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We tested over 20 air fryers and they stood out for their impressive results, useful features and value for money.
Many modern kitchen appliances out there do little more than take up the lion's share of your counter space, even though they are rarely used in your everyday kitchen. However, one modern appliance has proven to survive the fad and become as ubiquitous as a toaster or a blender: the air fryer.
The fryer is a keeper for a reason. They use less energy than ovens, give results similar to an oil-free deep fryer and work quickly and efficiently to prepare quick, hot meals. And perhaps the most appealing feature of all, the best air fryers make frozen foods fresher and crispier than a traditional oven, bringing convenience and convenience to busy households.
Kristy Still of Air Fryer Fanatics says, "The air fryer is a must have for every home cook because it cooks so quickly and quickly." She also likes them because they help children learn the basics of cooking. machine is another plus, as many come with preset temperatures or instructions to ensure consistent, reliable results.
We tested over 20 models and selected the best hot air fryers that scored highly for ease of use and results. Some work for larger families, others are better for small kitchens, and some have unique features for the more experimental home cook.
Best Overall: Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer
Because you should get it
The spacious basket helps produce evenly cooked, golden brown food and can hold up to 4kg of chicken.
Remember
It has no smart features and only comes with a frying basket.
Whether you're super efficient in the kitchen or use your oven as storage space, the Instant Vortex Plus is probably the best air fryer for you. It's easy to set up and use, so it's great for those with limited skills, but its ability to quickly cook up a batch of golden brown cookies makes it ideal for serious home cooks, too.
We liked the simple interface, with a clear LCD screen, preset buttons and a dial for easy adjustment of both cooking time and oven temperature. It has a pre-heating option and a 6 liter frying basket with a sturdy handle that is easy to shake and does not move during cooking. For scale, it's equipped to hold 2 pounds of chips or 4 pounds of chicken -- amounts that can easily feed a household of three or more.
With the Instant Vortex Plus you can fry frozen food without defrosting it first, as well as grill, reheat leftovers, dehydrate, grill and bake. We found that all foods cooked in the Instant Vortex were crisped and browned in less than fifteen minutes (some foods took as little as six minutes).
With a dishwasher-safe non-stick tray and a small overall footprint, it's a great choice for someone who prioritizesclean easilyor has limited counter space - and stainless steel also matches most kitchen appliances. While there are no smart options, there is a detailed chart showing the best presets for a variety of popular foods, and you can download the app for tips and more.
Price at time of publication: $130
Product Details: Dimensions:12.36 x 14.92 x 12.83 inches |Capacity:6 liters |Temperature range:95-400 degrees Fahrenheit |Institutions:Air fry, bake, bake, bake, reheat, dehydrate
Best Budget: Chefman TurboFry 3.7-Quart Air Fryer
Because you should get it
It's a compact option, perfect for a small household of two or fewer people who like to prepare meals quickly.
Remember
This appliance isn't the most consistent with cooking times, so expect to keep an eye on the food for best results.
This budget option may not be the best air fryer for those who want a wide range of settings, but if you're looking for a quick andeasy way to prepare dinner, is an excellent choice. This will be especially useful if you have a small household (two people maximum) and frequently make items such as frozen potatoes, meats and vegetables.
There are some general positives when it comes to this option. It has a dishwasher safe basket, has an automatic shut off, is easy to set up and operates quietly. The biggest downsides are the limited options — the only setting is frying — and the uneven cooking times and results during our tests.
We noticed that the biscuits and coconut shrimp in the center of the fryer turned golden, while the food on the outer edges was paler and took two to three minutes longer to cook to the ideal color.
To avoid inconsistent results, we recommend working in smaller batches and checking the food's progress frequently to ensure you don't get charred or overcooked results. Being such an affordable device, this is probably a bit of an inconvenience if you're looking for a budget option that will simplify it for youprepare daily meals.
Price at time of publication: $55
Product Details: Dimensions:9 x 13 x 11.5 inches |Capacity:3.7 liters |Temperature range:200-400 degrees Fahrenheit |Institutions:Air fried
Best Splurge: Cosori Dual Blaze 6.8-Quart Smart Air Fryer
Because you should get it
An app that lets you program the device remotely or by voice command makes it a high-tech option.
Remember
All the special features raise the price.
Customization is what makes the Cosori Dual Blaze the best toaster if you really want to send it. Not only are there pre-programmed presets for chicken, steak, vegetables, frozen foods, chips and seafood, but you can also adjust the cooking functions to your preferred time and temperature.
It also has smart functions that, when combined with the app, allow you to monitor the cooking progress of your food, find recipes, start the device while in another room and use voice commands. Dual heating elements ensure even cooking, as there are heating coils on the top and bottom of the air fryer that provide well-distributed heat depending on the setting.
For example, pressing the grill option maintains the highest heat on the top coil, while the keep food warm option consistently produces low heat on both coils. This tweak really impressed us and makes the air fryer stand out as a great option for more complex meals.
We noticed a golden brown and crispy coating when making shrimp and coconut biscuits during testing, although the shrimp came out crispier on top of the biscuits. The basket has a non-stick coating, is machine washable and holds up to 17 chicken wings without double layering or overcrowding. It's great for a family. Keep in mind that special features drive up the price, and you can get a similarly high-performing air fryer for less money.
Price at time of publication: $130
Product Details: Dimensions:11.7 x 12.9 x 13.8 inches |Capacity:6.8 liters |Temperature range:176-400 degrees Fahrenheit |Institutions:Fry, fry, bake, bake, reheat, keep warm
Best with a toaster: Instant Omni Plus 18L Air Fryer
Because you should get it
If you want to consolidate some of your appliances, it works as both an air fryer and a toaster oven.
Remember
We noticed slight color differences when we toasted six slices of bread at a time.
If you're short on counter space, a broilable air fryer is a versatile product to add to your kitchen—and it saves energy. This one from Instant Pot is our pick for the bestair fryer with toaster ovendue to its large size and the generally even and crisp cooking results we achieved during testing.
It holds no less than six slices of bread and you can choose different positionsadjust readinessyou want (it takes a little more than five minutes for the bread to get medium-dark). We found that for the most part the bread was evenly browned, but the front slices had slight color variations.
As for the airfryer mode, it produced crispy fries, evenly toasted cheese, and a batch of nine cookies (on the dark side, but not burnt). It is unique in its ability to be used as a grill and comes with a host of accessories including a cooking pot/pan, stainless steel oven rack, air fryer basket, roasting spit, roasting forks and a lifting tool.
It is perhaps perfect for a large family or someone who hasa small oven, because it allows you to cook and bake enough to feed a number of people. Or it can help you consolidate appliances if you live in a small apartment or don't cook much at home.
Price at time of publication: $210
Product Details: Dimensions:16.53 x 15.74 x 13.89 inches |Capacity:19 quarter |Temperature range:170-450 degrees Fahrenheit |Institutions:Air fried, toasted, roasted, baked, heated, heated, dehydrated, roasted, roasted
Best Small: Dash 2-Quart Compact Air Fryer
Because you should get it
It stays cool to the touch outside, making it a safe choice for families with children or curious pets.
Remember
It has a very small basket - if you are cooking for more than one person, be prepared to do it in batches.
Deep fryers can be sturdy appliances, but if you don't have a lot of counter space, you can opt for this compact model. Don't be fooled by its small size: the Dash Compact Air Fryer quickly produced crispy, golden results during testing.
The hot air fryer is easy to clean with dishwasher safe parts and features an automatic shut-off for safety. We also love that it feels cool to the touch when in use, so it's safe to shake the basket while cooking without the risk of burning. In addition, this is a safe choice for use in households with children and pets.
While his choices arelimited to frying, should cook a range of proteins and frozen foods with ease. The size is perfect for one person, but the 2 liter capacity means you'll need to cook in batches for larger groups. While its simplistic design makes it easy to use, you can only set the time and temperature.
However, the small footprint of this Dash appliance makes it one of the best air fryers to keep in a tight little kitchen in an apartment or even an RV. The brand includes a number of recipes and suggested cooking times to start expanding those skills.
Price at time of publication: $50
Product Details: Dimensions:10.2 x 8.1 x 11.4 inches |Capacity:2 liters |Temperature range:170-400 degrees Fahrenheit |Institutions:Air fried
Beste Large: Instant Pot Vortex Plus 10-Quart 7-in-1 Digital Air Fryer
Because you should get it
The Instant Pot Vortex is big enough to prepare a meal for a family and comes with great accessories like a roasting spit.
Remember
It includes a tray instead of a frying basket, which can be difficult to maneuver.
This Instant Pot air fryer is perhaps most notable for its impressive 10-quart capacity, making it the best air fryer to use for families of three or more. You can fit a few pounds of potatoes, a four-pound chicken, or even an eight-inch pizza.
We were particularly impressed by its ability to produce fluffy golden brown cookies, caramelized apples and crispy shrimp. It also received high praise for its preset, customizable temperature options and clear, easy-to-read display.
The unit includes a non-stick pan with two perforated cooking plates and other accessories such as a stainless steel roasting basket, roasting spit and forks and a lifting attachment. Grill setup and accessories are rare extras for a sub-$100 model. The air fryer also features overheat protection and automatic shut-off.
The stainless steel model is easy to clean and maintain thanks to the non-stick coated accessories and the removable oven door that can be wiped clean. It comes with an app for those interested in finding additional recipes. The main downside is that we wish it came with a frying basket rather than just a tray, as the tray is awkward to move and exposes you to more heat.
Price at time of publication: $100
Product Details: Dimensions:13.23 x 13.23 x 14.37 inches |Capacity:10 liters |Temperature range:95-400 degrees Fahrenheit |Institutions:Fry, fry, bake, bake, reheat, dehydrate, roast
Best Features: Cosori Pro LE 5-Quart Air Fryer
Because you should get it
A distinctive special function reminds you when to shake your food for ideal results.
Remember
We noticed some differences in cooking times.
No matter how efficient your air fryer is, most machines require a certain learning curve when it comes to perfecting cooking times. You may need to keep a close eye on the food until you understand your model enough to get crispy, golden results, whether you're cooking protein, vegetables, or frozen foods.
However, this Cosori option is one of the best air fryers out there because it takes some of the initial guesswork out of it with useful features. First, there are defaults for some common foods and food types to help a new user. These include seafood, chicken, vegetables, steak, bacon, chips and frozen.
The tempered glass display also has a preheat button to make sure your food is at the perfect temperature, while there's a keep-warm function and a shake reminder. The shake reminder is a feature we haven't seen on any other model on this list - it reminds you to shake the food in the basket to ensure the crispiest, most even cooking results possible.
We noticed some differences in cooking times (some foods took a few minutes longer than expected) and some differences in crispness, but the air fryer produced tasty and golden results overall. The recipe book contains30 different recipesfor even more experiments.
Price at time of publication: $80
Product Details: Dimensions:10.7" x 10.8" x 11.9 inches |Capacity:5 quarter |Temperature range:170-450 degrees Fahrenheit |Institutions:Preheat, keep warm, air fry
Easiest to clean: Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer
Because you should get it
With a dishwasher-safe basket and easy-to-wipe exterior, this is one of the easiest air fryers to maintain and clean.
Remember
Accessories are not included.
If you're looking for a low-maintenance, no-frills option, this 4-liter model from Ninja is probably the best air fryer for you. Not many steps are required. Simply preheat the unit for three minutes and add your favorite food.
In addition to air frying, you can easily grill proteins and vegetables, dehydrated foods or reheated leftovers. And when you're done, cleanup takes no time: the non-stick plate eliminates the needclean it up, and you can put the fryer rack, crisp plate and basket in the dishwasher.
During testing we found that smaller pieces of shrimp and apple came out overcooked, but otherwise we had nice and crispy results. For this reason, we think it's best to cook less delicate foods like roasted vegetables, as opposed to white fish.
We've also noticed that it's easy to wipe off the rest with a damp cloth. Assembly and disassembly are also quick and intuitive. Simply put, if you've been putting off buying an air fryer because you're worried about other equipment to maintain and clean, this is the perfect model for you.
Price at time of publication: $80
Product Details: Dimensions:8.5 x 12.1 x 11 inches |Capacity:4 quarter |Temperature range:105-400 degrees Fahrenheit |Institutions:Air baking, roasting, heating, drying
Ends in
OfInstant Vortex Plus 6 Liter Air Fryerit's our top pick because it's big enough to hold a few pounds of food, produces crispy and golden brown results, and has a simple, easy-to-use interface. For an option that is more straightforward and affordable, the best air fryer on a budget is theChefman TurboFry 3.7L Hot Air Fryer.
Our testing process
To find the best air fryers, a team of us (including experienced private chefs and rare home cooks) tested over 20 models to find options that work for all experience levels. We used two preset methods, one for traditional air fryers and one for air fryers that functioned as toaster ovens. For all models, we rated based on installation, manufacturer's instructions, ease of use, cleaning, design specifications, noise production and value for money.
For toaster oven air fryers, we've prepared a variety of foods: toasted white bread (with the maximum number of slices recommended by the manufacturer), toasted cheese, prepackaged cookie dough, and frozen French fries. We measured the internal temperature every 10 minutes while running. For hot air fryers without toaster ovens, we made cookie bites, brown sugar baked apples, and coconut shrimp. We noted the accuracy of cooking time, visual results, and taste and texture for each type of food.
Other aircraft we tested
Instant Pot Vortex Pro 10-Quart 9-σε-1 Air Fryer
The Instant Vortex Pro is similar to our pick for the best large air fryer - both are 10 quarts. It also doubles as a toaster oven, but is significantly smaller than our favorite fryer/toaster oven combo,Instant Pot Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven. Essentially, this is a bit of a Goldilocks and the Three Bears situation: The Instant Pot makes solid, reliable air fryers, but the other two made our list because size and/or features stood out, resulting in better value for money. But if you find this one on sale, it's a good choice.
Ninja Max XL Hot Air Fryer (AF161)
Despite being a good product, the models we selected simply beat this Ninja Max XL in their respective categories. However, we found it produced crisp, well-cooked food and was easy to clean and maintain. If you're looking for a good model for two or three people (it's 5.5 liters), this is a nice benchtop option.
Cosori VeSync Pro II Hot Air Fryer
During testing, the Cosori VeSync produced slightly undercooked shrimp and caramelized apples, even though the cookies were golden brown on top and fluffy on the inside. Mediocre cooking results combined with a medium-sized basket that forced us to work in batches made it one of the smaller options we tested. Plus, the ability to enable Google Assistant or Alexa raises the price without adding much functionality—unlike our splurge pick, you can't start the machine from the app.
The results of this Philips Premium Airfryer were not comparable to other models. biscuits, shrimp, and apples cooked inconsistently and took the longest to prepare food of any model tested. Plus, there are weird temperature ranges (from 375 to 390 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit) that make it less intuitive to use, and the accessories aren't non-stick or dishwasher safe. However, we appreciated how easy it was to swing the basket while keeping your hand out of the heat.
What you need to know about Airfryers before you go shopping
Capacity
The size of your household determines the ideal capacity of the fryer. You can get away with a 2 or 3 liter fryer for a single household, while households of two or three should opt for a 4 or 5 liter capacity. Larger families or those looking to make more complex meals such as roast chicken should look for 10+ litres.
Note that you cannot overfill the basket if you want the crispiest results. We found that batch work was best for smaller foods like appetizers or frozen fries, regardless of the size of the individual air fryer.
Temperature range
Most of the air fryers on our list reach a maximum temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which is high enough to ensure crispy, golden results without burning. If you want an air fryer that can reheat, keep already cooked foods warm, or dry them, look for a model that can be set below 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If this is not a priority for you, the temperature range is not so important.
Functions and settings
There are basic features and settings that should be available in any air fryer, such as a programmable temperature and a timer. The rest is largely up to the individual. To prepare complete, simple meals, look for an air fryer that can also fry, so you can make proteins and vegetables. Other common features of the most advanced air fryers include frying, baking and reheating and more. Many of the best air fryers we've tested include grill settings.
If you're not that experienced in the kitchen, choose a model with a preset guide or available settings that allow you to precisely prepare certain foods, such as frozen meals, without the guesswork. When considering the settings, consider how and if you would use them, as more complex settings and smart features like apps or connecting to smart devices will increase the price. Otherwise stick to the basics.
Your questions, answered
What is the best size air fryer?
While the ideal capacity of an air fryer will depend on the size of your household, it will not always be related to how large the outdoor air fryer is. Measure the area where you will place the air fryer to make sure it will fit without taking up too much counter space. And check the manufacturer's instructions - some toaster oven models should not be wall-mounted, for example. If it doesn't fit your kitchen perfectly, you're less likely to use it consistently.
What are the best features of an air fryer?
"When you're trying to decide which air fryer to choose, consider how easy it is to clean, as well as any safety features you might be concerned about," says Still. While many of the best air fryers come with a ton of features, in testing we've found that the basics are still the most important: how well does it cook the foods you want to cook most? Are the parts easy to clean? Is the interface easy to use?
If you're not on a tight budget or want to get creative in the kitchen, we love deep fryers, reheating leftovers and roasting vegetables, or toaster ovens above all else. In addition to this, automatic closing and a basket with a non-stick coating are two features that we appreciated to ensure safety and convenience.
What does an air fryer cost?
A countertop air fryer with a standard 2 or 3 quart capacity and no extras will run you about $50, give or take. The price will only go up from there, though most of the models we tested cost $200 to $250 at most. Factors that contribute to a higher price are extra features and functions, more capacity, more presets, and app or WiFi connectivity. Toaster/air rudder combos like theInstant Pot Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Ovenit is one of the most expensive models.
who we are
Alida is a brand writer for BHG with years of experience in the kitchen, pet, beauty, bedding and home spaces, and has worked in the commercial media space for over six years and in the media space for over a decade. He specializes in product testing, editing, writing and strategizing about the rapidly changing landscape of online shopping. For this article, she consulted with Kristy Still ofDeep fryer fanatics.
What does BHG suggest?
In addition to all the products on this list, you may have noticed the BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that deserve the seal of approval have been thoroughly vetted to ensure they deserve a place in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally get samples from companies if buying is not an option. In these cases, we use the same test criteria that we use to test purchased products.
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