The Best Air Fryers

Air fryers have become one of the easiest ways to turn frozen snacks, leftovers, and quick meals into crispy, satisfying dishes without relying on deep frying. By circulating hot air at high speed, these compact appliances create a crunchy exterior while keeping the inside tender. This convection-style cooking allows foods to cook faster than in a traditional oven, making air fryers especially appealing for busy households.

At the same time, not all air fryers are created equal. Many models prioritize speed over precision, leading to uneven cooking or limited temperature control. Others rely heavily on plastic components and nonstick coatings that may wear down over time. While countertop convection ovens can offer greater versatility and durability, they often require more space and a higher upfront investment.

For people who want a middle ground between a microwave and a full-size oven, pod-style air fryers remain a popular option. When chosen carefully, they can deliver reliable performance in a relatively small footprint. In this guide, we break down the best air fryers available today and explain what to look for so you can find a model that fits your cooking habits, kitchen space, and long-term priorities.

Ninja Air Fryer Pro

Best Overall Option

Heats up quickly with consistently crispy results. Simple physical buttons and compact build for small households.

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The Ninja Air Fryer Pro is built for people who prioritize speed, simplicity, and consistently crispy results. With its 5-quart capacity and powerful heating system, it delivers some of the most satisfying textures available in a compact countertop air fryer. Foods cook quickly and evenly, making it well suited for everything from frozen snacks to fresh ingredients that benefit from high, steady heat.

One of the Air Fryer Pro’s biggest strengths is how fast it reaches cooking temperature. It requires no preheating and typically climbs to its target setting within the first few minutes of operation. Once heated, it maintains temperature reliably, dipping only slightly below its setting, though it can occasionally rise above it. This rapid, high-powered heating, combined with a strong internal fan, helps produce evenly browned food with minimal sogginess.

Crisping performance is where this model truly stands out. Chicken nuggets come out firm on the outside without becoming dry, and french fries develop a crunchy exterior with a soft, creamy interior. Chicken wings are another highlight, emerging golden brown with crisp skin and juicy meat. The air circulation system distributes heat efficiently, helping prevent pale spots and uneven cooking.

The control panel is designed with ease of use in mind. Instead of relying on a touchscreen, the Air Fryer Pro features physical buttons for power, start, preset selection, and time and temperature adjustments. This layout keeps operation straightforward and responsive, even when hands are greasy or damp. The four cooking modes, combined with adjustable settings, make it easy to dial in recipes without navigating complex menus.

The square 5-quart basket offers generous space for most everyday meals. Food fits comfortably without requiring careful stacking or rearranging, which helps promote even airflow. This makes it easier to cook family-sized portions or multiple items at once. The basket is coated with a nano-ceramic, PTFE-free nonstick finish that avoids traditional PFAS coatings, though like most nonstick surfaces, it should be handled carefully to prevent damage.

Replacement parts are readily available, which adds to the appliance’s long-term value. If the basket or crisper tray becomes scratched or worn, compatible replacements can be purchased directly from the manufacturer. This helps extend the usable life of the air fryer and reduces the need for full replacement due to minor wear.

The Air Fryer Pro is not without drawbacks. It tends to overshoot its maximum temperature, sometimes reaching around 430 degrees Fahrenheit when set to 400. While high heat is beneficial for crisping, this behavior can make it harder to cook delicate foods that require gentler temperatures. It also produces noticeable fan noise during operation, creating a steady, low-pitched hum. Backed by a standard one-year warranty, the Ninja Air Fryer Pro remains a strong choice for users who value performance and simplicity, provided they are willing to monitor temperature and noise levels.

Instant Vortex Mini

Best Budget Option

Small, powerful, and budget-friendly. Fits one serving at a time, circulates heat well, and cooks food without dehydrating it.

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The Instant Vortex Mini 4-in-1 is a compact air fryer designed for small kitchens, dorm rooms, or anyone cooking for one. With a 2-quart capacity, it delivers surprisingly crisp and consistent results for its size. Whether you’re reheating leftovers or cooking frozen snacks, this model offers fast and effective convection cooking with minimal fuss.

Its space-saving design makes it about two-thirds the size of many standard air fryers, allowing it to sit unobtrusively on a countertop or be stored away easily. The square basket is shallow but roomy, fitting around four large chicken wings, just a bit less than what larger air fryers can handle. While it may not be ideal for big family meals, it’s well-suited for solo servings or sharing a quick bite.

The control panel is straightforward and intuitive, featuring just four cooking functions: air fry, roast, bake, and reheat. A central dial adjusts time and temperature, and a mid-cycle alert reminds you to flip your food for even cooking. The Vortex Mini heats quickly and produces food with a crisp exterior without drying it out, although its evenness may fall slightly short of larger models.

Cleaning the Vortex Mini is simple. The nonstick basket inserts and removes smoothly, and it’s one of the quieter air fryers available, making it a convenient option for small spaces. While it does not have replaceable trays available for purchase, the unit comes with a one-year limited warranty, and customer support is available through Instant Brands. For its size, simplicity, and solid performance, the Vortex Mini is a strong contender among compact air fryers.

Ninja Foodi DualZone

Best Dual-basket Option

Two independent baskets, six cooking functions, and a Smart Finish feature for busy kitchens needing flexibility and speed.

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The Ninja DZ201 Foodi DualZone Air Fryer stands out with its innovative twin-basket design, making it one of the most versatile options available for those who want to cook multiple dishes at once. With two independent 4-quart baskets and a total capacity of 8 quarts, this air fryer is built for efficiency, allowing you to prepare meals for a family or group without the need for multiple cooking rounds.

Its standout feature is DualZone Technology, which powers two useful modes: Smart Finish and Match Cook. Smart Finish allows different foods to cook at their own time and temperature settings but finish simultaneously, making it easy to coordinate dishes like proteins and sides. Match Cook, on the other hand, lets you duplicate settings across both baskets, perfect for cooking larger portions of the same item.

The Ninja Foodi DZ201 includes six cooking functions, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate, and Broil, giving it plenty of flexibility beyond standard air frying. Whether you’re crisping fries, reheating leftovers, or dehydrating fruit, this machine can handle it. Each basket operates independently, which helps reduce waiting time and streamlines meal prep for households with varied food preferences.

Despite its larger size, the unit maintains a slim profile and fits comfortably on most countertops. The control panel is easy to navigate, and cleanup is simplified with removable, nonstick-coated baskets. For households that frequently juggle multiple dishes or need to cook in larger volumes, the Ninja DZ201 is a smart and efficient solution that takes air frying to the next level.

Ninja Crispi

Best Compact Option

The Ninja Crispi delivers fast, even air frying in a compact design, making it easy to cook crispy meals with little to no oil.

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The Ninja Crispi is designed for people who want the convenience and performance of an air fryer without dedicating a large amount of counter space to a bulky appliance. Weighing far less than traditional combo units, it delivers strong cooking performance in a compact, portable form. Despite its modest size, it is capable of producing crispy fries, baked goods, and reheated leftovers with impressive consistency, making it a practical option for small households or anyone short on storage space.

Unlike most air fryers that rely on nonstick baskets or coated metal trays, the Crispi uses standalone glass containers for cooking. This design is especially appealing to users who are concerned about microplastics, chemical coatings, or material degradation over time. The glass chambers are free from PTFE and similar nonstick finishes, meaning food never comes into contact with synthetic surfaces that can wear down with repeated heating. Both the 4-quart and 6-cup containers are refrigerator-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe, and each includes a tight-fitting lid for storing leftovers.

The Crispi includes a 1,500-watt heating hub, two glass containers, matching lids, two crisper plates, and an adapter for the larger container. It can be used in either a compact 6-cup configuration or a larger 4-quart setup, depending on the meal. The components feel sturdy and well-built, and the modular system makes it easy to cook, store, and reheat food in the same vessel. Everything stores separately, helping reduce clutter and making the unit easier to transport.

Controls are intentionally simple, with buttons for power, mode selection, and time adjustment. The four presets include Recrisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Max Crisp, each with its own temperature and fan-speed range. When a preset is selected, the Crispi suggests a cooking time and automatically adjusts for the container size. Setup is straightforward: insert the crisper plate, add food, attach the heating unit, select a preset, and toss the food occasionally for best results.

One limitation of the Crispi is its lack of manual temperature control. Users are restricted to preset ranges, which can make following some recipes more challenging. Recipes that call for precise temperatures may require experimentation to find the closest matching mode. Ninja’s reference charts can help guide these adjustments, though many users eventually learn how each setting behaves through regular use.

In practice, the Crispi delivers strong cooking results, particularly for frozen foods and crispy snacks. Fries cooked on the Max Crisp setting turn out crunchy and evenly browned, while battered fish cooks through thoroughly with a satisfying exterior. Air circulation is generally consistent, especially when food is tossed halfway through cooking. The appliance also requires no preheating, which helps streamline meal preparation.

The transparent glass containers are another standout feature. They allow users to monitor doneness without opening the appliance, preventing heat loss and improving efficiency. Combined with the crisper plate, which elevates food above the glass surface, this design promotes even browning while keeping cooking surfaces free from flaking coatings or degraded plastics. For health-conscious users, this offers added peace of mind alongside strong performance.

Portability is another area where the Ninja Crispi excels. The smaller configuration is light enough to carry in a tote bag, making it suitable for travel, dorm rooms, and vacation rentals. Leftovers can be transported and reheated in the same glass container with reliable results. For anyone who values compact design, material safety, and consistent cooking, the Ninja Crispi stands out as a thoughtfully engineered air fryer that balances performance with long-term durability.

Breville Smart Oven Pro

Most Versatile Option

A versatile smart oven with 13 functions including air frying, roasting, baking, and dehydrating with precise heat control.

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The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a premium countertop appliance that blends the versatility of a full oven with the convenience of an air fryer. Its spacious interior and thoughtful design make it an excellent choice for home cooks who want more than just a basket-style air fryer. With the ability to accommodate standard 9x13-inch casserole dishes, quarter sheet pans, and even a 5-quart Dutch oven, this model offers unmatched flexibility for preparing a wide variety of meals.

One of the standout features of this oven is its intuitive digital interface, which includes 13 preset cooking functions. These range from air fry, roast, and broil to more advanced settings like dehydrate, proof, slow cook, and warm. The rack positions are clearly labeled on the inside of the door, making it easy to choose the right level for each cooking task. While the preheat cycle adds a few extra minutes before cooking begins, it enhances precision and consistency, which is particularly useful for baking and roasting.

The Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro comes equipped with a wide array of accessories, including a 13-inch nonstick pizza tray, wire rack, broiling rack, enamel roasting pan, air fry basket, and crumb tray. These accessories expand its capabilities and allow users to take full advantage of the oven’s size and range. Optional add-ons like a bamboo cutting board or pizza stone can be purchased separately for even more functionality.

Its build quality and attention to detail are apparent, from the spring-loaded door mechanism to the high-quality finishes available in different colors to match various kitchen aesthetics. Though it takes up more space and comes at a higher price point than smaller models, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is well worth it for those seeking a multi-purpose appliance that can replace several other kitchen tools. It excels at everything from crisping fries to baking cookies, making it a top-tier option in the air fryer category.

COSORI TurboBlaze

Best for Baking

Sleek and budget-friendly with simple touchscreen controls, 9 cooking functions, and a spacious 6-quart capacity.

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The Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart Air Fryer offers a strong balance of capacity, performance, and customization at a more affordable price point than many premium models. While it does not quite match the fastest or crispiest performers in this category, it remains a reliable option for most everyday cooking needs. Its spacious design and flexible controls make it especially appealing for households that want more control over cooking results.

Heating performance is solid, with the TurboBlaze reaching high temperatures quickly and operating without the need for preheating in air-fry mode. It takes slightly longer to reach 400 degrees Fahrenheit than some top-tier competitors and shows a bit more temperature fluctuation, but these differences rarely affect everyday use. In practice, it produces crunchy chicken nuggets, well-browned french fries, and juicy chicken wings, even if the final texture is slightly softer than that of higher-powered models.

One of the TurboBlaze’s standout features is its adjustable fan system. Users can choose from five fan speeds, allowing better control over airflow depending on the type of food being cooked. Lower fan speeds work well for lightweight or delicate ingredients that might shift around in the basket, while higher speeds are ideal for maximum crisping. The manual also explains how to modify time and temperature settings for each preset, making it easier to fine-tune the appliance for individual cooking habits.

The square 6-quart basket provides ample room for large portions and multi-item meals. This size represents the upper limit of what most air fryers can handle efficiently, yet the TurboBlaze maintains consistent airflow thanks to its powerful fan. As a result, it avoids many of the uneven heating problems common in oversized models. The roomy interior makes it well suited for families or anyone who frequently prepares larger batches.

Controls are managed through a streamlined touchscreen interface that prioritizes clarity and responsiveness. The display includes buttons for power, start and pause, temperature and time adjustment, preset selection, and Turbo Mode settings. Turbo Mode engages the fan at its highest speed for traditional air frying, while options such as Proof and Reheat use gentler airflow. The layout is intuitive and avoids unnecessary clutter, making it easier to navigate than many competing touchscreen systems.

Durability is supported by a limited two-year warranty, which is longer than what most air fryers in this category offer. This extended coverage provides added peace of mind for long-term ownership. Build quality feels solid overall, and the basket and internal components are designed to withstand regular use under high heat.

There are a few drawbacks to consider. The nonstick basket contains PTFE, which some users prefer to avoid due to concerns about PFAS-related compounds. Although the TurboBlaze’s maximum temperature stays below the recommended threshold for PTFE safety, it can come close at its highest setting. Additionally, replacement baskets and trays are not sold separately, so damaged coatings may require full replacement of the unit. Even with these limitations, the Cosori TurboBlaze remains a strong choice for users who want a large-capacity air fryer with customizable performance and a generous warranty.

Choosing the right air fryer comes down to your kitchen needs, available space, and how much versatility you want from a single appliance. Compact models are perfect for individuals or small households looking to whip up quick snacks or sides, while larger, feature-rich ovens can handle everything from air frying and baking to roasting and dehydrating. Whether you’re short on counter space or replacing multiple appliances, today’s air fryers offer thoughtful designs and efficient performance that suit a wide range of lifestyles and cooking habits.

Each of the models we’ve highlighted brings something unique to the table, whether it’s dual-basket cooking, smart heating systems, or multi-function capabilities that go well beyond air frying. No matter your budget or skill level, there’s a reliable, high-quality air fryer that can help you eat well with less oil and less effort.