Ninja IG651 vs DG551 Honest Review From My Kitchen

If you’re choosing between the Ninja IG651 and DG551, the big difference is space and cooking style. I’ve cooked on both here in Austin, Texas, where summer heat makes outdoor grilling tough.

The IG651 feels like bringing a real grill inside. The DG551 is smaller and works better for quick, everyday meals. After months of use, I’ve learned where each one shines and where they fall short.

In this guide, I’ll walk through both so you can pick the one that fits your kitchen and cooking style best.

Ninja IG651 Review

I’ve cooked on many indoor grills, but the Ninja IG651 stands out. It feels like an outdoor grill that fits right on my counter. I’ve used it for weeknight dinners, Saturday pancakes, and even quick lunches. What I like most is how flexible it is. Grill with the hood down for fast, even cooking, or flip it open for a sizzling sear.

The first thing I made was chicken breasts. They came out juicy with real grill marks. Next, I tried pancakes on the griddle plate. I cooked six at once, so the whole family ate together. It heats fast, and the smart thermometer takes away the guesswork.

No product is perfect, though. After a few months, I’ve noticed some small things that could be better. Still, the Ninja IG651 has been a steady workhorse in my kitchen.

What I Like

• Fast preheat: Gets hot in minutes, so dinner starts without delay.
• Real grill results: Steaks and burgers taste close to outdoor grilling.
• Flat-top griddle: Pancakes, eggs, and sandwiches cook evenly.
• Smart thermometer: Removes the stress of guessing doneness.
• Family-sized cooking: Fits six steaks or a big tray of nachos.
• Less oil needed: Air frying makes fries and wings crispy with less fat.

What Could Be Better

• Cleaning the powered grate: It’s heavy and awkward to rinse.
• Slanted surface: Hot dogs sometimes roll toward the drip tray.
• Counter space: At 17 inches wide, it feels big in a small kitchen.
• Noise level: The fan is not loud, but you can hear it.

Quick Product Overview

Feature	Details
Model	Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill/Griddle
Size	15.7″D × 17.4″W × 7″H
Weight	~27.5 lbs
Functions	Grill, BBQ Griddle, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate
Heat	500°F direct contact + hood-down convection
Capacity	6 steaks, 4 sandwiches, or a platter of nachos
Included	Powered grill grate, 12″ griddle, crisper basket, smart thermometer
Cleaning	Dishwasher-safe parts; powered grate is trickier
Price Range	~$230–$370 (discounts often at Target, Walmart, Amazon)

Recommendation

If you love grilled food but don’t want to cook outside, the Ninja IG651 is a great pick. It works best for small to mid-sized families who want variety—steaks at night, pancakes in the morning, and crispy fries anytime.

I’d recommend it for:

• People who enjoy hands-on cooking.
• Families who want one appliance for many meals.
• Home cooks who care about grill marks and real searing.

But if your kitchen is tight on space, or you want the easiest cleanup, you may prefer the Ninja DG551.

For me, the Ninja IG651 has earned a permanent spot on the counter. It’s powerful, fun to use, and makes food the whole family enjoys.

Ninja DG551 Review

I’ve used the Ninja DG551 for months, and it’s now my go-to for weeknight meals. It feels less like an outdoor grill copy and more like a smart indoor cooker. The design is tall and compact, so it fits better under cabinets than wider grills.

The first recipe I tried was salmon straight from the freezer. In under 25 minutes, it was cooked through, flaky, and had light grill marks. That frozen-to-grilled feature surprised me. Later, I made fries in the crisper basket, and they came out golden with little oil.

The smart thermometer is the real star. When I made pork chops, I set it to medium doneness and walked away. The grill beeped when ready, and the results were perfect. It takes away the stress of cooking meat.

What I Like

• Compact shape: At 11 inches deep, it saves counter space and slides under cabinets.
• Frozen-to-grilled meals: Salmon, chicken, and burgers cook from frozen with no thawing.
• Smart thermometer: Pork chops, steaks, and chicken come out right every time.
• Air crisp function: Fries, wings, and onion rings turn crispy with little oil.
• Easy cleanup: Grill grate, pot, and basket are ceramic-coated and dishwasher safe.
• Recipe guide included: The 15-recipe booklet gave me quick meal ideas at the start.

What Could Be Better

• Splatter shield cleaning: Helps with smoke, but takes effort to scrub.
• No open-hood grilling: You can’t sear with the lid up like on the IG651.
• Fan noise: About like a microwave running. Not loud, but you notice it.
• Capacity: Best for 3–4 people; larger families may want more space.

Quick Product Overview

Feature	Details
Model	Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill
Size	11.1″D × 15.7″W × 16″H
Weight	~25 lbs
Functions	Grill, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate
Heat	500°F cyclonic airflow + heated grate
Capacity	Fits 6 steaks; 4-qt cooking pot for soups and sides
Included	Grill grate, 4-qt crisper basket, 4-qt pot, thermometer, cleaning brush, recipe book
Cleaning	Dishwasher-safe ceramic parts; splatter shield requires scrubbing
Price Range	~$279–$299 (often found at Walmart, Target, Amazon)

Recommendation

If you want an indoor grill that cooks evenly and cleans up with little fuss, the Ninja DG551 is a strong choice. It’s best for small to mid-sized families who want one machine that can grill, air fry, and bake.

I’d recommend it for:

• Families of 3–4 who cook often on busy nights.
• People who like “set it and forget it” cooking with the smart thermometer.
• Home cooks who want frozen-to-grilled convenience.

But if you want open-lid searing or a flat-top griddle for breakfast, you may prefer the Ninja IG651.

For me, the Ninja DG551 shines when I need quick, reliable results. It handles frozen food with ease, takes stress out of cooking meat, and fits well in tighter kitchens.

Ninja IG651 vs DG551: Detailed Comparison

I’ve cooked on both the Ninja IG651 and Ninja DG551. At first glance, they look alike, but each has its own style. Both make indoor grilling simple, yet the differences show in size, cooking style, and how they fit on the counter.

Cooking Capacity: Ninja IG651 vs DG551

The IG651 feels built for families who need more space. Its wide grate and flat-top griddle let me cook six steaks, a tray of nachos, or breakfast pancakes at once. The DG551 is smaller and works better for meals for 3–4 people.

Feature	Ninja IG651	Ninja DG551
Capacity	Fits 6 steaks, 4 sandwiches, or nachos	Fits 6 steaks, but better for 3–4 people
Extras	Flat-top griddle for pancakes, eggs, sandwiches	4-qt cooking pot for soups and sides
Best Use	Larger meals, more variety	Smaller family dinners

Rating: IG651 – 9/10, DG551 – 8/10

Heat Control: Ninja IG651 vs DG551

Both grills reach 500°F, but they heat in different ways. The IG651 gives direct heat and convection when the hood is down. You can also sear with the hood up. The DG551 uses cyclonic airflow, which cooks evenly but only with the lid closed.

Feature	Ninja IG651	Ninja DG551
Max Temp	500°F	500°F
Hood Options	Open or closed cooking	Closed lid only
Heating Style	Direct + convection	Cyclonic airflow + heated grate

Rating: IG651 – 9/10, DG551 – 8/10

Smart Functions: Ninja IG651 vs DG551

Both come with the smart thermometer, and it’s excellent. I’ve cooked pork chops, steak, and chicken, and each came out just right. The IG651 wins for open-hood searing. The DG551 shines when cooking straight from frozen.

Feature	Ninja IG651	Ninja DG551
Smart Thermometer	Yes, 4 protein settings, 9 doneness levels	Yes, same smart setup
Special Function	Hood-up searing	Frozen-to-grilled cooking
Ease of Use	Clear controls	Clear controls

Rating: IG651 – 9/10, DG551 – 9/10

Cleanup: Ninja IG651 vs DG551

This is where the two differ most. The IG651’s powered grate is heavy and harder to rinse. The DG551’s pot and basket are lighter and ceramic-coated, though its splatter shield still needs scrubbing.

Feature	Ninja IG651	Ninja DG551
Grill Grate	Heavy, powered, dishwasher safe but awkward	Lighter, ceramic, dishwasher safe
Splatter Shield	Yes, needs some effort	Yes, also needs scrubbing
Overall Cleaning	A bit more work	Easier overall

Rating: IG651 – 7/10, DG551 – 8/10

Counter Space: Ninja IG651 vs DG551

The IG651 is wide and low, which takes more side-to-side room. The DG551 is taller and slimmer, so it fits better under cabinets in small kitchens.

Feature	Ninja IG651	Ninja DG551
Size	15.7″D × 17.4″W × 7″H	11.1″D × 15.7″W × 16″H
Shape	Wide and flat	Tall and compact
Best Fit	Bigger counters	Small kitchens

Rating: IG651 – 7/10, DG551 – 9/10

Performance: Ninja IG651 vs DG551

Both cook well, but in different ways. The IG651 gives steaks and burgers a true sear with outdoor-like grill marks. The DG551 is more about even cooking, especially for frozen salmon or chicken.

Feature	Ninja IG651	Ninja DG551
Grilling	Strong sear, outdoor-style	Even cooking, lighter char
Air Fry	Crispy with less oil	Crispy with less oil
Best Meals	Steaks, burgers, pancakes	Salmon, chicken, fries

Rating: IG651 – 9/10, DG551 – 8.5/10

Ease of Use: Ninja IG651 vs DG551

Both are simple once you know the controls. The IG651 is more “hands-on” because you can cook with the hood open. The DG551 feels more like “set it and forget it.”

Feature	Ninja IG651	Ninja DG551
Controls	Straightforward	Straightforward
Cooking Style	Flexible, hands-on	Guided, automatic
Learning Curve	Quick	Quick

Rating: IG651 – 8.5/10, DG551 – 9/10

Value for Money: Ninja IG651 vs DG551

The IG651 usually costs more, but you get extras like the griddle and hood-up grilling. The DG551 is cheaper and compact, but still covers most meals.

Feature	Ninja IG651	Ninja DG551
Price Range	~$230–$370	~$279–$299
Features	Griddle, hood-up searing	Frozen-to-grilled, compact design
Best Value	Larger families, more variety	Small kitchens, busy nights

Rating: IG651 – 8/10, DG551 – 8.5/10

Overall: Ninja IG651 vs DG551

Both grills are strong, but each fits a different kitchen. The IG651 feels like an outdoor grill brought inside. It’s best for families who cook bigger meals and want variety. The DG551 feels like a smaller, smarter grill. It handles frozen food well and works best for weeknight dinners.

Feature	Ninja IG651	Ninja DG551
Performance	9/10	8.5/10
Ease of Use	8.5/10	9/10
Value	8/10	8.5/10
Overall	8.5/10	8.7/10

FAQs: Ninja IG651 vs DG551