Ninja Woodfire Grill Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
The Ninja Woodfire ProConnect Premium XL Outdoor Grill suits cooks who want electric outdoor grilling and real wood pellet flavor in one appliance. It also adds 7 cooking functions, 180 sq in of cooking space, an app and a built-in thermometer.
On this page (8 sections)
- What does the Ninja Woodfire grill do?
- Ninja Woodfire grill review: the key details
- How does electric pellet smoking work?
- What can you cook on the Woodfire?
- Is the Ninja Woodfire a good fit for a balcony?
- What are the main trade-offs?
- Indoor alternatives for year-round cooking
- Should you choose the Ninja Woodfire grill?
The Ninja Woodfire ProConnect Premium XL Outdoor Grill combines electric outdoor cooking with real wood pellet flavor. It offers grilling, BBQ smoking and other cooking functions in one appliance.
That makes it a fit for cooks who want grilling and occasional smoke flavor outdoors. Its electric power and pellet flavoring differ from a conventional pellet smoker that uses pellets as its main heat source.
What does the Ninja Woodfire grill do?
The Ninja Woodfire ProConnect Premium XL is an electric outdoor grill with a BBQ smoke function that uses real wood pellets for flavor. It combines outdoor grilling and smoking in one appliance.
Electricity powers the appliance, while pellets add woodfire flavor. That setup differs from a dedicated smoker built around low, steady heat.
The combination may suit you if grilling is your main use and you want smoke flavor as another option. If smoking is your priority, compare it with a dedicated electric smoker for small spaces and check each model's cooking capacity and operating method.
Ninja Woodfire grill review: the key details
The ProConnect Premium XL pairs electric power and pellet flavor with 7 cooking functions. It also includes app controls and 180 sq in of cooking space.
Ninja Woodfire ProConnect Premium XL Outdoor Grill: Best for app-connected outdoor cooking
- 7 cooking functions
- 180 sq in cooking space
- Electric power with real wood pellets for flavor
- App-connected controls and thermometer
This Woodfire model pairs a built-in thermometer and app controls with 7 cooking functions. Its 180 sq in cooking area suits cooks who want more space and phone notifications.
Pros
- Seven cooking functions
- App can monitor and control cook time and temperature
- Built-in thermometer
- 180 sq in cooking space
Cons
- Requires an electrical connection
- Pellets add flavor while electricity powers the appliance
- Designed for outdoor cooking
Ninja lists grill, BBQ smoke, air fry, roast, bake, broil and dehydrate among its functions. The 180 sq in cooking area fits up to 2 full racks of ribs, 10 burgers, 4 lb of wings, 2 chickens weighing 7 lb each, or a 10 lb brisket.
The built-in thermometer and ProConnect app can monitor cook time and temperature, manage two proteins, and send notifications. Those features may help if you want phone updates while cooking.
How does electric pellet smoking work?
The Woodfire uses electricity for cooking power and pellets for smoke flavor. Burning pellets do not provide its main cooking heat.
Ninja describes its Woodfire technology as using real wood burning pellets for flavor. The ProConnect Premium XL also uses ½ cup of pellets for BBQ smoking.
That approach may suit you if you want smoke flavor on grilled food without managing charcoal or a wood fire. If you plan to cook low and slow for long stretches, compare the experience with a dedicated smoker.
A digital smoker for an apartment is another category to consider if repeatable smoking sessions matter more than having several outdoor cooking functions in one appliance.
What can you cook on the Woodfire?
The Woodfire ProConnect Premium XL suits cooks who want one appliance for several outdoor cooking styles. Its 7 functions are grill, BBQ smoke, air fry, roast, bake, broil and dehydrate.
This gives it more cooking options than a single-purpose smoker, while the 180 sq in area sets a limit on how much food you can cook at once. Ninja says the space fits up to 2 full racks of ribs, 10 burgers, 4 lb of wings, 2 chickens weighing 7 lb each, or a 10 lb brisket.
Consider the size of your usual meal. Those capacity examples can help you judge whether the grill suits your typical gathering.
For another way to prepare outdoor meals, our Ninja Woodfire outdoor oven review looks at an option in the same product family.
Is the Ninja Woodfire a good fit for a balcony?
The Woodfire may suit a small outdoor space with a permitted place to cook and access to electricity. If you need a cooker that is easier to move, compare electric smokers with wheels.
Ninja describes the ProConnect Premium XL as suitable for locations such as an apartment balcony, RV, deck or backyard.
Measure the available space before choosing a spot. The grill measures 23.86 in deep, 22.68 in wide and 17.91 in high.
Check building rules and the manual before using any outdoor cooking appliance on a balcony. Access to electricity alone doesn't confirm that a location is permitted or safe for grilling.
If your cooking must happen indoors, consider a countertop grill. The Ninja Woodfire Pro review can also help you compare the Woodfire family’s outdoor options.
What are the main trade-offs?
The main trade-off is versatile outdoor cooking with electric power and pellet flavor. For a dedicated pellet option, compare the best Z Grills pellet smokers.
The ProConnect Premium XL combines grilling, smoking and five other functions, while a dedicated smoker focuses more directly on smoking.
It needs an electrical connection, so it won't suit every campsite or outdoor location. Its 180 sq in cooking area also limits how much you can prepare at once.
Before choosing it, decide which job matters most. If smoking is your priority, compare pellet smokers with rotisserie.
If you mainly want grilled food with some smoke flavor, the combination may suit you; if smoking is your priority, compare dedicated electric and pellet models by their capacity and controls.
Indoor alternatives for year-round cooking
Indoor Ninja grills offer countertop cooking without outdoor pellet smoking. They may suit you when outdoor cooking isn't practical.
The Sizzle has 14 in grill and griddle plates, reaches up to 500°F, and includes a detachable mesh lid designed to help control kitchen smoke and splatter. It doesn't add wood pellet flavor, so choose it for indoor grilling and griddling.
The Foodi uses 500°F cyclonic air with a grill grate for char-grilled marks. It includes a 4 qt crisper basket and a 6 qt cooking pot, and its grill grate, basket and pot are dishwasher safe.
Should you choose the Ninja Woodfire grill?
Choose the Ninja Woodfire ProConnect Premium XL Outdoor Grill if you want an electric outdoor grill with real wood pellet flavor and 7 cooking functions. For a dedicated pellet smoker format, see the best vertical pellet smokers.
Consider a dedicated electric smoker if smoking is your main goal, or an indoor Ninja grill if you need countertop cooking. For indoor barbecue options, see the best indoor BBQ smokers.
The ProConnect Premium XL has app controls, a built-in thermometer and 180 sq in of cooking space. Use the Best Pellet Smoker Grill Combo and Best Pellet Smoker For Outdoor Kitchens guides to compare other outdoor setups.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Ninja Woodfire grill use pellets for heat?
The Ninja Woodfire uses electricity for power and real wood burning pellets for flavor. That makes it an electric grill with pellet smoke flavor, rather than a traditional pellet cooker where pellets provide the main cooking heat.
Check that this setup matches the kind of smoking you want.
Can the Ninja Woodfire grill smoke meat?
Yes, its BBQ smoke function uses wood pellets to add smoke flavor while the appliance runs on electricity. It is designed for outdoor cooking and combines smoking with other functions, so it can suit someone who wants smoked food as part of a broader grilling setup.
Is the Ninja Woodfire grill suitable for a small space?
It may suit a balcony or small outdoor area if you have a permitted place to use it and access to electricity. Check local rules and the manual before setting it up; an indoor countertop grill is a different option for cooking inside.
What is the difference between the Ninja Woodfire grill and the Woodfire ProConnect Premium XL?
The ProConnect Premium XL has 180 sq in of cooking space, 7 functions, an app-connected thermometer and phone notifications. Compare those features with your space and cooking habits, since this model pairs electric power with real wood pellets for flavor.
