Ninja Woodfire vs Woodfire Pro Connect XL

Side by side

Figures and features come from the two product listings. Ninja does not state wattage or grill plate size in these listings, so check the manual or Ninja's website for those.

Capacity and footprint

The OG701UK's 46 x 46 cm body is small enough for a little balcony table or a corner of a patio, and at 12 kg it is easy to carry indoors for storage. Its eight-burger capacity suits two to four people.

The XL is larger and heavier at 18.3 kg. Its capacity of 10 burgers or two 3 kg chickens makes it a better fit for a family of four to six. It needs a sturdier table or Ninja's stand, and more room to store. Measure your space before choosing.

Think about storage as well as cooking. Many owners keep a Woodfire indoors or in a shed between uses and carry it out to cook, which is easy with the 12 kg original and more of an effort with the XL. If the grill will live outside, a fitted cover keeps rain and dirt out of the controls and smoker box, even though both models carry an IPX4 rating against splashes.

Probe and app: are they worth it?

The XL's built-in probe connects to Ninja's Smart Cook System, which monitors the food as it cooks. With the app you can set the cook, watch progress and get notifications on your phone. That is most useful for roasts, whole chickens and smoked joints, where knowing the centre temperature takes the guesswork out.

On the original you can use a separate probe thermometer instead. The Food Standards Agency advises cooking poultry, pork, sausages and burgers until steaming hot throughout, with no pink meat; see our core temperature table for the probe checks.

If you mostly grill burgers, sausages and kebabs, the probe and app add little, and the money saved on the original could buy a good instant-read thermometer and a cover. If you like to put on a joint and get on with other things, the XL's notifications are a genuine convenience.

Smoke, pellets and use on balconies

Both use the same Woodfire idea: a small amount of pellets in the smoker box for flavour, not fuel. Each comes with pellet starter packs and a scoop. Ninja's manual gives the amount of pellets and the start sequence for each mode; follow it, as overfilling is a common cause of problems. See Ninja Woodfire pellets not igniting.

Both are outdoor appliances rated IPX4 and supplied with a UK plug. Ninja pitches them for gardens, patios, balconies and camping, but check your lease or building rules: pellet smoke may still be an issue on a shared balcony.

Note:Use Ninja Woodfire grills outdoors only, on a stable, heat-resistant surface with the clearances in the manual. Plug directly into a suitable outdoor socket and keep the lead dry. See can you use a Ninja Woodfire indoors.

Which should you choose?

Choose the original OG701UK if you cook for two to four, have a small balcony or patio, and want an easy, light grill. Choose the Pro Connect XL OG901UK if you cook for a family, want to roast whole chickens or bigger joints, and like the idea of probe-led cooking with phone notifications.

Our Ninja Woodfire models compared guide includes the Woodfire Outdoor Oven too, and best electric BBQs for balconies compares the Woodfire grills with Weber's electric models.

See Ninja Woodfire models compared →

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ninja Woodfire XL much bigger? Its capacity is larger, 10 burgers against 8, and it weighs 18.3 kg against 12 kg.

Do both models smoke? Yes, both have the Woodfire smoker box that burns real wood pellets for flavour.

Can I use the same pellets in both? Both use Ninja Woodfire pellets as supplied in the starter packs; check the manual for recommended pellets.

Which is better for a balcony? The original, because it is smaller and lighter, if your building allows outdoor grills.