Ready to buy now? Here are some key takeaways, and the full reviews are below.
I was in the “I don’t need an air fryer, I have an oven” camp for so long. I now regret all the years I smugly declared that this must be a pointless appliance. Reader, the air fryer is not a pointless appliance.
Maybe it’s because I don’t have a lot of counter space that I was reluctant to give some up. Whatever the reason, I’m glad I finally broke down and tested one a few years ago, because ever since I’ve probably used this gift-to-the-modern-kitchen at least three times a week. Perfectly cooked chicken breast? No problem. Crisped for a second life leftovers? Easy. Not only does the air fryer cook and heat things expertly, it does it without overheating your kitchen — which if you live in an apartment or old home you will greatly appreciate.
But with so many models to choose from, finding the best air fryer isn’t easy. From traditional basket-style air fryers that are perfect for snacks and small meals to large-capacity air fryer ovens that can cook for a big group, the options are nearly endless.
The BestReviews Testing Lab put more than 15 air fryers through their paces to identify the best models for just about every size family and kitchen there is. After spending over a month thoroughly researching and reviewing each one (and indulging in more comfort foods than we care to admit), we had to give the best air fryer title to the Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer. We explain why — and delve into our other favorites — below.
Editors’ picks
Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze 6-Quart Air Fryer
Editors’ Favorite
Type: Basket air fryer | Capacity: 6 qt | Dimensions: 14.4” D x 11.8” W x 11.9” H | Weight: 13.2 lb | Material: Nonstick | Control Type: Touchpad | Number of Functions: 9 | Temperature Range: 90 to 450 degrees
The Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart Air Fryer stands out as one of the largest and most versatile air fryers on our list. It offers an impressive 6-quart basket for whole-household cooking, and its functions include reheat, dry, bake, proof, warm, air fry, roast, broil and frozen. It currently has a 4.8 rating from nearly 6,000 reviews.
Its large capacity comes in a compact design that doesn’t take up too much countertop space, measuring 14.4 inches deep by 11.8 inches wide by 11.9 inches high. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding a spot for it in your kitchen
It is also a very efficient model, as users say it cooks quickly and evenly. The air fryer uses 95% less oil than conventional air frying methods, allowing you to make healthier meals. It also features a five-speed fan system for efficient and even cooking no matter what the meal is.
As an air fryer, it offers nine cooking functions and presets including air-frying, so its versatility is another plus. It features modes for reheating, dehydrating, baking, proofing, warming, roasting, broiling and cooking frozen foods. The preheat mode is easy to use as it adjusts the cooking time based on temperature.
Its basket and detachable pieces are dishwasher-safe, which makes cleanup easy. This makes it perfect for large households or anyone looking to cut down on their cooking and cleaning time. The under-$150 price point also makes it a good value.
We choose the Cosori TurboBlaze as best overall for its large capacity, versatility, even cooking and ease of use.
Chefman 6-Quart Air Fryer
Great Value
Type: Basket | Capacity: 6 qt | Dimensions: 14.88” D x 11.1” W x 11” H | Weight: 10.1 lb | Material: Plastic and metal | Control Type: Digital touch | Number of Functions: 4 | Temperature Range: 90 to 450 degrees
The Chefman 6-Quart Air Fryer has a simple, user-friendly design, yet it offers many convenient features that make it an excellent value. It has a small footprint that won’t take up much space on your counter, but its 6-quart capacity can hold up to a pound of French fries, so it’s ideal for cooking for up to five people.
This air fryer is especially effective at ensuring a crunchy texture for air-fried foods like chicken nuggets and fries. It features Hi-Fry technology that raises the temperature to 450 degrees for the final two minutes of cooking to ensure an extra-crispy exterior on your favorite “fried” foods. It even sounds an alarm halfway through the cooking time to remind you to shake the food in the basket to help it cook more evenly.
It also makes it easy to get your meals on the table in a hurry. The air fryer features a digital touch-screen display with four preset functions for one-touch meals. It also has an auto-shutoff feature that turns off the appliance when cooking is complete or when the air fryer basket is removed. Cleanup is a breeze because the basket and rack are both dishwasher-safe.
Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Cooking System
Best Glass Container Design
Type: Basket | Capacity: 4 qt | Dimensions: 13.38” D x 11.96” W x 13.58” H | Weight: 14.17 lb | Material: Plastic and glass | Control Type: Touch | Number of Functions: 4 | Temperature Range: 375 to 450 degrees
If you’re concerned about the safety of plastic components in your air fryer, the Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Cooking System is an ideal option. Instead of the traditional non-stick basket, it has two glass containers, one that holds 6 cups and one with a 4-quart capacity. In addition to serving as cooking vessels, they also come with leakproof lids for storing leftovers or taking food on the go. Best of all, they’re dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
The system features a 1,500-watt power pod that can reach a maximum temperature of 450 degrees. It allows you to choose from four cooking functions: bake, air fry, recrisp and max crisp. The recrisp setting lets you reheat leftovers so they taste like they’re freshly cooked, and the max crisp function delivers the crispiest results for foods like French fries and chicken tenders.
While the Ninja Crispi doesn’t take up much space on the counter, it’s also extremely easy to store in a cabinet or a drawer. The power pod and the glass containers nest inside one another to take up less room. The lightweight design also makes it the most travel-friendly air fryer on our list.
Cosori Air Fryer Pro 9-in-1
Best for Apartments
Type: Basket air fryer | Capacity: 5 qt | Dimensions: 14.4” L x 10.8” W x 12” H | Weight: 10 lb | Material: Plastic with nonstick basket | Control Type: Touch controls with LED display | Number of Functions: 9 | Temperature Range: 170 to 450 degrees
The Cosori Air Fryer Pro 9-in-1 compact air fryer has a 5-quart capacity, so it is large enough to accommodate 2 pounds of steak, 2.5 pounds of french fries or 3 pounds of veggies.
Because it can prepare two to three servings at a time, it’s ideal for households of three to four people. However, despite its generous capacity, it has a relatively small footprint, so it doesn’t take up too much counter space. It can also fit easily in most cabinets if you don’t want to keep it out on your countertop.
The Cosori Air Fryer Pro is a versatile kitchen appliance, offering nine one-touch cooking programs, including chicken, fries, veggies and bacon. Its temperature range allows it to prepare an even wider range of recipes because it can go as low as 170 degrees and as high as 450 degrees. The connected VeSynch app even provides access to over 150 recipes with detailed nutritional info to help get you started.
Unlike other air fryers, it won’t disturb the entire house while in use. In fact, it operates at just 55 decibels, which is similar to the sound of normal conversation. Cleaning up after cooking doesn’t take much time, either. The air fryer’s nonstick cooking basket and other detachable components are all dishwasher-safe to make washing them as easy as possible.
Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1
Fastest Cooking Speeds
Type: Basket air fryer | Capacity: 5 qt | Dimensions: 14.84” L x 11.29” W x 10.39” H | Weight: 10.34 lb | Material: Plastic | Control Type: Push button | Number of Functions: 4 | Temperature Range: 250 to 400 degrees
With Ninja’s AirCrisp technology, the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 heats up quickly. In most cases, it needs just three minutes to preheat, so you can enjoy your favorite meals as quickly as possible. It has a max temperature of 400 degrees, and its superheated air circulates around food to get it extra crispy with little to no oil.
Most dishes prepared in the air fryer have 75% less fat than traditionally fried foods, so you can enjoy your favorite without compromising your health.
The Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 has a 5-quart basket with a crisper plate that can hold 4 pounds of french fries or 5 pounds of chicken wings, making it perfect for smaller families. It has four cooking functions, making it more versatile than many basic air fryers. You can air-fry, roast, reheat and even dehydrate foods, so you can prepare entire meals, quick snacks and even desserts. If you’re stuck for inspiration, it includes a booklet with 20 recipes to help you get started.
Despite its capacity, we also appreciate how compact this model is. It is the narrowest of all the air fryers on our list, so its footprint is very small. Because it has multiple cooking functions, it can free up even more counter space by replacing other appliances in your kitchen.
Emeril Lagasse Extra-Large French Door Air Fryer
Largest Capacity
Type: Oven air fryer | Capacity: 26 qt | Dimensions: 16.9” L x 15.8” W x ” 14.8” H | Weight: 26.5 lb | Material: Stainless steel | Control Type: Touch controls | Number of Functions: 10 | Temperature Range: 75 to 500 degrees
If you want an air fryer large enough to feed a group and versatile enough to replace multiple appliances on your countertop, look no further than the Emeril Lagasse Extra-Large French Door Air Fryer. With a whopping 26-quart capacity, this model can cook for up to six people. In fact, it fits everything from a 12-inch pizza to a 6-pound chicken, so you can easily prepare all your favorite foods.
But its versatility is just as impressive as its capacity. It has the widest temperature range of all the models on our list and offers 10 cooking functions. In addition to air-frying, this oven can bake, toast, roast, broil, dehydrate and slow cook.
It even has grill and rotisserie functions that allow you to prepare your meats and seafood. Additionally, it has 25 cooking presets for frequently made foods, including pizza, chicken, ribs and bacon, so you can enjoy your favorites as quickly as possible.
This air fryer also scores points for its design. It has a stainless steel exterior that looks great sitting on any counter, and its French doors open easily with one pull. It has user-friendly touch controls that are easy to clean and an interior light that makes it a cinch to keep an eye on your food as it cooks.
Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 6-in-1 Two-Basket Air Fryer
Best Dual Air Fryer
Type: Basket air fryer | Capacity: 8 qt | Dimensions: 13.86” L x 15.63” W x 12.4” H | Weight: 17.86 lb | Material: Plastic | Control Type: Touch controls | Number of Functions: 6 | Temperature Range: 105 to 450 degrees
The Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 6-in-1 Two-Basket Air Fryer doesn’t just offer dual baskets for air-frying two foods at the same time; it can also cook the food in different ways and at different temperatures, allowing you to prepare a complete meal in no time.
It has six cooking functions: air fry, bake, roast, broil, reheat and dehydrate. Each basket has its own heater and cyclonic fan, though, so they can use different settings while cooking at the same time.
With Ninja’s DualZone technology, you cook two foods in different ways and still have them finish at the same time. However, if you plan to use the same settings for both baskets, the Match Cook button sets the same function and temperature for both. The air fryer’s user-friendly touch controls make setting the function and temperature for each very straightforward, too.
Across the two baskets, the Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 2-Basket Air Fryer can hold up to 8 quarts of food, so you can cook 4 pounds of French fries or chicken wings or prepare your main and side dishes simultaneously. The baskets are easy to wash by hand, but they’re also dishwasher-safe for fuss-free cleaning.
Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer
Best Design
Type: Oven air fryer | Capacity: 5.5 qt | Dimensions: 17.01” L x 15.75” W x 7.68” H | Weight: 17.86 lb | Material: Stainless steel | Control Type: Touchpad | Number of Functions: 8 | Temperature Range: 85 to 450 degrees
When it comes to space-saving design, it’s nearly impossible to top this unique Ninja air fryer oven. While its horizontal footprint is similar to most oven-style models, the Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer can be flipped up on its backside to rest flush with your backsplash when not in use. In that position, it takes up 50% less counter space, making it ideal for even smaller kitchens.
It still offers a generous capacity, though. It can air-fry up to 4 pounds of food and fit a 12-inch pizza, 6 slices of bread or 6 chicken breasts, so it is large enough for a family of three or four. It offers eight cooking functions, too, allowing you to air fry, bake, roast, broil, toast, dehydrate, make pizza and toast bagels in one appliance.
We also love how quickly this oven heats and cooks food. It has six infrared heating elements that let it reach temperatures between 85 and 450 degrees. Its fan effectively circulates air around the food at different speeds, so it can reduce cooking times by up to 50% compared to a traditional oven. Best of all, it is also 80% more energy efficient than your full-size oven.
Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart ClearCook Air Fryer
Best for Even Crisping
Type: Basket | Capacity: 6 qt | Dimensions: 12.8” D x 11.8” W x 14.9” H | Weight: 11.35 lb | Material: Plastic and stainless steel | Control Type: Touch button and dial | Number of Functions: 6 | Temperature Range: 95 to 400 degrees
If you want to ensure the most even crisping for your air-fried recipes, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart ClearCook Air Fryer has you covered. It features EvenCrisp technology, which lets you use little to no oil and still achieve a perfectly crispy, crunchy texture for your French fries and chicken nuggets. However, its wide temperature range supports six cooking functions, including air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat and dehydrate, so it can prepare an array of dishes.
Despite its varied functions, it’s extremely easy to use. It features a digital touch interface with a button for each cooking function and a dial to adjust the time and temperature. You can see the cooking function, time and temperature on the display at a glance, too, and it even has a progress bar to show which stage of the cooking process it’s in.
Unlike other basket air fryers that require you to open the drawer to check your food’s progress, the Vortex Plus has a large front window. It lets you keep an eye on your food so it doesn’t burn or overcook. The basket is also dishwasher-safe, making cleanup easier.
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
Best Large-Capacity Air Fryer Oven
Type: Oven air fryer | Capacity: 1 cu ft | Dimensions: 21.5” W x 17.1” D x 12.7” H | Weight: 38.9 lb | Material: Stainless steel | Control Type: Knob/LCD display | Number of Functions: 13 | Temperature Range: 80 to 480 degrees
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is similar to the Breville Joule in nearly every way, except it is not Wi-Fi enabled. The oven offers the same capacity of 1 cubic foot, so we could fit 2 pounds of French fries in its basket with room to spare. We could also air-fry 1.75 pounds of chicken wings, so it would also work for larger families and parties.
Its cooking times were a minute or two longer than the Joule’s, but it was still among the more efficient air fryers we tested. Our fries needed just 14 minutes to get golden and crispy with a flavorful, tender interior, which was 42% faster than those cooked in a regular oven, while it took 20 minutes to produce crispy, juicy chicken wings, which was 56% faster than those made in the oven.
Like the Joule, the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro boasts 12 additional cooking functions besides air-frying, impressing us with its versatility. We used the Pizza setting to bake a frozen pizza that developed a crisp crust and nicely browned cheese in 20 minutes and the Toast setting to perfectly toast two slices of bread in about four minutes. “It’s pretty convenient to be able to prepare all these foods in one appliance,” said one of our testers.
The Reheat setting also worked like a charm for warming up leftover chicken and rice in 10 minutes without drying out the food. Overall, we found its various functions cooked all foods evenly, offering an accurate temperature within 1 or 2 degrees of the set temperature on the oven thermometer used during testing.
As with the Joule, the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro requires significant counter space that could pose an issue in smaller kitchens. However, we didn’t have trouble finding a spot for it in our testing area, even with somewhat low overhead cabinets. We appreciate its versatility, even cooking and family-approved capacity.
