Air fryers have taken over kitchens worldwide, offering a healthier way to enjoy crispy, delicious food without excessive oil. Whether you’re looking to cook French fries, chicken wings, or even roasted veggies, these appliances promise a fast and easy way to get that perfect crunch. But with so many options on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming.
Two of the most popular models—Ninja DZ550 Foodi 10-Quart Air Fryer and COSORI Pro II 5.8-Quart Air Fryer—are known for their high-performance features, but which one truly stands out? To find out, our chef team put both models to the test, assessing their cooking performance, features, ease of use, and overall value. If you’re on the fence about which air fryer to buy, check out our in-depth review and comparison below. Let’s begin.
Key Features & Specifications (Quick Comparison)
Performance & Hands-On Testing
When it comes to real-world cooking, both the Ninja DZ550 and the COSORI Pro II claim to deliver crispy, evenly cooked food with little to no oil. But how do they actually perform? We put them through a series of tests to compare their crispiness, ease of use, and cleaning experience.
1. Crispiness Test – Which One Cooks Better?
A great air fryer should deliver golden, crispy, and evenly cooked food every time. We tested both models by cooking French fries, chicken wings, and roasted vegetables to evaluate their crisping ability and consistency.
Ninja DZ550:
- With its dual-zone cooking, the Ninja allows you to cook two different foods at once, but the airflow in each basket is slightly less powerful than in a single-basket design.
- Fries and wings turned out crispy, but we noticed that shaking or flipping was necessary for an even cook, especially with larger portions.
- The Smart Thermometer helps with precision cooking, particularly for meats, ensuring perfect doneness.
- Cooking time was slightly faster than the COSORI due to the high power output.
COSORI Pro II:
- The single, large basket allows for better airflow around food, resulting in more even crisping without needing frequent shaking.
- The 12 preset cooking functions help automatically adjust time and temperature for different foods, making it easier to get great results.
- Fries were extra crispy, and chicken wings had a perfect golden-brown finish.
- While it took slightly longer than the Ninja in some cases, the crisping was more consistent overall.
✅ Winner: Choose the COSORI Pro II for more even crisping, especially for hands-free cooking. However, if you don’t mind manual adjustments, the Ninja is faster but requires more involvement.
2. Ease of Use – Which One is More User-Friendly?
Both air fryers are designed to be user-friendly, but they cater to different types of users:
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Ninja DZ550:
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Features manual controls with simple buttons and a digital display.
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The dual-basket system can be a bit tricky for beginners, as you have to manually set separate cooking times and temperatures for each basket.
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The Smart Finish feature helps synchronize cooking so that both foods are ready at the same time.
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Ideal for people who like hands-on control and need to cook multiple dishes simultaneously.
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COSORI Pro II:
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Features a fully digital touchscreen interface with 13 cooking presets for effortless operation.
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The VeSync app connectivity allows you to monitor and control cooking remotely via smartphone, Alexa, or Google Assistant.
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The preset modes simplify cooking, making it more beginner-friendly than the Ninja.
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Ideal for tech-savvy users or those who want a more automated cooking experience.
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✅ Winner: Again, if you’re a fan of tech, the COSORI Pro II is great for its intuitive digital controls and smart app integration.The Ninja is simple but requires more manual adjustments, which can be a source of pride if cooking is your passion.
3. Cleaning & Maintenance – Which One is Easier to Clean?
Nobody wants an air fryer that’s a pain to clean, so we evaluated how easy it is to maintain each model after cooking greasy foods like bacon and chicken wings.
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Ninja DZ550:
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Each of the two smaller baskets is nonstick-coated and dishwasher-safe, making cleaning straightforward.
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However, the nonstick coating may wear down over time with frequent use and washing.
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The dual baskets mean you have twice the surface area to clean, which can be inconvenient.
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If you only use one basket at a time, it’s a bit easier to clean than COSORI’s single large basket.
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COSORI Pro II:
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Comes with a larger, single basket, making it simpler to clean with fewer components.
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The basket and crisper plate are fully dishwasher-safe, making cleanup effortless.
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The nonstick coating is durable and doesn’t seem to wear down as quickly as Ninja’s.
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However, the larger basket can be bulky and may take up more space in smaller dishwashers.
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✅ Winner: Choose the COSORI Pro II for easier cleaning and a more durable nonstick coating. The Ninja’s dual baskets mean extra cleaning effort. But if you have a dishwasher, neither of these should worry you.
Pros & Cons of Each Air Fryer
✅ Ninja DZ550 Foodi 10-Quart Air Fryer
✔️ Dual-zone cooking allows for cooking two foods at once
✔️ Large 10-quart capacity, ideal for families or larger meals
✔️ Smart Cook System with built-in thermometer for precise cooking
✔️ Quick cooking time with high wattage
✔️ Versatile with 6 cooking functions (Air Fry, Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate)
❌ Dual baskets require manual adjustments for even cooking
❌ Bulkier design takes up more counter space
❌ Nonstick coating can wear over time with frequent use
✅ COSORI Pro II 5.8-Quart Air Fryer
✔️ Compact design, perfect for smaller kitchens or limited counter space
✔️ User-friendly with 13 preset cooking functions
✔️ Smart app and voice control for convenience and remote monitoring
✔️ Durable nonstick coating for easier cleaning
✔️ Efficient cooking with even crisping
❌ Single basket means you can’t cook two different foods at once
❌ Smaller 5.8-quart capacity, less ideal for large families
❌ Cooking time may be longer compared to higher-wattage models
How to Use Each Air Fryer
Setting It Up for the First Time
Before using your new air fryer, it’s essential to set it up properly to ensure safe operation and optimal performance. Here’s how to get started with each model:
- Ninja DZ550 Foodi 10-Quart Air Fryer:
- Unbox the air fryer and remove all packaging materials.
- Wipe down the interior and exterior of the baskets with a damp cloth or sponge to remove any dust or residue from the manufacturing process.
- Preheat the air fryer by setting it to 400°F for 5 minutes, as recommended in the user manual. This will burn off any residual oils and ensure the machine is ready for use.
- Familiarize yourself with the dual-zone baskets and Smart Finish feature for syncing cooking times across two different baskets.
- COSORI Pro II 5.8-Quart Air Fryer:
- Unbox and remove any protective materials.
- Wash the basket and crisper plate in warm, soapy water before the first use.
- Place the air fryer on a flat surface and plug it in.
- Turn it on by pressing the power button, and set the temperature to 400°F for a quick preheat.
- Explore the 13 preset functions and experiment with the settings to get familiar with the controls.
Cooking Tips for the Best Results
Maximize your air fryer’s performance with these tips:
- For Both Models:
- Use small, even layers of food for the best crisping. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking.
- Shake or flip your food halfway through cooking for even browning and crisping (especially important for the Ninja’s dual baskets).
- Preheat the air fryer for quicker cooking times and better results.
- Consider using a little oil spray (like olive oil) for extra crispiness, but avoid using too much oil.
- Ninja DZ550:
- The dual baskets let you cook two different items at once, but they need to be monitored and manually adjusted.
- Use the Smart Cook System for precision when cooking meats, such as chicken or pork.
- COSORI Pro II:
- The 13 preset functions are great for beginners—just pick your food type, and the air fryer will adjust the temperature and time automatically.
- The rapid air circulation ensures even crisping without the need for flipping, though occasional shaking is still helpful for some items.
Common Troubleshooting Tips
Air fryers are generally reliable, but sometimes issues can arise. Here are some common problems and solutions:
- Ninja DZ550:
- Uneven cooking: Make sure you shake the baskets halfway through cooking for even crisping. If you’re cooking larger portions, consider reducing the food in each basket.
- Smoke: If you’re cooking fatty foods like bacon, excess grease may drip and cause smoke. Reduce the temperature or add a parchment paper liner to catch grease.
- COSORI Pro II:
- Food is not crispy enough: Ensure you’re not overcrowding the basket. Try using a little oil spray or increasing the temperature for a more crisp finish.
- Basket not fitting properly: Check that the basket is correctly aligned and seated in place. If it’s misaligned, it won’t function correctly.
Which One is Best for You?
Best for Large Families:
If cooking for a large family or doing meal prep is your priority, the Ninja DZ550 is the better choice. With its 10-quart capacity and dual baskets, you can cook two different foods at once with separate settings, making it ideal for preparing large meals.
Best for Tech Lovers:
If you love smart technology, the COSORI Pro II stands out. It offers smart app integration and voice control through Alexa or Google Assistant, making it perfect for tech enthusiasts who prefer an air fryer they can control remotely. Its 13 preset cooking functions also provide automated convenience for a variety of foods.
Best for Beginners:
The COSORI Pro II is ideal for beginners. It’s designed with a digital touchscreen interface and has preset cooking modes for easy operation. It removes the guesswork and ensures consistent results, making it easier for first-time air fryer users to achieve great food without hassle.
Price & Value for Money
Price Comparison:
- The Ninja DZ550 tends to be more budget-friendly, especially when you consider the size and dual-basket functionality. If you’re looking for an affordable air fryer that offers versatility, this is a great option for larger families who need to cook more at once.
- The COSORI Pro II, while slightly more expensive, offers advanced features like smart controls, voice assistant integration, and 13 preset cooking options, making it worth the extra investment for those seeking convenience, efficiency, and high-tech features.
Value for Money:
- The Ninja DZ550 delivers excellent value for money if you need large-capacity cooking and the option to prepare multiple foods at the same time.
- The COSORI Pro II provides great value for those who want an air fryer with automated cooking presets, app control, and consistent results with less effort.
FAQs
Can you cook frozen food in both models?
Yes, both the Ninja DZ550 and the COSORI Pro II can cook frozen food. Just adjust the cooking time and temperature to ensure they cook properly. It’s recommended to increase the cooking time by a few minutes for frozen items.
Are these air fryers dishwasher safe?
Both air fryers feature dishwasher-safe components. The COSORI Pro II has a basket and crisper plate that are safe for the dishwasher, while the Ninja DZ550 also offers dishwasher-safe baskets, but you should be cautious with the nonstick coating to prolong its lifespan.
Can you bake in both models?
Yes, both the Ninja DZ550 and the COSORI Pro II can bake. While the COSORI offers a few more preset baking modes, the Ninja’s Bake function is versatile enough to handle cakes, muffins, and other baked goods.
How do I know if the food is done?
Both models have temperature control and cooking presets that ensure food is cooked properly. For meats, use the Smart Cook System on the Ninja for a more precise result. The COSORI features app connectivity, so you can monitor the cooking progress from your phone.
Conclusion
Both the Ninja DZ550 Foodi 10-Quart Air Fryer and the COSORI Pro II 5.8-Quart Air Fryer offer excellent features, but they cater to different needs. The Ninja is perfect for larger families or anyone who wants to cook multiple items at once with its dual baskets and large capacity. On the other hand, the COSORI Pro II stands out with its intuitive smart features, sleek design, and app integration, making it ideal for tech-savvy users or those looking for convenience. Ultimately, the choice comes down to your cooking habits—whether you prioritize capacity and versatility or advanced tech and ease of use. Both air fryers deliver fantastic results, so you can’t go wrong with either!