Budget Air Fryer vs. Ninja Air Fryer: Which is Worth Your Money?

When choosing between a budget air fryer and a high-end model like the Ninja, you might wonder if the price difference is justified. This comparison will help you decide by looking at the features, ease of use, and cooking performance of a £45 budget air fryer versus a £150 Ninja air fryer.

What's in the Box?

Budget Air Fryer (£45):

• Basic air fryer with a 2-liter capacity
• Simple timer and temperature control
• Cooking guide on the unit
• Removable tray for easy cleaning

Ninja Air Fryer (£150):

• Advanced air fryer with a 3.8-liter capacity
• Digital controls with multiple cooking functions (air fry, reheat, roast, dehydrate)
• Larger cooking space
• Removable parts for easy cleaning

Ease of Use

The budget air fryer is straightforward with manual controls. Set the timer and temperature, and you’re ready to cook. It includes a simple cooking guide, making it easy for beginners.

The Ninja air fryer, on the other hand, offers digital controls and multiple cooking options. It's as easy as selecting the desired function, setting the temperature and time, and pressing start. The digital interface is user-friendly and allows precise control over cooking settings.

Cooking Test: Burgers and Chips

To test the performance, I cooked burgers and chips in both air fryers at 190°C for 12 minutes. Here’s how they fared:

Budget Air Fryer:

• Chips cooked well and were crispy
• Burger was juicy but slightly less cooked on the bottom

Ninja Air Fryer:

• Chips were evenly cooked and crispy
• Burger was well-cooked on both sides

Cooking Times

Both air fryers recommended longer cooking times, but the food was cooked to perfection in just 12 minutes. This shows that both air fryers can cook efficiently, though the Ninja offers a more even cooking result.

Conclusion

If you're on a budget, the £45 air fryer is a viable option. It cooks food adequately, although you might need to adjust cooking times slightly. However, if you can afford to spend more, the Ninja air fryer offers greater capacity, more cooking functions, and more precise control, leading to better overall cooking performance.

Final Thoughts

For budget-conscious buyers, the cheaper air fryer provides good value. For those willing to invest more, the Ninja air fryer’s features and performance make it worth the higher price.