Ninja ovens have become increasingly popular in recent years. As a leader in small kitchen appliances, Ninja offers several countertop oven models that promise to deliver fast, convenient cooking performance. But are Ninja ovens really worth the investment? There are a few key factors to consider when determining if a Ninja oven is right for your needs.
What are the benefits of Ninja ovens?
Here are some of the touted benefits of Ninja ovens:
Versatile cooking
Ninja ovens are designed to handle a wide range of cooking tasks. Most models have multiple cooking modes including air fry, bake, broil, toast, bagel, pizza, roast, reheat and dehydrate. This versatility means you can use a Ninja oven as a second oven or potentially replace several other appliances like a toaster oven, air fryer or food dehydrator.
Faster cooking
Ninja claims their ovens cook meals up to 30% faster than traditional ovens. This is thanks to their convection fans and heating elements that efficiently circulate hot air around food. Faster cooking times mean you can cook everything from frozen foods to browned proteins quickly.
Even cooking
Ninja ovens use a combination of convection and conventional heating for consistent cooking results. The convection fans promote air circulation for even browning and crisping. This helps prevent hot and cold spots.
Compact size
Ninja oven models are designed to have a smaller footprint than traditional ovens. This makes them a good option for small kitchens, apartments, dorms and RVs where space is limited. Yet they still offer between 0.9 to 1.1 cubic feet of cooking capacity.
Digital controls
Ninja ovens feature user-friendly digital displays and controls. This allows you to easily select cooking modes and temperatures as well as monitor cooking progress. Many models have integrated probes for monitoring internal food temperatures.
Affordable price
Considering their versatility and cooking performance, Ninja ovens are competitively priced between $200-$300. This makes them an affordable alternative to high-end toaster ovens or built-in wall ovens.
What are the downsides of Ninja ovens?
While Ninja ovens have some clear benefits, there are a few potential downsides to consider as well:
Small interior size
The compact footprint of Ninja ovens also means they have a smaller interior cooking capacity than full-size ovens. This limits how much food you can cook at once. Large dishes or baking sheets likely won’t fit.
No self-cleaning
Ninja oven models do not have self-cleaning cycles. You’ll need to manually clean the interior which can be difficult to reach all areas. This is a common tradeoff for the compact size.
Potentially noisy
The internal fans that enable fast cooking also mean Ninja ovens can be loud when running. This is something to consider if noise is an issue.
Short warranty
Ninja only provides a 1-year limited warranty on their oven models. Many full-size ovens have longer warranties in the 2-5 year range.
Learning curve
There can be a bit of a learning curve figuring out the best way to use a Ninja oven given the multiple functions and settings. It may take some trial and error to maximize performance.
Ninja oven specifications
Here is a comparison of some key specifications for different Ninja oven models:
| Model | Dimensions | Capacity | Cooking Modes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Digital Air Fry Oven | 13 x 17.5 x 19.5 inches | 0.9 cubic feet | Air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, bagel, toast, dehydrate, keep warm | $230 |
| Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Oven | 11 x 17.5 x 19.6 inches | 1.1 cubic feet | Air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, bagel, toast, dehydrate, pizza, proof, cook & dehydrate | $300 |
| Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Oven | 10.5 x 17.25 x 19.35 inches | 1 cubic foot | Air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, bagel, toast, dehydrate, pizza, proof, cook & dehydrate, slow cook | $280 |
As you can see, Ninja oven capacities range from 0.9 to 1.1 cubic feet. The more advanced models include additional cooking modes like pizza, proofing and slow cook. Prices range from $230 to $300 depending on features.
Ninja oven user reviews
Here is what some real-world users have to say about their experiences with Ninja ovens:
Positive reviews
“I absolutely love my Ninja oven. I use it multiple times a day to cook everything from chicken breasts to air fried French fries. It heats up and cooks so fast. I don’t know how I lived without it before!”
“This oven is perfect for my small apartment. It can bake and broil just like a real oven. I was able to cook a 12-inch frozen pizza in just 15 minutes!”
“Food comes out perfectly crispy and delicious every time. This oven makes it so easy to cook healthier meals at home with the air fry function.”
Negative reviews
“My Ninja oven stopped working after only 9 months. I expected it to last longer given the price I paid. Their customer service was not very helpful.”
“It does cook faster but I find I have to adjust the temperature down because food burns easily in this oven.”
“While it works great for small meals, you can’t really cook anything too large in it. I wish the capacity was a little bigger.”
As with any appliance, experiences can vary but most reviews seem largely positive overall. People enjoy the faster cooking times and versatility but acknowledge the size limitations.
Should you buy a Ninja oven?
Here are some final pros and cons to consider when deciding if purchasing a Ninja oven is right for your needs:
Pros
- Cooks food quickly
- Allows you to air fry, bake, broil, toast
- Takes up minimal counter space
- Digital controls are easy to use
- Affordably priced
Cons
- Smaller capacity than full-size ovens
- Can be loud when running
- Short 1-year warranty
- Requires cleaning after each use
Conclusion
Overall, Ninja ovens are a compelling option for anyone wanting a fast, versatile countertop cooking appliance. Their combination of air frying, baking, and broiling in a compact format makes them useful for everything from quick weekday meals to small batches of baked goods. Just keep in mind the capacity limitations compared to full-size ovens.
For small kitchens, apartments, dorms, or even RVs, a Ninja oven can be an excellent multipurpose cooking tool. Given their reasonable price point, they are worth considering especially if you don’t have the space for a wall oven. Just be prepared for a slight learning curve to get the most out of all the modes and settings.