Ninja Foodi DZ401 10-Qt Dual Zone Air Fryer: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-12
Summary
RTINGS found much of the food overcooked by the time it is done and cooking not very even, and the dual-basket design takes longer when both baskets run. Running cost is electricity plus occasional replacement baskets or crisper plates, with no filters, pods or subscriptions. At $179.99 from SharkNinja it is reasonable if two independent zones matter more than perfect evenness; at $230 or more the value weakens.
Common problems and fixes
- Overcooked and uneven air-frying — RTINGS scored Air Frying 7.9/10 and found a big proportion of food overcooked by the time it is done, with uneven cooking; no published fix; this is a performance characteristic, not a warranty defect. [3]
- Slower cooking with both baskets running — owners report significantly longer cook times when both baskets are used, which the manual acknowledges; not a defect. [7]
- Performs worse than the DZ550 — RTINGS states this model performs worse than the very similar DZ550; consider the newer model. [3]
- Ceramic coating harder to clean by hand — RTINGS says the ceramic coating is not as easy to clean by hand as PTFE; Wirecutter recommends hand-washing nonstick air fryer parts. [3][1]
Parts and consumables
- DualZone XL crisper plate — $35.99 from Ninja (2026); replace when worn or damaged. [5]
- Left basket — $33.99 from Ninja (2026); replace when worn or damaged. [5]
- Right basket — $33.99 from Ninja (2026); replace when worn or damaged. [5]
- ProChef Wireless Thermometer (optional) — $69.99 from Ninja (2026); accessory, not required. [5]
Yearly running cost
Not enough data for a dollar total: no published electricity use or failure rate. Recurring outlay is electricity plus an occasional $33.99 basket or $35.99 crisper plate from Ninja (2026), with no filters, pods or subscriptions.
When it is a good buy
At $179.99 from SharkNinja (2026) it is reasonable if two independent cooking zones matter more than perfect evenness, but compare with the DZ550, which RTINGS rates higher. [5][3] At $230 or more (Stone and Gold or third-party sellers, 2026) the value weakens and the newer DZ550 or DZ901 should be considered. [6]
Alternatives: the DZ550 performs better per RTINGS. [3] Single-basket air fryers up to 6 quarts suit buyers prioritizing crisping evenness. [1] The smaller DZ201 (two 4-qt baskets) is the model Wirecutter tested for the dual-basket power-split concern. [1]