The Ninja DZ201 Foodi and Cuisinart TOA-70 are two popular kitchen appliances that offer air frying and more. The Ninja stands out with its dual-zone cooking, while the Cuisinart combines a toaster oven with an air fryer for added versatility.
Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose the right one.
Ninja vs Cuisinart Air Fryer: Specs Comparison
Feature | Ninja DZ201 Foodi | Cuisinart TOA-70 |
Product Type | Dual-zone Air Fryer | Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven |
Capacity | 8 quarts (2 x 4-quart baskets) | Fits 6 slices of bread, 12″ pizza, 4 lb chicken |
Cooking Functions | 6 (Air Fry, Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate) | 8 (AirFry, Toast, Bake, Broil, Grill, Warm, etc.) |
Dual Cooking Zones | Yes (2 independent baskets) | No |
Smart Features | Smart Finish & Match Cook | Manual Dials, Toast Shade Selector |
Ease of Cleaning | Dishwasher-safe baskets & crisper plates | Nonstick interior, manual cleaning |
Price | $199 | $219 |
Customer Rating | ★ 4.7 (37,526 reviews) | ★ 4.4 (5,082 reviews) |
Ideal For | Cooking two foods at once, fast meals | Oven-style cooking, larger dishes |
Which is better: Ninja DZ201 or Cuisinart TOA-70?
Answer: Ninja DZ201
The Ninja DZ201 Foodi is the better choice for most users, especially those looking for speed, versatility, and convenience in everyday cooking. Its dual-basket design allows you to cook two different dishes at once with independent settings, which is a major time-saver. The Smart Finish and Match Cook features make meal prep seamless, while the 6-in-1 functionality covers all the basics — air fry, roast, bake, reheat, broil, and dehydrate.
Compared to the Cuisinart TOA-70, which is a solid convection toaster oven with more traditional controls, the Ninja offers a more modern and user-friendly experience. It’s also backed by over 37,000 Amazon reviews with a high 4.7-star rating, reflecting its popularity and performance.
If your goal is to prepare quick, healthy, and varied meals with less hassle, the Ninja DZ201 delivers better value and functionality overall.
Design and Build
The Ninja DZ201 Foodi stands out with its modern design and dual-basket layout. It comes with two independent 4-quart baskets, making a total of 8 quarts of cooking space. This dual-zone design allows you to cook two different foods at two different temperatures and times — a feature that’s especially useful when preparing a complete meal. The Smart Finish and Match Cook features enhance convenience by letting you sync cooking times or copy settings across baskets.
On the other hand, the Cuisinart TOA-70 is a convection toaster oven combined with an air fryer. Its oven-style design gives it a more traditional appearance and makes it suitable for users who prefer dial-based manual controls over digital interfaces. It’s large enough to toast 6 slices of bread, bake a 12-inch pizza, or roast a 4-pound chicken, making it ideal for family meals or entertaining guests.
Cooking Functions
The Ninja DZ201 Foodi comes with 6 cooking functions — Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate. While this may seem limited compared to the Cuisinart, the dual-zone functionality compensates by allowing more flexible meal preparation. You can air fry chicken in one basket while roasting vegetables in the other — all at the same time.
The Cuisinart TOA-70 offers 8 functions — Toast, Bake, Convection Bake, Broil, Convection Broil, Grill, Warm, and Air Fry. It covers a broader range of traditional cooking methods, making it feel more like a compact oven than just an air fryer. If you’re someone who enjoys oven baking, grilling, and toasting, this appliance gives you the added benefit of all-in-one functionality.
Performance and Heating
Performance-wise, the Ninja DZ201 Foodi excels in speed and convenience. Each 4-quart zone has its own cyclonic fan and rapid heater, which means even cooking and reduced wait times. The temperature range of 105°F to 450°F allows for everything from slow dehydration to high-heat air frying.
The Cuisinart TOA-70 is powered by 1800 watts and uses convection technology to circulate hot air for even cooking. It also comes with an adjustable temperature dial, a 60-minute timer, and a toast shade selector for more control over cooking results. However, since it uses a single cooking space, it can’t cook multiple items at different settings simultaneously like the Ninja.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
The Ninja DZ201 Foodi is very user-friendly with a digital control panel and clearly labeled buttons. Both baskets are dishwasher-safe and come with nonstick crisper plates, making cleanup simple and hassle-free. This is a big plus for anyone looking to save time after meals.
The Cuisinart TOA-70, while not difficult to clean, requires a bit more effort due to its oven-style interior. However, it does come with a nonstick interior, an oven rack, baking pan, AirFry basket, and grill, which are relatively easy to remove and clean. It’s great for users who are comfortable with more traditional appliances.
Customer Reviews and Price
The Ninja DZ201 Foodi enjoys a stellar reputation, with over 37,500 customer reviews and an impressive 4.7-star rating on Amazon. Priced at $199, it offers excellent value considering its unique dual-basket feature and high capacity.
The Cuisinart TOA-70 has a solid 4.4-star rating from over 5,000 customers and is priced slightly higher at $219. While it doesn’t offer dual-zone cooking, it does provide the versatility of a toaster oven and air fryer in one compact appliance.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you’re looking for an appliance that lets you cook two different dishes at the same time, the Ninja DZ201 Foodi is hard to beat. It’s perfect for quick family meals, offers great ease of use, and is more budget-friendly. The Smart Finish and Match Cook features are ideal for anyone who values speed and convenience.
However, if you prefer a more traditional oven-style experience with the added benefit of air frying, the Cuisinart TOA-70 might be the better fit. Its ability to bake, toast, broil, and grill makes it a versatile addition to any kitchen, especially if you cook for larger groups or enjoy oven-baked recipes.
Final Thoughts
Both the Ninja DZ201 and the Cuisinart TOA-70 bring a lot to the table, but they shine in different areas. The Ninja is modern, fast, and efficient for multi-dish cooking, while the Cuisinart provides the familiarity and flexibility of a convection oven with air frying power. Your choice ultimately depends on your cooking habits, kitchen space, and personal preferences.