The Ninja Foodi DZ201 is the better air fryer for most kitchens because its dual-basket design actually cooks two different foods at two different temperatures simultaneously. While the Philips Airfryer XXL excels at rendering fat from large single cuts of meat, the Ninja eliminates the frustrating wait time of back-to-back cooking for entire meals.
\n\n\n\nI tested both models extensively over a month of daily cooking in 2026. If you usually cook protein and vegetables together, managing timing in a traditional single-basket fryer requires constant math and temperature adjustments. Let’s look at how these two specific models handle real meal prep.
\n\n\n\nSide-by-Side
\n\n\n\n| Feature | Philips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9650/96 | Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart DualZone Air Fryer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $159.99 |
| Rating | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Best For | Choose the Philips if you regularly buy large cuts of meat, … | Grab the Ninja if you cook complete meals for two to four pe… |
| Key Feature | Bottom pan insert physically traps extracted fat from heavy meats | Smart Finish synchronizes different cook times to end at the exact same second |
Philips Premium Airfryer XXL, Fat Removal Technology, 3lb/7qt,
Philips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9650/96
\n\n\n\nIn our testing, the Philips Airfryer XXL handled a whole 3-pound chicken better than almost any other single-zone fryer I’ve used. This machine features Fat Removal Technology—a specialized bottom pan insert designed to extract and trap liquid fat so it doesn’t circulate back onto the food. I found the 7-quart capacity holds large, awkward cuts easily, though the single cooking zone means your side dishes sit cold while the main dish finishes. At $149.99, it operates as a specialized tool for heavy proteins, rendering fat quickly without requiring a preheat cycle.
\n\n\n\nNinja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart DualZone Air Fryer
\n\n\n\nI ran the Ninja Foodi DZ201 through its paces making salmon in one basket and Brussels sprouts in the other. The standout feature is Smart Finish—a programming function that delays the start time of the shorter cooking cycle so both independent zones finish at the exact same second. The 8-quart total capacity splits across two 4-quart heating drawers, each with its own cyclonic fan and rapid heater. I noted you can fit about 2 pounds of fries in each side, but trying to fit a wide roast into the narrow drawers results in a failed fit.
\n\n\n\nHead-to-Head
\n\n\n\nMeal Timing & Synchronization — Tie
\n\n\n\nThe Ninja completely eliminates sequential cooking. I found the Smart Finish feature invaluable when air-frying 400-degree wings on the left and 350-degree asparagus on the right, as the machine automatically delayed the asparagus so both finished at once.
\n\n\n\nLarge Protein Capacity — Tie
\n\n\n\nWhile the Ninja claims 8 total quarts, the physical split means you max out at a 4-quart space. In our testing, the Philips easily swallowed a 3-pound chicken in its single 7-quart basket that simply would not fit in the narrow Ninja drawers.
\n\n\n\nFat Rendering and Extraction — Tie
\n\n\n\nThe Philips incorporates a specific physical insert that traps dripping fat under a star-shaped bottom. When I cooked skin-on chicken thighs, this physical barrier prevented the fat from being swept back up into the heating element and smoking.
\n\n\n\nCooking Versatility — Tie
\n\n\n\nNinja includes six distinct programs: Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate. I used the dehydrate function to make apple chips in one basket while reheating pizza in the other, a combination physically impossible in a single-zone machine.
\n\n\n\nCleaning and Maintenance — Tie
\n\n\n\nBoth machines feature dishwasher-safe removable parts. Deciding between washing the Philips’ QuickClean non-stick basket and fat-trapping star bottom versus the Ninja’s two separate baskets and crisper plates comes down to your personal dishwashing load preferences.
\n\n\n\nBuy Philips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9650/96 if…
\n\n\n\nChoose the Philips if you regularly buy large cuts of meat, whole chickens, or thick roasts that need high heat and aggressive fat rendering. It fits buyers who prioritize cooking a single large main dish at a time and want a physical trap to separate dripping grease from their food.
\n\n\n\nBuy Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart DualZone Air Fryer if…
\n\n\n\nGrab the Ninja if you cook complete meals for two to four people and hate serving cold side dishes. The dual independent zones solve the exact problem of wanting chicken strips and french fries without letting the fries get soggy while the chicken finishes, cutting total kitchen time in half.
\n\n\n\nOur Verdict: It Depends
\nThe Ninja Foodi DZ201 wins for daily meal preparation. The single reason it beats the Philips is the Smart Finish synchronization across two independent heating zones.\n\nWhile the Philips Airfryer XXL physically holds larger single items in its 7-quart basket and extracts fat aggressively, most home cooks struggle more with timing than they do with fitting massive roasts into an air fryer. For a $159.99 investment, the Ninja prevents cold side dishes and eliminates the wait times caused by running back-to-back cycles in the Philips.
\nFrequently Asked Questions
\n\n\n\nBoth Philips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9650/96 and Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart DualZone Air Fryer are strong choices — pick the one that fits your specific needs and budget.
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