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Air fryers are essentially mini ovens that come with an intense heat source and a powerful fan. It is more powerful than a convection oven and allows you to cook food items faster or create a crispy and crunchy exterior. The reheating times are far better than the average microwave too. Besides, air fryers require less oil to fry food items which helps to reduce calories and fat intake. There are many different types of air fryers in the market today. Here is a list of the best air fryers to help you find the right one for your needs.
See also: Best electric pressure cookers
Best Air Fryers
One of the Best Overall Air Fryers
Ninja AF161 XL
The Ninja AF161 XL comes with a ceramic coated nonstick basket, broil rack, 2.6 feet cord length, 5.5 Quart capacity, 7 different functions, recipe guide, and a max temperature of 450 degrees. When it comes to design, this one is pretty slick looking. It’s pretty compact too at 14 x 11 x 14.8“size. When you look at its performance, looks, and ease of use, it’s hard to find another product that does great in all of these aspects and for that reason, we have decided to include it in our review list.
This air fryer has a temperature range of 105 to 450 degrees and the fan has speed in the range of 1260 to 3100 RPM. The hotter temperature provides a nice crispy exterior to your favorite fried food items. The high RPM allows you to fry food items much faster and deliver a great fried consistency overall. You can make delicious fries and chicken wings with a crunchy exterior and a moist delicious interior.
Its 7 different functions such as dehydrate, reheat, bake, air boil, air roast, air fry, and max crisp make it a very versatile kitchen companion. Some of the other notable aspects of this air fryer are that it requires less oil to fry food items, comes with dishwasher-friendly accessories and a broiling rack to boot. It’s also incredibly easy to operate thanks to the simple yet intuitive mini interface at the top. If you are looking for an incredible air fryer that looks and performs great while being easy to use, then go for the Ninja AF161 XL.
Who should buy this?
- It’s perfect for beginners as it’s very easy to use.
- It’s ideal for those who are not very techno-savvy.
- It’s great for cooking enthusiasts due to its versatility and great performance.
One of the Best Value Air Fryers
Chefman TurboFry 2 Liter Air Fryer
It comes with a 2 liters capacity, dishwasher safe basket, dual-control temperature, BPA-free parts, cookbook, integrated 60 minutes timer with auto-off functionality, and a 1-year hassle-free warranty. The design is pretty basic. It’s also quite compact and will fit perfectly, no matter how small your kitchen counter is. When it comes to value, the Chefman TurboFry is easily one of the best air fryers in the market today making it an easy addition to our review list.
With this fryer you can bake, fry, cook, and roast your favorite food items with ease. Furthermore, you can do all this with a minimum amount of oil. Its temperature range of 200 to 400 degrees F allows you to cook a variety of food items and get a nice and even crispy exterior without any preheating. The 2-in-1 basket is very useful to have as it comes with great capacity but a very small footprint making it perfect for traveling with.
When it comes to ease of use, this one takes the cake as the dual-dial is easy to operate even if you have never used a fryer before. The dial controls both temperature and time and you can set it as per your needs. The 60 minutes timer comes with automatic shutdown which means you never have to worry about your food getting overcooked. The non-stick basket that comes with it is also a dishwasher safe making it easy to clean. If you are looking for a nice, compact air fryer that is ideal for small spaces or traveling with, then give this one a go. You won’t be disappointed!
Who should buy this?
- It’s perfect for those who travel a lot as it’s very compact and easy to carry about.
- It’s ideal for those who have small kitchens.
- It’s great for a family of 3.
One of the Best Air Fryers for a Medium-Sized Family
Instant Pot Vortex Plus
It comes with 6 quarts capacity, 6 inbuilt programs, a unique square basket, stainless steel body, easy to use dial and touch functionality, a free app with thousands of recipes, and EvenCrisp technology. Design-wise, it’s something that some people will either love or hate. We find the retro stainless steel design to be very attractive and unique thanks to the rounded square shape. For a family of four, an air fryer needs to have the right capacity and performance to make cooking convenient and easy. The Instant Pot Vortex Plus combines great performance, features, and design, making it perfect for our review list.
The 6 built-in programs include air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, broil and reheat, making it extremely versatile. Temperature control is done with the help of the dial on the screen. This is very convenient to have as a click or touch functionality would have required you to press the button several times to change the settings. It is important to note that in this fryer, when the timer shows 00:00, its hours and minutes and not minutes and seconds. When you use the air fryer mode, you also need to turn over the food item at around 75 percent of the set time.
The square basket provides more space than most of its competitors. It also comes with a removable tray that you can pull out by holding the thin, hinged handle which makes it easy to remove the food item whenever you want to without disrupting the cooking area. If you are a family of four or someone who likes to invite a couple of friends now and then for snacks and dinner, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus is a great air fryer to have by your side.
Who should buy this?
- It’s perfect for bachelors and bachelorettes who like to host small parties now and then.
- It’s ideal for a family of four.
- It’s great for creative professionals thanks to its retro design.
One of the Best Toaster Oven Air Fryers
Cuisinart AFR-25
The Cuisinart AFR-25 comes with a motor fan, heater, adjustable time, viewing window, brushed stainless steel body, air fry basket, baking pan/drip tray, 60 min automatic timer and 7 different program functions. Similar to the previous product on this list, this one also features a “love it” or “hate it” design that is unique. This isn’t your traditional air fryer as it combines the functionality of a toaster oven and an air fryer in a compact yet spacious design. As far as hybrid toaster oven air fryers are concerned, the Cuisinart AFR-25 is one of the best products in the market today making it an essential and natural addition to our review list.
With an 1800 Watts motor and 7 different functions (air fry, convection bake, convection broil, bake, broil, toast and warm), you can cook a wide variety of food items easily with this one. It also comes with unique features such as an adjustable thermostat, toast shade selector with timer and accessories such as an oven rack, baking pan and air fryer basket making it highly versatile as far as cooking is concerned. It’s also very quiet which is surprising considering how powerful the motor is.
Capacity-wise, you can air fry up to 3 pounds of food items, toast 6 bread slices, bake a 4 lb chicken, and even a 12-inch pizza although you do have to buy the pizza stone accessory separately. Another unique aspect it has is that the fan turns off when you open the door which keeps the heat locked inside the appliance.
Who should buy this?
- It’s perfect for those who like to make quick snacks and bites to eat.
- It’s ideal for working professionals as you can toast bread for breakfast very quickly and easily.
- It’s great for small families as well as individuals.
One of the Best Selling Air Fryers
COSORI
The COSORI air fryer comes with 5.8 quarts capacity, 1700 Watts motor, fingerprint-resistant body, 11 different programs, preheat functionality, 1-touch LED panel and a large detachable basket. When it comes to design this one is one of the best-looking models out there in its price range. The COSORI air fryer is one of the most popular air fryers in the market today thanks to its robust performance, cool aesthetics and a large number of different presets. With all these qualities and more, it’s a must in our review list.
Most air fryers don’t come with a pre-heating option but this one does. One of the best advantages of pre-heating food items is that it improves the texture significantly. Compared to traditional ovens, pre-heating in this device takes only 2 to 5 minutes which is amazing. It also comes with 11 different program presets such as steak, poultry, fish, shrimp, bacon, frozen foods, French fries, vegetables, bread, desserts and more. You also have the option to manually edit the settings if the presets don’t match your needs. With a temperature range of 170 to 400 degrees F, you can cook a wide variety of food items in it.
It comes with BPA-free parts making it safe, especially if you have kids. The nonstick basket makes it easier for you to clean which saves a considerable amount of time in the long run. You can also make use of the recipe book that comes with it to try some new fried food items. If you are looking for a great product that performs excellently and comes with several versatile cooking options, then the COSORI air fryer is the one to go for.
Who should buy this?
- It’s perfect for design-savvy individuals.
- It’s ideal for medium-sized families consisting of 3-4members.
- It’s great for those who like to host small gatherings as you can air fry food items in several batches.
One of the Best Air Fryer/Dehydrator Combo
GOWISE
The GOWISE air fryer comes with 7 quarts capacity, 8 program functions, full touchscreen interface, built-in dehydrator, a recipe book, a 1-year warranty, and 30 days money-back guarantee. The design looks pretty cool and it comes in 3 different color combinations. The full touchscreen menu looks amazing and easy to operate. There aren’t that many models out there that come with a built-in dehydrator but of the ones available in the market, this one is easily the best, especially when it comes to overall performance.
It utilizes Rapid Air Circulation Technology that circulates heat around the food item efficiently, allowing you to enjoy your favorite fried food items within 30 minutes or so. You also get 8 different cooking functions such as air fry, roast, broil, dehydrate, grill, bake, reheat, and keep warm. All these 8 options already have the required temperature and time set, so that you can have a hassle-free cooking experience. It also comes with 3 stackable racks that can be used to dehydrate food items easily. The dehydrate function has a temperature range of 90 to 170 degrees F and a timer that can be set between 2 to 24 hours as per your requirements.
With a capacity of 7 quarts, you can easily cook 4 to 5 burgers at a time making it ideal for medium and large-sized families. Two of its best aspects are that it can cook extremely fast and that it can be cleaned easily making it perfect for working individuals. If you are looking for an air fryer and dehydrator combo, then this one is an amazing option to go for.
Who should buy this?
- It’s perfect as a holiday or celebration gift to your loved ones.
- It’s ideal for those busy-bodies as it can be cleaned very fast and easily.
- It’s great for large families with 4-5 members.
One of the Best Compact Air Fryer
Dash Air Fryer
The Dash air fryer comes with 4 different color options, 2.6 quarts capacity, Aircrisp technology, auto shut off function, nonstick fry basket, dishwasher safe parts, recipe cookbook, and a 1-year manufacturer’s guarantee. This is probably one of the most compact and cutest air fryers in the market today. Not everyone has space on their kitchen counter to keep large, clunky devices. In such a scenario what you need is a mini-beast that can do its job easily without any hassles and the Dash air fryer is just that!
With the patented Aircrisp technology and the 1000 Watts motor, food can be cooked or fried within minutes. It also helps to reduce the fat content in the food by at least 60-70 percent without compromising on the taste. You can’t cook a large quantity of food in this fryer but you can fry small quantities in very less time which compensates for its small capacity. The product claims that it can cook food to serve up to 4 people but that’s only with very small portions per person. You can make appetizers, fries, nuggets, baked goods, sweet potatoes, veggies, meatballs, and more. The cool-touch handle makes it safe to handle as well.
You can control the temperature and timer manually as per your needs. It also comes with an auto-shutdown function that will turn off the power once the time is over. Cleanup is fairly easy especially since the fryer basket is dishwasher safe. If you are looking for a cute, compact air fryer that can make your favorite fried food items in a jiffy, then go for this one. It will definitely surprise you!
Who should buy this?
- It’s perfect for those who have very small kitchens.
- It’s ideal for single working professionals.
- It’s great for a small family of 2 members.
One of the Best Unique Air Fryer
Actifry Air Fryer
The Actifry air fryer comes with a PTFE and PFOA-free ceramic nonstick pan, secure splash-proof lid, recipe book, automatic rotating paddle, Airfry technology, and a digital countdown timer with a buzzer. The first thing that catches your eye is, of course, the unconventional design. The design here, however, isn’t just for aesthetic purposes but mainly for its functionality. There aren’t that many unique traditional air fryers in the market today. Out of the few that are out there, the Actifry air fryer is easily one of the best and hence makes our review list.
Similar to other air fryers this one utilizes AirFry technology which efficiently cooks food using a pulsing hot air circulation system. In addition to that, it also uses 1450 Watts of power which is more than enough to fry food items quickly. One unique aspect is that it comes with a top window that lets you see how your food is coming along. It also comes with a stirring paddle that moves the food in a circular motion to evenly fry it. The controls are very easy to understand too as it comes with a simple on/off button and a timer that buzzes once it’s done.
Cleaning is also pretty easy and convenient as you can remove the cooking pan and paddle and place them in the dishwasher. The non-ceramic coating of the cooking pan and paddle also makes sure that grease doesn’t get stuck to it. You can even remove the filter at the bottom whenever you need to clean it. So, if you want to buy an unconventional air fryer that can fry food items with minimum oil, then this is a great option to go for.
Who should buy this?
- It’s perfect for health-conscious people who don’t like a lot of oil in their food.
- It’s ideal for those who love eating traditional cut fries.
- It’s great for families with kids.
One of the Best Pressure Cooker/Air Fryer Hybrid
Ninja Foodi
The Ninja Foodi comes with an in-built pressure cooker, 8 different program functions, 5 quarts capacity, Tender crisp cooking technology, reversible rack, and a stainless steel body. The design of this product is very different from the others. It stands apart from the rest of the air fryers out there and really adds to your kitchen’s ambiance. We have included it in our review list as it’s one of the best air fryer/pressure cooker hybrid models out there today and performs amazingly well. Besides, it provides great value too and it delivers on its promises unlike some other products out there.
The most unique aspect is, of course, the pressure cooking functionality. It can cook up to 70 percent faster than traditional cooking methods allowing you to save up on a lot of time in the long run. You can pressure cook a juicy meal and then crisp the top without any hassles. This allows you to experiment and cook a wide variety of food items. The capacity is great too which makes it perfect to have when you are hosting a bunch of friends and family for dinner or small get-togethers. It can even hold a 7-pound chicken which is quite impressive.
Air fryer technology also makes it possible for you to fry food items with 75 percent less fat than traditional methods which makes it a healthier alternative. The reversible rack also adds value as it allows you to steam, broil and crisp up to 8 chicken breasts at a time or create delicious meals with layers. If you are looking for an air fryer that provides great capacity, amazing versatility, and a ton of useful features, then the Ninja Foodi is the one to go for. It will blow your mind in more ways than one!
Who should buy this?
- It’s perfect for those who want great value for money and versatility.
- It’s ideal for cooking professionals.
- It’s great for large families who like to entertain guests now and then.
One of the Best Multi Cooker Air Fryers
Instant Pot Duo Air Fryer
This one comes with removable lids, 11-program functions, EvenCrisp technology, broiling and dehydrating tray, dishwasher safe parts, 10 plus inbuilt safety features, and a powerful 1500 Watts heating element. The Instant Pot Duo Air Fryer is an interesting product as it is a pressure cooker that doubles as an air fryer rather than an air fryer that can pressure cook. This distinction is important because as it is a pressure cooker first, you can cook different types of food items. In this regard, this one is easily one of the top models in the market today and so makes our list of the best air fryers available for purchase.
One aspect that fails to impress is its design. It looks more like a pressure cooker which is okay but it doesn’t look appealing enough. The performance and versatility, on the other hand, are pretty awesome. The 11 different program functions include pressure cooking, sauté, steam, slow cook, sous vide, air fry, warm, fry, roast, bake, broil and dehydrate. When you put on the detachable air fryer lid, you can make delicious chicken wings, crispy fries with very little oil whereas the pressure cooker lid allows you to use the steam, sauté, slow cook and sous vide settings.
However, when you use the pressure cooker lid, it won’t allow you to use the air frying settings and vice versa. It also comes with lots of different safety features such as automatic pressure and temperature control, overheating protection, pressure release buttons, etc. If you are looking for a great pressure cooker that can double as an air fryer, then go for this one. It’s an absolute beast that can cook and fry food at a lightning-fast speed.
Who should buy this?
- It’s perfect for the amateur as well as the mid-tier cooking professional.
- It’s ideal for stay-at-home dads and moms
One of the Best Large Capacity Air Fryers
GoWISE Deluxe Air Fryer
This one comes with 5 color options, 12.7 quarts capacity, 10 accessories, 15 different presets, recipe book, 3 rack levels, 1-year purchase warranty, and free lifetime support from GoWISEUSA. The design for the GoWISE Deluxe is made more for functionality rather than looks and it clearly shows. With the number of accessories that it has, it needs to be practical and that’s what you get here. This one is a sure-shot in our review list as it not only has lots of space to cook large quantities of food but it also comes with plenty of features and a mind-boggling number of accessories for more versatility.
When it comes to cooking you get 15 different presets such as fries, toast, frozen food, pizza, steak, chicken, fish, vegetables, baked potato, rotisserie, bake, dehydrate, warm and defrost. All these presets allow you to save time as it automatically adjusts the time and temperature settings. If you would like to cook manually you have that option too. With 12.7 quarts capacity, it’s easily one of the largest air fryers in the market today but it’s also surprisingly compact for its size.
You get 10 different accessories such a rotisserie tong, rod, oven rack, drip pan, skewer rotisserie, rotisserie cage, mesh trays, and more. So, if you want to experiment with different types of food and enjoy exploring, this one provides a lot of tools to help you do just that. It’s really mind-boggling how useful the GoWISE Deluxe Air Fryer is. It’s an air fryer, oven, rotisserie, and dehydrator all packed into one sweet machine. If you love cooking, just go for it and you won’t be disappointed!
Who should buy this?
- It’s perfect for passionate cooking professionals.
- It’s ideal for large families with 6-8 members
Conclusion
Like every other cooking appliance out there, there are many aspects to consider when buying an air fryer. These aspects differ from one individual to another based on their needs and preferences. Some common aspects are capacity, utility, ease of use, and size. To buy the perfect air fryer, you need to think about the primary purpose. Is it just for frying food items or would you also like it to pressure cook or even bake? Do you need to cook only small portions at a time or do you have many mouths to feed? The more you think about your needs, the easier it will be for you to choose the right product. Hopefully, the above review of the best air fryers should help you discover some of the top models out there today. Happy buying!