Quick verdict: If you want the best value without overthinking it, the Cosori Pro II wins on price-to-performance. But if you already cook with Ninja products and want a reliable upgrade, the Ninja EG201 XL is hard to beat. The Instant Pot Vortex Plus is solid but harder to justify at its price point.
At a Glance
| Ninja EG201 XL | Cosori Pro II | Instant Pot Vortex Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $220 | $70–$90 | $100–120 |
| Capacity | 6 qt | 5.8 qt | 6 qt |
| Wattage | 1760W | 1700W | 1700W |
| Presets | 6 | 12 | 6 |
| App / WiFi | No | Yes (VeSync) | No |
| Amazon Rating | 4.6 ★ | 4.7 ★ | 4.6 ★ |
The Breakdown
Ninja EG201 XL — Best If You Cook Often
The Ninja EG201 XL is what you get when reliability matters more than bells and whistles. It heats fast, cooks evenly, and the XL basket handles a full pound of fries or a whole chicken without crowding. Having used it personally, the build quality feels noticeably more solid than cheaper competitors — nothing rattles, nothing sticks.
The tradeoff is price. At ~$220, it costs more than the Cosori. But for anyone who air fries multiple times a week, that durability is worth it.
Pros: Excellent build quality · Fast, even cooking · Large basket · Easy to clean
Cons: Priciest of the three · No app or WiFi · Fewer presets
👉 Check the Ninja EG201 XL on Amazon
Cosori Pro II — Best Value Pick
The Cosori Pro II consistently shows up on best-of lists — and for good reason. It’s cheaper than both competitors, has the highest number of cooking presets (12), and connects to the VeSync app so you can control it from your phone. Amazon reviewers praise how quietly it runs and how easy the square basket is to clean.
The main complaint in 3-star reviews? Inconsistent cooking at higher temperatures — some users report hot spots on larger batches. For everyday cooking, this isn’t a dealbreaker. For precision cooking, it might be.
Pros: Best price · 12 presets · App control · Quiet operation · Easy-clean basket
Cons: Hot spots on large batches · App can be glitchy · Plastic feel
👉 Check the Cosori Pro II on Amazon
Instant Pot Vortex Plus — Best for Instant Pot Fans
If you already love Instant Pot and want one ecosystem in your kitchen, the Vortex Plus makes sense. It air fries well and does double duty as a toaster oven.
Reddit’s r/airfryer community loves it for reheating pizza and wings but rarely recommends it over the Cosori for first-time buyers.
Pros: Toaster oven function · Great for reheating · Familiar Instant Pot interface
Cons: Lower wattage · Bulkier footprint · Hard to justify vs Cosori at similar price
👉 Check the Instant Pot Vortex Plus on Amazon
So Which One Should You Buy?
| If you… | Go with… |
|---|---|
| Want the best bang for your buck | Cosori Pro II — stop here |
| Air fry 4–5x a week | Ninja EG201 XL — worth the extra $100 |
| Cook for a family of 4+ | Ninja or Vortex Plus for the larger baskets |
| Are an Instant Pot household | Instant Pot Vortex Plus — keeps things simple |
| Are buying your first air fryer | Cosori Pro II — lowest risk, easiest to learn |
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