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The Ninja AF101 air fryer is no longer sold new on Amazon. The listing shows used units only, and Amazon names the Ninja AF141 5 Qt air fryer as the newer model, which ships new from Amazon.com. If you still want the original, here is the used Ninja AF101 air fryer listing on Amazon, and it is a used unit.
That gap is the whole story of this Ninja AF101 air fryer review. Four flaws keep showing up in recent Amazon reviews: units that stop working, noise, a small basket and a plastic smell. The Ninja AF141 fixes the basket size, but its own reviewers call it loud too.
This review uses live Amazon data, named lab sources, and my own use where noted. Every count below comes from Amazon reviews I read in October 2026, and I name the sample size each time.
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer Quick Verdict
| Model | What Amazon shows | Tier | Buy |
| Ninja AF101 4 Qt (original) | Used offers only. The Buy Box is a Used – Like New unit from Amazon Resale. No new offer on the listing. | Used only | See the used listing on Amazon |
| Ninja AF141 5 Qt (new model) | New, in stock, ships from Amazon.com. Amazon’s Choice. 6K+ bought in past month. | $$$ | Check Price on Amazon |
Price tiers: $ is under $40, $$ is $40-69, $$$ is $70-99, and $$$$ is $100 and up. Tiers follow the live listing price confirmed on Amazon in October 2026.
Verdict: buy the Ninja AF141 unless a used Ninja AF101 air fryer is clearly cheaper and you cook for one or two people.
Jump To
- Is the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer Still Worth Buying?
- Ninja AF101 vs AF141 Specs
- Ninja AF101 Performance
- 4 Hidden Flaws Amazon Buyers Report
- Ninja 4 Qt Air Fryer Capacity
- Ninja Small Air Fryer Fit
- Ninja AF100 vs AF101
- Ceramic Coating
- 6 Checks for a Used Ninja AF101
- Ninja AF141 Review
- Ninja AF101 Alternatives
- Care and Cleaning Tips
- Which Ninja Air Fryer Is Best?
- FAQ
- Final Verdict
Is the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer Still Worth Buying?
The Ninja AF101 air fryer is worth buying only if a used unit is clearly cheaper than a new Ninja AF141. Amazon lists it used only, while the AF141 ships new and fits 4 lbs of fries against 2 lbs. Buy the AF141 for three or more people, and consider a used unit for one or two.
The Ninja AF101 is a 4 qt, 1,550W single-basket unit with four programs: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat and Dehydrate. Its listing gives a 105°F to 400°F range and says the basket fits 2 lbs of fries. RTINGS calls it a small air fryer suited to cooking for one or two people, with no preheat mode or shake reminder.
Supply explains why the Ninja AF101 air fryer looks different now. Slickdeals threads from 2024 to early 2026 show Amazon selling it new at regular discounts, and a Nov 2025 thread covers used Like New units from Amazon Resale. New stock has since dropped off the listing, so used offers are what remain.
Tom’s Guide reported in a Cyber Monday deals article that Ninja stopped selling the Ninja AF101 air fryer on its own site years ago. It preferred the wide, low basket of the Pro 4-in-1, the model RTINGS lists as the AF141, over the AF101’s round, deep one.
On the day I checked, the used Ninja AF101 air fryer sat only slightly below a new Ninja AF141 on a limited-time deal. That small gap is why the AF141 wins for most buyers, because the saving does not cover a unit with unknown history.
If you are still deciding whether an air fryer beats your oven at all, our air fryer vs oven comparison covers the trade-off. Our guide to whether air fryers are worth it covers the cost side.
Ninja AF101 vs AF141: The Specs That Change Your Decision
The Ninja AF141 keeps the Ninja AF101 air fryer’s four programs and adds basket area and power. The table uses each Amazon listing’s own figures.
| Spec | Ninja AF101 | Ninja AF141 |
| Basket size | 4 qt | 5 qt |
| Fries per basket (listing) | 2 lbs | 4 lbs |
| Wattage | 1,550W | 1,750W |
| Temperature range | 105°F to 400°F | Up to 400°F |
| Programs | Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate | Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate |
| Basket coating | Ceramic-coated nonstick | Nonstick |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 13.6 x 11 x 13.3 in | 14.84 x 11.29 x 10.39 in |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Basket and crisper plate | Yes, per listing title |
| Amazon status | Used only | New, in stock |
The wattage jump is 200W, but the basket is what you feel. RTINGS describes the AF141 as a very fast, compact 5 qt air fryer, and its page says the Ninja preheats and cooks faster than the COSORI TurboBlaze. Those are RTINGS lab comparisons I am passing along, not my own.
Quarts are a poor guide to what fits. The Ninja AF161 listing says its 5.5 qt basket fits 3 lbs of fries, while the Ninja AF141 listing says its 5 qt basket fits 4 lbs. Tom’s Guide credits the AF141’s wide, low basket for that.
To check a basket against your own household, use our air fryer size calculator. If you are comparing brands rather than Ninja models, how to choose an air fryer lays out the criteria.
Ninja AF101 Performance: Four Programs and What RTINGS Found
The Ninja AF101 air fryer runs four programs. Air Fry and Roast handle fries, wings and vegetables, Reheat revives leftovers, and Dehydrate uses a low fan speed and low temperature to dry food into chips, per the listing.
RTINGS compared it with the MasterChef AF9003A and found the Ninja cooks a lot faster and holds a steadier temperature while running. It also called the Ninja more versatile, because it adds Roast and Reheat modes and runs its fan at a wider range of speeds.
The same comparison gave the MasterChef an edge in surface area and slightly better air-fried quality. That is the trade the Ninja AF101 air fryer makes: speed and control over raw basket area.
The Reheat program is the one I would use most for leftovers, and our air fryer vs microwave comparison shows where it beats a microwave. One gap to plan for is the missing preheat mode, which RTINGS flags, so add a few minutes to a first batch.
4 Hidden Flaws Amazon Buyers Report on the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
I read the newest 10 three-star reviews, the newest critical reviews and the newest 10 four-star reviews for the Ninja AF101 air fryer. After removing overlap that left 26 distinct reviews, so the counts below describe that sample, not all 59,491 ratings. For scale, 86% of those ratings are five-star.
Flaw 1: Units stop working
Amazon reviewers report the Ninja AF101 air fryer dying anywhere from one month to about three years in, 6 of the 26 reviews I read. One reviewer says “it broke after about a year of using it.” Another describes a unit that lit up but whose play button stopped responding at roughly three years.
That is a minority outcome against 59,491 ratings, but it concentrates in the three-star group. A used unit adds a second unknown, because a used listing gives a condition grade, not a usage history.
Flaw 2: It is loud
Three of the 26 reviews call the Ninja AF101 air fryer loud. One compares the sound to a small fan on high, and another says conversation near it got difficult while a baked potato cooked. If you cook in an open-plan space, count noise as a real cost.
Flaw 3: The basket is small
Two reviewers say the 4 qt basket is too small, with one calling it basically a one-person machine. That matches the listing’s 2 lbs of fries per batch and RTINGS’ one-to-two-person framing. For three or more people you are cooking in rounds.
If one person is your household, our best air fryer for one person guide is the better starting point.
Flaw 4: A plastic smell on some units
Two of the 26 reviews mention smell. One critical reviewer says a persistent odor forced them to run the Ninja AF101 air fryer in a garage, and a four-star reviewer reports a heavy plastic smell after several uses. This is the least common of the four, so treat it as something to check on arrival, not a verdict.
Two smaller items sit outside the chart. One four-star reviewer received the unit without the 20-recipe booklet the listing advertises, and a two-star reviewer says it keeps blasting hot air when you pull the basket to shake food.
Ninja 4 Qt Air Fryer Capacity: What 2 Lbs of Fries Really Means
A Ninja 4 qt air fryer like the Ninja AF101 air fryer suits one or two people, and RTINGS says as much. Ninja AF101 air fryer capacity is 2 lbs of fries per the listing, so a third mouth usually means a second batch.
Counter fit changes with the AF141. It is deeper by 1.24 inches, but its 10.39 in height is about 3 inches below the Ninja AF101 air fryer’s 13.3 in. If a wall cabinet or shelf hangs close above your air fryer spot, measure that clearance before you order.
Ninja Small Air Fryer Pick: Who the AF101 Still Fits
Among Ninja small air fryer options, the Ninja AF101 air fryer still fits a narrow group: one or two people, a small counter, and cooking built around frozen fries, wings and reheated leftovers. Ninja compact air fryer shoppers who cook for one have a real case for a used Ninja AF101 air fryer, if the checks below pass.
Bigger households should skip it, and a Ninja 4 quart air fryer is too small for them anyway. Our best air fryer for family of 4 guide covers 6 qt and 8 qt options, and our Ninja Foodi DualZone review covers a two-basket Ninja for cooking two foods at once.
Ninja AF100 vs AF101: Which Color Is Which
The Ninja AF100 is the Charcoal Gray version and the AF101 is the Gray one, according to RTINGS, which covers both on a single review. I did not verify separate Ninja AF100 air fryer specs, so confirm the model number on any listing before you pay.
I only verified the Gray Ninja AF101 air fryer listing for this review, so I am not linking an AF100 listing.
Ninja AF101 Ceramic Coating: What the Listing Says and What Buyers Dispute
The listing describes a ceramic-coated nonstick basket and crisper plate, and says both are aluminum. I did not find a PTFE-free or PFOA-free statement in the listing text I read, so I make no claim either way.
Two of the 26 reviews raise coating concerns. One says the inside is coated in Teflon, and another cites a warning label on the product. I cannot verify either, so check the box and manual, and stop using any basket whose coating chips or flakes.
Care matters here. Use silicone or wooden utensils, skip abrasive pads and replace a basket that flakes. A reviewer of the AF141 reports its nonstick peeling after hand washing, so coating wear is not unique to the AF101.
Buying a Used Ninja AF101 Air Fryer: 6 Checks Before You Keep It
The used Buy Box I saw was a Used – Like New unit sold by Amazon Resale and fulfilled by Amazon. Condition grades vary, and one Amazon reviewer on the Ninja AF161 listing says a unit sold as Used – Like New arrived dirty and clearly returned.
Open any Ninja air fryer AF101 the day it arrives and work through the checks in the table. Confirm the return window on the listing before you order, because I did not capture it for the used offer.
| Check | What to do and why |
| 1. Basket seating | Slide the basket in and out five times. One Amazon reviewer says it sometimes cannot be closed perfectly. |
| 2. Crisper plate | Tip the basket the way you would to empty it. A reviewer reports the plate slides out with the food. |
| 3. Controls | Set 400°F, then 105°F, then run all four programs. That confirms both ends of the listed range, and one reviewer’s unit lit up but the play button stopped responding. |
| 4. Fan and sound | Run Air Fry for 10 minutes and listen for rattling or an uneven fan note. Reviewers report noise, and one reports the fan stopping. |
| 5. Coating | Look over the basket and crisper plate under bright light for scratches or flaking. Send it back if the ceramic surface is damaged. |
| 6. Smell | Note any plastic smell on the first heat cycle. Two reviewers report one that did not fade. |
A used Ninja AF101 air fryer passes only if all six checks pass. If any one fails, return it instead of troubleshooting.
If a used unit is not worth the effort, our best air fryers under $100 roundup covers new options at lower tiers.
Ninja AF141: The New Model That Replaces the AF101
Amazon’s own Ninja AF101 page says there is a newer model, and it names the Ninja AF141. The AF141 listing shows a 1,750W motor, a 400°F maximum, a 5 qt basket that fits 4 lbs of fries or 5 lbs of wings, and the same four programs. Amazon shows it as new, in stock and shipped from Amazon.com, with an Amazon’s Choice badge and 6K+ bought in the past month.
RTINGS rates the Ninja AF141 as a very fast air fryer with strong frying performance and a compact footprint. Amazon reviewers disagree on one point: noise.
Amazon reviewers report noise most, 4 of the 19 distinct three-star and critical reviews I read. One describes it as “think of a large fan running on a hot day.” Three more say the recipe booklet or manual was missing from a sealed box.
Early failures also appear. Three of the 19 describe an AF141 that stopped working or jammed, from under a month to about ten months in, and a fourth reports an electrical fire, a single claim I cannot verify.
Confirm the listing says AF141 and 4-in-1. RTINGS notes the AF140 is a 3-in-1 without the Roast function, which sets the timer up to four hours.
I still pick the AF141 over a used Ninja AF101 air fryer for most homes. You get a new unit, a 30-day return window on the listing and a basket that fits twice the fries.
Free delivery available with Amazon Prime
Before you tap, pick the Grey tile, confirm the seller line says Amazon.com, and check the box for the recipe booklet, since Amazon reviewers report it missing.
Ninja AF101 Alternatives: Three Models Worth Cross-Shopping
If neither the Ninja AF101 air fryer nor the AF141 fits, three verified alternatives cover a bigger Ninja, a larger basket and a different control style. This Ninja air fryer comparison keeps to models I checked on Amazon in October 2026.
| Model | Choose it if | Tier | Bought last month | Badge | Buy |
| Ninja AF161 Max XL 5.5 Qt | You want a bigger Ninja with a 450°F maximum | $$$$ | 500+ | Amazon’s Choice | Check Price on Amazon |
| COSORI TurboBlaze 6 Qt | You want a 6 qt basket and a 450°F maximum | $$$ | 20K+ | Amazon’s Choice | Check Price on Amazon |
| COSORI Pro LE 5 Qt | You want a shake reminder and a ceramic coating | $$$ | 900+ | Amazon’s Choice | Check Price on Amazon |
Ninja AF161 Max XL 5.5 Qt
The AF161 listing says 450°F max, seven programs, a 5.5 qt ceramic-coated basket that fits 3 lbs of fries or wings, and a 20-recipe book. Amazon reviewers report a plastic smell or taste most, 4 of the 19 distinct three-star and critical reviews I read, and one says “Everything you cook in it tastes like burned plastic.”
A few reviews on this listing describe other products, so I counted only air fryer comments. Our COSORI TurboBlaze vs Ninja AF161 comparison puts it against a COSORI.
COSORI TurboBlaze 6 Qt
The TurboBlaze listing says 6 qt, 9-in-1, 90°F to 450°F, 1,725W and a PFAS-free ceramic coating, and it claims under 53 dB at the top fan speed. Three of the 18 distinct reviews I read say it is louder than expected, so treat that figure as COSORI’s claim.
Amazon reviewers also report units that stopped working, 4 of the 18, between under a year and about 28 months in. One says “the motor suddenly gave out.” I bought the TurboBlaze and have had it for 2 to 3 years, and I find it a solid product that is easy to use and clean, which our COSORI TurboBlaze review covers in full.
COSORI Pro LE 5 Qt
The Pro LE listing says 5 qt, 9-in-1, 450°F, 1,500W, a ceramic coating and a shake reminder. Amazon reviewers report unreliable touch controls most, 4 of the 16 distinct reviews I read, and one says the “digital buttons become unreliable and difficult to work with.”
Two others dispute the coating, with one saying it is not PFAS-free and another saying it is Teflon. If fiddly controls bother you, skip it, and see our COSORI Pro LE vs Ninja AF101 comparison or our COSORI vs Ninja air fryer roundup for the head-to-head.
Ninja AF101 Care and Cleaning Tips
I bought my Ninja AF101 air fryer and have had it for over a year. It is easy to use and clean, and lesser oil is required.
The listing says the basket and crisper plate are dishwasher safe, and the exterior wipes clean. For the oil side of the story, our air fryer vs deep fryer comparison shows where the trade-off lands.
- Cool it first before washing the basket or crisper plate on your Ninja AF101 air fryer.
- Soft tools only means silicone or wooden utensils and a soft sponge on the ceramic surface.
- Inspect monthly for chips or flaking, and replace the basket if the coating lifts.
Which Ninja Air Fryer Is Best? Decision Guide by Household
The best Ninja air fryer here splits by household size and by how much noise you tolerate.
Buy the Ninja AF141 if you:
- Cook for three or more, since the 5 qt basket fits 4 lbs of fries per its listing.
- Want a new unit, with a 30-day return window on the listing.
- Need less height, because it is about 3 inches shorter than the Ninja AF101.
Consider a used Ninja AF101 air fryer if you:
- Cook for one or two, which is what its 4 qt basket and 2 lb fry capacity fit.
- Find it clearly below a new AF141 and have read the return window.
- Will run all six checks on day one.
Skip both Ninjas if you:
- Hate noise, since reviewers of both report loud operation. See the COSORI TurboBlaze on Amazon or read our TurboBlaze review.
- Cook for four or more, where our family of 4 guide fits better.
- Want two foods done at once, which our Ninja DZ201 review covers.
- Want a toaster oven too, where our air fryer toaster oven combo guide applies.
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer FAQ: 3 Questions Buyers Ask
Is the Ninja AF101 air fryer still sold new?
No, not on Amazon right now. The listing shows used offers only, and it names the Ninja AF141 as the newer model.
- No new offers appeared on the Ninja AF101 air fryer listing in October 2026.
- Used offers include a Used – Like New unit from Amazon Resale.
- Amazon names the Ninja AF141 as the newer model.
What is the difference between the Ninja AF100 and AF101?
RTINGS lists the Ninja AF100 as the Charcoal Gray version and the Ninja AF101 air fryer as the Gray one, covered on a single review. I did not verify separate Ninja AF100 air fryer specs.
- Check the model number on the listing before ordering.
- The Gray Ninja AF101 air fryer is the only listing I verified.
- Matching specs are not assumed between the two.
Is the Ninja AF141 better than the AF101?
For most households, yes: the Ninja AF141 is new and fits 4 lbs of fries per its listing, against 2 lbs for the Ninja AF101.
- Basket is 5 qt versus 4 qt, and about 3 inches shorter.
- Noise is a complaint on both, so neither is quiet.
- Failures are reported on both, so keep the return window in mind.
- A used Ninja AF101 air fryer only makes sense for one or two people at a clear discount.
Final Verdict: Buy the Ninja AF141, Not a Used Ninja AF101
Buy the Ninja AF141. A used Ninja AF101 air fryer costs only a little less on the day I checked, comes with a grade instead of a history, and carries a durability complaint that shows up in 6 of 26 recent reviews.
My Ninja AF101 review ends here: I would take a used Ninja AF101 air fryer only for one or two people, at a clear discount, with a return window I have read and all six checks done on day one. Its easy cleaning and lesser oil use, which I noticed in over a year of owning mine, are real, and they come with the risks above.
Pick a COSORI instead if noise decides it, and read the TurboBlaze review before you buy.
Free delivery available with Amazon Prime
Used unit. Check the condition grade and return window before ordering.
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