Ninja vs Instant – which air fryer should you buy in 2025?

When it comes to air fryers, two names dominate the conversation: it's Ninja vs Instant. Both brands are known for their innovative designs and crispy cooking capabilities, but which one deserves a spot in your kitchen?

As a trained cook and product tester, I've tested the best air fryers from both ranges, comparing their cooking performance, design, and value for money. Whether you’re looking for the ultimate multitasker, a mini machine for a small kitchen, or simply the best bang for your buck, we’ve got the answers to help you make an informed choice.

The headlines are: Instant makes the best value air fryers, but Ninja has the edge overall, with space-saving designs, reliable cooking performances, and a wide range of non-toxic air fryer options. I've compared the top models from both ranges, so I'll take you through the nitty-gritty comparison details below.

Ninja vs. Instant: Best small air fryer

Winner: Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1

If you’re short on space but still want quick air-fried food, there are plenty of compact options to choose from. Ninja and Instant are, of course, two of the best.

The Ninja Pro is the best air fryer we've ever tested in 2025 so far, with four simple but fantastic functions. The Instant Essentials is much more basic, with a singular 'air fry' function and not much else to offer. It has slightly less capacity, but can slide into small corners and it crisps up food very quickly.

Both Ninja and Instant's smallest air fryers will create enough food for couples or small families. On balance, the Ninja Pro has a better performance and more versatility, but the Instant could be a better choice if you're really tight on space and budget. Here's everything you need to know to decide which petite powerhouse you want to feature on your countertops.

Ninja vs. Instant: Best dual drawer air fryer

Winner: Ninja Double Stack

Both the Ninja Double Stack and Instant Vortex Dual Plus are top-tier dual-drawer air fryers, but the Ninja edges ahead with its larger capacity, sleek and ergonomic design, and impressive speed. While it lacks a viewing window, checking food is easy, as it heats almost instantly.

When it first came out in 2022, we rated the Instant Vortex Dual Plus 'five stars' for its ease of use, crispy results, and odor control. It's a strong rival, but has a bulkier design, smaller capacity, and slower performance. That's why many of our expert testers (myself included) own the space-saving Ninja Double Stack.

Ninja vs. Instant: Best non-toxic air fryer

Winner: Ninja Combi

If you're searching for the best non-toxic air fryer, both Ninja and Instant brands offer strong contenders. Models from both ranges have made it into our buying guide; Ninja actually has two models dominating our charts.

When it comes to the question of 'Ninja vs Instant', there is little between them in this arena. Ninja offers more variety in their range of non-toxic air fryers – with smaller, large and multi-functional models to choose from. The Ninja Air Fryer Pro, Ninja Crispi, and the Ninja Combi all use nano-ceramic coatings, which are PFAS-free and very easy to clean.

On the other hand, Instant has just one non-toxic air fryer, but it's a great one. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp uses high-quality stainless steel – which is a lovely, durable material, but it does require a tad more TLC.

Ninja vs. Instant: Best multicooker air fryer

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 single-function air fryers in our estimation.

FAQs

Final thoughts on Ninja vs Instant

Instant tends to offer the cheaper option, but Ninja wins for design, ease of use, and cooking performance.

For those short on space, the Ninja Pro offers the best small air fryer that money can buy. But if you're on a budget, you'll prefer the basic Instant Essentials. If you're looking for dual drawer capacity, the Ninja DoubleStack is the best design we tested. And if you're looking for ceramic-coated options, Ninja has the better offering, with multiple non-toxic options to choose from.

However, if you're interested in a multicooker, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp is the best all-singing, all-dancing air fryer and slow cooker. Best known for making the iconic Instant Pot, it's no surprise that multi-functionality is still the brand's bread and butter.

Although Ninja takes the overall prize, you won't go wrong with any of these models in this guide. They are all excellent air fryers that promise crispy, quick food.

How we test the best air fryers

To test the best air fryers on the market, I focus on exceptional cooking performance. As a trained cook and kitchen appliances editor, I rigorously test each model by air-frying frozen French fries, chicken wings, and roasted vegetables. During our taste tests, we seek food that’s perfectly crispy on the outside and tender within. Our team has already tested the market leaders, so we know the industry benchmarks.

Ease of use is the best part of air frying, so my tests also evaluate the intuitiveness of the controls, basket design, instruction booklet and the accuracy of recipe presets. I also make sure to explore any special features, like grilling and dehydrating, to assess the versatility. While I'm cooking, I make notes on capacity – essential knowledge if you're looking for a family-sized air fryer.

Cleaning up can be a hassle, so I check if the removable parts are easy to wash, whether by hand or in the dishwasher. I also examine for non-toxic materials and durability. After testing, I scour the web for the best and worst customer reviews to assess the air fryer's reliability and overall customer satisfaction.

Finally, when you're making a kitchen investment, price really matters, so we weighed up the grill's features and performance to see if it offers good value for money. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure you choose an air fryer that looks stylish in your kitchen, as well as being reliable, efficient, and a joy to use.