One of the most recognizable air fryer brands in the market is Ninja. The company has numerous models to suit the different needs of its users. If you’re clueless about what to buy, this guide on Ninja DZ090 vs DZ550 looks at two products to consider.
When you see the two models, you might assume they’re the same. Design-wise, they’re quite similar. Nonetheless, when you look at their functions and features, you’ll see they’re different in various ways.
If you’re in a rush, here’s what you can expect from the two models.
Ninja DZ090: The cheaper option between the two, it has a 6-quart cooking capacity and offers five cooking functions.
Ninja DZ550: It’s more expensive and offers a larger capacity with a built-in cooking probe and six cooking programs.
Key Similarities and Differences Between Ninja DZ090 vs DZ550
- 2 FOODS, 2 WAYS, AT THE SAME TIME: Eliminating back-to-back cooking like a traditional single-basket air fryer with 2 independent air fryer baskets.
- DUALZONE TECHNOLOGY: The Smart Finish feature, unlocks cooking 2 foods 2 ways that finish at the same time, or the Match Cook feature, easily copies settings across zones for full 6-qt. capacity.
- 5 CUSTOMIZABLE PROGRAMS: Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
- 6-QT. CAPACITY: Fit mains and sides at the same time for making small meals or up to 4 lbs. of French fries or wings.
- 2 INDEPENDENT 3-QT. ZONES: They have their own cooking baskets, cyclonic fans, and rapid heaters.
- 2 FOODS, 2 WAYS, AT THE SAME TIME: Eliminating back-to-back cooking like a traditional single-basket air fryer with 2 independent XL air fryer baskets.
- SMART COOK SYSTEM: Achieve the perfect doneness, from rare to well-done, at the touch of a button with the integrated Foodi Smart Thermometer—no guesswork required.
- DUALZONE TECHNOLOGY: The Smart Finish feature, unlocks cooking 2 foods 2 ways that finish at the same time, or the Match Cook feature, easily copies settings across zones for full 10-qt. capacity.
- IQ BOOST: Optimally distributes power across each basket to cook a 6-lb. whole chicken and side as quickly as possible when Match Cook or Smart Finish is not selected.
- 6 VERSATILE COOKING PROGRAMS: Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
Not sure about what to choose between the two? Below, I look at the things that make them alike and different. After reading this guide, I hope you can make a well-informed decision.
- Capacity
Do you live alone in a tiny apartment? Or are you a family with the luxury of space to spare in the kitchen? Your answer to this question affects the capacity of the air fryer most suitable for your needs.
The Ninja DZ090 air fryer is perfect for smaller kitchens. It has a 6-quart capacity. It’s ideal for making small meals. The frying baskets can handle a maximum of four pounds of chicken wings or fries.
On the other hand, the Ninja DZ550 is for larger spaces. It has a 10-quart capacity, making it a well-loved option for families. At this size, you can easily cook eight pounds of chicken. You can cook a main and side dish at the same time.
Do you need something larger? I have also reviewed the best 26-quart air fryers that you might want to consider.
- Cooking Functions
Versatility is one of the benefits of air fryers. While they are called air fryers, most of them are designed to do more than such, including the two products we’re comparing in this review.
With the DZ090, you can choose from five cooking programs, including the following:
- Air Fry
- Bake
- Roast
- Reheat
- Dehydrate
Meanwhile, the Ninja DZ550 has six cooking functions, including:
- Air Fry
- Air Broil
- Roast
- Bake
- Reheat
- Dehydrate
As you can see from the list above, the main difference is Ninja DZ550 has a feature called Air Broil. It isn’t available in DZ090. In a nutshell, this feature adds crispness to the exterior. It’s also great for melting ingredients, such as cheese.
- Temperature Range
With the two models, you can choose a pre-programmed setting to eliminate guessing games on the right cooking program. However, there’s also an option to set the temperature manually, depending on what a specific dish or recipe requires.
The Ninja DZ090 has a temperature range of 105 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, the Ninja DZ550 has a slightly wider temperature range, which you can set anywhere from 105 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Wattage
The wattage is an important consideration in air fryers as it’s indicative of power and performance. Low-wattage air fryers are more energy-efficient. Nonetheless, a higher wattage could mean a more powerful performance.
You will find a slight difference in the wattage of the two Ninja air fryers we’re comparing in this post. The Ninja DZ090 is slightly higher, which is 1,760 watts. Meanwhile, the Ninja DZ550 has 1,690 watts.
- Integrated Thermometer
Temperature monitoring is crucial when cooking in an air fryer. For instance, it’s vital to ensure food safety. Hence, it’s a good practice to check the internal temperature of food in the air fryer. Otherwise, there can be an increased risk of food poisoning.
Of the two, only the Ninja DZ550 comes with an integrated thermometer. Nonetheless, you must note a few important things. For instance, you can use it only in Zone 1. Hence, you might still need an external thermometer for monitoring Zone 2.
- Dual Cooking Basket
One of the similarities between the two models is they both have dual cooking baskets. This way, you can maximize available space.
More than just providing a generous cooking area, the two baskets also mean that you can cook in two different zones. Meaning, there can be a different setting on the first basket compared to the second.
- Match Cook and Smart Finish
These are two features that you’ll find in both Ninja air fryers we’re comparing in this guide. With Match Cook, you can automatically program the unit to cook with the same settings in both zones. This is handy for cooking the same food but in large batches, so you’ll be using both baskets.
On the other hand, Smart Finish is an intelligent feature that allows you to finish cooking at the same time.
- Price
No doubt, a lot of buyers will consider cost as a deciding factor when choosing the best air fryer. Hence, it’s crucial that we also look at the price of the two models. Although, take note that there can be slight differences in prices, depending on where you’ll buy.
Of the two, the DZ090 is the cheaper option. Even so, you’ll find a lot of cheaper alternatives, including from other brands.
While the DZ550 is more expensive, the price is justifiable. From its size to performance, it has various features that can provide the best bang for the buck.
Final Verdict
So, which is a better option of the two models? It’s difficult to give an absolute answer to the question. But I hope this Ninja DZ090 vs DZ550 guide helped you compare the two air fryers.
If you’re looking for a cheaper air fryer with a small cooking capacity, the Ninja DZ090 is for you. It has five cooking functions. On the other hand, if you want a larger cooking space and an air fryer with an integrated thermometer, then the DZ550 is for you. This air fryer offers six cooking functions.
Meanwhile, it’s also crucial to note that they share many similar features. For instance, both have dual cooking baskets. The two models also have Match Cook and Smart Finish.
