REASONS TO BUY
No PTFE on cooking surface
Simple interface
Lg capacity w/o lg footprint
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited temperatures
No pause when removing basket
No shake alarm
Ninja Pro XL Review
A large capacity air fryer that doesn't take up a lot of space and makes crisp, juicy chicken wings
Our testers liked that the Ninja Pro XL has a large capacity, though it's not without drawbacks.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
By Lesley Robinson ⋅ Senior Review Analyst ⋅ April 17, 2026
Contributions From: Mallory Paige
RELATED: The Best Air Fryers of 2026
Our Verdict
The Ninja Pro XL 6.5 Qt strikes a decent balance between capacity and convenience, making it suitable for families who want to air fry larger batches without dedicating massive counter space. It makes delicious wings that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Fries and tater tots have the perfect crunch, but the air-fried salmon could have been more moist. We appreciate that Ninja specifically calls out the absence of PTFE on the cooking surface right on the box. However, the unit's temperature control system is oddly designed, with irregular intervals ranging from 5 to 15 degrees and a puzzling gap between 400°F and 450°F that limits precision cooking. While the simple interface makes it approachable for beginners, more experienced cooks may find themselves frustrated by the lack of fine-tuned controls and missing features like automatic basket-pause or shake reminders.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Ninja Pro XL achieves a very even browning. Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Ninja Pro XL has an easy-to-use interface, with a few quirks. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Ease of Use
The Ninja Pro XL offers a straightforward user experience with physical buttons and separate controls for time and temperature. The interface is intuitive for first-time users, though it lacks some conveniences we really appreciate, like a shake alarm and auto-pause when you remove the basket. The Pro XL includes a recipe book to help users get started with different cooking techniques.
The Ninja Pro XL has a larger capacity than many other models we've tested. Credit: Natalie Kafader
We wish the Ninja Pro XL had a shake timer to help ensure even cooking. Credit: Natalie Kafader
The unit includes six cooking presets: Max Crisp, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate. The Max Crisp setting, which operates at 450°F, provides notably faster, crispier results when cooking times are adjusted, and the food is frequently shaken. A shake alarm to remind you to redistribute food during cooking would have helped with the uneven browning we experienced.
The holes at the bottom of the Pro XL help prevent food from sticking, but they also create areas that can be harder to clean. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Ease of Cleaning
Cleaning is straightforward, with parts that wash easily by hand. The crisper plate can be used in two different positions, adding some versatility. Unfortunately, the drawer coating scratches easily, which could become a long-term durability issue with regular use.
The Ninja Pro XL makes a fluffy, delicious cookie cake. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Cooking Quality
The Ninja Pro XL delivered mixed results in terms of cooking quality. The Pro XL produced some of the tastiest potatoes; following the manual's 3-minute preheat recommendation, we achieved a nicely golden, thin, crispy exterior with a pleasantly fluffy interior that wasn't overly dry.
The Ninja Pro XL fried perfectly golden tots. Credit: Elizabeth White
We did experience some uneven browning, but this could have been improved by shaking more frequently during cooking. Because it lacks a shake reminder, it's easy to forget this crucial step, so you might consider setting your own timer.
The Ninja Pro XL delivered crisp chicken wings. Credit: Natalie Kafader
For chicken wings, the Ninja Pro XL produced wings with pretty good browning and a pleasant, moist interior. When cooking salmon fillets with simple seasoning, the Ninja Pro XL again ran hot. The fish had nice browning and good crispiness on the surface, but was noticeably drier than the competitors' salmon. The lack of visible moisture and slightly overcooked texture reinforced our observation that this air fryer's temperature calibration is high, requiring adjustments to cooking times and temperatures.
This salmon cut like butter and was dripping with juice. Credit: Elizabeth White
Cooking Speed
The Ninja Pro XL is relatively fast at cooking compared to other air fryers, likely because its temperature runs a bit high. However, the 3-minute preheat requirement adds to the total cooking time. For the French fry test, after the preheat period, the unit required 16 minutes of cooking time, about 5 minutes less than other air fryers. When cooking salmon, it took 12 minutes to reach the target internal temperature of 145°F after the initial preheat. These times are reasonable for this size air fryer.
Temperature Accuracy
During the 20-minute 400°F temperature accuracy test, the Pro XL consistently ran hot, with an average temperature of 410.3°F. This 10-degree variance is significant enough to affect cooking results, which we observed while cooking.
Beyond pure accuracy, the temperature control system itself feels poorly designed. Temperature adjustments occur at irregular intervals of 5 to 15 degrees, making precise temperature control impossible. Most frustratingly, there's no temperature selection available between 400°F and 450°F, creating an odd gap in the range that limits cooking flexibility. The unit can reach 450°F, but you can't select intermediate temperatures in that range. The exterior temperature peaked at 119°F, well below the 140°F burn threshold, so safety isn't a concern when handling the unit during operation.
We like that this unit is sleek and easy to use. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Ninja Pro XL 6.5 QT?
The Ninja Pro XL 6.5 Qt is a decent choice for families who need more cooking capacity without sacrificing significant counter space. Its PTFE-free cooking surface is a bonus, and the straightforward interface makes it approachable for air fryer newcomers who want something simple. However, the temperature control limitations and tendency to run hot mean you'll need to adjust recipes and cooking times, which may frustrate users looking for precise, consistent results.
What Other Air Fryers Should You Consider?
If you're looking for better temperature accuracy and more precise controls, consider the Cosori TurboBlaze, which offers large-capacity cooking, more reliable temperature management, and additional convenience features that the Ninja lacks. For those who want to stick with the Ninja brand but don't mind a slightly smaller capacity, the standard Ninja Air Fryer makes delicious poultry, fish, and fried vegetables with better overall consistency and fewer of the control quirks.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Ninja Pro XL versus top competing products:
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| Price | $180 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | A large capacity air fryer that doesn't take up a lot of space and makes crisp, juicy chicken wings |
| Pros | No PTFE on cooking surface, simple interface, lg capacity w/o lg footprint |
| Cons | Limited temperatures, no pause when removing basket, no shake alarm |
| Rating Categories | Ninja Pro XL |
| Ease of Use (35%) | |
| Ease of Cleaning (25%) | |
| Cooking Quality (20%) | |
| Cooking Speed (10%) | |
| Temperature Accuracy (10%) | |
| Specifications | Ninja Pro XL |
| Best For | Families |
| Capacity | 6.5 qt |
| PTFE in the cooking surface coating? | No |
| Shake Alarm | No |
| Power Consumption | 1750 watt |
| Measured Dimensions | 11.2" x 11.7" x 14.1" |
| Air Fry Temp Range | 300 - 400 |
| Max Outside Temperature | 119 |
| Measured Cooking Area | 74.8 sq in |
| Window | No |
| Accessories | None |
| Dishwasher Safe Components | Yes |
—Lesley Robinson and Mallory Paige
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