Double Air Fryer Guide: 4 Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Models Compared
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Which Double Air Fryer Should You Buy?
Which double air fryer should you buy? It depends on your household size, but your budget matters too. This guide compares four Ninja Foodi dual zone models, so you can choose in minutes. We start with Ninja, because its Foodi line covers three sizes and a divider design. RTINGS also tested all four, and it ranks the DZ550 above the DZ401. We updated this page in October 2026, and it builds on our beginner’s guide to air fryer cooking.
Ninja sells more than four dual zone models, but we picked four. We chose the ones RTINGS has tested. They are the 8-quart DZ201, the 10-quart DZ401 and DZ550, and the 7-quart FlexBasket DZ071. Three are a Ninja Foodi 2 basket air fryer, and one is the FlexBasket. However, newer models such as the DZ801 exist, so check your label.
Here is the short answer on coatings. The baskets use PTFE, and the crisper plates use ceramic, according to RTINGS commenters quoting Ninja’s site. So no double air fryer in this guide is PFAS-free, as far as we found. However, we explain the details below.
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Double Air Fryer Models at a Glance
Here is a quick look at the double air fryer lineup. Every model here is a Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 dual zone air fryer, so the basics match. Capacity and features differ the most. However, the coatings look the same across all four.
| Model | Capacity | Standout | Coating as disclosed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DZ201 | 8 qt, two 4-qt baskets | Smart Finish and Match Cook | PTFE baskets, ceramic plates | Households of five or more |
| DZ401 | 10 qt, two 5-qt baskets | Cheaper and simpler | PTFE baskets, ceramic plates (Best Buy answer) | Big families on a tighter budget |
| DZ550 | 10 qt, two 5-qt baskets | Smart Cook Thermometer | PTFE baskets, ceramic plates | Big families who want the best cooking |
| DZ071 FlexBasket | 7 qt, one basket with a divider | Removable divider | PTFE basket, ceramic plates | Roasts and whole chickens |
Overall, the DZ550 is the strongest double air fryer in RTINGS tests. The DZ071 is the most flexible. The DZ201 and DZ401 are the simpler options.
How to Choose the Right Size and Features
Start with your household size when you pick a double air fryer. According to RTINGS, the 8-quart DZ201 suits five or more people. Meanwhile, the 10-quart models suit groups of five or six. So choose 10 quarts only if you cook for a crowd. Want the biggest capacity air fryer here? Pick the DZ401 or DZ550.
Smart Finish makes two foods finish together, even if their cook times differ. Match Cook, meanwhile, copies one basket’s settings to the other. Both let you cook a main and a side at once on any double air fryer here.
Only the DZ550 has the Smart Cook Thermometer. It checks doneness while you cook. No other double air fryer here has one. Therefore, it helps most if you cook meat often. Otherwise, the DZ401 saves money, according to RTINGS.
Do you want one big basket or two separate ones on a double air fryer? The DZ071 has one basket with a divider, but you can remove it. Separate baskets, like the DZ550’s, stay better insulated, according to RTINGS. However, removing the divider gives you one 7-quart space for a roast.
Is Any Ninja Double Air Fryer PFAS-Free?
No double air fryer here is PFAS-free, based on what we found. An answer on Best Buy’s DZ401 page says the baskets are aluminum with a PTFE nonstick coating. Meanwhile, it says the crisper plates have a nano-ceramic coating.
RTINGS commenters say the same applies to the DZ201, DZ071, and DZ550. They quote Ninja’s website, but we could not confirm that on Ninja’s own US pages. Therefore, treat it as likely, not certain.
Some shoppers avoid PTFE on purpose. Others accept it when they follow the manual. So we only report what makers and retailers disclose about each double air fryer.
Looking for a ceramic air fryer? Only the crisper plates are ceramic here, but each basket is a PTFE non stick air fryer basket. So none of these is a non toxic ceramic air fryer.
If you want to compare coatings across brands, browse our Home & Kitchen Guides.
Ninja Foodi 8 Qt Dual Zone Air Fryer: The DZ201
The Ninja Foodi 8 qt dual zone air fryer, the DZ201, has two 4-quart baskets. Shoppers also search for it as the Ninja Foodi 8 quart DualZone air fryer. Others just want an 8 qt air fryer with two baskets. RTINGS says it suits bigger groups of five or more. It is also Ninja’s smallest air fryer in this two-basket format. Therefore, it is the entry point to Ninja’s double air fryer range.
RTINGS called it a great double air fryer with good frying performance. It also found it fast and great for large batches. In RTINGS tests, it beat the DZ401 for crispy, even food. So it is a strong value among every double air fryer here.
- RTINGS called it a great air fryer for large-batch cooking.
- RTINGS rated its frying performance good.
- RTINGS found it fast.
- It beat the DZ401 for crispy, even food in RTINGS tests.
- Smart Finish makes two foods finish together.
- Match Cook copies settings across both baskets.
- RTINGS called its cooking capacity impressive.
- RTINGS called the design bulky.
- Commenters quoting Ninja's site say the baskets use PTFE.
- At 8 quarts, it holds less than the 10-quart models.
- It comes only in grey, per RTINGS.
- It lacks the Smart Cook Thermometer found on the DZ550.
- Ninja also sells a newer 8-quart model, the DZ801, so check the label.
Ninja Foodi 10 Qt Dual Zone Air Fryer: The DZ401
The Ninja Foodi 10 qt dual zone air fryer, the DZ401, has two 5-quart baskets. Ninja sells it as an XL air fryer. Because of that, RTINGS says it suits groups of five or six. Meanwhile, Best Buy shows a 4.8 out of 5 rating from 541 reviews. Shoppers also search for it as the Ninja Foodi 10 quart dual zone air fryer.
Is it better than the DZ550? No, RTINGS says the DZ550 cooks better, because the DZ401 has an upward-facing vent. RTINGS believes that vent burns more food. However, the DZ401 is cheaper and simpler, since it lacks Smart Cook. It is the bigger sibling in Ninja’s double air fryer family.
- RTINGS called it a very good air fryer with great capacity.
- RTINGS described it as fast, with good frying performance.
- Two 5-quart baskets give 10 quarts, per Ninja.
- Smart Finish makes two foods finish together.
- It is cheaper and simpler than the DZ550, per RTINGS.
- Best Buy shows a 4.8 out of 5 rating from 541 reviews.
- T3 said the 10-quart size can fit two whole chickens.
- RTINGS found it cooks worse than the DZ550 and burns more food.
- The upward-facing vent may be why, per RTINGS.
- RTINGS called the design bulky.
- A Best Buy answer says the baskets use PTFE nonstick.
- One commenter reported crisper-plate pitting within a year.
- Homes & Gardens found the UK version confusing to start.
Ninja Foodi DZ550 Dual Zone Air Fryer: The Smart Pick
The Ninja Foodi DZ550 dual zone air fryer adds a built-in Smart Cook Thermometer. It has two 5-quart baskets, like the DZ401. Ninja also says it cooks a 6-pound chicken and a side together. As a result, it is the smartest double air fryer here.
Does it cook better than the DZ401? Yes, according to RTINGS. It called the DZ550 a great air fryer with very even results. It was also very fast. In contrast, the DZ401 burned more food.
What do owners complain about? ShopSavvy’s review summary also lists a few issues with this double air fryer. Some owners said only the top element heats, and others mentioned peeling baskets. Those are owner opinions, so treat them with care.
- RTINGS called it a great air fryer with very even results.
- RTINGS found it very fast.
- RTINGS rated its capacity excellent, measuring about 10.1 quarts.
- The built-in Smart Cook Thermometer checks doneness, per Ninja's listing.
- Match Cook copies settings across both zones.
- Smart Finish makes two foods finish together.
- RTINGS said it performs significantly better than the DZ401.
- RTINGS called it a big air fryer that takes real counter space.
- Commenters quoting Ninja's site say the baskets use PTFE.
- ShopSavvy's summary mentions owners worried about peeling basket coating.
- ShopSavvy's summary says some owners found only the top element heats.
- It costs more than the simpler DZ401, per RTINGS.
- Retailers list it in both black and grey, so check the listing.
Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer: The DZ071
The Ninja Foodi FlexBasket air fryer, the DZ071, has one 7-quart basket with a removable divider. When you insert the divider, you get two 3.5-quart zones. Otherwise, you get one 7-quart MegaZone for bigger items. It is the most flexible double air fryer here.
RTINGS called the DZ071 a great double air fryer with very good frying performance. It was also fast. Tom’s Guide said it needs no preheating and produced some of its crispiest results.
What is the catch? It is one basket with a divider, so the zones stay less insulated. RTINGS notes that separate baskets, like the DZ550’s, stay better insulated. It is also the only double air fryer here with a divider.
- RTINGS called it a great air fryer with very good frying performance.
- RTINGS found it fast, with great cooking capacity.
- Remove the divider for one 7-quart MegaZone, per Ninja.
- Use the divider for two 3.5-quart zones, per Ninja.
- Tom's Guide said it needs no preheating.
- Ninja says each 3.5-quart basket holds up to 2 pounds, and the MegaZone fits a 4-pound roast.
- Retailer listings call the basket and crisper plates nonstick and dishwasher-safe.
- It is one basket with a divider, so zones are less insulated, per RTINGS.
- Commenters quoting Ninja's site say the basket coating is PTFE.
- RTINGS called it a big air fryer.
- At 7 quarts, it holds less than the 8- and 10-quart models.
- One Staples reviewer reported smoking during use.
- Prices ranged from about $150 to $200 in the listings we saw.
DZ401 vs DZ550: Which 10-Quart Air Fryer Wins?
These two double air fryer models look alike, but they cook differently. RTINGS picks the DZ550 as the slightly better option. Its biggest edge is frying quality, since it leaves more food crispy and well-browned.
| Feature | DZ401 | DZ550 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 10 qt, two 5-qt baskets | 10.1 qt measured, two 5-qt baskets |
| Cooking results | Burned more food, per RTINGS | Very even results, per RTINGS |
| Vent | Upward-facing vent | Flat vent |
| Extra feature | None | Smart Cook Thermometer |
| Price position | Cheaper and simpler, per RTINGS | Costs more than the DZ401 |
| Coating | PTFE baskets, ceramic plates | Same, per RTINGS commenters |
| Best for | Tighter budgets | The best cooking |
Overall, pick the DZ550 if cooking quality matters most. Pick the DZ401 when you want a simpler, cheaper 10-quart model. Prefer one big basket? Then look at the DZ071.
Which Double Air Fryer Fits Your Budget?
Prices change often, so treat these double air fryer prices as rough. We saw the DZ071 at about $150 to $200. We saw the DZ401 from about $130 to $250.
However, the cheapest double air fryer is not always the best value. If you cook for five or more, a bigger model may save you extra batches.
Ninja Air Fryer Cleaning Tips for Dual Zone Models
Cleaning a double air fryer is mostly simple, since the parts come out. Ninja’s listings call the baskets nonstick and the crisper plates dishwasher-safe. Best Buy lists the DZ401’s parts as dishwasher-safe. Even so, check your manual for exact steps.
Skip metal utensils and abrasive pads on the coating of any double air fryer. Also, let the baskets cool before you wash them. One DZ401 commenter reported plate pitting, so inspect the plates now and then.
Also, a silicone air fryer liner can cut down on mess. Add them with the food, and keep paper away from the heating element. For more kitchen guides, visit our Review & Guides hub.
How We Compared These Double Air Fryer Models
We did not cook with any double air fryer. Instead, we compared RTINGS reviews, maker listings, retailer pages, and owner feedback. Then we flagged where sources disagree.
Because sources sometimes disagree about a double air fryer, we say so. We label maker statements as claims, not independent evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on RTINGS tests, the DZ550 cooks best among the 10-quart models. The DZ201 is a strong 8-quart option, and the DZ071 suits big dishes. So pick your double air fryer by size and budget.
Tom’s Guide said the DZ071 needs no preheating. A guide to the Ninja Foodi dual zone air fryer says the manual calls preheating unnecessary. However, some guides still suggest it for crispy skin, so check your recipe.
Yes, RTINGS tests fries on every model it reviews. It found the DZ550 crispier than the DZ401, while the DZ401 burned more food. So choose the DZ550 for Ninja air fryer french fries.
Tech Advisor says the US DZ550 is sold elsewhere as the Foodi MAX Dual Zone, model AF451UK. It also calls the DZ401’s UK twin the AF400UK. So UK names point to the same models.
Ninja calls the baskets nonstick and the crisper plates dishwasher-safe on these models. Best Buy lists the DZ401’s parts as dishwasher-safe. Therefore, none stands out, so check your manual.
Final Verdict: Which Double Air Fryer to Buy
Overall, the DZ550 is the top double air fryer if you want the best cooking. The DZ201 is a solid 8-quart choice. The DZ071 suits big dishes, and the DZ401 is the simpler 10-quart option.
However, every double air fryer here uses PTFE baskets, as far as we found. If that matters to you, compare other brands in our Home & Kitchen picks first.
Top pick: DZ550
Simpler 10 qt: DZ401
8 qt: DZ201
Big dishes: DZ071
