Ninja Woodfire ProConnect XL Review 2026: Balcony-Friendly Smoke

How Does the Ninja Woodfire ProConnect XL Grill and Sear?

Well for its size. The grill grate gets hot enough for clear sear marks on steaks and burgers, and electric heat means no flare-ups from fat drips.

Electric heat gave clean sear marks with no flare-ups from fat drips.

Grilling Results

Direct grilling

• Steaks and burgers: strong grill marks and an even cook across the grate, with no cold corners to work around.
• Chicken: skin crisps nicely, and the probes make it easy to pull thighs and breasts at a safe temperature.
• Vegetables: peppers, onions and corn char well without falling through.

Where grilling falls short

• Crust depth: a hot cast-iron gas grill or charcoal fire still builds a darker crust.
• Batch size: a full rack of burgers fills the grate quickly.

Tip: preheat fully with the hood closed before the food goes on. Opening it early drops the grate temperature and weakens the sear.

For better results on any small grill, see our guide on how to grill the perfect steak.

Does Woodfire Technology Give Real Smoke Flavor?

Yes, but lighter than a dedicated smoker. The smoke box ignites a small scoop of pellets and pushes the smoke around the food. You can taste the wood — it is not a liquid-smoke imitation.

A small scoop of pellets in the smoke box is all the fuel the smoke flavor needs.

How the woodfire smoke box works

1. You fill the smoke box with Ninja wood pellets (a small scoop, not a hopper).
2. The unit lights the pellets and lets them smolder.
3. A fan circulates smoke through the cooking chamber while the electric element controls the heat.

Because the pellets only add flavor, you never need to refill fuel during a cook. That is the main reason it is so easy for beginners.

What smoked well

• Salmon and chicken: clear wood flavor and a nice color without drying out.
• Pork shoulder: tender, sliceable or pullable meat with a gentle smoke taste.
• Wings: smoke first, then finish with Air Crisp for crisp skin — one of the best uses of this grill.

Where smoking falls short

• Bark and smoke ring: thinner than you get from an offset, kamado or full pellet grill.
• Large briskets: the chamber height and grate size limit full-packer cuts.

If you want a deeper smoke profile, our pellet grill vs traditional smoker guide explains the difference in plain terms.

Are the ProConnect App and Built-In Thermometers Worth It?

Yes — they are the main reason to pick this model over the non-connected Woodfire grills. The app links over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and shows both probe readings, cook mode and timer on your phone.

• Two probes: you can track two different cuts, or the thick and thin ends of the same roast.
• Alerts: the app tells you when food hits its target, so you are not opening the hood to check.
• Guided cooks: preset programs and recipes help beginners choose time and temperature.
• Accuracy: in our checks, probe readings tracked closely with a handheld instant-read thermometer.

Tip: pair the grill with your home Wi-Fi before the first cook. Doing it mid-cook, with the unit already hot, is more fiddly.

The app is helpful, not required. You can run every function from the control panel if your Wi-Fi does not reach the patio. For general probe advice, read our meat grilling temperature chart.

What Else Can It Cook? Air Fry, Bake, Roast and More

The 7-in-1 design is useful in daily life, not just a box-ticking list. Here is what each mode means in practice:

Smoke first, then Air Crisp: wings come out smoky with crisp skin.

• Grill: everyday burgers, steaks, chicken and vegetables.
• Smoke: low-and-slow cooks with real pellet flavor.
• Air Crisp: wings, fries and breaded foods outdoors — handy in summer to keep heat and smell out of the kitchen.
• Bake: cornbread, pizza or cobbler on the patio.
• Roast: whole chicken or pork loin with an even, hands-off cook.
• Broil: top-down heat for melting cheese or finishing a crust.
• Dehydrate: jerky and dried fruit, which pairs nicely with a light smoke.

Who benefits: small households that want one outdoor appliance instead of a grill, a smoker and an air fryer. Who doesn't need it: cooks who already own a good smoker and only want a grill.

Setup, Cleaning and Day-to-Day Use

• Assembly: there is little to build. Unbox, place on a stable surface or stand, plug in and pair the app.
• Where to place it: set it on a level, heat-safe surface outdoors with clear space around the vents. Use a properly rated outdoor outlet.
• Fuel: only Ninja-style wood pellets for flavor; no propane, no charcoal, no ash dump.
• Cleaning: let the grate and grease tray cool, then wash them. The nonstick-coated parts clean up faster if you soak them right after the meal.
• Smoke box: empty spent pellet ash after each smoke so it lights cleanly next time.
• Storage: it is built to sit outside, but a fitted cover extends its life and keeps pollen and rain off the controls.

The grease tray and grate lift out for a quick wash after each cook.

For a full routine, see our guide on grill cleaning and maintenance.

What We Didn't Like

• Limited capacity: cooking for more than about 6 people means working in batches.
• Needs power: no outlet, no grill — a dealbreaker for camping or some patios.
• Lighter smoke: fans of heavy bark will want a pellet grill or offset.
• Pellet brand lock-in: Ninja recommends its own pellets; other brands may not light or burn as evenly.
• Coating care: nonstick parts need soft brushes, not wire scrapers.

Who Should Buy the Ninja Woodfire ProConnect Premium XL (and Who Shouldn't)

Ninja Woodfire ProConnect XL vs. Alternatives

Is the Ninja Woodfire ProConnect Premium XL Worth the Money?

Final Score