if you’re nervous about this part of pressure cooking or just don’t want to have to think about it.

The lid has a slider to switch between the pressure function, combi-steam, and air fry/ hob plus all other functions. It doesn’t allow you to select a function unless the slider is in the correct position. This ensures the lid is correctly sealed for each cooking method.

The UK model has 15 different cooking functions, which are: pressure, air fry, grill, bake, dehydrate, prove, sear/ sauté, steam, slow cook, yogurt, steam meals, steam air fry, steam roast, steam bake, and steam bread as well as a keep-warm function. The US model doesn’t offer the steam meals, steam roast or steam bread functions, but does have a sous vide function instead. And the Aussie model misses out only on the steam roast option.

Aside from the probe presets mentioned above, there are no other presets for different meals and foods, but it does come with a recipe book that includes lots of cooking charts for common foods, providing a really useful starting point.

Performance

• Excellent fries
• Useful cooking charts
• Easy pressure cooking

This multicooker is easy to use and we found the cooking timetables that come in the box proved helpful and accurate.

First up we steamed some broccoli using the steam function and the reversible rack. We followed the instructions for the amount of water and set it to steam for eight minutes. The broccoli florets were big enough to fit on the rack, but smaller vegetables might fall through. It took seven minutes to preheat, so the total time was 15 minutes. The cooked broccoli was the perfect al dente texture. During cooking there is some noise from the fan and quite a lot of steam is ejected out of a vent at the back. So it’s worth thinking about where you place it, because if it’s under a shelf or cupboard, you might get condensation forming.

For pressure-cooked brown basmati rice, we followed the weight and time detailed in the cooking chart. The cook time was seven minutes with a nine-minute preheat and then an automatic delayed pressure release which took 10 minutes. So the total cook time was 26 minutes which is only a few minutes longer than it usually takes on the stove. The finished rice was perfectly cooked and with the automatic pressure release, it was very hands-off and far more convenient than watching it as it boils in a pot.

We made a slow-cooked beef chili which we cooked on the slow cooker setting for six hours on high, making use of the sauté function to brown the beef and vegetables before slow cooking. The only frustrating part was that the cooking pot isn’t completely flat, it’s higher in the middle so the oil naturally falls to the edges of the pot while sautéing, otherwise, it works well. The beef chili thickened much more in this multicooker than when we’ve made it in others and the result was a flavorsome meal with soft meat and a rich thick sauce. The finished temperature was 89ºC / 192ºF

Again, we used the recommendations in the cooking chart when making thick-cut fries using the air fry function. The fries were cooked to perfection with fluffy insides and crisp outsides in just 22 minutes at 200ºC / 390ºF. We cooked them in the air fry basket and stirred twice for more even results. 

To try out the meat thermometer, we air-fried a sirloin steak. Once the thermometer is in place, it’s just a matter of selecting your preference, in this case medium rare, and then the Ninja does the rest. It monitors the temperature in the center of the steak until it’s cooked to perfection. Our medium-rare steak cooked exactly as we hoped. The fat on the side had rendered well and had a deliciously crisp texture. If you struggle to cook the perfect steak, you’ll love this feature.

Before pressure cooking a Thai red curry, we browned chicken legs using the sauté function on the highest of the five heat settings. There’s no preheat time when sautéing, although it does take a few minutes to start sizzling. Once all the ingredients were in the pot, we set it to pressure cook on high for 20 minutes and selected auto quick pressure release. 

The preheat took 10 minutes and at the end, the automatic pressure release took a further four. So in just 34 minutes, we had a delicious Thai curry with moist tender chicken that was falling off the bone. The pressure release registered 81dB on our sound meter which was the loudest of all the cooking modes we tried. This is similar to a truck travelling down the road at 40mph, but as it’s only for a short time it didn’t really bother us.

Lastly, we had a go with one of the new innovative combi-steam functions, steam air fry. It steams food at the same time as browning it so that it doesn’t dry out. We placed two skin-on chicken breasts on the reversible rack, followed the cooking chart for times and amount of water in the pot, and set it going for 20 minutes. 

There was a six-and-a-half-minute preheat before it started counting down the 20 minutes on the timer, and as with steaming, a lot of steam is vented out of the back during cooking. But we were impressed with the finished chicken. The skin was super crisped while the meat underneath remained succulent and very moist and it was thoroughly cooked through. The metal part of the lid reached 55ºC / 131ºF during cooking which was the hottest temperature we measured on the outside of this multicooker during any of the tests. Most of the time the exterior was comfortable to touch regardless of the cooking function we were using.

Should I buy the Ninja Foodi Max 15-in-1 Smartlid Multi-Cooker?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

• Check out these great air fryer deals

One-minute review

With an ever-increasing range of innovative kitchen appliances under its belt, Ninja has fast become a recognizable and trusted brand in our homes. From some of the best Instant Pot alternatives to the best blenders as well as the best air fryers, Ninja knows how to make kitchen appliances.

The Ninja Foodi Blender & Soup Maker, which is known as the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender in the US. It’s a blender that can, well, blend cold and hot foods, making it ideal for creating soups as well as smoothies. Unlike other soup makers on the market that utilise the friction from the spinning blades to create heat, the Ninja Foodi Blender & Soup Maker has a built-in heating element, which makes the appliance less noisy in use, and also ensures you can create chunky as well as smooth soups.  

With 10 Auto-IQ pre-set smart programs for all your favorite foods (12 on the US model), this blender takes the thinking out of creating delicious smoothies and soups. It aced most of our tests and was simple to use. It’s not too big and the glass pitcher feels sturdy, but it is heavy. It’s ideal for making small batches of soup and sauces as well as taking care of all your other daily blending requirements.

Ninja Foodi Blender and Soup Maker HB150UK price and availability

• List price: £149.99 / $159.99

As we mentioned above, in the UK it’s called the Ninja Foodi Blender & Soup Maker and it’s known as the Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender in the US. It’s available from the Ninja Kitchen website in both countries, as well as retailers including Amazon, and will set you back £149.99 / $159.99.

It’s one of the most expensive blenders offered by Ninja, but the addition of a heating element and soup programs also makes it much more versatile than the standard blend-only models.

Design

• Saute and keep warm functions
• Four blend and four cook programs
• Heat resistant glass pitcher

The Ninja Foodi Blender & Soup Maker is no bigger or smaller than an average blender in terms of the footprint on the counter, but the base gets wider further up and it starts to feel quite chunky. It measures 45 x 20 x 21.5 cm / 17.9 x 7.9 x 8.8 inches (h x w d). The black and stainless-steel styling makes it look like a practical appliance that means business, not one that’s just there to look pretty. Having said that, it’s certainly not a blender you’ll feel the need to hide away in a cupboard.

The overall weight of the base with the pitcher is 5.6kg / 12 lb so if you do want to store it in a cupboard, it’s not too heavy to move. The glass pitcher is made from thick heat-resistant glass which, while it’s not too heavy to store away, does mean it's heavy to use, especially when you start adding lots of ingredients or pour hot soup. Our other gripe with the pitcher is that it can only be positioned onto the base with the handle to the right, so it’s not ideal for left-handed people.

There are no additional accessories in the box, just a tamper, and a cleaning brush. It also comes with a small recipe book that has guidance on quantities for creating custom soups, which is helpful if you want to use it for your favorite soup recipes.

There are four cold blending programs and four cook programs, the cook programs are complemented by two pre-cook programs: chop and sauté. After cooking, keep warm will switch on and keep your creation warm for up to 60 minutes. On the US model, there are three additional infuse programs that use heat to infuse flavors into liquids for cocktails, mixers, and water.

All the Auto-IQ programs use automated patterns of pulsing and pausing over a pre-set time to create the perfect results. But if you prefer to have more control, there's a manual blend setting with the option for low, medium, or high speed as well as pulse. There’s also a manual cook setting where you can choose between low, medium, or high heat.

The lid center cap and tamper are dishwasher safe, but due to the heating element, the pitcher can’t be submerged in water. The pitcher does have a non-stick coating though and there’s also a clean program that uses a combination of heat and rapid pulses to remove residues and minimize the amount of cleaning you have to do by hand.

Performance

• Easy to use
• Creates silky smooth soup
• Powerful blender

To try out the blending capabilities of the Ninja Foodi Blender & Soup Maker, we first made a smoothie. We liquidized pineapple, spinach, banana, yogurt and apple juice using the preset smoothie program. It took 45 seconds and at the end we did spot a few tiny pieces of spinach that hadn’t been completely broken down. But otherwise, the smoothie was the perfect texture, with a smooth mouthfeel and no obvious fibrous pieces that hadn’t been liquidized.

Next up we chopped some hazelnuts, using the manual pulse setting. In just 20 seconds the nuts were finely chopped. Some had been over chopped and turned into powder, but overall, we were happy with the result. This was the noisiest of all our tests, with the noise meter reading 86dB, which is equivalent to the sound level created by a vacuum cleaner. However, as it’s only for a short period of time, we feel this is more than acceptable. 

There’s no ice crush program but nevertheless, the Ninja was able to produce evenly crushed ice with just five quick presses of the pulse button. Furthermore, when we filled it up with water to the maximum capacity and set it to blend on high speed, there was no leaking.

Using the low-speed setting we made an impressive thick mayonnaise in just two minutes. The blades reach low enough to mix even small quantities sitting in the base of the pitcher. But it was tricky to scrape all the mayo out from under the blades. This was when the automatic clean program came in handy. We followed the directions in the manual for water and dishwashing liquid and let it clean off the worst of the oily mayo residue. The program takes quite a lengthy six and a half minutes but uses heat and blending to clean the pitcher. It did a good job at removing most of the mayo so all it needed was a quick wipe and a rinse afterward.

The recipe book gives advice on how to create custom smooth soups, so we followed the guidance on the ideal quantities of liquid and vegetables to create a carrot and coriander/cilantro soup. As directed, we added quartered onion, garlic, ginger, spices, and oil, then used the chop function which blends it for just 12 seconds. Next, we switched to the sauté function, which cooks for five minutes without blending, so you may need to stir the ingredients during this stage. We added the carrots and stock, selected smooth soup and let it get to work. The soup program takes 30 minutes, it heats the soup and uses short bursts of blending to mix the ingredients before blending to a smooth soup at the very end of the program.

The glass pitcher reached 70 C / 158 F 70 during cooking and the top of the lid reached 60 C / 140 F so you must take care not to get burnt, although it’s worth noting that the handle on the pitcher stayed cool. Furthermore, the soup was 100 C / 212 F at the end of the program and we nearly got burnt by the steam when removing the lid. Aside from this, the soup itself was beautifully cooked with a silky smooth texture, a great result for very little effort.

Should I buy the Ninja Foodi Blender and Soup Maker HB150UK?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

• Check out these great nutribullet deals

The first Instant Pot came to market over a decade ago and created a storm in the kitchen appliances market. Since then, multi-cookers have come a long way and though Instant Pot was the first, it didn’t take long for other brands to hop on the trend for multi-functional countertop cookers. One of Instant Pot’s most successful rivals is the Ninja Foodi and both brands have a range of different models to choose from.

The best Instant Pot can replace several other appliances which is part of the appeal of this one pot cooker. In fact most multi-cookers function as a pressure cooker and slow cooker and many others can be used as a yogurt maker, dehydrator, and sous vide, newer models even have air frying capabilities.

At first glance, most multi-cookers can perform the same range of core functions and it can be tricky to figure out if there are any differences at all, particularly if you’re new to countertop cookers. Here we’re comparing Ninja Foodi vs Instant Pot, delving into the features each brand offers, how much they cost, and what you can cook in them. 

• Is an Instant Pot a pressure cooker? 
• Find out what you can cook in an air fryer 
• Make healthy smoothies with the best blenders 

Ninja Foodi vs Instant Pot: What do these machines do?

Both Ninja Foodi and Instant Pot offer a range of appliances that are designed to carry out lots of different cooking tasks. The brands have created everything from rice cookers to blenders but for this comparison, we’re mainly focusing on the multi-cookers that each manufacturer offers.

The first Instant Pot was designed to cook food at intense high temperatures in a tightly sealed pot. Ninja Foodi machines can do the same, although both brands have since diversified by launching air fryers too - both the Instant Vortex Plus and the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer made it into our round-up of the best air fryers. 

We’ll come onto the full features each model offers shortly, but essentially, both Ninja Foodi machines and Instant Pots carry out multiple functions in one and can do anything from pressure cooking to slow cooking, and rice cooking.

Ninja Foodi vs Instant Pot: price 

Since Ninja and Instant Pot make so many different appliances, we’ll compare the Instant Pot Duo Crisp which has 11 functions in one, and the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 Pro Pressure Cooker. The Ninja was more expensive, but since Ninja launched its new range of one lid multi-cookers, the price of this model has dropped to $119/ £199/ AU$349, while the Instant Pot is just under $189 / £119/ AU$231.

On the whole though, Ninja Foodi machines are often more expensive than most Instant Pot cookers - and you’ll likely find Instant Pots on sale. You can pick up an Instant Pot - the Instant Pot Duo for around $89 / £64 / AU$114 as this model has been around for a while now. 

Ninja Foodi vs Instant Pot: features 

Instant and Ninja offer a large range of multi-cookers and some are more basic than others so we’ll focus again on the Instant Pot Duo Crisp and the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 Pro Pressure Cooker. We’ve listed the features each has below. 

Instant Pot Duo Crip features:

Pressure cooks, sautés, steams, sous vides, slow cooks, warms, air fries, roasts, bakes, broils, and dehydrates. 

Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 Pro Pressure Cooker features: 

Pressure cooks, steams, slow cooks, makes yogurt, sous vides, air fries, bakes, roasts, broils, dehydrates, and warms. 

Both the Instant Pot and the Ninja Foodi offer the same functions with the exception of yogurt making and dehydrating. So, what else sets these appliances apart? Price will obviously be a key deciding factor for many and the Ninja Foodi model is more expensive, but aside from that, the capacity each cooker offers will also be worth keeping in mind. 

The Ninja Foodi Pro Pressure Cooker has a 6.5 quart/6.1-liter capacity, whereas the Instant Pot Duo Crisp has a larger 8-quart/7.6-liter capacity, so you’ll be able to fit more food in the Instant Pot. 

When it comes to power, the Instant Pot model has a 1,500W heating element, and the Ninja Foodi has a wattage of 1,460, making the Instant Pot slightly more powerful. Both of these machines are pretty big and will take up quite a bit of space on your kitchen countertop. If you’re planning on moving your appliance after using it, you might be interested to learn that these models weigh roughly the same at just over 10kg each. 

Both of these appliances come with some accessories as standard. The Ninja Foodi Pro Pressure Cooker has a crisper lid, pressure cooking lid, a dishwasher-safe non-stick cooking pot, non-stick cooking plate, a broil rack, and a recipe book. 

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp also comes with an additional lid for air frying, a multi-level air fryer basket, steam rack, broil tray, and a protective pad.

Ninja Foodi vs Instant Pot: cleaning

You can place the cooking pots from Ninja Foodi machines and Instant Pots in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. Ninja Foodi models have non-stick cooking pots so you shouldn’t end up with dried-on bits of food that are hard to get rid of, whereas Instant Pots have stainless steel pots. 

As Ninja Foodi machines feature a cooking pot with a non-stick coating, you’ll have to avoid using any metal utensils with it in case you scratch off this coating. 

Ninja Foodi vs Instant Pot: Are the recipes the same?

Not always, but given that these two multi-cookers offer very similar functions, it’s usually easy enough to adapt recipes to make them work in whichever brand you have.  There are various different capacity Ninja Foodi and Instant Pot models, so check that your appliance has a large enough capacity for the recipe you’re looking at. Then, it may just be a case of tweaking the settings to suit your multi-cooker. For example a slow cooker or pressure cooker recipe designed for one brand, should work in the other, but the temperature settings on offer may not be exactly the same. Once you've interpreted the settings for your machine though, you should get the same result.

Ninja Foodi vs Instant Pot: verdict  

Spec-wise the Ninja Foodi and the Instant Pot are pretty much level pegging. As both offer 11 functions in one machine, you won’t be missing out on either option. 

If you need all the cooking space you can find, the Instant Pot will be your champion here as it has a bigger capacity than the Ninja Foodi. Of course, how much you pay might be the biggest deciding factor of all and if that’s the case, the Instant Pot is the cheaper option. 

The short answer is that there aren’t masses of differences between these two popular brands so if you’re struggling to decide which is best for you, consider how much space you have to store a multicooker, how much you’d like to spend, and what size capacity suits your needs. 

One-minute review

Ninja is a brand that's become known for its personal blenders. These handy compact appliances, which are also called smoothie makers, burst onto the market in 20212 with the introduction of the Nutribullet, ensuring you can blitz small quantities of fresh produce into a refreshing drink and take it with you, without having to decant it first. 

The Ninja Blender with Auto-IQ BN495UK, which is known as the Nutri Ninja with Auto IQ BL480 in the US is part of the brand’s line-up of existing personal and multi-serve blenders, air fryers, and food processors, which includes the Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor with Auto-IQ.  

This personal blender is designed for on-the-go, and in the UK comes with two 700ml / 24 fl oz single-serve cups, which are ideal for making – but not limited to – healthy smoothies. In the US, it's bundled with three to-go cups ranging in size from 530 ml / 18 fl oz to 950 ml / 32 fl oz - it’s certainly a contender for one of the best blenders we’ve tested.

With its compact base and easy-to-use one-touch buttons, it’s aimed at those who want to prepare smoothies fast. The package also includes secure spout lids that attach to the serving cups for easy transportation. It has been designed with a pro extractor blade and powerful 1,000W motor that can blend through tough ingredients including fruit, nuts, seeds, and ice.

Within the personal blender category, Ninja also offers the Nutri Ninja 700W Slim Blender & Smoothie Maker QB3001UKS, which is lower in price at £59.99 / $69.99. While this features Ninja’s powerful blade technology, at 700W it’s slightly less powerful than the BN495UK and doesn’t include Ninja’s useful and time-saving Auto-IQ technology.

Ninja Blender with Auto-IQ BN495UK price and availability

At the time of writing, the Ninja Blender with Auto-IQ BN495UK is currently on sale for £69.99, down from £89.99, and it's available in the UK.

Check below for the latest deals on great Ninja appliances.

Design and key features

Measuring H38.7 x D17 x W 15.9cm, the Ninja Blender with Auto-IQ BN495UK is a compact blender. Sporting a sophisticated black and dusky grey body, it comes with two BPA-free Tritan single-serve cups that are dishwasher-safe. Its size means this appliance could happily be stored to one side of the worktop, or inside a standard kitchen cupboard.

Inside the box, you’ll find two 700ml single-serve cups, two spout lids for storage and on-the-go, a motor base and a sharp pro extractor blade for powerful blending and pulsing. This blade is made from high-quality stainless steel and has been put through its paces by Ninja through 1,000 ice-crushing cycles. 

With its 1,000W motor and 21,000rpm, the Ninja Blender with Auto-IQ BN495UK is fast and efficient in use. But this also means it’s noisy, measuring in at 99dB when blitzing a berry smoothie. However, the sound is balanced and bearable, unlike some blenders we’ve tried.

Overall, we were delighted at how simple it was to set up and use the Ninja Blender with Auto-IQ BN495UK – you simply take it out of the box and plug in the base. Next, stack your single-serve cup with ingredients, place it on the base and press a button. You can either choose from manual start/stop settings and a pulse feature, or opt for Ninja’s Auto-IQ programs that limit the guesswork of preparing items. The latter includes ‘Blend’, which runs for 50 seconds and is good for drinks with fresh or frozen fruit, liquids and ice; and a 60-second Max Blend setting, for tough ingredients such as skins, seeds and stems. The control panel has one of the sleekest designs we’ve seen, with buttons evenly spaced and easy to comprehend when you’re in a hurry.

Performance

In the box with the Ninja Blender with Auto-IQ BN495UK, you’ll find a comprehensive instruction booklet, plus a Ninja recipe guide packed with ideas for smoothies and drinks, savoury dishes and frozen treats to get you started. To assess the ergonomics and versatility of the Ninja’s design, we put it to task with a range of ingredients. 

Taking inspiration from the recipe booklet, we used the Ninja Blender with Auto-IQ BN495UK to make two items: a smoothie and a pancake mix. The smoothie included berries and avocado, oat milk and chia seeds. The booklet recommends that you load the cup with fresh fruits first, followed by leafy veg, liquid, seeds and nut butters and fresh ingredient. And for best results any large items should be cut into 2.5cm chunks. 

In our smoothie, we used fresh blueberries and a mix of frozen strawberries and raspberries. Once the jug was loaded, we set the Ninja running on the Blend setting, which lasts 50 seconds. After this time, we discovered that not all the ingredients had been blended, with some chia seeds stuck to the sides. So we added a little more oat milk and tried again, on the Max Blend setting for 60 seconds. This whizzed up the remaining ingredients to create a drink that was super-smooth in consistency. 

We also used the Ninja Blender with Auto-IQ BN495UK to make pancake mix, incorporating two eggs, flour and milk. Using the 50-second Blend setting was more than sufficient to create a smooth batter, perfect for restaurant-quality pancakes. 

In terms of maintenance, the BN495UK blender features dishwasher-safe parts. Ensure you rinse the blade and jugs directly after use to avoid food drying and becoming stuck to the sides – which would make the unit more difficult to clean. And while the parts can be cleaned with warm soapy water, a brush to get to behind the blades or into the base of the jug would have been a welcome addition in the box.  

Should I buy the Ninja Blender with Auto-IQ BN495UK?

Buy it if…

You love drinking smoothies on the go: The Ninja Blender with Auto-IQ BN495UK offers an easy way to make delicious cold drinks with minimum fuss. The inclusion of no-spill lids means you can secure a cup after blending, pop it in your bag and consume whilst out and about. 

You’re keen to experiment with flavours: Pretty much anything goes when you’re making a smoothie in this design – from tough ingredients such as pineapple chunks and unwaxed lemon peel, to finer items such as spinach and seeds. 

You want to make dips and ice creams: The included recipe booklet contains plenty of ideas for making snacks aside from smoothies – from sweet ‘Vanilla Nut Frozen Treat’ ice cream to Tabouleh and hummus dips. 

Don’t buy it if…

You want to make large batches: While there are two 700ml single-serve cups included in the box, for a bigger household, a multi-use blender such as the Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor with Auto-IQ BN800UK may be a better option since it comes with an extra 2.1-litre blending jug.  

You want to blend soups: The USP of the Ninja Blender with Auto-IQ BN495UK is its ability to make silky-smooth cold drinks. If you’re looking for a blender that can tackle both hot and cold items, then you’d be better served by a multi-serve blender with a large-capacity jug. 

• Best blenders for 2021: 5 top models for your cooking adventures

Looking for a cooking appliance to enhance your existing lineup? Ninja’s versatile offering may just be for you. Lavishing us with choice, the Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300 joins Ninja’s fast-growing kitchen appliance collection. 

Best known for its range of blenders and food processors that rival the likes of Nutribullet in terms of style and functionality, Ninja designs appliances to ‘fit the lifestyles of busy people all over the world’. As well as blenders and food processors, the company offers an intuitive range of choppers, multi-cookers and health grills, all designed to create great tasting food, fast.

The AF300 is the latest model to join Ninja’s range of dedicated air fryers and multi-cookers, boasting the most sleek finish and convenient features to date. It’s unique in that it provides the ability to produce two separate dishes in record time. This is possible as a result of its Sync mode, which does the hard work for you by ensuring that the food you place inside – meat in one compartment and veg in the other, for example – are both ready at the same time.

The Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300 offers all the health benefits of a decent air fryer in that it can cook up to 75% faster than a fan oven, with little to no oil required. What’s more, it has the ability to carry out five other tasks, including max crisp for cooking frozen foods such as nuggets and chips; roast, for vegetables and meats; reheat, which is great for leftovers; dehydrate, for making veggie crisps; and bake, for when you fancy something sweet.

This is now one of Ninja's older models. If you're looking for something with good cooking capacity that will take up less space on your kitchen counter, check out the Ninja Double Stack, which has a two-tiered design with minimal transfer of heat between the two drawers, making it ideal for cooking two dishes at once. It's so good, it took the prize for best air fryer in the 2024 TechRadar Choice Awards.

If you like the flavor of barbecued food but not the hassle of scrubbing everything afterwards, take a look at the Ninja Woodfire, which uses wood chips to create an authentically smoky flavor.

Price and availability

You can buy the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300UK for £179.99 from the Ninja website if you're in the UK. 

Australian shoppers can also pick one up directly from Ninja Kitchen for an RRP of AU$399. It's also available in Australia from other major retailers, including Myer and Amazon, and is frequently discounted.

Design and key features

Ninja’s Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300 is unlike any other air fryer we’ve tried. As well as the ability to create healthy air-fried foods using little to no oil, it comes with a unique offering in that it can cook two separate foods at the same time and ensure they’re ready to serve together. 

Measuring an ample H31.5 x D35cm, it’s quite a large appliance as countertop gadgets go, but its design is sleek and attractive, as well as functional. A sophisticated black and chrome finish means it’s the kind of gadget you won’t mind keeping out on your worktop – provided you have the room for it.

The appliance feels ergonomic in hand and is luxuriously made. It features two independent cooking drawers that slide out easily to give you an overall capacity of 7.6 litres. Each compartment is deep enough to cook a decent amount of food – be it a 500g batch of sweet potato fries, 1kg of chicken or up to 12 cupcakes, for example. The drawer handles feel comfortable and are easy to insert and take out. 

Within each compartment is a crisper plate that helps to brown the food when you air-fry; it ensures that air can circulate around the food to remove excess moisture and ensure a crispy, golden finish. They also stop the food sticking to the base of each compartment. We found them easy to take out for simple cleaning, either by hand or in the dishwasher.

As well as air frying, the device has the ability to max crisp, roast, reheat, dehydrate and bake, too, and all these features are clearly marked on the digital control panel. The countdown timer also makes it easy for you to see how much cooking time remains in each section.

Performance

At 8.2 kg, lifting the Ninja’s Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300 out of the box and positioning it on the worktop is the hardest part of handling the machine. It features clearly marked controls that light up stylishly as soon as you plug in the appliance and turn it on.

The appliance comes with a quick-start guide book, which features recipes for inspirational meals you can cook inside covering chicken, pork, fish, vegetarian dishes and desserts. There are things listed that you wouldn’t necessarily consider air frying – browse between ‘Hunters BBQ Chicken and Chips’ to ‘Sweet and Sour Tofu and Asian Style Vegetables’.

To get a feel for the six-in-one appliance, we used it to perform a number of tasks. Firstly, we air-fried some fresh pork sausages and frozen sweet potatoes. While each zone automatically suggests a set time and temperature, you can easily adjust these to your preference. The guide suggests cooking sausages for around 9 mins at 200 degrees, and the sweet potato fries for around 20 minutes at 190 degrees. Once you’ve programmed your zone, you can then press Sync to ensure the foods finish cooking at the same time, which is a feature we’re most impressed by.

It’s recommended that you check food mid-way through the cook, giving it a shake to ensure food is being cooked evenly – but this almost defeats the whole USP of such a machine, whereby you’re meant to be able to set it and wait for the end to work its magic. That said, trying to get the perfect finish takes some experimentation.

The Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300 is a powerful machine. Our sausages cooked in super-quick time; in fact, following the suggested time, they were a little overcooked. As mentioned, this will improve as you become familiar with the machine and cooking times, and you’ll soon be creating flavoursome dishes in super-quick time.

We particularly like the fact that you can choose different settings for each compartment. For example, you can roast meat on one side, and bake on the other side. We tested its dual functionality by roasting chopped courgettes in one compartment and reheating lamb cutlets in the other. We were suitably happy with the results.

We also attempted to make a batch of halloumi fries – and were impressed at how well the fries kept their structure while they cooked. We were able to enjoy crispy, melt-in-the-mouth halloumi fries in under five minutes.

Should I buy the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300?

Buy it if…

You’re looking for inspiration. Bored of meal times? The Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer may just make dinner more interesting. Use it to create recipes from the dedicated recipe booklet such as ‘Coconut-lime Cod and Cauliflower Rice’ or ‘Chicken Fajitas with Spicy Roast potatoes’. 

You want flexibility in the kitchen. This device will give you six cooking settings in one, which you can access easily – use it to cook roast chicken on one side, and dessert on the other.

You want to avoid deep-fat frying but love the taste. Use this and choose a healthier air-fry option to limit the amount of oil you serve on your food.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re not a fan of fried food. The best thing about this device is its ability to crisp foods in under 20 minutes. If you prefer the taste of saucy slow-cooked dishes, this appliance probably isn’t for you. 

You expect the reheat function to act as a microwave. While it does revive leftovers, it doesn’t replace a standard microwave, which can cook ready meals or warm and melt liquids, for example.

You have a lot of mouths to feed. While the 7.5-litre capacity is large, you won’t be able to roast a whole chicken in this device. If you’re looking for something that can cook large batches, it’s worth considering a multi-cooker such as the Ninja Foodi Max Multi Cooker instead.

Want to create chargrilled foods without having to light the barbecue? Or perhaps you love nothing more than a fry-up breakfast to start the day? Either way, the Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer AG551UK will help you do that and more. Capable of producing both healthy grilled and fried foods using little to no oil, the AG551UK can also bake, roast, dehydrate and reheat foods. You may even surprise yourself with just how adventurous a cook you can become with such a nifty appliance, serving up dishes such as Cajun grilled chicken and pepper kebabs in just 10 minutes, or a beef wellington in under 20, for example. 

A time-saving countertop appliance, the AG551UK makes preparing meals simple and fast, offering up tech that takes the guesswork out of cooking. Simply pop in your food, press the function you desire – be it bake, air-fry, grill and so on – and the device will suggest the ideal cooking time at the touch of a button. For added convenience, the grill plate, crisper basket, cooking pot and splatter guard are all dishwasher-safe. 

Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer AG551UK price and availability

Continuing to grow its collection of countertop appliances, Ninja is fast-becoming a household name. The Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer AG551UK joins Ninja’s large portfolio of handy and high-tech kitchen appliances, which includes a range of blenders, multi-cookers, food processors, air fryers and grills. 

The Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer AG551UK is the latest addition to the company’s air fryer collection, and unlike the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300UK, which is also new, the former can be used as an air fryer and a health grill. You’ll currently find the Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer AG551UK available on the Ninja website and at John Lewis priced at £179.99 (around $240 / AU$325). 

Design and functionality

• Six cooking functions
• Digital cooking probe included
• Easy to clean and ergonomic design 

The AG551UK is the latest appliance to join Ninja’s collection of combi air fryers and grills, which also includes two previous models – the Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer AG301UK and the Ninja Foodi Health Grill & Air Fryer AG301UKDB. Unlike the two existing models, however, the AG551UK sports a more contemporary and streamlined style, with its control panel discreetly hidden on a touch-screen display along the bottom edge of the appliance.  

The Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer is relatively wide at 35.6cm and 45cm deep, so you’ll need ample space to store it. At 8.1kg, it’s also quite heavy, so it isn’t the kind of appliance you’ll be wanting to put in and take out of a kitchen cupboard every time you want to use it. Much like a countertop microwave, it’s likely to become a permanent fixture on your worktop.  

In the box you get a digital cooking probe, which is useful when you’re trying to cook meat to varying specifications – be it rare, medium rare or well done, for example. A handy ‘how to place the probe’ quick start guide means you’ll be able to get cooking straight away. This probe plugs into the side of the appliance and can be neatly stored to the side of the machine when it isn’t in use. 

This model also includes a grill plate, which is great for cooking a fry-up in under 12 minutes. There’s also a crisper basket and cooking pot, both of which offer flexible use for air frying, baking, roasting, reheating and dehydrating. A baking sheet isn’t included, so you can use your own, but the cooking pot worked just fine with the foods we cooked in the appliance. 

Since the Ninja’s body is smooth, lacking any knobs with fiddly nooks, the appliance proved easy to keep clean. The splatter guard that takes the brunt of the grilling mess can be easily removed and washed either by hand or in the dishwasher. 

Performance and ease of use

Any decent air fryer should cope with producing a portion of crispy on the outside, soft in the middle chips – so we made this our first task with the Ninja. You can cook frozen fries in the AG551UK, but we attempted to make them from scratch, chopping potatoes and sprayed them with a little oil. The air fryer requires preheating, which takes a few minutes, so it’s best to choose your desired setting on the digital display before you begin your prep; the machine will beep when it’s ready for the ingredients to be placed inside. 

While the AG551UK comes with a number of preset programs, in our experience we found the suggested 20 minutes at 200 degrees on  the Air Fry setting to be a little too long and high temperature for chips – they came out darker and crispier than we’d like. However, it’s easy to alter the temperature and timings using the manual mode, so be aware that there will be some trial and error involved as you try to get the best results. We also recommend that you cast an eye over your chips midway through cooking, giving them a little shake, so you can ensure the end results aren’t overcooked. 

We also used the Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer AG551UK to bake bread and cookies using dough prepared in the Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor with Auto-iQ [LINK]. We opted for the ‘Bake’ setting at 180 degrees for 15 minutes. At the end of this time, the resulting bread was well cooked but pretty pale in color. Nor was its texture as spongy as you’d expect, but it did taste good. The cookies were nicely baked, although we did use the manual override to set the cooking time to 8 minutes and the temperature to 180 degrees to ensure they weren’t overcooked. 

Cooking a lamb steak was next on the list. Inserting the meat probe was simple enough, after which we manually adjusted the settings from high to low and selected the cooking time and chosen protein. Opting for medium rare, we achieved satisfying results with the preset. To ensure minimal smoke when grilling, it’s recommended that you clean the splatter guard after every use. 

Should you buy the Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

• Best air fryers: cook more healthily with these great kitchen appliances
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One Minute Review

The Ninja Foodi Max is a great buy for those days when you crave home-cooked food, but can’t be bothered to actually cook at home. It features nine cooking functions on board its easy-to-navigate body that lets you roast, bake, grill and crisp foods and more with ease, saving you time and energy in the process. It's one of the best Instant Pot alternatives we've tested.  

The Ninja Foodi MAX 7.5L Multi-Cooker OP500UK (to give it its full name) can in fact pressure cook meals up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods, and air fry with up to 75% less fat than traditional methods. Its whopping 7.5 litre capacity makes it a great option for large families, but you will however need the countertop room or ample storage space to house it.

Ninja Foodi Max Multi-Cooker price and availability 

The Ninja Foodi Max 7.5L Multi-Cooker OP500UK is the largest multi-cooker in the Ninja family, and is currently on sale direct on Amazon and over on the Ninja website for £199.99 ($259 / AUS $361). The 6-litre Ninja Foodi 7-in-1 Multi-Cooker OP300UK version also usually retails for £199.99, showing the litre-to-price saving that can be made here.. 

A popular design in the multi-cooker space, you’ll also find the Ninja Foodi Max Multi-Cooker OP500UK available to buy at all the regular appliance haunts, from Best Buy in the US to John Lewis in the UK.

Design

• Capacity to cook for up to 6 people 
• One-pot versatility 
• Pressure cooks 70% faster than traditional cooking methods

The Ninja Foodi Max is Ninja’s largest multi-cooker to date and a step up from its 4.7 and 6L versions. At first glance, the Ninja can seem quite imposing – at 42cm high, 38cm wide and 11.3kg it isn’t the kind of appliance that will blend into the background, but more an appliance that is designed to be a key part of your kitchen and its ‘working triangle’. That is unless you have a separate pantry to hide away the large countertop appliances.

Its curvaceous black and stainless steel body is however stylishly realised. On board you’ll find an easy-to-navigate digital display featuring all the cooking options that can be actioned with a simple press of a button. With so many cooking functions to choose from including pressure cook, steam, grill, air crisp with no oil, bake, roast and dehydrate, it can make your traditional built-in oven seem rather redundant. As well as a cook and crisp basket, there’s a two-tier reversible rack to cook mains and sides simultaneously, which is good for layering vegetables with meats, poultry or fish.  

The design’s 7.5 litre cooking pot and 4.7 litre cook and crisp basket is easy to clean – it comes with ceramic-coated, non-stick, dishwasher safe parts, but after use we simply washed the cooking pots in warm soapy water and gave the rest of the machine a wipe down with a damp cloth.

Performance

Set up of the Ninja Foodi Max Multi-Cooker is simple: plug in straight out of the box and you’re good to get cooking. The digital control panel is also very simple to follow and switches between the main features in one press of the button – choose from pressure cook, air fry, slow cook, steam, bake/roast, sear/sauté, grill, yoghurt and dehydrate. 

It comes with TenderCrisp Technology that will crisps foods once cooked, for that authentic oven-cooked taste. While it does come with an instruction manual, we intuitively had a play and were able to work out how to use it within seconds. When you choose a preset cooking option it will suggest the most common temperature you’d need and give you a time for that function, which make life easier than having refer to the manual.

To find out how well it can cook a chicken and to discover if the TenderCrisp Technology lives up to its promise, we popped a raw medium-sized chicken into the pot and pressed the roast function. We topped it with oil and seasoned it and left it to run for the suggested time of 30 minutes on 180 degrees. If at the end of the 30 minutes you think the chicken still needs more time, it’s easy to add more time manually – in our test however the chicken looked ready to eat. The results were impressive as it didn’t just roast the chicken but left it incredibly tender, retaining moisture on the inside and crisping on the outside. 

We were also curious to see how well the dehydration setting works on fresh ingredients so we chopped up bananas and placed them in the pot. While the results were as tasty as store bought banana chips, it did take us up to six hours on the suggested 60 degrees to make them as the machine slowly sucked the life out of the bananas and then crisped.

Buy it if… 

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Aside from throwing stars and stealth assassinations, the word 'Ninja' these days is probably best known as the name of the kitchen appliance brand and its range of “bullet” blenders, designed for making juices and smoothies. But the Ninja Kitchen brand makes a variety of appliances including its all-singing, all-dancing Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker. 

The Ninja Foodi offers eight settings, from air frying to baking, roasting, sauteéing, grilling, slow cooking, pressure cooking and a keep-warm function in a single machine. In fact, it's one of the best Instant Pot alternatives on the market.

Due to the fact it covers so many bases, the Ninja Foodi has a large 6L pot, with a 3.2L removable frying basket, as well as a grilling rack and two lids - one fitted with a vent for pressure and slow cooking, and the other for everything else. It additionally has an hour-long timer and offers the highest temperature of any air fryer we’ve tested, at 210° Celsius.

It is, however, also one of the more expensive multi-cookers on the market, making it a harder sell than some of its competition.

Price and availability

The Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker is available now, priced with an RRP of £199 / $249 – though it's also regularly discounted, with an Amazon Prime Day offer knocking $100 off that price in the US in the summer of 2019.

On the face of things, with its expansive feature set, that price tag looks reasonable. But do note that there are many similar products on the market that offer similar feature sets at lower price tags. The Instant Pot Duo V2, for instance, may lack the air-frying function, but covers off many of the other features, at a much lower price point.

Design

As you’d expect from an appliance that is effectively a mini oven, the Ninja Foodi is a monster of a machine taking up a significant chunk of space on a worktop and looking industrial (read: ugly) with its grey and black design. 

Its bulky lid opens to the side on a hinge meaning it can’t be fully opened while tucked underneath a kitchen cupboard and this, coupled with its overall size, makes it nigh-on impossible to comfortably fit anywhere where space is at a premium. 

Settings are controlled via a panel on the front situated below a digital display. The time and temperature controls sit either side of this display. During cooking, the time ticks down on this screen which gives you an at-a-glance way to keep track of timings. 

Below the display is your choice of cooking options: Pressure, Steam, Slow Cook, Sear/Sauté, Air Fry, Bake/Roast and Grill. The Keep Warm button is bottom left, the On button is bottom right and a large Start/Stop button sits in the center. Although these controls are clearly labelled, they do add up to quite a complex machine and as there are no pre-programmed settings, like you find on many other air fryers for example. Every task requires you to manually select the cooking type, time and temperature, and this all takes a little getting used to.

A major plus to having such a variety of settings, and the fact it’s such an imposing machine, is that it’s perfect for feeding large families and party guests. It offers a huge capacity, unprecedented versatility and it’s also, surprisingly, quiet.

Performance

Over the course of two months, we put each of the Ninja Foodi’s settings through their paces, from air frying chips and chicken to baking cakes and roasting potatoes; from making a slow-cooked sausage stew and Chilli Con Carne, to steaming vegetables and pressure-cooking risotto. 

Airfrying

When it came to air frying chicken, the Ninja Foodi did a stand-up job. The skin was crispy and the meat was succulent. When it came to air frying chips, however, the Ninja Foodi’s performance fell short. Manually setting the Foodi on the same temperature and for the same time as we cook homemade chips in our fan oven, we were disappointed when they came out overcooked. The skin was too crispy, almost rock-hard, while very little potato was left on the inside. We’ve since experimented with these settings and while the results have been better, they don’t match up to the way the Foodi cooked the chicken, or the way most of the Ninja Foodi’s air fryer rivals cook chips.  

Baking/roasting 

During our tests, we twice roasted potatoes using the Bake/Roast function. Once from frozen, using shop-bought roasties, and once from scratch using fresh potatoes. Unlike its disappointing performance when air frying chips, both batches of potatoes were delicious. The smaller batch of the frozen potatoes, given the fact their skins are pre-cooked, bordered slightly on being overly crispy, but the batch generally had fluffy centers inside crunchy cases. Meanwhile, the fresh potatoes were the best homemade roast potatoes we’ve ever made with a perfect combination of taste and texture. Not something we say lightly. 

Using the same Bake/Roast function, we used the Ninja Foodi to bake chocolate muffins on the grilling rack, followed by a fudge cake in its cooking pot. Both recipes were from packets and tasted as we expected, as they do when cooked in a regular oven. 

The downside to cooking muffins this way is that there is only so much space on the grilling rack compared to a normal oven, so your batches will be smaller. The plus side for making cakes in the Foodi is that you can mix everything inside the multi-cooker’s non-stick pot before baking. No need for multiple mixing bowls, baking paper or lining tins with grease, not to mention the fact this cuts down on washing up. That said, if you need the cake to be a specific size, you could still place a cake tin with the cake mixture inside the Foodi and bake in the same way as you would in an oven.

Searing/Sauteeing and Slow Cooking

Onto searing, and slow cooking. Many recipes require you to fry ingredients, such as onions for curries or chunks of beef for stews, in a frying pan before placing them in a slow cooker. Not the Ninja Foodi. You can switch from searing or sauteéing food to slow cooking at the touch of a button. Simply add the rest of your ingredients, hit Slow Cook and select your cooking time. It is true you can effectively “fry” ingredients in regular slow cookers but they never get hot enough to really achieve that desired caramelised color and if you’re a slow-cooker fan, this particular Ninja Foodi feature is a game changer.  

Once the slow cooking timer ends, the Foodi’s 30-minute Keep Warm function kicks in to stop your meal from spoiling. In fact, at the end of any cooking function you can use the Keep Warm button to maintain a low, steady temperature until you’re ready to serve. If you don’t, the Ninja Foodi will simply beep and turn off. Both this Keep Warm option, and the automatic shut off feature, give the Ninja Foodi a significant edge over most regular ovens. 

So far, so good. 

These features give the Ninja Foodi far greater versatility, and represent greater value for money than buying separate slow cookers, air fryers and mini ovens. Having so many settings can prove confusing, especially when you’re trying to establish which setting best suits what you’re trying to cook, but on the whole if you approach most meals cooked in the Ninja Foodi in the same way you would a regular oven, it’s straightforward. What’s not straightforward, however, is pressure cooking. 

Pressure cooking

If you’ve never used a pressure cooker before, it’s worth watching a video or two on how the process works. This is because it takes everything you know about cooking and throws it out of the window. 

Firstly, it significantly messes with timings. A small chicken usually takes an hour and 10 minutes to cook in our oven. In the Ninja Foodi’s pressure cooker, it took just 15 minutes. That’s a fully roasted chicken in a quarter of an hour.

Similarly, cake bites that normally take 20 minutes were on the edge of being overdone in six, and a bacon and pea risotto we typically slave over for 40 minutes was done in less than 10. Ideal for meals in a hurry, less so when trying to work out how long it will take such meals to quickly become ruined. 

Secondly, you need to factor in how long it takes for the Ninja Foodi’s large pot to reach the desired pressure, and then how long you need to release that pressure for at the end of cooking. If you release pressure too slowly you end up overcooking your food. Too quickly, and you run the risk of undercooking it. Recipes will advise on each of these timings but it took a fair amount of trial and error to achieve the results we wanted, plus, unless you’re using recipes written specifically for the Ninja Foodi, you’ll need to experiment. 

Then there’s the additional lid. The Ninja Foodi’s standard Tendercrisp lid is permanently attached via a hinge, but its pressure cooking lid can be fitted or removed as needed. It’s not particularly difficult to use – it has arrows that help you line up where it needs to go – but it is a faff having to switch it in and out. Plus, it’s far from small so storing it is a pain. 

Once we’d hit on the ideal timings of each pressure-cooked recipe, the quality of food was great and the time-saving benefits soon outweighed any hassle we’d experienced getting to that point. We’ve attempted risottos in slow cookers and pressure cookers in the past and they’ve never lived up to those we’ve made on a hob, until Ninja Foodi’s risotto. The rice tasted as if it had been given the usual amount of time to absorb the water and flavor and had a nice bite to it, without being undercooked or chalky. Similarly, given the fast cooking times, we had expected the bacon and peas to be soft and lacking in texture, but they weren’t. They both had bite and tasted fresh. 

Grilling

Whereas many of the other Ninja Foodi features give your regular oven a run for its money, its grilling function does not. It’s a good addition to have, but it’s far less versatile and less effective, than using a standard grill. Firstly, because of the Foodi’s size you’ll struggle to get more than two chicken breasts comfortably on the rack. The height of the rack is also limiting. It’s not possible to place the grilled food closer, or further away from the grill element. 

Steaming 

The cooking option we used the least, but is worth mentioning, is the option to steam food in the Foodi. You need the grilling rack, or a similar accessory, to place the ingredients on and then steam is created by putting water beneath it. It works fine. As you’d expect but unlike with the majority of other settings, there’s nothing about steaming in the Foodi that sets it apart from traditional methods. The only point we will make is that it is an easy way to make a bain-marie.   

Verdict

Given the high price tag, its industrial size and multi-purpose use, the Ninja Foodi is not for the faint hearted. Firstly, it’s far from cheap, but it does negate the need to buy a separate slow cooker, pressure cooker and air fryer. Secondly, its large size is smaller than having all three on your kitchen top. If you have the money and the space, it’s a great kitchen appliance to have in your arsenal. 

Each of its functions work well on their own. Some perform better than others and some are easier to use than others, yet it’s having them all in one place that truly sets the Ninja Foodi apart from anything we’ve ever used. From roasting a chicken to being able to quickly switch to the air frying function to crisp up its skin; from being able to sear ingredients before switching to slow cooking; the Ninja Foodi has the potential to replace your regular oven. For at least the majority of meals.

Since we’ve been testing the Foodi, we’ve only used our hob a handful of times, and even then it was to make poached eggs or omelettes. We can’t remember the last time we didn’t use the Foodi for at least one element of our meals and that speaks volumes to just how great it is.

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