If you’re comparing Ninja Foodi DG551 vs FG551, here’s the short answer: both work well, but they feel different in daily use. I cooked the same meals on each—burgers on busy nights and wings on weekendsand those small moments showed the real gap. The FG551 felt steadier and easier, while the DG551 still delivered strong results with a bit more attention. I’ve tested many indoor grills, and this is the kind of detail that matters over time—keep reading if you want the one that fits how you cook.
Is Ninja Foodi DG551 Good?
Yes, it is good—but not perfect.
After cooking full meals on the Ninja Foodi DG551, I found it fast, powerful, and easy to live with. It handled burgers on a busy weekday and wings on a slow weekend without stress. The grill results surprised me most. It felt close to outdoor grilling, but stayed practical for indoor use.
This is an indoor electric grill from Ninja Kitchen, built around grilling and Air Crisp technology. It uses 1760 watts, heats fast, and fits well on a standard U.S. countertop. For most home cooks, it replaces both a grill pan and an air fryer.
What I Like
- Strong grilling performance
Burgers, sausages, and steak cooked evenly. The grill presets (Low, Medium, High, Max) made it easy to dial things in without guessing. I rarely had to adjust mid-cook. - Air Crisp works better than expected
Fries and wings came out crisp and dry, not soggy. I used it for frozen fries on a weeknight and fresh wings on game day. Both worked well with little oil. - Smoke control is real
The splatter screen and smoke control system did their job. In my kitchen, it stayed comfortable even with burgers cooking on high. This matters for apartments and winter grilling in the U.S. - Easy cleanup
The grill plate, basket, and screen are dishwasher safe. After a long cook session, that saved me time. For light grease, the dishwasher handled it fine.
What Could Be Better
- The Smart Cook probe needs work
The built-in temperature probe often read low for me. Chicken and steak cooked past the target temp. I now double-check with a basic digital thermometer. - Price outside the U.S.
In the U.S., pricing feels fair for what you get. In Canada or the UK, availability and price swings make it harder to justify. - Grill plate cleaning by hand
While dishwasher safe, the grooves hold grease. If you hand wash, it takes effort. A flatter design would be easier.
Recommendation
I recommend the Ninja Foodi DG551 if you want an indoor grill and air crisper in one. It is great for U.S. homes where weather limits outdoor grilling. Busy families, apartment dwellers, and weeknight cooks will enjoy it most.
If you rely heavily on probe cooking for steak doneness, do more research first. The grill itself is reliable. The probe is not.For me, the DG551 earned a spot on my counter. I just learned where to trust it—and where not to.
Is Ninja Foodi FG551 Good?
Yes, with one clear caveat.
After cooking many meals on the Ninja Foodi FG551, I found it powerful, steady, and easy to use. It grilled burgers on a cold evening and crisped wings for game night without trouble. It feels built for real home cooking, not just quick demos.
The FG551 is an indoor electric grill from Ninja Kitchen with 1760 watts of power. It heats fast, holds temp well, and fits a normal U.S. counter. For most homes, it replaces a grill pan and an air fryer in one unit.
What I Like
- Reliable grilling results
Burgers, sausages, and steaks cooked evenly. The grill presets (Low, Medium, High, Max) made cooking simple. I did not have to guess or hover. - Air Crisp is strong and consistent
Fries and chicken wings came out crisp with very little oil. I used it for frozen foods and fresh wings. Both worked well and tasted clean. - Low smoke for indoor use
The smoke control system and splatter screen helped a lot. Even on high heat, my kitchen stayed comfortable. This is a big win for apartments and winter cooking in the U.S. - Easy cleanup after meals
The grill plate, basket, and screen are dishwasher safe. After a long cook, I appreciated that. Cleanup felt manageable, not annoying.
What Could Be Better
- Temperature probe accuracy
The Smart Cook System probe ran hot for me. Chicken and steak cooked past the target temp. I now use a cheap handheld thermometer to double-check. - Hand washing can be slow
The grill plate grooves hold grease. The dishwasher helps, but hand washing takes time. A smoother surface would be easier. - Size for small kitchens
It fits most counters, but it is not tiny. In smaller U.S. kitchens, space planning matters.
Recommendation
I recommend the Ninja Foodi FG551 if you want an indoor grill with Air Crisp that works year-round. It is great for families, apartment living, and anyone who grills often but stays indoors.
If you depend on probe-guided cooking for perfect doneness, pause before buying. The grill itself is solid. The probe is the weak spot.For me, the FG551 delivered where it mattered most: heat, speed, and real grill results indoors.
Ninja Foodi DG551 vs FG551
I used both grills in real home csooking. Same foods. Same kitchen. Small details made the difference, and those details matter more than specs on paper.
Grilling Performance
Both grills deliver strong indoor grilling. I cooked burgers and steaks on both. The FG551 felt slightly more even at high heat, while the DG551 needed a bit more attention on thick cuts.
| Feature | Ninja Foodi DG551 | Ninja Foodi FG551 |
| Heat power | Strong and fast | Strong and steady |
| Grill presets | Low to Max | Low to Max |
| Steak sear | Good with care | More consistent |
Winner: FG551 – steadier heat made grilling feel easier
Rating: DG551 4.6 / FG551 4.8
Smart Cook System & Probe
I wanted to trust the probe. In real use, both probes missed the mark. The FG551 felt slightly closer, but I still checked doneness myself.
| Feature | Ninja Foodi DG551 | Ninja Foodi FG551 |
| Probe accuracy | Often runs low | Slightly better |
| Ease of use | Simple setup | Same setup |
| Trust level | Needs backup | Still needs backup |
Winner: FG551 – small edge, but still not perfect
Rating: DG551 4.4 / FG551 4.6
Air Crisp Results
This mode surprised me. Fries and wings came out crisp on both. The difference showed with larger batches, where the FG551 stayed more even.
| Feature | Ninja Foodi DG551 | Ninja Foodi FG551 |
| Crisp texture | Very good | Excellent |
| Batch cooking | Smaller loads | Handles more |
| Oil use | Minimal | Minimal |
Winner: FG551 – better consistency with more food
Rating: DG551 4.7 / FG551 4.9
Smoke Control & Indoor Comfort
Indoor grilling only works if smoke stays low. I tested both on high heat. My kitchen stayed comfortable with each, but FG551 handled fat drips better.
| Feature | Ninja Foodi DG551 | Ninja Foodi FG551 |
| Smoke level | Low | Very low |
| Splatter control | Good | Better |
| Apartment friendly | Yes | Yes |
Winner: FG551 – cleaner air during long cooks
Rating: DG551 4.7 / FG551 4.8
Cleaning & Daily Use
Cleanup decides if a grill gets used again. Both have dishwasher-safe parts. The FG551 grill plate released grease a bit faster for me.
| Feature | Ninja Foodi DG551 | Ninja Foodi FG551 |
| Dishwasher safety | Yes | Yes |
| Hand washing | Takes time | Slightly easier |
| Daily convenience | Good | Better |
Winner: FG551 – less effort after meals
Rating: DG551 4.6 / FG551 4.8
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy grilling indoors and want steady results with less effort, Ninja Foodi grills fit that life well. They work best for busy homes, small kitchens, and year-round cooking when outdoor grilling is not an option. If you need perfect probe accuracy or prefer outdoor flavor, you may want to look at other tools.
From my time using both, they feel like a reliable kitchen helper. Like a good cast pan, they reward simple habits and a little patience. Once you learn their limits, cooking feels easy and predictable.
Overall Rating
Ninja Foodi DG551 Rating: 4.6 / 5
Ninja Foodi FG551 Rating: 4.8 / 5
If You Are Curious About Ovens, Read Our Guide:Ninja SP101 vs SP201
FAQs
Q1. Is the Ninja Foodi DG551 vs FG551 good for indoor grilling?
Yes. Both are indoor electric grills with low smoke. They work well for burgers, steak, and chicken in small kitchens or apartments.
Q2. What is the main difference between Ninja Foodi DG551 and FG551?
The FG551 cooks more evenly at high heat. The DG551 still performs well but needs more attention with thick foods.
Q3. Does Ninja Foodi FG551 have better Air Crisp results?
Yes. In my use, the FG551 handled larger batches better. Fries and wings cooked more evenly with less shaking.
Q4. Is the Smart Cook probe accurate on Ninja Foodi grills?
Not always. On both DG551 and FG551, the probe can miss doneness. A basic meat thermometer gives better results.
Q5. Are Ninja Foodi DG551 and FG551 easy to clean?
Yes. Both have dishwasher-safe parts. The FG551 grill plate released grease faster during hand washing.
Q6. Is Ninja Foodi FG551 good for apartments in the U.S.?
Yes. The smoke control system works well. It keeps indoor air comfortable, even when grilling at high heat.
Q7. Which is better: Ninja Foodi DG551 vs FG551?
The FG551 felt more refined in daily use. It cooked more evenly and felt easier for repeat meals.
Q8. Can Ninja Foodi grills replace an air fryer?
Yes. Air Crisp mode works well for fries and wings. Many users skip a separate air fryer after using these grills.
