Years of rigorous testing, spanning nearly two dozen models, have solidified a clear understanding: while many air fryers promise crispy results, the truly exceptional ones excel beyond mere reheating. The best air fryers consistently deliver not just golden-brown French fries and crackling chicken wings, but also tender salmon fillets and even whole roast chickens with remarkable ease. These culinary workhorses, often misunderstood, are essentially compact convection ovens. They employ powerful fans to circulate hot air, ensuring even and efficient cooking. While the familiar basket-style models immediately spring to mind, the market also offers versatile countertop ovens that integrate air frying with baking, broiling, toasting, and slow-cooking functionalities, with some even boasting dehydration and steaming capabilities. The choice between these two primary styles hinges on practical considerations: available counter space and the user’s primary cooking intentions – whether it’s quick crisping of frozen staples or a more comprehensive approach to meal preparation.
Understanding Air Fryer Technology
The term "air fryer" can be somewhat misleading. At its core, an air fryer is a small, high-powered convection oven. The fundamental principle involves a heating element and a fan, working in tandem to rapidly circulate superheated air around the food. This process mimics the effects of deep-frying by creating a crispy exterior, but with significantly less oil. The efficiency of this system can lead to faster cooking times compared to traditional ovens, making them an attractive option for busy households.
The evolution of air fryer technology has led to two dominant forms:
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Basket-Style Air Fryers: These are the quintessential air fryers, characterized by a pull-out basket where food is placed. They are generally more compact and often more affordable, making them ideal for individuals or small families focused on achieving crispy textures for items like fries, wings, and vegetables. Their design typically facilitates easy shaking of food for even cooking.
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Air Fryer Toaster Ovens: These are larger, multi-functional appliances that combine the capabilities of a toaster oven with an air frying feature. They often include additional cooking modes such as baking, broiling, roasting, and dehydrating. Their larger capacity makes them suitable for cooking larger quantities of food or for tasks that require more surface area, like baking cookies or roasting a small chicken.
The selection process for the best air fryer involves a careful evaluation of these different types, considering their specific strengths and weaknesses to cater to a diverse range of consumer needs and kitchen setups.
Our Top Picks: A Deeper Dive
After extensive testing, several models have emerged as leaders in their respective categories, demonstrating superior performance, versatility, and user experience.
Best Air Fryer Overall: Cosori Turboblaze 6.0-Quart Smart Air Fryer
The Cosori Turboblaze 6.0-Quart Smart Air Fryer has earned its top spot through consistent and impressive performance across a wide array of tests. Its basket-style design, while not as versatile as oven models, excels at its primary function: achieving unparalleled crispiness. In testing, it produced remarkably even browning and crisping on everything from frozen sweet potato fries and chicken breasts to Brussels sprouts. This exceptional performance is attributed, in part, to the increased space between the crisper plate and the bottom of the basket, which promotes superior air circulation.
A standout feature of the Turboblaze is its intelligent fan speed control. The appliance automatically adjusts fan speeds based on the selected cooking function, a detail often hidden in other models but clearly displayed on the Turboblaze’s interface. For instance, the "Air Fry" setting utilizes the highest fan speed (level 5) for maximum crisping, while "Bake" employs a gentler speed (level 3) to prevent disruption of delicate foods. Lower settings like "Dehydrate" and "Proof" operate at the lowest fan speed (level 1), showcasing the appliance’s nuanced control.
Beyond its cooking prowess, the Cosori Turboblaze offers remarkable value. It stands out as a top performer in its price range ($100-$150), combining power, versatility, quiet operation, and ease of cleaning. Both the nonstick basket and the cooking tray are dishwasher-safe, although hand-washing is recommended for preserving the nonstick coating’s longevity. The smart model includes remote control and voice command capabilities via the VeSync app, with a non-smart version available for a slightly lower price.
Key Specifications:
- Capacity: 6.0 qt.
- Wattage: 1725W
- Cooking Functions: Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Frozen, Preheat, Reheat, Dehydrate, Proof, Bake, Keep Warm
- Color: White
- Weight: 11.5 lb.
- Dimensions: 11.8" x 14.4" x 11.9"
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros: Exceptional crisping performance, versatile cooking functions, user-friendly interface, good value for money.
Cons: Food can sometimes fall through the crisper plate due to increased airflow.
Useful for: Consumers seeking a high-performing basket-style air fryer for everyday crisping and traditional air fryer tasks.
Best Small Air Fryer: Cosori Lite 2.1-Quart Mini Air Fryer
For those with limited kitchen space or cooking primarily for one or two, the Cosori Lite 2.1-Quart Mini Air Fryer is an excellent choice. This compact appliance punches above its weight, delivering impressive crisping and browning for small servings. It capably handled tater tots, fries, sliced zucchini, and even two veggie burger patties simultaneously.
Priced between $50-$60, the Lite offers a budget-friendly entry into air frying. Its compact size makes it easy to store, and its digital interface with four presets (Air-fry, Roast, Bake, and Reheat) is straightforward to use. Like its larger counterpart, the basket features a nonstick coating that is dishwasher-safe, though hand-washing is advised.
Key Specifications:
- Capacity: 2.1-qt.
- Wattage: 900W
- Cooking Functions: Air-fry, Bake, Roast, Reheat
- Colors: Gray, red, white, green
- Weight: 4.9 lb.
- Dimensions: 10.1" x 8.3" x 10.5"
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros: Very compact, affordable, easy to use and clean, quiet operation.
Cons: Limited capacity, does not include a food-shaking reminder.
Useful for: Individuals or couples, small kitchens, or as a secondary appliance for quick snacks.
Best Air Fryer—Toaster Oven: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro stands out as the ultimate all-in-one kitchen appliance, seamlessly blending the capabilities of a toaster oven with advanced air frying technology. Its generous 1-cubic-foot capacity and 13 cooking functions make it a true countertop powerhouse. This model has consistently been a top performer, lauded for its robust build quality, intuitive design, and reliable results.
The air fryer function is one of 13 presets, each meticulously calibrated to utilize the optimal combination of heating elements for tasks ranging from perfect toast and bagels to cookies and slow-cooked meals. For those seeking even more advanced control, a higher-end Breville model offers app connectivity for additional presets, including a rotisserie-style chicken function.
In testing, the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro excelled with foods that benefit from even, single-layer cooking, such as salmon fillets and veggie burgers. Its interior is large enough to accommodate a quarter sheet pan or a 13×9 inch casserole dish, effectively expanding or replacing the need for a traditional oven. This versatility has made it a favorite among Bon Appétit staff and Test Kitchen editors, as well as professional chefs who appreciate its efficiency and comprehensive functionality.
Key Specifications:
- Capacity: 1 cubic foot
- Wattage: 1800W
- Cooking Functions: Toast, bagel, broil, bake, roast, warm, pizza, proof, air-fry, reheat, cookies, slow-cook, dehydrate
- Color: Stainless steel
- Weight: 38.9 lb.
- Dimensions: 21.25" x 17" x 12.75"
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros: Highly versatile, excellent build quality, intuitive controls, large capacity, multiple cooking functions.
Cons: Requires significant counter space, food may benefit from higher temperatures and longer cook times compared to basket models.
Useful for: Home cooks seeking a comprehensive countertop appliance that can handle a wide range of cooking tasks, from air frying to baking and roasting.
Best Small Oven-Style Air Fryer: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Compact
For those who appreciate the functionality of an oven-style air fryer but have limited counter space or a tighter budget, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Compact presents a compelling alternative. This scaled-down version of the Pro model retains much of its larger sibling’s thoughtful design and performance, albeit with fewer features.
The Compact offers five specific air frying functions alongside its standard cooking modes, including toast, bagel, broil, pizza, and bake/roast. A particularly useful feature is the "bit more" button, which adds a touch of extra cooking time—a handy addition for achieving that perfect level of crispiness. In tests, it performed comparably to the Pro model for most tasks, producing juicy chicken and evenly browned tofu and vegetables.
Key Specifications:
- Capacity: 0.5 cubic feet
- Wattage: 1800W
- Cooking Functions: Toast, bagel, broil, pizza, bake/roast
- Air-frying Functions: Air-fry, fries, wings, bacon, crispy reheat
- Color: Stainless steel
- Weight: 15.8 lb.
- Dimensions: 15.7" x 16.9" x 10"
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros: Compact footprint, excellent performance for its size, intuitive design, useful "bit more" button.
Cons: Smaller capacity may lead to overcrowding, some instructions can be easily missed, struggled slightly with frozen sweet potato fries.
Useful for: Smaller kitchens, individuals or couples who want oven-style versatility in a more compact package.
If You Want to Check Your Progress Using a Basket Air Fryer: Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart ClearCook Air Fryer
For those who favor the classic basket-style air fryer but desire the ability to monitor their food’s progress without interrupting the cooking cycle, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart ClearCook stands out. This model addresses a key limitation of traditional basket air fryers by incorporating a transparent window and an interior light, akin to a conventional oven.
This feature allows users to visually track browning and crisping, eliminating the need to pull out the basket and disrupt the cooking process. This is particularly beneficial for achieving optimal color and texture, a primary goal of air frying. The ClearCook also expands the appliance’s functionality by adding a dehydrate setting and accommodating lower temperatures than some comparable models.
Key Specifications:
- Capacity: 6.0 qt.
- Wattage: 1700W
- Cooking Functions: Air-fry, bake, reheat, roast, broil, dehydrate
- Color: Black
- Weight: 11.35 lb.
- Dimensions: 14.9" x 11.8" x 13.0"
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros: Allows visual monitoring of food, expands cooking functions with dehydrate, more affordable than some comparable models.
Cons: Square basket may offer less surface area than rectangular designs, slightly bulky.
Useful for: Basket-style air fryer users who value the ability to check on food during cooking without interruption.
A High-Performing Air Fryer PFAS-Free Option: Cosori Iconic Stainless Steel 6.5-Quart Smart Air Fryer
For health-conscious consumers, the Cosori Iconic Stainless Steel 6.5-Quart Smart Air Fryer offers a compelling blend of performance and safety, featuring a PFAS-free ceramic nonstick basket and crisper plate. This model builds upon Cosori’s reputation for producing reliable and effective air fryers, delivering crispy results comparable to the brand’s top-tier offerings.
The Iconic boasts a larger capacity than the Turboblaze and shares its advanced feature of five adjustable fan speeds, allowing for precise control over air circulation for various cooking tasks. This adaptability ensures that delicate ingredients like kale can be crisped into chips without being blown around, while robust items like bone-in chicken breasts achieve a perfect golden-brown finish.
While the stainless steel finish aligns with modern kitchen aesthetics, its premium price point, nearly double that of the Turboblaze, is a notable consideration.
Key Specifications:
- Capacity: 6.5 qt.
- Wattage: 1725W
- Cooking Functions: Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Proof, Reheat
- Color: Stainless steel
- Weight: 14.1 lb.
- Dimensions: 11.8" x 11.8" x 11.6"
- Warranty: 5-year limited
Pros: PFAS-free ceramic nonstick coating, excellent crisping performance, adjustable fan speeds, larger capacity than some competitors.
Cons: Higher price point, aesthetic may not appeal to all.
Useful for: Consumers prioritizing non-toxic materials in their cookware and seeking a high-performing air fryer.
How We Tested and Selected the Best Air Fryers
The selection of the top air fryers involved a comprehensive testing methodology that spanned several years. Our team researched and evaluated numerous models from leading brands such as Breville, Cuisinart, Ninja, Philips, and Cosori. Each air fryer underwent rigorous testing with a variety of foods to assess its performance across key criteria.
Testing Methodology
- Protein Cooking: Salmon fillets and chicken breasts/thighs were cooked in each air fryer. We evaluated the crispiness of the skin, the juiciness of the meat, and the evenness of cooking.
- Vegetable Crispness: Brussels sprouts were cooked to test the appliance’s ability to achieve crisp edges and tender, non-mushy interiors.
- Crispiness and Texture: Cubes of marinated tofu were air-fried to assess the creation of crunchy exteriors and soft interiors without sticking.
- Frozen Food Performance: A full package of frozen sweet potato fries was cooked to evaluate how each model handles moisture and cooks food from a frozen state.
What Makes a Good Air Fryer?
Our evaluation focused on several critical factors:
- Crisping Ability: The primary goal of an air fryer is to achieve a level of crispiness superior to conventional ovens. We assessed how effectively each unit could replicate this texture.
- Even Cooking: Beyond crispiness, even browning and cooking were paramount. We looked for consistent results across the entire batch of food, avoiding undercooked or overcooked sections.
- Ease of Use: The user interface was a key consideration. We preferred models with intuitive controls, whether dial-based or digital, that made setting time and temperature straightforward. Complex interfaces were seen as a drawback.
- Capacity and Design: We favored air fryers with ample surface area, often found in square or rectangular baskets, over round ones that limit capacity. Models with fewer interlocking parts were preferred for easier cleaning.
- Ease of Cleaning: After extensive use, the ease of cleaning was evaluated. Appliances with fewer components and dishwasher-safe parts were ranked higher.
- Countertop Footprint and Storage: We considered both space-saving designs for easy storage and larger, more versatile models suitable for permanent countertop placement.
Other Air Fryers We Liked
Beyond the top recommendations, several other models demonstrated strong performance and unique features that warrant consideration.
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Instant Vortex Slim XL 6-Quart Air Fryer: This model, a former top pick, offers a generous cooking surface area within its compact design. Its rectangular basket maximizes space, allowing for larger batches of food.
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Typhur Dome 2: This spacious air fryer boasts a large capacity and even cooking, making it suitable for feeding larger families. However, its longer cooking times at full capacity were a notable drawback.
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Philips Premium Airfryer XXL: While offering a good capacity and user-friendly interface, its heavier basket and more difficult cleaning process, coupled with a higher price point, placed it below other top contenders.
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Philips 3000 Series 6.2L Air Fryer: This model features a sleek interface and a viewing window, but its control panel was found to be less intuitive than preferred, and its Air Fry mode offered limited temperature selection.
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Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer: This innovative appliance offers probe cooking capabilities alongside air frying. While its air frying performance was good, it did not surpass the crispiness and value offered by the top-ranked models.
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Our Place Wonder Oven Pro: This aesthetically pleasing oven-style air fryer offers fast cooking times and a good capacity. However, its preheating cycle and less responsive touchscreen interface detracted from its overall usability.
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Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven 6-Qt: This oven-style air fryer is easy to use and includes a convenient viewing window. However, its square basket limits its cooking capacity compared to other models.
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Ninja DoubleStack XL 2-Basket Air Fryer: This unique design maximizes vertical space with stacked baskets, offering significant cooking capacity in a narrow footprint. While functional, its interface could be confusing.
Air Fryers We Don’t Recommend
Several models were tested but ultimately did not meet our stringent criteria for performance, ease of use, or value. These include specific Instant Pot and Ninja models that were outperformed by competitors, as well as some Cosori and Dash models that lacked sufficient functionality or consistent crisping. The Panasonic oven-style air fryer was noted for its frustrating interface and limited temperature control, while the original Our Place Wonder Oven, despite its aesthetic appeal, exhibited uneven cooking and imprecise controls. The Ninja Crispi, with its unique glass container design, also fell short due to longer cooking times and limited temperature precision.
Air Fryer Questions, Asked and Answered
What is an air fryer? Is it just a convection oven?
An air fryer is essentially a high-powered convection oven designed for countertop use. Its core technology involves a heating element and a fan that rapidly circulate superheated air, creating a crispy exterior on food with minimal oil. While technically a type of convection oven, the "air fryer" designation typically refers to units with a basket for shaking food, mimicking the results of deep-frying more closely than a standard oven. Whether one considers it a specialized convection oven or a distinct appliance is a matter of perspective, but for practical purposes, both basket-style air fryers and ovens with air frying functions are covered in this review.
What accessories should I buy for my air fryer?
Commonly recommended accessories include parchment paper liners for easier cleanup, silicone or metal racks for multi-level cooking, and splatter guards. For oven-style air fryers, additional baking pans or racks that fit the specific dimensions can enhance versatility.
Get to Know Your Reviewer
Alaina Chou has been a dedicated tester of small appliances, including air fryers, for Bon Appétit and Epicurious since 2023. Her extensive testing has involved cooking a wide variety of foods to identify the air fryers that best deliver on the promise of crispiness and efficiency.
