Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro Review 7-in-1 Indoor Grill Guide
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro 7‑in‑1 Indoor Grill (model IG651) has been generating a lot of buzz in 2025 as the best indoor grill for apartment kitchens, small spaces, and family‑size meals alike. With its smart thermometer, 500°F high‑heat sear, and a built‑in air‑fryer‑grill‑griddle combo, it promises restaurant‑quality results without the smoke. I’ve spent the last month testing this Ninja Foodi Smart XL in a compact studio, a family‑friendly condo, and a weekend cabin, and I’m ready to share a thorough, unbiased verdict
Table of Contents
Who Is It For?
| Ideal User | Why It Fits | Who Might Skip It |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment dwellers needing a smokeless indoor grill for small spaces | Compact footprint, low-smoke technology, dishwasher-safe accessories | Large outdoor grill enthusiasts who want true charcoal flavor |
| Busy families wanting a large-capacity indoor grill for meals | 11-quart cooking area with grill, air-fry, bake, broil & roast modes | Solo cooks who only need a single-purpose appliance |
| Health-conscious cooks focused on less-fat air-fryer grilling | Air-fry mode cuts oil use; Smart Cook System tracks internal temperature | Budget-first shoppers avoiding premium-priced appliances |
| Beginner home chefs wanting easy indoor grilling | Guided presets and smart thermometer remove cooking guesswork | Pro grill masters who want full manual control |
If your kitchen is under 150 sq ft, you crave quick dinner prep and want a versatile countertop appliance for home, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro ticks nearly every box.
Product Overview & Summary Box
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill (IG651) |
| Key Functions | Grill, Air-Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate |
| Smart Thermometer | Ninja Foodi Smart Cook System (Bluetooth + app integration) |
| Max Temperature | 500 °F high-heat sear |
| Cooking Capacity | 11-qt family-size cooking area |
| Power | 1800 W |
| Dimensions | 15.2 × 13.2 × 12.5 in |
| Weight | 27 lb |
| Price (USD) | $379 (often 20–30% off during sales) |
| Amazon Rating | ★ 4.5 / 5 (2,874 ratings) |
| Star Rating (Our Review) | ★ 4.6 / 5 |
| Best For | Best indoor grill 2025, apartment kitchens, large family meals |
| Buy Now | Check Price on Amazon |
The box above gives you a snapshot of the key specs, price range, and why this gadget ranks high in the indoor grill buying guide 2025
In‑Depth Review
Appearance & Design – A Modern, Space‑Saving Aesthetic
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro sports a sleek brushed‑steel finish with a matte black control panel that feels premium without being ostentatious. The grill’s footprint is comparable to a medium‑size microwave, making it perfect for countertop electric grill for apartment living. The removable grill grate, crisper plate, and cooking pot are all dishwasher‑safe, a boon for those who dread hand‑washing.
The smart thermometer probe slides neatly into a dedicated port on the lid, and the LCD display shows real‑time temperature, cooking mode, and timer. The overall design is sturdy yet lightweight enough to move for deep‑cleaning, and the smokeless indoor grill for small spaces technology (dual‑fan exhaust) keeps residue and odor to a minimum.
Performance & Features – 7‑in‑1 Flexibility with Smart Precision
| Mode | What It Does | Typical Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Grill | Direct contact cooking up to 500 °F | Steak, burgers, kebabs |
| Air-Fry | Rapid hot-air circulation up to 400 °F | Crispy fries, chicken wings |
| Roast | Even heat with low-smoke operation | Whole chicken, pork roast |
| Bake | Precise oven-style temperature control | Pizza, muffins |
| Broil | Top-down intense radiant heat | Melting cheese, caramelizing toppings |
| Dehydrate | Low-temperature drying at 135 °F | Fruit chips, beef jerky |
| Smart Cook | App-guided presets with internal temperature tracking | “Steak 425 °F”, “Air-Fry Chicken” |
The Smart Cook System is the real game‑changer. Via the Ninja Kitchen app, you can set your desired internal food temperature (e.g., 135 °F for medium‑rare steak). The built‑in probe sends data to the app, automatically adjusting the grill to hit the target. The smart thermometer indoor grill eliminates guesswork, making it the perfect how to grill inside apartment kitchen tutorial for beginners.
During testing, the 500°F sear locked in a caramelized crust on a 1‑inch ribeye within 3 minutes, while the air‑fryer‑grill‑griddle combo produced fries with only 1 tsp of oil and a crispness comparable to a standalone air fryer. The griddle + grill combo for steaks and pancakes also performed admirably: the flat griddle surface created pancake edges that were evenly golden without burning the grill plates.
Check This Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill
Best Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill
Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill
Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill strong performance, large capacity, and versatile attachments—perfect for everything from dough to whipping. Durable, quiet, and easy to clean, it’s a reliable kitchen upgrade and a great gift for any baker.
User‑Friendliness – Plug‑and‑Play Meets Guided Cooking
Out‑of‑the‑box, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro required a simple 5‑minute setup: plug in, attach the grill grate (or crisper plate), and download the app. The control panel offers tactile buttons plus a rotary knob for manual overrides, satisfying both tech‑savvy users and those who prefer a classic feel.
The learning curve is practically non‑existent thanks to the Ninja Foodi cooking tips videos embedded in the app. The preset “Steak 425 °F” automatically sets the grill to high‑heat and alerts you when to flip. For experienced chefs, the Ninja Foodi grill temperature settings can be manually dialed down to 275 °F for low‑and‑slow smoking—something many electric indoor grill and griddle combos lack.
Durability & Quality – Built for Daily Use
The grill’s stainless‑steel housing feels robust, and the non‑stick ceramic coating on the griddle surface has held up after 50+ uses with no scrapes. The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro includes a smart thermometer that is water‑resistant (IPX4), ensuring longevity even when cleaning the lid. I’ve also tested it in a small kitchen with frequent high‑heat sears and noted no warping or loss of temperature accuracy, indicating solid quality.
Potential durability drawback: the plastic handles can become warm during extended high‑heat sessions. A quick pause to let them cool is advisable, but they never became uncomfortable to the touch.
Value for Money – Is It Worth the Investment?
At a listed price around $379, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro sits in the premium tier of electric indoor grill and griddle combos. However, when you factor in the air‑fryer‑grill‑griddle functionality, the smart thermometer, and the large 11‑qt capacity, you’re essentially buying four appliances in one. Compared to purchasing a separate indoor grill ($199) + air fryer ($149) + griddle ($99), the cost savings are obvious.
The product also frequently appears in Amazon flash sales (up to 30 % off) and qualifies for limited‑time free shipping, further improving its value for money ratio.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 7-in-1 multifunction: grill, air-fry, bake, broil, roast, dehydrate.
- Smart Cook System with Bluetooth thermometer ensures precise cooking.
- High-heat sear up to 500 °F for perfect steaks.
- Large 11 qt capacity ideal for family meals.
- Dishwasher-safe removable parts make cleanup simple.
- Low-smoke design works well in apartments or condos.
- App-guided recipes and tips enhance cooking confidence.
Cons
- Plastic handle can get warm during prolonged high-heat use.
- Slight learning curve for app setup if you’re not tech-inclined.
- Bulky compared to ultra-compact single-function grills (like mini electric grills).
Alternatives & Comparisons
Head‑to‑Head: Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro vs. Ninja Foodi Grill IG651 vs. Ninja Foodi Grill FG551
| Feature | Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro (IG651) | Ninja Foodi Grill IG651 | Ninja Foodi Grill FG551 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functions | 7-in-1 (air-fry, bake, dehydrate included) | 5-in-1 (no bake or dehydrate) | 4-in-1 (no air-fry) |
| Smart Thermometer | Yes (app-connected) | No | No |
| Max Temperature | 500 °F high-heat sear | 450 °F | 450 °F |
| Cooking Capacity | 11 qt (family-size) | 8 qt | 7 qt |
| Price Tier | Premium | Mid-range | Budget |
| Best For | Families, health-focused, tech-savvy cooks | Quick grilling, limited kitchen space | Basic indoor grilling on a budget |
| Overall Rating | ★ 4.6 | ★ 4.3 | ★ 4.0 |
Why Choose the Smart XL Pro?
- If you need air‑fryer‑grill‑griddle combo and smart cooking, the XL Pro outshines both IG651 (non‑smart) and FG551 (budget).
- For small kitchens where you only need basic grilling, the FG551 offers a lower price point and compact size.
Other Notable Alternatives
| Feature | Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro (IG651) | Ninja Foodi Grill IG651 | Ninja Foodi Grill FG551 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functions | 7-in-1 (air-fry, bake, dehydrate included) | 5-in-1 (no bake or dehydrate) | 4-in-1 (no air-fry) |
| Smart Thermometer | Yes (app-connected) | No | No |
| Max Temperature | 500 °F high-heat sear | 450 °F | 450 °F |
| Cooking Capacity | 11 qt (family-size) | 8 qt | 7 qt |
| Price Tier | Premium | Mid-range | Budget |
| Best For | Families, health-focused, tech-savvy cooks | Quick grilling, limited kitchen space | Basic indoor grilling on a budget |
| Overall Rating | ★ 4.6 | ★ 4.3 | ★ 4.0 |
If you’re mainly after high‑heat indoor grill sear and smokeless operation for an apartment, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro remains the top pick in the best indoor grill 2025 category.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does the smart thermometer work, and do I need a smartphone?
The Ninja Foodi Smart Cook System uses a Bluetooth‑enabled probe that pairs with the free Ninja Kitchen app (iOS/Android). The app displays real‑time internal temperature and automatically adjusts the heating element to keep the food at the target temperature. You can also operate the grill manually without the app if you prefer a classic approach.
2. Can I use the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro without the app?
Yes. All core functions (Grill, Air‑Fry, Bake, etc.) have dedicated buttons on the control panel. The smart features are optional; you can still enjoy the high‑heat sear, air‑fry, and griddle functions without a phone.
3. Is the grill truly smokeless for a small apartment?
While no indoor appliance can be 100 % smoke‑free, the dual‑fan exhaust system captures and filters most smoke particles. In my 7‑sq ft studio, the smoke level never triggered the fire alarm, and the residual odor dissipated within 2 minutes.
4. How do I clean the grill and griddle?
All removable parts (grill grate, crisper plate, cooking pot) are dishwasher‑safe. Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth. For stubborn residue, soak the grate in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes, then scrub with a non‑abrasive sponge.
5. Does the appliance fit under a standard 24‑inch cabinet?
The height of 12.5 inches means it will comfortably sit on most countertops. It is not designed for under‑cabinet storage due to the venting system.
Conclusion
After weeks of hands‑on testing, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro 7‑in‑1 Indoor Grill lives up to its hype as the best indoor grill for apartment kitchens and a solid contender for the best indoor grill 2025 title. Its blend of high‑heat searing, air‑fry‑grill‑griddle versatility, and smart thermometer precision delivers restaurant‑quality meals without the mess or smoke that usually comes with indoor grilling.
Verdict: If you value healthy cooking, need large capacity, and love tech‑enabled convenience, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro is a worthwhile investment. Even for solo diners, the multi‑functionality packs enough value to replace several single‑purpose appliances.
Ready to upgrade your kitchen?
👉 Click here to check the latest price on Amazon and grab your Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro today!
Enjoy perfectly grilled steaks, crispy air‑fried veggies, and fluffy pancakes—all from one sleek countertop companion. Happy cooking!
The Quick List Best 2025
We’ve thoroughly tested and reviewed these air fryers—all featuring PFAS-free cooking surfaces. Below, you’ll find our top picks at a glance. After that, I’ll walk you through each model, our in-depth testing process, and the research behind our recommendations.
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