My kitchen counter is precious real estate, so every new gadget has to prove it deserves a permanent spot. Over the past few weeks I put two popular multi-cookers through their paces—the PowerXL Air Fryer Grill and the Emeril Lagasse 360. Both promise to replace a handful of appliances while delivering crisp, evenly cooked meals. After plenty of weeknight dinners, weekend roasts, and a few experimental desserts, I have a clear picture of where each machine shines.
Key Difference in a Nutshell: PowerXL Air Fryer Grill vs. Emeril Lagasse 360
Both appliances combine air frying with multiple cooking modes, but they’re built for slightly different cooks. The PowerXL is a 12-in-1 workhorse with a deep 5.7-liter capacity and a grill plate that can sear from below while hot air blasts from above. The Emeril 360 behaves more like a compact professional oven: its 360° quick-cook technology and five heating elements create an incredibly even bake, and it adds rotisserie and pizza-specific functions you won’t find on the PowerXL.
- EMERIL 9-IN-1 AIR FRYER: Replace your countertop convection oven! 5 all-over heating elements mimic a commercial-quality oven for perfect, even cooking. Most...
Side-by-Side Comparison: PowerXL Air Fryer Grill vs. Emeril Lagasse 360
| Feature | PowerXL Air Fryer Grill | Emeril Lagasse 360 |
| Dimensions | 30.4 D x 43.6 W x 30.4 H cm | 15 D x 20 W x 10 H in |
| Capacity | 5.7 L | 930 cu in (approx. 15 L) |
| Wattage | 1500 W | 1500 W |
| Cooking Functions | 12 (Air Fry, Grill, Bake, Roast, Slow Cook, Steam, Sauté, Sous Vide, etc.) | 12 (Air Fry, Bake, Rotisserie, Pizza, Dehydrate, Toast, Reheat, Broil, Bagel, Roast, Slow Cook, Warm) |
| Special Feature | Dual Therm top/bottom heat + non-stick grill plate | 360° Quick Cook with 5 heating elements |
| Construction | Aluminum & plastic body with non-stick interior | Full stainless steel exterior & accessories |
| Included Accessories | Non-stick grill plate, dishwasher-safe parts | Crisper tray, rotisserie spit, pizza rack, baking pan, drip tray, recipe book |
| Check Latest Price | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review
I cooked the same recipes—garlic-herb chicken thighs, roasted vegetables, air-fried fries, and a homemade pizza—in both units to keep the playing field level.
Design & Build
The PowerXL has a boxier, slightly taller footprint and a modern silver finish. Its aluminum-plastic body feels sturdy but clearly lighter duty than the Emeril. The non-stick grill plate slides out easily for cleaning, a thoughtful touch when you’re searing steaks.
The Emeril 360 looks like it came from a professional test kitchen. Full stainless steel from door to handle, it feels more like a compact oven than a countertop gadget. It’s heavier, but the build quality screams longevity. The included accessories—especially the rotisserie spit and pizza rack—match that premium vibe.
- EMERIL 9-IN-1 AIR FRYER: Replace your countertop convection oven! 5 all-over heating elements mimic a commercial-quality oven for perfect, even cooking. Most...
Ease of Use
The PowerXL is the definition of plug-and-play. A bright LED panel and single-touch presets let me start dinner in seconds. Switching between grilling and air frying mid-cook is seamless, and the dual heat system means I can brown meat from below without flipping.
The Emeril takes a bit more menu scrolling to choose among its 12 presets, but the learning curve is short. I liked the clear LCD display and the tactile knobs that mimic a classic oven. Preheat time was consistently shorter than the PowerXL by a couple of minutes.
Cooking Performance
- Air Frying: Both excelled. Fries in the PowerXL were golden and evenly crisp thanks to its vortex airflow and bottom sear plate. The Emeril’s five heating elements, however, gave a slightly more uniform crunch—especially with breaded chicken.
- Grilling & Searing: The PowerXL wins here. That bottom heating element sears salmon skin beautifully and gives burgers a convincing backyard-grill char.
- Baking & Roasting: The Emeril 360’s 360° technology created a perfect roast chicken—juicy inside, evenly browned outside. Cookies baked without hot spots, something the PowerXL occasionally struggled with on the back corners.
- Specialty Modes: PowerXL’s sous-vide-style simmer and steaming options are handy for more adventurous cooking. The Emeril’s rotisserie function is fantastic for whole poultry, and its dedicated pizza setting produced a crisp crust without burning toppings.
- EMERIL 9-IN-1 AIR FRYER: Replace your countertop convection oven! 5 all-over heating elements mimic a commercial-quality oven for perfect, even cooking. Most...
Capacity
The numbers tell part of the story: the PowerXL’s 5.7-liter interior is roomy enough for a family meal, but the Emeril’s wider cavity handled a 12-inch pizza pan and a small turkey with ease. If you often cook for a crowd, the Emeril’s extra width matters.
Cleaning
The PowerXL’s removable non-stick grill plate makes cleanup painless. I popped it straight into the dishwasher. The Emeril requires a bit more manual scrubbing of racks and pans, though the stainless steel interior wipes clean fairly easily.
PowerXL Air Fryer Grill & MultiCooker
Pros:
- True 12-in-1 versatility, including steam and sous vide
- Dual Therm top/bottom heating for authentic grilling
- Non-stick, dishwasher-safe grill plate
- Compact yet family-friendly 5.7 L capacity
Cons:
- Aluminum/plastic construction isn’t as premium
- Slightly longer preheat and occasional rear hot spots
- No rotisserie or dedicated pizza mode
Emeril Lagasse 360 Convection Oven
- EMERIL 9-IN-1 AIR FRYER: Replace your countertop convection oven! 5 all-over heating elements mimic a commercial-quality oven for perfect, even cooking. Most...
Pros:
- Five heating elements for ultra-even cooking
- 360° quick-cook tech shortens bake and roast times
- Stainless steel build and professional look
- Excellent accessories: rotisserie, crisper tray, pizza rack
- Larger interior handles bigger birds or pizzas
Cons:
- Heavier and takes up more horizontal counter space
- Cleaning racks can be fiddly
- No bottom grill plate for true searing
Final Recommendation:
After cooking nearly every dinner for two weeks in these machines, I’d sum it up like this:
- Choose the PowerXL Air Fryer Grill if you love the idea of grilling indoors, experimenting with sous vide, or you simply want a straightforward all-rounder that’s easy to clean. It’s perfect for smaller kitchens or cooks who value one-touch convenience.
- Pick the Emeril Lagasse 360 if you’re after oven-level performance and regularly entertain. Its rotisserie, pizza mode, and ultra-even heat make it a miniature professional oven—ideal for bakers or anyone who wants crisp results with little fuss.
Personally, I lean toward the Emeril 360 for its rock-solid build and consistent results. But on nights when I crave a quick seared steak without firing up an outdoor grill, the PowerXL earns its keep. Either way, you’re getting a countertop powerhouse capable of replacing several standalone appliances.
