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Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens
Laura Honey

Ninja vs Instant – who made better air fryers in our tests?

One of the products to consider in Ninja vs Instant, the Instant Vortex Dual Plus making roast potatoes and stuffed peppers.

In the Ninja vs Instant debate, the discriminators are often tiny. These are the best air fryers on the market. They're versatile, durable, and exceptional value. Choosing to use one is each, but deciding which one you need might be a little trickier.

Our team of expert testers have taken all these air fryers and multicookers to our test kitchen. Here, we put them through their paces, scrutinising every aspect of the appliance. 

All the models we dissect below made it into our roundup of best air fryers, but they're brilliant for different reasons and better suited to different homes. Here's what the experts think of the great Ninja vs Instant debate.

Instant Vortex Dual Plus vs Ninja 6-in-1 Dual

(Image credit: Ninja)

Winner: Instant Vortex Plus Dual

These powerhouses are close to perfect. We have to really love a product to give it full marks, because that means that we don't believe there's anything better out there. Such a distinction is rare to find at H&G, but the Instant Vortex Dual Plus earned it. It's the larger version of the greatest air fryer in the world. It's easy to use, gets rid of frying smells and has a handy clear window so you can check on your food without having to open the drawer.

However, the Ninja Foodi almost scored top marks, and it's actually the one that lots of our expert testers own and love. If you're trying to decide between the two, here's everything you need to know:

Instant Vortex Slim vs Ninja Max XL

(Image credit: Instant)

Winner: Instant Vortex Slim 

If you're short on space and still air fryer obsessed, there are plenty of compact options on the market. These are, of course, two of the best. Again, they earned a spot in our air fryers buying guide, but for different reasons: the Ninja is our favorite compact air fryer and the Instant is our favorite slim air fryer. Whilst compact and slim fall into a similar lexical fields, those who live in small spaces will know that there are key differences between the two. On balance, the Instant has a better performance, but the Ninja could be a btetter choice if you're really tight on space.  Here's everything you need to know to decide which petite powerhouse you want to feature on your countertops.

Instant Pot Duo vs Ninja Foodi Multicooker

(Image credit: Ninja)

Winner: Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid

Much more versatile than air fryers, multicookers can cover a lot of functions. There's no guarantee that they'll air fry, nor is there any guarantee that they will air fry well, but both the Ninja and the Instant are experts across the board. In fact, we loved the Instant Multicooker so much that it's above lots of air fryers in our buying guide to the best air fryers. If that doesn't tell you enough, here are all the details you need to know about both appliances.

FAQs

Is Instant better than Ninja?

It's difficult to say that one brand is better than the other without accounting for context. Instant tends to be better value, but Ninja is often more dishwasher friendly and quick. We've gone into more detail about the nuances and features of each appliance.

Is Ninja worth more money?

This is product dependent. Ninja makes excellent appliances and, in some instances, they offer extra functions that you might find useful. However, in many instances, Instant offers better value.

Who makes the best air fryer?

Our experts have tested every air fryer on the market and put the Instant Vortex Plus at the top of the list. It boasts incredible value, performance, and quality. However, different homes need air fryers with different functions, so make sure to look at our guide to find the best air fryer for your kitchen.

Final thoughts

Instant tends to offer the cheaper option to comparative Ninja models. If you're looking for capacity, Instant Vortex's Dual Plus is a better option. Not only is it cheaper, it's more consistent and intuitive to use. For those short on space, the Ninja Max XL offers better performance, but is again more expensive. And, if you're interested in a multicooker, the Instant Pot Duo is better at air frying, smaller, and cheaper. You won't go wrong with any of these models though.

How we test

(Image credit: Future/Millie Fender)

At Homes & Gardens we take our tests seriously. That's why we won't recommend a product until our experts have put it though its paces in our test kitchen. We've tested the Instant and Ninja products recommended here and they're in our buying guide for best air fryers already. If you want to know all the details about how we test, you can visit our dedicated page.

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