Steaks, burgers, chicken wings, salmon, vegetables, frozen fries – these grills saw serious action. If you’re deciding between them, you’re probably asking the same questions I did: Is the newer DG551 actually better? Is the FG551 still worth buying? Which one lasts longer? And do they really deliver real grilled flavor indoors?
Buy the Ninja DG551. It replaces the unreliable touchscreen of the FG551 with durable physical buttons, preheats 2–3 minutes faster, and includes better Smart Cook controls.
If the FG551 is not at least $50 cheaper, the DG551 is the smarter long-term investment.
Second-Generation Upgrade That Actually Matters
The main difference between Ninja DG551 and FG551 is that the DG551 is the second-generation Foodi Smart XL Grill with physical control buttons, upgraded Smart Cook presets, and additional accessories, while the FG551 is the first-generation model using a touchscreen interface with fewer refinements.
On paper, this might sound like a small update. In real cooking? It completely changes the experience. After weeks of side-by-side testing, I can confidently say the upgrade is practical, not cosmetic.
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Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Ninja DG551 | Ninja FG551 |
|---|---|---|
| Official Name | Foodi Smart XL Grill (Gen 2) | Foodi Smart XL Grill (Gen 1) |
| Power Output | 1760 watts | 1760 watts |
| Controls | Physical buttons | Touchscreen panel |
| Thermometer | Dual-sensor Smart Cook | Single-sensor Smart Cook |
| Doneness Levels | More granular control | 9 preset levels |
| Capacity | 6 steaks / 24 hot dogs | 6 steaks / 24 hot dogs |
| Crisper Basket | 4-quart | 4-quart |
| Coating | Non-stick ceramic | Non-stick ceramic |
| Accessories | Extra pot + splatter shield | Standard accessories |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
How I Tested These Grills
I cooked identical foods on both grills to keep everything fair:
- Ribeye steaks (1.5 inches thick)
- Chicken thighs (skin-on)
- Salmon fillets
- Frozen french fries
- Burgers
- Mixed vegetables
I tracked:
- Preheat speed
- Smoke output
- Temperature recovery
- Thermometer accuracy
- Ease of cleaning
Preheat Speed
The DG551 consistently reached 500°F about 2–3 minutes faster than FG551.
- DG551 average: 7–8 minutes
- FG551 average: 10 minutes
Not a dealbreaker, but noticeable when hungry.
Buttons vs Touchscreen (Major Difference)
This is the biggest upgrade.
The FG551 uses a glass touchscreen. It looks modern, but after cooking greasy burgers, it often missed taps. Once, I had to wipe my finger just to change temperature.
The DG551 switches to physical buttons. Game changer. Even with greasy hands, every press registers instantly.
Why this matters long-term:
- Touchscreens can fail after heavy use
- Buttons last longer
- More reliable for daily cooking
Smart Cook Thermometer (Deep Expert Detail)
This is where the real information gain happens.
FG551:
- Single-sensor probe
- 9 preset doneness levels
- Basic alerts
DG551:
- Dual-sensor thermometer
- More granular doneness control
- Better carry-over cooking alerts
The DG551 monitors:
- Internal meat temperature
- External heat environment
It also accounts for carry-over cooking – the temperature rise after removing meat. The grill alerts you earlier so you don’t overcook.
During steak tests:
- Medium-rare target: 130–135°F
- DG551 consistently hit 132°F
- FG551 occasionally overshot
Grilling Performance
Both use Ninja’s Cyclonic Grilling Technology.
Results:
- Dark grill marks
- Caramelized crust
- Juicy interior
- Crispy chicken skin
Flavor? Identical. Both deliver legit grilled taste.
Smoke Control
DG551 includes a splatter shield. This reduced smoke noticeably.
Apartment friendly.
Capacity & Family Cooking
I cooked for 5 people:
- 6 steaks
- Large fries batch
- 8 sausages
Both handled easily.
Accessories
DG551 includes:
- Extra cooking pot
- Splatter shield
- Updated probe
FG551 includes:
- Grill grate
- 4-quart crisper basket
- Probe
Cleaning
Both have non-stick ceramic coating and dishwasher-safe parts.
DG551 stays cleaner longer.
Who Should Buy Which?
- Buy DG551 if: you want durability, better controls, extra accessories
- Buy FG551 if: you want the lowest price and don’t mind touchscreen
Who Should Skip Both?
Skip both if:
- You cook for only 1–2 people
- You have very limited counter space
- You want something compact
In that case, look at the Ninja AG301 instead.
Winner by Category
- Best reliability: DG551
- Best value: FG551
- Best accessories: DG551
- Best beginner: FG551
Schema-Friendly Pros & Cons
Ninja DG551
- Pros: Physical buttons, faster preheat, dual-sensor thermometer, extra accessories, less smoke
- Cons: Higher price, larger footprint
Ninja FG551
- Pros: Lower cost, same cooking power, great flavor
- Cons: Touchscreen reliability, fewer presets, more smoke
Final Verdict
Ninja DG551 vs FG551 is about refinement.
- Budget pick: FG551
- Premium pick: DG551
If prices are close, DG551 is the smarter long-term buy.
- NINJA FOODI SMART XL GRILL: Updated, sleek design with the same functions & benefits....
- SMART COOK SYSTEM & THERMOMETER: The Foodi Smart Thermometer enables you to achieve the...
- SMART INDOOR GRILL & AIR FRYER COMBO: The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill is an all-in-one...
- CYCLONIC GRILLING TECHNOLOGY: Enjoy authentic BBQ grill flavor indoors with 500°F...
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