The best Ninja air fryers for all budgets, tried and tested
These cleverly designed appliances have genuinely transformed everyday cooking, turning tedious meal prep into streamlined culinary sessions without sacrificing flavour.
After extensively testing Ninja's air fryer lineup across various home kitchen setups, we can confidently say the brand's models consistently outperform competitors on the metrics that actually matter: cooking efficiency, temperature precision, versatility across different foods, and overall value.
Their appliances' powerful heating elements, sophisticated air circulation technology, and genuinely intuitive controls elevate these air fryers from trendy gadgets to essential kitchen tools you'll actually use daily.
But which Ninja air fryer deserves that precious counter space in your kitchen? Whether you need a space-saving model for compact kitchens or a multi-function powerhouse that might replace several existing appliances, our comprehensive testing reveals exactly which options deliver meaningful cooking transformation, rather than just flashy features.
How we tested
After spending countless hours with Ninja's air fryer lineup, in multiple kitchen environments, the team has developed a clear understanding of what makes these appliances worth your counter space. Our testing process evaluated each model across several key criteria:
Cooking performance: We assessed evenness and speed of cooking across various food types. Each air fryer underwent multiple cooking cycles to ensure consistent performance.
Usability: We wanted simple control panels and easy cleaning, as well as any unique or standout features.
Versatility: We examined the range of cooking functions included and how well these cater to everyday meals.
Value for money: We assessed build quality and considered practical elements such as energy consumption We wanted models that are worth their price tag.
Noise levels: Not wanting to upset the neighbours, we also assessed how much noise was generated while the air fryers were in operation.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
The Independent 's dedicated shopping section, IndyBest is committed to providing unbiased reviews and expert advice. Our team of editors and writers have years of experience in testing products and trialling them within their own homes. Caroline Preece is an expert product tester and journalist with years of experience. She specialises in home and lifestyle topics, including kitchen appliances such as air fryers.
The best Ninja air fryers for 2025 are:
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The Independent
13 hours ago
- The Independent
How does Cuisinart's £99 freeze wand compare with Ninja's £249 creami deluxe?
If you love a good frozen dessert, an ice cream maker is an absolute must-have kitchen gadget. It lets you make a variety of frozen treats just how you want them, whether that's low-sugar, dairy-free, or loaded with chocolate chips. The Ninja creami deluxe ice cream maker has gained a bit of a cult following over the past couple of years, and it's easy to see why. This machine promises to turn everything from protein shakes to tinned fruit into delicious, creamy, scoopable desserts. But now it has some competition: the new Cuisinart freeze wand promises an easy (and relatively affordable) way to whip up frozen treats at home. While both the Ninja and Cuisinart machines promise professional-quality frozen treats at home, there's a big difference in price: the creami deluxe will set you back £250, while the Cuisinart freeze wand costs less than half that at £99.99. That's fascinating because they're fairly similar machines. Neither is technically a true ice cream maker, as neither uses built-in compressors. With both, you have to freeze your ingredients or base mix the day before. Once you have your base ready, both machines work in the same way, using blades to churn, blend, and shave your frozen mixture into everything from classic soft-scoop ice cream to sorbet, milkshakes, slushies and frozen yoghurt. I've just tested a wide range of ice cream makers for IndyBest, and these two machines really stood out. But does the creami really deliver enough to justify an extra £150 on the price tag? I put them head-to-head to see which one delivers the best flavour, texture, and ease of operation. How I tested I've owned the original Ninja Creami for a couple of years, so I've been used to making a range of tasty, frozen treats at home with this type of machine. For this review, I used the latest Ninja creami deluxe, which works in the same way but has more functions, including frappe and slushi settings. While I was already a big fan of the Ninja machine, the Cuisinart freeze wand piqued my interest because it claims to do the same thing in a more compact (and less expensive) device. I tested both machines, making the same frozen dessert bases, to keep things fair. I made a simple vanilla ice cream, a frozen yoghurt, and a sorbet. Both machines require you to freeze your bases, so I froze each mixture overnight before letting the ice cream machines get to work. During testing, I assessed the machines on the following criteria: Quality of frozen treats: I noted the texture of ice creams and the number produced by each machine. Ease of operation: I considered how quick and easy it was to set up, use and disassemble the ice cream makers. Ease of cleaning: Whether the machines feature dishwasher-safe parts, and how easy the devices are to wipe down and keep clean, was also a consideration. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Rachael Penn is a writer specialising in lifestyle and tech, particularly home appliances, food, and drink. She has tried, tested and reviewed plenty of ice cream makers, as well as toasters, air fryers, hand mixers and much more for IndyBest, and has been contributing to the section since 2021. Rachael puts every product featured in her reviews through real-world testing, and her years of experience with different machines mean she knows what makes an appliance great value for money.
The Sun
a day ago
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Ninja CRISPi air fryer review: a big win for my small kitchen
I'VE used air fryers for years, and wouldn't go without one for quick, easy meals. However, they can take up a lot of countertop real estate, which is something that's in short supply in my small kitchen. I've done a Ninja CRISPi air fryer review to see if the uniquely compact model could solve my problem, and more broadly, find out whether a portable air fryer is something the world actually needs. 5 Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass The new Ninja CRISPi is just one model in Ninja's wide range of air fryers, but it also has the most unique features. It launched in the UK just this year, hitting the shops (and online shelves) in March 2025. Like all air fryers, it promises to cook food quicker than an oven, and as the name suggests, it produces crisp food, replicating a fried effect but without lots of oil. It's described as a portable cooking system because the actual cooking mechanism is housed within the compact "PowerPod" lid, which snaps onto the top of one of two glass dishes. One glass container is 1.4L and the other is 3.8L. Once cooked, the food can immediately be served or stored in the fridge without decanting into another dish. There are three colours to choose from (blue, stone and sage green), and in classic Ninja style, they're aesthetically pleasing and buck air fryers' reputation for being big, bulky and ugly. Pros Cons The capacity isn't huge; it's suitable for two to three people max if you're cooking full meals The temperatures are pre-set and can't be changed Overall rating: 8/10 How I tested the Ninja CRISPi Portable Air Fryer As The Sun's Home and Garden eCommerce writer, I'm no stranger to testing out kitchen gadgets. I've also owned an air fryer for about five years now, so I know what to look out for when choosing a new one. I tried cooking a few different types of food with the Ninja CRISPi, focusing on what I'd use an air fryer for day-to-day. The smaller container was ideal for snacks, starters or canapés, while the larger container was great for cooking a full meal for two or meat for six or seven people. How much does the Ninja CRISPi cost? At full price, the air fryer costs £179.99, but it's currently on sale for £119.99with the code NINJA20. Within the Ninja range, it's priced somewhere in the middle. Who is it best for? Those with small kitchens who want a compact air fryer that's easily cleaned and packed away. What I loved: The convenience of having the glass containers eliminated the need to put leftovers into Tupperware after cooking. I also loved its clever design, which is far more sleek and compact than other air fryers. What I didn't: The containers aren't big enough to fit more than two complete meal portions (if you were cooking meat, potatoes and veg in one go). Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer, £179.99 £119.99 with code NINJA20 - buy here Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer review: The Nitty Gritty First impressions 5 Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer, £179.99 £119.99 with code NINJA20 When I opened the box (which was larger than I expected), I was pleased to see how compact the CRISPi's components were. It's easy to assemble with no fiddly parts to worry about, so it would be pretty straightforward for anyone to get going. To set it up, all I had to do was drop the crisper plate inside of one of the glass containers (there's a tray to fit each size), place my food inside, pop the PowerPod on top and plug it in. 5 When using the larger container, you'll need to secure the adaptor onto the PowerPod to make it fit. Then I selected the cooking mode I wanted from the display at the top by clicking the 'mode' button. There are four to choose from: Air Fry, Roast, Keep Warm and Recrisp. Finally, I selected the time I wanted. Temperatures are pre-selected for each setting, meaning you can't change them, which is slightly annoying. Does it deliver? 5 Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer, £179.99 £119.99 with code NINJA20 BUY HERE I decided to test out cooking chicken thighs, something I always rely on an air fryer for. They took 20 minutes to cook on the Air Fry setting, and came out with perfectly crisp skin and juicy meat; an immediate tick from me. They took 20 minutes to cook on the Air Fry setting, and came out with perfectly crispy skin and juicy meat; an immediate tick from me. I cooked six thighs in the large glass container, but there was still space remaining, so you could probably fit eight in there — enough for a family of four, if you cook your other components separately. I liked how you could see the food cooking and keep an eye on it throughout. There is also the small container, which is handy for cooking snacks and quick bites — I tried mozzarella dippers and they were crispy and oozy after just seven minutes. 5 Unfortunately, though, because there's only one PowerPod, you wouldn't be able to use both sizes simultaneously. If you were looking to cook an entire meal (for example chicken, potatoes and veg), you're probably going to be limited to two or three portions because the food needs to be spread out as a single layer. That means that the air fryer is best suited to couples and small families. Once the food is cooked, you simply remove the PowerPod, and you can wash the glass container or keep it in the fridge. I popped mine in the dishwasher and it came out perfectly clean. The containers can also be used straight for serving to the table, minimising washing up. You could use the smaller 1.4L container for storing lunch or leftovers, although one downside is that the glass containers are attached to the handles and base, making them bulky — however, they are okay to go in the microwave. The Ninja CRISPi is easy to use and easy to clean, but the biggest selling point is the compact storage. It dismantles into its separate components in seconds, which makes it ideal for storing, and you could even fit it completely out of sight in a cupboard. The majority of air fryers are large, square and will take up a considerable amount of counter space, so if you've put off buying an air fryer for that reason, this could be the one for you. How much is the Ninja CRISPi? At the time of testing, the Ninja CRISPi air fryer retails for £119.99, with a £60 discount available on Ninja's website with the code NINJA20. There are both cheaper and more costly options, but the Ninja CRISPi is unique in its format, so there aren't many other brands that rival it. It's also definitely a useful gadget that genuinely helps save time with cooking, as opposed to a novelty impulse buy. Where to buy the Ninja CRISPi As well as Ninja's own website, the air fryer can be found at several other major retailers. Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer alternatives While I'd recommend the Ninja CRISPi for its unique features, there are other air fryers to consider. For a budget option with a similar idea to Ninja's, the Cookworks Halogen 15L Air Fryer is available to buy at Argos, and is reduced to just £32. Or, for a larger capacity, the Lakeland Dual Basket Air Fryer costs £99.99 and has two drawers, so food can cook separately and with different cooking times. Ninja also has the space-saving Double Stack 2-Drawer Air Fryer reduced from £229.99 to £199.99, with the benefits of having two drawers, but a stacked design that minimises counter space.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
The best Ninja air fryers for all budgets, tried and tested
In a market flooded with kitchen appliances and gadgets that rarely deliver on their Instagram-worthy promises, Ninja's air fryers often stand out as genuine game-changers. These cleverly designed appliances have genuinely transformed everyday cooking, turning tedious meal prep into streamlined culinary sessions without sacrificing flavour. After extensively testing Ninja's air fryer lineup across various home kitchen setups, we can confidently say the brand's models consistently outperform competitors on the metrics that actually matter: cooking efficiency, temperature precision, versatility across different foods, and overall value. Their appliances' powerful heating elements, sophisticated air circulation technology, and genuinely intuitive controls elevate these air fryers from trendy gadgets to essential kitchen tools you'll actually use daily. But which Ninja air fryer deserves that precious counter space in your kitchen? Whether you need a space-saving model for compact kitchens or a multi-function powerhouse that might replace several existing appliances, our comprehensive testing reveals exactly which options deliver meaningful cooking transformation, rather than just flashy features. How we tested After spending countless hours with Ninja's air fryer lineup, in multiple kitchen environments, the team has developed a clear understanding of what makes these appliances worth your counter space. Our testing process evaluated each model across several key criteria: Cooking performance: We assessed evenness and speed of cooking across various food types. Each air fryer underwent multiple cooking cycles to ensure consistent performance. Usability: We wanted simple control panels and easy cleaning, as well as any unique or standout features. Versatility: We examined the range of cooking functions included and how well these cater to everyday meals. Value for money: We assessed build quality and considered practical elements such as energy consumption We wanted models that are worth their price tag. Noise levels: Not wanting to upset the neighbours, we also assessed how much noise was generated while the air fryers were in operation. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews The Independent 's dedicated shopping section, IndyBest is committed to providing unbiased reviews and expert advice. Our team of editors and writers have years of experience in testing products and trialling them within their own homes. Caroline Preece is an expert product tester and journalist with years of experience. She specialises in home and lifestyle topics, including kitchen appliances such as air fryers. The best Ninja air fryers for 2025 are:
