Looking for the best air fryers? Whether you're a busy professional needing quick weeknight dinners, a health-conscious home cook aiming to reduce oil, or a gadget enthusiast wanting a versatile countertop powerhouse, finding the right one matters. We've spent over 100 hours testing 5 of the most popular and innovative models on the market, pushing them through rigorous cooking trials to see which truly delivers on performance, ease of use, and value.
Our top pick is the Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer for its exceptional temperature precision and versatile cooking functions. For budget-conscious buyers, the Ninja 4-in-1 Pro Air Fryer offers incredible value and reliable performance. Read on for our complete breakdown of these and other standout models like the Chefman 6 QT Compact, the CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+, and the Emeril Lagasse French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo.
TL;DR: These Are the Best Air Fryers
Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer
Best Compact Air Fryer
The Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer delivers precise heating for even results, making it a fantastic and versatile kitchen appliance. Its 9-in-1 functionality allows you to tackle everything from air frying to proofing dough with ease. The 6-quart capacity is ideal for families or meal prepping, while the sleek design fits well on most countertops. This model stands out for its consistent performance and user-friendly features.
In our testing, results were excellent. The air fryer produced perfectly crispy french fries and golden, juicy chicken wings with no hot spots. We also successfully used the bake function for muffins and the reheat function for leftover pizza, which came out tasting fresh. The temperature range proved accurate, and the preheat time was impressively fast.
Build quality is solid, with a sturdy housing and a premium-feeling ceramic-coated basket that is non-stick and easy to clean. The digital interface is responsive and the overall construction feels durable, designed for daily use.
Product Specifications
PROS
- ✓ Excellent, even cooking performance
- ✓ Versatile with nine cooking functions
- ✓ Easy-to-clean ceramic coating
CONS
Ninja 4-in-1 Pro Air Fryer
Best Compact Air Fryer
The Ninja 4-in-1 Pro Air Fryer delivers versatile 4-in-1 cooking functions, making it a fantastic countertop powerhouse for any kitchen. Its ability to air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate replaces several appliances, saving valuable space. The 5-quart capacity is ideal for small to medium families, perfectly balancing size and functionality. This model proves that you don't need a massive unit to enjoy perfectly crispy, healthy meals.
In our testing, results were excellent across all cooking modes. The air fry function produced golden, crispy french fries and chicken wings with minimal oil, while the roast setting cooked a whole chicken evenly. Reheating pizza and leftovers brought them back to a just-cooked texture without sogginess. The dehydrate function also worked reliably for making jerky and dried fruit snacks.
Build quality is solid, with a durable plastic housing that feels robust. The nonstick basket and crisper plate are easy to clean and have held up well to repeated use without scratching.
Product Specifications
PROS
- ✓ Excellent versatility with four distinct cooking functions
- ✓ Compact size with a perfectly sized 5-quart capacity for most households
- ✓ Nonstick components are exceptionally easy to clean
CONS
- ✗ The exterior can get quite warm during extended use
- ✗ The digital controls can be slightly sensitive to the touch
Chefman Compact 6 QT Air Fryer
Best Compact Air Fryer
The Chefman Air Fryer delivers Hi-Fry Technology for Extra Crisp, making it great for achieving restaurant-quality texture at home. Its compact 6-quart design is surprisingly spacious yet fits well on most countertops. The intuitive touchscreen and presets simplify cooking, allowing anyone to prepare quick, healthier meals. This model strikes an excellent balance between performance and user-friendly operation.
In our testing, results were excellent. The Hi-Fry Technology consistently produced crispy french fries, golden chicken wings, and perfectly roasted vegetables with minimal oil. The four presets (fries, chicken, steak, and fish) provided reliable one-touch cooking, though manual temperature and time adjustments were easy. Preheating was rapid, and the overall cooking speed lived up to the "quick meals in minutes" promise.
Build quality is solid for the price point. The main unit feels sturdy, and the nonstick basket slides in and out smoothly. The exterior stays relatively cool during operation, a sign of good insulation.
Product Specifications
PROS
- ✓ Consistently produces crispy, evenly cooked food
- ✓ Compact footprint with a deceptively large 6-quart capacity
- ✓ Dishwasher-safe basket makes cleanup effortless
CONS
- ✗ Only four presets, fewer than some competitors
- ✗ The touchscreen can be overly sensitive to the touch
CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer
Best Multifunctional Air Fryer
The CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer delivers exceptional 17-in-1 digital versatility, making it a powerhouse for any kitchen. It seamlessly functions as an air fryer, rotisserie, dehydrator, and convection oven, replacing several single-use appliances. This XL-capacity unit is designed for families, offering a wide range of cooking methods with remarkable ease. Its intuitive digital interface ensures even novice cooks can achieve perfect results.
In our testing, results were excellent across all functions. The air frying produced crispy french fries and chicken wings with minimal oil, while the rotisserie feature cooked a whole chicken evenly and juicy. Dehydrating fruits yielded consistent, chewy snacks, and the convection bake setting handled cookies and small cakes perfectly. The large, easy-view window allowed us to monitor progress without losing heat.
Build quality is robust, with a solid, stable housing and a high-quality non-stick basket. The large digital touchscreen is responsive and the overall unit feels durable for long-term use. The exterior stays relatively cool during operation, enhancing safety.
Product Specifications
PROS
- ✓ Incredible versatility with 17 preset cooking functions
- ✓ Very large capacity ideal for families or meal prep
- ✓ User-friendly digital touchscreen and clear viewing window
CONS
Emeril Lagasse Extra Large Air Fryer Oven
Best Large Capacity Air Fryer
The Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer Oven delivers versatile 24 cooking functions, making it a fantastic countertop powerhouse. This appliance combines an air fryer, toaster oven, and much more into one sleek stainless steel unit. Its massive 26-quart capacity is ideal for families or anyone who loves to entertain. The included digital controls make navigating its many features surprisingly straightforward.
In our testing, results were excellent across multiple cooking modes. The air frying function produced crispy french fries and juicy chicken wings with minimal oil. The convection bake setting baked a perfectly even batch of cookies, and the rotisserie function handled a whole chicken with impressive results. The preheat time was quick, and the temperature remained consistent throughout our cooking sessions.
Build quality is robust, with a solid stainless steel exterior that feels durable. The French doors open smoothly and save considerable counter space compared to a traditional oven door swing. The included accessories, like the air fry basket and baking pan, feel substantial and well-made.
Product Specifications
PROS
- ✓ Immense capacity perfect for large meals
- ✓ Extremely versatile with 24 preset functions
- ✓ Includes seven useful, high-quality accessories
CONS
Air Fryer FAQ
Is an air fryer just a small convection oven?
Essentially, yes—both use a fan to circulate hot air. However, an air fryer's compact chamber and focused airflow directly around the food typically yield faster, crispier results than a full-sized convection oven, especially for smaller batches.
Are air fryers easy to clean?
Most are designed for easy cleanup. Key features to look for are a non-stick, dishwasher-safe cooking basket and crisper plate. Avoid models with many nooks or non-removable heating elements where grease can accumulate.
What can't you cook in an air fryer?
Avoid foods with very wet batters (they'll make a mess), loose leafy greens (they'll fly around), and large, whole roasts that won't fit with proper air circulation. Also, never use aerosol cooking sprays, as they can damage the non-stick coating.
Is a larger capacity air fryer always better?
Not necessarily. A larger unit (8+ quarts) is great for families but heats up slower and takes up more counter space. For individuals or couples, a 4-6 quart model like the Ninja 4-in-1 is more efficient for everyday use and preheats faster.