I’d pick the 6-in-1 for families; the 5-in-1 for grilling flavor.
I live in Austin, Texas, and I cook fast weeknight meals. I wanted crispy fries, juicy chicken, and less mess. If you’re deciding between ninja air fryer 5 in 1 vs 6 in 1, I tested both to see which fits daily life better. I’ll show real cooking results, simple pros and cons, and who each one is for. By the end, you’ll know which ninja air fryer 5 in 1 vs 6 in 1 model works best for your kitchen, budget, and meals.
Is Ninja AG301 Good?
Yes. It’s great if you want indoor grilling plus air frying in a compact footprint. If you love sear marks and smoky flavor without patio grilling, this shines. If you mostly batch-cook sides for a family, it depends.
I made steak fajitas in 14 minutes, and the sear looked like a summer grill. I also air-fried wings that came out crisp without flipping.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- 5-in-1: Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate
- Indoor grill with cyclonic grilling up to high sear temperatures
- Smoke control system to reduce splatter and smoke indoors
- Approx. 6-qt pot with 10″ x 10″ grill grate and ~4-qt crisper basket
- Dishwasher-safe parts for easier cleanup
- Compact footprint for small kitchens or apartments
What I Like
- Real grill marks and char-like flavor indoors
- Fast preheat and even browning on proteins
- Crispy fries and wings without much oil
- Simple, clear controls for quick recipes
- Removable parts clean up easily in the dishwasher
What Could Be Better
- Single cooking zone limits cooking two foods at once
- Grill plate adds weight and storage needs
- Capacity suits 2–3 people better than large families
- Learning curve for best grill temps and timings
- Grilling can still create some kitchen odor
My Recommendation
If you want an indoor grill plus an air fryer in one, this is a strong pick. It’s ideal for steak, burgers, and weeknight veggies. For ninja air fryer 5 in 1 vs 6 in 1, choose this if flavor from grilling beats multi-basket convenience.
Is Ninja DZ201 Good?
Yes. It’s ideal for families and meal prep. The two baskets let you cook mains and sides at once. If you don’t need a grill, this is the smarter everyday cooker.
I cooked salmon in one basket and asparagus in the other. Both finished together with Smart Finish. I also matched settings to double a batch of fries for game night.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- 6-in-1: Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate
- DualZone design with two independent 4-qt baskets (total 8 qt)
- Smart Finish syncs different foods to finish at the same time
- Match Cook mirrors settings across both baskets
- High-heat air frying with crisp results and simple controls
- Great capacity for families or entertaining
What I Like
- Cook two foods at once with different temps
- Crispy textures on fries, wings, and breaded snacks
- Perfect for weekly meal prep and sides
- Intuitive Smart Finish prevents cold sides
- Easy cleanup with nonstick baskets
What Could Be Better
- No grill grate or true indoor grilling
- Larger footprint needs more counter space
- Baskets reduce height for very tall items
- Fan noise is noticeable at high settings
- Requires storage space for two baskets
My Recommendation
Pick this for busy homes that want speed and capacity. In the ninja air fryer 5 in 1 vs 6 in 1 debate, this wins if you value cooking two dishes at the same time and consistent crisp results.
ninja air fryer 5 in 1 vs 6 in 1: Side-by-Side Test
I cooked everyday meals to see which one fits real life. Here’s how ninja air fryer 5 in 1 vs 6 in 1 compares across the features that matter most.
Cooking Functions: Which One Does More?
| Ninja AG301 | Ninja DZ201 |
|---|---|
| Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate | Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate |
AG301 – 8/10 | DZ201 – 9/10
Edge: DZ201 for broader everyday modes (adds Reheat and DualZone flexibility).
Capacity and Baskets
| Ninja AG301 | Ninja DZ201 |
|---|---|
| Approx. 6-qt pot; ~4-qt crisper basket | Two 4-qt baskets (8 qt total) |
AG301 – 7/10 | DZ201 – 10/10
Edge: DZ201 for families and batch cooking.
Dual-Zone Convenience
| Ninja AG301 | Ninja DZ201 |
|---|---|
| Single zone | DualZone with Smart Finish and Match Cook |
AG301 – 6/10 | DZ201 – 10/10
Edge: DZ201 for cooking two items at once.
Grilling Performance Indoors
| Ninja AG301 | Ninja DZ201 |
|---|---|
| High-heat grill grate, sear marks, smoke control | No grill grate |
AG301 – 10/10 | DZ201 – 6/10
Edge: AG301 for real grill-style sear and char-like flavor.
Crispness and Air Fry Results
| Ninja AG301 | Ninja DZ201 |
|---|---|
| Excellent crisp for single basket | Excellent crisp, plus two baskets at once |
AG301 – 9/10 | DZ201 – 10/10
Edge: DZ201 for output and throughput.
Footprint and Storage
| Ninja AG301 | Ninja DZ201 |
|---|---|
| More compact; single set of parts | Larger; two baskets to store |
AG301 – 9/10 | DZ201 – 7/10
Edge: AG301 for small kitchens and apartments.
Ease of Cleaning
| Ninja AG301 | Ninja DZ201 |
|---|---|
| Dishwasher-safe pot, grill grate, basket | Dishwasher-safe baskets and crisper plates |
AG301 – 8/10 | DZ201 – 9/10
Edge: DZ201 for fewer large, greasy parts (no grill grate).
Noise and Smoke Management
| Ninja AG301 | Ninja DZ201 |
|---|---|
| Smoke control system reduces indoor smoke | Typical air-fryer fan noise; no smoke from grilling |
AG301 – 8/10 | DZ201 – 8/10
Edge: Tie—AG301 controls grill smoke; DZ201 avoids it by design.
Learning Curve and Daily Use
| Ninja AG301 | Ninja DZ201 |
|---|---|
| Dial in grill temps; timing matters | Straightforward presets; Smart Finish helps |
AG301 – 8/10 | DZ201 – 9/10
Edge: DZ201 for easier daily cooking.
Value for Money in 2025
| Ninja AG301 | Ninja DZ201 |
|---|---|
| Strong value if you want grilling + air fry | Excellent value for families and meal prep |
AG301 – 8/10 | DZ201 – 9/10
Edge: DZ201 for most households; AG301 for grill lovers.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
If your heart says “grill,” go AG301. It gives true indoor sear, fast air frying, and compact size. For ninja air fryer 5 in 1 vs 6 in 1, it’s the flavor-first pick.
If you cook for 3–5 people or want mains and sides done together, pick DZ201. It’s the time saver. Dual baskets, Smart Finish, and extra functions make daily meals easier.
In short: AG301 for grilling joy. DZ201 for family efficiency.
FAQs Of ninja air fryer 5 in 1 vs 6 in 1
Which cooks more food at once in ninja air fryer 5 in 1 vs 6 in 1?
DZ201. It has two 4-qt baskets (8 qt total), perfect for mains and sides together.
Does the 5-in-1 grill better than the 6-in-1 in ninja air fryer 5 in 1 vs 6 in 1?
Yes. AG301 includes a high-heat grill grate and smoke control, giving sear marks and grill-style flavor.
Which is easier for weeknight dinners in ninja air fryer 5 in 1 vs 6 in 1?
DZ201. DualZone, Match Cook, and Smart Finish make it simpler to serve everything hot at once.
If I live in a small apartment, which should I choose in ninja air fryer 5 in 1 vs 6 in 1?
AG301. It’s more compact and still air fries well, with the bonus of indoor grilling.
Is there a big taste difference in ninja air fryer 5 in 1 vs 6 in 1?
Yes. AG301 delivers grill-char notes. DZ201 delivers excellent crispness but no true grill sear.
