You want hot fries and juicy chicken fast. A good kitchen tool makes a big difference. I spent weeks testing the Ninja Foodi AD350CO vs DZ401. I wanted to see which one is the true boss. It was a wild ride full of tasty snacks and funny fails. Let me share what I learned in my kitchen.
Ninja Foodi AD350CO Review
I bought this big grey machine at a local warehouse club. It holds so much food in its two deep baskets. It makes a low hum when it cooks. But the food comes out super crisp every single time.
Pros and Cons
Here are the best and worst things I found while using it.
| Pros | Cons |
| Huge ten-quart space | Takes up a lot of room |
| Cooks two things at once | Very heavy to move |
| Super easy to wash | Needs a big wall plug |
My Two Months Cooking With It
I used this hot air fryer almost every single day. One rainy Tuesday, I made pork chops on one side. I tossed green beans in the other basket. It felt like magic to see them finish at the exact same time. The match cook button saved my life that busy night.
But there were a few funny times too. I made a huge mess trying to dump out hot fries. The big basket slipped right out of my hand. Still, the food tasted great. The skin on my chicken got extra crisp. It made our family dinners very fast and stress-free.
Recommendation
This model is perfect for big families who eat a lot. It is not good for a tiny kitchen with low counter space.
Ninja Foodi DZ401 Review
This sleek black air fryer is a real kitchen beast. It also holds a giant ten quarts of food. The dark finish looks very nice sitting on my light counter. It cooks meat fast and traps all the rich juices inside. I love how simple the front buttons are to push.
Pros and Cons
Let us look at what makes this dark model shine or fail.
| Pros | Cons |
| Sleek black look is nice | Power cord is a bit short |
| Very fast cook times | Can get warm on the outside |
| Smart finish works well | Trays can be tricky to dry |
Real Kitchen Tests And Fails
One lazy Sunday afternoon, I craved spicy hot wings. I loaded both sides of this big black fryer. The smell of hot sauce filled the whole house. My dog sat right by my feet the entire time hoping for a drop.
The wings cooked super fast. They had the absolute best crunch. I did burn a batch of round sugar cookies once, though. The heat blowing inside is very strong. You must keep a close eye on your sweet treats so they do not burn black.
Recommendation
This is great for folks who love stylish gadgets and fast hot meals. It is bad for someone who wants a small and light fryer.
Detail Comparison For Ninja Foodi AD350CO Vs DZ401
Let us put these two giants side by side. They look like twins, but there are a few things to note. Here is how they match up in my home tests.
Capacity & Size: Ninja Foodi AD350CO Vs DZ401
Both hold a huge ten quarts of fresh food. They will eat up a lot of your open counter space. Both units are very heavy to lift or move.
| Feature | AD350CO | DZ401 |
| Total Space | 10 Quarts | 10 Quarts |
| Baskets | Two 5-Quart Bins | Two 5-Quart Bins |
| Counter Space | Very Large | Very Large |
Rating: AD350CO: 9/10, DZ401: 9/10
Cooking Performance: Ninja Foodi AD350CO Vs DZ401
They both use a strong fan to push hot air. Food gets a nice thick crunch in just minutes. I noticed both machines cook raw meat very well.
| Feature | AD350CO | DZ401 |
| Crisp Level | Very High | Very High |
| Heat Control | Very Steady | Very Steady |
| Food Finish | Even Crunch | Even Crunch |
Rating: AD350CO: 9/10, DZ401: 9/10
Ease of Use: Ninja Foodi AD350CO Vs DZ401
The front text screens light up nice and bright. The touch buttons make sense right away. I really love the smart finish mode on both models.
| Feature | AD350CO | DZ401 |
| Screen Display | Bright LED | Bright LED |
| Button Layout | Very Clear | Very Clear |
| Smart Finish | Included | Included |
Rating: AD350CO: 10/10, DZ401: 10/10
Cleaning & Maintenance: Ninja Foodi AD350CO Vs DZ401
Scrubbing stuck cheese is no fun at all. Luckily, the smooth inner trays wash off fast in the sink. Just do not use harsh metal pads on them.
| Feature | AD350CO | DZ401 |
| Inner Trays | Non-stick Coat | Non-stick Coat |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes | Yes |
| Wiping Outside | Very Easy | Shows Dust |
Rating: AD350CO: 9/10, DZ401: 8/10
Cooking Speed: Ninja Foodi AD350CO Vs DZ401
They blast raw food with very high heat. You can cook a thick raw steak in twenty fast minutes. This simple fact saves me so much free time.
| Feature | AD350CO | DZ401 |
| Pre-heat Time | Very Fast | Very Fast |
| Max Temp Range | 450 Degrees | 450 Degrees |
| Time Saver Score | Very High | Very High |
Rating: AD350CO: 9/10, DZ401: 9/10
Conclusion
Both air fryers are huge time savers for a busy home. They are basically the exact same machine in slightly different shades. Buy the grey one if you shop at big warehouse clubs. Buy the black one if you want a dark sleek look on your counter.