Ninja Combi vs. Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer 360: Which Countertop King Rules?

Choosing between a Ninja and an Emeril Lagasse appliance usually feels like picking between a high-tech laboratory tool and a classic professional kitchen staple. I recently cleared my counters to put the Ninja Combi All-in-One and the Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer 360 through their paces, and the experience was eye-opening. While both claim to replace a dozen other gadgets, they approach dinner from completely different angles.

The Ninja Combi is a futuristic multicooker that uses steam to pull off “impossible” 15-minute meals, whereas the Emeril 360 is a refined, stainless steel powerhouse that excels at the art of the rotisserie and traditional convection baking. After a week of roasting chickens and air-frying snacks, I found that the “best” one depends entirely on whether you value speed and moisture or classic browning and versatile accessories.

The Key Difference: Steam Technology vs. 360° Convection

The most significant key difference between the Ninja Combi and the Emeril Lagasse 360 is the core cooking technology and the physical form factor. The Ninja Combi utilizes HyperSteam Technology combined with rapid cyclonic air. It is a “square-style” multicooker that excels at cooking complete meals—like pasta, veggies, and protein—all at once in a single bin by using super-heated steam to lock in moisture before crisping.

The Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer 360, conversely, is a convection toaster oven-style unit. Its “360° Quick Cook” technology relies on five powerful heating elements (most ovens only have three) to mimic a commercial convection oven. Unlike the Ninja, the Emeril 360 includes a Rotisserie function, allowing you to spit-roast a whole chicken, and a specialized dehydrator mode, making it more of a traditional oven replacement than a steam-driven multicooker.

Comparison Table: Ninja Combi vs. Emeril Lagasse 360

Feature	Ninja Combi (SFP701)	Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer 360
Primary Style	All-in-One Multicooker	Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Cooking Tech	HyperSteam & Air Fry	360° Convection (5 Elements)
Presets	14-in-1 Functions	12 Pre-Set Functions
Capacity	Large (Feeds up to 8)	XL (930 Cubic Inches)
Special Accessory	Combi Cooker Pan	Rotisserie Spit & Stand
Speed	Meals in 15 Minutes	40% Faster than standard ovens
Unique Feature	Proof, Sous Vide, Steam	Dehydrate, Rotisserie, Bagel
Dimensions	14.92″D x 15.43″W x 13.11″H	15″D x 20″W x 10″H
Check Latest Deals	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Detailed Comparative Review: My Kitchen Experience

Here, you will find out how incredible my experience was with both the appliances and it will ultimately help you folks to find your favorite pick. Let’s dive in!

Design: The Modern Cube vs. The Classic Chef’s Oven

The Ninja Combi has a very “appliance of the future” look. It’s a gray, boxy unit that opens from the front like a mini-safe. Inside, it uses a tiered system that allows you to put water or grains on the bottom and proteins on the top tray. It felt incredibly sturdy, though its height meant I had to pull it out from under my cabinets to vent the steam safely.

The Emeril Lagasse 360 looks like it belongs in a professional kitchen. The brushed stainless steel and large glass window make it easy to monitor your food. Because it’s a wide, traditional toaster oven shape, it fit better under my low-hanging cabinets than the Ninja. However, it does have a larger footprint horizontally, so be prepared to lose some “shelf space” on your counter.

Performance: Steam Magic vs. Even Searing

I tested both by cooking a whole chicken.

• The Ninja Combi: Using the Combi Roast setting, the steam kept the breast meat incredibly juicy—likely the most moist chicken I’ve ever made in a countertop unit. The skin was crispy, though it lacked the deep, dark mahogany color of a traditional roast.
• The Emeril 360: I used the Rotisserie spit. There is simply no substitute for a bird rotating under five heating elements. The skin was perfectly rendered and “snap” crispy all the way around. While the meat was tender, it didn’t have that “steamed” succulent texture of the Ninja, but the flavor profile was more “classic Sunday roast.”

For quick meals, the Ninja is the undisputed champ. I tossed dry pasta, water, and frozen meatballs into the Combi Pan, and 15 minutes later, I had a perfectly cooked dinner. The Emeril 360 can’t do that; it’s better for air-frying wings or baking a crisp-crust pizza.

Ease of Use and Cleaning

The Ninja Combi wins on the “One Stop Shop” promise. Since I could cook my starch and protein together, I only had one pan and one tray to clean. All the accessories are dishwasher safe and the interior is non-stick, which made wipe-downs a breeze.

The Emeril 360 comes with a lot of “bits”—the spit, the racks, the pizza tray, and the drip tray. While they offer more versatility, they also mean more items to store and clean. I found the interior of the Emeril a bit harder to keep pristine because of the exposed heating elements, which can collect grease splatters during a rotisserie session.

Functions: Multicooker vs. Specialist

The Ninja’s 14-in-1 list is impressive, especially the Sous Vide and Proof settings. If you’re a baker or a tech-heavy cook, these are game-changers. The Emeril 360 focuses on being a better oven. Its Dehydrate function is superior because of the horizontal airflow, and the dedicated Bagel and Toast settings are much more precise than the Ninja’s broader “Bake” modes.

Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker

Pros:

• Speed: Complete meals from scratch in 15 minutes is a literal life-saver.
• Moisture: HyperSteam prevents food from drying out, even when reheating.
• Compact Storage: Accessories stack neatly inside the unit.
• Versatility: Can handle pasta and rice directly in the cooker pan.

Cons:

• Steam Venting: Releases a lot of moisture, so it needs clear space above it.
• Learning Curve: Takes a few tries to get the water-to-grain ratios perfect.

Emeril Lagasse 360 Stainless Steel Air Fryer Oven

Pros:

• Rotisserie: The best way to cook poultry and roasts at home.
• Even Heating: 5 heating elements ensure no cold spots.
• Visibility: Large window lets you see exactly how your pizza or toast is browning.
• Aesthetic: High-end stainless steel looks great in any kitchen.

Cons:

• Horizontal Space: Takes up a lot of counter width.
• Cleanup: More accessories to manage and exposed elements can be tricky to clean.

The Verdict: My Recommendation

I recommend the Ninja Combi if you are a busy parent or a professional who needs dinner on the table now. If you want to dump dry pasta and raw chicken into a box and come back 15 minutes later to a complete meal, the Ninja Combi is unmatched. It is the ultimate efficiency machine for people who prioritize speed and juicy results over traditional “oven-style” cooking.

I recommend the Emeril Lagasse 360 if you love the process of cooking and want to replace your full-sized oven for 90% of tasks. If you value a perfect rotisserie chicken, homemade jerky, or a perfectly toasted bagel, Emeril’s “360” technology delivers a superior crust and more traditional textures. It’s for the cook who wants “Chef-quality” results and doesn’t mind a little extra cleanup to get them.

In my kitchen, I find myself reaching for the Ninja Combi on weeknights, but the Emeril 360 is my go-to for weekend entertaining when I want that perfect rotisserie presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I bake a 12-inch pizza in the Ninja Combi?

A: The Ninja Combi is optimized for a 10-inch pizza. If you frequently cook 12-inch frozen pizzas, the Emeril 360 is the better fit as it is designed specifically for that wider diameter.

Q: Does the Emeril 360 require oil for air frying?

A: No, the 360° Quick Cook technology uses super-heated air to crisp food. You can use a light spray for extra browning, but it’s not necessary for a “fried” texture.

Q: Is the Ninja Combi loud when using the steam function?

A: It is relatively quiet, but you will hear the fan and the occasional hiss of steam. It’s much quieter than a traditional pressure cooker but louder than a standard toaster oven.

Q: How many slices of toast can the Emeril 360 handle?

A: You can comfortably fit 6 slices of bread at once, making it a great replacement for a standard 2 or 4-slice toaster.