I’ve always been fascinated by how air fryers keep evolving. Just when I thought a simple single-basket model was enough, Ninja came out with their DualZone lineup, and suddenly cooking two foods at once without juggling timers became a reality.
Among these, the Ninja DZ302 and the Ninja DZ401 stand out. At first glance, they seem almost identical, but after using both, I realized there are subtle differences that could sway your choice depending on what you value most in the kitchen.
Key Difference at a Glance: Ninja DZ302 vs DZ401 DualZone Air Fryer
The main difference between the DZ302 and the DZ401 comes down to small design details and functionality focus. The DZ302 emphasizes convenience with a Keep Warm function, making it ideal for families that don’t always eat at the same time.
The DZ401, meanwhile, drops that feature but adds a Reheat mode and leans on its slightly more polished build with stainless-steel accents. Both share the same 10-quart capacity and cooking power, but those tiny feature shifts could make one model more appealing based on your cooking style.
- 2 INDEPENDENT BASKETS: The XL air fryer with 2 independent baskets that lets you cook 2 foods, 2 ways, at the same time, eliminating back-to-back cooking like a...
- The XL air fryer with 2 independent baskets that lets you cook 2 foods, 2 ways, at the same time, eliminating back-to-back cooking like a traditional...
Comparison Table: Ninja DZ302 vs DZ401 DualZone Air Fryer
| Feature | Ninja DZ302 | Ninja DZ401 |
| Capacity | 10 quarts (2×5 qt baskets) | 10 quarts (2×5 qt baskets) |
| Dimensions | 17.1″D x 14.65″W x 12.87″H | 13.9″D x 17.1″W x 12.8″H |
| Special Feature | Keep Warm + DualZone | Reheat + DualZone |
| Cooking Functions | 6-in-1: Air Fry, Broil, Roast, Keep Warm, Dehydrate, Bake | 6-in-1: Air Fry, Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate |
| DualZone Technology | Smart Finish + Match Cook | Smart Finish + Match Cook |
| IQ Boost | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature Range | 105°F–450°F | 105°F–450°F |
| Build Material | Metal & Plastic | Plastic & Stainless Steel |
| Color | Black | Grey |
| Family Fit | Up to 8 lbs wings or 6 lb chicken per basket | Up to 8 lbs wings or 6 lb chicken per basket |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher-safe baskets & plates | Dishwasher-safe baskets & plates |
| Check Price & Deals | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review
Design and Build
The DZ302 has a straightforward, all-black design. It’s slightly deeper but narrower than the DZ401, so it fits differently depending on your counter space. The build is mostly plastic with some metal reinforcement, which feels sturdy but not premium.
The DZ401 steps it up a notch with grey housing and stainless-steel accents. On my countertop, it looked sleeker and felt more upscale. If you care about aesthetics and durability, the DZ401 feels like the more refined choice.
- 2 INDEPENDENT BASKETS: The XL air fryer with 2 independent baskets that lets you cook 2 foods, 2 ways, at the same time, eliminating back-to-back cooking like a...
- The XL air fryer with 2 independent baskets that lets you cook 2 foods, 2 ways, at the same time, eliminating back-to-back cooking like a traditional...
Ease of Use
Both air fryers share Ninja’s DualZone Technology, which is one of my favorite kitchen innovations. With Smart Finish, I can cook chicken in one basket and veggies in the other, and both finish at the same time. With Match Cook, I can duplicate settings across both baskets to double up on a single dish.
In real use, the DZ302 gave me a convenience boost with its Keep Warm feature. On nights when my kids came to the table later, I could keep food ready without overcooking it. The DZ401, however, has a Reheat function, which I found more useful for leftovers the next day—reheating pizza or fries without making them soggy.
Cooking Functions and Performance
Both models are versatile with six cooking programs. They differ slightly in their lineup:
- DZ302: Air Fry, Broil, Roast, Keep Warm, Dehydrate, Bake
- DZ401: Air Fry, Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate
Performance-wise, they’re equally impressive. In my tests, fries came out crispy, chicken wings juicy, and baked goods surprisingly even for an air fryer. The IQ Boost feature makes sure both baskets cook efficiently, even with heavier loads. I managed to roast a 6-pound chicken in one basket while making potatoes in the other—both cooked evenly without me having to rotate or shuffle trays.
- 2 INDEPENDENT BASKETS: The XL air fryer with 2 independent baskets that lets you cook 2 foods, 2 ways, at the same time, eliminating back-to-back cooking like a...
- The XL air fryer with 2 independent baskets that lets you cook 2 foods, 2 ways, at the same time, eliminating back-to-back cooking like a traditional...
Space Considerations
Size-wise, these are XL air fryers, so neither is small. The DZ302 is deeper but less wide, which actually worked better for my narrower counter. The DZ401 is a little wider but slightly less deep. Depending on your kitchen setup, this difference could matter.
If you’re tight on space, I’d measure your counter carefully before deciding.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleanup is easy on both. The nonstick baskets and crisper plates go straight into the dishwasher, which is a relief after greasy meals. The DZ302’s baskets felt slightly lighter, which made them easier to handle, but both models clean up equally well.
Ninja DZ302 DualZone Air Fryer
- 2 INDEPENDENT BASKETS: The XL air fryer with 2 independent baskets that lets you cook 2 foods, 2 ways, at the same time, eliminating back-to-back cooking like a...
Pros:
- Keep Warm function is great for families with staggered mealtimes
- Slightly slimmer design works well for narrow counters
- Same powerful DualZone + IQ Boost technology as DZ401
- Handles large meals easily with 10-qt capacity
Cons:
- No Reheat function for leftovers
- Plastic-heavy build feels less premium
- Deeper dimensions may not suit all kitchens
Ninja DZ401 Foodi DualZone Air Fryer
- The XL air fryer with 2 independent baskets that lets you cook 2 foods, 2 ways, at the same time, eliminating back-to-back cooking like a traditional...
Pros:
- Reheat function keeps leftovers crisp and fresh
- Sleeker design with stainless-steel accents
- Slightly wider but not as deep, fits better in some kitchens
- Excellent cooking consistency with IQ Boost and DualZone tech
Cons:
- No Keep Warm function
- Larger footprint may dominate smaller counters
- Slightly heavier baskets to handle when cleaning
My Recommendation / Conclusion:
After spending time with both, I realized these two models are more alike than different. They share the same 10-quart capacity, the same DualZone cooking flexibility, and the same ability to handle family-sized meals without stress.
Here’s how I’d break it down:
- If your household often eats at different times, the DZ302 is the better pick thanks to the Keep Warm function. I found it super useful when not everyone was ready for dinner at once.
- If you value design, durability, and reheating leftovers, the DZ401 feels like the smarter choice. The Reheat function saved me from soggy microwave pizza more than once, and the stainless accents made it look great on my counter.
For my personal kitchen, I lean toward the DZ401 because I reheat food often and love its polished look. But if your priority is keeping dinner warm for family members on different schedules, the DZ302 won’t disappoint.
At the end of the day, you really can’t go wrong with either—they’re both top-notch air fryers that simplify meal prep and let you cook smarter, not harder.