Ninja Foodi OP305 vs OP302 vs OP301 Pressure Cooker Comparisons

Let’s face it, there’s nothing better than coming home to a fresh, hot meal that’s just waiting to be tucked into. No hassle, minimal washing up, and great tasting food. With the increasingly busy lives of people today, what more could you want?

We’re not talking about takeout, as while it makes for a great occasional treat, this can be an unhealthy, more expensive way of feeding yourself and your family. What else could be so easy, you ask?

Pressure multi-cookers allow you to cook nourishing, delicious meals without having to spend hours sweating over the stove.

They have become a staple appliance in the kitchen because they provide ultimate convenience cooking.

Ninja has become one of the latest brands to utilize the pressure cooker’s soaring popularity with the introduction of their Foodi range. These versatile appliances stand out from their competitor’s models due to their multi-functionality.

Capable of making anything from tender, juicy stews with the pressure cooker setting to crispy coated chicken using the TenderCrisp air frying function, a Ninja Foodi will undoubtedly have you switching up your weekday meals.

The hardest decision to make (besides what recipe you’ll try next) is choosing which appliance from the Ninja Foodi range will best suit your culinary needs, so we’ve reviewed three of their best models to help narrow it down.

We’ve also included a buyer’s guide to highlight some of the key things you’ll want to consider.

Last update on 2021-01-25 at 12:21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Before you can choose between the OP301, OP302, and OP305 models, first you need to consider what features make for a ‘better’ appliance.

This doesn’t just come down to the quality alone – personal preference will determine what type of Ninja Foodi is the best choice for you. 

Convenience 

One of the main advantages of the Ninja Foodi appliances is their ability to cook such a wide variety of meals in a range of different ways, using just one appliance. 

Instead of pressure cooking food and having to transfer it to a separate piece of kitchenware to brown it off, with the Ninja Foodi you can crisp up right where it is by using the air frying lid. You’ll save on washing up as well as trapping all the delicious flavors in one pot. 

They have a number of useful features to make your life easier, such as a 12-hour warmer to keep your food from going cold. 

Power Output

It’s important to consider how powerful the model you’re choosing is with any appliance, as this will determine what you’re actually able to do with it. 

The general rule is: the higher Wattage the better. Appliances with a higher Watt output are better at cooking your food quicker, as the heating element can reach higher temperatures.

However, it depends what you’re planning on using it for. There’s no need to spend extra money on a more powerful appliance if you’re only planning on using it for lightweight tasks. 

Power output is usually measured in Watts, so this is what you want to look for when trying to learn which is the more powerful appliance.

In terms of the Ninja Foodi range, there’s not much difference between them. The OP301 and the OP302 models are both 1,400-Watts, but the OP305 has an increased 1,700-Watt power output, so it will be the quickest at heating and cooking your food. 

Size and Capacity 

One of the great things about these appliances is that they perform multiple functions, but it does mean that they’re larger than other pressure cookers. 

This is great for large family dinners or if you’re cooking for several guests, but it can make them harder to store when not in use. Then again, they save more space than if you had multiple different appliances to perform the same functions, just separately. 

Their size also means they’re quite heavy appliances which can make it difficult to move it around your kitchen. 

Another thing you’ll need to take into consideration is the hot air that’s released from the back of the appliance during air frying.

This is a non-issue if you have enough counter space to ensure it’s not enclosed, but if it’s positioned too close to the wall it could cause damage. 

Unfortunately, size doesn’t help to narrow down your decision between the OP301, OP302, and OP305 models of the Ninja Foodi as they’re all the same size. 

Design

If it’s going to be taking up space in your kitchen, you’re going to want an appliance that looks good and fits in seamlessly with your existing style. 

Luckily, the Ninja Foodi range does just that. Each model is similarly sleek and polished in their design, manufactured using high-gloss materials that add a modern look to your kitchen without looking industrialized. 

In addition to being attractive, the Ninja Foodi appliances were designed to maximize user convenience so they’re easy to use. They feature a control panel with clearly labeled buttons and there are a number of preset options as well as customizable settings. 

The ceramic non-stick coating is easy to clean after use, and it’s PTFE and PFOA free which means it contains no fluoropolymer plastic or perfluorooctanoic acid for anyone worried about their health and the sometimes toxic ingredients found in these types of coatings. 

Budget

As a well-respected, high-quality brand, Ninja appliances don’t come cheap. However, you definitely pay for what you get, which is a well-performing, durable appliance that can perform multiple functions for versatile use. 

Despite having a higher price, anyone who loves both pressurized cooking and air fried food will save money if they choose to purchase a Ninja Foodi. It does everything you need which eliminates the need for separate appliances to be purchased. 

If you’re someone who is going to use your Ninja Foodi regularly, it’s definitely worth the initial investment purely because of how convenient it is to use and the quality of the food you can make with it.

There’s not much difference in price between the OP301 and the OP302 models, which are pretty similar except for the attachments they come with. The latter is slightly higher in price, but the most expensive of the 3 is the Ninja Foodi OP305, as this is model has an additional dehydrator function and more powerful heating element. 

Attachments 

Each of these appliances comes with a pot for pressure cooking and another pot and basket or air frying. The reversible rack that’s used with the Cook and Crisp basket comes included with your purchase and works well in both high and low positions. 

Each pot also comes with its own lid, and this is where the Ninja Foodi range is somewhat let down. While the air pressure lid is removable so you can use it as and when you need, the air fryer lid is attached to the pot and opens with a hinge mechanism. 

This means it will need to remain open when you’re using the pressure cooker lid, which makes it difficult for anyone with less kitchen space. For example, it won’t fit under most kitchen cabinets, so you’ll need to find counter space that allows for the lid to stay open. 

As we mentioned in the product reviews, the Ninja Foodi OP302 is the only model that comes with silicone mitts included with its purchase. 

Conclusion – Which is The Best? 

After considering all that each of these Ninja Foodi pressure cookers has to offer, it’s clear that they’re all incredibly similar. However, they do have a few differences that set them apart. 

If you’re looking for an appliance that can pressure cook, air fry, and dehydrate food to higher quality standards then the OP302 or the OP305 are both good options. 

Someone who’s often cooking for a larger group of people may want to opt for the OP305, as this has the best wattage so it can cook food quickly and it comes with an additional layer rack to cook more food on different levels in your pot. 

If you love the features of the Ninja Foodi but have a smaller budget or don’t think you’ll use the dehydrator function very often, then the OP301 is a great choice that certainly isn’t lacking in comparison. 

We hope we’ve helped you to make your own decision about which Ninja Foodi model is the best for you, but we know whichever one you go for is sure to be a great addition to your kitchen.

Bon appetit! 

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Ninja Foodi different from the Ninja Foodi Deluxe?

One of the main differences between the Ninja Foodi and the Ninja Foodi Deluxe is that the latter has a larger 8-quart capacity for even bigger meals.

Design improvements include a stainless steel finish instead of a black gloss finish, and it has a different display unit which features a clear LCD screen. Additionally, the lid is much easier to align and secure in place. 

In terms of features, it has a new yogurt button which the Ninja Foodi range doesn’t have. 

What is the best type of oil to use in your Ninja Foodi? 

One of the health benefits of the Ninja Foodi appliances is that they allow you to cook with less oil. If using oil, ones with a higher smoke point are typically best to use in your Ninja Foodi air fryer as they produce less smoke during cooking. 

This includes coconut, avocado, vegetable, and grapeseed oil. Canola oil is also a great choice, especially for air frying chips. 

Can you cook frozen pizza in a Ninja Foodi? 

Even with all the easy and delicious meals you can create using your new Ninja Foodi, sometimes you just can’t beat a quick frozen pizza for dinner. The good news is, you can cook frozen pizza in your Ninja Foodi!

Spray the top of your pizza with oil to prevent the cheese from burning and place it in the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 380℉/193℃ and fry your pizza for 8-12 minutes or until your cheese has turned a golden brown color. 

Remember that this will vary depending on the size and thickness of your pizza, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.