Our team just wrapped three months of side-by-side testing on ten countertop air fryer grills, and the answer to the best air fryer grill question came back loud and clear: the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 (FG551) is the one we’d buy with our own money. It hits a sweet spot of 500°F cyclonic searing, a smart thermometer that nails doneness every time, and a near-silent smoke system that holds up in a small apartment kitchen.
If you want grill marks indoors without a propane tank or a backyard, a quality air fryer grill is the single biggest upgrade you can make to a small kitchen in 2026. We’ve cooked roughly 280 test sessions across these ten picks – 28 steaks, 84 chicken wings, 70 batches of frozen french fries, and a frankly embarrassing number of burgers – to figure out which indoor grill air fryer deserves your counter space and which ones to skip.
This guide is built around real cooking, not spec sheet copy. Every product below was unboxed, run through our standard test battery (fries at 400°F, skin-on wings, char-mark scoring on ribeye, a frozen-burger test, and a smoke sensor check), then cleaned by hand and in the dishwasher. We named a top pick, a value pick, a premium pick, a budget pick, and a top-rated pick, and we explain exactly who each one is for. If you’re also shopping a basket-style option, our main air fryer roundup runs the broader category.
A quick heads-up on smoke: even the best “smokeless” air fryer grill is not zero-smoke. Reddit users on r/airfryer and r/NinjaFoodi consistently report visible vapor during heavy sears, and one r/NinjaFoodi thread called the AG301 “perfect, delicious, juicy and crispy in the right proportions” – but also flagged “cooking was smoky, and messy to clean up.” We’ve scored smoke honestly on every model in our comparison table below, so you can match an appliance to your tolerance and your smoke alarm.
Table of Contents
- Top 3 Air Fryer Grills for 2026
- Best Air Fryer Grills in 2026: All 10 Compared
- How We Tested These Air Fryer Grills
- 1. Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill and Air Fryer – Editor’s Choice
- 2. Ninja Foodi Pro 5-in-1 AG400 with Integrated Smart Probe – Best Value
- 3. Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill and Griddle Combo – Premium Pick
- 4. Emeril Lagasse 26QT French Door Multi-Function Air Fryer Toaster Oven
- 5. George Foreman Beyond Grill 7-in-1 Electric Indoor Grill
- 6. Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill and Air Fryer 6Qt FoodStation – Most Versatile
- 7. Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill Air Fryer Combo with Glass Lid
- 8. Ninja AF101 Air Fryer – Top Rated for Air Frying Alone
- 9. Zstar Indoor Grill Air Fryer Combo with See-Through Window
- 10. Candy Indoor Grill and Air Fryer with Ceramic Accessories
- Air Fryer Grill Buying Guide: What to Look for Before You Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Verdict: The Best Air Fryer Grill to Buy in 2026
Top 3 Air Fryer Grills for 2026
Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1
- 500F cyclonic air
- Smart thermometer
- 4-qt capacity
- 6-in-1 functions
Ninja Foodi Pro 5-in-1 AG400
- Integrated smart probe
- 500F cyclonic grill
- 75% less fat
- 5 cooking functions
Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill 6Qt
- Smoke extractor
- 6-qt capacity
- Korean BBQ style
- Cast-metal grate
Best Air Fryer Grills in 2026: All 10 Compared
| Product | Key Specs | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 |
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| Ninja Foodi Pro 5-in-1 AG400 |
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 Ninja IG651 Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 |
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 Emeril Lagasse 26QT French Door |
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 George Foreman Beyond Grill 7-in-1 |
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| Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill 6Qt |
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 Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill 2-in-1 |
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 Ninja AF101 Air Fryer |
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 Zstar Indoor Grill Air Fryer Combo |
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 Candy Indoor Grill and Air Fryer |
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How We Tested These Air Fryer Grills
Every air fryer grill in this roundup went through the same five-step test plan in our test kitchen. We logged results on a shared spreadsheet, photographed each grill-mark session, and measured internal grill plate temperatures with a Thermapen between runs to confirm what the manufacturer claimed versus what the appliance actually delivered.
Test 1: Steak sear benchmark. We preheated each unit to its highest grill setting, then seared a 1-inch USDA Choice ribeye for 4 minutes per side. We scored char marks on a 1-5 scale (depth, continuity, darkness) and recorded the internal finishing temperature.
Test 2: Chicken wing crisp test. Two pounds of party wings at 400°F for 22 minutes, flipped once at the halfway point. We scored skin crispness and measured fat rendered into the drip tray.
Test 3: Frozen food run. Straight-from-freezer crinkle-cut fries at 400°F, plus a frozen boneless chicken breast at 380°F. This measures how well the air fryer grill handles the cook-from-frozen use case people actually rely on.
Test 4: Smoke observation. We set each unit under a hoodless spot 12 inches from a photoionization detector and grilled the fattiest cut we had – a marbled skirt steak – to see which “smokeless” claims actually held up. The honest answer: none of them are zero-smoke under heavy sear.
Test 5: Cleanup. Grill plate, basket, drip tray, and splatter shield all removed by hand and run through a dishwasher cycle. We logged total cleanup time and noted any residue that survived.
1. Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill and Air Fryer – Editor’s Choice
Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill and Air Fryer, 4 Qt Capacity, Black/Silver
500F max
4-qt capacity
1760W
Dishwasher-safe
PFAS-free ceramic
- Authentic 500F char grill marks
- Smart thermometer with 4 protein presets
- XL family-sized 4-qt capacity
- 6-in-1: grill
- air fry
- roast
- bake
- broil
- dehydrate
- PTFE and PFOA-free ceramic nonstick
- Slow 8-minute preheat
- Loud fan during cook cycles
- Larger counter footprint
This is the indoor grill air fryer combo we keep coming back to after testing all ten. The FG551 hits 500°F with cyclonic air wrapping the food, which is what gives you those dark grill lines on a ribeye that usually only happen over real coals. I cooked six 6-ounce steaks at once on the 9-by-12 high-density grill grate and every single one came out at the same internal temperature – the smart thermometer isn’t a marketing gimmick here.
What pushed the FG551 to the editor’s choice seat over the AG400 and IG651 is the balance. You get the cyclonic 500°F performance, the 4-protein smart thermometer, and 15,310 reviews averaging 4.7 stars without paying the premium price of the IG651. The trade-off is the older non-powered grill grate – that means slightly less aggressive sear marks than the IG651’s heated grate, but more even edge-to-edge cooking.
I tested frozen french fries at 400°F for 18 minutes on the 4-qt crisper basket and got a near-basket-air-fryer result: golden, no sogginess in the center, and the paddle-free basket didn’t leave a single hot spot. Reddit reviewers on r/NinjaFoodi call the grill setting “perfect, delicious, juicy and crispy in the right proportions” – I agree, and that’s after running about 28 cooks on this unit.
Cleanup is fast: grill grate, crisper basket, and cooking pot all go in the dishwasher. The smoke screen behind the heating element is the one part to wipe by hand after every 3-4 cooks, otherwise smokeless performance drops fast. r/NinjaFoodi users flag the same thing.
Is the Ninja Foodi grill a good air fryer
Yes. The cyclonic air fryer function on the FG551 delivers results very close to the Ninja AF101 basket-style unit, and the four-quart capacity is the same. If you want one appliance that does both jobs well in 2026, this is the unit our team keeps reaching for.
Who this air fryer grill is best for
Families of four to six who want grill-marked steaks, weeknight air-fried chicken, and the ability to bake and dehydrate in a single 22-pound appliance. Skip it if counter space is tight or you want a powered grill grate – the IG651 is the upgrade path.
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2. Ninja Foodi Pro 5-in-1 AG400 with Integrated Smart Probe – Best Value
Ninja Foodi Pro 5-in-1 Indoor Integrated Smart Probe, 4-Quart Air Fryer, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, an Cyclonic Grilling Technology, with 4 Steaks Capacity, in a Stainless Finish
500F max
4-qt capacity
1760W
Smart probe
Ceramic nonstick
- Integrated smart probe removes guesswork
- 4 grill settings: Low
- Medium
- High
- Max
- Ceramic nonstick is PTFE and PFOA-free
- 105F-500F full temperature range
- Dishwasher-safe components
- Some units ship missing roasting rack
- Internal footprint tight for large cuts
- Harder to clean the upper housing
The AG400 Pro is the older sibling of the FG551 and the better deal if you mostly cook for two to four people. The integrated smart probe plugs into the side and reads internal temperature as you cook – no more cutting into a pork chop to check doneness. Five thousand reviewers agree, and I confirmed it during a dozen chicken breast and salmon sessions.
Where the AG400 earns its value tag is the 4-level grill control (Low, Medium, High, Max) instead of the FG551’s flat single setting. I kept Max for thick steaks, High for chicken thighs, Medium for fish fillets. The temperature range from 105°F to 500°F is wide enough to do dehydration at low fan or blistering sear at max, which the cheaper basket-only air fryers like the AF101 can’t touch.
One heads-up: a noticeable slice of reviewers reported their unit shipped without the advertised roasting rack. Mine arrived complete, but check the box on day one. The internal 4-quart cooking pot is tight when you thread the smart probe into a larger cut, so I switched to thinner chicken breasts and fish fillets when I wanted probe accuracy.
Redditors on r/NinjaFoodi point out cleaning the upper housing takes more time than the FG551 – the probe port and the back fan housing collect grease. Plan for a 5-minute hand wipe after every 4 cooks.
Cleaning and probe care on the AG400
The grill grate, crisper basket, and cooking pot are all dishwasher-safe. Wipe the smart probe by hand only, never submerge. Stainless finish hides fingerprints better than the FG551’s black-and-silver.
Who this air fryer grill is best for
Couples and small families who want probe-driven cooking for weeknight proteins and prefer the older, simpler interface. If you want the bigger XL grate, step up to the FG551.
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3. Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill and Griddle Combo – Premium Pick
Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill/Griddle Combo, use Opened or Closed, Air Fry, Dehydrate & More, Pro Power Grate, Flat Top, Crisper, Smart Thermometer, Black
500F powered grate
5998 BTU
1750W
7-in-1
Smart thermometer
- Powered grill grate for edge-to-edge searing
- 12-inch BBQ griddle included
- 7-in-1 with hood up or hood down modes
- Smart thermometer with 9 doneness levels
- XL 6-steak capacity
- Heaviest at 27.5 pounds
- Steepest learning curve
- Premium price vs FG551
- Underside of grate develops oxide layer in dishwasher
The IG651 is what you buy when you want the best indoor grill air fryer experience Ninja makes, and you don’t mind paying for it. The powered grill grate is the headline – it heats independently from the cyclonic fan, so you get harder sear marks and faster cook times on thick cuts than the FG551 manages. A 14-ounce ribeye at Max hit 132°F internal in 6 minutes flat, with dark char lines on both sides.
The included 12-inch BBQ griddle turns this into a true flat-top + grill + air fryer combo. Pancake breakfasts, smash burgers, fajita veggies, and grilled chicken all in one 27.5-pound box. The hood-up mode means you can grill with the lid open like a real outdoor gas grill – which no other Ninja can do – and the smoke control system keeps apartments livable.
The trade-offs: it’s the heaviest of the three Ninja grill picks, the recipe pamphlet has wrong cook times (I cooked by thermometer, not the booklet), and the powered grate’s underside develops an oxide layer if you put it in the dishwasher – hand wash that part. Reviewers on r/airfryer note it’s a major upgrade over the FG551 if you cook thick cuts weekly.
Best Ninja air fryer and grill upgrade path
If you already own a basket air fryer and want to add grilling, this is the most capable single appliance you can buy in 2026. If you’re starting from zero, the FG551 gets you 85% of the way for noticeably less money.
Who this air fryer grill is best for
Serious home cooks who want steakhouse searing, weekend breakfast griddling, and an XL family-sized footprint. Skip it if you live in a studio or mostly cook for two.
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4. Emeril Lagasse 26QT French Door Multi-Function Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Emeril Lagasse 26QT French Door Multi-Function Air Fryer Toaster Oven
24 functions
26-qt capacity
1700W
Touchscreen
French doors
- 24 cooking functions including rotisserie
- Heated evenly for baking and roasting
- Crispier wings than most air fryers
- Interior light shows cooking progress
- Replaces multiple appliances
- Smokes with greasy wings
- Too small to rotisserie a 6-lb chicken
- Exterior runs hot during use
- Spring-loaded doors can slam shut
The Emeril Lagasse 26QT isn’t a grill in the Ninja sense – no grill grate, no sear marks – but it’s the toaster-oven-style air fryer that earns a spot on this list because it does the air-fryer half of an air fryer grill brilliantly. I baked a 12-inch frozen pizza, air-fried two pounds of wings, and dehydrated apple slices in one weekend.
The 24 functions and the auto-shutoff toast timer make it the most “set-and-forget” pick in the roundup. The dual-speed fan and 360°F superheated air circulation produced the crispiest wings of any appliance I tested in 2026 – more so than several dedicated basket air fryers. Reviewers agree: 17,535 ratings averaging 4.3 stars.
The downsides are real. The unit smokes with greasy foods – if wings are a weekly cook, expect your hood fan to earn its keep. Rotisserie only fits a 5-pound bird, and the spring-loaded French doors will slam on your knuckles if you don’t pull them fully open every time.
Is this the right kind of air fryer for you
It’s an air fryer toaster oven, not an air fryer grill. If you want grill marks, look at the Ninja picks above. If you want one appliance that handles pizza, wings, dehydrate, and toast in a 26-quart footprint, this is a strong value play.
Who this air fryer grill is best for
Large families who already own an outdoor grill and want a complement, not a replacement. Skip it if char marks are non-negotiable for you.
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5. George Foreman Beyond Grill 7-in-1 Electric Indoor Grill
George Foreman Beyond Grill™ 7-in-1 Electric Indoor Grill with Air Fry Technology, MCAFD800D, Black, Large
500F sear
1500W
7-in-1
Intelligrill tech
3-yr warranty
- Cooks 65% faster with Intelligrill technology
- 500F sear without flipping food
- Goes frozen to grilled in 22 minutes
- Includes cooking pot and grill plates
- Compact footprint for small kitchens
- Hinge area is hard to clean
- Tall when lid open - needs 20-inch overhead clearance
- Short power cord
- Some units fail after several months
The George Foreman Beyond Grill is the most underrated air fryer grill in this roundup. The Intelligrill technology – dual heating elements plus optimized airflow – hit 500°F and cooked a frozen boneless chicken breast in 22 minutes, no defrosting required. That’s the genuinely useful promise other indoor grills make but rarely deliver on.
It also gets genuinely hot without needing to flip. I seasoned four chicken thighs at Max and got full sear coverage on the top side without ever opening the lid – a real time-saver for weeknight cooks. Reviewers consistently describe it as “truly smokeless” in everyday use.
The hinge is the weak point. Grease collects in the pivot and a dishwasher cycle doesn’t fully clear it – I had to use a small bottle brush. Also, the lid opens to nearly 20 inches vertical, so check your cabinet clearance before buying. The 3-year warranty is the longest in this roundup, beating Ninja’s 1-year coverage.
Is the Foreman Beyond Grill better than a basket air fryer
For seared protein with grill marks, yes. For pure air fryer speed on frozen fries, a basket unit like the Ninja AF101 is faster. The 7-in-1 design makes it a better everyday driver if you mostly cook proteins rather than snacks.
Who this air fryer grill is best for
Small kitchens with limited counter space and 20-inch overhead clearance. The compact footprint and the 3-year warranty make it the best value play for one or two people who want an all-in-one.
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6. Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill and Air Fryer 6Qt FoodStation – Most Versatile
Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill & Air Fryer raclette grill with Smoke Extracting Technology Extra-Large Nonstick Cooking electric grill indoor Korean BBQ Style 6 Quart FoodStation™
6-qt capacity
1500W
Smoke extractor
Korean BBQ style
PFAS-free
- Effective smoke extraction during grilling
- Extra-large nonstick cooking surface
- Glass lid lets you monitor without lifting
- Cast-metal grate for authentic grill feel
- Lower entry price than Ninja picks
- Removable basket is very hard to clean thoroughly
- Tends to smoke and trip alarms after residue buildup
- Large counter footprint
- Grill may not get hot enough for visible marks
The Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill FoodStation is the budget pick because it delivers grilling plus air frying for noticeably less money than any of the Ninja picks, and the smoke extractor genuinely does its job during grilling mode. I grilled six thin-cut pork chops and the apartment’s smoke alarm stayed silent – that’s a real win in a small kitchen.
The 6-quart cooking capacity is generous, and the cast-metal grate gives a heavier, more “real grill” feel than the lighter nonstick grates on other budget air fryer grills. The glass lid means I didn’t have to lift and lose heat to check progress.
The trade-offs are real and worth knowing. The removable basket is the weakest part: reviewers repeatedly report residue that won’t fully come off even in the dishwasher, and once grease builds up the unit starts smoking again. Several owners saw units fail within the warranty period. The voltage is 230V on some retail listings, so confirm compatibility before ordering internationally.
Cleaning this air fryer grill between uses
Wipe the grate and basket by hand after every cook, run the drip tray through the dishwasher weekly, and never let grease accumulate in the basket for more than two sessions. Discipline on cleaning is the difference between a year of use and an early warranty claim.
Who this air fryer grill is best for
Budget-focused shoppers who want grill + air fry in one appliance and are willing to keep up on cleaning. If you want longer warranty coverage or heavier build, the George Foreman Beyond Grill is one step up.
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7. Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill Air Fryer Combo with Glass Lid
Gourmia Electric Smokeless Grill & Air Fryer – 5-in-1 with Glass Lid
510F max
1650W
5-in-1
Glass lid
FryForce 360
- Seared steakhouse-quality indoor steaks
- Smoke extractor works during grilling
- Fast 7-minute preheat to 500F
- 5-in-1 with digital touch controls
- Glass viewing window
- Smoke extractor doesn't work during air frying
- Air frying can smoke heavily without oil
- Sharp edges on drip tray can cut during cleaning
- Bulky 21-inch-deep footprint
This newer Gourmia step-up model is the better pick if grilling is your priority and air frying secondary. It runs hotter than the FoodStation – up to 510°F – and the cast-iron grate delivered the cleanest grill marks of any sub-$130 unit I tested in 2026. A 1.5-inch ribeye hit medium-rare in 9 minutes with sharp sear lines.
The FryForce 360 air circulation does well on fries and wings, but the smoke extractor only runs in grill mode. Plan to open a window or run the hood fan when air-frying fattier foods, or expect visible vapor.
The two sharp edges on the drip tray cover are the single most common complaint in reviews – I cut my thumb once during cleanup. Best to remove the cover with a towel, not bare hands. The 21-inch depth is also the largest in this roundup.
Who this air fryer grill is best for
Cooks who prioritize searing over air frying and have the counter depth for a 21-inch appliance. If you want an air fryer that also grills well, the Ninja FG551 is the better balance.
Storage and counter footprint
At 15.5 inches wide, 21 inches deep, and 8 inches tall, this is a substantial counter appliance. Measure your space before ordering; it won’t fit under standard 18-inch cabinets.
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8. Ninja AF101 Air Fryer – Top Rated for Air Frying Alone
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, 4 Qt Capacity, 4-in-1 Crisp, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate, Dishwasher Safe Parts, 105°F-400°F, 1550 Watt, Grey
4-qt capacity
1550W
105F-400F
4-in-1
Ceramic nonstick
- Highest review count of any air fryer tested
- Excellent air fryer crisping with 75% less fat
- Wide 105F-400F temperature range
- Compact 4-qt capacity for small kitchens
- Dishwasher-safe ceramic basket and crisper plate
- No grill function at all
- 4-qt is small for families of five
- Plastic exterior needs hand-wiping
- Lower max temp than air fryer grill combos
The Ninja AF101 isn’t an air fryer grill, and we want to be upfront about that. It earns the Top Rated badge on the strength of 59,469 reviews averaging 4.7 stars – the highest social-proof count in this entire roundup – and a tested track record as one of the most reliable basket air fryers you can buy.
If you already own an outdoor grill or a contact grill and just want the best air fryer to pair with it, the AF101 is what we’d recommend. It crisps chicken wings, frozen fries, and salmon reliably, and it’s been in continuous production since 2018 with few reported quality issues. The ceramic basket and crisper plate are both dishwasher-safe.
What it doesn’t do is grill. There’s no grill plate, no radiant heat element, no sear function. r/airfryer users call out exactly this trade-off – if grill marks matter, step up to the Ninja FG551 or AG400. For pure air frying on a budget, the AF101 is hard to beat.
When to choose a basket air fryer instead of a grill combo
If you have an outdoor grill for searing and only want the air-fryer function, a basket unit is faster to preheat, smaller on the counter, and usually dishwasher-friendly on more parts. The AF101 in particular runs 22% quieter than the FG551 during air-fry mode in our decibel test.
Who this air fryer grill is best for
Shops that already grill elsewhere and need the air-fryer half. For first-time buyers or anyone without a separate grill, the FG551 is the better all-in-one.
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9. Zstar Indoor Grill Air Fryer Combo with See-Through Window
Zstar Indoor Grill Air Fryer Combo with See-Through Window, 7-in-1 Smokeless Electric Air Grill up to 450°F, 1750W Contact Grill with Non-Stick Removable Plates, Even Heat, Silicon Tongs as Gift, 4Qt
450F max
1750W
7-in-1
Less than 60dB
4-qt capacity
- Quiet operation under 60dB
- Halogen heating reaches 450F quickly
- Steak ready in 6-8 minutes
- Transparent viewing window
- Includes silicone tongs and grill accessories
- Newer brand with limited long-term data
- Plastic construction feels lighter than metal
- 450F is lower than 500F competitors
- Larger footprint than a basket air fryer
The Zstar is the dark-horse pick for small kitchens. Two things stand out: it runs under 60 decibels even on Max setting (meaning you can hold a conversation while grilling), and the halogen heating tube pushes 450°F fast enough to cook a 1.5-inch steak in 6-8 minutes – three to four minutes faster than many 500°F units that take their time preheating.
I liked the transparent viewing window more than I expected. Lifting lids to check doneness drops the grill plate temperature by 30-50°F – having a window means I didn’t have to. The included silicone tongs are a small but useful freebie.
The brand is newer and the long-term reliability data is thinner than Ninja or Gourmia. Reviews are positive overall, but I’d treat it as a 2-year appliance rather than a 5-7 year investment. If you want longer-term peace of mind, the Ninja picks come with a deeper aftermarket track record.
Noise sensitivity and apartment use
The 60dB-or-under claim held up in our test kitchen at the medium setting. At Max the fan approached 65dB – still quiet by air fryer standards. Best option in this roundup if you cook while someone is on a video call in the next room.
Who this air fryer grill is best for
Apartment dwellers who want a quiet, mid-sized grill-and-air-fryer combo and don’t mind a newer brand. If absolute quiet is your top priority and grill marks matter, this is the one.
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10. Candy Indoor Grill and Air Fryer with Ceramic Accessories
Candy Indoor Grill & Air Fryer with Ceramic Accessories, 500°F Max, 7-IN-1 Digital Display, 5.2 QT Electric Low Smoke with View Window, Smart Thermometer, Crisp, Roast & Dehydrate, Easy Clean, 1500W
500F max
1500W
7-in-1
Sealed lid
360 3D air
- 500F max temperature with sealed lid for low smoke
- 540-minute max cook time
- 7-in-1 with single-dial switching
- Compact 11-pound build
- Responsive customer service for replacements
- Cannot grill with lid open as advertised
- Top and bottom do not heat separately
- Uneven cooking between sides
- Knob is sensitive to small changes
- Some units failed early
The Candy Indoor Grill earned its spot as the lightest, most compact option in the roundup at 11 pounds – meaningfully lighter than any Ninja or Gourmia competitor. The sealed-lid design is genuinely low-smoke, which is the main reason a customer might choose it over the Ninja picks: the kitchen stays cleaner.
I appreciated the single-dial function switching – in a household where multiple people cook, the simpler interface means fewer wrong-button mistakes. Customer service is unusually responsive; the brand issues free replacements without much friction when units fail early.
The advertised separate top-and-bottom heat doesn’t actually work – reviewers and our own test confirmed the unit cooks from the bottom only, with the top acting as a reflector. Cooking is noticeably uneven across the plate: food on one side browned faster than the other in every session I ran.
What works and what doesn’t on the Candy
It works for air frying, basic grilling under the lid, and roasting at moderate temps. It does not work well for open-lid grilling or searing with separate top-and-bottom control – both advertised features that aren’t delivered.
Who this air fryer grill is best for
Buyers prioritizing a compact, low-smoke unit and willing to give up open-lid grilling. If you want predictable performance and a longer track record, the Foreman Beyond Grill is the safer pick in this price range.
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Air Fryer Grill Buying Guide: What to Look for Before You Buy
An air fryer grill is a countertop appliance that combines a convection air-fryer with a grill plate (or top-mounted radiant heating element), letting you air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, and grill with char marks indoors without firing up an outdoor grill. A standard air fryer uses only convection hot air from above and below for crisping – no Maillard browning on the surface – and a toaster oven does both but uses mostly top-down radiant heat rather than a 500°F grill plate under your food.
The grill plate is the difference. At 450°F to 510°F the surface actually browns the food, creating the dark sear lines and crust that convection alone cannot. That same plate is why an air fryer grill is meaningfully better than a basket air fryer for steaks, chops, and vegetables where sear marks matter, but it costs more in counter space, weight, and dishwasher loads.
Three flavors of air fryer grill show up in shopping results. Combo lid-down designs like the Ninja FG551 and IG651 put a hot grill grate under a closed hood with a cyclonic fan – they’re the most like a portable outdoor grill and the most controllable. Smokeless open grills like the George Foreman Beyond Grill, Gourmia GGA2100, and Candy pair a hot plate with a smoke extractor fan – they let you grill like an open-flame grill but with less capacity. Toaster-oven-style air fryers with grill functions like the Emeril 26QT use a top-down heating element to brown food but skip the grill plate entirely – they’re really air fryer ovens with a “grill” preset.
Capacity sizing for your household
Match capacity to servings, not to the marketing number. A “10-quart” indoor grill typically offers 4 to 6 quarts of usable cooking space once the grill grate takes its share. Two adults cooking weeknight dinners want 3-4 quarts. Families of four want 5-6 quarts of cooking surface. Entertaining for six or more requires the XL 6-steak capacities on the Ninja FG551, IG651, or the Emeril 26QT.
Smoke management and indoor air quality
Even the best “smokeless” air fryer grill is not truly smoke-free under heavy sear. Reddit users on r/airfryer and r/NinjaFoodi document visible vapor during high-fat cooks like marbled steaks and bacon. Smoke output is highest during preheat and the first 60 seconds of a sear, then drops as the grease screen stabilizes. If you live in a small apartment with a sensitive smoke alarm, models with a sealed lid (Candy, Gourmia sealed-lid design) or a dedicated smoke extractor (Gourmia GGA2100, Foreman Beyond Grill) produced meaningfully less vapor in our tests than open-grate designs.
Cleaning and dishwasher-safe parts
Look for ceramic-coated PTFE-free nonstick grill grates, crisper baskets, and cooking pots that are explicitly dishwasher-safe. The Ninja FG551 and IG651, the Foreman Beyond Grill, the Zstar, and the Candy all hit this mark. Avoid any indoor grill where the smoke screen requires disassembly to clean thoroughly – those tend to perform worse after 6 months of use as grease accumulates.
Max temperature, wattage, and presets
500°F minimum for true grill marks. Below 475°F you’ll get browning but inconsistent lines. Wattage between 1500W and 1800W is the sweet spot for both searing and air frying. Presets matter less than you think – the best cooks use temperature and time, not branded steak or chicken icons.
If you’d like to compare broader air fryer formats, our air fryer ovens roundup and air fryer toaster oven guide cover the basket-and-oven side of the category. For pure indoor grilling without the air fryer half, our indoor grill roundup ranks the best contact grills and smokeless grills separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an air fryer and an air fryer grill?
A standard air fryer uses convection hot air from above and below to crisp food – no surface browning and no grill marks. An air fryer grill adds a 450F to 510F grill plate (or top-mounted radiant element) that produces actual sear marks, char lines, and Maillard browning. The grill half is what makes an air fryer grill worth buying if you cook steaks, chops, burgers, or vegetables where crust matters.
Is an air fryer grill worth buying?
Yes, if you cook seared proteins more than once a week and you do not have (or do not want to use) an outdoor grill. An air fryer grill replaces two or three appliances, produces real grill marks indoors, and runs noticeably cleaner than an outdoor grill. Skip it if you already own a basket air fryer and a contact grill – the combo does not add much value in that setup.
Is the Ninja Foodi grill a good air fryer?
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL FG551 is one of the better indoor grill air fryer combos we tested in 2026. The cyclonic 500F air crisp function rivals a dedicated basket air fryer, and the smart thermometer removes guesswork on proteins. Trade-offs are slower preheat than a basket unit and a larger counter footprint.
Which is the best Ninja air fryer and grill?
For most buyers, the Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 is the best balance of price, capacity, and grill performance. If you want the hardest sear marks and a flat-top griddle, step up to the Ninja IG651 Smart XL Pro 7-in-1. If you want a value pick with a probe, the AG400 5-in-1 still holds up well.
Are air fryer grills actually smokeless?
No air fryer grill is fully smokeless under heavy sear. Marketing claims of zero smoke refer to everyday weeknight cooks like chicken breasts and vegetables, not marbled steaks or bacon. Models with a sealed lid or a dedicated smoke extractor (Gourmia GGA2100, Foreman Beyond Grill, Candy) produce visibly less vapor than open-hood designs.
What can you cook in an air fryer grill?
You can cook almost anything a standard air fryer handles (fries, wings, salmon, vegetables, reheat) plus anything an indoor grill handles (steaks, chops, burgers, halloumi, fajita vegetables, kebabs, charred broccoli). The grill plate is the only meaningful constraint – very large roasts will not fit and need a toaster oven instead.
Final Verdict: The Best Air Fryer Grill to Buy in 2026
If we had to pick one air fryer grill to recommend to a friend buying today, it would be the Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1. It hits the right combination of 500°F cyclonic searing, smart-thermometer accuracy, six useful cooking functions, dishwasher-safe ceramic components, and 15,310 reviews averaging 4.7 stars at a price noticeably below the IG651 premium. The smart thermometer alone justifies the upgrade over older basket air fryers – it removes the one thing most cooks consistently get wrong (doneness).
For shoppers on a budget, the Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill 6Qt FoodStation delivers grill plus air fry at a meaningfully lower entry price and does a credible job on both, with the caveat that long-term cleaning discipline matters. For shoppers who already own a separate outdoor grill and just want the air fryer half, the Ninja AF101 is the deeply proven, 59,000-review workhorse that won’t surprise you. For shoppers chasing the hardest sear marks money can buy in 2026, the Ninja IG651’s powered grill grate is the upgrade.
One last honest note: even the best air fryer grill produces visible vapor during a heavy sear. Reddit’s r/airfryer and r/NinjaFoodi threads confirm it, and our own smoke sensor readings confirm it. If you live in a studio with a sensitive smoke alarm, plan to crack a window during the preheat and the first minute of sear, or choose a sealed-lid model like the Candy or Gourmia sealed-lid design. Once you accept that one constraint, an air fryer grill is the single most useful countertop upgrade you can make this year – and if you want the broader outdoor grill comparison too, our charcoal grill roundup covers the traditional side.