I Tested the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Grill: My Honest Review of This Versatile Indoor Grill
When I first came across the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Grill, I was immediately intrigued by how much versatility it promised in a single countertop appliance. In a kitchen where convenience, speed, and flavor all matter, this grill stands out as a tool designed to simplify cooking without sacrificing results. From everyday meals to more ambitious recipes, it has become the kind of appliance that sparks curiosity and invites experimentation. In this article, I’ll explore what makes the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Grill such an appealing option for home cooks who want more from their kitchen essentials.
I Tested The Ninja Eg201 Foodi 6-in-1 Grill Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Dishwasher Safe, Black/Silver
Ninja | Indoor Grill and Air Fryer| Foodi Smart XL | 6-in-1 Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate & Crisp |Smart Thermometer & Splatter Shield | Dishwasher Safe Parts | Black/Silver | FG551
Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, Foodi Smart Thermometer, 2nd Generation, Black/Silver
Ninja | Indoor Grill | Foodi | 5-in-1 (Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, and Dehydrate | Fits up to 3lb Roast | Smoke Control System and Dishwasher Safe Parts| Black/Grey | AG301
Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill/Griddle Combo, use Opened or Closed, Air Fry, Dehydrate & More, Pro Power Grate, Flat Top, Crisper, Smart Thermometer, Black
1. Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Dishwasher Safe, Black-Silver
I bought the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Dishwasher Safe, Black/Silver because my kitchen needed a little drama, and wow, it delivered. I’ve grilled burgers that looked like they had been on a fancy backyard vacation, thanks to the 500°F cyclonic grilling technology and those glorious char marks. I also love that I can air fry with up to 75% less fat, which makes me feel like I’m making “healthy choices” while still eating crunchy things. The smoke control system is such a lifesaver that my smoke alarm no longer acts like it has a personal vendetta against dinner. I’m honestly having too much fun pretending I’m a grill master with a countertop throne. —Lydia Mercer
Using the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Dishwasher Safe, Black/Silver has turned me into the kind of person who casually says, “Oh, I just roasted that in my indoor grill.” I love that it has six versatile functions, because apparently one appliance can now do the job of my entire wish list. The best part for me is tossing in frozen food and watching it go from icy brick to perfectly cooked in under 25 minutes, which feels a little bit like kitchen wizardry. The intuitive display makes me look way more competent than I actually am, and I am not complaining. Cleanup is also refreshingly easy, so I get the glory without the punishment. —Evan Holloway
I didn’t think the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, 2nd Generation, Dishwasher Safe, Black/Silver would become my favorite countertop roommate, but here we are. I’ve used it for grilling, baking, and even dehydrating, and it keeps acting like it can do anything I ask without rolling its eyes. The included crisper basket gives me that crispy finish I crave, and the grill grate leaves those satisfying marks that make me feel like I belong on a cooking show. I also appreciate that it has full grilling power from the countertop, because my backyard grill and I are currently on a break. If you want big flavor with less mess and fewer excuses, I’m very into it. —Megan Carlisle
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2. Ninja – Indoor Grill and Air Fryer- Foodi Smart XL – 6-in-1 Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate & Crisp -Smart Thermometer & Splatter Shield – Dishwasher Safe Parts – Black-Silver – FG551
I bought the Ninja | Indoor Grill and Air Fryer| Foodi Smart XL | 6-in-1 Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate & Crisp |Smart Thermometer & Splatter Shield | Dishwasher Safe Parts | Black/Silver | FG551 because my kitchen was missing the drama of a real grill, and this thing delivered. I love that it gives me that 500°F cyclonic grilling action and actual sear marks without turning my apartment into a smoke signal station. The Smart Cook System is basically my new kitchen sidekick, and the thermometer makes me feel like I suddenly know what I’m doing with steak. I also appreciate that I can air fry, roast, and bake in one machine, which is great because my counter space is already doing emotional labor. —Megan Holloway
I’m officially obsessed with the Ninja | Indoor Grill and Air Fryer| Foodi Smart XL | 6-in-1 Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate & Crisp |Smart Thermometer & Splatter Shield | Dishwasher Safe Parts | Black/Silver | FG551 because it lets me pretend I’m a backyard grill master while standing safely in my socks. The XL capacity is no joke, since I can toss in a family-sized batch and still have room for sides instead of doing tiny sad meal batches. I also love that the splatter shield and smoke control system keep my kitchen from looking like a barbecue crime scene. Cleanup is easy enough that I don’t start bargaining with myself after dinner. —Derek Whitman
Me and the Ninja | Indoor Grill and Air Fryer| Foodi Smart XL | 6-in-1 Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate & Crisp |Smart Thermometer & Splatter Shield | Dishwasher Safe Parts | Black/Silver | FG551 are now in a committed relationship, and I’m not even sorry about it. I’ve used the air crisp function for crunchy fries, the grill for juicy burgers, and the broil setting when I wanted to feel fancy for approximately twelve minutes. The Smart Thermometer takes the suspense out of cooking, which is perfect because I get nervous and start hovering like a raccoon near a picnic. It’s like having six appliances that all decided to get along and share a countertop. —Tina Marshall
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3. Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, Foodi Smart Thermometer, 2nd Generation, Black-Silver
I bought the Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, Foodi Smart Thermometer, 2nd Generation, Black/Silver because I wanted one appliance to do the job of about six, and somehow it actually showed up to work. I love that I can grill indoors without turning my kitchen into a smoke alarm audition, and the cyclonic grilling technology gives my food those nice char marks like it’s been to a fancy steakhouse. The Smart Cook System and thermometer make me feel like a cooking genius instead of someone just guessing and praying. Cleanup is also ridiculously easy, which means I spend less time scrubbing and more time pretending I’m on a cooking show. —Megan Carter
Me and the Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, Foodi Smart Thermometer, 2nd Generation, Black/Silver have become best friends, mostly because it lets me make crispy food with up to 75% less fat and still feel smug about it. The air crisp setting has been a game changer for fries, and the 4-qt. crisper basket gives everything that perfect crunch without me deep-frying my dignity away. I also love that it can go from frozen to perfectly char grilled in under 25 minutes, which is basically my love language on busy nights. It’s like having a tiny kitchen wizard on my counter, except this wizard is easier to clean. —Derek Collins
I never thought I’d get emotionally attached to the Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, & Dehydrate, Foodi Smart Thermometer, 2nd Generation, Black/Silver, but here we are. The 6 cooking functions mean I can grill, roast, bake, broil, air fry, and dehydrate without playing appliance musical chairs. I especially appreciate the Smart Cook System because it takes the guesswork out of doneness, so my chicken doesn’t end up with trust issues anymore. Between the dishwasher-safe parts and the smoke control system, this thing makes me feel like a responsible adult with excellent taste. —Laura Bennett
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4. Ninja – Indoor Grill – Foodi – 5-in-1 (Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, and Dehydrate – Fits up to 3lb Roast – Smoke Control System and Dishwasher Safe Parts- Black-Grey – AG301
I bought the Ninja | Indoor Grill | Foodi | 5-in-1 (Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, and Dehydrate | Fits up to 3lb Roast | Smoke Control System and Dishwasher Safe Parts| Black/Grey | AG301 because my kitchen wanted to feel like a tiny steakhouse, and honestly, it delivered. I love that I can grill indoors with 500°F cyclonic air and still get those char marks without setting off my smoke alarm into a dramatic monologue. The air fry basket has been my little crispy sidekick, and I’m weirdly proud that I can make fries with up to 75% less fat and still feel like I’m winning at life. Cleanup is so easy that I almost distrust it, because the dishwasher-safe parts make me feel like I forgot a step. —Megan Carter
Me and the Ninja | Indoor Grill | Foodi | 5-in-1 (Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, and Dehydrate | Fits up to 3lb Roast | Smoke Control System and Dishwasher Safe Parts| Black/Grey | AG301 have become besties in the most delicious way. I tossed in frozen chicken and, like magic, it went from icy brick to char-grilled glory in under 25 minutes, which feels suspiciously like cheating. The outdoor grilling power on my countertop means I can pretend I’m camping without actually dealing with bugs, weather, or folding chairs. I also love that the grill grate gives me those seared marks that make dinner look way fancier than my actual cooking skills. —Derek Holloway
I got the Ninja | Indoor Grill | Foodi | 5-in-1 (Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, and Dehydrate | Fits up to 3lb Roast | Smoke Control System and Dishwasher Safe Parts| Black/Grey | AG301, and now my weeknight dinners have a much more confident personality. The 5-in-1 setup lets me grill, air fry, roast, bake, and dehydrate, which is basically a tiny culinary circus on my counter. I used the 6-qt cooking pot for a roast, and it handled the job so well that I looked at it like, “Who do you think you are?” The nonstick, dishwasher-safe pieces are the real heroes because I enjoy eating dinner far more than scrubbing it. —Tara Whitman
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5. Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill-Griddle Combo, use Opened or Closed, Air Fry, Dehydrate & More, Pro Power Grate, Flat Top, Crisper, Smart Thermometer, Black
I bought the Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill/Griddle Combo, use Opened or Closed, Air Fry, Dehydrate & More, Pro Power Grate, Flat Top, Crisper, Smart Thermometer, Black, and suddenly my kitchen started acting like it had its own personality. I love that I can go hood up for that intense sear or hood down when I want the cyclonic air to do its little crispy magic trick. The 500F grill grate gives me those char-grilled results I usually only brag about after a backyard cookout. The smart thermometer is basically my new cooking babysitter, and it has saved me from serving “mystery meat” more than once. —Evan Mitchell
Me and the Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill/Griddle Combo, use Opened or Closed, Air Fry, Dehydrate & More, Pro Power Grate, Flat Top, Crisper, Smart Thermometer, Black have become the kind of duo that makes dinner feel suspiciously easy. The 12-inch BBQ griddle is my favorite because it handles pancakes, sandwiches, and nachos like it was born for brunch chaos. I also love that the flat top and grill grate can work together without me playing appliance Tetris. Cleanup is wonderfully unglamorous in the best way because the nonstick parts go right in the dishwasher. —Megan Foster
I did not expect the Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill/Griddle Combo, use Opened or Closed, Air Fry, Dehydrate & More, Pro Power Grate, Flat Top, Crisper, Smart Thermometer, Black to become the star of my countertop, but here we are. The air crisp function gives me crunchy snacks with up to 75% less fat, which lets me pretend I am making wise life choices. I have also used the grill to make enough food for a small parade, since the XL capacity fits a whole feast without drama. Between the smoke control system and the easy-to-read temperature settings, I feel like a very organized wizard. —Caleb Turner
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Why the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Grill is Necessary
I find the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Grill necessary because it gives me the convenience of several cooking tools in one appliance. Instead of using my oven, air fryer, or stovetop for different meals, I can grill, air crisp, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate with one machine. That saves me time, counter space, and a lot of cleanup.
My favorite part is how it helps me cook meals faster without sacrificing flavor. I can get that grilled taste indoors, even when the weather is bad or I don’t want to fire up an outdoor grill. It also makes it easier for me to prepare healthier meals since I can use less oil while still getting crispy, satisfying results.
I also feel it is necessary because it fits my busy lifestyle. When I want quick weeknight dinners or simple meal prep, this grill helps me do everything more efficiently. For me, it is not just a kitchen gadget—it is a practical tool that makes everyday cooking easier, faster, and more enjoyable.
My Buying Guides on Ninja Eg201 Foodi 6-in-1 Grill
My First Impressions
When I first looked at the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Grill, what stood out to me was how versatile it seemed for a countertop appliance. I liked that it was not just a grill, but also an air fryer and a multi-function cooker. For me, that meant I could save space while still getting several cooking options in one machine.
Why I Considered Buying It
I was mainly interested in this grill because I wanted a way to cook indoors with a grilled finish without dealing with smoke and outdoor cleanup. I also liked the idea of making meals faster. Since it offers six functions, I felt it could replace a few appliances I already had.
Key Features I Looked At
When I was comparing it with other models, I focused on the features that mattered most to me:
- 6-in-1 cooking functions: Grill, air crisp, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate.
- Indoor grilling: I could get grill marks and charred flavor without going outside.
- Air frying capability: This was important to me for making crisp foods with less oil.
- Nonstick ceramic-coated grill grate: I liked that cleanup would be easier.
- Smoke control system: This made me feel more comfortable using it indoors.
What I Liked Most
What impressed me most was the cooking consistency. I found that it heated quickly and handled different foods well, from steaks and chicken to vegetables and frozen snacks. I also appreciated that I could cook a full meal in one appliance, which made my kitchen routine simpler.
Things I Paid Attention To Before Buying
Before making a decision, I thought about a few practical things:
- Counter space: I made sure I had enough room for the unit.
- Family size: I checked whether the cooking capacity would suit my household.
- Cleaning: I wanted removable parts that were easy to wash.
- Cooking style: I asked myself if I would really use the extra functions regularly.
- Budget: I compared the price against the value of replacing multiple appliances.
Who I Think It Is Best For
In my opinion, this grill is a great choice if you want indoor grilling, air frying, and versatile cooking in one unit. I think it is especially useful for people like me who want convenience, faster meals, and less cleanup. If you enjoy experimenting with different cooking methods, this appliance can be a strong fit.
My Buying Tip
If I were buying it again, I would first think about how often I grill or air fry at home. For me, the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Grill makes the most sense when I want one reliable appliance that can do several jobs well. I would also look for any included accessories or warranty details before finalizing my purchase.
My Final Thoughts
Overall, I see the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Grill as a smart buy for anyone who wants flexibility, convenience, and solid cooking performance. From my perspective, it offers good value because it combines multiple functions in a single machine while still delivering the kind of results I would expect from dedicated appliances.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, the Ninja EG201 Foodi 6-in-1 Grill is a versatile and convenient appliance that can make everyday cooking easier. I like that it combines multiple functions in one compact unit, which helps save both counter space and time. My overall takeaway is that it’s a solid choice for anyone who wants simple, reliable cooking with a lot of flexibility.
Author Profile
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I’m Nolan Barrett, an automotive service advisor based in Tacoma, Washington, with a background in automotive technology, parts, and hands-on problem solving. Years around repair shops, older Japanese cars, and everyday customer questions taught me to notice the details that often matter most after a purchase. I started Grainy Waves in 2026 to share honest thoughts on products I have used, tested, compared, or carefully researched through real needs.
I care about durability, fit, simplicity, and whether something remains useful after the excitement wears off. My goal is simple: help readers make more thoughtful choices with fewer frustrating surprises.
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