Ninja Max XL AF161 vs NutriChef 5.8 Quart NCAF539TB

Which Air Fryer Is Better?

Products

Ninja Max XL AF161
NutriChef 5.8 Quart NCAF539TB

Tested using Methodology v1.0.2

Updated May 28, 2026 12:33 PM

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Amazon

Tested using Methodology v1.0.2

Updated Jun 03, 2026 04:35 PM

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Ninja Max XL AF161 Picture

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NutriChef 5.8 Quart NCAF539TB Picture

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  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. 6-Quart

Our Verdict

Ninja Max XL AF161

NutriChef 5.8 Quart NCAF539TB

The Ninja Max XL AF161 is a better air fryer than the NutriChef 5.8 Quart NCAF539TB. It produces better frying results, cooks food significantly faster, and preheats much more quickly. It also maintains a more stable temperature throughout the cooking process and offers more versatility, with a wider range of temperatures and fan speeds. The NutriChef has a couple of advantages, though. Its glass basket lets you monitor food throughout the entire cooking process, while the Ninja gives you no way to check on food without opening the drawer. The NutriChef also has a larger basket surface area, giving you more room to spread food in a single layer.

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Variants

  • AF150AMZ (Gray)
  • AF160 (Gray)
  • NCAF539TB (Black)
  • NCAF539TW (White)

Check Price

Gray
AF161
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Black
NCAF539TB
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Gray
AF150AMZ
SEE PRICE
Amazon
White
NCAF539TW
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Gray
AF160
Amazon
 

Main Differences for
Air Frying

Threshold 

0.10

Air Frying 
 

7.9
6.3

Frying Quality 
 

7.6
6.2

Cooking Speed 
 

8.5
6.3

Temperature Stability 
 

7.5
6.0

Cooking Versatility 
 

8.4
6.8

Full Comparison

Design

Size 
 

7.2
7.7

Device Dimensions 
 

Compare High-Res
Ninja Max XL AF161 Device Dimensions
Compare High-Res
NutriChef 5.8 Quart NCAF539TB Device Dimensions

Height 
 

14.6" (37.0 cm)
11.1" (28.3 cm)

Width 
 

11.0" (28.0 cm)
11.3" (28.6 cm)

Depth 
 

14.2" (36.0 cm)
13.8" (35.1 cm)

Overall Volume 
 

2,276.0 in³ (37,296 cm³)
1,733.6 in³ (28,409 cm³)

Cooking Chamber 
 

7.0
7.1

Isometric Basket View 
 

Compare High-Res
Ninja Max XL AF161 Isometric Basket View
Compare High-Res
NutriChef 5.8 Quart NCAF539TB Isometric Basket View

Surface Area Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Ninja Max XL AF161 Surface Area Picture
Compare High-Res
NutriChef 5.8 Quart NCAF539TB Surface Area Picture

Single Basket Surface Area 
 

49.9 in² (321.7 cm²)
59.4 in² (383.4 cm²)

Total Basket Surface Area  

49.9 in² (321.7 cm²)
59.4 in² (383.4 cm²)

Advertised Capacity  

5.5 qt (5.2 L)
5.8 qt (5.5 L)

Measured Capacity  

5.5 qt (5.2 L)
5.8 qt (5.5 L)

Chamber Height 
 

5.0" (12.8 cm)
4.1" (10.3 cm)

Glass Cooking Chamber 
 

No
Yes

Nonstick Coating Type 
 

Ceramic

Cooking Versatility 
 

8.4
6.8

Control Panel Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Ninja Max XL AF161 Control Panel Photo
Compare High-Res
NutriChef 5.8 Quart NCAF539TB Control Panel Photo

Dual Cooking Chambers  

No
No

Cooking Method Presets 
 

7
2

Minimum Temperature 
 

105 °F (41 °C)
105 °F (41 °C)

Maximum Temperature 
 

450 °F (232 °C)
390 °F (199 °C)

Minimum Fan Speed 
 

1,300 RPM
1,790 RPM

Maximum Fan Speed 
 

3,040 RPM
2,200 RPM

Maximum Power Draw 
 

1,535 W
1,185 W

Temperature Probe 
 

No
No
Performance

Frying Quality 
 

7.6
6.2

Sorted Fries 
 

Compare High-Res
Ninja Max XL AF161 Sorted Fries
Compare High-Res
NutriChef 5.8 Quart NCAF539TB Sorted Fries

Fry Sorting Video  

Crispy Fries 
 

71.9%
52.0%

Overcooked Fries 
 

18.8%
6.0%

Undercooked Fries 
 

9.3%
42.0%

Cooking Speed 
 

8.5
6.3

Moisture Loss Over Time  

 Preview Graph
Ninja Max XL AF161 Moisture Loss Over Time
 Preview Graph
NutriChef 5.8 Quart NCAF539TB Moisture Loss Over Time

Time To Reach 45% Moisture Loss  

16:38
23:12

Preheat Speed 
 

8.6
4.7

Preheat Speed  

 Preview Graph
Ninja Max XL AF161 Preheat Speed
 Preview Graph
NutriChef 5.8 Quart NCAF539TB Preheat Speed

Preheat Reminder 
 

No
No

Time to Reach 400°F 
 

02:26
04:11

Temperature Stability 
 

7.5
6.0

Temperature Stability  

 Preview Graph
Ninja Max XL AF161 Temperature Stability
 Preview Graph
NutriChef 5.8 Quart NCAF539TB Temperature Stability

Recovery Time Once Food Added 
 

03:17
05:57

Temperature Variation at 400°F 
 

26 °F
62 °F

Check Price

Gray
AF161
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Black
NCAF539TB
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Gray
AF150AMZ
SEE PRICE
Amazon
White
NCAF539TW
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Gray
AF160
Amazon
 

Ninja Max XL AF161

NutriChef 5.8 Quart NCAF539TB

Comments

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Ninja Max XL AF161 vs NutriChef 5.8 Quart NCAF539TB: Main Discussion

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