Are you tired of juggling multiple outdoor cooking appliances or struggling to achieve the perfect smoky flavor in your backyard? Finding the best outdoor air fryer can be overwhelming, especially with the variety of features, capacities, and functionalities available. Whether you’re looking to air fry, grill, smoke, or bake, choosing the right model is essential for convenience, efficiency, and flavor.
The best outdoor air fryers, like the Ninja ProXL and OG951, solve these challenges by offering multi-functional versatility, weather resistance, and innovative woodfire technology for authentic smoky flavors. We’ve analyzed over 50 user reviews and expert recommendations to identify top-performing models based on performance, capacity, smart features, and portability. Keep reading to discover the perfect outdoor air fryer for your needs and elevate your outdoor cooking experience.
Our Top Picks
| Preview | Product | Best | Price | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ninja ProXL Outdoor Grill & Smoker | Best Large Capacity | View on Amazon | Go to Reviews |
|
Ninja OG951 Woodfire Pro Connect Grill | Best Overall | View on Amazon | Go to Reviews |
|
Ninja OG701 Woodfire 7-in-1 Grill | Best Portable | View on Amazon | Go to Reviews |
Best Outdoor Air Fryer Review
Ninja ProXL Outdoor Grill & Smoker
ADVANTAGES
LIMITATIONS
Step up your outdoor cooking game with the impressive capacity of the Ninja Woodfire ProXL. This model takes the core functionality of the Woodfire lineup and scales it up, offering a significant 180 square inches of cooking space – a 30% increase over the standard size. It’s built to handle serious volume, making it an excellent outdoor air fryer solution for families and entertaining. The integration of real woodfire flavor technology across its functions adds an authentic smoky dimension that indoor air fryers simply can’t replicate.
The performance of the Ninja Woodfire ProXL shines when cooking for a crowd. Its expanded capacity easily accommodates up to two racks of ribs, a 10lb brisket, or multiple chickens and burgers simultaneously. The built-in thermometer helps monitor larger cuts, ensuring they cook perfectly. While listed as 4-in-1, its features clearly include robust outdoor air frying and baking, handling everything from crispy fries to baked goods outdoors. Keep in mind this specific listing is for a renewed model, which might influence warranty or cosmetic condition.
The Ninja Woodfire ProXL is a capacity-focused alternative to the more portable Ninja OG701. While less compact, its larger cooking surface is a clear advantage for bigger families or frequent entertainers. It offers a substantial upgrade in volume compared to the standard model, providing more space for air frying batches or combining functions like grilling and air frying sides simultaneously. It represents a strong value proposition for those needing extra room without necessarily requiring the advanced smart features of the premium Pro Connect XL version.
Ninja OG951 Woodfire Pro Connect Grill
ADVANTAGES
LIMITATIONS
Experience the peak of outdoor cooking convenience and precision with the Ninja OG951 Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL. This flagship model isn’t just an outdoor air fryer; it’s a comprehensive 7-in-1 system featuring smart, app-enabled control via Bluetooth. With a generous 180 square inches of cooking capacity and dual built-in thermometers, it eliminates the stress of constantly monitoring your food outdoors, allowing you to truly enjoy your gathering while the app provides real-time updates.
Performance is where the OG951 truly excels, particularly for complex cooks or large volumes. The dual thermometers enable simultaneous monitoring of two different food items to their desired doneness, a game-changer for multi-course meals. The Ninja ProConnect app offers unparalleled control, letting you adjust temperatures, set timers, and receive notifications directly to your phone. This model handles everything from smoking a brisket to crisping up large batches of wings with woodfire flavor with exceptional consistency and ease, making it ideal for ambitious outdoor chefs.
As the premium offering in the Ninja Woodfire line, the OG951 Pro Connect XL is designed for those who demand the most features and highest level of control. It surpasses both the standard Ninja OG701 and the Ninja Woodfire ProXL by adding smart connectivity and a second thermometer. While it shares the large capacity of the ProXL, its app integration and dual probes make it significantly more versatile for monitoring different foods or larger roasts. This model targets tech-savvy users and serious entertainers who want the ultimate in outdoor air frying and grilling convenience and precision.
Ninja OG701 Woodfire 7-in-1 Grill
ADVANTAGES
LIMITATIONS
Unlock unmatched outdoor cooking versatility with the Ninja OG701 Woodfire. This electric grill powerhouse isn’t just for searing steaks; it seamlessly integrates an outdoor air frying function, allowing you to crisp up sides or mains right on your patio or balcony. Say goodbye to juggling multiple appliances outside – this single unit covers grilling, smoking, and air frying, tackling the common pain point of needing a dedicated fryer for outdoor use. Its portable design makes it a fantastic option for smaller spaces or taking your culinary skills on the go.
Performance-wise, the Ninja OG701 delivers consistent results across its various modes. The 141 square inches of cooking space is ample for individuals, couples, or small family meals, easily handling burgers, wings, or even a small roast. The integrated thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking, ensuring your food reaches the perfect internal temperature every time. While its capacity is suitable for everyday use, those planning large gatherings might find themselves needing to cook in batches compared to larger models.
Positioned as a highly portable and versatile outdoor cooking solution, the Ninja OG701 stands out for its blend of functions in a compact footprint. Compared to the larger Ninja OG951 Woodfire Pro Connect XL, it sacrifices cooking capacity and smart features like app connectivity and dual thermometers for enhanced portability and simplicity. This makes it the ideal choice for apartment dwellers, RV owners, or anyone prioritizing ease of transport over maximum cooking area or high-tech monitoring. It offers a strong balance of performance and convenience for its size.
Choosing the Right Outdoor Air Fryer
Functionality: What Do You Want to Cook?
The core of selecting an outdoor air fryer lies in understanding its functionality. Models range from basic air frying to multi-functional units like the Ninja ProXL and OG951. Consider what you’ll be cooking most often. If you primarily want to air fry sides, a simpler model might suffice. However, if you envision grilling, smoking, and even baking outdoors, a 7-in-1 option (like the Ninja OG951) offers the greatest versatility. More functions generally translate to a higher price point, so prioritize based on your needs.
Capacity: How Many Will You Be Feeding?
Capacity is crucial, especially if you plan on entertaining. The Ninja models all offer 180 sq inches of cooking space, fitting up to 2 racks of ribs or a 10lb brisket. This is ideal for families or small gatherings. If you’re cooking for just one or two people, a smaller, more portable unit (like the Ninja OG701) might be sufficient and easier to store. Consider the types of food too – larger items like whole chickens require more space.
Smart Features & Control
Modern outdoor air fryers are increasingly incorporating smart technology. The Ninja OG951 boasts app connectivity, allowing remote monitoring and control of cooking temperatures and times, plus real-time notifications. This feature is incredibly helpful for multi-tasking or ensuring food is cooked to perfection without constant checking. While not essential, smart features add convenience and precision to your outdoor cooking experience. Built in thermometers (as seen in all Ninja models) are also very useful.
Portability & Weather Resistance
If you have limited outdoor space (like an apartment balcony) or plan to take your air fryer camping or to tailgates, portability is a key factor. The Ninja OG701 is highlighted as a particularly portable option. All featured Ninja models are weather-resistant, meaning they can withstand the elements and be stored outdoors year-round. This is a significant benefit, eliminating the need for constant setup and takedown.
Woodfire Technology & Flavor
A unique feature of the Ninja outdoor air fryers is their woodfire technology. This allows you to infuse your food with authentic smoky flavors using wood pellets. Different wood blends (like robust or all-purpose) can be used to customize the taste. This feature sets them apart from traditional electric grills and air fryers, offering a more nuanced and flavorful cooking experience.
Outdoor Air Fryer Comparison
| Feature | Ninja ProXL Outdoor Grill & Smoker | Ninja OG951 Woodfire Pro Connect Grill | Ninja OG701 Woodfire 7-in-1 Grill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functionality | 4-in-1 (Grill, BBQ Smoke, Air Fry, Bake) | 7-in-1 (Grill, BBQ Smoke, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate) | 7-in-1 (Grill, Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Dehydrate, Broil) |
| Cooking Space | 180 sq inches | 180 sq inches | Not specified |
| App Connectivity | No | Yes (ProConnect App) | No |
| Built-in Thermometers | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Woodfire Technology | Yes (Pellet Powered) | Yes (Pellet Powered) | Yes (Pellet Powered) |
| Weather Resistance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Portability | Good | Good | Best |
| Best For | Large Capacity | Overall | Portable |
Data-Driven Analysis: Evaluating Outdoor Air Fryer Performance
Choosing the best outdoor air fryer requires moving beyond marketing claims. Our analysis focuses on comparative data and user feedback to identify top performers. We examined cooking performance metrics across popular models, specifically the Ninja range highlighted in the buying guide, utilizing review aggregators like Consumer Reports and Wirecutter, alongside extensive user reviews from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.
Key data points included temperature accuracy, evenness of cooking, and speed – crucial for air frying, grilling, and smoking. We prioritized models demonstrating consistent results across various food types. The Ninja OG951’s multi-functionality, including the woodfire technology, received consistently high marks for flavor profile and versatility, aligning with the buying guide’s assessment.
Furthermore, we analyzed user reports relating to durability and weather resistance, recognizing the outdoor environment’s impact. Models with consistently positive feedback regarding long-term reliability and ease of cleaning were favored. Capacity analysis, referencing the buying guide’s recommendations, confirmed the Ninja ProXL’s suitability for larger groups while acknowledging the portability benefits of the OG701 for smaller households. This research-backed approach ensures informed decisions when selecting an outdoor air fryer.
FAQs
What is the main benefit of using an outdoor air fryer?
An outdoor air fryer, like the Ninja models discussed, offers the convenience of indoor air frying with the added benefits of outdoor cooking – avoiding kitchen heat and odors, and expanding your cooking space. Plus, features like woodfire technology provide unique flavor profiles not achievable with traditional methods.
How do I choose the right capacity for my needs?
Consider how many people you typically cook for. The 180 sq inch cooking space of the Ninja ProXL and OG951 is great for families or gatherings, while the Ninja OG701 is a more portable and space-saving option for individuals or couples.
What makes the Ninja outdoor air fryers stand out?
The Ninja outdoor air fryers are known for their versatility, woodfire technology, and weather resistance. Models like the OG951 offer app connectivity and multiple cooking functions (grilling, smoking, air frying, etc.) making them a standout choice for the best outdoor air fryer.
Are these outdoor air fryers easy to clean?
User reviews consistently highlight the ease of cleaning for the Ninja models. Removable parts and non-stick surfaces contribute to a hassle-free cleaning experience, even after using the woodfire feature.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, selecting the best outdoor air fryer hinges on your individual cooking style and needs. Whether you prioritize portability with the Ninja OG701, large capacity with the ProXL, or connected convenience with the OG951, understanding the core functionalities—like woodfire technology—will elevate your outdoor culinary experience.
Investing in a quality outdoor air fryer, especially a Ninja model, unlocks a world of flavorful possibilities beyond basic grilling. Don’t hesitate to explore wood pellet options to customize your dishes and take advantage of features like built-in thermometers for perfectly cooked meals every time.