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Ninja AF101 vs AF141: 4-Quart vs 5-Quart Air Fryer

Ninja AF101 vs AF141: specs, independent lab data, owner reports and prices side by side, and which one fits your household.

By Maksud · Published Sep 26, 2026 · Updated Sep 27, 2026

A white basket-style air fryer with its drawer pulled open, on a plain background — A basket-style air fryer (illustrative, not the Ninja AF101 or AF141). Photo: Ashley Pomeroy / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.

For one or two people, the Ninja AF101 is the safer buy because it’s the one with independent evidence: TechGearLab named it Editors’ Choice and measured 396.8°F at a 400°F setting. The AF141 adds a quart and 200 watts on paper (5 qt, 1750 W vs 4 qt, 1550 W). But I found no lab that has published measurements for it, so choosing it means buying on specs.

Ninja AF101 vs AF141 specs and lab numbers side by side

Spec or measurement	Ninja AF101	Ninja AF141	Source
Capacity (manufacturer spec)	4 qt	5 qt	Target listing (AF101), SharkNinja (AF141)
Wattage (manufacturer spec)	1550 W	1750 W	AF100-series owner’s guide, SharkNinja
Max temperature (manufacturer spec)	400°F	400°F	AF100-series owner’s guide, SharkNinja
Functions (manufacturer spec)	4 (air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate)	4 (air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate)	Owner’s guide, SharkNinja
Weight (listed)	10.58 lb	10.67 lb (SharkNinja) or 10.34 lb (Target)	Target, SharkNinja
Dimensions (listed)	13.3 H x 11 W x 13.6 D in	10.55 H x 11.34 W x 14.84 L in	Target, SharkNinja
Basket coating (manufacturer)	ceramic, PTFE- and PFOA-free	“nonstick”, type not stated	SharkNinja parts page, SharkNinja product page
Warranty	1 year	1 year	Owner’s guide, SharkNinja
Avg temp at 400°F setting	396.8°F	not published	TechGearLab
Hottest exterior point	160°F	not published	TechGearLab
Preheat	3 min (TechGearLab; Ninja also recommends 3 min)	not published	TechGearLab, owner’s guide
Price seen Sep 27, 2026	$119.99 at Target	$129.99 at SharkNinja and Target	Retailer listings

Target and SharkNinja list the AF141’s weight and height slightly differently (10.34 vs 10.67 lb; 10.39 vs 10.55 in tall). Measure your counter and cabinet clearance against the larger figures.

Lab data: only the AF101 has been measured

Only the AF101 has independent lab data. TechGearLab gave it its Editors’ Choice and measured an average of 396.8°F at a 400°F setting and a 160°F hottest exterior point. It also noted the AF101 needed only a 3-minute preheat. Food Network named the AF101 its best mid-size air fryer at $120.

Neither publication has tested the AF141. TechGearLab only notes that the AF141 is a newer version with much in common with the AF101. Its table also includes a “Ninja Pro XL”, but that’s a 6.5-quart model, not the AF141, so its numbers don’t apply here. Some comparison sites say the AF141 crisps frozen food about 25% faster; I couldn’t find that claim on a Ninja page or in any lab data, so I’d ignore it.

AF101 and AF141 owner complaints: noise, stuck plates, early failures

The AF101 has a long track record: 4.56 stars across 1,314 ratings on Target’s listing on Sep 27, 2026. Complaints there include fan noise and one owner saying the fan slowed after about 50 uses. One practical problem comes up often enough to plan for: the crisper plate sticking in the basket. A Best Buy Q&A thread on the AF101 had 26 owner answers, mostly advising a firm straight pull on the center handle or warming the silicone bumpers with hot water.

The AF141 has a shorter track record than the AF101. Target’s review feed showed 740 ratings averaging 4.58 of 5 on Sep 27, 2026, even though the listing page itself displayed none. Among its 39 one- and two-star reviews, 9 complain about loud running, rattling or grinding, and 11 describe a unit that arrived dead or stopped working within a year, per Target’s reviews. That’s a small share, but it’s the pattern to know about.

Cleaning the AF101 and what its replacement parts cost

Ninja’s AF100-series owner’s guide says the basket and crisper plate can go in the dishwasher, stuck-on food should be soaked in warm soapy water, and abrasive cleaners, steel wool and scouring pads are out. The warranty doesn’t cover the basket or crisper plate, which Ninja treats as wear parts. On Sep 27, 2026, SharkNinja sold a replacement AF101 basket for $33.99 and a crisper plate for $18.99. The full routine is in how to clean the Ninja AF101.

Is the AF101 still sold? Availability and prices

The AF101 was $119.99 and in stock at Target on Sep 27, 2026, but SharkNinja’s own store may have stopped selling it. A search for AF101 there on the same day returned only parts (basket, crisper plate, replacement base), not the fryer itself. If it disappears, parts availability matters more for how long you’ll keep it running. The AF141 was $129.99 at both SharkNinja and Target the same day.

Who should buy the AF101 and who should buy the AF141

Buy the AF101 if you cook for one or two and want the model with lab data behind it. It’s also $10 cheaper.
Buy the AF141 if you regularly cook for three or four and need the extra quart. Nothing I found suggests it’s worse; there’s just no independent evidence yet.
Want 6 quarts with lab data? The COSORI TurboBlaze and Instant Vortex Plus both have TechGearLab measurements. See COSORI TurboBlaze vs Ninja AF141 and the best air fryers ranking.

Check AF101 price at Amazon Check AF141 price at Amazon

Full Ninja AF101 and AF141 reviews

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Ninja AF101 and AF141?

The AF141 is bigger and more powerful on paper: 5 quarts and 1750 W against the AF101's 4 quarts and 1550 W. Both top out at 400°F and have the same four functions, per Ninja's AF100-series owner's guide and SharkNinja's AF141 page. The practical difference is evidence: TechGearLab measured the AF101, and no lab has published measurements for the AF141.

Is the Ninja AF141 faster than the AF101?

There's no independent evidence that the AF141 cooks faster than the AF101. Some comparison sites say it crisps frozen food about 25% faster, but that claim doesn't appear on a Ninja page or in any lab data we could find. On paper it has 200 more watts, 1750 W against 1550 W, per SharkNinja and Ninja's owner's guide.

Is the Ninja AF101 discontinued?

We found no Ninja statement that the AF101 is discontinued, but it may be on its way out. A search for AF101 on SharkNinja's store on Sep 27, 2026 returned only parts, such as the basket, crisper plate and replacement base, not the fryer itself. Target still had it in stock at $119.99 the same day.

Is the Ninja AF141 reliable?

Most AF141 owners rate it highly, but a small group report early failures. Target's review feed showed 740 ratings averaging 4.58 of 5 on Sep 27, 2026. Of its 39 one- and two-star reviews, 11 describe a unit that arrived dead or stopped working within a year, and 9 complain about loud running, rattling or grinding, per Target's reviews.