The Ninja Foodi air fryers are some of the best on the market. As always, I am in love with these cookware, especially for their multi-basket features and ease of use. Additionally, they offer multiple size options.
Among them, the 8-quart and 10-quart sizes are two popular choices. But which is a better fit for your kitchen? The choice between the Ninja Foodi air fryer 8 qt and 10 qt will depend on your cooking needs, family size, kitchen space, and budget.
I have already tested both of these big boys in my kitchen. Here are their differences and a detailed comparison to help you make an informed choice.
| Quick Comparison Table | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Ninja Foodi 8-quarts | Ninja Foodi 10-quarts |
| Cooking Functions | 6-in-1 | 6-in-1 |
| Capacity | 8 Qt | 10 Qt |
| Preheat Time | 2-3 minutes | 3-4 minutes |
| Wattage | 1690 watts | 1690 watts |
| Basket Material | Non-stick, dishwasher safe | Non-stick dishwasher safe |
| Size | 15.63″ x 13.86″ x 12.4” | 17.1″ x 13.9″ x 12.8” |
| Weight | 17.86 lbs | 19.8 lbs |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer recipe
Till now, I’ve cooked so many different dishes with my Ninja Foodi air fryers. And this 8-qt size was undoubtedly a special one for me due to its impressive visual impression. So, this time, I tried my favorite air fryer recipe – crispy garlic parmesan chicken wings.
As the Air Fryer has two independent baskets, it also allows me to cook two different recipes simultaneously using the SMART FINISH option. But I used the Match Cook option this time to access the full 8-qt capacity.
However, the air fryer cooks everything evenly, and everything comes out beautifully crispy and browny. The large 8-qt capacity is also impressive. I cooked 4 lbs of chicken wings in a single batch, enough for a small gathering of 5 people. Additionally, it completes preheating within just 2 minutes at 390° F. I used the Air Fryer function and set the temperature to 400° F for 24 minutes.
Finally, the result was extraordinary! Perfectly golden-brown, crispy chicken wings that are entirely juicy inside, with a smoky and garlicky flavor. Most importantly, my meal was prepared within 30 minutes. A perfect company for my busy days and my growing family!
What I like
- Excellent cooking performance
- Dual baskets to cook different foods at once
- Perfect capacity for smaller households
- Easy to use
- Easy clean up
What I don’t like
- Not a good size of smaller counter space
Tips for Best Use
- Let the air fryer run for 20 minutes before you use it for the first time. It will help get rid of the extra smell.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Arrange the foods in a single layer for optimal air circulation.
- Add an extra minute or two for extra crispiness.
Check the price Ninja DZ201 Foodi on Amazon
Ninja DZ401 Foodi 10 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone XL 2-Basket Air Fryer recipe
This 10 Qt Ninja Foodi air fryer is another powerful and versatile addition from Ninja. It offers a relatively larger capacity and a few more opportunities for larger families or those who often like to entertain guests. Its huge capacity can hold a large quantity of food, and it can serve more than 6 people in a single batch.
During the last Christmas party, I used it to make a 6 lb crispy lemon garlic chicken and roasted Brussels sprouts. Fortunately, the chicken turned out incredibly juicy inside with a crispy golden crust outside. The Brussels sprouts were also perfectly cooked with a slight char.
Thanks to the DualZone function, I was able to cook these two different dishes at the same time. This saved me time and made the party easier to attend. Most importantly, the air fryer took only 3 minutes to be preheated at 400° F. And the meal? The meal was prepared within just 18 minutes!
Moreover, the dehydrating and baking features also did a great job. All of the party guests loved the lava cake I baked in the air fryer, and my kids also loved the Zucchini chips I made. The food doesn’t stick too much to the plate, so it’s pretty easy to clean.
What I like
- Larger capacity
- Even crisping and browning
- No need to cook in multiple batches
- Cooks faster saves time
What I don’t like
- Baskets aren’t deep enough for making bigger roasts.
Tips for Best Use
- Shake veggies halfway for more crisping
- Use Match Cook when cooking similar dishes
Check the price Ninja DZ401 Foodi on Amazon
8 Qt vs 10 Qt Ninja Foodi Air Fryer: Key Comparison
Design
| Ninja Foodi 8 Qt | Ninja Foodi 10 Qt |
| The Ninja Foodi 8 Qt air fryer is more compact and fits better on smaller countertops. It’s lighter and easier to handle, making it suitable for everyday use. I also loved its sleek grey and stainless steel finish. Its modern and innovative design also features a removable pressure lid and a hinged crisping lid. | This 10 Qt air fryer is comparatively more extensive and requires more counter space than the 8 qt air fryer. It also seems heavier due to its extra capacity. However, it has a similar design and color but a bulkier appearance to accommodate a 10 qt capacity. It has a similar dual-lid design, but the crisping lid is slightly larger. |
Capacity
| Ninja Foodi 8 Qt | Ninja Foodi 10 Qt |
| Ninja Foodi’s large capacity is one of the best features that set their air fryers apart. The 8-qt capacity is large enough to cook meals for 4-6 people. I could cook a whole chicken and a large batch of fries and wings. Undoubtedly, this is an ideal choice for small to medium-sized families. | 10-qt is a large capacity that holds a lot. It’s perfect for families of 6-8 people or if you often throw parties or big dinners. It allows cooking in large batches and for big meals like whole chickens and roasts. Once, I cooked a double batch of french fries, and it was just incredible! |
Size
| Ninja Foodi 8 Qt | Ninja Foodi 10 Qt |
| A Ninja Foodi 8-qt air fryer dimensions are 13.86″D x 15.63″ W x 12.4″H. It is typically smaller than the 10-qt air fryer. So, if your cooking space is a concern, the 8-qt air fryer would be the better option. | Undoubtedly, the Ninja Foodi 10-qt air fryer is slightly bigger than the 8-qt air fryer due to its extended capacity. Its dimensions consist of 13.9″D x 17.1″W x 12.8″H, quite enormous footprints. So, if you have enough space on your countertop, you can go for the 10-qt air fryer. |
Temperature Control
| Ninja Foodi 8 Qt | Ninja Foodi 10 Qt |
| Ninja Foodi 8-qt air fryers are renowned for their user-friendly temperature control system. The air fryer offers digital controls with multiple presets. Additionally, the temperature ranges from 105° F to 450° F, which is ideal for most cooking processes. | Like the Ninja Foodi 8-qt, the 10-qt air fryers have the same temperature range: 105° F—450° F. The digital controls also come with different presets, making cooking with an air fryer a breeze. |
Basket Material
| Ninja Foodi 8-qt | Ninja Foodi 10-qt |
| The Ninja Foodi 8-qt air fryer models come with two 4-quart dishwasher-safe baskets made of nonstick and PTFE-coated metal. | The 10-qt air fryers also have the same nonstick, dishwasher-safe baskets. The only difference between these 8-qt and 10-qt air fryer baskets is that the 10-qt air fryer comes with slightly larger baskets (5 quarts each) than the 8-qt. |
Preheating time
| Ninja Foodi 8-qt | Ninja Foodi 10-qt |
| One of the best features of this air fryer is its minimal preheating time. Complete preheating takes only 1-2 minutes at 400° F. | Due to its extra capacity, this 10-qt model takes slightly more time to preheat. It may take 3-4 minutes at 400° F, but it’s pretty acceptable, given its capacity. |
Cooking Consistency
| Ninja Foodi 8-qt | Ninja Foodi 10-qt |
| It offers even cooking with crisp results but requires shaking more often when cooking in large batches | Compared to the 8-qt air fryer, it provides even more cooking for larger food portions. |
Ease of Use
| Ninja Foodi 8-qt | Ninja Foodi 10-qt |
| The 8-qt air fryer has a user-friendly digital control panel, making it easier to handle for anyone. The presets are also very easy to use. Additionally, the nonstick and dishwasher-safe baskets make it very easy to clean. | Like the 8-quart model, this 10-qt Ninja Foodi air fryer also offers an intuitive digital control panel and multiple preset functions. But the digital touch screen is slightly larger in this 10-qt model, making it easier to navigate. |
Price comparison
| Ninja Foodi 8-qt | Ninja Foodi 10-qt |
| The Ninja Foodi 8-qt is more affordable than the 10-qt air fryer, making it a perfect choice for budget-conscious people. | Due to the extra capacity, this 10-qt model is slightly more expensive. However, the large capacity will be worth the money for larger families or gatherings. |
Drawbacks
While every aspect of Ninja Foodi’s 8-qt and 10-qt air fryers is outstanding, there are some drawbacks, too. First, both of these models occupy significant counter space, while the 10-qt air fryer is notably larger.
Another disadvantage of these two models could be their cooking limitations due to the dual basket design. This can significantly hinder dishes that require a single, even layer. On Cnet, it is also mentioned that a large cooking chamber makes it harder to get the true air-fried crust.
Overall, many famous chefs and home cooks admire these models due to their excellent cooking efficiency, higher temperature range, and dual-basket design. There are very few comments about the drawbacks of these two on Reddit and Amazon. Customers are happy about their fast, even cooking and easy cleaning process.
Final verdict
Ninja Foodi air fryers are always the front runners because of their outstanding cooking performance, user-friendly cooking functions, and conscious air frying. But when it comes to size, the best choice between the 8-quart and 10-quart size depends on your counter space, how much you cook, or the number of family members.
However, throughout this discussion, the Ninja Foodi 8-qt air fryer will be the clear victor for many. It is lighter, faster, more affordable, and more efficient than the 10-qt air fryer. But if you need some extra capacity and don’t have any issues with the budget, you can definitely go with the Ninja Foodie 10-qt air fryer. Both models have the same features and cooking functionalities. So, let’s have more fun with the Ninja Foodi!