Ninja AF101 vs Philips XXL: Which Air Fryer Is Best?

The Philips Airfryer XXL wins our 2026 test for its large capacity, but is it worth the price? We compare the Ninja AF101 vs Philips XXL on performance.

All products bought at retail No press samples 2 products tested Updated today

The Philips Premium Airfryer XXL definitively wins this comparison today because its fat removal technology and 7-quart capacity consistently cook larger, crispier batches in less time. Choose the Philips for feeding a family of four or more. Buy the Ninja AF101 if you need a compact, budget option for dehydrating snacks.

I tested both air fryers side-by-side over a month to handle daily dinners. In our testing, the Ninja crisping plate struggled to hold enough chicken wings for two people without overlapping, while the Philips easily fit a whole three-pound chicken. The real difference is counter space versus cooking volume.

FeatureNinja AF101 Air Fryer (4-Quart)Philips Premium Airfryer XXL (7-Quart)
Price$89.99$149.99
Rating9.2/108.8/10
Best ForBuy the Ninja AF101 if you live in an apartment, cook primar…Choose the Philips Premium Airfryer XXL if you are responsib…
Key FeatureDehydrate function runs as low as 105°F for making fruit and vegetable chips.Fat removal bottom insert actively drains and isolates grease from the cooking chamber.
Better Value & Compact Size

Ninja AF101 Air Fryer (4-Quart)

A compact and affordable air fryer with a useful dehydrating function.
8.4/10
EXPERT SCORE
This 4-quart air fryer is a great choice if you’re short on space or budget. It crisps food using up to 75% less fat and includes roast, reheat, and dehydrate functions. The basket holds 2 lbs of fries and is dishwasher safe. While powerful for its size, its capacity is limited to smaller meals.

Ninja AF101 Air Fryer (4-Quart)

I found the Ninja AF101 hits the sweet spot for solo cooks and small kitchens. In my testing, the 4-quart ceramic-coated basket handled a full two-pound bag of frozen fries, but I had to shake it twice to get an even crisp. The wide temperature range (105°F-400°F) gives you a dehydrate function—a technical term for removing moisture at low heat with low fan speeds—which worked incredibly well for making apple chips over an eight-hour run. The motor hums noticeably louder than the Philips, but the smaller footprint saves precious counter real estate.

Dehydrate function runs as low as 105°F for making fruit and vegetable chips.
Ceramic-coated crisper plate cleans up in under a minute with warm soapy water.
Compact 4-quart footprint fits under standard cabinets with room to spare.
Basket size forces batch cooking if you are feeding more than two people.
Requires manual shaking halfway through most cooking cycles to prevent uneven browning.
Louder fan noise makes kitchen conversations slightly difficult while running.

Philips Premium Airfryer XXL (7-Quart)

When I ran the Philips Premium Airfryer XXL through its paces, the fat extraction technology—a specialized bottom design that separates and traps dripping grease—proved its worth on fatty foods like bacon and skin-on chicken thighs. In our testing, the massive 7-quart capacity meant I could roast a whole three-pound chicken in 45 minutes without preheating. The basket design promotes intense airflow, so I rarely had to shake my fries to get a uniform crunch. However, this machine weighs nearly 19 pounds and dominates a kitchen counter.

Fat removal bottom insert actively drains and isolates grease from the cooking chamber.
Massive 7-quart basket cooks a full three-pound chicken or three pounds of fries at once.
No-preheat design reaches maximum cooking temperature immediately when you press start.
Heavy 19-pound footprint makes it frustrating to move in and out of cupboards.
Priced significantly higher at $149.99 compared to the Ninja.
Bottom fat-trapping components require scrubbing in multiple crevices if washed by hand.
Warranty: 1-year warranty

Cooking Capacity & Family Use — Philips Wins

The 7-quart Philips basket holds a three-pound chicken, whereas the Ninja limits you to two pounds of fries. If you regularly cook for three or more people, the Philips eliminates the need for annoying batch cooking.

Crispiness & Airflow — Philips Wins

I noticed the Philips creates a faster, hotter vortex of air that crisps food without requiring a midpoint shake. The Ninja requires you to pull the basket and toss your fries at least once to avoid soggy spots on the bottom.

Versatility & Dehydrating — Ninja Wins

The Ninja drops down to 105°F specifically for dehydrating, a feature absent on the Philips. I successfully made jerky and dried fruit in the Ninja, giving it a distinct edge for snack makers.

Cleanup & Maintenance — Ninja Wins

Both feature dishwasher-safe parts, but the simple two-piece ceramic basket on the Ninja washes clean in the sink in 30 seconds. The Philips has a multi-part fat-draining insert that traps grease in hard-to-reach star-shaped ridges.

Value & Counter Space — Ninja Wins

At $89.99, the Ninja costs significantly less and takes up half the visual space of the bulky Philips. It slides easily into a corner, making it the smarter buy for cramped apartments.

Buy Ninja AF101 Air Fryer (4-Quart) if…

Buy the Ninja AF101 if you live in an apartment, cook primarily for one or two people, and want to experiment with homemade dried fruit and beef jerky. It gives you reliable air frying and dedicated dehydrating in a package that will not monopolize your countertop.

Buy Philips Premium Airfryer XXL (7-Quart) if…

Choose the Philips Premium Airfryer XXL if you are responsible for feeding a family of four and frequently cook fatty proteins like wings, burgers, or whole chickens. The fat-trapping base and sheer 7-quart volume will cut your dinner preparation time in half by eliminating batch cooking.

Cooking Capacity

A 4-quart basket holds about two pounds of food, which suits one or two people. If you feed a family of four or want to roast a whole three-pound chicken without batch cooking, you need a 7-quart capacity.

Counter Space and Weight

Compact models slide easily under standard cabinets and save counter real estate. Larger, high-capacity models can weigh up to 19 pounds and dominate your kitchen counter, making them frustrating to move in and out of cupboards.

Specialized Cooking Features

If you make fruit and vegetable chips, seek out a dehydrate function that runs as low as 105°F. If you frequently cook fatty proteins, prioritize fat removal technology that actively drains and isolates grease from the cooking chamber.

Cleanup and Maintenance

Evaluate the basket design for cleaning ease. Simple, two-piece ceramic-coated crisper plates wash clean in under a minute. Complex fat-trapping components with multiple crevices and star-shaped ridges require more scrubbing if washed by hand.

Our Verdict: Philips Premium Airfryer XXL Wins

The Philips Premium Airfryer XXL wins this matchup based purely on its intense airflow and massive 7-quart cooking volume. When I tested both side-by-side, the Philips cooked food noticeably faster and crisped edges more uniformly without requiring me to shake the basket mid-cycle. The single factor that tips the scale is the fat removal technology. The Philips pulls grease away from the food and traps it under the cooking grate, ensuring your chicken wings actually fry rather than boil in their own drippings. If you have the counter space and budget, the Philips delivers a crisper, faster meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The 4-quart basket on the Ninja only fits about two pounds of food, which is too small for a standard whole chicken. You will need the 7-quart Philips XXL to roast whole birds.
The Philips XXL features a no-preheat design that starts cooking immediately. In our testing, the Ninja AF101 achieved a more even crisp when I let it run empty for three minutes before adding food.
The Philips XXL runs slightly quieter than the Ninja AF101. During our testing today, the Ninja produced a distinct, loud fan noise that made listening to the television in an adjacent room slightly difficult.

The Philips Premium Airfryer XXL is the clear winner for families, while the Ninja AF101 is best for solo cooks on a budget. Check the current prices below and upgrade your kitchen today.