Look at the primary cooking style you need: an air fryer toaster oven offers baking, toasting, and roasting in addition to air frying, while a dedicated indoor grill focuses on searing and char‑grill flavors. Consider countertop space and whether you want a single appliance that replaces a traditional oven or one that mimics outdoor grilling. Also check temperature ranges; grills often reach 500°F for true grill marks, whereas toaster ovens usually top out around 450°F.

The Cuisinart 1800‑W toaster oven fits a 12‑inch pizza and up to 4‑lb chicken, while the Ninja Foodi Smart XL can handle six steaks or 24 hot dogs on its grill grate. The larger Nuwave Bravo XL Pro offers a 26‑quart interior, enough for a 6‑lb rotisserie chicken, and the Candy indoor grill provides an extra‑large visible window with a spacious rack for family meals. Choose a model whose internal dimensions match the size of the dishes you plan to prepare most often.

Ninja’s Foodi Smart XL and DG551 models include a Smart Cook System with a built‑in thermometer that lets you set doneness levels for proteins, giving very accurate results. The Cuisinart ovens provide a simple dial and a 60‑minute timer with auto‑shutoff, which is reliable but less granular. If you value preset cooking programs and real‑time temperature feedback, the Ninja appliances are the clear leaders.

Both brands use high‑velocity hot air, but Ninja’s Cyclonic Grilling Technology claims up to 75% less fat by circulating air at 500°F, while Cuisinart’s AirAdvantage system focuses on even airflow for fast, crispy results. In practice, users report slightly crisper edges with Ninja’s dedicated crisper basket, whereas Cuisinart delivers consistent crispness across a wider range of foods. The actual fat reduction will be similar, but Ninja may edge out on ultra‑crisp textures.

Accessories add immediate versatility; for example, Cuisinart ships with a reversible grill/griddle and a ceramic non‑stick interior, while Ninja models include a 4‑qt crisper basket and a professional‑grade grill plate. These extras eliminate the need to purchase separate pans or trays, enhancing the cost‑to‑feature ratio. When comparing price, factor in the number and quality of accessories to gauge true value.

The Nuwave Bravo XL Pro tops the list with 12 cooking functions, 100 one‑touch presets, and customizable heating zones, covering everything from air fry to slow cook. Close behind are the Ninja Foodi Smart XL and the Cuisinart 8‑in‑1 oven, both offering grill, air fry, bake, roast, broil and dehydrate modes. If you need the widest menu of options without buying multiple gadgets, the Bravo’s extensive preset library makes it the most versatile.

Premium models like the Cuisinart 1800‑W toaster oven and Ninja Foodi Smart XL typically retail in the $250‑$300 range and come with a one‑year limited warranty. The Nuwave Bravo XL Pro and Emeril Lagasse 24‑cook‑function oven are priced higher, often $350‑$400, but include longer warranty periods (up to two years) and more advanced features. Weigh the upfront cost against the added functionality and warranty length to decide which offers the best long‑term value.

Smokeless grills like the Gourmia and Candy use built‑in extraction or 360° heating to minimize odor, which is valuable for apartments or homes without ventilation. However, they generally lack the high‑temperature searing power of Ninja’s 500°F cyclonic grills, so you may sacrifice some authentic char flavor. If a smoke‑free environment is a priority, the added expense is justified; otherwise, a traditional high‑heat grill may deliver better taste.