(checked 2026-10-14)1-star only; the 2-star row was not shown
A long-selling, quiet 4 qt Ninja that Serious Eats and Food Network like, but it's small for families, and Wirecutter dismissed it for running hot and a tray that can fall out.
Common Ninja AF101 4 Qt problems
- Small 4 qt basket
Serious Eats says the basket may be too small for a family, Wirecutter says it fits less food than its picks, and some Amazon owners say the basket is too small for their needs.
- Runs hot; tray can fall out
Wirecutter says the removable tray liner falls out when you turn food out of the basket, a burn risk, and that the machine runs too hot.
Source: Wirecutter - Tedious buttons, hot exhaust
Serious Eats found the all-button controls tedious and notes it vents a lot of hot air out the back.
Source: Serious Eats
What owners like
- Keeps up with bigger fryers
Serious Eats says it consistently produced well-cooked food thanks to a relatively spacious basket for its size.
Source: Serious Eats - Quiet and simple
Serious Eats calls it fairly silent with a streamlined interface; Food Network notes a sturdy build and ceramic-coated crisper plate.
Source: Serious Eats, Food Network - Huge owner base
About 59,500 Amazon ratings; owners praise fast, crispy results and easy meal prep.
- You cook for a family
- You want the crispest 5 qt option (see the AF141 Pro)
- You dislike button-tapping to set time
- 1-2 people
- People who prefer buttons to touchscreens
- Quiet kitchens
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Another great air fryer: one of the few small models that kept up with larger ones, fairly silent; buttons are tedious and the basket is small for families.
- Food Network: Best mid-size pick ('Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer'): sturdy, with a dehydrate function; not ideal for large households.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Dismissed: the tray liner falls out when emptying the basket, it runs too hot and fits less food than the picks.