Air fryers have only recently had a surge in popularity, but my air fryer has quickly become a must-have appliance in the kitchen. Not only are the best air fryers easy to use, but they’re the perfect way to cook quick, healthy meals.
Some of my favorite recipes, like 10-Minute Blackened Air Fryer Salmon Bites and Crispy Golden Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, are specifically designed to be cooked in an air fryer. If you’re thinking about buying one of these appliances for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
There’s many different types of air fryers out there, including basket style and toaster oven combos—some pressure cookers now have options for air frying. To help you find the best air fryer for your cooking style, I’ve put together a list of my top-recommended models, based on both my own personal experiences and reviews from other cooking pros.
Our Top Picks:
- What’s in My Kitchen: GoWISE USA 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer – $86.51 at Amazon
- Best for Individuals: Ninja AF101 Air Fryer – $89.99 at Target
- Best Small Air Fryer: Instant Pot Vortex 4-in-1 Mini Air Fryer – $59.99 at Amazon
- Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro – $399.95 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Air Fryer
I’ve had this air fryer for three years and tested all recipes from my last cookbook in it! It’s the same size as my previous air fryer, but the way the basket is designed, there’s more space inside. It also includes a handy basket divider, allowing you to cook two different foods at once (like my Air Fryer Chicken Thighs in one and Parmesan Asparagus Fries in the other). It’s touchscreen is very easy to use and makes for a more stylish, modern touch on your countertop
Most importantly, the GoWISE Air Fryer is very powerful—it browns and cooks meat faster than some previous models I have owned—and it has eight pre-programmed cooking functions for popular foods like fries, chicken, steak, shrimp, and more. I love it and I know you will too!
The Specs:
- Capacity: 7-quart
- Watts: 1,700
- Temperature Range: 180 to 400 degrees F
- Settings: Air fry, bake, grill, roast
The Pros:
- Affordable
- Cooks food quickly
- Spacious basket
- 8 preset programs
- Includes basket divider
The Cons:
- Loud beeping
What Others are Saying:
America’s Test Kitchen ranks the GoWISE Air Fryer in its top three best air fryers. It also has a 4.7-star rating on Amazon from more than 3,300 reviews.
Buy the GoWISE USA 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer:
This mid-size air fryer has a 4-quart basket that’s the perfect size to cook for one or two people, and you can easily use it to cook a few servings of french fries or two pieces of protein for dinner. Its operation is simple, with just a few clearly labeled buttons on the control panel, and it offers settings for reheating leftovers and dehydrating foods, as well as air frying and roasting.
Plus, if you’re not a fan of hand-washing dishes, this popular air fryer has a dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate that you can simply pop in the dishwasher for hands-free cleaning. The brand does recommend preheating it for 3 minutes before cooking, which is good to note while you’re prepping dinner.
The Specs:
- Capacity: 4-quart
- Watts: 1,550
- Temperature Range: 105 to 400 degrees F
- Settings: Air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate
The Pros:
- Easy to use
- Perfect size for small households
- Dishwasher-safe basket
The Cons:
- No preheat setting
- Smaller sized
What Others are Saying:
This Ninja air fryer has a 4.8-star rating on Amazon from more than 43,000 reviews. NBC Select named it one of the best “pod-shaped air fryers” and Food & Wine calls it the best small air fryer.
Buy the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer:
Air fryers can be pretty bulky, and if you’re looking for something that won’t take up too much space on your counter (and can be stored easily in your pantry or cupboard), this compact model is a good choice. It has just a 2-quart basket, which can cook a single serving of food at a time, and there are settings for one-touch wings, roasted veggies, and other popular foods.
It’s a great option for making sides without needing to preheat or take up space in your oven. Plus, the non-stick basket is dishwasher safe, and there are many pretty colors to choose from, as well.
The Specs:
- Capacity: 2-quart
- Watts: 1,300
- Temperature Range: 120 to 400 degrees F
- Settings: Air fry, bake, reheat, roast
The Pros:
- Affordable
- Compact size
- Customizable cooking programs
- Dishwasher-safe basket
The Cons:
- Lower wattage
- Not big enough to cook multiple servings
What Others are Saying:
Wirecutter named it the best small pick. Additionally, it has a 4.7-star rating from over 19,000 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the Instant Pot Vortex 4-in-1 Mini Air Fryer:
If you plan on keeping your air fryer out on your counter, it’s nice to have a versatile option that doubles as a toaster oven. This one from Breville is more expensive than most basket-style air fryers, but it has more cooking functions—13 of them, to be exact—and could replace multiple appliances in your kitchen. How awesome!
In addition to air frying, roasting, and broiling, you can use it to toast, bake, proof bread, dehydrate, and more. Plus, the interior is large enough to fit a 13-inch pizza or a 9-by-13-inch pan, making it easy to cook for the whole family.
The Specs:
- Capacity: 1 cubic foot
- Watts: 1,800
- Temperature Range: 180 to 480 degrees F
- Settings: Air fry, toast, broil, bake, roast, and more
The Pros:
- Versatile
- Easy to operate
- Includes several accessories
- Replaces multiple kitchen appliances
The Cons:
- More expensive
- Bulky
What Others are Saying:
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro has been named the best air fryer toaster oven by Food Network and Bon Appetit, and Serious Eats calls it another great air fryer in its roundup. It has also earned a 4.6-star rating on Amazon from more than 8,500 reviewers.
Buy the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro:
Also Great
The Ninja Foodi DualZone is basically two air fryers in one. It has two 4-quart baskets that can be controlled independently, allowing you to cook multiple foods at once. Even better, it has a handy “Smart Finish” setting that makes the baskets finish cooking at the same time. It does more than just air fry, too, with additional functions like broil, dehydrate, and bake. The dual-basket design and large size is perfect for families, but just keep in mind that this appliance is quite large and will take up quite a bit of counter space. However, if you plan to use it frequently, it is completely worth it!
The Specs:
- Capacity: 8-quart
- Watts: 1,690
- Temperature Range: 105 to 450 degrees F
- Settings: Air fry, broil, roast, reheat, dehydrate, bake
The Pros:
- Two cooking baskets
- Large capacity
- Smart Finish setting
The Cons:
- Takes up a lot of counter space
- Hand-wash only
What Others are Saying:
The Ninja Foodi has more than 18,000 reviews on Amazon with a 4.8-star average rating. It’s also named the best large air fryer by CNET and the best dual basket option by Food Network.
Buy the Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer:
You don’t have to spend a lot on a good air fryer! This simple model is extremely budget-friendly, and it has two dials that adjust its temperature and time. Its basket can hold up to 2.6 quarts, and it even comes in several colors to match your decor. Unlike the other options on this list, the Dash doesn’t have any other cooking functions, but it will still leave your food well-cooked and crispy. But I think it would be good for anyone who only needs basic air frying capabilities.
The Specs:
- Capacity: 2.6-quart
- Watts: 1,000
- Temperature Range: Up to 400 degrees F
- Settings: Air fry
The Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Simple operation
- Available in several colors
- Easy to store
The Cons:
- Analog controls
- Low wattage
What Others are Saying:
The Dash Tasti-Crisp was named the best budget air fryer by CNN Underscored and the best air fryers for beginners by The Strategist. It also has more than 30,000 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.5 stars.
Buy the DASH Tasti-Crisp Electric Air Fryer:
Other Air Fryers to Consider
Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-in-1 6-Quart Air Fryer
This 6-quart air fryer is another good option that’s slightly bulkier and more expensive than my other picks, but it’s well-loved by reviewers. It offers six cooking functions and dishwasher-safe pieces, and its square-shaped design makes the basket a little more spacious if you’re cooking for multiple people. The Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-in-1 6-Quart Air Fryer is available at Amazon for $109.99.
Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven
This toaster oven air fryer is another popular option that has additional toast and baking settings. It has four control dials that adjust its temperature and time, and it comes with an oven rack, baking pan, and AirFry basket. Though cheaper, it’s quite a bit smaller than the Breville model and offers fewer overall cooking functions. The Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven is available at Target for $179.99.
COSORI Air Fryer Pro LE
For many years, COSORI sold one of the most popular air fryers on Amazon, but unfortunately, several of its bestselling models were part of a recent recall due to a fire hazard. The brand’s Pro LE model, which has a 5-quart capacity, is now the only one available. While the interior is spacious, this air fryer has controls on the top of the appliance, which can make it tricky to use if it’s sitting on the counter underneath cabinets. The COSORI Air Fryer Pro LE is available at Amazon for $79.78.
Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360
Another toaster oven-style air fryer, this model offers 12 cooking functions, including a rotisserie setting that lets you cook a whole chicken. However, it’s not as powerful as the Breville model, and some reviews say they have experienced issues with the appliance breaking after a few weeks of use. The Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360 is available at Amazon for $142.99.
Beautiful 6-Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer
This budget-friendly air fryer from Drew Barrymore has an attractive matte finish, and it comes in several pretty colors. It’s fairly spacious, with a 6-quart basket, and it has a touchscreen control panel. However, its construction is somewhat flimsy compared to more trusted brands. The Beautiful 6-Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer is available at Walmart for $79.
Why You Can Trust Me
Hi! I’m Gina, the creator and recipe developer of Skinnytaste, which focuses on sharing delicious and healthy recipes for the whole family, made with seasonal, whole foods. I’ve written several best-selling cookbooks, including two focused specifically on air fryer recipes—The Skinnytaste Air Fryer Cookbook and Skinnytaste Air Fryer Dinners Cookbook—and I love that air fryers offer an easy way to turn classic comfort foods into lighter, healthier dishes. It’s changed the way I cook and I’m certain it will change your life too!
To put together this list of the best air fryers, I started with my previous experience with certain brands and models. Then, for the ones I was less familiar with, I looked into reviews and ratings from other cooking experts and everyday users. My top picks are appliances that I love and that get consistently positive feedback from professional product testers and food publications. They also have helpful features that make them easy to use, including adjustable temperature, non-stick interiors, and different settings.
Everything to Know Before Buying an Air Fryer
What to Consider Before Buying an Air Fryer
There are a few things to consider before purchasing an air fryer with a basket.
Temperature: I recommend looking for a model that’s around 1,700 watts, which is powerful enough to get your foods nice and crispy. You’ll also want to look for the ability to adjust the air fryer’s temperature in a range between at least 150 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit to cook most foods.
Size: Air fryers with a 2- to 4-quart capacity are generally well-sized for one- or two-person households, but if you have a larger family, you’ll want a model with a capacity of 6 quarts or more. These devices can be quite bulky, so larger ones are easier to store on your countertop.
Versatility: Some air fryers offer additional functions that help make the appliance more practical. They can double as toaster ovens, dehydrators, and even rotisserie ovens, which can be helpful if you’re trying to save on space.
How Does An Air Fryer Work?
Unlike deep fryers, which use hot oil to cook food, air fryers work by circulating hot air throughout the cooking basket, similar to a convection oven. The air circulates around your food, creating a crispy exterior that’s similar to classic fried food—but without all the extra oil!
Do You Need An Air Fryer?
While I love my air fryer, it’s not an “essential” appliance for your kitchen. Most air fryer recipes can be cooked in the oven (and I offer the oven version of my recipes in the instructions!), though you might not get the same level of crisping without a convection setting. There are still many benefits to using an air fryer instead of the oven. They often cook food more quickly and require minimal preheating, and make it super easy to reheat leftovers or cook a meal for one.
Can You Put Foil In An Air Fryer?
If you’re cooking something messy in the air fryer, you can absolutely use foil to make clean-up a little easier, just like you would in the oven. I also love using air fryer parchment paper, which is great for preventing foods from sticking and makes clean up even easier.
How Do You Clean An Air Fryer?
Most air fryers have a non-stick lining in the basket, making them easy to clean with a little soap and water. I like to clean it right after I use it, and if I cook something messy, I’ll add about 1 inch of water to the basket with some dish soap and turn on the air fryer for a few minutes to loosen the mess. Alternatively, some air fryers have dishwasher-safe baskets and racks, so you can simply put them through a wash cycle with the rest of your dishes.
The Best Air Fryer Recipes
Air fryers are extremely versatile appliances, and you can use them to cook all sorts of recipes, from french fries, chicken wings, hard-boiled eggs, homemade bagels, and even things like cheesecake. Some of my favorite foods to cook in the air fryer include salmon, because it’s so quick with no need to pre-heat, and breaded meats like chicken tenders or pork chops, which get deliciously crispy, unlike in the oven where they often get soggy. Plus, it makes them a little healthier without the need for a lot of oil.
If you’re looking for foods to make in your new appliance, here are some of my most popular Skinnytaste air fryer recipes:
Prices were accurate at time of publication.