Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart vs Ninja AF161 Max XL Air
Both made our Best Large Air Fryers shortlist, at #1 and #3. Here's how they differ and who each one suits.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 4 min read
Quick verdict
Choose the Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer if you want cooks two foods at two different temperatures simultaneously with independent controls. Choose the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer 5.5 Quart if you'd rather have 450°F max temperature is the highest in this list, for the fastest, crispiest sear. Overall we rank the Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Large Air Fryers list.
Winner overall: Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer
Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer vs Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer 5.5 Quart compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 10 in Best Large Air Fryers | #3 of 10 in Best Large Air Fryers |
| Pick label | Top pick | |
| Brand | Ninja | Ninja |
| Key features | Two independent 4-quart baskets; DualZone with Sync Finish; 8-quart total capacity | 5.5-quart basket; 1750W Max Crisp technology; 450°F max temperature |
| Biggest strength | Cooks two foods at two different temperatures simultaneously with independent controls | 450°F max temperature is the highest in this list, for the fastest, crispiest sear |
| Main trade-off | Two baskets and two drawers mean more parts to wash than a single-basket unit | No dedicated presets, same manual-entry interface as the AF101 |
| Best for | Most buyers | Most buyers |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick · Top pick
Choose the Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer if…
- Cooks two foods at two different temperatures simultaneously with independent controls
- Sync Finish times both baskets to finish together automatically
- 8-quart total capacity across two baskets covers full family meals in one cycle
Prefer the alternative? See the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer 5.5 Quart section.
#3 pick
Choose the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer 5.5 Quart if…
- 450°F max temperature is the highest in this list, for the fastest, crispiest sear
- 5.5-quart capacity splits the difference between the compact AF101 and full-size models
- Ninja's fan and element design carries over the AF101's crisping performance at larger scale
Prefer the alternative? See the Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer section.
Pros and cons of each
Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer
Pros
- Cooks two foods at two different temperatures simultaneously with independent controls
- Sync Finish times both baskets to finish together automatically
- 8-quart total capacity across two baskets covers full family meals in one cycle
- Highest rating (4.8) among large-capacity models in this list
Cons
- Two baskets and two drawers mean more parts to wash than a single-basket unit
- Larger footprint takes up significantly more counter space than a single basket
Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer 5.5 Quart
Pros
- 450°F max temperature is the highest in this list, for the fastest, crispiest sear
- 5.5-quart capacity splits the difference between the compact AF101 and full-size models
- Ninja's fan and element design carries over the AF101's crisping performance at larger scale
Cons
- No dedicated presets, same manual-entry interface as the AF101
- Larger unit takes noticeably more counter and storage space than the AF101
Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer vs Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer 5.5 Quart: common questions
Which is better, the Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer or the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer 5.5 Quart?
Choose the Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer if you want cooks two foods at two different temperatures simultaneously with independent controls. Choose the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer 5.5 Quart if you'd rather have 450°F max temperature is the highest in this list, for the fastest, crispiest sear. Overall we rank the Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Large Air Fryers list.
What is the difference between the Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer and the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer 5.5 Quart?
The Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer stands out because cooks two foods at two different temperatures simultaneously with independent controls, while the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer 5.5 Quart stands out because 450°F max temperature is the highest in this list, for the fastest, crispiest sear. The trade-offs differ too: the Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer's main caveat is that two baskets and two drawers mean more parts to wash than a single-basket unit, and the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer 5.5 Quart's is that no dedicated presets, same manual-entry interface as the AF101.
Is the Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer worth it over the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer 5.5 Quart?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer 5.5 Quart instead if two baskets and two drawers mean more parts to wash than a single-basket unit is a deal-breaker for you.