Ninja Air Fryer AF161 Vs AF171! What Is The Differences & Which Is The Best?

Wise buying is all about comparing products to get the best. So, if you are at the crossroads between buying Ninja air fryers AF161 and AF171, you have our back. The two models by Ninja are sisters as they share major features such as the outer material, output wattage, capacity, and heating technology.

However, a closer examination reveals some differences. The dimensions and control method are distinct. Also, the AF161 is an earlier release (July 2019), with almost five years in the market, while the AF171 hasn’t sold for a year (July 2023). This article digs into the above similarities, dissimilarities, and pros and cons. All the above details will help you buy your dream Ninja air fryer.

Take a look at the comparison table below.

Ninja Air Fryer AF161 Vs AF171 Comparison Table

Key features	Ninja AF161	Ninja AF171
Manufacturer	Ninja	Ninja
Outer material	Plastic	Plastic
Dimensions	11″ x 14″ x 14.75″	14.17” x 11.02” x 14.65”
Outage wattage	1750W	1750W
Cooking zones	Single	Single
Capacity	5.5 quarts	5.5 quarts
Weight	11lbs	14.4lbs
Control method	Touch	App
Color	Grey	Grey
Non-stick coating	No	Yes
Cooking programs	7	7
Release date	July 5, 2019	July 28, 2023
Reviews	4.7 out of 5 stars (17,523 ratings)	4.3 out of 5 stars (3 ratings)
Price	Check price on Amazon	Check price on Amazon

Ninja AF161 Review

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Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer that Cooks, Crisps,...40

LESS FAT: Up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying methods....
MAX CRISP TECHNOLOGY: Delivers 450 degrees of superheated air to cook...
XL CAPACITY: The 5.5 QT ceramic coated nonstick basket and crisper...
7-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Includes 7 versatile cooking programs: Max...
EASY CLEANING: The ceramic basket is both nonstick & dishwasher safe.

With a review rating of 17,523 users, this air fryer is pretty old in the market and a darling to many. Besides its sleek appearance, it offers seven cooking programs. These are Max Crisp for crisping your food and Air Fry for frying French fries instead of deep frying.

You get the Air Roast and Air Broil features for cooking meat and the Bake function for pastries work. It also offers Reheat for warming food and Dehydrate features for drying your fruits and vegetables.

All the above features and controls are easy to use. Food cooks faster, and you will succeed with any food you cook if you follow the straightforward directions and recipe.

Though a small-capacity air fryer, the AF161 executes its cooking mandate. The 5.5 quarts fit a dish for up to two adults. For instance, you can fry three pounds of chicken wings or fries. The little air fryer has a single zone, but it cooks like its bigger counterparts. The compartment crisps your food without oil, giving it a great texture and taste.

If you are hunting for a low-cost air fryer, this one is affordable as it is around a hundred dollars. The pricing includes the inserts, such as the basket and the crisper plate. The above accessories are coated and dishwasher safe, so cleanup is easy and quick.

This sleek kitchen appliance comes in a grey and glossy finish, so cleaning the oven’s exterior is easy and doesn’t leave marks. With a diameter of 11″ x 14″ x 14.75″, it fits in your kitchen cabinets during storage and on your countertop without consuming extra space.

Key Features

11 pounds
Touch control method
Dimensions: 11″ x 14″ x 14.75″
5.5 quarts capacity
Max crisp technology
Grey
App control method
Seven cooking programs
Single cooking zone
1750W

Pros

Sleek and appealing.
Highly recommend.
Easy to clean.
30% Faster Cooking.
Dishwasher-safe inserts.
Uses less power.
Versatile.
Easy to Use.
Long-lasting.
More user reviews

Cons

Small to fit large ingredients.
There is no view window to monitor your food.
The heating element position exposes it to stains.

Ninja AF171 Review

Ninja AF171 EzView Max XL Air Fryer that Cooks,...40

The Ninja F171 is one of the latest air fryer innovations by SharkNinja. Its special features include a wide temperature range, which allows you to explore hundreds of recipes. Another unique trait is that it is BPA-Free, thus non-toxic.

This nonstick oven has a 5.5-quart capacity, cooking up to three pounds of French fries or chicken wings. It comes with a nonstick air fry basket and inserts that are easy to use and clean.

Like the AF161, this model comprises seven cooking programs, including Max Crisp, Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate. The max crisp technology can cook at 450°F, thus faster than other air fryers. For instance, when we compared this model with the AF161, this one will cook your food 30% faster. The results are crispier results and guilt-free foods with 75% less oil.

The major feature that differentiates this air fryer from earlier designs is the EzView Window. This inclusion is a modern innovation which allows viewing during the cooking process. Also, the feature misses out on other basket air fryers.

The temperature range is 105–450 degrees F so you can explore hundreds of recipes with your air fryer. Enjoy the easy-to-clean external surface and dishwasher-safe inserts.

Key Features

Seven cooking functions
EzView window
105–450 F degrees temperature range
Max crisp technology
BPA-free
Dishwasher safe inserts
5.5 quarts capacity
14.17” x 11.02” x 14.65”
Plastic outer material
Grey
1750W
14.4 pounds
Single cooking zone

Pros

A compact appliance.
Cooks faster.
Sleek appearance.
Winde heat range.
The EzView window is a plus as it lets you peep and monitor your food’s cooking progress.
Nonstick accessories.
Easy to clean.
Easy to use.
Dishwasher-safe inserts.

Cons

It is heavier than the AF161.
The AF171 has no reviews.

Similarities And Dissimilarities Between TheNinja AF161 And AF 171

While examining the Af161 and AF171, we noted several similarities that might confuse you when purchasing your dream air fryer. Here are the traits to watch out for;

Manufacturer

The brand is the same. These two ovens originate from SharkNinja, with distributors all over the world. This company is popular in making quality air fryers, among other cookware. So, we do not doubt that you are making an excellent decision to buy from Ninja.

Outer Material

The outer material for both air fryers is similar: Quality plastic. Some users complain that the plastic surface gets hot when cooking, but our team has yet to establish this claim. Again, SharkNinja makes superior-quality air fryers that last years on your kitchen countertops.

Wattage

The wattage is the amount of electrical power the air fryer consumes. These two air fryers have a wattage of 1750W. That’s within range and even higher because the gadgets have wattage from 800W to 1800W. With a 1750W, the two models cook food faster and more efficiently but may consume more energy during use.

Cooking Zones

Both the AF161 and AF171 have single cooking zones. That means they have single baskets, unlike some Ninja models with doubles. That’s a disadvantage because you must go back and cook another meal separately. The dual cooking zones allow you to cook dishes simultaneously.

Capacity

The air fryers have a 5.5 quarts cooking capacity. With this size, you can cook for two to three adults. Also, the unit fits about three pounds of French fries.

Temperature Range

Ninja manufactures these two air fryers with a 105–450 F temperature range. The range is within normal and allows you to cook foods which require low or high heat. So, you have an assurance of exploring many recipes with both AF161 and AF171.

Appearance

A glance at the AF 161 and AF171 might confuse you. The two air fryers come in grey and are almost twins. However, some features, like the control method and dimensions, differ. So don’t let the looks fool you. Still on appearance/design, these air fryers have round baskets. Actually, you can swap the features.

Cooking Programs

Each one of these cookers comes with seven cooking programs. These are;

Dehydrate
Air fry
Air broil
Reheat
Max crisp
Bake
Roast

Again, don’t let the cooking programs confuse you. There are other dissimilarities.

Dissimilarities

When comparing the two Ninja air fryers. We realized a few dissimilarities. These are dimensions, control methods, release date into the market, and the price. Let’s go through these four factors.

Dimensions

We measured the AF161 and AF171 dimensions. The 161 measures 11″ x 14″ x 14.75″ while the 171 is about 14.17″ x 11.02″ x 14.65″. It’s not a very large difference, but if you prioritize size, it is significant. Evaluate your storage cabinets and countertops to determine the size of your kitchen.

Control Method

When it comes to air fryers, there are several control methods. Some come with knobs, touch pads and apps. The AF161 has a touch control, while the AF171 is an app-control gadget.

The app control unit has smart options to connect and operate it from your mobile. This feature is an added benefit as you can connect the air fryer and run it within an internet connection. It is a surprise that even with the smart app operation, the AF171 is more affordable than the AF161.

Price

Before studying the two Ninja air fryers, we quickly concluded that the AF171 is superior to the AF161 because of the App control method. We thought that the oven was more expensive than the Af161.

That’s not so. The Ninja AF161 will cost you slightly more dollars than the AF171. The reason may be the earlier introduction to the market and the high demand for the air fryer. Ninja introduced the AF161 in July 2019, while the AF171 is a July 2023 innovation.

The high review rating of 17,523 reveals that the appliance is well-received and favorable among consumers. It also indicates it is value for money because of factors such as friendly interface, performance, and durability. There could be more reasons why the AF161 is more costly than the AF171.

Release Date

Our study on these two air fryers reveals that the date of manufacturer or release is different. There is a great variance as the AF161 is a 2019 appliance while the AF171 is a 2023 release. And according to the reviews, the former is a favorable air fryer among users.

The Verdict: Ninja Air Fryer AF161 Vs AF171

Ultimately, you know the differences between the Ninja AF161 and Ninja AF171. These include the dimensions, the control method, the release date and the price. Equally, some similarities might confuse you when choosing an air fryer that suits your needs. These are the seven cooking programs: temperature range, single cooking zone, capacity, and appearance/design (round basket and color). Choosing your ideal unit depends on your liking and needs. For instance, if you prefer touch controls vs app controls, go for AF161 and vice versa.

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