Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL vs Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL
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Quick take: The Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL costs $51 less.
| Spec | Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL | Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$449 | ~$500 |
| Rating | 4.8★ (133) | — |
| Type | Electric Grill | Electric Grill |
| Cooking Area | 180 sq in | 180 sq in |
| Max Temp | 500°F | — |
| Fuel Type | Electric | Electric |
| Build Material | Steel/Plastic Housing | Non-Stick Coated Steel grate |
| Hopper Capacity | Pellet flavor box | 1/2 cup pellets |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | Yes | Yes |
| Meat probe | Yes | Yes |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 22.4 x 18.6 x 17.1 in | 23.86 x 22.68 x 17.91 in |
| Weight | 46 lbs | 49.2 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Pros & cons
Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL
- ✓It's the default owner discussions and owner discussions recommendation for apartments - electric operation makes it legal on most balconies where charcoal and propane are banned
- ✓The small pellet box burns real hickory or cherry pellets, producing legitimately smoky ribs, wings, and brisket for an electric device
- ✓Seven modes (grill, smoke, air fry, roast, bake, broil, dehydrate) genuinely replace several countertop appliances
- ✓Two built-in probe thermometers plus the ProConnect app let you cook two proteins to different targets with phone alerts
- ✓The 500°F grill plate puts real char and grill marks on burgers and steaks, unlike most electric grills
- ✓The XL's 180 sq in fits two full racks of ribs (cut), 10 burgers, or a 10 lb brisket - impressive for its size
- ✓At around $399 it's a complete outdoor cooking setup with no fuel tanks, chimneys, or ash to manage
- ✓It weighs 46 lbs and stores on a shelf, making it viable for RVs, tailgates (with power), and tiny patios
- ✗180 sq in is tiny compared to real grills - cooking for more than 4-5 people means batching
- ✗It needs a 120V outlet, so no off-grid cooking without a beefy power station
- ✗Smoke flavor is lighter than charcoal or a real pellet grill - purists in owner discussions call it 'smoke-adjacent' rather than true BBQ
- ✗The nonstick grill plate and crisper basket coatings wear over time and can't take metal tools
- ✗Connectivity is Bluetooth-based, so range is limited to roughly your home - no checking the cook from the store
- ✗The 1-year warranty is short, and SharkNinja support gets mixed reviews for out-of-warranty electronics
- ✗Rain and electricity don't mix - it needs cover or indoor storage, and the plastic housing isn't built to live outside
- ✗There's no real temperature band control in smoker mode - you pick presets and trust the algorithm rather than dialing exact temps
Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL
- ✓Dual built-in probes is rare below $1,000 and genuinely changes how two-protein cooks run
- ✓180 sq in is about 30 percent more grate than the base Woodfire for $150
- ✓Real wood smoke from half a cup of pellets on a standard 120 V outlet
- ✓Seven functions, so it doubles as an outdoor air fryer and dehydrator
- ✓Ninja Pro Connect app sends alerts rather than requiring a watched display
- ✗180 sq in is still small for $500 — a gas grill at this price offers three times the grate
- ✗49 lbs, which is heavy enough that it stops being a store-it-indoors appliance
- ✗One-year limited warranty at a $500 price point
- ✗45-inch cord dictates placement and often needs an outdoor-rated extension