Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multi-Cooker Review: Worthy upgrade over entry level air fryers?

Pros & Cons

Detailed Review

First Impressions

When the Ninja Combi arrived at my Pune flat, my first thought was “where on earth will this fit?” This thing is massive – about the size of a large microwave – and weighs around 11kg. The stainless steel finish looks premium, though, and the build quality feels solid. The digital display is bright and responsive, and the control dial has a satisfying click to it. Setup took about 20 minutes including the initial burn-off cycle.

How I Tested This

I used this daily for three weeks, cooking everything my family of four typically eats. Made frozen samosas and tikkis (came out crispier than my standalone air fryer), steamed dhokla using the HyperSteam function, and attempted the “3-part meal” feature with rice, dal, and grilled chicken simultaneously. Also tried it for weekend baking – chocolate cake and garlic bread. Tested during both regular cooking and heavy-duty Sunday meal prep sessions.

Performance

The HyperSteam technology is genuinely impressive. My idlis came out fluffier than my regular steamer, and the momos were perfectly done in 12 minutes flat. Air frying is where this really shines – I made pakoras with literally one teaspoon of oil and they were crispy enough that my mother-in-law couldn’t tell the difference. The 15-minute family meal claim? Slightly optimistic. Realistically, expect 20-25 minutes for a complete meal, but that’s still faster than using multiple appliances.

The 12.5L capacity is generous – I comfortably fit a whole chicken for roasting. However, the multi-level cooking requires some trial and error. My first attempt at simultaneous rice and chicken resulted in slightly undercooked rice because I didn’t adjust the quantities properly.

Noise and Daily Usage

It’s louder than I expected – roughly similar to a powerful exhaust fan. Fine during the day, but I wouldn’t run it late at night in a smaller apartment. The basket and trays are dishwasher-safe, which is a relief because hand-washing the multi-level accessories gets tedious.

Value for Money

Here’s where I’m torn. At nearly ₹25-30K, this is a significant investment. Looking at Amazon.in reviews, most buyers agree it replaces their air fryer, steamer, and OTG – which collectively would cost around ₹15-20K. So mathematically, the premium makes sense if you actually use all the functions. Flipkart reviewers do mention the warranty service could be better in tier-2 cities, so keep that in mind.

What Could Be Better

The recipe book is clearly written for Western audiences – lots of roasts and casseroles, almost no Indian recipes. I wish Ninja had included a dedicated Indian cooking guide. Also, the power consumption is noticeable on my electricity bill, especially when using the Combi modes.

Score Breakdown

Key Specifications

Our Verdict