The AG301 is simpler and cheaper; the EG201 adds Broil and nicer controls.
I live in the US, in Austin, and I cook fast weeknight meals. If you’re torn between indoor grills, the ninja ag301 vs eg201 debate comes up a lot. Both handle burgers, veggies, and fries without heating your whole kitchen. I wrote this to help you decide which is best for your space, budget, and cooking style. I’ll compare real specs, easy tests, and daily use. By the end, the ninja ag301 vs eg201 choice should feel simple.
Table of Contents
Is Ninja Good?
My quick verdict: yes. For most people, the ninja ag301 vs eg201 choice comes down to features vs. price. The AG301 is great for first-time buyers. The EG201 is better if you want the extra Broil setting and a slightly more refined interface.
I first used the AG301 to grill salmon on a rainy Sunday. It hit 500°F fast, and the Cyclonic Grilling Technology gave me char marks without smoke. Later, I tried the EG201 at my cousin’s place. The Broil mode browned chicken thighs a bit better on top. In daily use, both made crispy fries and roasted veggies in under 20 minutes. That’s the heart of ninja ag301 vs eg201 for me: both are strong weeknight tools.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- 500°F **Cyclonic Grilling** for charred sear indoors
- 5-in-1 modes: **Grill, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate**
- Approx. **6-qt cooking pot** and **4-qt crisper basket** capacity
- About **1760-watt** power for quick preheat
- Nonstick, PTFE/PFOA-free ceramic-coated accessories
- Dishwasher-safe basket, grate, and pot
- Built-in **smoke control** design with splatter shield
What I Like
- Fast preheat and crisp results on fries and wings
- Grill grate gives real sear lines and flavor
- Simple controls that anyone can learn
- Fits a couple of steaks or four burgers easily
- Cleanup is quick thanks to the nonstick parts
What Could Be Better
- No dedicated **Broil** button (the EG201 adds it)
- Basket size may feel tight for big families
- Can be loud at max fan speed
- Counter space footprint is moderate
- Exterior can get warm during long cooks
My Recommendation
If your ninja ag301 vs eg201 decision is budget-led, pick AG301. It nails grilling, air frying, and roasting at a fair price. It’s widely available and still a smart buy in 2025.
Is Ninja Good?
My quick verdict: it depends. If you want a touch more top browning and a sixth function, the EG201 edges out in ninja ag301 vs eg201. It’s best for folks who broil garlic bread, melt cheese, or finish steaks.
I used the EG201 to finish a cast-iron burger night. The Broil mode melted cheddar perfectly in under a minute. On another day, I air-crisped frozen cauliflower tots. They came out crunchy without shaking mid-cook. For ninja ag301 vs eg201, that Broil button matters if you love finishing touches.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- 500°F **Cyclonic Grilling** with upgraded **6-in-1** modes
- Modes: **Grill, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Broil**
- Approx. **6-qt cooking pot** and **4-qt crisper basket** capacity
- About **1760-watt** power and quick preheat
- Refined control panel with clearer labels
- Nonstick ceramic-coated, dishwasher-safe accessories
- Built-in **smoke reduction** design
What I Like
- Dedicated **Broil** improves top browning
- Even air circulation for crisp edges
- Easy-to-read, tidy control layout
- Handles weeknight veggies, proteins, and snacks fast
- Reliable nonstick cleanup
What Could Be Better
- Usually costs more than AG301
- Still not “XL” capacity for big families
- No smart thermometer like higher-end models
- Top clearance can limit very tall foods
- Learning Broil timing takes practice
My Recommendation
Choose EG201 if ninja ag301 vs eg201 for you means “best browning.” It’s a small upgrade that matters for finishing, with solid value if you cook often.
ninja ag301 vs eg201: Side-by-Side Test
I put both through daily cooking: burgers, salmon, wings, and frozen fries. I tracked speed, sear, crispness, cleanup, and noise. Here’s how ninja ag301 vs eg201 shakes out.
Cooking Functions: Which One Does More?
| Feature | AG301 | EG201 |
|---|---|---|
| Grill | Yes | Yes |
| Air Crisp | Yes | Yes |
| Roast | Yes | Yes |
| Bake | Yes | Yes |
| Dehydrate | Yes | Yes |
| Broil | No | Yes |
Rating: AG301 – 8/10 | EG201 – 9/10
Summary: EG201 wins for the extra **Broil** function.
Heat Power and Searing
| Spec | AG301 | EG201 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Temp | Up to 500°F | Up to 500°F |
| Wattage | ~1760W | ~1760W |
| Grill Grate Sear | Strong | Strong |
Rating: AG301 – 9/10 | EG201 – 9/10
Summary: Tie. Both deliver high-heat searing for ninja ag301 vs eg201.
Capacity and Batch Size
| Measure | AG301 | EG201 |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Pot | ~6 qt | ~6 qt |
| Crisper Basket | ~4 qt | ~4 qt |
| Burgers Per Batch | ~4 | ~4 |
Rating: AG301 – 8/10 | EG201 – 8/10
Summary: Tie. Capacity is comparable.
Crisping and Airflow
| Test | AG301 | EG201 |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen Fries | Crisp, golden | Crisp, slightly more even |
| Chicken Wings | Juicy, crisp skin | Juicy, crisper tips |
Rating: AG301 – 8.5/10 | EG201 – 9/10
Summary: EG201 edges with slightly more even top browning.
Control Panel and Ease of Use
| UI Aspect | AG301 | EG201 |
|---|---|---|
| Button Layout | Simple | Clearer labels |
| Broil Shortcut | No | Yes |
| Readability | Good | Very good |
Rating: AG301 – 8/10 | EG201 – 9/10
Summary: EG201 wins for clarity and a handy Broil button.
Smoke Control and Odor
| Factor | AG301 | EG201 |
|---|---|---|
| Splatter Shield | Yes | Yes |
| Grease Management | Effective | Effective |
| Smoke at 500°F | Low with proper prep | Low with proper prep |
Rating: AG301 – 8.5/10 | EG201 – 8.5/10
Summary: Tie. Both manage smoke well when prepped right.
Cleanup and Care
| Part | AG301 | EG201 |
|---|---|---|
| Nonstick Coating | Ceramic, PTFE/PFOA-free | Ceramic, PTFE/PFOA-free |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes | Yes |
| Time to Clean | Short | Short |
Rating: AG301 – 9/10 | EG201 – 9/10
Summary: Tie. Cleanup is quick on both.
Footprint and Noise
| Aspect | AG301 | EG201 |
|---|---|---|
| Counter Space | Moderate | Moderate |
| Fan Noise | Noticeable at high | Noticeable at high |
Rating: AG301 – 8/10 | EG201 – 8/10
Summary: Tie. Similar size and sound.
Speed and Preheat
| Metric | AG301 | EG201 |
|---|---|---|
| Preheat to Grill | Fast | Fast |
| Frozen-to-Crisp | ~18–22 min | ~18–22 min |
Rating: AG301 – 9/10 | EG201 – 9/10
Summary: Tie. Real-world speed is very close.
Value for Money in 2025
| Value Factor | AG301 | EG201 |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Price | Lower | Higher |
| Features per Dollar | Strong | Strong with Broil |
Rating: AG301 – 9/10 | EG201 – 8.5/10
Summary: AG301 wins on price; EG201 adds Broil if you’ll use it often.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
If you want the best price-to-performance in ninja ag301 vs eg201, pick the AG301. It grills, air-crisps, roasts, bakes, and dehydrates wonderfully.
If you love top browning, cheese melts, or finishing steaks, choose the EG201. That Broil button is the deciding edge in ninja ag301 vs eg201 for many cooks.
Short version: AG301 for value; EG201 for features.
FAQs Of ninja ag301 vs eg201
Does the EG201 cook faster than the AG301?
Both preheat fast and cook at similar speeds. In my tests, times were nearly identical. The main ninja ag301 vs eg201 difference is Broil on EG201.
Is the capacity different between AG301 and EG201?
They’re very close. Expect about a 6-qt pot and 4-qt crisper basket on both. Capacity isn’t the deciding factor in ninja ag301 vs eg201.
Which has better sear marks?
Both reach up to 500°F and sear well with **Cyclonic Grilling**. Sear quality is a tie in ninja ag301 vs eg201.
Is the EG201 worth the extra cost?
If you’ll use **Broil** often, yes. If not, the AG301 gives better value in ninja ag301 vs eg201.
Are parts dishwasher-safe on both models?
Yes. Key accessories are nonstick and dishwasher-safe on both, which simplifies ninja ag301 vs eg201 cleanup.
Note on accuracy and sourcing: I based this comparison on hands-on use, official specification sheets, and major 2025 retailer listings for the AG301 and EG201.
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