Ninja og850 vs og951: Which One Should You Buy?

Last time I was in Asheville in North Carolina, I grilled burgers on a cabin deck and wished I had a better setup. That moment kicked off my deep dive into the Ninja OG850 vs OG951.

After testing both, I’ve got solid thoughts on which one fits travel, quick cooks, or serious backyard sessions. Let’s break it down — so you can pick the one that fits your fire.

Winner Purchase Link: Ninja OG951 Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL Outdoor Grill

Ninja OG850 Woodfire Pro Review

I’ve been testing the Ninja OG850 for over a year. It’s been through weeknight dinners, weekend BBQs, and everything in between. This review shares what I’ve loved, what bugged me, and why it’s still one of my favorite grills to use.

What I Like

• • Delivers real wood-smoked flavor with just a handful of pellets
• • Easy to use, even if you’re new to outdoor cooking
• • Versatile enough to grill, smoke, bake, and air fry — all in one machine

What I Don’t Like

• • Pellet hopper needs refilling during long smokes
• • Not ideal for hardcore low-and-slow BBQ purists

My Personal Experience

I’ve been using the Ninja OG850 for over a year now, and I’ll admit — I didn’t expect it to earn a permanent spot on my patio. But here we are. It quickly became my go-to for everything from smoked wings to grilled salmon.

Design

The design is simple but smart. It looks sleek on the patio and doesn’t scream “gadget.” The control panel is easy to understand, and even my neighbor (who once burned microwave popcorn) managed to use it without calling for help.

It’s bigger than most indoor appliances, but compact compared to a full smoker or gas grill. The OG850 has that “grab-and-go” vibe. You can take it camping, tailgating, or to your in-laws' house — assuming they’ll let you take over the cooking.

This grill feels like it was built for people who want to enjoy the food, not fiddle with knobs and vents.

Performance

This is where the OG850 surprised me most. Whether I’m grilling burgers or smoking pork shoulder, the results have been consistently solid. It heats up fast, holds its temp well, and that woodfire flavor really makes a difference — especially with chicken, ribs, or even veggies.

It’s not a true low-and-slow smoker — things cook quicker than on a traditional pellet smoker — but that’s kind of the point. It gives you smoke and sear without needing to babysit it for hours. And the built-in thermometer? Total sanity-saver for multi-taskers like me.

Is it competition-BBQ quality? No. Is it backyard, weeknight-dinner, impress-your-friends quality? Absolutely.

Build Quality

The Ninja OG850 feels well-made. The grill plate is sturdy and coated to resist stickiness, and cleanup takes less effort than my indoor oven. I’ve left it out during light rain with a cover, and it hasn’t rusted or quit on me.

Sure, it’s not stainless-steel tank tough, but for an electric grill, it’s more solid than I expected. You do need to handle it with care — this isn’t something to drag around or toss in the trunk unprotected.

Ninja as a brand has a good track record, and in my experience, they’ve kept their quality consistent across kitchen and outdoor products. That’s refreshing when so many brands chase features and forget durability.

Ninja OG951 woodfire pro Review

I’ve been testing the Ninja OG951 for over a year now. It’s been my go-to grill for weekday meals and weekend BBQs rain or shine.

What I Like

• • It offers versatile cooking options—you can grill, smoke, air fry, bake, roast, broil, and dehydrate all in one.
• • The ProConnect app lets me control and monitor the grill from my phone, even sending reminders to flip or remove food.
• • It delivers smoky flavor without the hassle, thanks to the wood pellet system that adds great taste without the mess of charcoal or gas.

What I Don’t Like

• • The power cord is short, so you’ll need to grill close to an outlet or get creative with your setup.
• • The stand is sold separately, which feels like a miss for a premium grill that really needs to be elevated for comfort.

My Personal Experience

I’ve been using the Ninja OG951 for a little over a year now, and honestly, it changed the way I cook outside. I used to dread grilling—too many knobs, too many flare-ups. This grill made things simple and fun again.

Design

Sleek and compact, yet big enough to cook for four people comfortably. Its smart design means I can take it to the patio, a friend’s BBQ, or even camping. The control panel is easy to read, and the app feels like having a sous-chef in my pocket.

But it’s not all sunshine—there’s no built-in storage for accessories, and the pellet loading area could be more intuitive. Still, I appreciate how it looks and functions overall. Clean lines, smart layout, and intuitive controls win me over every time.

Performance

Let me say it—this thing cooks like a champ. Chicken wings get crispy on the outside but stay juicy inside. Steaks? Nailed to my preferred doneness thanks to the built-in thermometers. And don’t get me started on smoked ribs—they fall off the bone with minimal babysitting.

One feature that really impressed me is how evenly it heats. No hotspots. No dry patches. It’s consistent across the board, which is a lifesaver when you’re cooking for guests. Plus, it preheats fast—something I never thought I’d love until I had it.

Build Quality

At nearly 39 pounds, it’s not flimsy. The materials feel solid—especially the cast-iron grate and heavy-duty lid. Sure, some plastic parts might raise an eyebrow if you’re used to old-school metal grills, but nothing has cracked or failed yet.

That said, I’d be lying if I didn’t mention some owners have had connectivity issues or complained about the thermometers. I haven’t had major problems, but I’d still recommend keeping a backup meat probe, just in case.

Ninja og850 vs og951 woodfire pro: Details Comparison

I've been testing out the Ninja OG850 vs OG951 regular weeknight meals and casual weekend BBQs. Each has its strengths, and while they look similar at first glance, the experience of using them is different. If you're stuck between these two, this quick comparison will help you figure out which one fits your lifestyle better.

Build & Portability

The OG850 is lighter and a bit easier to carry, perfect if you're short on space or like to move it around — I took mine to a cabin trip last fall. The OG951 is bulkier due to added tech but still portable. Both feel sturdy, but OG951 edges ahead in weather resistance.

Cooking Functions

The OG850 gives you 4 functions: Grill, Smoke, Air Fry, and Bake — great for everyday cooking. The OG951 steps it up with 7, adding Roast, Broil, and Dehydrate for more variety. If you like experimenting beyond basic grilling, the OG951 has the edge.

Smart Features (Bluetooth & App)

This is where the OG951 pulls ahead. It connects via the Ninja ProConnect app, letting you monitor and control everything from your phone. The OG850 skips the tech, keeping things simple with buttons only. If you're like me and enjoy cooking hands-free while multitasking, the OG951’s app is a treat.

Built-in Thermometers

The OG850 includes one built-in probe, which is enough for basic grilling. The OG951 comes with two — a real bonus if you’re cooking different meats at once. I tested this by smoking chicken on one side and brisket on the other — both turned out spot on, thanks to separate probe settings.

Ease of Use & Setup

The OG850 is a breeze to set up — it’s ready to cook within minutes. The OG951 has a few extra steps because of the app, but once it’s synced, the guided cooking makes it feel almost effortless. Both are user-friendly, but OG850 is better for beginners who just want to plug in and grill.

Price & Value

The OG850 is more affordable, and it delivers solid value if you don’t need smart features. The OG951 costs more, but it justifies the price with Bluetooth, dual probes, and more cooking options. Think of it as a smart kitchen tool disguised as a grill — great for tech lovers or busy cooks.

Overall Rating: Ninja OG850 – 8.2/10 | Ninja OG951 – 9.2/10

Check the latest price on Amazon

• Ninja OG951 Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL Outdoor Grill
• Ninja OG850 | Grill & Smoker | Outdoor Woodfire Pro XL

Final verdict: Ninja OG850 vs OG951 woodfire Pro XL

After using both grills, my choice was clear—I went with the Ninja OG951. While the OG850 is great for simple, tasty grilling, the OG951 gives me more freedom. I love using the app, tracking two types of meat at once, and having extra cooking options like broiling and dehydrating.

Yes, it costs more. But for me, the added features and smart tech are worth it. It saves time, adds control, and makes outdoor cooking fun.

If you want to grill and keep it simple, the Ninja OG850 Woodfire Pro is still a solid pick. But if you're ready for a smarter grill with more to offer, the OG951 is the one to beat.

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