When I first started looking into getting my Ninja Foodi, I was very confused by not knowing which Ninja Foodi to get. I’ll explain the difference between the Ninja Foodi and the Ninja Foodi Deluxe; then, as a bonus, we will look at the differences between the 8-in-1 Ninja Foodi and the 9-in-1 Ninja Foodi, hopefully helping you make the right decision for your kitchen.
Answer: The Original Ninja Foodi 6.5 qt, takes up more counter space than the newer and larger Ninja Foodi Deluxe 8 qt. The Deluxe also has a simplified control design using a dial nob to eliminate several buttons and make changing temperatures and cook times easier. More acceptable increments on the temperature in 5(degree) increments instead of 10(degree) increments as in the Ninja Foodi Original.
Closer Look at Ninja Foodi and Ninja Foodi Deluxe
| Feature | Ninja Foodi (original) | Ninja Foodi Deluxe |
| Pressure Cook | Yes | Yes |
| Steam | Yes | Yes |
| Slow Cook | Yes | Yes |
| Sear | Yes | Yes* |
| Saute | Yes | Yes* |
| TenderCrisp / Air Crisp | Yes | Yes** |
| Roast | Yes | Yes*** |
| Dehydrate | Yes, for eight qt / No**** for 6.5 qt | Yes |
| Broil | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Warm (up to 12 hrs) | Yes | Yes |
| Wattage | 1400 watts / 1700 watts | 1760 watts |
** This is called TenderCrisp Technology and is a combination of pressure cooking and air frying
*** This is not called out specifically on the Deluxe but can be done
**** This is not called out on the 6.5 qt model but can be done
The list above might clear up some of the confusion that is caused between the models. However, one of my favorite changes is the simplified control panel on the Deluxe model. They have eliminated ten buttons while giving you easier control over the cooking temperatures and times.
Many home chefs will select their cooker based on its additional options and features. However, the Ninja Foodi landscape is a confusing one. Not only do you have the Deluxe and non-Deluxe, but you also have XL and non-XL.
During the research, before I made my purchase, and after about 5 months of use (including visiting Nathan’s house who has the Original 6.5 L Ninja), I have a good grasp on the differences in writing this article.
Part of the confusion comes from stores and used sellers not entirely listing the item’s name when selling them (Update 2023: this issue is partially fixed, but overall, there are still many confusing options available). Leading up to our purchase, my wife, Sherece, and I visited five stores with slight variations in the Ninja Foodis they had on their shelf, even the one that was called “Ninja Foodi,” which I started calling Ninja Foodi 2 after seeing the listings just to cut down on the confusion between my wife and I talking about them. These were other Target locations, and I can say that when we looked at them in person, they were identical Ninja Foodi Deluxe XL 8 qt versions.
There is Ninja Foodi Original in the 6.5 qt and 8 qt verities.
Ninja Foodi Deluxe XL is only 8 qt, with no 6.5 qt available.
It looks like there is not a Ninja Foodi Deluxe 6.5 qt, but I would love to see one if you have one!
There is also a considerable improvement in space savings. The new Deluxe 8 qt model has a smaller footprint than the original 6.5 qt model. Add extra wattage to that, and you might find it faster to cook your meals, but I hope to test that at some point.
8-in-1 or 9-in-1- Which Do I Need?
The internet and ads you will find can get very confusing regarding the Ninja Foodi. Some ads tout 9-in-1, others claim 8-in-1, and here you are, just trying to figure out what is different between them.
This will be the difference between the dehydrate or yogurt functions for most of them. However, the tricky part is that you should be able to do both of these things even if your Ninja Foodi doesn’t explicitly say you can.
I can say that making yogurt at home is a rewarding experience and something we will make a video about (once that is ready, you will find a link to the article with the video).
6.5 Qt vs. 8 Qt A Few Other Things to Think About
As I said, the Ninja Foodi Deluxe XL has a larger internal capacity at 8 quarts but a noticeably smaller footprint. This is a massive advantage if your kitchen or cooking space is small. It also makes storage a little easier if you keep it under the counter or on top of the fridge. However, it is a little heavy, and you still need to figure out something to do with the lid.
[image of lid holder]
We might design and print our lid holders if enough people express interest.
The larger version is taller. So, returning to the earlier example of it being suitable for storage, you might have issues if your counters are small. We can not put the Ninja Foodi Deluxe in the same place we keep our other pressure cookers. It simply will not fit as it is too tall.
