When it comes to air fryers, two names dominate the conversation: it's Ninja vs Instant. Both brands are known for their innovative designs and crispy cooking capabilities, but which one deserves a spot in your kitchen?
As a trained cook and product tester, I've tested the best air fryers from both ranges, comparing their cooking performance, design, and value for money. Whether you’re looking for the ultimate multitasker, a mini machine for a small kitchen, or simply the best bang for your buck, we’ve got the answers to help you make an informed choice.
The headlines are: Instant makes the best value, small air fryers and the best multifunctional models. However, Ninja's Double Stack is the best dual-drawer air fryer (a winner for large family-sized portions) and this brand has the best non-toxic offering, too. I'll take you through the nitty-gritty details below.
Ninja vs. Instant Best deals
When it comes to the best deals, Instant reigns supreme. The brand dropped hefty discounts on Black Friday and they're still available across their best-selling models. I've found some solid deals on Ninja air fryers at Walmart, too. I've rounded up the best bargains in this quick list – you'll find more comparison points and details further down the page, as I settle the great Ninja vs Instant debate.
Best small air fryer: Ninja vs. Instant
Winner: Instant Vortex Slim
If you’re short on space but still want quick air-fried food, there are plenty of compact options to choose from. There are plenty of compact options on the market. Ninja and Instant are, of course, two of the best.
The Ninja Max XL sounds enormous, but it's a compact air fryer. The Instant Vortex Slim has slightly more capacity, but can slide into small corners. They both create enough food for couples or small families. On balance, the Instant has a better performance, but the Ninja could be a better choice if you're really tight on space. Here's everything you need to know to decide which petite powerhouse you want to feature on your countertops.
With a name like Max XL, you might have expected something supersized. Instead, this maximizes on space, ensuring that your compact models are delivering on functions without faltering. This has .5 quarts less capacity than the Instant, but that's because it's smaller in every aspect. It boasts a greater temperature range and only misses the 'stir fry' setting off Instant's functions. If you eat a lot of frozen food, the 'Max Crisp' function on this is unrivaled. However, if you need precision, this doesn't pre-heat, so it can be tricky trying to time your meals consistently.
For
- Very speedy cooking
- High temperature limit
- Great at crisping
Against
- Lacks high-quality feel
The dimensions of the Vortex Slim are ever so slightly larger in every dimension when compared to the Nnja Max XL. However, we found that this looked better on the countertop. It also has extra capacity, which, if you're a family looking to maximize your space, can make all the difference. The reheat function is excellent and, in our tests, this made deliciously crispy bacon and fries. Performance wise, this is better and more consistent than the Ninja. It's also reasonably priced too. Our only criticism was that the settings aren't very different from each other, so seem a bit gimmicky.
For
- Good capacity
- Excellent value
- Easy to use
Against
- Settings feel gimmicky
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Ninja | Instant |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 8.5 x 12.1 x 11 inches | 12.01 x 15.3' x 12.72 inches |
| Capacity | 5.5 Quarts | 6 Quarts |
| Settings | Max Crisp, Air Fry, Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate | Air Broil, Air fry, Bake, Broil, Reheat, Stir Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate |
| Cleaning | Nonstick and dishwasher-safe baskets and inserts | Removable parts are dishwasher-safe |
| Temperature range | 105°F–450°F | 120 - 400°F |
| RRP from brand | $169.99 | $119.99 |
Best dual drawer: Ninja vs Instant
Winner: Ninja Double Stack
Both the Ninja Double Stack and Instant Vortex Dual Plus are top-tier dual-drawer air fryers, but the Ninja edges ahead with its larger capacity, sleek and ergonomic design, and impressive speed. While it lacks a viewing window, checking food is easy, as it reheats almost instantly.
When it first came out in 2022, we rated the Instant Vortex Dual Plus 5 stars for its ease of use, crispy results, and odor control. It's a strong rival, but has a bulkier design, smaller capacity, and slower performance. That's why many of our expert testers (myself included) own the space-saving Ninja Double Stack.
With a slightly smaller capacity but the same, dual-zone technology as the Ninja, this is a direct air frying rival. We love the viewing doors. These help you to keep an eye on what you're cooking, so you can achieve crisp perfection without letting the heat out. It also has OdorErase technology, so won't make your kitchen smell like cooking. Our experts found the controls intuitive and slightly easier to navigate than the Ninja. However, the cooking times aren't as quick, it's quite noisy and the design is bulky. These are very small margins, but I prefer the Ninja.
For
- Easy to use
- Viewing windows
- Sync finish setting
- A very reasonable price
Against
- Large footprint
- Noisy
First launching in 2024, the Ninja Double Stack is slender, sleek and modern air fryer. It can feed a crowd thanks to its two-tier baskets, cook up to four ingredients simultaneously. In my test, I roasted chicken thighs, French fries, courgettes, and green beans in just 20 minutes, with no preheating and minimal effort. This is ideal for busy families or anyone with a tiny kitchen. The drawers sync for perfectly timed meals, and cleanup is a breeze with dishwasher-safe parts. While occasional uneven cooking on the top rack and a high price tag are drawbacks, these are minor compared to its quick, delicious convenience.
For
- Very slender
- Restaurant-quality French fries
- Quick
- Dishwasher-safe & easy to clean
Against
- Unevenly browned ingredients on the top rack
- You need silicone tongs to handle hot racks
- More expensive
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Ninja | Instant |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 11.25 D x 19.22 W x 15.14 H inches | 17.8 x 17.5 x 14.8 inches |
| Capacity | 10 Quarts | 8 Quarts |
| Settings | Air fry, max crisp, bake, roast, reheat, dehydrate | Air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate |
| Cleaning | Removable parts are dishwasher-safe | Nonstick tray and basket, dishwasher-safe insert |
| Temperature range | 105°F–450°F | 95-400°F |
| RRP from brand | $229.99 | $179.95 |
Best non-toxic air fryer: Ninja vs Instant
Winner: Ninja Combi Multicooker
If you're searching for the best non-toxic air fryer, both Ninja and Instant brands offer strong contenders. Models from both ranges have made it into our buying guide; Ninja actually has two models dominating our charts.
When it comes to the question of 'Ninja vs Instant', there is little between them in this arena. Ninja offers more variety in their range of non-toxic air fryers – with smaller, large and multi-functional models to choose from. The Ninja XL and Combi use ceramic coatings, which are very easy to clean, while Instant uses high-quality stainless steel in their air-frying multicooker – which is a lovely, durable material but it does require a tad more TLC.
A winner for healthy weeknight dinners. The stainless steel interiors can air fry, slow-cook, and pressure-cook quick curries and risotto. A fantastic choice for families and foodies. We love stainless steel as a quality alternative to non-stick coatings, but it does need some unique care. The best way to clean the stainless steel is to leave the pot to soak and soften for a little. It's easy, but if you're used to dishwasher-safe air fryers, this could be annoying.
If you want versatility for family meals, this is the one. If you just want to quickly bake some tater tots for a midnight snack, you probably need something less complicated, like the Ninja Max XL (which is also non-toxic).
For
- Stainless steel
- 13 cooking functions
- Simple settings
- Easy one-pot cooking
Against
- Requires gentle cleaning
- Not non-stick
The Ninja Combi’s baskets and trays are made from aluminum and coated in non-stick enamel and ceramic (considered safer, non-toxic alternatives to non-stick coatings like Teflon). For anyone looking to minimize exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in cookware, options like this are ideal.
The Combi is also impressively versatile, making it a smart choice for the cost. At $179, the Ninja Combi offers enormous capacity and twelve different cooking functions – from roasting to air frying. It heats up quickly and consistently produces perfectly crisped foods, from homemade fries to roasted vegetables. I love the glass window, which lets you keep an eye on your food as it cooks, reducing the risk of potentially toxic, burnt food. A stroke of genius, really.
For
- Incredibly versatile
- Super speedy to warm up and cook
- Excellent value
- Easy to use
Against
- Large footprint
- Gets hot underneath
Best Multi-cooker: Ninja vs Instant
Winner: Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid
Much more versatile than air fryers, multicookers can cover a lot of functions. There's no guarantee that they'll air fry, nor is there any guarantee that they will air fry well, but both the Ninja and the Instant are experts across the board. In fact, we loved the Instant Multicooker so much that it's above lots of air fryers in our buying guide to the best air fryers.
If you're looking for versatility the Ninja offers one more function than Instant's multicooker: steam and bake. If we're looking purely at air frying this is pretty good. It cooked food evenly, has another 1.5 quarts of capacity and another 130 °F in its temperature range. All the accessories are dishwasher safe too, making it easy to clean up after the Foodi. Our main criticisms were that this is quite bulky and that the handles can get hot too. If you have some good oven gloves, this won't be too much of a problem.
For
- Quick to preheat
- Good across all functions
- Brilliant for batch cooking
Against
- Not compatible with stove top or oven
Even though this lacks one setting compared to the Ninja, it more than makes up for it in performance (and price - this is $150 cheaper). The air fryer function is absolutely flawless: our experts loved it. This is also simple and straightforward to use, especially if you're new to pressure cooking. This automatically releases steam preventing you from ending up in hot water. If you're short on space, this is more compact in every dimension. The cons are that this needs to be hand washed, so if you know you're lazy when it comes to cleaning, you'll be better off with the Ninja.
For
- Excellent range of functions
- Easy to use
- Automatic pressure release
Against
- Pot isn't non-stick
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Ninja | Instant |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 15.39 x 14.21 x 14.25 inches | 13.4 x 15.4 x 15.5 inches |
| Capacity | 8 qt | 6.5 qt |
| Settings | Pressure Cook, Steam & Crisp, Steam & Bake, Air Fry, Broil, Bake, Roast, Dehydrate, Proof, Sear, Steam Souse Vide, Slow Cook, Yogurt, Keep Warm | Pressure Cook, Sauté, Steam, Slow Cook, Sous Vide, Yogurt, Warm, Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Dehydrate, Proofing |
| Cleaning | Yes | Handwash only |
| Temperature range | 105–450°F | 180-400°F |
| RRP from brand | $349.99 | $199.99 |
FAQs
Is Instant better than Ninja?
It's difficult to say that one brand is better than the other without accounting for context. Instant tends to be much better value, but Ninja is often dishwasher friendly, quick and more ergonomic. We've gone into more detail about the nuances and features of each appliance.
Is Ninja worth more money?
This is product dependent. Ninja makes excellent appliances and, in some instances, they offer extra functions and accessories that can make your cooking routine much easier. However, Instant usually offers better value. You'll have to weigh up the difference, as per your budget, time and space constraints.
Who makes the best air fryer?
Our experts have tested every air fryer on the market and put the Instant Vortex Plus at the top of the list. It boasts incredible value, performance, and quality. However, different homes need air fryers with different functions, so make sure to look at our guide to find the best air fryer for your kitchen.
Final thoughts
Instant tends to offer the cheaper option to comparative Ninja models. I
For those short on space, the Ninja Max XL offers a slightly better performance, but is more expensive, so we prefer the Instant Slim. And, if you're interested in a multicooker, the Instant Pot Duo is better at air frying, smaller, and cheaper.
If you're looking for large capacity or a range of ceramic-coated options, Ninja has the better offering, with their cutting-edge designs.
You won't go wrong with any of these models in this guide though, they are all excellent air fryers that promise crispy, quick food.
How we test
At Homes & Gardens we take our tests seriously. That's why we won't recommend a product until our experts have put it though its paces in our test kitchen. We've tested the Instant and Ninja products recommended here and they're in our buying guide for best air fryers already. If you want to know all the details about how we test, you can visit our dedicated page.
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