Ninja Gadgets Actually Worth It Before Black Friday (and the Ones to Skip)

Contains affiliate links. We’re not sponsored by Ninja or SharkNinja.

The trend

Ninja has become the brand everybody’s kitchen seems to be converging on, and the data backs it up. Z Media’s TikTok Shop Index for October 2026 found Ninja UK grew 42% month on month in September, the largest single-brand gain in any top 10 it tracks. Estimated sales went from $2.02M in August to $2.88M in September. Add sister brand Shark UK (+14%) and SharkNinja’s UK appliance business on TikTok Shop was up 28%.

There’s a caveat worth knowing. Z Media’s weekly report for the week ending 4 October showed Ninja UK down 13% that week, and noted appliance sales on TikTok Shop are “heavily launch-dependent”, spiking around new releases and dropping between them. Translation: hype comes in waves. Don’t buy in the wave; buy when the price is right.

Black Friday is the obvious moment. So which Ninja kit is actually worth having?

Worth it

1. A dual-basket air fryer

The product that made Ninja a household name in the UK. Two independent baskets mean you can cook chips and chicken at different temperatures and have them finish together, which is the feature that actually changes weeknight dinners.

Why it’s worth it: an air fryer heats a small space quickly, which is generally cheaper than preheating a full-size oven for a small meal. At the October 2026 price cap of 26.32p per kWh (Ofgem), you can work out your own cost: wattage ÷ 1,000 × hours × 26.32p. Check the wattage on the model you pick; many large air fryers are rated in the 1,500–2,500W range, but they rarely run at full power for the whole cook.

Who should skip: single-person households with tiny kitchens; a compact single-basket model does the job for less.

Ninja air fryers at Ninja UK · Argos · Currys

2. A multi-cooker with slow-cook mode

Ninja’s multi-cookers combine pressure cooking, slow cooking, searing and (on many models) air-frying in one pot. Slow cooker searches were up 8.2% week on week in Look Into’s UK Demand Index, and it’s easy to see why as winter arrives: chuck everything in, come back to a stew.

Why it’s worth it: it can replace two or three single-use gadgets, and pressure cooking turns cheap, tough cuts of meat tender fast.

Who should skip: if you already own a slow cooker you’re happy with, a multi-cooker is a nice-to-have, not a need.

Browse Ninja multi-cookers at Argos

3. A powerful blender (if you’ll actually use it)

Ninja blenders are known for being strong for the money: crushing ice, frozen fruit and nut butters. Personal-cup models are the sweet spot for smoothie people.

Why it’s worth it: if you make smoothies or soups several times a week, a good blender pays you back in use.

Who should skip: if it’ll live in a cupboard. Be honest.

Browse Ninja blenders at Currys

Think twice

The Slushi and other viral novelties

Ninja’s frozen-drinks machine was a social media sensation. It’s fun, but it’s a big, single-purpose appliance. If you’re buying it because of a video, wait for Black Friday and ask whether you’ll still use it in February.

The biggest, most expensive “do-everything” ovens

Countertop ovens that air fry, grill, bake, dehydrate and more are impressive, but they take up a lot of space. Great if they’re replacing a broken oven or you’re in a flat with a poor one. Overkill if you already have a decent oven and an air fryer.

Duplicate gadgets

If you already own an air fryer, you probably don’t need a health grill that also air fries. Feature overlap is how kitchens fill up.

How to spot a genuine Black Friday deal

Big-name appliances get discounted heavily around Black Friday, but not every “deal” is a deal.

Check price history. Tools like PriceSpy or CamelCamelCamel show whether a “was” price is real or inflated.
Compare retailers. Ninja’s own site, Argos, Currys, Amazon, John Lewis and TikTok Shop all sell Ninja. Prices and bundle extras vary.
Watch for older model numbers. A cheaper price sometimes means last year’s version. That can be a bargain, as long as you know what you’re getting.
Check what’s in the box. Bundles with extra baskets, racks or cups can add real value.
Buy from authorised sellers. On marketplaces and TikTok Shop, check the seller is Ninja or an authorised retailer so the warranty holds.

The verdict

If you buy one Ninja gadget this Black Friday, make it a dual-basket air fryer: it’s the one that changes how you cook most days. A multi-cooker is the best winter buy for stew and slow-cook fans. Treat the viral machines as treats, not essentials. And remember Z Media’s own warning: Ninja hype is launch-driven, so the smartest move is waiting for a real price drop rather than buying the moment TikTok tells you to.