Are you considering spending your hard-earned money on Ninja Foodi grill but worried about where you should get it? Which platform is best: Costco or Amazon?
Both platforms are in-debate nowadays. Costco offers amazing discounts and deals for its customers, while Amazon is the largest market with the best customer support and minimum shipping charges. Indeed, the competition is cut-throat…but one thing makes a difference!
Guess what? Costco has limited options, hardly 1-2 from one brand, which might not meet your needs fully in terms of capacity and versatility. It can be a complete loss if you pick any, tempted by a lower price.
So what should you do?
No worries, you’ll get a workable solution here.
Below I’ll discuss the best buying place for the Ninja Foodi grills among Amazon and Costco with valid reasons. Besides this, I’ll review the best Ninja Foodi grills available at Costco or Amazon and discuss where you should get them.
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Where Should You Get Ninja Foodi Grill? Quick Answer.
You should get Ninja Foodi grill from Costco only if you have a membership plan and want to use the marketplace to buy other items further, too. Otherwise, Amazon is better for one-time purchasing.
The reason is that at Costco, you’ll get all discounts only when you have a membership plan and the available product fully meets your needs without compromise. Unfortunately, Costco’s membership plan becomes useless if you only want to get a Ninja Foodi grill.
Why waste money on membership fees when you don’t use the marketplace frequently?
In that scenario, Amazon is far better because you get discounts and deals without paying a membership fee.
But, if the situation is vice versa–you have a list of products you need for the home that you want to get on discounts, cash back, and other rewards–Costco is an excellent option.
The only issue is you may not get the vast variety of products on Costco as you can find on Amazon. The same goes here– not all Ninja Foodi grills are available at Costco, but you can find them on Amazon easily.
5 Best Ninja Foodi Grills to Buy at Costco or Amazon
Here are the 5 best Ninja Foodi grills reviews. Let’s look at their features, and for your ease, I’ve mentioned the platform name on which the grill is available.
1. Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill (Occasionally Available on Costco)
The first Ninja Foodi Smart Grill that I decided to review is the model FG551. It’s XL size indoor grill with 6 different cooking options. This grill’s price is relatively lower than the IG601 7-in-1 grill, so check it out if you have a low budget.
6-in-1 cooking options
The first notable feature is that it has 6 cooking options, and the price is slightly higher. It’s available in black and silver, which looks appealing, and the stainless steel material makes it durable.
The 6 cooking functions are crisp, roast, grill, bake, broil, and dehydrate. You’ll have a few more options for grilling to ensure the best cooking experience. For instance, you can set the grilling mode between rare, med-rare, med, med-well, and well.
Precise cooking with great capacity
This electric grill by Ninja Foodi comes with a probe thermometer, so no more guesswork– you can cook everything precisely. Since it’s an XL-size grill, the cooking capacity is good. On a 9″ x 12″ grill grate, you’ll easily cook about 6 steaks or 24 hot dogs.
Build quality
This Ninja Foodi XL grill has been made using stainless steel material. Besides the main body, the grill’s removable parts, e.g., the grill grates and 4-qt air fryer basket, are all non-stick coated and dishwasher safe. Hence, they’re easy to clean; the only thing that’ll take your precious time to clean is the heating element area of the lid.
On the downside, the grill is loud, unsuitable for smaller kitchens, and it takes a little more time when preheating.
Pros
- It doesn’t heat up the kitchen
- Good build quality
- The large cooking surface makes it suitable for appropriate for a large family
- Easy to clean and use
- Affordable
Cons
- It’s loud
- Takes time to preheat the grill
- Not suitable for small kitchens
2. NINJA Foodi LG450 5-in-1 Grill (The Cheapest Option Available on Amazon)
Ninja Foodi LG450 5-in-1 grill is the most affordable option in this guide. And it has been renewed (it’s why cheapest). All features are appealing and quite similar to the other expensive models.
Affordability
The most significant feature of this grill is its affordability. It comes under $100 while all the others are expensive compared to this mode–the only reason is that it’s renewed. The main features are the same; it has 5 cooking options (air fry, dehydrate, bake, roast, and grill).
5-in-1 cooking options with temperature probe
It sears, sizzles, air fries, and air crisps, allowing you to enjoy the outdoor grilling experience at home. Another notable feature is its temperature probe, which shows the exact temperature and makes cooking easier.
Robust build quality
The grill’s material is stainless steel; the grill and other accessories are ceramic coated. So the quality isn’t compromised.
Cleaning and ease of use
Since the removable items are non-stick coated–cleaning isn’t an issue.
And in terms of ease of use, it’s excellent. The display is designed so anyone can understand and use the grill efficiently.
Pros
- Most Cost-effective Ninja Foodi grill
- Easy to clean
- 5-in-1 cooking system
- Non-stick-coated items
- Excellent cooking performance
- Easy to use
Cons
- The product doesn’t come in 100% fresh control
3. Ninja AG301 Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill–Perfect for Small Family (Available on Amazon)
The next grill which I like is the AG301 5-in-1 grill. It’s the perfect option for camping aficionados or someone with a small home because of its portability and smoke-free grilling feature.
Let’s start with the appealing look; it comes in a color combination of black and silver which looks lovely in every kitchen.
Cooking Capacity
The cooking area size is 14.9 “D x 14.9 “W x 11.02 “H allowing you to cook 4 burgers or 2 large Ribeye steaks. So anyone who’s going on a trip or even you’re looking for a home, use this one as a great option.
5-in-1 Cooking Option
You’ll get five options for cooking: air crisp, dehydrate, grill, bake, and roast. You can use the preset options or set the temperature and timer for up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
For better control throughout grilling the meat, this Ninja Foodi grill allows you to set the grilling mode at Low, Medium, High, and Max.
Excellent Build Quality
You’re going to love the quality. First, the material is stainless steel, and second, the accessories like the pot and grill are non-stick coated. Hot and cold spots won’t be an issue, and it preheats faster.
Does that mean all is well and good?
No, we’ve noticed the drawbacks too.
As per several reviews, the non-stick-coated pot loses the coating after some time. And when it happens, your food will stick to the pot.
Pros
- PTFE/PFOA-free, ceramic-coated grill with incredible construction quality
- Suitable for a small family of 2 to 3 people
- Cleaning is effortless
- The control panel is easy to use
Cons
- The non-stick coating doesn’t last long
- Not dishwasher friendly
- A little bit more expensive than other models
4. Ninja Foodi 5-In-1 Indoor Grill and Air Fryer (Available on Amazon)
It might look like the same grill as the last one I discussed, perfect for a small-mid-sized family, but it’s a misconception. The design is similar, but it’s a 5-in-1 indoor grill and is more affordable. Let’s have a look at its features.
As you can see, this grill looks like a 6-in-1 Ninja Foodi grill. It’s also made of stainless steel. The overall quality is good. But they’re not the same in terms of all features.
Cooking options and food quality
The biggest difference is it’s a 5-in-1 grill featuring 5 cooking options grill, roast, bake, dehydrate, and air crisp.
Like any other Ninja Foodi grill, the temperature can exceed 400 degrees Fahrenheit to a maximum of 500. You can cook anything perfectly and faster than any other grill.
Cooking capacity
The cooking capacity won’t make you regret your decision. It has a grill grate, air crisp basket (4 qt capacity), and a cooking pot. You can easily cook 1 small whole chicken or 1 turkey breast in it.
The only issue is it takes forever to preheat, and this model doesn’t come with a temperature probe. So, you need to get a probe thermometer. Yet in no way does this grill compromise on performance.
Ease of use and cleaning
The Ninja Foodi Grill and Air Fryer Combo’s user interface is straightforward. The control panel is easily understandable. You can use presets or manual control according to your recipes. I love all Ninja Foodi grills’ digital display, which is easy to read.
Besides breezy usage, clean-up is smooth and the removable items are non-stick coated. In short, you don’t need to spend time cleaning the sticky food; just put the stainless steel screen in the dishwasher, and you’re ready for another round of cooking.
Pros
- Durable stainless steel grill
- Suitable for a big family
- Excellent quality
- Cleaning is easy
- Affordable
Cons
- Preheating takes a lot of time
- No temp probe
5. Ninja IG601 Foodi XL 7-in-1 Indoor Grill Combo (Available on Amazon)
The Ninja Foodi IG601 is a 7-in-1 grill with more features. So it’s pretty pricey and not ideal for you if you need a budget option.
But is it worth buying? Keep reading to find the answer.
Build quality
The quality is up to the mark. The 4 quartz air fryer baskets, 9″x13″ grill grate, and 12″ flat top BBQ griddle are all non-stick coated and dishwasher safe, making the cleaning process easier. Inside, the hood is troublesome to clean, but it’s the only issue with the cleaning.
Cooking capacity
The cooking area is wide enough interior space is 11.5 x 7.5 inches to let you cook a full-course meal for a big daily of 4 to 5 people.
However, the grill size may create an issue for someone with a small kitchen counter. Another minor issue is that the electric cord is too short.
7-in-1 cooking options
It’s a countertop electric griddle + grill, including various other features like roast, bake, broil, air crisp, and dehydrate (a combination of 7 cooking appliances/modes). All cooking functions work well, and you’ll get delicious food.
High temperature
The temperature can reach up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it the best option for high-heat searing. Besides, it won’t make your kitchen hot with the smoke and heat letting you enjoy cooking in a healthy environment.
Easy to use
Regarding the utilization part, it’s uncomplicated. It has a digital control panel on the front with four buttons, temp, time, functions, and preheat. A knob is also available to select the cooking mode and set the temperature manually.
Pros
- High quality
- Perfect for a big family
- Easy to use
- 7 cooking options
- It doesn’t generate smoke and heat
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Expensive
- Not suitable for small kitchens
- The hood isn’t easy to clean
Which is Best: Amazon or Costco? Detailed Comparison
We’ve divided the comparison part into two sections to share an in-depth review. In the first part, I will share the benefits of Costco then I’ll proceed with the second part about Amazon’s benefits.
Why shop at Costco?
Costco is better for these reasons:
Low price
Costco’s Kirkland Signature is an umbrella brand that offers multiple private-label products across multiple categories. Costco exercises complete control over all products under this umbrella. They have excellent quality control in place and can afford to offer the products at the lowest possible price.
But what about the products that Costco does not own?
Costco offers better product prices than its competitors, even when they’re selling third-party products. Also, Costco is pretty much matchless regarding seasonal and membership discounts.
Key Point: The discount isn’t limited to grocery or food items; it also includes appliances.
Cash back offers
Now let’s come to the pain point of customers: cash-back offers. Costco has amazing deals and cash-back offers if you buy with their credit card. As per Costco policy, the members will get the following:
- 4% cash-back on EV charging and gas till the first $7000 per year, then you’ll get 1% cash-back.
- You’ll get 3% cash back on restaurants and also on travel.
- 2% cash back whenever you purchase anything from Costco.
- It does not end here; you’ll get 1% off of other purchases.
Key Point: By purchasing a Ninja Foodi grill with a Costco card, you can save more through the cash-back offer. But for this purpose, you must be a Costco member, and you get only one buying option: Ninja Foodi XL 6-in-1 Grill. On Amazon, you can easily get any Ninja Foodi product.
- No annual fee but an annual reward
Costco offers special discounts and deals on membership plans. For example, you may be exempt from the card’s annual fee. Some members get a 2% reward of up to $750 on qualifying yearly purchases.
The card owner can easily use the Costco card anywhere in the world without paying the foreign transaction fee; it sounds amazing, right?
Surprises for dining and travel aficionados
Another thing that makes shopping from Costco more appealing is the policy for dining and travel aficionados. You’ll get 3% cash back on dining and traveling (only eligible travel).
What else could you ask for?
What Amazon offers
Here are the things Amazon promises its customers:
A Better Range of gadgets and machines
Costco is a grocery store, while Amazon is every American’s store. At Amazon, you can get anything from a can-opener to an electric bike–kitchen gadgets are no exception. You can explore the complete range of products from any seller/manufacturer at Amazon. In contrast, Costco has few choices regarding machines, gadgets, and devices, including brands and sizes.
In such a case, where should you go?
On Amazon, of course!
Cooperative Customer Service
At Amazon, anyone can get anything (appliance, dress, and so on) with ease of mind that the product will be good. In case of an issue, the customer service team will resolve the problem.
On-Time delivery with reasonable shipping charges
Another best feature of Amazon is the on-time delivery and reasonable shipping charges. The competition on Amazon is too high, so almost all sellers try their best to provide good customer service by delivering the product on time.
Reputation & reliability
The reputation of Amazon is quite good worldwide–customers trust their service because of the high-quality products they get. Besides this, the exchange and return policies are also easy.
Discounts on Amazon
You’ll get discounts on Amazon, too, but not always. Exclusive deals are usually available on special occasions like Christmas, New Year, etc. Otherwise, you must purchase an Amazon Prime membership, a Prime reward card, or a coupon code.
These deals aren’t bad. However, in contrast to Costco, they are few.
Amazon vs. Costco Membership Plan Comparison: Which is Better?
Amazon and Costco have membership plans, but their features and benefits differ. Amazon offers only one membership plan (Amazon Prime Membership), whose prices are:
- $14.99 each month
- The amount of $139 each year
- $8.99 each month (Prime Video membership)
Costco offers three membership plans for customers:
- Executive membership is $120 per year.
- Business membership is $60 per year.
- Gold Star membership is $60 per year.
Key point: There’s a noticeable difference between the membership plan costs. Amazon membership is around $139 per year, and Costco executive membership is $120 per year, in which cash-back, discounts, and deals are available.
Final Words
I hope you understand which Ninja Foodi grill is best, and should you get Ninja Foodi grill from Costco?
The Costco marketplace is perfect for anyone who wants to spend money on household appliances and wants cash back and deals. You may save a good amount of money thanks to exclusive deals.
However, make sure to read all the details before signing up for any plan or credit card. Costco is only profitable for customers planning to purchase in bulk and isn’t too picky because not everything is available at Costco. You may have to compromise on your choice to get the discounts.
