Ninja EG201 vs AG301 Foodi Grill: Which Indoor Grill Should You Choose?

Indoor grills have completely changed the way I cook during busy weekdays and rainy weekends. Instead of waiting for perfect weather to fire up the outdoor grill, I’ve been able to enjoy char-grilled flavor right from my countertop. Among Ninja’s lineup, the EG201 and AG301 Foodi Grills stand out as two of the most talked-about models.

At first glance, they look very similar — both offer grilling, air frying, roasting, baking, and dehydrating. But after putting them side by side in my kitchen, I realized that subtle differences in design, functionality, and usability could make one a better choice depending on your cooking style.

Key Difference Between Ninja EG201 vs AG301 Foodi Grill

The Ninja EG201 is essentially the 2nd generation Foodi Grill, offering six functions (one more than the AG301), a redesigned look, and the same smoke control and cyclonic grilling system. The Ninja AG301 is the original Foodi Grill, with five functions, slightly smaller dimensions, and a more straightforward layout.

In other words, the EG201 feels like a small upgrade — but whether that upgrade is worth it depends on what you need.

Comparison Table: Ninja EG201 vs AG301 Foodi Grill

Feature	Ninja EG201	Ninja AG301
Generation	2nd Gen Foodi Grill	Original Foodi Grill
Functions	6-in-1 (Grill, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate)	5-in-1 (Grill, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate)
Cooking Technology	500°F Cyclonic Grilling	500°F Cyclonic Grilling
Smoke Control	Yes	Yes
Capacity	6-qt cooking pot, 4-qt crisper basket	6-qt cooking pot, 4-qt crisper basket
Grill Grate Size	10″ x 10″	10″ x 10″
Material	Ceramic-coated, dishwasher safe	Ceramic-coated, dishwasher safe
Weight	21.54 lbs	20 lbs
Wattage	1760 watts	1760 watts
Dimensions	17.16″D x 14.19″W x 11.02″H	14.9″D x 14.9″W x 11.02″H
Style	Modernized design	Classic design
Included	Grill grate, crisper basket, cooking pot, brush, recipe book	Grill grate, crisper basket, cooking pot, brush, recipe book
Check Price & Deals	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Detailed Comparative Review

1. Design & Build Quality

The Ninja EG201 feels more polished. Its sleek black and silver finish gives it a modern edge, and the display is intuitive with easy-to-navigate settings. It looks slightly bulkier on my counter compared to the AG301, but not by much.

The Ninja AG301, on the other hand, carries the original design that put Foodi grills on the map. It’s slightly more compact from the side, though still takes up about the same counter space when in use. Build quality for both is excellent — heavy-duty, sturdy, and made with nonstick ceramic parts that feel durable.

Winner (Design): EG201 — more modern and intuitive, though the AG301 is still very solid.

2. Ease of Use

Both models are straightforward, with pre-set functions and temperature controls. I was able to go from unboxing to grilling without needing to crack open the manual.

The EG201, however, has a slight edge with its 6-in-1 versatility, thanks to the added Broil function. When I wanted to melt cheese on burgers or crisp up a casserole top, this setting was very useful.

The AG301 still performs exceptionally well, but you may find yourself improvising with bake or grill settings when you really want a true broil.

Winner (Ease of Use): EG201

3. Cooking Performance

This is where both shine. The Cyclonic Grilling Technology really does mimic outdoor grill marks. I grilled salmon on both machines at 500°F, and the results were nearly identical — tender inside, charred outside, and ready in under 15 minutes.

The EG201 had a slight advantage when air frying frozen foods. With the extra function and updated display, I noticed it cooked more evenly, especially with fries and wings. But in all honesty, the AG301 wasn’t far behind.

Winner (Cooking Performance): EG201 by a small margin

4. Capacity & Versatility

Both models have a 6-quart cooking pot and a 4-quart crisper basket, which is plenty for family meals. I easily fit a 3-lb roast or about four burgers at once.

What I liked about the EG201 was its ability to go straight from frozen to cooked meals without preheating for long. The AG301 also does this but takes just a minute or two longer.

If versatility is important, the EG201 pulls ahead thanks to its extra Broil function, which opens up more recipes.

Winner (Capacity & Versatility): EG201

5. Cleaning & Maintenance

Here, it’s a tie. Both models have PTFE/PFOA-free nonstick ceramic-coated parts that are dishwasher safe. I usually rinse them in warm water and soap, and they clean up in minutes. The included cleaning brush helps scrape grill residue, though I rarely needed it after a quick soak.

Winner (Cleaning): Tie

Ninja EG201 Foodi Indoor Grill with Air Fry

Pros:

• 6-in-1 functionality (extra Broil setting)
• Modern design with easy-to-use controls
• Slightly faster with frozen-to-cooked meals
• Powerful 500°F cyclonic grilling technology
• Same large capacity as AG301

Cons:

• Heavier than AG301
• Bulkier design takes up more space
• Higher price point

Buy on Amazon

Ninja AG301 Indoor Grill

Pros:

• Classic design — proven and reliable
• 5 versatile cooking functions
• Slightly lighter and more compact
• Same powerful grilling technology at a lower cost
• Great for anyone new to indoor grilling

Cons:

• Lacks the Broil function
• Slightly slower with frozen foods
• Design feels a bit dated compared to EG201

Buy on Amazon

Conclusion & Recommendation:

After cooking with both, it’s clear that the Ninja EG201 is the more polished and versatile model. The extra Broil function, modern design, and small performance improvements make it the better choice if you want the latest version of Ninja’s indoor grill.

That said, the Ninja AG301 is still a fantastic grill and air fryer. If you don’t need the Broil function and prefer saving a little money, it delivers nearly identical cooking results.

My Take:

• Choose the Ninja EG201 if you want the latest generation with slightly more versatility and a refined design.
• Stick with the Ninja AG301 if you want reliable grilling power at a lower cost and don’t mind skipping the Broil function.

Either way, both grills will serve you well — giving you authentic char-grilled results indoors without the hassle of outdoor grilling.