Ninja air fryer DZ401 Vs DZ550! What Is The Difference And Which Is The Best?

Do you need help to make up your mind between the Ninja DZ401 vs DZ550? You’re not alone in this mix. Many shoppers need to learn the differences as the gadgets are lookalikes. The detailed features of these two air fryers will shock you.

One significant difference between the Ninja DZ401 and DZ550 is that the 550 has a smart thermometer. This feature is missing out on the DZ401 air fryer. Another difference is that the DZ401 has a digital touch screen while the DZ550 has touch buttons. 

Those are the major differences between the two air fryers. But we will review more features, make comparisons, draw the similarities and differences, and even tell you the pros and cons. Ultimately, you should be able to pick an option that suits your needs.

Ninja Dz401 Vs Dz550 – Which Suits You Best?

Both the Ninja DZ and DZ550 are products of SharkNinja. The company ensures quality models to suit their customer needs. The only difference in these air fryers is the features. Of course, the superior one will come with a higher price tag. Which suits you best? It depends on your needs and priorities. The below comparison chart will help you to answer the above question. 

Ninja DZ401 Vs. DZ550: Comparison Chart 

Key Features	Ninja DZ401	Ninja DZ550
Smart thermometer	No	Yes
Material	Stainless Steel/plastic	Plastic
Capacity	10 quarts	10 Quarts
Dimensions	13.9″D x 17.1″W x 12.8″H	13.9″D x 17.1″W x 12.8″H
Weight	19.80 lbs.	19.80 lbs.
Wattage	1690W	1690W
Controls	Touch buttons	Digital Touch screen
Cooking functions	6-IN-1: Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate.	6-1: Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
Accessories	Two nonstick mesh plates, two 5-quart baskets, 15 recipes, meal options/guides, and cooking charts	Two nonstick mesh plates, two 5-quart baskets, 15 recipes, meal options/ guides, and cooking charts
Heating zones	Dual	Dual
Color	Grey	Grey
Temperature range	105°F to 450°F	105°F to 450°F
Air fry basket material	Non-stick aluminum	Non-stick aluminum
User ratings	4.7/5	4.7/5
Warranty	One year (limited)	One year (limited)
Best deals	Check price on Amazon	Check price on Amazon

Ninja Air Fryer DZ401 Reviews

Ninja DZ401 is a versatile air fryer that comes with two independent baskets. The smart finish and match cook feature is a dual functionality. It lets you cook two foods simultaneously and in two different ways. In other words, you can roast and bake at the same time. This feature is magical as it eliminates the need to cook single dishes, which takes ages.

Also, the baskets are huge and come in five quarts, thus a total of 10quart cooking capacity. So, you save time, energy, and effort.

Ever heard of IQ Boost in air fryers? This feature helps to distribute power across the two baskets. You have no worries that either of the dishes will come out with uneven patches. Thanks to this feature, you can even roast a 6lb whole chicken in minutes. 

The 6-in-1 functionalities in this cooker offer six cooking functions: Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate. And with the dual basket feature, you can select two of these on separate dishes, e.g., Roast and Reheat. 

Ninja DZ401 has a family-size capacity. It fits a large family setup without the need to do food in batches. Besides a whole chicken (6 lbs), it can cook 8 kg of chicken wings or drumsticks. Make use of the separate heating zones to cook more exciting meals. Your food will have less fat (75%) than deep fryers and other air frying methods.

Besides cooking fast, cleaning is a breeze. The baskets and other accessories are dishwasher safe. Remember to keep your DZ401 away from excess moisture and flowing water, as it damages the electrical components.

Key Features

• IQ Boost
• 6-in1 Functionality
• 10-quart capacity
• Dial, digital Touch screen controls
• Dual Basket (5-quart total each)
• 75% less fat than other air fryers
• Non-stick accessories

Pros

• Durable.
• Versatile.
• Has the ability to use two cooking functions at a go.
• Cooks faster.
• Easy to clean.
• Compact.

Cons

• Doesn’t come with a food thermometer.

Ninja DZ550 Review

Cook two foods in two ways and at the same time. This cooker eliminates the need for back-to-back cooking where you cook in batches. And that’s where the Ninja DZ500 beats the traditional single-basket air fryer. It is a dual-basket air fryer with two independent 5-quart XL air fryer baskets.

You also get to enjoy the smart cook system, which helps you to achieve the perfect doneness. You can do your meat from rare to well-done with the guide of the Foodi Smart thermometer. The feature comes integrated into the air fryer, so you will not need to buy one.

With the dual-zone technology, you can select two cooking functions at a go or use the Match Cook feature to cook a single food in both baskets. All this is possible through the IQ Boost, which distributes constant power across each Basket.

The most crucial features of this air fryer include six cooking functions. These are Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate. The 10-quart capacity is ideal for any family. If you cook for fewer people, use one of the 5-quart capacities. The 10-quart size can cook 8 lbs of chicken wings or more.

The dual heating zones have rapid heaters, cyclonic fans, and accessories (basket and crisper tray). Also, the zones have a wide temperature range of 105°F–450°F, hence cooking in minutes. Buying the Ninja DZ550 requires non-stick and dishwasher-safe cooking baskets (two), crisper plates (two), a Foodi Smart Thermometer, and a 15-recipe guide.

Key Features

• Foodi smart thermometer
• Two baskets (each 5quart capacity) 
• Two crisper plates
• 10-quart capacity
• IQ boost
• Match Cook
• DualZone technology
• Non-stick accessories
• Touch buttons controls
• 75% less fat

Pros

• Multifunctionality.
• Easy user interface.
• The double trays save time and effort.
• Cooks in minimal time.
• Easy cleanup.
• Accurate probe.

Cons

• The trays are not dishwasher-friendly.

Similarities Between Ninja DZ401 And DZ550

We are almost to the end of this guide. But we can’t leave without guiding you on the similarities and dissimilarities between the Ninja DZ401 and DZ550. Let’s begin with the similarities;

1. Design  

The Ninja DZ401 and DZ550 are like twins. They come in a sleek grey color and have a dual basket functionality. This duality comes with a superior DualZone technology, Match cook feature, and IQ Boost. All the above features allow you to cook different foods in the 5-quart basket or use both for one cooking function.

2. Size

These two air fryers have the same dimensions, 13.9 ” x 17.1 ” x 12.8 “. This size makes them compact and can fit on your limited countertop space without squeezing things.

3. Weight 

Both Ninja air fryers weigh 19.80 lbs., which is lightweight. Almost anyone can lift this weight. Also, it is easy to move around with these Ninjas during picnics, camping, RVs, and vacations.  

4. Capacity

Bot the Ninja DZ401 and DZ550 have 10-quart capacity. The capacity includes two independent air frying baskets with a 5-quart capacity each. You can cook larger quantities of food, which is a great cooker, especially if you have a large family or guests.

5. Cooking Functions 

These are extra versatile air fryers with multiple cooking functions. They can cook various foods depending on the cooking program you select. The two Ninja air fryers have a 6-in-1 functionality, meaning they can Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate.

6. Temperature Range

The Ninja DZ550 and DZ401 have a 105°F to 450°F cooking temperature range. This range is sufficient to cook hundreds of recipes depending on the cooking program of your choice.

7. Warranty

Ninja offers a one-year warranty (limited on both air fryers). With such a warranty, you enjoy free services and repairs depending on the usage, terms, and conditions. 

8. Accessories

If you buy any of these two Ninja air fryers, you get two 5-quart baskets, two nonstick crisper trays, 15 recipes, additional meal options, and cooking charts. The baskets and crisper plates are dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.

Dissimilarities Between Ninja DZ401 And DZ 550

Just like there are similarities between the Ninja DZ401 and DZ550, there are also dissimilarities. Let’s have a look;

• Control Panel

When you place the DZ550 and DZ401 on a table, the most visible difference you will see is the control panel. Though the panels are a classy design, they are different. The DZ401 has perfectly laid out dials and buttons, while the DZ550 has a touchscreen control. This outstanding feature also causes the difference in navigating on both control panels.  

• Foodi Smart Thermometer

Another feature that differentiates these two Ninjas is the smart Foodi thermometer in the DZ550. The food thermometer ensures precision when cooking proteins, including poultry, beef, lamb, pork, mutton, etc. With the probe, you have an assurance of perfect tenderness and doneness in your meat. The probe is integrated to monitor temperature at any time during the cooking process.

• Price

In any store you walk into, the Ninja DZ401 and DZ550 have different price tags. The pricing is reasonable and matches the features that the units offer. For instance, the DZ 550 is slightly pricier than the DZ401. There are two reasons for this price difference;

• Ninja DZ550 has a Foodi smart thermometer, while DZ401 doesn’t have.
• The DZ550 has digital touchscreen controls, while the DZ401 has buttons and dials.

If you choose the DZ550, you will get a free Foodi smart thermometer for precision when cooking. Also, the control panel is touch screen and digitized.

The Verdict: Ninja DZ401 Vs DZ550

Ultimately, the Ninja DZ550 is the winner regarding smart features like the digital touch screen and the Foodi smart thermometer. The digital touchscreen control panel has an easy user interface and requires no effort.

Also, the Foodi smart thermometer makes cooking proteins a breeze. It tells you when the meat attains correct doneness and tenderness. However, these features come with extra spending. You can opt for the Ninja DZ401 if your budget doesn’t allow.

Faq

Does the Ninja DZ550 have a smart thermometer?

Yes, the Ninja air fryer has a smart thermometer. It is located on the left side of the air fryer inside the board storage compartment. Which helps you confirm that the food has reached a set temperature.

How much bigger is the Ninja DZ550 basket?

The size of Ninja DZ550 basket is actually big. It has two separate 5-quart baskets for a total capacity of 10 quarts. The baskets are separate, and it can cook two different food at the same time. The air fryer also has a smart cook thermometer and six cooking functions.

When did the Ninja DZ550 come out?

The Ninja DZ550 air fryer was first available on July 18, 2022. It has six functions, including ‎Roast, Broil, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate and a smart thermometer. It also has two baskets of 5 quart for 10 quart of capacity.

Is the Ninja DZ550 big enough for a family of 4?

YES, the Ninja DZ550 has dual baskets of 5 quarts for a total capacity of 10 quarts. It has six cooking functions. The 10-quart capacity is
large and also big enough for a family of four.

Is the Ninja DZ550 noisy in an apartment?

Yes, the Ninja DZ550 can be noisy in an apartment, similar to another air fryer. The noise level depends on cooking functions and intensity. The Ninja DZ550 air fryer is not too loud. You can use it.

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