The Ninja Dual Zone DZ201 is Amazon biggest-selling air fryer, but is it actually big enough for your family? The DZ400EU, its larger counterpart, is 25% bigger, but does that mean you need to spend the extra money and give up the additional worktop space? One manufacturer, two air fryers, but which one is right for you? Let’s break it down Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Vs Dual Zone Max.
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Physical Differences Between the DZ201 and DZ400EU
Before getting into real-world testing, it helps to understand the physical differences between these two models. The DZ201 Air Fryer has a 7.6L total capacity, with each drawer holding 3.8L. The DZ400EU Air Fryer bumps that up to 9.5L, meaning each drawer is just under one litre larger than those in the DZ201.
Knowing the DZ400EU was bigger was one thing, but seeing how that difference played out in real-world use was another. In terms of footprint, the DZ400EU Air Fryer is only 4cm wider and about 1cm taller and deeper than the DZ201. There is barely any noticeable difference when placing them side by side, which means the larger model does not really eat into your worktop space in any meaningful way.
The layout of the display on the DZ400EU is slightly different from the DZ201, though the choice of cooking functions is exactly the same across both models. The DZ400EU features a dial which feels slightly more intuitive to use, but it is not a dealbreaker either way.
Real-World Capacity Testing: DZ201 vs DZ400EU
This comparison is not about cooking performance. It is purely about capacity and which of these two models best suits a family of four. Here is how the two models performed across a series of practical tests.
Whole Roast Chicken Test
Both air fryers were tested with whole roast chickens weighing 1.5kg each. Both chickens technically fit inside their respective drawers, but the chicken in the DZ201 Air Fryer sat too high and made contact with the heating elements early in the cooking process, causing it to burn on top. The legs had to be trimmed and the chicken repositioned to make it work.
The chicken in the DZ400EU Air Fryer cooked without any issues at all. For chickens that were not particularly large, running into trouble with the DZ201 was frustrating and gave the DZ400EU an early and clear advantage. Roasted vegetables were also cooked in both drawers and there was plenty of capacity in both models for those without any issues.
Individual Chocolate Pudding Test
The next test involved fitting four individual chocolate pudding dishes, each measuring 8cm across, into the drawers. In the DZ201 Air Fryer, three dishes fit comfortably but adding the fourth required overlapping the dishes and placing one at a slight angle, making it a tight squeeze. Attempting to use a rack to stack them caused the top dishes to sit level with the edge of the drawer, meaning they would burn on the heating element as they cooked and rose.
In the DZ400EU, all four pudding dishes fit easily with a little space to spare around each one. As an alternative, smaller silicone ramekins measuring 7.5cm wide were also tested. Four of these fit easily in the DZ201 drawer. In the DZ400EU, three ramekins fit comfortably along the length of a single drawer, meaning six could be used across both drawers in total.
Cookie Baking Test
A cookie test was carried out across both models. The maximum number of cookies that fit in the larger drawer of the DZ400EU was six, while the DZ201 Air Fryer maxed out at five per drawer.
Sausage Capacity Test
Rather than layering sausages on top of each other, this test focused on how many could be laid across the base of each drawer to illustrate capacity clearly. The DZ201 Air Fryer held nine sausages across the base, while the DZ400EU held twelve, which conveniently works out to two standard packs of sausages.
Chicken Gyros Comparison
Identical portions of chicken gyros were measured out into two same-sized bags, representing the recommended amount for four portions. The key question here was whether the extra space in the DZ400EU allowed the chicken to cook more evenly and quickly.
When the drawers were pulled out halfway through cooking, the DZ400EU had a few pieces of chicken that were still uncooked, but it was not many. The DZ201 Air Fryer, however, had noticeably more uncooked pieces at the same stage. The overall cooking duration was similar, but the DZ201 required more hands-on attention to move the chicken around midway through and get the hot air circulating properly.
Loaf Tin and Bread Baking Test
For anyone interested in baking bread or loaf cakes in their air fryer, the loaf tin test offered some useful insight. A one-pound loaf tin measuring 8cm across, 19cm long, and 6cm deep fit comfortably in the DZ201 with space at both ends and plenty of room along the sides, making it easy to lift in and out. The DZ400EU Air Fryer offered even more room around the same tin.
Moving up to a two-pound loaf tin measuring 8.5cm deep, 19cm long, and 13cm across told a different story. This tin technically fit inside the DZ201 Air Fryer drawer but was pressed hard against the edges in every direction, leaving very little room around it. Getting it in and out safely once both the drawer and tin were hot at the end of cooking would be genuinely tricky. In the DZ400EU, the same two-pound tin sat with noticeably more clearance on all sides, making it far easier and safer to handle.
One Important Thing to Know Before Buying the DZ400EU
If you go ahead with the DZ400EU and plan to purchase third-party accessories such as silicone baskets or racks, always check the dimensions carefully before buying. Many third-party accessories are listed as compatible with both the DZ201 Air Fryer and the DZ400EU, but in practice they are the same size as those designed for the DZ201. If you place a silicone basket sized for the DZ201 into the DZ400EU, you lose all of the extra space you paid for.
Comparison Table: Ninja DZ201 vs DZ400EU
| Feature | Ninja DZ201 | Ninja DZ400EU |
|---|---|---|
| Total Capacity | 7.6L | 9.5L |
| Capacity Per Drawer | 3.8L | 4.75L |
| Width Difference | Baseline | +4cm wider |
| Height and Depth | Baseline | +1cm taller and deeper |
| Display Layout | Button-based | Dial and buttons |
| Cooking Functions | Same | Same |
| Whole Chicken (1.5kg) | Tight, required trimming | Fits comfortably |
| 4 Pudding Dishes (8cm) | Tight, requires squeezing | Fits easily with space |
| Cookies Per Drawer | 5 | 6 |
| Sausages Across Base | 9 | 12 |
| 2lb Loaf Tin | Fits but very tight | Fits with clearance |
| Price Difference | Lower | Around £20 to £30 more |
| Recommendation for Family of 4 | Manageable | Recommended |
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the DZ201 or DZ400EU?
You can get by with the DZ201 Air Fryer for a family of four, but if you plan to do any entertaining or cook larger meals, you will very quickly wish you had gone for the DZ400EU. Given that the DZ400EU is barely larger in terms of physical footprint and does not take up any meaningful extra worktop space, the decision really comes down to price. The DZ400EU typically costs around $30 to $50 more than the DZ201, and for that difference, the extra capacity is genuinely worth it. If the budget allows, the recommendation is to step up to the DZ400EU.
Read More: Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer Review
