In-depth review
Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Deluxe XL Review (2026)
In-depth review of the Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Deluxe XL: TenderCrisp performance, 8-quart capacity, and the real cost in counter space.
Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Deluxe XL
Pressure cook then crisp in the same pot with the TenderCrisp lid.
Our verdict
The Foodi 9-in-1 earns its premium with one trick no single-lid cooker can match: pressure-cook a whole chicken, swap lids, and crisp the skin at 450 degrees F without touching the oven. The trade-off is bulk: an 8-quart body plus two lids demands serious storage, and cleanup involves more parts than a Duo. Buy it for the crisping, not as a first pressure cooker.
What we like
- TenderCrisp lid crisps food after pressure cooking, no second appliance needed
- 8-quart capacity handles batch cooking and whole chickens
- Air crisp reaches 450 degrees F for real browning
- Cook and Crisp basket lifts out for easy serving
What to watch out for
- Large footprint and heavy lid to store
- More parts to clean than a single-lid cooker
Who it is for
Batch cooks and crispy-food lovers who want pressure cooking and air frying from one appliance.
The TenderCrisp system, explained
The Foodi ships with two lids. The pressure lid works like any electric cooker; the TenderCrisp lid adds a heating element and fan that air-crisps at up to 450 degrees F. The signature move is sequential: pressure-cook ribs or a whole chicken until tender, then crisp the exterior in the same 8-quart pot. The 1760-watt base and 9 functions (pressure, air crisp, slow cook, steam, saute, yogurt, sear, bake, broil) make it the most function-dense cooker in this roundup.
Capacity is the real feature
At 8 quarts, the Foodi fits a 7-pound whole chicken or a triple batch of chili, yielding roughly 8 to 10 meal-prep portions per cycle under the two-thirds fill rule. The Cook and Crisp basket lifts food out cleanly, which matters when you are portioning hot food into containers. For households of five or more, this capacity alone justifies the upgrade over a 6-quart cooker.
The bulk problem
Honest accounting: the 8-quart body is large, the TenderCrisp lid is a second bulky piece, and you must store whichever lid is not in use. Total storage rivals a stand mixer. Cleaning means the pot, the basket, and whichever lid was used, versus one pot and one lid on a Duo. If your kitchen is small or you already own an air fryer, this is a lot of hardware for the crisping function.
How it stacks up
Against the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1, the Foodi costs more, stores bigger, and cleans slower, but crisps at 450 degrees F where the Duo cannot crisp at all, and offers 8 quarts versus 6. Against the Breville Fast Slow Pro, the Foodi wins on versatility (9 functions plus crisping) while the Breville wins on pressure precision with dual sensors and hands-free release, a quieter kind of quality the Foodi does not chase.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Pressure cooks and air crisps in one pot
- Big capacity for families
- Easy-clean ceramic pot
Common complaints
- Large and heavy with two lids to store
- Air crisping can be slower than a dedicated air fryer
- A small number of units fail in the first year
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Key specifications
- Capacity
- 8 quarts
- Power
- 1760 watts
- Functions
- 9 cooking functions
- Air crisp temperature
- Up to 450 degrees F
- Lid system
- Pressure lid plus TenderCrisp lid
Also consider
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker (6 Qt)
The original: 7-in-1, 6 quarts, the best-selling pressure cooker ever.
- Capacity: 6 qt
- Functions: 7-in-1
Breville Fast Slow Pro Pressure Cooker (6 Qt)
The premium alternative: hands-free steam release and chef-grade control.
- Capacity: 6 qt
- Steam release: Hands-free automatic
Research-based assessment. ThePickLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Can the Foodi really replace an air fryer?
For most foods, yes: the TenderCrisp lid hits 450 degrees F and crisps wings, fries, and roasted vegetables well. A dedicated air fryer still crisps slightly more evenly because of its smaller, purpose-built basket, but the gap is small.
How do you store the second lid?
Plan for a full cabinet shelf or a deep drawer. Many owners keep the pressure lid on the pot and store the TenderCrisp lid separately; Ninja sells no compact storage solution for it.
Is 1760 watts a problem for home wiring?
At 1760 watts on a standard 120-volt circuit, the Foodi draws about 14.7 amps, near the 15-amp limit. Run it alone on its circuit and avoid sharing the outlet with another heating appliance.