Ninja Speedi review: Is it worth it?

We tested the Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker and Air Fryer to see if it lives up to its name

The Ninja Speedi is a clever appliance that adds an intriguing dimension to air-frying: It can air-fry and steam at the same time, so you can whip up a complete meal of crispy meat, steamed veggies and rice in just one pot. 

According to the manufacturer, this model can create entire meals for up to four people in as little as 15 minutes, and it offers a dozen functions, many of them not usually found on an air fryer, including slow cook and sous vide. But does it really work the way Ninja claims? 

The BestReviews Testing Lab put the Ninja Speedi to the test and cooked a variety of foods, including hot dogs, chicken wings and Brussels sprouts, and investigated its highly touted features, such as the Speedi Meals function, to learn if this appliance lives up to its name. We found that the Ninja Speedi excelled at steaming and air-frying at the same time, but didn’t offer as much cooking space as we hoped when just air-frying. 

What is the Ninja Speedi?

Testing Team completes setup of Ninja Speedi for performance evaluations.

Product specifications

Type: Basket air fryer | Capacity: 6 qt | Dimensions: 14.1” L x 13.8” W x 12.4” H | Weight: 16 lb | Material: Plastic | Control Type: Push-button | Number of Functions: 12 | Temperature Range: 90 to 450 degrees

The Ninja Speedi is part air fryer, part steamer — it is not a pressure cooker. There is a little lever at the top of the machine that lets you set your preference: up is for rapid cooker, down is for air fryer. The inside cooking chamber is roughly 9 by 9 inches and almost 5 inches deep (think small sand bucket) and can be divided into a lower section and an upper one by a removable crisper tray that you place in the middle. 

While there’s plenty of depth for cooking something like rice or beans, it doesn’t offer much cooking surface for food cooked on the crisper tray. For example, we could only cook two regular-size burgers or four small burgers on the crisper tray. However, in the lower chamber, we easily fit a cup of rice, which was enough for three bowls. 

What makes this model stand out from every other air fryer we tested was the ability to cook with moist heat (steam) along with its ability to steam and crisp at the same time, allowing you to make what the company calls "Speedi Meals." We had the choice of making crispy or soft food — or both at the same time — when using this versatile appliance. If you are making protein on the crisper tray while steaming underneath, you do have to be aware of what you are cooking. When we made chicken, the rice below was fine, but when we made hamburgers, the grease from the burgers dripped on the vegetables below.  

Pros

• Could cook an entire meal in one pot: We used the Speedi Meals feature to cook black beans, seasoned white rice and barbequed chicken all at the same time. We could only make enough for two (hungry people), but the entire meal only took about 25 minutes to make, and the chicken was crispy while the rice and beans were soft.
• Versatile cooking: We could cook any meal, from breakfast items, such as the included recipe for frittata lorraine, to late-night comfort-food snacks, like french fries. We could even make a birthday cake. This was the most satisfyingly diverse air fryer we tested. 
• Intuitive control panel: While this air fryer can do more than any other one we tested, it has fewer buttons to accomplish all its tasks (just eight), and it’s easy to select the function you want from the two columns printed on the front.
• Cooks evenly: Except for a few rare occasions, such as with the bacon, we found the Speedi cooked very evenly. For instance, the french fries, which could be temperamental in other air fryers, were beautifully done. We called them restaurant fries because they looked so good.
• Easy cleaning: We were honestly surprised by how easy this model was to clean. We just had to lift out the cooking pot and crisper tray (after cooling) and wash. We had zero problems with sticking food.
• Tolerable noise level: Admittedly, this wasn't the quietest model. The Instant brand air fryers that we tested were all remarkably quiet, but this wasn't the loudest either — that award would go to Ninja's FlexBasket model. It had a gentle hum and a soft whirl that increased as the unit heated up but never became a problem.
• No popped circuits: This is a large hefty device, so we were waiting for the circuit breakers to pop. They never did, no matter which mode we used or how long we cooked.

Cons

• Takes up counter space: Between the physical size of this air fryer and the safety zone we needed around it (for venting), this unit required almost 2 feet of space from side to side and front to back. If we had a smaller counter, this might have been a challenge to test.
• Overhead room is needed: Because we have cabinets over our counter, this part was tough. To put food into the Speedi, we had to lift the lid. That required 20 inches of overhead space, but we only had 18 inches. There was only one spot where we could place this unit that was close enough to an outlet and had enough counter space and enough overhead clearance. That being said, we think it’s worth it to make the room.
• Awkward and heavy: While the specs boast this model only weighs 16 pounds, the cube-shaped design and the opening lid (which doesn't lock shut) make this air fryer feel heavier than any other model. It also made it hard to move because if we grabbed the wrong spot, the lid opened.
• Long preheat: This air fryer had a frustratingly long preheat — but only for an air fryer. It was still faster than our oven. While the preheat times varied depending on cooking temperature and whether the unit was recently used, we clocked it at five minutes and 14 seconds for a cold start to 400 degrees.
• Not as fast as we imagined: This "speed" was relative. When we compared it to other air fryers, it was right where we expected: 15 minutes to cook french fries straight from the freezer. However, considering that we made a full meal in a single pot in under a half hour, that is where this appliance shines in the speed category.
• Not as large as we imagined: For as much counter space as this model requires, we couldn't fit an impressive amount on the crisper tray — just two regular burgers or four small burgers. However, because of the depth of the cooking pot, which can fit as much as a cup and a half of uncooked rice, we could make enough rice to feed three to four people.

Who is it for?

This model is excellent for a couple (or a small family that doesn't eat large portions — again, two burgers at once were all we could fit without overlap) who enjoys the convenience of one-touch, one-pot meals. It can be used to do everything from proofing bread to quickly crisping nearly any food. It’s as suitable for hot dogs as it is steak, and it can make a burrito bowl as easily as it can bake a cake. If this was the only cooking appliance in our kitchen, we'd still be able to make any meal we wanted.

How we tested

Testers cook various foods including chicken in the Ninja Speedi to assess cooking capabilities compared to similar models.

To ensure uniformity and a standardization of our testing, we performed the same core cooking tests on all the air fryers that we evaluated. For example, the same brand of hot dogs were always cooked at 400 degrees for six minutes before adding rolls to toast for an additional two minutes. However, beyond comparing performance within such strict parameters, we also explored the functions that made each air fryer unique. If we could cook two foods at once, we did. If a model boasted the ability to bake, we made bread and soft pretzels. 

French fries

We filled the crisper tray with a layer of fries and cooked them at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. We did not add oil or seasonings.

Chicken wings

For this recipe, we prepared the chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper. We set the air fryer to 400 degrees and 18 minutes. However, when we peeked at the wings a little less than halfway through, we removed them because the skin was already blistering. This was a mistake because the wings were undercooked. The next set we cooked for the full amount, but they were burnt.

Hot dogs in a roll

We cut slits across the hot dogs and cooked them at 400 degrees for six minutes. We added buttered buns and cooked them for an additional two minutes for crisping.

Brussels sprouts

For prep, we trimmed and soaked a full crisper tray of Brussels sprouts (about two cups) for 15 minutes. Next, we dried and added olive oil, salt, pepper and minced garlic. We cooked them in the air fryer for 12 minutes at 375 degrees.

Bacon

We laid out six strips of bacon across the bottom of the crisper tray and cooked it for nine minutes at 350 degrees.

Reheat

The standard test was to wait till the next day and reheat the french fries we didn't finish from the initial test.

Unique features

To make sure we understood how features that were unique to a particular air fryer worked, we tested them independently to learn what they did and how well they worked. For example, with this model, we also tested the Rapid Cooker features, which employed moist heat. 

Price and where to buy

The Ninja Speedi is available for $199.99 on the Ninja website and Amazon.

Setup process

Testers unpack and setup Ninja Speedi.

• Read the instructions: When we opened the box, the instructions were on top of the packaging. The first step was to read through to get an idea of what the Speedi does and why it’s so different from other air fryers.
• Unpack the box: This air fryer arrived fully assembled. But we had to remove the tape that secured the loose items during transport. It was important to examine the whole air fryer because the tape on the back that holds in the condensation collector is easy to overlook.
• Wash the removable parts: Before using for the first time, we had to wash every part that came in contact with our food. This was easy because it only consisted of the removable cooking pot and the crisper tray. We were ready to reassemble in minutes.
• Reassemble the air fryer: When the parts are dry, place the cooking pot inside the air fryer and put the crisper tray inside (if the recipe requires it). Plug it in, and you’re ready to cook. 

Design

Testing Team evaluates design of Ninja Speedi, including factors such as look and feel, durability and controls.

The Ninja Speedi truly stands out from any other air fryer we tested. It has a look and feel that are unique combined with a durable build and easy-to-use controls.

Look and feel

When we pulled this weighty cube out of the box, it immediately stood out from any other model we had previously tested. Instead of a drawer that slid out, this model has a lid that opened and closed — think Pac-Man. The food was lowered in from above, like a slow cooker, and sealed inside during the cooking. It was heavy and awkward to move, but it sat securely on the counter. As far as color scheme, the unit is gray and silver, but has a black display. It has a kind of industrial look, more like an appliance you would find in a restaurant rather than a home counter.

Durability

While we would never expect this model to survive being dropped, it did have a heft that gave us confidence that it could handle a little abuse. The hinges were large and well protected. If we had to describe the unit in a couple of words, we would choose stout and brawny. As well-built as this model was, however, we would advise closing the lid with care to keep from jostling the electronic compartments and heating element inside.

Controls and settings

While all that this versatile machine can do was not readily apparent without reading the manual, the controls made perfect sense. There are two lists of functions on the Speedi’s front. Five of these are Rapid Cooker functions, while seven are Air Fryer functions. You select the mode with the lever at the top of the machine, then pick your function. It’s an incredibly intuitive layout. Every setting was easy to adjust — we just pressed the up or down arrow to scroll to where we needed to be. 

The only minor issue was this model has a power button and a start button. While this is a smart design (and one that we liked), many air fryers are on as soon as they are plugged in. Embarrassingly, there were a couple of times when we actually forgot to turn the air fryer on.

What can it do?

• Air-fry: We could heat our comfort foods fast and give them a satisfying crisp with this feature.
• Bake/Roast: When we wanted to cook something, such as chicken breasts, to get traditional oven results, the Bake/Roast feature was the best option. And it did the job roughly 10 minutes faster than our oven.
• Broil: For a high-heat-from-above finish that was strong enough to give us that tasty Maillard reaction, the Broil feature was the best way to go. It toasted our rolls to a golden crisp in just two minutes.
• Dehydrate: When it came to drying out home-grown spices that could be added to other meals to enhance the flavor, the Dehydrate function served us well. 
• Sear/Saute: This feature gave the Speedi a suitable way to simmer sauces and saute vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts.  
• Slow Cook: Most air fryers aren't known for their low and slow cooking abilities, but we found this one could do the trick with dishes and meats that benefit from a long cook time.
• Sous Vide: Thanks to the unit's ability to hold water and a steady temperature, we found the Sous Vide function worked surprisingly well on items such as a steak that taste best when cooked in its own juices.
• Speedi Meals: This standout function allowed us to make two-part meals, such as chicken and rice, in one pot in under 30 minutes.
• Steam and Crisp: Using a steamy environment with high heat, this function successfully made juicy chicken with an extra-crispy exterior.
• Steam and Bake: This function employs steam to create fluffier baking results, but our tests didn't produce the most impressive results — it was comparable to baking in a traditional oven.
• Steam: With the Steam function, we could use moist heat to cook vegetables to a tender texture in about 10 minutes.
• Proof: We used the Proof mode to prepare the bread for homemade pretzel bites that we ultimately cooked for eight minutes on the Steam and Crisp feature.

Ninja Speedi vs. Ninja Foodi

The Ninja Speedi is often compared to models in the Ninja Foodi line. For instance, the Ninja Foodi 14-in-1 Smart XL Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer with SmartLid is the Ninja Speedi’s closest relative because they can both steam and air-fry. However, the main difference between the two is that the Ninja Foodi has a pressure cooker function; it’s also two quarts larger than the 6-quart Speedi. But the Speedi stands out for its Speedi Meals function, which helps you make a complete meal with crispy protein and tender vegetables and grains in under 30 minutes, which greatly impressed us during our testing. 

Then there’s the Ninja Foodi FlexBasket, which is one-quart larger than the Speedi and has an air-fry time that’s nearly identical to the Speedi — bacon was best when cooked at 350 degrees for nine minutes on both machines. And while each air fryer can cook more than one food at a time, the FlexBasket is limited by comparison because it only uses dry heat for cooking. The Speedi can use both dry and moist heat; it can even cook sous-vide style. 

Ultimately, this is the crucial factor. If cooking with dry heat is all you need from an air fryer, the FlexBasket is the best appliance for you. However, if you crave versatility, for just $20 more, the Speedi opens up a whole new world of opportunities.

Cleaning the Ninja Speedi

We could make anything in the Ninja Speedi. Pretzels, cake, Brussels sprouts, seasoned rice and more. We thought that might make cleaning challenging. However, the Speedi has a removable cooking pot. 

We first unplugged the unit and waited for it to completely cool. Then we removed the crisper tray and cooking pot. To clean, we used a soft, nonabrasive sponge and warm soapy water. The food just slid off with barely any effort. It’s vital to refrain from using anything abrasive as this would damage the coating. There was no mess on the outside of the air fryer, but if there was, we could have just wiped that down with a damp cloth.

How does it compare to other models?

In a way, it’s unfair to compare this air fryer to other models, such as the Instant Vortex or the Max XL. That’s because, with the steam feature, this model does far more than the traditional air fryer. It delivers crisp results in roughly the same amount of time as a regular air fryer — six minutes to cook the perfect hot dog. However, we added water to the cooking pot to create a steamy environment that let us cook rice until it was soft and puffy. It also gave us the ability to cook a high-quality meal — chicken, rice and beans — in under 30 minutes, using just one pot. 

Additionally, we were able to bake our own soft pretzels, steam some vegetables for 15 minutes and fill the pot with water to use the air fryer as a sous-vide machine to cook a steak for between three to four hours. The incredible versatility made this air fryer a next-level machine when compared to any other model we tested.

Ninja Speedi review: Should you get one?

The Testing Team assesses functionality and ease of use of Ninja Speedi's control panel.

We give this appliance two solid thumbs up. It isn't perfect, there is room for improvement, but it's not a lot of room. For example, it could be a tiny bit quieter and preheat faster — five minutes is a long time — but the food comes out looking and tasting exceptional, especially comfort foods, such as french fries and hot dogs. 

We found Ninja’s claim that the Speedi allows you to make an entire meal in 15 minutes to be a little misleading. Yes, it is possible to cook a meal in 15 minutes, but to do that, you need to specifically pick ingredients that can be cooked in 15 minutes. For the most part, we found the Speedi meals took 25 to 30 minutes (for the foods we wanted to eat).

When it comes to versatility, the Ninja Speedi is unmatched. We cooked crispy chicken at the same time as soft rice. We made sweet treats and pretzels from pizza dough. Just testing all the different functions and ways to cook could easily take weeks, as there are 12 different functions.

If you have enough space both on and above your countertops and want the ability to make full meals in one pot that are done in about a half hour in a device that is easy to clean, this air fryer should top your wish list.