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An air fryer is a compact convection oven that utilizes an upper heating element and fan to circulate hot air around your food. Air fryers deliver a crispy texture to food in significantly less time than traditional ovens or deep fryers.
Because the air fryer market is saturated with so many options, the This Old House Team conducted hours of research to find top-rated models. We scoured Amazon, looking for the best air fryers to fit every cook’s needs. Here are our top eight selections.
Top 8 Air Fryers
- Easiest to Clean: Ninja Air Fryer
- Best Display: GoWISE USA Digital Air Fryer
- Best Preset Options: COSORI Pro II Air Fryer Max XL
- Best Accessories: Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven
- Best Finish Options: Cuisinart Convection and Air Fryer Oven
- Easiest Operation: Ultrean Air Fryer
- Most Compact: DASH Compact Air Fryer
- Most Versatile: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Compare Top Air Fryers
| Product | Capacity | Maximum Temperature | Power (Wattage) | Weight | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Air Fryer | Four-quart | 400° F | 1,550 watts | 10.6 pounds | 8.5 x 12.1 x 11 inches |
| GoWISE USA Digital Air Fryer | Seven-quart | 400° F | 1,700 watts | 15 pounds | 13.5 x 12.5 x 14.5 inches |
| COSORI Air Fryer Max XL | 5.8 quarts | 400° F | 1,700 watts | 11.9 pounds | 11.8 x 14.3 x 12.7 inches |
| Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven | 10-quart | 400° F | 1,500 watts | 19 pounds | 13.2 x 13.2 x 14.4 inches |
| Cuisinart Convection and Air Fryer Oven | 18-quart | 450° F | 1,800 watts | 21 pounds | 16 x 15.5 x 14 inches |
| Ultrean Air Fryer | 4.2 quarts | 400° F | 1,500 watts | 10 pounds | 11.2 x 13.2 x 12.4 inches |
| DASH Compact Air Fryer | Two-quart | Not listed | 1,000 watts | 5.7 pounds | 10.2 x 8.1 x 11.4 inches |
| Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Toaster Oven | 4.4 quarts | 480° F | 1,800 watts | 19 pounds | 15 x 20 x 11 inches |
| Product | Capacity | Maximum Temperature | Power (Wattage) | Weight | Dimensions |
Easiest to Clean
Ninja Air Fryer
- $56.33
- $129.99
- 57% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Fries food with up to 75% less oil than deep fryers
✔ Includes dishwasher-safe parts
✔ Dehydrates food to create chips and other dried snacks
✘ Only comes in one color option
✘ Can’t cook large batches of food at once with its four-quart capacity
What Customers Are Saying
Positive reviews praised this air fryer for being easy to clean and use and for not taking up much counter space. Negative reviews said that the air fryer made weird noises and that Ninja provided poor customer service.
Best Display
GoWISE USA Digital Air Fryer
- $75.52
- $89.99
- 16% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a basket divider that lets you cook two different foods at once
✔ Comes in a variety of sizes
✔ Has a 30-day money-back guarantee and a one-year warranty
✘ Some customers said that the handle broke easily
✘ Doesn’t include removable, dishwasher-safe parts
What Customers Are Saying
Positive reviews praised this air fryer for how easy it was to clean and use. Other reviewers noted that it improved the flavor of their food, which led to them using it more than they had anticipated. Unhappy customers indicated that parts of the air fryer, such as the handle, broke after a short period of ownership.
Best Preset Options
COSORI Pro II Air Fryer Max XL
- $129.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Includes a shake reminder function
✔ Can cook enough food for three to five people
✔ Includes 100 air fryer recipes for meal inspiration
✘ Criticized by customers for making limp French fries
✘ Noted by some customers that it leaked steam
What Customers Are Saying
Positive reviews highlighted how durable, easy to clean, and easy to control this air fryer was. Many also said this model made cooking more straightforward. Negative reviews pointed out that it sometimes leaked steam and made limp French fries.
Best Functionality
Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven
- $132.41
- $149.99
- 12% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Turns frozen food into dried perfection quickly
✔ Features a message bar that provides step-by-step instructions
✔ The included accessories are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning
✘ Takes up a lot of counter space with its 10-quart size
✘ Criticized for producing a plastic smell during use
What Customers Are Saying
Happy customers noted that the Instant Pot air fryer had excellent temperature control and was easy to clean. Other reviews said that it gave their food a good flavor. Unhappy customers criticized this air fryer for producing a strange smell and having parts that melted during use.
Best Finish Options
Cuisinart Convection and Air Fryer Oven
- $229.95
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has seven cooking functions, including warm, broil, bake, and toast
✔ Includes an air fryer rack/basket, oven rack, and baking pan
✔ Features an adjustable thermostat
✘ Weighs the most out of the models in this review
✘ Noted by some customers that the knobs broke easily
What Customers Are Saying
Customers raved about how versatile and energy-efficient this air fryer was. In addition, many said that it saved countertop space because it combined two appliances in one. On the other hand, some customers said that their model burned most foods and had cheap knobs that broke easily.
Easiest Operation
Ultrean Air Fryer
- $59.02
- $95.99
- 39% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Is lightweight at only 10 pounds
✔ Includes a bonus recipe book
✔ Comes in several colors
✘ Capacity is on the smaller end
✘ Has loud beeping that could annoy some people or pets
What Customers Are Saying
Several customers liked that this air fryer was easy to use and worked quickly. Others pointed out that it was a good choice for those looking for a basic model without a lot of bells and whistles. However, some other customers felt this air fryer was difficult to clean, while others had issues with parts breaking off after minimal use.
Most Compact
DASH Compact Air Fryer
- $49
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features automatic shutoff
✔ Has a lightweight design that’s easy to move and store
✔ Comes in several bright and unique color options
✘ Not ideal for making large portions
✘ Takes longer to heat than some other air fryers
What Customers Are Saying
Those who were impressed with this air fryer liked that it was highly efficient, was great for small portion sizes, and was easy to bring on the go. On the flip side, some customers who left negative reviews felt this product was too small and not powerful enough to cook food all the way through effectively. Others were disappointed that it lacked a digital timer.
Most Versatile
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Toaster Oven
- $349.95
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Uses an Element iQ heating system to ensure food is cooked thoroughly and evenly
✔ Has a large capacity to fit several items at once
✔ Has an LCD display for easy tracking and setup
✘ Has a higher price point than other air fryers
✘ Is heavy and bulky
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who gave this product positive reviews on Amazon were particularly impressed with its plethora of cooking settings and its large capacity. Others were impressed with how evenly it cooked food. However, some customers felt this air fryer toaster oven was difficult to clean and others complained of a buzzing noise that emitted from the device during operation.
What To Know Before Buying an Air Fryer
From wattage to accessories, here are four of the most important factors to consider before buying an air fryer.
Capacity
The capacity of an air fryer determines the number of servings it can make and the type of foods that can be cooked. For example, a four-quart model can fit around two pounds of French fries, or around six chicken wings, while a larger, 10-quart air fryer has enough space to cook the main course and side dish for two or three people.
Wattage
The wattage of a device refers to the power it generates. When choosing an air fryer, keep in mind that a model with a higher wattage will have a shorter cooking time than those with a lower wattage.
Settings
Air fryers often have buttons that allow you to select your preferred cooking method, with choices varying from baking to roasting. Many models offer preset functions for popular foods, such as pizza, fried chicken, and bacon.
Accessories
Most air fryers come with accessories that help cook different foods in a variety of ways. Popular accessories include baskets, plates, and racks.
Ease of Use
Air fryers with more settings and accessories will typically be more complex than standard air fryers. While those extra features may be good for some, others may prefer a basic model that only requires you to set the temperature and timers.
Versatility
Some air fryers can also serve other functions, such as air fryer toaster ovens which can perform the functions of both appliances in one unit. Other air fryers can dehydrate, bake, or roast foods like a whole chicken or turkey in addition to frying them.
Price
The price point of an air fryer is based on numerous factors such as the brand, model, size, wattage, and number of features. If you plan on using your air fryer multiple times a week for a wide variety of foods, it may be worth spending a little more on a higher-end model that won’t break down and will have more exciting features for you to take advantage of. However, if you only plan on using one occasionally or have a limited budget, you can find a smaller model with the essential cooking functions for an affordable price.
Cleaning
Some air fryers have dishwasher-safe parts that make cleaning simple, while others require hand washing. Air fryers with non-stick parts will typically be the easiest to clean.
Air Fryer FAQs
Is air frying a healthy way to cook food?
Air fryers are a worthwhile gadget to add to your kitchen because they require significantly less oil than traditional deep fryers, delivering a crisp texture to foods in fewer calories. However, air fryers don’t transform inherently unhealthy foods into hearty meals, so it’s still important to limit your intake of fried foods.
What is the best air fryer brand?
Many air fryers are similar in terms of their design and function, so as long as you choose an air fryer from a reputable brand, you should receive a reliable and high-quality product. Well-known brands of air fryers include Ninja, Cuisinart, Instant Pot, COSORI, Hamilton Beach, and others.
What can’t I cook in an air fryer?
Avoid placing large slabs of meat and wet-battered food inside an air fryer, as the fryer will give them an uneven and soggy cook.
Can you use aluminum foil in an air fryer?
Aluminum foil can be used in small quantities at the bottom of an air fryer basket. It’s important to use aluminum foil only in a basket accessory with food weighing it down, or else the foil could touch the heating element and start a fire.
Our Methodology
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of garbage disposals with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we compared each model’s feature set to create a final shortlist, selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
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