Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181 vs Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT

Which Air Fryer Is Better?

Products

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181
Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT

Tested using Methodology v1.0.1

Updated Jan 22, 2026 08:15 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0.1

Updated Jan 15, 2026 04:24 PM

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  1. Recommended in 1 article:
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Our Verdict

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181

Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT

The Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181 is a better air fryer than the Instant Pot Duo Crisp for most people; however, the Instant Pot has some strengths that make it worth considering as well. The Ninja cooks quite a bit faster than the Instant Pot and maintains a more consistent temperature throughout the process. It's also a lot more versatile, thanks to its wider range of fan speeds. That said, the Instant Pot makes slightly better quality food, leaving a bit more of each batch crispy and golden brown. It also doubles as a multi-cooker, and while we haven't tested those features, some may prefer it for the added convenience.

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Variants

  • AF181 (Grey)
  • AF182AMZ (Grey)
  • Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT (Black)

Check Price

Black
Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Grey
AF182AMZ
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT
Walmart.com
 
Black
Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT
HomeDepot.com
 
Black
Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT
Instant
 
Black
Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT
Lowes.com

Main Differences for
Air Frying

Threshold 

0.10

Air Frying 
 

8.0
7.2

Cooking Speed 
 

9.1
7.0

Frying Quality 
 

7.0
7.3

Cooking Versatility 
 

8.4
7.2

Full Comparison

Design

Size 
 

8.0
5.5

Device Dimensions 
 

Compare High-Res
Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181 Device Dimensions
Compare High-Res
Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT Device Dimensions

Height 
 

12.0" (30.4 cm)
13.4" (34.0 cm)

Width 
 

11.3" (28.6 cm)
15.9" (40.5 cm)

Depth 
 

14.6" (37.0 cm)
15.7" (40.0 cm)

Overall Volume 
 

1,432.5 in³ (23,475 cm³)
3,361.2 in³ (55,080 cm³)
Show Text 

Cooking Chamber 
 

7.4
7.2

Isometric Basket View 
 

Compare High-Res
Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181 Isometric Basket View
Compare High-Res
Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT Isometric Basket View

Surface Area Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181 Surface Area Picture
Compare High-Res
Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT Surface Area Picture

Single Basket Surface Area 
 

62.5 in² (403.2 cm²)
61.6 in² (397.6 cm²)

Total Basket Surface Area  

62.5 in² (403.2 cm²)
61.6 in² (397.6 cm²)

Advertised Capacity  

6.5 qt (6.2 L)
6.5 qt (6.2 L)

Measured Capacity  

6.5 qt (6.2 L)
6.8 qt (6.4 L)

Chamber Height 
 

4.5" (11.5 cm)
4.2" (10.6 cm)

Nonstick Coating Type 
 

Ceramic
No Coating
Show Text 

Cooking Versatility 
 

8.4
7.2

Control Panel Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181 Control Panel Photo
Compare High-Res
Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT Control Panel Photo

Dual Cooking Chambers  

No
No

Cooking Method Presets 
 

6
12

Minimum Temperature 
 

105 °F (41 °C)
75 °F (24 °C)

Maximum Temperature 
 

450 °F (232 °C)
400 °F (204 °C)

Minimum Fan Speed 
 

1,300 RPM
2,210 RPM

Maximum Fan Speed 
 

2,975 RPM
2,500 RPM

Maximum Power Draw 
 

1,560 W
1,410 W

Temperature Probe 
 

No
No
Show Text 
Performance

Frying Quality 
 

7.0
7.3

Sorted Fries 
 

Compare High-Res
Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181 Sorted Fries
Compare High-Res
Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT Sorted Fries

Fry Sorting Video  

Crispy Fries 
 

59.4%
63.6%

Overcooked Fries 
 

6.3%
12.1%

Undercooked Fries 
 

34.3%
21.3%
Show Text 

Cooking Speed 
 

9.1
7.0

Moisture Loss Over Time  

 Preview Graph
Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181 Moisture Loss Over Time
 Preview Graph
Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT Moisture Loss Over Time

Time To Reach 45% Moisture Loss  

15:14
19:53
Show Text 

Preheat Speed 
 

8.3
8.9

Preheat Speed  

 Preview Graph
Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181 Preheat Speed
 Preview Graph
Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT Preheat Speed

Preheat Reminder 
 

No
Yes

Time to Reach 400°F 
 

02:34
02:05

Temperature Stability 
 

8.0
7.2

Temperature Stability  

 Preview Graph
Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181 Temperature Stability
 Preview Graph
Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT Temperature Stability

Recovery Time Once Food Added 
 

03:06
02:57

Temperature Variation at 400°F 
 

17 °F
42 °F
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Grey
AF182AMZ
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT
Walmart.com
 
Black
Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT
HomeDepot.com
 
Black
Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT
Instant
 
Black
Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT
Lowes.com

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181

Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT

Comments

  1. Comparison

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181 vs Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6.5QT: Main Discussion

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