The Ninja AF161 and the Ninja AF181 are two of the brand’s most popular air fryers, and spending time with both models really helped me understand the kind of user each one is made for. They may look similar at first glance, but these two machines offer very different experiences once they’re on the counter and actually cooking.
Testing them side by side showed me how small differences — capacity, function count, heating behavior, and even the footprint — can change the way you prepare everyday meals. Whether you’re cooking wings for game night or reheating yesterday’s pizza, each model delivers, but in its own style. So let’s break down what truly separates them, and which one ends up feeling like the better fit in real use.
The Main Difference Between Ninja AF161 vs AF181 Air Fryer
The main difference is that the Ninja AF161 is slightly smaller and offers 7 cooking functions, making it ideal for smaller households and quick everyday cooking.
The Ninja AF181, however, bumps the capacity to 6.5 quarts, adds stronger Max Crisp performance, and is built for bigger batches like 9 lbs of wings — perfect for families, gatherings, or heavy users.
- LESS FAT: Up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying methods. Tested against hand-cut,...
- MAX CRISP TECHNOLOGY: Delivers up to 450°F of superheated air for faster, hotter, and...
Comparison Table: Ninja AF161 vs AF181 Air Fryer
| Feature | Ninja AF161 | Ninja AF181 |
| Capacity | 5.5 Quarts | 6.5 Quarts |
| Functions | 7-in-1 | 6-in-1 |
| Max Temperature | 450°F | 450°F |
| Max Crisp Technology | Yes | Yes (Improved) |
| Basket Type | Ceramic, Nonstick | Ceramic, Nonstick |
| Footprint | Slightly Smaller | Larger but compact design |
| Best For | Small families, light use | Large families, heavy batches |
| Included Items | Basket, crisper plate, recipe book | Basket, crisper plate, recipe book & cooking charts |
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
| Ideal Users | Couples, individuals | Meal preppers, party hosts |
| Latest Price, Deals & Offers | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review
Before diving into each section, let me set the stage.
Using these two air fryers back-to-back felt like comparing two siblings — they share the same DNA but have different personalities. The AF161 is the fast, compact workhorse that jumps into action effortlessly. The AF181 is the more mature, sturdy model built for bigger appetites and heavier cooking demands. Now, let’s break down each aspect based on real use experience.
Design
Both models carry Ninja’s signature clean, modern look, but the AF181 immediately feels more substantial. The AF161 has a sleeker, smaller body that fits perfectly in tight kitchens. The AF181, despite its bigger capacity, maintains a surprisingly compact footprint and still blends smoothly on the counter.
The AF161’s glossy finish gives it a more modern aesthetic, while the AF181 leans toward a matte, slightly industrial feel. If appearance matters to you, the AF161 looks slightly more premium, but the AF181 wins if you prefer a robust, family-sized appliance presence.
- LESS FAT: Up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying methods. Tested against hand-cut,...
- MAX CRISP TECHNOLOGY: Delivers up to 450°F of superheated air for faster, hotter, and...
Ease of Use
Both machines are user-friendly, but my experience with the AF161 felt a little more intuitive. The interface is straightforward, quick to learn, and perfect for people who don’t need a learning curve.
The AF181, while still simple, adds more cooking chart guidance and feels more “structured.” It’s helpful, but if you like quick, spontaneous cooking, you’ll get started faster with the AF161.
Where the AF181 shines is its capacity. When I cooked 9 lbs of wings in it (yes, 9!), the basket handled it without overcrowding the food. That alone makes it a more efficient choice for larger households.
Cooking Functions
The AF161 actually has one extra cooking function, offering seven presets:
Max Crisp, Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Reheat & Dehydrate
The AF181 offers six:
Max Crisp, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat & Dehydrate
The difference is subtle, but in actual cooking, I didn’t feel like I lost anything with the AF181. In fact, the stronger heating performance of the AF181 made roast and bake results slightly better than the AF161’s.
If you like more presets, AF161 has a tiny advantage.
If you care about raw performance, AF181 pulls ahead.
- LESS FAT: Up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying methods. Tested against hand-cut,...
- MAX CRISP TECHNOLOGY: Delivers up to 450°F of superheated air for faster, hotter, and...
Performance & Cooking Results
This is where the gap becomes clearer.
Ninja AF161
- Cooks fast
- Max Crisp is strong
- Great for 2–4 servings
- Food turns out crispy without drying out
- Best for small-to-medium batches
Ninja AF181
- Much more space for even cooking
- Max Crisp feels more powerful — fries and wings crisp faster
- Handles frozen foods extremely well
- Maintains texture better in large batches
During testing, the AF181 cooked wings more evenly when the basket was full. The AF161 performed just as well, but only when not overloaded.
Cleaning
Both air fryers are extremely easy to clean — nonstick ceramic baskets, dishwasher-safe, and no oil buildup headaches.
The AF161 is faster to clean simply because it’s smaller. The AF181 takes more space in the sink but still cleans easily.
Ninja AF161 MAX XL Air Fryer
- LESS FAT: Up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying methods. Tested against hand-cut,...
Pros:
- Faster to use and learn
- Slightly more cooking presets (7-in-1)
- Compact, great for small spaces
- Cheaper
- Still powerful and crisp-friendly
Cons:
- Smaller capacity
- Not ideal for big batches
Ninja AF181 Pro XL Air Fryer
- MAX CRISP TECHNOLOGY: Delivers up to 450°F of superheated air for faster, hotter, and...
Pros:
- Larger 6.5 qt capacity — ideal for families
- Superior Max Crisp performance
- Cooks frozen foods incredibly fast
- More space = more even cooking
- Space-saving design despite size
Cons:
- Slightly heavier
- Fewer presets
- Requires more counter and storage space
Conclusion & Recommendation
After using both, I can confidently say the Ninja AF181 feels like the more future-proof choice. If you cook for family gatherings, large meals, or want flexibility with big portions, it easily outperforms the AF161.
But the Ninja AF161 still deserves its spotlight. It’s quick, compact, and just right for individuals or couples. If your kitchen is small or you typically cook small batches, the AF161 will feel like a perfect companion.
My Recommendation:
Choose the Ninja AF181 if you want power, huge capacity, and fast, even results.
Choose the Ninja AF161 if you value space-saving convenience and everyday simplicity.
Both are great — but your cooking habits decide the winner.
