Ninja Foodi OL500 6.5-Qt 14-in-1 Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer with SmartLid

Ninja Foodi OL500 6.5-Qt 14-in-1 Pressure Cooker Steam Fryer with SmartLid

By Ninja · Pressure Cookers · Kitchen & Cooking

  • 6.5-quart ceramic-coated pot, 14-in-1 functions
  • SmartLid slider switches pressure and steam-crisp modes
  • TenderCrisp: pressure cook then air crisp finish
  • Up to 70% faster pressure cooking, 75% less fat air frying
  • Includes crisping basket and reversible rack

Lowest price seen
~$149.95 (approx.)
from $149.95 at Amazon

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

The Ninja Foodi OL500 is a 6.5-quart countertop multi-cooker that moves between pressure cooking, steam-crisp, air frying and more under one sliding SmartLid instead of two. Check the model number before you buy: the OL500 carries 13 functions while the OL501 adds Proof for 14, and listings disagree on the count.

Strengths

  • The SmartLid slides between pressure, steam-crisp and air-fry modes, so there is no second lid to store or swap.
  • Steam & Crisp cooks a crisp exterior and juicy interior in one cycle.
  • The pot, reversible rack and Cook & Crisp plate are dishwasher safe.
  • Owner reviews are strongly positive about ease of use, cleaning and air frying.
  • One unit covers pressure cooking, air frying, steaming and slow cooking.

Weaknesses

  • It weighs about 24 lb, and owners say the hinged lid is always in the way.
  • The included booklet is thin, with no photo diagrams and incomplete recipes, so keep the full online manual handy.
  • The silicone ring absorbs food odors and needs cleaning; a poor fit is the most common cause of a failure to pressurize.
  • The pressure release valve feels loose out of the box, and setting it past SEAL triggers a NO PRESSURE error the booklet does not explain.
  • The 6.5-quart pot suits about 3–4 servings and can feel small for families or batch cooking.
  • At least one owner reported a unit that would not turn on out of the box.

Verified specifications

ModelOL500; the same series is sold as OL501, OL500C, OL501A and OL501C, all covered by one owner’s guide.
Power1460 W at 120 V, 60 Hz.
Capacity6.5 quarts.
Functions13 on the OL500 (pressure cook, steam and crisp, steam and bake, air fry, broil, bake/roast, dehydrate, sear/sauté, steam, sous vide, slow cook, yogurt, keep warm); the OL501 adds Proof for 14.
SmartLid modesPressure, SteamCrisp, and Air Fry/Stovetop.
Coatingceramic nonstick, PTFE- and PFOA-free; Ninja support confirms there is no Teflon.
Controlsknobs with a digital display.
Claimed performancepressure cooking up to 70% faster than traditional methods, and air frying with up to 75% less fat than deep frying (manufacturer baselines).
Dimensions15.39 × 14.21 × 13.07 in; 24.03 lb.
In the box1460-watt unit with SmartLid, 6.5-qt ceramic pot, 4.6-qt Cook & Crisp plate, reversible rack, and a cookbook.
Warrantyone-year VIP limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship; removable parts are not covered.
Sealing ringthe silicone ring is specific to Foodi SmartLid models, other rings will not fit, and Ninja sells replacements.
Full research notes and sources

SmartLid and cooking modes

The defining feature is the SmartLid Slider, which mechanically switches the lid between Pressure, SteamCrisp, and Air Fry/Stovetop positions. Older Foodi models needed a separate pressure lid and a separate crisping lid, and the single-lid design removes the storage and swapping that owners complained about. Steam & Crisp runs steam and crisping heat together for a juicy interior and a crisp exterior in one cycle.

Ninja’s two headline claims come with baselines: pressure cooking up to 70% faster than traditional methods, and air frying with up to 75% less fat than deep frying. Consumer Reports tested the OL501 variant across pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming, sautéing and convenience, though the individual scores sit behind a paywall. Reviewed tested the larger 8-quart OL701 sibling and got chicken fajitas with crisp exteriors and juicy interiors in about 20 minutes, and praised the dishwasher-safe accessories; it called the included manual and recipe book inadequate.

Cleaning, parts and upkeep

The ceramic cooking pot, reversible rack and Cook & Crisp plate are dishwasher safe. The silicone ring should come out and be washed after use so it does not pick up food odors, and a ring that is not seated properly is the most common reason the unit will not pressurize. The pressure release valve and anti-clog cap wash by hand with water and dish soap, and the lid exterior should be wiped after it cools.

There is no subscription and no consumable lock-in. The only recurring part is the silicone ring, sold by Ninja as a Foodi replacement set; the price is not published in the sources. The warranty is a one-year VIP limited warranty that excludes removable parts and needs proof of purchase; in Europe, registering within 28 days extends coverage, but that does not apply to US purchases.

What owners say

Owner feedback on Best Buy for the OL501 variant is strongly positive, clustered around intuitive controls, easy cleaning, air-frying results, and the convenience of the single SmartLid. One owner called the Foodi an excellent replacement for the oven, and another said the single SmartLid is the right change. The most common complaints are the 24 lb weight and the lid being always in the way, along with general Foodi mentions of clicking and popping during operation.

Reddit discussion specific to the OL500 is thin but includes sealing-ring replacement queries, and at least one Best Buy question describes a unit that would not turn on out of the box. These are owner signals from review snippets and threads, not a defect rate.

Is it worth it?

The SmartLid removes the two-lid pain of older Foodi models, so a single-lid multi-cooker with these functions is strong value at $150 or less and reasonable between $151 and $200. From $201 to $250 it is fair to weak, and above $250 it is weak unless you specifically want the SmartLid design and SteamCrisp cooking. Consumer Reports listed the OL501 at $250 at the time of its test.

At the upper end, compare against Ninja’s own 8-quart XL model (OL601) and multi-cookers such as Instant Pot with a separate air-fryer lid. The 6.5-quart capacity is adequate for 3–4 servings but may feel limiting for larger families or batch cooking.

Which model this is

The OL500, OL501, OL500C, OL501A and OL501C are the same series and share one owner’s guide. The OL500 has 13 functions; the OL501 adds Proof for 14. Retailers split on the count: Lowe’s and Walmart list the OL500 as 13-in-1, while Best Buy lists the OL501 as 14-in-1. Ninja also sells an 8-quart XL version (OL601) and a 7.5-litre version (OL650) in other markets, and TechRadar and Yahoo Life Singapore tested the 11-in-1 OL550, a different model for other regions.

The US Amazon listing for this product is ASIN B0995HLCQ8.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Parts and stores:

Buying guides for this category

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