Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer 10.4L Air Fryer AF500UK

The Ninja FlexDrawer Explained

The Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer AF500UK is Ninja's answer to families who want air fryer flexibility without buying two separate units. This 10.4L beast can operate as one massive cooking zone or split into two independent 5.2L compartments, controlled separately. At £229.99, it's positioned as a premium option for households that regularly cook for 4+ people or want to prepare different foods simultaneously.

Design and Build Quality

This is a proper chunky unit. At 9.5kg and measuring 42 x 38 x 32cm, the FlexDrawer demands serious worktop real estate – more than most kettles and toasters combined. The build quality feels reassuringly solid, with a matte black finish that resists fingerprints better than the glossy alternatives from Tower or some Philips models.

The removable drawer divider is the star feature here. It slots in and out effortlessly, transforming the cooking space in seconds. When removed, you genuinely can fit a 2kg whole chicken – something impossible in standard air fryers like the Cosori TurboBlaze's 6L capacity. The non-stick coating on the drawer and crisper plate appears durable after several weeks of testing, though only time will tell how it holds up long-term.

The control panel sits on top with clearly labelled buttons for each function. The digital display is bright enough to read from across the kitchen, though the button layout feels slightly cramped when you're used to the more spacious interface on Ninja's AF400UK model.

Performance Where It Matters

The 2470W heating element delivers impressive results across the board. Chips emerge properly crispy in 12-15 minutes, while chicken thighs cook through evenly without the dry exterior you sometimes get with less powerful units. The claimed 65% faster cooking than conventional ovens holds true – a whole chicken that would take 75 minutes in a fan oven is done in 28 minutes here.

Temperature accuracy is excellent across the 40-240°C range. Unlike some budget competitors, you don't get hot spots or uneven browning. The Max Crisp function genuinely delivers crispier results than standard Air Fry mode, though it does increase cooking noise considerably.

In dual-zone mode, the SYNC and MATCH functions work brilliantly. SYNC ensures both sides finish cooking simultaneously, while MATCH copies settings from one zone to the other. This eliminates the guesswork when preparing different foods that need to be ready together – something you simply can't achieve with single-zone fryers.

Key Features Deep-Dive

The seven cooking functions cover all the essentials: Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate, and Proof. The Proof function for bread dough is particularly welcome – maintaining 40°C consistently for perfect rising conditions.

Dehydrate mode transforms the unit into a capable food dehydrator, running for up to 12 hours at low temperatures. Banana chips and beef jerky come out properly dried without the chewy texture you get from inadequate dehydrators.

The 60-minute timer handles most cooking tasks, though it falls short for longer dehydrating sessions where competitors like some Cosori models offer extended timing.

Dishwasher compatibility for the drawer and crisper plate is genuine – they emerge spotless after a normal cycle. Hand-washing takes under two minutes anyway, so this is more convenience than necessity.

Value Against the Competition

At £229.99, the FlexDrawer costs £30 more than Ninja's own AF400UK MAX Dual Zone, which offers 9.5L capacity across two fixed compartments. That £30 premium buys you the flexibility of single large-zone cooking, but you lose 0.9L of total capacity. For most families, the AF400UK's fixed dual zones and lower price make more sense.

Compared to single-zone alternatives, the price gap is substantial. The Cosori TurboBlaze at £89.99 offers excellent performance in a 6L capacity – perfectly adequate for most households. You're paying £140 extra for the FlexDrawer's larger capacity and zone flexibility.

The Philips Essential XL (£109.99) and Tower Vortx (£54.99) occupy the budget-conscious territory, but both feel noticeably less premium and lack the FlexDrawer's cooking versatility.

The Verdict

The FlexDrawer succeeds at what it promises – delivering genuine cooking flexibility in a well-built package. The ability to switch between one large zone and two independent zones suits families with varying meal requirements. Performance is excellent across all cooking modes, and the build quality justifies some of the premium pricing.

However, £229.99 is serious money for an air fryer. Unless you regularly need that large single-zone capacity for whole chickens or batch cooking, Ninja's own AF400UK offers 90% of the functionality for £30 less. Budget-conscious buyers will find the Cosori TurboBlaze delivers excellent results for less than half the price.

Buy the FlexDrawer if you genuinely need its unique flexibility and have the budget to match. For everyone else, there are more sensible options available.