Two separate drawers or one large drawer with a divider? That’s the choice that matters most between these two Ninja air fryers.
The AF400UK makes sense when dinner usually means two separate foods. The AF500UK gives you more flexibility when you sometimes need room for one larger dish.
Our quick verdict: Choose the AF400UK for separate mains and sides. Choose the AF500UK if switching between divided cooking and one large cooking space is the feature you’ll actually use.
The main differences at a glance
| Feature | Ninja AF400UK | Ninja AF500UK |
|---|---|---|
| Total advertised capacity | 9.5 litres | 10.4 litres |
| Drawer layout | Two separate drawers | One drawer with a removable divider |
| Separate cooking zones | Yes | Yes, with the divider installed |
| One large cooking space | No | Yes, with the divider removed |
| Our suggested use | Mains and sides cooked separately | Switching between separate foods and larger dishes |
Choose the AF400UK if you usually cook two separate foods
Think chicken in one drawer and chips in the other, or a meat option alongside a vegetarian dish.
Its two independent drawers let you keep foods separate. The SYNC function coordinates their finishing times, while MATCH copies cooking settings across both zones.
For a household that regularly makes this kind of dinner, the layout is easy to understand: one drawer for each part of the meal.
The trade-off: You cannot combine the two drawers into one larger space. Check the individual drawer dimensions if you plan to cook wide or bulky items.
Choose the AF500UK if the shape of your meals changes
The AF500UK uses one drawer with a removable divider. Leave the divider in for two cooking zones, or remove it to create a single 10.4-litre MegaZone.
That flexibility is its main reason to be on your shortlist. It may suit you if separate mains and sides are your weekday routine, but larger dishes feature in your weekend cooking.
The trade-off: One large drawer is a different handling and cleaning arrangement from two smaller drawers. Check its dimensions and whether it will fit comfortably in your sink and on your worktop.
Three checks before you buy
Measure the space. Include the ventilation clearance specified in the manual, plus room to pull the drawer out.
Picture your usual dinner. Total litres matter less than whether your food fits the cooking space.
Compare the current prices. If you rarely need the undivided drawer, paying more for that flexibility may add little to your routine.
Which would we choose?
Our suggested starting point is the AF400UK for regular two-part dinners and the AF500UK for households that genuinely need both layouts.
Neither layout automatically makes your meals better. The useful one is the one that fits what you cook most often.
For a broader look at the layouts, read our single basket vs dual drawer guide.
Research note: this comparison is based on manufacturer specifications, not hands-on testing. See Ninja AF400UK and Ninja AF500UK. Check the retailer listing for the current model, price and availability.
Header image: AI-generated illustration of generic drawer layouts; not photographs of the featured Ninja models.
