Reviews You Can Rely On

Ninja Double Stack XL DCT651 Review

A versatile, large oven that can simultaneously cook two things at once, making it ideal for busy households
gearlab tested logo
Ninja Double Stack XL DCT651 Review
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Price:  $400 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Ninja
Mallory Paige
By Mallory Paige ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  October 13, 2025
Contributions From: Lesley Robinson
78
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#4 of 11
  • Baking/Roasting Performance - 30% 8.3
  • Toasting Performance - 30% 8.3
  • Ease Of Use - 25% 7.4
  • Temperature Accuracy - 15% 6.5

Our Verdict

The Ninja Double Stack Oven introduces an innovative approach to the crowded toaster oven market with its unique dual-compartment design, allowing you to cook two different items at different temperatures simultaneously. In our extensive testing, we found this appliance offers impressive versatility for busy families who need to prepare multiple dishes quickly. The separate compartments allow users to toast bread in one section while air frying chicken tenders in another, or bake cookies while roasting vegetables—a feature we haven't seen executed this well in other models. While it takes up considerable counter space and doesn't quite match the crispiness of a dedicated air fryer, the time-saving benefits and overall cooking performance make it a compelling choice for households that value efficiency. The temperature accuracy showed some variance in our tests, running about 14 degrees higher than the set temperature, but this was consistent enough that we could easily adjust our cooking times accordingly.
REASONS TO BUY
Versatile dual-compartment design
Large capacity for family meals
Roasts juicy
Crispy chicken
REASONS TO AVOID
Big footprint takes up significant counter space
Temperature runs slightly high

Our Analysis and Test Results

At 13.26" x 16.39"x 16.39", this oven does take up significant counter space. But with 12 versatile functions and dual cooking, it will be a worthy addition to many kitchens.

ninja double stack xl dct651 - the double stack is a do-all kitchen appliance that can cut cooking...
The Double Stack is a do-all kitchen appliance that can cut cooking times and feed the entire family efficiently.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Toasting Performance


Using the medium shade setting with slices placed in the center of the oven, we found the toasting to be good but not exceptional. The dual-compartment design means each section has its own heating elements, and we noticed that the upper compartment produced slightly more even browning than the lower one.


What impressed us most was the consistency across multiple batches. Whether we were toasting two slices or filling both compartments with bread for a family breakfast, the Ninja Double Stack maintained reliable results. The toast emerged with a satisfying golden-brown color on most occasions, though we did notice some slight variations in browning patterns, particularly near the edges. The center of each slice consistently achieved that perfect balance of crispy exterior and soft interior that we look for in quality toast.

ninja double stack xl dct651 - the ninja oven delivered very evenly toasted bread.
The Ninja oven delivered very evenly toasted bread.
Credit: Lesley Robinson

The real advantage became apparent when we needed to prepare different breakfast items simultaneously. While one compartment toasted English muffins, we could warm pastries in the other at a lower temperature—something that would require multiple rounds in a traditional toaster oven. This flexibility more than compensated for the slightly less-than-perfect browning uniformity we observed.

The Ninja toasted scrumptious tots.

Baking/Roasting Performance


The Ninja Double Stack truly shines when it comes to baking and roasting, where its dual-compartment design offers genuine practical benefits.


Our frozen pizzas came out with nicely melted cheese and adequately crispy crusts when placed directly on the rack as directed. The convection fan in each compartment ensured even heat distribution, though we found the bottom compartment produced slightly crispier crusts—likely due to its proximity to the lower heating elements. Our cookie dough baked evenly, with good browning on the bottom, and maintained its shape well, though it took about a minute longer than the package directions suggested.

ninja double stack xl dct651 - we found the bottom compartment created slightly crispier crusts.
We found the bottom compartment created slightly crispier crusts.
Credit: Lesley Robinson

The chicken thighs emerged particularly impressive, with crispy, golden-brown skin and juicy meat that registered the proper internal temperature. We appreciated being able to roast the chicken in one compartment while our tater tots crisped up in the other, effectively preparing an entire meal in one appliance. The tater tots achieved a satisfying crunch, though not quite as crispy as what we've experienced in dedicated air fryers.

The Double Stack made chicken that was crispy and juicy, and roasted delicious, crispy veggies at the same time.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

What really won us over was preparing a full dinner: we baked salmon with vegetables in the lower compartment while garlic bread toasted above. Both finished perfectly without any flavor mingling, and dinner was ready in under 20 minutes. This kind of efficiency makes the Ninja Double Stack particularly valuable for weeknight meal preparation.

We were able to quickly produce a delicious, full meal with the Ninja.

Ease of Use


We found the Double Stack's interface refreshingly straightforward, though the abundance of options initially felt overwhelming. The digital display clearly shows the temperature and time for each compartment, and the control dial makes adjustments quick and intuitive. We particularly appreciated the preset functions for common foods like pizza, toast, and reheat, which took the guesswork out of temperature settings.


The backlit display proved bright enough to read easily even in our dimly lit test kitchen, and the buttons responded well to our touches without requiring excessive pressure. Programming different settings for each compartment was surprisingly simple—just select the compartment, choose your cooking mode, adjust temperature and time, and press start. We could monitor both compartments simultaneously on the display, which helped us coordinate finishing times for complete meals.

ninja double stack xl dct651 - the knob and user interface are very intuitive.
The knob and user interface are very intuitive.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

One minor frustration emerged when we wanted to add time mid-cooking. Unlike some models that let you turn a dial to extend cooking time, the Ninja Double Stack requires you to pause, adjust, and restart. It's a small inconvenience, but one we noticed during our extended testing period. The oven does remember your last used settings for each function, which speeds up repetitive tasks like our morning toast routine.

The Double Stack was surprisingly easy to clean out, which we appreciated.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

The removable crumb trays for each compartment slide out easily for cleaning, and the wire racks and baking pans are dishwasher-safe. We appreciated the cool-touch handle, which was comfortable even during extended cooking sessions, and the magnetic door closures felt secure without requiring excessive force.

Even with dual ovens, our testers found it easy to use this oven.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Temperature Accuracy


Temperature accuracy proves crucial for consistent cooking results, and our tests revealed the Double Stack performs adequately, though not exceptionally, in this area. We found the oven averaged 364°F—running about 14 degrees higher than the set temperature. This 96% accuracy rate places it in the middle of the pack among toaster ovens we've tested.


The preheat time averaged about 4 minutes to reach 350°F from a cold start, faster than many competitors. Once at temperature, we observed relatively stable heat maintenance with fluctuations staying within a 15-degree range. This consistency meant we could reliably adjust our cooking times and temperatures to compensate for the slight temperature elevation.

ninja double stack xl dct651 - the temperature was a bit farther off than we preferred, which is...
The temperature was a bit farther off than we preferred, which is important for thoroughly cooking meat or dense veggies.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Interestingly, we found that the two compartments maintained their set temperatures independently quite well. Setting the upper compartment to 425°F for pizza while keeping the lower at 350°F for cookies, we measured minimal temperature bleeding between sections. The insulation between compartments effectively maintains distinct cooking environments, though we did notice the exterior of the unit became quite warm during extended use at high temperatures.

ninja double stack xl dct651 - it's easy to set the temperature between the two compartments and...
It's easy to set the temperature between the two compartments and they both held independent temperatures very well.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Should You Buy the Ninja Double Stack Oven?


The Ninja Double Stack Oven makes excellent sense for busy families who regularly prepare multiple dishes simultaneously and have the counter space to accommodate its substantial footprint. We found it particularly valuable for households that need to cook different items at different temperatures—like preparing a main dish while warming sides, or accommodating different family members' preferences during meal times. The time savings from cooking two items at once help daily meal preparation efficiency. While it won't completely replace a dedicated air fryer for achieving maximum crispiness, it handles most cooking tasks admirably and offers versatility that single-compartment ovens simply can't match.

ninja double stack xl dct651 - the double stack is a versatile and hardworking kitchen appliance.
The Double Stack is a versatile and hardworking kitchen appliance.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

What Other Toaster Oven Should You Consider?


If you're drawn to the Ninja brand but don't need dual compartments, we'd strongly recommend looking at the Ninja Foodi Digital Oven, which delivered superior temperature accuracy in our tests and excelled at air frying with its powerful convection system. For those seeking premium build quality and consistent performance, the Breville Smart Oven Pro impressed us with its precise temperature control and intuitive interface, though it comes at a significantly higher price point. Budget-conscious buyers should definitely consider the Hamilton Beach Easy Reach, which surprised us with its excellent temperature accuracy and convenient roll-top door design that stays cool and out of the way during use.

Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Ninja Double Stack XL DCT651 versus top competing products:
Or, compare up to 5 products side-by-side here.
Mallory Paige and Lesley Robinson